José Serrano

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage the chairman and ranking Democrat of the subcommittee in a colloquy. Since before I was elected to Congress, I have heard repeated requests from my constituents for assistance in dealing with Bronx post offices. Continuing problems include lost mail, misdelivered mail, late night deliveries. You name it, we have it. I have witnessed service problems firsthand. Whenever I send out a newsletter to my constituents, boxes and boxes containing undelivered newsletters get sent back to my office for different reasons. Sometimes the Post Office says there is no such address, but, most frustratingly, some get returned for insufficient postage. Some employees at the Post Office do not seem to recognize the Congressional frank. I have repeatedly tried to work with the local postmaster, as well as regional postal service officials. I have had a representative from the Postmaster come to my Washington office to try to work out the problem. We showed her the boxes and boxes that have been returned to my office. Unfortunately, while much was promised at these many meetings, little was delivered. My good friend and colleague who shares part of the problems with me, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) requested language included in your report to require a general study of the postal situation at Morris Park and the Bronx with recommendations to be made to ameliorate the problems. I salute his efforts. I would like to go further and work with the chairman and ranking Democrat to expand the study to the entire Bronx to send a strong message to the Postmaster General that the current situation in the Bronx is intolerable. Mr. Chairman, I would ask, would the chairman and ranking member work with me in putting an end to this long-term problem?

Mr. SERRANO. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. SERRANO. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. SERRANO. I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Mr. SERRANO. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. SERRANO. I thank you both, and I congratulate you on bringing a good bill to the floor.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time. We have heard a lot of accusations tonight about Cuba and Castro. In fact, if I may just make a comment, the only things Cuba and Castro have not been blamed for are the Chicago fire, the San Francisco earthquake, the stock market crash of 1929, or the one that is coming soon, if we are not careful. The point here is my colleagues could spend all the time they want telling us how bad Cuba is, but we took a vote tonight on Vietnam which was so lopsided to make the point that we cannot continue just to single out Cuba. Now, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) is correct, and I do not want to be repetitious of his comments, but this is about the State of Florida. I do not feel bad about that. I wish I had that kind of power for one county in one State to control foreign policy on one issue. I wish the Bronx had that kind of power, but we do not. The fact of life is that this Rangel/Serrano amendment sends the message that it is time to change this policy. We no longer have any moral justification for keeping an embargo on Cuba while we deal with China, Vietnam, Korea, and every other country in the world. Well, my God, our allies in the war on terrorism are people who, in so many ways, have behaved towards this country 10 times worse than anything Cuba or Castro have ever said about us, and we still deal with them. Now some of the facts will come out in the next few weeks because we do not have the time here tonight. Castro offered to help us with on the war on terrorism, and we refused it. AP reported that. The Washington Post reported that. The New York Times reported that. We refused the help. Cuba has sent to us three individuals in the last year who were wanted in this country. They have asked in return, not as a quid pro quo, for us to return a couple of hijackers that we have had here for over 20 years from Cuba, and we have not done it. No one mentions that tonight. No one mentions it is a one-sided issue all of the time. This is not about Fidel Castro and communism, this is about a stupid outdated policy that says in the Caribbean we are going to single out this island, and in the rest of the world, we will not. And it is across the board. I asked my favorite President a couple of years ago, Bill Clinton, why China and not Cuba. He said China is big. I understand that. Cuba is small. But children in Cuba are no less important than children in Vietnam or China. Let us treat them all equally. We have no justification for this. We can lift the embargo and who knows, that governor in Florida may still get reelected, so there is no need to play Florida politics tonight. Let us do what is right.