Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to thank Chairman Ryan. He epitomizes what can happen when we find a cause that is good for our country and good for the rest of the world. I thank Speaker Boehner, who allowed this meaningful leadership agreement to move forward; Congressman Nunes, who enthusiastically supported the extension of AGOA; my dear and long-time friend from Utah, Senator Hatch, who managed to keep the bill as clean as possible during this journey with the other house; Senator Bill Nelson, who is a longtime friend and supporter of the extension of the trade agreement that we have with Haiti; and also the African Diplomatic Corps. They certainly did gain the confidence of Republicans and Democrats as they shared their problems and their ability to overcome some of the objections that Members had. But most of all, and I know that Chairman Ryan joins me in thanking the staff on both sides of the aisle. We can come up with the great ideas, as we normally do, but it takes the staff to put them in the position and put the legislation in place so that we can move forward with it. So on behalf of the chairman and all of the Members that have played a part in the historic extension of this legislation, I want to thank the staff members that made it possible to bring us to this point that we can pass this important piece of legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am disheartened to hear that South Korean President Park Geun-Hye's visit to Washington, D.C. was postponed due to the growing threat of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS) outbreak in the Republic of Korea. I know this is a very difficult time for the South Korean people and would like to send my deepest sympathy to the victims of this deadly virus. I express my utmost confidence in President Park's ability to lead the people of her beautiful country out of this crisis. As always, the success and future of the Peninsula remain a priority for me. As a Korean War veteran, I have a very personal tie to Korea and its people. Since returning home from my service in the Korean War over six decades ago, I have proudly witnessed South Korea's rise as a war-torn nation to becoming an international giant, which is a testament to the resilience and industriousness of the Korean people. All across America, Koreans have inspired us with their entrepreneurialism and perseverance toward strengthening the fabric of our nation. I commend President Park and Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young for further strengthening U.S.-Korean ties. As you know, the relationship between our country and the Republic of Korea is deeply rooted in our unbreakable bloodshed alliance. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Korea from Imperial Japan, I will continue working to help promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula--in hopes that the two Koreas will be reunified in my lifetime.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2015 recipients of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This prestigious honor is presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations--NECO, and pays tribute to our Nation's immigrant heritage, as well as to those whose achievements and contributions to our Nation embody the American Dream. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are awarded to U.S. citizens from diverse ethnic backgrounds who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage and culture. Since the Medals' founding in 1986, more than 2,000 American citizens have received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, including six American Presidents, United States Senators, Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders. The Medal is not about achieving material success, nor is it about the politics of immigration; it is about the people who have committed themselves to this nation, embraced the opportunities America has to offer, and most importantly, who have used those opportunities to not only better their own lives but make a difference in our country and in the lives of its people. Citizens of the United States hail from every nation known to man. It is the key to why America is the most innovative, progressive and forward thinking country in the world. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate individuals but also the pluralism and democracy that enabled our fore bearers, ourselves and the next generation of Americans to celebrate their unique cultural identities while still championing the American way of life. In addition, by honoring these remarkable Americans, we honor all who share their origins and acknowledge the contributions they have made to America. I commend NECO and its Board of Directors headed by my dear friend, Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly outstanding individuals for their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and build bridges between different ethnic groups, as well as to promote unity and a sense of common purpose in our nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good works of NECO and in congratulating all of the 2015 recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients Shohreh Aghdashloo, Dr. Kamiar Alaei, Masoud ``Mike'' Altirs, Domingo T. Alvear, MD, FACS, FICS, Shireen Atabaki, MD, MPH, Christopher Atamian, Trisha A Bailey, Jay H. Baker, PhD., Patty Baker, Rear Admiral Paul Becker, U.S. Navy, Miri Ben-Ari, Mirghavamaddin Bozorgmir, Nicholas R. Caiazzo, Esq., Ted A. Chaglassian, MD, FACS, Dr. Allen Chan, D.C, Jo Ellen Chatham, PhD, Diane Cirincione-Jampolsky, PhD, Maj Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, Rocco B. Commisso, Edward T. Creagan, MD, Juan Carlos Cruz, Rajdeep K. Dhami, MD, Reverend Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., LCDR Joyce M. Elter, USN (Ret), Ahmass Fakahany, Sheriff Louis Falco III, Adm Mark E. Ferguson III, USN, Meera Gandhi, Chad P. Gehani DDS, Richard L. Gelfond, Palmer C. Hamilton, Esq., Leslie Hanson, Master Chief Eric J. Heimburger, Myron Z. Holubiak, Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD, Dr. Kyo ``Paul'' Jhin, Rahul M. Jindal, M.D., Ph.D, MBA, Mike O. Joulakian P.E, Pamela J. Joyner, Vahe Karapetian, Colonel James J. Keefe, Mariam Khosravani, Kevin D. Kim, Rev. Seung Hee Kim, Mr. Young Kil Kim, KV Kumar, Chief Cathy L. Lanier, William ``Don'' Larson, Dr. David Lizarraga, Luis G. Lobo, Howard Lutnick, Martha ``Muffy'' MacMillan, Hildegarde Ercklentz Mahoney, John (Manoukarakis) Manos, RADM Larry Roy Marsh (Ret.), Major General Thomas J. Masiello, USAF, Lt General Wendy M. Masiello, DAD Brian F. McCauley FBI, Deric A. Milligan, Major Creighton A. Mullins, USAF, Harry Nadjarian, Chief Abdo Nahmod, Alyssa Navallo-Herman, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, James P. O'Neill, Catherine O'Reilly, Dr. Zulfiya Orynbayeva, Anoosheh M. Oskouian, Lieutenant General Raymond P. Palumbo, Congressman Ted Poe, Bernard J. Poussot, Robert L. Priddy, Mariano Rivera, Dr. Mostafa Ronaghi, Andrew Sabin, Mike M. Sarian, John Sculley, Gerard Senehi, Frank Shankwitz, Dr. Simon K. Simonian, Major General Linda L. Singh, S.Mona Sinha, Robert F. Spetzler, MD, Hao Jiang Tian, Jeremy Travis, Peter Unanue, Bob Unanue, George Uribe, Nikiforos Valaskantjis, Meredith Vieira, Wafeek Samuel Wahby, Ph.D, B.Th, Kenneth E. Warner, Esq., James N. Weinstein, DO, MS, Richard Roderick Willis, Rabbi Amiel Wohl, Ehsan Yarshater, PhD., Shirley Young, Theodore K. Zampetis, Francois Zayek. International Medal Recipients: Baroness Dr. Sandip Verma, Bert Sakmann MD, PhD. International Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients: Baroness Dr. Sandip Verna and Bert Sakmann MD, PhD.