Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. And let me thank the Chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus for the outstanding job that she has done in this whole effort, Chairman Berman, Ranking Member Ros- Lehtinen, and all of those who have come to show their support and what they have been doing up to now and what we intend to do in the future. Madam Speaker, I rise to extend my deepest condolences to the people of Haiti, Haitian Americans, and all of those who have been affected by the earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12. Words certainly cannot describe the pain and psychological trauma of the tragedy and its cause, and there is no way that we can just envision the tragic loss of life from this devastating 7.0 Richter scale earthquake. The other thing about the earthquake is that it was only 6 miles below the surface, which many earthquakes go as far as 100, 150 miles down. So the trauma of this earthquake was just totally devastating. Actually, we have had several aftershocks, a 5.9 and a 5.5. We had another one today of 6.1 on the Richter scale. So this is far from over. It has been estimated that over 3 million people have been directly affected by the disaster in Haiti. Nearly one-third of the country's population is at risk for long-term displacement and vulnerability, not to forget the unknown numbers of individuals who remain trapped in collapsed buildings. I want to thank the rescue teams, the nongovernmental organizations, and other emergency responders who are working around the clock to locate and extract survivors. I certainly commend the efforts of the humanitarian response that is currently underway, particularly the efforts of all persons and relief organizations. Donors so far have contributed over $220 million to this effort. And by simply texting on phones, $22 million has been raised at $5 and $10 a clip. This is really showing the great heart of the American people. Even today, the Dominican Republic just announced $2.5 million that they are donating, and as you know that is a country that struggles financially themselves. The disaster was a tremendous setback. Haiti was starting to move into a new beginning, and we now will see many of the problems of high food prices and food shortages that have been caused by this natural disaster. We certainly need to really remain very committed to this community at this very difficult time. Haiti has a longstanding history with the United States. We heard the charge today talk about Haiti and its relationship to the United States. It fought for the independence of our country. It was responsible for Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States because they were cash-poor after the war that they lost. The whole question of Lewis and Clark was able to move forward. And so we are intertwined with Haiti. We have a great deal of connection with Haiti. Once again, I would like to certainly praise the chairperson of the CBC. And let me correct, the Democratic Republic of Congo was the country that had recently made the contribution; even more spectacular because of the tremendous problems that we have seen there. We wish to say to President Preval, who is doing everything that he can, and the Haiti Government, that we will work as partners with them. This is just the beginning. We are going to stay involved with them until we see a completion of what they need.

Mr. PAYNE. Let me, once again, express our deep appreciation for the outcry of Members of this legislative body on both sides of the aisle. We have heard of the great work done by many of the countries mentioned. We have heard about the heroism and the heroic efforts of many of the people. We have seen isolated shots of some violence and disorder, but let me say that this is just a very small sliver of what is happening in Haiti. Most of the people are waiting patiently. Most of the people are orderly. It is amazing, the resilience of the Haitian people from these overwhelming obstacles, that 99 percent of the people are just trying to make it through. So we need to engage with the government. We need to assist them as they start to recover politically and governmentally. In addition to restoring the city, we need to take a look at perhaps a new city outside of Port-au-Prince, a city built for 50,000 people that has 2 million people. Can you imagine that? So this may be a way that we can have a planned approach. We have great colleges. Columbia University has the Earth Institute, and we would hope to try to encourage those groups to come in. With that, let me commend our chairperson once again.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to begin by thanking the ranking member, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for introducing this important and timely resolution. In December 2008, after the death of President Lansana Conte, a military junta seized power in the West African country of Guinea and suspended the national legislature and the constitution. The coup interrupted plans for upcoming democratic elections and threatened the fragile stability of the entire West African Mano River region, where decade-long wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone have displaced thousands of families, destroying the capacity of their governments to function. Fortunately, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the United Nations acted immediately to rebuke the coup, demand an immediate end to the violence, and a restoration of the rule of law. After the horrific killing of 57 peaceful protesters in October, 2009, the U.S. Government, along with the Africa Union, imposed travel and financial sanctions against the junta. The swift and concerted action by the entire international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and individual states, clearly caught the attention of the coup leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and his junta. Unlike many previous African coups that were allowed to seize governmental control and consolidate military dictatorships, the Guinea coup was isolated by African States. And this is a move that--the Africa Union has decided that, in order to end military coups, they must treat rogue states with isolation. This past weekend, Guinea's junta leaders agreed to relinquish power to civilian rule, establish an interim government, and support the restoration of the constitution. The military leaders also agreed to appoint as prime minister the opposition leader, Jean-Marie Dore, and to prepare for new presidential elections in 6 months. Madam Speaker, we should commend the people of Guinea for standing fast in the face of military violence and demanding a return to the rule of law, and congratulate the international community for uniting so quickly in order to restore order in Guinea. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. And let me commend the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, Barbara Lee, for her continued leadership, stellar leadership, bringing issues that are current to us before the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congress and the Nation. Once again, we are here to talk about an issue that is very close to us. As has been indicated, I chair the International Task Force of the CBC and others on the Western Hemisphere Committee and so forth. Haiti has been a longtime concern to many of us, and we certainly wish to express our concern for this disaster, this catastrophe that has stricken Haiti. As you know, Haiti was hit by four devastating hurricanes and tropical storms recently, a year and a half ago. And Haiti was recovering, recovering from the mudslides, recovering from the floods, working its way back for the past 15 months. Then of course last night we were just shocked when we heard that a 7.0 earthquake on the Richter scale, an earthquake that was only 5 miles from the surface of the Earth, therefore giving it a magnitude of strength that is rarely felt in an earthquake because many earthquakes go down 100 miles, 150 miles deep into the Earth. However, this being 5 miles from the surface meant that the shock and the aftershocks were as individual earthquakes would be because of the proximity to the surface. This was a tremendous setback again for Haiti. From reports, we have heard that few buildings are left standing in Port Au Prince. The Parliament building, schools, hospitals, houses are destroyed. We have known that there has been a problem in Haiti with deforestation, with the need for firewood and heating fuel, cooking fuel, and therefore the denuding of the topography, therefore making it very difficult for the environment to move forward. And so this unbelievable earthquake is certainly another tremendous setback. We know that the U.S. had a quick response. Our Secretary of State from Hawaii early this morning indicated that the U.S. would be there in full force with all of our support. Then we recall this morning the President of the United States addressed our country, indicating that the U.S. will do all within our authority to ensure that everything is done that we can. There has been a tremendous amount of coordination. We heard from Cheryl Mills from the Secretary of State's office recently on a conference call where she updated us about all of the military and humanitarian, USAID programs that are going on. We have ships that are going to Haiti. We have Mercy Hospital ship that's on its way. We have helicopters that will be deployed from our aircraft carriers. We have the Coast Guard that is coming down. And so we have a tremendous amount of immediate--there was never any hesitation on the part of our government, and I commend the Obama administration. In my State of New Jersey, we have many, many Haitian Americans, and my office has been inundated with calls of people who want to know what they can do and concerns about their family and loved ones and what will the next steps be. In concluding, Haiti has been a strong ally to the United States of America throughout its history. Haiti sent troops to fight with the American patriots who were fighting for their independence against Great Britain. In Savannah, the Battle of Savannah, many Haitians lost their lives, which was one of the turning points of the colonists turning the tide against the British Army. Many valiant Haitians died for our independence. And actually, during history, when the Haitian military had a 12-year war with Napoleon's army, Haiti defeated the great Napoleon's military and therefore, France was in need of finances. And France at that time controlled the Louisiana territory. It was because of Haiti's defeat of France and their need for cash that the United States was able to buy the Louisiana territory in the famous Louisiana Purchase, which therefore opened the West to the United States, and Lewis and Clark then went throughout the continent. So, if you look at it, Haiti has had a tremendous amount to do with our development as a Nation, and so we now owe a responsibility, I believe, to our longstanding friend in Haiti. So I know that we are on the right track. The Congressional Black Caucus will continue to monitor and ensure that we have a thorough and efficient response, as we have seen. We have been pleased up to this point, and we will be at the forefront. So, once again, let me commend the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus and all of the members who have joined shoulder to shoulder to say that we will march until we ensure that Haiti will, once again, be able to come back again. They have the resilience. They have the spirit. They have the determination. So we know that it will come back, but it will have to be with the assistance of the United States and of many other nations around the world who are willing to help.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I was deeply saddened to learn yesterday of the 7.0 Richter scale earthquake that struck Haiti yesterday. As I speak, President Obama is preparing to address the Nation about our response and support. My heart goes out to the Haitian people. I would also like to express our condolences to the United Nations peacekeeping organization there. Currently, it is expected there will be casualties from Brazil, China, Jordan, France, and other countries. The Montana Hotel, where I have been, was one of the places where the soldiers stayed and where many of the deaths were. So as an earthquake of this magnitude and this aftershock have wrought extensive damage to Port-au-Prince, we say that we are here to add our support, and our prayers go out to the people of Haiti.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. Let me certainly begin by thanking the gentlelady from California, our distinguished Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for anchoring this evening's Special Order on job creation. And Ms. Lee continues her diligence in addressing issues that confront our Nation in general, but in particular, the African American community, which has been a laudable effort, and let me again commend her for her diligence. Let me also commend the gentlelady from Cleveland who comes to us, Representative Fudge, as a former mayor, and I look at her as the mayor of the CBC. Why would I call her the mayor of the CBC? Well, because a mayor has to have hands on. The mayor has to deal with all the issues. The mayor has to listen to see what's going on in education and jobs. The mayor is concerned about health care. And it's where the rubber meets the road. And you need someone who has the understanding and the perseverance. And so I would like to commend you again for the outstanding work that you do. To the Chair of this important job creations committee, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver from Kansas City, he does an outstanding job in this. Since the time is relatively late, we have several more Members, it's a good thing to do, when you have too many, therefore I will cut my remarks short. But let me just say in November we approved a historic bill to reform our health insurance system to expand access to affordable quality health care for nearly every American. The Affordable Health Care for Americans Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs and improves our choice. Let me say that you cannot hold a secure job if the fundamentals are not there for everyone to be able to benefit. And one of the great