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise with utmost respect for my colleagues and with some sadness in my heart because I rise in opposition to this resolution. I do so because in our profession, perception is a strong weapon. And the perception of this weapon or the result will be that we are in fact celebrating the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. While that relationship has had some wonderful moments, it has never stopped, in my opinion, being a colonial relationship, in fact. I do not think the Congress should at this moment or at any other moment celebrate and encourage continued colonial relationships. Now, why do I believe that Puerto Rico is a colony of the United States? Because while citizenship has been granted since 1917, the same rights as other American citizens have not been granted to the American citizens who live in Puerto Rico. I often startle some of my colleagues by reminding them that if any of us were to move back to Puerto Rico right now, we could not serve in Congress with a vote, we could not vote for Members of Congress, we could not vote for the President, or have full representation. Yet our citizenship supposedly would stay intact. I find it very difficult to do what I am doing, but I think it needs to be done so we can continue once and for all to discuss this issue and bring it to the front of the political discussion in this country. A few years ago I joined with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) in the so-called Young bill, which I think was the first real attempt for our country to tell the place where I was born what to do about its political future. What the Young bill did was say here are your options, take a vote, and 180 days from the time you take the vote, we will respond. That bill passed the House, never passed the Senate. That is sad because that bill in my opinion would have put this thing in motion. Mr. Speaker, it is clear today that Puerto Rico remains a U.S. territory subject to the absolute powers of the U.S. Congress under the territorial clause of the United States Constitution in spite of the level of internal self-government given by the U.S. Congress. When in 1952 the Jones Act was replaced by Public Law 447, which is what we are celebrating today, which approved the constitution of Puerto Rico, the law governing Puerto Rico changed. However, the territorial relationship previously existing did not change at all. And a territory, as we all know, is neither a State of the Union nor a nation of the world. It is simply a colony. In fact, Puerto Rico holds the dubious distinction of being the oldest colony in the world, having been a colony of Spain for over 400 years until 1898 and now a colony of the U.S. for over 100 years. To celebrate any colonial status is to promote and prolong it. And I cannot, and I refuse to do that, however benign this resolution may seem. This Congress should not be celebrating nor promoting the continued colonialism of Puerto Rico, and it is time we did something about it. The United Nations recognizes two options for decolonization: Puerto Rico becomes the 51st State of the Union and joins the other States with full powers and responsibilities; or Puerto Rico because a sovereign nation unto itself and takes its place among other nations of the world. Under separation, there is also the option for free association where Puerto Rico could negotiate with the United States, common currency, postal service, military service; but all negotiated as equals, not as it exists today. Rather than celebrating and promoting this status, we should let the 4 million American citizens of Puerto Rico know that the only option real to them is not the present option, but the option of statehood or independence. Most importantly and most urgently, we must move forward to put an end to this colonialism that shames both our Nation and Puerto Rico and brings indignity to the over 4 million fellow citizens living in Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I come to this discussion as a person who feels emotion on both sides. I grew up in New York City since I was a little boy coming from Puerto Rico. I was born in Puerto Rico. I grew up in a State called New York. I know the dignity and strength and democracy of being a State. I grew up in an independent Nation called the United States. I know the dignity and strength of that. That is all I ask for the place I was born in. Let me say for those on the island who may not care for these comments, I do not approach it as someone who was born there only. I approach it as a Member of the United States Congress who, looking at the Caribbean, says today, 2002, 104 years later, Puerto Rico should no longer be a colony of the United States. I respect my colleagues, and I know that their intent is to celebrate the relationship. However, I have some problems, serious problems, with the relationship. Statehood or independence, that is the way to go.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to the thirteenth annual Great Dominican Parade and Festival of the Bronx which will take place this Sunday, July 14, 2002. This famed event is eagerly anticipated by the Dominican and Bronx communities each year. It is a wonderful celebration of the spirit and richness of Dominican culture. As the second largest Latino community in New York City, Dominicans have made invaluable contributions to the city, as well as to the entire nation. Although the highest concentration of Dominican people live in Washington Heights, a significant number have enriched the Bronx with their unique culture and spirit. The Dominican culture is one characterized by, among other things, diverse multi-culturalism, strong family values, distinctive art, amazing music and unique cuisine. We are grateful that so many have chosen to make the Bronx home. Mr. Speaker, the roots of Dominican New Yorkers lie in a country with a fascinating history and arresting beauty. The Dominican Republic is the home of numerous peoples from various heritages. As a result, the culture is charged with strong Taino, African, and European influences. One visit to the Dominican Republic will put to rest any questions one might have as to why Dominicans in America retain such a strong sense of pride in their homeland and never stop missing it. The achievements and contributions made by Dominican-Americans and Dominican residents have spanned the realms of politics, science, the Armed Forces, literature, public service, and the arts, and undoubtedly make them an integral part of American society. The Great Dominican Parade and Festival of the Bronx is a great opportunity to celebrate the Dominican people's culture, history, and bright future. I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring the Great Dominican Parade and Festival of the Bronx.