José Serrano

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Ruben Dario Colon, one of the longest serving members of Community Board #4 in the Bronx, who will be retiring from the Board this month after years of service. Born in Puerto Rico, Rev. Colon attended the University of Puerto Rico and the Theological Seminary of Puerto Rico and, in 1947 he married Ms. Ramonita Orabona, with whom he had a son and a daughter. In the United States, he obtained a bachelor's degree from Adelphi University. He also holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Fordham University. Rev. Colon was ordained in 1950. He has served at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection since 1959 and became its Pastor in 1968. His ministry is faithfully committed to bringing spiritual enlightenment to the community. In addition, he serves as the highest ranking Hispanic Chaplain of the New York City Police Department and also serves as Chaplain at the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital. As a psychiatric social worker, Rev. Colon has provided psychiatric therapy for adults and families at many institutions, including Covenant House and the Bronx Psychiatric Center. He was organizer and President of the New York City Puerto Rican Community Childrens Hospital. He is a member of the Board of the Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. The professional, religious and civic organizations to which Rev. Colon belongs, like the honors and awards he has been given are almost beyond counting. Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Rev. Colon is the first Puerto Rican to receive the Silver Medal of the Academic Society of Arts, Science and Literature of France. Reverend Colon has lived to help those who have needed him. His long and fruitful career as a pastor, counselor, chaplain and community activist has touched thousands of individuals in our community. Reverend Colon has been an outstanding leader and a great role model, not only to the organizations he has served so well but also to the Hispanic community and other religious organizations. As it is written in Hebrews 6:10 ``for God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.'' The community, too, recognizes him and is honoring him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Ruben Dario Colon for his remarkable career serving the community and bringing hope to the many individuals he has touched. While he is leaving Community Board #4, I am confident that Reverend Colon, a wise and talented leader will, continue serving our community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great civil rights leader and political figure, an outstanding individual who has devoted his life to his family and to serving the community, the Reverend Al Sharpton. Still in his early 40's, Sharpton for the past two decades has played a major role in virtually every significant movement for civil rights, empowerment, and social and economic justice. Born October 3, 1954, to Alfred Sr. and Ada in Brooklyn, New York, Reverend Sharpton grew up in Brooklyn and Queens in a Black middle- class family. After his parents separated, Sharpton's mother became a domestic worker and raised him and his sister in the ghettos of Brooklyn. He attended public schools, graduating from Tilden High School in 1972. While at Tilden, young Sharpton distinguished himself. He served as vice-president of the Student Government Association, President of the Afro-American Club and Co-Editor of the school's newspaper, The Gadfly. He was also a member of the debating team, the Forum Club, and the Panel of Americans. Sharpton went on to Brooklyn College, majoring in contemporary politics, leaving after his sophomore year. Sharpton began his ministry at the age of four. At that tender age, he preached his first sermon, ``Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,'' to hundreds at Washington Temple Church in Brooklyn. The legendary Bishop F.D. Washington was his mentor throughout his adolescent years. By age 9, Sharpton was licensed and ordained by Bishop Washington and appointed Junior Pastor of the 5,000 member Washington Temple congregation. The young minister also began preaching throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, as the ``Wonder Boy Preacher.'' He made one tour with gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Mr. Speaker, at age 12, Reverend Sharpton became interested in politics. He was mesmerized by Harlem Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (D-NY). During Rev. Powell's New York trips, Sharpton would join his entourage, and in 1967 he formed the Youth Committee for Powell, to protest the Congressman's expulsion from the House of Representatives. At age 14, Sharpton became involved in the Greater New York chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), founded by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sharpton was appointed Youth Director of the SCLC by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and Dr. William A. Jones, Jr. His tasks were to organize youth to picket and demonstrate against discriminatory practices. In November of 1993, Reverend Sharpton was appointed the National Director of the National Rainbow Coalition's Minister Division by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, its President and Founder and Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Chairman of the Ministers Division. Sharpton serves in this position as he continues as president of National Action Network. Reverend Sharpton's political career has challenged the New York political establishment. In 1992, running for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary against three formidable and well-financed candidates, Sharpton won 15% of the total statewide vote, 21% of the New York City vote and 70% of the statewide Black vote. In 1994, Sharpton astounded pundits by running against U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, then Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Though outspent over 10 to 1, Sharpton received 26% of the statewide vote, 33% of the New York City votes, and over 80% of the statewide black vote. In September 1997, Sharpton achieved his greatest political feat. Though outspent 20 to 1, Sharpton came within a fraction of 1% of forcing the first Democratic primary runoff for Mayor of New York City. Reverend Sharpton is married to noted songstress Kathy Jordan and they have two daughters, Dominique, age 11 and Ashley, age 10. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a great civil rights leader and political figure, the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in decidedly unenthusiastic support for the conference report on H.R. 4328. This is nominally the Transportation appropriations bill for fiscal year 1999, but in reality it is a monstrous omnibus bill that encompasses eight unfinished appropriations bills, arguably more emergency spending than can be justified under the Budget Act, and numerous extraneous items, also the result of Committees failing to finish their work on time. This-- thing--is more than 4,000 pages long, nearly two feet tall, and nearly 40 pounds. Much of the conference agreement is the routine business of Congress that should have been done through the normal process and in a timely manner. Some of it represents bullets dodged--bad provisions from earlier versions of appropriations bills that have been removed or improved in the final negotiations. Some of it is Democratic victories on important programs, such as funding for the President's 100,000 teachers initiative, but the package also represents lost opportunities, including the President's school renovation and construction initiative. I will reluctantly vote for it, but I reserve the unfinished business of America for next year. From the 100,000 teachers initiative, I am happy that New York will receive nearly $105 million over 6 years, and that the Bronx, of which I represent the southern part, will receive $14.6 million. This is a wise investment in the future of our children, but the lack of any funding for school renovations and construction leaves us wondering where these new teachers will meet their students! Next year, Mr. Speaker, we must address the school facilities issue. I also intend in the next Congress to propose a program to hire 100,000 new paraprofessionals. Adding teacher aides to classrooms also permits more individualized attention and more discipline, but at lower cost than adding teachers, and beginning as a paraprofessional is a first step on a professional track for less-educated but equally dedicated adults. The two initiatives together will go a long way to prepare our children for self-sufficient, productive adulthood, and for healthier, happier lives. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I failed to mention three emergency items in the jurisdiction of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, of which I am the ranking Democrat: The conference agreement includes $100 million for a Capitol Visitor Center, which will not only enhance the security of the Capitol Complex in the wake of the tragic shootings of Capitol Police Officers Chestnut and Gibson and the terrorist threats arising from events abroad, but also improve the experience of visitors to the Capitol by presenting exhibits to help them understand Congress and the Capitol and even by improving their access to restrooms and food service. The conference agreement includes nearly $107 million for various other physical security enhancements to the Capitol Complex, including Library of Congress buildings and grounds. We do not want to wall the People's Branch off from the public, but there are measures we can take to keep the campus open while enhancing the security of all who work or visit here. Finally, the conference agreement provides a total of $16.9 million to the House, the Senate, and, through the General Accounting Office, to the rest of the legislative branch, for Year 2000 conversion of information technology systems. Mr. Speaker, I repeat that, while I will vote for this omnibus bill, it is without enthusiasm. I cannot urge my colleagues to vote one way or the other. But I will say that a great deal of the people's business remains undone. This Congress, under Republican leadership, has failed--has refused--to address abuses in our health care system, to reduce teen smoking, to reform the campaign finance system, and much more. We will be back next year to press ahead on the issues that the American people care about most.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for mentioning the greatest team on Earth. In fact, there is no score between those other two teams that are just playing today for a chance to get beaten by the Yankees next week. Tom, I was wondering as I was watching these proceedings on TV if the folks who visit us here and the folks who watch on TV fully understand what goes on when we do one of these, when we come together as a delegation, when we come together as colleagues to say farewell from this body to a Member such as you. I think what is important to note is that we take very seriously what we do, and this job brings a lot of joy with it, a lot of accomplishment, and then it brings some difficult moments. It is those difficult moments, I think, that bring people together and friendships and relationships that last a lifetime. So what we do today in saying all of these things about you is to do that which human beings never get a chance to do on a regular basis to say, and we should, to say you are a great guy, you are a great human being, you are a stand-up person, but mostly you have been a good friend and a good colleague. I wanted to take some time to tell you what you mean to me. Two years ago, 1990, they were going to redraw districts, as my colleagues know, and they did. There was a possibility that they would put my district into Queens, into East Harlem, and Manhattan along with the Bronx. I stayed in the Bronx. I did not for one moment get nervous about the possibility of having Queens in my district, first of all, because I would get Shea Stadium, and then you would have a problem to tell me what team I am rooting for, but because I would have you as my county leader. But I think what the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) just said about you becoming a great State chairman, we are not knocking anybody who is there now, but I think it is something you should think about, because I think you have everything that it takes to be the chairman of the State party. What are we talking about? We are talking about your ability to be fair. We are talking about your ability to be friendly. We are talking about your ability to understand the county you represent, the district you represent, the city you are in, and the Nation we are living in, and trying to deal with every one in a fair way. But most importantly, we are talking about this ability you have to never look on the surface like you are upset at anyone. I know you have been upset, at least slightly, at all of us at least once, but you do not show it. We know of your work. We know of the work you have done on behalf of Northern Ireland. We know the work you have done on behalf of many