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Ms. Margaret Jackson, a well respected Harlem activist, business woman and all around exemplary human being. Margaret Jackson serves her community not merely through rhetoric but in her noble actions. The Martin Luther King Jr. Democratic Club exemplifies excellent civic service and brings hope and joy to countless citizens by keeping the legacy of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. at the forefront of our collective cultural consciousness. Margaret Jackson was the president of that institution. Under her leadership, the club continued its core principle of continuing a sense of altruistic civic mindedness, the likes of which brought great pride to her community. She wasn't, however, merely a member of but one institution focused on community service; she was instrumental to several. Ms. Jackson was the treasurer of the Harlem YMCA where she worked with competence, professionalism, and dignity, and a member of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church where she served and worshipped with great dignity. She was the epitome of a civic minded spiritualist. Margaret Jackson was an exceptional person, a polymath who mastered many trades and served the public in many ways. She not only made a great impact in the non-profit sector, but she owned several successful businesses. Margaret Jackson was president of two funeral homes, which she led with competence, humanitarian compassion, and a heartfelt and deeply meaningful sense of care towards the neediest among us: traits vital in the managing of a funeral home, where those who came to her needed compassion more than anything else. She also proved her economic expertise in her ownership of a successful realty corporation, which she ran skillfully and prosperously, but always with a civic minded wholly humanitarian desire to serve the needy. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing this wonderful person and all of the good that she stood for. The United States is built upon the backs of its most civic and conscientious citizens.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Henry Johnson. Sergeant Henry Johnson epitomizes what it means to be a great American hero and patriot. I thank President Barack Obama for posthumously awarding the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Johnson, a New York native and distinguished member of the 369th Infantry Regiment, popularly known as the `Harlem Hellfighters.' With our nation's highest honor of valor bestowed upon Sgt. Johnson, his legacy will be enduring and highlighted in the annals of history. As a black soldier living in the first decades of the 20th Century, Sgt. Johnson never saw the accolades he so rightly deserved during his lifetime. He enlisted in the military soon after Congress declared war on Germany in June 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment--an all-black National Guard unit, which would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment of the 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The following year, the 369th deployed to France where Sgt. Johnson fought off advancing German soldiers who were trying to raid his French and American camp. Even as he was wounded 21 times, Sgt. Johnson risked his own life to save a fellow soldier from being captured or killed. Indeed, Sgt. Johnson valiantly held back the enemy force until they retreated. In addition to earning respect from his fellow American and French soldiers, Sgt. Johnson's remarkable deed of courage inspired other black soldiers like me to salute the flag and serve our country with pride and distinction. As a Korean War Veteran, I learned from Sgt. Johnson and other heroes of the 369th Infantry Regiment who fought in World War I and World War II the true meaning of service and sacrifice for the nation. Since its inception, the `Harlem Hellfighters' of the 369th Infantry Regiment have participated in every conflict since World War I, including the battles we fight today. I am honored to belong to the 369th Harlem Hellfighter Veterans' Association based in Harlem of my congressional district. Along with my dear friend Percy Ellis Sutton, Major General Nathaniel James, the first African American Commander of the New York State Guard, Korean War Veteran Donald H. Eaton, Civil Rights Attorney Paul Zuber and William K. Defosset, who served in the U.S. State Department and the New York Police Department were all active members who helped pass my bill in Congress to secure the Federal Charter for the Association. In 2003 when Sgt. Johnson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, we said we would not stop fighting until Sgt. Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor. The late Filmmaker William Miles who was also a member and documented the history of the Harlem Hellfighters in the film, ``Men of Bronze'' played a huge role in raising the awareness of Sgt. Johnson's heroism. Today is a victorious day for all of us, the people of Harlem, African Americans, our comrades in arms, friends in Congress and the community, as it marks a significant milestone in American history. We are exceedingly proud to see that Sgt. Henry Johnson has finally received the proper recognition he has duly earned.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker I rise today to give recognition to the East Harlem Council for Human Services, which is celebrating 50 years of serving the local community. The work done by the Council has been vital to our community and has changed the lives of so many for decades. Groups like the Council and institutions like the Boriken Care Center are worth fighting for, and I will continue to make sure there are adequate resources available for them to continue to thrive and serve their community. I am proud to honor the East Harlem Council for Human Services which was incorporated in 1965 though grass-roots efforts of local East Harlem residents committed to addressing unmet needs in their community. The Council is a multi-service not-for-profit which coordinates an array of affordable and no cost services to more than 10,000 individuals each year without regard for an individual's ability to pay for services. The Board of Directors and more than almost 200 staff members are united in a commitment to the Council's mission of providing the highest quality of comprehensive, community-based, fully bilingual services to the East Harlem community. The Council is the largest grass-roots, multi-service not-for-profit in our East Harlem community. By continuing its strong history of diverse community-based leadership, and commitment to the self- determination of this institution and the East Harlem community at large, the Council has positioned itself for continued growth. The Council continuously renews its commitment to the residents of El Barrio to ensure that the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center and its sister programs will continue to provide affordable quality comprehensive services in East Harlem for many more decades. There's no finer work than fighting to bring health and essential wellness to those struggling to make ends meet in underserved communities. Everyone deserves access to quality care within their community and we are proud to have the East Harlem Council for Human Services serving us.