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the bill before us and in strong support of the Democratic alternative, of which I am an original cosponsor. The Republicans know that the American people demand prescription drug coverage for seniors. But instead of passing a bill to help our seniors, they've chosen to give $350 billion to insurance companies, trusting them to do what's right for seniors. This bill is a cruel joke. Republicans broke their word--they promised to help seniors and the disabled with a real Medicare prescription drug benefit, and instead passed a pathetic gimmick that will leave seniors holding the bag. This bill isn't a Medicare benefit plan for seniors, it's a Republican benefit plan for corporations. I am an original cosponsor of a alternative bill that would provide real coverage for our seniors through Medicare. The Democratic plan fulfills our responsibility to provide for those who made this country what it is today. No senior should be forced into poverty to pay for life-saving drugs--and no senior living in poverty should be denied necessary medications. Our plan would not only provide a meaningful prescription drug benefit, it would allow seniors and individuals with disabilities to go on making the choices that matter. The Republican bill would take choices away, offering coverage through private plans that may not allow seniors to choose their pharmacy, or their doctor. The only choice left for many seniors would be between purchasing food and purchasing drugs. The Democratic plan is so good, in fact, that Republicans would not even let it come to a vote. They did not want to admit that their trillion dollar tax cuts for the super-rich don't leave enough money for a real benefit for seniors. But the American people are not so easily fooled. They know that Republicans put the interests of the rich ahead of the interests of seniors. Our plan would help all Americans. It would bring down the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs, so that giant pharmaceutical companies can't inflate their profits at public expense. Medicare contractors would obtain guaranteed reductions in price, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be able to fight back against price gouging, using the collective bargaining power of Medicare's 40-million beneficiaries. It would stop patent abuses, bringing down drug prices for all Americans. The Secretary would also be able to encourage the use of generic drugs, set lower coinsurance for preferred drugs, enhance disease management, and strengthen beneficiary and provider education. The Republican plan would do nothing to reduce the price of prescription drugs. Tax dollars would be used to pay the same inflated prices that seniors pay today. I urge my colleagues to make good on their promises, to defeat H.R. 4954, and to pass meaningful prescription drug coverage in Medicare for seniors and the disabled.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, some years ago, when we stood on this floor as a prime sponsor of the Frank Sinatra Congressional Gold Medal, we spoke, and everyone did, about Frank Sinatra, the artist, as we are doing today. But today's conversation and debate takes on a different tone, that is, that Members are also speaking about Frank Sinatra, the American, and Frank Sinatra, the visionary, who saw many things way ahead of his time on the issue of civil rights, on the issue of race relations, on the issue of generosity, when one is gifted and able to make money from that gift they have received, as he was. So, of course, I could not pass up the opportunity to want to again remind us that we are talking about the greatest popular singer of our generation. We are talking about a person who we use as the measuring stick for anyone who wants to become a great singer, and a mighty task that is, to talk about that diction or that ability to bring forth romantic lyrics in the way that songwriters wanted them to be brought. So we know about Frank Sinatra, that giant of American and worldwide music. But the other day, and a couple of years ago, I ran across two Frank Sinatras I had heard about and did not know. One a couple of years ago was that there had been, a discussion we are having these days, by the way, an FBI file kept on Frank Sinatra; and why he was on an FBI file is interesting to note. It was because, my colleagues would be interested in knowing, during the 1940s he voiced his desire to have housing for returning GIs. On another occasion, he went to meet Mayor Hubert Humphrey in Minneapolis- St. Paul to ask for people to learn how to stop fighting and get along with each other. In those days, that was enough to get one listed as a troublemaker. Later on, as our colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), has said, when he demanded from hotels and nightclubs that they treat Sammy Davis, Jr., the same way they treated him, he again was considered a troublemaker. But most recently, my son, who incidentally has been elected to the New York City Council, came across something which is really interesting. It was written by Frank Sinatra for something called ``Magazine Digest'' in July of 1945. It is