Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it brings me sadness and honor to pay final tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor. He died Tuesday, December 28, 2010, of heart failure in Riverside, New York. He was 89. For eight decades, Dr. Taylor remained vigorously dedicated to nurturing jazz and creating new forums and opportunities for the artists who perform it. He encompassed that rare combination of creativity, intelligence, vision, commitment and leadership, all qualities that made him one of our most cherished national treasures. Dr. Billy Taylor began his career in New York City in 1942 in Harlem playing with Ben Webster's quartet at the Three Deuces alongside Webster, Big Sid Catlett and Charlie Drayton opposite the Art Tatum Trio. He immersed himself in the jazz scene over the next few years, playing with many jazz greats of the day, such as Slam Stewart, Eddie South, Stuff Smith, Coleman Hawkins, Jo Jones and Roy Eldridge. 1949 marked the beginning of his two-year stint as house pianist at Birdland, the legendary New York City jazz club. He played with everybody--Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Zoot Sims, Roy Haynes, and Kenny Dorham. He often played opposite such bands as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Lennie Tristano. Birdland provided Taylor one of his greatest learning experiences. During the 1950s Dr. Taylor made some recordings with his own group for such labels as Prestige, Riverside, ABC Paramount, and Capital Records. He also recorded albums with Quincy Jones, Sy Oliver, Mundell Lowe, Neal Hefti, Eddie ``Lockjaw Davis'', Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Coleman Hawkins and Dinah Washington. He started his own music publishing company, Duane Music, Inc. Dr. Taylor worked regularly with his trio and hosted his own daily radio show on New York's WLIB during the 1960s. He made guest shots on various TV shows and recordings for Capital Records. Taylor started writing about jazz and giving lectures/clinics to music teachers interested in teaching jazz. He was a strong advocate for the arts. Taylor concentrated many of his efforts on generating funding for the arts and humanities. He focused on radio and television in order to gain better exposure for America's classical music. He helped to facilitate many local and national broadcasts featuring jazz artists in live performances. Dr. Taylor was tapped by Charles Kuralt to become arts correspondent for the popular television program, ``CBS Sunday Morning'' in the early 1980s. In the 90s, Dr. Taylor was named Artistic Advisor for Jazz to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 1994, under the umbrella of Jazz at the Kennedy Center, he developed numerous concert series including the Art Tatum Pianorama, the Louis Armstrong Legacy series, the annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, Beyond Category, Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, and the Jazz Ambassadors Program. ``Dr. Taylor was a remarkable musician and humanitarian. He was a primary advisor for both the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters program in 1982 and was invaluable as the agency sought to strengthen its support for the jazz field in 2004,'' said Wayne Brown, Director, Music & Opera Programs, NEA. Dr. Billy Taylor was named an NEA Jazz Master in 1988. Throughout his career, Dr. Billy Taylor was one of those rare artists who was also a scholar of his art. He was a premiere pianist and an elegant stylist. Many acclaimed him as the most exciting pianist in the jazz world. Dr. Billy Taylor will be remembered as one of the jazz world's historians, master musicians, an educator, storyteller, sage, and jazz virtuoso. I extend my sincere condolences to his family for this tremendous loss and share their enormous pride in all that he accomplished.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. ``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.''