issues here. We know what a strong party man you are and what a loyal Member of this delegation and loyal Member of the Democratic Caucus. But all of our colleagues have spoken about that, and everything we put in the Record will indicate that. I wanted today just to tell you what a great human being you are and how much I know you have played a role in some of the things that have happened to me. When I decided that I wanted to be on the Committee on Appropriations, my delegation was good enough to support me. But that was step one. Two gentlemen here, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Manton) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) played a major role in it. They kept in touch with me on a daily basis telling me how they were going to maneuver my ascension to that committee. It is not an easy thing to do. After all, I had been here a couple of years, and I wanted to move on to a big committee. But you felt it was important to do it for the delegation, for my neighborhoods, and for myself. I am not going to forget that ever. I am also not going to forget the way in which you just deal with each one of us on a daily basis. As our colleagues know, you could always be found in that corner over there to the right. Well, to somebody's left, but probably to most people's rights. You always know what is going on in New York city politics, what is going on on the floor, what is happening nationally, and you just talk to people and make them feel good. When this is all done, when this is all over for us, what do we have? A couple of laws that carry our name, one reporter who may curse us out or say something nice about it, our family trips while we were Members of Congress. I think what we will remember the most is those people that we met here, that we dealt with, that we keep a relationship with, as we will, because we are from the same part of town. That is what is important today, the fact that, no matter how long I am here, I shall remember that my beginnings were strengthened because it was Tom Manton who was willing to support me and to be a friend. So I can tell you honestly, as I know all my colleagues can, because I know how they feel about you, that you are measured by the friends you have. You are measured by the respect people have for you. I assure you, you will have friends and respect like very few people do. I just wanted to simply come and join my colleagues to tell you how special you are to me. If I may drive the young lady to my left crazy, let me just say that we have a phrase in Spanish that I use every so often on the floor, and it is one that sticks to a few people. It says--(Mr. Serrano spoke in Spanish). Tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are. Well, this delegation walks with you, and therefore we are you. We do pretty well when we stay close to you. The best to you. I know you will probably make $10 million on the outside, but you will probably become State chairman and do not make $1.50 after that. You will be at Shea Stadium. We will welcome you at Yankee Stadium. You will be with your family. You will enjoy your life. We will miss you. We will miss you, my friend. I am just so glad I had an opportunity in my life to serve with you. Thank you.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Hunter College Center on AIDS, Drugs and Community Health, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary of promoting public health in New York City on Friday, October 16. The Hunter College Center on AIDS, Drugs and Community Health was created in 1987 to respond to the growing public health crises that were devastating New York City's low-income communities. Its mission is to assist the people and organizations in poor neighborhoods to respond more effectively to the threats to public health caused by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, tuberculosis, violence and related conditions. Mr. Speaker, in the past ten years, the Center has provided direct services to more than 25,000 individuals, helped more than 75 community organizations create or strengthen health programs, trained more than 5,000 health and social service professionals, and provided internships, courses or research placements to more than 2,000 students from Hunter and elsewhere. The Center has also received more than $17 million in grants and contracts from private foundations and public agencies and has in turn provided more than $500,000 directly to community organizations and neighborhood service providers to support their programs. While it is important, and appropriate, to recognize the caregivers who provide these services, it is even more important that those individuals who have made special efforts to overcome their challenges also receive our attention and support. As the Center enters its second decade, it has ambitious plans for the future. Beginning in 1998, with the support of the New York City Department of Health and in collaboration with the Hunter Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, the Center will provide training, assistance and evaluation support for a new citywide initiative against childhood asthma, which is a major problem in my congressional district. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring the physicians, nurses, caseworkers, administrators, clerical workers, and all of the other caregivers and support staff of the Hunter College Center on AIDS, Drugs and Community Health for their outstanding efforts at this important milestone, and in wishing them continued success.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republican resolution calling for further interminable, open-ended, partisan investigation of the President of the United States. My constituents share my outrage at the attacks on President Clinton, and many--more than on any other issue in my eight years in this House-- have called, written, and emailed me to share their views on the course Congress should take in this matter. As many of my colleagues on both sides have said, the duty imposed on the House by allegations of Presidential treason, bribery, or other ``high crimes and misdemeanors'' is very grave. Faced with such allegations, the House must carry out its responsibility in the fairest, most non-partisan manner possible. This is vital to preserving the integrity of a Constitutional process, and we owe it to the President and to the American people. Having said that, I, and my constituents, believe that this process, based on these allegations, has been unfair and partisan, that the offenses alleged against the President are not impeachable, and that the House Republican