provisions in the health bill is that there will be an emphasis on job creation because of the expanded health care that will be provided. After a White House jobs summit on December 3 and a trip to Pennsylvania to meet with citizens of this country who have been affected by this economy, on December 8, as you know, President Obama announced steps that he believed should be at the heart of our efforts to put Americans back to work, to get businesses hiring again. I commend the President's focus on small businesses, infrastructure, and clean energy to provide an influx of jobs in this economy, as well as his emphasis to not just create jobs in the short run, but to also shift America away from consumption-driven growth to a focus on enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses, encouraging investment and promoting exports. I would, however, push further and urge the President and my colleagues in Congress to expand our focus to address the portion of our population who were already in vulnerable economic positions before the onset of this recession. Prior to December, 2007, the African American unemployment rate was 8.9 percent. In this economy, it has climbed to a disproportionate 15.6 percent. Madam Speaker, in the great State of New Jersey, unemployment has reached 9.7 percent. However, the largest concentration of unemployed falls in the cities of Trenton and Newark, New Jersey, where I live, where a large portion of our State's minorities live, and the unemployment rate surpasses 14 percent. While New Jersey reached its highest level of unemployment in 34 years, Newark, a part of my district, has experienced the same rate of over 14 percent since 1994. These startling facts call attention to the need to not simply restore our Nation to its pre-recession state, but to create a stronger, more inclusive plan to address the intersection of unemployment and poverty, and develop long-term strategies to confront this. Madam Speaker, I believe that the key to our strategy is education. I urge the development of a multipronged approach not only aimed at creating new jobs but infused with education and job training. We must work diligently and deliberately to harness the skills of all people. The absence of this particular focus will cause severe and lasting damage to generations of Americans, particularly of color. And so therefore, as I just shorten my remarks, I think that education, training, and expansion of current programs like the Job Corps, where we have an infrastructure, where we can have intensive training, where we can have health care, where we can go on to have GEDs, would be one way to create jobs and train people. I have much more, and I would hope that we can have the remainder put in the Record. But I will yield back the balance of my time in deference to my colleagues. Madam Speaker, let me begin by thanking the gentlelady from California, our distinguished Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for anchoring this evening's Special Order on job creation. Her continued diligence in addressing issues that confront our nation, in general, but in particular the African Americans communities and she has been laudable, and let me commend you again for your diligence. Let me congratulate the gentlelady from Cleveland, Representative Fudge, who comes to the Congress as a former major and knows well of everyday problems, where the rubber meets the road. Let me also congratulate Representative Emanuel Cleaver from Kansas City for his leadership as Chairman of the CBC jobs task force. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join the other Members tonight to talk about job creation, specifically in the African American community. In November, we approved a historic bill to reform the health insurance system to expand access to affordable, quality health care to nearly every American. The Affordable Health Care for America Act offers security and stability to all Americans, reduces costs, improves coverage and preserves our choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans, BUT holding a secure job is the foundation of many of the provisions decided upon in the bill. That being said, in addition to the nation's 10 percent unemployment rate, it is clear why the President has placed strong emphasis on job creation in the past few days. After a White House Job Summitt on December 3rd and a trip to Pennsylvania to meet with citizens of this country who have been affected by this economy, on December 8th, as you know, President Obama announced steps that he believes should be at the heart of our efforts to help put Americans back to work and get businesses hiring again. I commend the President's focus on small businesses, infrastructure, and clean energy to provide an influx of jobs in this economy, as well as his emphasis to not just create jobs in the short run, but to also shift America away from consumption-driven growth to a focus on enhancing the competitiveness of America's businesses, encouraging investment, and promoting exports. I would, however, push further and urge the President and my colleagues in Congress to expand our focus to address the portion of our population who were already in vulnerable economic positions before the onset of this recession. Prior to December 2007, the African American unemployment rate was 8.9 percent. In this economy, it has climbed to a disproportionate 15.6 percent. Madam Speaker, in the great state of New Jersey, unemployment has reached 9.7 percent; however, the largest concentration of unemployment falls in the cities of Trenton and Newark, where a large portion of the state's minorities live and unemployment has surpassed 14 percent. While NJ has reached its highest level of unemployment in 34 years, Newark--part of my district--has experienced the same rate of 14.3 percent as recent as 1994. These startling facts call attention to the need, to not simply restore our nation to its state pre-recession, but to create a stronger, more inclusive plan to address the intersection of unemployment and poverty and develop long-term strategies. Madam Speaker, I believe that the key to this strategy is education! I urge the development of a multipronged approach, not only aimed at creating new jobs but infused with education and job training. We must work diligently and deliberately to harness the skills of all people! The absence of this particular focus will cause severe and lasting damage to generations of Americans, particularly those of color, and the future of our workforce. Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop policies that will expand our focus to offer additional support for communities that have long been affected by high unemployment rates. With that, thank you once again, Congresswoman Lee for the outstanding work that you are doing.