Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Pastor Jo Ann Long as she celebrates her ministerial anniversary of 30-plus years. She is the founder and pastor of the New Covenant Life Church located in the heart of my district. As a young woman, Pastor Jo Ann was called to the gospel ministry. Since 1962, she has remained a dedicated and dynamic leader. Over the years, her ministry has taken her all over the world as she served in almost every position within the Church of God and Christ. Drawing on both professional and personal experiences, Pastor Jo Ann identifies with the issues and needs of women, children and youth. Most of her work has been ministering to these same people. In addition to serving as pastor, teacher, and mentor, Pastor Jo Ann is a respected and renowned voice on the radio and television. Seizing on every God-given opportunity to positively impact a life, she began her radio ministry some 20 years ago. Tirelessly, she has hosted a number of pastoral counseling programs and has undoubtedly brought spiritual, mental, and emotional healing to thousands of listeners and viewers in the Midwest. Today, together with the assistance of the flock at the New Covenant Life Church, Pastor Jo Ann holds various uplifting forums, sponsors informative workshops, and runs several community-based organizations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in saluting a woman of vision with a mission and holistic gospel ministry, Pastor Jo Ann Long.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 96, I inadvertently voted no. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 10, the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2001 and strongly support its enactment. I ask unanimous consent that the Record reflect that my vote on final passage should have been ``yea.''

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call Vote Number 96, I mistakenly voted ``no''. I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 10, the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2001 and strongly support its enactment. My vote on final passage should have been ``Yea''.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. We went to South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and North Africa; a North African country, Tunisia. But in South Africa, it was driven home most graphically the effects of this problem of HIV/AIDS and how it affects the children. A lot of folk do not realize that in South Africa, one of every three public school teachers is affected with AIDS. That means that the future of South Africa is definitely threatened by this dreaded disease.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from North Carolina, for this special order. It certainly shows her sensitivity, her commitment, and it shows that she is indeed the type of person who, throughout her tenure in the Congress and since I have known her, has taken the lead on issues that affect not only the citizens of this Nation but citizens all across the world. I commend her for this special order. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I stand before this Chamber today to congratulate the South African people on their victory to obtain access to anti-AIDS drugs and other medicines at lower costs. AIDS activists, the South African government, and international organizations deserve a round of applause for their efforts. Also, I want to thank the 39 pharmaceutical companies for placing humanitarian concerns over profits by dropping their suit against the South African law and government. However, before we celebrate this victory in the war against HIV- AIDS, we must pause and take stock of how far we still have to go. HIV- AIDS is truly a ruthless enemy of humanity. More than 25 million Africans are now living with HIV, and last year alone, 2.4 million Africans died from the HIV/AIDS disease. HIV/AIDS shows no sign of relenting. It is estimated that each day 16,000 more people become infected. Mr. Speaker, to put this tragedy into context, many companies in South Africa are forced to hire two employees for every single available position because mortality rates are so high. Even with the substantial discounts in the drug prices that the South African law garners, antiretroviral drugs will still cost around $300 per year. Also, many regions of Africa do not have the resources necessary to distribute or administer these complicated medications. Rather, it must be made clear that these drugs, while desperately needed, treat HIV/AIDS and do not halt the spread of the disease. We must make prevention a priority if we are to win the war against HIV/ AIDS. This includes seeking a vaccine, distributing drugs that prevent transmission of AIDS from mother to child, and intensive educational efforts on how HIV/AIDS is contracted. Most importantly, more must be done to empower and assist women in poor countries. Women in poor countries now are the fastest-growing HIV-positive population. I want to commend the administration for its focus on the international fight against HIV/AIDS. The collaboration between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to create a Marshall Plan to cope with the international HIV/AIDS crisis is, indeed, commendable. However, just like any other infectious disease outbreak, HIV/AIDS knows no border or countries. While we must focus on the international spread of HIV/AIDS, as my colleague indicated earlier, we cannot forsake efforts domestically. The President's budget takes a step backwards in the fight against HIV/AIDS domestically by freezing the Ryan White AIDS program funding. If we are to win the war against HIV/AIDS, we must expand our efforts, both domestically and abroad. Only then can we have a victory against this awesome enemy.

Mr. RUSH. I just want to say to my colleague, she is an inspiration in terms of the type of leadership she provides on this issue. As the gentlewoman knows, I also had the privilege of visiting Africa over this last month and was able to see firsthand the situation.