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, from April 22nd through April 26th, 2015, The Eastern Area of the Links, Incorporated hosted their 43rd Eastern Area Conference at the elegant Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut. This year's conference theme ``Leveraging the Legacy of Friendship and Service'' is apropos as we congratulate the 2015 Eastern Area Conference Co-Chairs Sister Links Price and Wilson for organizing this annual meeting. The Eastern Area of the Links is comprised of 73 chapters in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. As one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women, the Links are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. With a membership of 12,000 professional women of color, which also includes my beautiful wife Alma Rangel and my daughter Alicia, the Links Incorporated has established 274 chapters in forty-two states and in three sovereign nations. Throughout my public and political career, I have witnessed the astonishing work and outstanding community service provided by The Eastern Area of the Links, which has attracted hundreds of distinguished individual achievers and accomplished women of color, who continue to make a difference for our most vulnerable communities in the Eastern States of our Nation. Today, under the leadership of Eastern Area Director Dianne S. Hardison, the outstanding programming of the Eastern Area of the Links, Incorporated has five facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The Eastern Area of the Links initiated a Women's Issues Program, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Marcella Maxwell that evolved into a National Trends Facet Component. The focus of the Women's Issues Program for 2013-2015 was to honor and empower Women who have served in our Nation's Armed Forces as they transitioned from military life to civilian life. The Eastern Area Links initiated programs to mentor, educate, train, and employ women veterans as they transitioned from Combat to Corporate. Partnering with Dress For Success, FedEx, Citi Corporation, Home Depot, Macy's, College and Universities; and veteran organizations such as the 369th Veterans' Association, New York City Mayor's Office of Military Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Temple University, Syracuse University, Philadelphia Community College, Medgar Evers College, York College, and the Borough of Manhattan College of the City University of New York, the Eastern Area of the Links Combat to Corporate program has successfully given women veterans, many of whom are single mothers and homeless the opportunity to achieve the American dream and raise their families with dignity and resources. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my esteemed colleagues of the great Eastern States of our Union join me in recognition of the 2015 Eastern Area Conference of the Links, Incorporated, which has focused its mission to support Women Veterans From Combat to Corporate and Women in the Armed Forces that continue to serve our Country proudly and with distinction today.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I was listening to the eloquent words of my friend from Texas about the importance of research and development, and I can't think of any member on our committee that could not agree with him more. While he was eloquently speaking about how important it was to our great Nation, I was even thinking about our trade bill if this is packaged in such a way that we would have our workforce with the backup of research and development, a trade bill that would include in it educational possibilities for the workforce, that would have infrastructure there and would have America knowing that we just weren't talking about success of the corporations, but for success of America. Also, the part that he mentioned--continuity--so that our businesspeople would know exactly what they could depend on. I just can't, for the life of me, see how they will know which part of the Tax Code or which week that we intend to bring up knowing it is going to be vetoed, if really in our hearts what we want is continuity. There is only one way to get continuity, and that is to review the Tax Code, to reform the Tax Code. If you take out all of the gems just to get a ``no'' vote against it politically, you are really harming bipartisanship. That is what we need; that is what the Tax Code needs; that is what our country needs, a Tax Code that eliminates all of the loopholes, and concentrate on those things our country needs. Of course, if politics is more important than policy, if all we are trying to do is play ``I gotcha,'' if all we want to say is we love research and development, but we know darn well politically it is not going to pass, if we are going to say that we all want reform, but now that we have both Houses Republican--House and the Senate--but we dare not talk about tax reform, well, I don't think we want to play this political game. What we do want to do--and I want to agree with the majority-- research and development is what keeps America competitive. It should not be played with. It should not be politicalized. It should be a part of the tax reform bill. If you can't do it when you have control of the Finance Committee in the Senate and refuse to do it when you are in charge of the Ways and Means Committee and have a President that is calling out for overall comprehensive fairness and equity and tax reform, it is painful to see how the eloquence of love for this country can be distorted by having votes on legislation that we know is never to become law. I say, as I take my seat, I am not giving up on tax reform. I hope that the Republicans come together and have a meaningful bill not for our committee, but for our conscience.