Louise Slaughter

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 12, 13, and 14. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 12, 13, and 14.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 11. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 9 and 11. I would have voted ``no'' or ``nay'' on rollcall votes 8 and 10.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote Nos. 6 and 7. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall vote Nos. 6 and 7.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I, along with my colleagues Rep. Joseph Hoeffel and Rep. Christopher Smith, introduced a resolution urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, and fair election process leading up to the March 31, 2002 parliamentary elections. In April 2001, 1 was troubled to learn about the Ukrainian Parliament's vote to remove reform-minded Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko. This change in government came in the midst of the ongoing political turmoil resulting from allegations over the involvement of President Leonid Kuchma in the case of murdered journalist Heorhiy Gongadze. Meanwhile, reports of government corruption and harassment of the media have raised concerns about the Ukrainian government's commitment to democratic principles. As a founding member and Co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I have spoken out for a more democratic Ukraine and expressed my continued concern about the lack of progress in the Gongadze case and recent political instability. On March 31, 2002, Ukraine will hold its third parliamentary elections since becoming independent more than ten years ago. It is widely believed that the outcome of the parliamentary elections will determine whether Ukraine continues to pursue democratic reforms, or experiences further political turmoil. The intent of my resolution is to make the Government of Ukraine aware that the U.S. Congress is monitoring the conduct of the parliamentary election process closely, and will not just be focusing on Election Day results. According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) final report on Ukraine's most recent national election, the presidential election of 1999 was marred by violations of Ukrainian election law and failed to meet a significant number of OSCE election commitments. There is now concern that the 2002 parliamentary elections will be compromised by similar violations. Two recent reports on the 2002 parliamentary elections released by the Committee on Voters of Ukraine (CVU), a leading Ukrainian watchdog group on elections, have cited numerous violations in the campaign process. My resolution urges the Government of Ukraine to enforce impartially the new election law signed by President Kuchma on October 30, 2001, which was cited in a OSCE/ODIHR report dated November 26, 2001 as making improvements in Ukraine's electoral code and providing safeguards to meet Ukraine's commitments on democratic elections. The resolution also urges the Government of Ukraine to meet its commitments on democratic elections and address issues identified by the OSCE in its final report on the 1999 elections, such as state interference in the campaign and pressure on the media. Finally, the resolution calls upon the Government of Ukraine to allow both domestic and international election monitors full access to the parliamentary election process. It is my hope that this resolution will send a clear message to the Government of Ukraine that the U.S. Congress will not simply rubber stamp funding requests for Ukraine without also considering the serious issues involved in Ukraine's democratic development. In particular, the conduct of the 2002 parliamentary elections will have a major impact on funding considerations when Members of Congress are again confronted with the task of balancing their support of the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship with Ukraine's progress in making democratic reforms. I urge my colleagues to support the Slaughter-Hoeffel-Smith resolution, and encourage the Government of Ukraine to conduct a democratic, transparent, and fair parliamentary election process.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, S. 1762 is a noncontroversial measure designed to ensure the continued availability of student loans for students and their families. The bill before us today passed the Senate by unanimous consent in December and enjoys strong support in the Chamber from both sides of the aisle. Student loans are critical for a majority of American families working to ensure a quality education for their children. With the cost of a college education skyrocketing, the need for student loans applies to all segments of society. Congress has a duty to ensure that as this country weathers a recession, a quality education does not take a hit in the process. The legislation addresses a long-standing problem in the Federal student loan program as to how student loan interest rates are to be calculated. The problem first came to light several years ago when it was clear that a provision within the Higher Education Act would dramatically alter how interest rates would be determined. The interest rate formula set to take effect back in 1998 would have forced many of the lenders now participating in the Federal Family Education Loan Program to reduce or eliminate their participation. At the time, Congress worked diligently to craft a solution to a problem that virtually everyone agreed would be an unintended result of previous legislation. The compromise resulted in the lowest interest rates in the Stafford loan program's history. Service was uninterrupted to students and their families, and student loan borrowers are now paying the historically low interest rate of 5.99 percent in repayment. Unfortunately, the compromise reached in 1998 was not made permanent when enacted and is scheduled to expire in 2003, and that is why today's bill is so important. S. 1762 will extend the current interest rate formula set to expire in July of 2003 and lock in the lower borrower rates. The bill also continues the current formula for determining interest rates made by student and parent borrowers before July 1, 2006. Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 would be 6.8 percent for student borrowers and 7.9 for parents' loans. An average student who borrows nearly $17,000 will save over $400. Moreover, student interest rates will remain constant for the life of the loan rather than changing each year based on a complicated formula. I would also note for my colleagues that the measure has been endorsed by the United States Student Association, the American Council on Education, Sallie Mae, and the Consumer Bankers Association. I urge everyone to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding me this customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 2 and No. 3. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 2 and No. 3.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 90th anniversary of an outstanding organization: Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America. Many Americans recognize Hadassah as the premier organization for Jewish women. Others know of its many achievements in health care and social justice. But few realize that Hadassah is both the largest women's and the largest Jewish organization in the United States, with over 300,000 members. Every single Member of Congress represents members of Hadassah. It has been my distinct pleasure and privilege to have had a long and fruitful professional relationship with Hadassah. When I first began working on genetic discrimination issues in 1995, Hadassah stepped forward to pledge its support. At my first press conference, Hadassah was one of just four organizations that endorsed that first genetic nondiscrimination bill. Today, this initiative has the support of over 200 organizations--but Hadassah is still leading the way as a key player. Indeed, I have found Hadassah to be among the most consistent and persistent allies any legislator could ever hope for. When Hadassah decides that an issue is a priority, it will work ceaselessly until its goal is achieved. Its members are well educated, savvy, and tenacious. Its leadership is focused, smart, and sophisticated. Few organizations are as effective. Through our partnership on issues including genetic discrimination, women's health, and colorectal cancer, my respect and admiration for Hadassah has only grown. In 1998, I was proud to receive the Hadassah Nassau Region's Myrtle Wreath Achievement Award for ``outstanding achievement in all areas of public service and . . . dedication to improving the health and well being of all Americans.'' This award hangs in a place of honor in my office. I was equally proud to be named a Lifetime Member of Hadassah for my work on issues important to their members. Perhaps Hadassah's greatest achievement is the Hadassah Medical Organization, a network of 2 hospitals, 90 outpatient clinics, and numerous community health centers throughout Israel. These facilities provide state-of-the-art health care to 600,000 patients each year, regardless of race, religion, or creed. They often treat the most critically wounded victims of the region's ongoing conflicts. I would like to invite my colleagues to join me in saluting the 90th anniversary of Hadassah. May Hadassah and its members enjoy another 90 years of activism.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 512. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this rule makes in order the consideration of H.J. Res. 79. H.J. Res. 79 is a continuing resolution which will be in effect from December 21, 2001, to January 10, 2002. This is a simple housekeeping matter, Mr. Speaker, and merely ensures that should the Senate be unable to complete its work, or if the President has not signed the remaining bills sent to him, the funding will be in place for those departments and agencies. This is a noncontroversial matter, and I urge adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens), a valued member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. (Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Susan Davis). (Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis), a member of the committee.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca). (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis). (Mr. DAVIS of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind). (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)