Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise against this ill-conceived and ill- advised piece of legislation. Yet again the Republicans say that education is their number one priority but every time they have a chance to demonstrate their commitment to education they slash the funding or eliminate the programs designed to educate our children. Since the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975, we have failed to fully fund this worthy program. It has now been 28 years since we wrote children with disabilities a bad check and today its time to make good on that debt. The only way to ensure free appropriate public education is to fully fund special education. Let us not politicize this issue. We know that the program is working. Millions of children with special needs have benefitted greatly from IDEA. Let us not return to the dark ages where children with special needs were considered second class citizens. Our children deserve better. Not only do we negate to fully fund special education but we do away with our children's basic civil rights protections. By removing due process procedures in this Act, many children with special needs will be the target of discriminatory practices. This is troubling to me because even with the current safeguard, minorities are disproportionately suspended or expelled from school compared to their majority counterparts. Its seems that this legislation is geared towards educating just the privileged few. Again, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to rise on behalf of the 600,000 children with disabilities so that no child will be left behind.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I rise to support the Watt amendment and to oppose passage of the irresponsible and shameful underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, I fully understand that many sponsors of this bill have progun constituents who have been unrelenting in their blind fight to preserve and to expand their ability to bear arms. I can appreciate the willingness of any Representative to consider the interests of his or her constituents. But, Mr. Chairman, what I cannot appreciate is the willingness of some to support legislation that so maliciously attacks the will of my constituents to bring legitimate actions before their individual State courts. What I cannot appreciate is the unwillingness of the majority to allow consideration of amendments at committee. It is appalling and shameful that a bill which may have such far-reaching consequences for so many did not enjoy the consideration that it deserves. And what I cannot appreciate is the emboldened eagerness of some Representatives to sponsor legislation that so clearly places the special interests of the gun lobby ahead of the vital interests of the American people. Mr. Chairman, I am aware that the sponsors of this bill closed the so-called ``negligent entrustment'' loophole. But if this bill is passed, no supporter, and I repeat, no supporter should walk away believing that the tragedies committed and contemplated under the original bill will not happen under this one. I would ask the Members of this body to consider the case of an Illinois gun dealer who should have known that 72 mostly identical guns that he sold to an unlicensed gun trafficker were not for personal use. One of those guns was used by Benjamin Smith, a white supremacist who drove through Chicago and Indiana, randomly shooting blacks and Jews, including former Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, if this bill passes, we in Congress will be no better than the unscrupulous and irresponsible gun dealer who turned a blind eye to the violence and mayhem that his actions ultimately caused.

Mr. RUSH of Illinois

Mr. RUSH of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 90 I was misrecorded, and I duly intended to vote ``no'' on this particular rollcall.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Republic of Tunisia, who is today celebrating the 47th anniversary of its independence. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between the United States and Tunisia is based on friendship and cooperation that dates back centuries ago. I am pleased that the ties between Tunisia and the United States continues to be strong. As the United States embarks on its quest to fight the scourge of terrorism, it is comforting to know that Tunisia is also committed to join the United States in this fight. I also would like to take this opportunity to applaud Tunisia in its effort to promote democratic governance in the region. Tunisia is one of the leading North African countries that has increased its literacy and life expectancy rates and drastically reduced the mortality rates for Tunisian children under five. Once again, I rise to commemorate Tunisia on its 47th anniversary. Thank you.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I offer my prayers, heartfelt sentiments and unwavering support to our American soldiers who are facing enemy fire in a faraway land. I also offer my prayers and my support to their families who eagerly await their safe return. However, I do not support the dastardly attempt by my Republican colleagues to demean our love and concern for our soldiers by shamelessly attempting to transfix our focus from them onto the narrow-minded and misguided policies of their Commander in Chief. Mr. Speaker, Scripture says in the book of Proverbs 29:2, ``When the righteous rule, the people rejoice. But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.'' Thousands of my fellow Americans are on the streets this night, on the streets of this Nation, protesting this unjust war. They groan because they do not understand and I do not understand why we are at war. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully cannot support this resolution as written.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I come before the House Chamber this evening pleased and honored to salute the over five thousand African American musicians who, during World War II, played in the band of the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. These highly talented musicians played an important part in our nation's history and this weekend, many of them will be reuniting for the first time in over fifty years. If you were black and in the Navy before 1942, the only service you could render is that of mess attendant or steward. These positions were lowly and limited. So, in an effort to elevate their position and further integrate America's armed forces, then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt recruited and trained black musicians for service in a Naval band. These men became the members of the Great Lakes Band. During the war, these extraordinary musicians traveled around the country lifting the spirits of servicemen and civilians with their melodies. In fact, it has been said that there has never been so many good musicians at any one place, at any one time, as there were at Great Lakes. In spite of their committed and unprecedented service to our country, there is little awareness of their contributions and acknowledgments have been few. Mr. Speaker, that is why, especially as we come to the end of Black History Month, I believe it is highly appropriate, to ask my colleagues to join me in a salute to these extraordinary veterans. Their contributions are far-reaching, long-lasting, and worthy of our praise.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Melanie Blocker-Stokes and all women who have suffered in silence from postpartum depression and psychosis. I am pleased that 47 of my colleagues have joined me in introducing the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act. Chicago native, Melanie Blocker-Stokes was a successful pharmaceutical sales manager and loving wife of Dr. Sam Stokes. However, for Melanie, no title was more important than that of mother. Melanie believed motherhood was her life mission and fiercely wanted a daughter of her own. This dream came true on February 23, 2001 with the birth of her daughter, Sommer Skyy. Unfortunately, with the birth of her daughter, Melanie entered into a battle for her life with a devastating mood disorder known as postpartum psychosis. Despite a valiant fight against postpartum psychosis, which included being hospitalized a total of three times, Melanie jumped to her death from a 12-story window ledge on June 11, 2001. Melanie was not alone in her pain and depression. Each year over 400,000 women suffer from postpartum mood changes. Nearly 80 percent of new mothers experience a common form of depression after delivery, known as ``baby blues.'' The temporary symptoms of ``baby blues'' include mood swings, feelings of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, and irritability, poor sleep and a sense of vulnerability. However, a more prolonged and pronounced mood disorder known as postpartum depression affects 10 to 20 percent of women during or after giving birth. Even more extreme and rare, postpartum psychosis, whose symptoms include hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, severe insomnia, extreme anxiety and depression, strikes 1 in 1,000 new mothers. Postpartum depression and psychosis afflicts new mothers indiscriminately. Many of its victims are unaware of their condition. This phenomena is due to the inability of many women to self-diagnose their condition and society's general lack of knowledge about postpartum depression and psychosis and the stigma surrounding depression and mental illness. Untreated, postpartum depression can lead to self-destructive behavior and even suicide, as was the case with Mrs. Blocker-Stokes. This was also evident in the case of Andrea Yates of Houston, Texas who drowned her five children. This is why it is important for us to treat this silent disease which can have a dire impact on ones family and society in general. The challenge that we have as a Member of Congress is to bring awareness to all Americans, particularly families who have women who will give birth soon, or have given birth recently. This is a preventable disorder. In remembrance of Melanie Blocker-Stokes and all the women who have suffered from postpartum depression and psychosis, as well as their families and friend who have stood by their side, I am introducing the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act which will: Expand and intensify research at the National Institute of Health and National Institute of Mental Health with respect to postpartum depression and psychosis, including increased discovery of treatments, diagnostic tools and educational materials for providers; Provide grants for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression and psychosis and their families, including enhanced outpatient and home-based health care, inpatient care and support services. It is my hope that through this legislation we can ensure that the birth of a child is a joyous occasion time for the new mother and family, and not a time of mourning over the loss of yet another mother and child.