Brad Sherman

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to acknowledge the students, faculty and administration at California Lutheran University. This university was recently commended by the John Templeton Foundation in the 1997-1998 Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges. A panel of six distinguished individuals from various backgrounds evaluated colleges and universities across the country. They used five criteria to determine if the colleges were providing students not only with an environment which allowed them to develop a strong sense of morality and grow spiritually, but also provided students with an opportunity to give back to their community. To be considered for a place on the honor roll, colleges must inspire students to develop and strengthen their moral and reasoning skills, encourage spiritual growth and moral values, provide community building experiences, advocate a drug-free lifestyle and conduct a critical assessment of character- building projects and activities. The words on the seal of California Lutheran University read ``Love of Christ, Truth and Freedom.` The faculty at CLU have worked to establish an environment which allows students to reflect on ethical questions and develop their own sense of morality. Christian tradition plays a central role in the students' lives and they are provided with opportunities to attend services, bible studies and social ministry programs. Additionally, students join efforts with faculty and staff to enrich the lives of those less fortunate in the community by working with developmentally disabled individuals, providing clothes for needy children and tutoring disadvantaged minority students. Leon Blum once wrote, ``Life does not give itself to one who tries to keep all it advantages at once. I have often thought morality may perhaps consist solely in the courage of making a choice.`` Students at California Lutheran University have made a choice that they are willing to make a difference in our community. In making this choice the students have made the welfare of others their top priority. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me honoring the students and faculty at this exceptional institution for their integrity of character and commitment to improving the circumstances of those less fortunate in our community.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to Michael L. Meyer who is being honored by the Construction Industries Alliance for City of Hope with the Spirit of Life Award. The proceeds from the awards dinner honoring Michael will establish the Michael L. Meyer Research Fellowship at City of Hope and its Beckman Research Institute. City of Hope utilizes its energy and resources to seek better treatments for major diseases, primarily cancer. Patients attend this center from all over the world for treatment of such afflictions as leukemia and other cancers, diabetes, and hereditary or genetic problems. At City of Hope, emphasis is placed on not only treating the body, but invigorating the soul. For 80 years, City of Hope has been dedicated to improving the lives of others and has aptly named their research fellowship for an individual who has selflessly dedicated much of his life to enriching our community. Michael is currently the managing partner of E&Y Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group's Orange County Office. He has played an important leadership role in the real estate industry over the past 20 years and his expertise has made him a valuable resource for most of the major real estate companies in our community. In addition to his valuable work within the industry, he has dedicated his time and efforts to community service. He is the director of the Construction Industries for the City of Hope, and the chairman of the United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society. He is also on the board of the Orange County Museum of Art. City of Hope is not the first organization to take notice of Michael Meyer's extensive community and business leadership activities. He has received the Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund and the Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee. Tonight, he adds the Spirit of Life Award to his distinguished list of accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to Michael Meyer for his generosity and dedication to our community.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise before you today to pay tribute to Woodow F. Brokenburr, the outgoing Chairman of the Board of the Thousand Oaks/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. President Kennedy once wrote, ``For of those to whom much is given, much is required.'' Woodrow Brokenburr is an individual who has fulfilled this prophecy through his countless contributions to our community. When asked to describe Woody, the first word that comes to the minds of his friends and colleagues is committed. In addition to a full time career as a Senior Engineer/Project Manager at GTE California, Woody spent several years on the Board before assuming the additional responsibility as Chairman this past year. His commitment to service and responsibility extends to every aspect of his work. At a recent speech before a delegation from China, Woody spoke to the crowd for the first three minutes in Chinese. This attention to detail and thoroughness of preparation is just one example of his dedication and has distinguished Woody as an individual who sees everything though to the end. In addition to his experience on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, Woody Brokenburr has sat on the board of several other community organizations, including the Conejo Free Clinic, the Consortium for Advanced and Technical Education and the International Development Research Council. Woody has recognized the importance of our children's education in order to prepare them for a bright and promising future, and he started the Education Committee at the Chamber of Commerce to address problems and questions facing our schools. Within our community, Woody is seen as an excellent role model, and his career has been highlighted with several awards and distinctions. He is the recipient of five United Way Leadership Awards, the Distinguished Service Award from the California Association of School Administrators, Region XII, and the GTE's Outstanding Volunteer Award. I join these organizations in commending Woody for the contributions he has made to our community. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to Woodrow F. Brokenburr as he concludes his term as chairman of the board.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise before you today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Zionist Congress. The first meeting of the Zionist Congress occurred on August 29, 1897 with 204 participants from 17 countries. Now, 100 years later, the anniversary of this important date will be celebrated by Jewish communities across the world. In 1897, the first Zionist Congress was called in Basle, Switzerland with the purpose of establishing the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people under public law. Theodor Herzl emerged as the father of modern Zionism and founder of the World Zionist Organization. He believed a mass exodus to the Jewish homeland was the only response to the anti-Semitism the Jews were faced with in Europe. He wrote in his Zionist novel, ``If you will it, it is no legend,'' a sentiment that became the mantra of the Zionist movement. Though Herzl never lived to see the establishment of the State of Israel, his legacy lived on through the movement. The Zionists remained committed to their goal throughout several years of turmoil. Despite religious persecution by the Nazi regime in Europe, and an intense struggle with militant Arab opposition, the Jewish initiative prevailed. The Zionists' goal was finally realized on May 14, 1948 with the U.N. resolution of November 1947, which established the State of Israel. This resolution allowed the Jewish people to live in their historic homeland, free from the religious persecution they were facing in Europe. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join with me in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Zionist Congress, an organization which has shown perseverance through adversity and a dedication to the principles of the Judaism.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today to pay tribute to those who preserve the dream of the arts and delivering artistic entertainment to local people of our community. It is therefore with great pleasure that I honor the Twilight Award honorees, Rob O'Neill, Ann Hammerslag, Bob Lewis, Alex Fiore, and our Special Achievement Award recipients, the Medders family, for their dedication to the arts. These individuals have given their souls to promoting the performing arts in our community. The Twilight Awards ceremony provides the Gold Coast Performing Arts Association an opportunity to honor and thank several individuals each year who, in their own way, have promoted and encouraged the success of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and the realization of our collective dream of bringing the performing arts to the Conejo. The gathering also gives Gold Coast and its subsidiary groups, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Santa Susana Repertory Co., Young Artists Ensemble, and the Gold Coast Theatre Conservatory a public occasion to display its successes. Rob O'Neill is a member of board of directors of Alliance for the Arts and member of the board of directors for the Cabrillo Music Theater, the preeminent theater company presenting full seasons of Broadway musicals at the Probst Center for the Performing Arts. As an active member of these associations Rob has dedicated his own musical and production expertise to the production of ``Pump Boys and Dinettes'' and next year's musical, ``A Little Night Music.'' These musicals provide local performers the opportunity to show off their skills and also allow local audiences to enjoy popular musical productions. I thank Rob for his great work. Ann Hammserslag is commonly known as the brains and the heartbeat of the theaters department. She has managed the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's business since before the plaza opened. As executive secretary of the threaters department of the city of Thousand Oaks, Ann has the experience and motivation to make the Gold Coast Performing Arts Center the success that it is. Bob Lewis, the former mayor of Thousand Oaks is now chairman of the Alliance for the Arts. As chairman he oversees the management and growth of an endowment for local arts-related programs and education outreach. His contributions keep arts alive in the Conejo. Alex Fiore is considered the individual most instrumental in bringing the dream of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza to reality during his 30-plus years on the city council. Today, Alex guides the arts plaza's progress from his seat on the board of governors of the Civic Arts Plaza. This year, the Twlight Awards gathering presents its first annual Special Achievement Award to the Medders family, who represent the highest tenet of volunteerism. Mardy is active on numerous boards of directors, including the Gold Coast Performing Arts Association, Alliance for the Arts, and the New West Symphony Guild. John is a physician and administrator for Kaiser Permanente, who is also active in our community. Their children, Lyndsey, Brian, Emily, and Brett, follow in their mother's footsteps in assisting in every Gold Coast Performing Arts Center Association production and event. The Medders family is truly a gift to the arts in the Conejo. