Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. I rise today in support of the Tauzin-Dingell amendment. Today local telephone companies have to follow GAAP procedures for the IRS and the SEC, and the Uniform System of Accounts for the FCC. This unnecessary duplication costs the industry and its consumers $270 million each year, and serves no purpose. The Tauzin-Dingell amendment eliminates unnecessary regulation and levels the playing field for all telecommunications companies. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. As a Member of this body, I have heard victim after victim, attorney after attorney, family after family, express to me the severity of the problem of police brutality and misconduct in our Nation' cities and our Nation's towns. In 1994, this Congress passed legislation requiring the Department of Justice to collect data on police use of excessive force. However, we failed to appropriate any funding for the data collection. Furthermore, this year the Department of Justice failed to even request the funding to collect police misconduct data. Let me be clear, Mr. Chairman, I support law enforcement. People in the First Congressional District support law enforcement. However, I do not and cannot support police use of excessive force. To begin to treat the misconduct, we must, we should, gather the statistics. This amendment simply requires that State and local law enforcement agencies report data regarding police use of excessive force to the U.S. Attorney General. By collecting this data, by examining this problem, we will be able to determine the severity of the problem, and we will be able to develop solutions to reduce police brutality and misconduct incidents. I urge my colleagues to vote for this timely amendment.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Dingell amendment to H.R. 2605. H.R. 2605, as currently drafted, seeks to close the Army Corps of Engineers' regional office located in the City of Chicago. It was only after a few years ago that we negotiated the continued existence of the Chicago regional office with a plan which was both cost effective and streamlined. I recall those days, Mr. Chairman. Long meetings, meetings where there was a very intense discussion, but we agreed that the Chicago office should be open. Now, Mr. Chairman, this bill seeks to undo the work that we did accomplish in 1996. The Chicago Corps office is a recognized national leader among the Army Corps of Engineers' division and the professional development in environmental projects. Moreover, surrounding cities and States have long depended upon the services provided by the Corps. Currently because of the Corps, Chicago is in the process of repairing its deteriorating shoreline. Mr. Chairman, I understand that this amendment will be withdrawn. That said, I nonetheless stand in support of the amendment with the trust that between now and the conference that a partnership will be formed between the Committee on Appropriations, the members of the Great Lakes States, and the Army Corps of Engineers to resolve this important issue.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Martinez substitute. I commend both the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez) and the ranking member of the committee for the outstanding work that they have done on this substitute. Mr. Chairman, here we are again debating an issue that is essential to our children's future, and that is the size of the classrooms in our disadvantaged communities. The Republicans have repeatedly attempted to politicize this issue. It is indisputable that reduced class size, especially in the early years, improves student achievement and provides lasting benefits, particularly for disadvantaged students. H.R. 1995 fails to target funds to the neediest school districts. Are the Republicans suggesting that urban poor and rural poor students are not deserving of adequate funding for public education? Do Republicans not understand that an educated child provides for a more productive work force? I implore my colleagues on both size of the aisle to come to their senses and support the Martinez substitute. Let us end this political parade and put our children first.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today, to pay tribute to and to celebrate the life and legacy of James Leonard Farmer who passed away on Friday, July 9, 1999, at the age of 79. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and regards to Brother Farmer's family and extended community. James Leonard Farmer served our nation as the founder and national chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) established in 1942. CORE is the third oldest and one of the ``Big Four'' civil rights organizations in America. A strong advocate and civil rights leader, Jim Farmer transformed America by fighting racial prejudice in the 1960's and continuously throughout his lifetime. As the founder of CORE, Mr. Farmer paved the way for the later civil rights movement by organizing the first ``Sit-ins'' and ``Freedom Rides'' throughout the South. A devoted Christian, Jim Farmer had a strong and unwavering commitment to the cause of Christ. He always recognized the importance of overcoming social injustice, which stood as his life-long pursuit. His dedication to justice earned him national recognition as he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to join with all Americans in recognizing the achievements and life of James Leonard Farmer. I am truly honored to pay tribute to Farmer's distinguished life and am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Mrs. Bessie Cannon who made her heavenly transition on Friday, July 9, 1999 at the age of 57. Mrs. Cannon served diligently as the President of the 10,000 member Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 