José Serrano

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. That may or may not be a discussion later on in this process.

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

Mr. SERRANO

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

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to tell the gentleman that as he was pondering where everything was, the paper was reaching the gentleman. I think he is a much happier man now.

Mr. SERRANO. Reclaiming my time, I guess that by that statement that is a ``no,'' but I just want to make sure before I sit down that I made it clear to him that he had a great opportunity to pick up a lot of support on this side if he directs that fine amendment to a cut in Cuba broadcasting. If he did that, I would support him and he would be surprised how many Members on this side would support him. But I guess the answer is no, so in general terms, we would oppose cutting broadcasting because it would hurt areas of the world that need the support.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, once again it is an honor for me to recognize the Great Dominican Parade and Festival of the Bronx on its twelfth year of celebrating Dominican culture in my South Bronx Congressional District. This year's festivities will take place on July 15, 2001. Under its Founder and President, Felipe Febles the parade has grown in size and splendor. It now brings together an increasing number of participants from all five New York City boroughs and beyond. I also would like to recognize all the people who, under the leadership of Director Rosa Ayala, are making sure that this year's events will be successful as in the past. On Sunday, July 15, thousands of members and friends of the Dominican community will march from Mt. Eden and 172nd Street to East 161st Street and the Grand Concourse in celebration of their Dominican heritage and their achievements in this nation. Among other accomplishments, Dominicans have been instrumental in transforming New York City into a great bilingual city. Moreover, the parade has served as a national landmark in which people from all ethnic groups unite to commemorate our Nation's glorious immigrant history. Mr. Speaker, the Board of Directors of the Dominican Parade of the Bronx has chosen me to be their ``International Godfather'' and I have gladly and humbly accepted that honor. As one who has participated in the parade in the past, I can attest that the excitement it generates brings the entire City together. It is a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels wonderful to enable so many people to have this experience--one that will change the lives of many of them. The event will feature a wide variety of entertainment for all age groups. This year's festival includes the performance of Merengue and Salsa bands, crafts exhibitions, and food typical of the Dominican Republic. Mr. Speaker, it is with enthusiasm that I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful celebration of Dominican culture, which has brought much pride to the Bronx community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. (MHHC) as they celebrate their 15th anniversary today. The Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. was formed in 1986 as a part of intense organizing efforts of residents and community groups in the Mount Hope neighborhood in the South Bronx. Focusing first on the pressing need for the availability of affordable housing, Mount Hope completed one of the first housing tax credit projects in the United States in 1986 and to date has rehabilitated over 1,400 housing units. As a result of this intense and comprehensive effort, one in six residents of the Mount Hope neighborhood lives in a building operated by the MHHC. Since its founding, the MHHC has continued to enhance its abilities and expand its services to the community. In 1994, the MHHC opened a thrift shop. One year later, the Mount Hope Primary Care Center opened. And in 1996, the New Bronx Employment Service was inaugurated, followed by the Neighborhood Housing Service/MHHC Home Maintenance Training Center in 1998. And now MHHC is planning to develop a community center that will house programs for area youth like a Boys and Girls Club, affordable child care and a state of the art center for computer training. Mr. Speaker, the Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. is another fine example of a community organization dedicated to empowering Bronx residents and revitalizing the community, using a comprehensive, self- sustaining and long-term approach. Its success reminds all of us of the contributions local organizations have made to improving the lives of citizens in their respective communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Mount Hope Housing Company, Inc. and in wishing them continued success.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage my chairman, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), in a colloquy. Mr. Chairman, as you know, New York City is the Nation's biggest user of mass transportation. The city's transit needs are constantly growing and transit improvements and expansion are of critical importance to the city's mobility and general well-being. One project that is vital to the transit network of the future is the Second Avenue Subway. I requested funding for this project, as did other Members of the New York delegation. However, as a member of the subcommittee, I am keenly aware of the funding limits that the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), faced in putting their bill together and of the tough decisions that they were forced to make. One of these decisions was to limit New Starts funding to projects already in preliminary engineering. This made funding the numerous projects that are still in the alternatives analysis stage of the planning process impossible. I would ask the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) if there were any exceptions to this policy and if the decision was made without prejudice to any of the projects, especially to my great city?

