Charlie Rangel

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Joint Statement issued by the Bush Administration and the Caribbean Heads of State at the conclusion of the CARICOM summit. I cannot underscore enough the importance of a consistent and progressive relationship between the United States and the Caribbean. I am pleased with the success of the Conference on the Caribbean held in Washington DC, last week with the members of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. To hold such a historic meeting during Caribbean-American Heritage Month speaks to the understanding of the administration to the importance of maintaining a fruitful partnership with our neighbors in the Caribbean. During their visit to the United States the heads of states of CARICOM requested to meet with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives with whom they have worked on issues affecting the Caribbean and Members who sit on committees with jurisdiction over issues affecting the region. Fourteen members of the delegation, including the President of Guyana, Vice President of Suriname, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago met with members of the House Ways and Means Committee for an Executive Session that I organized. Among the topics we discussed during this executive session were the Caribbean trade preferences expiring next year and their possible extension, as well as the provision of enhanced assistance of the U.S. Government to the CARICOM Secretariat for capacity building to implement its single market. In order to expand economic opportunities at home and in the Caribbean, there is a need to update and expand the Caribbean Basin Initiative. President Bush stated his intentions to work with Congress to extend the reach of the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act as well as the 1991 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, TIFA. Expanding the TIFA to include services benefits our Caribbean neighbors in light of services being the backbone of CARICOM economies. At the forefront of the services offered by many CARICOM countries are professional financial services. Our support for recognizing the regulatory and transparency compliance of CARICOM countries--10 of which are listed alongside 34 nations in current tax haven legislation--should be addressed. By investigating and recognizing the compliance of these nations, in line with the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, definition of tax havens, legislators can remove their names from current bills that could prove detrimental to developing Caribbean economies if passed. In addition to the House Committee on Ways and Means, the heads of states met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Black Caucus. During the meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated the commitment of the House leadership to address the challenges facing the nation of Haiti. Having shared values and interests in regional security, the Caribbean Community and the United States can best achieve democratic aims by fostering regional understanding and accountability. Greater support for regional security goes beyond sharing resources and ideas to protect our borders, but it also encompasses the threat of HIV/AIDS. After Sub-Saharan Africa, the largest population of HIV/AIDS infected individuals resides in the Caribbean. In Congress, we continue to provide funding to assist nations in the region address this challenge. Haiti and Guyana are two of the nations that will benefit from the funding provided to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR; we are also pushing to include funding to expand this initiative to all Caribbean nations. While the national security threats of our countries are different in terms of scale, we must work to ensure cooperation in the fight against drugs, small arms, and transnational crime, all which threaten the entire region. Rising crimes rates in the Caribbean can be attributed to a deportation process that does not widely consider the negative impact on receiving countries. Criminal deportees sent to the Caribbean often have established themselves in the United States, and being sent to the Caribbean without financial or social support can foster poverty in the region. The situation of poverty, if left unaddressed, increases the transnational pressure to adopt extremist ideology. We must therefore be committed to decreasing the incidence of crimes leading to deportation through the sharing of resources and information. There must be a regional effort to address threats of terrorism in the United States and the Caribbean. Supporting Haiti's reconstruction process should also be a priority of the U.S. government. As the second free-state in the Western Hemisphere, how we treat Haiti as a recovering democracy is how we treat ourselves. As Haiti makes efforts under the leadership of President Preval to rebuild, the U.S. can serve as an important bilateral partner. The need to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitian nationals in the U.S. is urgent to ensure the protection of Haitians as well as remission preservation during the country's time of recovery. These remissions are crucial to the welfare and survival of Haiti from recent environmental and political difficulties. As the cornerstone of development, educational collaboration should be sought in the Western Hemisphere to promote higher living standards and stronger democratic institutions. We must support increased exchanges between U.S. and Caribbean students. The Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007 introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee presents an opportunity to fund educational development and exchange programs between the U.S. and the Caribbean. I encourage my colleagues to support greater relationships with our friends in the Caribbean. The prosperity and security of our region depends on the decisions we make today to foster collaboration and effective communication between the U.S. and our CARICOM neighbors. Overall, I believe that the members of CARICOM had very productive meetings in Washington, DC, and laid the foundation for future discussions and a commitment to help the CARICOM nations meet their 20/ 20 Vision. Joint Statement: Conference on the Caribbean 1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the United States of America and of the Caribbean Community Nations of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, meeting in Washington DC, on June 20, 2007, reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to a secure and prosperous region and future for the benefit of all of our citizens. 2. Recalling our shared history of democracy, respect for human rights, social justice, and cultural and ethnic diversity, we highlight the value of our enduring friendship and recommit ourselves to enhancing our partnership to reinforce the development aspirations that guide our mutual priorities. 3. We pledge to continue promoting the consolidation of democratic norms, values, and institutions throughout the hemisphere and to enhance accountability and respect for individual rights. 4. We agree to take steps to expand economic opportunities for our people, to address the threats of terrorism and crime, and to provide the benefits of democracy to all members of our societies, recognizing that democracy will best flourish if our societies are stable and our economies are prosperous. 5. We recognize the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy as a critical element of the growth and development strategy of the Caribbean Community. 6. We are determined to strengthen our existing trade arrangements. We acknowledge President Bush's announcement to work with Congress to extend and update the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act and the 1991 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. We further commit to the harmonization of customs procedures consistent with global standards and the advancement of technical trade cooperation. 7. We reiterate our support for Caribbean efforts to expand the services sector, and encourage a focus on the international financial services sector to facilitate a competitive means of economic diversification while remaining committed to the maintenance of appropriate regulatory and supervisory practices, consistent with the highest international standards. 