Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman who has really done an outstanding job in this area for a decade, and I certainly would like to associate myself with his remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. PAYNE. I thank the gentleman from Alabama for his very passionate remarks and all of his support for many years, even in the capital market sanctions. I really commend him for that. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks). (Mr. MEEKS of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend our colleagues in the Senate for passing this critically important resolution. The passage was in the spirit of a bipartisan, bicameral coalition that has worked together over the last few years and few months, in particular, on the problem in Darfur, to bring peace and justice there. I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) on his statement and all of those who have worked so diligently, including the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) of the Black Caucus, who have all come together to support the terrible actions of the government of Sudan. Mr. Speaker, this past May, the United Nations Economic and Social Council voted on candidate states for 14 open seats on the Human Rights Commission, the monitoring watchdog of the United Nations. To the dismay of the international community, Sudan was nominated from the Africa group. Just one month later, the commission censured Sudan over its severe human rights violations in the country's western Darfur region. Sudan was charged with systematically destroying whole villages, executing civilians, raping women and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. I went to that region, to Chad and went 30 miles from the border of Sudan and talked to the refugees there and heard firsthand the horrible stories that they told us about rapes and beatings of children, boys being forced into huts and the huts being burned, just horrible, horrible stories. Mr. Speaker, this is the same government that gave sanctuary to Osama bin Laden from 1991 to 1996, allowing him to build his terror network worldwide. In fact, I would argue that al Qaeda was conceived and created in Sudan in the early 1990s. Other terrorist acts also link current officials directly to a number of the terrorist acts, and they still sit in the government of Sudan. Mr. Speaker, in the north-south conflict, more than 2 million people perished, and an estimated 5 million people have been displaced over the last decade. It is the same government that terrorized, enslaved and killed innocent civilians in southern Sudan and the Nuba that is now yet again engaged in the terror campaign that we see in Darfur in western Sudan. We cannot stand idly by, silent and allow Sudan a seat on that body while it is responsible for the ongoing genocide against the people of Darfur. Before the House and Senate adjourned for summer recess, both chambers took a historic step in passing a resolution declaring that genocide is occurring in Darfur. The Congress has never declared genocide while it was occurring. So this was a giant step forward. Finally, the administration came to the same conclusion following its own independent investigation, that the Sudanese government was sponsoring genocide by the Janjaweed militia against the ethnic Africans in Darfur. This past Saturday, the U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.- sponsored resolution asking U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan to set up an investigative commission. This Commission would determine whether the violence in Darfur amounts to genocide. The resolution also threatens oil and other targeted sanctions against Sudan if atrocities continue in Darfur. We were disappointed by the weak nature of this resolution and for its limited effects. The reaction from Khartoum that ``it could have been a lot worse'' shows us how far we are from a strong resolution on Darfur. While it passed by 11 votes, I must express extreme disappointment with China, Algeria, Russia and Pakistan, the four nations that abstained from supporting this resolution. As a matter of fact, China had declared that it may veto it, and therefore, the resolution was really diluted, and they still abstained. We, as the United States, need to rethink our relationships with these nations. One suggestion could be that we revoke Normal Trade Relations status with the People's Republic of China. How would they like it if we said, no longer do you have normal trade relations or, as we used to call it, preferential treatment. I think it would perhaps make them sit up and listen. Pakistan, called a friend by the administration for its partnership in the war on terrorism, is promoting the terrorist government of Sudan by abstaining on the vote. In a statement today, Khartoum called these nations its ``true friends.'' While the government of Sudan grudgingly accepted the resolution, as we speak its surrogate militias continue their gruesome assault on innocent men, women, and children in Darfur. Further, in response for calls to international civilian protection forces, Khartoum's leaders threatened to open the ``five gates of hell'' against such protection. In a cynical attempt to pretend it has taken action to protect its civilians, Khartoum has recycled Janjaweed militia killers to the Sudan police force and is now using them to guard the camps for the displaced. Mr. Speaker, how can we expect killers to protect those who they seek to kill? It is an unconceivable notion. How can we stand by and allow this murderous regime to sit on the U.N. Human Rights Commission? Mr. Speaker, with more than as many as 50,000 civilians slaughtered and over 1 million driven off their lands into unprotected camps, we cannot allow Khartoum to degrade the purposes of the Human Rights Commission by its presence. It is incumbent that the United States Government continue to lead the world on this matter of genocide and do everything possible to have Sudan suspended from the Commission. The African Union should be recognized for what they are doing in sending 300 monitors to Darfur, but this is definitely not enough. The AU has been sponsoring negotiations between the parties in Abuja, Nigeria, since August 23. The combination of international pressure and facilitation by the AU hopefully will help move Darfur out of this crisis and on to the road of peace. Mr. Speaker, I commend Secretary of State Colin Powell for finally calling the Darfur genocide by its rightful name. I also want to say that we must, as Secretary Powell has stated, support the AU. It is our responsibility as members of the international community and the United States in particular, as the world's wealthiest Nation, to work along with the African Union and not leave the formidable Darfur crisis to fall on their shoulders alone. They need our support. So, therefore, I would like to also urge all of our colleagues in the House to support H.R. 5061, introduced by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) and myself to provide assistance for the current crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and to facilitate a comprehensive peace plan in Sudan. I urge my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 137. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. On Sunday, September 26, 2004, they will be celebrating 60 years of community ministry with a re-dedication ceremony. St. John AME Church was founded in May 1944 and its members have served the people of Jersey City through their outreach to children, families, and seniors; their involvement in neighborhood initiatives; and their dedication to meeting the needs of the community in which they live. They worked with the Communipaw Avenue Block Association and the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy to restore the historical Rev. Dr. F. Webb Park, and they are a member of the Communipaw Avenue Block Association and Garden Club. They have developed a Spiritual and Social Plan dealing with fair housing, financial problems, and other neighborhood matters. The have been active in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area Development Coalition Plans and have planted trees in local parks. St. John AME Church has developed a Voter Education and Registration Project and Database, and is building a Community and Cultural Center for Senior Citizens and Youth. They have an Uplifting the Brotherhood of Men Ministry for fathers and their children, a cell phone ministry for battered women, an Outreach Golden Senior Citizen ministry, and are a member of the Today I Must Excel (TIME) program for Inner City families and youth. They have a DSL computer lab for children and have developed an Adult and Youth Job Training Center. Every year they hold a Health Fair addressing minority health matters, an October Harvest Feast for Community Youth and their families, and a Profound Black Leaders Lecture Series. Under the leadership of Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr., these outstanding citizens continue to fulfill the legacy of community service that St. John AME Church has exemplified for the last 60 years. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me as I recognize these men and women who are dedicated to making our community a better place, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in sending our best wishes for many, many more years of service and ministry.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a cultural innovator in my district, Mr. Cecil Brooks III. A world renowned jazz artist, drummer, band leader, composer, arranger, and record producer, Mr. Brooks and his wife Adreena have recently established a jazz club in West Orange. Opening in late June 2003, Cecil's is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most prestigious addresses in northern New Jersey. Mr. Brooks is responsible for bringing internationally acclaimed entertainers to our community, including renowned jazz saxophonist Don Braden and American comic legend Bill Cosby. Mr. Brooks achieved international prominence as a Goodwill Ambassador, and is considered one of the most popular and innovative figures in the world of modern jazz, as well one of the most prolific record producers and band leaders on the scene today. He has been credited with numerous recordings which have been ranked in the Top Ten of the Gavin National Radio Airplay Chart and has worked for several labels including Muse and Highnote/Savant records. He has been recognized in the Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll as ``Producer Deserving Wider Recognition,'' and has performed on world tour with jazz icons such as Houston Person and Etta James, Pharoah Sanders, Stanley Turrentine, the Mingus Dynast Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Band, and was the drummer for The Bill Cosby Show. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to my neighbors Cecil and Adreena Brooks for their contributions to the civic and cultural life of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our congratulations for their outstanding achievements which celebrate jazz, the truly American art form, and have brought such positive recognition to the city of West Orange.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, H.R. 4571, that addresses the problem of frivolous lawsuits in a constitutional manner. As an OB-GYN, I am very aware of the damage frivolous litigation is causing small businesses and medical practitioners. Frivolous lawsuits filed by unscrupulous trial lawyers can drive small businesses into bankruptcy and force doctors to abandon their medical practice. These lawsuits inflict the greatest danger on consumers who must pay more for goods and services and medical patients who cannot find needed medical services in their communities. H.R. 4571 reduces frivolous lawsuits by exercising Congress's constitutional authority to establish rule of civil procedure for federal courts. Specifically, H.R. 4571 restores mandatory sanctions for attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits. Among other sanctions, attorneys who file frivolous lawsuits may be required to pay the other side's attorneys fees. The possibility of having to pay attorneys fees is an important factor in discouraging ``nuisance'' suits--lawsuits filed in the hopes of extorting cash settlements from defendants who have decided it is better to settle quickly than face the possibility of a lengthy and costly legal proceedings. This form of legal blackmail is one of the most abhorrent practices plaguing our legal system today. I am pleased to see Congress taking action to address it. H.R. 4571 also ends the practice of forum shopping. Forum shopping is an abuse of Federal ``diversity jurisdiction'' that allows a trial attorney to pick a venue known for awarding large cash awards for spurious claims. All too often, a plaintiff's attorney will choose a forum that has a very tenuous or insignificant relation to the main case, but has a reputation for awarding huge victories to the plaintiff's bar. Forum shopping is especially a problem in class action suits. H.R. 4571 addresses this problem by requiring cases be filed in the Federal district or State where the plaintiff resides, the State or Federal district where the plaintiff was injured or the State or Federal district where the defendant's principal place of business is located. Mr. Speaker, frivolous lawsuits endanger small business across the country. I am pleased to see Congress today addressing the litigation crisis, not by attempting to nationalize tort law, but by exercising our constitutional authority over the rules of Federal civil procedure and diversity jurisdiction. I, therefore, urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Barbara Kukla, an outstanding member of my community who has been the lifeblood of the community spirit and cultural vitality of my hometown of Newark. She is a writer, a journalist, a historian, a mentor, and was the award-winning Star-Ledger Editor of ``Newark This Week,'' a 4-page weekly section that highlighted events important to original Newarkers, helping to make local events more successful and creating a community meeting place for all our citizens. Barbara's thorough and sustaining coverage of Newark news generated public interest in local events, contributing greatly to the growth and development of our city. Her love for Newark is not only limited to current events, but includes its rich past. She shared a great friendship with Miss Rhapsody, a legendary Newark jazz singer, who introduced her to many local musicians and piqued her interest in the thriving music scene. Barbara's involvement led to countless hours of research and writing, establishing her as the preeminent historian on Newark's prominence from the 1920s to the present, and inspiring her first book, Swing City. Her second book, Defying the Odds, follows the lives of eight of Newark's most distinguished women, and includes the biographies of 180 others. Among her many honors, Barbara has received a Recognition Award from the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee, the Newark Community Development Network's Charles E. Cummings Award, the Newark Do Something's Lifetime Award for Community Leadership, the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Newark's Living Legend Award, and the John Cotton Dana Distinguished Lecturer Award, named after the founder of the Newark Museum and Library. In support of the Barbara Kukla Scholarship Fund, Barbara will be hosting Newark Stars on Parade for Newark Students, a star-studded event which will feature a wide-ranging array of music by artists who were either born in Newark or have long-time ties to our city. Stars such as Gloria Gaynor, Melba Moore, the Monotones, Drinkard Singers II, Yvette Glover, the South Side High School Madrigals, Robert Banks, Carrie Smith, Kevin Maynor, Don Williams and Lady CiCi, Gwen Moten, BJ Plus Forty, Pam Purvis and Bob Ackerman, Carrie Jackson, and Gil ``Bebop'' Benson will all be on hand to showcase their musical talent in support of our students. The proceeds from this extravaganza will be used to provide college scholarships for Newark high school graduates and to aid others who are struggling to stay in school. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to my neighbor, Ms. Barbara Kukla, for her contributions to the civic and cultural life of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our congratulations for her outstanding achievements which celebrate what is best and brightest about our city, and have brought such positive recognition to the city of Newark.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add to the overwhelming support of this House for this resolution honoring former President Bill Clinton as he celebrates his 58th birthday. President Clinton is a gifted and charismatic leader who has devoted his professional life to public service. His administration was marked with great economic success, transforming quadrupled budget deficits into a budget surplus. He achieved the lowest unemployment rate in 28 years, the lowest percentage of Americans on welfare 29 years, and the lowest inflation rate in 33 years. During his presidency, the economy expanded by 50 percent in real terms, and when he left office, the U.S. had a gross national product of $10 trillion--one-quarter of the entire world economic output. During his administration, 15 million jobs were created and average wages rose. Home ownership rates were the highest in history. Funding public education, saving Social Security, and ensuring health care for all Americans were priorities. Our economic success was a sign of stability that sparked growth in domestic and international markets. He was a great supporter of human rights and promoting peace through humanitarian relief efforts, refugee assistance, and aiding in peace process negotiations. I was honored to accompany President Clinton on historic trips to Northern Ireland and Africa. We went as ambassadors of peace and reconciliation, and it was heartening to see how well received we were by our international hosts. The people of this country were welcomed and well respected abroad. I have great respect and admiration for him personally and for his outstanding leadership of our great country, and I believe his legacy will long enjoy the approval of a grateful nation. I extend to him my best wishes for a happy birthday, and I offer my wholehearted support for this resolution.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Sr. on their 60th wedding anniversary. A celebration in their honor is being hosted by their children at the Galloping Hill Caterers in Union, New Jersey on Friday, August 27, 2004. Albert Johnson, Sr. and the former Loretta Cobb were married in Newark, New Jersey on August 24, 1944. This blessed union produced six children, fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. The Johnsons made their home in Newark before moving to Hillside, New Jersey in the late sixties. Mr. Johnson retired from the United States Post office after working there for many years. Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker and childcare provider. She delighted in providing a warm and nurturing environment for her young charges. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are deeply religious and they celebrate their faith at the Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Newark. Mr. Johnson is a deacon there and Mrs. Johnson is a deaconess as well as a church mother. This couple embodies the spirit of matrimony and faith as they travel together to visit the sick. They also hold weekly prayer service at a facility for senior citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson inspire others with their words of encouragement and their harmonious demeanors. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in letting Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Sr.'s family, friends and congregation know that their 60th anniversary is indeed a cause for celebration.