Jan Schakowsky

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the realignment of funding for Colombia in the FY2008 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. I would like to begin by thanking Chairwoman Lowey for her leadership on the issues facing Colombia and for crafting such a forward-thinking piece of legislation. I visited Colombia a few years ago, and learned so much about that beautiful country. On that trip I heard chilling accounts of the tragedy that our policies have created. A lot has changed since my trip, but many of the fundamental problems still exist, and in some cases, have worsened. I heartily support the new balance of aid in the FY2008 Foreign Operations bill. As outlined in the bill, now 55 percent of aid for Colombia will go toward military functions while 45 percent will go to rural development, social development, and strengthening the judicial system. This new approach is a dramatic change that will help remedy the problems that our policies have caused. Just this month, the Office of National Drug Control Policy announced that more than 387,900 acres of coca were detected in Colombia in 2006, an increase of 32,120 acres from the previous year. The increase in coca production is a huge blow to the proponents of Plan Colombia, which was created in 2000 to reduce drug cultivation. This Foreign Ops bill recognizes the failure of past policies-- especially our counter-drug initiatives, and moves U.S. policy in the right direction. The funding in this bill will help families persecuted by paramilitaries, farmers struggling to grow crops other than coca, those displaced by fighting, and the Colombian justice system, which is valiantly struggling to bring justice to victims of violence. Thank you, once again to Chairwoman Lowey. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on June 30, 2007, Fast Track trade authority will expire. Now is the time for Congress to replace an outdated system that removes congressional authority, as set out in the Constitution, ``to regulate commerce with foreign nations.'' As it stands with Fast Track in place, Congress has no control over the content of trade agreements. We can vote on trade agreements only after they have been negotiated and signed, but we are responsible for trade agreements negative effects. Over 3 million American manufacturing jobs have been lost. American wages have stagnated. We have lost our family farms, and we have failed to encourage income equality in the developing nations with which we have trade agreements. That's after Fast Track. Let's replace Fast Track with a better system. Congress should be able to decide with whom we negotiate trade agreements and what goes into those agreements. Let's restore the balance of powers on trade established in the Constitution.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, June 22 will be a bittersweet day for me and for all of Team Schakowsky. That is the day that Robert Marcus, Legislative Assistant, will be leaving our office. After a summer in Israel, Robert will attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of International Affairs at Tufts University, where we know he will make an outstanding contribution. In his more than 4 years on my staff, Robert has been an invaluable member of the team, serving as the point person for foreign affairs, in particular U.S.-Israel relations, the war in Iraq, Haiti, Darfur, and Colombia. He has been in charge of veterans affairs and has played a major role in shining a bright light on and drafting legislation addressing the growing role of private military contractors. Robert's influence has extended far beyond Capitol Hill and well beyond the borders of the United States. In 2005, Robert worked with an Illinois synagogue and its Rabbi, Bruce Elder, to bring a Torah to its former home in the small Czech Republic town of Lostice. It was one of 1,500 Torahs that had been confiscated by the Nazis during World War II. Robert made the arrangements for the visit and joined members of the Congregation Hakafa when the Torah was opened and read at the synagogue, which is now a community center. Though no Jews remain in Lostice, the people had protected the building and came out to welcome the visitors with songs sung in Hebrew. Dignitaries from across the Czech Republic participated and it became a highly publicized story with a powerful message of remembrance and tolerance that will long be remembered. Robert Marcus made it happen. Robert Marcus has been addressing the problem of deforestation in Haiti in a very practical way. Haiti is almost completely deforested, with only one or two percent of its original forest cover remaining. Working with Haitian-American leaders as well as an organization led by Wyclef Jean called Yele Haiti, Robert brought another important organization to the table to help with a new Haitian environmental initiative that combines tree planting with alternative energy. The Jewish National Fund, at Robert's initiative, is now providing technical expertise from their extensive and successful experience with tree planting in Israel. Robert will be missed not only for the exceptional work he has done, but for his incredible kindness, (sometimes quirky) sense of humor, his contagious friendliness, and, of course, his rugged good looks. If you ``Google'' Robert Marcus, you will find over 14 million separate entries. True, not all of them are about OUR Robert Marcus, the real Robert Marcus, (particularly the one that reads ``Robert Marcus: Real Threat or Just Another Stupid Clam?''), but we know he will make a huge mark in the world. We just hope he will always remember his days with Team Schakowsky. I know I will never forget him. I say, ``Thank you, Robert Marcus. I love you very much.''