leadership should end the investigation and try to do as much of the people's business as is possible in the few days left before Congress adjourns for the year. On September 11, I voted against immediate release of the Starr report. Basic fairness, like that extended to you, Mr. Speaker during the Ethics Committee investigation into your dealings, would have given the President the chance to review the allegations against him and to respond. After all, the Independent Counsel and his lawyers have spent more than four years and over $40 million focusing all their attention on finding wrongdoing by the President. And the grand jury process, which led to the report, is supposed to present only the prosecutor's version of the facts, not the accused's. And no-one in Congress reviewed the Starr referral before it was dumped into print and onto the Internet, even though innocent people's reputations were damaged by it, and much of the material was so salacious that our children shouldn't have such easy access to it. Nor was there any apparent reason to release the additional material other than to further humiliate the President. I believe it would be a bad precedent and a big mistake to remove the President, whom the people elected twice and whose performance in office the people still support, over a private consensual relationship. We must understand, as my constituents clearly do, that liberty and privacy are tightly linked, and that the more we permit intrusion into and exposure of the private lives of our people, even our Presidents, the more we jeopardize our liberty. I believe the House should not proceed with any further investigation and should instead get on with the unfinished business of America. Therefore, I will vote against both resolutions, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Napoleon Fernandez, an outstanding individual who has devoted his life to his family and to serving the community. Mr. Fernandez celebrated his 80th birthday in the company of his family and friends on Saturday, August 22, 1998 at the Holy Cross Church Hall in the Bronx. Mr. Fernandez was born in the Dominican Republic. When he was in the 6th grade, he had to quit school to get a job in order to support is mother and two sisters. With the desire and absolute resolution to provide for his family, he became a barber at the age of 14 and 1 year later owned his own barbershop. Known as ``Salon Figaro,'' the barbershop soon became the most famous in the Dominican Republic. He later entered show business and became an artistic entrepreneur who brought to the Dominican Republic famous musicians, such as Bobby Capo and Daniel Santos from Puerto Rico and Libertad Lamarque from Mexico. With his success blooming, he published a magazine called ``Revistas Figaro.'' In 1952, Mr. Fernandez immigrated to the United States and obtained a barber's license within a year. He opened a shop on 112th Street and Broadway in Manhattan while still pursuing his musical career. He brought Armando Manzanero to the U.S. for the first time. He also went into the real state business and owned many buildings before losing them. After his real state business failed because of the discrimination and the difficulties immigrants and minorities faced those days, he became a music teacher and gave music lessons in public schools in New York and in New Jersey. He was the first Hispanic PTA President from Brandeis High School and PS 145. He also played music with various artists such as the legendary Maestro Marco Rizzo and various bands such as Orchestas de Dominica, Chaparro and Alfredo Munar. Today, Mr. Fernandez sings gospel music with the choir at Holy Cross Church and owns a baseball team, ``The Boys of Figaro''. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Fernandez was very involved in politics and clearly believes that electoral politics is honorable public service. He was very active in campaigns for former Representative Herman Badillo, the first Puerto Rican to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Fernandez could have been the first Dominican elected to the New York State Assembly but he chose not to run. Mr. Fernandez has been married to Carmen for 36 years. They have 8 children and 19 grandchildren who are all doing very well. His life of courage and his contributions to our country make all of us, the immigrant community and his family, truly proud. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the family of Mr. Napoleon Fernandez Gregory in wishing him a happy 80th birthday.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and to pay tribute to Judge Sonia Sotomayor, an outstanding individual who has dedicated her life to public service. She was confirmed today by the Senate for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Clinton nominated Sotomayor in June 1997 and after an arduous process, the Senate ratified her nomination by voting 68-28. The 2nd Circuit Court includes New York, Connecticut and Vermont. Judge Sotomayor was born and raised in the South Bronx. After graduating summa cum laude from Princeton University, she earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. I have known her personally for many years, and I am very familiar with her background, experience, character, and personality. She is a person of the highest personal and professional integrity. Mr. Speaker, since her appointment to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George Bush in 1992, Judge Sotomayor has distinguished herself and has received continuous recognition for her outstanding performance. During her tenure, she has been reversed only six times in what is considered perhaps the most litigious and scrutinized district court in the United States. Being the first Hispanic woman to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Judge Sotomayor is well known and highly respected by her peers and the different communities for her sensitivity, professionalism, integrity and sound judgment. Her confirmation brings to the Court an outstanding judge at the same time that it expands its ethnic composition. This is the kind of issue that should be discussed in the classrooms. She is a role model for all Hispanics. Judge Sotomayor has set an example of how success is available for all of those who persevere to achieve their goals. She is an inspiration for many Puerto Ricans and for the people in the Bronx who are trying to break the cycle of poverty. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Judge Sonia Sotomayor for her outstanding achievements and in wishing her continued success as Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hefner).

