Steven Rothman

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I say to my colleagues, America's number one ally in the Middle East, our strategic partner and our dear friend for 52 years, the State of Israel, is today fighting for its very life. Our friend, the State of Israel, who helped us in the Persian Gulf War against Saddam Hussein and in so many other crises in the region and on a day-to-day basis when, as our military is described, America's aircraft carrier in a sea of trouble, is fighting for its very life. We remember who fought against us in the Persian Gulf War. Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Authority supported Saddam Hussein against America and its allies. Chairman Arafat rejected an offer for an independent state for the Palestinian people just a few months ago, an offer made by Prime Minister Barak of Israel. He did not like the terms. What did he do? He was supposed to, under the Oslo Accords, continue negotiating. Instead, he walked out, made no counteroffer, left the negotiating table. Days later, violence ensued and lots of innocent people have been killed. The Palestinian people deserve a leader who will negotiate peace without resorting to violence. Until they get such a leader, the people of the United States need to stand with their friend, the only democracy in the region, America's strategic partner; the only democracy in the region who was traditionally called Satan by the people of the region, along with America, as the Great Satan. We wish peace for all of the peoples of the region. They are all good people; they deserve peace and democracy. Until the Palestinian Authority gets leaders who are committed to peace and can rein in their extremists, just as Israel needs to rein in their extremists, we will not have peace. Support America's friend until the other side is willing to come back to the negotiating table and negotiate a peace and not send their children into the street to be killed for CNN's purposes.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to S. 2438. I oppose this bill because it is weak and does next to nothing to ensure the safety of my constituents who live or work near a natural gas pipeline. Sadly, thirteen years after the National Transportation Safety Board first recommended that pipeline operators inspect their pipelines to identify corrosion or other mechanical damage--nothing has been done. The Department of Transportation has not moved on the NTSB's 1987 recommendation and no regulations exist today to force pipeline operators to regularly inspect their pipelines. I am deeply concerned over the issue of pipeline safety because in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation, tens of thousands of residents live and work near areas cris-crossed by pipelines. As my colleagues from New Jersey will remember, it was only six years ago that a massive natural gas pipeline explosion occurred in Edison, New Jersey. That pipeline explosion destroyed eight apartment buildings and disrupted what was once a stable neighborhood. Mr. Speaker, there are plans to today to expand a natural gas pipeline in Bergen County, New Jersey, a pipeline that would run very near a residential neighborhood and a playground in North Arlington, New Jersey. How can this Congress, in good conscience, pass a bill that simply extends the status quo--and does not require the Department of Transportation to issue any meaningful regulations designed to address pipeline safety issues? What will we say when and if a pipeline problem harms innocent individuals in North Arlington, New Jersey or elsewhere in America? I urge my colleagues to oppose this weak bill that fails and honor our obligation to protect the public's safety.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for all his fine work in introducing this very important legislation. Mr. Speaker, my message is very simple. Congress must give local school boards the resources they need to keep guns out of their classrooms. Mr. Speaker, do my colleagues remember the time when guns were routinely involved in the airline hijackings? What happened? Airlines installed metal detectors. That was 30 years ago. Here in the Capitol, after several tragic incidents involving guns, the Capitol Police installed metal detectors here. Today, when we have elementary schoolchildren bringing guns into their schools, and this phenomenon has occurred across the country, it is now long beyond time to give local school boards the help they need to keep guns out of their schools. Therefore, we must pass the Secure Our Schools Act, a bill which I introduced along with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) and others, which is part of this conference report. Under this bill, Federal matching grants would be provided to any school that requests help to pay for metal detectors, security cameras, or other security devices, or to train school officials in security matters, or to work with local law enforcement officials. I am very pleased that this bill, with bipartisan support, overwhelmingly passed the House Committee on the Judiciary. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our distinguished ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), for all his assistance and to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), without whom this bill would not be on the floor today. In particular, I would like to mention and thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his invaluable work in reaching across the aisle to assure bipartisan support so that America's children are protected from guns entering their classrooms. Some young constituents of mine, middle school students from Saddle Brook, New Jersey, said it best when they wrote to me and said, ``School is supposed to be a place where we feel safe.'' Let us give them and their local school boards the resources to keep guns out of their schools. I urge my colleagues to vote for this conference report.

