Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the Representative from the Sixth District of California, Representative Lynn Woolsey.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from the Seventh District of Illinois, chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia, Representative Danny K. Davis.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the 11th District of New York, Representative Yvette Clarke, a member of the Commerce and Small Business Committee.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Solis), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume. I would like to first commend our distinguished colleague and former member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Lee of California, for introducing this very important resolution. I am honored and humbled to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of transatlantic slave trade with this resolution, for its legacy continues to reflect the racial biases and socioeconomic disparities that still exist in this country and throughout the Americas. As we consistently admonish the prevalence of modern-day slavery worldwide, because it still exists in some parts of the world, it would be hypocritical if we did not acknowledge the history of transatlantic slave trade which existed for so long in this country, and therefore it is appropriate that we speak about it at this time, its 200th anniversary. For over 300 years the United Kingdom and other European countries kidnapped and sold millions of Africans into slavery. The transatlantic slave trade is known as the largest forced migration in the history of the world. Estimates range from 25 to 50 million Africans were forcibly brought to the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America and to Europe. Sharks migratory patterns were changed because these predators followed the ships in the Middle Passage because when a slave died they were thrown overboard, or if they were killed because they were protesting, or if they committed suicide, the sharks knew that they could follow the ships, and it changed the migratory patterns of sharks during this period of time. African labor was an essential feature of economic development in Europe and her former colonies, including the United States. All of the nations involved flourished economically as a result of slave labor. The fact that slavery was not abolished in the United States until Abraham Lincoln declared to end slavery in the Confederacy in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation. However, slavery was really not abolished in the Union. Interestingly enough, in my State of New Jersey, slavery continued until 1866. In New Jersey, a mother, a woman could become free at the age of 21, and a man at the age of 25, but their children had to continue in slavery. And so the emancipation only freed slaves in the Confederacy, and did not free slaves in the Union. And so, as I have indicated in New Jersey, there were still slaves a year after the end of the Civil War in 1866. The dignity of our Nation demands our recognition of this tragic part of American history. I extend my highest respect and appreciation for the contributions and struggles of African Americans to create an equitable and just society from which we all benefit today. I strongly support this resolution, and urge my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 272) commemorating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, as amended.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her generosity. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 7 minutes to the sponsor of the resolution, Representative Barbara Lee from the Ninth District of California, member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina, Representative G. K. Butterfield, the vice chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

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 material on H. Res. 158.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, yesterday we lost a devoted colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents in the 37th Congressional District of California. As we know, prior to her coming to Congress, she made a name for herself as the first African American woman to serve on the City Council in Carson City and the chairwoman of two powerful committees, Insurance and Revenue. But many people don't know that in recognition of women who served our country in uniform during wartime, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. And she led the fight to secure $15 million for the maintenance of the memorial. She also secured $50 million for counseling services for our returning men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bold initiatives have been her trademark. In 2005, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, along with other CBC members, unveiled a portrait of Joseph Rainey, the first African-American to be seated in Congress. She was very proud of that because she contacted members of his family who are alive today, and there was a tremendous celebration. Internationally, she spoke out against genocide in Cambodia and Darfur and other regions of the world where human rights are in danger. She worked with former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Ambassador John Miller on human trafficking and women's rights issues globally. She reminds me of a poem I learned as a youngster in elementary school, actually; but it is appropriate because her memory will live on. The poem is called, ``The Arrow and a Song.'' It said: ``I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to Earth I know not where. For so swiftly it flew, my sight could not follow it in its flight. ``I sang a song into the air, it fell to Earth I know not where. For who has sight so keen and strong that can follow the flight of a song? But long, long afterwards in an oak I found the arrow still unbroke. And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.'' And so I say that to say that what Juanita did will live on. Her work for the persons who worked in the Library of Congress who were minorities and women who were being terminated, and we felt unfairly, she took on that responsibility to fight to see that those women, primarily, would be placed in other positions. She worked hard, and the dignity and the beauty and her perfection were certainly noticed. And I can tell you, the women talk about the grace that she had. Well, let me make it clear that the men also noticed that grace and that beauty and that charm. And so we will remember her as she moves on up that highway.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and honor a devoted friend and dedicated public servant, George Hampton, who retires from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--or UMDNJ--on March 30th of this year. George Hampton was born and raised in Newark and rose from a humble beginning to earn a degree in Urban Planning from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and--through peaceful but assertive protest efforts, help gain a foothold for generations to come for minority populations and helped diversify Rutgers' Newark Campus faculty. Later he even joined the faculty as an adjunct professor. Mr. Hampton would go on to serve the city of Newark in several administrative positions, become a consultant to the Greater Newark Urban Coalition and as executive assistant to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and serve as the President of the Regional Health Planning Newark Sub-area Council, as Board Chairman of Newark Emergency Services for Families, and as Board Chairman of the Newark Collaboration Group. As Vice President of UMDNJ, Mr. Hampton has fulfilled a statewide responsibility for implementing the University's community service mission and extending UMDNJ's services to the community in the urban centers that serve as host to the University's several campuses in New Jersey. He has successfully directed the University's efforts to make a positive community impact throughout the state. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in honoring George Hampton. I am proud to have had him in my Congressional district and wish him never-ending success in his future endeavors. Thank you, George Hampton, for your decades of dedicated service to the community.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey, from the Sixth District (Mr. Pallone) whose district is the New Brunswick Rutgers. Newark Rutgers is in my district, and I know Camden Rutgers is in your district, Mr. Speaker. So we yield to the gentleman.