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jim Walsh) for those kind words about the Yankees. I am just afraid about the Texas Rangers first. This is a good conference report. It was a good bill to begin with, Mr. Speaker, and more work has been done on it, especially the work concerning the Capitol Police and some other items that were put in here. I want to take very little time discussing the bill, because the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) has made all the statements that are necessary, and secondly, I will be submitting a statement for the Record. To make sure that I do not run into the same problem he did of getting a note about leaving somebody out, let me just say that I also want to thank the staff on both sides, both the committee and subcommittee and personal staff, that have done such a great job in making this bill what it is, and making our lives much easier. Of course, I would single out Lucy Hand, the person who knows more about this bill than I do, which is the case around here most of the time. The bill I think speaks to something that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jim Walsh) and I believe in very seriously. That is the fact that in order to be proud of this government, in order to be proud of this democracy, we also have to make sure that we maintain the grounds and the buildings and the institution itself. One is not separate from the other. Many times I am terrified of the fact, I hear people boast, as we all should, about our great democracy, and then always try to knock down the government and the institutions involved in it, as if a computer or something else ran this democracy. When I see the work we do in this bill to make sure that we set a good tone and a bipartisan tone, we are setting the right tone, and especially in what we did for the Capitol Police, we know the tragedy we had here, and the statement that we are making in saying that we support them in the work they do, we support them in the future, we support them today in this conference report. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that all Members would support this conference report. Let me move on now, Mr. Speaker, and speak about my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio). I was thinking, as I was hearing all of the comments being made about the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio), and I know he is paying attention, because he wants to hear what I have to tell him. I may break into Spanish at any minute, and the gentleman will be terribly confused. I was thinking, as I was listening to all the tributes, how I know the gentleman from California. It dawned on me that if we were to have taken photographs of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jose Serrano) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio) throughout the 9 years that I have been here, we would find that most of these photographs would be of me leaning over at a subcommittee or committee meeting or on the floor asking him something, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio) advising me. That probably would be our photo album. I don't know how far he would get showing that to his grandchildren, but that would be the photo album. The most important thing that I can say, and that that I have found to be the gentleman's strength, is that he fully understands all of the differences that make up not only the Democratic Party, but both parties. In other words, when we come here, especially as a freshman, we believe we know everything there is to know about our districts, about our States, and certainly about everything that should happen in Congress. What I have found is that there was really one person here, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio), who knew exactly where every Member came from. That is really important. He knew every district, he knew every need, he knew everyone. He knew every desire of the Member. When we talk about leadership and the ability of talking to newcomers, that ability to say, you are from New York; you are from New York City, you are not from upstate; you are from the Bronx; your district is primarily Hispanic and African American; language is an issue, immigration is an issue, the gentleman from California knows that about just about every single district in the Nation. That I feel is what prepares him, then, to talk to people. On top of that, he happens to be something which is great, he happens to be a great human being. He happens to be a friendly person who is always ready to talk to someone and to smile. He also taught me something else, which I am trying to do. That is, how do we pay our dues when we are members of the Committee on Appropriations? We our dues by playing a role in the legislative branch appropriations subcommittee, because what we do here is not popular all the time, and everybody supports it but nobody wants to vote for it. We are the only subcommittee that has the support of the House, and then has to go around rounding up votes, and he did it year after year after year, with the kind of tone that got people to respect the work and respect the subcommittee. Now, as the ranking member of this subcommittee, and hopefully chairman of this subcommittee in the future, I take very seriously what he taught me. He taught me by voice, he taught me by advice, but mostly, he taught me by example. Let me be perhaps the last one today who pays tribute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio) by just simply doing something that comes easy to me, and that is to quote a phrase in Spanish that we use every so often on this House floor. That is to say, (Member spoke in Spanish); tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are. For 9 years I have walked with the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio), and therefore, I am part of him, and that is not too bad. I thank the gentleman for his friendship. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report on H.R. 4112, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for fiscal year 1999. Chairman Walsh, the other subcommittee Members, and I share a belief in and commitment to Congress as an institution. This is the People's branch of our national government. Thousands of people work here. Constituents come here to petition their government or see how their laws are made. Tourists from all over the Nation and the world, officials of government at all levels, and international leaders, such as President Nelson Mandela yesterday, visit here. We must, in this bill, ensure that Congress can operate efficiently, preserve and enhance the Capitol complex, and protect the health, safety, and security of all. Mr. Speaker, I believe this conference agreement improves on a good bill and provides the resources needed to run this enterprise. Chairman Walsh has explained the agreements in detail, but I will add a couple of comments. The conference agreement is more than half a billion dollars above the House-passed bill, but this is almost entirely because the House bill, in keeping with the traditional comity between House and Senate, contained no funds for the Senate. Excluding Senate items, the conference agreement is really only about $11 million above the House bill, and part of this is due to the fact that we have provided funds to improve the pay structure for the Capitol Police--weekend, holiday, and night differentials, and an extension of the longevity schedule. For Congressional operations, the conference agreement includes $1.7 billion, just $31 million, or about two percent above last year. This covers the operations of House and Senate Member and Committee offices, administrative offices, and the legislative support activities of the Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research Service, and the Architect of the Capitol. The agreement also includes $697 million for other agencies, such as the Library of Congress, the General Accounting Office, and the Government Printing Office. As in the House bill, it provides buyout authority to the Architect and the GPO so they can manage staff reductions and restructuring. Buyouts are less expensive, less disruptive, and less harmful to the affected workers than the alternative, reductions-in-force. Mr. Speaker, I repeat that this conference agreement is a good one. However, there are a couple of concerns on our side that must be expressed. First, however modest the increase in total spending over last year is, it is still an increase. In contrast, other appropriations bills contain drastic cuts and even terminations in programs of great importance to the American people, especially the most vulnerable Americans. Second, the conference agreement, like the House bill, provides funding for only one quarter for the Joint Committee on Printing. This assumes that Title 44 reform, including disposition of JCP's functions, will be completed by the end of 1998. However, there are few legislative days left in this session and there has been no progress on reform since this bill passed the House in June. I believe it is irresponsible to leave oversight of GPO after December 31 unresolved. To repeat what I have said again and again, it has been a great personal pleasure for me to work on this bill with our Chairman, Jim Walsh. He is an old friend of mine, and I am a long-time fan of his. He is hard-working and knowledgeable, totally fair and bipartisan. Of course, we have a very able staff. Ed Lombard's experience and knowledge and Greg Dahlberg's skill and expertise are matchless. Tom Martin has provided valuable service, and each Member's staff has contributed to this process. The other Members of the Subcommittee, too, have worked well together--Mr. Young, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Wamp, and Mr. Latham, and the Chairman of the full Committee, Mr. Livingston. On our side, we have the Ranking Democrat of the full Committee, Mr. Obey, and Mr. Hoyer, and Mr. Fazio, whose combined knowledge of the Legislative Branch is staggering. This institution and all of us will miss Vic Fazio very much. Other Members have talked about Vic's many talents and qualities--his experience, his insight, his wisdom, his fairness--but let me add that no one has been more consistently devoted to this place, or had more knowledge of its inner workings than Vic. His retirement will leave an enormous gap that we must struggle to fill. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Walsh has done a good job and this is a good bill. I will vote for it and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio).