simply titled ``Let's Not Forget, We Are All Foreigners.'' In here, he speaks about how he felt in 1945 about people being called names. He says, ``Let's take it right from the top. Ever hear of a corny old saying, sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me? Want to know something, that is not only corny, it is wrong. Names can hurt you. They can hurt you even more than sticks and stones.'' Then he goes into saying how adults wreck the minds of children. He says that children, if left alone, will play with each other regardless of their color, their race, their religion, their cultural background, their ethnic background; that they will play as children, and that only adults then come forward and poison minds to create the problems that we have in this country. He then also said, ``Look, the next time you hear anyone say there is no room in this country for foreigners, tell him you have a big piece of news for him. Tell him everybody in the United States is a foreigner. This is our job, your job and my job, and the job of the generations growing up, to stamp out the prejudices that are separating one group of American citizens from another.'' That is the Frank Sinatra we should be paying more attention to as we also celebrate his music. I thank the gentleman for this resolution to name this post office in his memory. We will celebrate Frank Sinatra the man, the American, and the world's greatest singer of pop music.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla, a specular band of young people from Guayanilla, Puerto Rico who will play in the 44th annual National Puerto Rican Parade. The legendary parade, to be held on June 9th in New York City, is the largest celebration of Puerto Rican culture in the United States. This year, I have the distinct honor of being the parade's Grand Marshall. I can not express how much I appreciate this honor. I am especially proud to be Grand Marshall of the parade this year, because it will be the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla's fifth year participating. This exceptional band marched in the parade in 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1992. Mr. Speaker, the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla is made up of about 200 students from Guayanilla who spend nearly all of their spare time in rigorous practice, doing drills to improve their performance. These young people are exceptionally talented and have been recognized throughout the country for their precise marching, discipline, and excellent presentation. Not only must these young people hone such difficult skills and travel all over the country to march, they must maintain their schoolwork as well. As a result, they develop unmatched time-management skills and self-discipline at a young age. Only the best march in this band and that is why they have been singled out so many times. In 1998, the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla became the first Latin American band to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, perhaps the most famous parade in the world. They also participated in the well-known Tournament of Roses Parade in 2001. Along with these major accomplishments, the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla has marched in the Walt Disney World Parade in Orlando, the Thanksgiving Parade in Philadelphia, and dozens of parades throughout Latin America. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in honoring the Banda Escolar De Guayanilla, a marching band of dedicated youth who will grace this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, let me first comment on the gentleman's comments, the last speaker. We have spent close to $1.5 billion in fighting drugs, and coca production is up by over 25 percent. Even in what we are supposed to be doing, we are not succeeding the way we should. Secondly, I would like to and I am not being sarcastic here, I would like to commend those in the administration who have decided now that every time we are going to get involved somewhere it is to fight terrorism. And so how can you argue against fighting terrorism? Well, Colombia is not about terrorism. Terrorism is my city. I understand it was the people who attacked the Twin Towers, who attacked the Pentagon, and they wanted to attack the White House. Yes, there are terrorists groups throughout the Nation, throughout the world. We participate wholeheartedly behind President Bush and this Congress and the Senate in fighting that war. But this is a civil war. It has been going on for over 35 years. And history should tell us that every time we get involved in a civil war, we come out in a very bad situation. I was thinking as I was listening to the speakers prior to me that there must have been folks, historical figures in this House, who sat here and debated this right before we escalated our involvement in Vietnam. And at that time they were probably questioned too, after all, were they unpatriotic in their desire not to fight Communism at that point, the same way some of us may not be patriotic in our desire not to fight terrorism? But Colombia, I repeat, is a civil war. With all due respect to the people in Colombia who are the victims of this war, it is very hard on any given day of the week to determine who the good guys are and who the bad guys are in Colombia. No one can stand here and tell us that Colombia's governmental history has been one of stellar behavior. No one can tell us that the FARC is an organization that is respected by anyone. No one can tell us that the right wing paramilitaries are respected by anyone. No one fighting that war at one