Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Lantos, for moving this bill through expeditiously, and also the cooperation of our friend, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), for assisting in the moving of this bill through our committee. Let me say that January 1, 2008, will mark the 200th anniversary of the Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves, which effectively ended the legal transatlantic slave trade. I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 3432. The Bicentennial Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Commemoration Commission Act of 2007, is the total title, to honor the victims and survivors of the transatlantic slave trade. The bill before us establishes a commission to cultivate and preserve the memory of a grave injustice in American history, the transatlantic slave trade, and to mark the trade's conclusion at the hands of our President at that time, Thomas Jefferson. In the early years of the Republic, the transatlantic slave trade constituted a thriving economic vein of the United States. By 1807, millions of Africans had been captured and transported to the Americas on notorious slave vessels. We may recall ``Roots.'' The 30th anniversary of that is being lived out now, which so vividly showed that era. As a matter of fact, it was the most watched series on television, even today. Many individuals perished as a result of torture, including rape, malnutrition and disease. Those who survived faced miserable prospects of a lifetime of bondage. Few Americans are aware that captured slaves resisted their enslavement until the bitter end. During the Middle Passage, enslaved Africans defied their slave masters through nonviolent and violent means, including hunger strikes, suicide, and shipboard revolts, the most historically recognized events taking place on board the Don Carlos in 1732 and on board the Amistad in 1839, that famous case that was defended by John Quincy Adams, who argued and won the case and had the enslaved people released in Connecticut. On March 3, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act, which prohibited the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States. The bill was nothing short of revolutionary. It single-handedly outlawed the longstanding and brutal trade of transporting Africans to the United States. In commemoration of President Jefferson's act and to explore the impact of the slave trade on the United States, we will move this legislation which is drafted that will establish the 200th Anniversary Commemoration Commission. This important body will be tasked with the mandate to plan, develop and execute programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, which we will tend to start talking about ``slave trade'' as ``enslaved people,'' which is a new definition that is starting to be used. Slaves are now considered people who were enslaved people. The mission is timely, and the subject is critical. The United States is a primary voice on trafficking issues today, and we are aware also that the principal advocate for human rights and freedom around the world that we stand so strongly behind. Our Nation's willingness to confront its past and calmly assess the impact of enslaved people on the United States strengthens our ability to serve as an advocate on the international stage. I strongly urge the support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank all of those responsible for moving this bill through. As you recall, it was in 1807 that slavery was abolished in England through the work of Mr. Wilberforce, who for 20 years argued against slavery in the British Parliament. A resolution was passed this year by Mr. Pitts commending the abolition of slavery in Great Britain and commending Mr. Wilberforce for his work as a great abolitionist. So we are pleased that this will give us time to commemorate, to investigate, to remember those who had this difficult period of time. As has been indicated, even though transatlantic slavery was abolished in 1807, slavery continued. As a matter of fact, even in the North, and our State has found records that even after the Emancipation Proclamation and as late as 1866, the last slave was freed in New Jersey. Many people are unaware of the fact that there was slavery in New Jersey, which abolished slavery, but you had to be 25 as a man and 21 as a woman, and any children born of a union had to remain in slavery. Therefore, people remained in slavery up through after the Emancipation Proclamation, which only freed slaves in the Confederacy. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the majority whip, Jim Clyburn, who assisted greatly in helping to move this bill forward through the Congress; and others, Sheila Jackson-Lee, who had a very strong interest in this legislation. We had been dealing with this for some time, ever since the tragedy occurred; and we have been looking forward to a vehicle that we could bring this very important legislation forward. And so we really are appreciative of the fine work of Mr. Clyburn and the principal sponsor of the legislation in the Appropriations Committee, Representative Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Second District of Illinois, a member of the Appropriations Committee, who put in tireless effort to bring this legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me once again commend the combined effort on both sides of the aisle. As you know, this has been lingering ever since it occurred. I recall meeting with the family, very devastated by the event, but I do recall, too, that the manner in which the Department of State dealt with the issue was in very, very poor taste. The family persisted. And all of the families that suffered I'm sure today are pleased that the recognition for what their family members, those who joined the Foreign Service, those who said that they wanted to contribute their careers to serving the United States of America on foreign soils in diplomatic ways. And so we are extremely pleased that this bill has finally come to fruition. Once again, I, too, commend Ms. Bartley, who has been in my office year in and year out in a pleasant and very persistent manner. As Congresswoman Maxine Waters said, she is just a gem for anyone to have as their daughter. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) who has worked so hard on this issue of Ethiopia. We are very pleased that today the proof it is coming to fruition is the fact that this bill is here on the floor. I, too, met with Prime Minister Meles in the summer of 2006 and asked if he would consider releasing the prisoners. He once again said that it is up to the judiciary. It is not in his hands. I then went to the Kality prison and met with two of the witnesses who just testified this morning Dr. Nega and Ms. Mideska, who appreciated the pressure and the insistence that we had through the years and because perhaps they would still be in prison. But they are here as free citizens testifying before the Africa and Global Health Subcommittee this morning. So, once again, we have also in this bill made provisions to assist the Government of Ethiopia. We are saying that you need help in your judicial system, and there are funds in it for that, that we hope to get appropriated. We say the health system is in disrepair, and there are funds in it to help the health system. We say that there is a need for water projects, and in this bill there is financial assistance to help in the economic development. So this is a bill that we are saying that Ethiopia is an ally of the United States. We need a strong Ethiopia. But we need a democratic Ethiopia, not an Ethiopia that is run by a dictatorial regime. So we are hoping that this bill will move forward and effect change in that great country with such a long and rich history.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Let me thank you again for your great work, Congresswoman Jones, she does a fantastic job, and for all of the leaders that you have heard mentioned. And I would like to commend Dr. Elsie Scott for really bringing the foundation forward. Of course, our chairperson Meeks and Kilpatrick and G.K. Butterfield and Christensen. Let me also commend our speaker pro tempore this evening for the great work that Yvette Clarke, a new Member from Brooklyn, who has come into this House and has brought vitality and excitement. And we know that she will do an outstanding job as she moves that district forward. It's a great pleasure to have you with us. Let me just say that I dealt with three areas, Bobby Scott, Danny Davis and our brain trust on education. Then I had the Head Start part. Then we had two other workshops and brain trusts, one, ``We Don't Do February.'' And that is about integrating African American history into the regular curriculum so that when we hear about Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale, we will hear about Crispus Attucks and Peter Salem. When we hear about the Rough Riders, we will know about the Buffalo Soldiers. So the Amistad Committee of New Jersey is integrating African history into the regular textbooks. Then, of course, as you all know, we deal with the Africa brain trust, the theme, ``The New Africa: Opportunities and Challenges,'' President Wade of Senegal and former President Obasanjo of Nigeria, and Under Secretary Henrietta Fore, Ambassador Ali, AU Ambassador to the U.S. And we had Dr. Adasena, who was representing Kofi Annan's new group on the ``Greening of Africa.'' And Ambassador Lyman, former Ambassador from the U.S. to South Africa and Nigeria. And Dr. Juma from Harvard talking about education. So we really had standing room only. I recall 19 years ago, when I started the brain trust, we had a difficult time. We used to run in the halls and just drag people, beg them to come in. Now, unless you're there before 9 o'clock, you're not going to get a seat. So it shows that the Congressional Black Caucus, the constituency for Africa has grown very strong, and the members of the caucus are so supportive of the efforts we're doing, not only in Africa but in the Caribbean. And in Latin America, where Afro-Latinos are saying we want our share, too. We have, in Brazil now, an affirmative action program where in their colleges, they will have to admit the qualified blacks who've been ignored, and in Columbia. So we have seen in the ``hands across the ocean,'' as I often say, that the blood that connects us is much thicker than the water that separates us. So with that, I will yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Reverend William H. Watson, who was a long-time social activist and resident of Newark, NJ. His passion for social justice led him to direct many social service organizations within my district and the northeast coast of the United States. Born on September 23, 1934, in Memphis, Tennessee, Rev. Watson always exhibited a passion for helping others. After ordination in the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bill served a couple of churches in North-Central Pennsylvania and served as Campus Minister at Penn State University. Rev. Watson served respectively as the Executive Director of Voice a church based organization supporting community organization in northeastern Pennsylvania and as Director of the Social Concerns Department of the Capitol Region Conferences of Churches in Hartford, Connecticut. Later in life, Rev. Watson worked at Unified Vailsburg Service Organization (UVSO) in Newark, NJ--a neighborhood based human services and community development agency founded by local residents in 1972 to ``create a stable and compassionate community'' by bringing together representatives of various local groups in an attempt to solve some of the neighborhood problem. Rev. Watson worked as a community organizer dealing with issues of crime, education, and housing. Reverend Watson also served as a VISTA Volunteer with the Newark Tenants organization; a member of the Board of Directors of Inside-Out: Citizens United for Prison Reform, Inc.; member of the Northeast Inter- Help Council which deals with social justice issues and ecology, and a founding member secretary of the Board of Directors of the Family Partnership Committee, and Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues here in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring Reverend William H. Watson, whose spirit lives on through lives he touched and work he accomplished while on earth. I am proud to have had him in my Congressional district.