Mr. RUSH. I just want to add that in my district and in my State, sexually-transmitted diseases are also on the rise. I certainly share the gentlewoman's comments. Syphilis, gonorrhea, all those diseases that we thought had been abolished, eliminated, they are on the rise, and primarily because information is not getting out to the people. Information is not getting out to them in the way that they communicate. There is no popular ad campaign dealing with this issue. We can see advertisements all across the television and the radio about every other thing except how to prevent HIV/AIDS. This is a real serious epidemic, pandemic, as the gentlewoman indicated, across the world, but it is an epidemic, and almost a pandemic in certain communities here in this Nation. And the awareness is not there. The commitment is not there. I believe that the President needs to be reminded that he is sending two different types of messages here. They are contradictory. If the Secretary of HHS and the Secretary of State are developing a Marshall Plan for AIDS internationally, and at the same time he is withdrawing resources, vitally needed resources, dollars from the Ryan White program here in America, well, then, that sends a contradictory message. And he has to be clear. We need one voice, one approach to dealing not only with AIDS internationally but also to deal with the epidemic of AIDS right here at home. Again, I want to thank my colleague for her outstanding leadership on this particular issue.

Mr. RUSH. Really, one of the most salient examples is right here in this Nation. When HIV/AIDS first became known, it was not poor people who had it, it was educated people who were ignorant of not only the disease, but how to prevent the disease. Therefore, I agree, it is not a disease that strikes just those who are poor, it is those who are ignorant in terms of how the disease is contracted and those who have very little means to combat the disease, and also those who are unaware how to prevent the disease. It is a disease of ignorance more so than a disease of poverty. Part of what we have to do in our community, for the gentlewoman's recommendations, comments, and statements, we have to educate people about how to prevent the disease of HIV/AIDS, and how to conduct themselves in a manner that will not allow them to fall victim to the disease.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a veteran journalist, a political organizer, a constituent, a neighbor, and a long-time friend, Mr. Lutrelle Fleming Palmer. He recently retired after 50 years of hard-fought and committed activism. Since 1950, Lu Palmer has been using the power of the pen and the radio to relay firsthand accounts of the triumphs and struggles of African Americans. As a newspaper reporter, mainstream columnist, and black radio commentator, Lu always did it his way. He frequently took unpopular stands on highly controversial issues. Courageously, he always did so in a very public manner, because for Lu, informing his people was a top priority. In 1981, he began to organize the politically independent organization, Chicago Black United Communities, or CBUC. Once again, Lu's motivation was to inform and galvanize the black community. The visionary efforts of Lu and CBUC were so successful that he is credited with playing a pivotal role in producing Chicago's first African- American mayor, Mayor Harold Washington. Lu Palmer's talents, vision, insight, independent spirit and love for his people is commendable and should be recognized by this Congress. So today, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the 50 year- career of the legendary Chicago radio and political activist, Mr. Lutrelle F. Palmer, Lu Palmer.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Payday Borrower Protection Act of 2001. With a slowing economy, payday loan companies are springing up in storefronts all across America. Payday lenders provide short-term loans with minimum credit checks to consumers who are in need of ready cash, but these predatory businesses exist to exploit the financial situation many low- and middle-income families face. To the financially strapped consumer, these loans may seem like the answer to a prayer. However, with exorbitant interest rates ranging from 261% to 913% annually, these transactions are a recipe for disaster. Payday lenders often utilize ``loanshark'' tactics, such as threatening civil or criminal action against the borrower to pressure them into more expensive roll over loans. Fearing reprisal, borrowers sink further into debt. Similar to the Greek mythological character, Sisyphus, who was condemned to an eternity of rolling a boulder uphill, payday borrowers become trapped in a perpetual cycle of fees and payments which serve only to line the pockets of the payday lender. A 1999 Indiana Department of Financial Institutions audit revealed that, on average over a twelve-month period, consumers renewed their loans ten times; one consumer renewed sixty-six times. Mr. Speaker, my bill would bring fairness to the payday loan industry. Specifically, it would: Require payday lenders to be licensed under state law; Place a ceiling of 36 percent on the annual interest rate a payday lender can charge; Limit the period of maturity of any loan to two weeks for each $50 of loan principal; Limit the principal amount of a payday loan to less than $300; Prohibit threatening criminal or civil action in order to force a borrower into rolling over a payday loan; Prohibit rolling over any deferred deposit loan unless 30 days has elapsed from the termination of any prior payday loan; and Provide a private cause of action, criminal and civil penalties for violation of this act. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in ensuring that consumers are protected from the predatory practices of payday lenders by supporting the Payday Borrower Protection Act of 2001.