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in honoring these individuals for their dedication to the arts in our community. I stand proud to recognize Ann Hammnerslag, Alex Fiore, Bob Lewis, Rob O'Neill, and the Medders family for their dedication. It is an honor to have the Gold Coast Performing Arts Association in my district.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Paul Soifer upon his retirement as president of the board of directors from the West Valley Jewish Community Center and for his steadfast commitment in the Jewish community. Paul has given selflessly to serve the West Valley Jewish Center. Shortly after Paul accepted his title as president of the board of directors our community was devastated by the Northridge Earthquake. This earthquake forced the center located on the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus to close and subsequently relocate to a vacant warehouse. Unfortunately, like any devastating disaster, the earthquake resulted in a huge loss of membership. Paul would have to help rebuild the center on both an emotional and physical level. Paul rose to this challenge and exceeded all expectations. First and foremost he ensured that each and every program and service continued just as they had before the earthquake. In addition to overseeing the operations of the center, Paul did something special, he brought the Jewish Community Center Regional Maccabi Games to Los Angeles. As head of the JCC Maccabi Youth Games Committee, Paul was instrumental in organizing more than 1,700 athletes. He secured lodging for all of the athletes and ensured the smooth functioning of the event. The games were a huge success and Paul now heads the 1997 Los Angeles Delegation of the JCC Maccabi Youth Games. When asked to describe Paul the first thing that comes to his friends' minds is his ability to make a dream a reality. Paul has done this in more ways than one. He succeeded in rebuilding the West Valley Community Center. The center has returned to its original location on the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus and more than 1,200 members have returned to the spiritual warmth provided by the center. Today, the dream of a new state-of-the-art fitness center is reality in the making. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Paul Soifer. The Talmud says ``Great is charity. It uplfits the soul.'' Paul is indeed charitable and has uplifted the souls of countless members in our community.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise before you today to pay tribute to David R. Glickman, who will be honored by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles for his distinguished career in the legal profession. Since graduating from UCLA Law School in 1957, Mr. Glickman has relentlessly dedicated his time and energy to the legal profession. His 40 years of practice have been highlighted by several awards and honors in recognition of his distinguished service. The Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles named David Glickman Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1977, then honored him again in 1991 with the Ted Horn Memorial Award. He is a former president of the Los Angeles chapter of the national organization of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and in 1998 he will serve on their national board of governors. These honors, in addition to many others, are a testament to the vital role David Glickman has played in the Los Angeles legal community. Despite all of these outstanding accomplishments, perhaps the roles David Glickman is best known for is teacher, mentor, and friend. He has been a frequent lecturer and instructor for every law school in Los Angeles County. Young lawyers and former students value Mr. Glickman as a trusted resource when they are struggling with a problem. Henry Brooks Adams once wrote: `` A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops.'' It is apparent that David Glickman's wisdom is a guiding force for several aspiring attorneys. In addition to his numerous responsibilities, David has still found time to contribute to our community by starting the Indians Guide Tribe, of which he was the local chief, and he initiated a local chapter of Boy Scouts and was the troop leader for 2 years. Whether in the courtroom, classroom, or community, David Glickman has selflessly dedicated his time and energy to others. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to David R. Glickman for being a true role model for the citizens of Los Angeles.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the burning of Smyrna and honor the memory of its civilian victims. The destruction of Smyrna in 1922, was the culmination of a Turkish campaign to systematically eliminate the ethnic Greek population in Asia Minor, in the current day Republic of Turkey. During this campaign, thousands were consigned and killed in forced labor battalions and hundreds of Greek towns and villages were destroyed. Turkish forces massacred 450,000 Greek civilians in areas where they comprised a majority, specifically, on the Black Sea coast, in Pontus, and the Smyrna region. Smyrna was the largest city in Asia Minor and a cosmopolitan hub populated by a highly educated Greek community and flourishing commercial and middle classes. In September 1922, the city was sacked and burned to the ground, and its Greek and Armenian inhabitants along with refugees from the countryside were slaughtered by Turkish forces. Western diplomats and journalists stationed in U.S. and European ships offshore compared the devastation to that of Carthage. Metropolitan Chrysostomos, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christians in Smyrna who refused to abandon the city, was seized from religious services in the cathedral by the Turkish police and was turned over to be dismembered by a street mob. Other Greek metropolitans were brutally tortured to death as were dozens of Armenian clerics. The 75th anniversary of the destruction of Smyrna is more than a symbolic anniversary. A year later, in 1923, more than 1.2 million Greeks were uprooted from Turkey and persecutions of the Greek minority remaining in Turkey have since recurred. In a pogrom in Istanbul in 1955, Orthodox churches and Greek businesses were burned and vandalized, and expulsion of Greeks followed in 1964. Restrictions on press and religious freedoms and harassment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate continue today. Mr. Speaker, so that such atrocities may never again be repeated, it is important to honor the memory of the victims of Smyrna on this 75th anniversary. It is important that we bring these events to the attention of the American people and encourage the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge and recognize the victims of Smyrna.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute Charles Vernon upon his retirement from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and resignation of chairmanship of the Santa Monica Bay restoration project. It is an honor to recognize Charles for his work toward water pollution control. Throughout the last 8 years, Charles' work has been vital to the success of the Santa Monica Bay restoration project. He was instrumental in working to secure Santa Monica Bay's nomination as a National Estuary Program and subsequently the founding and creation of the restoration project in 1989. Since its founding, the Santa Monica Bay restoration project has been the primary organization dedicated to preserving the bay for citizens in our community. Charles has consistently held key leadership positions serving as vice chair of its management committee and upon start of bay restoration plan implementation, chair of the governing Bay Watershed Council and Bay Oversight Committee. It is because of Charles' hard work and dedication we have made progress in revitalizing our bay. Beyond his work with the restoration project, Charles is an individual of great integrity and personal warmth. His wholesome nature reflects that of his past when he was a farmer, reaping the miracle of life from the ground. It is no wonder that today he is dedicated to maintaining the sanctity of our precious resources. ''I wiped away the weeds and foam, I fetched my sea-born treasures home; But the poor, unsightly, noisesome things had left their beauty on the shore, with the sun and the sand and the wild uproar.'' These words of Ralph Waldo Emerson eloquently describe Charles' devotion to saving our precious Santa Monica Bay. It is for his work and extraordinary dedication, Mr. Speaker, that I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join our community in thanking Charles for his dedication to the bay. I congratulate Charles Vernon upon his retirement and wish him great success in all future endeavors.