Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am in support of the resolution.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Pastor]. (Mr. PASTOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, my inquiry is if Mr. Gilman would give half of his time for those who are in favor of the amendment.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a sponsor of this bill expressing disapproval of religious discrimination by the German Government, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have joined in supporting a very basic, democratic right, freedom of religion. This bipartisan resolution was approved by the full Committee on International Relations after performing artists associated with religious minorities were denied the opportunity to perform in Germany and were also kept out of the political process. As our resolution states, the German Government is constitutionally obligated to remain neutral on religious matters, but it has violated this neutrality. The United States, as the leader of the free world and champion of democracy around the globe, has an obligation to take a stand whenever we see basic religious rights being restricted, whether their religious affiliation is Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or any other faith. Performing artists from the United States have been denied the right to perform in Germany based on their personal spiritual beliefs. When our citizens visit and work abroad, they should be able to live in peace without the fear of religious intolerance or mistreatment by the host government. In turn, when individuals visit the United States or decide to live here, they have a right to be able to worship freely and join any organization or group they choose to. These are good-faith gestures. Discrimination against a person because of his or her personal beliefs is always objectionable. Congress should stand up and say that we strongly disprove of religious intolerance. Germany is a friend, has been a friend for some time, an ally of the United States, and we want that relationship to remain strong and mutually beneficial. That is why we are calling on the German Government to respect the fundamental rights of every citizen of a democracy, the right to enjoy religious freedom. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Becerra]. (Mr. BECERRA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee]. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. PAYNE

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

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I commend the chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I commend the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] for his sponsorship of it. EXPO 2000 is a World's Fair in Hannover, Germany, to usher in the new millennium. One hundred forty-three countries have already announced their participation. It will take place in the heart of the newly unified free and democratic Europe, as we move forward to the new European Community where the borders will drop and the continent will be united. This will be a very important forum. This forum will focus the attention of states, international and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals from around the world on the key challenges for a sustainable development of mankind for the next century. This is an important event, Mr. Speaker, and the United States should fully participate in it. The resolution emphasizes private funding for that participation. Academics and business leaders from the United States will have a great deal to offer to this important discussion on sustainable development of mankind in the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Congress is right to encourage those leaders to actively participate in this important dialogue. This is a good resolution, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Pickett].

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Wise].

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to say that I would like to once again thank the chairman for this very important legislation. As a whole, Americans are motivated to set aside for their retirement. However, they are uninformed and uneducated in many instances about their options. Furthermore, many Americans nearing retirement are worried about whether or not the benefits they have been promised will be there when they retire. Corporate mergers and downsizing to meet the bottom line by encouraging early retirement among older workers may compromise the integrity of these promised benefits. This is especially true among minority and women workers. Improving awareness and education is a good first step in reconciling the need of social insurance, providing social protection with individual responsibility. Again, I applaud the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Fawell] for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to working with him to provide retirement security for all Americans and their families. I too would like to wish him well in his retirement from this House for much of the outstanding work that he has done, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1377, Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cardin].

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to speak to the importance of the SAVER Act. I think it will provide a big first step towards greater awareness about retirement security for all Americans. I wish to commend Chairman Fawell for his effort to bring to the attention of all of us this very important issue that affects millions of Americans. This legislation has been skillfully moved through our subcommittee and the full committee, and I appreciate the chairman for his fine work on this very important piece of legislation. I would also like to commend Senator John Breaux from Louisiana who also worked on the other side of the House. The retirement clock is running out, as has been mentioned by the chairman, for millions of Americans and their families. After a lifetime of hard work and contributing to and building our society, millions of older Americans have retired and are not prepared for it. We have always heard that the future belongs to those who are prepared for it. Many of our older Americans are not and will not be. They cannot afford to pay their bills. While we have worked closely with the administration to make gains in strengthening protection for plan participants in the last 4 years, we still have miles to go in ensuring retirement security for the American work force. Half