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great disappointment that I stand here today to voice my objection to Senate Joint Resolution 6, Disapproving Resolution for the OSHA Workplace Safety Rule. This resolution is short-sighted and against the public policy Congress has been espousing over the last 20 years. There is no question that workplace injuries exist and are prevalent. Workplace injuries account for one-third of all occupational injuries and illnesses and constitute the single largest job-related injury and illness problem in the United States. In my home state of Illinois, in 1998, 26,734 Illinois workers suffered workplace injuries that were so severe that they were forced to miss at least 1 day of work. Also, workplace injuries currently cost businesses billions. The National Academy of Sciences has estimated that the costs of workplace injuries to employees and employers, and society as a whole can be conservatively estimated at $50 billion annually. Again, in my home state of Illinois, the total statewide cost of workplace injuries, including lost wages and lost economic productivity, was approximately $2.3 billion in 1998. OSHA's workplace standards would simply establish preventive measures in the workforce to decrease workplace injuries, injuries which employers pay for in workman's compensation payments. For the last 20 years, under both Republican and Democratic majorities and Presidents we have preached the virtues of prevention and preventive care. We pay for pap smears, nutrition programs, glucose testing, all in the hope of catching medical conditions at an early stage before they become more costly chronic conditions. The repeal of the workplaces standard is a 180-degree turn from that history of preventive services. It is estimated that the standard could save employers approximately $4.5 billion a year by helping keep workers healthy and productive. Businesses and employees will pay for workplaces injuries in the future, they will pay through lost productivity and higher workman's compensation payments. By abandoning prevention, we are accepting a future of further injuries and greater cost.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2001, H.R. 624, which was reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee last week. As reported, H.R. 624 authorizes up to $5 million each year--for each of the next five years--to provide travel and subsistance funds for organ donors meeting certain criteria. I support the bill because I have been assured by the distinguished chairman of the Health Subcommittee, my friend Mike Bilirakis that the bill is intended to help increase the supply of life-saving organs that are available nationwide, and that it is not an attempt to circumvent, abrogate, amend or revise the organ donation and allocation system which was implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services last year. Under the provisions of the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the responsibility for establishing and administering a national organ allocation program. In April of 1998, the Department published a regulation which directs the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to address a number of inefficiencies and inequities in the existing organ allocation program. UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing, and a number of transplant centers, strongly objected to the regulation. The groups in opposition sought and secured a rider to the Omnibus Appropriations enacted in 1998 which blocked implementation of the Secretary's proposed regulation. In October, 1998, the Congress suspended implementation of the Final Rule for one year to allow further study of its potential impact. During that time, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review current Organ Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN) policies and the potential impact of the Final Rule. The IOM study was completed in July, 1999 and provided overwhelming evidence in favor of the new regulations. Nevertheless, a second moratorium was added onto the Work Incentives Improvement Act, that provided for an additional 90-day delay on implementation of the Final Rule. In the midst of this debate, in October, 1999, the House Commerce Committee debated and reported legislation, H.R. 2418, that would have divested the Department of Health and Human Services of any authority to require anything of the OPTN. Functions of a scientific, clinical or medical nature would be in the sole discretion of the OPTN. All administrative and procedural functions would require mutual agreement of the Secretary and the Network. Opponents of H.R. 2418, including the Governor of the great state of Illinois, believed that the legislation would create an unregulated monopoly of organ allocations, and allow UNOS to run the organ allocation program unfettered. The legislation would also have favored small states with small centers at the expense of patients waiting for transplants at larger centers. The state of Illinois represents 9 percent of the population and receives only 4 percent of the transplants. While debate on H.R. 2418 raged in the House, during 1999 and 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made several attempts to implement a new organ donation and allocation regulation. The HHS regulation incorporates many of the sound recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicines recommendations for improving the organ donation and allocation system. This regulation--the subject of opposition by those groups which would have maintained the status quo--had twice been delayed by Congressional action, but finally went into effect in March, 2000. Madam Speaker, in January of this year, former Health and Human Services Department Secretary, Donna E. Shalala, announced the appointment of 20 members to the Secretary's new Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation. The committee, which was created in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network rule of 1999 and recommended by the Institute of Medicine Report to Congress in 1998, will advise the Secretary on all aspects of organ procurement, allocation and transplantation. The new Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, the Honorable Tommy Thompson, has said that improvements to the organ donation and allocation system are one of his major priorities. Madam Speaker, it is my hope that, in the future, as this House and the Energy and Commerce Committee continues its oversight on the administration of the organ donation and allocation system, that we not rush to judgment--as we did with this legislation--with no hearings, no consultation, and no oversight by the committees of jurisdiction and the Members of this House that are so vitally interested in this issue.