Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to pay tribute to one of America's heroes, Captain Evelyn Decker. Captain Decker recently passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008, at the Northport Veterans Medical Center in Northport, New York. Captain Decker was one of the first African American nurses accepted to serve in the armed forces' Army Nurse Corps during the Korean War. She served with distinction for 13 years, in World War II and the Korean War, receiving the following medals and citation: American Campaign Medal; National Defense Medal; Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; United Nations Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal with Japan and Germany clasp; Service Lapel Button WWII; and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Specifically, Captain Evelyn Decker belonged to the 38th Parallel Medical Society of Korea, and served as a nurse in the 8055 MASH unit. Nurses were on the front lines facing danger day and night, and Captain Decker was no exception, having been stationed on the front lines for months longer than normal tours of duty called for. During this time, she helped to save many lives and provided incalculable comfort to countless American soldiers. In addition, she did this as an African American woman serving in a segregated military. I know from my Korean War service that nurses valiantly went into harm's way in order to provide medical care for wounded American soldiers. Aware that her war duty had compromised her health, making it impossible for her to serve to the standards she wished, Captain Decker left the army. It was many years before she would receive a 100 percent service-connected disability rating for lung disease caused by her tour of duty in Korea. Furthermore, it would take a full 50 years after her leaving the service before Captain Decker, at the age of 92, would finally be presented with her captain's bars and the several medals to which she was entitled. During all this time, Captain Decker continued to participate in military-related activities, up to and including the current events surrounding the commemoration of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Though frail and wheelchair-bound in recent years, Captain Decker felt it was important to stay involved and ensure that young people understood the contributions and sacrifices made by so many of all races and genders for our country.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the amazing accomplishments of one of America's greatest composers, Irving Burgie; and to enter into the Record an appreciation by Tony Best from New York CaribNews for the week ending June 3, 2008, titled ``Hailed Irving Burgie with Honorary Doctorate, Tribute to Composer of Some of the World's Most Memorable Music.'' Mr. Burgie is most known for his work with Harry Belafonte for whom he composed 34 songs between 1955 and 1960. He composed 8 of the 11 songs on Belafonte's Calypso album, which was number 1 on the Billboard Charts for 32 weeks and remained on the charts for nearly 2 years. ``Calypso'' was the first album of any kind to sell over a million copies, thus making Burgie and Belafonte one of the most successful singer-writer collaborations in recorded music history. Growing up in the West Indian section of Brooklyn, Mr. Burgie became interested in music of other cultures in his travels as a soldier in World War II. He enrolled in the Julliard School of Music, developing a broad knowledge of song literature. His songs not only changed the culture of music but changed the way people taught their children about music. The article describes his music, as music ``that brings hope and puts smiles on faces of people across the globe.'' Mr. Burgie has left a lasting mark on music for many generations. In addition to his outstanding musical career achievements, Mr. Burgie has been very generous in his philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of students interested in pursuing a career in music. Mr. Burgie has dedicated his life to making the world a better place through his artistic and charitable efforts and he is truly deserving of the honorary doctorate presented to him by St. John's University. [From the Caribnews, June 3, 2008] Irving Burgie Hailed With Honorary Doctorate (By Tony Best) ``Concrete examples of committed lives.'' The Rev. John Kettleberger, St. John's University's Director of Residence Ministry was describing two outstanding public figures in the United States, Irving Burgie, composer of some of the world's most memorable music and Sister Anthony Barczykowski, Executive Director of Community Service for the Catholic Church's Archdiocese of New Orleans. Both the composer, an artiste with strong Brooklyn and Caribbean roots, and Sister Barczykowski, whose work in New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina disaster ``brought hope'' to the survivors of the floods and gale force winds that left thousands homeless were hailed before an audience of at least 10,000 students, faculty, parents, relatives and friends of the 2008 graduating class. Each was presented with honorary doctorates of Humane Letters and they were praised for their ``commitment to service'' to others and for the way they channeled their energies and outstanding talents for the good of humanity. Actually, the Rev. Kettleberger spoke about the two honorees as he delivered the invocation at the beginning of the 138th commencement exercises at one of America's leading Catholic schools of higher learning. With almost 3,000 students graduating with Bachelor's, Master's and doctorates, the afternoon of pomp, ceremony and stirring commencement addresses by the Rev. Dr. Donald Harrington, St. John's President, and Whitney Coleman, a graduating senior of the College of Liberal Arts and Science, who spoke on behalf of all the students, was underscored by the smiling faces and tears of joy that flowed freely as proud parents and some of the students themselves were affected by the emotions of the moment. ``It was truly an emotional moment for me,'' Burgie said afterwards as he reflected on the tears he shed on being lauded and presented the doctorate from the University's President. ``I was thinking of my wife who died recently, about the pleasure she would have enjoyed if she were present on this occasion,'' he said. ``But it was also emotional to have my sons, their wives and a granddaughter to share this honor with me,'' Burgie, who had previously received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies, was described by Dr. Julia Upton, Provost of St. John's, as