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today, we are considering one of the most important legislative initiatives that we, as members of the House of Representatives, can enact this year the extension of unemployment benefits for the millions of this nation's workers who have lost their jobs in the current economic downturn. I am pleased to join with the overwhelming majority of my colleagues in the House in approving this bill, which will extend unemployment benefits for the more than 800,000 American workers lost their benefits on December 28, 2002 for an additional 13 weeks. As the economy has stagnated and the job growth that characterized the economic boom of the 1990s has dissipated, the American economy has lost nearly one and one-half million jobs. In November of last year, the national unemployment rate reached an eight-year high of 6 percent. Mr. Speaker, last month, the Democratic staff of the House Government Reform Committee, completed a study of the current state of unemployment in Chicago, Illinois. The study verified what we who live in Chicago already know--that unemployment in the Chicago metropolitan area, at 6.3 percent, is higher than both the statewide and national average. The Committee's study illustrated that of the 377,000 unemployed workers identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Illinois, the vast majority of those individuals--263,000--are in the Chicago metropolitan area. Many of these workers have exhausted their basic unemployment benefits in their search for new employment and were relying on the extended benefits provided under the law that expired on December 28, 2002. Without the passage of this most critical legislation, more than 65,000 workers in the Chicago area would have lost an estimated $236 million in unemployment benefits. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Congress has adopted this extension of unemployment benefits, but much more needs to be done. Unemployment nationwide is higher now than it was when Congress first passed the extended unemployment benefits in March of last year; the economic and fiscal condition of the nation is weaker. We need a strong, sound and fiscally responsible economic stimulus package that will create real jobs to support real families and provide real permanent relief to laid off workers and states.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to the distinguished life and career of the Honorable William Cousins, Jr., Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. A scholar, patriot, and gentleman, Justice Cousins has never rested in the ivory tower that his distinguished academic and professional achievements could afford him. Instead, he has chosen at every stage of his life, to use his tremendous gifts to engage and serve his country, city, and community in the pursuit of social justice. He is truly a source of inspiration not only for the residents of the 1st Illinois Congressional District, but for all Americans everywhere. Born on October 6, 1927 in Swifton, Mississippi, Justice Cousins moved to Chicago where he graduated from DuSable High School in 1945. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1945 with honors in Political Science, and Harvard Law School in 1951, Justice Cousins answered the patriotic call to duty and served in the United States Army from 1951 through 1948 as a combat Infantry 2d and 1st Lieutenant during the Korean conflict. He would continue on in his military service until 1975, when he retired from the United States Army Reserve Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel. While serving his country in the military, Justice Cousins began to build an impressive, multifaceted legal career as an attorney with Chicago Title & Trust Company. He then went on to serve as an Assistant State Attorney of Cook County, Illinois before going into private practice. Justice Cousin was then elected Alderman for Chicago's 8th Ward. He served as a Circuit Court Judge of Cook County, Illinois from 1976 until his election in 1992 to the Illinois Appellate Court. His tenure on the Illinois Appellate Court includes service as Chairman of the Executive Committee, First Appellate District, Presiding Justice of the First District, 3d Division and 2d Division, and Chair for the Illinois Appellate Judges Annual Meeting. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Judicial Conference since 1983 and was appointed Chairman of the Illinois Judicial Conference from 1989 to 1990. Justice Cousins is also a member of the Special Supreme Court Committee on Capital Cases. Aside from his distinguished legal career, Justice Cousins has lent his immense talents to several civic organizations by serving as a board member of the Citizens' School Committee, Parkway House as well as the Chicago Area Planned Parenthood Association. He was also president of Chatham-Avalon Park Community Council, and is a founding member and former Board Member of PUSH. Justice Cousin is a Deacon at Lincoln Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ, and was an Assistant Moderator and former member of the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Justice Cousins' status as a pillar of civic and professional responsibility has not gone unrecognized, as he has been honored by well over one dozen organizations. It is only fitting that Justice Cousins be recognized and honored by the United States Congress.