8. Cognizant of the spread of HIV and AIDS and the impact on the economic and social development of our people, we pledge to deepen our cooperation in health and welcome the initiative to continue PEPFAR in the Caribbean. 9. Cognizant that more than 95 percent of CARl COM's energy needs are derived from fossil fuels, we pledge to increase cooperation in this area to achieve sustainable, secure, and affordable access to energy for all our citizens. 10. We agree to increase cooperation efforts in the field of education and workplace training. We commit to strengthen teacher training by expanding the Caribbean Centers for Excellence. We also commit to strengthen human capacity in the Caribbean to meet the demands of a 21st century employment environment through partnering with academic institutions and non-governmental groups as well as through skills training for youth via the Entra-21 program. 11. We declare our intention to negotiate an agreement on cooperation in Science and Technology including Information Communication Technologies. 12. We recommit to our ongoing efforts of cooperation in the area of disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery. 13. We acknowledge the multidimensional nature of the security threats and challenges faced by our countries and pledge to continue to work together in the fight against terrorism, trafficking in persons, drugs and small arms, and transnational crime. 14. We also acknowledge the successful security partnership developed to secure the CARICOM Region during its hosting of the Cricket World Cup 2007. To this end, we agree to continue strengthening the Region's security infrastructure. 15. We recognize the need to work more closely on immigration security issues in a manner respectful of national laws and government services capacity and sensitive to the effects of human displacement. We will jointly work toward the expansion of the pilot reintegration program for deportees in Haiti to include other CARICOM member states. We will develop new ways to facilitate, coordinate, and communicate between our immigration services. 16. We are heartened by the substantial progress in Haiti made by the Government of President Preval, with the support of international partners. We recognize that Haiti will continue to require substantial regional and international support in the implementation of a consistent and long-term strategy of institution and capacity building, and pledge to work together with the three branches of the Haitian Government. 17. On the occasion of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we pay tribute to the generations of Caribbean-Americans who have helped shape the spirit and character of the United States of America and who continue to contribute to the growth and development of the Caribbean.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record a two-part series published in the New York Daily News by Erin Einhorn and Carrie Melago entitled: Room 206: Then and Now. This series chronicles the challenges faced by twenty students who began together in gifted kindergarten class at Harlem's Public School 36 but have taken diverse paths in terms of academic and personal development. Many of these students are succeeding against the odds to earn high school diplomas, while others have become causalities of societal forces arising from circumstances in their homes and community which conspire to tear them down. Citing family support and self-motivation as building blocks for their perseverance, the students graduating from high school this year who were once in Room 206 represent what minorities in New York City can accomplish despite institutional inefficiencies and personal difficulties. More than half of the African-American and Hispanic-American students who enter New York City public high schools do not graduate in four years. Some of the challenges faced by the students cited in the New York Daily News series included the lack of useful teaching and sufficient guidance counseling due to the overcrowding of schools, family tragedy, and peer pressure to join gangs. However, 16 of the 20 students interviewed will graduate this year on schedule from high school: 3 from public schools outside of the city, 2 from private city schools, and 11 from New York City public schools. The series also illustrates the diverse paths two young men can take with similar family backgrounds but dissimilar backing in terms of academic and professional development. One student had the support of counselors, teachers, and a mentor, while the other student had none of the above and efforts to gain the attention of the under-staffed guidance office by his mother were fruitless. The first young man will graduate this year from high school and pursue a bachelor's degree in law or medicine, while the latter was pulled out of high school to protect his life from rival gang members and will attempt to complete a GED program for the third time this year. Both young men aspired to earn high school diplomas, but the disparity of sponsors within the New York City public school system can be attributed to their contrasting positions. We must work to ensure that our students achieve academic success and do not become victims of circumstances that can divert their path of learning. I encourage my colleagues to support the enhancement of middle and high school curricula and human resources that can provide the greatest opportunity for minority students disproportionately affected by school inefficiencies. Room 206: Then and Now (Erin Einhorn and Carrie Melago) The year is 1994, and the kids gazing out at the camera for their annual class photo have just entered the New York City public schools. As the girls smile broadly and some of the boys try to look tough, they're captured at a time in their lives when the future seems so far away. But in the 13 years that followed, the 23 kids who had the good fortune to test into the gifted kindergarten at Harlem's Public School 36 would see their class splintered by adversity and fate. One of the girls would grieve the murders of both her parents. One of the boys would be arrested three times and spend a week on Rikers Island. One would get involved in a gang. Another would attend a city high school so violent she'd see four knifefights in four years. Their very personal stories illuminate a sprawling public school system where some children find ways to flourish but many become lost. Nearly 60% of black and Latino New York City public school students don't earn a diploma after four years of high school. But somehow, most of the youngsters who donned navy blue uniforms with little red ties to pose with teacher Rhonda Harris would beat the odds. ``It's a very big struggle, very big, trying to give them a good education, trying to have them stay out of trouble,'' said Denise Ortiz, a mother of six whose daughter Estrella was in that class. The Daily News spent two months tracking down the children of Room 206, finding 21 of the 23. Eleven report they're graduating this month from New York City public schools, two from city Catholic schools and three from public schools in other cities. Two are still enrolled and working toward diplomas, and three have drifted away from the daily grind of education, unsure if they'll find their way back. Kelvin Jones, who dropped out last year, is one of the lost. ``Once you leave, you're going to get too used to this outside life, sleeping all day, doing what you're doing,'' he said. ``You ain't ready to go back to school.'' The children of Room 206 could be from any public school. The News chose them by chance, starting with a top Harlem high school, Frederick Douglass Academy, and asking to meet with top seniors. That led us to Kamal Ibrahim, a standout who plans to major in physics at Carnegie Mellon University. He gave us the name of Mrs. Harris, his kindergarten teacher. She led us to her 1994 class. We found Kamal's classmates by word of mouth, public records and the Internet. Most agreed to tell their stories. Three refused. They made different choices along the way, but all of them started in the same place: a well-regarded school carved into a