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to commend the gentlewoman from Ohio for her leadership and her outstanding work on behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, and also on behalf of American citizens who are minorities, who are dark-skinned citizens, all across this Nation, as she led the charge on this day and on yesterday to bring before the Congress of the United States the celebration of Black History Month. Mr. Speaker, for as long as I can remember, Black History Month was a time of joyous celebration as the Nation took note of the accomplishments and achievements of black Americans throughout the history of this Nation, acknowledging their contributions, not only to the upliftment of this Nation, the progress of this Nation, but indeed, to acknowledge their accomplishments and achievements on behalf of nations throughout the world. Indeed, the world is a better place because of the contributions of black Americans, and we honor and celebrate them during the month of February. However, Mr. Speaker, this month of February is a month that the celebration is somewhat hollow. We are celebrating with less enthusiasm than we have celebrated past Black History Months. The reason for this is singularly the fact that just a few months ago there was an election for President of the United States, and, Mr. Speaker, that election, in the opinions of a significant number of American citizens, and I would say, indeed, the majority of black American citizens, that election was stolen from the rightful winner. So, Mr. Speaker, I am here today to talk about a stolen Presidential election and the disenfranchisement of African-American voters during this last election. As we speak on the floor today, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, on which I serve, is holding a hearing on the television network's coverage of last November's Presidential election. That is a hearing that I also have mixed feelings about because, whereas I understand and appreciate and am also concerned about the fact that the coverage, the network coverage of last November's election, left a lot to be desired, I feel as though that hearing is just tinkering along the edges. It is not really getting to the essence of the issue. I and the voters of the First Congressional District, along with millions of American voters across the Nation, heard the results of Florida's Presidential balloting announced, then revised, then reversed, then rescinded by the networks. The impact of those faulty projections and the havoc which they wreaked is still being felt today, not only by the individual who was defeated, Vice President Gore, but also by tens of thousands of American voters who believed then and believe now that their votes in Florida and in many States, like my State, the State of Illinois, were not counted. Mr. Speaker, we have spent many, many years, and I have spent most of my adult life, fighting to ensure that African-Americans have the right to vote and that their vote be counted. I spent most of my political career fighting a dastard machine in the city of Chicago that moved with adroitness and skill on every election to suppress the African- American vote within the city of Chicago, within the State of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on election night in Chicago, and also in Cook County, I want to bring it to the attention of the American people that antiquated voting machines in Chicago and Cook County resulted in thousands of African-American voters' ballots being disqualified. Yet, in the rich suburban, Republican collar counties surrounding Cook County, where the population is not primarily minority, there were state-of-the-art voting machines in place which allowed for the smooth disposition of defective ballots, and for citizens to be recorded accurately right then and there. Can Members believe it, in my State, in the State of Illinois, in Cook County, where a majority of minority citizens are, we had old, antiquated machines, that if in fact a ballot was put or entered into that machine, it was kicked out and that person lost their vote? But just a few miles away, in the Republican part of the State of Illinois, in the collar counties surrounding Cook County, they had up-to-date machines where once the card was entered in that machine, if in fact there was a mistake by the voter, it was immediately rejected and the voter right then and there, at the same time, could correct their mistake and enter that card once again into that machine and their vote would be counted. So 125,000 African-American and minority voters in the County of Cook were denied their right to vote as a result of this duality of this double standard, of these two different machines, one antiquated, being utilized inside Cook County, and one up-to-date state of the art, being utilized outside of Cook County. More than 200 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African- American voters are still today being denied their rights, particularly their right to vote. It is incumbent upon us as Members of Congress to safeguard the rights of African-Americans and all voters, no matter what their race, color, or creed. There are lingering questions, many lingering questions, about this last Presidential election that need to be answered. Mr. Speaker, I call upon Members of this Congress, Members of the 107th Congress, I call upon the leadership of this Congress, to get to the bottom of why, why did African-Americans and other minorities, why were they denied their right to vote? Why were their votes not counted? Why was there intimidation and harassment, and indeed, in some instances, faulty arrests of African-Americans on their way to the polls? Why, Mr. Speaker, in the County of Cook, were there two different types of machines, one with faulty equipment, antiquated equipment, and the other one state-of-the-art equipment? Why were those two different types of machines used in the State of Illinois in a Presidential election? The American people deserve the right to know that, to know the answer to those questions. African-Americans deserve the right to know the answer to those questions. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, we all deserve the right to know the answer to those questions.