John Sweeney

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 14, 2002, I missed the rollcall vote No. 159. If I had been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as a co-chair of the Correctional Officers Caucus, to honor the men and women working in our correctional facilities. On a daily basis, correctional personnel perform a wide range of jobs, from the routine to the extraordinary. Their work often goes unnoticed, but the efforts of correctional officers and employees were never more apparent than on September 11, 2001. Following the horrific terrorist attacks, the New York Correction Department immediately sent personnel to assist in rescue operations. Department staff controlled traffic congestion enabling emergency vehicles to reach Ground Zero and assisted firefighters by delivering fuel to needy fire trucks. They built a small ``tent city'' equipped with heat, electricity, telephone and fax lines to provide additional support services for the temporary morgue at Bellevue Hospital. The Department also conducted security clearances and issued thousands of photo ID cards to secure access to Ground Zero and other restricted areas. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, correctional officers and employees were deployed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist in various rescue and recovery efforts. I have introduced H. Con. Res. 390 to recognize the week of May 6th as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, in gratitude for the courage and professionalism of the New York City Correction Department in the face of tragedy, as well as the daily work of all correctional officers and employees who perform their jobs with dedication and resolve. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor our Nation's correctional officers and employees. I urge my colleagues to recognize these men and women by cosponsoring this important resolution.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 153, I inadvertently voted ``no,'' and I intended to vote ``aye.'' Announcement by the Chairman

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mr. John Dyson, former Commissioner of Commerce for New York State, advocate of New York State businesses, and creator of the ``I Love New York'' advertising campaign--a campaign that is familiar to all of us--whether a resident of the state or first-time visitor. The slogan is still popular today and the tourism industry from the many diverse areas throughout the state have benefited from its success. In 1975--the year John was hired as head of Commerce--New York State was in the midst of an economic recession. As state officials developed a campaign to market the state's vacation opportunities, John led a team that determined tourism could be a vehicle to reverse the state's economic position. The simple yet effective ``I love New York'' campaign aroused pride among New Yorkers and caught on quickly as it was easily applied to the city and the countryside and has grown world- famous. In addition to creating a timeless campaign that is still relevant today and symbolic of everything the state has to offer--from the culture of the City to the lakes of Upstate--John proposed, fought for, and won legislation and tax cuts to keep business in the state. Without John and the incentives he spearheaded, we may not be able to go to a show at Radio City Music Hall or call New York City the home of the American Stock Exchange. Through John's determination, he engineered a deal to save Radio City Music Hall and spearheaded a state effort to keep The American Stock Exchange in New York City. The success of New York State's tourism industry can be accredited to the dedication of John Dyson. New York had the unique culture and resources to offer, but John led the way in promoting those assets that had not yet been utilized to their fullest potential with a slogan that appears everywhere--from T-shirts to bumper stickers and was complemented by a jingle that plays over radio waves and television commercials. The extremely trying time of the September 11 terrorist attacks put New York to the test, but New Yorkers showed their strength and used the symbolic ``I love New York'' campaign to show their support and solidarity adapting the slogan to ``I love New York Now More than Ever.'' Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Mr. John Dyson and his devoted efforts on behalf of businesses and the tourism industry in New York State.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I, too, join my colleagues and commend my colleagues this evening for working towards educating the world about the Armenian genocide. I am a proud member of the Armenian Caucus, and, Mr. Speaker, I come with some qualifications in that I am one of two Members of Congress from Armenian ancestry. We continue to take important steps every day, like the planned establishment of an Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial here in Washington, D.C., but more needs to be done to further educate our citizens about these atrocities. As we are all well aware, since the latter part of the 21st century, our Nation has been focused on a hotbed of activity in the Middle East. During the past 7 months, we have seen the level of commitment the Nation has dedicated toward the war on terror, but it is vital that the United States recognize, in particular, the 20th century's first instance of genocidal terror, the Armenian genocide. Mr. Speaker, our country appreciates the importance of a strong partnership with Armenia in these trying times. Armenia continues to move forward alongside our country by pledging assistance as we progress on the war on terror. Now we must move forward with Armenia hand-in-hand by recognizing the past atrocities for what they truly are: a genocide. I cannot stress enough, Mr. Speaker, that the historical record is clear. From at least 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire succeeded in systematically eliminating the Armenians from the historical homeland where they lived for more than 2000 years. I would take this moment to point out that this is a particularly personal message from my family to the rest of the world. My grandfather, Oscar Chaderjian, emigrated from Armenia at the beginning of the 21st century, but only after he had been witness to and forced to be involved in the execution of one of his own uncles, a schoolteacher. He was forced to hold one arm with his cousin, whose dad was attached to the other arm, while the Ottoman Turks executed him in front of a classroom full of Armenian children. Recognizing the severity of the Ottoman Empire's actions, England, France, and Russia jointly issued a statement on May 24, 1950, explicitly charging a government for the first time with a crime against humanity. The Armenian genocide has been acknowledged by not only these nations but also Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, and Uruguay, as well as by international organizations such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament. Furthermore, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration has broad and thorough documentation of the Armenian genocide; in particular, Record Group 59 of the United States Department of State, files 867.00 and 867.40. America must take another step and acknowledge the Armenian genocide in history so that we may begin to educate the world as to its effect, and therefore avoid, and serve as a means of avoiding, similar kinds of atrocities in the future. We must bring awareness of the atrocities that have plagued history in areas such as Armenia, Europe, Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone. Acknowledging these events of the past will provide us with the proper tools to ensure peace and stability in the future. Peace and stability must always be a goal of a civilized world. As always, I am proud to stand with Armenians, and even prouder to be one of them. Mr. Speaker, we call on our friends, the Turks, to recognize that recognizing the actions of the past by other people not of this generation of Turks, not of this Turkish government, is not to condemn the current, but to recognize the past so that we may never repeat it.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay honor to a great man. In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, we have learned the true definition of a hero. A hero is a person who risks his life every day for the sake of helping others. Donald Smith fits that definition. Mr. Smith served for more than 40 years as a member of the Fort Ann, New York, Volunteer Fire Company and West Fort Ann, New York, Volunteer Fire Company. His service to the community of Fort Ann and the 22d district of New York deserves recognition. Mr. Speaker, Donald Smith was the epitome of dedication. He worked tirelessly in all activities of the fire company, whether it was responding to a call, conducting a fundraiser, or simply washing one of the fire trucks. He played a vital role in training new firefighters and served as a leader for all to follow. His reliability to the company was unparalleled. No matter what needed to be done, Mr. Smith was always one of the first to respond. Mr. Speaker, Donald Smith was a member of the West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company for only three years before his passing. His service to the company was best exemplified through his constant selflessness. He did not attend one of the company's annual banquets, because he felt that due to his short time with the company, he did not deserve to attend for free. His dedication and tireless efforts however, will not go unrecognized. On May 26, 2002, Mr. Smith will be honored with the Firefighter of the Year award at the West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company's annual banquet. This is a great honor to a distinguished individual, who made a great impression on the community and all those he touched and served. Mr. Speaker, the life of Donald Smith deserves to be recognized. I truly feel that the amount of service one dedicates to the community truly measures the extent of one's character. Risking one's life for the sake of helping others is extremely admirable. What is most striking though, is that Mr. Smith was a volunteer firefighter. He committed these brave and courageous acts day in and day out without compensation or reward for them. His motivation was simply the desire to assist those in his community. Donald Smith was a dedicated firefighter and a true hero, Mr. Speaker, and I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to him.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has scheduled a hearing for May 9th regarding Emery flight 17 (DC-8) that crashed in Sacramento on February 16, 2000, killing its entire crew. I strongly urge the NTSB to follow through with the scheduled hearing rather than postponing it as other hearings have been postponed. The Captain of Emery 17 was Kevin P. Stables, 43, of Berlin, New York, the First Officer was George Land, 35, of Placerville, California, and the Flight Engineer was Russell Hicks, 38, of Sparks, Nevada. I look forward to the hearings as part of the ongoing crash investigation to help prevent future air cargo tragedies, encourage government and business accountability, and enhance public confidence in the regulatory oversight of the rapidly expanding air cargo industry. On February 16, 2000, Emery flight 17, a DC-8, took off from Sacramento en route to Dayton. Two minutes later, the massive jet plowed into a salvage yard. National network news provided live broadcasts of the fiery aftermath. The pictures were telling--none of the crewmembers escaped alive. Mr. Speaker, an exam of the wreckage found indications that part of the DC-8's mechanical flight controls may not have been connected prior to the flight. Key flight control components of that particular airplane had been overhauled by a Federal Aviation Administration- approved repair station three months before the crash. In August 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finally ``grounded'' Emery and cited safety concerns that included ``mechanical irregularities'' and ``operating unairworthy aircraft.'' Mr. Speaker, Emery 17 is not the only DC-8 cargo jet in recent years to wipe out its entire aircrew shortly after takeoff. Thirty months earlier in Miami, Fine Air flight 101 slammed into the ground, burst into flames, and killed five people. The probable cause finding included the ``failure of the FAA to ensure that known cargo-related deficiencies were corrected.'' Many believe the FAA's failure to provide adequate oversight and its failure to enforce Federal Aviation Regulations are direct causes of the Emery tragedy. Almost immediately after Emery 17 crashed, safety groups and families of the crews pushed hard for public hearings on the Emery accident and the NTSB announced that official hearings would take place and would center on contract maintenance and oversight by ``airline and FAA personnel.'' Mr. Speaker, these were the identical issues for which the NTSB criticized the FAA in the aftermath of ValuJet's 1996 crash. Emery's own aircrews warned the FAA in the months leading up to Emery flight 17's crash. In a 1998 letter to the FAA, Capt. Tom Rachford, speaking for the Emery pilots' union, wrote, ``Our maintenance has dramatically fallen off. . . . I can't say it any clearer: This airline is going to put a hole in the ground and kill someone. Please don't let this fall upon deaf cars.'' Later, five months before the fatal crash, the Emery pilots' group expressed their concern yet again with FAA leadership. They wrote: ``EWA is out of the regulator's eye. . . . Why are the authorities continuing to turn a blind eye? The lower echelon of the regulatory agencies have substantiated our concerns. . . . However, it is the upper echelon that appears to be dragging its feet. . . . If we have an accident in the near future, the subsequent investigation will show sainthood on the part of ValuJet when compared to Emery Worldwide Airlines. . . . Emery crews are living on borrowed time.'' Mr. Speaker, it's been two long years since Emery 17 crashed. The rapidly expanding air cargo industry is still waiting for the overdue hearings. The air cargo industry is the fastest-growing segment of the commercial airline industry. Many government and industry experts consider oversight of third-party maintenance stations inadequate. The NTSB has never before convened public hearings on an air-cargo-only accident. I am pleased the board is sticking to its earlier decision and promise to convene the Emery hearings. To many, this suggests a turning point and an indication that relaxed oversight and maintenance, and unsafe operational practices will no longer be ignored. I look forward to expedient and thorough public hearings. The U.S. government must not wait for another massive air cargo disaster to force the NTSB into action. This is a race against time: The NTSB must convene the public hearings on Emery 17 before another air cargo blunder kills yet again.