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to express my enormous appreciation to Congresswoman Diana DeGette. This morning Speaker Pelosi said, this is really a great day, not only in the United States Congress but for the American people around the country. Many times we deal with issues that are either sort of lower on the list of importance. We name post offices. We give certain honors to individuals. That's all good. But today we're dealing with an issue that affects millions, over 100 million Americans, really not a family that's not touched by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, as Diana DeGette's daughter is. And like many mothers who come to the Congress and ask us to address issues that have affected their children, Diana DeGette is in a position to actually make something happen, and she has, in the most educated, illuminated, compassionate way, to bring this legislation to the floor of the House of Representatives today. I also rise in the name of our beloved friend and part of our congressional family, Lane Evans. Lane is one of the million Americans who suffers from Parkinson's disease, who has had to cut his career short. His leadership and dedication to making progress with stem cell research was inspiring. He understood the hope that embryonic stem cell research holds for so many like him. It's time that we pass this bill for people like Lane Evans; a hero, a Marine, someone who has fought all his life. And now we need to fight for him. I also rise in support of this bill for my friend, Bonnie Wilson, and her daughter, Jenna, who's one of the 7 million American children living with diabetes. Stem cell treatment may be her only hope. It's time that we finally make progress, put aside ideology, and, yes, it is about ideology versus science, and pay attention to the science. And I want to thank all the children and parents, the children who have diabetes who have come to me year after year after year after year to my office, told me about the shots that they take, the parents waking up several times during the night to check the levels on their children; worrying day and night that they are going to get that phone call that there has been some disaster. It's for them that we do this. And so we're standing today on the brink of incredible scientific breakthroughs that are going to address the issues that plague all our families. My family has been plagued by the early loss of my daughter- in-law, Fiona, to cancer. Let me just say then, for Fiona and for my grandchildren who were left motherless at a very, very young age, and all the families, I'm not alone. No one's alone in this; that we stand together today to say we believe in a cure. We want to support a cure. We, the American people, through our taxpayer dollars, what could be a better expenditure of that? Should we throw away unused embryonic stem cells? Should we toss in the garbage, literally, the possibility of these cures? I don't think so. Let's take that leap today for our children and future generations.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 964, the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act--the SPY Act. It is a strong consumer protection bill, of which I am an original cosponsor, that will help us in the fight against identity theft. With today's vote, the House will have passed the SPY Act three times. Let's hope that the third time's a charm--and that today's passage means this bill will finally get signed into law. The SPY Act is important because it protects consumers from spyware, the unwanted and sneaky software that is so powerful that it can steal information from, monitor and control others' computers--without the computer's owner even knowing the software has been installed. The SPY Act would put the control of computers back in the hands of consumers--where it belongs. It prohibits indefensible uses of the software, like phishing and logging every keystroke entered, and requires that consumers be notified and opt-in before software is installed on their computers. Furthermore, the SPY Act gives the Federal Trade Commission the additional power it needs to pursue deceptive uses of the software. I believe that this bill will go a long way toward protecting consumers from having their valuable and personal information stolen by purveyors of spyware. I am glad that I was part of the bipartisan process that brought this bill to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Thank you.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 422, which calls on the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its unique influence and economic leverage to stop genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan. I traveled to Darfur in February 2006. I will never forget what I saw, nor will I relent in my work to end the ongoing genocide. China, if it chose to, could play a critical role in ending the genocide in Darfur. The President's Special Envoy to Sudan, Andrew S. Natsios, has said that ``China's substantial economic investment in Sudan gives it considerable potential leverage, and we have made clear to Beijing that the international community will expect China to be part of the solution.'' China has a close relationship with the Government of Sudan, economically and militarily. It purchases 70 percent of Sudan's oil. China has agreed to cancel nearly $100 million if Sudan's debt to the country, and it has invested over $10 million in the Sudanese energy sector over the last two decades. China, already the main supplier of arms to Sudan with $83 million exported there in 2005, recently agreed to cooperate more closely militarily ``in every sphere.'' With this resolution we are asking China to acknowledge and condemn the violence taking place in Darfur, Sudan. Additionally, we are calling on China to cease all military arms and equipments sales to Sudan. Finally, we are strongly encouraging China to suspend economic ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan stops attacking civilians, complies with U.N. Security Council resolutions, and enters into peace negotiations with rebel groups. China has the ability to end the genocide and horror. I hope it chooses to act immediately. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 152, which recognizes the 40th anniversary of the reunification of the City of Jerusalem. This week Israel is recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War. On June 7, 1967, Israel reunified the city of Jerusalem, opening it to worshippers of all nationalities and religions. On that day Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan declared: ``This morning, the Israel Defense Forces liberated Jerusalem. We have united Jerusalem, the divided capital of Israel. We have returned to the holiest of our holy places, never to part from it again. To our Arab neighbors we extend, also at this hour--and with added emphasis at this hour--our hand in peace. And to our Christian and Muslim fellow citizens, we solemnly promise full religious freedom and rights. We did not come to Jerusalem for the sake of other peoples' holy places, and not to interfere with the adherents of other faiths, but in order to safeguard its entirety, and to live there together with others, in unity.'' Mr. Speaker, even 40 years after Israel's overwhelming victory in the June 1967 War--a war fought to preserve Israel's very existence in the face of enemies determined to destroy it--Israel's stability is still threatened. At this critical time in Israel's history we must focus on what is of the utmost importance--furthering the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Congress must fully analyze and consider the Arab League Peace Initiative which offers Israel full normalization of relations with the Arab world and is widely viewed in Israel and around the world as an important opportunity and a real basis for negotiations that could end the Israeli-Arab conflict. While not perfect, this plan sets the table for fruitful negotiations and a final resolution of the conflict. We must also consider negotiations with Syria. If successful, such negotiations could have significant positive impact with respect to limiting Iran's sphere of influence, calming the situation in Lebanon, weakening the support network for Hamas and Hezbollah, and delivering real security to Israel on its northern border. We must call on President Bush to invest in serious, sustained, and effective efforts to improve the security situation on the ground today and re-establish a viable peace process that can deliver peace and security to Israel, and international acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Mr. Speaker, today I call on all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 152, and I pledge to continue to work to maintain Jerusalem as Israel's indivisible capitol and to promote the policy of the United States to support a peaceful, two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the entire Women's Caucus, Co-Chairs Lois Capps and Cathy McMorris Rodgers and my co-Vice Chair, Mary Fallin, to honor four women who have served our Nation with honor and distinction. Today, the 10th Annual Women in Military Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Caucus, was held at Arlington Cemetery. The purpose is to honor our Nation's servicewomen and women veterans for their courage and achievements, and to remember the women who have died in service to the United States of America. SFC Barbara Clavijo, United States Army, distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as the Multi-National Division Baghdad Force Protection Vulnerability Assessment Team NCOIC, 4th Infantry Division, Camp Liberty, Iraq from December 2, 2005-November 15, 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While assigned as the Multi-National Division Baghdad Vulnerability Assessment Team NCOIC, SFC Clavijo was directly responsible for the development and execution of the Division's force protection program. Without hesitation and with great enthusiasm, and despite the inherent threats and dangers, she continuously navigated the MND-B's battle space to conduct vulnerability assessments. These assessments required SFC Clavijo to plan, coordinate, and participate in over 125 ground and air movements in support of these missions. During the course of these assessments she was forced to travel many routes known to be covered with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. During one of these assessments she had the unlucky fortune to have her vehicle targeted by an IED. For this reason she was awarded the Combat Action Badge. Her awards also include the Bronze Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Drill Sergeant Badge, and Combat Action Badge. I am truly pleased to honor SFC Barbara Clavijo for her service and dedication. Master Chief Ann L. Tubbs began her career with the U.S. Coast Guard in July 1980 when she graduated from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey and was assigned to Coast Guard Station Jonesport in West Jonesport, ME. Later, she was assigned aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Glacier where she made 2 trips to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. After leaving Glacier, Master Chief Tubbs spent 2 years in Mobile, AL., as a small boat engineer running search and rescue boats in the Gulf of Mexico. In August 2001, she accepted an active duty position in the Office of Reserve Affairs at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. In 2002, she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and was assigned as the Enlisted Gender Policy Advisor to the Commandant. She advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer on January 1, 2005. She assumed her current job as Special Assistant to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in October of 2006. Master Chief Tubbs' military awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device, the Commandant's Letter of Commendation, the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal, and the Antarctic Service Medal. I am so pleased to recognize Master Chief Tubb's today. SSGT Cassie L. Lucero began her career with the Marines in 1998. During her career in the Marines, she has been decorated with numerous medals, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment Awards. It is my pleasure to honor SSGT. Cassie L. Lucero for her service. CMSGT and Barbara S. Taylor is the Chief of Supply for the United States Air Force Band, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Originally from Kingsport, TN, her military career began in 1982. CMSGT Barbara S. Taylor was assigned to the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. There, she was both a euphonium and vocal soloist. She was the band's Director of Operations from October 1995 until her reassignment to the United States Air Force Band in January 1997. In 1993 and 1996, Chief Taylor was named the Air Combat Command Band's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and in February 1997 she was named the Air Combat Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the band career field. Chief Taylor was also awarded the Commandant's Award at both the Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officers Academy. I am so honored to recognize Chief Taylor for her dedication to the United States. Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and pride that the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues honors these four servicewomen and their extraordinary accomplishments. In a time when our military faces especially difficult challenges both at home and abroad, these four women have shown exceptional courage, ability and loyalty to the Armed Services of the United States of America. They are true shining examples of the numerous women serving in our military today.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 413, which recognizes the service of United States Merchant Marine Veterans. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this important resolution. United States Merchant Mariners played a critical role during World War II, delivering troops, tanks, food, airplanes, fuel and other needed supplies to every theater of the war. The Merchant Mariners were the necessary link between the supplies that were manufactured in the U.S. and used overseas. The Merchant Mariners took part in every invasion from Normandy to Okinawa and suffered the highest casualty rate of any of the branches of the Armed Forces. Despite their valiant service, the U.S. Merchant Marines were not included in the 1944 G.I. Bill of Rights. In 1988, they were finally granted veteran status, but some portions of the G.I. Bill have never been made available to the Merchant Marines and the lost benefits can never be recouped. In April I had the opportunity to deliver testimony to the Veterans Affairs Committee on behalf of my constituent, World War II Merchant Marine veteran Bruce Felknor, urging support of H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007. I hope that the 110th Congress will enact that important legislation into law as well. I'm so pleased that the Merchant Mariners are finally getting the respect and attention they deserve for their service and sacrifice to our country. For more than 40 years, their remarkable and distinguished service has gone by virtually unnoticed by our government and people. Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 413.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I accepted the Food Stamp Challenge, living for the past week on the average food stamp benefit of $1 per meal or $21 for the entire week. I did it in order to draw attention to the persistent problem of hunger in America. I didn't realize just how hard it would be, but on my first shopping trip to Safeway, I quickly found out. It was hard enough to buy basic staples, but once I got to the produce section, it was impossible to buy much of anything. There was no way to eat a nutritious diet. Fruits and vegetables were simply out of my price range. For me, it was a learning experience. For 26 million Americans and 1.2 million Illinoisans, it is a way of life. I wonder how parents on food stamps can stretch their budgets so their children have enough to eat or how seniors with chronic illness afford both eating nutritious meals and purchasing adequate medication. The answer for many is they simply can't. In the richest country in the world, the fact that families face these sort of trade-offs is unjust and I would say it's immoral. The United States is spending merely $3 billion each week in Iraq, yet we expect hungry Americans to eat on $3 a day? We need to pass Representatives Jim McGovern's and Jo Ann Emerson's Feeding America's Families Act which would strengthen America's anti- hunger safety net programs, including food stamps, at a reasonable and affordable cost of about $4 billion per year. These are the kinds of provisions that ought to be part of the farm bill which includes the food stamp program. I just ended this challenge yesterday. I am looking forward to a big salad for lunch where I include all kinds of vegetables at the salad bar that's in the cafeteria, adding whatever I want to that salad rather than having to carefully pick and choose what I had last week, which was one head of lettuce and one tomato and a few carrots, and that was about it. My snacks were water and, on a good moment, ice water. It was an interesting and instructive week for me, but imagining my children and grandchildren having to live that way made it very, very clear to me that this really ought not to be a forced option for so many millions of Americans. We can do better. This is a matter of priorities. We can change those priorities. We can make sure that with pride we say that no one in this country goes hungry, that everyone in this country at least has the opportunity to make healthy choices about the food that they eat and the food that they serve their children. How can a child learn in school when they come without an adequate breakfast? How can they achieve in life without the nutrition that they need as their bones are growing and as their minds are growing? I am very hopeful that the experiment that I did with Congressmen McGovern and Emerson and Tim Ryan will prove to be helpful in making sure that we are able to pass more humane, and important to all Americans, legislation that will provide nutritious and affordable food for all of our residents in the United States.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentleman whose leadership I appreciate so much on this very important issue. You have beautifully filled the footsteps, the shoes, of your predecessor, Congressman Lane Evans, who was also a champion for workers' rights, for the rights of ordinary people. And I appreciate that you are standing up for millions of American workers who have suffered from the trade policies that we have had. I think it is important to note that the new class of Members who joined this Congress, far from being unsophisticated, understand that the trade policies that have been negotiated have harmed their constituents not just in the Rust Belt of the Midwest but around this country and brought those issues to their constituents and, vice versa, listened to their constituents. Look, we all understand that this is a global world, that globalization is a reality, but now we need to control it and this Congress now has to reassert its authority over U.S. trade policy. We have an opportunity to do that now, to make sure that it works not only for the wealthiest multinational corporations but for workers and for our environment. So I appreciate very much the leadership that others have shown, particularly you, Mr. Hare, tonight with this special order. On May 10, 2007, the Bush administration officials and congressional leaders announced a new trade deal. While the agreement does show real progress in terms of moving the Bush administration in the direction of enforcing labor and environmental standards, the details of the negotiated package and their real-life impact are not clear and are troubling. So while I want to applaud