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Middle Income Home Heating Assistance Act of 2001 (MIHHAA). In the face of this winter's natural gas crisis, there has been a great deal of discussion nationwide, about raising the LIHEAP 150% poverty level eligibility cutoff. While LIHEAP funding and eligibility limits must be increased to protect the increasing number of people who desperately need assistance, the tremendous cost associated with such legislation, must be supported by other legislative initiatives designed to accomplish similar assistive goals. Consider the statistics in Illinois alone. In Illinois, when the eligibility cutoff was 125% of poverty level, LIHEAP covered 633 thousand households. At the current eligibility cutoff of 150% of the poverty level, 740 thousand households will be covered. If raised to 175%, as some have proposed, close to 1.4 million households will be covered. This would more than double the number of homes currently covered, and would according to State officials, result in an additional $130 million in administrative costs. Instead of altering LIHEAP, my bill would pick up where LIHEAP leaves off. The importance of relief for those earning just above the 150% poverty rate is especially clear in a year when many individuals have received increases in Social Security benefits, and have been pushed just beyond the cutoff. My bill does the following: where a taxpayer, in any given year, pays an average of 50% more per therm, over the average per therm cost for the previous three years, she is entitled to a refundable tax credit. The maximum credit, which is phased out from the 150 to 300% poverty level, is $500. Under this bill, a family of four, with an annual income of $25,575 would be entitled to a $500 credit. The phase-out, for a family of four would end at one with an income of $51,150. While we must find solutions to the United States' energy problems, we in Congress must also attend to the consequential costs which those problems levy against the average consumer. The Middle Income Home Heating Assistance Act of 2001 focuses on the middle income consumer, and ensures some relief in years where current law offers none.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on November 1, 2000 I introduced H.R. 5621, the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Fairness Act of 2000. This legislation is identical to a bill which was introduced last month by the senior Senator from Illinois, with the full support of the Administration. In 1997, Congress enacted the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 (P.L. 105-33). The stated intent of the legislation was to slow the rate of growth in the Medicare program Unfortunately, the reductions enacted through the BBA went much deeper than expected. As a result, the net and cumulative effects of the Act have severely reduced Medicare reimbursements to hospitals and health service providers. I opposed the Balanced Budget Act when it was debated by the House of Representatives in 1997. I believed that it was a bad policy then, and believe that it is a bad policy now. The BBA reductions have been particularly severe on hospitals in Illinois. In my district, which encompasses the south and west sides of the city of Chicago, there are eleven major hospital facilities which have been devastated by BBA reductions. Multiply the losses across the state, and the impact on services is staggering. In the First Session of the current Congress, I introduced the Health Care Preservation and Accessibility Act of 1999, H.R. 3145, to provide relief to hospitals, community health centers, and skilled nursing facilities harmed by the excessive reductions of the Balanced Budget Act. Although my legislation was not enacted, the intent of many of its provisions were included in the Medicare Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-113). That legislation helped relieve some of the financial strain placed on hospitals and health providers. However, while hospitals and health care providers still struggle under the economic pressures imposed the BBA reductions, a new series of proposed reductions threaten financial solvency. In May of this year, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) issued a notice to state Medicaid directors advising of its intent to revise the Medicaid funding formula known as Intergovernmental Transfers (IGT). This proposed rule would slash an additional $375 million a year in Medicaid funding for Illinois--a state in which the healthcare system is already devastated by the effects of the Balanced Budget Act--and further endanger critical health services for children, senior citizens and the poor. Both the state of Illinois and Cook County have diligently and constructively used the IGT funding to enhance the health care system, especially for low-income, uninsured and under insured Chicagoans, over the last 10 years. Although under the Health Care Financing Administration's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the IGT program changes would be phased-in over a 5 year period, the proposed change would severely cripple the State's ability to provide needed health care services to Illinois citizens. The legislation, which I have introduced with my colleague in the Senate, is designed to increase the Medicaid Disproportionate Share payments to all states and encourage states to use the DSH program as it was intended--to fund uncompensated health care. By increasing the Medicaid DSH payments, we are acknowledging the burden placed on hospitals that treat a large number of Medicaid and uninsured patients by the Balanced Budget Act and the proposed HCFA regulations. Enactment of H.R. 5621 would allow Illinois, and all of the states, to continue to make inroads towards ensuring that an extensive safety net of hospitals and health care providers exist to provide care to the most vulnerable groups of society. I urge my colleagues to join me in support H.R. 5621, and if this Congress fails to act on this legislation, I hope my colleagues will join me in making it a priority in the 107th Congress.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Mr. Ramon B. Price, who passed on Friday, September 29, 2000. While Ramon was the youngest brother of Chicago's late mayor Harold Washington, Ramon was better known as a great costume designer, painter, sculptor, illustrator, historian, educator, and ambassador of Afro-American Art, who devoted his life to the service of his community. Ramon Betrell Price was born on July 18, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute, and went on to receive a Master's Degree at Indiana University. From the beginning of his career, Ramon had been engaged in education. His early career in education not only helped him develop his passion for art, but encouraged his enthusiasm for public service. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Ramon spent the next 17 years teaching art at various High Schools, and colleges, in and around Chicago. In 1973, Ramon began his tenure as Chief Curator of the DuSable Museum of African American History--the oldest museum of African American History in the nation. In an effort to create an exchange of ideas, and culture, Ramon traveled extensively on behalf of the DuSable. Not long before his passing, he led a group of artists and patrons to the Festival del Caribe in Santiago, Cuba. Ramon regularly traveled to Africa, and to Bahia, Brazil, where he worked closely with the ``Sisterhood of Boa Morte,'' a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of slavery. He was also a co-founder of both the Afro-American Artist Round Table (AVAR); and the Artists for Senhora Vadente's Settlement House in Salvador de Behai, Brazil. Ramon worked on many projects, assisting anyone who asked. When his friends needed assistance, support or guidance, Ramon was always one on which they could depend. To Ramon, art was inexorably linked to education. This philosophy is most beautifully, and poignantly expressed through his own words: ``Art, in its broadest sense, is a culmination of all human experiences. If one is faithful to the idea that art is essentially a means of communication, then the artist as teacher is as he should be. This is especially important to me in relation to my art and its most immediate audience . . . my black brothers and sisters.'' Ramon was a true gentleman and scholar; and he will truly be missed.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the dedication of the renaming of Chicago's Louis Wirth Experimental School to the Miriam G. Canter Middle School. Miriam G. Canter, my constituent and my friend, died on October 22, 1999. However, her dedication and commitment to her community and the public school system, lives on in the lives of the students at Louis Wirth Experimental School. This school, located in my district, was founded in 1969 by a group of influential parents and community residents, led by Mrs. Canter. As a parent and long time, proud resident of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, she had a vision for her community's children. She believed they needed a school that would offer modern, flexible educational programs designed to use children's experiences to enhance their learning. Over the years, Mrs. Canter's vision has been realized. Since its founding, the school has provided enriching educational programs that prepare children for success in high school and beyond. In addition, Mrs. Canter retained an active interest in the Wirth School long after her own children graduated. She served as president of the Parent Teachers Association and remained an active member of the Local School Council under her passing. In fact, her last fight was to get a new gym and lunchroom added to the facility. So, in a lasting tribute, on October 12, 2000, the community, Local School Council and the Chicago Public School System will dedicate the renaming of the Louis Wirth Elementary School to the Miriam G. Canter Middle School. I stand in total agreement with this action and believe it is a most appropriate way to honor this mother, community leader, and public school advocate. Truly, her work embodies the spirit of advocacy that will ensure educational excellence in the nation's public schools for our children.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to, first of all, commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland), the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) for their outstanding work on this bill. It is with great pride that I support S. 1880, the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000. The disparities in health care as they relate to ethnic minorities is alarming. Consider these statistics, the infant mortality rate among African Americans is still more than double that of white citizens. African-American children are significantly more likely than whites to experience childhood asthma. Heart disease death rates are more than 40 percent higher for African Americans than for whites. For prostate cancer, it is more than double the rates for whites. African-American women have a higher death rate from breast cancer, despite having mammography screening rates that is higher than for white women. The death rate from HIV/AIDS for African Americans is more than 7 times that for whites. The rate for homicide is 6 times that for whites. The suicide right among young African-American men has doubled since 1980. Many whites living in medically underserved areas suffer from the same health care access problems as do members of minority groups. In rural Appalachia, 46 percent of counties are designated as health professions shortage areas and high rates of poverty contribute to health disparity outcomes. White Appalachian males between the ages of 35 and 46 are 19 percent more likely to die of health disease than their counterparts elsewhere in the country, and white Appalachian women are 20 percent more likely to die of heart disease. Mr. Speaker, this bill addresses this critical problem, and we do need to do more to correct these alarming disparities, and the creation of the Center for Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities within the National Institutes of Health is an excellent step forward.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. It is with great humility and admiration that I stand before this body today for perhaps the most profound few minutes that I can imagine to pay tribute to a man who is a hero to many, many others and a hero to myself; a man who has paved the way for so many African American Members of Congress through his many, many years of distinguished service. I like to say that my familiarity, my contact with Bill Clay goes back many decades. Indeed, forever etched in my mind is a photograph of him as a young man, tall, handsome, a large Afro, being sworn in as a Member of the city council in St. Louis, Missouri, many, many years ago. For those of us who were young at that time and who also wore Afros, it was quite an honor, quite a motivation, quite an inspirational moment to see someone who looked like us, who came from the same type of background and neighborhood as we did, to finally be accepted into a government office, into the city council in St. Louis. Indeed, it was an inspiration, an inspiration that still motivates me even today. It is probably one of the most pleasurable things