Nancy Pelosi

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) and I rise today to pay tribute to this very unique marine Sanctuary off of the San Francisco coast. The Sanctuary includes 1,235 square miles of wetlands, intertidal, and deep sea resources and is home to a diverse population of fish, invertebrates, algae, marine mammals and seabirds. Throughout the year, The sanctuary is either the #1 or #2 spot in the world for numbers of endangered blue and humpback whales. In addition, the Sanctuary is the home for 33 species of marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoises. In 1991, the area was designated by the United Nations as a United Nations biosphere reserve giving it global importance and status. It is situated in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Management of this vibrant marine sanctuary has been led by an extraordinary individual named Ed Ueber. Ed has served as chief manager and steward of the Farallones since 1990. On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the GFNMS, I join the people of the Bay Area in extending our heart felt appreciation to Ed Ueber for his extraordinary work on behalf of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. As Manager, Ed has made it his mission not only to protect and preserve our nation's marine life but to bring ocean life to everyone's lives. Ed has succeeded in building public support and enthusiasm for the national marine sanctuary. His efforts to involve the public has led to the creation of the Nation's first sanctuary support organization--the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. Ed has also created an extensive volunteer program--The Beach Watch Program which enlists volunteers for beach and offshore monitoring. These volunteers actively participate in the monitoring of beaches and marine life, including, seals, birds and whales. In 1993, the Beach Watch Program graduated the first 40 volunteers. In 1997, the Sanctuary Education Awareness and Long-term Stewardship (SEALS) program trained volunteers in harbor seal monitoring and interpretation. In 2000, there were 260 volunteers collecting data, responding to oil spills, educating the public, and entering data. In the Bay Area, we are blessed by the Marine Sanctuary and its steadfast steward, Ed Ueber. Ed serves the Sanctuary and the people of the Bay Area in the most exemplary way through his careful management of the resources and his special gift of sharing the importance of protecting this precious marine environment. Congratulations to Ed Ueber and the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary on its 20th Anniversary!

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a unique individual who is a champion for social justice, a leader in his community, and a trailblazer in the business world. Lowell Selvin proves time and again, through his words and deeds, that one person can truly make a difference. On May 5, 2001, Congregation Kol Ami of Los Angeles will honor Lowell with its Shomer Tzedek (Guardian of Justice) Award for his untiring commitment to progressive social empowerment and to causes greater than himself. While the many endeavors Lowell Selvin is involved in are far too numerous to mention, a few highlights help illustrate the vision, energy, and compassion of this remarkable man. In business, after successfully merging and integrating PlanetOut and Gay.com, Lowell became Chief Executive Officer of PlanetOut Partners, the largest gay and lesbian online services company in the world. In this capacity, Lowell uses his two decades of business acumen, honed by advising some of America's leading corporations, to provide the LGBT community with a platform to network, grow, and conduct commerce with business partners around the world. In his community, Lowell is on the board of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and guided this groundbreaking agency's strategic planning process in its formative years. With his help, this organization is now the largest agency of its kind in the world. Lowell is on the National Advisory Board of Wendy's Hope, a group devoted to supporting lesbians with cancer. Working in collaboration with Feed the Children, Lowell also founded Arbonne Children's Trust. In addition, he helped found Congregation Kol Ami. It is my honor to recognize the achievements of my constituent, Lowell Selvin, and to join with Congregation Kol Ami in acknowledging his contributions and on-going commitment to social justice and the betterment of his community.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims of one of history's unacknowledged tragedies--the Armenian Genocide. Today marks the 86th anniversary of this tragedy that lasted from 1915 to 1923. April 24, 1915 is remembered and commemorated each year by the Armenian community and by people of conscience throughout the world. On this day, the rulers of the Ottoman empire began the systematic and ruthless extermination of the Armenian minority in Turkey. By the end of the Terror, more than a million Armenian men, women, and children had been massacred and more than half a million others had been expelled from the homeland that their forbears had inhabited for three millennia. The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact. The Republic of Turkey has adamantly refused to acknowledge that the Genocide happened on its soil but the evidence is irrefutable. In 1915, England, France and Russia jointly issued a statement charging the Ottoman Empire with ``a crime against humanity.'' Professor Raphael Lemkin, a holocaust survivor, is the key historical figure in making genocide a crime under international law. He coined the term ``genocide'' and was the first to characterize the atrocities of 1915-1923 as the ``Armenian Genocide.'' We understand that there is a difference between the Turkish people and the government of the Ottoman Turks. In fact, we know that during the massacres there were Turks who tried to save Armenians at the cost of their own lives. But our alliance with Turkey should not deter us from learning the lessons of past mistakes. If we ignore the lessons of the Armenian Genocide, we are destined to repeat those same mistakes. The horrible conflicts in Sudan, Sierra Leone, and East Timor remind us that we must do more to prevent the systematic slaughter of innocent people. We must learn from the past and never forget the victims of the Armenian genocide.