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of celebrating March 25, 2002, as Greek Independence Day. The ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy, in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people. The Founding Fathers of the United States drew heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient Greece in forming our representative democracy. Greece is one of only three nations in the world, beyond the former British Empire, that has been allied with the United States in every major international conflict in the twentieth century. Greece played a major role in the World War II struggle to protect freedom and democracy through such bravery as was shown in the historic Battle of Crete and in Greece presenting the Axis land war with its first major setback, which set off a chain of events that significantly affected the outcome of World War II. Greece and the United States are at the forefront of the effort for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and human rights. Those and other ideals have forged a close bond between our two nations and their peoples. March 25, 2001, marks the 180th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire and it is proper and desirable to celebrate with the Greek people and to reaffirm the democratic principles from which our two great nations were born.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I rise today to pay tribute to a great man from my district and a great friend, Jack Shea. I do so proudly as the chief sponsor of this resolution. As the previous speakers have noted, Jack Shea was really an American treasure, as are all of the members of his family. They have participated so greatly and so importantly in the Olympic movement in the United States, not just in the United States, but throughout the world. Jack Shea, in 1932, in a real come-from-behind, underdog story, captured two Olympic speed skating gold medals, and he embodied the spirit and the will and the determination of the Olympic movement and the goodwill that is projected from that. It is at a very difficult time and a very tragic time that we lose Jack Shea. He was 91 years young, but one would not know that. Last week a group of Members of Congress and people from the administration went up to Lake Placid, New York, to participate in an annual event that we have, an Olympic challenge that is meant to bring people together, to highlight the importance of Lake Placid in the Olympic movement in terms of our Nation's history and what it provides for us in terms of character, and Jack Shea ironically was to be our principal speaker at our banquet on Saturday evening as we recognized the achievements of all of those who participated. Unfortunately, obviously, Jack was unable to be part of that event. But his grandson, Jimmy Shea, Jr., broke from his training, training that is so critical and important at this point, and delivered a speech on his behalf, as did his son Jim, with the message that we must go on, and that is how Jim Shea wanted it. So I am particularly proud and excited about the idea that we have been able to come forward today as a body to recognize the great achievements of Jack Shea. In a couple of days, Jack Shea would have been in Salt Lake City lighting the cauldron to begin the Winter Olympics. But unfortunately and sadly, that is not to be what happens now. What is to happen now, though, as his grandson Jimmy Shea will participate and represent our great Nation in these winter games, having trained so diligently and so hard and learned so many lessons from his grandfather and his father, also an Olympian from the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, that that spirit will continue forward and will be seen by the entire world and exemplified in the entire world in the competition that is going to be undertaken in Salt Lake. So I would call on all of our citizens to recognize the accomplishments of Jack Shea by rooting real hard for Jimmy Shea as he endeavors to win a medal in the United States Olympic skeleton team. I would further call on our colleagues to support this resolution wholeheartedly as a symbol of our great support for a great man with a great life. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend the 22nd Congressional District of New York, New York State and indeed our Nation and the world suffered a great loss when we experienced the untimely death of Mr. Jack Shea. Mr. Shea was a double Olympic speed skating gold medalist who died suddenly and tragically in an automobile accident less than one mile from his home. Mr. Shea was 91 years young and served this Nation in so many important and great ways that this loss will be felt for quite some time. In addition to the two Olympic Gold Medals that he earned at the Lake Placid Winter Olympic games in 1932, he was both the father and grandfather of Olympians. His son Jim competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics, and today, ironically enough and I think adding to the sense of tragedy to this unfortunate incident, his grandson Jim is set to compete in the Olympics at Salt Lake City, Utah. Also ironically, this weekend we will convene in Lake Placid for our annual Congressional Olympic Challenge. Mr. Shea was to serve as our keynote speaker on Saturday night, welcoming Members of Congress and citizens from throughout this Nation to the great Lake Placid and indeed showing them the important history that Mr. Shea was so much a part of and so important to, so much so, Mr. Speaker, that many in Lake Placid referred to Jack as Mr. Lake Placid. His untimely death is made particularly tragic by the loss that we will experience and the loss of his advocacy on behalf of Lake Placid and the Olympic movement. Without Jack there, I can say that there will be just a little bit missing from this weekend. But as Jack would tell us if he were here, the games must go on. The efforts to ensure that the Olympic movement in the United States and indeed throughout the world needs to be made strong. That is why we will embark. For those reasons, I intend to and will introduce a resolution into this House today to recognize and pay proper tribute to Jack Shea, a great man, a great Olympian and a friend who truly epitomized, Mr. Speaker, the greatness of America, the greatness of the Olympic movement, the greatness of competition in the Olympic movement. We will all dearly miss him. We are all deeply touched and have been deeply touched by his life.