rocky bluff at 123rd St. and Amsterdam Ave., across from the Grant public houses. The year the students of Room 206 started kindergarten, budget cuts meant students were crowded together in aging classrooms. Schools in poor neighborhoods were staffed with high numbers of uncertified teachers, and a lawsuit filed the previous year alleged that the average guidance counselor had to work with 700 kids. These youngsters were off to a good start at PS 36, a K-2 school, but there were problems ahead. Some of their families left town in search of better schools and safer streets. Some scraped together pennies for Catholic school tuition. Others used fake addresses or pulled strings to navigate a public school system that's as much a tale of inequality as the city itself. In third grade, Jermaine Jackson enrolled at Harlem's PS 144, which was so chaotic the Board of Ed shut it down in 2001. In a crowded class there in 1997, he became distracted--and lazy, he said. He fell behind and had to repeat the third grade. ``'It's not really their fault because I didn't try, either,'' he said. Artavia Jarvis says she was hit by a teacher in the fourth grade at Harlem's PS 125. Her parents promptly enrolled her in parochial school, saying they'd rather remain in public housing so they could afford her tuition. Artavia doesn't think she would have graduated from public school. ``I would have continued being bad,'' she said. Other kids fell off track in middle school or high school, including Morgan Hill, whose mother moved her to New Jersey in ninth grade. ``I miss New York and that's where I want to go back to, but I think this was the time that I should have gone away,'' she said. But Room 206 also produced public school success stories like Unique Covington, whose grades and writing skills got her into a small, creative sixth through 12th grade school in lower Manhattan called the Institute for Collaborative Education. Her middle school classes had 17 students, enabling her to build close relationships with teachers. In high school, instead of exams, she wrote up to 20-page research papers and presented them to panels of teachers and students. Bound for the University of Hartford in the fall, she credits her success to great schools, an involved mother and herself. And then there's Letricia Linton, who was 3 when she witnessed her mother's murder and 10 when her father was shot in the head by a mugger. She was raised by a powerhouse of a grandmother who pushed her to succeed and to draw on her past for strength. Tragedy ``made me want to do more with my life because I see how short life is,'' she said. Graduating Thursday from Frederick Douglass, Letricia knew she'd be successful because she had the right ingredients. ``You have to have family support,'' she said. ``You have to have a good relationship with teachers. You have to have motivation within yourself. . . . And you have to have hope.'' They were smart children who tested into a gifted kindergarten at Harlem's Public School 36 in 1994, but Lance Patterson and Ronnie Rodriguez would each fall in with the wrong crowd. Lance would be arrested. Ronnie would join a gang. Their challenges were similar, but they've ended up in very different places. One has a mother who will watch him don a cap and gown this week. The other has a mom who blames herself. ``I should have kept a closer eye on him,'' Sandra Lugo said of her son, Ronnie. ``I should have been on him maybe a little harder, been a little stricter.'' What happened to the two boys on their travels through the city's public schools tells an important story about the fates that divide kids into the half who graduate on time and the half who fall off track. Lance and Ronnie are two of the 23 kids from PS 36 whom the Daily News tracked down 13 years after they entered school to see how they fared. Both boys are the sons of single mothers who dropped out of high school, but vowed their sons would succeed. Ronnie's mother lied about her address three times to get him into good public schools. Lance's mother enrolled him in the Boy Scouts and other activities to engage his mind. But when Ronnie started getting into trouble, his mother was the only one to notice. ``No teacher ever called me to say he was failing or nothing like that,'' she said. Lance, in contrast, was surrounded by supportive teachers, an attentive guidance counselor and an inspiring mentor who helped keep him on track. ``There was always someone in his corner,'' his mother, Lorraine Patterson, said. ``A lot of kids don't have that, but he was lucky to bump into people who said, `I care. I think you can make it.' '' Ronnie was a good student until middle school, when he began to socialize more. His grades slipped and his only option for high school was Louis D. Brandeis High, a massive upper West Side school then known for its gangs and its large number of dropouts. ``The classes were jokes,'' Ronnie said. ``You'd go to class--it's everybody playing around, yelling, screaming, doing whatever they want, so if I'm not learning, I might as well just do what everybody else is doing.'' Everybody else was cutting, he said. A friend told him he'd be marked present if he attended just the first three periods of every day, so that's what he did. His mom arranged a meeting with a counselor to try to set Ronnie straight, but the meeting was chaotic, she said. ``I understand they're short-staffed but. . . it wasn't a priority to have Ronnie motivated or to have him do better.'' When he returned to school in September 2004, after being held back in ninth grade, Ronnie buckled down. ``For that month, I was doing everything I needed to do,'' he said. But he had a poor academic foundation from middle school and began failing tests. ``I'm thinking in my head: `Why am I doing all this work if I'm not going to pass?' '' That's when he gave up and joined a gang, he said, first a local school gang, then the Latin Kings. His mother tried to get him a transfer to another school after he was chased one day by rival gang members with knives, but when that didn't work, she pulled him out of school. ``I didn't want my son to end up getting stabbed or hurt or even killed,'' she said. Since then, he's tried two GED programs, but neither has been a good fit. He plans to try again next year so he can join the Army. ``It's sad, because it's not what I want for him,'' his mom said. ``I know college is not for everyone, but I thought he'd at least get a diploma.'' Brandeis Principal Eloise Messineo did not return calls seeking comment. Lance, the class clown of his kindergarten, had strong elementary-school grades that got him into the well-regarded Frederick Douglass Academy in sixth grade. ``He was a little pain in the neck,'' Principal Gregory Hodge said of Lance. ``I think I met with his mother 10 to 15 times, on the low side.'' But Lance was bright, his teachers encouraged him and he looked forward to coming to school. He came every day, sometimes on Saturday, even after he got into trouble with police, he said. Juvenile records aren't public, but Lance says he was charged twice as a juvenile, once for stealing a woman's purse and once for picking a fight with a stranger on the street. He was also arrested as an adult when he was 16. Those records have been sealed, but he said he was charged with a hate-crime assault that he wasn't involved in. The charges against him were dropped, but not until he'd spent a week locked up at Rikers Island, he said. It was one of the only weeks of school he's missed. ``Actually, I think it was good for me,'' Lance said. ``It clicked in my brain and made me want to do better, like, `Oh, no, you can't do this. You've got to do better for yourself if you don't want to be in and out of jail. It's not fun.' '' The juvenile court assigned him to a program called Esperanza that paired him with a caring mentor three times a week for six months. The mentor, Laurence Fernandez, was the father figure Lance needed. Lance also had a guidance counselor who stepped in and teachers who cheered him on. But in the end, he did the hard work. He's bound for college in the fall and hopes to become a lawyer or a doctor. ``I want to do better than to just sit at home, working a regular job,'' he said. ``I want to do better for myself. I know I can do anything.''