the work of Chairman Rangel and others to make major improvements to the labor and environmental provisions, I have to say, frankly, that I have no confidence that the Bush administration, the same administration that has relentlessly attacked the rights of workers right here at home, let alone in other countries, would enforce those standards. We have yet to see the text of the proposed agreements, ``the deal,'' but a detailed description has been made available by the Ways and Means Committee and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and I am concerned that an outdated trade model that has decimated U.S. manufacturing remains intact. Over 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since NAFTA took effect. I think many of those who voted for NAFTA would agree that it has not worked out in favor of the United States and its workers, or Mexican workers either, for that matter. American wages since then have stagnated and our trade deficit has ballooned to a staggering $717 billion. It is not a model we want to mimic. It is no wonder that no union or environmental group or small business has supported the deal, while all of big business has. There are those who suggest that those of us who have serious questions about the deal on trade are just mad about being left out of a press conference or, similarly, are wasting time so we delay the process. But the truth is there are substantive critical issues that affect these millions of Americans that we are speaking for tonight. The deal provides no assurances, for example, against a free trade agreement with Colombia, the country with the world's highest rate of labor union assassinations, or countries like Korea that continue to use every means to block American products, or the renewal of Fast Track trade authority. Instead of delivering on the public's demand for a new trade policy, the deal facilitates more Bush trade deals that contain the worst provisions of NAFTA and CAFTA. Even if the deal is 100 percent implemented, resulting trade pacts would extend the NAFTA-CAFTA model. The deal would ban U.S. efforts to prohibit offshoring jobs and to ban buy-American policies. How could Democrats, who have been fighting to expand and preserve such important U.S. policies, support a trade agreement that explicitly bans those very same policies? The deal does absolutely nothing to address the free trade agreement threats to Federal and State prevailing wage guarantees. Nothing was done. The deal allows the country of Peru to be sued if they dare to reverse its failed social security privatization plan. Seeing that Democrats actually beat back the Bush proposal for privatization of our Social Security plan, Peru's labor federation asked democratic trade leaders to fix this problem. Yet it is unaddressed in this deal. The deal fails to remove the outrageous NAFTA Chapter 11 foreign investor privileges that create incentives for U.S. firms to move offshore and expose our most basic environmental, health, zoning and other laws to attack in foreign tribunals. We won't as a sovereign state even be able to protect those kinds of important laws. The deal does nothing to address FTA- and NAFTA-style agricultural rules that will foreseeably result in widespread displacement of peasant farmers, increasing hunger, social unrest and desperate immigration. We talk about immigration and people crossing our border, and yet we have trade policies that impoverish farmers in Mexico, who quite naturally are going to do anything they can to protect their families and are willing to risk their lives in the desert to come to the United States. Trade is part and should be part of our immigration debate. This deal does absolutely nothing. Mr. Speaker, what I want to say is that this is a moment of opportunity where a Democratic majority in Congress can get a grip on these trade policies to set a new direction that raises all workers around the world, that respects our environment at such a critical moment in history, that really does good, not just for the rights of multinational corporations who show no loyalty to any country but to our workers and hard-working people around the world. We can do better, we should do better, and we have an obligation to our constituents to do better. That is all we are asking for. Let's go back to the drawing boards, not forever, not for an unlimited period of time, but let's go back to the drawing boards and create something that we all can be proud of in this country. Thank you so much, Mr. Hare, for your leadership.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 369, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Moran of Virginia

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Niles Township High School District 219, which is in the Ninth District of Illinois, for being named the best fine and performing arts program in the United States by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. District 219 was singled out for its outstanding arts education programs on April 17 when it was presented with the 19th annual Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network and National School Boards Association Award at the National School Boards Association annual conference in San Francisco. Since 1989, only 38 school boards in 23 States have received this prestigious award, which recognizes achievements in arts education, from the Kennedy Center. The Niles Township High School District 219 does not take arts education for granted. District 219 recognizes that it is fortunate to be able to dedicate $2.1 million--or 4.5 percent--to the art programs. Students are given the opportunity to take a range of classes and instruction and even drive the arts curriculum that is offered. With such commitment to the arts by the school, faculty, and students, the arts programs continually receive honors and awards from noteworthy organizations. For example, Niles North High School, located in District 219, has been honored three times with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, NARAS, designation as a Grammy Signature School. District 219's theater programs have been invited twice by the American High School Theater Festival to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. And, numerous arts teachers have received ``teacher of the year'' honors. Madam Speaker, I am so proud of District 219 because it understands the importance of bringing the wonders of the arts to a broader community, especially to our young adults. Niles Township High School District 219 is truly a model for arts education in Illinois and nationwide. Once again, I congratulate them on their latest achievement. [From the Chicago Tribune, Apr. 25, 2007] One Fine Fine-Arts Program: Schools' Dedication Pays Off in a National Award for Programs and Immeasurable Benefits for Students (By Lisa Black) On any given day at Skokie's two public high schools, you might find a student stretching goat skin over a hand-crafted drum, or a math class learning geometric concepts through art mosaics. A fashion class could be designing costumes for the schools' elaborate plays and musicals, while others listen to a renowned resident artist. At Niles North and Niles West High Schools, the diverse collection of students celebrates the arts with a passion more in keeping with the reverence for football in West Texas. At home, more than half the students speak a language other than English--led by Korean, Urdu, Assyrian, Spanish, Tagalog and Russian--yet when it comes to the arts, they share a language. Now, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has singled out Niles Township High School District 219 and its school board for having the nation's best arts program, calling it ``a model for arts education in Illinois and throughout the country.'' The Kennedy Center presented the award, along with $10,000, during the National School Boards Association's annual conference in San Francisco last week. ``It's an amazing accomplishment,'' said Lori Real, fine- arts teacher at Niles North, as her students painted on silk screens. She pointed out handcrafted African instruments, called doumbek drums, that her students also are working on. ``The arts provide that hands-on experience our students crave,'' Real said. ``It's that hands-on experience of connecting with yourself. I think we're kind of a disconnected society now.'' The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a public- private partnership that has given out the award for 19 years, basing its decision on a school district's quality and breadth of programs, student involvement and parent support, quality of teaching, and partnerships with the community. Students filled the gymnasiums at both Skokie campuses Friday, cheering student artists, actors, musicians, dancers and their teachers. ``This is the first time I think we had a fine-arts assembly,'' said a delighted school board President Robert Silverman. ``The kids in fine arts were on the gym floor being recognized. I think it made them feel terrific.'' While athletes may rule the roost at other schools, in District 219, it's the arts students who get the most attention. ``It's nice to have a few of my jock friends come to see a production and really be blown away,'' said Clayton Fox, 18, of Skokie, president of the Niles North Thespian Troupe. The arts have long been treasured in District 219, but in 2004 the school board decided to push the program to a higher level by creating a position of fine-arts director. Before that, the position combined the job of director for the English and Fine Arts Departments, officials said. The 4,800-student district pulls from a robust tax base in Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles and devotes $2.1 million--or about 4.5 percent of its annual instructional budget--to the arts. That's about $442 per student, according to district figures. That compares to arts spending of 2 to 3 percent of school budgets statewide, according to a 2005 survey of school administrators. In 2006 District 219 spent $17,422 per pupil in operating expenses, ranking it third among all districts in statewide. High school districts spent an average $12,365 per pupil, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Within the past two years the District 219 equipped both schools with $250,000 fine-arts resource laboratories, each with 25 computers, keyboards, a teacher workstation and specialized art and music software. Before that, the district completed black box theaters at each school. They are small, unadorned rooms with dark floors and curtained walls that provide an intimate and versatile performing space. Some District 219 teachers and students said they felt a bit guilty about the award, because it reminds them of the disparities between their school and the less affluent. Real, who taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 12 years, said District 219 participates in student exchange programs with inner-city schools. The Kennedy Center judges noted that the depth of courses allows students to take art classes during all four years of high school and that many programs are student-driven, said Barbara Shepherd, director of the center's national partnerships division. On a recent afternoon at Niles North, students in jeans and flip-flops plunked down on band room chairs, lifted their stringed instruments and dove into a Brahms piece. Their no- nonsense orchestra director, Pam Hendrix, grabbed a late slip from a new arrival without missing a stroke of her baton. The district has just added guitar lessons and digital piano to its music program, ``filling a niche for students who don't fit into traditional band and choir,'' Hendrix said later. ``The kids want to jam.'' In the same classroom wing, Tim Ortmann led a drama class for students with physical and mental disabilities in the black box theater. Ortmann, the school's theater director, led his students through sweeping motions and vocal exercises, prompting giggles when he asked students to say, then sing the phrase, ``Open-Pit barbecue sauce.'' ``Do I have to come and push your tummy?'' he joked when one student's song came out high-pitched and breathless. Niles North and Niles West students present about eight musicals and plays at each campus per year, designing their own costumes and sets. The theater program has twice been invited by the American High School Theatre Festival to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Students said they are thrilled, but not surprised, that their district won the Kennedy Center award. Sari Weintraub, 17, a junior at Niles West who plays oboe, described her school's concerts as a multimedia affair, complete with audiovisual presentations and musicians who move around the auditorium for a ``surround sound'' effect. ``He likes to incorporate everything,'' she said of her band director. ``It keeps people from getting bored.'' Fox was one of three students chosen as a member of the Niles North ``director's circle'' this year. After being selected through an extensive audition, the circle members produce and perform the first play the following school year. In return, they serve the theater department, completing tasks and mentoring other students, throughout the rest of the year. ``He will push you as far as you can possibly go,'' Fox said. ``He wants you to be the best. And once you get there, no one will give you more respect than he will. It's tough love. He wants to see us succeed.''