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry).

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 550, and include extraneous material.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wilfredo Vasquez, an outstanding Puerto Rican athlete who has been a successful boxer. He was honored on Friday, September 11, at the ``Centro Cultural Latino'' in my Bronx congressional district. Mr. Vasquez was born on August 2, 1961 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. His record speaks volumes about his achievements: 50 wins, 8 losses, 3 draws, 37 knockouts. On October 3, 1987, he defeated by knockout Chan Yong Park for the Bantamweight title in 10 rounds in the World Boxing Association (WBA). On March 27, 1992, he defeated Raul Perez in 3 rounds for the Junior Featherweight. On May 18, 1996, he defeated Eloy Rojas by knockout for the Featherweight title. He is the only three-time champion in the same organization. Through his long dedication and success in boxing, Mr. Vasquez has served as a role model for millions of youngsters in the United States and Puerto Rico who, like him, dream of success in the world of sports. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Wilfredo Vasquez for his contributions and dedication to boxing, as well as for serving as role model for the youth of Puerto Rico and America.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wilfredo Gomez, an outstanding Puerto Rican athlete who has been a successful boxer. He was honored on Friday, September 11, at the ``Centro Cultural Latino'' in my Bronx congressional district. Mr. Gomez was born on October 29, 1956 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. His record speaks volumes about his achievements: 42 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, 40 knockouts. He is in the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. On May 21, 1977, he defeated by knockout Dong Kyum Yum in the 12th round to conquer the World Boxing Council (WBC) Junior Featherweight title. He defended that title 17 times and won all the fights by knockout which set a world record. On March 31, 1984, he defeated Juan Laporte for the World Boxing Council Featherweight title in 12 rounds and on May 19, 1995 defeated Rocky Lockridge for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Jr. Lightweight title. Through his long dedication and success in boxing, Mr. Gomez has served as a role model for millions of youngsters in the United States and Puerto Rico who, like him, dream of succeeding in the world of sports. Mr. Speaker I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Wilfredo Gomez for his contributions and dedication to boxing, as well as for serving as a role model for the youth of Puerto Rico and America.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I rise to pay tribute to the Manhattan Valley Golden Age Senior Center, Inc., which will celebrate its 25th anniversary of services to the seniors and the community on Friday, September 18, 1998. Manhattan Valley Golden Age Senior Center, Inc. was founded in 1973 by a group of civic leaders and community residents of the Upper Westside of Manhattan District Board #7 who understood the need to provide a variety of educational and recreational activities to our senior citizens. The Center began its operations in two small rooms in the basement of the Grace Methodist Church before relocating in 1981 to a modern building in a residential area on 106th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. The center provides advocacy and entitlement benefit services to help enhance an individual's self-esteem and foster a greater sense of independence and self-reliance. On a daily basis, the Center, which is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., serves hot, nutritious meals to over 150 seniors. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the commitment and the efforts of the Manhattan Valley Golden Age Senior Center, Inc.'s board, staff, and supporters for the assistance they provide to the elderly. With the collaboration of a qualified staff, Manhattan Valley Golden Age Senior Center, Inc. networks with other agencies that offer assistance to help keep our senors vital and part of the community. I would like to especially compliment this year's honoree, Mr. Joseph Unanau, president of Goya Foods, who will be recognized during the 25th anniversary for his support in improving the quality of life of the seniors in our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Manhattan Valley Golden Age Senior Center, Inc. and the individuals who have made 25 years of service possible.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wilfredo Benitez, an outstanding Puerto Rican athlete, who has been a successful boxer. He was honored on Friday, September 11, at the ``Centro Cultural Latino'' in my Bronx congressional district. Mr. Benitez was born in the Bronx, New York, on September 12, 1958. His record speaks volumes about his achievements: 53 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, 31 knockouts. He has been in the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, since 1996. On March 6, 1976, at the age of 17, he defeated Antonio Cervantes for the Junior Welterweight title in 15 rounds. He is the youngest in boxing history to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) title. On January 14, 1979, he defeated Carlos Palomino for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight title. On May 23, 1981, he defeated Maurice Hope by knockout in the 12th round for the Junior Welterweight title. Through his long dedication and success in boxing, Mr. Benitez has served as a role model for millions of youngsters in the United States and Puerto Rico who, like him, dream of succeeding in the world of sports. Mr. Speaker I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Wilfredo Benitez for his contributions and dedication to boxing, as well as for serving as a role model for the youth of Puerto Rico and America.