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues here in the House, wonderful news about one of my constituents--one of Harlem's most beloved living legends--Dr. Muriel Petioni. In addition to her many accomplishments and awards, Dr. Petioni-- noted physician, community activist and educator--recently received Barnard College's highest honor when she received the Barnard College Medal of Distinction at the College's 115th Commencement Ceremony. Located in my 15th Congressional District in New York, Barnard College is an independent liberal arts college for women affiliated with Columbia University. Dr. Petioni was recognized for her commitment and tireless service to the Harlem community where she has worked for almost six decades to ensure that the residents receive the best quality healthcare possible. This remarkable woman is a true public servant, an advocate for all people, and a woman whom I am proud and honored to call my friend. Dr. Petioni--congratulations. [From the New York Beacon] Dr. Muriel Petioni Receives Barnard College's Highest Honor Dr. Muriel Petioni, physician, educator, community activist, and Harlem living legend, received the Barnard Medal of Distinction--Barnard College's highest honor--at the College's 115th Commencement ceremony May 15. The ceremony took place on Barnard's historic Lehman Lawn in upper Manhattan. Dr. Petioni was honored for her almost six decades of service to the Harlem community, where she has worked diligently to ensure that the underprivileged and underserved, especially women and children, receive proper medical attention and equal access to health care. Accompanying Dr. Petioni to Barnard's commencement were the Honorable David N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor of the City of New York; the Honorable Percy Sutton, former Manhattan Borough President; Dr. James E. Gunther, pastor emeritus of the Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Harlem; Dr. Conrad Graves, founder and president of Central Harlem Inter-Agency Programs; her son Charles (Mal) Woolfolk; Hanif Shabazz, executive producer of Light Action Production; and Nicola Barlow Licorish. ``It is hard to believe that Dr. Petrioni celebrated her 93rd birthday this past January. She has managed to do so much and touch so many in such a short time,'' Mayor Dinkins said. ``If asked, she will tell you that her secret lies in her ability to (as she says) `go with the flow and ride with the tide.' '' In addition to honoring Dr. Petioni, Barnard College celebrated the achievements of distinguished actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith; acclaimed writer Joan Didion; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof; and vice president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and former president of Bryn Mawr College Mary Patterson McPherson. All five honorees were awarded the Barnard Medal of Distinction, and Smith delivered a rousing keynote address on the importance of art and activities. This year couldn't be more appropriate for Barnard, the historic liberal arts college for women, to honor Dr. Petioni. 2007 marks the 70th anniversary of her graduation from Howard University Medical School, where she was the only woman in the College of Medicine's Class of 1937. This trailblazing accomplishment became only the first of many in an illustrious career dedicated to community health care and the advancement of women in medicine that has spanned eight decades. ``Dr. Petioni's career is simply remarkable--not solely for her extraordinary accomplishments and the many barriers she's broken through, but for all that she has given back, to Harlem, to medicine, and to generations of women who've followed her,'' said Judith R. Shapiro, president of Barnard College. ``We at Barnard are honored and humbled to present Dr. Petioni with the Medal of Distinction.'' The Barnard Medal is just one of many honors that have recognized Dr. Petioni's achievements. The Dr. Muriel Petioni Hospital in Yele, Sierra Leone, West Africa was established and named after her in May 2006, and in April 2007, plans were announced for the creation of the Dr. Muriel Petioni Charter School for health, scholarship and community leadership in New York City, for students from first grade to high school. Born in Trinidad and raised in Harlem, Dr. Petioni knew from an early age that she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her physician father. After graduating from medical school, interning at Harlem Hospital Center (one of the first white hospitals to integrate), and serving as a college physician at several universities around the country, Petioni returned to Harlem and set up a private practice in the same office her father had used on West 131st Street. She treated patients in the community for the next 40 years, sometimes making house calls, primarily to the poor, the underserved, mothers with small children, and the elderly. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Petioni worked tirelessly to serve her community in other ways--serving for thirty years as school physician in Central Harlem for the New York City Department of Health, founding the Friends of Harlem Hospital Center in 1987 to raise funds and provide support for the 120-year-old hospital, and sitting on the boards of numerous worthy organizations, including the Harlem Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, the Columbia School of Social Work, the American Cancer Society, the Harlem Council of Elders, and the Handmaids of Mary. Perhaps Dr. Petioni's greatest influence though has been felt by the generations of young female physicians she has mentored and encouraged. Dr. Petioni not only personally mentored countless individuals, but also built organizations dedicated to the advancement of women in medicine. In 1974, she founded the Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society for Women, a professional association dedicated to the empowerment of black women physicians. In 1976, she established the Medical Women of the National Medical Association, now known as the Council for the Consensus of Women, and served as its first president. Dr. Petioni has also worked diligently with the Coalition of 100 Black Women for over 25 years, developing a mentorship program to guide young black women into careers in medicine. The idea was bold for its time. Founded in 1889, Barnard was the only college in New York City, and one of the few in the nation, where women could receive the same rigorous and challenging education available to men. Today, Barnard is among the strongest liberal arts colleges in the country, and the most sought-after women's college. Increasing Diversity in Higher Ed Faculty Remains a Challenge (By Ami Burger) Despite 30 years of affirmative action and hard work, the ranks of faculty of color in higher education remain frustratingly small. In 2003 (the most recent year for which data are available), the Chronicle of Higher Education reported that less than 12 percent of full professors in America were people of color: six percent Asian, three percent African American, two percent Hispanic, and 0.3 percent Native American. For female faculty of color, the numbers are even more dismal: In 2003, only 1.2 percent of full professors were African American women, one percent were Asian women, 0.5 percent were Asian women, 0.5 were Hispanic women, and 0.1 percent were native American. Closer to home, the outlook isn't much brighter. The University of Minnesota reported that four percent of its full-time tenured faculty were people of color that year, the same percentage as the University of Iowa, Purdue University, and the University of Chicago. According to Nancy ``Rusty'' Barcelo, the University of Minnesota's vice president and vice provost for equity and diversity, those low numbers reflect the academy's need for entirely new models in the faculty recruitment process. ``Our advertising, our position postings, our mission statements, our compacts--all of our institutional documents and actions need to reflect that diversity is a core value in everything we do,'' Barcelo says. Faculty diversity at the University of Minnesota is at the heart of the U's ``Keeping Our Faculties: Recruiting, Retaining, and Advancing Faculty of Color'' symposium. Held at the University four times since 1998, Keeping Our Faculties is the Nation's only conference focused entirely on increasing faculty of color in colleges and universities. The 2007 conference, held April 12-14, attracted over 300 participants and presenters from 115 different institutions. ``The idea of merit is so ingrained into the culture of higher education, but who's deciding what is `meritorious'?'' asks Caroline Turner, who originated the idea of the faculty- of-color discussion while an assistant professor at the U of M and is now a professor at Arizona State University. ``If we're going to increase the numbers of faculty of color, we need to redefine merit to include more than just these academic journals or only those graduate schools,'' she says. ``The lens has to be widened.'' One notable success story in the effort to diversify the faculty is the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, nine-week summer research-apprenticeships for undergraduates who are first-generation, low-income, or part of groups who are underrepresented in graduate programs. These research apprenticeships, which are directed by a faculty mentor, are designed to increase the rate of doctoral program completion by these students. Hundreds of colleges and universities, including the University of Minnesota, participate in the program, which has shown significant success in building a ``pipeline'' of students of color into graduate school. In 2003-04, more than 2,100 students participated in the program, and of those students, more than 56 percent enrolled in graduate school in the fall of 2004. The importance of mentoring graduate students and junior faculty of color was a common concern of symposium attendees. ``If there was one theme I heard repeated throughout the conference, it was the need to provide mentoring for faculty of color,'' notes Barcelo. A number of breakout sessions focused on mentoring programs at institutions including the University of Georgia, Creighton University, and Indiana University, which have found some measure of success in retaining faculty of color. ``I remember seeing a magazine ad years ago that said `Great minds don't think alike,' '' adds Turner, ``and I thought to myself, `Wow, they've got it right!' Academia will not be able to keep up with the global economy and the educational needs of our students if we don't have all our minds--the minds of women, of racial and ethnic minorities, of all underrepresented groups--at the table and in the classroom.''