a ``man who used his special gifts to lift the hearts'' and the ``spirits'' of tens of millions of people around the world. As she explained it, Burgie, the son of a West Indian mother used his music to ``bring hope'' and put ``smiles'' on the faces of people across the globe, often at times of great challenges. Indeed, few artistes anywhere had enhanced the national and global landscapes with their music like Burgie, whose songs, among them ``Day-O,'' ``Island in the Sun,'' ``Mary's Boy-Child,'' and ``Angelina,'' were made famous by Harry Belafonte, Dr. Upton said. They sold more than 100 millions in the 50-plus years since they first came onto the musical scene in the 1950s. Most of the songs on the Harry Belafonte album, Calypso, propelled the collection to the top spot on the Billboard Charts and enabled it to become the first album in the history of recorded music to sell a million copies. But he wasn't simply recognized for his artistic triumphs. Burgie, who was recently inducted into the Song writers Hall of Fame in the United States was heralded for the more than $100,000 in scholarships he gave over 25 years to Bajan youth to encourage their writing skills and the musical scholarship endowed by ASCAP to help American students pursue their musical careers. In essence, then, both Sister Anthony and Burgie had devoted their lives to the task of making the world a better place and proof of their success can be seen in the hope they had inspired in successive generations, St. John's University stated. The emphasis on ``hope'' was at the core of the President's commencement address. He pinpointed many of the serious challenges the world was facing and they ranged from the global economic downturn; starvation in Africa; and the global food crisis to the divisive presidential campaign in the United States; and the devastating wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which have cost more than 4,000 Americans and trillions of dollars in U.S. and British taxpayer money. But he wasn't disheartened by the monumental task at hand. Indeed, the President said he was ``optimistic'' because of the many, ``wonderful people'' who had worked hard to transform society, Burgie and Sister Anthony included, and because of the young people, especially the members of the graduating class who were prepared to assume their roles in society. Coleman, the Black student who spoke for the entire class, emphasized the importance of ``giving back'' and the need for individuals and society to ``re-fuel'' when their tanks were running low. Just as important was the need to put the ``exemplary education'' the students had received at St. John's to produce. It was, she asserted, a kind of ``roadmap'' that would guide them at the beginning of life's journey and would help them along the way. At the end of the ceremonies, Burgie who was born and grew up in Brooklyn but whose music has made him a world citizen summed up the situation: ``It was simply wonderful. I thank St. John's for the honor.''

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the Ali Family for 50 years of contributing to the economic vitality and culture of Washington, DC's historic U Street corridor, the ``Black Broadway.'' In each decade in which the Chili Bowl has been in operation, Ben and Virginia have faced challenges that for others contributed to the closing of their business. The violent unrest following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, disinvestment in Washington commercial districts throughout the 1970s and 80s, the complete upturning of the 1200 block of U Street to make way for Metro's green line extension during the late 1990s. Many entrepreneurs have come and gone, but the Ali's and that familiar long white counter with red-vinyl stools have remained stalwart and true. As we enter into a moment in time when the possibility for change is right at our finger tips, it is comforting to know that for which we hope to attain is possible, and can be seen in our not too distant past. Ben and Virginia opened a business to be part of a community, to contribute. Through hard work and commitment, they have been able to raise a family, guide young employees in the lessons of good business, and make and keep appreciative patrons. The neighborhood has changed around them, but their devotion to creating a place where everyone feels welcome, where what is expected is what is served, and where you can listen to the rhythms of what makes U Street so special. They created a place of character. It is in these things that for 50 years we have seen the best part of ourselves when looking through the plate glass window of Ben's Chili Bowl. It is with the next generation of Ali capable hands that the business moves forward.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caribbean- American Heritage Month and the many contributions of persons of Caribbean descent into the American fabric. Despite the lack of wealth and resources available to many in the Caribbean, the region continues to produce exceptional talent and is endowed with a capacity to overcome incredible odds. Our Nation has thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith, and resilience of Caribbean Americans. For centuries, Caribbean Americans have added to the strength of our country. They have been leaders, innovators, athletes, artists, entertainers, doctors, and lawyers. The world has had the privilege of reading the words of internationally recognized Caribbean writers and poets like Jamaica Kincaid, Derek Walcott (who won the 1992 Nobel Prize in Literature), and Edwidge Danticat (a finalist for the National Book Award). We have listened to the creative sounds of Kompa that has its origins in Haiti, Zouk from Guadeloupe, Soca from Trinidad and Tobago, and Reggae from Jamaica. Steel Pans, the only musical instrument invented in the 21st century originated from Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica's First Lady of Theatre and Film, Leoni Forbes, won the Gemini Award for best actress in a comedy. During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the great contributions of Caribbean Americans to our Nation. We recognize that without them, our country would not be what it is today and we pay tribute to the common bonds that unite the United States and the Caribbean.