José Serrano

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, National Puerto Rican Affirmation Day was held on March 29, 1996, and I would like to share with my colleagues the remarks I made as the host of a public policy forum on health issues affecting the Puerto Rican community. Welcome to this public policy forum. Today we are going to discuss the health issues that are affecting the Puerto Rican community. We will try to find solutions to the problems and to develop public policy guidelines that would help improve the health and access to medical services for our community. Participants in this forum are: Dr. Nilsa Gutierrez, former director of the AIDS Institute of the New York Department of Health; Dr. Eric Munoz, medical director at the University Hospital in New Jersey; Mr. Aldoph Falcon, vice president for policy and research of the National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations; Ms. Suleika Cabrera-Drianane, founder and executive director of the Institute for Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly; Mr. Enrique Baquero, president of Cyber Tech and a member of the board of directors of the Puerto Rico Hospital Association; and Ms. Miguelina Maldonado, director of Government relations and policy at the National Minority AIDS Council in Washington, DC. After we finish the presentations on the various health issues we will open the debate to answer questions from the audience. Puerto Ricans in the United States and those living on the island often suffer from diseases which are related to their environmental and socioeconomic conditions. Puerto Ricans have a high incidence of chronic illnesses, infant mortality, alcohol and drug abuse, and more recently, HIV/AIDS infection. Poor living conditions, hazardous working environments, lack of access to medical services, and the rising costs of health care are some of the health challenges that the Puerto Rican community faces. Many in our community work in industries which have a high number of uninsured employees. A large portion of the population resides in inner-city areas which lack adequate medical services for our community. In addition, low median family income, the lowest of any other group in the nation, and a high cost of living in inner-city areas have prevented Puerto Ricans from purchasing private health insurance. In 1992, 50 percent of the population had no private health insurance and 21 percent had no health coverage whatever. These are alarming rates for any community. Puerto Ricans are growing every day more dependent on Government programs for health care insurance. In 1992, 32.2 percent of the Puerto Rican population received Medicaid benefits, a higher percentage than that of African-Americans, and five times higher than that of non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, 60 percent of the population in Puerto Rico depend on Government health care programs. The proposed cuts in funding for Medicaid and Medicare therefore pose a disproportionate threat to the health of the Puerto Rican population. Although President Clinton, in budget negotiations, has forced them to moderate their demands, the Republican leadership in Congress still proposes to slash the funding for Medicaid by $132 billion and Medicare by $270 billion. These cuts will force the elimination of health care services, such as dental care, physical therapy, and nursing facilities for children. In addition, because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, it does not receive funding at full parity in Government programs. Funding for Medicaid is at one-tenth the amount that Puerto Rico would receive if it was treated equally. This is not a statement in opposition to the commonwealth status, nor an expression in support of statehood or the independence of Puerto Rico. But it is a fact of disparity. Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they receive a much lower share of Federal funding for Government programs than that which is allocated to programs for U.S. citizens who live in the United States. Reductions in funding would further jeopardize access to health care for Puerto Ricans. The high incidence of HIV/AIDS infection among heterosexual drug users is a growing epidemic that requires special assistance in our community. In addition to the growing need to increase the access to medical services is the urgent need to provide culturally sensitive services to our community. Many providers do not have bilingual personnel or programs that identify with the culture of our community. In short, low utilization rates of medical services, lack of prenatal and post partum care, low birth weights for infants, high infant mortality, and inadequate child immunization, are all indicators of a community that it is highly underserved. We need to pursue a pro-active health care agenda which would provide coverage for the vulnerable population, the elderly, the poor, pregnant women, children, the medically disabled, and the working uninsured. We also need more effective outreach efforts to inform our community of the availability of health care services. Community-based organizations which already provide culturally sensitive medical services could be one of the catalysts for increasing the access to adequate health care in our community. In addition, we need to increase the participation of the Puerto Rican community in the medical field by providing Federal scholarships and other programs that would enable our students to pursue careers in health professions. We should also provide incentives to educational institutions to develop scholarships for our medical students. Slashing the funding for Government programs that are often the only source of health coverage for the poor will pose higher health risks to a population, such as ours, which is already disproportionally lacking access to medical services. I would like now to ask the members of the panel to talk more in detail about the health issues which are afflicting our community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, National Puerto Rican Affirmation Day was held on March 29, 1996, and I would like to share with my colleagues the remarks I made at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Ladies and gentlemen. We are here today in front of one of the most emotional tributes that Americans have erected to our soldiers. It is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of the thousands of men and women who served and lost their lives in the service of this nation. On a day just like today, thousands of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics were called to serve in the Vietnam war and to fight as part of the American forces. When they were called to duty, Puerto Ricans were ready to serve valiantly. What many people do not know and many history books do not tell us is that Puerto Ricans have fought in all foreign wars that this country has been involved in, from the War of Independence and World War I and II, to most recently, the Persian Gulf War, and the current peace keeping effort in Bosnia. Puerto Ricans fought alongside a military force of Cuban, Mexican Indian, mulatto and Mestizo soldiers in what is now Louisiana during the War of Independence. In the Korean War, the 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rico fought bravely, and to honor them, a highway in Puerto Rico was named after the regiment. Today, I have cosponsored two pieces of legislation introduced by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, which would commemorate the heroic efforts of the 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rico. One of the bills would authorize the minting of a coin and the second one would recognize the regiment with a plaque to be placed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. During the Persian Gulf War, as in many other wars, Puerto Ricans were among the first to be sent to fight and among the last to leave. Former Bronx residents Capt. Manuel Rivera and Marine Cpl. Ismael Cotto were both killed in action in the Persian Gulf. Like many other Puerto Ricans who continue to join the service, both had entered military life with the hope of advancing themselves and improving the quality of life for their families. How very sad that they found death where they had once hoped to improve their lives. If you glance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial you will be surprised to see many last names and first names in Spanish that are carved on the wall. You will find Diaz, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Cruz and many other names. These are the Hispanic soldiers, thousands of them Puerto Ricans, that gave their lives without hesitation in defense of what this Nation stands for. No one asked if these Puerto Rican soldiers who were drafted had a proficient knowledge of English. They were sent to South Vietnam along with other Americans to fight. Among the many who fought in Vietnam we know the story of U.S. Army Capt. Euripides Rubio. He was born in Ponce, PR and entered service at Fort Buchanan. While in Vietnam, Capt. Rubio left a safe position to aid the wounded during a massive attack. He had been wounded several times when he noticed a grenade which had fallen dangerously close. As he ran to throw the grenade back to the enemy he was killed. Another Puerto Rican hero, Hector Santiago-Colon entered service in New York as a specialist fourth class in the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, Santiago alerted his comrades to an approaching attack by the enemy. Suddenly fire broke out and his comrades tried to defend their position. An enemy soldier crawled close to Santiago's foxhole and dropped a grenade. Knowing that