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of Juan Batista Vicini, a dedicated leader, a reliable ally, and a longstanding friend who passed away on April 28, 2015. We have truly experienced a great loss not only to the Dominican Republic, but also to the international community. He was loved, respected tremendously, and we will certainly miss his spirit of leadership and strength. Mr. Vicini was born in Genoa, Italy and became the so-called first Dominican mogul after receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before his death, Mr. Vicini had led the Vicini family business for over 50 years. As Vicini Assets Management's third generation leader, Mr. Vicini laid the groundwork to transform the family company into the most important assets administrator in the Caribbean and Central America. Mr. Vicini, the Vicini family and I all worked together on the issue of multi-lateral government investment in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We also worked on trade in relation to the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity for Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (HELP), signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. These two Acts expanded and extended existing apparel trade opportunities for Haiti, which is important as their economy continues to bounce back from the earthquake several years ago. I have the great honor to serve a congressional district with one of the nation's largest Dominican populations. From Washington Heights to Inwood, Dominicans continue to improve our neighborhoods, with their vibrant cultural and economic contributions every day. Mr. Vicini embodied the bright Dominican culture and enriched the lives of everyone he knew. During my visit to the Dominican Republic last year, I was very pleased to be able to visit Vicini Assets Management and see the results of Mr. Vicini's decades-long success. While the world lost a great businessman and leader, I am confident that his children will carry on his legacy for years to come.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as our nation commemorates the 23rd anniversary of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I am very pleased to join my friends in the APA community to celebrate their ongoing successes. As leaders in business, education, STEM, military, medicine and the arts, Asian Pacific Americans have made a significant impact on our nation's culture and prosperity. The story of the APA community is a testament to what is achievable in America. This year's theme is Many Cultures, One Voice: Promote Equality and Inclusion. Many Asian Pacific Americans have overcome numerous obstacles including racial prejudice, language barriers and economic struggles. I am honored to represent a portion of the 1.1 million constituents living in New York City, which has the largest APA population in the United States. I have been impressed by their tremendous achievements, from serving in our Armed Forces and creating over 1.5 million small businesses today. My Colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and I are dedicated to promoting the economic and social empowerment of the APA community as we work to secure comprehensive immigration reform and opportunities for all business owners. I am a proud co-sponsor of H. Res. 621, to recognize the significance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Let us honor the heritage of the APA community.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this May we celebrate Jewish American History Month, to recognize the social, political, and cultural history of America's Jewish community. I am pleased to recognize the myriad contributions Jewish Americans make every day to improve our City, State and Nation often in the face of unspeakable discrimination and adversity. America is blessed to have such a vibrant community that impacts so many lives through the spirit of tikkun olam, or repairing the world. It is my great honor to represent the Upper Manhattan Congressional District and the Bronx, which is home to many distinguished institutions, such as The Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University, and Touro College, as well as almost thirty active synagogues of all denominations. I am proud that my dearly respected friend, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who is world-renowned for his efforts to promote peace and justice, has been recently knighted by Pope Francis and made a member of the Papal Order of St. Sylvester at a ceremony in New York. Over the years, I have worked closely with New York based institutional organizations like the Jewish Community Relations Council, Met Council of Jewish Poverty and the American Jewish Committee on a variety of issues. I have led past efforts to assist Jews seeking refuge from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, and I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress on various bills to fight anti-Semitism and racism. Just recently I supported a resolution urging the Administration to combat anti-Semitism globally. As a strong supporter of Israel, I will continue to advocate for stability in the Middle East. I congratulate Jewish people everywhere for their contributions to our community and to our country. To them I say Shalom and Kol Tov.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. My dear friends, the good people of Staten Island and Brooklyn of the great city and State of New York have sent to us a man to represent the Empire State of New York, the open door for immigrants who have come here historically from all over the world, and we welcome him on behalf of this delegation, as well as the good Democrat and Republican Members of this House of Representatives. I welcome him to the House and look forward to the great contribution he will make to our city, our State, the Congress, and our great country. I would like to introduce someone also of good democratic stock from the great State of New York, Peter King, who will join with me in welcoming our friend from Richmond County.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for this opportunity. I feel so proud to be an American and be in this great country where so many Members of Congress have come from families and communities that have been poor, without the dreams or hopes that they would ever be in a position to serve this great country in the most august legislative body in the world. I know I have been through more riots than anyone else, coming from Harlem and being older than most Members; yet, throughout the world, I am so proud that people respect our country because of the opportunities we have here. Therefore, to all Americans, it has to be painful and embarrassing to see on international news or to have our international friends think that we are a country that allow young, Black men to be shot down, murdered, and killed and that this is supposed to represent America. It doesn't really, in my mind, represent our country; it represents poverty, but it is so hard for people to believe that the richest country in the world could have this cancer of poverty that eats away from so many things that we could be doing. There were so many dreams and hopes when President Obama came in and recognized how much you can accomplish if you have access to education. I was among those who recognized that a bum from Lenox Avenue in Harlem, being given