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the American Youth Soccer program for its contributions toward promoting athletic activities among children in our community. It is a great honor to rise on behalf of all of those involved in youth soccer. The American Youth Soccer Organization is an extremely important nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting youth soccer in our community. This soccer program keeps our kids off the streets, promotes their self-esteem, and puts our children's minds and bodies to work. Both our community and our children profit from this league. I believe the American Youth Soccer Organization's motto ``everyone plays'' describes the nurturing environment that this organization strives to provide our children on the soccer field. I am proud to represent and honor an organization that encourages all of our youth to play soccer no matter what abilities they possess. Finally, the success of the American Youth Soccer Organization would not be possible without its wonderful volunteers. I commend the patience and dedication of all of those who are involved as players, coaches, referees, and spectators. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions the American Youth Soccer Organization has made to our community. The American Youth Soccer Organization serves as an example for other youth soccer leagues across our Nation.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, along with the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], I had a chance to visit in Hadassah Hospital Intensive Care Ward with several of the victims of the last atrocity in Mahane Yehuda Market, and I saw not only the pain but the indiscriminate effect of these acts of terrorism. One of the individuals we visited was an Arab boy, the other a Lutheran minister. And just as that memory seared of looking at the faces of those, and the hands still burned, of those who suffered from that atrocity, we face another atrocity at Ben Yehuda Market, and 7 deaths and over 100 wounded. There is something that can be done, not to ease the suffering of the families, but at least to say: Never again. It is time for Yassir Arafat to change that Palestinian charter the way the gentleman from New York pointed out. It is time for him to crack down on the Hamas' infrastructure the way the previous gentleman from California remarked. And it is time for Mr. Arafat to go to every Arab capital and say, Now is the time to end hatred and venom against the Jewish people from Tehran to Libya, because Israel has already made unforced territorial concessions. Mr. Speaker, there is more that the United States can do. Yes, our Secretary of State can and should go to the Middle East to focus exclusively on security for Israel and for an end to terrorism. But there is one other thing we can do. There was a besieged city in the early 1960's, Berlin, and our President went there to show solidarity and he said, ``Ich bin ein Berliner.'' Now Jerusalem and its people are under siege from terrorism and there is something of equivalent import we can do, and that is move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem now, without reservation, without condition, and making it plain that we stand with the citizens of Jerusalem as they stand against terrorism. It is time for everyone to do what they can to make amends for this tragedy.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today and pay tribute to John and Effie Westra, who are being honored by the Simon Wiesenthal Center as Righteous Gentiles for their heroic decision to harbor Jewish children during World War II. Through their sacrifice and dedication to their fellow man, both John and Effie Westra have provided models for all of us who seek to transcend differences of race and religion that all too often divide us. This story of courage begins in what for many of us is a dark and distant past amid the horrors of WWII. Thanks to John and Effie Westra, however, life and hope overcame those horrors which engulfed the world as they, like countless others, protected Jewish children from the Nazis. I could only imagine what thoughts went through John's and Effie's thoughts as they took in Alex Radziner--the threat of reprisal from the Nazis if they were caught hiding a Jewish child, the fear of facing an uncertain future amid a war-shattered Europe. However, despite the constant threat of being discovered, John and Effie Westra hid Alex for 2 long and difficult years. Their compassion reminds me of a saying. ``The brave man is not he who feels no fear, . . . But he, whose noble soul its fear subdues, And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.'' It was due to the moral courage of John and Effie Westra that Alex Radziner survived the war. Today I join Alex Radziner's family to commend the Westras' courage and take honor in recognizing John and Effie.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Doris and Ken Rufener for 29 years of outstanding community service and congratulate them as recipients of the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation Civitas Award. Their dedication to serving all of the citizens in our community is remarkable. The Civitas Award is extremely prestigious because it is not given routinely or annually, but only when one has fulfilled specific criteria. The recipient must have exemplified true, unselfish, and outstanding citizenship, demonstrated the ability to motivate and inspire others, and made a singular and lasting impact in our community All the while, he or she must have been involved in many aspects of community life, giving extensive service beyond employment, giving long-time, meaningful service to the community and serving as a role model for the residents of the Conejo/Las Virgenes region. Doris and Ken have fulfilled the aforementioned criteria with overwhelming evidence. They have both served to defend our Nation in the U.S. Air Force. Ken has also served as a board member and president of the Military Order of World Wars. They have provided spiritual assistance to those in the community through their involvement in Westminster Presbyterian Church, particularly Doris's role as a deaconess. The Rufeners are involved in every aspect of community life from their neighborhood homeowners association, various men's and women's service clubs in the area, to athletic associations and assisting in providing mental and health care to indigenous persons. Doris's involvement is highlighted by her role as a Governor's appointee to the advisory board at Camarillo State Hospital. This description merely scratches the surface of the Rufeners' record of service to the community; unfortunately the full extent of their dedication is too lengthy to discuss here today. Doris and Ken also lead full everyday lives. Ken, after serving as mayor and council member of the city of Westlake Village, is currently a director representing division IV of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. Doris is concentrating her work at the Human Resources Center and the local mental hospital. They are also the loving parents of two children, David and Karen. I believe that John F. Kennedy's criteria for determining success in community involvement exemplify the spirit of the Civitas Award and Doris and Ken's service to our community. First, were we truly men of courage * * * Second, were we truly men of judgement * * * Third, were we truly men of integrity * * * Finally were we truly men of dedication? The answers to these questions is indeed, yes. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this outstanding couple, Doris and Ken Rufener. It is an honor to congratulate the Rufeners as recipients of the coveted Civitas Award.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Karin Ball, as an outstanding member of our community, whose empathy and desire to help others serves as an example for all to follow. The reason for honoring Karin Ball today, began 20 years ago when Mary Vincent was raped and her arms severed where she needed prosthetic arms. Many years passed and Mary's public assistance ran out, her marriage ended, and worst of all her prosthetic arms were worn and useless. Karin Ball read about Mary while she was in the hospital recovering from elbow surgery. Knowing how difficult it was to perform simple tasks with a broken elbow, Karin decided that she had to do something to help Mary; she would get Mary new arms. Karin began calling hospitals, doctors, and prosthetic companies. Finally after countless hours of phone calls, she got in touch with NovaCare who in conjunction with the nonprofit organization, Limbs for Life, said they would donate state-of-the-art, custom-made prosthetic arms for Mary. Karin's act of kindness shows that one person can make a difference in another's life. Today, because of Karin's good deed, Mary's life is back on track. She is now able to run simple errands like going to the grocery store and taking care of her children. It is because of people like Karin, who take the time and effort to help others, that make this world a better place to live in. Ch'en a great Chinese leader once said ``Man's happiness in life is the result of man's own effort.'' I believe that Karin's act of kindness has brought to Mary, great happiness. In the spirit of Ch'en, Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me and the citizens of Malibu in honoring Karin Ball. Her dedication to helping others is an inspiration for all Americans.