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by also expressing my accolades to the gentlewoman who is chairing this Special Order tonight from the great city of Cleveland in Ohio. As you know, she has served with distinction in the past in the judicial system as a judge. She is a former prosecutor, of course, and esteemed attorney, and she now heads the very difficult Ethics Committee, which really says that of all of the people in this body, it was deemed that she was the most qualified and suitable, in addition to qualifications you need to be suited for a position, and so I commend you for that. Also, as I previously mentioned, we're very pleased with the Congressional Black Caucus as it continues to be the conscience of the Congress. Our chairperson from the great city of Detroit, Representative Kilpatrick, is doing an outstanding job. Today, I rise to speak briefly on two subjects. First of all, I rise to speak about my support for the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, which expands and increases health insurance coverage for low- income children and improves the quality of health care that our children receive. But we need to pass a bill that fully funds and covers all eligible children. How could the richest Nation in the world do less than to provide for its young? It is critical and important because they are our future. Today, our Nation is facing a health care crisis. Existing private insurance options are becoming increasingly less affordable for families, and 45 million individuals remain uninsured in our country, 9 million of whom are children. The State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid have been successful in providing 6 million children with health care coverage. In considering the reauthorization of SCHIP, we must build on past bipartisan success and work together to ensure coverage for the 9 million children who remain uninsured. I am proud to say that New Jersey has made significant progress in providing health insurance for its children. However, the progress cannot be maintained unless we reauthorize legislation which meets the real needs of children and for children's health coverage, including addressing the unique needs of children with disabilities. According to a study released by Families USA, the number of uninsured children in my home State of New Jersey could be reduced by 100,000 Statewide if SCHIP is fully reauthorized. Without this legislation, New Jersey has more to lose than most States, unfortunately. Why? Because New Jersey did the right thing by increasing SCHIP eligibility to 3.5 times the Federal poverty level because of the cost of living, which is higher in New Jersey, especially housing costs. Similarly, New Jersey enrolled low-income parents in part because research has shown that this results in more low-income children being enrolled in the program. However, instead of being rewarded for these actions, under the Bush administration's proposal, over 28,000 children and 80,000 parents Statewide could lose their health care coverage. In addition, thousands more children who are eligible now but not participating would never be able to enroll in the program. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government must be a responsible partner in terms of State health coverage initiatives. Forty years ago, Medicare eliminated the problem of the uninsured among the elderly. I believe we have an opportunity to take steps to do the same now with our children by fully reauthorizing this vital health care program. Mr. Speaker, my commitment to children's health care is solid, and I urge that we support a bill that fully reauthorizes, not half, not a quarter, not three-quarters, but fully authorizes, and I hope that the bill that comes before us will do just that. Now, if I may speak for a few minutes on the Jena Six.

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much. Because we stand here on the 50th anniversary of school desegregation in the South and 43 years ago after the signing of the civil rights bill of 1964. However, recent events, particularly in the last 2 years, give credence to the saying that all that glitters is not gold. Although we thought we were making tremendous progress, still many problems remain. Two years ago, New Orleans washed away, exposing undertones of class and race that did not go away with the signing of those two momentous decrees, Brown v. the Board of Ed and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In Jena, Louisiana, the issue of race, which had been simmering below the surface, had reached the boiling point late last year. Can you imagine that an act of sitting under the unspoken white only tree will garner the reaction of nooses? Not only nooses, but nooses decorated in the school colors being hung from that same tree? There's no mistake the symbolism that nooses hanging from a tree means in the not-so- distant history of America. As a matter of fact, the NAACP was founded in 1909 not for full employment, not for equal accommodation. The simple, original goal was simply to try to stop lynchings, just try to stop lynchings, and here we have nooses put under a tree that is the tree for whites only, to send a message that if you sit here, you