an opportunity with the GI Bill, can go to New York University, go to law school, become a Federal prosecutor, and come here in Congress. I knew, Mr. Speaker, the President understood the power of being exposed to education and what it has done to make America all that she is today, but I had no idea of the problems he would face as our President, the depth of people who wanted to prevent him from making a contribution to our country, the partisanship that exists today, and the pain that I feel now when you talk about education, whether or not you support traditional public schools or charter schools, when the greatest thing that we can do and the obligation we have as Members of Congress is to invest in the education of our young people for the future of this great country. Mr. Speaker, poverty is more than lack of self-esteem. Poverty means that there is a degree in the connection between poverty and hopelessness, poverty and joblessness, poverty in not being able to send your kids to school, poverty in not even knowing how to take care of yourself in terms of health. Poverty can cause people not to be able to make the contributions that they can make to the country. The disparity between the wealthy people that we have in this country and those who work hard every day and don't have enough money for disposable income, poverty and near in poverty reduces the ability of the middle class to have disposable income, to be able to purchase, to support jobs through small businesses. Poverty is so costly, Mr. Speaker, not only in the prestige, the power, and the expectation of our great country; but how much do we pay to put poor folks in jail? How much, really, do we pay to subsidize earned income tax credits, low-income housing credits, children tax credits, subsidies, not because these things don't pay off, but subsidies because we don't have programs for them? We have to do everything we can. These are costly; but who can deny the return on these types of investments? The trillions of dollars that we have invested in our defense has little or no return, but the investment that we can have in people and the talent of our minds can make this country all that she can be. Let's increase education and decrease poverty.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this year marks an important year for the United States and Japan as August 15th will be the 70-year anniversary of the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II. This upcoming anniversary comes on the heels of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's historic address to a joint session of the United States Congress, the first time a Japanese head of state has delivered such an address. While our two countries have experienced the pains of war and peace, I am looking forward to this historic speech in order for Prime Minister Abe to not merely highlight our strong alliance built over since 1945 but also to deliver justice for women who have endured irreparable harm and trauma in the years before 1945. In the past, the joint session on the House floor has been used as a platform to call for peace by some of the world's greatest leaders such as Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle and Nelson Mandela. His speech on April 29 would be a great opportunity for Abe to do the same. In particular, it would be significant for him to acknowledge the pain and suffering of comfort women, a phrase used to describe hundreds of thousands of women, mostly Korean, whom former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton correctly pointed out were ``enforced sex slaves'' for Japanese soldiers during the war. The plight of the comfort women was addressed by the U.S. Congress in 2007, when the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 121, which called upon the government of Japan to formally acknowledge, apologize and accept historical responsibility for its coercion of young women into sexual slavery during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands in the 1930s and throughout World War II. Eight years later, the Japanese government has not officially issued the apology, and there are only 53 Korean comfort women living. Among them is Lee Yong-soo, who had the courage to testify before Congress for the passage of House Resolution 121. I met her several times over the years and was moved to hear of her story of survival. Lee Yong- soo's journey is a reflection of the horrors of war but also demonstrates our collective need to make amends for the things that were committed. In an effort to overcome the shadows of our past since World War II, the United States and Japan have built and maintained an unbreakable alliance. Japan's political and financial support has substantially strengthened the U.S. position on a variety of global issues, including countering the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and terrorism in all its forms; working to stop the spread of the Ebola epidemic; advancing environmental and climate change goals; maintaining solidarity in the face of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine; assisting developing countries; countering piracy; and standing up for human rights and democracy. Additionally, Japan is currently our 4th largest trading partner with $204 billion in goods traded during 2013. My recent visit to Japan reaffirmed my belief that the U.S.-Japan relationship is the cornerstone of our security interests throughout Asia and the world. Our bond is essential to regional stability and is based on our mutual values, including the preservation and promotion of political and economic freedoms, respect for human rights and democratic institutions and securing of prosperity for the people of both countries and the international community as a whole. Japan is one of the world's greatest leaders and most reliable partners in the fight for peace. Prime Minister Abe's mention of this human rights violation would send a message to the world that the lingering pain of the comfort women is real and it would further convey Japan's commitment to human rights and peace in the region. As a veteran myself, I know firsthand that war creates immeasurable pain and suffering on all sides. With so many Americans risking their lives in war, it is crucial for today's leaders to promote healing in order to continue to make this world a better place for future generations. I hope that Prime Minister Abe would move history forward in advancing diplomacy and ensuring Japan remains a pillar of peace, stability and an advocate of human rights in the region and the world.