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a landmark achievement of the hardworking men and women of New Jersey. This month, the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council will be holding its 100th convention at Caesar's Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The skilled craftsmen and women of the building trades have formed the backbone of New Jersey's labor movement for more than two centuries. It was the building trades, in particular the carpenters at the Hibernia Iron Works in 1774, who were the first to band together and strike for better working conditions. It was the building trades unions who consistently provided for the city and county trade federations that formed in the mid-19th century, for New Jersey's Knights of Labor assemblies, and especially for the New Jersey State Federation of Labor that grew into New Jersey's AFL-CIO. The New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council and its unions led the fight for the 8-hour day, better and safer working conditions, strong pension and health benefits, and a living wage. The NJBCTC and its unions built the modern State of New Jersey, from the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, to Newark Airport and the Meadowlands. They built the high-rise casinos that light up Atlantic City's skyline, the new skyscrapers rising up on Jersey City's Gold Coast, the hospitals in which we care for our sick, and the schools in which we educate our children. Mr. Speaker, the men and women of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council and its unions deserve our gratitude, and I would like to offer my congratulations to President William Mullen and his vice presidents, representing each of the construction trades. I also invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing their predecessors who built the NJBCTC into what it is today, and to the tens of thousands of building trades craft unionists of generations past and present, who have built strong unions and a strong New Jersey.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me commend our leaders in the Committee on International Relations, Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos, for their tireless work in bringing this historic resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan to the floor. Many people have held back on using the word ``genocide'' out of fear that it is really a declaration that they try to step around, but I really am so proud that this House of Representatives is standing up and calling it like it is. As my colleague from Colorado said, it is genocide. Let me just say that this would have been impossible without the Tancredos and the Wolfs and the Royces on the other side and fighters on our side such as the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus and our dean, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers). This is something that we did not do 10 years ago when genocide was happening in Rwanda. We looked the other way. But we are not going to look the other way in 2004. We must also impress upon the world community, the AU, the EU, the Islamic Front, all of the groups, that they must come together and that they must declare and work towards having civility return to Sudan. But I want to remind the Congress that although we need to act now in Darfur, that once the crisis is under control, we cannot rest on our laurels and fool ourselves that this type of thing will not happen again. Let me just remind the Speaker that this same government gave sanctuary to Osama bin Laden from 1991 to 1996, allowing him to build his terror network worldwide. In fact, I would argue that al Qaeda was conceived and created in Sudan in the 1990s. Other terrorist acts are also linked to the current officials still sitting in Sudan that have not even been questioned. It is important to recall that the government of Sudan's involvement in international terrorism goes back a decade. The Sudanese government was directly involved in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. The mastermind of the 1993 bombing, Sheikh Abdel Rahman, who was sentenced to life in 1995, received his visa from the same Khartoum government. He was a guest of senior Sudanese government officials several weeks before that happened at that time. Of the 15 men indicted for this terror act, five were Sudanese nationalists. These Sudanese nationalists had strong ties with Sudanese diplomats stationed right here in New York at the Sudan Embassy at the United Nations. In 1995, members of an Egyptian terrorist group tried to assassinate President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt when he was attending a meeting in Ethiopia at the OAU summit. The 11-man assassination team had been given safe haven in Sudan to prepare for the mission to kill the Egyptian president. The weapons used in the assassination attempt were reportedly flown into Ethiopia on Sudan Airways. The passports used by the assassins were also prepared in Khartoum, according to a United Nations report. The point of listing all of this is to show a pattern. This is a regime that does not care about human lives and to think that they will stop at Darfur, we are fooling ourselves. We must begin to get serious about our dealings with the government of Sudan. No more coddling them because they have oil or because they have links to Islamic countries, no more allowing the African Union to give excuses, no more allowing the EU saying, What are we doing here? We must act now. We must continue the pressure. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 467, declaring genocide in Darfur.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen for yielding me this time. I rise in support for H. Con. Res. 694 condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July, 1994, and to express the concern of the United States regarding continuing, decade-long delay in the resolution of this case. I think it is important to remember that whenever we see injustice anywhere, it is an attack on injustice everywhere. I think with the horrendous act in July of 1994, and with the lack of support or urgency of the Organization of American States, without the pushing of international organizations, that we leave a message that people can do what they feel like they want to do and get away with it. So I strongly urge that organizations responsible for seeing that justice is done worldwide would focus their attention on this. It was 10 years ago that the genocide was going on in Rwanda. While we celebrated 10 years of independence for South Africa, we looked around with other terrible things happening. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for this resolution. We must continue to be vigilant because injustice anywhere is an insult to justice everywhere.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Theodore R. Goyins, Pastor Emeritus of Heard A.M.E. Church, Roselle, New Jersey. When Dr. Goyins passed away on June 24, 2004, he left behind a lifetime of achievements to church, family and community. During his pastorate, Dr. Goyins demonstrated a vision that will have a lasting impact on all those who knew him. As a result of his caring and dedication to serving the will of God, Dr. Goyins was the recipient of many awards, honorariums, and resolutions. As Dr. Goyins is remembered during a Memorial Service on July 21, 2004, many will recall his sense of humor and his desire to create a synergy between the church and the community. His efforts to assist in creating affordable housing in Roselle stand out as one of his many accomplishments. Dr. Goyins was also a strong advocate of education, having organized HOPE, Help Our Public Education. He established the Heard A.M.E. Federal Credit Union which was chartered in 1980. Dr. Goyins also organized the Heard Food Store and started the Heard HIV/AIDS Commission, which was the recipient of a federal grant. Dr. Goyins served as the impetus behind many other projects and initiatives, and countless people will be forever grateful to him for all of his good deeds. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in assuring Dr. Goyins' family, friends and congregation that his memory will always be honored and cherished.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for the outstanding work he has done as the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations. I stand very proudly today to urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 436, commending a decade of democracy and majority rule in the Republic of South Africa. I did not believe when I visited South Africa in the 1970s that we would see a transformation of that apartheid-run racist government transformed by peaceful means. When the first elections were held 10 years ago, I recall the lines of people who waited for hours and hours in order to vote. Let me say that South Africa has transformed from an apartheid state to a nonracial, peaceful and democratic form of government. The country successfully held democratic elections in 1994 to elect its first democratically elected president. After being imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. As the first democratically elected president, Mr. Mandela laid the foundation for more reliable government and an economically viable country and is seen not only as a leader in Africa, but as we all know, as a world leader. Before 1994, only 40 percent of the people in South Africa had electricity; now more than 70 percent of the households in South Africa have electricity. South Africa has made a significant advance in housing by constructing 1,600,000 houses for the poor in South Africa, a remarkable, remarkable feat. From 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in South Africa increased from 70 percent to 85 percent and students in South Africa now learn in a racially integrated school system. Also, during this time, 9 million people in South Africa have gained access to clean water. In addition, the Government of South Africa has established nutritional and educational programs to benefit the youngest and the poorest. As the world's leading democracy, we should applaud the Government of South Africa for the reforms it has substituted to better serve its people. South Africa has served as an inspiration for other African nations striving for democracy and peaceful cooperation through their many ethnic groups in their individual countries and look to South Africa as the example. The 1990s saw the spread of democracy across the continent of Africa, once dominated by military dictators and authoritarian leaders. Nigeria held its second multiparty election this month, and despite reported irregularities, the elections were largely peaceful. The world also witnessed the end of white minority rule and subsequent democratic elections in South Africa, as we talked about. And Mr. Mandela has taken his leadership to try to find prospects for peace in Burundi. Now Mr. Thabo Mbeki is leading that cause. Mr. Mbeki has done an outstanding job as the president, following Mr. Mandela, and his leadership is second to none on the continent. So it is a pleasure for me to join with my colleagues to say that the example set by Mr. Nelson Mandela serving one term and stepping down, I think, is an example we are all proud of.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. David Tawei Lee. Dr. David Tawei Lee, Taiwan's premier diplomat in Europe, has been reassigned to replace Representative C.J. Chen as Taiwan's top representative in Washington. Dr. Lee will be in charge of Taiwan's Washington office and serve as Taiwan's de-facto ambassador in Washington. Dr. Lee is uniquely qualified for this top post. He began his Foreign Service career in Taiwan's Washington office from 1982 to 1988. From 1993 to 1996 he was Director General of Taiwan's office in Boston. In 1996 he was Director-General of North American Affairs at Taiwan's foreign ministry. Subsequently he was Taiwan's spokesman from 1997 to 1998 and Taiwan's deputy foreign minister. For the last few years he was Taiwan's number one diplomat in Europe, responsible for liaisoning with all European countries. Dr. Lee received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Virginia and did research work at Harvard University. In 2000 Oxford University Press published his monumental study, The Making of the Taiwan Relations Act which offers an unprecedented look into the legislative history of the Taiwan Relations Act. I am pleased that the Taiwan government has assigned Dr. Lee to represent Taiwan in Washington. In the months ahead, Dr. Lee will continue to strengthen the relations between Taiwan and Washington. I am sure that he will do an excellent job given his strong professional and academic credentials. Many of us look forward to welcoming him to Washington. Like many of my colleagues, I have enjoyed working with the outstanding diplomats from Taiwan. I have also enjoyed working with Professor Nathan Mao. Having written a number of books and articles on Chinese subjects, he is a China expert. His knowledge as well as his communication skills are highly respected on the Hill. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in extending a warm welcome to Ambassador David Tawei Lee and his wife Madam Lin Chih and I invite my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Pitts and I, would like to welcome King Mohammed VI of Morocco to the United States and wish him well during his visit. We strongly urge His Majesty to uphold and implement his nation's agreements regarding the conflict over the Western Sahara. In addition, we urge His Majesty to uphold U.N. Security Council Resolution 1541 as a tribute to former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, who promoted international legality and justice while responding to the true long-term interests of both parties concerned in this conflict. His Majesty's support for the former U.N. Special Envoy Baker's Peace Plan would be the best contribution to peace and stability in the region. In addition, upholding the Peace Plan would demonstrate the effectiveness of the pursuit of national aspirations through non-violence in the greater Middle East, a region that has been the target of much violence. Mr. Speaker, last week, a number of Members sent a letter to President Bush requesting that during his meeting with the King, he strongly encourage His Majesty to implement the United Nations Settlement Plan in order to achieve a just, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the conflict over Western Sahara. The letter welcomed United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1541 adopted April 29, 2004, which reaffirmed support for the Peace Plan for Self- Determination of the People of Western Sahara devised by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy, James Baker, and shared deep regret over the departure of Mr. Baker and the circumstances that led to his resignation. In addition, the letter welcomed the confidence-building measures