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. The bill H.R. 5781 provides Federal employees with 4 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The introduction of this important bill is crucial to Federal workforce and American families. Paid parental leave will create the opportunity for many employees to become new parents while keeping the balance between work and families. Many of those who oppose this critical bill deny not only the chance for happy family living, but also productivity and effectiveness of the Federal workforce system. Paid Parental Leave Act does not increase the deficit of the budget; it will be paid for through discretionary spending, without hurting the economy or taxpayers. In many countries all over the world, the paid parental Leave is introduced and supported by the government. The U.S. Federal Government should be an example of the family-friendly workplace policies. Members of Congress must understand how crucial the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act is and must strongly support its enactment.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. I want to thank Majority Leader Hoyer, the Speaker, certainly Chairman Obey, Mr. Lewis and my good friend, John Boehner, for inviting me to participate in just one part of this very complex problem that we have faced. I just want to make it abundantly clear that what we were fighting for when we were talking about providing resources for those people that have lost their jobs was not a Democratic position or a Republican position, but it was a position that I'm glad that the minority leader understood, that affected not only the ability of Americans to put food on the table or to clothe their children or to pay their bills, but it really involved the dignity of the middle class. And I will speak briefly to that, because Jim McDermott has the passion and truly understanding that we're not talking about being liberal or being conservative. That Statue of Liberty is up there for people all over the world, for centuries, for people to dream the American dream. And what is it? It certainly isn't to be some type of tycoon that gets preferential tax treatment, and we know that it's not those people who are jobless and homeless. But it's those people that really think that they can have some dignity and pride in providing for their family, sending their kids to school, and maybe buying that first house. When I heard that they were excluded from the stimulus package, because if you give these people money they might be inclined not to seek jobs, that struck me to the heart just as much as if someone snatched the flag and threw it in the street because it's these people that are the consumers. It's these people that dream for a better America. It's these people that everyone does and should aspire to be. And for them to be ignored at a time when, through no fault of their own--and I stress that, through no fault of their own--find themselves without disposable income, find themselves losing the dignity in their communities and in their families, it would have just seemed to me that it would not have been a partisan issue, that we all should just come there and not to give a handout, since there's $35 billion that they paid into, but to be able to say, ``there but for the grace of God goes me.'' And so I want to thank John Boehner, because he never pushed that point in terms of we can't afford to do it. It was just a question of how much can and should we do.

Mr. RANGEL. I hope when we start looking at some other issues, and we're looking to see how we're going to jump-start this economy, that we recognize that it won't be the homeless and the hopeless that we'll be going to. They're not even in the system. It won't be the wealthy, that the President insists that we extend their tax cuts, because they wouldn't even know what the check came in for. But it would be what makes this country so great, what fights our wars, what runs our jobs, what produces for trade, and what makes it the greatest country in the whole world, and that is the middle class. And when they get into trouble, as they are now, I think this Congress should not have a political debate. We should be there to help them because they're what makes our country great. So thank you for giving me the opportunity and thank you, John Boehner, for understanding what we were trying to do.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the work and accomplishments of Ms. Harriet Michel. I would like to thank Ms. Michel for all of her hard work and her contribution to the minority business community. Harriet R. Michel's work as president of the National Minority Supplier Council, NMSDC, has created a platform for the growth of minority business development. Ms. Michel has contributed greatly to the empowerment of minority business owners by creating opportunities to compete for corporate contracts. I would like to again thank Ms. Michel for her great contribution to the minority business community and I would like to wish her luck in all her future endeavors. [From the CaribWoman, June 3, 2008] NMSDC President To Retire in 2009 New York, NY.--Harriet R. Michel, president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), announced that she will retire after 20 years of service effective January 31, 2009. Ms. Michel was named president of NMSDC in September 1988. ``I'm very proud of what the NMSDC has accomplished in my 20 years with the organization,'' said Ms. Michel. ``We have created programs to assist our corporate members in improving their minority supplier development processes, offered valuable training for supplier development professionals and provided thousands of minority business owners with the opportunity to compete for corporate contracts. While it saddens me to leave NMSDC, I have the comfort of knowing that the organization is as strong as it's ever been, and will certainly remain an invaluable asset to corporate America and minority business owners.'' During her tenure, NMSDC'S corporate membership nearly quadrupled, and corporate member purchases from minority- owned businesses increased from $10.5 billion to more than $100 billion. The organization's staff increased from 8 to 22, and its annual budget grew from $2 million plus to $16 million, which has strengthened the affiliate network, too. Since Ms. Michel became president, nine chairmen from major corporations served as chairman of the NMSDC board, including David E. Miller (JCPenney Stores and Catalog, 1986-88); Joseph E. Antonini (Kmart Corporation, 1988-1991); Robert C. Stempel (General Motors Corporation, 1991-93); Arthur C. Martinez (Sears, Roebuck and Co., 1994-1997); George A. David (United Technologies Corporation, 1998-2000); Daniel P. Burnham (Raytheon Company, 2001-03); John M. Barth (Johnson Controls, Inc., 2004-05); and Steven S. Reinemund (PepsiCo, Inc., 