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Honda and all the Members who are asking that the Prime Minister of Japan try to restore the integrity that has been built up to this great nation since the war. Having been a combat soldier, I know, history will dictate that people are not particularly proud of what viciousness can come out of physical combat. Without getting into the years of occupation that Japan has caused so many Koreans to suffer before the end of World War II, we now have found that these two nations have rebuilt themselves into being our strongest security and trading partners, and so we should remove the stigma of lack of credibility from the Government of Japan. Certainly I think that most Americans who remember Pearl Harbor, Corregidor, and Bataan--I was a kid, but all I knew was that the Japanese had attacked us. I can't begin to tell you the visions that they tried to have us have. But today they are our friends. Let's try to get this behind us and move forward.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. I thank the gentleman for this opportunity. Madam Speaker, having served on the Ways and Means Committee for decades, it is a little bit embarrassing to see us debating a bill that goes nowhere. This is a political action that is taken by the majority to select provisions that are in the Tax Code and to have those of us that advocate tax reform to just select those parts that appear to be very popular with some parts of our constituencies. There is nobody in this House that truly believes that this legislation, if passed, ever would become law, but it is something to be used in political campaigns as to what you voted for and why you voted against it. The truth of the matter is that, to listen to the other side talk, we have some very, very rich farmers; and just because they are in a family doesn't mean that they are not wealthy. First of all, let's go to the video, let's go to the facts, and let's find out how many people are going to be affected. And the statistics show that 99.8 percent of the population, those people who die, don't pay any taxes. So what the heck are we talking about? We are talking about a few rich people that are 0.2 percent of those people that will be eligible for a tax, and that is only after we estimate that the value of their estate is $5 million for one person and $10 million for two. So I am not saying that for these people it is not going to be inconvenient. But when you think about the number of people that pay taxes, that are working hard every day, that are trying to save money for their kids' education, then this really means that hundreds of billions of dollars are being set aside for those people that already have. If we really want equity, if we really want fair play, why don't we take a look at the entire Tax Code? Why are we just looking at the estate tax or the local and State tax? Because equity is how much money are you raising and how much money do you need. General Leave

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the work and accomplishments of Dr. Marcella Maxwell in recognition of Women's History Month. On Sunday, March 22nd, I joined the 369th Harlem Historical Society for their annual awards dinner dance celebrating Women's History Month at the elegant Marina del Rey in Throgs Neck, New York. This annual salute pays special tribute to phenomenal women of color currently serving and those that have served in our Nation's military. I was very proud to present this year's prestigious 369th Historical Society Women's History Month Award to my beloved friend, Dr. Marcella Maxwell. Under the leadership of retired Major General Nathaniel James, AUS, the 369th Historical Society was established to collect, preserve and maintain artifacts, relics, books, papers, photographs, films and other artifacts touching on the past history of the 369th Infantry Regiment (also known as the Harlem Hellfighters who were given their name by same German soldiers they help to defeat in the liberation of France and Europe in World War I), its allies and affiliates and of Soldiers who served in the Military Services of the United States. One of the primary services it provides is to exhibit all gathered data to the public and ensure that the contributions of all African Americans and Minorities in the Military are recognized, preserved and accurately presented to the public. The Society also recognizes individuals who have contributed their time, effort and support for Women Veterans as they transition back to civilian life. My dear friend Dr. Marcella Maxwell is such a person who through her organization, the Greater New York Link's Incorporated has led the way in this very important effort. On Saturday, March 21, Dr. Marcella and the Link's Inc. joined with The Home Depot Chelsea neighborhood Store in New York City, under the direction of CEO Craig Menear, Al Manigault, Mohammed Bello, Vincent Merlo, Leana Baker, and Nalinee Hobert to honor women veterans, by providing ``Do it Yourself Workshops, a ``Career Fair'' and a special ceremony, where I presented congressional certificates to 32 women veterans for their service to our Nation. Dr. Maxwell, whose late husband served under retired Brigadier General George A. Jones, has been an amazing advocate and supporter of not only women veterans, but all veterans throughout this entire Nation. Every year at the NAACP National Convention she convenes and presides over the Association's annual Military Dinner, where one of our United States Armed Forces Services Divisions is featured and honored. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 280 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The members of The Links, Incorporated, such as, Dr. Maxwell, who is the National Eastern Area Chair of the Women's Issues Committee as are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Inc. has attracted many distinguished women who are individual achievers and have made a difference in their communities and the world. They are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually-- strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation. In addition, Dr. Marcella Maxwell has been an Adult Educator for over two decades. She served as a Founding Dean at Medgar Evers College, CUNY where she sponsored and coordinated the first Women's History Month Conference at the College. Her background and experience in helping women to improve their status and empowering them to transform their lives and the lives of their families lead to her appointment as Chair of Mayor Koch's Commission on the Status of Women and Chair of the City's Human Rights Commission. She subsequently served as the Director of Alternative Education for the New York City Housing Authority where students earned their General Education Diplomas, making them eligible for entering College. Dr. Maxwell earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees with Honors from Long Island University and her Ed.D Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Fordham University on a Ford Foundation Scholarship. She retired from the New York City Board of Education and states that one of the best experiences of her teaching career was living and working in Puerto Rico as one of the first 20 teachers to participate in ``Operation Understanding'', an exchange program, sponsored by the New York City Board of Education and the Puerto Rican Board of Education. Education was always a priority for Dr. Maxwell and her family. Her grandfather donated the land for the first