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

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman for those comments. I would like to close by saying this continues to be a major concern to my city and to certainly the surrounding area, the people who come in to visit. I would hope that in the near future we could move to find a way to fund this project.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Alfred G. Feliu on the occasion of his completion of his term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, a position he has held since June 1998. He served in that capacity during a challenging time in the history of the Museum, steering it through financial difficulties, leadership changes and staff disruptions into a period of stability and growth. His work on behalf of the Museum has been tireless. While the Museum was undergoing a change in Executive Directors, he virtually assumed management of this institution, working on its behalf more than 20 hours a week. His dedication to the Museum and its success is unrivaled. Mr. Feliu is a partner in his own law firm, Vandenberg, Feliu and Peters where he specializes in employment and labor law. He has also served as an employment law mediator and arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association's National Employment Disputes Panel. He is the managing editor of New York Employment Law & Practice, a monthly newsletter published by the New York Law Journal and is the author of several books. Mr. Feliu was born and raised in the Bronx and remains a devoted advocate of the borough. His interest in serving on the Board of the Bronx Museum of the Arts arose out of his desire to give back to his home community, and particularly the children of the Bronx, some of the wonderful opportunities he believes it afforded him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Feliu for his work on behalf of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and indeed on behalf of all of the people of the Bronx. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Ronca, Feola and Scarogni Families who, on June 20, 2001, will celebrate their 50th anniversary of running a successful family-owned business in the South Bronx; the original Venice Restaurant, first located on the opposite corner of its present location at 772 East 149th Street. The members of these three related families trace their roots to the beautiful island of Ponza, Italy. They arrived in the Bronx as immigrants eager to improve their lives through hard work and dedication to the opportunities offered in this great land. The Venice Restaurant was opened in 1951 by Fred Guarino. He ran it until 1958. From that year until 1962, Giovanni Ronca and Silverio Migliaccio managed this neighborhood landmark. Mr. Ronca continued to operate the restaurant until 1975 when Steve Scarogni and Elio Feola assumed control. In 1988, Mr. Scarogni moved the business across the street to its present location. And twelve years later, Francesco Feola and Philip Vitiello joined Mr. Scarogni as partners. Throughout this entire time, these cousins and nephews of the restaurant's founder have maintained the same high quality food and service that has made the Venice Restaurant a neighborhood classic. Known for its fine dishes of pastas, veal, chicken and seafood, made daily on the premises, these family members continue to run a first class operation popular throughout the area. Mr. Speaker, this is another fine example of immigrants coming to this country realizing their goals and living the ``American Dream.'' Their success reminds all of us of the contribution immigrants have continuously made to our economy and to the betterment of this country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Ronca, Scarogni and Feola families and in wishing them continued success.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, I want to take the gentleman from California's approach also and thank the majority party and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas) for bringing this measure to the floor; and I will vote for it tonight. However, upon voting for it I will continue to insist that we make this a permanent situation. Obviously, bringing a bill to the floor indicates a desire to solve this problem; but the 4-month extension does not solve the problem. The President's comment about fixing this problem means that he recognizes a need to do the right thing, but he did not say 4 months, he said just fix it. The INS, which came before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary, said that they will accept at the minimum a 1-year extension. Everyone has said that they will take longer to solve the problem, and yet it has been decided to curtail the time; and, thus, create perhaps another problem. Let me remind my colleagues what the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) said. ``The folks that we are talking about are the folks who will make the next generation of great Americans; who are, in fact, today doing all those jobs Americans do not want to do, and doing those things that so many of us need to have done.'' These are people who want to keep their families together, and that is what this country is about. It is about immigration and it is about family. It is ironic that this side, who gets accused for not talking about