Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, legacy, and the work of our esteemed former colleague, Congressman Lester Lionel Wolff, who is an exceptional father, husband, lawmaker, war hero and dear friend to many of us. Lester is not only an inspiration to future political leaders and public servants, but also an embodiment of diligence, persistence and success. It is well known to those who know Lester that he will never stop working to make our country better. Lester, who has recently turned 97, is still working hard as chairman of the International Trade and Development Agency and The International Information Agency and frequently travels to Washington, DC from New York City to visit congressional offices. Lester was born on January 4, 1919 and is a life-long New Yorker. Married to the late Blanche Silver, he has two loving children, Bruce, a prominent Washington lawyer, and Diane, an Adjunct Professor at the State University. He has four grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. Elected to the United States Congress in 1964, Lester served 16 years before retiring. It was an honor enough to work with him on a number of bills throughout the years. His service as Chairman of Foreign Policy Planning, Chairman of Asian Pacific Affairs, Chairman of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Middle East subcommittee will not be forgotten. One of his notable bills was the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969, which restored the initiative for direct peace talks between Israel and the Arab States. He also led the congressional delegation to meet with Deng Xiaoping, Father of Modern China. The Deng-Wolff conversation was credited by the Department of State for its particular importance in the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States. He is the author of the Taiwan Relations Act signed into law on April 10, 1979. This landmark law has undoubtedly helped the United States maintain and enhance its ties with Taiwan for more than three decades. Thanks to Lester, Taiwan is the United States' 10th largest trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's largest foreign investor. Anyone who works with Lester is well aware of his prudence and expertise in foreign policy. Despite his retirement, he and I went on a trip to Taiwan to speak to government officials on U.S.-Taiwan relations and attend the Democratic Pacific Assembly--The Common Future of the Pacific in the 21st Century. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring Lester Wolff--the man who keeps on inspiring us with his wisdom and long-serving dedication to strengthening our country. I am pleased to see the fruits of his labor in Congress and as a public servant.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, legacy, and work of Dolores Eaton; who was a well known resident of Harlem. Dolores was not only a beloved Mother and Grandmother but she was also an artist, activist, and a longtime community figure. It is well known to those in good spirit that sunrises are filled with color and beauty; they light up and bring warmth to the land. There cannot be a more accurate description of Dolores Eaton that captures the life she lived. Dolores was born in Harlem, New York to Mrs. Rovena Hodge and Edward Rubin. Dolores, who was an only child, was raised with her two first cousins Mattie and Madeline and was lovingly nurtured by her Aunt Naomi and Cousin Lottie. True to the old custom of Black Families who supported their transitioning family members from the south to the north; they all lived together in Harlem. The family roots hailed from Sumter, South Carolina, which is not only the birthplace of this magnificent family but is also unfortunately known as the home of the Ku Klux Klan, and where the Civil War began. Dolores was baptized at Mount Zion Lutheran Church under the leadership of the founders, Pastor and Mrs. Clemonce Sabourin. She also attended the church's famous School on the Hill, which sits across from the historic Convent Avenue Baptist Church. After graduating from elementary school, Dolores was accepted into the then prestigious George Washington High School. There Dolores studied dance, drama and the cello. In 1955, Dolores joined the Penthouse Dance and Drama Theater, located at 21 West 145th Street, which at the time was under the leadership of Sheldon B. Hoskins, to follow her dream to pursue a career in theater. Dolores was smitten by a tall handsome man, Donald H. Eaton, Jr., mechanical engineer. They were married in 1957 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. Their beautiful wedding was catered by the famous Katz's delicatessen. They began to raise their family at the Colonial Park Houses, now known as the Ralph J. Rangel Houses. The Eaton's became very well known in Harlem and beyond. The couple gave birth to Donald H. Eaton, III in 1957 and then to Geoffrey Eric Eaton in 1958. After Geoffrey was born, Dolores began her own career at Mutual of New York Life Insurance (MONY) in mid-town Manhattan. Dolores was not only very smart but a truly beautiful woman as well, and so she also began a career in modeling. Dolores's beloved mother, Rovena was a seamstress at a coat factory on Delancey Street. Rovena was a gifted artist with a pair of scissors, a threaded needle and sewing machine. She hand-made all of Dolores's attractive business suits and attire. Dolores was easily always the apple in every man's eyes. As you can imagine, raising two active boys was no easy task, especially during the early days of the Black Revolution up North and the Civil Rights Movement down South. But, nonetheless, Dolores's perseverance, dedication, and strong maternal instincts gave well deserved success: her eldest son Donald is an outstanding musician, a tenured percussion teacher at the renowned Harlem School of the Arts, a member of The Last Poets, arranger and composer for Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem and Yoruba philosopher. Her youngest son Geoffrey is my top aide, President of the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch, and chair of the Uptown Dance Academy, while serving on the executive board of Harlem Arts Alliance. After retiring from MONY, Dolores served as district director for the late Harlem Assemblywoman, the Honorable Geraldine Daniels; where she worked hard to help to make history by electing the first African American Mayor of New York City, the Honorable David Dinkins. In 1990 she helped to make history again, by working hard to bring South Africa's first black president, Hon. Nelson Mandela to African Square on W. 125th Street during HARLEM WEEK. In 1994 she joined the staff of the first elected public advocate, the Honorable Mark Green. Dolores continued to serve public advocate Green, and public advocate Betsy Gotbaum as Director of Ombudsman Services until Dee's retirement in 2009. Dolores served as vice president of the Harlem Canaan House Tenant's Association, where, along with her son, Geoffrey and Cristal Johnson she advocated for and worked with management and it's residents to keep the building affordable and functioning at the highest level for all residents. She was a fierce fighter, brilliant advocate and hero to all of the tenants. Dolores also volunteered her services to support the political goals, missions and aspirations of Honorable Lloyd E. Dickens, NYS Assemblyman and business icon, Honorable Basil A. Paterson, NYS Senator and NY State Secretary of State and she was to the end also a strong supporter of NYS Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright. What many may not know about Dolores, was that she was a founding member of an elite group of activists--Blackfrica Promotions, a group, which was formed under the leadership of the late and great Percy E. Sutton alongside Lloyd Williams, Joseph Roberts, Marvin Kelly, Larry Frasier, Tony Rogers, Stephanie Francis, Voza Rivers, Jacques DeGraff, Gilbert Paschall, III, Andy Reddick, DiAnne Henderson and her very best friend and sister, Grace Williams. This group was the foundation for HARLEM WEEK and went a long way to reverse the negative trend and images that Harlem had in the early 70s, 80s, and 90s. One of Dolores favorite Blackfrica quotes was ``Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process begins.'' Dolores was also a founding charter member of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club, where she worked diligently for the elections of H. Carl McCall for State Senate, David N. Dinkins for Manhattan Borough President and Percy E. Sutton for Mayor. Dolores truly loved to travel and had great fun on her numerous trips, with her family and the members of Blackfrica Promotions, visited Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Canada, Brazil, Latin & South America and many states and cities throughout the USA. Dolores leaves to mourn her beloved sons, Donald and Geoffrey; her daughter Allyson; her beloved grandsons Geoffrey, Jr. and Geoffrey, III; her nephew Russell Eaton Jr.; daughters-in-law, Melanie, Cheryl and Reiko; her matriarch cousins Eleanor Holmes and Lulu Scott; first cousins Madeline Williams, Michael, Ginger, Laura Ceasar, William and Craig Spooner, Edward, Mark, Jessica Hodge, Iris Mack, Cathy and Thomasina Holmes and Otis Cruse; a host of cousins that hail from the north, the south and the west coast too numerous to name; many more family members; a host of dear friends, neighbors, Donald Eaton, Sr., the father of her sons, and many beautiful memories. Dee now joins with John ``Smitty'' Smith, her longtime companion who preceded her in death. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing Dolores Eaton, Sunsets always bring the night and new lights arise with the stars--with this comes new beginnings and we know that this mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, Dolores Eaton, is up there as one of the new and brightest stars in the sky.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. I thank the gentleman. I close by saying, everybody here knows this will never become law. It is a political statement. As a politician, there is nothing wrong with political statements. But to have one that is so wrapped up with hypocrisy and hatred is very awkward for us to continue in this body and believe that anything we attempt to do to send to the President would have anyone believing that we are doing it because it is the right thing to do.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am almost embarrassed to get up here and discuss this legislation and believe that its sponsors really think that it is going to become law. That is what the reputation of the Congress is supposed to be all about. But even when it is such an important decision, we like to talk about things that we are doing as a matter of life and death, but we don't really mean it. It is just a political expression. But when you are talking about health care and realize that this is the only industrialized country left that has not seen fit to believe that health care is a matter of right, it goes beyond politics when we pass a bill so that people throughout the United States will be able to enjoy health care, that we don't find one Member of the opposition party joining in that legislation. It is beyond belief that people can complain that not enough young people are signing up, or that employers are skeptical, or that there are people who lack confidence in this bill, when the majority party in this Congress has condemned this bill with such utter contempt that, for over 50 times, they would come and attempt to repeal it, and then expect that everybody should have confidence in it. Why are we doing this? How can any party dislike, hate, or disagree with the President so much that they would spend millions of dollars of the taxpayers' money to attack a national healthcare-providing bill and not have the least idea as to whether or not, first of all, they know it is not going to become law, but not enough common sense and decency to provide an alternative. We all know that 7 years ago, when President Obama was first elected, that the leaders of the Republican Party said that their first job would be to get rid of President Obama.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman for his statement in pointing out that this is not really a legislative issue. This is a Republican partisan issue where people have waited for years for this moment to destroy a bill to put 22 million people out of reach of medical care. They are striking over $1 trillion from the bill. They are being critical of the bill. They didn't say their moment in the Sun was to provide a better bill. No. They say, if you go back home, you are going to hear complaints. Well, President Obama went back home to the American people and was campaigning for ObamaCare and they reelected him. Now we are saying that these 22 million people--do you think they are not going to get health care? You bet your sweet life on this country they are going to get care, not the quality care that ObamaCare would provide for them, but they will be going to emergency rooms. They will get more sick. They will end up in the hospitals. It will cost us much more than the so-called trillion dollars we have. Well, thank God we do have a government where the President can say no. Thank God we also have a Constitution that says you don't have enough votes to override what is constitutionally and morally the right thing to do.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, legacy, and work of Benjamin Earl King; who was a Singer, Record Producer and Composer of some of America's greatest soul music and hit songs such as ``Stand By Me'' & ``Spanish Harlem.'' He is a legendary and well known musician. He has had many accomplishments throughout his entire life. Mr. King was also extremely active in his charitable foundation, the Stand By Me Foundation, which helps to provide education to deserving youths. On Thursday, December 10th, 2015, at Harlem's historic Interchurch Center at The Riverside Church; The Office of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, The Interchurch Center & Harlem Music Fest In Partnership With Community Works presents ``Celebrating the Music of Ben E. King,'' to memorialize Ben E. King's contributions to the Harlem community and beyond. The celebration featured musical guest performances by Rhythm & Blues Legends Chuck Jackson, Maxine Brown, Beverly Crosby, Wild Women featuring (Maxine Brown, Beverly Crosby & Sherryl Marshall) and Soul Vocalist Joe Coleman. The evening culminated in a very special musical performance by Al Orlo, who served as Ben E. King's Lead Guitarist for 25 years and his Musical Director from 1996-2015. From the groundbreaking orchestrated productions of the Drifters to his own solo hits, Ben E. King was the definition of R&B elegance. King's plaintive baritone had all the passion of gospel; however the settings in which it was displayed with his honey smooth phrasing and crisp enunciation, proved, for perhaps the first time, that R&B could be sophisticated and accessible to pop audiences. King's approach influenced countless smooth soul singers in his wake, and his records were key forerunners of the Motown sound. On September 28, 1938, King was born under the given name of Benjamin Earl Nelson in Henderson, North Carolina, where he sang with his church choir before the family moved to Harlem in 1947. In junior high, he began performing with a street corner doo wop group called the Four B's, which won second place in an Apollo Theater talent contest. While attending high school, he was offered a chance to join the Moonglows, but was simply too young and inexperienced to stick. He subsequently worked at his father's restaurant as a singing waiter, which led to an invitation to become the baritone singer in a doo wop outfit called the Five Crowns in 1958. The Five Crowns performed several gigs at the Apollo Theater along with the Drifters, whose career had begun to flounder in the years since original lead singer Clyde McPhatter departed. Drifters manager George Treadwell, dissatisfied with the group members' unreliability and lack of success, fired them all in the summer of 1958 and hired the Five Crowns to assume the name of the Drifters. The new Drifters toured for about a year, playing to hostile audiences who knew they were a completely different group. In early 1959, they went into the studio with producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to cut their first records. A song Nelson (still performing under his given name) co-wrote called ``There Goes My Baby'' became his first lead vocal, and the lush backing arrangement made highly unorthodox (in fact, virtually unheard of) use of a string section. ``There Goes My Baby'' became a massive hit, laying the groundwork for virtually every smooth/uptown soul production that followed. Over the next two years, Nelson sang lead on several other Drifters classics, including ``Dance with Me,'' ``This Magic Moment,'' ``Save the Last Dance for Me,'' and ``I Count the Tears.'' In 1960, Nelson approached Treadwell about a salary increase and a fairer share of the group's royalties. Treadwell rebuffed him and Nelson quit the group, at this point assuming the more memorable stage name Ben E. King in preparation for a solo career. Remaining on Atlantic, King scored his first solo hit with the stylish, Latin-tinged ballad ``Spanish Harlem,'' a Jerry Leiber/Phil Spector composition that hit the Top Ten in early 1961. The follow-up, ``Stand by Me,'' a heartfelt ode to friendship and devotion co-written by King, became his signature song and an enduring R&B classic; it was also his biggest hit, topping the R&B charts and reaching the pop Top Five. King scored a few more chart singles through 1963, including velvety smooth pop-soul productions like ``Amor,'' ``Don't Play That Song (You Lied),'' and the Italian tune ``I (Who Have Nothing).'' In the post- British Invasion years, King had a rough go of it on the pop charts but continued to score R&B hits. 1967's Southern-fried ``What Is Soul?'' was one of his last singles for Atco before departing the label in 1969. In 1975, Atlantic president Ahmet Ertegun caught King's act in a Miami lounge and invited him to re-sign with the label. King scored an unlikely comeback smash with the disco track ``Supernatural Thing, Pt. I,'' which returned him to the top of the R&B charts in 1975 and also reached the pop Top Five. While he was unable to duplicate that single's success, King recorded several more albums for Atlantic up through 1981, and also collaborated with the Average White Band in 1977 on the album Benny & Us. After leaving Atlantic a second time, King toured in a version of the Drifters beginning in 1982. In 1986, ``Stand by Me'' was prominently featured in the Rob Reiner film of the same name; re-released as a single, it climbed into the Top Ten all over again. In its wake, King returned to solo recording, issuing albums every few years. He also guested on recordings by Heaven 17 and Mark Knopfler, among others. King's 1999 album Shades of Blue (on Half Note Records) found him branching out into jazz territory, performing with a big band and guests like Milt Jackson and David ``Fathead'' Newman. On March 27, 2012, the Songwriters Hall of Fame announced that ``Stand By Me'' would receive its 2012 Towering Song Award and that King would be honored with the 2012 Towering Performance Award for his recording of the song. King toured the United Kingdom in 2013 and played concerts in the United States as late as 2014, despite reported health problems. Ben E. King died on April 30, 2015, after a brief illness. King has been covered by acts from several genres and artist including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones in 1970 and Sylvester. ``Till I Can't Get It Anymore'' was revisited by peer Ray Charles in 1970 and ``Spanish Harlem'' was sung by Aretha Franklin in 1971. ``Stand by Me'' was covered by Otis Redding, John Lennon and Mickey Gilley. King also inspired several rock bands: Siouxsie and the Banshees recorded ``Supernatural Thing'' in 1981 and Led Zeppelin did a cover version of ``Groovin'', more known under the title of ``We're Gonna Groove.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing Benjamin E. King, and honoring his truly pioneer work, dedication, and great accomplishments; worthy of our Nation's highest artistic and charitable esteem. He is an example of someone who used his raw talent to become a legendary figure, and set the groundwork for many others that followed.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Emmy nominated journalist, author and playwright Janet Langhart Cohen's one-act play, ``Anne & Emmett.'' On October 23, 2015, at the MIST Harlem Cultural Center, I joined with the New Heritage Theatre Group, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and MIST Harlem to welcome playwright Janet Langhart Cohen to the Village of Harlem, where she presented the one- act play ``Anne & Emmett,'' directed by Thomas W. Jones II. The play, ``Anne and Emmett,'' focuses on an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, who were victims of religious intolerance and racial hatred. That evening, ``Anne and Emmett'' was filmed by The New Heritage Group under the supervision of celebrated director/producer and former Chair of Columbia University's Graduate Film Program, Professor Jamal Joseph. The presentation of ``Anne and Emmett'' was made possible by RARIA (Race and Reconciliation in America), a not for profit organization co- founded by Janet Langhart Cohen, New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and the New York City Police Academy. First premiered in 2009 at the United States Holocaust Museum, ``Anne & Emmett,'' was conceived by Janet Langhart Cohen. The plays two main characters were Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy whose brutal murder in Mississippi sixty years ago which sparked the modern civil rights movement; and the young Holocaust victim Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who had to go into hiding during World War Two to avoid the Nazis and after almost two years in hiding she was discovered and deported to Bergen- Belsen Concentration Camp where she died. The play has received rave reviews during performances in Washington, DC, Indianapolis and Chicago. Mrs. Cohen is passionate about ensuring Emmett Till's story is never forgotten; which she does daringly throughout the play. It has been presented to dignitaries, students, Supreme Court justices, and now, the NYPD and its recent classes of recruits. Her commitment and understanding of how vital Emmett Till's story is to our nation was heralded by the Till family last spring when they honored Mrs. Cohen with the ``Women of Courage'' award established to honor the memory of Emmett's mother, Mamie Till Mobley. Additionally, in 2014 Mrs. Cohen led the way to have a tree planted in memory of Emmett Till, at the United States Capitol. To understand why she produced the play, one needs to learn where she came from. Janet Langhart Cohen grew up in segregated housing in Indianapolis, where the Indiana Ku Klux Klan rose to prominence in the early 1920s. Janet went on to attend Crispus Attucks High School and later moved to New York City, where she began her career in television. Her television career included stints at NBC, America Alive with Bruce Jenner, AM New York on ABC, WPIX-TV Channel 11, 9 Broadcast Plaza on WOR-TV and Entertainment Tonight. Mrs. Cohen has had the privilege of interviewing such luminaries as President Jimmy Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Rosa Parks, Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denzel Washington, Dan Rather, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters and Larry King, as well as David Duke former head of the Ku Klux Klan. Janet married William S. Cohen, who at the time served as Secretary of Defense, under President William Jefferson Clinton, and became known as ``First Lady of the Pentagon'' due to her active and visible public role at the Defense Department. Mrs. Cohen spurred several initiatives aimed at morale and well-being of military and civilian employees at the Pentagon; which included the Military Family Forum, the Pentagon Pops concert series, the Secretary of Defense Annual Holiday Tour, and her own series of interviews on Pentagon TV, Special Assignment. She was given a volunteer position as ``First Lady of the USO'' and helped recruit celebrities and civilians to work with the United Service Organizations. Her many awards and honors include Hadassah Woman of the Year and The Zachary and Elizabeth Award for Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Service for her work on behalf of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. In President Bill Clinton's last State of the Union Address, he praised Mrs. Cohen for her enormous contribution to the welfare and morale of our men and women in uniform and their families. Mr. Speaker, I joined with the New Heritage Theatre Group, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, MIST Harlem and the Village of Harlem to dedicate Friday, October 23, 2015 in honor of Janet Langhart Cohen for her life-long commitment to ending racial and religious intolerance and hatred in our Nation. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in recognition of this great unheralded American, Janet Langhart Cohen.