of all older Americans have incomes of less than $11,300. This is because their incomes are primarily drawn from Social Security, which on average pays $8,460 to retired workers. That is less than today's minimum wage. Very little of their income comes from individual savings. A very alarming picture painted by the statistics is that many of the people we need to reach out to are women and minorities. As you know, there is a direct correlation between pension adequacy and the wages that workers receive. This is because many employers base their pension benefits on the worker's wages. This is true with respect to defined contributions and defined benefit plans, including 401(k) plans. A very disturbing image forms when we begin to think about the retirement security of low-wage workers, particularly women and minorities. Many of these workers will never receive a pension. We know that less than half of all working women are covered by a pension. Those who are fortunate enough to be covered by a plan can expect to receive lower benefits in retirement because their wages were lower during the time they were working. A recent study noted an alarming trend in private pension coverage among African American and Latino people. This study suggests that many minority workers will become strictly dependent on Social Security and have a shrinking chance to enjoy financially comfortable retirements. Moreover, the report shows that the percentage of blacks covered by private pensions of all types plummeted from 45.1 percent in 1979 to 33.8 percent in 1993, only one-third of the population, while the Latino coverage fell from 37.7 percent to 24.6 percent, less than 25 percent, during that same period. I am hopeful the SAVER Act will be successful in reaching these workers. Many of them live in my district, but let me point out, they do not all live in my district, they live in your hometowns too. They may even be your friends or members of your family. Millions of people will not have any significant retirement income beyond Social Security, which makes the Federal program even more critical, especially at a time when its fiscal future is being questioned. While the baby-boom generation is on the eve of retirement, this statistical snapshot of the next generation of retirees is fueling the current debate about Social Security. I believe the provisions in the SAVER Act will provide more opportunities to better educate and prepare Americans for their retirement. Today, Mr. Chairman, I hope that this is the beginning of developing real solutions to problems that affect real people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy].

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me first commend the gentleman from California [Mr. Royce], the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, and the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Menendez], the ranking member, for the outstanding work that they have done on this resolution. The Western Sahara has been a point of contention for some time now. The final outcome for this former Spanish colony will be historic and a momentous occasion. It will set a precedent for many other issues of self-determination throughout the world, such as Cyprus and Northern Ireland. This is a major accomplishment. We should commend the former Secretary of State James Baker, the Polisario Front and representatives of Morocco for coming to the table to decide on a referendum on the future of this disputed territory. The referendum originally scheduled for January 1992 is to decide whether Western Sahara should be incorporated into Morocco or become an independent nation as many of the Sahrawi people have fought for for many years. I am glad to see the culmination of the identification process which first started in 1984. I also want to congratulate the Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan for his role in urging negotiations in this region. Let me say that I think that now the playing field has been leveled, where all will have access to the media, to the press, and that international observers will be able to participate in the proceedings. All of these very important issues have been worked out. This is a step in the right direction. As we see democracy spreading throughout the continent of Africa, where only a few countries are left in dispute at this time, I think that it is good to see another nation coming to the front where the question which has long besieged them and has been a problem may be finally worked out. Once again I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, October 26, marked the Annual Women's Day program at my church, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. The church and its faithful congregation are led by our progressive pastor, Rev. Toney Jackson. Occasions such as this are used to recognize those persons who make a positive difference in the lives of a church family. I am proud to inform you that Mrs. Sallie P. Williams, my aunt, was afforded this honor this year. Aunt Sallie, as she is known by both her relatives and her church family, has been a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church for 65 years, since 1932. A deaconess since 1951, she has served as a member of the Willing Workers, the Progressive Women's Guild, and head of the church kitchen. As a young woman, Aunt Sallie learned photography and that was her career for over 30 years. She is a good Christian woman who has served as a stalwart role model for many young people. Aunt Sallie has always been deeply respected as the matriarch of our family, a kind-hearted and generous person with a special love of children. Following the untimely death of my mother during my boyhood, Aunt Sallie welcomed me into her home, along with my siblings. She and her late husband, Lincoln, had a strong and beautiful marriage spanning many decades. They were totally devoted to each other, the embodiment of true family values. Aunt Sallie has won the respect of all who know her through her strength of character, sense of purpose and commitment to her community. I know my colleagues join me in extending congratulations and best wishes to a person of whom I am so proud, Sallie P. Williams.