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 428, which states that Taiwan should have appropriate and meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). The legislation also requires the State Department to initiate a U.S. plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2001 in Geneva. In particular, I would like to commend Representative Sherrod Brown for his leadership on this issue. In the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review Act, the U.S. declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations. We should abide by our intentions and support Taiwan's participation at the WHO. The WHO is an organization dedicated to preventing the spread of disease and coordinating efforts on international health work. In a time when resources to fight global infectious diseases are scarce, we should encourage assistance and coordination from all sources. The global efforts to save lives should not take a back seat to China's global campaign against Taiwan. Taiwan should be able to benefit from and contribute to the work of the WHO. As an official observer, Taiwan would assist in preventing the spread of global diseases. Taiwan's achievements in health are substantial, including high life expectancy levels and low maternal and infant mortality rates compared to other developed countries. Taiwan could assist both financially and technically in international aid and health activities benefiting people all over the world. Unfortunately, Taiwan has been unable to render such assistance through the WHO because it is not able to participate. Taiwan's WHO entry is clearly being held hostage to the Chinese government. Last year, Beijing successfully blocked Taiwan's observer status in the World Health Organization. China led nine other nations-- including Cuba and Pakistan in striking down Taiwan's motion ``due to international political realities and China's objections.'' It is time for the U.S. to honor its commitments and support the right of 21 million Taiwanese people to assist and benefit from WHO participation.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, for decades, Crissy Field stood as an idle monument to its former life as a World War I landing strip. The cracked runway and gray rubble lined San Francisco's shoreline and window to the Bay. Part of a national park within the Presidio's boundaries, it begged for renewal. After years of effort and an unprecedented philanthropic success on behalf of the Park's Crissy Field restoration, we are now on the verge of celebrating a modern-day Crissy Field that also incorporates its history. While evidence of the landing strip is no longer visible, a rich historic marsh land has been brought back to a state that existed long before aviation. In two weeks, on May 6, the public will be welcomed to a great celebration of the Crissy Field restoration project. Almost magically, acres of rubble have been transformed into a magnificent public gateway along the Presidio's border. A tidal marsh now exists, surrounded by native plants and a public promenade that stretches for over a mile along the beachfront. This event, marking the completion of the restoration and the public opening, was born as a concept a few years ago under the partnership of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) and the Golden Gate National Parks Association (GGNPA). In a remarkably short period of time, and in a remarkable show of support, this concept has come to life. Under the leadership of the first GGNPA Chair, Toby Rosenblatt, and now under the continuing excellent leadership of Chair Charlene Harvey, the dream of Crissy Field will be realized. This unique public-private partnership has made it possible to turn a contaminated, abandoned airfield into a conservation prize for our national park system. This would not have been possible without the vision of these individuals, the many contributors who followed this dream and the significant efforts of Greg Moore, Executive Director of the GGNPA, and Brian O'Neill, Superintendent of the GGNRA. Both Brian and Greg were honored this week by the National Park Foundation for their energy, innovation and enthusiasm in bringing this project to fruition. Greg Moore accepted the National Park Foundation award for ``Restoration of Crissy Field'' as the recipient of the 2001 National Park Partnership Award in the environmental conservation category. As the GGNPA Executive Director, Greg spearheaded the philanthropic drive for Crissy Field which raised $34 million to fund this spectacular restoration of San Francisco's Bay shoreline. The gift of $18 million from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr., Fund and the Robert and Colleen Haas Fund is the largest ever made to America's national parks. This is a phenomenal accomplishment and one of which we are very proud in our community. Congratulations to Charlene Harvey, the entire GGNPA Board, the many philanthropic participants and to Greg Moore and an excellent staff for their lasting contribution to our environment. The Presidio and all of our Golden Gate National Parks are a source of great pride to us and we are pleased that they welcome millions of visitors each year for recreation and renewal. Congratulations to all who have been involved in this spectacular project. It is a testament to the great enthusiasm the public holds for our national parks. It is a testament to the spirit of our San Francisco community and the able leaders who brought this vision to life for us all.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, on Earth Day, we celebrate an important milestone of the modern environmental movement in 1970, and we celebrate three decades of progress in protecting the environment. Thanks to the persistence and hard work of environmental champions from all walks of life, Americans enjoy cleaner air and cleaner water than in 1970. Yet we still have far to go to achieve a sustainable approach to living on the Earth. We need leaders who have the vision to see that the fate of human beings and the environment are inextricably intertwined. We need leaders who appreciate that with new ideas, new practices, and new technologies, we can enjoy prosperity and economic growth without sacrificing the environment. Instead, in his first 100 days in leadership, President Bush has acted swiftly to roll back a series of initiatives to protect the environment and human health: Arsenic. Revoked new regulations to reduce the level of arsenic, a known carcinogen, in drinking water. Hard-rock mining. Dumped new regulations that would make it tougher