Mr. PAYNE. Does the gentleman from California have any further speakers?

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 300) commending the achievements of the Rutgers University women's basketball team and applauding the character and integrity of their student-athletes.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H.R. 300 into the Record.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, as a representative from New Jersey, I am pleased to rise here in the United States House of Representatives to praise the remarkable young women of Rutgers University, the Rutgers women's basketball team, the Scarlet Knights, and their inspiration, Coach C. Vivian Stringer. They are true champions, not only for their academic and athletic achievement, but for the dignity, strength and class they have shown during this ordeal. These 10 young women overcame disappointing losses early in the season to advance amazingly to the Final Four. They lost four out of their first seven games. But around the Nation, fans watched as the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, who lost four of their first seven games, defeated Duke's Blue Devils in the last seconds in an exciting 53-52 upset, the same team that had lost to Duke by 20 points earlier in the season. This victory followed a lopsided defeat of the very strong LSU women's team by a 59-35 score. When the ugly incident with Don Imus on his morning show cast a shadow over their success, these young women showed what they are made of. In standing up for themselves and their school, they also made a stand on behalf of all young women who insist on being treated with respect and refused to be insulted, as Don Imus did to them, and stereotyped, as he used these disparaging words to describe these wonderful young women. Don Imus and those of his ilk vastly underestimated New Jersey's strong and proud Scarlet Knights. He underestimated the pride we in New Jersey feel in the remarkable women of this remarkable team. As a matter of fact, during the 13 original States, New Jersey had a theme, and it just said: Do not tread on us. And that meant we are a proud, small State, but do not mess with us. Don Imus did not know the history of New Jersey. Don Imus may have had a microphone, but he was no match for these young women and their coach who so eloquently spoke up for what is right and what is fair. I am so proud that through their action they were able to persuade two major networks, MSNBC and CBS, as well as numerous advertisers that the days of using the public airwaves to ridicule and debase anyone they choose are over. He did not realize that these women, as I said, at that initial press conference, that they had, with the 10 of them, all underclass persons, dressed in their uniforms, sitting up proud, people who will be future lawyers and musicians, all top students. As they spoke, as they introduced themselves, it was just a joy, and so Don Imus really did a favor to these young women because it gave America a chance to put a face with a name, to listen to what he said and what he called them and to see just the quality of these young people. Let me add that it is time that the Federal Communications Commission start doing its job by halting the use of racial and gender slurs over the public airwaves. As long as there is weak enforcement, there will continue to be hate language used by the so-called shock jocks. As a matter of fact, there was a great outcry when at the Super Bowl there was an indecent of exposure, and there were fines levied because there was some equipment failure, and therefore, there was an outrage of indecency. However, it is allowed for people to say whatever they want to say. As a matter of fact, in countries, radio has been used to foster hate. As in Rwanda, it was hate radio, Radio Colline, that went on to say, let us get this genocide going; you know what those people look like, go and get them. And it was the radio that pushed this, and so we have to be careful about what we allow to happen on the airwaves. History has shown us that words matter, and when society accepts ugly language, ugly incidents will follow. I call on the networks to examine their record of hiring minorities for top on-air and executive positions so that African Americans are fairly represented in the media. One reason that the networks made the decision to discontinue the Imus show was that the network employees let the management know how disturbed and offended and embarrassed they were to work for that company. That was the overriding factor, and then the sponsors said that they would withdraw their sponsorship. And so we will not allow these demeaning commentaries to continue. I once again applaud those young women and their fine coach from the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers University. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. We have no additional speakers. Let me conclude by thanking the gentleman from California and thanking my colleague from New Jersey. We commend the young Scarlet Knights for the outstanding job that they did.