elementary school for African-Americans in Cleveland, N.C. Today, she forges partnerships with a wide range of organizations to bring new scholarships and educational programs for New York City youth. Dr. Marcella Maxwell is a clinical supervisor of teaching fellows at Brooklyn College, a part of the City College of New York system. In this role Dr. Maxwell trains teaching fellows to foster their professional development, organizes collaboration between principals, teachers and other faculty, spearheads team building seminars, curriculum design and development and instructional strategies and methods. In addition to her role as an educator, Dr. Maxwell is a well-known advocate for women's issues, community development, organizational administration, fund development, curriculum development and government relations. Dr. Maxwell is a passionate advocate for Geriatric Education which allows her with several organizational partners to provide information, and education for seniors to help them navigate the challenges of Aging Gracefully. In the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Dr. Maxwell serves as the Vice Chair of the Special Contributions Fund and on the Committee charged with awarding The Spingam Medal for outstanding achievement by an African American. Dr. Maxwell's philosophy and mission in life is to use her relationships and resources to help others in their pursuit of Civil Rights and Social Justice. She is truly an Ambassador for the City of New York as she carries out her responsibilities for The Links Incorporated and as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) representative for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated at the United Nations. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing Dr. Marcella Maxwell, and her efforts that have positively impacted the quality of life for countless citizens across this Nation. Her constant dedication, commitment, and spiritual guidance is worthy of our Nation's highest esteem.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and historic contributions of my dear friend Dr. Yosef Alfredo Antonio ben-Jochannan (Dr. Ben), one of our community's most distinguished scholars who passed away on March 19, 2015. Dr. Ben was the foremost intellectual on the history of religion and its impact on the world. He was an influential professor and activist--a pioneer of Africana studies. Dr. Ben was a man who believed in the value of digging deep for facts that have been long obscured. He has inspired generations of scholars and students with his tireless research and thoughtful teachings. Dr. Ben's cultural journey began as a student of Arthur Schomburg in Puerto Rico and Edward Wilmot Blyden in St. Croix, where as a youth he spent time participating with Pedro Albizu Campos during Puerto Rico's independence quest in the 1950s to providing African-centered reading material to Malcolm X in the early 1960s and educating young teenaged Five Percenters at Harlem Prep during the late 1960s. Through his annual fact-finding tours to Kemet (Egypt) for over four decades, he helped uncover the history of Africa and our own roots. Dr. Ben accomplished a great deal in his life, most notably writing 49 books on African history. Dr. Ben was well known for his thought-provoking assertions on the influence of Africans on ancient civilizations. Dr. Ben was a regular invited special guest on the popular late Gil Noble's ``Like It Is'' television Sunday show. A man way ahead of his time, Dr. Ben spoke truth about the origins of world religion and documented it to prove it. I am proud to have called Dr. Ben my neighbor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. While I am sad that Harlem has lost a great prophet and spiritual leader, I know Dr. Ben's legacy will live on for many years to come.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. We do recognize that we have to close these loopholes. And I might say that it appears as though the corporations and the businesses that receive these obscene tax benefits are the ones that actually contribute the most to the parties that legislate. I am not saying there is a connection, but there is a perception that those people that give high congressional campaign funds are the ones that receive high tax benefits. Certainly it goes without saying that those who are not doing well as relates to fairness and equity in the tax system are those people who don't hire the accountants and the lobbyists. So let's be fair and balanced and say that if you are going to extend our government to this liability fiscally, then we can raise some money at the same time by closing the tax loopholes.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Levin for this opportunity to speak. There has been some talk as to whether or not the Democrats have finally recognized the importance of the deficit and the debt and that since we are going to pass these bills anyway, because there is a negative feeling that we are not going to have tax reform, I assume, that we might as well give some confidence to our small business people that they will have this tax incentive. Well, that is a way of thinking, but it would appear to me that if we can forgo going through the regular procedure in order to give, at this stage of our political calendar, the incentive now, I have heard no reason--and I hope I will--as to why we cannot close the loopholes that exist in the Tax Code now. It seems to me that it goes without dispute that we have trillions of dollars--certainly hundreds of billions of dollars--in the Tax Code that Republicans and Democrats believe shouldn't be there. While we are anxious to reduce the corporate tax so that we are not embarrassingly the highest in the entire world, we also know that there are so many corporations that don't pay any taxes at all. How can we ignore that? If we can say that we are going to go into debt for a trillion dollars by extensions, why can't we say we are going to pay for it by closing the loopholes? It is clear to me, if we want to make certain steps in advance of a comprehensive tax reform, that we just can't pick that part that business wants as an incentive and at the same time not look at the part that business really is taking advantage of loopholes that the Congress has provided. So we cannot charge the corporations with being un-American because they are not paying taxes. It is our responsibility to have a Tax Code, as FOX would say, that is fair and balanced. But this whole idea of not extending the things that people need, such as education, the homeless, the infrastructure, all of the things that can make America greater, to select out the low-hanging fruit for tax reform and leave the hard work as to how we are going to raise the money to pay for it for later does not make any legislative sense. So that if we are being charged with being too fiscally responsible because we are concerned as to what this is doing to our national debt, then help us to raise the funds that are there that are not difficult to recognize.