for mining companies to walk away from pollution caused by mining. Global warning. Broke his campaign promise to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary cause of global warming. Kyoto protocol. Announced that the United States--which has already signed the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions--will withdraw from any further negotiations and will not seek ratification of the climate change treaty. National forests. Postponed rules to protect 58 million acres in our national forests by prohibiting new roads, and is widely expected to try to overturn the new rules completely. National monuments. Encouraged proposals to change boundaries and loosen protections against mining and logging operations in the new monuments. Energy efficiency. Scaled back regulations to make air conditioners and heat pumps more efficient--at a time when electricity is in short supply and prices are shooting up in California and around the country. Electricity generation is a major contributor to air and water pollution. In the new millennium, we must realize that the environment is central to our lives. Because of global warming, it is predicted that the oceans cold rise by as much as three feet in the period between 1990 and 2100. In San Francisco, where the ocean is already practically lapping at our feet, it is daunting to think about the damage the rising waters are likely to cause to our peninsula. This Administration seeks 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. The Administration's policies on energy and global warming are a prime example. Faced with The Administration is responding to pressure from many companies in the electricity, coal, oil, and gas industries to continue with business as usual. But instead of clinging to the energy policies of the past, the United States should lead the world in developing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. I salute business leaders who recognize the value of environmental protection. In fact, a number of major corporations have recognized the threat of global warming and are acting to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. But sometimes the corporate sector needs a push to adopted new technologies and new ways of thinking. We need political leaders who understand this dynamic. No discussion of the environment is complete without focussing on environmental justice. Environmental health will be a major human rights issue in the 21st century. Everyone has the right to live in an environment free of deadly pollutants and toxic waste, and every child has a right to be born free of exposure to toxic chemicals. But today, millions of Americans are exposed to dangerous contaminants in our food, water, air, and even our mother's milk. Minority and low-income communities are particularly vulnerable to environmental health hazards, since the factories and waste dumps that emit pollutants are often located near poor or minority communities that have less political power. Last Thursday, President Bush announced the United States would sign the treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) that was negotiated by the Clinton Administration. I am delighted that the US will sign the POPs treaty, which will ban or phase out 12 pollutants that are extremely hazardous to the health of humans and animals. But I note that the treaty is supported by the chemical industry--so this excellent decision did not require political courage or vision. Furthermore, we should ensure that new chemicals are safe to human health and the ecosystem before they become pervasive in our air, water, food, and our bodies. This Administration is still living in the 20th century when it comes to environmental issues. It's time to move into the 21st century. Working together, we can make each Earth Day a celebration of progress, not a day of protest.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the distinguished ranking member, for yielding me this time and for his leadership in bringing this very wise Democratic estate tax-relief bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of it because Democrats have repeatedly stated that we do support responsible tax cuts, but only ones that we can afford. Yet again, the Republican leadership has brought a tax cut to the floor that we cannot afford. I come from a part of the country where real estate values have skyrocketed. I understand the need for estate tax relief for homeowners, for business owners, for farmers. The Democratic substitute increases the estate tax exclusion to $2.5 million for individuals and $5 million for married couples. Under our plan, 75 percent of the estates that are currently taxed would no longer pay any estate taxes. I repeat, 75 percent of those who currently paying estate taxes would pay no estate taxes under the Democratic plan. Our plan, the Democratic plan, costs $40 billion over 10 years. We can afford that. The Republicans, on the other hand, have an irresponsible proposal that will add to the already $1.8 trillion, including interest, that has come to date to this floor that they have voted; and their plan, one probably will not believe this, but listen carefully, their plan will cost $662 billion. It is so staggering, $662 billion. $40 billion on the Democratic side, 75 percent of the people will pay no estate tax who pay estate tax now. Theirs, $662 billion. But if one is in that category where they would benefit from the Republican plan, listen up. Their benefit does not even come for 10 years. So listen up. If they are in the category that would benefit at the highest end of the Republican estate tax plan, they do not see that benefit for 10 years down the road. The Republicans are asking this Congress to commit five Congresses from now, five budgets away, to spend up to $662 billion in tax relief for the wealthiest people in our country. What is the opportunity cost of that money? We have an infrastructure deficit in our country; bridges, roads, that need repair; building of mass transit to move people and keep the air clean. We have deficits in our education that we need school modernization, where these billions of dollars could be spent there. Or first and foremost, we could pay down the debt, keep interest rates down for our mortgages, for our car payments, for our credit cards. So when they give this tax break at the highest end, guess who is paying for it? The average working American, with higher interest rates. I urge our colleagues to support the Democratic plan.