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize the accomplishments of the William F. Halloran Alternative School in Elizabeth, NJ, for their designation as a 1997 blue ribbon school. The criteria for being chosen as a blue ribbon school includes several conditions of effective schooling such as leadership, parental involvement, organization, teaching and student environment, and community support. The criteria for designation also includes indicators of success such as student performance, positive attendance rates, good student retention or graduation rates, postsecondary pursuits of students and previous awards given to the school, teachers, or students. This highly competitive and prestigious designation is one of the top honors awarded to any school by the U.S. Department of Education. The William F. Halloran Alternative School has been granted this honor because they have generated an excitement about learning and a commitment to educational excellence that has allowed them to meet the above criteria for a blue ribbon school. The William F. Halloran Alternative School offers a gifted and talented program that attracts the best and brightest students from Elizabeth and also has a special education program for students who are identified as communications handicapped. The school emphasizes the performing arts and curriculum that promotes diversity awareness for all students and faculty. All students are encouraged to become skilled in current technology and are able to take advantage of afterschool tutoring. In addition, students participate in ministudies and clubs designed to develop their special talents, such as visual or performing arts or physical education. Teachers at the William F. Halloran Alternative School participate in a program called Team Teaching that is designed to offer in-class support to students who need extra help. Staff are also encouraged to become involved in professional development programs so they remain updated and attend teacher conferences. Mr. Speaker, the William F. Halloran Alternative School is an example of the positive achievements occurring in our public schools. They should be commended for their commitment to enhancing community and parental involvement in our schools. It is my hope that the William F. Halloran Alternative School will serve as a model for other schools in our area of New Jersey and across the country for educational excellence.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in adamant opposition to the ``Help Empower Low-income Parents Scholarship Bill.'' Do not be moved by supporters of this bill who claim that by opposing this legislation you are supporting schools that fail to serve children well. Let me make it clear that I certainly do not support schools that are not able to perform the basic task of teaching children how to read and write. However, I will not give up on the public education system of this country. I will not give up on this system because it has served as the great equalizer for people of this nation. The civil rights movement was based on the notion that if all people are able to have the opportunity to receive a quality education then we truly will make real steps toward equality. By supporting schools that are designed to serve all children we uphold this vision. Giving up on our school system and this notion of educational equality is exactly what this bill will accomplish. It will put federal funds not in the hands of low income parents but in the pockets of religious and private schools that will crop up simply to capitalize on this voucher program. It will do nothing to better the situation education is in today, but perpetuate it and make it far worse. Republicans claim this bill will empower low- income families. However, if they really cared about low-income children, a disproportionate number of whom are minorities, they would have included language that would protect civil rights and guarantee equal educational opportunities for all students. This bill blatantly lacks such language. Instead, this bill contains only watered down anti-discrimination requirements for participating schools. This is a clear indication that Republicans have motives not to improve education but to funnel federal money to private schools and out of public control. Let me make it clear that I do believe that our schools need to be reformed. However, I strongly believe that if there is a problem with something you work hard to correct it. You make an investment and a commitment both financially and philosophically to change and reform that problem. This is a commitment and investment that the majority party of this Congress has not made. They have not supported legislation to invest in school buildings so that children are not exposed to leaking roofs and peeling paint. In the 104th Congress they attacked the school lunch program that keeps children well fed and their minds ready for learning. They cut education programs when they first took control over this body and only backed down when they heard an outcry of opposition from parents and voters. To make matters worse, they have paid little attention to the positive things going on in public schools across this country. In my district, the Harriet Tubman School in Newark is a perfect example of how our teachers, patents and students are turning things around. I refuse to give up on schools such as Harriet Tubman and implore my colleagues to not give up on similar schools in their district for vouchers that will tear down the notion of educational equality in this country. We must oppose this bill for the future of education in America.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of my friend and colleague, Congressman Walter H. Capps. Although Congressman Capps was with us for a brief period of time, he left his mark in Congress and on the world. Congressman Capps and I both served on the Committee on International Relations which he joined in 1996. When Representative Capps joined the International Relations Committee he did so because of his commitment to changing and making a difference in the world with all people from all races and religions. Although he was with us for a short period of time, he touched many lives. Capps was a prominent figure in the circle of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all peoples but he was especially concerned with the growing human rights abuses of the Chinese officials toward the Tibetans. I think that during the visit of Jiang Zemin this week, we should be mindful of the things that Congressman Capps stood for--the right of a people to live in peace and the right of a people to determine their own future. Congressman Capps was a spiritual and devout man who taught religious studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara for 33 years. His pioneering spirit led him to write several books. He was best known for a well-renown course he taught on the Vietnam war. Capps had a subtle drive. He had a civil, congenial nature, that became contagious whenever anyone was in his presence. He was admired by many of his colleagues and friends for his gentile and deferential nature. In committee hearings, he would often question the inhospitable nature of members and would encourage bipartisanship. Although it was difficult for some of his colleagues to see an answer to a problem, he would help solve disputes with amicable diplomacy and resolve. He was respected and admired by many people. Capps has left a legacy and an enlightened path will be difficult to follow.