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of the 22nd District of New York. Mr. Harold Jordan retired from the Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department in November 2001 after fifty years of continuous service. Mr. Jordan first joined the Greenwich Volunteer Fire Department on October 26, 1951 as a member of the Union Engine Company #1. During his half century of service, he served as a Captain, 2nd Assistant Fire Chief and 1st Assistant Fire Chief. Mr. Jordan's selfless community service embodies the definition of a true American. Mr. Jordan has instilled this spirit of volunteerism in his family. His two sons and his son-in-law have all worked as volunteer firefighters. Mr. Jordan's dedication has served as an inspiration to his family, fellow firefighters and community. As a result of recent tragedies, firefighters have finally received the attention and admiration they have long deserved. We must remember that firefighters put themselves in danger day in and day out. They do this because it is their job and they are proud to fulfill their duty. Mr. Jordan served his community in this impressive capacity for fifty years. I thank him and the 22nd District of New York thanks him for his tremendous contribution to the community. I wish Mr. Jordan the very best as he begins his well deserved retirement.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and honored to announce that The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern, New York, Inc., has named 7- year-old Molly Livingston, of Clifton Park, the organization's 2001- 2002 Winning Kid. The Winning Kid symbolizes the spirit and courage that all children with epilepsy display in dealing with their illness. Molly will represent all children with epilepsy in northeastern New York. Molly experienced her first seizure when she was just 18 months old. Since that time she has continued to suffer despite multiple medication trials. Molly continues to have daily seizures, but remains a bright, charming and energetic child despite her challenges. She has a sincere thirst for knowledge and continually uses her knowledge for power to overcome any obstacle. Molly is the daughter of Kelly and Tom Livingston from Saratoga County. As a second grader at Chango Elementary School, Molly is very creative both with her mind and spirit. She loves animals, enjoys drawing and putting on plays. She also enjoys baking with her Mom and swimming. Epilepsy affects two percent of the population, and approximately one in fifty children. Mr. Speaker, New York's 22nd Congressional District celebrates Molly as the Winning Kid for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern, New York, Inc.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud and happy to be here on the floor today. On September 11 all of America suffered losses. Some of us suffered more direct losses. And certainly in the last 3 months it has been an extreme struggle trying to figure out the right process, the right way to help make New Yorkers and the victims of those attacks whole again. I want to salute the ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for working hard in a bipartisan fashion on this. I want to especially salute the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) from the Committee on Ways and Means, a fellow New Yorker and a colleague who has dedicated every ounce of energy he has had to this effort and to this particular bill. I especially want to recognize the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means who made commitments repeatedly the day after the attacks and repeatedly throughout this that he was going to work with us in New York to get this done. He has worked diligently. He has done it at breakneck speed getting the bill to the floor in 3 days. I am extremely gratified. The fact is, Mr. Speaker, the change in New York will be incremental. The rebuilding efforts will be incremental. This is an important step in the right direction. This is one of the reasons that I have been so outspoken from this side of the aisle for the need for us to pay attention and keep focused and the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas) kept focus and kept us focused in bringing this bill, and I am deeply grateful for that. I would urge our friends and colleagues in the other body to move their bill. They have had it for 3 months. It is time that we move on each of these pieces as expeditiously as we can so we can ensure New Yorkers suffer no greater damage than they already have. Indeed, the rebuilding efforts are going to take time but the commitment and the moral obligation on the part of this body and this Congress is going to be longstanding and must be abided by. I support this bill. I will urge my colleagues to support it, and once again I thank the chairman for his support.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, as the one who succeeded Jerry Solomon in Congress, I am proud today to stand and speak on behalf of this important piece of legislation. As it has been pointed out, Jerry Solomon served in this body for over 20 years since 1978. He has many friends in this House and I count myself among them. I doubt there is one among us who did not respect him. He was an American's American, a Marine's Marine, a veteran's veteran. Devoted to his wife, Freda, his 5 children, and his 6 grandchildren, Jerry Solomon became a great statesman, but always remained a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a man who called them as he saw them, Madam Speaker. Over his career he led the way on veterans' issues, culminating in the establishment of a Cabinet post for veterans' affairs. He led the way in fighting to cure an amendment to our Constitution to protect our flag. He brought a national cemetery to Saratoga, New York, which happens to be my home county as well, where he himself has been laid to rest. Thanks to this legislation, it will now bear his name. It is the right thing, an honorable gesture by this body to remember a patriot and his work. In his final years in this House, Jerry Solomon served as chairman of the Committee on Rules. That achievement speaks volumes about the man, the leader, and the legislator. What I learned about Congressman Solomon many among us know. If he cared enough to tell someone something, they had better listen. Madam Speaker, Jerry Solomon has left us, but neither he nor his achievements will ever be forgotten. It is with great pleasure that I support this legislation to rename the Saratoga National Cemetery to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), for working with me, along with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly), and other members of the delegation. Without being redundant, I would like to recap a little bit of history and recognize that on September 11, New York stood in the cross-hairs of an attack on America, an attack by those who would perpetuate world