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Holcombe Rucker Park; and the legacy, and work of The Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball fame, a dynamic organization and an excellent community service provider. On Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th, 2015, at the nationally and internationally known Holcombe Rucker Park located in the Village of Harlem, New York City; The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, HARLEM WEEK, The National Association of Each One Teach One, The Harlem Professionals and The New York Knicks had gathered to celebrate The Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball's successes, years of influence, as well as their current and old talents. The three-day themed celebration was set to highlight all the great work of athletes and their years of influence. The Rucker Park 50 kicked-off on Friday, August 14th with ``A Great Day For the Rucker'' Cocktail Party reception at The Harlem Hospital Center's Mural Pavilion featuring a historic group photo shoot that was taken on the Mural Pavilion Great Steps with the Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball and Each One Teach One Alumnus who played the game. On Saturday, August 15th, the theme featured ``50 Years of Influence''--The Rucker Legends Honored National Basketball Association (NBA) Legends at Holcombe Rucker Park, located at 155th Street & 8th Avenue to 156th Street & Harlem River Drive. The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), NBA Cares and the Police Athletic League (PAL) conducted basketball clinics for over 100 children with the Rucker Pro Legends; which featured Each One Teach One Tournament Playoff Games throughout the day with celebrity guests and entertainers connected to Rucker Park over the years in attendance. On Harlem Day--Sunday, August 16th, the theme features ``50 Years of Teaching''--Each One Teach One & New York Knicks Clinic Day at Holcombe Rucker Park. The New York Knicks and the National Association of Each One Teach One conducted clinics throughout the day. One of the clinics included the Each One Teach One Basketball Tournament Championship Games sponsored in part by State Farm Insurance Company. During this event the ``50 Greatest Rucker Pro Legends of All-time'' were announced. Some of the legends that attended the 3-day celebrations were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius ``Dr. J'' Erving, Nate ``Tiny'' Archibald, Tom ``Satch'' Sanders, Nevil Shed, Nancy Lieberman, World B. Free, Richard ``Pee Wee'' Kirkland, Joe ``The Destroyer'' Hammond, Dave Cowans, Bob Love, Emmette Bryant, Connie Hawkins, Ed Pinckey, Mark Jackson, Chris Mullins and many other legends of basketball and surprise guests. The Rucker Professional Tournament is a Harlem Summer Professional Basketball Tournament that was founded by College and NBA Legends Bob McCullough, Sr. and Fred Crawford, Sr. in 1965 to honor the passing of their mentor Holcombe Rucker. Bob's and Fred's main objectives were to continue Holcombe Rucker's work, teachings and legacy and to inspire youth throughout the greater Harlem community and beyond, which showcased professional basketball players from leagues around country to highlight the sport of basketball talent in the same vein as its creator James Naismith. Those leagues included the former American Basketball Association (ABA), Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the NBA. The games also featured future talented High School ballers and NCAA College Division players. A basketball landmark, Rucker Park became the site of numerous battles between such NBA stars as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dr. ``J'' Julius Erving, and Walt Frazier, and such playground Legends as Herman ``Helicopter'' Knowings, Earl Manigualt, Joe ``The Destroyer'' Hammond, ``Pee Wee'' Kirkland and Pablo Robertson of The Harlem Globetrotters. Furthermore, this renowned basketball venue has been written in such books as City Game: Basketball from the Garden to the Playground in Harlem. Foul--The Connie Hawkins Story, and Asphalt Gods: An Oral History of The Rucker Tournament. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of Holcombe Rucker Park and The Rucker Pro Legends of Basketball fame. The Rucker Pro Legends have positively impacted basketball players and children of all ages. Their dedication to their art form; to showcase and celebrate the talents of their current, past and future peers and colleagues; and to the children is truly admirable. This three day celebration embodied all that The Rucker Pro Legends stand for; for this we should continue to honor the legacy of Holcombe Rucker and the Rucker Park Legends of Basketball.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I don't know how proud we can be as legislators to say, at the end of the year, instead of legislating-- having hearings, listening to what this is going to do to help America, and where it is going to hurt--we are so proud of the fact that we are negotiating. Here we are talking about $680 billion of tax cuts, yet, we all know that, when we get home, there is nobody in the world who is going to think that their pockets, that their jobs, that their educations are going to be better. The world should be screaming for America to provide the leadership and to say that we have a system based on a Tax Code that we can depend on. Yes, we shouldn't have to extend these every year. We should work together to bring all of this together so that we know exactly what is going on. I hate to say this. People talk about the earned income tax credit. I fought for this. I am one of the people who goes against loopholes, and I guess I have really tried to get more loopholes in it in order for poor people to get some justice out of the tax system. The truth of the matter is, because of the disparity in incomes, because people work hard every day and they are still in poverty, we are going to use the Tax Code in order to say that we will give them a refundable tax credit. No. What this is going to do is to remove the ability for this great country of ours to have the discretionary funds to do the right thing, which is really conditioned in what we call the pursuit of happiness. We should not be using the Tax Code for social welfare, nor should we be using the Tax Code in order to have certain companies benefit from it. What we should be doing is reforming the entire Tax Code so America would know where we are going and where we should be going.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as someone, who since 1978 has followed with great interest the tinder box of South East Asia, the recent meeting between Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and China's President Xi Jinping is an historic event that I did not think I would see in my lifetime. On November 7 of this year, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou and China's President Xi Jinping met in Singapore. The two leaders shook hands, gave speeches and discussed cross-Strait relations. Before Taiwan's President Ma took office in 2008, the relationship between Taiwan and China was severely strained. The conflict over Pacific Island ownership and dispute over many other issues portends problems that could threaten peace in the region. We greatly appreciate President Ma's initiative and leadership in pursuing this meeting and reducing tension along the Taiwan Strait. With the recent tragedy in Paris and the increased violence in the Middle East, it is so vital that there is peace along the Taiwan Strait. We look forward to seeing even greater peace and stability in the region as a result of this historic meeting between these two Presidents and view it as a first step on a long road.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with the millions of Americans that feel heart-based sympathy for the loss of our friends in Europe and France, particularly Paris, and, of course, to give sympathy to those people that are absolutely hysterical on this issue as relates to refugees, even though there is no evidence at all that it was refugees that were responsible for the attacks. These types of unprovoked attacks do cause fear and, many times, irresponsible behavior on behalf of people, as they attempt to instill fear in all people to such an extent that it shatters the principles which this country was built on. Nevertheless, there is enough for us to be concerned about. There is enough for us to be fearful about, and there has to be concern as to what are we going to do about it. Those that read in the media and listen to it--and even Members of Congress--will find that we have people that are now saying that we can't win this war against ISIS unless we have more of our military on the ground fighting against the Assad government. We talk about sending troops overseas to put their lives in harm's way as though it is just another foreign policy decision that Members of Congress can make without any regard at all to the constitutional responsibility we have to ourselves and to be an example for the world. Whenever this great Nation is threatened, whenever our national security is threatened, the President should be coming to this House of Representatives and the Senate and sharing with us what are the threats to our national security. And when it becomes abundantly clear that we have to