time or another is respected by anyone because it is very hard to determine who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. And I suggest to you that to go in as we do in the change of language in this bill, and take sides, is the most dangerous thing we can do at this point. Let me also make another comment. For many years now the left in Latin America has been pretty dormant. My friends, the sight of American troops in uniform on Latin American soil, as we will surely have as we escalate, would only invite a backlash of anti-American sentiment that we do not need at this point. What we need above all is to continue to help in the peace process of Colombia. The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) said it best, and I know it upsets some people, this is a Gulf of Tonkin resolution that we are voting on today. Make no mistake about it. We are moving towards a dangerous situation here, and we will not know how to get out of it. Some people have said that I exaggerate when I say that, when I say Colombia could be a Spanish-speaking Vietnam for us; and that is the difference, the language we will have to learn to be able to stay there for 5, 10, 15 years. But when you have had a situation going on for that long and you cannot get people to agree on anything, how do you determine that we know how to handle this? How do you determine that we are the ones who will solve that problem? What we should be doing is, one, making sure that we try to force the peace process to continue to take place somehow, somewhere for the Colombian people; and, secondly, that we stay away from any involvement. Now, I know that some people on this floor are going to try to tie this in to other issues in Latin America. It is a natural for us. Let me just say that there is no involvement here by any other government. This is a civil war. In fact, the Pastrana government has said that he has received help from many other places, including the Cuban Government, on trying to bring about the peace process. And so no one is in favor of continuing this situation in Colombia. Now, one last thing that we need to also remember. We Americans, I, myself included, refuse every so often to understand that if we use drugs at the alarming rate that we continue to use, someone will always grow it for us, someone will always produce it. So rather than to stand here and bash the Colombian society for what is a major problem and then try to solve that problem by getting involved militarily, that is a mistake. A couple of years ago I said that we would be back here to expand. I hope I am wrong, but we will be here again to expand. I support this amendment. We should get out right now.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. I agree with the gentleman from Virginia and look forward to working with him and the gentleman from Washington to ensure that this fee is fairly and equitably imposed.

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

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Latino community I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 3129, the Customs Border Security Act, and to strongly support the Rangel substitute. H.R. 3129 will expand Federal authority for U.S. Customs officers by granting them expanded ``good faith'' immunity. Expanding Customs officers' immunity would only undermine the civil rights of many individuals who would be left without recourse to remedy unconstitutional and discriminatory searches, particularly when this agency has a history of targeting minorities. The Rangel substitute correctly addresses the racial profiling concerns while ensuring that customs inspectors are not liable for monetary damages in civil suits involving personal searches. The U.S. government would consent to be sued and to be held liable for civil damages for suits brought in connection with a wrongful personal search. According to a Customs Service study conducted in fiscal year 1998, almost half of the people searched by customs were Latino or African- American, although the contraband produced by the searches was lower for minorities than for whites. Another study by the GAO in March 2000 revealed that black female U.S. citizens were nine times more likely to be subjected to X-ray searches by U.S. Customs officials than their white counterparts, although black women were less than half as likely to be found carrying contraband as white women. There is also no reason why Customs needs expanded authority to search outgoing international mail without a warrant. We inspect mail that comes into the country because we do not know what it might contain. But the interests in outgoing mail are not the same and do not warrant invading our privacy. The Postal Service opposes this provision. Customs has every right to inspect mail by getting a search warrant. There is no need to change current law. The Rangel substitute also addresses the inspection of outbound mail. I urge my colleagues to support the Rangel substitute and, if it fails, to vote no on H.R. 3129 because it will weaken protections against racial profiling, thus undermining the civil rights of many people and support the Rangel substitute.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. Shellie Sampson, Jr., a remarkable spiritual counselor and community leader, on his 20th anniversary as Pastor of the Thessalonia Baptist Church in the Bronx. Reverend Sampson was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, but his extensive education has taken him all over the Northeast. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and went on to receive his Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Drew University. Reverend Sampson studied at the prestigious Princeton Theological Seminary and New York University. As if he had not achieved enough academically already, Reverend Sampson also received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Virginia University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Temple University. Mr. Speaker, since his arrival to New York's religious community 20 years ago, Reverend Sampson has made many unforgettable changes. He played a major role in the construction of the Thessalonia Cultural Conununity Center which has helped to unite the community and provide recreation and a number of services. Also, as a result of his efforts, the Thessalonia Elementary Academy and the Thessalonia Institute of Education were established to provide people of faith with exceptional educational opportunities. The man I am honoring today has been an example of leadership for his congregation and many community members. The community programs that he has spearheaded dealing with education, homelessness, senior citizens, and youth are too numerous to mention. As a result of all that he does and has done, Reverend Sampson has been the recipient of a number of awards and has been placed in many leadership positions throughout his 30 years in ministry. Reverend Sampson has served as a religious guide, friend, confidant, and teacher. He has maintained not only the spiritual strength of his church, but has made sure that its physical foundation remained sound as well with renovations. Along with his intensive studies, Reverend Sampson is somehow still able to successfully lead and uplift his congregation and be a loving husband and father to his eight children. He is truly a remarkable individual. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Reverend Dr. Shellie Sampson, Jr.'s 20 years of exceptional service to the Thessalonia Baptist Church congregation and to the entire Bronx community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, if self-sufficiency can be defined as raising a family just on or below the poverty level, with little or no chance of increasing earning potential because the breadwinner is not equipped with competitive education or job training, then I agree with my colleagues that 1996 welfare reform has been a success. If self- sufficiency means earning a median hourly wage of $6.61 or $13,788 annually, as the Urban Institute reported former welfare recipients earned in 2000, in jobs that 60% of time do not provide health care benefits, according to NOW, then I agree with my colleagues that welfare reform has been a resounding success. However, I am reluctant to believe that my colleagues would consider any of those circumstances to be anything near self-sufficiency and therefor I implore you to rethink this idea that welfare reform has been genuinely successful. The goal of welfare reform should be to create a system that promotes self-sufficiency, not just lower numbers on the rolls and higher numbers in low-wage, unstable jobs. H.R. 4737 provides a short term solution to a long term problem. We should not be battling welfare dependency as much as we should be battling poverty. H.R. 4737 will only encourage pushing recipients off the rolls and into the league of the working poor, under-educated and constantly struggling to make ends meet. So that one negative circumstance, one set-back, such as illness or domestic violence, could see them plummeting back into poverty. Living one paycheck away from homelessness is not self-sufficiency by anyone's standards. We need reform that will arm welfare recipients with the artillery they need to permanently improve their economic situations. This necessary artillery is education and training for marketable jobs. Improving education never stops paying off for an individual or for society as a whole; 82.2% of high school graduates with parents who attained a bachelor's degree or higher go on to college. This is compared to only 36.6% with parents who attained less than a high school diploma, according to the American Association of University Women. It should be clear that education is hereditary and the more education parents have, the more likely their children are to go on to college. Why in the world would we advocate legislation that impedes access to education for these individuals? H.R. 4737, which imposes a 40-hour work week on single mothers, significantly hinders their chances of furthering their education. It is plainly counterproductive to finding a long-term solution to poverty. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4737, says clearly to America's struggling families, ``We don't really care about helping you. We don't care that the jobs we are pushing you into will do little to help you provide a better life for your children. What we are most concerned with is no longer having to support you.'' We are dealing with human beings here, and more importantly, with children, and H.R. 4737 is legislation about numbers. Please vote no on H.R. 4737.