terrorism, who caused unprecedented loss of life and property to all New Yorkers. That is why we offer this amendment today, in recognition of that loss and that terrible damage. We recognize that New York's problems have not ended. In fact, in some respects, we run the risk of exacerbating those problems. The New York economy is in fiscal crisis in many respects. It went from a period of surplus prior to the attacks to now a period of deficits, deficits that have been estimated in the range of something like $9 billion at the end of next year. New York has lost 150,000-plus jobs already from this attack. So what we attempt to do today is to honor a commitment, a commitment that was made immediately by the President of the United States and the leadership of this House and of Congress to make sure that whatever New York needed, it was going to be done, it was going to be taken care of. We call for the establishment of contingent funds in this amendment, funds that will not be scored, that will be under the discretion and control of the administration so they can keep an eye on the broader issues of spending and the effect of that. We need to do this because we need to keep a focus. We need to continue to make clear that our commitments are not just words, but the real, tangible efforts on the part of the Federal Government to let those who attacked New York, those who would deem to attack New York, that they cannot get away with that process. Mr. Chairman, I trust the President, I trust the Speaker of this House in their commitment, but I also recognize that assurances are not insurance. This is not a partisan battle, although some may come to the floor and may argue that it is a partisan battle in some respects, that it is the failure of commitment. I, for one, as one Member, do not believe that at all, that those commitments are not real. I expect at the end of the day that the right thing is going to be done. What we have here is a disagreement over process and procedure. It is an important distinction, an important point to make, that we need to establish a mechanism to ensure that there are no delays in New York's recovery, that there are not any hiccups in the process to go forward. Today in New York, people are making decisions about what they are going to do with jobs, how they are going to go forward with their business interests, whether they are going to live in lower Manhattan or whether they are going to move elsewhere. They are looking to Congress for leadership. They are looking for Republicans and Democrats alike to come together and find that process and build in those assurances. What we propose today in this amendment, recognizing that it is subject to a point of order, is to continue that fight forward. I have, as well, introduced a stand-alone supplemental funding bill in the Committee on Appropriations as another means, another mechanism, to reserve space, to reserve New York's place in the appropriations process to ensure that we do not forget. Earlier today, as we debated and discussed the rule attendant to this underlying bill, one of my colleagues stepped forward and said he viewed this process as one of not a great urgency right now, today, because New York has not expended the dollars that have already been appropriated or authorized out, and that New York may indeed not be able to do that. I wish I could tell the chairman that I shared in that belief, because I do not know what is going to happen in February, what is going to happen in March or in April. What I do know is that we need to ensure that we do not have those kinds of delays. My colleague further pointed out that he viewed this process as one not unlike the use of a credit card. I do not disagree with that process. That is why we have asked for the establishment of this contingent fund, to ensure that the money is there to back up the commitments that are made on behalf of the city and the State of New York, so when those officials go to get contracts, they can do it with the assurance and with expedited force to ensure that those jobs get done. Some New York officials have said that at this point we do not need this funding. What I would suggest is they are not looking down the road at the pratfalls that may overtake an additional supplemental bill that could come forward to this floor at additional times. New Yorkers have been through an awful lot, Mr. Chairman. To subject them to further debate and deliberation over something that has already been committed I think goes beyond the pale of what we can accept here in this House, or what we should accept. With that, I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I would urge my colleagues to move steadfastly on the notion that New York needs to have those dollars in place so it can begin the full reconstruction.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend my remarks.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, as the Member who succeeded Congressman Jerry Solomon to this body 3 years ago, I am sad to report his untimely passing. Jerry Solomon served in this body with distinction for 20 years, since 1978. We are all familiar with the phrase ``My country, right or wrong.'' With Jerry, it was more basic than that; it was ``My country is right.'' Congressman Solomon has many friends in this House, and I count myself among them. I doubt there is one among us who did not respect him. He was an American's American, a Marine's Marine, a veteran's veteran. Devoted to his wife, Freda, his five children, and his six grandchildren, Jerry Solomon became a great statesman but always remained a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a man who ``called 'em as he saw 'em.'' Over his career, he led the way on veterans' issues, culminating in the establishment of a cabinet post for veterans affairs. He led the way in fighting to secure an amendment to our Constitution to protect our flag. He brought a National Cemetery to Saratoga, New York, where he himself will be laid to rest tomorrow. In the final years in this House, Jerry Solomon served as chairman of the Committee on Rules. That achievement speaks volumes about the man, the leader, and the legislator. What I learned about Congressman Solomon many among us know: If he cared enough to tell someone something, they had better listen. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Jerry Solomon has left us, but neither he nor his achievements will ever be forgotten.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton), for his help and all his advice and counsel, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) for their help. I apologize, Mr. Speaker, for being here a little late as this bill has gone forward, but in these extraordinary times I was at another meeting trying to work out other important matters that face my district in New York and the Nation. I am proud today to be introducing the war bonds legislation authorizing the Department of the Treasury to establish a special category of U.S. savings bonds to help the government pay for rebuilding initiatives and anti-terrorism actions following the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. As I said, extraordinary circumstances now face our Nation, and in facing those circumstances lawmakers and leaders in Washington must take extraordinary action, and certainly the citizens of this great Nation. The government will need to have every option available to it as we pursue the treacherous cowards responsible for the acts of war against our Nation. Let us join the other body today in passing this legislation. The Treasury Department has indicated its support for the measure which would allow the Treasury to borrow at a lower rate of interest and thus maximize the return of assets to be put towards the war effort. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that these instruments will most likely replace existing government securities and therefore not compete with other nongovernmental investment vehicles. I would also like to encourage the Department of the Treasury to use the Ad Council to develop the public awareness of this program. At this time, Mr. Speaker, of great national unity, these war bonds serve as an ideal vehicle for Americans to support efforts to bring those responsible for these attacks to justice. They will provide the American people an important and tangible method to be part of the effort that will be ongoing and endearing. The bonds will provide the average citizen with a convenient option for exercising their patriotism and showing their support for our efforts, and they will create additional resources for our government to use in expediting this effort. If passed, this legislation will allow patriotic citizens to contribute to their country in a time of need and simultaneously help finance the rebuilding of our Nation, as well as the efforts to bring the culprits of the attack to justice. Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying that the bill provides great flexibility and discretion to Treasury in the hopes that the Treasury Department may expedite implementation of this program. It is my hope that such swift implementation will maximize the positive effects we expect to see here. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of all my colleagues to pass this important bill today.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this important legislation, with some apprehension, solely because there are a number of provisions I would have liked to have seen added into this process. But I recognize that time is of the essence. It is important that this body move forward to show the American people the seriousness of the nature of our need to improve our intelligence and security systems. Specifically, I was hoping to have offered, along with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), an amendment relating to student visas and the need for us to take action in this House immediately to tighten up the system of student visas; in fact, to create a system regarding the tracking of student visas by the intelligence community. Mr. Speaker, currently there are 600,000 international students studying in colleges and universities all over this Nation, many of whom are contributing greatly to those universities and colleges, and therefore our society. Nevertheless, the INS, in the failure to develop a system of tracking those students, has led to incredible breaches of security that should concern us all. Indeed, in fact, one of the hijackers on September 11 was in this country on a student visa, never having reported even to the college or university that that person was supposed to. I am going to rise in support of today's move forward, but I would call upon my colleagues in this body to move forward expeditiously, as well, with all of the other important pieces, because America demands it.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I wish to be heard on the point of order. Mr. Chairman, our dairy farmers are faced with extreme circumstances and have been for quite some time. Today in this House we have an opportunity to debate, discuss and vote on the single greatest source of relief for those people. It really, fundamentally, Mr. Chairman, is we are faced with a question of fairness in whether this House can deliberate openly and do the business of the people. We are faced with an underlying bill that addresses all sorts of commodity issues, but for New York and the Northeast, we do very little as it relates to supporting dairy farmers and small dairy families. I would like to point out, Mr. Chairman, that there is tremendous and substantial support, 165 Members representing 30 States from both sides of the aisle have co-sponsored this. Twenty-five states have asked this Congress to act and allow them the opportunity to move forward and develop compacts within their region. The policy is very good. During these tough economic times while we are contemplating appropriating tens of billions of dollars for an economic stimulus package, here is a process, a program that will afford substantial parts of this Nation, a substantial sector in this Nation, economic relief without costing the Federal Government a dime. As some other speakers have pointed out, Mr. Chairman, I would like to also say that there is a very important point that needs to be brought to light considering the recent events that we have faced in this Nation. Opponents have said the concept of regionalized dairy policy is an outdated concept. Unfortunately and sadly, due to the events of September 11, we now see that our transportation system cannot only be attacked but made vulnerable. Consumers deserve a stable supply of local fresh milk. Local farmers are the best way to do that. This amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) is an opportunity for this Congress to do something very positive and very forceful in that regard. Let me say this, Mr. Chairman, that it is an important strategic need that we actually are debating today. One that we need to have brought to this floor today, and if not today, soon. My constituents demand it. We need a debate on the extension and expansion of regional dairy compacts. We need to show America that at the core of all of this, when so much interest and so many Members and so many States support this notion, this Congress is able to act.