880 for seven years. She was a strong and effective voice for the ``little people'', fighting in Chicago for the passage of the city's first ``Living Wage'' ordinance. She championed many causes within the labor movement in Chicago and across this nation during her 13 years as a member of SEIU. A deeply devoted Christian woman, Mrs. Cannon served faithfully as a member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans. She had an unwavering commitment to the cause of Christ, believing that in Him we have everlasting life. Mrs. Cannon was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was an anchor in her home, in her church, in her community and indeed in this nation. Mr. Speaker, I have known Mrs. Cannon for several years. She has been a supporter and friend. I want to encourage her family and many friends to always remember to look to the hills from which comes all of their help. I am truly honored to pay tribute to her distinguished life and am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Mrs. Anna Roberts who made her heavenly transition on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 at the age of 93. Mrs. Roberts was the youngest of fourteen children born to the union of the late Elizabeth and William Martin in Atlanta, Georgia on October 17, 1905. She united in Holy martimony to Mr. Roy Roberts, Jr. in 1925. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Roberts migrated to Chicago with her husband, as God blessed them to have five sons and a daughter. A devoted Christian woman, Mrs. Roberts was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, serving faithfully in the Holy Angels Church parish. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, Sr., son, William Martin Roberts and daughter, Regina Roberts. The biblical Greek name Anna is the equivalent of the Hebrew name Hannah which means favored and grace. Hannah was a favored and virtuous woman. And in this day and time, who can find a virtuous woman? One whose price is far above rubies and the heart of her husband is safely entrusted to her. A woman who willingly works with her hands, who with the fruit of her hands plants vineyards, with her hands she stretches out to the poor, with her hands she cares for the needy. A woman who works through the night to feed her household. A woman whose strength and honor were her clothing. A woman whose mouth speaks and wisdom and tongue with kindness. A woman whose children call her blessed and most of all, a woman who fears the Lord. Annabell, as she was affectionately known, was such a woman. A loving, committed and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, mother-in-law, godmother, aunt and friend. Indeed, she was a virtuous woman. Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to pay tribute to the life and legacy of my constituent, Mrs. Anna Roberts.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today against the Franks-Pickering amendment. The Franks-Pickering amendment would terminate the E-rate benefits for schools and libraries that fail to implement filtering technology for computers with Internet servers and Internet access. While I agree with this premise, I feel that this amendment goes much too far. The amendment would require schools and libraries to return their E- rate funds within 30 days if the schools do not comply with FCC rules. This requirement will financially and administratively burden schools and libraries that have to purchase and install this filtering software. Most schools that receive E-rate funding are located in inner-city and rural areas. These schools are struggling to connect with the Internet, and this amendment would be an imposition that would set them back even more so. Mr. Chairman, let us not widen the digital divide that already exists among our children. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) for this amendment. I am just sorry that the amendment will be withdrawn. This idea, this approach, toward building a third airport in the city of Chicago is much needed. It is much needed for many reasons, as has been stated by many, many others. Let me just say that in my district, the first district of Illinois, we depend on this type of economic development engine to help create jobs in my district, jobs that have been lost over the many, many years, particularly with the closure of the U.S. steel works there in the city of Chicago. I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) for this amendment. I strongly support a third airport, and I believe that this House should help achieve that particular objective.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure today that I rise to commend Leela de Souza of Chicago, Illinois in recognition of her achievements this year as a distinguished White House Fellow. A native of Chicago, Ms. de Souza graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago, earning an AB in biopsychology. She received her MBA degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. After college, she moved to Spain and became a volunteer teacher at the American School of Madrid. Prior to college, at the age of 18, she became a professional ballet dancer. By age 23, she was the prima ballerina for the Hubbard Street Dance Company, one of America's preeminent contemporary dance troupes. Ms. de Souza is a management consultant with McKinsey & Co. In San Francisco, where she works with clients in the packaged goods, energy and health care industries. In addition to her professional career, she has done extensive pro bono work with two national symphonies. Ms. de Souza has also been involved as a mentor and tutor in the I Have a Dream Program in East Palo Alto, California, and serves on the Business Arts Council of San Francisco. Established in 1965, the White House