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1830) to extend the authorities of the Andean Trade Preference Act until September 30, 2009, as amended.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as most of us know, some time ago in 1991, President Bush, with bipartisan support, reached out to the Andean countries and extended favorable treatment as related to their exports to the United States. This has proven successful in making it possible for these countries to get substitute crops for coca, and, therefore, it has been tremendously successful in building up a market for the people in this area, as well as people in the United States of America. Right now, however, there are four free trade agreements that are pending that haven't passed the House as yet, which includes, of course, Peru. So as we speak, there are two countries for which free trade agreements have not been negotiated, Colombia and Peru. If we were to allow this provision to expire, we would find ourselves in the situation where these countries and their tariffs would be in disarray. Because of the shortness of notice, and because we have to avoid the expiration, I have been able to work with Mr. McCrery in our committee to get, not a 2-year extension that we would really want, but at least an 8-month extension to avoid irreparable damage from being caused during this period, at which time we will again able to review the situation in the free trade agreements and also the substance of the continuation of the Andean Trade Preference Act, trade promotion agreements. I also would like to say, in working with Mr. McCrery of the committee, the Members of this House should know that the cooperative spirit in which we got this extension extended to the point that we had to really go to the other Chamber in order to work out what we're able to do today. Mr. Speaker, at this time I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield 4 minutes to Mr. Levin, who's been the subcommittee Chair on Trade and has done an absolutely great job in spearheading this bipartisan approach of this sensitive subject. (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RANGEL. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), an outstanding member on our committee.

Mr. RANGEL. I'd be glad to.

Mr. RANGEL. Let me thank my dear friend from Washington and indicate that I share your concern. At the end of the day, America must have a trade policy that helps workers here at home and provides opportunities for workers overseas. As the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I can assure you that I will work with you and others to be sure that we can improve our trade policy as it relates to developing countries. In the case of GSP and the benefits the administration may propose to eliminate, let me make it abundantly clear that on our watch we're going to expand opportunities to the developing world and not curtail them. I'm pleased to know that you're working on some innovative ways to improve our trading ties with Africa and Least Developed Nations. Let it be clear to you, the Congress and everyone else that if the administration proposes to impose tariffs on products coming from poor countries, and that such tariffs serve no development purpose, I will be working with you to move toward legislation to prevent that from happening. And let me add this, that your constant concern about making America look like it's a country for freedom and opportunity and providing trade with these nations has been indicated by your leadership in the African growth and opportunity bill, the Caribbean Basin Initiative, and I hope to continue to work with you to bring opportunities for people in developing countries and make our country all that she can be.

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the chairman of the committee, Mr. Levin, and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to express my support for House Concurrent Resolution 80, introduced by Congressman Hank Johnson. This is the first action to be taken by the House concerning the continuing conflict in northern Uganda which has claimed so many lives. I am a proud cosponsor of a resolution calling for an unprecedented and historical effort to peacefully resolve the Ugandan conflict and garner international support for an ongoing peace process. Jan Egeland, former United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has described the crisis in Uganda as ``the biggest forgotten, neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today.'' Twenty years of conflict has afflicted Uganda's innocent civilians, including women and children, with experiences of torture, displacement, rape, murder and enslavement. The ensuing violence impedes trade, development and democracy, and prevents humanitarian workers from providing much needed assistance to the region. Peace talks last year appeared promising; however, the ceasefire has expired and there is concern about the possibility of a return to armed conflict between the government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). We live in a global society. This conflict and its aftermath are an international responsibility. Immediate action must be taken to ensure that the peace talks continue in northern Uganda. House Concurrent Resolution 80 calls on the Ugandan government and LRA to recommence peace talks and urges the U.S. and international community to support the peace process. I commend these efforts, endorse this bill, and look forward to a day when armed conflict and human rights violations no longer afflict our world.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to pay tribute to and show appreciation for the Caribbean American Medical and Scientific Association, CAMSA, and to enter into the Record an article from CaribNews entitled ``Saying Thanks and Recognizing the Contribution.'' Health care is an integral component of our Nation's well-being, yet many communities are left without the resources to access that care or receive health services that are not compatible with their cultural needs. CAMSA is on the cutting edge of health care delivery, providing culturally competent research and solutions concerning Caribbeans who have emigrated to the United States. CAMSA is creating significant professional alliances with non-Caribbean American health professionals, developing skills and strategies to better provide resources to their communities in both the United States and Caribbean nations. I value CAMSA's contribution at a time when policy makers and health professionals are seeking ways to deliver health care and culturally relevant social services to communities that disproportionately bear the burden of disease yet lack the health care they need. CAMSA is improving the delivery of health care, making it more accessible to our Nation's Caribbean population; and I applaud their contribution to the health field.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Library Day on the Hill during the American Library Association's (ALA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. On June 26th, 2007, library supporters and sponsors will gather on Capitol Hill to display the diversity of library resources available in the United States. I am glad to support this initiative and look forward to celebrating the wealth and freedom of information that we have in this great country. Information resources are the foundation of effective research, reporting and analyzing. Our libraries serve as a principle medium through which our communities access educational resources and electronic databases. In New York, the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) supports our local libraries and provides funds for New Yorkers to access electronic databases through NOVELny, our first statewide virtual library. LSTA is also focused on strengthening the relationship between library organizations and policy makers in order to facilitate better communication and collaboration. In line with the New York State Education Department's mission ``to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York,'' targeted library support will ensure the greatest benefit of library resources to all New Yorkers. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting Library Day on the Hill, June 26th, 2007. The services provided by our libraries are inimitable and by raising awareness of our library collections we display the freedom of information resources available in America.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the H.R. 2366, Small Business Administration (SBA) Veterans' Programs Act of 2007, an act to reauthorize and invest in the veterans entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration. As a Korean War veteran, I appreciate the sacrifices the brave men and women who defend our country make and how great a challenge it can be to return successfully to civilian life. I can relate to their struggle to obtain employment and start businesses after their service. I am supporting this act not only because it reminds me of the sacrifices of these veterans, but because legislation like this sends America a message that Congress believes in supporting and giving the necessary tools to our veterans to help them in their transition when they return from war. With this act, veterans will have the means and information to compete and participate in our economy. It is imperative that Congress let them know that we care about the sacrifices they have made and hardships that they have endured for this Nation. Further, this act will benefit healthy veterans, disabled veterans, military units, federal agencies and veterans organizations by providing them the information required through an advertising campaign to promote awareness and education of the services available at the centers. Providing knowledge through the use of technology-assisted online counseling and distance learning technology to overcome impediments that veterans and Armed Forces service members can face enables veterans to access vital information. Finally, it is up to Congress to do everything it can to ensure the most comprehensive service is given to all our service members. We will be taking one more step to accomplish that by supporting this act. We have the best military in the world. The best soldiers in the world. Let's have the best benefits for our soldiers. They deserve no less. Like General Douglas MacArthur said, ``the soldier who is called upon to offer his life for his country, is the noblest development of mankind.''