2006-07), Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Macy's, Inc., is the current chairman. Under Ms. Michel's leadership, the NMSDC experienced tremendous financial growth and implemented all of the core national programs available to its corporate members and MBEs today. Under Ms. Michel's guidance, the organization expanded the size of its annual conference from 700 attendees in 1998 to more than 7,000. A one-day business opportunity fair was added to the conference, which is considered the nation's benchmark forum for minority supplier development. The NMSDC's Minority Business Information Center was created in 1994. It is the only national centralized source of information about minority business development and trends. The Center's resources include access to online databases; a vast collection of magazines, newspapers and journals with articles pertinent to minority business development; statistical data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census; books containing corporate facts and figures; information on legislation affecting minority business development; links to relevant sites for the government, media, and other organizations; publications, order forms, audio and video cassettes; NMSDC Council referrals for certification; and the organization's e-Newsletter and archives. In 1990, the NMSDC created the annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner-Dance to recognize MBEs and corporations for their long-standing achievements in minority supplier development. Today, more than 1,700 guests attend the event. Ms. Michel will remain in her position through the end of January 2009. An NMSDC search committee will work with a national executive search firm that specializes in non-profit leadership recruitment to fill the position.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise the efforts of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke with regard to the bipartisan resolution that addresses crime in the Caribbean. The prevalence of crime in the Caribbean and its particular importance to the United States are discussed in the editorial ``Resolution Passes House of Representatives'' and ``Crime and Violence in the Caribbean: Clear and Present Danger,'' which appeared in this week's edition of the New York Carib News. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke introduced the resolution to the House floor in the hopes that it would raise awareness about the horrific situation of skyrocketing crime rates in the Caribbean. The resolution unanimously passed the House and hopefully will be followed by support from the Senate and the administration. Crime is threatening the pillars on many Caribbean nations' economies: tourism and agriculture. Crime destroys both people's perception of safety and companies' perception of a sound location to invest funds. Whether America likes to admit it or not, we have played a crucial role in causing this crisis. Contagion is a real concern as extremely high rates of violent crime can easily pass through our porous borders. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke has done America a great service in bringing this very serious issue to the forefront of American politics. I urge Americans to remain informed on the situation by reading the editorials ``Resolution Passes House of Representatives'' and ``Crime and Violence in the Caribbean: Clear and Present Danger'' in Carib News. U.S. Rep. Clarke's Caribbean Crime Resolution Passes House of Representatives Washington, D.C.--Today a bipartisan resolution addressing crime in the Caribbean region introduced by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. The resolution (H. RES. 865) expresses that the United States Government should assist Caribbean nations in taking specific measures toward reducing crime in that region. Below are Congresswoman Clarke's prepared remarks on H.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise and congratulate the Broadway musical ``In the Heights'' for winning four Tony Awards on June 15, 2008 in the categories of Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. ``In the Heights'' written by Lin-Manuel Miranda a Puerto Rican native of Washington Heights, highlights the lives of a Dominican and Puerto Rican community in Washington Heights during three days allowing the viewer to delve deeper into a community that is especially dear to me in that they are my constituents. Not only does this Broadway musical showcase issues that affect any family but it also takes the viewer a step further by seeing how specifically the Puerto Rican and Dominican Latino community in Washington Heights is affected by everyday life and also their perspectives on various issues. I would like to commend the cast and crew of ``In the Heights'' for their hard work and also the very pertinent issues raised in their musical. As Congressman for this specific constituent community I am very proud that this Broadway musical has had so much success and I congratulate all those involved in making it come to fruition.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and pay special tribute to John Mercer Langston, America's first African- American Congressman from Virginia, a prominent abolitionist, and founder of Howard University's law school. While the world is watching America's historic presidential election, with Barack Obama as the first African-American Democratic nominee, it is necessary to recognize the trailblazers that have come before him and the barriers that they have brought down. John Mercer Langston was born in a small county, Louisa, Virginia, in 1829 to a wealthy white plantation owner and an emancipated slave of Indian and Black ancestry. During slavery Langston was able to overcome several racial obstacles. He moved to Ohio when he was young where he attended Oberlin College and obtained a bachelor's and master's degree. He tried to pursue a law degree but racism stopped him from taking the usual route of getting a law degree. He was admitted to Ohio's bar after studying law under attorney and Representative Philemon Bliss. Similar to Obama, Langston was a strong leader and organizer. Langston organize antislavery societies at a local and state level. He recruited African-American men to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was a law scholar, a dean and founder of Howard University's Law School. He was elected in 1888 and served as a shining example to those that came after him. Barack Obama's historic achievement would not have been possible if it was not for people like John Mercer Langston who triumphed over racial hurdles. It is important to acknowledge that it has taken about 180 years to finally see an African-American so close to the Presidency. This is all possible because of the collective bravery and sacrifices of so many before him, and especially the catalyst of John Mercer Langston's, from Louisa County, great accomplishments.