Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for his leadership in directing the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens) and myself to prepare this budget. This budget, as you have heard, clearly reflects the priorities of the Congressional Black Caucus. Those priorities reflect our district. For too long this economic upswing has missed a lot of the people we represent. So our budget, offered in the nature of a substitute, clearly directs the resources of this country to those individuals who have been left out. Mr. Chairman, this budget will increase the education budget over $10 billion. We have to do something about educating our children. In addition to this, we have to work on housing. The gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) talked about a housing initiative for home ownership. We support that home ownership initiative. More than that, Mr. Chairman, this budget is a balanced budget. Unlike many budgets of the past, we understand fiscal integrity. So what we have offered, in addition to this balanced budget, is one that also provides modest tax cuts for working Americans. Mr. Chairman, we also protect Social Security, Medicare, and, yes, we pay down on the national debt. Mr. Chairman, the Congressional Black Caucus budget is a reasonable budget, and one I urge all my colleagues to support.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand before you and pay tribute to someone who has been a pioneer in coaching women's basketball. Coach Shirley Walker, head coach of the Alcorn State Lady Braves won her first automatic bid to the NCAA tournament this past weekend as her Lady Braves won a convincing game (83-58) against Grambling State University for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship. Although this was Coach Walker's fourth SWAC Championship, it was her first time earning an automatic invitation into the NCAA tournament. Getting an automatic invitation to the tournament has been a goal that Coach Walker has lobbied for her entire 21 seasons at Alcorn State. Coach Walker has been credited for her efforts in developing women's basketball in the SWAC by her peers and is most deserving of this opportunity to display her talents on the highest level college basketball has to offer. Without her contributions to this cause, women's basketball in the SWAC may have never had the chance to be represented at the NCAA tournament. Mr. Speaker, this upcoming Saturday, Coach Walker and her Lady Braves set off on a journey many dream of at the beginning of each basketball season, I ask that you join me in congratulating them and wishing them the best of luck in the ``Road to the Final Four!''

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, it does my heart good to stand here and pay tribute to Reverend Richard Burns as he retires from the pulpit after more than 30 years of service. Reverend Burns has spent many years bringing hope and comfort to people in his community. Rev. Burns, at the young age of 91, has been preaching at New Mount Elem Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years. Rev. Burns has dedicated his life to the upliftment of the word of the Bible to the people and his family of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Rev. Burns was born in Vicksburg, MS and has nine children, thirty- six grandchildren and fifty great-grandchildren. With an impressive family roster as this one, Rev. Burns will be sure to have his time filled with enjoying his family. On February 19, 2000, Reverend Burns was honored for his service. He will be truly missed. However, it is pleasing to know that he will still be in the community doing his best to be a role model for many of us to follow.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, although it saddens my heart to stand here before Congress today, it is an honor to pay tribute to one of the greatest football players in the history of the National Football League. Walter Payton, a giant of a man, died November 1, 1999 at the young age of 45. He is survived by his wife Connie, two children Jarrett and Brittney, his mother Alyne, brother Eddie, and a sister Pam. There is a saying that states, ``Big things come in small packages.'' This holds true for Walter. Hailing from Columbia, MS, Walter did not play organized football until the tenth grade. It was in Columbia, where he began to amaze everyone who saw him play. In 1970, Walter attended Jackson State University where he began his assault on NCAA history by becoming the all time leading scorer, a distinction which earned him a fourth place finish in the Heisman Trophy race in 1974. In 1975, Payton was selected by the Chicago Bears as the fourth selection overall. From that point, Payton began a career that would include many awards, including his externalized place of honor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canon, OH. The people who were fortunate enough to see him play were entertained at every level. Whether it was a run, block, kick, pass, or a reception, Walter gave the crowd everything at 100 percent. His running style earned him the nickname ``Sweetness.'' To see him punish would-be tacklers was definitely a delight. He was a total player, involving himself in every aspect of the game. He was unselfish in his play and always put the team first. It was this unselfish attitude that fueled the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl Championship in 1985. A fitting award for a well deserving athlete. In 1987, Payton left the game to pursue other goals. He left the game, but not after setting many records including the all time leading rushing record of 16,276 yards. A record that still stands strong to this day. After