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a motion every Member can support. This has been an extraordinary year for the Capitol Police and its police force. We have seen the first deaths of Capitol Police officers in the line of duty in many years. U.S. embassies have been bombed by terrorists, and the U.S. has responded to this terrorism with missile attacks. All of this raises the perception of threats, if not the actual threats to U.S. interests and institutions all over the world. The Capitol, of course, is one of the great symbols of our Nation. Therefore, it is occasionally a target of people with seriously deranged thinking or violent anti-American views. The Capitol is also the seat of the people's branch of our government and the destination of thousands of visitors every day, both constituents and tourists, as well as high-ranking officials of our own government and leaders from all over the world. I suppose we could be much safer and perhaps also save money if we chose to wall the Capitol complex off from the people. But I believe everyone here would strongly oppose that approach to security. Instead, Mr. Speaker, the people's branch must remain open to the public. It is our duty, often through this bill, to make sure that the Capitol Police have the resources they need to keep this open campus safe and secure for Members, staff, employees, visitors, and guests. As threats evolve, responses must evolve, and the Capitol Police must have the resources for the personnel, training, and technology they need. Mr. Speaker, as I have said before and will no doubt say again, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) has done an excellent job in putting this bill together. I think our initial decisions on funding levels for the Capitol Police were entirely appropriate. But since our bill passed the House in June, we have seen the unfortunate murders of Officers Chestnut and Gibson, the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the resulting missile attacks on terrorist locations. All of this has increased the obligations of the Capitol Police, increased the need for overtime, caused new thinking on the physical security needs for the campus and the need for additional resources. As a first step to that end, and of course there will be additional and more substantial steps, I urge my colleagues to support this motion to instruct conferees, to accept the Senate figures for the Capitol Police. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion to instruct. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I do not find it easy to disagree with some of the Members who have spoken here today, because they are my friends and I respect them a lot. But I understand what they are doing. They are speaking on behalf of their constituents who work in the District of Columbia and live in their districts. That is an honorable thing to do, and that is a proper thing to say. However, those who know me know that I do not like embargoes and I do not like colonialism. This is colonialism at its worst. What it basically says is that on a daily basis, we bash the District of Columbia. We basically say, every time their appropriation bill comes up or their authorization bill comes up, that they are not doing the right thing, that they do not know how to govern themselves, that they do not know how to conduct themselves. They get bashed more than any other group in this Nation except for immigrants. That is a fact of life. Now, when the District of Columbia begins to move ahead and tries to deal with issues as other people in inner cities and suburban communities are doing throughout this country, by saying, part of the way we want to better ourselves is to require you, for certain jobs, to live within the community that you work in so that you will have an interest in that community, so that you will be a force, a presence in that community, so that you will be a leader in that community, then we step in and say, no, you cannot do that. You cannot do that. You cannot do that. You cannot try to improve your schools by suggesting having teachers who live in that neighborhood and know those children and see those children, and have to worry about whatever crime those children commit, and want to celebrate when those children graduate; you cannot do that. We will not let you do that, or that a gentleman who is living in an area where fires may be a problem and he is a city fireman would not take special interest in finding out where the people are who could be committing the kind of crime that leads to those fires, you cannot do that, that is improving your community. We understand but, you see, you are trampling with something we want to talk about, about some of the people who live outside the District, so you cannot do that. The fact of life is that D.C. is not alone. There are communities throughout this country that are moving in this direction, that have established in fact residency requirements. Today what you are being asked to do here is to interfere once again with a local decision, a decision that affects only a certain group of workers. Some of my colleagues have mentioned the Capitol Police as an example. We all love the Capitol Police, and we pay respect to them more than ever these days for their sacrifice to us. But that is not the same thing. The Capitol Police and the Federal workers are not covered under this, and the Congress is not covered under this. And the Congress is a unique community, Nation, if you will, that lives within the District of Columbia. So we are not saying that the people, for instance, who are on this floor or back in our offices are subjected to this. What we are saying is, let us hear it clearly, that the District of Columbia said, if Mrs. Smith or Mr. Jones paid taxes to pay your salary to be our fireman, Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones, who pay those taxes because they reside within the District of Columbia, are asking you to do the same thing and reside within the District of Columbia. You do not want to do that, well, you do not have to take that job. The other comment I heard which really troubled me is, it does not hurt us, it hurts the people in the District of Columbia. Well, that makes two assumptions that are incorrect. One, that all jobs are in the suburbs. That is why 8 million people, 5 million people come into New York City every day to work. Because all the jobs are in the suburbs. And secondly, that you cannot find qualified people in the District of Columbia. That sends an additional message. It tells young people, do not educate yourself because once you have educated yourself, there are people who think you are not qualified to hold the jobs that are locally in this economy. This does not make any sense. Most of you know it does not make any sense. So the right vote is to support the Norton amendment. In addition, I would make a special plea to those of you who think this is a special, unique situation. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa do not have a vote on this floor. Every so often we should take that into consideration and accept that what their delegates and representatives tell us carry a certain emotional weight, the weight of trying to represent people without any vote on this floor. That means something to me. That means that I take my vote and transfer it to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) tonight. I will by supporting her amendment. I hope we all do the same.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and to pay tribute to Mr. Isaac Darko, a constituent of mine and a distinguished student at Columbia University in New York. He will be recognized for his academic and scientific achievements as a participant in the National institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (UGSP) on August 6, 1998. Isaac graduated from the Health Professions and Human Services High School in 1997 and has just completed his freshman year at Columbia University. This summer he has been working at the NIH Department of Molecular Biology under the supervision of Dr. Alfred Johnson. He has been working on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is expressed in such cancers as breast and prostate cancer and in other cancer cell lines. Mr. Speaker, the UGSP scholars search is highly competitive and nationwide. Currently, the program has 24 scholars from all over the nation, from institutions such as Columbia University, MIT, Harvard, Georgetown, U.C. Davis, and Stanford. In order to participate in the program, a Scholar must either have a 3.5 Grade Point Average or be in the top 5% of his/her class. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to pursuing careers in biomedical research and must be from a disadvantaged background. The current group is composed of 32% Hispanics, 32% African Americans, 21% Asians, 10% Caucasians, and 5% Native American, with a balance between the genders of 52% female and 48% male. Mr. Speaker, being selected for this program indicates that Isaac has demonstrated that he has the ability and the desire to be an asset and a role model in our community. We are proud of his accomplishments and I know he is taking full advantage of the opportunity presented to him. He is a terrific example for future participants in this program and others like it. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Isaac Darko for his outstanding accomplishments and also in commending the National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds for offering opportunities to students like Isaac.

Mr. SERRANO

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

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, let me first show our colleagues two quick things here. First of all, this picture that the gentleman from Colorado has made available to me is a transmitting gadget which costs about $5,000. This is effective in jamming a signal of one of the largest taxpayer's waste of money, which has cost $110 million. So for $5,000, I can jam that signal. I think that is a better deal. Secondly, let us understand what TV Marti is. TV Marti is, and I have called it this for many years that I have been the coauthor of this book that the gentleman from Colorado has been writing, is an electronic toy for a lot of people, for a little group in this country, that makes a lot of political donations and in return gets a foreign policy that they like. I would hope that instead of taking taxpayer dollars to buy that toy called TV Marti, they would do what I do. When I want my electronic toys, I simply use my Radio Shack card, and it is much cheaper and does not hurt the taxpayers in any way. So I would recommend that to some folks in Miami and others places. It is interesting to note that one of the things that happened with TV Marti is its offices were moved to Florida, I think we did that last year or the year before, because, supposedly, I think, you could get closer to Cuba through your transmission, not from Washington, but from Florida. I do not think that is what it was, but that is what we were told it was. I have a lot of respect for the chairman of the subcommittee, but I keep watching him every time he defends TV Marti to see if he is smiling or not, because I want to make sure that he really believes everything he is telling us. Let us understand something: TV Marti may survive today once again. We are going to get closer to defeating it one of these days, but it may survive again. If it survives, it is only because it is a political issue that we Americans do not know how to deal with. We found out how to deal with China; we found out how to deal with Vietnam; we know how to deal with Korea. We even, it looks like, know how to deal with Iran and Iraq. But we do not know how to deal with Cuba. So we keep taking taxpayer dollars to build this big monster called an island of 11 million people that is somehow going to invade us and take us over one day. We are not going to discuss that part. The only invasion they will make can be seen at Yankee Stadium and other places where their quality of baseball continues to increase our quality of baseball. Mr. Chairman, if Members are going to support this, support it for what it is. It is a political ploy to satisfy a small group of people. Most people in that community do not even believe that this is good use of taxpayer dollars. But what you cannot do is continue to stand here and say that TV Marti is the salvation of American democracy, that TV Marti somehow is going to save the Western World from this monster of an island in the Caribbean. TV Marti, I submit once again, is nothing more than a small group of people's electronic toy. I do not mind them having a toy, but not with my tax dollars. So I would hope Members would support the gentleman from Colorado's amendment, and I will yield to him. I know he has a few additional statements to make.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I am a loyal member of the Committee on Appropriations and I respect the work done by both the majority and the minority, but it really hurts to see we are cutting education, we are cutting heating for senior citizens, we are cutting environmental programs, and we are wasting $110 million on a signal that was seen once with some Popeye cartoons.