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of the thousands in my district who are opposed to an ill-conceived war, I rise in opposition to this resolution on the use of force against Iraq. Thousands of my constituents have spoken. Families of military personnel who reside in my district have spoken. They have all emphatically and resoundingly delivered an answer to the question of going to war with Iraq; and the answer is, no, no, and no. No against the war in Iraq. No against sending their sons and daughters to war for yet-unknown reasons. And no to the ignoring of the economic problems that still are plaguing our Nation. The war that my constituents want us to wage is a war on poverty, a war on layoffs, a war on inadequate health care, a war on a lack of affordable housing and a war for economic opportunity and fairness. Over the last several months, the President has been earnest in his efforts to inform the American public of what the risks are of not going to war and what they may be. But, to date, he has not convinced the people in my district why their sons and their daughters should be placed in harm's way. If we are going to engage in an honest debate, we owe it to the American public to ask the right questions. Questions like: What will the number of military and civilian casualties be? Questions like: How long will the conflict in Iraq be expected to last? And simple questions like: Does Saddam Hussein pose a clear and present threat to the United States? Simply citing all the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein, and there are many atrocities that have been ignored for a decade, and calling Saddam Hussein a bad name is simply not enough. Mr. Speaker, during this incredible moment in American history, we should all be reminded of a quote by President James Madison, ``The advancement and infusion of knowledge is the only guardian of liberty.'' If we are sincere about bringing democracy to the people of Iraq, we should lead by example in every step of the way. We should lead by presenting the American public and the American people with clear, balanced and realistic information on the consequences of a war on Iraq. Let us not insult our own citizens by ignoring the fact that all nations in the Middle East region and many of our long-standing allies around the world oppose this war. They see military action in Iraq as a glorified oil and land grab. Let us not ignore the fact that a strike against Iraq will not only have the effect of inflaming existing resentment of U.S. foreign policy and possibly provoking renewed terrorist attacks on Americans both here and abroad. And despite the President's proclamation that America is a friend of the Iraqi people, we cannot insult the American people by ignoring the fact that U.S.-led sanctions have created a hotbed of disease and extreme poverty in Iraq, and war will only plunge the Iraqi people deeper into death and despair. For those who are saber rattling, war mongering and unconcerned with America's place in the global community, let us not ignore the consequences that the American people will have to pay. To this issue, some argue that a war with Iraq is worth the blood of young Americans. But as a Representative who may have to face mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters of fallen constituents, I will not disrespect and dishonor them with tough talk, tough talk that refuses to answer obvious questions, tough talk that only provides the American people with answers that do not answer, with explanations that do not explain, and conclusions that do not conclude. While I am confident that we will win an armed conflict with Iraq, there must be a forthright discussion with the public about the impact of a war on the American people and the world in which we live.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the achievements and determination of Venus and Serena Williams. These two young women 20 and 19 years old respectively are only in their sixth and third full years as professional tennis players and they have over 43 professional titles between them. Venus Williams is the first African-American woman to win the Wimbledon Championships since 1958 and she is the first United States woman since 1924 to win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles. She also holds the women's world record for the fastest serve at 127 miles per hour, and is one of only seven women to win the singles titles in both the Wimbledon Championship and the U.S. Open in the same year. Serena Williams is only the second African-American woman ever to win a Grand Slam singles title and is only the sixth American woman to win the U.S. Open singles title since 1968. Ms. Williams is only the fifth woman to win both singles and doubles Grand Slam titles in the same year, and is the first woman to reach the finals in a U.S. Open debut since 1978. They are impressive women who overcame social and racial barriers to achieve excellence. Venus and Serena Williams have inspired and encouraged people of all backgrounds and ages, especially those in their hometown of Compton, California, demonstrating through the spirit of sport that education, a good work ethic, teamwork, fortitude, and determination are ingredients for success.