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the United States House of Representatives to join me as I rise to honor and congratulate Dr. A. Zachary Yamba on his retirement from Essex County College. He is the longest serving college president in the State of New Jersey, and the longest sitting President of a predominantly black serving institution of higher education in the nation. After serving 29 years as President, Dr. Yamba will retire December 4, 2009. Under Dr. Yamba's leadership, Essex County College has experienced unprecedented stability and growth. Enrollment at the College has increased from 7,500 students in 1980 to a record 25,000 students in 2009. Within a year of his appointment, Essex County College was awarded full accreditation for a 10 year period, a status that was reaffirmed in 1991 and 2001. Over the next 29 years Dr. Yamba demonstrated a commitment to providing quality education to under-represented populations, and ultimately redefined the role of urban higher education in the State of New Jersey and the nation. Dr. Yamba has positioned Essex County College to be one of the major factors in the movement to grant students of color greater access to higher education. Through his efforts, Essex County College stands in the top 1% of the nation for awarding African American Associate degrees. In addition, Essex County College is the number one Community College in New Jersey for awarding African American Associate degrees and is the number one institution in New Jersey for educating African American students. Dr. Yamba's inter-generational influence has made an inedible mark on the educational tapestry of the City of Newark, and the State New Jersey. Dr. Yamba became a beacon of hope, accountability and excellence for the mission of urban community colleges. Without his contribution, it is clear that Essex County College and urban community colleges everywhere, would not be as dynamic or academically sound as they are today. He is Regent Emeritus on the Board of Regents of Seton Hall University, was inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame (Soccer) and has also been awarded an honorary doctorate degree. Additionally, he holds honorary degrees from Rutgers University and the University for Development Students in Ghana. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Dr. Yamba has made a significant impact on the educational system in New Jersey, and the nation. He will leave a lasting impression on those who were fortunate enough to benefit from his guidance. I am honored to have worked with him for a number of years, and I wish him a wonderful retirement.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson who is celebrating his 25th anniversary of active civil rights activities. As we all know, Rev. Jackson was born in South Carolina and began his activities in civil rights at an early age. He became a confidant to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and was one of the leading advocates for peace and justice in this Nation. His successful run for President had America spellbound when he addressed the House. He started Operation Bread Basket, then the Rainbow Coalition. And I would just like for all of us to pay tribute to a great American, Rev. Jesse Jackson and thank him for coming to New Jersey for my election back in the 1980s.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, the American people are counting on us to reform this broken health care system. Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs have risen steadily, and the number of families in trouble over health care continues to grow--48 million uninsured, 50 million underinsured. We simply cannot afford to maintain the status quo. Those who continue to resist a much-needed change in our health care system are refusing to deal with the problems, and they won't go away if we ignore them. The health care insurance reforms we are espousing will benefit Americans, including those who are already enrolled. No longer will coverage be denied or hikes go for preexisting conditions. Insurance companies will no longer be able to drop insurance when a policyholder becomes sick, just when a patient needs insurance the most. There will be a positive emphasis on prevention, with vaccinations, mammograms, and colonoscopies that will be covered with no out-of- pocket expenses. In addition, there will be lower premiums for millions of older Americans who will see the doughnut hole go away. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and vote for this bill.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I an others have spoken at length on the ways that this bill will improve health care for all of our constituents. Another significant benefit of this legislation which has not received as much attention will be the creation of new high-paying jobs in this country. Let me repeat that for some of my friends on the other side of the aisle, this bill will create high-paying, high-quality jobs in healthcare delivery, technology and research in the United States. First, this bill will create enormous demand for healthcare workers, especially in the area of primary care. Insuring the millions of Americans in this country who currently have no insurance will allow them to see primary care providers and receive the wellness and preventive care they have been denied for too long. This influx of new patients will need doctors, nurses and technicians for their care, while reducing overall healthcare costs because they will not need much more expensive hospitalizations. I support channeling resources that for too long have been used to treat people once they become sick into jobs and services that will prevent people from getting sick in the first place. Second, this bill will continue the efforts we began in the stimulus package to deploy new health information technologies that better manage both the quality of care people receive and the cost at which they receive it. New health care exchanges and new demands on the health system to provide high-quality and cost-effective health care will create new opportunities and markets for our brightest technology minds. They will be incentivized to create and develop products that will be a win/win for Americans: high quality health care at an affordable price. Third, this bill will create high quality research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our healthcare system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reducing costly invasive procedures and allowing our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing, especially in the area of whether a new biosimilar can be interchangeable with an innovator's product. This research will create high quality and high paying jobs and it is imperative that we keep this research and these jobs in this country. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave this country, and I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure they stay in the United States. I do not look at this bill as one of cost or drain on the economy of our country like so many of its opponents on the other side of the aisle. I see this bill as an exciting opportunity to create the kind of jobs we so desperately need in this country while at the same time improving the lives of ALL Americans. This bill will improve health care, create jobs and grow our economy.