call upon our military in any way, we should have a declaration of war for the reasons that the President has given to us. Our responsibility to our constituents is to share as much information as we can to tell them that war means sacrifice, loss of life. Yet, today, we haven't had a declaration of war since Franklin Roosevelt. Tens of thousands of Americans have died. In this recent crisis, less than 1 percent of eligible Americans have actually put themselves in harm's way because of executive mandate and the allowance of the Congress to allow this to happen. And we have lost, just in Afghanistan and Iraq, 7,000 American lives that some of us have to go to the funerals and explain the best that we can that, even though we are not at war, there would be American lives lost in foreign countries. I submit to you that if we believe that our national security is threatened, we should have a declaration of war, we should have a draft, and we should have a way to pay for these wars, so that we would know that it is not easy sending your loved ones abroad and not even know the reasons that they are there. It would seem to me that, as everyone heard, the President of France says they are at war against ISIS, that if we are at war against ISIS, whatever country they are representing, it should be brought to the American people. It should be brought to the Congress, and the President should ask us to declare war. But it is just totally not fair for people in the House of Representatives to come here and to say that Americans should be sent overseas to fight an unknown enemy, to put their lives in jeopardy and, perhaps, their families in jeopardy, without being able to say that they are fighting a war to preserve democracy in this country. It just seems to me that whether you call them no feet on the ground, but boots on the ground, that if someone's coming back here with a flag-draped coffin, that we should be able to say they fought for America, they died for America, and that we are fighting for peace and to end a war that has yet to be declared.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Well, I am not only going to miss Speaker John Boehner, but I am going to miss when I leave next year the Congress that John Boehner and I have loved so much. If Republicans think that they had a problem with John Boehner, they should have known Jack Kemp because it was Jack Kemp who introduced me to John Boehner. And at that time, we acknowledged that there were Democrats and Republicans, but the whole idea that you could be vindictive enough to attempt to destroy someone politically or not work together as John did with George Miller in bringing Leave No Child Behind--the work that I have done on Ways and Means with trade and was so open in dealing with John, who represented, not an ideology, but represented what he thought was best for the country. To me, John Boehner was, as so many people have said, just a regular guy, the first one in his family, like so many of us, that went to college. He entered public service and through a variety of things became the Speaker of the House, which has to be just one of the greatest sense of pride that any American could ever have. The whole idea that there were people in this partisan time that would believe that they would want him to leave even more than Democrats would want him to leave is something that would have to be explained by history. Of course, things are strange today. There is a Black doctor brain surgeon who is now leading for President for the Republican Party. And Donald Trump, a favorite with Saturday Night Livers, is right behind him for President. There is a big battle as to who will replace John. These are things that are just so unusual so that, while I miss John, I am just missing the days when we used to come to this floor in this Congress to decide how many votes do we need to get something passed. We hoped that we would be in the majority, but the most exciting thing would be being able to work with the other side and being able to sit with the President or stand with the President and to truly feel that you were not a Democrat or Republican, but you got legislation passed. We never called it compromise. I guess we called it just working together and enjoying working together, and that is gone. I don't know whether it will come back. It would seem to me that John is always going to be remembered as somebody that cared more about his country, his family, and this Congress than he did about being Speaker. And that is the way I want to remember him. Thank you, Congressman Chabot and Congresswoman Kaptur, for giving me this opportunity.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I think this bill before us shows what is wrong with the Congress. I don't challenge the corrections that people on the Republican side would want to make in providing health care for our Nation. It is a problem when none of them actually voted for the bill, but that could have been because we didn't give them access and opportunity. It would seem to me, especially when we are trying to find out someone who will become Speaker of the House, that, if you have objections to a bill that provides health services for Americans, we would try to find out, before we ask for a veto, what we can do to help. There cannot be any Republican here that truly believes that we should eliminate preventive health care. Preventive health care is not only humane and the right thing to do, but it saves us a lot of money. We have an advisory board that determines the amount of time that should be spent based on statistics. Yes, these are life-or-death questions, but it is also saving money as well as saving lives. There are so many objections that you may have as to how we use the tax system to encourage people and to mandate that people pay into the system. Most of you know, if people can have insurance and not pay for it, then everyone would want it. This is insurance. Yes, healthy people have to participate because younger people don't believe that they ever get sick. So don't just say that you want to make certain that the President vetoes this for political purposes so you can go back home and say, yes, one more shot against the President, one more shot against the Congress, and in some cases one more shot against your own party. Let's, for God's sake, try to work together to try to get something positive done.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, my colleagues, the last few days in New York people have been asking me: Do you really think Paul Ryan is going to become Speaker of the House? I said: No. They said: Why? Don't you believe he is intelligent, smart, dedicated? I said: That is just the problem. I can't find anyone that I know and like that is more conservative than Paul Ryan. Paul Ryan, if he were to become Speaker, would be saying to the Republicans: I cannot accept this responsibility unless you respect the integrity of the United States of America. They said: Well, Charlie, what does that mean? I said: Well, Paul Ryan wouldn't allow us to go into default. Paul Ryan would support increasing the debt ceiling. Paul Ryan would recognize that we need our infrastructure, we need our jobs, we need education. They said: Well, what is the difference with that? I said: If Paul Ryan were to get these type of commitments from the Republican Party, Speaker Boehner never would have left, McCarthy never would have left. So what are we going through today? Well, Paul Ryan knows that this is not going to become law. Why? Because it doesn't make any sense. It is almost like if you were in a corporation--since we are using analogies--and they say: We promise you you are not going to go bankrupt. You say: Well, how are you going to do that, since the only people that you have to pay are those you borrowed money from? Well, what about the cost of manufacturers? What about the salaries of the workers? What about the health benefits? What about the other things that make America great? Well, we didn't say that we are going to protect you for that. But just for the principal and the interest that you have to pay, you protect it. This doesn't make any sense at all. But since it is going to be vetoed, this must mean something to those people that, when you say government, they get angry, when you say Obama, they see red, when you find cooperation with Democrats, they say that you are not faithful to the Republic. So I don't know who these people are. We don't see them. They don't talk this way. But someone that can believe that just paying off debt, foreign and domestic, and not taking care of our veterans, not taking care of our military, not taking care of our health concern--if you really think that these things are just going to be forgotten, these are not the principles that Paul Ryan believes in. So, if this passes, if it is vetoed, can't we try to believe that, if you really want to have a Republican Speaker, take this garbage off the table, say you are going to cooperate for our country? This is more important than Republicans and Democrats. We are talking about the prestige, the full faith and credit of the United States of America. People don't ask whether you are Republican or Democrat. They just want to know are you going to pay your debts. I thank you for this opportunity. And, Paul, if they don't want you as Speaker, we will keep you as our chairman.