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne). (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin). (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern over a provision of H.R. 4919, the Defense and Security Assistance Act Conference Report, that we are considering today. I understand that Section 514 of this conference report allows U.S. aid to Egypt for the entire Fiscal Year 2001 to be disbursed in a lump sum no later than October 31, 2000, and placed in an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve, thereby earning $25 to $30 million in additional funds for the Egyptian Government during the course of 2001. The provision, which can only be seen as a reward of additional U.S. taxpayer dollars to Egypt, is poorly timed: At a time when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek is indicating that he will move to recognize a unilaterally declared Palestinian State, in direct contravention of U.S. policy; At a time when the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Amr Mousa, is demanding that a future Palestinian State have Jerusalem as its capital, a fact which directly contravenes the will of the U.S. Congress, which has repeatedly gone on record affirming Jerusalem as the State of Israel's undivided capital; At a time when publications supported by the Egyptian Government have been undermining the Middle East Peace Process by printing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic diatribes; Why, at this time, would we seek to reward Egypt with $25 to $30 million in additional U.S. aid, especially when close to $2 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars already goes to Egypt every year? I think it is more appropriate to ask why Egypt is obstructing the Middle East peace process and why our longtime ally is not serving as a helpful facilitator, a role Egypt played back at the 1978 Camp David talks. Rewarding Egypt when it hurts America's efforts to help Israel secure a lasting peace with the Palestinian people is wrong. To be a friend, to be deserving of more U.S. aid, Egypt should work with the U.S. and help bring a new dawn of peace in the Middle East. Notwithstanding my support for this bill, I urge my colleagues to think long and hard before they appropriate more U.S. aid to Egypt.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, as a co-sponsor of H.R. 4975, designating the post office and courthouse located at 2 Federal Square in Newark, New Jersey, as the Frank R. Lautenberg Post Office and Courthouse. I can think of few individuals who have done so much for New Jersey to earn such an honor. Senator Frank Lautenberg is the personification of the American Dream. He was born to poor, hard-working immigrants in Paterson, New Jersey. It did not say Senator on his birth certificate. He had to work for everything he got. Frank Lautenberg enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served proudly in Europe during World War II. And thanks to the G.I. Bill, he received an education and used it to build a company from scratch. That company, ADP, is now the largest payroll company in the world, and employs 33,000 people. Frank Lautenberg unselfishly used his success to help others. He has been one of the United States Senate's most tireless advocates for improving the health of all our families. The list of his accomplishments is both distinguished and long. He has been one of the most strident advocates in taking on the tobacco companies to help our children. He was the leader in outlawing smoking on commercial flights. He authored the nation's first Right to Know environmental legislation. He established 21 as the national legal drinking age, reducing drunk driving deaths. He helped to write Superfund, and the Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water Acts . . . And so much more. It is impossible to find any piece of major legislation that improves public health that does not have Frank Lautenberg's fingerprints on it. And as the capstone of his career, as the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, he co-authored the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997 that has helped produce the first balanced budget in a generation, and perpetuates an unprecedented era of prosperity. On a personal note, Frank Lautenberg has always been there for me when I needed him, as a friend and a leader of the New Jersey delegation. That is why I am honored to be there for Frank Lautenberg. I hope everyone will join me in thanking him for his public service and granting this honor.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Chairman, first I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), for all his assistance in putting together this bill; and of course, I want to recognize my dear, dear friend, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), who in my 4 years now in the Congress I have not found an individual of higher integrity and moral purpose than the gentleman from Utah. It is just a pleasure to serve with him. I thank him for his leadership on this issue. As an original cosponsor of this bill, I welcome this legislation's intent to permanently authorize appropriations for the United States Holocaust Museum. By passing this bill today, this body will give the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, quite appropriately, I believe, the same permanent authorization for appropriations that is currently reserved for the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives. Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is in America's vital national interest to continue the way in leading and in remembering and preventing the crimes against humanity that are depicted in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is the exact purpose served by the Holocaust Museum and a purpose that will continue to be realized if we pass this resolution today. During the past 7 years, 61 heads of state and 2,000 foreign officials from over 130 countries have toured the Museum and learned more about the horrors of the Holocaust and about what can happen. Each year, more than 25,000 teachers nationwide are provided with materials and training on the continuing lessons of the Holocaust. And since its opening in 1993, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has welcomed over 13 million visitors. What is the lesson of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum my friends? The lesson is that ignorance, hatred, and intolerance, if left unchecked can result in the slaughter of innocent millions and millions and millions of men, women, and children. Whether we study the holocaust or any other genocide, we can learn these lessons, it is the role of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that serves this purpose today. We need to make sure that the slaughter, the shame, and the scars of this Holocaust and all the genocides of the 20th century are never repeated.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Caryn Bart of River Edge, New Jersey, a nurse who works at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, who went far beyond the call of duty to help a family with their struggle through a horrible tragedy. Armando and Erika Herrera, from Garfield, New Jersey, who both work at Holy Name Hospital, recently suffered the tragic loss of their seven-year-old son, Daniel. On June 9, 2000, mother and son traveled to visit relatives in Hungary. Two days later, while Mrs. Herrera lay down flowers at her mother's grave, an elevated headstone tipped over, fell, and fractured Daniel's skull. As Mr. and Mrs. Herrera were naturally stunned and dazed by these events, not knowing what to do, Caryn Bart took it upon herself to help the Herrera's in their time of need. Ms. Bart, who has four children and is married to Steve Bart, became a registered nurse in 1997 after graduating from Bergen Community College. Through Ms. Bart's facilitation, the Herreras received calls from doctors in London, Helsinki and New York. A special flight was arranged to take them to a children's hospital in London. All that could have been done was done. Unfortunately, Daniel died of his injuries a few days later. Although nothing can help Armando and Erika Herrera through this terrible loss, the efforts of Ms. Bart must be acknowledged. She is truly a great American and worthy of much praise and thanks. What Ms. Bart did is a wonderful example of the gift of loving kindness. She is an inspiration and an example of what compassion generosity are for all of us. Angels walk among us and many of the nurses of America, like Caryn Bart, are these angels.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for all of his fine work in this matter. I also want to recognize the great work of the gentleman from Florida (Chairman McCollum) and the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), ranking member, who made this very important bill even better and brought it to this point in its legislative process. Mr. Speaker, last year, I stood in Teaneck, New Jersey at the dedication of a monument that I wish was never built, a monument built to honor the memory of Sarah Duker, a 22-year-old American citizen from my congressional district who was killed in 1996 in a bus bombing incident in Jerusalem, a bombing masterminded by Palestinian terrorists. At the time of her death, Sarah was a graduate student at Barnard College and she was working as a research technician in microbiology at the Hebrew University. Last September, I also had a meeting with Steven Flatow, a meeting that I also wish never had to take place. See, Mr. Flatow's daughter Alisa was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in the Gaza strip in 1995. Mr. Flatow had come to meet me in Washington to try to get justice from those who had killed his daughter. At the time of her death, Alisa Flatow was a student at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, and she was spending a semester abroad in Israel. Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor today to speak in support of this bill because I believe that Sarah Duker's mother, Arline; Alisa Flatow's family; the families of the victims of the Brothers to the Rescue shoot-down; and all Americans who have had family members victimized by terrorists abroad, all of these Americans deserve one thing, justice. See, the sponsors of terrorism, and by that I do not just mean the individuals committing the acts, I mean the states sponsoring those individuals, they must pay for their crimes. They must first pay a diplomatic price for supporting the murder of Americans, and that means isolating those states which sponsor terrorism. But I also believe that state sponsors of terrorism must pay more than just a political price. They must pay literally for their cold- blooded murders of Americans. So it should be the policy of the United States of America to seize the U.S.-based nondiplomatic assets of states which are involved in the murder of Americans. It is critically important that this bill be enacted into law because this measure delivers a powerful and essential message to state sponsors of terrorism around the world who target American citizens. If one conspires in the murder of innocent Americans and tear our families apart, the United States of America will demand and receive justice. Justice, Mr. Speaker, can wait no longer. Terrorists will never win, and state sponsors of terrorism will always pay a price if we pass this legislation. They will pay a political and economic price. That is not too great a burden to place upon them and their assets for the killing of innocent Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3485, the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a dear friend and a truly noteworthy and admirable community leader from the Township of Teaneck in my District. A few short weeks ago, Eleanor Kieliszek retired from her seat on the Township Council, thus ending an impressive political career which began in 1965. Beginning