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the nation of India on the golden anniversary of her independence. At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru awoke India to life and freedom after a long and valiant struggle against colonialism and oppression. Fifty years hence India stands as a triumphant example to the world as the world's most populous democracy of 950 million people. Throughout this period of uninterrupted democratic self-rule India has maintained a multi-party system, a free press and an independent judiciary that guarantees human rights and the rule of law. In 1996 half a billion Indians reaffirmed their commitment to democratic governance in the most participated free elections in world history. To the people of India, to all those who compose the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multireligious tapestry that is India, and to all the Indo-Americans gathered in my home State of California and across America to commemorate this great anniversary I extend to you my congratulations. We here in the United States share a special kinship with India. We too gained our independence from British colonialism. Our Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt championed Indian independence. We have also learned much from India; in our own struggle for civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr. was inspired by and used the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as a model of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance. Today as the two greatest democracies in the world, India and the United States are bound by common democratic values and have a strong interest in continuing to build mutually beneficial relations. As a member of the International Relations Committee of the United States House of Representatives, I will continue my strong advocacy of humanitarian and development assistance to India. I look forward to working toward the goal of improving cooperation between our two countries in the areas of trade, diplomacy, and security from which we both have much to gain. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our debt of gratitude to the Indo-Americans who have made such profound contributions to American society. Indo-Americans represent a growing political force in southern California and across the United States. I applaud the community's efforts to embrace the mainstream of the American political process, while keeping alive here in the United States the culture of India. America has been enriched by the hard work, determination, educational achievement and cultural, contribution of the Indo-American community. I am proud to join the Indo-American community in celebrating 50 years of Indian independence and democratic self-rule and in looking forward to the next half century and beyond.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, those of us who are friends of India should commend the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton] for bringing this amendment before us, because it gives this Congress a chance to vote down the amendment by an overwhelming majority, and in doing so, demonstrate our respect for India at its 50th year of independence, and to celebrate the increasingly close relationship between the world's most powerful democracy and the world's largest democracy. Most of the points that can be made against this amendment have already been made, but I want to review a few of them, and perhaps make a few that have heretofore not been brought to the floor. We ought to commend the President of the United States for agreeing to go to India to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence. It was mentioned that India, because it has been independent 50 years, should not need American aid. This is the first time I have heard the idea that there should be a term limit on development aid. We should point out that the gentleman from Indiana is a strong supporter of United States aid to Turkey, which has been independent for over 500 years. I would point out that most of us support American aid for Ethiopia, which has been independent for well in excess of 2,000 years. The question is not how long has a nation been independent, but rather, what are the development needs and how effectively can the United States work toward those needs. Several of the other speakers have talked about how important our aid is to India, how effective that aid is, and how we are providing very little aid compared to the needs in India and its total population. We have heard about Punjab. Yet in the Punjab, we have seen an amazing development, the election of a Sikh Party, the election of a party opposite many of the policies of the national government. What better proof that democracy works in India? We are told about Kashmir, where indeed there have been some brutal actions. But we are given but one picture, and then statistic after statistic without citation, without enumeration, without calculation, and without foundation. What is really going on in Kashmir is a tragedy, but we should remember that some of the most tragic victims are those who support the Government of India. Millions of Hindus have been driven from their own villages and from their own neighborhoods and from the State of Kashmir itself. We should remember that the human rights abuses which the Indian government is trying to prevent on its side are more than replicated by those entities that are supported often by Pakistan and other outside forces, which the Indian Government has to contend with. Many of the most brutal pictures that can be taken in India can be taken of the victims of those who oppose the Government, the terrorists in Kashmir. I know that the vote will be coming up later this afternoon. I hope those in India recognize that at least 100 of our colleagues would vote against foreign aid to any country at any time. I understand that level of fiscal conservatism. I do not happen to agree with it. When the vote comes in, as I think it will, 300 to 150 or 300 to 120, keep in mind the first 100 of those votes has nothing to do with India and everything to do with a brand of fiscal conservatism that some of my colleagues embrace; that in fact, when there are 300 votes for India, hopefully, there will be no more than 10 or 20 or 30 opposed to India. We are overwhelmingly in this House in support of a strong relationship between the United States and India. One final point I want to bring up. That is the idea that our economy is in competition with India. In fact, there are no more two complementary economies in the world. India is still a low-wage country. I have urged businesspeople in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere, importers who are dependent upon goods made in China, to look instead at India, look at India as a source of goods that require a low-wage situation, look at a country where American exports are not discriminated against the way they are in China, look at a country that embraces the rule of law, look at a country that I think will be increasingly economically important to us. Finally, there was the point made that the ``untouchables'' or lower caste are somehow discriminated against by the Government of India. In fact, the phrase, and I think it was misused, was ``lowest form of animal life.'' The President of India is from this group, and in fact religious minorities have been at the highest levels of the Government.

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I would hope, in fact, fiscal conservatives will vote against this amendment. I do know there will be a perception as people walk into this Chamber that the fiscally conservative vote is to vote for the amendment, and if the amendment gains a number of votes for that reason, those should not be regarded as anti-India votes.

Mr. SHERMAN. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate August as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Farmers' Market Month. I would like to take this time to recognize the successes of Southern California's farmers' markets, particularly the Southland Farmers' Market. Each year more than a million and a half people visit Southland Farmers' Markets to purchase the finest and freshest produce in town. At these markets the consumer buys directly from the farmer, purchasing the freshest food at competitive prices. These farmers also help people select the juiciest and ripest produce while offering tips on preparation and cooking--services not available in most grocery stores. In addition to offering spectacular services, these markets are extraordinarily important to both farmers and citizens in our community. The majority of participants are small farmers who desperately need access to public markets in order to survive. They therefore rely upon selling their products at these markets and would find it difficult to market their crops if they could no longer participate in farmers' markets. Besides helping farmers, these markets also benefit citizens in our community. They provide an opportunity for farmers to supply surplus produce for the hungry and have helped to revitalize downtown communities in our area. The success of these markets would not be possible without the backing of the Department of Agriculture and citizens of our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commemorating August as National Farmers' Market Month. I wish great success for all farmers' markets here in our community and throughout the United States.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Peter Edward Brodie for his exceptional service to the defense of our Nation, to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and to our community. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Pete for his contributions. Pete began his military service career at the age of 17. After basic training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL, he was sent to sea and shortly thereafter to serve in the coastal waters of the Republic of South Vietnam. After 3 years of exemplary duty, Pete was released from active duty and joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. As a dedicated soldier, he remained in both the Naval and Marine Reserves. Today we honor Pete for his years of dedication to our forces and upon his retirement as master gunnery sergeant, acting sergeant major of Marine Wing Support Squadron 473. It is not only for Pete's long term dedication to the Armed Forces and sheriff's department that we honor him, but also for his extraordinary service to the community and dedication to his wife, Nancy, and two children Richard and Angela. My description here today of Pete's local involvement will only scratch the surface of what he has done for the citizens our community. At the local level, he has coached Pop Warner Football and headed the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and American Legion Post. Pete has also served the Women's Peace Officers Association of California, the U.S. Naval Institute and the Marine Corps Association. Pete has best served our community through his leadership, especially as president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs [ALADS], the certified bargaining unit for more than 7,000 deputy sheriff's and district investigators. He has represented ALADS members in collective bargaining, ensuring the stability and smooth functioning of one of the Nation's largest sheriff's departments. Few men are capable of such tremendous work. Ulysses S. Grant once said, ``No personal consideration should stand in the way of public duty.'' Nothing more accurately describes the importance of civic life to Pete Brodie. He has gone beyond the call of duty in providing for the safety of our community through his service and leadership with the sheriff's department and as member of the Armed Services. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join the family, friends of Peter Brodie and citizens of Los Angeles County in honoring him today for his successes.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as probably the last Speaker of this session, at least that portion of the session before we go back to our districts for the summer, I am grateful to have this opportunity to speak tonight. I know we are all anxious to go back to our districts, and yet we ought to reflect a little bit on some of the things that have gone on in this House over the last 6 months. I am especially grateful for a sufficient amount of time to review these events, because during more hectic parts of our legislative business we are recognized for 1 minute or for 2 minutes, which is often not enough time to go even into one topic, and I have several topics I would like to address. I know that very few of my colleagues are here in the Chamber. I expect that many are back in their offices finishing things up, perhaps watching these remarks on C-SPAN or cable, and I really have not had a chance to introduce myself to all of my colleagues, only most of them, so I would like to take a minute to do that. I represent proudly the 24th Congressional District in California, which goes from Northridge on the north to Malibu on the south. That is why FEMA is my favorite Government agency. From the Northridge earthquakes to the other problems that we have had, certainly we have had more than our share of disasters, we have experienced superb help from that agency. In addition, my district goes on the west from the city of Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley into the east to the city of Los Angeles, as far east as America's best named town, Sherman Oaks, CA. I never expected to be in this House, and for those of my colleagues I have yet to meet and explain my story, I will take a minute to do that. I began my career over 20 years ago as a CPA. And after a while, my friends got together and said, ``Brad, you need to find an occupation held in lower public esteem,'' so I went to law school. After 3 years of Harvard Law School and 10 years of practicing business law, these same friends got together and they said, ``Brad, for anyone else we know, law would be low enough, but you must find an occupation held in even lower public esteem.'' They spent some time trying to think of what it might be, and they decided that I had to find some unique combination of occupations held in low esteem. In my State we have an elected tax commission called the State Board of Equalization. With their help, I ran for that board, and for 6 years I was simultaneously a politician and a tax collector. Those of my friends in California who are already lawyers and aspire to be held in even lower esteem might examine the opportunity of running for the Board of Equalization next year. These same friends gathered together last year, when our Congressman was retiring, and perhaps they thought that coming to this House would be an occupation held in even lower public esteem than being simultaneously a politician and a tax collector. This year we have proved them wrong. This year my occupational self-esteem is on the rebound, because while last Congress was noted for deadlock and division, so far in this Congress we are noted for working together, sometimes with some acrimony, sometimes with some division, but eventually coming together in a bipartisan spirit, in a spirit that gives America the government that America voted for last year, a government of the vital center; government not catering to a right wing or to a left wing, but rather balancing those wings with policies that make sense. It is in that spirit that I would like to review our last 6 months and take a look at the next several months of Congress that will be reconvened this September. I would like to look first at one bill that I have introduced, that I hope people around the country will bring to the attention of their Members of Congress and their Senators, because when people come back in September I would like to have hearings on this bill and I would like to see it pass. After I review that bill, I would like to review my own efforts on the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on International Relations. But first I would like to address that one piece of legislation, and that is the Child Protection Act of 1997. There were 425,000 children sexually abused last year. It is time for the Federal Government to do everything possible to protect our children from sexual predators. A good idea came out of California that I would like to see adopted on a national basis, and that is the idea of providing parents with the information they need about adults who may be coming in contact with their children because of their proximity or occupation. In California there is a 900 number that parents can call, and if they have very specific information about an individual, can ask whether this individual has been convicted, not merely arrested but convicted of a sexual predatory offense. Making use of the data base required by Megan's law, officials of the California attorney general will advise parents whether that person has been convicted. In fact, there have been 11,000 inquiries to this line and on over 1,000 occasions parents, those who administer day care programs and others with a legitimate interest have been advised, told on over 1,000 occasions that the individual that they were concerned about had, in fact, been convicted of a sexual predatory offense. For example, there was an amusement park that noticed that an individual would show up by himself every day, would often be talking to children and striking up what appeared to be friendships, and that this individual had purchased a year-long pass, but never came with a child to this amusement park that catered to children. They checked on this individual and found that the person who had purchased a year-long pass to the amusement park had, in fact, been convicted of a sexual offense involving a child under 14 years of age. In another circumstance, a parent was concerned about someone who wanted to serve as the new Little League coach, and discovered that that person had been convicted in 1990 and again in 1992 of child molestation. This system in California works well, but it suffers from two limitations: The data base is statewide and only parents in the State can use it. This line and database should be nationwide. Parents in California who call should be able to get information about convictions that occurred anywhere in the United States. And, likewise, this service ought to be available to parents from Maine to Arizona, not just to those in California. So I ask my colleagues who may be listening to consider cosponsoring the Child Protection Act of 1997. Already 28 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and from all parts of the country, have cosponsored this legislation. And to those who are watching at home, the next month will be an outstanding opportunity to interact with your own Senators and your own Representatives and, I hope, urge them to support the Child Protection Act of 1997. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the work of the various committees that I have been privileged to serve on. The first of these is the Committee on the Budget. First, I would like to review how it is that well before the deadline and surprising all the skeptics, first the Committee on the Budget and then the House overwhelmingly adopted a bipartisan budget plan for this Nation which balances the budget by the year 2002 and makes sure it remains balanced for at least 5 years thereafter. Credit must go to prior Congresses because they adopted a fiscal policy for this country and supported the Federal Reserve Board in a monetary policy that has given us unparalleled economic growth, an economic recovery that is the longest in the post-World War II era. They did their job. As a result, just a few months ago, in predicting the future economic developments of this country, the Congressional Budget Office was able to tell us that they expected $45 billion of additional unexpected tax revenue not only in this year, but in each of the next 5 years. Our reaction to that news was calm. And we deserve credit, both Democrats and Republicans, and I am particularly impressed by my colleagues, in the mature reaction that we had to that wonderful discovery. Because all around the world, developed countries are running huge deficits because they are slashing taxes on the one hand and coming up with very expensive government programs on the other. The European Union is trying to create its own European currency, but they decided to do that only when the countries involved are able to reduce their deficit to 3 percent of gross domestic product. We in the United States, even before this budget deal, reduced our deficit to well less than 1 percent of our gross domestic product. In fact, looking around the world at the developed countries, the only countries that meet the European Union's standards for a new currency are Luxembourg and the United States and arguably Cyprus. Perhaps the United States and Luxembourg should create our own currency, because the rest of the developed world has not mastered the fiscal discipline displayed in this House. The most important thing we did this week is that we did not foul it up. Prior Congresses, when confronted with good news, would have responded with $100 million spending