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Chairman, I yield my remaining time to Chairman Ike Skelton.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Yes, I would yield.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to Mr. Price of North Carolina.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Yes, it is.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize and pay tribute to an esteemed member of my community, Sylvia Berkowitz as she celebrates her 100th birthday on May 30th. I know that her love and kindness have been an inspiration to her family and friends. Her dedication to her family--as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and recently a great-great-grandmother-- is to be revered. Throughout the last century, Sylvia has not only dedicated her energies and remarkable abilities to her family but also to others. I applaud her work in volunteering for numerous charitable organizations including helping those struggling with Leukemia, Multiple Sclerosis and other incapacitating diseases. On behalf of the people of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, it is my privilege to congratulate Sylvia Berkowitz on this momentous occasion. You are a true inspiration and a wonderful human being. I wish you continued success, good health, and happiness in the years ahead.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Democrats in the House voted four times to end this war in Iraq, yet the President and most of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to acknowledge the realities on the ground and continue to ignore the pleas of the American people. Sadly, the President is dealing with an Iraq that exists only in his imagination. It is time for the President to understand that this House will not endorse a blank check for an endless war. Our resolve remains unwavering because we know the American people have our back. Under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, we are united in our efforts to bring an end to this war. Congressman McGovern's bill moves us closer to achieving that goal. The phones in my office are ringing off the hook with constituents, as I am sure they are across the Capitol, asking me to vote, begging me to vote for this bill to put an end to the war in Iraq. Listen to the mothers of America on this Mother's Day weekend. They are saying, support our children in uniform by bringing them home. This bill does that. I urge strong support for it.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Chairman, I rise today to address two matters in the intelligence authorization bill. For too long, the intelligence community has been increasing its use of contractors without internal or congressional oversight. For the first time, the Director of National Intelligence has conducted a contractor survey to begin to get a handle on the situation. A simple survey, however, is not sufficient to understand how we are using contractors and whether the use of such contractors is appropriate. This bill takes an important step towards understanding the use of contractors. It requires the DNI Inspector General to report on intelligence contractors committing waste, fraud or abuse. It also requires a report on contractor accountability and their effect on the workforce, all positive steps toward better oversight. But there is one issue this bill does not address that I firmly believe raises a fundamental question as to who we are as a Nation. The President has acknowledged that the intelligence community kept prisoners in undisclosed detention sites and has reserved the right to do so in the future. We should reject this policy. In Nazi Germany, millions of people were sent to camps, never to be heard from again. During the Cold War, thousands of people disappeared into gulags. Saddam Hussein's secret prisons still strike fear into the hearts of Iraqis. Each time, our Nation stood as a beacon of human rights and strongly objected to those practices. If we endorse any policy that allows undisclosed detention, we undermine our moral authority to stand against such atrocities in the future. The United States should be beyond reproach in its treatment of detainees. In the first Gulf War, the International Committee of the Red Cross called U.S. compliance with the Geneva Conventions the best of any nation in any conflict in the history of the convention. If we lower that standard for how we treat prisoners, we weaken our ability to insist on the highest standards of treatment for our own military personnel and civilians abroad, thus endangering their safety and undermining our standing in the world. More importantly, we sacrifice the principles on which this country is based. I want to thank the chairman for considering all these important matters in the intelligence bill and for his leadership on this good bill.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I thank him for his leadership on this important amendment. After the Cold War, the use of contractors began to grow, and their use exploded after September 11, 2001. Contractors now do more than just build military equipment and satellites. They also provide security, collect and analyze intelligence, provide technical support, and even perform planning and management tasks. Mr. Price's amendment requires a review of what contractors are doing and, importantly, whether contractors are performing inherently governmental functions. There are some activities so sensitive that, if and when they are done, we must determine whether or not it is appropriate to contract these activities out. In some cases, U.S. contractors' actions have caused great controversy. The Lincoln Group's contract to plant positive news stories in Iraq raised questions about manipulation of the Iraqi media. Dave Passaro, a CIA contractor was convicted of four counts of assaulting an Afghan detainee who later died. Contractors were implicated in the detainee abuse cases at Abu Ghraib. These activities are controversial enough on their own, and if the U.S. engages in them, we should do so while accepting full responsibility and not hide behind contractors. The Price-Schakowsky amendment would ask the DNI to review whether it is appropriate for contractors to engage in intelligence collection, analysis, covert actions, interrogations, detentions, rendition or electronic surveillance. This is an important amendment, and I urge its adoption.