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support of the Paycheck Fairness Act introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLaro on March 6, 2007. The first step towards the achievement of equal pay for women was made with the passage and signing of the Equal Pay Act by President John F. Kennedy on June 10, 1963. President Kennedy understood the importance of addressing the ``unconscionable practice of paying female employees less wages than male employees for the same job.'' As a result of the enacting the Equal Pay Act, the wage gap between women and men has shrunken significantly. At the time the Equal Pay Act was signed, women's average wage was roughly a half of what men earned. At the present time, women earn around \3/4\ of the wage paid to men. Undoubtedly, the gap is narrowing consistently, but the rate of such improvement is quite slow. The inequality of payments between women and men not only affects American families, but also American society and the American economy. Despite the fact that the enforcement of the Equal Pay Act and many other civil rights laws contributed to narrow the wage gap, many important disparities remain and need to be addressed. The enactment of the Paycheck Fairness Act creates the opportunity for the Federal government to be more active in preventing and fighting wage discrimination. I hope that many Americans understand how crucial it is to have equal workplaces with equal opportunities for workers and equal pay for comparable jobs, regardless of gender. The American government should take firm actions in delivering concrete steps proposed by the Paycheck Fairness Act in narrowing the unequal wage gap.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the coming of a thoroughly New York and Caribbean affair, a first-of- its-kind Big Apple meeting between the heads of state of the CARICOM nations, the financial movers and shakers in Wall Street, and the city's loyal Caribbean constituency. This two-day Caribbean Community Conference, to be held in New York City June 19 through 20, aims to connect the Caribbean Diaspora with the leaders of their ancestral homes and promote a dialogue regarding the region's economic and social development. The conference arrives at an opportune time, as these nations push forward with their plan for a single, integrated market economy and are faced with the challenges of rising food and energy costs, the contagiousness of a slumping U.S. economy, and the staggering impacts of a skyrocketing inflation. This unprecedented coming together of the minds will emphasize the role of trade and investment as engines of growth. The idea of inviting CARICOM leaders to New York came to me at last year's CARICOM summit in Barbados. It seemed natural to me that these leaders gather in the city where perhaps the largest concentration of Caribbean descendants outside of the region is found. The well-being and livelihood of the Caribbean nations are of paramount importance to these expatriates, but also to New York, and America, as well. We mean to extend a friendly hand to our neighbors to the south--from the member states of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and the Republic of Trinidad to the territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos Islands--and communicate to them that they have neighbors in New York and in this country who are friends and supporters who want to contribute to their successful economic development. These leaders will have the opportunity to interface with the industrial and financial leaders of the city, including meeting with the leaders of the investment banking community in a meeting at Goldman Sachs and being welcomed at a lunch hosted by the New York Stock Exchange, at which a relationship between the Exchange and stock exchanges in the region will be announced. In order to spur their small-market economies, they will need an increased amount foreign direct investment and a disposition to trade that will elevate the living standards of the Caribbean people. The conference kicks off Thursday with a breakfast in Brooklyn, an education symposium at Medgar Evers College, and a luncheon where Governor David Paterson will give the keynote address. That afternoon will feature state and federal trade meetings, capping off with a dinner at Gracie Mansion, hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Friday will offer private meetings where investment, small-market economies, tourism, agriculture, and technology will be the topics of discussion. After a tour of Harlem and a visit to the Schomberg Center, the day closes with a Diaspora Forum at York College. I introduce into the Record an article and two editorials from the New York CARIB News that preview the event as a boon for Caribbean and American relations and having great promise in the establishment of new initiatives that will contribute to the economic development of the region. As partners in the Western Hemisphere, intent on improving the quality of life in their regions, these heads of sovereign nations merit our attentive ear and an outreached hand. May this historic gathering--on New York soil--be that first step. Caribbean Conference Initiative, From Brooklyn to Wall Street Rangel, Great Friend of Caricom Sees Opportunity for Diaspora to Display Pride and For Leaders to Pursue Paths for Economic Expansion It's an initiative with twin-goals, one aimed at the large Caribbean Diaspora in the United States and the other to promote the economic and social development of Caricom nations. And if they are achieved U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, one of the most influential elected representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, would be more than just satisfied. Actually, he was describing the objectives of the two-day Caribbean Community Conference in New York City on June 19- 20. It's a meeting he first suggested to Caricom Heads of Government when he attended their summit in Barbados last year, a few weeks after the region's Presidents and the Prime Minister had completed a highly successful conference in Washington where they met with Congressional leaders as well as U.S. President George Bush and Condi Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State. ``I believe it is important for the heads of government of