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in welcoming the distinguished President of the Republic of Korea to the United States of America to confer with our great President. In 1950, I visited Korea for the first time as a combat infantryman. When I left, it was a nightmare, and I thought I would never want to go back to this place ever again. To see this country now; to see what, out of the ashes, it has become; to see, from a very poor country, what a great democracy it has; to see the leadership of this great President; to see what a friend we have in that region when we are having a horrible time in economics and peace and in war, that this country always has our back; the great contributions Korea has made to this country, those that have become citizens, makes me proud to be an American. So when she comes here, the Congress is so proud that some of us were able to make just a small contribution to keep her from falling into the hands of the Communists and then becoming our seventh great trading partner, a leader of the region and a leader of the world.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, we mourn yet celebrate the life of NAACP justice marcher, Middle Passage, who passed away on September 12th, 2015. Passage, 68, died during America's Journey for Justice, a six week march that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement. During Passage's earlier lifetime, he changed his name to Middle Passage to remind us of enslaved Africans. The ``Middle Passage'' represented the journey taken by slave ships from Africa to the West Indies. Despite having several heart operations and surviving two wars, in Korea and Vietnam, Passage marched over 900 miles from Selma, Alabama to Washington, D.C. while serving as the flag bearer during the Journey for Justice March. From his work as a civil rights activist, a veteran, and an overall believer in the U.S. Constitution, Passage will be remembered for his continued dedication for fighting for justice and freedom for all. While we grieve the loss of one of the many pioneers for civil rights, we will remember his legacy as a Marcher for Justice and more importantly, celebrate his memory and work in the community in efforts to ensure younger generations can learn and become inspired by him.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, during the month of September, we recognize National Sickle Cell Awareness month, which is significant to me because this rare blood disorder affects many constituents in my congressional district. I understand how important it is to not only be aware of the illness but also to ensure those with Sickle Cell receive proper treatment. Sickle cell disease, most commonly found in individuals of African American, Hispanic, Indian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent, affects more than 100,000 individuals worldwide. It is an illness that affects the red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells with abnormal types of hemoglobin. This abnormal type of hemoglobin looks crescent-shaped, is difficult to pass through blood vessels and causes less blood to reach certain parts of the body. When the proper amount of blood does not circulate throughout the body, they can have damaging effects, causing anemia, jaundice and the formation of gallstones. It is imperative that we not only educate ourselves but those around us as well. I am proud that in 2014, I co-founded the Congressional Sickle Cell Caucus with Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th, IL) and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) to support legislation, promote policies and inform the public about the disease. Together we are pushing to reauthorize the Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act which allows states to collect data, conduct health initiatives and identify and evaluate strategies for prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease complications. I commend organizations like the Sickle Cell Disease Association and Sickle Cell Foundation Support Group, Inc. for their efforts and I will continue to support initiatives that will help improve the lives of those with Sickle Cell disease.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee for pulling together this tribute. It is moving and emotional that we do this after the visit to these Chambers by the Pope, who made it abundantly clear how all of us, no matter how ordinary we are, can do extraordinary things when we make a commitment to do the right thing. As some of the older Members know, it is almost unbelievable how people that you know on an everyday basis that go through life with their own problems still can find the time to try to improve the quality of life for so many people. I feel almost awkward looking at the Representative from Selma, Alabama, this evening because, after Bloody Sunday, there was a call all over the world for people to come to Selma. I was one of those called, and I was one of those that did not think that me going to Selma with my bad feet could make a contribution to anything, and this is especially so after seeing what happened on Bloody Sunday. But I did go down because of John Lewis and Andrew Young and Martin Luther King and Ralph Bunche, because they said that if I could just come down for the press conference, it would be appreciated. So I dressed up and I went down for the press conference. I had a round trip ticket back to New York. I was dressed pretty well, not ever thinking that I would be going any further than Selma. It started to rain, and I felt that this would be the appropriate time for me to get a cab and to go to the airport. When I saw these older people like Amelia Robinson putting plastic on their shoes and starting to sing and starting to march, I said, well, maybe I could go a couple of blocks. I did that, except I found out in Selma there weren't any couple of blocks. There were no television cameras. There was no one that recognized me down there. I marched 54 miles, cussing every step of the way, trying to figure out what the devil I was doing in Selma. Congresswoman Sewell, it just proves that if you attempt just to do the right thing, God can push you to do the rest. I never did believe, like John Lewis, that that Supreme Court would give us the voting rights and the civil rights. I never thought that President Johnson would ever support these things. Today I tell this very embarrassing story because you don't have to be a hero to be counted on if you just try to start to do the right thing, and just maybe God will push you to go further. Certainly when a woman like Amelia Boynton Robinson is beaten unconscious and someone like John Lewis, who constantly put his life on the line, and of course the late Dr. Martin Luther King, who gave up his life, and God doesn't ask us to do these extraordinary things, but I do believe that the courage that these people have, that each of us have just a grain of it that would allow us to contribute, as the Pope said, to show our respect for God, allowing us to inherit this great Earth to try to make the quality of life better. Of course, when it comes to a young guy going to Morehouse, as Julian Bond did, dropping out of school, coming from a professional family where education had a higher standard than some of us from the inner cities, it must have broken their heart to know that he was joining a group that would then provide the leadership for our country for people Black and White. There is nothing that my heart would allow me to say about Lou Stokes. I came to Congress not knowing that in the Congress was a giant of a man from Cleveland, Lou Stokes, who motivated the 13 of us, who led us to form the Congressional Black Caucus. I have walked in the shadows of his giant footsteps since I have been privileged to serve in this House. Ms. Jackson Lee and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, it is really extraordinary how God has given us the opportunity to say thank you for the blessings that we have, and I do hope that maybe on both sides of the aisle people can talk about those who allowed this country to be so great, the sacrifices that so many people have made, and you just don't have to be a giant to appreciate the fact that God has blessed us all. I thank her for her effort at bringing us together, not just tonight, but on every committee, on every bill, and this floor. Sheila Jackson Lee is here to continue to inspire all of us. I thank her for that.