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am very disheartened to hear that in our sister country, Haiti, there is brewing a move to impeach the current prime minister, Prime Minister Pierre-Louis. Prime Minister Pierre-Louis has recently gained a tremendous amount of confidence from the international community. The U.S. President and former President and U.N. Special Envoy Bill Clinton made a historic special trip to Haiti that held out the promise of new investment both to create new jobs and to help the people of Haiti. I would hope that the government officials of Haiti will consider continuing to move the country along in a positive way and move to support the prime minister.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring the memory of Robert Brown, the first African American mayor of Orange, New Jersey, which is in my congressional district. Mr. Brown is remembered by family, friends, and colleagues as a big thinker, a role model and an excellent presenter. He was born in 1947 in Wetumpka, Alabama, but was raised in Albany, New York, where he was described as a stellar student and athlete. He earned a football scholarship to Central Connecticut State College. After college he moved to East Orange and received a law degree in 1973 from Rutgers University in Newark. Mr. Brown moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as counsel on the Judiciary Committee for the House of Representatives during the Watergate hearings. He moved back to East Orange in 1976, and served as a municipal prosecutor and as the Essex County public defender before opening a private practice. He was widely recognized for his outstanding oration ability, his skill as a lawyer, and his strong commitment to community service. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his son, Remington, and brother, Raymond. As friends and family gather to remember Robert Brown, we are reminded of the tremendous difference that one person can make in the lives of others. I know my colleagues here in the United States House of Representatives join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Brown and in paying tribute to this outstanding person who meant so much to all who knew him and to the entire city of Orange.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to acknowledge the 74th birthday of my good friend, Ms. Pearl Beatty. Her family, friends and associates have gathered on October 8, 2009, to hold a party in her honor and to wish this incredibly talented woman best wishes. Pearl Beatty has always been passionate about her community and those closest to her want to be sure that she knows how much she is loved and appreciated. Pearl Beatty never allowed her early fragile health to preclude her from involvement in the things that mattered most to her. Throughout her life, Pearl Beatty has been an active participant in the political process and community organizing. She was also gifted with a beautiful voice which she utilized at Arts High School and with the Sweethearts, a group that was fortunate enough to sing at a John F. Kennedy for President rally. In fact, Pearl Beatty was active in the New Jersey campaign for the election of President Kennedy. Always an advocate for fairness, Pearl Beatty joined me and my brother, Bill, in the picketing of a local Woolworth 5&10 forcing them to hire young African Americans to work at the lunch counter. In addition to being active in the Urban League and the NAACP, Pearl Beatty assisted in organizing the New Jersey contingent for the 1963 March on Washington. She was also instrumental in the four successful campaigns of Newark mayor Kenneth Gibson, the first African American to be elected mayor of a major eastern city. She represented Governor Hughes at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and was the New Jersey campaign scheduler for President Jimmy Carter in 1976. In June 1978, Pearl Beatty was elected as a freeholder for Essex County and soon found herself as the first director of the newly elected Board of Chosen Freeholders under the new form of charter change government of Essex County. Ms. Beatty was the first African American appointed as president of the New Jersey Council of Counties and in 1987, she was appointed executive chairperson of the New Jersey State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., commission. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Pearl Beatty deserves to be feted at this 74th Birthday celebration. I am pleased to congratulate her and thank her for the many lasting contributions she has made to the Greater Newark community.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise with a heavy heart to remember my long time Chief of Staff and friend, Maxine James. Maxine passed away on September 21, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Prior to her retirement last year, Maxine served as my Chief of Staff from the time of my inauguration in 1989. She was an integral part of my career and I credit much of my success to her capable skills. Maxine was the consummate professional who served as my personal advisor and as Staff Developer for my office. Maxine James was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She was a long time resident of Newark until she purchased a home in East Orange 12 years ago. Maxine was always interested in being of service to the public at large. During her 15 years as a Community Affairs Department Staffer for Prudential Insurance Company, she served on the boards of directors of various community organizations including Second Chance, a program developed to help ex-offenders and the problem of recidivism; Newark House, a State run half-way house for prisoners and Newark Emergency Services for Families where she served the board as treasurer, vice president and president. During Maxine's tenure as president, NESF opened the first homeless shelter for families. It was while I served an executive at Prudential that I had the opportunity to meet this talented and promising young woman. Maxine was an extraordinarily gifted woman who volunteered her skills and resources to assist others. She was only the third woman and first African-American woman to join the Newark Jaycees. She used her limited knowledge of campaigns and elections to mount a campaign for the position of external vice president which she won handily. Maxine enjoyed a vast network of friends and associates who will all miss her tremendously. Maxine was a dedicated and caring mother to her two sons, Brian and Christopher as well as a devoted grandmother to Olivia and Malcolm. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that the Greater Newark Community has lost a visionary and friend in Maxine James. Her family, friends and associates can all be proud of the legacy she leaves behind.