Fellowship program honors outstanding citizens across the United States who demonstrate excellence in community service, leadership, academic and professional endeavors. The nearly 500 alumni of the program have gone on to become leaders in all fields of endeavors, fulfilling the fellowship's mission to encourage active citizenship and service to the nation. It is the nation's most prestigious fellowship for public service and leadership development. As a White House Fellow, Ms. de Souza serves in a position with the Office of the First Lady. She works at the White House Millennium Council to help create national projects and initiatives to celebrate the promise of the new millennium. In this capacity, Ms. de Souza assists with various initiatives such as Millennium Evenings at the White House and Save America's Treasures. She is also the acting liaison with several of the First Lady's millennium projects, including speech writing, federal agency millennium initiatives, and with non- governmental organizations seeking to partner with the White House on national millennium projects. Mr. Speaker and fellow colleagues, it is an honor to pay tribute to Leela de Souza for her outstanding service as a White House Fellow.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 441, the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999. My reason for introducing and encouraging support for this legislation is simple--it will assist the underserved communities of this nation by providing adequate health care for their residents. Today, there are some areas in this country which experience a scarcity of health professionals, even though numbers indicate that no nursing shortage exists nationally. Such an area exists in my district, the First Congressional District of Illinois. The Englewood community, a poor, urban neighborhood with a high incidence of crime, is primarily served by St. Bernard's Hospital. This small community hospital's emergency room averages approximately 31,000 visits per year; 50% of their patients are Medicaid recipients and 35% receive Medicare. The Immigration Nursing Relief Act of 1989 created the H-1A visa program in order to allow foreign educated nurses to work in the United States. the rationale for the H1-A program, as acknowledged by the AFL- CIO, the American Nurses Association and others, was to address spot shortage areas. St. Bernard's Hospital utilized the H1-A program to maintain an adequate nursing staff level. The H1-A program was vital to St. Bernard's continued existence. Prior to this program, St. Bernard hired temporary nurses. As a result, the hospital's nursing expenditures increased by approximately $2 million in an effort to provide health care to its patients in 1992. This additional cost brought St. Bernard's close to closing its doors. The H1-A visa program expired on September 30th of 1997. Currently, no program exists that would assist hospitals such as St. Bernards in their effort to retain qualified nurses. My legislation merely seeks to close the gap created by the expiration of the H1-A program. H.R. 441, prescribes that any hospital which seeks to hire foreign nurses under these provisions must meet the following criteria: (1) be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area; (2) have at least 190 acute care beds; (3) have a medicare population of 35%; and (4) have a Medicaid population of at least 28%. As one who has always fought for the American worker, I can assure you, that this proposal does not have a detrimental effect on American nurses. My legislation sets a cap on the number of new visas that may be issued each year. The legislation also includes processing requirements, that require employers to attest that the hiring of foreign nurses will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of registered nurses. The Secretary of Labor will oversee this process and provide penalties for non-compliance. Health care is a basic human right. The hallmarks of civilized nations are health care, education, and democracy. the state of health care is a grave concern in my district. Hospitals have closed. City health clinics are closing. Payments for Medicare and Medicaid have been cut back. The legislation we must pass today, is aimed at helping hospitals, like St. Bernard's, keep their doors open to the communities they serve.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today I am here to introduce the Broadcasters Fairness in Advertising Act of 1999. There is a silent and pervasive trend among ad agencies and the companies they represent to engage in discriminatory practices which are called, quote, ``no urban/ Spanish dictates'' end of quote, and they are called, quote, ``minority discounts,'' end of quote. The term: ``No urban slash Spanish dictates'' means not advertising products on stations that cater to minorities. ``Minority discounts'' means paying minority-owned stations far less for advertising the same product that is paid to nonminority- owned stations. These policies have no business rationale and are purely discriminatory. Madam Speaker, year in and year out minority broadcasters lose millions of dollars in revenues, however the advertising companies would have us believe otherwise. They will contend that they do not advertise in these stations because minorities do not buy their products. For example, in a study conducted by the FCC, a major mayonnaise manufacturer told a station manager that, quote, black people do not eat mayonnaise, end of quote. Or worse, one minority station salesperson was told that, and I quote again, black people do not eat beef, end of quote. Such a blatantly absurd statement demonstrates the openly racist obstacles minority broadcasters face from the advertising industry. My bill will prohibit discrimination against minority formatted stations by directing the FCC to adopt regulations to prevent such discrimination. It would also allow private right of action by any minority broadcaster who has been subjected to advertising discrimination. And finally, my bill will prohibit Federal agencies from contracting with ad agencies that utilize these discriminatory practices. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting this very, very important initiative.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by commending the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for his outstanding work on behalf of this particular resolution but also on the outstanding work that he has performed on behalf of the citizens of this Nation throughout his tenure here in the Congress. Mr. Speaker, 45 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Brown v. Board of Education case that literally changed the course of American history. They ruled that separate is inherently unequal. Today, 45 years later, separate is still unequal, and it is our responsibility as this Nation's lawmakers to make sure that we never ever allow laws or policies to exist that will threaten to take us back to those dark days of Americans and American history. So today, as we commemorate the Brown v. Board of Education decisions, let us as Members of this body recommit ourselves to keeping alive the spirit of the historic ruling. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the maker of this particular resolution for his outstanding work on behalf of this resolution.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I am here to introduce the Payday Borrower Protection Act of 1999. Payday loan companies are springing up all over the country. Payday loan companies are cannibalistic. They are akin to loansharking. These companies provide short-term loans with minimum credit checks to consumers who are in desperate need of cash. The interest on these loans are unconscionably high, usually running from 261 percent to 913 percent annually. It is not uncommon for a consumer to have borrowed, say, $100 and within a year to be forced to repay $900 to a payday loan company. My bill regulates and imposes some rational criteria on these loans. My bill caps annual interest fees at 36 percent and prohibits any payday lender from refinancing or rolling over any loans. My bill also sets a minimum national standard for State payday loan laws. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Payday Borrower Protection Act of 1999.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank the sponsor of this outstanding resolution, H.R. 156. I also want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee and also the ranking member of the subcommittee for this occasion. Today, I would like to commend Reverend Jesse Jackson and the entire Jackson peace delegation, which included the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rod Blagojevich) and the Reverend James Meeks, both who reside in the City of Chicago, for their heroic efforts in bringing our soldiers back home. It took people of monumental strength and enormous moral courage to accomplish such a noble feat. I know that all of America, including the parents of our soldiers, thanked God when on Sunday it was announced that our soldiers were released. One word about Reverend Jackson. Reverend Jackson is, indeed, a remarkable man, a man of enormous courage and enormous talent and abilities. Reverend Jackson's moral plea to Milosevic for the release of our soldiers was not an easy task. However, once again, Reverend Jackson has demonstrated to us the power of diplomatic negotiations. Reverend Jackson certainly deserves every word, every symbol, every indication that we have giving him thanks.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember a sad day in the world's history. Many of you may not remember this, but this year marks the eighty fourth anniversary of the Armenian genocide. During World War I, at least one million Armenians were killed in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 to 1923. The brutal treatment that the Armenian people have suffered must never be repeated or forgotten. As a nation, we must never again allow a madman to exterminate an entire race of people to further his political ambitions. Every person and every race has a right to be free and safe in his own home. Those who commit these atrocities are criminals and must be tried for crimes against humanity. Today as we remember the Armenian genocide, it is with sadness that we again witness a genocide of another race, the Albanian Kosovars. Unlike the Armenian genocide, I am proud to say that the United States and its NATO allies have learned from the past and are taking strong actions to halt the inhuman actions of Slobodan Milosevic and his minions who so eagerly engage in these atrocious crimes against humanity. Through the blood of their ancestors, the Armenian people have struggled for their independence. In 1991, Armenia became a sovereign state. I know that the Armenian people and the Armenian-Americans are proud of their state and will forever remember the hardships that they, as a people, have endured to gain their freedom and independence. On this very somber day, I feel very strongly that we can perform no greater act of remembrance than to express our strong conviction to never again allow genocide to go unchecked in this world and to state unequivocally that the U.S. and its NATO allies will stop at nothing to end the slaughter in Kosovo. We owe at least this much to the memory of the Armenian victims of the Turkish genocide of the First World War.