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to spend some time today to remember the Christian feast of the Epiphany, or as many in my community know it, Three Kings Day. For millions around the world, especially Latinos, the final curtain on the holiday season doesn't begin to fall until today, January 6. From El Barrio through Mexico, and the Caribbean all the way down to the tip of South America, communities find their own unique ways to celebrate the Biblical journey of Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar. Like Christmas, Three Kings Day is a day for kids and family, a time to not just exchange gifts, but also appreciate what we have. In the East Harlem section of my congressional district, the day has been marked for 34 years by a children's parade organized by El Museo del Barrio. Mr. Speaker, seeing these children in costumes and coats walking the streets of Fifth Avenue, you would be instantly reminded about how special they each are and the special responsibility we have in making sure that they have just as many opportunities to succeed--if not more--than any of us standing in these great walls. Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar traveled on the wings of hope, believing that a better future lay in the hands of a humble child in the manger. They did not dismiss him because he was a carpenter's son or because he was poor. They did not ask about his immigration status or whether his parents had proper paperwork. They crossed deserts and overcame hurdles because they believed that his future was as bright and limitless as the stars that adorned the sky. Unfortunately, not enough of today's children have been given such investment of time and energy. Despite the tireless work of many parents and educators, far too many are falling through the cracks in schools that are ill-equipped to teach them the skills necessary for work and life. So on this last weekend of the holiday season, let all of us remember the greatness that lies in each of our children. Let us renew our commitment to our next generation by developing partnerships that will equip them with the tools they will need to realize their goals and dreams. Let us remember that acts of kindness and generosity should extend well into the year and that the future of this great land depends on the opportunities we create for our children to shine and reach their full potential.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Thank you, Madam Ranking Member. I come to the floor opposing the rule only because there's a provision in it that indicates that our delegates from all over the globe will not be allowed to exercise any of their voting privileges that they had earlier. And when my friend, Mr. Dreier, the distinguished chairman of this committee, indicated it was all symbolic, I just would hope that if we do get a chance to pull this out of the package and perhaps vote on this in a separate way, that you might see your way clear to understand that these Americans and citizens who volunteer and fight for this great country and support our flag, and in many cases have per capita more of their young people killed in action and wounded in action than those of us on the mainland, that I think it deserves a better classification than to say that it's respecting their friends and it's symbolic.

Mr. RANGEL. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. All of us from the City of New York and around the Nation are so proud to be a Member of this body. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today, nine years after the tragic events of September 11, to recognize the passage of a bill that will allow the first responders who rushed to the scene that day to now be able to get the health care resources they need. Today, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate approved an amended version, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that would provide medical treatment for the ailing first responders and recovery workers who were exposed to toxic dust following the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001. This victory is for what is right; a long overdue thank you to those who rushed in to help after what was one of our nation's biggest tragedies. After nine long years, these unsung heroes and their families no longer have to worry about how they are going to get the care and resources they so desperately need. The Zadraga bill originally passed the House in September, but had been held up in the Senate due to various partisan concerns. It now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign the bill into law before the end of the holiday season. This should have never been about the money, but about what we should do to honor those who thought of their country first and not themselves. They answered the call when their country needed them and we are all a better nation for it. Thanks to the hard work of so many people--from legislators, like our Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York Congressional Delegation and House Leadership, to the NYS AFL-CIO President Dennis Hughes, the 32nd Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and the countless union officials and 911 families that traveled to Washington to lobby on the bill's behalf--these patriotic Americans can spend the holiday seasons with some peace of mind. What the law would do: Under an agreement worked out by New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would: provide a total of $4.3 billion in funding for the health and compensation titles of the bill; cap federal funding for the health program over five years at $1.5 billion (New York City will contribute 10% of the cost). Any funds not spent in the first five years may be carried over and expended in the sixth year of the program; reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for five years to file claims, with payments to be made over six years. Fund the VCF at $2.8 billion for six years, with $.8 billion available for payments in the first five years and $2.0 billion available for payment in year six. Claims will be paid in 2 installments--one payment in the first five years, and a second payment in the sixth year of the program; the pay for the House-passed version of the bill has been replaced by a 2 percent fee on government procurement from foreign companies located in non-GPA countries and a one-year extension of H-B 1 and L-1 Visa fees for outsourcing companies. These are estimated by CBO to collect $4.59 billion over the 10-year scoring period for the bill. Others changes made in the bill to address Republican concerns: requiring that the Centers of Excellence report claims data to HHS so that costs and utilization of services can be fully monitored; specifying the non-treatment services furnished by Centers of Excellence to be funded under the health program (e.g., outreach, social services, data collection, and development of treatment protocols); authorizing the World Trade Center Program Administrator to designate the Veteran's Administration as a provider for WTC health services; directing the Special Master to develop rules to implement the VCF within 180 days of passage of the legislation.