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to recognize the Honorable Renee Jones Weeks for her many years of service to the community and to congratulate her upon her retirement from the Chancery Division, Superior Court of New Jersey (Essex Vicinage). Appointed to the Bench on July 14, 1989, Judge Weeks has served in the Family Part, Criminal Part and Civil Part. She has also served in two counties, Essex and Union during her tenure. Judge Weeks has been actively engaged in various organizations throughout her career. She was a Co-Incorporator of the Garden State Bar Association, Co-Founder and First President of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey and Past Secretary of the Garden State Bar Association. She also served as Vice President of the National Bar Association, President of the Women's Division of the National Bar Association and Financial Secretary, Chair-Elect and Chair of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association. A graduate of Rutgers Law School in Newark, New Jersey and Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, Judge Weeks has served on several committees of the New Jersey Supreme Court. She is the recipient of numerous awards and was the first Black Trustee of the Essex County Bar Association. Judge Weeks is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a past Board Member of the New Jersey State Opera and a former Court Liaison to CASA (the Court Appointed Child Advocacy Program). Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Judge Weeks is an excellent role model for women and minorities in the legal profession. She will leave a lasting impact on those who were fortunate enough to benefit from her guidance. I am pleased to join all those in attendance at a Retirement Party in her honor in wishing her a wonderful retirement.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, we have nothing but myths and scare tactics to our seniors about health care. What is one of the myths? Under the health care reform, a government panel, a bureau, will tell you when you can die. Nothing can be further from the truth. It will be up to your doctor and your family. It simply provides reimbursement for Medicare for doing this. Another myth: health care reform will lead to rationed care. No such thing. We have it now. As a matter of fact, nothing will stand between you and your doctor to make the best decision. Reform actually takes insurance company bureaucrats out of this decision and let's you make it. What about the myth about health care reform is a government takeover? Just another lie. Under the bill, there is no government takeover of health care. Every American will still be able to choose their doctor and their health insurance plan and make decisions that they want. The fourth out of these five myths: health care will reform and end Medicare. Untrue. As a matter of fact, it will strengthen Medicare and it will lower prescription drug benefits--take that doughnut out of Medicare. And, finally: We can't afford to fix health care during an economic downturn. We can't afford not to fix it.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to extend warm greetings and offer my congratulations to Ron Sargent as he retires from the YMCA Retirement Fund. When Ron came to the Newark YMCA 40 years ago, I immediately saw his potential. He was eager to do the job as a well prepared and dedicated employee. During his 40 years in various roles with multiple YMCAs, he has been a credit to the YMCA's programs and we owe him our respect and gratitude for a job well done. It was a pleasure for me to personally work with him during his tenure with the YMWCA of Newark and Vicinity. As Ron Sargent begins a new phase in his life, I want him to know the dedication and commitment he exhibited during his YMCA career will always be appreciated. It takes a special person to contribute to society in the way of YMCA service. Fortunately, while acting in his different capacities, he was able to make a difference in the lives of many through the programs he was involved in and/or instituted. Ron's effectiveness and creativity led to multiple awards being presented to him and his programs were featured in the YMCA Discovery Magazine. His career with the YMCA has certainly been one of accomplishment and leadership by example. As he is feted at a dinner in his honor on July 31, 2009, Ron should know that his many years of service to the YMCA are true testaments of his character and that his significant contributions will never be forgotten. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Ron Sargent has been a true asset to the YMCA and that they join me in wishing him well as he enters his retirement years.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, like all urban centers, my home city of Newark faces many challenges. We are working hard to improve the quality of life for residents by moving forward in the area of affordable housing and health care, better schools, child care, and services for seniors. We are also proud of the fact that Newark welcomes visitors not only from other parts of our state, but also from around the nation and the world. As we continue our successful economic development efforts, I would like to draw to the attention of my colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives an article which highlights the good news for Newark. Newark at Night: It's Not a Surprise Anymore That the City is Alive After Dark (Posted by Philip Thomas, Lawrence P. Goldman and Jeff Vanderbeek/Star- Ledger Guest Columnists, July 09, 2009) Not too long ago, something you wouldn't necessarily have thought of happened in Newark. It was extraordinary. On a crisp November evening, a sold-out house of 2,800 people filled Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for a stunning concert by The 5 Browns, a family of Juilliard-trained, young virtuoso pianists, along with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Just down the street, another 19,000 people were doing something that happens in every great American city, but hadn't in Newark for quite some time--attending a major league sporting event; in this case, a rousing hockey game where the New Jersey Devils skated past the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 3-2. It was just a few days after the Prudential Center opened in downtown Newark and it was the city's first test of how it would move multiples of thousands of people through downtown streets. Newark passed with flying colors. And it was the first of many electrifying nights with multiple venues alit and Newark abuzz with activity. Just recently, Newark Symphony Hall played host to a daylong conference on reimagining its future. What became clear through the day is the unmistakable rebirth of Newark at night. There can no longer be any doubt. Newark is alive and kicking up its heels at night and on the weekends. For quite some time, the Newark Museum and Symphony Hall were in a lonely vanguard. There was little life in the downtown core and Newark's lingering reputation from years past did not help. Too many office workers raced out of the city at night, almost never touching city sidewalks because of the hermetically sealed tubes between the towers, the parking decks and Penn Station. Happily, though, much has changed in the last decade. Like Cleveland and Pittsburgh, two similar cities formerly down on their luck, we have seen real change in Newark and it is exciting to be a part of it. Since opening night, NJPAC has attracted some 6 million visitors, the vast majority in the evening and on weekends. As we like to say, ``That's 6 million people coming to the building that wasn't going to be built in the city that no one was going to come to.'' Similarly, since opening less than two years ago, Prudential Center has drawn nearly 3 million