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

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

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in expressing my deep condolences to the families of Virginia Tech University. Let me begin by commending Representative Bobby Scott for introducing this very important resolution. As you know, Representative Scott is a member of the Education and Workforce Committee and has shown a tremendous interest in young people throughout his State and the Nation, and this exemplifies the deep concern that he has for all of our children. Let me commend the Virginia delegation for its coming together and uniting with the Governor of the State of Virginia with the State legislators, with the students to see about a way that healing can start. To the families and friends of the 32 victims, to the students, to the faculty and the staff, to the alumni of Virginia Tech, we express our condolences. As a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, we are deeply concerned about the future of our Nation. We are concerned about our young people whether they are in preschool, in elementary or secondary education, whether they are in the institutions of higher education. And we continually learn, and we have to continually change as Toffler said in his book, ``Future Shock,'' 20 or 30 years ago, that if institutions and agencies do not change internally with the same rate of change externally, then those institutions or agencies become obsolete. And this is, again, another example of how we have to rethink how we operate. New Jersey had 4 students of the 32 who perished in this senseless act, and so our hearts are heavy, also. I think that we have to see how we can assist. Those of us in New Jersey heard little about Virginia Tech 20, 30 years ago until they became a part of the Big East, and then we did hear about Virginia Tech because they had overwhelming sports teams, they had such tremendous student support. It is a great institution. And we know that they left the Big East for the ACC, but we have fond memories of our competitive competition. I am a Seton Hall graduate, so we were competing many times. But I think that we have to use this example to see how we can heal. I think that we need to take this tragedy and see how we can better identify students who have problems, students who go to elite schools, who are lonely, students that have situations that need to be dealt with. We have in our inner cities many young people who don't have the opportunity to go to higher learning. We need to really, I think, as a former national president of the YMCAs of the United States, I think we need to focus more of our attention on the young people. A Nation that loses its young is losing a part of its future. We need to really spend more time on our young so that we develop them, so that we can nurture them, so that we can be sure that our country can be all that it can be as we move through this new millennium.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, the new Democratic Congress has made good on its promise to change the direction of the war in Iraq while providing critical funding for our veterans and our wounded soldiers. Yet, the President is still threatening to veto a final conference report when it comes out of this Congress. Why would the President veto a bill that requires Iraqis to take control of their country by meeting key security, political and economic benchmarks the President himself established? Why would he veto a bill that provides greater protections for our troops and our veterans than what was originally requested by the President? The supplemental provides 1.7 billion more for military health care, which includes facility upgrades at Walter Reed and other hospitals that require renovation. We also provide an additional $1.7 billion for veterans health care to ensure that they have access to quality care. The veterans I have met with from New Jersey have told me that this is one of their top priorities. I have been opposed to the preemptive war in Iraq from the beginning because the administration has failed to explore diplomatic solutions. And therefore the stay-the-course strategy is wrong. And I hope that the President will sign and not veto this bill.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H. Con. Res. 100, and commend Mr. Lantos and the ranking member for this H. Con. Res. 100, condemning the violence and the violent action taken against the peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society in Zimbabwe just a few months ago, last month in March. Zimbabwe has faced a number of political and economic challenges over the past 7 years. Every time I begin to believe that the situation in Zimbabwe has calmed down, something happens which reminds me of how volatile the situation really is. The March 11 crackdown on people who were gathering at a prayer meeting was a disturbing display of violence. Two people were killed. The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangari, and other members of the MDC were tortured while in police custody. Two women were beaten so severely they needed specialized medical care that was only available in South Africa. One of them, Sekai Holland, had her leg broken in three places, her knee broken and her arm and three ribs broken. I cannot understand what possessed security forces to beat a 64-year-old woman so brutally. And according to the people in Zimbabwe, abductions and killings continue. However, there are encouraging developments. What is most encouraging is that the regional leaders in Southern Africa have spoken out publicly. As recently mentioned, the President of Zambia has likened Zimbabwe to the Titanic, a sinking ship. Officials at the South African Department of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the situation as well. The leaders of Southern Africa's Development Community held a meeting of extraordinary heads of state in Tanzania in the wake of violence and asked South African President Thabo Mbeki to help resolve the situation. This is an important step, and we should support SADC's effort. It is imperative that Congress do all we can to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are respected in Zimbabwe across the political spectrum. As Mr. Lantos mentioned, Zimbabwe had great promise. When the struggle to end white rule of Ian Smith was led by Mr. Nkhomo and Mr. Mugabe, the ZANU and ZAPO leaders, they finally were able to break the stranglehold of Ian Smith's government. And education was the order of the day, and the Zimbabweans went ahead to build a country. But something happened in the meantime, and the move from multi- partyism to single-party system, and Mr. Mugabe taking all of the power, that was a move in the wrong direction. And so we have seen multi-partyism come back again. But this brutal behavior of the security forces must end. In conclusion, I think that we should take a look at the Lancaster House Accords because this was an agreement between Zimbabwe and Great Britain where there would be willing seller-willing buyer purchase of the land that was in the hands of the very small minority of the white Rhodesians. And there has to be a program of some land distribution. However, the way that Mr. Mugabe has been doing it, as Mr. Lantos mentioned, in the past there was an attempt to assist Zimbabwe to see if we could help in that process, but we were denied. So I just ask my colleagues if they would support this resolution, and, hopefully, Mr. Mugabe and the people of Zimbabwe will finally see the light.