these sovereign states to come to the City where perhaps the largest Caribbean community can be found outside of the region itself and to meet with their nationals,'' he told an Editorial Board meeting of Carib News and said later in an interview with the paper. ``I would like everybody of Caribbean ancestry and those that work with and love them, to be able to see in person the Heads of Government of these sovereign countries, the Prime Ministers and the Presidents and to be able to identify beyond the United States to reflect on their culture, their backgrounds with pride and enthusiasm,'' Rangel, the Dean of the New York Congressional delegation, added. ``It's our hope that the heads of state and Heads of Government realize that they have very strong friends politically and culturally in New York and in the country. It's our hope that there would be an explosion of pride and joy in what would be a Caribbean and New York celebration.'' But that's not all about the conference. The other plank in its foundation is on the economic side. ``The leaders are very busy people, who come from small market economies and we want to bring them together with the industrial and financial leaders of the City, including the Wall Street executives in order for the Heads of Government to show that their nations are keen to welcome foreign direct investment and boost trade as part of their drive to improve the living standards of their people,'' he said. ``These countries are our allies and friends and their track record of respecting human and property rights and their commitment to the free enterprise system and the rule of law should be recognized for what it is: an outstanding history that shouldn't be ignored by anyone.'' And as if to underscore the emphasis on trade, investment and economic development, Congressman Rangel was instrumental in getting Wall Street to give the Caricom leaders red carpet treatment on June 20th with meetings at Goldman Sachs, the large investment bank whose Chairman and Chief Executive officer, Lloyd Blankfein, is to serve as the host of a breakfast and later an investment meeting at which Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent's Prime Minister, is to be the region's key spokesman. The New York Stock Exchange, perhaps the world's largest and best known, is hosting a lunch for the Prime Ministers and Presidents, the first of its kind ever arranged for the Caricom leadership. ``We see these as important steps forward because they will enable the leaders to exchange ideas about economic growth in the Caribbean and to speak about their aspirations for their own countries and the region as a whole as they push ahead with plans for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, CSME,'' said Rangel. The Ways and Means Committee Chairman also told the Consuls-General and community leaders who attended the Editorial Board meeting that the Congressional Black Caucus was fully behind the Caribbean's efforts to accelerate the pace of their economic and social expansion.''The Caucus has been fully on board on this initiative from the inception,'' was the way he put it. ``Congressman Donald Payne, Representatives Gregory Meeks of Queens, Yvette Clarke and Ed Towns of Brooklyn, Bennie Thompson, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a host of others are very supportive of this undertaking and are confident of its success.'' Several top consular officials including the Consuls- General of Antigua, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti attended the Editorial Board Meeting where Rangel explained that he had recently requested the U.S. Trade Commission to ``evaluate the resources in the islands'' and prepare a report on trade and economic opportunities in the Caribbean. ``I am sure that Caricom and other agencies in the Caribbean have already prepared a similar report but I want to find out where can our (American) investors go and what they would be looking for in terms of mutually beneficial economic opportunities. ``This would be a resource book, not any plan for the Caribbean, but one that would inform us about the thinking of the leaders of these sovereign nations. We want to find out what they believe they can accomplish individually and collectively and in our case to accelerate growth in their countries,'' he said. The Chairman is said to have been instrumental in encouraging the U.S. Special Trade Representative, Susan Schwab to come to Brooklyn on June 19th to meet with Caricom leaders behind closed doors to discuss U.S. and Caribbean trade issues. Rangel considers the Diaspora forums, the sessions on education and other issues designed to give Caribbean immigrants a chance to exchange ideas with their leaders from ``back home'' as being of ``critical importance'' to the successful outcome of the conference because ``they would boost the pride and interest'' of the people who live in New York in the lands from which they came and to which they are inextricably linked. ``There is a sense of unbelievable pride among people from the various islands and nothing would please me more than to see them demonstrating it as they meet their Prime Ministers or Presidents,'' he added.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infections in the Caribbean. Caribbean nations are the areas of the highest occurrence of the HIV/ AIDS disease. United Nations reports that Haiti, Belize, Barbados, the Bahamas and other neighboring countries have the prevalence ratio which comes second only after the sub-Sahara region. The developing countries are hit hardest by these epidemics, which are devastating families, labor forces and economies. Undoubtedly, substantial progress has been made in preventing and treating the disease. Many people in the Caribbean are provided with life-prolonging anti-viral medications and therapies. A growing number of pregnant women are receiving drugs that prevent passing the viruses from mother to child during pregnancy and child-labor. Still, many more people are urgently in need of medications to keep them alive. In 2007, nearly 2.5 million people were newly infected, mainly from the Caribbean and sub-Sahara regions. Developing countries work hard on providing the poor with life-saving medications. It is crucial that they continue such important work. Universal access and reduced cost of disease-fighting drugs remain the main issues in dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I hope that many more Americans are concerned about the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease and join in the struggle against the deadly virus.