visitors to Newark, virtually all at night or on the weekend. As we like to say, ``That's 3 million people coming to the Rock that couldn't be built in a city that no one would dare come to.'' In fact, even in the worst economy in three generations, Devils attendance is up almost 15 percent from their best year in the Meadowlands. Perhaps more important is how long their fans are staying--on average over an hour longer than they did at the Meadowlands. That means they are dining at Newark restaurants and spending more time--and money--in the city. Newark Symphony Hall is poised to experience a resurgence. The recent conference was a promising start. Its vibrancy is essential to enlivening the south Broad Street end of Newark and creating stability for not only the visitors, but for the people who reside in the neighborhood as well. This bodes well for the housing and commercial development that is picking up steam and for continued economic investment in this part of the city. If Newark is to sustain its momentum, the entire length of Broad Street must become the centerpiece of significant redevelopment to elevate Newark to the next level of visitor interest. Combined, last year nearly 2 million visitors came to spend an evening in Newark attending events at the three venues. But there is more we must achieve. In Cleveland, for example there are now six successful theaters in Playhouse Square and the Quicken Arena brought LeBron James and the Cavaliers from the suburbs to the city. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has enticed tourism from far beyond Cleveland. What was once a desolate downtown is now delightful. Hotels, office development and retail followed. That's what we are aiming for in Newark. We have world- class facilities. We have fine restaurants--many of them brand new and participating in Newark's second annual restaurant week this month--and entertainment venues that dot the area around NJPAC and the Prudential Center, but we are not finished. Cities are meant to be filled with all kinds of people coming together to celebrate, relax, revel and enjoy one another. That's now happening big time in Newark today. And that's very good news for all of us in New Jersey.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, the American people voted for change last November. My New Jersey constituents voted for change. Now we have a historic opportunity to bring about change as we deal with one of the Nation's most daunting challenges, the need for health care reform for over 46 million uninsured men, women and children throughout our Nation. In addition, we need to help working people and middle class people who in many cases have to pay huge out-of-pocket expenses or have been dropped when facing serious medical conditions. This debate has been going on for six decades, and the time for action has come. Here in the House of Representatives we have already held 79 hearings on health insurance reform in just over 2 years. We cannot put this problem off indefinitely. I urge those who stand in the way of progress to either step aside or to join us in coming up with a solution to help mend a broken system.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my thanks to my colleagues, Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Earl Blumenauer, for their tireless work over the years to make safe drinking water and basic sanitation more accessible to the world's poor. In recent years, we have strengthened the United States commitment to this cause not only by increasing the amount of moneys for safe water and drinking water and sanitation, but also making sure that these moneys are appropriately spent in the proper countries, in line with the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. The continual increase in funding has allowed USAID to hire new technical staff with drinking water and sanitation expertise, to leverage host government involvement, to increase matching funds available to NGOs, and to conduct a range of tested and pilot approaches to increase water and sanitation coverage in individual host countries. It is essential that we continue on this upward trajectory, and I applaud Congresswoman Lowey for making an additional $25 million available for this effort. Water and sanitation have increasingly played a major role in how individuals interact with one another and how governments govern. Today, approximately 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and an estimated 2.6 billion people live in environments where they do not have access to proper toilet facilities and human waste cannot be properly disposed of. Chronic water scarcity has fueled instability and hinders economic and social development. In such places as Zimbabwe, Mexico and Gaza, the lack of access to safe drinking water has had detrimental ramifications for the people who live there. For example, over 1.6 million people die every year from easily preventable diseases, and 90 percent of the children are under 5. I certainly commend Congresswoman Lowey, and I would like to say that is why Congressman Blumenauer and I introduced the Paul Simon bill, and I urge its support. The lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation affects everything from how food is grown and prepared to the ability of girls and young women to attend school. Water and sanitation is an obvious issue of health but also one of dignity, physical safety and development. In 2002, the world's leaders gathered together and pledged to halve the proportion, by 2015, of people who lack access to clean water and basic sanitation. The U.S. Congress took this pledge and passed the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. We made the pledge to bring safe and affordable drinking water to the world's poor. Since its enactment in 2005, the U.S. has been able to bring inexpensive potable water to millions of people. While some parts of the world are on track to halve the percent of people who lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, some regions like Africa are behind schedule. That is why Congressman Earl Blumenauer and I introduced the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009. This bill is calling for the U.S. Government to elevate the pledge we made in 2002 to a diplomatic and policy priority. It would create offices within the Department of State and USAID and would increase the level of U.S. Government cooperation with local and NGO partners. Most importantly, it would bring first-time access to safe drinking water to an additional 100 million people. As we, in Congress, debate the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act which will rebuild our diplomatic and development activities, strengthen national security and combat terrorism and address global HIV/AIDS, let us not forget that safe drinking water and sanitation are key to the achievement of these other goals. I thank Chairwoman Lowey for recognizing this crucial fact and increasing our commitment an additional $25 million to $335 million.