with her appointment as the first female member of the Township's Planning Board in 1965, Eleanor Kieliszek has been a tireless crusader for the residents of Teaneck. In 1970, Eleanor Kieliszek entered a 17-way race for Township Council as the only woman candidate. She won, Mr. Speaker, due in large part to her tireless energy evidenced by her constant door-to-door campaigning. Twice, from 1974-1978 and 1990-1992, the voters elected her mayor as an expression of their confidence. A student of politics, Eleanor Kieliszek is aware that compromise and hard work are integral and historic parts of the American political system. By working with her fellow Council members, Eleanor Kieliszek was able to help preside of a period of unbridled economic development in Teaneck while ensuring that a great deal of the municipality's open spaces would remain in that state for perpetuity. The 350 acre Overpeck Park, enjoyed by so many in their leisure time, is a fine testament to this legacy. Mr. Speaker, Eleanor Kieliszek was also able to bring Teaneck together in the face of great racial tension in 1990. Many credit the neighborhood meetings which she helped initiate in a time of great concern with fostering dialogue and diversity in the community. Mr. Speaker, a representative democracy such as ours only thrives when those with strong wills and good hearts take time from their personal lives to give time to others around them. As the Township of Teaneck prepares to name a wonderfully large green area after Eleanor Kieliszek to honor her three decade's service to her home, I find it fitting for this House to rise and salute this outstanding local official. On the occasion of her retirement from elected life, we thank Eleanor Kieliszek and send her our heartiest best wishes for the future.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, On June 19, 2000, and on June 23, 2000, because I was attending personal family events, I was not present to record my votes on rollcall votes No. 293 and No. 319. These votes pertained to striking language in the Fiscal Year 2001 VA-HUD and Commerce-Justice-State Judiciary Appropriations bills which prohibited agencies of the Federal Government from using funds to pursue lawsuits against tobacco companies. Because I strongly believe that the tobacco companies must be held responsible for the millions of dollars in health care expenses that the Federal Government has paid for tobacco related illnesses through federally funded health care programs, had I been present for these votes, I would have voted as follows: On rollcall vote No. 293, 1 would have voted ``aye.''. On rollcall vote No. 319, 1 would have voted ``aye''.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to a remarkable citizen, Brian R. Martinotti of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, who on May 16, 1999 was honored with the ``Christopher Columbus Citizenship Award'' by the Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey. I have know Brian for many years and I have always found him to be an outstanding attorney, family man, and a trusted friend. After earning his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Fordham University, Brian received his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is a member of the New Jersey State Bar, and has also been admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar and the New Jersey Federal District Court Bar. In addition to being a partner in the law firm of Beattie Padovano, where he specializes in civic litigation, Brian is a tax attorney for the Boroughs of Fairview and Little Ferry and also serves as a public defender in the Borough of Moonachie. Further, Brian has dedicated many hours to civic activities in Bergen County. He is a Councilman in the Borough of Cliffside Park, and is also Vice-President of the Bergen County 200, Trustee to the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Legal Counsel for the Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey. Brian has given much to the State of New Jersey and to his community, and he well deserves the honor of the ``Christopher Columbus Citizenship Award'' that has been bestowed upon him by the Italian- American Police Society of New Jersey. My congratulations and appreciation go out to Brian and his wonderful family, and I take great pleasure in recognizing him today.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I am pleased to rise as a cosponsor and in support of H.R. 1304, the Quality Health Care Coalition Act. We are here today to restore a sense of balance to a health care system that is now dominated by the health care insurance companies. H.R. 1304 will put doctors on a level playing field with the giant health care companies. Specifically, it will allow doctors to join together and negotiate the terms and conditions of their HMO contracts without violating the antitrust laws. With the power to bargain collectively, doctors will then have the clout to negotiate for fair terms for their services and for their patients rights. When large HMOs dictate all the terms to individual doctors, patients suffer. To make up for low HMO payments, doctors are forced to see more patients each day. When doctors see more patients daily, they are not able to spend the kind of time they want to and need to spend with each patient. Their offices often look like assembly lines because the HMOs and the health insurance companies dictate to the doctors how quickly they must move those patients in and out. Doctors and other health care professionals need to be able to negotiate health care service contracts with HMOs and health insurance companies on a level playing field so that their patients can receive the quality health care treatment they deserve. Freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are rights guaranteed in the first amendment for all Americans. How about for doctors? Defeat the previous question; support H.R. 1304.