taken by the Polisario Front which released a further 643 Moroccan POWs since July 2003; the number of POWs the Polisario has liberated since 1991 now totals 1,760. However, the Members of Congress expressed their regret that the Government of King Mohammed VI has not reciprocated in a commensurate way. The fact that the Sahrawis have opted for non- violence in the affirmation of their identity and have respected the terms of the cease-fire signed in 1991 between their representative and Morocco, is telling in terms of who is committed to settlement of the conflict. Further, the letter expressed great concern that if the conflict between these two parties is left unresolved, it has the potential to disrupt peace and stability in the Maghreb region, thus threatening the interests of the United States. The Members expressed that the United States should use its unique influence in that region to press the Moroccan Government and the Polisario Front to agree to the Peace Plan and to implement it under the supervision of the United Nations. Although U.S. attention is primarily focused, as it should be on Iraq and on the war against terrorism, the letter underscores the concern of the Members that the Western Sahara conflict needs to be addressed urgently and fairly to the benefit of the peoples of the region and in the interest of the United States. A peaceful, successful resolution of the conflict over Western Sahara will provide a signal to the Broader Middle East and North African region that in the 21st century there are successful alternatives to violence in the pursuit of national aspirations. Mr. Speaker, we again extend our welcome His Majesty and strongly urge him not to stand in the way of progress towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict over Western Sahara.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow that I rise to inform my colleagues of the sudden passing of Derek T. Winans. Mr. Winans, a direct descendent of William Wheeler, a founder of Newark with Robert Treat in 1666, lived in my hometown of Newark for over 40 years. He was known for his deep commitment to civil rights and was a major figure in organizing and winning support for anti-poverty, alternative education, and community development programs. He was a graduate of St. Paul's in Concord, NH, and of Harvard College. His senior thesis at Harvard received a magna cum laude. His own success in education inspired him to devote himself to providing similar opportunities for the youth in our community. Derek founded the Newark Day Care Council/Springfield Avenue Community School, the Ironbound Community Corporation/Ironbound Children's Center, and the Community Mobilization Center. He was co-founder of the Newark Community Project for People with AIDS, served as secretary of the Newark Coordinating Council, was active with the Newark Community Union Project, and acted as a spokesperson and planner for many civil rights and community-based organizations in Newark. He worked as deputy director for the International Youth Organization (IYO), planning director of the United Community Corporation, and was the staff person for Councilman Donald Tucker during his founding of the NJ Black Issues Convention. Derek was not only involved locally but he also made an impact nationally. He was very active with Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, a Harvard classmate, on the enactment of the Ryan White Legislation in the early 90's, which significantly increased funding for education and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Earlier this year the House of Representatives approved a proposal written by Derek: The New Jersey Underground Railroad Cultural Heritage Project, for which IYO is serving as the lead agency. It was my privilege to work with Derek not only on these two projects but many others mentioned earlier. Derek loved public policy, believed in the power of people to govern well, and possessed a long history of civic and political involvement. He was an important figure in many New Jersey political campaigns, with State Assemblyman George Richardson, Mayor Ken Gibson, and the Newark City Council campaign of the late Jesse Allan. He was truly a great friend of mine. Derek was the son of the late Elizabeth Carrington and James Dusenberry Winans. He is survived by his stepmother, Polly Dudley Winans Beischer of Lakewood, NJ; a brother, Pete Torrey Winans of Amelia Island, FL; two stepbrothers; a stepsister; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in remembering the life of this remarkable man, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in recalling his lifelong commitment to service, integrity, and compassion. I express my condolences to his family and friends as they grieve his passing.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished public servant from my district. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to recognize Councilman Donald Tucker for his 30 years of service to the City of Newark. This is a major accomplishment, and its celebration is a well deserved honor for Councilman Tucker. Having served on the City Council and Southward Democratic Committee with Councilman Tucker, I can attest to his dedication to our community and would like to share a few of his many passions, projects, and accomplishments with you today. Since 1974, Councilman Tucker has devoted his time and energy to the pursuit of enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Newark. As the senior member of the City Council, he has the historical perspective that makes him a nationally prominent municipal leader. In addition to serving as the President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBCLEO) for four years, he was on the Executive Board of the National League of Cities. He has been pro- active in his efforts to assist in making Newark a ``Model City.'' Councilman Tucker is founder and State Chairman of the renowned Black Issues Convention (NJBIC). Under his leadership, NJBIC is the longest serving State Black Issues Convention in the country. He is the main operative of the annual ``Newark Day'' observance in Atlantic City during the State League of Municipalities Convention. In addition to his duties as a Councilman, Donald Tucker finds time to serve the community in other ways. He serves on several advisory boards and has received numerous awards and citations for his dedicated service. Always an advocate for children and senior citizens, Councilman Tucker is the founder of The Centre, Inc., a community services multipurpose center that serves these individuals. I salute Councilman Tucker for his dedication to our community and I am proud to have him in my district. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to Councilman Tucker, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our sincere congratulations and best wishes as he celebrates 30 years of service to Newark's deserving citizens.