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the dedicated commitment of the Library of Congress to the promotion of reading through its sponsorship of the National Book Festival. I warmly commend Representative Daniel Lungren for taking the initiative to introduce H. Res. 1646. The National Book Festival occurred on September 25, 2010, in Washington, DC. President Obama and Michelle Obama served as honorary chairs for the important event. Nearly one million people over the past decade have attended. This year, approximately 150,000 bibliophiles gathered together to meet the 70 best-selling authors in attendance. I am proud that the New York State Library, New York Council for the Humanities and the Empire State Center for the Book partnered together to display New York's rich literary heritage in the Pavilion of the States at the National Book Festival. New York author, Rebecca Stead, also autographed copies of her 2010 Newbery Award-winning book, When You Reach Me. New York's involvement at the mall demonstrated a common commitment with the Library of Congress in encouraging the population to read. Fostering the joy of reading is a valuable goal. Living in the digital age does not mean we have forgotten the pleasure of reading the printed text. Reading broadens our minds to new possibilities, new worlds, new people and new ideas. The future is based on our ability to read, digest information and pioneer innovative ideas. Formal education in the classroom should be supplemented by self-education. Urging more people to read also improves our literacy rate. A literate population is necessary to guarantee greater educational opportunities, foster life-long learning, jobs, and underpins our democracy because elected officials depend on an informed citizenry to make decisions. I admire and am thankful of the efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the wonder of words.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support for H. Res. 1746, a resolution recognizing and observing the efforts of the Boston Red Sox Foundation and other organizations for their Welcome Back Veterans Initiatives. I thank Congressman Steve Israel for introducing this resolution to give us the opportunity to move in a definitive direction in improving the care for our veterans. I am emotionally connected and affected by the plight of returning soldiers and their families. As a Korean War Veteran myself, I know all too well the significant toll that war can have on a soldier's physical and mental well-being, and that of their families. I am very familiar with how substantial support upon returning home can make all the difference. I, along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, welcomed the Boston Red Sox Foundation to our Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Veterans Braintrust to explore and discuss issues concerning our veterans. The Boston Red Sox Foundation's efforts were very impressive. Given the fact that we are welcoming an increasing amount of our soldiers home who will without a doubt be faced with a multitude of problems that we may not yet be equipped to deal with, this discussion is very timely. For this reason, I am heartened that this resolution encourages our Veterans Affairs Department to establish innovative public-private partnerships in the treatment of PTSD. This is a remarkable turning point in our handling of this condition. I again thank the gentleman from New York for introducing this resolution and I urge all the members of this body to stand in support with me to ensure our service members are receiving the care they so rightfully deserve.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. For the first time approaching this rule, it is my understanding that if I want to stop $23 billion from increasing the deficit by knocking out a Senate provision and substituting a Pomeroy, in order to do that I would have to accept the remainder of the Senate bill. I don't think Members of this House should have to make that choice. It seems to me that if you believe that it is inequitable for a handful of people to receive such a large amount of money at the expense of the deficit, at the expense of discretionary spending, that we should have an opportunity, one, to vote against the Senate bill in its present form that does that, and two, to vote for Pomeroy, which would allow us to at least control the amount of tax relief that we give to estate taxes. I yield back the balance of my time, but I do hope we get a rule that will allow us to express exactly how we feel, Republican or Democrat, because if you're not a part of the deal, it's hard to be supporting it.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Tonight is going to be a rather historic vote. In the old days, the House would initiate tax bills, and then we would send it to the Senate, and then the Senate and the House would come together and have what was known as a conference. But it's clear to me that rules are changing fast, and now that the House has spoken in terms of a tax bill, in terms of giving some comfort to those people who are unemployed, it seems to me now that it works that the President works with a handful of Republicans and tells us, on the House side, that if we change anything, there's absolutely no deal. I think the President said that these people that were unemployed were being held as hostage. In addition to that, we find that all of the tax benefits seem to be centered among the people who are the richest that we have in this country, while we find more and more Americans going into poverty. I submit to you that democracy cannot grow with this type of diversity, where we find so much wealth held in the hands of so few and so many other people are without jobs and without hope. It would seem to me that we have time to correct these things. There's nothing in the Constitution or the House rules that indicates that we can't work closer to Christmas. I know other people believe that this would be a violation of Christian values. But helping those people who are poor, helping those people who are without jobs, I submit to you and to Christians, Jews and Gentiles, that this will be the proper thing to do, with the spirit of Christmas, rather than just to do what people outside of the House have dictated that if we don't do it their way, then these people that we have such a moral commitment to will go without compensation, and the rest of the people that deserve a tax break would be denied if we don't go along with the package. So, to Members who are coming to this body, this is a new set of rules, a new set of tradition; but I tell you, it is not the American tradition that I knew and loved so well.