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak on this very important global issue. My thanks, too, to the gentlelady from California, Representative Waters, for bringing this critical issue to the Floor. There are almost 13 million people in the southern part of Africa who are in danger of dying from starvation: a great number of these people are women and children. The severity of the food shortages in the region is due large in part by the severe drought affecting the area for the past decade. Worldwide humanitarian aid directed to the country has helped to increase the life expectancy of Africa's citizens by nearly 20 years since 1960. Each year, humanitarian aid programs help save the lives of an estimated seven million African children, delivering essential food and medicine to disaster victims and assisting regional refugees fleeing their native countries because of political or economic unrest. However, Mr. Chairman, to my chagrin, and to what should be an embarrassment to this country, less than half of 1 percent of all of the United States' foreign aid funding is directed to food relief and hunger abatement in nations around the world. The United States now ranks fourth--behind Japan, behind France, and behind Germany--in the level of aid that we contributed to the world's poorest countries. The United States ranks LAST among the 21 richest nations in the percentage of our Gross National Product (GNP) used to fight world hunger and poverty. Mr. Speaker, we need to increase the level of our humanitarian aid to Africa because it is the right thing to do; it is the moral thing to do. We are morally obligated, as citizens of a country where food is plentiful, to help people who are dying because of a lack of food. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy if this House of Representatives appropriated $1 billion toward hunger abatement efforts in southern Africa but I know there is a slim possibility of this happening. However, I believe that this body can appropriate $200 dollars to provide emergency supplemental relief to respond to the food crisis in Southern Africa, and I hope that we do.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. A recent poll revealed that a vast majority of local governments, 95 percent, to be exact, have plans for dealing with natural disasters. However, only 49 percent of this Nation's local governments are equipped to protect and prepare its residents against acts of terror. But, Mr. Chairman, the good news outweighs the bad. The good news is that local governments which have not developed plans to deal with terrorism now have an opportunity to build and coordinate an effective response plan from the ground up. The good news is that local governments, which already have response plans, are in a perfect position to improve upon current programs, and the good news is that the Federal Government now has the unique opportunity to coordinate with local governments so that access to Federal information and expertise become an integral part of the local response picture in this country. My amendment will work to make that good news even better by bridging the gaps between local first responders and the Federal Government. And it would do so specifically, Mr. Chairman, by creating an office for State and local government coordination, which will assist us in streamlining relations between the new Department and State and local governments. Most importantly, perhaps, the office will be responsible for developing a process for receiving meaningful input from local and State governments on how this most important partnership, this vital partnership, should be strengthened. This amendment has the support of the administration, as well as the National Conference of State Legislators, the National Governors Association, the Council of State Governments, the U.S. Council of Mayors, the International City and County Management Association, the National League of Cities and, last but not least, the National Association of Counties. Mr. Chairman, the first step in preparing for acts of terror comes through communications and cooperation on all levels of government. The administration understands this principle. The American people understand this principle. And I am confident that those of us who are in the people's House will understand this important principle as well by adopting this amendment. I urge a yes vote on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my friend and I certainly do not have any objections to us working this out. I just want to make sure that we understand that there is a point in my amendment which calls for a specific location for this information to rest with a vehicle for this information to be transmitted, whereas I think the original language just said that it is going to happen, but nothing was in place for it to really rest in and a location was not there and a central place was not there. And with my amendment, I tried to create a vehicle and a specific location for this information to be gathered and transmitted both up and downstream.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3479, the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act. This legislation will codify a historic agreement reached between the Republican Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago to expand and modernize O'Hare International airport. As you know, O'Hare airport is one of the busiest airports in this nation and the hub to hundreds of destinations across the globe. Therefore, making it the center of our national transportation system. Unfortunately, O'Hare is the third leading airport for congestion and delays. According to the FAA, O'Hare's systematic flight delays and cancellations has a crippling affect on our nation's aviation system. Many of us, and the flying public, have spent countless hours sitting on a runway or in an airport waiting for a flight to taxi or depart. In 2000, it was estimated that O'Hare airport had 545 delays, or 63.3 delays per 1,000 operations. The principal reason attributed for these delays rests solely on the fact that O'Hare airport has antiquated runways. Hence, expanding O'Hare's runways is essential in remedying our nation's aviation crisis. It is estimated that modernizing O'Hare airport will reduce air traffic delays by 79 percent and weather delays by 95 percent. I am glad to see that this bill includes a provision to develop a third Airport in Illinois. This airport, known as the Peotone Airport, will provide our nation's air transportation system with the additional relief required to reduce airport congestion while creating thousands of construction and permanent jobs for the South Suburban region of the state. We need solutions to aviation delays and congestion. Let's end this 20 year old debate. Expanding O'Hare and constructing a third airport is the right thing to do. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this critical legislation.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the plight of low- income uninsured children with the introduction of the Children's Health Coverage, Improvement Act of 2002. Throughout the United States there are over 11 million uninsured children under the age of nineteen. Over two-thirds of these children live in families with household incomes below 200% of poverty. In my home state of Illinois alone 435,000 children have no insurance, ranking Illinois 24th in the nation in the percentage of uninsured. Over 102,000 of these uninsured children reside in Cook County. In hope of enrolling those low-income children who are eligible for SCHIP, I am introducing the Children's Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2002 which: Provides $100 million in grants annually from unspent SCHIP allocations to community-based public or nonprofit organizations for the purposes of conducting innovative outreach and enrollment efforts; and It is my hope that through this legislation we can ensure that every low-income child has the health insurance they qualify for and deserve.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend, an extraordinary man, and a great pastor of great pastors--Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls, who passed away on Friday, April 26 of pneumonia. Rev. Rawls is truly one of Chicago's unsung heroes. His death will leave a deep void in our community. Rev. Louis Rawls dedicated his 97 years of life to his family, his church and service to his community. Born and raised in Johns, Mississippi, he was ordained and became pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in Chicago. In 1941, Rev. Rawls built the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago where he was pastor until his death. Rev. Rawls was a learned man, a visionary who believed that the church must play an active role in community development. As an active civic leader and trailblazer, Rev. Rawls sought to enhance his community by bringing to it goods and services. He founded the Willa Rawls Manor, a 121-unit living center for senior citizens and operated the Tabernacle Community Hospital and Health Center, the first black- owned hospital at the time. Rev. Rawls also established the Brown-Rawls Funeral Home, a grocery store, a real estate and mortgage corporation, and a printing and publishing company. Rev. Rawls sat on the boards of a number of community and national groups, including the National Association of Evangelicals, Channel 38, Chicago Baptist Institute and Morehouse College in Atlanta. Rev. Rawls is survived by his wife, Willa, affectionately known as ``Baby Rawls'', his sons Julius and Samuel, his foster son, Grammy award-winning singer Lou Rawls, and Donald and Jerry Poston, two boys who he raised and considered his sons. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls, a true beacon of our Nation. ``The righteous cries out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.'' ( Psalm 34:17-18)

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on Feb 15, 2002, House Majority Leader Dick Armey circulated a Memorandum where he called on Congress to push Social Security Privatization in the upcoming legislative session. I agree that addressing the long-term solvency of the Social Security program deserves our utmost attention in the upcoming legislative session. However, the recommendation that we privatize Social Security does nothing to strengthen the financial solvency of the program. The Majority Leader exclaims that his bill H.R. 3135, which allows workers to voluntarily put between three and eight percentage points of their Social Security tax into personal retirement accounts, is based on a progressive scale that allows lower-income workers to put more into their accounts and to build more wealth. The Majority Leader failed to take into account the volatility of the stock market. I do not believe that the American public is willing to gamble their retirement security in the up's and down of the stock market. Especially, with the recent collapse of Enron and the present economic recession, the American public is even more suspicious of any proposal that will partially or fully privatize Social Security. Americans know that Social Security provides guaranteed, lifelong benefits. No matter what the stock market does the day you retire or in the months leading up to your retirement, your benefits will be unaffected. In addition, the Majority Leader's plan to send out Social Security certificates to seniors that claim to guarantee their Social Security benefits is disingenuous at best. Not only will sending these bogus certificates cost the taxpayers 47 million dollars, but it does absolutely nothing to guarantee that Social Security benefits will be there in the future. The Congressional Research Service has concluded that the certificates provide no more protection than already exists under law. It's not an ironclad guarantee and Senior citizens will not be able to use these certificates in a court of law. The certificates should instead tell Seniors the truth about the Republican's plan to privatize Social Security and their reckless waste of the budget surplus, which will inevitably lead to a lack of benefits for Seniors. Nevertheless, the Social Security program faces serious financial challenges, however, those challenges are manageable and does not require us to dismantle the system via privatization.