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, in fact, the Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated that the Republican plan would cost $662 billion over 10 years.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, and for his leadership in putting forth a very responsible Democratic alternative this morning. Mr. Speaker, certainly Democrats strongly support marriage penalty relief and tax benefits for families with children, but that relief should be provided within the context of an overall tax plan that is fiscally responsible and is fair. The Democratic alternative increases the standard deduction for married couples to twice the amount for single people. It also substantially increases the earned income tax credit for married couples, and lowers the 15 percent tax bracket to 12 percent for a married couple's first $20,000 of taxable income. This helps everyone, everyone. It is fair, and it is balanced. The Republican plan, however, uses the need for marriage penalty tax relief as an excuse, as an excuse to expand the 15 percent bracket and cut taxes for married couples in the 28 percent bracket. As a result, 80 percent of the marriage penalty relief in this bill goes to one- third of the wealthiest married couples. If we want to change the tax rates, then we should face that issue head on and have an honest debate about that. If we are here to address the issue of concern raised by the distinguished gentleman from Indiana about the need for eliminating the marriage penalty, then we should do that, and the Democratic alternative does just precisely that. How much is enough? When will President Bush and the Republican leadership stop asking American families who are most in need to sacrifice in order to provide a tax cut at the highest end? Mr. Speaker, here we go again. We are debating yet another tax bill proposed by the Republicans that is seriously flawed. The Republican proposal provides the most benefits to those who need them least. It gives short shrift to those who need relief the most. And as predicted, the Republican leadership is attempting to go well beyond the already huge tax cut proposed by President Bush with more tax cuts on the way. Again, Democrats strongly support marriage tax penalty relief and tax benefits for families with children. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic alternative.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Democratic substitute and commend our ranking member, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), for his leadership, and in opposition to the Republicans' irresponsible budget resolution. Our national budget, Mr. Chairman, I believe, should be a statement of our national values. The Republican budget resolution makes very clear the priorities of the Republican leadership and President Bush. They value tax cuts for the wealthy above all else, above initiatives that working families rely on to care for their children. Mr. Chairman, anyone who has studied economics or reads the business section of the paper or makes investments, or all of the above, is familiar with the term opportunity cost of money. When we use money for one purpose, we lose the opportunity to use that money for another purpose. The opportunity cost is the benefit that would have accrued to the investor. When the House chooses to use trillions of dollars for a tax cut, it gives us a tremendous opportunity cost to American families. We lose the benefit of improving child care and education for our children. We lose the opportunity for real prescription drug benefits for our seniors. We lose the benefit of reducing interest rates on our credit cards, mortgage and car payments. We lose the benefit of fully paying down the debt, strengthening Social Security and Medicare and giving a tax cut to American working families that will stimulate the economy and be responsible. Mr. Chairman, the opportunity cost of the Republican tax budget is an opportunity lost for America's children and their futures. President Bush has said many times that this administration will leave no child behind. Yet his budget and the budget resolution, which is based on the funding levels proposed in President Bush's budget outline, both do exactly that in order to pay for the irresponsible tax cut. Example after example demonstrate the President's budget does leave many children behind. The Bush budget cuts the Child Care and Development Block Grant by $200 million. It cuts grants to prevent and investigate child abuse by $15.7 million. It eliminates the Early Learning Fund, which was created last year to improve the quality of child care and pre-education education. This budget not only fails to live up to the President's rhetoric, it fails to represent the values of our country. I urge our colleagues to support the Democratic alternative, give a vote to the children of our country and to their future.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to report that the Intenet economy is alive and well. In the past year, a perceived lack of public confidence has hampered an industry, which has limitless potential. Despite the negativity reported in the media, let it be known that 350 million Internet users worldwide truly enjoy this incredible medium. And that while the media has reported that almost 300 dotcoms have closed their doors since January 2000, more than 7,500 Internet-related companies have been funded by venture capital alone in the past 5 years. The Internet economy itself has created some 3 million jobs worldwide. In light of premature pessimism, industry leaders are calling on the 350 million Internet users worldwide to remember why they embraced the Internet in the first place by participating in ``Internet Appreciation Day'', on April 3d, with the launch of the `Back the Net' campaign. On April 3d, Internet users are being asked to show their support by donating to an online charity, purchasing something online or investing in their favorite online business. ICONOLAST, the San Francisco based company spearheading this effort is asking Internet users to alert at least 10 friends or their customer lists by sending a `Back the Net' letter at www.iconocast.com/crusade. The Internet has become a vital tool in our information society. It has grown exponentially through the 1990's and into the 21st century. This growth has fueled the economic prosperity of the last decade while giving businesses, consumers and more importantly the American family access to an unprecedented amount of information. More Americans are going online to conduct such day-to-day activities as education, business transactions, personal correspondence, research and information-gathering, and job searches. Each year, being digitally connected becomes ever more critical to economic and educational advancement as well as community participation. The family friendly Internet has brought happiness to America's families by increasing and enhancing communication across the country and across generations. For these reasons friends of the Internet declare April 3d, 2001 ``Internet Appreciation Day'' to once again help restore public confidence in and respect for the Internet.