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of African American musicians as we celebrate Black Music Month. Music has a deep historical significance to African Americans, who are truly the founders and keepers of American music. The roots of gospel and blues can be traced back to the slave plantations. During slavery, African Americans sang songs and clapped hands to communicate with one another and to uplift their spirits. The music helped to sustain enslaved people and provided an outlet to express their hopes and fears. During the Civil Rights Movement, African American musicians offered encouragement and hope for an America in which all people would be treated equally. By creating and popularizing gospel, blues, jazz, funk, disco, pop, and hip-hop, they have inspired and entertained people from all races around the world. I wish to thank President Carter, who in 1979 initiated the annual celebration of Black Music Month each June. Each succeeding president has continued to proclaim June as Black Music Month. Among the many talented and gifted African American musicians, who have inspired us in ways that transcended their music, I have introduced legislation in the 110th Congress to honor Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, James Brown, and Ray Charles. Their commitment to uplifting America through song and activism has made them legendary. Lionel Hampton, an accomplished jazz musician, band leader, U.S. goodwill ambassador, became a musical icon in a career that spanned more than 50 years until his death in 2002. He composed more than 200 pieces and was honored by President Clinton with the National Medal of Arts in 1996. The University of Idaho's music school and annual jazz festival are named in his honor. The extraordinary Lena Horne was not only a Broadway performer, world renowned singer, and actress, she was a steadfast civil rights activist. Putting her career on the line, she proudly spoke out against racial discrimination. As a result, she was blackballed. However, her hardship was not in vain because she has been a trailblazer and role model for aspiring African American entertainers. She was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989. Her most recent album Seasons Of Life was released in January of 2006. She currently resides in New York and on June 30, 2007, will turn 90 years old. James Brown, the ``Godfather of Soul,'' who passed away in December of 2006, was a monumental influence on popular music in America and around the world. During the sixties, many of his songs were more than dance hits and became anthems for the Civil Rights Movement. His music instilled pride in African Americans as they were fighting for equality. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was the recipient of the 34th Annual Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. The phenomenal Ray Charles overcame blindness and personal problems to become one of America's most inspiring artists. His music advanced the civil rights movement and united Americans. He has been credited with singing the most popular rendition of America the Beautiful. His version of Georgia On My Mind was made an official Georgia state song and he was ranked number ten in 2004 for Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artist of All Times list. In that same year, he passed away. I introduced legislation to award him with a Congressional Gold Medal. These musical legends and many other African American musicians have contributed to American music and the nation's cultural identity around the world. I urge my colleagues to support legislation to honor them. I also urge my colleagues and people around the world to celebrate, honor, and cherish the contributions of African American musicians, especially during Black Music Month.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. The tear that you hear in the voice of the gentleman from Michigan is felt by everybody that knew Guy Vander Jagt. I was with him on Tuesday morning with his beautiful wife Carol, and I would want everybody who knew this man to know that there was a big smile on his face, that wonderful voice of his was resonant, and even though he did not stay lucid for long periods of time, the only thing, the only thing that he talked about was his House of Representatives. I really sincerely hope that those Members, Republican and Democrats, that had an opportunity to see a true Republican with the compassion and sensitivity and understanding that it takes all of us to make this Congress and this country work, that maybe those of us who knew Guy would make some kind of special effort to be tolerant with each other, which is what he was talking about, in hopes that new Members that never had the opportunity to enjoy that type of camaraderie will move in that direction. We will miss him, but those who knew him, we have a constant reminder that when things get rough for us on this floor, there was a guy like Guy Vander Jagt, and as strong as a Republican as he was, that he cared enough about this House to care for all us.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historical importance of June 19. This is the day that signifies the initial abolishment of slavery in the United States. As you are aware, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 to declare freedom of all slaves in the territories of the Confederate States of America by January 1, 1863. Despite the proclamation being issued in September of 1862, most people did not know about it because the infrastructure of communication at that time was no where near as sophisticated as it is today and slave owners undoubtedly did not want their slaves to know about their freedom. On June 19, 1865, troops descended on Galveston Island in Texas to impose the proclamation. Since then, June 19th has been celebrated and recognized as the day slaves were freed. The name Juneteenth is a compilation of portions of the word June and the 19th day of the month. June 19th is an official holiday in Texas and is recognized in some States including New York as an official holiday. It is extremely important that we not forget the institution of slavery. It represents a very dark part of our history in the United States. The cost and sacrifices of people who were enslaved are immeasurable. For those who lived long enough to be set free, their strength is awesomely inspiring to me and nothing short of a miracle. When I reflect on slavery and the suffering endured, I am humbled and feel grateful for the steadfastness, courage, and faith of my ancestors. I would not be where I am today, if it were not for them. On this day, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to remember the injustice of slavery and celebrate the abolishment of it. So much progress has been made in our great country towards the rights the forefathers and other great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned for all Americans. We shall continue to advance civil and human rights, embrace diversity, and treat each other with dignity and respect.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month. The imprint of Caribbean-Americans on the foundation of the United States is indispensable. This June, we Americans have the opportunity to celebrate the history, accomplishments, culture and global influence of people of Caribbean descent past and present. Caribbean-Americans have significantly contributed to the ethnic diversity that strengthens and enhances our stature in the international community. From the platform of St. Mark's Church in New York City to the halls of Congress, Caribbean-Americans such as Marcus Garvey and Congresswoman Barbara Lee have effected the civil rights and federal legislation that serve as building blocks in American history. Even in times of war, Caribbean-Americans support our efforts at home and abroad by serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, thousands of Caribbean-Americans are fighting to achieve stability in Iraq. In a wide variety of fields, people of Caribbean descent have transformed the Nation we live in today. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Con. Res. 148, recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise, on behalf of myself and Ways and Means Ranking Member Jim McCrery, to recognize Webster Phillips, a distinguished executive at the Social Security Administration. Mr. Phillips is Associate Commissioner for Legislative Development. On July 3, he will retire after a career of public service spanning more than 30 years. Mr. Phillips began his public service as a member of the United States Army. After his military service, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam, he began his career in the Social Security Administration as a Claims Representative in the local office in Alton, IL. He was promoted to the Operations Supervisor in the Rock Island, IL Social Security office in 1980. In 1983, Web was selected as a management intern and completed a series of developmental assignments in the Chicago Regional Office and in SSA Headquarters in Baltimore. In 1987, Web moved to Baltimore and joined the staff of the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs. Since 1995, Web has been assigned to SSA's Legislative Affairs Office in Washington. He was selected to serve in his current position as Associate Commissioner of Legislative Development in February 1999. Ways and Means Committee Members and staff of both parties have had the pleasure of working with Web on many issues relating to Social Security during his tenure at SSA. The Subcommittee on Social Security, in particular, has benefited greatly from Web's in-depth knowledge of all aspects of Social Security policy and operations. Web has been unfailingly responsive and professional, and always provides Members and Committee staff with timely, accurate, and thorough information and analysis. Of special note is his contribution to the development of the legislation, enacted by Congress in 1994, that established the Social Security Administration as an independent agency. It is important that we in Congress recognize the men and women who devote their working lives to improving the lives of others. Career civil servants usually do their work in quiet anonymity behind the scenes, but provide vital service to the Congress and the American people. Webster Phillips is one of those people. His record of leadership at the Social Security Administration and his commitment to providing the American people with effective and compassionate service is a record of which he can be justly proud. We wish Web all the best in his retirement from the Social Security Administration and thank him for his many years of dedicated federal service.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of Americans of Caribbean descent during the celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. I also recognize the special ties between the nations of the Caribbean and the United States, a relationship that will be manifest and renewed later this month in a dialogue between Heads of Government of the Caribbean and our own national leadership, led by President Bush and including members of his cabinet and the Congressional leadership as well, on June 19-21 in Washington, DC. While the significance of Caribbean Americans to the building and advancement of America cannot be fully expressed, I will acknowledge several contributions they have made to the very fabric of our Nation. People from the English speaking Caribbean have helped shape this great land as the earliest and largest source of Black immigrants to the United States. Caribbean Americans such as Virgin Islander Edward Blyden, along with West Indian Americans George Padmore, Marcus Garvey and Claude McKay influenced the course of civil rights in America. The contributions of these individuals alone comprise over one hundred years of writing, empowering, and engaging the policies and values that serve as the cornerstones of this country. The founder of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, was born in Haiti, and Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress, is also of Caribbean ancestry. Colin Powell, the first African-American Secretary of State, is of Jamaican heritage. Today, Caribbean Americans continue to serve as catalysts for change by serving in local, State and Federal Government, among which include Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who introduced the legislation in the House to recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who served as the first Director of Business Development for the Bronx Empowerment Zone. Caribbean-Americans have fought to protect and defend our Nation during times of war. In the struggle for American Independence, over 500 Haitians joined colonial troops against the British at the Siege of Savannah. In response to President George W. Bush's current efforts to assist a young and fragile democracy, hundreds of Caribbean-Americans fight in the U.S. Armed Forces to bring stability in Iraq. In business, education, law enforcement, entertainment, sports, religion, and public service, the force of Caribbean-Americans has energized the Nation to achieve superiority in the international community. I invite my colleagues to join with me in celebrating the contributions of people of Caribbean descent and in support of H. Res. 418 commending the Caribbean Community (CARlCOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean in Washington, DC, from June 19 to 21.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the transatlantic voyage of the Freedom Schooner Amistad vessel, which is scheduled this month in commemoration of the bicentennial abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the United Kingdom and the United States and to enter into the Record an article from Carib News entitled ``Amistad To Sail in Bid To Build Understanding and Unity.'' I am pleased know that on June 21, 2007, the Freedom Schooner Amistad vessel, a replica of the original ship in which Africans that were kidnapped upstaged a revolt, will set sail from New Haven, Connecticut, on an 18 month transatlantic journey called the Atlantic Freedom Tour to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolishment of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the United Kingdom and United States. College students from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Atlantic Basin countries will partake in this historic voyage that will duplicate the notorious slave route while studying maritime issues, environmental issues, and the slave trade. These students will also serve as crew members. This commemorative voyage offers an excellent opportunity for people all over the world to learn about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its profound impact then and now on those who survived the high seas and the countries in the Western Hemisphere where they were enslaved. Awareness and acknowledgement of the immeasurable sacrifices and suffering endured should never be forgotten. Although the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a dark part of world history, its abolishment symbolizes the initial key steps towards growth and progress in race relations and human rights globally. I introduced a resolution to commemorate the abolishment of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the United Kingdom. Thus, I applaud and appreciate the Amistad America organization for sponsoring this project. I further applaud my colleague, Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut, for supporting this effort by serving as Honorary Chairman of the Atlantic Freedom Tour. I urge my colleagues to consider participating in commemoration activities that will occur in the United States next year when our own great country celebrates the bicentennial of legislation abolishing the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Amistad To Sail in Bid To Build Understanding and Unity New Haven, Conn., June 5.--AMISTAD America Chairman William Minter recently announced the Freedom Schooner Amistad will be departing its home port of New Haven on June 21st for its 2007-2008 Atlantic Freedom Tour. This historic transatlantic voyage--an epic 18-month journey commemorating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom and next year in the United States--will promote the values of understanding and unity represented by Amistad itself. The Freedom Schooner Amistad, the vessel for change, is a replica of the original ship that was commandeered by Africans who had been captured in 1839. Attending the Farewell Ceremonies being held in New Haven on June 21st will be dignitaries from the countries being visited by Amistad during its historic tour. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, Honorary Chairman of the Atlantic Freedom Tour will also welcome U.S. luminaries. ``We are pleased that the international community has embraced Amistad's Atlantic Freedom Tour,'' stated Chairman Minter. ``This Tour represents an opportunity to share the values of Amistad--freedom, collaboration, and justice--with communities around the Atlantic Basin with a particular outreach to linking students of all ages.'' Ten college students from the UK and the U.S. will augment the initial crew of the Amistad when it sets sail on its voyage to retrace the infamous slave trade route. In addition to sailing duties, students will be responsible for class study on maritime and environmental studies, as well as the social and economic history of port cities and the legacy of the slave trade. A total of 50 students from countries around the Atlantic Basin will participate as Amistad student/crew during the voyage. From its first stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Amistad will travel to England, arriving in London in early August in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Abolition Act passed by England's Parliament. The Amistad will then join in the Liverpool National Museum's public opening of the International Slavery Museum on August 23rd, the UNESCO designated Slavery Remembrance Day. The ship travels on to Bristol before continuing its voyage to Portugal and the West Coast of Africa, marking major points in the history of the slave trade. In December the Amistad will sail into the harbor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the original West African homeland of many of the Amistad captives. This symbolic ``homecoming'' will be a capstone event of the Atlantic Freedom Tour. The Amistad will return to the United States via the Caribbean and Bermuda in Spring of 2008 and travel to multiple ports coming up the East Coast as the U.S. commemorates the bicentenary of legislation to ban the importation of slaves. To find out more about the Amistad Atlantic Freedom Tour, visit http://www.amistadamerica.org.