don't know what might happen to you in the future. While I find what those students did to be egregious, hanging the nooses on the tree, I am just as disgusted and dumbfounded by the reaction of the school administrators. Chalking up those actions to be a youthful stunt shows a dereliction of duty by the Jena school administrators. Have you no sense of history? Have you have no sense of common decency? Three days of in-school suspension for the culprits of this prank equates to a slap on the wrist. That punishment says shame on you but really means no harm, no foul. Yet, after almost 4 months of underwhelming reactions from the school administration who are supposed to protect and advocate for the students under their care, the school imploded. While I do not condone violence as a solution, couldn't something have happened before we even arrived at this point? Yes, one student was injured, and thankfully he has recovered. But attempted second degree murder, second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy? The Jena school administration and the local legal system cannot run hot and cold while doling out punishments. They have the responsibility to be objective and fair, and not play with the people's lives like they are pawns in a chess game. The punishment must fit the crime. We are dealing with lives here, especially the lives of young people who still have a lot ahead of them. Threatening to take their lives away at the stroke of a pen does not ring of the necessary objectivity and fairness befitting a district attorney who looked at the black students and said, by the stroke of this pen I can have your future of your life. And so as I conclude, Martin Luther King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. As Members of Congress elected by the people to represent them and to promulgate laws on their behalf, we have to speak out against these types of injustices that threaten the very foundation upon which this Nation stands, equal treatment under the law. If we fail to speak up for these young men, we will be abdicating our roles for which we were elected. What is to say that my grandchildren or your child will not be the next? Let us not sheepishly accept this type of behavior, not in the 21st century.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment that I was not permitted to offer an amendment to this bill after testifying before the Rules Committee yesterday. My amendment would have addressed concerns about the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Airspace Redesign. While all of us recognize the pressing need to improve the current system in order to promote efficiency and reduce flight delays, the implementation of this particular plan will have a disproportionate negative impact on some minority communities, including the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, which is partially located in my Congressional District. Unfortunately, our government has a history of causing minority communities to bear a disproportionate share of undesirable environmental effects, whether it is air noise, air pollution, or toxic waste dumps--these objectionable projects too often end up in poor and minority communities. In response to this injustice, Executive Order 12898, which was signed by President Clinton on February 11, 1994 and reaffirmed by President Bush, aims to ensure that environmental justice is considered when federal agency decisions are made. The population of the city of Elizabeth is about 65 percent non-white, with most minorities being Hispanic or African American. The Elizabeth community is especially alarmed about the proposed plan because under a previous procedure in the 1950s where planes ``fanned out'' over Elizabeth, there were three tragic airplane crashes in a very short time period--from December 1951 to February 1952. Under the Airspace Redesign proposal, high aircraft noise exposure in the immediate vicinity of the airport increases from 53,276 residents to 100,893 residents in Union County, where the city of Elizabeth is located. It also increases from 94,407 residents to 131,916 residents in Essex County. In some neighborhoods, the decibel levels could rise to a degree that the noise will be 5 times greater than it is now. These actions have caused many of us to question whether or not the FAA properly and adequately met their responsibilities under the environmental justice Executive Order. Therefore, my amendment would have stipulated that before implementing the New York/New Jersey/ Philadelphia Redesign project, the FAA Administrator must submit a report to Congress explaining how the agency has met the requirements relating to environmental concerns in minority communities. Needless to say, I am disappointed that the Rules Committee did not accept my amendment, but I have received assurances that Congress will keep up the pressure to ensure that the FAA meets its responsibilities to all of those who are impacted by the airspace redesign plan.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw to the attention of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives a special celebration which took place in my hometown of Newark, NJ. The pride of our city, the great Newark Eagles, were honored in a series of events coordinated by the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee on September 13th and 14th, 2007. During the 2-day celebration, there was a dedication of a plaque and street sign at the site of Ruppert Stadium, home of the Newark Eagles and the old Newark Bears baseball teams. Also featured was the dedication of a plaque at the one-time home and office of Effa Manley, co-owner and business manager of the Eagles. She was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first woman to receive this honor. She worked hard to ensure that Negro League ballplayers and owners received fair compensation for their services during the integration era. The