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks. Occasionally in our nation's history there are pivotal moments and indispensable individuals that move America away from its divisive past and closer to its imagined promise. December 1, 1955, produced such a moment and such a person. Rosa Parks grew up in segregation. Every day she was forced to deal with the violation of America's constitutional guarantees. On December 1, 1955, this American woman, exacted of this country the freedom and equality the Constitution promises. Tired, like most citizens after a hard day's work, Rosa Parks refused to obey a shameful law that required her to sit at the back of a Montgomery, AL, bus. Her actions set the stage for the civil rights movement of a people who were unfairly and unjustly living under racist law. Because of this brave American woman, segregation laws around the nation began to crumble and our nation began to respond to the call for African-American equality. Because of her invaluable contribution to our nation, every American lives better lives today. For that reason, it is quite appropriate that Mrs. Rosa Parks receive the Congressional Gold Medal. But I must add Mr. Speaker, that today, our nation continues to call for equality and freedom. There are still issues in our America that were issues in 1955. There are still Americans who do not enjoy the promises enumerated in the constitution. So, if we are to truly honor this great woman, we must do so, not only with a Gold Medal, but also with actions that further her purpose. We must all become individuals working to end the discrimination and inequalities that exist in our great nation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and honor the mother of the civil rights movement, Mrs. Rosa Parks.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I want to commend her on the outstanding work she has done on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of every U.S. citizen, black and white, old or young, rich or poor, city dweller and rural resident. Every U.S. citizen is important to the very fabric of our Nation and deserves to be counted, not ignored. Unfortunately, this is the overall effect of H.R. 472, the bill that my Republican colleagues want to pass. I live in a city that still suffers from the 1990 census undercount. Chicago's undercount is the third highest among America's cities, with an estimated 68,000 people missed. A disproportionate number of those undercounted citizens were minorities. This is wrong and must be corrected. In a bipartisan manner we must include every American, we must vote in opposition to 472. Any other vote is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Internet Gun Trafficking Act of 1999. Currently, unlicensed individuals are able to sell and unlicensed buyers are able to buy firearms over the Internet. Moreover, web site operators, who are not licensed gun dealers, facilitate firearms transactions between buyers and sellers. Web site operators run web sites which provide space for unlicensed individuals to post guns for sale. The web sites give names, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of sellers, to allow potential buyers the opportunity to contact the sellers directly for the purchase of firearms. These transactions, while facilitated by the web site operator are not monitored by the web site operator, thus occurring out of anyone's eyesight, including law enforcement. As a result, many individuals, including children and felons are able to purchase firearms illegally and evade the law. My bill will end the unlicensed selling of guns over the Internet. Web site operators who offer firearms for sale or otherwise facilitate the sale of firearms listed or posted over the Internet, must become federally licensed firearm manufacturers, importers or dealers. Additionally, as an aid to law enforcement, licensed firearm dealers- web site operators are required to notify the Secretary of the Treasury of their web site address, as would any individual who operates a web site which offers for sale or otherwise facilitates the sale of firearms. Furthermore, to ensure legal firearm transactions over the Internet, individuals who on behalf of other persons, lists or posts firearms for sale over the Internet will have to establish themselves as ``middlemen.'' All guns sold from the ``middleman's'' web site, must be shipped directly to the ``middleman.'' The ``middleman'' is then required to transfer the firearms to the buyer in accordance with federal firearm laws, including laws which require that firearms are shipped directly to a licensed dealer in the unlicensed buyer's state. The ``middleman'' is prohibited from providing any information which would facilitate direct contact between the seller and the buyer. Finally, unlicensed individuals who offer firearms for sale over the Internet may only transfer those firearms directly to the web site operator. I hope that my introduction of the Internet Gun Trafficking Act of 1999 will call attention to the need to regulate gun sales in this new era of Internet firearm transactions.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, right now gun sales take place on the Internet with no checks and balances. An illegal gun dealer can simply have his name, address, and telephone number listed on a web site, making himself available for contact by an unlicensed gun purchaser. These transactions can be executed without being subjected to any Federal regulations. Most of these sales go on unbeknownst to Federal authorities. We have to close this gun trafficking loophole on the Internet today; and today, that is precisely what I am doing. I am introducing the Gun Trafficking Act of 1999. This legislation will place a licensed manufacturer or dealer between the seller and buyer. As a middle man, this licensed dealer will facilitate the gun sale and will ship the gun purchases to a licensed dealer in the buyer's State. No longer will unlicensed dealers and buyers have a free reign and easy access on the Internet. I ask each Member of Congress to plug this deadly loophole. Vote for this important piece of legislation.