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy that I rise today to once again pay tribute to Bronx Community College, which will hold its 24th Anniversary Hall of Fame 10K Run on Saturday, May 11, 2002. This year the theme of the race will be ``Running Against Asthma.'' The Hall of Fame 10K Run was founded in 1978 by Bronx Community College's third president, Dr. Roscoe C. Brown and today continues to be an event of great significance. This year, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. proudly proclaimed May 11, 2002 as ``Bronx Community College Hall of Fame 10K Race Day.'' Each year, amateur and professional runners alike from all five of New York's boroughs and the entire tri-state area come together to run the Bronx. Participants include teams from municipal agencies along with faculty, staff and students of Bronx Community College and other nearby schools. It is indeed one of the Bronx's most anticipated yearly events and has contributed to a strong sense of community within the Bronx. The race also places an emphasis of physical fitness and achieving athletic goals. Historically, its mission has been to highlight the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, a national institution dedicated to those who have helped make America great. This year, along with upholding that mission, the race will take on another important function, The 2002 race's theme, ``Running Against Asthma'' is particularly important to South Bronx residents where the rate of asthma among children is twice the national average. It is wonderful that Bronx Community College is focusing on this important issue and raising awareness. The 10K race tradition continues under the stewardship of Dr. Carolyn G. Williams. Dr. Williams has endorsed the race since her inauguration and has not only continued the tradition started by Dr. Brown to promote physical fitness and highlight higher education, but has added the raising of awareness of important community issues. I can recall the high level of energy and community involvement when I ran the Hall of Fame 10K race. The race has attracted well over 400 runners each year and I'm sure this year will see an even larger number of participants. People of all ages and physical ability will be able to take part in the Bronx Community College events on May 11, 2002. Along with the 10K race, there will be a Hall of Fame Excalibur One Mile Boys and Girls Youth Challenge and a 2 Mile Fitness Walk. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the individuals and participants who are making the Bronx Community College's 24th Annual Hall of Fame 10K run possible.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, for the past few years I have come before my colleagues to honor the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation. This year, on their twenty-third anniversary, I am proud to say that this illustrious organization continues to thrive and serve the people of the South Bronx successfully. The Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation is an organization that was founded on the idea that uplifting individuals one by one is the best way to uplift a community. Members of the Corporation work relentlessly to fulfill the needs of South Bronx residents and understand that by `restoring' these people, they are aiding the restoration of the entire South Bronx community. Mr. Speaker, this great organization serves as a prime example of how a solid structure, good foundation, and a genuine desire to reach out and lend a helping hand can endure the test of time. Over the past twenty-three years, The Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation has continued to grow and reach new levels each year. Such growth could not be possible without dedicated members who lend their expertise and passion daily and an innovative leader, to make sure that the Corporation always makes it to that next level. The entire Bronx community is grateful to all of the individuals who have filled these roles for the past twenty-three years. The services provided by the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation are vital for many individuals. Many people would not be able to accomplish many of their hopes and dreams for themselves and their children without the Corporation there to help them find affordable housing, continue their educations, or gain access to better health care. I am happy to once again congratulate the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation on another year of outstanding work. I am confident that many more years of great service are yet to come. I ask my esteemed colleagues to please join me in honoring the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation on its twenty-third anniversary.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Salvatore Gulla, a gifted educator, artist and craftsman who has spent his life teaching and sharing. Sal will turn 75 years old on Wednesday and will celebrate at a party given by family and friends. He is a vibrant, dynamic, and caring man who served on the New York City Board of Education for over 30 years. Along with Sal's years of educating New York's youth in the field of academia, he has devoted much of his life to educating young people in the arts. Sal has thoroughly enriched thousands of students throughout the years and shaped young people in so many ways. Sal was a significant part of my formative years and I was one of those young people that he helped to shape. Mr. Speaker, Salvatore Gulla is a founding member and Artistic Director of the South Bronx Community Action Theatre. Along with Mr. Fred Daris, Sal had a vision to introduce the beauty and power of the performing arts to South Bronx youth. Through this theatre alone Sal changed the lives of many children and young people who never knew that the arts could be a part of their lives. When he was not designing masterful costumes or directing set constructions, Sal was facilitating workshops in performing and visual arts. Sal is an authentic and pure artist who celebrates every form of art. He has instructed people in painting, drawing, and sculpture in conjunction with his involvement in the performing arts. In 1947, Sal discovered