family, we are the ones who are saying, let the time be so these folks can stay in the country and continue to work and continue to make our country strong. Like my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), and so many others, if one were to go to my district office on any given day, over 80 percent of all the case work that we do is on the issue of immigration. This issue is really hurting a lot of people. If my colleagues had opened it up and said everyone can come in for 4 months, that still would have been better. But to suggest only those who were ready April 30 to have their paperwork done, that is still setting more stumbling blocks. Yes, I will support this bill tonight. Hopefully my colleagues have the votes to get it done. But immediately, let us begin to work on a permanent situation. Madam Speaker, notice that I have mastered the English language enough to know that it is incorrect to say a ``permanent extension,'' because somehow that is improper use of the language. But let us do the right thing so we can all do what is right for America and for these folks.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy that I rise today to once again pay tribute to Bronx Community College, which held its 23rd Anniversary Hall of Fame 10K Run on Saturday, May 12, 2001. The Hall of Fame 10K Run was founded in 1978 by Bronx Community College's third President, Dr. Roscoe C. Brown. Its mission is to highlight the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, a national institution dedicated to those who have helped make America great. The tradition continues, first under the leadership of Acting President, Dr. Leo A. Corbie and now under Dr. Carolyn G. Williams, the first woman President of Bronx Community College. Both Dr. Corbie and Dr. Williams have endorsed and follow the commitment made by Dr. Brown to promote physical well-being as well as higher education. As one who has run the Hall of Fame 10K Run, I can attest that the excitement it generates brings the entire city together. It is a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels wonderful to enable more than 400 people to have this experience--one that will change the lives of many of them. It is an honor for me to join once again the hundreds of joyful people who will run along the Grand Concourse, University Avenue and West 181 Street and to savor the variety of their celebrations. There's no better way to see our Bronx community. For its first 20 years, Professor Henry A. Skinner has coordinated the Bronx Community College Hall of Fame 10K race, a healthy competition which brings together runners of all ages from the five boroughs of New York City. He is also the President of Unity and Strength, the organization of minority faculty, staff, and administrators of Bronx Community College. Dr. Atlaw Belilgne of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, as the 1999 Director of the race, continues this rich Bronx tradition. He is also Director of Self Help and Resource Exchange (S.H.A.R.E.). Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the individuals and participants who are making the Bronx Community College's 23rd annual Hall of Fame 10K Run possible.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, once again it is an honor for me to recognize The Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation on its twenty second anniversary. Following is a congratulation letter I wrote to the Executive Director for their continued service to the people of my congressional district. Mr. Theodore Jefferson, Executive Director, Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corp., Bronx,

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in vehement opposition to H.R. 3, the so-called ``Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001''. There is no need to rush into the tax issue today. Indeed, it is foolish to move forward with any bill cutting taxes until we can put it in the context of the entire budget. For that reason, I will not support the Democratic substitute either at this time. Before we cut taxes, we need to know how much we will need to spend to meet national needs--education, which is top priority of the American people, Social Security and Medicare, including a prescription drug benefit, universal access to health care, a cleaner environment, more effective law enforcement, a robust foreign policy, and all the necessary activities of the Federal Government. We need to decide how we will respond to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2001 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, issued today, which gives our public works a grade of D+ and estimates that we will need to invest $1.3 Trillion over five years in our roads, bridges, aviation system, schools, water, waste, and energy systems. We need to reach agreement on paying down the Federal debt to prepare for the pending retirement of the Baby Boom generation, which will place enormous strains on the Federal budget and the national economy. Just as important, because we know that the Bush tax plan will cost far more than the $1.6 Trillion he claims, and that his budget won't add up without cuts (or deficits), we need to understand what areas of the Federal budget President Bush proposes to cut to make his numbers work. And that's assuming the ten-year surplus projections