football, Payton became as dedicated to being an effective businessman as he was to being an effective football player. He became heavily involved in auto racing, both as a driver and owner. This led him to many business interests and holdings including an attempt to become the first African-American owner of a NFL franchise. In a world where diversity is expanding and new arenas are being opened for people of color, it is refreshing to know that Walter attempted every day to venture into different markets that were not so accessible before. I had the pleasure of meeting Walter in my office here in Washington. Walter exemplified the same passion and fire for his business as he did for the game of football. After his final game, Payton was quoted as saying he played because it was fun and that he loved to play. Mr. Speaker, the next time we see a football game where a player dives over the heap for the extra yard or goal line or when a player breaks free from the pack and high steps into an end zone, let's take a moment and remember who introduced these moves to us, let's take a moment and remember Walter Payton.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, although it saddens my heart to stand here before Congress today, it is an honor to pay tribute to one of the greatest football players in the history of the National Football League. Walter Payton, a giant of a man, died November 1, 1999, at the young age of 45. He is survived by his wife, Connie; two children, Jarrett and Brittney; and by his mother, Alyne; a brother, Eddie; and a sister, Pam. There is a saying that big things come in small packages. This holds true for Walter. Hailing from Columbia, Mississippi, Walter did not play organized football until the 10th grade. It was in Columbia where he began to amaze all who saw him play. In 1970, Walter attended Jackson State University where he began his assault on the NCAA history, becoming the all-time leading scorer, earning a fourth place finish in the Heisman Trophy race in 1974. I might add that I had the opportunity to see Walter in his many games at Jackson State University. He was, indeed, a breath of fresh air for black college football. In 1975, Payton was selected by the Chicago Bears as the fourth selection overall. From that point on, Payton began a career that would include many accolades, including his place of honor in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For those who saw him play, you were entertained at every level. Whether it was a run, block, kick, pass or reception, Walter gave you everything at 100 percent. His running style deemed him the nickname ``Sweetness,'' because to see him punish would-be tacklers was definitely a delight. He was a total player, involving himself in every aspect of the game. He was unselfish in his play and always put the team first. It was this unselfish attitude that fueled the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl Championship in 1985, a fitting award for a well- deserving athlete. In 1987, Payton left the game to pursue other goals. He left the game, but not until setting many records, including the all-time leading rushing record of 16,276 yards, a record that still stands strong to this day. After his final game, Payton was quoted as saying he played because it was fun, and that he loved to play. Mr. Speaker, the next time we see a football game where a player dives over the pile for the extra yard or a goal line, or when a player breaks free from the pack and high-steps into the end zone, let us take a moment and remember who introduced it to us. Let us take a moment and remember Walter Payton.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this occasion to extend my best wishes to the leaders in Taiwan on their National Day and my sympathies to all quake victims' families on their tragic losses. May President Lee Teng-hui and other leaders guide Taiwan through this difficult period. Much of the daily activities in Taiwan has been disrupted because of the quake; the loss of human lives and economic damages are so staggering that will take Taiwan years to fully recover from this catastrophe. Despite all the hardships facing Taiwan today, I am confident that Taiwan will quickly recover its losses and rebuild an even stronger Nation, given Taiwanese resilience and industry.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor the ``home going'' of Mr. James ``Big Daddy'' Carson. Coach Carson passed away suddenly last week due to complications from an earlier surgery. Coach Carson was the head football coach at Jackson State University (JSU) from 1992 through the 1998 season and has been a member of the coaching staff since 1977. Truly, Coach Carson has been a corner stone of the JSU program. After his appointment to head coach, Carson led the Tigers to a 54-25-1 career record, including two Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships (1995 and 1996). Coach Carson's teams have made three trips to the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs. A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, Carson is a 1963 graduate of Jackson State. He lettered four years as an offensive guard and nose tackle for the Tigers, receiving honorable mention NAIA All America in 1962. He was inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. While at Jackson State, Coach Carson helped to mold the careers of many past and present professional football players. Among those players, is Hall of Fame inductee, Walter Payton. Coach Carson will be truly missed.