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a cultural treasure in my district, the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club, as they celebrate their long and distinguished history on Saturday, June 19, 2004, with their 65th Anniversary Concert, ``The Sounds of Broadway.'' The North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club remains dedicated to the preservation of male choral singing in America. Its members are unpaid, drawn to participation through their love of choral music alone. Formed in 1939, the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club is one of the oldest all male singing groups in the Mid-Atlantic States. The group performs a wide variety of music, but maintains a focus on African American and European Classical music for the majority of its repertoire. The group's performances reach audiences throughout New Jersey in schools, colleges and universities, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, health centers, community centers, and countless other venues where people gather to enjoy the rich culture of our State. During the Post-World War II era, the Glee Club regularly performed on WNJR radio, and in one of its more memorable performances of that period, the chorus shared the stage with the great Paul Robeson. During the 70s and 80s, the Glee Club's performances paying tribute to African American composers were regularly featured on Suburban Cable (now Comcast) and the New Jersey Network (NJN). Most recently, the Glee Club has appeared in programs that included Harry Belafonte, Smokey Robinson, Ben Vereen, Savion Glover, and gospel legend Shirley Caesar. They have performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the Smithsonian Institution, the National Cathedral, Riverside Church, the Schomberg Center in New York City, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in my home town of Newark. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending thanks to the North Jersey Philharmonic Glee Club for their contributions to the cultural life of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our congratulations as they celebrate 65 years of musical excellence.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to honor Bishop Russell Scott as he celebrates his 100th birthday at a party in his honor at the Galloping Hill Caterers on Saturday, July 3, 2004. To live a century is indeed a significant event; to accomplish so much during that time is truly outstanding. As a member of Glad Tidings Pentecostal Tabernacle Church, Bishop Scott established himself as an integral part of the church. He served as Superintendent of the Sunday School, a Deacon, Church Clerk and Treasurer. He went on to become Pastor and later, a Bishop. Since he was a mason by training, Bishop Scott supervised the building of the new church edifice which was completed and dedicated on March 20, 1960. Bishop Scott has since retired but still serves as overseer prelate. In addition to the contributions made to his church, Bishop Scott was active in the community and has received many certificates for his involvement. They include certificates from the Essex County Probation Department, the Cornell Center Chapel Service, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Senior Citizen Nutrition Site in Orange, NJ and a certificate as former Tour Host for Trinity Travel and Tours Abroad to Israel. Bishop Scott also served as President of the United Clergy of Vauxhall and Vicinity. He received his theological and divinity degrees from Miller University. Bishop Scott is indeed blessed to join a very exclusive club of centenarians. I am delighted to wish him well as he celebrates this occasion. I know that my colleagues join me in sending best wishes for continued health and happiness to Bishop Russell Scott on his 100th birthday.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2004 Project GRAD Newark Graduating Scholars. Tonight, more than 300 individuals will gather to honor more than 75 Project GRAD Scholars, graduating from Malcolm X Shabazz and Central High Schools, located in my district's South and Central Wards. These outstanding students will be recognized for having met, maintained, and exceeded strict academic performance standards, and will be awarded a $6,000 college scholarship. Project GRAD Newark is a nonprofit, educational support organization that focuses on building the capacity of participating Newark public schools to improve student achievement. Their mission is to ensure a quality education for children in the most challenging, economically disadvantaged public schools in my hometown of Newark, New Jersey, and to support them as the graduate high school, and prepare for, attend, and graduate from college. Project GRAD Newark was created in 1998 through the support of Ford Foundation and Lucent Technologies Foundation. The GRAD model originated in Houston, Texas in 1989, as a scholarship incentive program to encourage urban school students to graduate high school. Today, it works with a feeder pattern of schools--a high school and the middle and elementary schools that feed students to that high school. This method ensures curricular and programmatic consistency from kindergarten to 12th grade. PGN began implementation of the GRAD model in the Malcolm X Shabazz High School feeder pattern in 1998 and announced implementation in the Central High School feeder in 2000. PGN serves two feeder patterns comprised of 8,600 students throughout 16 Newark Public Schools. Nationally, Project GRAD serves over 135,000 students in 217 schools across the country. The results are unmistakable: according to preliminary evaluations, PGN students significantly outperformed their non-PGN peers in math and reading during their first and second years of the model's implementation. On-time graduation rates have increased from 56 percent in 2001 to 76 percent in 2003. 95 percent of GRAD Scholars who graduated in 2003 from Shabazz High School are enrolled in college, and our first class of GRAD Scholars will graduate this year from the Central High School feeder pattern. As a former teacher, I stand before you today with pride. Project GRAD Newark is reaching students and challenging them to fulfill their academic potential. They are cultivating future leaders, who may someday stand where I do today. Mr. Speaker, I commend to you these dedicated students, and I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating them on their past achievements, encouraging them in their future endeavors, and supporting the successful Project GRAD Newark program as they continue to serve the students in my district.