there was no time to throw the grenade, Santiago tucked it in close to his stomach and took the full impact of the blast. These courageous Puerto Rican men fought at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty in defense of this Nation. More than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have served in U.S. foreign wars and thousands have died fighting. Many made it back home but have lived their lives scarred from wounds and from the brutal images that are intrinsic to any military aggression. We gather here today in front of this memorial to honor the men and women who at a given moment in the history of this Nation have worn the uniform of military service, whether in peace time or during war. On a peace keeping mission, or in wars, or in so-called police actions they served with courage, honor, and distinction. The emotional stress of the military has affected all of our soldiers, and more intensely Puerto Rican soldiers from rural areas. Puerto Rican soldiers had to cope with military training, discrimination in the military, often not understanding the English language, being away from the familiar, and lastly the brutal experience of the battlefield. In addition, a disproportionate number of Puerto Rican soldiers were exposed to the violence of war and still suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. This long-term mental illness has prevented them from being able to hold jobs, acquire housing, and live normal lives. Puerto Rican veterans have been advocating their needs in the public arena for more than 20 years, but not much has been accomplished. They need the help of Congress and the White House to improve their lives. On this National Puerto Rican Affirmation Day, they will make their voices heard and we will try to find solutions to their health and socioeconomic problems. Despite the existence of current veteran programs, many of them have failed to provide adequate health services and employment opportunities. In addition, lack of information, often unavailable in Spanish, has prevented Puerto Rican veterans from participating in these programs. Puerto Rican veterans need access to a health care system that is culturally sensitive and appropriate to their needs. They also need job training programs that would successfully prepare them to hold a job in the workplace and to develop their careers. Many Puerto Rican veterans have expressed their desire to buy homes and to own businesses. We need to expand the availability of low interest loans for small businesses and home ownership to minority veterans. We also need to develop programs that would effectively incorporate health, housing, and employment services to assist homeless veterans. Puerto Rican veterans are eager to enjoy healthy and productive lives with their loved ones. We owe our veterans the opportunity to participate fully in society and to successfully reestablish their lives. United we can bring about positive change through social and economic justice. We live in a society that has always honored those who have served this country. It is for that reason that today we will recognize the contributions of Puerto Rican men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. In whatever capacity they served, let us today reaffirm our desire never to forget their contributions to this country's military agenda and the missions that were assigned to them. Puerto Ricans have contributed to the fabric of this Nation in all areas, from science and the military, to the arts and public policy. I would like to ask you to join me in thanking in particular the veterans that have come from all parts of the country and from Puerto Rico to be here with us, reaffirm our rights as Puerto Ricans and to show their support to this National Puerto Rican Reaffirmation Day.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to pay tribute to a very distinguished countryman, Dr. Ricardo Alegria, for his outstanding contributions to the investigation, preservation, and recognition of the culture and history of Puerto Rico. Dr. Alegria, is one of the pioneers who established the studies on archaeology, anthropology, and culture of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Yesterday, which was also his birthday, the Smithsonian Institution awarded him the Smithsonian Bicentennial Medal for his great legacy to Puerto Rican culture and history. Dr. Alegria is well known as a humble man, always accessible to the people, and a profound thinker in all his areas of inquiry. He is internationally recognized as the most distinguished Latin American in the field of preservation of historic cities and in the studies of the anthropology and archaeology of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. His interest in the study of mankind and how humans identify themselves with their surroundings started at a very early age; as a child he opened a small museum at his home with pieces and little stones that he had collected from the ground at his family farm. He studied at the University of Puerto Rico, and obtained a master in archaeology from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in archaeology from Harvard. After his return to the island, young Dr. Alegria went to Loiza and Luquillo where he performed excavations that uncovered evidence of our earliest inhabitants, the arcaicos, and of the later Indians, the igneris. In 1955, Dr. Alegria became the director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Under his leadership, the institute enhanced the recognition of, strengthened, and promoted Puerto Rican culture as a heritage with Indian, African, and Spaniard influences, as well as its own folklore traditions. For his willingness to engage in the enormous task of investigating and compilating historical data on Puerto Rico and for the resurgence of the popular arts we owe him a great debt of gratitude. Some of his published works include the History of Our Indians (``Historia de Nuestros Indios''), Folkloric Tales of Puerto Rico (``Cuentos Folkloricos de Puerto Rico''), Anthology: the Theme of Coffee in Puerto Rican Literature (``Antologia: El Tema Del Cafe en la Literatura Puertoriquena'') and the magazine published by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, (``Revista del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena''). One of his most important accomplishments, for which he received the Picasso Gold Medal of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, is the restoration and preservation of Puerto Rican historical monuments. A very special award, the Picasso Medal has only been awarded to Dr. Alegria and to the historical village of Paris. Among the historical monuments that were restored under Dr. Alegria's supervision were the Indian Ceremonial Center, the Church of Porta Coeli, and the capital of Puerto Rico, Old San Juan, which is now a jewel among the historic sites of the Americas. Dr. Alegria is internationally renown as an eminence in the restoration of historic cities, as well as for his patronage of the arts. From directing the Center of Advanced Studies in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and founding the Center of Archaeological and Ethnological Investigations of the University of Puerto Rico, to the reorganization of a great number of museums in Puerto Rico, Dr. Alegria has left a legacy of devotion and dedication to the instruction and preservation of the Puerto Rican culture. Among other honors, Dr. Alegria received the Medal of Isabel La Catolica, awarded by the Spanish Government and the Medal of the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America and Puerto Rico, bestowed by the Puerto Rican Government. The Puerto Rican people and the Puerto Rican community, here in the United States and all over the world are in debt to Dr. Alegria for his outstanding contributions to the study, celebration, and promotion of our culture and history. In my congressional district of the South Bronx, and in all of New York City, as well as, throughout the Americas, we are all beneficiaries of his cultural heritage. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the great contributions of Dr. Alegria, hero of the Puerto Rican culture.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2703, the so- called, Death Penalty and Anti-Terrorism Act. While I would support legislation to thwart domestic terrorism, I am troubled, deeply troubled, with the extreme and unconstitutional provisions in this legislation. Correct me if I am wrong, Mr. Speaker, but since when have we as a nation addressed an issue like terrorism--something that we can all agree on--by trampling the rights of the very people that we aim to protect? This is the United States of America, and as lawmakers we are sworn to implement legislation benefiting society within the parameters of the Constitution. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening today. I believe Congress can come up with a more palatable antiterrorism bill that will be tough on our enemies domestic and foreign, but fair to the innocent. First, the legislation gives the President power to blacklist organizations as terrorist organizations without judicial review. It goes further by violating our first amendment right to support any legal activity or associate with any organization that we choose. I do not say this to encourage those who may support terrorist activities. On the contrary, what I am saying is that we have laws on the books that forbid supporting illegal terrorist activities, but this legislation takes it much further by limiting our constitutional right of association. Second, the definition of support is too broad. If an organization abroad has branches in America, this measure would make it illegal to contribute to charitable operations remotely related to these groups. Finally, the bill goes even further by allowing the FBI to investigate individuals with ties to terrorist organizations without proof that they knowingly supported terrorist activities or had any reasonable knowledge that an individual or organization could possibly be engaged in terrorist activities. Present law prohibits supporting terrorist activities. When they enacted the current law, Congress saw fit to maintain the first amendment protection of legal activities. Numerous other flaws in the bill could impede on citizens' rights: the habeas corpus provisions; the good faith exemption from the exclusionary rule for wiretapping; as well as the secret evidence measures for deportation. As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, I support taking a strong stand against terrorists. I think we should punish individuals for illegal activities. But, certainly we do not address heinous terrorist acts with the kind of heinous constitutional violations found in this bill.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2202, the Immigration in the National Interest Act of 1995. This bill is badly flawed in numerous ways. H.R. 2202, for the first time, would combine two entirely different issues in one bill. Combining efforts to secure our borders with reforms to our system of legal immigration serves only to confuse the debate. It plays on the public's understandable concern over illegal immigration but twists that concern into the misguided notion that all immigration is harmful and all immigrants are undocumented, sneaking into our country by night. Neither notion, of course, is true, but dealing with both illegal and legal immigration in one bill serve to fuel hostility and even prejudice toward all immigrants. The sponsors of this legislation appear to hope that the always- popular issue of fighting illegal immigration will be a strong enough engine to pull unnecessary and unwise changes in our process of admitting legal immigrants to the United States through the legislative process. I would not argue against reasonable improvements in enforcing our national borders; indeed, border enforcement is one of the principal obligations of a sovereign nation. But I cannot support such micromanagement as mandating a particular type of fence--and one that the Border Patrol considers dangerous for its officers. Nor can I support that bill's system to enable employers to confirm that newly hired workers are eligible to work in the United States. Voluntary or mandatory, such a system ultimately can't work without databases that are far more accurate than those we have, as well as a national ID card to tie a person to the name and number he or she present to a potential employer. Moreover, such a system is likely to lead to discrimination, especially now that the tester program has been taken out. After all, if I'm an employer, and I've gone through the entire hiring process-- interviews, testing, reference checks, and all--and I've hired my top candidate only to learn that he or she is not authorized to work and that I must begin the process all over again, why should I include anyone who might turn out to be inelligle in my next candidate pool? Why should I risk wasting time considering anyone with an accent, or a foreign-sounding surname? No, I will support the chabot amendment to strike this system. Another major national obligation is to screen would-be immigrants and admit those whose relationships to American citizens or legal permanent residents the Nation wants to foster or whose skills the Nation needs to prosper, as well as refugees fleeing their homelands for valid reasons. Immigrants, despite faulty statistics that have been used during this debate, are a net plus for this country, working, creating jobs, paying taxes, becoming Americans. H.R. 2202 turns its back on this tradition by sharply reducing the numbers--and even the kinds--of legal immigrants permitted to enter the United States each year. Particularly with family-based immigration, when did children and siblings cease to be parts of the nuclear family? Why should we deny American citizens and legal permanent residents the opportunity to bring these close relatives together? H.R. 2202 would also increase the income a family must have to bring a family member into a level that would deny 40 percent of Americans the change to reunite with loved ones. H.R. 2202 would also cut the number of refugees admitted each year by almost one-half from the 1995 level and change our system of determining eligibility for asylum that would make it impossible for most bona fide refugees to qualify. This is both in conflict with international law and immoral. H.R. 2202 would also unfairly deny public assistance to legal immigrants--in some cases, legal immigrants would be denied assistance that undocumented immigrants would remain eligible for, because Congress has recognized the benefits to the public health and safety when everyone living here is served. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I must assert that this bill is most definitely not in the national interest. The list of its defects goes on and on, and, worst of all, the Rules Committee and the Republican leadership have denied this House the opportunity even to debate changes in important areas of the bill--especially the public assistance provisions of title VI. I urge my colleagues, at a minimum, to vote to remove the provisions reducing the number and categories of legal immigrants and to the employment eligibility verification system. But the better response is simply to reject this misguided bill. Vote no in the national interest.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is very troubling when you come to the well and speak and have the full realization that nothing you say will finally sway the vote. This bill will pass and the President will sign it, because the President has been advised that Miami has votes that he can pick up. I will support him in New York, and he has a lot of votes in New York. But he has no votes in Miami, and that is the travesty of this situation. What we have here is more of the same. It is more of a policy that has not worked. It has not worked for those of us who feel that the Cubans should be left alone to determine their own destiny, and it has not worked for those who wanted to get the Cuban Government to throw out Fidel Castro and hang him by his toenails. Except that this time, Mr. Speaker, as has been stated on this floor, it goes further. It goes deeper. Now we are telling our allies that we have no respect for their own sovereignty. Not only do we not have any respect for the Cuban sovereignty, but now we are going to tell Canada, Mexico, and everyone else that they must behave the way we behave. When the embargo was the simple embargo, as some people would like to think it is, no one in the world supported us. Now that it will try to include even our allies, we think that Canada and everyone will jump up and say this is a great bill, and Helms and Burton were correct; they can save the world for democracy. Well, our arrogance is such that we do not care what some of our allies say, especially those that used to be our enemies a few years ago. But it is interesting to note that the Yeltsin government this morning, or last night, said you cannot do this, and we will continue to deal with Cuba regardless of what you say, because this is wrong. The part that no one wants to mention here, because it is very delicate, is the fact that we are not reacting here to the issue in general. We are reacting to the downing of two airplanes. And I have stood on this floor on various occasions and said that that was an act that we should all condemn. But our Government knew those planes were flying over on 25 different occasions, and we did nothing. And our Government knew that the person who was heading that group flew without a license on a couple of occasions, including this last one, where they had to turn back. We had removed that person's license because we confirmed that that group flew over Cuba last July, buzzed the Capitol building, and dropped half a million leaflets. That is why we are here today. We are not here today and the President is not on board because our desire to bring down the Castro government has changed. We are here today because the Florida primaries are coming soon, and because people have to play up to that whole situation. That is sad, Mr. Speaker. For these kinds of comments people like me take a lot of heat. But it has to be said, because the truth shall set everybody free, and maybe we need to be free as much as other people in the Caribbean need to be free. Tonight we will stand up and say we are tough. We will continue to deal with China, but we are tough on Cuba. We will deal with Vietnam, but we will be tough on Cuba. We are going to meet with North Korea, but we are tough on Cuba. If you really wanted to make a change in the Cuban Government from afar, which I think it is none of our business, all you have done is taken the leader of that country and wrapped him up in the Cuban flag once again as a nationalist hero. Why? Because you are pounding on that little island once again. So where is the victory? There is no victory. I stand here today more than ever saying we are wrong. Instead of doing this, what we should do is tomorrow begin to find a way to speak to the Cuban Government. And if not on all issues, then why not be fair? When there was an immigration problem we spoke about immigration. Let us talk about air space now. Let us find out who is telling the truth. It might save us from future tragedies.

