Brad Sherman

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Richard Katz for his years of service to the people of California, especially to the residents of the San Fernando Valley. This week Mr. Katz is being recognized by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council with the ``Spirit of the Valley'' award which is the highest honor the Council bestows on former public officials, recognizing Mr. Katz's enormous contributions to our area and our State. During his 16 years in the State government he served as chairman of the Transportation Committee and later as the Democratic Leader of the Assembly. His career is a record of distinguished service, as Mr. Katz was on the forefront of a number of issues important to Californians. The impact of his work varied widely from supporting the Mountain Lion Protection Act which banned the sport hunting of mountain lions and restored lost habitat, to aiding the victims of the Northridge Earthquake in the form of immediate tax relief. Transportation improvements is the area in which Richard perhaps left his most enduring legacy. He authored Proposition 111, which raised more money for mass transit and highways than any effort in the history of California and created the Congestion Management Program which required cities to measure the impact of land use decisions on their roadways. He helped initiate California's Smog Check Program, which is still the strongest anti-smog program in the Nation. Finally, he worked to retire unsafe school buses with newer fuel efficient replacements, which benefits both the kids that depend upon them and the local environment. It has been said that, the politician thinks of the next election, the statesman thinks of the next generation. Richard Katz's work in helping the children of California certainly classifies him as a statesman. He played a leading role in the Gang Risk Intervention Program which targets at-risk youth before they get involved with gangs. He recognized early on the importance of educating our children on computer use, as he developed and galvanized support for computer education programs in our public schools. During his 16 years in the California legislature, Mr. Katz was known as a hard working and effective legislator. The effects of his leadership will be felt in areas ranging from crime prevention, environmental and consumer protection, transportation improvements and family issues. Throughout his career he maintained a relaxed and informal demeanor making him very approachable to Valley residents. Indeed the people of the San Fernando Valley are fortunate to have had Richard Katz as their representative. The area will reap the benefits of his work for generations to come.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we are called here in this Chamber today not to do the people's business but to engage in what I think is dilatory tactics. We are called upon to spend a day in this Chamber not making laws, but engaged in a ritualistic attack on President Clinton and his fiscal record. So I figured we ought to take a minute just to look at the President's fiscal record. This chart here shows where we were headed in terms of a deficit before President Clinton took office. We see this line exceeding $100 trillion. Now, I have only served in Congress for a short time. I remember when $1 billion was a lot of money. And we used to explain it as a line of $100 bills going from Washington all the way across the country or a stack of $1 bills all the way to the Moon. We were headed for a $100 trillion deficit. That is a stack of $100 bills going all the way to whatever planet Yoda lives on. Instead, we have fiscal responsibility in the White House, and we have been able to bring long-term prospects represented by that lower line to a position where a balanced budget, a long-term and permanent balanced budget, is within reach. Now, the laws says that we are supposed to have a budget resolution just 10 legislative days from today. Instead of passing resolutions, we should start by writing a budget in the Committee on the Budget. And I felt, why have the Republican majority not put forward a budget? And I thought maybe it was in absence of pen and paper and a chance to sit down and actually write some numbers down. So I brought this here. Mr. Speaker, as we can see, it sets forth everything we have been told about the majority's budget. It comes equipped with a pen, and I would hope that in the spirit of Hershey, PA, some of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle would come down here and give us some numbers, because a journey toward a trillion-dollar budget starts with the first digit.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Berman and I are honored today to pay tribute to Judge John Major who last week was recognized by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association with the Distinguished Service Award. When Mr. Major recently stepped down from the bench, our area sustained the loss of an individual that went out of his way to make the courtroom a place where both litigants and defendants were at ease and justice was served in a way that was best for all involved. Mr. Major's early career involved a period in the Army and work in the aerospace industry. As John's professional career developed, his interest in government and law increased, leading him to enroll in law school. John's time at UCLA School of Law was difficult, as he was forced to balance school and work while holding down three jobs. Even with these adversities, John's determination to become a lawyer only increased. He completed his final 2 years of study on his own at night while working full time. He saw the fulfillment of his dreams in 1957 when, on his first attempt, he passed the California bar exam. The obstacle he overcame in his time studying law affected his later career as a judge. Whenever he saw people struggling, he told them, ``you can accomplish whatever you choose to in life.'' As a young lawyer, John worked for the Legal Aid Society in Santa Monica for 2 years. Shortly after that he opened his own practice that he maintained for 12 years. His career changed when he took a case defending a minor he enjoyed the tremendous positive impact he had on the young man's life. In defending the youth of our area, John found a challenging and rewarding career. Through his endeavors he became a juvenile court referee and