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize an outstanding member of my community, Mr. Michael Roccia. For 63 years, he has been fighting to improve the working conditions and lives of American workers. He has spent 32 years with Local 262 in New Jersey, and has served our community well. He was Shop Chairman for Local 305, CIO from 1940-1969. During that time he organized 500 employees of the L.S. Branch Co. for Playthings, Jewelry, and Novelty Workers, CIO Local 305. When Local 305 became Local 301, he became General Organizer, and when that merged with Local 262, he continued to work, serving as Business Agent for as many as twenty shops. He would go on to serve as Local 262's General Organizer, and eventually became their President. He has been Vice President of both the IUC and the RWDSU, and has served on the Advisory Committee of the UFCW. Mr. Roccia has lived the life of a worker and an activist. He has labored on an assembly line, organized workers, walked the picket line, negotiated contracts, handled grievances, argued arbitrations, and fought for health and welfare plans. He has led and inspired the men and women of Local 262 in New Jersey to commit to activism, working early in the morning and late at night to improve labor conditions for all workers. In his own words, ``The work of a good trade unionist can never be a 9 to 5 job--never an 8 hour day.'' I salute Mr. Roccia, the oldest officer in his Union, for his lifelong commitment to serving others. I am proud to have him in my district, and I am honored to call him my neighbor. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to Michael Roccia, and I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing him health and happiness throughout his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding and devoted citizen in my state, Mrs. Pamela Lynn Wiley. On Sunday, June 6, 2004, she will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at St. Paul's Calvary United Church of God Usher's Annual Day. Pamela was born on November 16, 1958 in Summit, New Jersey to the late Thomas and Gloria Peterson. She grew up in Vauxhall, New Jersey, where she attended the Union County school system and graduated from Union High School in 1977. Pamela has been an active member of Saint Paul's Calvary United Church of God for over 40 years, ministering to its members through her service on many of the church boards and committees. She is a member of their missionary department, as well as the Saint Paul's Calvary Young Adult Choir, The Voices of Praise. She is also an advisor to the CLC ensemble. She is a beloved member of the usher board, having joined at a very young age, and is actively serving as their Vice President. Pamela will be joined at this celebration by many friends and family, including her husband, Nathan Lamont Wiley, Sr.; her oldest daughter, A1C Joyita Kwamina Wiley-Jackson (U.S. Air Force); her son, CS3 Nathan Lamont Wiley, Jr. (U.S. Navy); her youngest daughter, SFC Gloria Lynette Wiley (Union High School JROTC); and her sisters, Kimm and Kiesha Peterson. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to Pamela Lynn Wiley for her years of ministry and service to her congregation and to our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing her the strength and grace to continue for many years to come.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow that I inform my colleagues of the sudden and untimely passing of Glenn Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was a longtime public servant. He was Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, a significant part of my congressional district. He also served as a member of the New Jersey State Senate. Mayor/State Senator Cunningham was the proverbial public servant. His career in the public arena spanned more than three decades. He was truly a man of the people. Over the years, I had the privilege of working with Glenn on issues of shared interest, as our careers paralleled each other's. I was delighted when Glenn was elected to his first office as a Hudson County Freeholder in 1975, and then watched with pride as he moved forward in his career to become elected to the Jersey City Municipal Council in 1981 and re-elected in 1985 and became President of the Jersey City Municipal Council. In 1996, Glen was appointed by President Clinton to become the first African American U.S. Marshall from the state of New Jersey. In 2001, Glenn was elected the first African American Mayor of Jersey City, and last year Mayor Cunningham was elected State Senator for the 31st District. Glenn was especially proud of his military and law enforcement experience, having served with honor as a United States Marine. He also was a member of the Jersey City Police Department for more than two decades, rising to the rank of Captain. He later distinguished himself in the post of Hudson County Director of Public Safety. Glenn was also known for his interest in Black History. I enjoyed having conversations with hirn about the history of Jersey City, Underground Railroad in New Jersey and other significant historical events that shaped our state and nation. I was impressed with his passion and the breadth of his knowledge of historical subjects. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in remembering a life long distinguished native son of Jersey City, Glenn Cunningham, who was an outstanding role model. His exemplary service will long be remembered. I express my condolences to his survivors, especially his wife, Saundra.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I rise to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Problem Solving Team of the Quest Program at the John Howard, Jr. School in East Orange. This team was concerned about gangs in their neighborhood and decided to take action. They established themselves as PEGASUS PUSH, meaning Peers Educating Gang Awareness Stopping Unnecessary Suffering Providing Useful Strategies for Home. The Problem Solving Team has volunteered over 1000 hours towards this project by publishing a monthly Gang Awareness Newsletter, organizing a Family Fest Night, a Fun Day Fair, creating a Pegasus Website, establishing an after school PEP PICK Program, a Day at the Ball Park, a Saturday Delight Program, a Mother- Son, Father-Daughter Night, Holiday Celebrations and Puppet Shows. All of these activities were designed to engage their peers and others in constructive projects and out of gangs.These students, namely, Khalil Banner, Jordan Clarke, Estefani Ubri, Felix Torres, Markia Hutchinson, Shanice Thomas, Monique McDonald, Melina Reyes, Cameron Glover, Shaenice McKenzie, Safa Muhammad, Zasha Martinez and their coach, Ms. Christine McAdams are to be commended for their unselfish actions in trying to eliminate gangs where they live. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing this outstanding group of fourth and fifth grade students along with their coach for placing first in New Jersey in the junior division of the Community Problem Solving Component of the International Future Problem Solving Program. As a result of this achievement, these members of PEGASUS PUSH and students at Dr. John Howard, Jr. School will represent New Jersey at the International Competition in Lexington, Kentucky on June 2-6, 2004. The contributions made and the leadership shown by the members of PEGASUS PUSH have already made them winners in the 10th Congressional District. I wish them continued success in this very worthwhile effort.