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, today we will be taking a final vote on the conference report for the so-called Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act. Unfortunately, our consideration of this legislation is occurring after the tragic shooting down of the two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft. Although the content of this legislation and this recent tragedy should not be linked, we are today creating a false linkage between the two. This prevents us from carefully weighing the negative impact that passage of this legislation will have on our foreign policy and on the Cuban people--who will only suffer more with the tightening of the economic embargo. Passage of this legislation today is not the correct response to this tragedy. The United States should not permit the reckless acts of private citizens to dictate our foreign policy. Earlier concerns expressed by this administration should not be ignored simply because this tragedy occurred. The Helms-Burton legislation is an extreme bill that continues and strengthens diplomatic policies that have never been successful. The existing Cuban embargo has failed to cause any change in Cuba's government. Passage of even stricter sanctions against Cuba will not move Cuba any further toward a change in government. This conference report retains the troubling provisions that make liable for damages in U.S. courts individuals or companies, including those from third countries, who knowingly traffic in property that was owned by a U.S. national and was confiscated by the Cuban Government. Although a provision was included permitting the President to delay implementation of this provision for unlimited 6-month periods, in its September 1995 statement of administration policy, the administration stated that this title should be deleted. ``Applying U.S. law extra- territorially in this fashion would create friction with our allies, be difficult to defend under international law, and would create a precedent that would increase litigation risks for U.S. companies abroad.'' This provision which the administration considered seriously objectionable is still a part of this conference report. In fact, an article in the Washington Post on March 3, 1996, suggests that this provision, which would allow Cuban-Americans to sue foreign companies in U.S. Federal courts, creates a massive loophole that would permit the wealthiest Cuban-Americans to profit from settling lawsuits brought under this section. The article explains how these settlements may occur without the need to obtain any license or permission from the U.S. Government. I would also like to reiterate once again, as I have so often in the past, that we have no moral grounds that would allow us to single out Cuba for this trade embargo. We continue to have trade relations with North Vietnam, China, and North Korea, countries with political systems different than ours. The current United States policy toward Cuba does not have the support of the world community. The majority of our allies do not believe the trade embargo is an effective or wise vehicle for dealing with Cuba, and tightening the embargo will only further damage our relationships with our allies. Specifically, permitting suits against foreign companies that invest in Cuba will infringe on the sovereignty of other countries, and interfere with their trade decisions. Finally, and most importantly, any tightening of the embargo will increase the suffering of the Cuban people. We all recognize that a terrible tragedy in the shooting of the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft has occurred, but we need to move forward in developing a constructive relationship with Cuba. Passage of this conference report will move our country's foreign policy even further in the wrong direction. We should instead vote against this bill and begin the process of building a peaceful and productive relationship with Cuba.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I first want to join all Americans in expressing my condolences and pain to the families of the pilots who were shot by the Cuban Air Force. This is a tragedy and we should all deeply regret the death of these pilots. I also believe that the Cuban Government should have dealt with this situation in a different way. The planes, if need be, could have been grounded and not destroyed. My purpose in speaking on this floor today, Mr. Speaker, is to try to reach a point of understanding where we can prevent these tragic issues from taking place in the future and to prevent what I believe is a confrontation that may be coming between the Cuban Government and our Government, perhaps a violent confrontation. The question that needs to be asked is what did our Government know about prior flights by Brothers to the Rescue into Cuban airspace and what did our Government do with this knowledge? I have the statement, which is public by now, by the Cuban Government that shows in order the documentation of violations of Cuban airspace by planes registered in the United States from May 1994 to the present. In 1994 there was a violation almost every month and similar in 1995. There have been documented press reports about the dropping of anti- Castro leaflets over Cuba by planes registered in the United States. On the 15th of this year, the French press agency reported that the Cuban Government complained that its airspace had been violated by United States-based planes which dropped anti-Castro leaflets over Cuba. In this same article it mentions that the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue issued a statement saying that it had dropped half a million leaflets printed over Cuba with messages against the Castro government. Both of these actions, of dropping leaflets and in some instances buzzing buildings in Havana, were known to our Government. In fact, the White House acknowledged the incident and expressed regret about it, but it is unclear what additional actions were taken. Did our Government take action? This morning I had a conversation with the counsel's office at the Federal Aviation Administration. They confirmed that they had recommended the pilot license suspension of the leader and founder of the group Brothers to the Rescue. I am not clear whether this gentleman flew on this last mission with a license or without a license, but it was based on our understanding at the FAA that this group had in fact violated Cuban airspace at least on that last occasion, July 13, when they went over Havana. The death of these pilots is an unfortunate tragic incident that could have been, in my opinion, prevented. We need to find out exactly what happened and how much of the responsibility our own Government bears for this incident. We need answers to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future. Not long ago, we negotiated with the Castro government over the people that were coming over on rafts and came up with an immigration policy. Why not call the Castro government to the table now and hear their gripes about their airspace, present to them our feelings about the issue and try to at the minimum reach an agreement on this particular issue? All of my colleagues know my position on our whole relationship with Cuba. I am in favor of lifting the embargo and normalizing relations. But I realize that this is not the time for that because once again, either through provocation or by accident, the Castro issue has been placed on the front burner, and Castro once again becomes the enemy we most love to hate. But we can negotiate and prevent this in the future. When the President yesterday said no more flights to Cuba from the United States, I ask sincerely, not sarcastically, was he also talking about illegal flights that leave Miami and go to Cuba and run around their airspace or just the legal flights that we now have? We will now support and take great joy in the fact that the United Nations condemned Cuba. But please understand that that does nothing to better the relationship between the two countries or to head off a confrontation. For years the United Nations has been condemning us for our embargo on Cuba, and it has not changed our policy toward the island. I will do something today that is not part of being a good Democrat, I guess, and that is to ask the Republican leadership to conduct a congressional investigation into how much our Government knew about these incidents and the violation of Cuban airspace so that in the future we can prevent this confrontation and this loss of human life.