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a talented and important member of my staff, Emile Milne, who has retired after more than two decades of service on the Hill as my Press Secretary and Legislative Director. Born in the Republic of Panama, Emile grew up in New York City and studied at Georgetown University here in Washington. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years as a newspaper and magazine reporter and editor in San Francisco, New York and Atlanta. His insight into domestic and foreign policy comes not only from his professional experience but his personal travels throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. His expertise comes from not just covering important episodes of our history like the civil rights movement, but also knowing the people who participated in those movements, some famous, some nameless, but all important to laying the foundation of social change and justice. In a place full of policy wonks and personal agendas, Emile has been a trusted friend and colleague who dispensed wisdom on how public officials can make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. Whether it is speaking to advocates lobbying for legislation or members of the media covering a story, he has the uncanny ability to get to the heart of issues and clearly communicate not just my position, but the position that should be taken. His professionalism, his sense of humor and skillfulness with both people and the pen have served as an example to both veteran staff members and young interns. His daily presence will be missed, but after years of long legislative nights and weekends, he surely does deserve more time off the Hill to spend with his lovely wife Claudette, and his family, and to explore other ways to utilize his God-given talents. Besides, I still have his cell phone number and know that all I have to do is pick up the phone to get a bit of the wisdom and good counsel that he has passed along all these years.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. I don't care what color they are. You send someone up here to defend this country or we're pulling out of here. And that's where we find ourselves today. At a time when we're looking for scientists and researchers and teachers and people to allow this country to maintain its greatness, we find people that were raised in the United States, salute the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Boy Scouts; and these, for all practical purposes, we have invested in them. Now they want to pay back by becoming professionals. This is time for us not to retreat but move forward and support the DREAM Act.

Mr. RANGEL. Thank God that the Native Americans didn't have these immigration laws when they were discovered, you know, by other people. But having said that and forgetting the idea of compassion, I'm reminded that in 1950, when the outfit was surrounded by Chinese and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Vines called up and he says, We need replacement or we've got to get out of here. And they told him that we didn't have any colored replacements. And even though President Truman, in 1948, had outlawed discrimination, still it was that way. Lieutenant Colonel Vines says, I don't care what color they are.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. First, let me apologize to this august body for putting you in this very awkward position today. To the Ethics Committee, I do recognize that it is not a job that many of us would want to have. Last week, as we were reading about the North Koreans attacking the South Koreans, I was haunted by the fact that, on November 30, 60 years ago, I was in Korea as a young, 20-year-old volunteer in the 2nd Infantry Division. On that occasion, in subzero weather--20 degrees below zero--the Chinese surrounded us and attacked, and there were hundreds of casualties wounded and killed and captured. Bugles blared and screams were heard. I was wounded and had no thoughts that I would be able to survive. But God gave me the strength, not only to survive, although wounded, but to find my way out of the entrapment, and for 3 days, I had the strength to lead 40 of my comrades out of that situation. We all were haunted by the fact that so many of my comrades did not survive it. I tell you that story, not for sympathy, but to let you know that, at that time, in every sense, I made up my mind that I could never complain to God for any events that occurred in my life and that I would dedicate my life to trying, in some meaningful way, to improve the quality of life for all Americans as well as do as much as I could for humankind. It is for that reason that I stand to say that I have made serious mistakes. I do believe rules are made to be enforced. I do believe that we in the Congress have a higher responsibility than most people. I do believe that senior Members should act, in a way, as a model for new and less experienced Members. I do believe that there should be enforcement of these laws. There should be sanctions. But if you're breaking new ground, I ask for fairness. In none of the precedents of the history of this great country has anyone ever suffered the humiliation of a censure when the record is abundantly clear and never challenged, and when, in those 2 years of investigations which I called for, counsel on the committee found no evidence at all of corruption, found no evidence of self-enrichment, found no evidence that there was an intention on my part to evade my responsibility, whether in taxes or whether in financial disclosures. There is absolutely no excuse for my omissions for my responsibility to obey those rules. I take full credit for the responsibility of that. I brought it on myself, but I still believe that this body has to be guided by fairness. So that's all I'm saying. I'm not here to complain. I have too much to be thankful for, being from where I am and who I am today. Once again, it has been awkward, especially for my friends and supporters, but I want to respect the dignity of the community that elected me to serve them. I want to continue to serve this Congress and this country and do what I can to make life better for other people, and I think we all agree that, in 40 years, I've tried my darndest to do that. So, at this point, by unanimous consent, I would like to turn the remainder of the time that the Chair has given to me to my fellow colleague, Bobby Scott.