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of Garland Lee Thompson, Sr., a New York theatre producer, writer, director, actor, and co-founder and Executive Director of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop. Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. will be memorialized and honored in a Three Act Performance Tribute on Saturday, February 14, 2015, which would have been his 77th Birthday. Garland was recently honored at the ``Harlem is . . . Theater'' Exhibition at The Interchurch Center in New York, that was on view through January 6, 2015. Act 1: At 11:00 a.m., New York's theatre and film elite will gather at St. James Presbyterian Church at 409 West 141st Street on St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, New York for a memorial tribute in remembrance of Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. Act 2: At 3:00 p.m., Garland Thompson, Jr. and Sean C. Turner will host an afternoon of readings, poetry, and performances, concluding with a birthday celebration and reception in Garland's honor at the Johnson Theater for the New City, located at 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets. Act 3: The Final Act will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Harlem's historic National Black Theatre, located at 2031 5th Avenue and Dr. Barbara Ann Teer Way, where Garland created the Readers Theatre Series at the prestigious National Black Theatre Festival. Born on February 14, 1938 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Garland Lee Thompson, Sr., passed on November 18, 2014. He was 76 years old. He is survived by his two children, Alexandria Dionne and Garland Lee Thompson, Jr.; his two grandchildren, Colson Oliver and Hazel Duncan; his sisters Shirley Thompson and Addie Jean Haynes; his brother, Jim Thompson; his nephews, Dr. Bryan Haynes and Oscar Haynes Jr.; his niece Karen Haynes; and a host of other cousins and relatives. Garland is best known to television audiences as Transporter Technician Ensign Wilson on the classic original series, ``Star Trek.'' He also appeared in several other popular television series, including ``Bewitched'' and ``Perry Mason.'' Garland co-founded the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop in 1973, along with famed actor/director Morgan Freeman, director/actress Billie Allen Henderson, and journalist Clayton Riley, as a living memorial to the life, and work of his mentor, the late actor, director, teacher and producer, Frank Silvera. Under Garland's reputation, for the past 41 years, the Writers' Workshop built a prestigious reputation as a nationally and internationally renowned playwright's development theater for emerging, featured and established writers and artists of color from all over the world. With the workshop, Garland passed on decades of wisdom to rising and established artists of all walks of life. Members of the workshop included the late Ruby Dee, poet Mari Evans, scholar Larry Neal, and playwright Ntozake Shange. Mr. Speaker, Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. was also a founding member of the Harlem Arts Alliance, Incorporated and served on the Board of Directors. It should also be noted that while Garland did not land many large roles, his greatest impact may have been behind the scenes, where he worked to pass on his gifts to other budding playwrights. Garland's genius and generosity will be greatly missed by all of us. The theater community has lost a colleague, friend, and dedicated actor and producer. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring the theatrical life and legacy of Mr. Garland Lee Thompson, Sr.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Let me thank my friend and colleague for giving me an opportunity to thank an organization that, unfortunately, so many Americans, Black and White, have taken for granted. Earlier today, I was sitting on the floor next to one of my Republican friends from the South, and we were talking about Selma. He had recently seen the motion picture, and he was shocked that something like this could have happened. Me being an oldtimer, I was surprised that he did not know that those things had gone on, but it was the graphics in the motion picture and the change in attitude that people have. And it reminded me that this happened in my lifetime, to see somebody from the same culture, the same background, now seeing things obscene that should never happen in our great country. Now, if people could have stood up 60 years ago and subjected themselves as some people did in Selma and put their life on the line in the early sixties, as John Lewis and so many others did--because I would like to remind everybody I did the march too, but it was after Bloody Sunday. I was not thinking about putting my life on the line. And putting my feet on the line for 54 miles was an ordeal for me, because I didn't fully understand the concept and the threat to human life that was taking place in the sixties. Imagine what it was when the NAACP was formed. Imagine the threat that Blacks and Whites had formed this organization to bring us together during the time that slavery had just been over and this organization has continued. I cannot begin to tell you, Congressman, at my age, the number of civil rights organizations and political organizations and religious organizations that I have worked through in my lifetime. But no matter what the internal debate is, no matter what state our Nation is in, the NAACP has managed, during very rough economic times and hard political times, to keep going step by step and never falling back. And when the whole country and parts of the world were rejoicing over the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act--and we see what recently happened to the Supreme Court. Why was nobody surprised that, once again, in front of the Supreme Court, organizing the entire Nation to do the right thing was the National Association of Colored People? And so I just wish that, without solicitation, we can find some way to thank those faceless people who never get their names and pictures in the newspaper, go out to the meeting, active in voter registration, and whenever anybody in any community wants to go there for a rally, the first thing they do is call the local branch of the NAACP to make certain that someone would show up. Because the NAACP doesn't do these things for press conferences. They don't do it because they want their names in the newspaper. They have too much credibility and have done too much work and have suffered too much to risk their reputation for something like that. So I am so grateful and appreciative that you would focus in the well of the Congress, and certainly we all admit that notwithstanding what Dr. Martin Luther King and so many others that we don't know their names have done to bring some sense of equality in our great Nation, that the NAACP was there 100 years ago doing the same thing and then hoping and praying that they can improve the quality of life for all of us. And guess what? They are still doing it. Thank you for your commitment.