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I think we are all proud that we are able to at least go back home and face the people who are going through this economic crisis. They are sitting around the table. They know America is not going to let them down. They know that they have hope and vision for the future. They know that they, and others, have had economic setbacks. Because as David Dreier, my dear friend has said, they are in trouble now. They are not working and they are losing hope, but they are depending on everybody, Republicans and Democrats, to be there for them. At the end of the day they will look at each other and ask, What does it look like in the Congress? Are they going to give us a little assistance, a little dignity, a little pride? Can we keep our kids in school? Can we pay the rent? Can we go into the supermarket and have a decent meal over the weekend? They're not going to let us down. No. I don't know about you. I've been here 38 years. And the one thing that I always hear when I get back home is, ``And how did you vote on that?'' I would suggest to you that you staple David Dreier's statement to your newsletter so that they can interpret it with you and say, I didn't vote for you, but I didn't want to let you down. I didn't vote for you, but I did advocate a permanent extension of the President's tax cut. I didn't vote for you, because I really believe that if I give you some money, you're not going to get out there and try to get a job. So you have to take this very carefully. But I hope that when you get home, you'll be able to say, you know, when they first started this, I didn't like the way the Democrats handled it. I didn't like the way they put it on the suspension calendar. I thought that perhaps we should, even though $35 billion is there, I would have liked to have seen it handled different. And I expressed myself about it. But at the end of the day, because I know so many people who know so many people that are not the least bit interested in the parliamentary procedure; they're going to ask the question, ``How did you vote?'' Be able to say I voted the right way.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1265, I call up the bill (H.R. 5749) to provide for a program of emergency unemployment compensation, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I ask that the gentleman's motion receive the consideration it deserves.

Mr. RANGEL. I move to table the appeal.

Mr. RANGEL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that I yield to myself such time as I may consume and at that conclusion the balance of the time allotted be given to Dr. McDermott, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, who was the major drafter of the bill that is before the House.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, here we are again, once again fighting for the dignity of millions of Americans who worked every day of their adult lives, paid into a trust fund, believing if there ever was a need, that their Congress, their Members would respond to it. The compensation that we are offering in this legislation is so meager that it is almost embarrassing to have to fight to get it, and the whole concept that maybe the President believes that if they are given assistance, they would rather not look for a job but rather have these checks. But I think I want America to know that as long as good people want to work, as long as they don't have money to pay their bills, as long as oil prices are up, education, health care, as long as these good people cannot survive and begin to lose their dignity and their pride, as long as these great Americans, middle Americans find themselves in this position, that we on our side will continue to fight no matter what you do. So you can attack us on parliamentary grounds, you can talk about PAYGO, you can talk about suspension, you can go get a veto, but the American people should know that we are not going to give up. We are not going to give in, and that we will prevail. So whatever tactics, language, rhetoric you come up with, at the end of the day when the family says I know I can depend on our Congress, they will be asking: And how do your congressmen vote on this issue? And I hope that you will be guided by your conscience and not your party. So I would like to yield the balance of my time to Dr. McDermott to get into the specifics, but I hope that we will be able, with our vote today, to get into the heart of the American people and let them know that this Congress and this country will not let them down.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of passing meaningful climate change legislation that includes programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time and will affect the whole world, but the brunt of the climate burden will undoubtedly be taken by the poorest populations. Low-lying coastal areas and urban inner cities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The construction of interstate highways has concentrated greenhouse gases in urban communities and increased the prevalence of asthma in those areas. 70 percent of African-American people live near environmentally unfriendly industries like coal fired plants. These plants emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants that adversely affect the air quality in the communities around them. The issue of climate change is not only about African-Americans, but a much broader Black community. The Black Diaspora and Africans are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of environmental inaction. It is estimated that 75-250 million Africans can be affected by the stresses that climate change has on water supply and a rapidly changing ecosystem. The ingenuity of the people of the United States will allow our country to become a leader in curbing global warming by paving the way with well-planned legislation and creating jobs that will boost the economy. Prompt, decisive action is critical, since global warming pollutants can persist in the atmosphere for more than a century. The most important thing to remember is that the most expensive policy is that of doing nothing. We cannot afford not to take action. The impact that climate change has on our ecosystems, health, and food and energy costs is irreversible. By taking aggressive action on this urgent issue, we are showing our constituents and the world that climate change is highly prioritized by the United States and furthermore, it determines the decisiveness and speed with which we as a country will confront this issue in the future.