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2001, in response to the September 11th tragedy, Secretary Mel Martinez of HUD directed all FHA- approved lenders to provide a 90-day mortgage forbearance for families with FHA insured mortgages who were affected by the recent terrorist attacks. ``Affected, borrowers are those individuals who were passengers or crew on the four hijacked airliners (American Airlines 11 and 77, United Airlines 93 and 175), individuals employed on September 11, 2001, in or near the World Trade Center, or in the Pentagon, and individuals whose financial viability was affected by the . . . events of [that] day.'' (HUD Mortgage Letter 01-21.) As evidenced by the $15 billion bail out that followed the events of September 11, the effects felt by the airline industry were amongst the most immediate and devastating experienced within the corporate world. It follows naturally, that the devastation experienced by the airlines was ultimately felt by the 150,000+ employees whose financial viability was affected by the ongoing wave of post-September 11th lay offs. Also affected by the tragic events of September 11th, are the families of those killed, who have experienced considerable difficulty in meeting their financial obligations. And while Congress, in creating the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund, has worked hard to stem the financial devastation felt by thousands of families after September 11th, there are some who may be falling through the cracks. Fortunately there is a measure, which if revived and applied to parties affected by the events of September 11th, can help. The Airline Workers and Victims of Terrorism Mortgage Relief Act of 2002 accomplishes this goal by: Adopting the expired language of HUD Letter 01-21; Making clear that the moratorium on FHA foreclosure outlined in HUD Letter 01-21 must apply to (1) laid off employees of foreign and domestic air carriers and (2) laid off employees of manufacturers aircraft used by foreign or domestic carriers; Expanding for all eligible borrowers, the 90-day forbearance to 180 days from enactment; Requiring the Secretary of HUD to inform mortgagees of the aforementioned changes; Also, those eligible for compensation under the so-called ``9-11 fund,'' (PL 107-42), would be covered until receipt of compensation money; Those who opt to forgo the compensation money by bringing suit, (Sec. 405(c)(3)(B)(i)), would still be eligible for forbearance for 18 months after enactment, or until verdict rendered in the first lawsuit, whichever comes first, if suit is brought during the 180 day forbearance period; and The bill also stipulates that coverage under the Act would not count as a ``collateral source'' as defined by the Compensation Fund language. (Sec. 405(b)(3) provides that the Special Master ``shall reduce the amount of compensation . . . by the amount of the collateral source compensation the claimant has received or is entitled to receive. . . .'') In light of HUD Letter 01-21, as well as Congressional concerns over the health of the airline industry, and the financial well-being of the families of victims of September 11th, the Airline Workers and Victims of Terrorism Mortgage Relief Act of 2002 would afford Congress the perfect opportunity to give both groups the added assistance that they deserve.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, there has been a considerable amount of debate on how to reform our Social Security System and make it solvent. There is no question that we need to reform Social Security. The Social Security Trustees estimate cash flow deficits in the system starting in 2016 with a bankruptcy date of 2038. It is also estimated that the system will only be able to pay 73 percent of promised benefits. There are many reasons contributing to this depletion, such as increase life expectancies and lagging birth rates. However, the crux of the issue is how we reform Social Security without raising payroll taxes, cutting benefits or allowing the government to invest in stock markets. In May 2001, President Bush established a 16-Member Commission on Social Security to make recommendations on how to reform Social Security. As you know, the Commission issued a final report last December that proposed three alternative models for Social Security reform that focuses on personal accounts as a central component. In two of the proposed alternative models, the Commission claims that low income workers and Minorities will fare better if they invest part of their Social Security taxes in stocks and bonds. The rationale is that Minority groups such as African-Americans are heavily dependent on Social Security benefits during retirement and often have little or no pension savings or other sources of income. Specifically the two alternative models call for the following: Alternative Model 2: Workers can voluntarily redirect 4 percent of their payroll taxes up to $1000 annually to a personal account (the maximum contribution is indexed annually to wage growth). No additional contribution from the worker