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express the gratitude of the residents of San Francisco for the outstanding service of Stephen C. Leonoudakis as he retires from the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District Board of Directors. In every debate of the past 38 years involving the Golden Gate Bridge and transportation between Marin and San Francisco Counties, Steve has been an unfailing advocate for public transit and safety. We owe him an enormous debt of thanks for his visionary leadership and tireless service. Since his appointment to the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District in 1962, Steve's continuous tenure on the Board has made him the second-longest serving Director in the District's history. He served as the President of the Board of Directors from 1973-1974. When Steve joined the Bridge District, traffic on the Bridge had reached unmanageable levels. Unattractive traffic control arches were being designed to deal with the increase in vehicles, additional bridges between San Francisco and Marin Counties were being considered, and adding a second deck to the Bridge was proposed. Steve offered a competing vision of what the Bridge District should be. Instead of moving cars, Steve was concerned with moving people. Because of his leadership, the law creating the District was amended to give the District the authority to develop a public transit system for the Golden Gate Corridor. Steve has since shepherded a comprehensive plan to decrease pressure on the Bridge that has included the revival of ferry service, a dramatic expansion of bus service, and may one day include rail service along the Corridor. Steve has been remarkably successful. The bus and ferry system has held bridge traffic to manageable levels without altering the breathtaking beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge on the San Francisco Bay. We will be further grateful for his plan long after his retirement when the rail right-of-ways he fought to purchase are needed to build a rail system for future transit relief along the Golden Gate Corridor. In recognition of these efforts, the American Public Transit Association presented him with its Local Distinguished Service Award in 1996. Steve has also worked consistently to increase the safety of the Bridge. During the 1970's and 1980's, he was a leader in the maintenance program that significantly upgraded portions of the Bridge including the rivets, suspender ropes, deck, and sidewalk. In the 1990's, he helped oversee the campaign to seismic retrofit the Bridge including finding the funding for this enormous project. Steve has given his boundless energy and talent to serving the people of the San Francisco Bay Area. He has provided far-sighted leadership and dedicated service in an area where it was greatly needed. It is my honor to thank Steve on behalf of all the people who benefit daily from his vision. I wish him and his wife Rosemary all the best.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Ms. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Gina Pennestri, a fighter without equal who recently passed away in San Francisco. Gina was known and loved in San Francisco for her sharp mind and soft heart. She was forceful, dedicated, and absolutely committed to the constituents and elected officials she served. Gina was always fighting for a cause. After her graduation from George Washington University, she worked to secure the right to vote for the residents of Washington, D.C. Soon after, she joined the War effort as Chief of Employee Relations for all civilian employees stationed from England to North Africa during World War II. She then helped coordinate the Berlin Airlift, working to ensure that humanitarian assistance was delivered to those who needed it. By 1951, Gina had settled in San Francisco and started a family. Raising her son, Marc, Gina became involved with political issues and in the community. She fought a planned highway through Golden Gate Park, she worked in the conservation movement to protect areas from development, and she volunteered in public schools and libraries to help educate San Francisco's children. Along with many San Franciscans, she joined the civil rights movement and opposed the Vietnam War. In 1967, she became an aide to then-Assemblyman, and current State Senate President Pro Tempore, John Burton. She soon rose to be the Chief of Staff of his San Francisco office and remained in the position when Mr. Burton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. When Mr. Burton retired from the U.S. House, Gina worked on the campaign for his successor, Barbara Boxer, and then became her chief of staff. When Congresswoman Boxer became Senator Boxer, she again turned to Gina to run her San Francisco office. In her career with State Senator Burton and Senator Boxer, Gina became widely respected for her ability, her tenacity, and her fidelity to her principles. Utterly dedicated to helping those in need, she was a fearsome opponent and a trusted friend. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her and by everyone for whom she fought. My thoughts and prayers are with her son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Nancy Zimmerman, and her grandchildren, Laura and Daniel, to whom she was devoted.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon an unusual quality is the order of the day, an unusual quality for this House, and that is of humility. It is with great humility that any of us talk about this trip to Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery and to Birmingham in the presence of the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), our colleague. With humility and gratitude to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) and to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) and to the Faith and Politics Institute, I am grateful to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for the opportunity to bring my daughter Christine, for the two of us to be able to go with you to walk through history. It is a tradition in our country that families take their children to visit Boston and Philadelphia, to see places of significance, Washington DC., in our country's history. We must add to that list of must visits Alabama, Birmingham, to see what happened and how it is memorialized at the museum and in the monuments there, with the dogs and the hoses and the rest, to see we are capable of man's inhumanity to man, to Montgomery to see the sites of the march, and to Selma to see where the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) crossed over the bridge and where he was physically beaten for his courage. What stands out to me and what I want to use my brief time, Mr. Speaker, on this Special Order that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) is participating in, and I thank him for allowing us to have this time to express our appreciation for that very, very special visit, which, as the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson) said, has made a difference in all of our lives, is I want to talk for a moment about the Reverend Martin Luther King. Reverend King is revered in our country as a great leader. Indeed, he has joined the ranks of American Presidents in having a day named for him where people honor his contribution to our country. But I wish that more people would honor him more fully and have a greater appreciation for his contribution. Certainly he was a great civil rights leader; but he was also a disciple, an apostle of nonviolence, faith-based nonviolence that was central to his success, to his strength, and to the contribution that he made to our country. So, in closing my remarks, I want to say that I hope that one of the resolves that comes out of our visit and out of this Special Order and out of our work in Congress is a fuller appreciation throughout our country in our schools for the work of Reverend Martin Luther King. I hope on another occasion to say more on that subject. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with great humility and gratitude to yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep concern about the direction President Bush is taking on energy and global warming. The overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that the earth's atmosphere is warming, and human activities, especially combustion of fossil fuels, are contributing to the warming trend. Robert Watson, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has said, ``We see changes in climate, we believe humans are involved, and we're projecting future climate changes much more significant over the next 100 years than over the last 100 years.'' Coastal areas, such as my district of San Francisco, will face serious challenges from global warming. Sea levels are rising both because ice sheets are melting and because the ocean is expanding as it absorbs heat from the atmosphere. The projections for the rise in sea level between 1990 and 2100 range from a low of 3.54 inches to a high of 34.64 inches--close to three feet. President Bush says, ``My Administration takes the issue of global climate change very seriously.'' During his campaign, he pledged to reduce emissions from electric utilities, including carbon dioxide. Last week, responding to a concerted campaign from the electric utility and fossil fuel industries, he broke that promise. The environment, and the human communities around the world that will be harmed by climate change, will suffer the consequences. Instead of encouraging the U.S. to reduce our dependence on the fossil fuels that cause global warming, by using energy more efficiently The Administration has made drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the centerpiece of their energy policy. They say we need oil from the Refuge to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. They even point to the electricity shortages in California as a reason to drill for oil in the Refuge. But oil is used to generate less than one percent of California's electricity, truly a negligible amount. Not only would oil from the Refuge do nothing to help California, but it would also do very little to increase America's energy supply. Over the next half century, the coastal plain of the Refuge would contribute less than 1 percent of the oil consumed in the U.S. The Administration is using the energy crisis to score victories against the environment, both on climate change and drilling in the Arctic Refuge. If they can roll over environmental protection in these areas, none of our environmental laws and regulations will be safe from attack. I call on President Bush to stand up for the American people and the environment. We must move quickly to counter global warming--our future depends upon it.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 67 which recognizes the importance of combating tuberculosis worldwide and the severe impact of tuberculosis on minority populations in the United States. I would like to thank Congressmen Silvestre Reyes and Ciro Rodriguez for introducing this resolution. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of Congressman Sherrod Brown who has been an outspoken advocate for increased investment in tuberculosis treatment and prevention. In last year's Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, we worked together with Chairman Sonny Callahan to triple funding for international tuberculosis to $60 million. Although this was an important victory, we must do more to combat tuberculosis on a global level. Few diseases are as widespread and as devastating as TB. TB kills 2 million people each year--and is second only to AIDS as the biggest infectious killer of adults in the world. TB will kill more people this year than any other year in history. TB is also the leading cause of death among people with HIV. It accounts for one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide and up to 40 percent of AIDS deaths in Africa and Asia. In the United States, TB rates are substantially higher for minorities than Caucasians. African Americans suffer from TB at a rate of eight times greater, Latinos at a rate of six times greater, and Asians at a rate of nearly fifteen times greater. The good news is that an effective treatment does exist for TB. The World Bank has reported that DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse)--is one of the most cost effective health interventions available. It costs just $20-$100 to save a life. The problem is that only one in five of those ill with TB is receiving treatment. We have a very small window of opportunity during which stopping TB would be cost effective. If we go too slowly, so much drug resistant TB will emerge that it will cost billions to control, with no guarantee of success. I enthusiastically support this resolution and working to ensure that Congress provides adequate funding to treat and prevent this terrible disease.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for his leadership in providing assistance to the people in El Salvador at this very difficult time. I want to commend the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) as well for his leadership on this. It is a very important issue. I know about earthquakes, coming from San Francisco, and I know about El Salvador because I have had a long interest there. In fact, Madam Speaker, my first speech on the floor was about El Salvador, following the lead of our great chairman then of the Committee on Rules, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley). The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) has again exercised leadership, sending a letter signed by 75 colleagues to President Bush asking for significant multiyear assistance for El Salvador. While there is a strong initial response to the crisis, we go through this, those of us in earthquake territory, the emergency response and a strong emotional response from the world, there is no initiative to assist in a longer term with assistance and reconstruction. President Flores has estimated that the relief and reconstruction efforts will cost well over a billion dollars from the international community. El Salvador has a special significance for the American people. Approximately 1 million Salvadorans live in the United States, thousands of them in my district, I am proud to say. Our nations have close historical ties. We should do everything in our power, and that is significant, everything in our power, to provide sustainable development assistance to lift up the Salvadoran people out of this devastation. Our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), earlier mentioned, and many of us who visited El Salvador can agree, about the optimism and the spirit of the Salvadoran people. They are ready to lift themselves up, but they need some help. In coordination with the international community, we must provide a long- term reconstruction assistance package aimed at the areas of housing, crop assistance, clean water and health care. Madam Speaker, there are many heroes involved in this effort. I named the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), who has long been a hero on the subject of El Salvador, actually joined by his staff person, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), when he was on his staff, now a hero in the Congress on this issue in his own right. I commend them, USAID, the Red Cross, the World Bank, UNICEF, the Inter- American Development Bank, UNDP, OXFAM and World Vision for the important roles that they play. I once again commend the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt) for his very important leadership on this issue.