eventually was appointed a Superior Court Commissioner. As a commissioner he worked in almost every juvenile court in Los Angeles County. In 1984, Mr. Major was appointed to the superior court bench by Governor Deukmejian. His years on the court were his way of leaving a positive impact. According to many attorneys, he put people at ease with his humor and easy going demeanor. In handing down decisions, Judge Major did not hesitate to take into account the particular circumstances, at times straying form the usual sentence, especially in dealing with young people. The judge's calming influence and experience in dispute resolution will be sorely missed as he is an excellent communicator with a gift of engendering himself to all sides in a dispute. When Judge Major stepped down from the bench last week, our community sustained a substantial loss. The effects of his service have reached well beyond the courtroom, as he has had a tremendous positive impact on the surrounding community. The legacy of his work will continue on for years to come in the lives of the many individuals be touched.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Berman and I are honored today to pay tribute to Judge Ann Kough who last week was given the Distinguished Service Award by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association. Her reputation as a fair, trustworthy and accessible judge precedes her. She has created an atmosphere of openness and cooperation that surrounds all who enter her courtroom. Mrs. Kough received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, and a masters degree in the same subject from California State University, Fullerton. In 1978, she graduated from UCLA School of Law, where her desire to be a judge first emerged. Once out of school she worked for the Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney for 3 years then entered into private practice. She quickly became a partner in the Los Angeles firm O'Loughlin, Kough & Katz, she handled cases involving criminal, civil, and family law. Ms. Kough was appointed to the bench in April 1989 by Governor Deukmejian. When lawyers who have worked in her courtroom are asked about Judge Kough, they consistently comment on her pleasant demeanor and uncommonly objective sentencing. She is known for consistently listening to all sides in a case before coming to any decision and maintaining an open mind until a final verdict is reached. Judge Kough recognizes that the legal system can often overlook the personal and emotional needs of those involved, and she makes a concerted effort to take these factors into consideration on the bench. Judge Kough prides herself on being able to say, ``I've made a difference,'' at the end of the day. Indeed she has made a difference, and at the end of the day we are all the better for it.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Berman and I are honored today to pay tribute to Judge William MacLaughlin who last week was named 1997 Judge of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association. Judge MacLaughlin has a reputation among his coworkers as a fair, hard- working judge who brings a common sense approach to the bench. Throughout his life he has shown exemplary service to his country and community. Mr. MacLaughlin received his bachelor's degree and law degree from Yale in 1957 and 1960 respectively. After passing the bar exam he joined the U.s. Army first in a full-time capacity and later as a reservist, attaining the rank of captain in 1969. He then entered the legal profession, quickly becoming a partner in the firm Stone & Davis. Later in his career Mr. MacLaughlin went into practice on his own. Representing both plaintiffs and defendants, his years as an attorney saw him focus on personal injury, business, construction, and environmental areas of law. After many years and a well respected tenure as an attorney, he was appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson to the Los Angeles superior court. In January 1992, Mr. MacLaughlin took his position on the bench. In the 5 years since, he has earned the respect of colleagues and coworkers alike as a hard-working and conscientious judge. Judge MacLaughlin is known for, among other things, conversing at length with prospective jurors, clearly explaining their role and how they fit into the larger process. When dealing with conflicting parties in a case he has commonly been known to encourage them to work together toward a solution, recognizing that a resolution reached through compromise is better than any decision imposed upon them. The judge's reputation for common sense, middle-of-the-road rulings have earned high praise from numerous attorneys who have entered his courtroom. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing the accomplishments of Judge William MacLaughlin. Truly, his even- handed administration of justice is an example to us all.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a truly extraordinary individual, Fred Kort. Mr. Kort has lived an amazing life; his story serves as an inspiration to all that know him. I am honored today to be able to pay tribute to this man, as recognition is long overdue. Mr. Kort was born in Germany just before Adolf Hitler came to power. In 1938, his family was deported from southern Germany to Poland, and Fred was forced to continue his elementary school education at the American ORT Program in Poland. Things changed drastically with the outbreak of war as the family was separated and Fred and his brother were forced into the Lodz ghetto. In 1940, Fred escaped the Lodz Ghetto and made his way to Warsaw where he was reunited with his father. However, a short time later, he was forced into the Falenti labor camp. He toiled in the camp for 19 months, only to return to the Warsaw Ghetto where he was again captured and a few weeks later taken to Treblinca. Upon arriving at Treblinca, 90 percent of the individuals were immediately exterminated. Remarkably, Mr. Kort managed to survive in the camp for over a year. Eventually, Fred managed to escape from Treblinca, and joined the Polish underground. As a member of the resistance he was inducted into the Polish Army. A year later the war ended, enabling Mr. Kort to return home. There he reunited with his mother and sister and found out that his father, brother, and several close relatives had not survived the Holocaust. In 1947, Fred left Europe for America to