come true, which is a very risky assumption. Apart from the timing and the lack of a budgetary context, the substance of H.R. 3 is not worthy of support. The Bush tax proposals, those in this bill and those yet to come, are unfairly skewed away from the neediest families. The wealthiest 1 percent of the income distribution, with incomes averaging $900,000, pay about 21 percent of federal taxes but would receive 43 percent of the benefits, an average tax cut of $46,000. Many working families, including those who pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes, would get nothing. On Tuesday, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a study which indicates that if Congress approves the Bush tax plan, an estimated 12.2 million low- and middle-income families, with 24.1 million children, would not receive any tax reduction at all. Mr. Speaker, I represent the South Bronx in New York. There are many people in my district who work two or more jobs just to make ends meet. Just think what these families could do with some extra money. They, and low- and moderate-income families like them, need and deserve tax relief as much as anyone, and they are likely to put any money they get from tax relief into the local economy. The Republicans keep saying the rich deserve the biggest tax breaks because they pay the most taxes. But don't forget, the rich pay the most taxes because they have the most money. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Speaker. I believe Americans should get a tax cut, but I also believe a tax cut package should be reasonably sized, fairly distributed, and achievable within a budget that addresses national needs, especially education. I urge my colleagues to vote against HR 3.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to wish a very happy birthday to Assemblywoman Gloria Davis, an outstanding individual who has devoted here life to her family and to serving the community. Ms. Davis turned 63 on Friday, February 9 and celebrated at a party given by her family and friends. Mr. Speaker, Assemblywoman Davis has represented the 79th Assembly District of Bronx County, which includes the neighborhoods of Morrisania, Claremont, Crotona-Mapes, Longwood, Charlotte Gardens, Concourse village, and Belmont, since 1980. Prior to her election, she served six years as district leader. She is a vibrant, dynamic, caring woman who has dedicated the past twenty years to the improvement of conditions for families and children. She was a co-founder of the City- Wide Parents for Day Care, and national coordinator for the National Welfare Rights Organization, and has served as a member of the steering committee of the Women's State Democratic Committee. Active in the revitalization of her district, Ms. Davis has been instrumental in securing funds for the redevelopment of the Boston Road corridor, fighting to have an Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) built and continuously supported in the district, insisting that Settlement Houses continues to have a mission today, and challenging the community to recognize their dependence upon each other. Her seniority and dedication to coalition building were recognized when former Speaker Saul Weprin appointed her Assistant Majority Whip in January 1993. She was appointed Chair of the Assembly's Majority Conference in January 1995. Current Speaker Sheldon Silver has come to rely on her to insure productive discussion and in January 2001 she was appointed Majority Whip. Further, she was recently appointed Co-Chair of the Assembly's Tri-State Planning Committee and heads the Bronx Delegation. In 1991, Assemblywoman Davis became the first woman elected to serve as chair of the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus. Two years later, she was elected as chairperson of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. Gloria Davis was born on February 9, 1938, in the Bronx and was raised in Gainsville, Florida. She returned to the Bronx as a young adult and attended Bronx Community College and Fordham University. She was previously employed by the Comptroller's Office of the City of New York, the Department of Transportation and was a Confidential Aide to a Bronx Supreme Court Judge. Mr. Speaker, Gloria Davis is the mother of five, the grandmother of eleven, and she is a great grandmother as well. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleague to join me in wishing a happy 63rd birthday to Assemblywoman Gloria Davis and in congratulating her in her recent appointment as Majority Whip of the New York State Assembly.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and to pay tribute to Nilda Morales Horowitrz, and outstanding individual who has dedicated her life to public service. She was inducted on January 18 as a Family Court Judge for Westchester County in New York. Mr. Speaker, from April 1998 until her recent appointment, Judge Horowitz served as deputy county attorney and family court bureau chief. She was in charge of and responsible for twenty-four attorneys who handled all matters before the Family Courts of Westchester County. She handled the daily review and assignment of all cases involving the Department of Social Services, such as the county's neglect and abuse referrals, and all juvenile delinquency referrals from the Department of Probation. She was also the supervisor of specialized Domestic Violence Unit within the Family Court Bureau. Her distinguished career also includes service as a hearing examiner for the New York State Family Court, a Senior Law Judge and Supervising Judge for the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, and adjunct professor of Public Administration at Hostos Community College, and a lawyer in private practice specializing in public interest law. Judge Horowitz is well known and highly respected by her peers and the different communities she has served for her sensitivity, professionalism, integrity and sound judgment. Her induction brings to the Court an outstanding judge. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Judge Nilda Morales Horowitz for her outstanding achievements and in wishing her continued success as Family Court Judge for Westchester County.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Mr. Derek E. Broomes who was recently elected as the new Chairman of the Board for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CACCI). He is the third Chairman of CACCI's Board in its 15-year history. Mr. Broomes is the Chief Financial Officer of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC). As Chief Financial Officer of BOEDC, Mr. Broomes is responsible for administering a $110 million budget for economic development in the Bronx. BOEDC, the economic consultant to the Bronx Borough President, also administers the Bronx Initiative Corporation, a certified US Small Business 504 loan company. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Broomes is a former Inspector General of the New York City Department of Investigations. He also served as Deputy Commissioner and Agency's Chief Contracting Officer at the NYC Human Resources Administration. Mr. Broomes is a London University trained financial economist. He holds a Master of Science/CPA degree in public accounting and finance from the Graduate School of the City University of New York, where he has also done work toward a Ph.D. in economics and finance. He holds a Diploma in Economics and Finance from the London School of Economics and a Diploma in Mathematics and Physics from the University of London. He is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and a member of the Institute of Financial Executives. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Derick E. Broomes and in commending him for his outstanding achievements and wishing him continued success at CACCI as well as BOEDC.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Edward A. Stevenson, Jr., an outstanding individual who dedicated his life to public service. He was honored on November 19 by family, friends, and public officials for his outstanding contributions to the community with a street renaming in his honor. This is a fitting tribute for a man who has given so much to our community. The Honorable Edward A. Stevenson, Jr. was the only child of the distinguished former Assemblyman Edward A. Stevenson, Sr., who was the first Caribbean-American to serve in the New York State Assembly, representing the 78th Assembly District in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. He was also a founder of the Jackson Democratic Club in the South Bronx. Mr. Speaker, like his father, Edward Stevenson, Jr. was an active public servant in the Democratic party both in the Bronx and citywide. He became a District Leader in the 78th A.D. and managed several political campaigns. Under his leadership in the early 1970's, the Bronx Shepard's Restoration Corporation, composed of more than 100 religious organizations committed to rebuilding the Bronx, was founded. He understood the need for the rehabilitation and construction of new housing projects for the homeless, the elderly, and low- and moderate- income families, as well as in facilitating educational opportunities for our youth. He also served as Chairman of the Neighborhood Advisory Board and as a member of Community Board 9. In 1990, he founded Envirogard Corporation, a real estate enterprise to pursue residential property management. Stevenson Jr. also managed the 972-unit Lafayette- Boynton housing complex in the Soundview community. Mr. Speaker, as cofounder of Voters Organized To Educate and Register (V.O.T.E.R.), a not-for-profit entity, he helped and encouraged thousands of Bronx residents to participate in the electoral process. Two days before his untimely death in December 1996, Edward Stevenson, Jr. was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Board of Elections for the Bronx. Edward A. Stevenson, Jr. is survived by his wife Mildred and his eight sons, Greg, Eric, Eddie Jr., John, Cecil, Scott, Mark, and Motier. Like his father and grandfather, Eric is proudly continuing the family tradition of public service. The 34-year-old currently works as Community Coordinator under Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Honorable Edward A. Stevenson, Jr.