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, since 1968, America celebrates the National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, 2015, to recognize the legacy of those whose ancestors came from Latin America and Spain. The beginning of the National Hispanic Heritage Month is very important because it is also the anniversary of independence for some Central American countries such as: Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th respectively. We are fortunate to have in our district so many dedicated community leaders and organizations, such as CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, Dominican American National Roundtable, Hispanic Federation, Dominican Women Development Center, Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center, Dominican Medical Association DMA, National Dominican Women Caucus, Dominican Bar Association, Latino Leadership Institute, East Harlem Preservation, Inc., Falu Foundation, El Museo del Barrio, Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service, East Harlem Council for Community Improvement, Inc., Friendly Hands Ministry, VIDA Family Services, Inc., N.E.R.V.E., Inc., Teatro Moderno Puertorriqueno, Inc., Casabe Houses Development Fund, Company, Inc., Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, Latino Justice PRLDEF, Hispanic Federation, La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriquena, Boriken Health Center, Nuevo Caribe Democratic Club of El Barrio and Catano Gardens and the Association of Progressive Dominicans, working tirelessly to improve the lives of people living in East Harlem, Inwood, Washington Heights and the Bronx. Pioneers such as Secretary Thomas Perez, America's first Cabinet Secretary of Dominican descent and Justice Sonia Sotomayor who is of Puerto Rican descent and is the country's first Hispanic to be appointed to the Supreme Court, are not only role models for youths in our congressional district, but also symbols of the American Dream. They remind us that willingness to strive can help us to achieve great success, not only for ourselves but for America as a country. Like all Americans, Latino families aspire to own a home, save for their children's higher education, and put aside enough money for a secure retirement. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will fix our broken system and allow millions of aspiring Americans to come out of the shadows. Every day we delay the issue of immigration reform is another day that our economy, our businesses, and our families lose out. I will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform and for the policies that will strengthen the Latino community and expand their opportunities to achieve the American Dream. The United States of America is greater, thanks to the contributions of the Latino community, which is 55.4 million strong, and continues to grow and make a great impact throughout our country. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, my fellow Members, this is a historic occasion for the House and a very emotional time for me because, unfortunately, I have known war. I have known the horrors of war. And I speak for all of those that have had this horrendous experience to say that we should always give diplomacy a chance before we put any American in harm's way. I don't think any of us, with any degree of certainty, have any idea whether this agreement is going to hold or if we can contain the criminal, inhumane ambitions of the leadership in Iran. What we do know is that the international powers not just of China, not just of Russia, but of the United Kingdom, of France, of Germany, and the thinking of the United States of America, truly believe that this is the best possible way to avoid war. It would seem to me that now is not the time for us to engage in exchanges that separate and bring us apart as a Nation. The rules of the House and the Senate make it abundantly clear that, whether you like it or not, this is going to become the policy of the United States of America. This will not be the policy of President Obama, of Democrats or Republicans, but the policy of our great Nation. It pains me, as I am about to leave service in this august body, that we have people in this Chamber that have such hatred and disdain for the leadership of this country that they would put this feeling above what is the best policy for the security of this great, beloved Nation of mine. I know that, if the President of the United States was able to walk on water, there would be people in this Chamber that would say: See, we told you that he couldn't swim. And so what I am saying----

Mr. RANGEL. I don't think I can do that. Because the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) said that China and Russia are supporting this because they want to sell arms to Iran. I think that was despicable because that includes the United Kingdom, that includes France, that includes Germany, that includes people that are talking about that this is the best way that we are able to do this. So what I am saying is this: 14 years ago a terrible thing happened to my country, to my city, when terrorists struck on 9/11. And now we have the opportunity to bring our country together the way we did then. Fourteen years ago, there were no Republicans. There were no Democrats. There were Americans that would say we have to come together. We are not going to change this agreement. This is the policy of the United States of America--or soon will be. Should we not be saying: What is the enforcement? What are we going to do? What happens if they violate it?

Mr. RANGEL. I thank the ranking member. Are we here to embarrass Presidents, Republicans, and Democrats or are we here to preserve the dignity and the integrity of the United States of America, no matter who is the President? If ever there was a time for us to come together and support the policy, the time is now. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great sadness as I announce the passing of my longtime District Administrator, Vivian E. Jones. As I speak with profound sorrow, I ascend to celebrate a life well lived and to remember with fondness the accomplishments of a remarkable woman who, over her 45 years of service to me and this body, etched her name in the walls of Congress as one of its longest serving staff members. Vivian's death on July 2, 2015, brought immense sorrow and loss to me, my staff, and to the countless constituents that counted on her assistance. The many who met and were touched by Vivian and her life's work can attest that she was equal parts strong mind and ample heart, a humble soul who cared deeply about the issues of the day and their impact on everyday people. And yet she was able to influence public decision making, develop activities of enormous impact and provide motivation, inspiration, and consolation to the younger members of my staff Vivian Jones goes back to my days at law-firm Weaver, Evans, Wingate & Wright. She was my administrative assistant when I first practiced law. Vivian became a part of my campaign staff in March of 1970, when I, then a young New York State Assemblyman, challenged the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. for the Congressional Seat. Upon election to the Congress, she joined the Congressional Staff as my Executive Secretary. As a freshman Congressman, I was the beneficiary of Vivian's previous experience with secretarial and paralegal work. She immediately became responsible for my schedule and constituent services in the district office, which was all done without computers in those early days of my career in the House. In 1975, Vivian succeeded Virginia Bell as the District Administrator (District Director). In her new role, Vivian's responsibilities expanded to the role of a Chief of Staff in the District. She managed the local district offices, directed work activities, supervised staff, and oversaw and coordinated activities in the different communities of the Congressional District. As a woman in this role in the 1970's and proceeding decades, she was quite an effective leader and powerful force in pushing my agenda forward in the district. She continued this role until January 1999, when Vivian relinquished her role, reducing her