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 180th anniversary of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire. Although there are no final victories in the long struggle to extend the principles of equality and democracy, we should take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the triumphs of freedom over tyranny. I would like to thank the co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Michael Bilirakis, for their efforts to organize these statements for Greek Independence Day. For almost 400 years (1453-1821), the Greek people lived under the brutal domination of the Ottoman Empire. This dark period was characterized by the denial of all civil rights, the closing of Greek schools and churches, and rampant kidnappings of Christian and Jewish children. The Greek Revolution marked the beginning of the struggle that freed the Greek people and reestablished democracy in Greece. Since their war of independence, Greece has been a strong ally to the United States. In turn, the U.S. has opened its heart to multitudes of Greek immigrants. The contributions of the Greek community in the United States are immeasurable. Greek-Americans have played a significant role in all aspects of American life including our arts, sports, medicine, religion, and politics. In the House of Representatives, the children of Greek immigrants have brought their legacy and inspiration. Congress has been made a better place for their contributions. In San Francisco, the Greek-American community is a vital, historic, and vibrant component of our world-renowned diversity. The social fabric of San Francisco has benefited from the civic leadership of our late Mayor George Christopher, former Mayor and HUD Regional Director Art Agnos, and former Golden Gate Bridge District Board Member Stephan C. Leonoudakis. Ancient and modern Greece stand as examples to people around the world of overcoming tyranny. They taught the world that the supreme power to govern is vested in the people through self-governance. Wherever tyranny and ethnic cleansing occur, the principles of equality and democracy are also under siege. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I am proud to stand in recognition of the 180th anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I commend Congresswoman Barbara Lee for organizing today's Special Order and for her leadership in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic. Rep. Lee's work was instrumental in the establishment and funding of the World Bank Trust Fund. With her unrelenting advocacy, over the course of the past year, the world has finally, albeit belatedly, started taking notice of the global AIDS pandemic and the havoc it is creating in the developing world. I join her today in calling for a stronger U.S., international, and multilateral commitment to combat global HIV/AIDS, which is the world's most deadly infectious disease ever. The social, economic, security and human costs of this crisis are devastating entire nations. Increased funding for global AIDS programs must be provided as part of a renewed commitment to a comprehensive and adequately funded development assistance strategy addressing the new challenges facing the developing world as a result of HIV/AIDS. The United States must take the lead. Our investment in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic not only has a direct impact, but it also leverages significant funds from other countries and multilateral institutions. Non-governmental organizations working to fight global AIDS believe that the U.S. funding for global AIDS programs should be doubled this year, to a total across all U.S. agencies and programs of $464.5 million. Just to put this number in perspective, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that $3 billion is needed annually for Africa alone to provide minimal care, anti-viral drugs, and HIV prevention. Estimates of costs for an effective response to the epidemic worldwide start at $7 billion annually. In FY 2001, Congress and the Administration significantly expanded funding for global HIV/AIDS efforts with the LIFE (Leadership and Investment in Fighting an Epidemic) initiative. The Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, on which I have served as the Ranking Democrat, succeeded in our effort to dramatically increase funding for global AIDS at the United States Agency for International Development. Programs which last year received $190 million for international prevention, care, and education efforts, including programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission and address the needs of the growing population of AIDS orphans, will receive $315 million in the current fiscal year. So much more needs to be done. Comprehensive prevention efforts have turned around HIV epidemics in Uganda and Thailand, and averted an epidemic in Senegal. We know that prevention and education programs work. The United States must now demonstrate leadership in providing needed funding so that effective programs can be expanded and replicated. We must also invest in the efforts to develop a vaccine. Vaccines are our best hope to bring this epidemic under control, and we must do all we can to facilitate cooperation between the public and private sectors in order to bring together the necessary resources and expertise. Unfortunately, these challenges are only the beginning. India already has more infected people than any other nation, over 3.5 million. Experts are predicting that without significant efforts to treat those with HIV and prevent new infections the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in India could surpass the combined number of cases in all African countries within two decades. Asia already accounts for one out of every four infections worldwide. The Newly Independent States in the former Soviet Union are also seeing significant increases in their HIV infection rates. There has been a six-fold increase in the number of HIV infections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the last four years. Developing nations will be unable to turn the tide on this epidemic if even the most basic health care is unavailable or out of reach for most of their citizens. Yet despite such scarcity, community-based organizations in villages are doing much with little. People must be educated about HIV and how to prevent its spread. Increased testing and counseling opportunities are desperately needed. Basic care and treatment that can be delivered in homes or makeshift clinics is essential. And the need for support for the growing number of children orphaned by AIDS looms large. Access to affordable drugs is a critical piece of the fight against global AIDS in the developing world. In January, I joined with 28 Members of Congress in writing President Bush urging this Administration to continue the Clinton Administration's Executive Order promoting Access to HIV/AIDS Pharmaceuticals and Medical Technologies. We must take every possible action to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS around the world have access to life-saving drugs. The fight ahead of us against the global AIDS pandemic is a long one. We have no choice but to engage in the fight and to prevail. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Lee and others here and in the NGO community to promote U.S. leadership in the fight against global AIDS.