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Shafeik Mohammed, an outstanding individual who has devoted his life to his family and to serving the community. Mr. Mohammed retired from Phipps Community Development Corporation on September 1 and moved to California to be with his children. Originally from Trinidad, Mr. Mohammed and his wife first came to this country in 1971 to seek medical help for their daughter who had been seriously injured in a car accident. The early years were rough: four young children, a foreign country, and few marketable skills. The whole family enrolled in school, worked, studied, and saved. His wife became a registered nurse and Shafeik, while working full time, made the Dean's List at Medger Evers College. Their daughter recovered, went to law school, and is now Assistant District Attorney in Los Angeles. Mr. Mohammed has worked in impoverished communities in both Brooklyn and the Bronx helping residents learn skills, gain employment, and develop careers. For more than thirty years he has worked with a passion and commitment that has inspired thousands of individuals and been instrumental in lifting whole families our of poverty. In 1996, after fifteen months of retirement, he came to work for Phipps Community Development Corporation in my congressional district and has been the guiding light behind our educational and employment services ever since. Phipps CDC is the human services affiliate of Phipps Houses, New York City's oldest and largest not-for-profit developer of affordable housing. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing a happy retirement to Mr. Shafeik Mohammed.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4475, the FY 2001 Department of Transportation appropriations bill, includes provisions which I support that will promote informed self-determination for Puerto Rico. It is historic that Congress has authorized the President to cooperate with the Elections Commission of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to develop a legally valid and politically realistic program to support political status resolution for Puerto Rico. However, it was necessary to ensure that Congress can review the program plan before funding can be expended. Given the powers vested in Congress to determine the ultimate status of Puerto Rico based on a legitimate process of self- determination, the process of Congressional review contemplated by this legislation is entirely fitting and critical to a successful status resolution program.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, let me first say that it is for me unfortunate that this is the last time the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) will lead on this bill. Six years ago, the Republican Conference imposed term limits on its Chairs, which now removes the most experienced and knowledgeable member of our subcommittee from its Chair. Mr. Speaker, I know the gentleman will provide invaluable advice and counsel to his successor, whatever party that may be, and the gentleman may be able to bring his considerable leadership skills to another subcommittee, I am hoping, because the gentleman has been a true friend, a colleague; and the gentleman knows I have the utmost respect for him. Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure also to work with the gentleman's staff, our staff; and because time is limited, let me just say to all the staff that I value your advice, your counsel, the work you have done on this bill. I will personally make phone calls to your relatives to tell them why you have not been at home most weekends and most evenings. I initially supported, Mr. Speaker, this bill, because I felt it was a bill that could get better. This bill is a mixture of good and bad news as we discuss it right now; and I am specifically speaking about the Commerce, Justice, State bill, which I am involved with. The bill grew and the bill got much better in many areas, where most of us felt it was necessary to do so. In the Civil Rights division, in the EEOC, in the COPS program, it grew up to a billion dollars; $100 million provided for community prosecutors, $75 million for prosecuting gun crimes, $17 million on the COPS and police integrity grants to support increasing local professionalism, something that we are all very much involved with. The peacekeeping mission has been fully funded. Trying to bring this bill to where the House and the Senate could agree was not an easy task, but both parties, both sides of the aisle on the issue of numbers were willing to do so; and that is why jointly with the White House we were able to increase funding in so many areas. The digital divide was addressed. NOAA will receive substantially more than in the House bill. Now NOAA will receive funding provided for minority-serving institutions. All of the work that we wanted to put forth on this bill, Mr. Speaker, has been met in the area of numbers. However, and this is a major however, we had a great opportunity to do something through the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act, LIFA. It is language that would, in fact, take care of a disparity that we have in our immigration policy, something that we did before that we could have included other people. It is language that would be fair and humane in dealing with a major problem; and last, but not least, it is language that is so vital to this bill, because without it this bill becomes a veto strategy, rather than a getting-a-bill-signed-into-law strategy. I would hope that as that veto comes back, and I will vote to sustain that veto, that we can continue to work with my support to make sure that this bill can, in fact, be what it has to be. First, this is the last time Chairman Rogers will lead on this