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend my friend the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) for all of his outstanding work that he has done on behalf of this particular bill and on behalf of the steel industry. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 975, the bipartisan Steel Recovery Act. This much-needed legislation will protect the U.S. Steel industry from unfair dumping of foreign steel into the United States market. Since 1997, I and other Americans have watched Asian, Russian and Latin American countries dump their steel into this Nation. From 1997 to the present, U.S. Steel imports rose to 66 million tons, and it started out at 20 million tons. Over the past year, East Asia, Russia, and Brazil have illegally imported steel into this country at very low prices. Due in principal part to a lingering financial crisis which has devalued their currencies, these countries, East Asia, Russia, Brazil and others, have been getting away with murder. Today, these unfair acts must come to an end because our Nation's citizens are the losers. In the State of Illinois, Acme Metals has filed for Chapter XI bankruptcy because it could not compete with the surge in steel imports. In my district, many steel companies have slowed down production. Some companies have even laid off workers or shortened their hours. We cannot sit idly by, Mr. Speaker, and let these countries destroy our steel mills. I support H.R. 975.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I solemnly rise today in tribute to a Chicago police officer who has fallen victim to the senseless violence that is suffocating far too many of our Nation's neighborhoods. Just today we are now mourning the death of Officer James H. Camp, a 35 year old gang tactical officer who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop made across the street from the Albert Einstein Elementary School located in my district. When Officer Camp approached the vehicle and ordered the driver out, the driver refused. As Officer Camp began to remove the driver from this vehicle, a struggle ensued. The driver grabbed Officer Camp's gun and fatally shot him in his face. Just like that Officer Camp lost his life and became the second Chicago police officer to die in the line of duty this year. Mr. Speaker, many of his colleagues described him as a young, aggressive, effective police officer whose focus and whose hard work produced many good arrests. Others of his colleagues, his fellow officers, say that he was a polite man who was friendly, he was well liked and he was dependable. These are all wonderful descriptions of this man who committed his life and who contributed quality to his service to the citizens of Chicago. Today I would like to also add another personal characteristic to this list describing Officer Camp. Officer James Camp was heroic. Every day for the last 4 and-a-half years he bravely and unselfishly served the citizens of Chicago. Yesterday his efforts cleared the way for the children of Einstein Elementary School so that they could walk home in peace. His efforts brought that neighborhood closer to a community that is free of drug activity. His efforts made the first congressional district of Illinois specifically and the City of Chicago in general a much better and a much safer place to live. It is very important for us, Mr. Speaker, to remember at this time that Officer James Camp's service and dedication is duplicated a thousand times by brave members of the Chicago Police Department. Their bravery, which is exhibited day and night, should never ever be taken for granted. They literally risk everything that they have, including their lives, for our protection. In closing I would like to reiterate that Officer James Camp in his short life of 35 years made quite a difference to the city, to our Nation. Indeed the Nation should thank Officer Camp for his service, for his commitment and for his dedication, and we as a Nation should extend to his widow of just three months our continued prayers for God's strength and God's grace during her time of bereavement.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), my friend, for hosting this Special Order. It is so important to the Nation's children. Mr. Speaker, far too many of America's schools are old and dilapidated. They are falling apart at the seams, placing our children in an environment that makes teaching and learning incredibly challenging. Such nearly impossible challenges are faced by the faculty and the students of the Fisk Elementary School located in the first congressional district of Illinois. This school was built in 1905, long before the age of educational technology. The last time Fisk saw some capital improvements was in the early 1960s, and since that time, it has experienced no other improvements. A simple walk around that school makes the case abundantly clear. In the large 4-story building, there are no elevators, there are no lockers. Students and teachers are forced to walk up and down stairs all day long, carrying heavy books strapped to their backs and carrying their coats on their arms. The student population, which has swelled to almost 600 students, must share the very few bathrooms that are located on every other floor in this old dilapidated building. The gymnasium also serves as the lunch room and as an assembly hall, thereby causing a major logistical nightmare for those faculty Members who want to plan special activities and special programs for the students. The antiquated structure poses various problems as they begin to contemplate wiring for computers and Internet