start a new life. Upon arriving in the United States he worked and lived in New York as a technician. Eventually his work led him to relocate to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles he learned all that he could about the toy company business and in 1969 opened the Imperial Toy Co. Mr. Kort always has been generous with his time as well as his money supporting various philanthropic charities. Fred's history of giving ranges from shipping toys to children left homeless by Hurricane Andrew to being an original founder of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Indeed his work in preserving the memory of the Holocaust has been exemplary. The memory of the Holocaust has never been far from the heart and mind of Fred Kort. From his role in testifying at five Nazi war crime trials, to helping build museums in Washington and Los Angeles, Mr. Kort has worked to ensure that the knowledge of what happened will not be lost on future generations. Mr. Kort's life is a testament to the enduring nature of the human spirit as the strength of a lifetime was built from the ashes of hatred. Indeed one can say with certainty that America, and indeed the world, is a better place with Mr. Kort in it.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate February 14 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the city of Malibu, CA. I would also ask that you join me in honoring the American Cancer Fund for Children and its founder Steve Firestein for their diligent work helping children. The tireless work of this organization has not only highlighted the issue of childhood cancer in the United States, but has provided a positive influence on hundreds of young lives effected with cancer. I am pleased to offer my highest congratulations for the deep sense of community the American Cancer Fund for Children has given to the city of Malibu. I would also like to commend the city of Malibu as it adds itself to the growing number of communities who have adopted a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in the Los Angeles area. I am very proud to have community-based efforts of this caliber in my district, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring such accomplishments to the attention of this body. Each year approximately 10,000 more American children will be diagnosed with cancer, making cancer the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. Motivated by these losses the American Cancer Fund for Children has worked tirelessly to heighten community awareness of childhood cancer. All too often the costs incurred in the treatment of cancer far exceeds the average family's financial resources. The American Cancer Fund for Children has established itself to provide financial assistance to such families who find themselves experiencing financial hardship with a child undergoing a bone marrow transplant. The organization understands the importance of communities coming together to provide social services to those families in need, not wanting one child in need of treatment to be turned away because their families could not afford them. As the demands for cancer treatment grow each year, the organization has also taken on greater challenges to meet the demand for patient and family services to help ensure the quality of care to better promote the chances of survival. These services have provided an assortment of patient psychosocial services designed to nurture self-esteem, encourage peer interaction and better generate special patient communication. The Main Street Children's Services Program has received praise from across the United States for their efforts in providing gifts via visits for the emotional support of the children. These efforts have lifted the spirits of children nationwide through the simple gift of giving with a human touch. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing the accomplishments of the American Cancer Fund for Children in cooperation with the city of Malibu, in highlighting childhood cancer with the establishment of a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, my predecessor, Congressman Tony Beilenson, served here for 20 years, and was one of the leading advocates of international family planning. In recognition of his legacy, my first speech on this floor is again in favor of international family planning, and in opposition to unwarranted restrictions on family planning that would be imposed by this proposal. International family planning brings together so many things that both I and many of my colleagues, and I think the vast majority of those in my district, care about. We care about the environment, and unless we do something to control the international population explosion, virtually all of our other environmental controls will simply be like taking a few buckets out of the ocean. We care about the dignity of women. Women in Third World countries acquire additional status, dignity and rights when they gain control of their own bodies and are afforded a full range of reproductive freedom. The other side has made this a debate on the choice issue. I do not think that it is. But to the extent that a no vote is an opportunity to say that we believe in a woman's right to choose, we have another good reason to vote lgainst this proposal. This vote is a chance for us to stand for peace and development in the Third World, which can occur only if we deal with the population explosion which so tragically affects so many underdeveloped countries. It is a chance for us to deal with the illegal immigration problem. With our support, Mexico has been able to cut its population growth rate by over one-third through effective international family planning assistance. We need to continue that effort. Finally, it is important that this Government operate as efficiently as possible. We need to contract with the international family planning agencies that are most effected. We should not impose some sort of political correctness test and say that we will not contract with this agency or that agency, and end up instead going to a less effective family planning organization. So whether it is control of illegal immigration, enhancing our environment, working toward government efficiency, defending a woman's right to choose, promoting the dignity of women, or seeking peace and prosperity for the underdeveloped portion of the world, a vote against this alternative is called for.