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. I fully recognize that constitutionally this body has the full jurisdiction to determine the conduct of one of its Members. My predecessor suffered because they didn't allow him to be a Member before they decided that he should be expelled. But notwithstanding that, we do know that we are a political body; and even though it is painful to accept this vote, I am fully aware that this vote reflects perhaps the thinking not just of the Members but the political tide and the constituency of this body. Having said that and having my opportunity to do what I wanted to do initially, and, that is, to make certain that this body and this country would know that at no time has it ever entered my mind to enrich myself or to do violence to the honesty that's expected of all of us in this House. I think that has been proven, and that has been what I have been asking for. That's why I have admitted to mistakes and was prepared to do what I have done. I understand that this is a new criteria and a breakthrough in order to teach somebody a higher lesson than those that in the past have done far more harm to the reputation of this body than I. But I just would want all of you to know that, in my heart, I truly feel good. It's not all the commitments that I made to God in 1950. A lot of it has to do with the fact that I know in my heart that I am not going to be judged by this Congress, but I am going to be judged by my life, my activities, my contributions to society. I just apologize for the awkward position that some of you are in. But at the end of the day, as I started off saying, compared to where I've been, I haven't had a bad day since. Thank you.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would soulfully report to this body the loss of a great Member, Congressman Steve Solarz, who just left us. He passed away at the age of 70 years. He served in this body from 1975 to 1992. Republican or Democrat, he loved this country, and he fought hard for a sound foreign policy. At this point, I would like to yield to Congressman Jerry Nadler, whose district now takes in a great part of former Congressman Solarz' congressional district.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York, Peter King.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res 1605, a bill recognizing the service of the medical and air crews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home to the United States. These physicians, nurses, technicians, and flight air crews represent squadrons of the Air Force Reserve, Air Force National Guard, and Air Force Active Duty. I thank my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, for introducing this bill, which gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to the dynamic support these crews provide to our troops. We commend these Air Force members for their commitment to the well-being of all our service men and women. Aeromedical services are essential to the success of our Armed Forces, contributing to a survival rate of 98 percent--the lowest mortality rate of any war in U.S. history. Medical and air personnel closely tend to the urgent medical needs of our troops ensuring that they return home with their lives intact. We salute them.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support in recognition of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is celebrated the last Sunday of September. These mothers have given the supreme sacrifice for their country: they have lost a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces. But instead of mourning alone, these courageous women have taken their personal loss and used it to help others in the same situation. Several weeks ago, I hosted the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, along with Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida and Rep. Sanford Bishop of Georgia. At that conference, we were honored to have here with us Ms. Aseneth Blackwell, a former President of the Gold Star Wives of America, a sister organization of the Gold Star Mothers. Both members of these organizations have lost loved ones in service for their country. These honorable women provide support to those who may not know who to turn to. They provide a listening ear and sympathetic voice to the bereaved, because they have been there too. They assist veteran's families in understanding and obtaining the benefits provided by the government for veteran's families. And they make sure that the Nation never forgets those sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces. My condolences go out to any family member that has lost a spouse, a child, or a parent in the service of their country. That is why I am proud to speak today on behalf of this bill that recognizes the sacrifice made by mothers of this country, by observing Gold Star Mothers Day. I also commend President Obama for his proclamation on September 24th, asking the public to observe this special day with them.