programs, $200 million tax cuts, attempts to buy votes from this constituency or that, paying a price that the country could not afford. Instead, we acted with restraint. Yes, we adopted some additional spending programs, more than offset by the spending reductions that we achieved. And yes, we provided tax reductions. But tax reductions that were moderate tax reductions this country could afford, tax reductions that were far less than had been proposed just 2 years ago. Another area where we did not foul things up is that of the Social Security. Earlier this year we were urged by many to artificially adjust the Consumer Price Index, to tell those who are dependent on Social Security that if the Consumer Price Index said prices had gone up by 3 percent, we were only going to count 1\1/2\ percent. That would have been a breach of faith with America's seniors, and this Congress said no. Yes, we are going to balance the budget, but no we are not going to do so by artificially tinkering with the promise that we have made to our seniors to maintain their purchasing power. Instead, we adopted a spending bill that will extend the Medicare trust fund and its solvency to the year 2007, and that will allow us to provide insurance to children who do not currently have medical insurance. Five million children who now must worry and whose parents must worry about whether they can afford to see a doctor, or if they can get medical care, will be told yes, you can, the door of the clinic is open. We also adopted very important tax reductions. The most important one for my district is a virtual elimination of the tax on the gain on the sale of a home. We in Los Angeles are blessed with high property values or high housing costs, however you choose to view it. And so many southern Californians are faced with a situation where they are thinking of selling their home now that their children have moved. They have a 3-bedroom, a 4-bedroom, a 6-bedroom home and are still living in it, not because they need the space and not because they want to invite their 20-something children to move back into their old bedrooms, but because they are concerned about the huge tax that they would pay if they sold their home and moved into a smaller one. Today we said yes, people can sell their homes and do not have to pay taxes on the first $500,000 of gain. And for those in other parts of the country where the gains are smaller, please reflect on the fact that your interest payments are lower, your mortgage payments are lower. We in California spend far more for housing than people in most of the rest of the country. Just as important, we adopted a $500 tax credit per child so that parents would have some help with the high cost of raising their own children. And we provided tax relief for college students and their parents, a HOPE scholarship that provides a $1,500 tax credit for those who spend $2,000 on tuition during the first 2 years of college. Dollar for dollar, this is not a mere deduction but a credit dollar for dollar on the first $1,000 and a 50-percent credit on the next $1,000 spent during the first 2 years of college. And for those who have gone beyond their first 2 years of college, we have provided a tax credit of 20 percent on the first $5,000 that they spend on college tuition. America needs to invest in education. Our colleges and universities are still the envy of the world. And if we are to maintain the high living standards that we enjoy compared to the rest of the world, we must encourage people to pursue a college education in their post high school years. The country benefits. The revenue people benefit. We in the Federal Government are all too happy to benefit when someone gets a college education, earns more, and therefore pays higher taxes. We should be there on the front end providing tax breaks and incentives to encourage people to get that college education. If we are partners in the profits of education, we should be partners in the expense. Another element that is very important to me in the budget resolution revolves around the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Most people at home and, frankly, some of my colleagues have not focused on the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This is a special fund in the U.S. Treasury, is funded with money received by the Federal Government from royalties on offshore oil drilling. I have always opposed offshore drilling, especially off the coast of California. But wherever there is already oil being produced off our coast and royalties being paid to the Federal Government, those funds should be used to mitigate environmental degradation by providing us with the funding we need to acquire new Federal lands for our national parks and forests. This year, for the first time in nearly a decade, we are going to live more or less in conformity with the law that established the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I am particularly proud of the work I did in the Committee on the Budget, because in that committee we reviewed a White House-negotiated deal which provided that there should be $700 million of new funds to acquire lands around the country, environmentally sensitive lands, but that that $700 million of new funds should be spread out over the next 5 years. I could see it happen, could see the problem. The problem is that we traditionally spend about $150 million every year, which is not nearly enough, on acquiring environmentally sensitive lands. If we provided for $700 million spread out over 5 years, the new money could simply displace the old money. The $700 million spread out over 5 years could then be the excuse to discontinue the $150 million that we have spent year after year for the last several years. Instead, in the Committee on the Budget, I proposed an amendment, the only substantive amendment that we were able to get adopted in the Committee on the Budget of this House, which provided first documentation and inescapable documentation, no wiggle room documentation, that $700 million of additional funds should be spent in the next 5 years on acquiring environmentally sensitive land. Beyond that, the amendment provided that all of those funds should be spent in 1998. That is important for several reasons. The first is that the $700 million will have the greatest purchasing power if spent now before land prices go up. But second, spending the money in 1998 assures that what was supposed to be extra money is in fact extra, that we spend the $700 million extra in 1998, and come 1999, with the support of my colleagues, we should go back to spending at least $150 million year in and year out. And I would urge this House to spend far more. So we have a budget resolution that is very clear, that has been passed by both Houses of Congress, and that is supposed to be binding on both Houses, providing that an additional $700 million be spent during 1998 on acquiring environmentally sensitive lands. Unfortunately, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives did not follow that instruction and adopted an Interior Committee appropriations bill which did not include the expenditure of that $700 million. The other body, the Senate, did follow the budget resolution, did follow the amendment that I had offered for that resolution, and provided for the $700 million to be spent. I am confident that we will spend that money and that we will acquire environmentally sensitive lands before they are doomed to development and degradation. I acquire this confidence for one reason. My colleagues are going home. The ladies and gentlemen watching us in this House will have a chance to talk to them about the priorities of this country. We are very close to the end of this millenia. What greater gift could we make to the next millenia than to preserve forever the Headwaters Forest, to preserve forever the Yellow Stone area, and to preserve forever the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area? I am confident that as the people of America interface with their Representatives, they will say, you have a balanced budget resolution. It provides for $700 million of additional funds to acquire these lands, you have told us that that resolution will give us a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility. If we can protect the lands and be fiscally responsible, we should do it and do it now. And I am confident that when my colleagues return and go into that conference committee that they will be strong advocates for the environment and strong advocates for protecting lands and adding to our national parks. I would especially hope that there is attention to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. This is the last great chance to have a national park and a great national park just on the fringes of one of America's great metropolitan areas. We are close to being able to acquire the last parcels we need to acquire to complete the backbone trail and provide a 65-mile hike that starts in Santa Monica and continues through unabated wilderness and through nationally-owned and State-owned lands. We have a chance to preserve for posterity a park that already generates 30 million visitors a year. There are far more visitors to the mountains and beaches of the Santa Monica National Recreation Area than to Yellowstone or Yosemite or any of the other units of the National Park System. We have a chance to complete the construction and acquisition of a park that is already, even in its current form, the most popular element of our National Park System. And so, if you happen to see my colleagues back in your districts, please tell them now is the time to protect our national treasures. This completes what I would like to say about the Committee on the Budget. I would like to turn my attention now to my work on and the work in general of the Committee on International Relations. I especially want to turn my attention to the tragic events in Jerusalem of just a few days ago, for these events remind us that the Middle East has not yet achieved peace, that Israel remains surrounded by those who would destroy her and that Israel is not yet secure, and it reminds us of the importance of the eternal city of Jerusalem. It was not covered much by the press, but a few months ago there was a