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, there will be an historic march in Pretoria, South Africa. For the first time ever, gold miners will march shoulder to shoulder with the management of the gold mining companies which employ more than 250,000 union miners. They will march from the National Union of Mineworkers Building to the British Embassy and to the Swiss Embassy to protest gold sales from those countries' central banks. Just the threat of central bank gold sales has caused the price of gold on the world market to plunge to 20- year lows over the past two months, endangering more than 80,000 jobs and the means of support of almost a million sub-Saharan Africans. James Motlatsi, president of the NUM, and Bobby Godsell, head of the Chamber of Mines, will return from London--where they are petitioning the Bank of England to stop further sales--to lead the march. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Motlatsi and Godsell came to Washington two weeks ago to warn of the dreadful consequences for their miners and their continent of central bank gold sales. They came here to tell us that the well-meaning efforts of many of the world's greatest powers, including the US, would cause some of the world's poorest countries to suffer needlessly. The proposal, endorsed by the G-7 last month, to sell some of the gold reserves of the International Monetary Fund to provide a token contribution to debt relief for the poorest countries, is totally misguided and must be stopped. Because of the weighted voting structure of the IMF, it cannot sell any of its gold without the support of the US representative to the IMF. And, under US law, our IMF representative cannot support any gold sale without first obtaining approval of Congress. Mr. Speaker, we here in Congress do not have the ability to stop the sale of gold from other central banks, although we can make our disapproval manifest. However, we can stop the sale of IMF gold, and we need to do it now. Our disapproval of the gold sale is not an obstacle to debt relief--there are many ways to deal with debt relief without IMF gold sales. Mr. Speaker, Members of the House on both sides of the aisle have written to the Treasury Department and to President Clinton stating our unequivocal opposition to gold sales by the IMF, and without objection, I would like to enter into the record copies of those letters. Before the South Africans begin their march on Saturday, I urge the President to respond to this crisis by withdrawing his support for IMF gold sales, and withdrawing Treasury's request for authorization to support it. The countries we are pledging to help should not be cursed by our misguided generosity. Stop the gold sales now. Congress of the United States Washington, DC, June 30, 1999. Hon. William Jefferson Clinton, President, U.S. Of America, Washington, D.C. Dear President Clinton: South Africa has just inaugurated its second democratically elected President, Thabo Mbeki. Among the many challenges he faces is an immediate crisis-- the terrible shock to his country's economy caused by the dramatic drop in the price of gold over the past three months. The many other gold-producing countries in sub- Saharan Africa are struggling with the same blow to their emerging economies. Ironically, tragically, the $30 decline in the price of gold can be traced in part to announcements of support for the sale of some of the IMF's gold reserves to fund debt relief for some of these very countries. The IMF announcement, coupled with the proposal by the British government to sell some 14 million ounces of their gold reserves, saw the price of gold plummet in just a few days from nearly $290 an ounce to below $260. This drop has already reduced the export earnings of the gold-producing Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) by more than $150 million per year. While we cannot change the decision of the British government to sell its gold reserves, we can prevent the IMF from further damaging the economies of the very countries it seeks to help. The IMF cannot sell any portion of its gold reserves without approval of the US representative to the IMF. And the Treasury Department must obtain Congressional authorization before the US representative can approve such a sale. When this proposal comes before Congress for consideration, we will oppose it vigorously. Make no mistake, we believe strongly in debt relief, and we intend to pursue every avenue to provide as much real relief as quickly as possible. However, selling gold reserves is the worst possible method of financing debt relief. Gold mineral reserves are a large part of the natural wealth of many poor countries, and is therefore one of the few avenues for economic development. More than three-fourths of the HIPC nations targeted for the IMF debt relief plan are gold producers, and gold plays a crucial role in the economies of 10 of those countries. Since the mining industry draws much of its workforce from the poorest and most rural communities in the subcontinent, often 10 people or more are dependent on the earnings of each miner. If the price of gold remains at the current 20-year low price of about $258, 40% of South Africa's gold production will become unprofitable, more than 80,000 miners will lose their jobs, and upwards of 800,000 Africans will be plunged into absolute poverty. Debt relief does not require IMF gold sales in order to be effective. In fact, the proceeds from the gold sales which are actually targeted to debt relief are virtually nil. According to one calculation, there would be less than $60 million per year available to retire the estimated $220 Billion HIPC debt. There are alternatives to gold sales which would provide more debt relief in a shorter period of time. We will not support central bank gold sales; we will oppose them in whatever form they are presented to the Congress. We intend to examine more realistic, more productive, and less harmful alternatives. We hope you will join us. Sincerely, James Clyburn, Sanford Bishop, Eva M. Clayton, Robert Scott, Bennie G. Thompson, Albert R. Wynn, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Melvin Watt, Edolphus Towns, Bobby Rush, Carolyn Kilpatrick, Danny K. Davis, Elijah E. Cummings, John Conyers, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Harold Ford, Jr., Earl Hilliard, Gregory Meeks, Carrie Meek, Charles B. Rangel, Major R. Owens, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Alcee L. Hastings, Julian Dixon, Sheila Jackson-Lee, John Lewis.