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to memorialize a beloved young member of our Harlem community, DeAnte Pierre Wilson, whose mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Kelly Temple Church Of God In Christ in my congressional district. His unexpected and untimely passing has left behind a deeply felt void within his church, the Kelly Temple COGIC, where he served as youth minister. That deeply felt void is also extended to his family and friends at the Harlem Hospital Center, where he worked and was admired by all he came into contact. For a man who chose the path to deliver and mentor God's ministry at a very young age and open the hearts of all us with his amazing smile, the loss of DeAnte Pierre Wilson is especially profound to me and to the greater Harlem community in which he lived and served. Mr. DeAnte Pierre Wilson was born in Gastonia, North Carolina on November 30, 1981. After completing his schooling in the Gastonia School District, DeAnte attended World Harvest Bible College, placing his spiritual path in God's unyielding hands. Even at a young age, DeAnte managed to touch the hearts of people as he was called to preach at the age of 16. DeAnte Pierre Wilson relocated and established his roots in Harlem, New York, where he joined Kelly Temple Church Of God In Christ. DeAnte cultivated his spiritual activism and under the leadership of Bishop James H. Gaylord, he was appointed youth president, where he served faithfully until 2007. His primary goal was to encourage the youth of the church, and the community at large to aspire for greatness and perfection. DeAnte could often be found mentoring and counseling a young person, giving them the push needed to reach their set goals and potential. In 2008, DeAnte was ordained elder in the Church Of God In Christ in Brazil, during the time of their Holy Convocation. He then returned to Kelly Temple COGIC, and was appointed youth minister for the Youth Department, where he, along with Ms. Angela Williams, instituted Youth Church. DeAnte was instrumental in bringing young people from various congregations to the church to minister to the youth. I am told that DeAnte had a very extensive resume, but found his calling working with people and doing special events. On December 14, DeAnte joined the Harlem Hospital Center team, working as the Assistant Coordinating Manager in the Office of Special Events. Though his tenure was short, DeAnte managed to touch the lives of many and was especially noted for his pleasantry and poise as he greeted each employee and customer with a smile while working events. DeAnte exhibited world class customer service and expressed a great love for the community he had become a part of. I truly believe that his enjoyment of working with the community led him to enroll in Fordham University and major in political science. He joined the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch, where he helped the branch organize a very special Women's History Month event, ``Love in the Time of HIV.'' The tribute highlighted the strengths of ordinary women winning the fight and contributing to their communities, while surviving with HIV/AIDS. Madam Speaker, DeAnte Pierre Wilson, a giant of a man departed this life on Sunday, November 7, 2010. As it is noted in his obituary, DeAnte will be remembered for his random acts of kindness, his infectious smile, his willingness to strive for greatness, and his drive to push others to their own success. Please join me in celebrating the short-lived life of this amazing spiritual man.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support for H. Res. 1637, the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Act. This act recognizes the importance of efforts to raise awareness of this problem nationally, while educating health care workers about the signs of domestic abuse and its long-term effect. Domestic violence affects people of all races, religions, cultures, gender, age and economic standing. In New York City alone, it is estimated that over 25,000 women suffer some sort of domestic abuse annually. In New York State, over 20,000 women sought assistance from the authorities last year. Although much has been accomplished since the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, much remains to be done. This is not a problem that affects women alone; children, teenagers, men and the elderly can also be affected, either directly or indirectly. For example, research shows that children who grow up in violent households tend to do badly in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, engage in prostitution or become abusers themselves when they are older. This is why it is important for Congress to broaden and strengthen its efforts in educating the public about this issue. I commend Rep. Ted Poe of Texas for his legislation recognizing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the work that needs to be done, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I also commend the work of activists, organizations and law enforcement agencies in raising awareness of this issue.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the sovereign State of New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, before I recognize the next speaker, I would just like to say when voters get an opportunity to ask the question, ``and what did you do to help these people who have given so much of their lives to this cause,'' that you just won't have to say that you tried to save jobs through an abusive tax provision. Our country wants to say thank you. Certainly our New York delegation in Congress does too. One of our Members felt this strongly. He felt it as an American, but he felt it also as a relative that had lost so much in this attack on the United States of America. For purposes of closing, Mr. Speaker, I recognize Joseph Crowley from the State of New York.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. This is not a tax question. This is a moral question. This is one of the most serious abuses that we have in the Tax Code. It has come before this august body before and it has been supported for sound tax reasons. We are here today because we were given the opportunity by Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Nadler and the people of the State of New York to bring this before the House, with the support of the Speaker of the House. We had hoped so badly that this bipartisan issue would get a bipartisan vote. We have an opportunity to say thank you, not for those people who are jobless and helpless, but for those people who gave up their lives and their families that are surviving, and those heroes that came to the site, came to the pile, and exposed themselves to these death- threatening diseases. We have a chance not to talk about loopholes that we have in our Tax Code, but loopholes we have in the hearts of people who want to say thank you to these brave men and women. From all over the country people came, and they didn't thank New Yorkers, they thanked the people who cared about what was happening to the United States of America. This flag is up, this flag is waving, and we really hope everyone gets a chance to salute it by saluting these people to be an example for Americans when anybody attacks us. I reserve the balance of my time.