celebration recognized the Newark Eagles for their tremendous contribution to the city of Newark. The historic Negro League baseball team was remembered as former Eagle players Billy Felder, Red Moore, and Curley Williams discussed their experiences with former Newark Eagles and New York Giants star Monte Irvin along with sportswriter Phil Pepe and sports columnist Jerry Izenberg. The two have recently published a book entitled Few and Chosen: Defining Negro League Greatness. From 1936-1948, the Newark Eagles, owned by Abe and Effa Manley, played at Ruppert Stadium in the Ironbound section representing the Negro National League. The Newark Eagles were an important source of entertainment and civic pride for Newark's African American community and for the city as a whole. In addition, many players on the team including co-founder Effa Manley, attained historical credit for their pioneering contributions to the Negro League and baseball in general. A plaque placed at the Newark Housing Authority Cottage Place Development on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and West Kinney Street honors the team. In that location, there are now streets and lanes named after the Newark Eagles and several of its players, including Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin, Terris McDuffie, Don Newcombe, and Lenny Pearson. Eight members of the Newark Eagles have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Madam Speaker, as a resident of the city of Newark and a fan of baseball, I am honored that a celebration for the Negro Leagues Newark Eagles was held in my district, highlighting their success in baseball and their contributions to the community.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with the Republic of China (Taiwan). For over 50 years, Taiwan has been a flourishing, independent and sovereign government in the developing world and Southeast Asia. Taiwan has developed a world-class democracy, serving as a model for countries in the region. The people of Taiwan inspire others in Southeast Asia and around the world who desire freedom and prosperity. America should stand with our friends who engage in peaceful democracy and Taiwan deserves our support. Taiwan plays an important role in the international community because of its democratic and economic success. Other nations are benefiting from Taiwan's access to markets and technology. It defies logic and the principle of fairness that the Taiwanese people and government are not given the same voice as everyone else throughout the world. Madam Speaker, I urge this body to stand with our friends and allies in Taiwan and hope that you will join me in supporting strong democracy in the world.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I come to the House floor today. Over the August recess, four young, promising Newark, New Jersey residents were savagely gunned down execution style in a city playground while enjoying the last days of summer. On August 14, 2007, in my city of Newark, Terrance Aeriel, age 18, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower, both age 20, were senselessly murdered. Natasha Aeriel, age 19, is still recovering in the hospital. I stand here today to pay tribute to their lives. While three were cut short, were full of courage and determination and continue to inspire the residents of Newark. Active in their community, these youths stayed above the fray. Dashon, Iofemi and Natasha were avid music lovers and played in their Newark High School marching bands while they attended high school. Terrance, full of charisma, became an ordained minister at age 13. Their hard work paid off; all became students at Delaware State University. Natasha and Dashon were juniors, Terrance was a freshman, and Iofemi was about to begin classes. In a testament to how they lived their lives, Natasha, who has undergone many major surgeries and is still recuperating, provided the police with many key details that led to the apprehension of six suspects. Without her input, some of the suspects may have evaded capture. Her bravery and perseverance is an inspiration for others who, for various reasons, fail to speak up for what is right at times. While I know that their families and the community are going through a trying time, I hope they take comfort in the legacy that these four young adults had created. It can be said that this senseless crime cut short their promise, that their destinies went unfilled. I beg to differ. In the short time that they were alive, their lives epitomized consciousness, fortitude and dedication to family and friends. They have and will continue to serve as role models for the young and old in the city of Newark. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to recognize three lives that ended too soon, and one that is still brimming with possibilities. Let us not remember Terrance Aeriel, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower for the senseless crime that took their lives, but for the lives that they led. As Natasha Aeriel continues to recover, I commend her for her bravery and conviction. I wish to convey my sorrow and condolences again to their families.