service. Far too often, students must suffer in uncomfortable classrooms, too hot in the summertime because the windows do not open, or too cold in the wintertime because the windows do not close. Unfortunately, Fisk Elementary is a mere example of an alarming number of facilities in the First Congressional District, in other congressional districts, and in school districts all around this country. Almost one-third of all public schools were built prior to the beginning of World War II in 1939, and are indeed in need of drastic renovation and repair. At the same time that these dismal conditions exist school enrollments are reaching record heights, and yet students are left to learn in unsatisfactory and even wretched conditions. Now more than ever an aggressive nationwide school construction and modernization effort must be implemented, quickly and thoroughly. Modernizing the nation's public schools will assist school districts with necessary repairs and renovations, and meet the unprecedented demand for new classrooms equipped with educational technology. The 600 students of the Fisk Elementary School, and that is only one example, and those students in classrooms all across this country, they are depending on us, they are depending on this Congress, they are depending on this administration. We cannot fail our Nation's future.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join with several of my colleagues in introducing a Concurrent Resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service's Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Paul Leroy Robeson. This bill marks an important step in recognizing the many contributions Paul Robeson made to America, especially to the African- American community. Paul Robeson was a well renown African-American athlete, singer, actor, and advocate for the civil rights of people. In the midst of segregation, Paul Robeson managed to attend Rutgers University and Columbia law school where he rose to academic prominence. Unfortunately, discrimination in the legal field forced Paul Robeson to leave the practice of law. However, he was able to use his artistic talents in the theater and music to promote African- American history and culture. Paul Robeson is revered around the world for his artistic talents. Robeson became even more celebrated because of his role as a world famous singer and actor with exquisite performances that included Shakespeare's Othello and Showboat. Armed with the knowledge of twenty-five languages Robeson was able to sing for peace and justice throughout the world. Last year marked the 100th birthday of Paul Robeson. It is only fitting that we celebrate Robeson's legacy by issuing a commemorative postage stamp in his honor.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join with several of my colleagues upon the introduction of The Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999. My bill takes an important step towards increasing the federal commitment to reducing the high rate of asthma-related illnesses and hospitalizations of inner city children who suffer from asthma and who also are allergic to cockroach allergen. In 1997, the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) reported conclusively that asthmatic children who were both allergic to cockroaches, and exposed to high cockroach allergen levels, were hospitalized 3.3 times more often than children who were either only exposed or allergic. The link between asthma and allergy to cockroaches is a serious public health concern. In light of the NIH findings, there should be increased federal assistance to communities to address this problem. Asthma is on the rise, especially in inner cities. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reported that more than 15 million Americans suffer from asthma--an increase of 75 percent between 1980 and 1994. Asthma is a growing concern for the poor and minority communities, especially African-American and Latinos. In 1993, among children and adults, African Americans were 3 to 4 times more likely to die from asthma. The social and economic costs are high. These children are more likely to miss school more often, go to the doctor or emergency room more frequently, and lose sleep. Consequently, the adults who care for these children may have to miss work to care for them. According to the Washington Post (April 24, 1998) the Centers for Disease Control reported that costs related to asthma were estimated to be $6.2 billion in 1990, and expected to more than double by the year 2000. The Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999 asks for action. The bill proposes to amend the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant Program, authorized by the Public Health Service Act, by adding integrated cockroach management to rodent control as an eligible activity for funding. Integrated cockroach management is a multi-faceted approach to controlling the prevalence of cockroaches while minimizing pesticide use. It involves a range of techniques that include building cleaning and maintenance, and using pesticides as a means of last resort. The funds could be used for structural rehabilitation of buildings. This includes patching holes or open pipes that allow cockroaches entry; caulking cracks in walls; moving bushes away from buildings so cockroaches do not have easy access; and ensuring that all windows are properly screened. The Urban Asthma Reduction Act creates new possibilities for communities that are serious about making integrated pest management a component of a comprehensive public health policy. My hope is that the Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999 will prove a viable tool for urban communities to improve the quality and life of all residents, but especially children who suffer from asthma.