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the life and legacy of a man whose work in Rock 'n' Roll has been called ``ground breaking.'' Bo Diddley was born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928 and passed away on June 2, 2008 at the age of 79. Diddley was raised by his mother's cousin, Gussie McDaniel, whose surname he legally adopted. The family moved to Chicago when Diddley was seven. Bo broke new ground in rock and roll's formative years with his unique guitar work, indelible African rhythms, inventive songwriting, and larger-than-life persona. He will forever be known for popularizing one of the foundational rhythms of rock and roll: the Bo Diddley beat. He employed it in his namesake song, ``Bo Diddley'' (which earned him a rightful place in the Grammy Hall Of Fame). This African-based rhythm pattern was picked up from Diddley by other artists and has been a distinctive and recurring element in rock and roll through the decades. His beats have influenced the music of artists such as Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Otis, the Strangeloves, the Who, and Bruce Springsteen. Diddley is the author of a body of songs--including ``Who Do You Love?'' ``Road Runner,'' ``Mona,'' ``Before You Accuse Me'' and ``I'm a Man''--that are among the earliest examples of rock and roll rising out of rhythm and blues. Diddley married into his music two worlds he knew well--the Deep South and the streets of Chicago. He formed a band called the Hipsters while in high school and landed a regular spot at the 708 Club on Chicago's South Side in 1951. Diddley's earliest records were contemporaneous with those of label mate Chuck Berry. He signed with the Checkers label in 1955 and his debut single was a two-sided classic that paired ``Bo Diddley'' with ``I'm a Man.'' It was the first in a string of groundbreaking songs that walked the fine line between rhythm & blues and rock & roll. Others included ``Diddley Daddy,'' ``Pretty Thing'' and ``Road Runner,'' which were all Top Twenty R&B hits. Oddly, Diddley's only crossover success came with ``Say Man,'' a laugh-filled exchange of jive talk between Diddley and his maraca player, Jerome Green. Their verbal sparring derived from the African-American pastime of ``signifying' or ``doing the dozens'' and foreshadowed the battle rapping of the present day. Diddley was also an inventor, devising his own tremolo effect and playing a unique, rectangular ``cigar box'' guitar that he designed in 1958. His ever-fertile mind also inspired him to set up one of the first home studios. The prolific singer/guitarist released a string of albums whose titles--including Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger and Have Guitar, Will Travel--bolstered his self-invented legend. Diddley also traveled with the rock and roll revues of the day. He retained his iconic status as a rock and roll pioneer, steadily releasing albums on Checkers through the mid-Seventies. Meanwhile, Diddley continued to work the live circuit in tireless fashion. Bo Diddley was one of rock 'n' roll's true pioneers. He has been righteously outspoken on the subject of underpayment, bad contracts and other rip-offs that denied many early rock and rollers (he among them) what was due them and in 1987 he was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. A regular at Harlem's Apollo Theatre, Bo Diddley has indelibly stamped his mark on rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll and popular music. His innovative trademark rhythm, his electric custom built cigar box guitar, and his wild stage shows predate all others. Diddley leaves a permanent mark on American music and culture, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans. The 'Bo Diddley beat' surely will continue on.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5749) to provide for a program of emergency unemployment compensation, as amended.

Mr. RANGEL. I would ask unanimous consent that at the conclusion of my very brief remarks, that my time be yielded to Mr. McDermott who worked so desperately hard with Mr. English to prepare this Congress to do what has to be done for a crisis that we hoped we would never have to experience.

Mr. RANGEL. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you not as a Democrat speaking to Republicans, but as an American who recognizes that if I had to think of one of the most important assets that our country has had, after we talked about our flag, our military, our democracy, I think that we all would agree it's our middle class. They're different from most people. They're not recognized worldwide. They're not the rich. They're not the poor. They're people who struggle every day. But it's their dreams, I think, that make us different from any other country and any other democracy knowing that in this country there is no glass ceiling. And no matter what we accomplish, that we could dream for our kids and for our grandkids, today, through no fault of their own, this dream is being shattered. It's being shattered by the deficits. It's being shattered by war. It's being shattered by losing our kids, losing our jobs, losing our hope, increased price of oil; and people are concerned about where do we go from here. I suggest to you that no one can challenge the fact that this country cannot go any further than our middle class. So it's up to us to find out how do we handle this and how to explain, at a time when they're at most need, not just in terms of dollars and cents but in hopes that this country is going to pull out of this as we have in the past. So what did Mr. McDermott and Congressman English do? They said no matter what happens in this country, whether we win or lose, you can depend on one thing: We will not give up on the American middle class. Now, you could talk about deficits and trust funds, you could talk about PAYGO, you could talk about anything; but you're not going to let this country drown because of technicalities. The middle class is there when we need them. They're there to consume and to buy if they have to. They're there to fight and die in our wars. And now comes an opportunity where we come here together and we say it's not much, we've got to struggle to repair the economic damage, but in the meantime, those of you who have worked every day, those of you who we've not said ``thank you'' to, we're saying that we're going to be there because through no fault of your own, our country has let you down. I yield back for the technical things, but I do hope when we get back home that all of us can say, We didn't do everything that we wanted to, but at the time this bill came up for suspension, we were there for you.