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the 1 billion people who live on less than $1.25 a day and who will most acutely feel the impacts of climate change. At first glance, climate change is a lot about numbers--temperature rise of 2 degrees, 450 parts per million, a 25-40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, one percent of allowances. The list goes on. However, climate change is more than science and numbers. At the end of the day, climate change is about people. Climate change is happening far more rapidly than first thought. For the world's poor the climate crisis is not looming on the horizon. It is happening today. The impacts are hitting the world's poorest first and worst--those least responsible for climate change. Poor communities--individuals eking out an existence on less than $1.25 a day--are the hardest hit and have the fewest resources to adapt. Harsher climate conditions mean these vulnerable communities are facing more severe, more frequent, and more intense floods, droughts, and cyclones--leading to natural disasters and major disruptions in agricultural growing seasons. Climate change is increasing malnutrition as agricultural productivity declines. In Africa, agricultural productivity is predicted to decrease by as much as 50 percent over the next decade. A quarter billion people will be facing water scarcity. The United States will not be isolated from these events. If left unabated, the spillover caused by climate change will be visited upon U.S. shores. As resources like water and arable land become scarcer, outbreaks of conflict, mass migration, and refugee crises will rise. A recent report released by CARE, UN University, and Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network reveals that climate change is expected to spur human migration and displacement on a scale never before seen. According to the International Organization for Migration, as many as 200 million climate migrants may be forced to cross borders by 2050. One man from Niger interviewed for the study said: ``I have been suffering from the rain water shortage, which made the river very shallow and decreased my fish production, which had negative implications on my income. If the situation does not improve, I might leave for another country like some of my friends and relatives did; they left for Nigeria and Burkina Faso and settled there.'' Left unchecked, climate change will force him, and hundreds of thousands like him, to migrate from home. These negative impacts will be even greater on women and girls. As primary family caretakers, food providers, and health care providers, women will be forced to walk further to fetch ever scarcer water. They will have to work harder to squeeze a harvest out of the earth to feed their families. As the burden increases, children will be pulled out of school--the girl child will undoubtedly be first. Passing this bill is imperative. It begins our journey of tackling climate change. It begins to assist poor communities in their efforts to adapt to climate impacts. The challenge of climate change is not insurmountable. We know adaptation works--and it can be fairly simple-- though it can also require substantial resources. Development assistance organizations like Oxfam and CARE are allies in this struggle. For example, Oxfam is working with communities in El Salvador to plant mangroves as a natural coastal buffer to protect against severe storms. CARE is partnering with women in Bangladesh who identified duck rearing as a viable adaptive alternative to rearing chickens, since chickens were getting wiped out in increasing flood disasters. The reality for poor vulnerable communities on the receiving end of the effects of climate change is that the situation is dire. The least developed countries face the brunt of the impacts but contribute less than half a percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is not something of the future, the impacts are already happening. For over 100 of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, international adaptation will be the key that unlocks their commitment to a global agreement on climate change. Climate change is a study of injustice--those hardest hit by climate change are the least responsible for it. As a global leader, the U.S. has a critical role to play: our leadership can help bring other countries along--we simply cannot tackle climate change alone. As a global problem, climate change requires a global solution based on a shared sense of community. That solution starts here with this bill. My esteemed colleagues, I call upon you to pass this bill that will begin to provide President Obama with some of the tools he needs to conclude a global climate agreement. While we might focus on the numbers in this bill, let us remember that this issue is really about people everywhere. People matter. The poor matter. Their livelihoods matter. Their survival matters. This bill marks a historic beginning of putting the U.S. back in the fore of global leadership on climate change. Thank you.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Floyd and Alma Bostick on their 60th wedding anniversary. A celebration in their honor is being held on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at the Pines Manor in Edison, New Jersey. Floyd Bostick, Jr. and the former Alma Lorraine Webb were married in Atlanta, Georgia on March 28, 1949. This blessed union produced three children, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. The Bosticks made their home in Newark before moving to Westfield, New Jersey in 1966. Mr. Bostick retired from the Newark Police Department where he was the founder of the Bronze Shields. Mrs. Bostick retired from the United States Immigrations Department as a Special Agent. They still work as entrepreneurs with a specialty in exquisitely designed jewelry. Mr. and Mrs. Bostick are wonderful, loving people and they celebrate their faith at the St. John's Baptist Church in Scotch Plains where Mrs. Bostick is the President of the Women's Guild Ministry. This couple embodies the spirit of matrimony and serves as role models for younger couples who are striving to have long successful marriages. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in letting Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Alma Bostick's family, friends and congregation know that their 60th anniversary is indeed a cause for celebration.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Day of the African Child, which has been celebrated on June 16 each year since 1991 when it was first initiated by the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor to the African Union. This year, the African Union has designated child survival as the theme of this year's Day of the African Child. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive. Each year in sub-Saharan Africa, 1.2 million babies die in their first month of life. Roughly, one in every six children fails to reach his 5th birthday. In response to these shocking statistics, the African Union made child survival a theme for their 15th meeting coming up in 2010. The top five killers of children under age 5 include neonatal causes such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, and HIV/ AIDS. So, Mr. Speaker, we encourage the legislators to support this, and I join in solidarity with UNICEF for the African child.