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of Mr. Lloyd Charles Brown, an active community leader who dedicated his life for the betterment of the Bronx. Mr. Brown was born in Banes, Cuba in 1922 to Lesseps Brown and Susan Lawrence Brown. He worked on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base for 20 years. Mr. Brown immigrated to the United States in 1964. He became a businessman in the Bronx and initiated many ideas for the betterment of the community. Mr. Brown's active role in the community included his work at community board No. 9, where he was chairman of the Rainbow After School Program, youth committee member, and chairman of the housing committee. He was also the chairman of the Dankner Eye Institute, president of the Blackrock Avenue Tenant Association and a member of the Mitchell-Lama Council, the America Security Council National Advisory Board, and the Bronx Municipal Hospital Corporation Advisory Board. His career in politics led him to become president of the Community Democratic Club of the 76th Assembly District in New York. He was also a member of the community advisory committee for Assemblyman Hector L. Diaz. Mr. Brown received the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for his achievements in helping the people of our community. He was also honored with a Citation of Merit from Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and a Citation of Merit from Assemblyman Hector Diaz. Mr. Brown left a legacy of courage, responsibility, hard work, camaraderie, and love for the community. He is survived by his wife, four children, three grandchildren, an aunt, and other relatives and friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Mr. Lloyd Brown who left a mark on our community through his commitment to serve with love and to the best of his abilities.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the South Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc., which today will celebrate its fifth Patient Recognition Day. Since 1968, the South Bronx Mental Health Council, previously named the Lincoln Community Mental Health Center, has provided treatment and mental health services to members of our community. A community-based organization, the council offers counseling and mental health treatment for individuals of all age groups, including children, as well as satellite programs at local schools and community support programs. On this special occasion, council personnel and patients will be joined by family and friends to recognize the achievements made by patients during the past year. With the support of the council's dedicated personnel, many of these patients have made special efforts to overcome their challenges and accomplished specific goals. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting our friends at the South Bronx Mental Health Council and in recognizing their outstanding achievements on their fifth Patient Recognition Day.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Lillian Vega, a remarkable woman whose lifelong commitment to her family, friends, and the Bronx contributed to the nourishment and strengthening of our community. Today her memory will be honored by her family and friends at a meeting of Community Planning Board #9, in the Bronx. Ms. Vega was born in Ponce, PR. When she was 15 years old, Ms. Vega and her family moved to New York. After completing high school, she married Cesar Rivera and had five children. Ms. Vega started working as a secretary at the Hunts Point Community Corporation. Fifteen years of experience, dedication, and hard work led to her promotion to deputy director of the agency. Ms. Vega's political career began at the Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club in the 1970's. She was the first Puerto Rican woman to become district leader and held this office for almost 20 years. Her co leaders included Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, State Senator Efrain Gonzalez, and Councilman Rafael Castaneira Colon. Ms. Vega also worked as a community liaison for Assemblyman Hector Diaz and, most recently, as Community Associate at Community Planning board #6. Her active work in the community and her accomplishments led to numerous awards. Among other organizations, Ms. Vega was a member of the Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee, Cruzada Civica Del Voto, Puerto Rican Civil Rights Association, Area Policy Board, Community Planning Board #9, Bronx County Democratic Committee, and the Bronx County Democratic Women. Ms. Vega leaves a legacy of courage, faith, hope, responsibility, love, and commitment. She is survived by her five children, ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying homage to the life of Lillian Vega, who still remains with us through the many people she served and touched.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference agreement on H.R. 4, the so-called Personal Responsibility Act. It has long been clear that our welfare system is failing the people it is meant to help. But the Personal Responsibility Act will make the situation of the poor much worse, not better. The main reason Congress has been slow to face welfare reform in the past is that everyone knows it takes more spending, not less, to help poor mothers get and keep jobs and escape poverty--they need education, training, job search assistance, day care for their children, and jobs. But this conference agreement saves money, cutting programs that sustain our neediest families at the same time it cuts the programs that might give them a hand up. And why? To give tax breaks to big corporations and the wealthy. And what would this conference agreement do to our children? First off, it slashes the safety net for poor children and their families. It removes the entitlement--the guarantee that some modest assistance will be there for those families whose desperate circumstances make them eligible. If Federal funds run out in a recession, what recourse will these wretched families have? Then, although neither House nor Senate voted for this, the agreement repeals the current eligibility link between AFDC and Medicaid. It throws health care onto the list of necessities families must choose among when they cannot pay for all. The agreement risks increasing the number of babies born too small to thrive. It punishes the neediest children, whose parents' conduct we don't approve of. It leaves neglected and abused children in grave danger for lack of child protection resources. It cuts benefits to hundreds of thousands of poor children disabled by Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, and the like. It puts even healthy children's nutrition at risk, threatening their ability to learn and grow into healthy adults and productive participants in our economy. The conference agreement attempts to force more mothers into the work force but shortchanges funding for both work programs and child care. States will be forced to choose between funding child care for welfare recipients in work programs and child care for the working poor. Imagine. One welfare family moves into a work program with child care, and a working poor family loses its child care and falls onto welfare. Talk about a vicious cycle. Mr. Speaker, the conference agreement's immigrant provisions are unfair and mean-spirited. We know immigrants do not come here for public assistance; they come to join family members and to make a better life for their children. The work, they pay taxes, they participate in community life, and they play by the rules. Why should they be denied assistance by this bill? It is certainly not fair to the immigrants or to their families and sponsors. The only possible reason is to save money. If this applied only to future immigrants, who would know the rules before they sought to immigrate, I would disagree with the policy but it would be fairer. But this conference agreement cuts off people who are already here and who face long backlogs when they try to naturalize. Again, this makes sense only as a means of saving money to offset tax breaks for the rich. Mr. Speaker, the Republicans elected in November 1994 never told voters that they intended to bring pain to the poor children of our country. Yet, these mean-spirited Republicans continue to come up with new ways to hurt helpless little children, who are least able to fight back. Are children a special interest group Republicans want to muzzle, defund, do away with? This time, in the middle of this season of family holidays, they have gone too far and the American people are aware of the all-out assault on children. The Republicans are not going to be able to hide their attacks on our children. The voices of the American people are being heard. Do not hurt the children. Mr. Speaker, this bill is only one part of a Republican assault on ordinary Americans that also includes the reconciliation bill and the appropriations bills. Poor families, low- and moderate-income working families, middle-income families are all being made to pay and pay again, so the richest and most powerful corporations and individuals can receive large and unnecessary tax breaks. Mr. Speaker, this is just wrong. I urge every Member to oppose this conference agreement.