bill. Six years ago, the Republican Conference imposed term limits on its Chairs, which now removes the most experienced and knowledgeable Member of our Subcommittee from its chair. I know Hal will provide invaluable advice and counsel to his successor, whatever his party, and he may be able to bring his considerable leadership skills to another Subcommittee. Still, this is an unnecessary change. It has been a pleasure to work with Chairman Rogers and the other Members of the Subcommittee, each of whom has contributed so much to developing this legislation. I also want to congratulate and thank the staff for their dedication and professionalism, and for the many nights and weekends they put in on this conference agreement. The Committee staff, Democratic and Republican alike, and staff in Mr. Rogers' and my offices have all contributed to this moment. We owe them--and their families, who haven't seen much of them lately--a great deal. I supported initial House passage of H.R. 4690 because I believed we should keep the bill moving toward the improvements that would surely happen before it could ever become law. I rise now to state that the bill has been substantially improved. I want to compliment our Chairman on bringing us to this conclusion. The differences between House and Senate were enormous because the priorities were so very different. Just getting to where the House considered Justice funding adequate or the Senate considered Commerce funding adequate took a great deal of work. And that was before the Administration weighed in with its priorities. Programs I earlier pointed to as underfunded are now in substantially better shape. Funding has been added for the Civil Rights Division, the EEOC, and the Legal Services Corporation, which will receive an appropriation of $330 million. The COPS program has gone from a freeze at last year's level to just over $1 billion, and $100 million is provided for community prosecutors, $75 million for prosecuting gun crimes. I am particularly pleased at the inclusion of $17 million under COPS for police integrity grants to support increasing local police professionalism. This is an area of great interest to me, and I am working with Chairman Hyde to establish a national commission to study police recruitment, hiring, training, oversight, and use of force policies and make recommendations to Congress. The Administration's requests for trade enforcement have been fully funded and the Department's ability to collect the vital statistical data on which our economy depends has been strengthened. Funds are now provided to help bridge the ``digital divide'' between the information age's ``haves'' and ``have nots''. And NOAA will receive substantially more than in the House bill for its critical work on weather, the health of our air and water, our coasts and oceans, and so much more. Moreover, funding has been provided for NOAA's Minority Serving Institutions initiative, to create a pool of minority scientists in the scientific disciplines NOAA needs. The peacekeeping request is fully funded, and restrictions on payment of our U.N. dues are modified to reduce the harm they would have caused. In addition, every effort was made to accommodate as many Member requests as possible out of the thousands received. There remain problems, of course, including serious language issues that threaten this entire package with a veto. Failure to include the provisions of the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act (LIFA), despite the President's intention, repeated yesterday, to veto the bill if those issues are not resolved is simply a waste of time. All it will do is add a couple of days to the time we must remain in Washington trying to finish our work for the year. I am also deeply distressed by the provision that interferes with the FCC's low-power FM initiative, which would be of such value to schools, churches, and community groups in areas such as the South Bronx. In addition, language added in the dark of night that is supposed to improve rural television service abandons a bipartisan agreement reached just this week and gives the advantage to existing cable monopolists. The bill includes new appropriations of $420 million for coastal impact assistance and other ocean and coastal conservation programs, built on what the Interior bill contained. These additional funds are intended to increase resources for protection, conservation, and restoration of fragile coastal habitat areas, but the other body skewed the distribution away from strengthening national conservation programs and toward funding numerous parochial projects. While restrictions on the Justice Department's ability to move funds around to pursue its tobacco litigation have been modified, none of the $23 million for the lawsuit is provided directly. Finally, the ``Amy Boyer'' provisions, far from protecting our Social Security Numbers from display or sale on the Internet, make them far more widely available to commercial concerns. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased at how far we have come in improving the base bill, and I am confident that the language issues will be worked out, although a negotiating strategy would be far preferable to a veto strategy. If the President does veto the bill, as expected, I will vote to sustain his veto. In any case, I look forward to the eventual enactment of the Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary Appropriations bill.