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, first, let me begin by thanking the chairman and the ranking member for the opportunity to speak on behalf of my bill and for their diligence and their effort and their patience in working with me in introducing this bill. Mr. Speaker, for nearly 25 years, Congress has recognized that small businesses face substantial regulatory burdens. The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act recognized what almost all small businesses would agree on, that Federal regulations are complex and often difficult to understand. The act would require Federal agencies to prepare plain-English compliance guides when issuing new regulations that would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small business entities. The act simply represents a start in providing regulatory assistance to small businesses; and as a former member of the Committee on Small Business, I have a vested interest in maintaining the success of small business and will continue to build upon this foundation with this bill. Unfortunately, there exists a multitude of regulations that small businesses find difficult to understand, let alone comply with. We know that the vast majority of small business owners are honest, hard- working people who want to do the right thing. Clearly, this bill is an effort to help these small business owners. Mr. Speaker, it is highly unlikely that my colleagues or their staffs or even the committee staffs read the Federal registry on a daily basis; yet that is what Government asks small business owners to do in order to determine which regulations affect them and what they must do to comply. Let me give an example. The proposed regulation to prevent ergonomic injuries was just 11 pages long. However, OSHA admitted that 11 pages were not self-explanatory and that determining the best method of complying would have required a small business owner to wade through nearly 1,500 pages of supplemental explanation and economic analysis. In the spirit of helping these entrepreneurs, I have reintroduced the Nation Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act, H.R. 203. This legislation would assist small businesses in successfully finding their way through the maze of regulations that have proliferated in recent decades. After a great deal of effort and energy during the 106th Congress, we breathed new life into what began as an outstanding initiative but, unfortunately, had little prospects for implementation. This new and improved legislation has a proven record of support. On September 26, 2000, the House passed the previous version of the National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act by voice vote. The differences between H.R. 203 and the bill that passed under suspension last year are minor and I believe constitute necessary improvements, such as making an authorization of funds to ensure that the pilot project does not detract from the important role played by SBDC. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 203 would amend the Small Business Act to establish a pilot program in 20 States. The administrator, in consultation with the National Association of Small Business Development Centers, would select two States from each of the 10 Federal regions. Within the pilot program, small business development centers would develop partnerships with Federal agencies and be a point of contact for small businesses to turn to for free-of-charge confidential advice concerning regulatory compliance. I would expect that these consultations will take place with those individuals who have experience and expertise in a particular area of regulatory compliance. To continually track progress and seek improvements to the program, the Small Business Administration is required to submit regular reports on the assistance provided by the centers to the Small Business Administration. The SBA would, in turn, maintain a clearinghouse of all of the information submitted and report to the President, the House and the Senate small business committees. In addition, the General Accounting Office would conduct a study of the pilot programs' efficiencies to determine whether the programs should be expanded and/or modified. The reports submitted by the SBDC to the Small Business Administration will include a description of the types of assistance provided, the number of small businesses that contacted participating SBDC, the number of small business concerns assisted by SBDC, information and outreach and, most importantly, any conflicting information or advice given by Federal agencies to one or more businesses. This type of cooperation is not new, Mr. Speaker. Some small business development centers have already started to think outside the box. They have fostered relationships with different Federal agencies and independent compliance groups to build upon each other's resources in order to assist small business owners with regulatory compliance. H.R. 203 is not meant to replace current regulatory reporting compliance programs, but to supplement them. When relevant, participating SBDCs may refer businesses to existing regulatory compliance programs, H.R. 203 intends to take these successes and apply them nationwide to ensure small business has somewhere to turn for every compliance concern with every Federal agency, not just those emanating from the EPA, OSHA, or the IRS. An example: A wholesale auto salvage business in upstate New York is one such success story. The owner purchased his business unaware the soil was contaminated, having been a salvage yard for the previous 60 years. Unfortunately, he exhausted his funds with the cleanup and pending buyout of his partner. With no place to turn and the possibility of losing his livelihood, he contacted the local SBDC for assistance in obtaining funds. The SBDC counselor was able to work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation liaison to agree to some type of remediation. The result: After 40 hours of invested time and effort, the counselor was able to get the city to back away from its original threat to close his business. This business's inventory is now growing after a nearly terminal reduction to facilitate the cleanup, and cash flow figures are improving steadily. We all know that compliance with Federal regulations remains one of the main challenges confronting small business owners. These entrepreneurs are not seeking to evade the law. Due to the complexity of the regulatory process, they often simply do not know the right course of action. Mr. Speaker, before being elected to Congress, I served as the Commissioner of Labor in New York. I know firsthand the difficulty that exists in trying to balance the needs of running a small business and maintaining a safe working environment. While I was State Labor Commissioner, I instituted an exhaustive review process that evaluated nearly 150 rules and regulations, resulting in the elimination of 56 regulations. That represented a 30 percent reduction of outdated, unnecessary, and redundant restrictions on New York's businesses. In addition, I implemented a directive for the Public Employee Safety and Health Program, PESHP, to increase the rate of workplace compliance. This proposal had three objectives: to educate employers and employees, to increase regulatory compliance rates, and to reduce what I considered a hidden tax on small businesses. As a result of that approach that I have just described, in 1995, failure to abate notices, which inform an employer that it has not corrected a violation in a timely manner, numbered only 99 in the entire State of New York, down from 244 the previous year. With government working cooperatively with employers and businesses in a non-threatening environment, compliance rates are proven to dramatically increase while workplace injuries and deaths are significantly reduced. This type of partnership is what is needed to assist our small businesses with navigating the maze of Federal Government regulations. My legislation, H.R. 203, will forge a partnership among the regulatory agencies, the Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Centers for the purpose of helping small-sized companies comply with complex regulations, rather than resorting to heavy-handed enforcement activities. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) for all his efforts and all his support, and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), a fellow New Yorker. Mr. Speaker, this is a good government bill, and I urge the support of all my colleagues.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Agustus M. DelSignore as the recipient of the Hudson Falls Italian-American Civic Club's First Annual Recognition Award. Through his leadership in the Glens Falls Housing Authority, Mr. DelSignore has proven to be a pillar of strength in not only his community, but a vast area of the North Country as well. Mr. DelSignore was born and raised in Glens Falls. After graduating from Glens Falls High School, he joined the Air Force during the Korean War. In 1954, he returned to Glens Falls to take over the family business, DelSignore's Hotel and Restaurant. Mr. DelSignore was married to Joan Denton, also of Glens Falls, in 1951. They are the proud parents of three daughters, Susan, Amy, and Wendy, and proud grandparents of three grandsons and two granddaughters, all of who reside in Glens Falls. Agustus DelSignore has been involved in the development of Public Housing since 1966. In 1970, he was appointed Provisional Projects Manager for the Glens Falls Housing Authority. While in this position, he initiated operations for the fifty-unit Larose Gardens Apartments in Glens Falls. Upon receiving the highest score on the New York State Civil Service exam for Projects Manager in 1972, Mr. DelSignore was appointed as the first Projects Manager of the Glens Halls Housing Authority. He oversaw the first high rise building providing eighty affordable apartments for senior citizens. The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials certified Mr. DelSignore as a Public Housing Manager in 1974. Again, he turned around to dedicate his efforts to the needs of the elderly by constructing a second senior citizen complex. The Robert J. Cronin High Rise, which is often referred to as the most beautiful property in Glens Falls, provided 100 additional apartments for senior citizens. On April 25, 1988, Governor Mario Cuomo awarded Mr. DelSignore one of four Distinguished Housing Service Awards. Following on his success, he started an income rental subsidy program for low-income families, resulting in over 600 assisted rental units throughout the Glens Falls area. Under the leadership of Mr. DelSignore, the Glens Falls Housing Authority has been highly praised as a ``HUD High Performer,'' a level only obtained by a small percentage of all housing authorities nationwide. Mr. Speaker, please help me congratulate the recipient of the Hudson Falls Italian-American Civic Club's First Annual Recognition Award, Agustus M. DelSignore. He has accomplished exceptional feats in the areas of housing and development in his community. In Agustus DelSignore, we have found a dedicated and compassionate member of the North Country community.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, we have seen extraordinary efforts in bravery throughout America in the last several days; and as a New Yorker, yesterday I saw extraordinary efforts in recognition by a number of my colleagues here. As a New Yorker, I wanted to convey to those back home so it is understood, first, obviously, the President of the United States in recognizing the devastation and the deep hurt that was affecting all of us. I watched, Mr. Speaker, I watched my chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young), recognize, understand and work ever so hard into the wee hours of this morning to begin to bring about the healing and bring about solutions for all of us in America, but in particular the pain we are feeling in New York. I want to say thank you to them. I saw the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the other leadership work together in those same recognitions. There was a clear sign yesterday of how we all understood the devastation for the affected areas; but in reality, that devastation and its effect goes beyond individual jurisdiction, and the injury hits us all as Americans. On Wednesday in this House we began with ceremony and symbolism as a body. Today I am proud to be part of a body and part of Congress that will act in the most meaningful and expeditious ways to begin to bring about the healing of the American people, of New Yorkers, and of this entire world. I thank you all, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, like all Americans, all America suffered losses yesterday, but for some of us it was more personal, since friends were lost in yesterday's incidents. Years from now, our grandchildren will ask where we were and what happened on September 11, 2001, but the most important question all will ask us was what we did about it. Our answer must be, and today we begin that process, and importantly begin that process, of recognizing that the only way to eradicate terror is to eradicate terrorists. As a New Yorker and an American, my outrage is only contained by the knowledge that the cowards who were responsible for this act will find themselves at the end of the swift fist of American justice. I see a united America, I see it in my district where people have pulled together to offer their equipment, to offer their prayers, to offer their blood. But let us make it clear that Americans are also saying they expect us to change, they expect us to move forward forcefully and end what we saw yesterday.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure and honor to welcome Pastor George McDearmon from the Ballston Lake Baptist Church in Ballston Lake, New York in my 22nd Congressional District. He and his wife, Deborah, are the proud parents of two children. Their daughter, Hanna, is a senior at Liberty University; and their son, Gregory, is the navigator of the USS Ross. Pastor McDearmon and I grew close during the events that unfolded on October 12, 2000. It was on this day the Navy family suffered a tremendous loss when the USS Cole fell victim to terrorism while attempting to refuel at the Port of Aden in Yemen. Fortunately, I was able to deliver good news to Pastor McDearmon. His son, LTJG Gregory McDearmon, was safe. I commend their service to their communities and our country. I note that today is a milestone day for both the Pastor and his son, Gregory, since Gregory is navigating the ship, the USS Ross, into port in Puerto Rico for the first time today. Pastor McDearmon was first assigned to the Ballston Lake Baptist Church almost 25 years ago, and his dedication to his congregation, local community and family has kept him there ever since. I would also like to note, he is a member of the board of directors for the Southern Military Institute. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have him here and welcome his participation today.