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Rev. Samuel G. Simpson who was honored by friends and members of the Bronx Baptist Church on Sunday, November 12, for his 31 years of service in this ministry in my South Bronx congressional district. Reverend Simpson has faithfully led the congregation since the beginnings of the church, when it started as a mission of the First Baptist Church, in Brooklyn. That same year the congregation moved their meeting place at 2024 Honeywell Avenue, in the Bronx. The number of worshippers continue to grow and a larger location was secured, in 1970, at 331 East 187th Street. Born in Jamaica, Mr. Simpson attended West Indies College. Soon afterward, he moved to New Jersey and obtained a bachelor's degree from Northeastern Bible College. He also holds an M.P.S. from the New York Theological Seminary, a D.D. from Asia Bible College, and a D.D. from Martha's Vineyard Theological Seminary. Always anxious to learn, Reverend Simpson broadened his education by completing courses at New York University, New York Institute of Photography, and at Oxford University. Besides his passion for learning, Reverend Simpson has been an active member in the community. He holds numerous memberships and has presided over many religious organizations. Among these Reverend Simpson was the president of the Baptist Convention of New York, the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association Pastor's Conference, and of the Bronx Division of the Council of Churches. He continues to preside over the Clergy Coalition of the 47th Precinct and is the chairman of the board of the Bronx Baptist Day Care and Learning Center. Reverend Simpson's commitment to spread the gospel and to help the members of the community has been recognized by many organizations. The Bronx Council of churches honored him with the ``Man of the Year'' award. He was also recognized in ``Who is Who, Among Black Americans,'' and received the Community Services award from the Seventh Day Adventist Church of New York City, and the Community Appreciation award from the Bronx Shepherd Restoration. A highly educated man, Reverend Simpson has published numerous works, including, ``Seven Beginnings.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of Reverend Simpson and his untiring service to the Bronx Baptist Church in the South Bronx community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Ruben Dario Colon who was honored on Sunday by member of the community in celebration of his 45th ordination anniversary at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in the Bronx. Reverend Colon has lived a life of help those who have needed him. His long and fruitful career as a pastor, counselor, police chaplain, and community activist has touched thousands of individuals in our community. Born in Puerto Rico, Reverend Colon spent most of his youth on the island. He attended the University of Puerto Rico and in 1947, he married Ms. Ramonita Orabona with whom he had a son and a daughter. Years later, he came to the United States and obtained a bachelor's degree from Alelphi University. He also holds a master of divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary and completed courses at Fordham University. Reverend Colon has served as pastor in many Lutheran churches in New York, including the Bronx Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection which he leads today. His ministry is faithfully committed to bringing spiritual enlightenment to the community. As a psychiatric social worker, Reverend Colon has provided psychiatric therapy for adults and families at many institutions, including Covenant House, the Bronx Psychiatric Center, and the Puerto Rican Children Hospital. He also serves as chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital and is a member of the board of the Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the New York City and Hospital Corporation. Among the many honors bestowed upon him, Reverend Colon was sworn in as chaplain of the New York City Police Department with the rank of inspector by former Police Commissioner Benjamin Ward. He is also the first Puerto Rican to receive the Silver Medal of the Academic Society of Arts, Science and Literature of France. 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.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, Mr. Henry A. Pankey, who will be honored on Saturday at the Second Annual Holiday Ball of the Eternal Fellowship of African American Postal Workers for his dedicated career in the U.S. Postal Service. The Eternal Fellowship of African American Postal Workers is a non- profit organization which was founded to celebrate the African-American culture and to advance the well-being of the African-American community. At their second Christmas ball, to be held at Marina del Rey in the Bronx, the members of the ``Eternal Fellowship'' will bestow upon Mr. Pankey an honorary membership for his lifetime career in postal service operations. I had the opportunity of meeting young and cheerful Henry Pankey when we were classmates at Clark Junior High School in the Bronx. Mr. Pankey later graduated from Bronx Community College and completed courses at the University of Virginia, Bernard Baruch College, Hunter College, Lehman College and Duke University. His 32-year career in customer service and postal office operations includes experience as Division General Manager/Postmaster in the Western New York Division and in the Newark Division, and as Officer- In-Charge of the Elizabeth New Jersey Post Office. Today, Mr. Pankey holds the post of Vice President of the Mid- Atlantic Area of the United States Postal Service. His philosophy has been ``what comes in today gets sorted and dispatched today, and delivered tomorrow.'' Under Mr. Pankey's leadership, postal management has reached higher levels of efficiency and accountability. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Henry A. Pankey's lifelong and dedicated career to the benefit of our communities.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that I am not recorded as having voted on rollcall No. 762, a motion to instruct House conferees on the conference report on H.R. 2099, the VA- HUD-independent agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 1996. Moments before, I voted to order the previous question. I should have been recorded as voting ``yes'' on the motion to instruct, because I am opposed to the 17 riders restricting EPA's regulatory power and ability to enforce numerous air and water pollution regulations.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in emphatic opposition to the Republican conference report on budget reconciliation that is before the House today. The House passed a bad bill, and Republicans in conference have made it much, much worse. Thank goodness Democrats don't have to answer for that mess. The only bright spot is that, after the President vetoes this horror, we will be able to step back and, hopefully on a bipartisan basis, do a better job. All thinking Members agree that we must bring the Federal deficit under control, but reaching balance in 7 years requires the kind of mindless slashing the Republicans propose rather than thoughtful changes over a longer period. But the Republicans insist on 7 years and on their misguided priorities and won't even permit our side to offer an alternative. It is ridiculous that the Republicans' crown jewel is a $245 billion tax cut favoring corporations and the wealthy when they say balancing the budget is so important. It only makes tax increases for working families and deeper cuts in spending necessary. But the moral flaws in this bill are more fundamental. For decades, we have recognized a national commitment to the most vulnerable among us--children, families, the elderly, immigrants, the working poor, the sick and disabled. The Republicans end that commitment and make people in desperate circumstances the subjects of State-run experiments. No longer will children and families in dire straits be guaranteed some modest assistance. It will be up to the States to decide who is eligible and for what. This is not just bad public policy, it is immoral. Republicans say this bill is necessary to save future generations from debt, but in this bill they punish the children who are our future, unless their parents are already well-off. Far from encouraging work and supporting efforts to attain self- sufficiency, the Republicans pull the safety net out from under the working poor and raise taxes on 13 million working families. They cut health care coverage, child care, school nutrition, food stamps, and other supports, provide no resources for jobs and job training, threaten