would be required. Alternative Model 3: Personal Accounts are created by a match of part of the payroll tax--2.5 percent up to $1000 annually (indexed annually for wage growth)--for any worker who contributes an additional 1 percent of wages subject to Social Security payroll taxes. It is unfortunate that the Commission failed to realize that you cannot help low income workers and Minorities based on a plan that cuts benefits up to 46 percent. These proposals would subject everyone to this benefit cut, not just workers who choose to have an individual account. Finally, Social Security privatization would expose individual workers and their families to much greater financial risk. Under privatization, Social Security benefits would no longer be determined primarily by a worker's earnings and the payroll tax contributions he or she made over their career. Rather, benefit levels would be determined by the volatile stock market. While it is true that Social Security faces a long-term challenge, diverting revenue from Social Security into private accounts will seriously undermine our commitment to the retirement security of American seniors.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill. Today, fewer than 10 percent of U.S. households have broadband Internet access; and in urban and rural areas, broadband Internet access is practically nonexistent. During debate on this bill in committee, the industry proponents of the bill argued that if given regulatory relief, they would deploy broadband services in underserved areas. So in an effort to hold them true to their word, I, along with my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Sawyer), offered the Rush-Sawyer amendment that requires the Bell operating companies to offer high-speed Internet to urban, poor and urban areas within 5 years through DSL or other alternative technology. The rationale for this amendment was simple: to ensure that previously overlooked and underserved communities have access to quality connections such as broadband and that they are no longer left on the fringes of the digital revolution. Today opponents of this bill will argue that giving the Bells' regulatory relief will undermine local competition in the voice market. Let us not be fooled. This bill is only about one thing and one thing only: urban poor and rural areas within 5 years having to have alternative Internet technology. Mr. Chairman, no competition equals no access and no choices, and no choices equal higher prices. Therefore, it is a no-win situation for the consumer. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 1542, the Tauzin-Dingell bill. A vote for H.R. 1542 is a voice for more competition and more choices, lower prices and guaranteed access.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 20, I inadvertently cast an ``aye'' vote when my vote should have been ``no'' in opposition to the Ney substitute to H.R. 2356. The Ney substitute would undermine the ability of Legal Permanent Residents to participate in the political system. I ask that the Record reflect my opposition to the Ney substitute.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001, H.R. 3448. Since the September 11 terrorist and the subsequent anthrax attacks, we in this country have become acutely aware of our vulnerability to bioterrorism, and I particularly became a cosponsor of this legislation because of those concerns. One of my major concerns has been the unique vulnerability of medically underserved populations to a bioterrorist attack. Many of the residents of these areas do not have access to even basic health services, much less comprehensive health insurance or preventive and specialty care. In addition, state and local governments which provide many of the health services to these communities are finding their resources depleted due to the recent recession and terrorist attacks. This legislation goes a long way towards protecting medically underserved communities and strengthening state and local health departments. Specifically, I thank Chairman Tauzin and Mr. Dingell for agreeing to work with me to include a provision in this bill which investigates the unique needs of medically underserved areas in case of a bloterrorist attack. Also, the bill strengthens state and local public health infrastructure through a series of grants, which include funding for: the purchases or upgrades of equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals or other countermeasures; the training and education of health care professionals where there are shortages; and laboratory services and poison centers. In regards to funding for poison centers, these entities are critical first responders, particularly to urban and rural underserved areas. In my home state of Illinois, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council operates the Illinois Poison Center which provides 24-hour poison prevention and treatment advice statewide. The center acts as a liaison to federal, state & local agencies and serves as a resource for information on weapons of mass destruction, including chemical & biological agents. The Center is the preeminent center in Illinois dedicated to the treatment of incidents of pediatric poisoning. If a bioterrorist attack occurred in Illinois, undoubtedly the Illinois Poison Center would play an invaluable role in alerting the community. For far too long our public health infrastructure has been divided between those with access to services and those without access to services. This legislation will help close the gap between these two groups where bioterrorism is concerned.