that one can ever experience, having looked at a hero, at a role model, at someone that one idolizes, and then to have God's blessing of serving with him as a colleague in the Congress. But between that swearing in and my coming to Washington as a Member of this body, Bill Clay touched my life on many different occasions. I can remember a time, a period in American life when in my own home City of Chicago, in my home State of Illinois, when as a young man I was an activist, and there was a lot of turmoil and controversy, a lot of violence that occurred. A close, close friend of mine, Fred Hampton, a member of the Black Panther Party in Illinois, was murdered on December 4, 1969. And as a member of that organization, I do recall the kind of terror that was in my heart, the fear that existed among all of us as we were being hunted down by police agencies and the FBI all across this Nation. We did not know where to turn or who to turn to. But on the horizon Bill Clay and other Members of the Congressional Black Caucus did come into Chicago and conducted a hearing in Chicago that kind of settled the turmoil, brought clarity to the situation. The impact of the Congressional Black Caucus in Chicago will never, never be fully told, but I can say this, that without the intervention of Bill Clay and other Members of the Black Caucus, then I certainly would not be standing here today. Let me just say that since I have been a Member of this body and have experienced not only his friendship and his professionalism, one thing that keeps me thinking and admiring Bill Clay the most is that he really cares for this institution, he cares for everything about it. Bill Clay understands this institution, the potential of this institution, and he works very, very hard to realize that potential for his constituents and for all Americans. Bill Clay understands the importance of the Congressional Black Caucus. Indeed, he was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Bill Clay understands all the other allied institutions and agencies that affect this caucus. Bill Clay is probably the single most profound individual, most consistent individual to look at the affairs of the Democratic National Club. Mr. Speaker, that is another thing. Bill Clay called me one morning a few years ago and asked me would I serve on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. This man cares about this institution and all the allied institutions and all the supportive institutions and all the institutions that impact on America's people, and I say to my colleagues that we will miss this giant of a man. We will miss this Member of Congress, this trailblazer, who in his own humbleness has touched many, many of us for many, many years. I will say to Bill that my wife Carolyn asked me to pass on to him and his wife Carol that she is going to miss the letters that he sends to the spouses, our spouses, Members of the Black Caucus spouses, as he critique the actions and attitudes and the history and the legacy of the Congressional Black Caucus. The gentleman has been a friend, a person whose humor has really made this place a different place than what it could have been. He has been a beacon for us all. His history, his presentation, his involvement in this Congress certainly is unparalleled; and I thank him so very, very much. And to him and his wife, Carol, I say Godspeed and thank you for all the service that he provided. We are all going to miss him. Mr. Speaker, it is with great humility and admiration that I stand before this body today to pay tribute to Congressman Bill Clay, a man who has paved the way for so many African American members of Congress through this many years of distinguished service. In a day and age when so many Americans are disillusioned with politics and politicians, Bill's historic tenure in this house represents the virtue and honor of a career in public service. Even before entering Congress, Bill tirelessly fought for equality for African Americans by organizing protests against racial inequality. As a member of Congress, Bill has been staunch advocate for those most in need of a voice in Washington. As the ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee and the former Chairman of the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, Bill used his influential position to advocate for a stronger educational system and ensure greater worker protections. As the founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Bill established a forum in which minority issues can be addressed. Bill was the glue that kept the caucus together. Bill has also fought tirelessly for working families through such efforts like the Family and Medical Leave Act. Bill is also a wonderful writer and communicator. His book, ``To Kill Or Not To Kill,'' made us all think long and hard about the death penalty. Also, his book ``Just Permanent Interests'' is a testament about African Americans in Congress. Let there be no question that the departure of Bill will leave a void in this body. We will miss his thunderous oratories, his tireless work ethic and his uncompromising morals. And yes, we will even miss his witty criticism of the Congressional Black Caucus' annual meetings. However, he will always live in this house because his legendary accomplishments and statesmanship are an example to us all. Bill thank you for your leadership and friendship. It has been a personal privilege to work with a man I have admired so much throughout my life. I wish you and your wife Carol well.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to one of Chicago's unsung heroes, the late Lucille Beavers. Her untimely death on October 9, 2000 will truly leave a deep void in our community. Lucille, the daughter of William and Roberta Nunnally, was born on August 14, 1919. She spent her early years in Atlanta, Georgia and later moved to Chicago, IL where she attended Chicago Public Schools. Lucille met, and after a three-year courtship, married Alderman William Beavers on June 5, 1984. Lucille was devoted to her family and exceptionally proud of her son, Riccardo Williams, who launched a very successful entrepreneurial enterprise. Lucille Beavers took an active part in her church and community. As a faithful member of the Cosmopolitan Community Church, Mrs. Beavers actively joined the August Club where she faithfully served her fellow man. Lucille Beavers was a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, aunt and friend who will be deeply missed. My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mrs. Lucille Beavers, a true beacon of the Chicago community. ``If anyone serves me let him follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant also be; if anyone serves me, the father will honor him''. John 12:26.