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I again pay tribute to the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation for its 28 years of fruitful service to the South Bronx community. In 1972, U.S. Senator Jacob Javits, New York State Attorney General Robert Abrams, and six major banks joined together to establish the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO). The corporation was founded at a time when the South Bronx was suffering from major economic devastation, jobs were scarce, and people were leaving the area. Over the past 28 years, SOBRO has successfully encouraged investment and economic growth in the South Bronx and has provided education and job training to area residents. Among its many accomplishments, SOBRO has trained or placed in jobs more than 20,000 residents, created or retained more than 30,000 jobs in the area, stimulated more than $120 million in investments, and assisted in the reconstruction of commercial districts. In collaboration with Mott Haven Neighborhood Strategies Project, SOBRO has been successful in training residents and placing them in jobs with businesses in empowerment zone areas. SOBRO also provides business training and technical assistance to minority entrepreneurs. It has also established a credit loan program to facilitate financial services, including loans for small businesses. In addition, by forming partnerships with local businesses and area high schools, SOBRO has succeded in providing valuable internship programs and part-time jobs for high school and intermediate school students. The organization also trains adults in many skills including cable installation, computer repair, home health care, customer service, and building maintenance. Moreover, SOBRO has assisted in the transformation of abandoned buildings into affordable housing and commercial space. It currently has many projects underway, including the reconstruction of a 60-unit housing project for people living with AIDS. In addition, SOBRO has been successful in renovating Bruckner Boulevard, which has attracted many artists, antique shops, and other businesses to the area. Changes in the welfare law are placing greater constraints on organizations like SOBRO that are trying to assist people in need. Despite this, SOBRO has continued to provide quality services to low- income South Bronx residents and to attract businesses to the area. I would like to especially compliment this year's honorees, Maura Markus, President Citibank North America, Ken Williams, District Manager, The Home Depot, Bernard Beal, CEO, M.R. Beal & Company, and Dave Valentin, world-renowned jazz flutist, for their leadership in improving the quality of life in our community. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to recognize SOBRO for it 28 years of achievements, training and educating the youth, spurring economic growth, and beautifying our South Bronx congressional district.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I pay tribute to Aquinas Housing Corporation (AHC) which will celebrate its Nineteenth Anniversary of providing services to the community on Wednesday, November 8, 2000, at the Marina Del Rey restaurant in the Bronx. Aquinas Housing Corporation was founded in 1981 by a group of volunteers who understood the need to provide quality transitional housing services to families in need. Mr. Speaker, over the past 19 years, Aquinas Housing Corporation has sponsored and developed the rehabilitation of 35 buildings, 990 residential units, 104 cooperatives and 115 two and three family homes. By the year 2000, AHC plans to renovate 10 more buildings with 160 additional units for a total of 1,152 decent and affordable rental housing units that were non existent prior to AHC's creation. Along with housing development, AHC provides a full range of social services to the residents of its buildings and community at large. Services offered include an adult job readiness program, a computer learning center, a clothing bank, case management, tenant organizing, neighborhood improvement projects, classes in English as a Second Language, parenting skills, senior services, a home based child care resource and referral center, a tree maintenance program, and activities and field trips for youth and seniors. It is a privilege for me to represent the 16th district of New York where Aquinas Housing Corporation is located, and I am delighted by its success. I have witnessed first-hand the exemplary work they are doing for our community and I am deeply impressed. I applaud the commitment and the efforts of Aquinas Housing Corporation's staff in the assistance they provide to the elderly, and low- and moderate-income families, as well as, in facilitating educational opportunities for our talented youth. I would like to especially compliment this year's honorees, Monadnock Construction which has been with Aquinas Housing since 1992, Ana Maria Chamorro, a long time resident of Community Board Six, and John DelValle Senior Vice President of retail banking at Banco Popular, for their leadership in improving the quality of life in our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Aquinas Housing Corporation and its staff and in wishing them continued success.