resolution in the Committee on International Relations to cut aid to Israel. The proponent pointed out that the living standards in Israel are somewhat higher, considerably higher than many of the other countries that receive our aid, and wondered why Israel needed economic aid from the United States. The answer of the committee was overwhelming. The answer of the committee was clear. As long as Israel must confront hostile neighbors in so many directions, as long as Iran and Iraq swear every day that they will push Israel into the sea, Israel needs both the military aid that it gets from the United States and the economic aid that is necessary so that Israel can afford to spend its own money on dealing with the greatest security threat of any country in the world. There is only one country in the world where there are millions of people, or at least governments governing millions of people, who question its right to exist and plot its extermination. No other country faces that kind of security threat, and no country has a closer relationship with the United States than the State of Israel which has supported us. Israel has supported us again and again and again when we needed a friend in a very dangerous and very important region of the country. Particularly I want to point to the fact that this latest terrorist act occurred in Jerusalem, and it was probably committed by those who were trying to destroy the peace process. But it was allowed to occur, or at least not prevented, by a Palestinian Authority that is still trying to negotiate about the status of Jerusalem and has again and again signaled that terrorism, or at least turning a blind eye to terrorism, is a negotiating tactic that it is willing to employ. We must tell the Palestinian Authority that terror is not an appropriate or tolerable method for negotiation, and we must tell the entire world that the United States recognizes Jerusalem, an undivided and indivisible Jerusalem, as the capital of the land of Israel. Up until now there has been some question as to American policy. Congress has always been clear. Congress has directed the United States to move our embassy to Jerusalem to signal for the entire world that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and always will be. So far that embassy has not been moved, but congressional enactment after congressional enactment has instructed the State Department to do just that, and when it comes to the American Embassy, we must say, ``Next year in Jerusalem.'' I do want to talk about several other points that arose involving international relations and the Committee on International Relations. One of those was an idea, a rather bad idea, to transfer free, three Perry class frigates to the Navy of the Republic of Turkey. Now Turkey does face significant security threats facing Iran and Iraq on its eastern borders, but my question for the Defense Department is: In efforts against Iran and Iraq, how do you deploy the frigates? Obviously, these frigates would be deployed in the Aegean where they would threaten Cyprus and Greece. They should not be transferred, and it is certainly an insult to American taxpayers to think of transferring them to Turkey for free. When you think of the idea of frigates being used to combat the threat of Iran and Iraq, we should reflect that the last oceangoing ships seen in eastern Anatolia, the last such ship was Noah's ark. The idea of strengthening the Turkish Navy, a Navy whose work in Cyprus and the Aegean we are not overly happy with, is an incredibly bad idea. I am very gratified that Richard Holbrooke, arguably our most accomplished ambassador has been appointed to try to deal with the problem of Cyprus. We look forward to the unification of Nicosia, not the division of Jerusalem. We look forward to peace in Cyprus and a united federal Cyprus joining the European Union. I also would like to address the unfortunate visit to the United States of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Aliyev. We met with this individual yesterday. He tried to convince us that Nogorno-karabagh was a natural part of Azerbaijan. He was wrong. The only individual who had a hand in transferring that territory to Azeri sovereignty even for a while was Joseph Stalin. The idea that Azerbaijan would claim a territory populated by Armenians and their only claim to it is Joseph Stalin gave it to us; I think that is a rather weak claim. President Aliyev urged us to repeal Section 907 which prohibits aid to a country that is receiving aid and is blockading another country to which we would like to send aid. The blockade of Armenia must end, and it is time for Turkey and Azerbaijan to provide humanitarian corridors so that food and medicine can reach the people of Armenia and so that Armenia can trade with the world. Mr. Speaker, this is the 50th anniversary of the reemergence as an independent democracy of the Nation of India, and I would like to take this opportunity as the sun sets on this Congress until September to urge the President, and if that is impossible, then the Vice President or the Secretary of State to go to India to celebrate its independence. We have more in common with India than is commonly acknowledged. They are the world's largest democracy, we are the worlds greatest democracy. It is time to celebrate Indian independence. I am particularly proud of the role I played in the Committee on International Relations when one of my colleagues put forward an amendment that was a hidden attack against India, which said that we would end all aid to countries that did not vote with us all the time in the General Assembly of the United Nations. This was a ill considered amendment. Counting votes is not a way to see whether a country shares our values. Many of us here in the Chamber cast votes on a variety of things that are inconsequential, and those who try to judge our values by tabulating votes and producing scores, particularly if they look at every vote as being equivalent and of equal importance will be misled. Just one example. Every day we vote on whether to approve the Journal. The Journal for the Congressional Record I think is professionally prepared, and so I vote to prepare it, to approve the Journal, to say, yes, there are no typos in it that I have been able to find. The Republican leadership votes to approve the Journal in every recorded vote. The Democratic leadership, many of them, vote against approving the Journal. Perhaps they have a keener eye for typos than I do. It would be rather absurd to decide that I shared more values with the Republican leadership than the Democratic leadership on the basis of such an inconsequential vote, and likewise our Committee on International Relations knows that you cannot judge whether America and other countries share values by tabulating of votes in the General Assembly of the United Nations. Now on the Committee on International Relations I serve on the trade subcommittee, and again and again my voice is there to say it is time for America to get tough on trade. Unfortunately on trade issues there appear to be only 2 voices, one a protectionist voice that says build a wall around America. That is impossible. The other a, quote, free trade voice that says open America to every import regardless of how that country treats our trade. That is absurd, but unfortunately it is treated as a serious policy by the trade establishment and by the foreign policy establishment of the United States. We even had a distinguished gentleman testify before our subcommittee that trade deficits do not matter. That is as absurd as the people who 10 years ago told us that budget deficits do not matter. America runs a huge trade deficit with the world year in and year out every year and it is time for us to focus on that deficit with the same intensity that we focused on the Federal budget deficit. For all too long our foreign policy around the world could best be described by one sentence uttered by an American diplomat to a diplomat from any of the other countries. America's position was that we would like the honor of defending Europe and Japan for free, defending their territory, their trade routes and their interests, and in return for that honor we were prepared to make trade concession after trade concession. No country in the history of the world has ever exercised our responsibility or our power around the world. But no great country has survived with such unmitigated generosity. We cannot simultaneously open our markets to Japan and Europe and China while their markets remain closed to us. Now at least this year we voted in favor of Most Favored Nation status for China, and it is good that we retain a trade relationship with China. But it is time for us to demand that they give Most Favored Nation status to the United States. Perhaps the least audible part of the debate on Most Favored Nation status was the fact that China sends $45 billion of goods to the United States every year and accepts only $11 billion of our exports. We must restore balance to this relationship. We must insist on parity. We must insist that a country like China, which, whether we like it or not, is a Communist State with a government in control of major economic decisions, make those economic decisions in a way that opens their markets to American goods. Mr. Speaker, this weekend many of us will get a chance to see a movie, and we should reflect that at least for the area I represent, the movie business is the biggest business and the television business is included in that. We have tolerated for no ascertainable reason a policy that discriminates explicitly, repeatedly and consistently against American television programs and against American movies when we seek to exhibit them in France and other European countries. The French explicitly discriminate and say that one-third of all TV shows, one-third of all movie screens are available only for domestic content. I am not sure of that standard of one-third; it might even be higher. They say it is not a matter of trade; they say it is a matter of culture. Well, I am from California, where in the south of California culture is Hollywood, but in the north of California culture is exemplified by our fine wines. If the French can tell us that we cannot have our movies and our TV programs in their country because it corrupts their culture, then why are we drinking French wines? Are they not having an equivalent effect on our culture? Certainly, we should be as aggressive in trade negotiations with the French and we should use every device, including exaggerated cultural sensitivity if that is what we need to get access to their markets, and to deny access to the French where they deny access to us. Mr. Speaker, in a few weeks I will get a chance to go to Israel with a delegation of our colleagues, and I will have a chance to see for myself what can be done to maintain a strong relationship between the United States and Israel. Our group will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and we will also meet with the head of the Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. We will have, I believe, some very pointed questions for Mr. Arafat, for it is his government that announced a death warrant for those people whose crime it was to sell land to Jews. Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of realtors in my district. Now and then they face some danger in their business, maybe a flat tire on the way to show a house, but the idea that one would assassinate people for engaging in the real estate business strikes me as an all-time low in human rights and human dignity, and an all-time low in an effort to create peace in the Middle East. Likewise, it is the Palestinian Authority which time and again has arrested terrorists, known terrorists, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, arrested them and then released them. Certainly one must take responsibility for the actions of those one facilitates. One must take responsibility for the actions one was obligated to prevent and chose not to prevent. The deal in the Middle East is land for peace, and again and again and again Israel has conceded and provided land. Lands that Israel came to occupy by defending itself in a war of aggression it returned, not by force of arms of its adversaries, but by a genuine and sincere wish for peace. The land is there, the Sinai has been returned. Gaza is now under the Palestinian Authority. Huge areas of the West Bank have been turned over to Mr. Arafat's government. The land is there. Where is the peace? We must remember that turnovers of land are permanent, or relatively so. They are ascertainable. Each acre turned over to an Arab government or to the Palestinian Authority can be measured, ascertained and protected. In contrast, the peace which is supposed to be delivered to Israel is ephemeral. There can be peace today and a terrorist incident tomorrow, and then peace the next day. It is time to insist that peace be delivered, and it is not just peace with the fathers of the Middle East that Israel deserves, because what good is it to have peace with all of those in their 40s and 50s and 60s in positions of power in various Arab States, if the children are educated for hatred and war? It is time for the Middle East peace treaty to reach into every textbook in every Arab land and to begin to teach Arab children the truth: that Israel is a legitimate, permanent, unerasable part of the Middle East; that its presence in the Middle East may well lead to prosperity and enlightenment for much of that region; that lands have been returned because of a pledge of peace. But instead, Arab children are taught lies. They are taught hatred. There are still textbooks that teach math by asking what happens when you add two dead Jews to three dead Jews. The answer is that they do not have peace, and it is time for Arab states to deliver the ephemeral by looking at every aspect of their society and saying, have we complied with the peace agreement? Have we provided Israel with the security of knowing that the next generation and the generation after that will accept the borders that Israel has voluntarily retreated to? So while we take a minute to reflect on those who died in Israel and in Jerusalem just a few days ago, we must reflect on what needs to happen: the reinternment of those that were wrongfully released by the Palestinian Authority, and education for peace among all the Arab States who once were at war. From Morocco to Tehran, Arab and Islamic children should be educated for peace. And until that happens, Israel will have conceded land and will have received only a temporary peace, a peace that may die with the fathers, a war that may be born with the sons. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for their patience and indulgence, for I have spoken longer than I had imagined, but it has been a long session of Congress, and we all look forward to returning to our districts. I look forward to returning to Woodland Hills, where I am available to my constituents at 818-999-1990, and I especially look forward to seeing hundreds of people at a new home-buyer fair, a fair designed to give people, particularly first time buyers, information about buying a new home. We will also have information about the new tax law and how it affects those selling a home. We will convene on Saturday, August 9 at 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. If my constituents cannot be there the whole time, we will have information for people for part of the time. We will be at the Coast Federal Bank in Canoga Park. I know that all of my colleagues are smiling today. We all get to go home, but none of them deserve to smile more than me. I get to go back to the San Fernando, the Conejo and the Las Virgenes Valleys, and I am looking forward to it.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos], who time and time again tirelessly has brought to the attention of this Chamber the misery and the death that have occurred, brought to our attention the victims of terrorism in the Middle East, and we ought to take a minute, as several of the other speakers have indicated, to reflect on the 18 or more who died today. We ought to remember how the Palestinian Authority came to control territory in the West Bank in Gaza. That territory came under Israeli administration because Israel defended itself in a war of aggression. Mr. Speaker, how often does a country seize territory in a defensive war and then voluntarily give that territory up? But the territory was put under Arafat's control, initially the Gaza Strip, and then additional areas, land for peace. Where is the peace? Instead, we see pieces of men and women whose lives and bodies have been shattered by explosives in a market in Jerusalem. We can do something positive today. We cannot only mourn the dead, but we can do something positive. The State Department could announce today that we are moving our embassy to Jerusalem, that we are acknowledging Jerusalem as the indivisible permanent capital of the State of Israel. Congress has called upon the State Department to do this again and again. It would have the positive effect, the positive impact, of telling all the terrorists in the Middle East that they cannot fight for Jerusalem with terror, that this issue is off the table and that America stands behind Israel's decision long ago to make all of Jerusalem its indivisible and indisputable capital. So perhaps today can be the last time when terrorists believe that the way to negotiate over the status of Jerusalem is through terrorism. I want to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos] for yielding.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I wish to address those who call OPIC corporate welfare. We should remember who creates the risk in the first place. When the terrorists take the plane, they do not shoot the Norwegians first. They go after Americans because we play a prominent role in the world. And when rogue countries think of nationalizing assets, they do so because of American foreign policy and they threaten American assets first. We have an opportunity to insure our companies from risks that we as a government create. There are those who say that OPIC is the next S&L mess. This amendment is an opportunity to make that a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we cut the administrative costs, if we cut the safeguards, if we cut those who are watching to make sure that sound loans and guarantees are made, then we can sit back and laugh as mistakes are made, and sit back and say, ``We told you they would make mistakes.''

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lt. Col. Bill Simmons for his extraordinary dedication to the defense of our Nation and our community. Bill has moved throughout the ranks of the Marine Corps in a short period of time. In 1976 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant following graduation from the Naval ROTC Program at Iowa State University. Because of his distinguished and exceptional service he was soon promoted to company commander. The words ``promoted because of exceptional service'' have followed Bill throughout his career. Therefore, today I call upon my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring Bill for his exceptional service and congratulate him on his promotion to the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs. Bill is not honored here today solely for his service to the Marine Corps. He is also a distinguished community servant and a loving family man. Bill had developed, organized and implemented a drug intervention program in our community schools. This program sponsors dialogue between both students and their mentors truly convincing these students not to use drugs. Bill has also organized more than 200 Color Guards, the 1996 Taste of Encino Race and sponsored the Toys for Tots Program. All the while, Bill was tending to his duties as a battalion officer, father, and husband. If I had to choose one phrase to describe Bill I would say he ``can do''. He has served to maintain relations between the people of our community and has served organizations such as the Encino Chamber of Commerce and the Van Nuys Police Department. His ability to ensure that everyone's interests and ideas are properly represented has enabled him to move throughout the ranks of the military and serve those in our community. I join the family and friends of Lt. Col. Bill Simmons and citizens of Encino in honoring Bill today for his distinguished service to our community.