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to vote against the rule on H.R. 2614, the Certified Development Program Improvements Act. On September 26, 2000, the House Commerce Committee approved the Beneficiary Improvement Protection Act of 2000, H.R. 5291. This bill was the result of extensive bipartisan negotiations between committee Members. Both Republicans and Democrats sat down at the same table and worked through their differences to forge a bill which addressed the concerns of hospitals, HMOs, home health networks and other providers. Despite the differences of opinion amongst the various Members, we worked through our disagreements and passed a bill that had broad bipartisan support. I want to commend my colleagues on both sides of the Commerce Committee for their tireless efforts on that bill. However, instead of building on the bipartisan efforts of the Commerce Committee, the Republican majority chose to go its own way and start from scratch. One month after the Commerce Committee acted, Democrats have been waiting for the Republican majority to bring us into negotiations, to recognize our willingness to compromise and to extend us the same courtesy. Last Friday, we received a document that looked nothing like the bill forged by the bipartisan efforts of the Commerce Committee. Aggravating this situation, the Republican majority has made it clear that they are not interested in entering into true negotiations on their bill. Rather they have chosen to squander this opportunity by using the calendar to pressure Members into agreeing to a ``quick fix.'' Each day the majority places one or two provisions back into the bill in an attempt to pressure enough Members who would rather obtain some relief, than nothing at all. This approach is unacceptable. In Illinois, neither HMO's nor hospitals can wait another session for relief. This situation is not unique to Illinois, I know many of you are hearing daily from your seniors and health care providers who are pleading for relief. For the foregoing reasons, I must vote against this rule.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Illinoisan and a dedicated Congressman. My colleague, Congressman John Edward Porter, dedicated 20 years of his life to serve as the Representative from Illinois' Tenth Congressional District. At the helm of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Porter worked diligently to forge bipartisanship in the appropriations process. Over the course of Congressman Porter's tenure in the House of Representatives, he has taken a leadership role on health care issues. As Chairman of the Labor, HHS and Education appropriations since 1995, he was successful in making biomedical research one of our Nation's highest priorities. This is evidenced in the fact that during his tenure as Chairman, Congressman Porter doubled funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Congressman Porter understands the great promise that NIH's research holds for saving lives and conquering diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and many others. In addition, he worked tirelessly to provide more funding for community health centers that serve the indigent poor. I can speak endlessly on Representative Porter's accomplishments, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that beyond his stellar accomplishments, he is a man of honor and integrity. And as Congressman Porter enters into retirement, I am grateful to have served with a Member of such high esteem.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to commend Mr. Waxman and Mr. Coburn for their hard work on the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act of 2000. The Ryan White CARE Act provides grants to eligible metropolitan areas that are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic; it provides grants to the states and territories to provide health care support services to people living with HIV/AIDS; it provides programs which support outpatient HIV early intervention services for low-income, medically underserved people in existing primary care systems; and it provides services for children, youth, women and families in a comprehensive, community-based, family-centered system of care. I am glad to see that the Ryan White CARE Act Amendment of 2000 which I am a cosponsor, addresses the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS. As we witness the dramatic changes taking place in other world nations now confronting exploding epidemics of HIV/AIDS, we recognize that the course of the HIV epidemic is also changing. Racial and ethnic minorities are increasingly becoming affected with this dreadful disease at an alarming rate. With adequate funding, the Ryan White CARE Act can continue providing medical services to people living with HIV/AIDS, which can help to improve their quality of life. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my colleagues who have come to the floor today to speak on the importance of reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act of 2000. I am pleased that this important piece of legislation passed the House and Senate and that the leadership considered this important reauthorization before the end of this congressional session.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on September 27, I was unavoidably detained in a Commerce Committee hearing. However, had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 496 (H.R. 4365) the Children's Health Act of 2000.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). I want to, first of all, commend the gentleman for his insightful leadership, for his dedication to the historical black colleges throughout his professional, political career. I want to thank him for the sensitivity of which he approaches this particular issue and really just his total dedication to the efforts of historical black colleges as they move to try to strengthen themselves and maintain their commitment and their mission to the American people. The gentleman has an exemplary image and his exemplary conduct should be noted by all Americans, because he has indeed done this Nation a great service on behalf of its minority students throughout the country.