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, let me thank Mr. Lantos and Ms. Ileana Ros- Lehtinen and the floor manager, Mr. Faleomavaega, for bringing this resolution forward, but certainly to the sponsor, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, for her outstanding work that she does on the Africa Subcommittee. I rise to speak in support of H. Res. 34, a resolution recognizing the 75th birthday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Archbishop Tutu will celebrate his 76th birthday on October 7 of this year, and the legacy he has created during three-quarters of a century on this Earth is truly inspiring. It is no exaggeration to say that without his courage, commitment, and leadership, the South Africa we know today may not exist. For over four decades, Bishop Tutu was a vocal advocate and activist for democracy and human rights in South Africa. He defended the rights of not only black South Africans but for brown and white South Africans as well. As I mentioned earlier, Senator Lugar gave the deciding vote to override the veto of President Reagan of the Comprehensive Anti- Apartheid Act, which therefore put sanctions on South Africa, which helped to move towards a free, democratic South Africa, nonracial. Archbishop Tutu's support for regime change through reconciliation between the different ethnic groups in South Africa is well known and I believe should serve as a model not only in Africa but in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. And I believe that his work as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped prevent open violence and bloodshed in South Africa in the wake of apartheid following it. Truly Archbishop Tutu practiced what he preached. What amazes me about Bishop Tutu is his tireless effort on behalf of those who are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and disposed. Many men would have taken a rest after seeing a vision they worked so hard to achieve come to fruition. But not him. Not Bishop Tutu. He continues to advocate for people around the world from West Papua to Zimbabwe. He has led efforts to bring attention to the spread of HIV/AIDS and the dangers of extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis, XDR. As a matter of fact, Bishop Tutu wrote me a letter in February bringing out the fact that 50 people of 53 in South Africa died from this disease, and I had a hearing long before the person of the United States traveled around the world with this XDR, drug-resistant, TB. So it was Bishop Tutu that brought it to my attention. As a matter of fact, we raised it with the Foreign Operations appropriations committee, and we were able to increase the funding for this disease by $50 million in this year's appropriations bill. The MDR- and the XDR-TB are things where it was Bishop Tutu who brought it to our attention. His latest endeavor will be to serve as chairman of the Council of Elders, a group formed by the former South African President Nelson Mandela this past July. Bishop Tutu worked with Reverend Allan Boesak years ago and Mr. Oliver Tambo, who was chairman of the ANC. Archbishop Tutu's tireless work on behalf of the people of South Africa and, indeed, the world is awe inspiring. He should serve as an example to all of us of what compassion and commitment can achieve. I congratulate him on his life work and salute him on the occasion of his birthday.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 629 and extend my condolences and sympathy to the people and the Government of Greece for the grave loss of life and vast destruction caused by the raging fires that destroyed the homes, villages, farms, livestock, but not the spirit, of the country. Since June of this year, the people and the Government of Greece have been battling forest fires due to extensive heat and lack of rain. An estimated 495,000 acres of mostly forest and farmland have been destroyed, the worst damage since the 1950s. Today I stand with my colleagues, Chairman Faleomavaega and the ranking member, to avow close support and solidarity to a close friend, a strategic partner and a longstanding ally in this painful and difficult hour. I applaud the administration's initiative to provide assistance and relief to the people of Greece, including its pledge of $1.5 million in aid, as well as expert and technical assistance. I have confidence that Greece and its people will succeed in overcoming the hardship incurred through this tragedy.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, let me commend Senator Lugar for this fine legislation. Senator Lugar is such an outstanding leader. And I would also like to say that Count Casimir Pulaski was a person, as a historian, that did so much in the Revolutionary War. We actually defeated Cromwell at the major battle. I had the opportunity also to teach at Pulaski School in New Jersey when I was a school teacher in Passaic, and the Polish community was very strong in that area. And so I learned a lot, from Yak Samas and Dobcha, from my students and their parents. I think that parliamentary exchanges are outstanding. As we remember Lech Walesa and the solidarity movement, we do see the challenge for the shipyards there in Poland, but hopefully they will be able to sustain themselves. I think that these various types of parliamentary exchanges do a great deal. I visited Poland in 1967 and went back again in the late 1990s and early 2000 to see the tremendous difference of the 1967 Poland that was drab and going through many, many problems with pollution and the communist system. But with the breakdown of the Warsaw Pact and Poland being able to have democracy, it's really a tremendous country. And as a member of the House Democratic Assistance Corporation here in the House, we certainly strongly push for parliamentary exchanges, and so I certainly support this. I thank Mr. Eni Faleomavaega for bringing this to the floor.