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to honor the New Jersey Devils as the 2000 Stanley Cup champions. The Devils play a brand of hockey that typifies New Jersey. They are tough competitors led by their captain and playoff MVP, Scott Stevens, whose hard-nosed play shut down the best offensive players in the game. In the finals, they were the underdogs against the defending champs, and we in New Jersey love an underdog. With a stone wall for a goal tender in Martin Brodeur, the offensive firepower of Jason Arnott, Patrick Elias and Peter Sykora, and a quartet of rookies, including the first Hispanic American player drafted in the first round, Scott Gomez, the Devils fought late into the night in sudden death double overtime on Saturday. In the end, it was the sweet passing from Stevens to Elias to Arnott for the game- winning goal that brought the Cup back to East Rutherford, New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, the New Jersey Devils are the Stanley Cup champions once again. In the hearts of New Jerseyans, in bringing this Stanley Cup back to New Jersey, these Devils are our angels.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today my Republican colleagues would like to do away with the estate tax entirely. Democrats propose a way to make sure that 99 percent of Americans do not pay any estate tax. Who started the estate tax? The Republican, Theodore Roosevelt. Why? Because we did not want two different Americas. Today in America, 1 percent of the people in America own 40 percent of the assets of America. It is growing bigger and bigger, this gap. Twice as much as it was 20 years ago. What do my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle want to do? They want to make it worse. They want to give the richest 1 percent of America an enormous tax cut costing our country $50 billion a year. With Social Security and Medicare going broke, with the $5.6 trillion national debt, with our public schools falling apart, with needs for a strong defense, our Republican colleagues want to give a huge tax break, unneeded, unnecessary, to the 1 percent richest people in America who already control 40 percent of the Nation's wealth. It is obscene; it is a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the modest estate tax relief under the Democrat bill.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time. My friends, the American estate tax system is 85 years old. Who supported the creation of the American estate tax system? Well, one of the first supporters was Republican President Theodore Roosevelt. Why would he do such a thing? Well, he did not want to have two America's, a have and a have not. What do we have today in America? We have a nation where the top 1 percent of our people, the top 1 percent, own 40 percent of the Nation's assets, twice the amount held by them in the past 20 years. Today, my friends, the House has a choice: The Democrat plan to reform the estate tax system, a reform plan that would leave 99 percent of Americans paying no estate tax and still cutting the estate tax for the top 1 percent; or the Republican plan, on the other hand, which adds another $40 billion in cost a year in order to eliminate the tax for the top 1 percent. My friends, I believe that most Americans feel that that $40 billion extra would be better spent going to save Social Security and Medicare, or paying down our $5.6 trillion national debt, which is now being assumed by our children, or providing prescription drugs for our seniors, strengthening our military, fixing our public schools and providing health care for 45 million uninsured Americans. The time may come when our country can afford to entirely eliminate the estate tax for the top 1 percent, but not today. Let us eliminate taxes for 99 percent of Americans, cut taxes for the top 1 percent, and pass the Democrat reform plan.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fair Lawn Lions Club which will be celebrated June 9, 2000. For 50 years this group has been an important asset to local and statewide charities, raising in excess of $750,000. Unlike many organizations, every dollar raised by the Fair Lawn Lions Club is donated to charity. The Fair Lawn Lions Club founded The Fair Lawn Opportunity Center, a facility for mentally challenged adults. To this date, they remain its largest private contributor. In addition to the Opportunity Center, the Fair Lawn Lions also contribute to the Mental Health Center, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Ambulance Corps, Fire Department, and several other groups. Furthermore, they financially support many statewide services. Among these are the St. Joseph's School for the Blind and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. I commend their fervent dedication in assisting both the community and the entire state of New Jersey. Worldwide, The Lions Clubs International is currently the largest service organization. They operate in 180 countries, boasting 50,000 clubs and 2,000,000 members. I am proud to recognize the services of Charter Member and Past International Director William McCormick and Past District Governor Paul A. Meyer. I encourage the Fair Lawn Lions Club to continue their cause. They set a positive example for the community by raising money for those in need and are sure to remain a pillar of the community for the next 50 years and beyond. On this, their 50th anniversary, I am proud to extend my congratulations to the Fair Lawn Lions Club.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, today we are deciding United States trade policy with the People's Republic of China. Given the fact that China is a communist nation and that it regularly violates the human rights of its own citizens, the United States Congress, rightfully, every year decides whether to treat China that year with restrictive or normal trade relations. This year Congress is being asked to give up this annual review. And the question is, should we do so? While I believe in free trade because it can be in America's national security and economic interest, and while China's leaders have made some progress from their days as an inward-looking regime, China has broken every one of the six trade agreements it has signed with the United States since 1992. It is clear to me that not enough progress has been made or even attempted in the important areas of human and worker rights and in protecting the environment in China. I hope the time will come when the great nation of China will earn the right to permanent normal trade relations with the great Nation of the United States. They have not done so yet. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on PNTR for China.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I submit for the Record a statement that I issued yesterday concerning the plight of the 13 Jews in Iran who have unjustly been imprisoned on unfounded charges of spying for the State of Israel. I am pleased that this statement was read yesterday at a rally in support of the imprisoned Iranian Jews that was held at the Jewish Community Center in Tenafly, New Jersey. I am encouraged that the rally, which was sponsored by the UJA Federation of Bergen County & North Hudson, the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County, the North Jersey Board of Rabbis, the JCC on the Palisades and the YJCC of Bergen County, served to raise the public's awareness of the plight of the 13 imprisoned Iranian Jews. May 10, 2000. Dear Friends: I want to express my solidarity with each and every person who has gathered at the JCC tonight to show their support for the ``Iran 13.'' Your presence at this community meeting sends a clear message to the political leaders of Iran that the eyes of the American people are strongly focused on the plight of Jews who are being imprisoned unjustly in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Just as importantly, tonight you are also sending a message to the Iran 13 that they have not been forgotten. I regret that Congressional business requires me to be in Washington tonight, but I do want to share with you my full support to the leaders and members of the UJA Federation of Bergen County & North Hudson, the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County, the North Jersey Board of Rabbis, the JCC on the Palisades and the YJCC of Bergen County for sponsoring and arranging this community-wide gathering. When fanatics within the Iranian Government first moved last year to arrest Jews living in the southern Fars province of Iran, on trumped up charges of spying for the ``Zionist regime,'' I promptly wrote to the President of Iran, Mohammed Khatami, to demand that they immediately be released. Not surprisingly, to this day, I have yet to receive the courtesy of a reply to my letter. And truthfully, I do not expect the Iranian authorities to respond to my letter, because that would force them to put on paper a case that is based solely on anti-Israel rhetoric and bolstered by lies, mistruths and fabrications. More recently, I have cosponsored legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 128, that calls on the Clinton Administration to condemn the arrest of members of Iran's Jewish minority and urges their immediate release. The bill also calls on all nations that have relations with Iran to condemn the treatment of religious minorities in Iran and to call for the release of all prisoners, including the Iran 13, who are being held in prison solely on the basis of their religious beliefs. Today, my fear for the physical safety of the Iran 13 is very real and predicated on the fact that five Jews have been executed by the Iranian government in the past five years without ever having been tried. These executions help explain why over half of the Jews in Iran have fled since 1979, many of them leaving to escape the state sponsored religious persecution orchestrated by supporters of the late Ayatollah Khomeini. I urge each and every person present tonight to be vigilant and continue your demand that the Government of Iran immediately release the Iran 13. The fact is, our voices can be heard by the Jewish community in Iran and we owe that beleaguered community no less than to work diligently and tirelessly for the freedom of those innocent people. Again, I commend those in attendance tonight. I commend the organizers of this community meeting and I commend those public officials and members of the clergy who this evening have come forward to shine the public's spotlight on a terrible injustice occurring within Iran. I look forward to working with all of you in the days ahead to seek the immediate release of the Iran 13. Sincerely, Steven R. Rothman, Member of Congress.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4365, the Children's Health Act of 2000. In particular, I want to commend the authors of this legislation for the great strides it makes in autism research. Mr. Speaker, autism is not rare. Four hundred thousand people in the United States, mostly children, are affected by this terrible disease. While 5 percent of those with autism may gain some progress with early intervention, 95 percent of them, or more than 350,000 people, will still suffer. They will never marry, they will never live on their own, and more than half of them will never even learn to speak. Families affected by autism are forced to bear an extraordinary burden. Parents and siblings and friends have to learn to try to communicate with a child, many of whom are incapable of either verbal or nonverbal communication, and children who have often erratic behavior. It is a disease little understood. I have been trying since I came to Congress for find funding for autism research for the various autism clusters that we believe are occurring throughout New Jersey. I am proud that this bill lays the foundation for a comprehensive research effort on autism. Mr. Speaker, this day has been a long time in coming, and I know those families who have been affected are grateful that it is now here. I urge all of my colleagues on behalf of my nephew, Jack, who suffers with autism and on behalf of a girl by the name of Heather Simms, who has been in confinement for 5 years, having been brought into an institution at the age of 12, who today celebrates her 17th birthday, that this is a special day for all of the autistic children in the United States, their parents and loved ones. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4365 for its dramatic increase in national funding and attention for autism research.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Scott Reddin of Englewood, NJ. On Thursday, May 11, 2000, the Shelter our Sisters organization will be honoring Scott at their Annual Awards Program for all of his outstanding work as both a volunteer and dedicated advocate in defense of victims of domestic violence. I am proud of Scott for many reasons: for the help he renders the constituents of the Ninth Congressional District as my aide, for his unbending dedication to his community, and for the spirit of giving that drives him to be active in Shelter our Sisters and a number of other non-profit, charitable organizations. If you name a non-profit group in Bergen County, New Jersey, it is likely that Scott is either on their Board of Directors or active as a volunteer in some fashion or another. From his role on the Board of Directors of the Center for Food Action to his work mentoring young children as a Little League Manager, Scott epitomizes the ideal citizen-volunteer. Scott is always ready to give of himself, whether with his time, his know-how, or financially. He is, in the truest sense, a civic-minded individual, whose concern for others transcends his own self-interests. Of all his volunteer work, Scott's devotion to helping women and children whose lives have been torn apart by domestic violence stands out. It does so because to be a part of Shelter our Sisters requires not only one's time, it also requires a big heart. Scott has an enormous ability to share the pain of victims of domestic violence and at the same time help the victims piece their lives back together. As a volunteer with Shelter our Sisters since 1994, Scott has helped victims of domestic violence move out of dangerous environments and has mentored children whose innocence has been marred by violence. And by raising funds for Shelter our Sisters, Scott has ensured that this organization's work in delivering hope to those facing domestic violence endures. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of Scott Reddin and all that he has done to advance the worthy mission of Shelter our Sisters. I commend the leaders of Shelter our Sisters for recognizing Scott's outstanding achievements and I wish him the very best as he continues to expand on his volunteer efforts with this outstanding organization and the many other worthy endeavors he undertakes on behalf of so many people.

Mr. ROTHMAN

Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to express my strong and full support for House Resolution 464, and I do want to acknowledge the tremendous work of our chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and our ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson). Mr. Speaker, what is wrong with the following picture: Many of the nations of the world have what are called Red Cross societies, or societies that provide emergency humanitarian relief, not only to their own people, but to other nations when there are tragedies that occur around the world. There is the International Red Cross, with a red cross as its symbol; there is the International Red Crescent in Arab lands with the red crescent as their symbol. The state of Israel has its own version of the Red Cross, which, as my colleagues have said, provides emergency humanitarian relief all over the world, in Europe, Africa, Asia, all over the world, and their symbol in Israel is the Red Star of David. What is wrong with this picture? Well, the International Red Cross Societies and the International Red Crescent Societies refuse to permit Israel's Red Cross, the Magen David Adom Society, to be admitted into the International Society of Red Cross and Red Crescents. They refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of that Israeli Red Cross Society, and they refuse particularly to consider including Israel's Red Star of David, which its ambulances and emergency humanitarian vehicles fly overhead, like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies. We are in the year 2000, Mr. Speaker, and this kind of blatant prejudice still exists. What should we do as American legislators and as American citizens? The United States Government provides to the International Red Cross $119 million a year. The United States Government provides to the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies over $7 million a year, those same organizations that refuse to allow the inclusion of Israel's Red Cross, the Magen David Adom Society, which has been providing emergency services around the world, obviously, without regard to race, religion or nationality since the 1930s. What should we do? Our own American Red Cross says it is one of the greatest acts of injustice, that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will not admit Israel's Red Cross Society, the Magen David Adom Society, and refuses to accept the legitimacy of the Red Star of David. Hypocrisy? Injustice? Obviously. So I urge my colleagues in the House and my friends around the country to speak loudly about this act of injustice, and, hopefully, through the work of the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) and our other members on the Committee on International Relations, finally the International Red Cross and International Red Crescent Societies will do what is right now in the year 2000, and admit the Red Star of David, which has flown over so many tragedies, lending helping hands to peoples all over the world for the last 70 years, to be included in the family of those who wish to help others in need.