work load, and began working part-time. Although only part-time, a loyal colleague, Vivian Jones, continued to coordinate my schedule in conjunction with the scheduler in Washington, DC. She handled all personnel matters pertaining to district staff, and prepared correspondences of varying complexity for my signature. Vivian continued to arrive at the office in the wee hours of the morning on her assigned days. As always, she remained committed to offering a sympathetic ear or to jump start a slow or reluctant bureaucracy for a constituent. For over 50 years, Vivian's dynamic spirit and sense of purpose served me and all of her past colleagues as a motivation and driving force. She provided the people of the Congressional District incredible assistance over her many years of service to Congress and was a devoted friend to her colleagues and agency staff. A simple speech from the floor of this sumptuous body will never ease the pain of losing such a precious soul. I can only hope that all of those whose lives were touched by her can take solace in knowing that all of her hard work, guidance, and care throughout the years exceeded all measures of selflessness and devotion to our country. As I stand here with my heart filled with grief, I honor her, not only for her courage, loyalty, faithfulness, and generosity, but also for her simply being a true embodiment of the vision and determination of women that have strengthened and transformed America. No one can ever replace such a precious human being. She is survived by her brother Neil Jones and her niece Joyce Rodriguez. Mr. Speaker, rather than mourn her passing, I would hope that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of our beloved Vivian Jones by remembering that she exemplified greatness in every way. She was, in life, a shining example of all the best in our land. There is no doubt that she will always be remembered for her extraordinary commitment, energy, wisdom, principle, and clear purpose which won the admiration of all those who were privileged to come to know her. As stated in Psalm 116:15, ``Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.'' In rest, may she find the peace we all seek.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this is a good day for America, and it is a good day for us in the House. There are so many people to thank for making this day possible, not just for the people in developing countries in Africa, but, more importantly, for Americans who recognize, unless we can raise the level of survival in other countries, our country is not fulfilling its moral and economic obligations. I want to give a special thanks to the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. It is kind of rough listening to him talking about TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, because he knows and I know that, if we wanted each bill passed, we would be concerned not by what the multinationals want, but we would be concerned about the middle class. The middle class you can help by having infrastructure, you can help by having an education, all the things that are not Democratic issues. On this particular AGOA bill, he gave assurances that he thought that this standing alone did not have to get involved in the controversy that people had over the more controversial bill. Like he said, he made his commitment. He kept his commitment. It is things like this that should have younger Members realizing Congress can do it, we can work together, and I thank him publicly for that. You will be hearing more from other Members in terms of the involvement that they have had. Certainly, Mr. Levin from the very, very beginning working with Jim McDermott, working with Republicans, gave birth to this bill 10 years ago, and his guidance and support and the Ways and Means members have given another year. Karen Bass, she is something special. She came to us after serving as California speaker. She grabbed Africa, foster care, and those types of issues that people have left behind, but she managed to make certain that everyone knows that this country cares, and cares deeply. It is ironic that as we talk about Africa, we are talking about Haiti, we are talking about developing countries, and we also are talking about those workers who, through no fault of their own and because of international and national decisions, have lost their opportunity to have self-esteem and to have a job. These are issues that we have touched on in this bill. These are issues that go nowhere in terms of how far America has to go in order to be fair and equal and allow us to include real wages, real education, and real opportunity in the pursuit of happiness. But since we are trying and since there is nothing in this bill that doesn't point us in the right direction, especially on the same day that the United States Supreme Court has recognized that compassion is not restricted to just those who can afford insurance on their own, I just want to thank the leadership in this House, both Republican and Democrats, for the great work that allows me to be a proud Member of this House.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, legacy, and work of Harlem Activist Minnie Moore was a dear friend, a dynamic political activist and an excellent community service provider. She was a devout Christian that lived her life with an indomitable spirit of love and giving. She was a compassionate, hard working, and socially responsible individual that gave several decades of service that strengthen the entire community. On June 20, at Harlem's historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Africana community gathers to memorialize Minnie Moore's contributions to the Harlem community. Minnie Moore was born on June 28, 1921 to the late Claudia and Joseph Gassaway. She married her childhood sweetheart, Cleveland Moore (now deceased) and came with him to Harlem, New York from Dothan Alabama during the Great Migration north. As a life-long resident of Harlem, New York for more than 70 years, the impact of her meritorious service spanned many decades. In the early sixties Minnie was instrumental in incorporating the New York City Housing Authority Saint Nicholas Houses first tenants' association. Over a 10-year period she served in various offices including treasurer, vice-president and president. For many years Minnie was also a faithful member of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church under the spiritual direction of the late Rev. William D. Gardner. Minnie was a `fireball' and worked tirelessly to support many outstanding political figures during their burgeoning years. In the 1970's and 1980's during the `War on Poverty', Minnie Moore worked diligently and side-by-side with me, and my brothers Percy Ellis Sutton, David N. Dinkins and Basil Paterson. Other Harlem elites include The Hon. George Miller, The Hon. H. Carl McCall, The Hon. Fred Samuels, The Hon. Hilton Clark and The Hon. Keith L.T. Wright. She was ecstatic at the election of President Obama and held great appreciation in knowing her years of community service and political activism must have contributed in some measure to this monumental, historical occurrence. Though she was the granddaughter of slaves and did not complete her college education, Minnie Moore touched the hearts of the entire Harlem community. Minnie established the Harriet Tubman Block Association, which provided an array of programmatic activities including educational and social services to children and families through summer youth programs; recreational activities; annual block parties; support to struggling artists; after-school homework assistance; on-going workshops on critical social and health-related issues; pantries, flea markets; and donations of holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Harriet Tubman Block Association, Minnie held many positions of service and leadership within the New York area including Past-Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, Universal Chapter #7; Captain of the 127th Street Block Association, Member Officer of HARYOU; Secretary for Community Board #10: Executive President of the Park Avenue North Color Guard; Executive President of the St. Nicholas Cavaliers Junior, Senior & All- Girls Softball Teams; Democratic County Committee Member and an Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing our beloved Mother Minnie Moore and her contributions that has positively impacted the Harlem community and countless citizens across this Nation. Her dedication, commitment, and spiritual guidance is worthy of our Nation's highest esteem. Minnie was a family treasure and community icon. Her kindness, generosity and wisdom will truly be missed.