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to acknowledge the significance of Lorraine C. Miller's appointment as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 110th Congress. Her accomplishment as the first African American and the first woman of color to serve as Clerk of the House is unprecedented. As a member who has admired her work, respected her professionalism and considers her a friend, I am honored to acknowledge her historic appointment. Although Ms. Miller has served the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 20 years, her passion for public service began long before she came to the Hill. After graduating from Texas State University in 1975 with a Bachelor's degree in political science, Ms. Miller returned to her home town in Fort Worth, Texas to work in the public school system as a high school teacher. While Ms. Miller appreciated the value in her position as an educator, she possessed a strong desire to work in government. For 10 years she consistently sent written requests to work in Congressman Jim Wright's office. Her persistence availed and she worked with Congressman Wright for over a decade, gradually working her way to being his executive assistant when he became Speaker of the House. Ms. Miller has also worked as a facilitator with House Speaker Tom Foley; as senior advisor to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi for the past 6 years; and with various federal agencies and initiatives. She is also an active member in her church and has been President of the Washington Branch of the NAACP since 2004. Ms. Miller has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public service and leadership in legislative responsibilities. While her recent appointment as Clerk of House is an addition to her many accomplishments, it is truly a monumental and historic occasion. Since the inception of the Office of the Clerk in 1789, no African American or woman of color has ever possessed its title and responsibilities. Under Congresswoman's Pelosi's recommendation, Ms. Miller has broken through barriers and has set new standards for women and people of color. It is a privilege for me to recognize her achievement.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to show support of and solidarity with Congresswoman Barbara Lee's House Resolution 422 introduced on May 21, 2007 calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to ``use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur.'' The atrocities of Darfur have carried on way too long and it is necessary for us to broaden our efforts. The issuance of Executive Order 13067 by President Clinton in 1997; its renewal and expanded scope through President Bush; as well as the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006 all indicate the commitment of this Nation to ending the ongoing and escalating human rights violations in Sudan. While the unilateral economic sanctions imposed by the United States are important, it is not enough: U.S. sanctions alone have been unable to discourage or discontinue the rape, killing or displacement of millions of civilians. It has become increasingly clear that multilateral targeted sanctions enforced by the international community have the potential to pressure the Sudanese government into action to end the conflict in Darfur. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, investor in Sudan's infrastructure and oil industries, and supplier of Sudan's weapons, the People's Republic of China possesses an enormous amount of power to pressure Sudan to end the genocide and comply with the initiatives of the United Nations. Their support is integral in an international effort to end the Darfur conflict. House Resolution 422 brings overdue attention to the People's Republic of China's longstanding economic and military ties to Sudan and urges China to effectively use these ties to compel Sudan to take steps to stop the attacks on civilians and comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions. As hosts of the Olympic Summer Games of 2008, with a slogan of ``One World One Dream,'' it is only fitting for the People's Republic of China to join the international community in our effort to bring stability to the nation. I applaud Congresswoman Lee's efforts to engage international support to end this conflict.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week of awareness gave us the opportunity to highlight the issues and concerns that minority cancer patients and their families face on a daily basis. It is important that we acknowledge the challenges present for minorities who suffer with cancer so that we can take the necessary steps to alleviate these barriers. Cancer patients endure chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical operations and other forms of medical treatment to fight the numerous types of cancer. The medical community continues to conduct research to find cures for cancer and develop more effective ways to treat individuals struggling with the disease. Unfortunately these medical advances are out of reach for many minorities dealing with cancer. The American Cancer Society has documented that the advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment has evaded minority groups: Minority populations often face numerous obstacles receiving equal access to prevention, early detection, and quality treatment and tend to receive lower quality health care than white patients even when insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are comparable. Racial and ethnic minorities may lack health insurance, earn lower incomes, and experience language barriers, racial bias, and stereotyping which can affect interactions between patients and physicians and contribute to miscommunication or delivery of substandard care. Eighteen percent of African Americans and 35 percent of Hispanic/ Latinos are uninsured, while only 12 percent of whites lack health insurance. I applaud the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for bringing national awareness to the issues faced by minority cancer patients and for their efforts in celebrating National Minority Cancer Awareness Week.

Mr. RANGEL

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bestow praise to Lt. Governor David Paterson of the great state of New York for his commitment to empowering Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE). His initiative to start this dialogue has shown the lack of contracts that MWBEs receive from the major agencies and authorities in the state. Lt. Governor Paterson's leadership in this initiative will help to improve procurement practices in New York State by ensuring that MWBEs receive contracts that they are fully capable of performing. Lt. Governor David Paterson's commitment to MWBEs will benefit businesses throughout the state just as the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone has done for business development, jobs, educational and health programs, and social services in Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Today I enter into the Record an article published by the New York CaribNews highlighting the efforts of Lt. Governor Paterson for the advancement of MWBEs in New York State. [From the New York CaribNews, May 15, 2007] Lt. Governor Pushes Agenda To Benefit Minority & Women-Owned Businesses Albany, NY.--Taking an important step in fulfilling a campaign pledge to usher in a new era of accountability in the area of state government utilization of Minority and Women Owned Businesses, Lt. Governor David Paterson convened a meeting of executives from the state's major agencies and authorities. This historic gathering of state decision makers was part of a mandate issued in an Executive Order signed by Governor Eliot Spitzer on February 18th which, among other things, establishes an executive Leadership Council to examine state procurement practices and increase the utilization of qualified MWBE's. Lt. Governor Paterson, who is leading the state's efforts to improve its MWBE program told Executive Leadership Council members, ``Last year the state spent over $11 billion in discretionary expenditures and MWBEs only received 3% of state contracts. This administration will reserve the negative inertia of the past 12 years and push to build the capacity of MWBE firms and increase the utilization of qualified MWBEs.'' After laying out the vision for the new MWBE initiative, MWBE Development Executive Director Michael Jones-Bey explained the purpose of the Executive Leadership Council sating that, ``This will be a forum to discuss best practices for implementation of procurement policies. It is also a means to hold agency executives accountable for compliance with state MWBE procurement laws.'' For many in attendance the highlight of the meeting was where agency executives made their presentations. Each executive delivered a PowerPoint presentation reporting their agency's previous quarterly utilization of MWBEs for expenditures in the areas of construction, construction consulting, commodities, and services. This was followed by a presentation of their goals. This unprecedented public airing of MWBE agency performance was followed by a general group discussion of ways to tackle some of the common problems encountered by agency executives.