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to David Ocegueda Bracker as he retires from his position as the Executive Director of a non-profit group in my district, Arriba Juntos. For the past three and a half years, David has led this agency through a time of transition and expansion. During his tenure with Arriba Juntos, he has helped low- income residents of San Francisco receive the training they need to find employment or to advance their careers. His inspirational leadership has had a profound effect on our city. David has dedicated his entire professional life to public service. After receiving his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Social work from San Francisco State University, David began his career by working for four years at the organization from which he is now retiring, Arriba Juntos. As a Project Manager for the Model Cities program, he implemented an employment training program and directed other social services programs. After a brief stint as Associate Director of the Mission Neighborhood Health Center, he joined the U.S. Department of the Interior as an Area Director. In this capacity, he founded and led an employment training program in the Western U.S. that became nationally known and emulated for its effectiveness. In 1980, he began working for the University of California, San Francisco. First in the Office of the Public Programs, then in the Chancellor's Cultural Diversity Task Force, and then in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, David spent twelve years with U.C.S.F. While there, he raised support for their health programs and represented U.C.S.F. in the health care community; he helped to design and implement U.C.S.F.'s plan to achieve full diversity on campus; and he secured corporate and foundation support for many projects, including a joint gerontological research project with Mount Zion Medical Center, a pediatric crack cocaine project, a campus capital improvement project, and the 1990 International Conference on AIDS. After leaving U.C.S.F., he spent four years as the Executive Director of the Hearing Society for the Bay Area before becoming the Executive Director of Arriba Juntos. At Arriba Juntos he has presided over a time of great transition as the agency has adapted to respond to the nation's welfare Reform effort. Where many have been content to reduce the Welfare Reform effort. Where many have been content to reduce the welfare rolls, David has fought to ensure meaningful employment for those losing benefits. He has been concerned not with saving money but with saving lives. David's concern for those around him and his emphasis on helping people better their own lives have earned him the respect and appreciation of the community. It has been my distinct pleasure to know and to work with David Bracker. He is a caring and able man whose many talents will be missed at Arriba Juntos. I know, however, that he will continue to serve our community in new and creative ways. I join Arriba Juntos in thanking David for his time there as Executive Director, and wish him, his wife Kathy, and his daughter Megan all the best in their future pursuits.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great San Francisco leader, Larry Mazzola, for his years of dedicated service to the community. The Bay Area Union Labor Party is honoring Larry, and it is my privilege to join them in praising this outstanding San Franciscan. When Larry entered the workforce in 1961, he began as an apprentice in the UA. Upon his graduation, he became an Assistant Apprenticeship Coordinator. Working with the UA's Local Union 38 in San Francisco, he became a Business Agent in 1972. By 1980 he had risen to be Business Manager of Local 38 as his father had before him. In addition to his responsibilities as Business Manager, he currently serves on the UA's General Executive Board. Outside of his work with the UA, Larry has been active in a broad array of positions in the labor movement. For more than twenty years, he has served as the President of the San Francisco Building and Trades Council and serves on the Executive Committee of the San Francisco Labor Council. In both of these roles, Larry's leadership has helped to unify and develop San Francisco's labor movement. Larry has also been a member of the advisory board of San Francisco Community College's Labor Studies Program since 1972. Larry has also twice served as an official for the City and County of San Francisco. He has brought a consistently thoughtful voice to his service on the San Francisco Airport Commission since his appointment in 1994. From 1993-1995, he served with distinction as a Commissioner on the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Commission. Not only has Larry given much of his own life to the labor movement, but he has givenit the next generation of leadership as well. As he once followed in his father's footsteps, Larry's sons are now following in his. Larry Jr. is now the Business Agent for UA Local 38 and Stephen is the Assistant Apprenticeship Coordinator. Larry Mazzola has been an outstanding leader for San Francisco. His work in the labor movement and in the community has earned him the respect and appreciation of our City. I join his mother, Vera; his wife, Stephanie; and his children, Lori, Larry Jr., and Stephen in Congratulating him on this award.

Ms. PELOSI

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I am particularly concerned about the impact of the Bush tax cut on the overall federal budget. We must not sacrifice investments in education, infrastructure and health, which make our economy stronger, in order to provide excessive tax cuts. In 1981, President Reagan passed a major tax cut, increased defense spending drastically, and supported cuts in investments in the American people. His policy marked the beginning of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and quadrupled the national debt. Over the last eight years, the Clinton Administration has eliminated the budget deficit but we still have a $3.5 trillion national debt. Interest payments on the debt alone cost the United States more than $200 billion a year. A lower national debt means lower interest rates, lower mortgage payments, lower car payments, lower credit card payments, and more jobs. Paying down the national debt will put the U.S. government in the best possible position to meet the Social Security and Medicare needs of future generations, when the retirement of the ``Baby Boom'' generation places a significant strain on the federal budget. Nearly $3 trillion of the $5.6 trillion projected surplus is supposed to be dedicated to Social Security and Medicare. Are the Republicans going to take those funds from seniors to pay for their tax cut? Increased debt service, farm payments, extending expiring tax credits, and emergency defense and non-defense spending will also need to be accounted for in a responsible budget. Unfortunately, the Republican majority has jammed this tax cut through before we even have a budget resolution. Therefore, we are forced to have this debate without any budgetary framework. However, we do know that of the nearly $2 trillion of the surplus that remains after we protect Social Security and Medicare, funding a tax cut must compete with providing a prescription drug benefit for seniors and the modernization of our schools, two of the top priorities of the American people. Do we want to underwrite an unaffordable tax cut at the expense of our children's education and our seniors' and veterans' health? I urge my colleagues to oppose the Bush tax rate plan.

Ms. PELOSI. I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, today the Republican majority rises to a new level of recklessness and irresponsibility by proposing a tax cut which benefits the wealthiest Americans, giving 44 percent of this tax cut to the highest 1 percent of our country. And who pays for this gift to the richest Americans? America's working families. We all know that the biggest and best tax cut is low interest rates. Low interest rates on our home payments, car payments, mortgage payments, credit card payments. If we instead would pay down the debt instead of giving this gift to America's wealthiest, we would be able to enable America's working families to have the best tax cut of all. We do not have the surplus Members are talking about here. First of all, we are talking about a tax cut based on a budget we have not seen, on a surplus we cannot guarantee, at a time when we have unmet needs in our country. We have unmet needs in education, in prescription drug benefits. Why should our children and our seniors pay for this tax cut to the wealthiest? I urge our colleagues to vote no.