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentleman. I am so proud to stand here against hate, but even more, I feel compelled to stand here against violence. When the categories of people that are named in this bill were picked, it wasn't sort of a capricious or random or even a liberal bias sort of thing, that we want to support certain people or single them out. It is because the statistics show us and the law enforcement community who supports this bill has said, these are the victims of violence. They are named for only one reason and that's it. And we are talking about people who are victims of assault, of brutal attacks, of torture, or even of murder. You can say it as many times as you want. This is not about thought. This is not about speech. This is about violence. And you or your pastor may not agree with homosexuals or transgenders, but surely you don't think that is a reason for them to be assaulted. Support the bill.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 118, which congratulates Chicago for being chosen to represent the United States in the international competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and encourages the International Olympic Committee to select Chicago as the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I can not think of a better city than my hometown of Chicago to represent the United States in its bid to win the 2016 Olympics Games. Chicago is a great American city that is rich in diversity, culture, tradition and history. The City is home to nearly 3 million residents that represent hundreds of different nationalities and ethnicities . . . a truly international city. Chicago's vibrant communities, sound infrastructure and extensive transportation network make it the perfect fit for the 2016 Olympics. The Olympic Games are a great opportunity for the world to come together and put aside their differences to celebrate the achievements of athletes. The Olympics have been able to transcend cultural, religious and political boundaries by making all of us realize that there is more that unites us than divides us, which could also be said for the City of Chicago. The Games have also played a significant role in creating social and political change in the United States and across the globe. I would also like to congratulate Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich for securing this victory on behalf of the City of Chicago and I wish them continued success in their efforts to win this bid in front of the International Olympic Committee in 2009. I am confident that the rest of the world will realize what we already know-that Chicago is the ideal city to host the 2016 Olympic Games. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res 118.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 249, a bill to restore the prohibition on the sale for slaughter of wild horses and burros. Behind closed doors, language was added to the fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill that overturned the 33-year-old ban on the slaughter of wild horses and burros. Immediately, Congress rejected this ploy by voting to amend the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill to reinstate the ban. That amendment, introduced by Congressman Nick Rahall, passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 249-159 in the House and the same amendment was included in the fiscal year 2007 bill. We must restore a permanent ban on the slaughter of wild horses and burros to ensure that they remain protected. Legislators are working to put an end to horse slaughter in this country because horses are some of the most beautiful and beloved domesticated animals on earth. Americans have long appreciated horses-- for transport, on ranches, as police mounts, and as cherished companions. America's wild horses are especially prized. The approximately 28,500 horses and burros that roam public land--our prairies, ranges, and the open plains--are cherished symbols of American freedom. The American Horse Council reports that 1.9 million Americans currently own horses. Another 7.1 million Americans are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees and volunteers, while tens of millions participate in horse events as spectators. These millions of Americans know that horses should be treated with dignity and respect in life and death. They are disgusted, as I am, that in 2006 over 100,000 horses were slaughtered at three American-based, foreign-owned plants so that the meat could be shipped to Europe and Asia for consumption as a delicacy. And they are saddened that wild horses were sentenced to the same fate, despite the Bureau of Land Management's access to humane options, including adoption, sterilization, relocation, and placement with qualified organizations and individuals. Not surprisingly, a recent poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies found that 65 percent of Americans do not support horse slaughter. And 64 percent of Americans believe that horses are a companion animal, like dogs and cats, and killing a horse to eat is not different than killing a cat or dog to eat. I think it's time to listen to the American public and finally end the barbaric practice of horse slaughter, for wild horses, and for all horses. This legislation demonstrates that we are willing to heed the call of the American people, and take the necessary steps to protect horses from an inhumane and unjust fate.