the viability of pension funds, and make it far more expensive for the children to improve their futures through higher education. The Republicans continue the ongoing immigrant-bashing that began with H.R. 4, denying public assistance on the basis of legal immigration status, even denying immigrant children school breakfasts and lunches. This is outrageous. We know immigrants don't come here for public assistance; they come to join family members and to provide a better life for their children. They work, they pay taxes, they participate in community life, and they play by the rules. Why should they be treated as second-class citizens? The Republicans make huge, untested changes in our health care system, threatening the health of our population as well as the ability of our urban and rural hospitals to survive. Unless States are willing to invest substantial amounts of their own funds, millions of low- income people, from the youngest children to the oldest seniors, will lose coverage for health care and long-term care. Seniors could even be thrown out of nursing homes if they run out of money, and that's after their spouses are evicted from their homes and their adult children are forced to divert all their resources from their own families. Many of the national programs the Republicans are gutting were created because some States were unable or unwilling to provide the most basic safety net for their vulnerable populations without Federal support. Now, the Republicans undo that by dumping huge new responsibilities on the States with no time to plan, establish new programs and bureaucracies, or hire and train State employees. Who knows how quickly--even whether--States can rise to meet these new challenges. Mr. Speaker, there is a great deal more to condemn about this bill, but I am out of time. In closing, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this terrible conference report.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, the 26th New York City marathon, directed by New York Road Runners Club president Allan Steinfeld, will be run on Sunday. The marathon and the club are the best and most important in the world, and both are the legacy of Fred Lebow. Fred created the marathon in 1970 and remained its leader and guiding spirit until his death from cancer last fall. As one who has run the New York City marathon, I can attest that the excitement it generates brings the entire city together. There's no better way to see New York City than to run through all five boroughs and savor the variety of their celebrations. Today's Daily News contains an article by Allan Steinfeld about the marathon, the Road Runners Club and its activities, the progress during the past year, and the anticipation of Sunday's marathon. But, mostly Allan's article is a tribute to Fred, whose name and memory will always be part of the marathon, and whose life the marathon will always celebrate. Mr. Speaker, the Daily News article follows. I urge my colleagues to read it and reflect on how one remarkable man improved the lives of thousands of individuals and an entire city. Marathon Man's Spirit With Us Still (By Allan Steinfeld) Fred Lebow will always be a civic treasure in this city, and a treasure to me personally. He created New York's greatest annual athletic event, the New York City Marathon, which this Sunday--and always--will be a celebration of his life. This past year, since Fred's death Oct. 9, 1994, after a 4\1/2\-year battle with brain cancer, has been both exciting and difficult for me. Difficult because Fred is gone--though his presence often seems with us. I think of him every day, especially as we approach the 26th New York City Marathon. The Marathon, which I am directing this year, has two different meanings for me. First, I want to continue the legacy Fred began in 1970. Second--and this meant a great deal to Fred--this event brings the entire city together in a way no other can. It is a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels good to enable more than 27,000 people to have this wonderful experience--one that will change the lives of many of them. And it makes me happy that the Marathon brings approximately $100 million into the city. life and running My life changed when I began running in 1963. I had never been good at sports. I was skinny and short, with lousy hand- eye coordination. I was a terrible baseball player; when we were chosen for games in the schoolyard, I was always the last choice. At least in football there was some hesitancy by the captains since I was fast and an asset on defense--I could get there quickly and jump well. But on offense I couldn't catch the ball. In basketball I could play defense, block shots and steal, but couldn't dribble and shoot. In 1963 I went to college, Hunter and then City, and had the opportunity to run track. It changed my life and self- image. I started to see myself as capable and physical, not just cerebral. Here was something I could excel at. Now, as president of the New York Road Runners Club, I'm in the position to foster its continued growth--not growth for its own sake, but because it improves the lives of our members. The NYRRC went from 30,000 to 34,000 members this past year, keeping us the world's No. 1 running organization. It was our biggest increase in more than a decade. Fred would be very pleased. He would be happy about all of our corporate sponsors; he knew they were necessary to keep the Marathon and road running growing. Celebration is the word I always associated with the Marathon and Fred. New Yorkers celebrate by running and watching this event. And we are building upon the foundation Fred created. Our not-for-profit organization is involved in a great deal of community activity; we plan to expand in that area. We would like to get more women and families involved in our health and fitness programs. We sponsor, along with Asphalt Green on the East Side, the City-Sports for Kids Program, which serves some 2,000 boys and girls and includes basketball and track and field. We sponsor a Junior Road Runner Club Series--noncompetitive races for youngsters, and provide Group Safety Runs, ``safety pairing'' for runners throughout the city and a Central Park Safety Patrol and Park Care program. friend & hero Fred was a legend in running, but he was also my best friend. We began working together in 1976; that's a lot of years. One of the greatest moments of my life came when, in June 1990, Fred and I ran a victory lap around the Central Park reservoir after an MRI showed that chemotherapy had begun to shrink the lymphoma in his brain. We needed to run together, and Fred ran the best time he had in about a year. Fred turned New York's Marathon into the world's best--what he always said he wanted it to be. Cancer may have taken him, but he lives on in the Marathon, his cherished creation.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the members and friends of Fordham Evangelical Lutheran Church who on Sunday, November 12, will celebrate 80 years of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my South Bronx congressional district. In 1915, Rev. Oscar Mees saw the need for a Lutheran church in the fast-growing neighborhood of the South Bronx. He acquired the property of a small church, which had been forced to close on 2430 Walton Avenue, to establish the new Lutheran Church. Rev. Frederick H. Meyer, the first pastor of Fordham Lutheran Church, led the congregation for 33 years. During his service, the number of worshippers outgrew the size of the church and a larger structure was erected. The architectural beauty of the new building aroused the admiration of many New Yorkers. During the 1920's, services were offered in German and English to better serve the ethnic groups who were part of our fast-growing community. And, in the 1940's, sad days were endured by the congregation after the loss of 5 of the 85 members who served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Throughout the years, the church has been blessed with effective ministers, organists, and many members who have dedicated many years of service. During difficult financial times, members and friends of the church tested their strength, and through hard work, successfully kept the church open to the service of the community. The eight pastors who had faithfully served the church brought many changes in the programs offered to accommodate the needs of [[Page E 2144]] the community. They are by name, Rev. Frederick H. Meyer, Rev. Carl F. Pohlmann, Rev. Hilbert J. Wuebbens, Rev. David Langseth, Rev. Jerrett L. Hansen, Rev. Kurt M. Friederich, Rev. Patrick W.F. Cabello Hansel, and most recently, Rev. Katrina D. Foster. Today, Rev. Foster continues to lead the church and its vital role in our community. Currently, the church celebrates services in Spanish and English, has a Youth and Luther League program, and a Sunday school program for children. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the ministers, members, and friends of Fordham Evangelical Lutheran Church on their 80th anniversary in the South Bronx community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Seabury Day Care Center, a community-based center, which today celebrates 25 years of service educating and taking care of the children in my South Bronx congressional district. Twenty-five years ago a group of parents organized to make a difference in our community. They recognized that the problems facing inner-city neighborhoods were detrimental to the community, and decided to provide our young ones with a sound environment in which to live, grow and learn. This group of parents worked diligently to provide education programs for children. In recognition of their accomplishments they won a special award and were able to open on November 9, 1970 the Seabury Day Care Center. The center would be able to serve 85 preschool children ages 2 to 5 and 40 after-school children ages 6 to 12 with a staff of 33. Under the direction of Mrs. Genevieve Brooks, who served as president until 1990, the center was able to expand many of its educational programs. A special grant awarded by the Bronx Council on the Arts has made possible a cultural program for 40 children ages 9 to 13. A separate grant also enabled many of the staff members to continue their training and enroll in classes at Columbia University, Lehman College and New York University. Even after the funding for this purpose was no longer available, many of the staff people continued their studies. Mr. Speaker, I commend all of those who have been involved in making this center a role model for early childhood development and education. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the efforts of the many parents and members of our community who for 25 years have been able to provide our children with the quality education that they deserve at the Seabury Day Care Center.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Carlos Garcia, a remarkable journalist and a dear friend, who was honored on October 20 at a banquet dinner in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Guayaquil 85, Inc., in Queens, NY. Mr. Garcia, who was born in Ecuador, came to the United States in his youth. With perseverance and dedication, he started an exceptional career as a reporter. During his 23-year career, Mr. Garcia has been able to inform members of the Hispanic community, who like him, were always anxious to learn about the latest news on Latin America, the United States, and their immediate communities. Through accurate and timely reporting, Mr. Garcia gained the recognition of his peers and became news editor at Noticias del Mundo, one of the most widely read newspapers in Spanish in the New York City area. He also worked for the Spanish radio station Radio WADO, and continues to produce the morning news program ``Buenos Dias America.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Carlos Garcia for his 23 years of work as an outstanding journalist and for his service to the community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Roland Jonathan Lewis, who was honored for his outstanding contribution to the community on October 6 at the 1995 St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center's Dinner Dance, in the South Bronx. Mr. Lewis is one of eight individuals who were recognized for their remarkable success in helping rehabilitate individuals who had been struggling with substance abuse. The rehabilitation program is being implemented at St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center. Mr. Lewis earned his bachelor of arts degree from Columbia University, and both a master's in regional planning and a juris doctor's from Rutgers University. Lewis is currently a partner at Dellapa & Lewis where he had been successful in facilitating the development of affordable housing projects. He is married to Faye Lewis and has two children. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleague to join me in honoring Roland Lewis for the generous service rendered for the benefit of our community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Stefan R. Zucker, who was honored for his service in aiding individuals to recover from their substance abuse problems on October 6, at the 1995 St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center's dinner dance, in the South Bronx. Mr. Zucker is one of eight individuals who were recognized for their remarkable success in helping rehabilitate individuals who had been struggling with substance abuse. The rehabilitation program is being carried out at St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center. Born in Germany in a U.N. refugee relief camp, young Stefan Zucker came to the United States in 1949 at the age of 3. He graduated from Muhlenberg College and obtained a master's degree in anthropology from Hunter College. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Zucker's achievements in the community are in addition to his important work as a teacher. He has dedicated 20 years to teaching students at the elementary school level and served as a coordinator of the community school program at Public School 30. In 1992, he received the Samuels Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Fund For New York City Public Education. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Zucker, an individual who has made the United States his home and who through his tireless efforts has contributed greatly to our community.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mary Kay Louchart, a dedicated social worker who was honored for her generous service to the community on October 6 at the 1995 St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center's dinner dance, in the South Bronx. Ms. Louchart is one of eight individuals who were recognized for their remarkable success in helping rehabilitate individuals who had been struggling with substance abuse. The rehabilitation program is being implemented at St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center. Born and raised in Michigan, Ms. Louchart devoted 10 years to helping Mexican migrants through the Saginaw Catholic Diocese Committee, and another 10 years assisting the elderly with the Saginaw County Commission on Aging. In 1981 she came to the South Bronx to work with the Grail Team, with whom she remodeled burned out apartments at 383 St. Ann's Avenue and led the community to create the original park and garden. The St. Ann's residence currently houses women and men recovering from drugs and alcohol. Ms. Louchart is a U.S. delegate to the Grail International Council and serves on the U.S. International Team. She earned a master degree in adult education and an APD in religious studies. One of her most significant achievements has been through her work at the Bronx Grail Women's Group helping to empower them and to improve their self esteem. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Louchart's efforts in the community should not pass unnoticed, therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her today on this special occasion.

Mr. SERRANO

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mother Martha Overall, who was honored for her tireless contributions in the service of the community on October 6 at the 1995 St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center's dinner dance, in the South Bronx. Mother Overall is one of eight individuals who were recognized for their remarkable success in helping rehabilitate individuals who had been struggling with substance abuse. The rehabilitation program is being implemented at St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center. A native New Yorker, Mother Overall finished law school at New York University. Soon she was helping tenants and providing volunteer legal services for the improvement of residential buildings. While taking care of an ailing brother who died from AIDS, she was called to the priesthood. She received a master's in divinity from Union Theological Seminary. Mother Overall was ordained at the Cathedral of St. John The Divine and began working at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, next door to St. Benedict the Moor. In her public and private life, she has never given up the commitment to help those who need her. Mother Overall became the mother of her godson Joey Daniel Spearman II, after his biological mother died from breast cancer. Her dedication to the community has gained her the admiration and respect of all of us in the South Bronx. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mother Overall for her immense love and devotion in helping those who are the least fortunate among us.