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Amtrak Reform and Privatization Act because I believe it violates both worker and passenger rights and safety. The bill as it is currently written would violate the rights of Amtrak workers by eliminating wage protections and allowing the company to hire outside contractors. It has been proven that eliminating wage protection or contracting out will do little to improve the financial stability of the company. By eliminating this protection it will only prove to be helpful to Amtrak if the company is forced to lay off a large number of employees. This would be a cruel send off to many dedicated railway workers who have given the best years of their lives to help keep Amtrak going. The bill also threatens the safety of both employees and passengers from receiving the damages due to them and their families as a result of a rail accident. I represent an area of New Jersey that relies heavily on Amtrak service and Amtrak rails to provide needed public transportation to millions of people in one of the most congested areas of the country. Therefore, I cannot support this piece of legislation unless these negative provisions are taken out. I believe Representative La Tourette and Representative Traficant's amendment will allow employees of the rail company to have the proper and safe standards they currently rely on while still ensuring that this bill will reform Amtrak to become a stable and one day profitable company. I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment and against the bill if the LaTourette-Traficant amendment or the Oberstar substitute is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, this evening in my district there will be a special event for Julia A. Miller, Ed.D. Dr. Miller will be celebrating her second retirement. You guessed it, Dr. Miller is an exceptional individual. Most of us only celebrate and are recognized for one outstanding career, here we have a woman who has made her mark twice. Dr. Miller is professor emeritus of Seton Hall University where she was director of the Center for African American Studies for 20 years. In 1990 she took an early retirement whereupon she became the State director of New Jersey Cities in Schools, a national dropout program. Dr. Miller always has been considered a compassionate visionary. She is a woman of substance who recognizes the good of any given situation. She has taken her steadfastness and expertise to expand the Cities in Schools concept into the Communities in Schools concept. She has worked to take her idea of reaching out and nurturing to a level that will provide better and more meaningful services to our young people. We often hear the adage, ``It takes a whole village to raise a child'', well Dr. Miller and her late husband, the renowned artist Don Miller, have used their lives to espouse that saying. While they had the opportunity and means to move away from the village they did not. Their commitment to our communities and our people will never be forgotten. Communities in Schools is a very successful program which champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. Under Dr. Miller's direction the program has grown to provide services to over 2,000 students in four New Jersey cities: Elizabeth, Newark, Passaic, and Plainfield. Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues will want to join me as I extend congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Julia A. Miller on her retirement from her second successful career. Encore.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer my support for Representative Moran's substitute that will eliminate the school voucher proposal from the D.C. appropriations bill. While Majority Leader Armey may call this provision a scholarship opportunity please do not fail to see this as a voucher program in its purest form. This voucher will do nothing to solve the real problems of the D.C. public schools and only separate children into a two tiered public education system. There will be the lucky few who can find a private school that has a tuition of less than $3,200 out in the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. The parents of these children will then be forced to scrape together enough money to pay for the transportation, books, and supplies private schools require an this voucher does not cover. The rest of the children will be left to spend their days in a less than stellar school system. The rest of these children are being ignored by those who support this voucher as castoffs and less than worthy of quality education. We must ask ourselves what exactly this provision of the bill will achieve? I am not sure but I can tell you what it will not achieve: It will not be cost effective but waste precious tax dollars that will send children away from their neighborhoods to a few select Virginia and Maryland private and religious schools. It will not reflect what the residents of the District of Columbia really want. Instead it allows the Republican leadership to use the children of this city as guinea pigs for their misguided programs. It will not give parents a better opportunity to educate their children but provide federal, public funds for private and religious schools. It will not ensure equity for all students because the bill does not have adequate antidiscrimination language. To make matters worse, voucher programs have been continually voted down in State legislatures in 19 States including the District of Columbia. Therefore, Republican leaders are asking us to support a measure for this city that many of their own constituents have voted against back home. Finally, I would like to say that I find this measure included in the D.C. appropriations bill an antihome rule violation and a failure of our Government to reform and help mend our inner-city public schools for not just here in the District of Columbia but in cities across this Nation.