that a paintbrush became a magic wand in his hands and began creating beauty on canvas. He studied at the Art Students League of New York under Reginald Marsh, Morris Kantor, and Vaclav Vittacyl among others. He also studied at the esteemed Columbia University. Like his dynamic personality, Sal's style is eclectic and has spanned many artistic genres. His work is both experimental and temperamental and demonstrates his courage and ability to dream, attributes that he has tried to instill in his students for decades. There is good reason that Sal has been referred to as a ``Renaissance man.'' Salvatore Gulla has had showings of his work as recently as four years ago and throughout his career, has had his work on exhibit at a number of esteemed galleries throughout New York. Mr. Speaker, at 75 years of age, Sal's spirit is as robust and contagious as it has always been and he continues to be an inspiration to those around him. Sal has been a dear friend and advisor for many years. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Salvatore Gulla on his 75th birthday.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mr. Astin Jacobo, a dedicated and determined civic activist who recently passed away. Friends, family and community members gathered to honor his memory on March 23, 2002. Mr. Jacobo spent the last thirty years of his life in service to his multi-cultural community. Crotona residents already feel the great gap Mr. Jacobo has left behind. As a native of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Jacobo came to the United States with defined goals and ample determination. He saw where his community was seriously in need of change and did not hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get involved. His sense of civic duty was difficult to match and that is just one reason why his passing is such a great loss to the South Bronx. One look around the Crotona neighborhood, and you will see sufficient proof of Mr. Jacobo's impact on this community. While serving as president of the Crotona Community Coalition, he played critical roles in the launching of the Mary Mitchell Youth & Family Center and the Mapes Avenue ball field, to name a few things, Residents can also be grateful to him for the part he played in improving the Quarry Road Soccer Field and Belmont Park. Mr. Jacobo's accomplishments helped the community feel more like community and instilled a sense of pride in many residents. Throughout his career in public service, Mr. Jacobo was served on the Bronx Community Planning Board #6, and was involved with Save-A-Nation, Inter-Neighborhood Housing Corporation, the Mary Mitchell Youth & Family Center, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, and various local sports teams. He has been honored by many of these organizations and others for his achievements. Mr. Speaker, beyond Mr. Jacobo's ceaseless civic work, he managed to be a loving and involved husband, father of four, and grandfather of three. To be well-known as not only a giving and determined individual, but also as a devoted family man, is a remarkable honor. I am sure that his family is very proud of the wonderful life he led. The civic organizations to which he belonged throughout his 75 years, like the honors and awards he has received, are almost beyond counting. Mr. Jacobo was a wonderful individual who showed us the beauty and power of dedication, leadership, and wisdom. He was truly an inspiration to all who knew him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of Mr. Astin Jacobo.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Republican budget resolution for fiscal year 2003. I understand that the nation is engaged in a vital enterprise in response to the vicious attacks of September 11th. I know that fighting to break up terrorist organizations and protecting our country and our people, which I support, are expensive undertakings and the highest national priorities. But, Mr. Chairman, they are not our only priorities. From September 11th on, the President has exhorted the American people to continue our normal activities--perhaps being more aware of what's around us, perhaps putting up with more security hassles and delays--but starving the domestic budget is not going to keep us moving forward as I thought the President meant we should. We still need to invest adequately in health care, education, job training, law enforcement, clean air and water, energy efficiency, economic development, housing, science and technology. We particularly need to address the impending retirement of the baby boom generation, strengthening Medicare and Social Security, not diverting their surpluses to general government operations. At bottom, Mr. Chairman, what we need to do in this budget resolution is identify and provide the resources needed to do both of these things--defend and protect ourselves, and invest in the future--which means we must take another look at the huge, irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthy that were enacted last year. Some people thought we could make the tax cuts and have plenty of money left over to meet the Nation's needs. They were wrong. This budget misses or avoids opportunities as it promises years of deficit spending. This demonstrates that we must revisit the revenue side and, at a minimum, suspend further cuts until we can afford them. Mr. Chairman. I am certain we can do better than this budget resolution. I urge my colleagues to vote against it and commit to working together to fashion a new budget resolution that provides the resources to provide both for our security and for our Nation's domestic needs.