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, it is with heartfelt sympathy that I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to offer a tribute to the memory of Dr. Jeannette A. Allen Williams. Dr. Williams was a remarkable educator and an outstanding role model. With her passing on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, our greater community has lost one of its more valiant leaders. Fortunately, she leaves a legacy that her family, friends and colleagues can recall with a great deal of pride. Truly, the cities of Newark, Jersey City and Plainfield were blessed to have Dr. Williams in their midst as an educator extraordinaire and as an administrator who always had the best interest of children at the heart of all her initiatives. She was thoughtful, gracious and a consummate professional. As a young teacher at West Side High School in Newark, Dr. Williams would serve as an inspiration to many of her young charges. When she became principal at West Side, she would be the first black person to be a high school principal in the City of Newark and as a result she raised the bar for all students to realize that they could be anything they set their minds to becoming. Personally, I knew Dr. Allen for over forty years and was glad to have her as a resident in the 10th Congressional District. Not only did she believe education was important for herself, having achieved advanced degrees but she encouraged her students, nieces, nephews and other relatives to strive for academic excellence. From what I know of many students touched by her, she was successful in her efforts. Madam Speaker, it is my sincere hope that all those who knew and loved Dr. Jeannette A. Allen Williams will be able to draw comfort from the memories they have of her. I know she will continue to live in their hearts. As a Christian woman, I feel confident in saying that ``it is well with her soul.''

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I would like to address the troubling issue of gambling on sports. In the past couple of weeks, basketball fans throughout the Nation have been shocked and saddened by revelations that a referee was gambling on games he officiated, and may have affected the outcomes of those games. A player or referee gambling on his own game is probably the single greatest betrayal that can be committed against fans of the sport. The temptation to sports corruption does not come out of nowhere. It comes out of a culture where many people turn a blind eye to the fact that sports gambling is illegal in 49 States. And, as USA Today reported, athletes and officials become vulnerable when they develop a gambling problem on other sports, or even on other types of gambling. I received a letter this week from the professional and collegiate sports associations--which I believe my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns), already placed in the Record--that reveals efforts in this Congress to legitimize sports gambling online. This is the last thing we need. We should help raise awareness of the threat that gambling poses to cherished American athletics. We should never put a stamp of approval on sports gambling. Last year, I voted for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, in part because our laws against sports gambling were being evaded and eroded by offshore gambling operators. Now the same companies we shooed out of the illegal marketplace in the U.S. last fall are back supporting H.R. 2046, which would license them to take bets, including sports bets, from Americans. They have their slick arguments. They say the individual sports leagues can opt out--as if gambling on basketball could possibly be any more or less harmful than gambling on football or hockey or soccer. They say the bill will raise tax revenue. Well, the ways we can raise tax revenue are nearly infinite--that's no excuse for bad policy. They say legal gambling can be better monitored--but it was legal gambling that got Tom Donaghy deep in debt and drove him to turn to criminal gambling. I agree with the sports associations and my colleague from New York (Mr. Towns) that the harms of sports gambling far outweigh any alleged benefits. I urge my colleagues to reject any efforts to legitimize sports gambling in this Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, as the House prepares to vote on the Child Health and Medicare Protection Act, known as the CHAMP Act, later today, I think it is important to refute some of the misleading talking points that Republicans are seizing on as they oppose this health insurance for millions of American children. First, Republicans claim that by strengthening the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, we are advancing ``government doctors,'' advancing ``government health plans.'' This could be no further from the truth. Government does not deliver SCHIP services. Instead, it is private doctors and private health plans through private insurance. This program is operated successfully in my State of New Jersey and around the Nation. Second, Republicans say that we are trying to expand the program to reach middle-income families. Again, that is false. We are not expanding the program. Today, 5 million children are eligible for SCHIP but are not enrolled. We are strengthening the program so that we can reach almost all of these children, the vast majority of whom come from low-income families. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I am proud that today many Americans will receive their first pay raise in a decade because the Fair Minimum Wage Act passed by the Democratic Congress goes into effect. These hardworking Americans, 40 percent of whom are minorities, will receive a 70-cents-per-hour raise today, which will be followed by two more 70-cent increases in July 2008 and July 2009. This will result in a total of $2.10 increase, or $4,400 a year. This boost in pay will make a significant difference in the lives of these American families who are trying to survive on a minimum wage that has reached its lowest effective level in more than half a century. It means more food on their tables, better health care for their families, and a shot at sending their children to college. Everyone who works full time should have the chance to achieve these pieces of the American Dream. And with this increase in minimum wage which begins today, they can. I am proud to be a part of the Democratic Congress that passed this long overdue pay raise for millions of hardworking Americans. I want to note that my home State of New Jersey led the way in an increase in minimum wage. Our minimum wage is already $7.15 an hour, and that rate was effective since October 2006.