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, at this point, whether U.S. intervention in helping to rebuild the economy of the African continent is important is moot. Every thinking person recognizes the historic significance of rebuilding Europe and Japan after World War II. No one can or will dispute the prescience of the many plans currently on the table to rebuild war torn Yugoslavia. During the debate on NAFTA, member after member came down to the well of this body and sang the praises of strengthening the economies of our neighbors to our North and South. The intentions behind H.R. 434, the African Growth and Opportunity Act are altruistic and well within the spirit of fostering growth and development among our international neighbors in the emerging global economy. However, as is the case in many situations, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and H.R. 434 is simply another cobblestone on that ill-fated pathway. This legislation is fraught with missteps and although it is heralded as a new, innovative approach to bringing Africa, economically, onto a level playing field in the twentieth century, it clearly builds on many of the same blunders that have haunted U.S. trade policies in the past. This bill has been called the ``African Recolonization Act,'' ``NAFTA for Africa,'' and it is opposed by former South African President, Nelson Mandela. President Mandela even went so far as to say, that the bill is ``not acceptable to us.'' With all of these red flags waving around, how can Congress forge ahead full speed with this legislation and with blatant disregard for people of Africa and the additional Americans who will lose their jobs as a result of this legislation? Jobs in the textile and apparel industry have been hit especially hard by failed American trade policies. Since 1981, almost 700,000 jobs in the textile and apparel industry have been lost to foreign countries; 118,000 in the last 12 months alone. The majority of these textile workers, who currently find themselves unemployed are women and minorities. With that in mind, another situation that confuses me about this debate is why so many women and minority members have come down to the floor in support of this legislation. Africa is the cradle of human civilization--the birthplace for the entire world. For too long we have allowed this continent to be raped and plundered by the world's various interests, but finally the time has come to help our shared motherland stand on her own feet. The unfortunate truth about the time we have wasted debating this legislation today is that it will not do any of the things that need to be done in order to achieve the tasks so desperately needed to revitalize Africa. I challenge the members of this body to bring substantive legislation to the floor that will seriously address the problems facing Africa and restore the nobility and dignity of this magnificent continent.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)--The question of whether ex-cons should be able to vote is becoming an issue in Pennsylvania and nationally. Human-rights groups and prison-rights advocates plan to challenge the law because of its ``racial implications,'' said Pennsylvania Prison Society director William DiMascio said. In addition, there is legislation in Harrisburg seeking to overturn the law. And the chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery County, a former prosecutor, said he is ``willing to look at'' a reconsideration of the law. State Rep. Jerry Birmelin, R-Wayne County, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections, said that while he opposes inmates voting, he'd consider extending the vote to ex-cons. Pennsylvania's law, which passed virtually unnoticed as part of the 1995 ``motor voter'' legislation, bans felony ex- cons from registering to vote for five years after release from prison. Before 1995, ex-cons could register as soon as they got out of prison. The law's supporters, including state Attorney General Mike Fisher, say criminals should pay for their crimes, and that losing the vote is part of the price. ``Since the Legislature has determined a convicted felon does not enjoy the same rights as people who are not convicted felons, I have no problem with that,'' Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham said through spokeswoman Cathie Abookire. The effort to eliminate the ban comes as the prison inmate population rises to record levels nationally and in the face of a new Justice Department report that says blacks are six times more likely to be jailed than whites, and 2 times more likely than Hispanics. It also comes as some Pennsylvania politicians become more concerned about losing 100,000 potential voters because of the ban. A state-by-state study by Human Rights Watch, an international research group, estimates that 3.9 million Americans currently are banned from the ballot box. About 13 percent of black men, more than 1.3 million men nationally, cannot vote, according to the study. While the ban applies to anyone convicted of a felony, it does not apply to people convicted or jailed on misdemeanor charges. The only problem is that many minor criminals think they also are forbidden from voting, critics say. ``We find ex-offenders and other non-felony folks under the impression they can't vote,'' said Leodus Jones, director of Community Assistance for Prisoners, a nonprofit advocacy group. ``I really believe there are thousands in Philadelphia alone.'' Only four states--Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire--allow inmates to vote. Estimating exactly how many Pennsylvanians are affected is difficult due to recidivism and because no one adequately tracks state, local and federal releases. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency offered ``rough numbers,'' saying there are about 86,000 to 101,000 inmates and ex-cons who currently cannot vote. The irony for those who believe the law is discriminatory is that in the 1995 ``motor voter'' law the ban is a part of what was designed to increase minority voting by making registration easier. However, many lawmakers say they were unaware of the felony provision, which was inserted at a time the Legislature was being hurried, under a federal court order, to pass a motor voter bill. ``We call it `the mickey bill,' because they caught everybody asleep when they passed it,'' Jones said. State Rep. Harold James, D-Philadelphia, a former Philadelphia police officer, said, ``When we voted on `motor voter,' we didn't even know that was in there.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record. Homosexuals, Disabled, Elderly Added to Hate Crimes Law (By Dennis Patterson) Raleigh.--People who hate homosexuals, the disabled or the elderly and target them for crimes could face increased sentences under a bill approved by a House committee. The measure, which now goes to the full House, expands North Carolina's hate crimes law to include sexual orientation, disabilities, gender and age. Crimes that are proven to be motivated by hate would be increased to at least a felony. The hate crimes law now applies to race, religion and national origin. ``This bill doesn't protect anybody,'' Rep. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, said Tuesday as the House Judiciary I Committee debated the bill. ``It punishes people for perpetrating a crime because they hate a class of people.'' The bill ``centers on the question of whether we will be civil in North Carolina,'' said Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, one of the bill's two primary sponsors. ``It is, to put it in a phrase, a statement that we will not hate.'' The bill is named after Matthew Shepard, a homosexual with North Carolina connections who was beaten to death in Wyoming. John Rustin of the North Carolina Family Policy Council called Shepard's death a ``brutal and inexcusable crime.'' But the homosexual acts that would be covered by the hate crimes law are illegal in North Carolina, he said. ``This is not about crime. It is not about hate,'' he said. ``It is about legitimizing the homosexual lifestyle.'' Johnny Henderson of the Christian Action League said individual homosexuals are guaranteed the equal protections of all citizens and do not need the status of a protected group. But Janet Joyner, a retired professor at the North Carolina School of the Arts who works with a support group for homosexual and bisexual children, said the law would help relieve a hostile environment. ``I must tell you that name-calling and intimidation already occur in elementary school,'' Joyner said. ``It's a bigger issue than just sexual orientation,'' M.K. Cullen of Equality North Carolina, a homosexual group, said after the committee approved the bill. ``It's going to be an uphill struggle to educate all the members of the House about this bill before it comes to a vote.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi Mr

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of March, I have introduced articles into the Congressional Record to document the continued effects racism and discrimination are having on our nation. Although the killings of James Byrd in Jasper, TX, and Isaiah Shoels in Littleton, CO have painfully thrust the acts of overt, violent racists into the national spotlight, the articles I have entered into the Record will show, if they do not already, that we can not sit by silently while this cancer grows unchecked. The origins of our great nation were nascent with promises of freedom, justice, and equality under the law. However, for more than 200 years, the enslavement of Africans and then Jim Crow laws obfuscated our task--our obligation--to make America ``one nation under God.'' We were blinded to the veracity of inspirational phrases like, ``with freedom and justice for all,'' ``all men are created equal,'' and ``Epluribus Unim''--from the many one. However, during the civil rights movement, many brave Americans of all races stepped forward to denounce the laws and systemic bigotry that perpetuated an American version of apartheid. They walked, marched, and ``sat-in'' in an attempt to reclaim the legacy promised to all of us by our founding fathers. One such person was Linda Brown. In 1951, this little girl was in the third grade. Although there was an elementary school seven blocks from her house, young Linda was forced to walk over a mile to another elementary school. The reason to make a little girl walk through a railroad switch yard on her way to school? She was black and the school located seven blocks from her house was for white students only. Many years ago, George Santayana wrote, ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' Because I revere the warning contained in these prescient words, today I am introducing a resolution to recognize the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown versus Board of Education. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, boldly struck down segregation laws in public schools and upheld the equal protection laws guaranteed to all Americans by the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, in the aftermath of that historic decision, many of the freedoms won by the Brown decision have been rolled back or are currently under assault. White flight and a conspicuous attack on our public schools have facilitated the de facto resegregation of our public schools. All of the lessons we should have learned from this important event in our shared American history, seem to be once again eluding us. I respectfully submit this legislation to remind us all that we have a moral obligation to purge the divisive evil of racism out of the fabric of harmony, justice, and equality that is our shared American legacy. We have a responsibility to not only remember the past, but to learn from it. If in fact, ``those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,'' then Mr. Speaker, I pray that my efforts to document racism in America and to remind our nation of the significance of the Brown versus the Board of Education, wake us from our collective slumber to experience the beauty of our shared destiny.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, further reserving my right to object, it is my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from the State of Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will not object, Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 176 simply recognizes the historical significance of the Supreme Court unanimous decision in Brown vs. Board of Education repudiating segregation and reaffirming the fundamental belief that we are all one Nation, under God, indivisible. One such person was Linda Brown. In 1951, this little girl was in the third grade. Although there was an elementary school seven blocks from her house, young Linda was forced to walk over 1 mile to another elementary school. The reason to make a little girl walk through a railroad switchyard on her way to school? She was black, and the school located 7 blocks from her house was for white students only. Many years ago, George Santayana wrote, ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' Because I revere the warning contained in these precedent words today, 45 years later, I am introducing a resolution to recognize the historical significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954, the United States Supreme Court in a unanimous decision voted to strike down segregation laws in public schools and upheld the equal protection laws guaranteed to all Americans by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Mr. Speaker, further reserving my right to object, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Hilliard).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, there are some other individuals who would like to speak on this; however, in the interest of time, let me indicate that they are in full support of the resolution: the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) also. But what I would like to say in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, is that in submitting this legislation is to remind all of us that we have a moral obligation to purge the diverse evils of racism out of the fabric of harmony, justice, and equality that is our share of the American legacy. We have a responsibility to not only remember the past, but to learn from it. I also would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pease) for allowing me to come and present this resolution at this time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, further reserving my right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed from H.R. 987 as an original cosponsor.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record. Plan to Change Confederate Park to Cancer Memorial Draws Complaints Memphis, Tenn.--The Civil War battle that surrendered Memphis to Northern hands took place just below bluffs on the Mississippi River. For 90 years, a 2\1/2\-acre city park atop the bluffs has served as a memorial to the Confederacy. But now, a squabble is brewing over a plan to rename the park in honor of cancer survivors. The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation of Kansas City, MO, which finances parks to honor cancer survivors and encourage cancer sufferers, has offered the city $1 million to fund such a memorial, plus $100,000 for maintenance. John Malmo, Park Commission chairman, said the city needs the money to improve and maintain the park, which is in the right location for what the Bloch Foundation wants. Civil War and Southern heritage buffs are less than pleased. ``I don't think we're just going to take it lying down,'' said John T. Wilkinson III, a Memphis lawyer and member of the Tennessee Division, Sons of Confederate Veternas. The General Nathan Bedford Forrest Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, have announced a rally at the park on May 19. The Park Commission has a meeting the following day but is not expected to make a final decision on the proposal until next month. The park has been part of the Memphis parks system for 170 years. It originally was part of the Public Promenade, 36 acres along the riverfront dedicated in March 1829 as open space for public use. It was named Confederate Park in 1907 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The park sits close to where a Northern armada launched a spirited, but brief, battle on June 6, 1862 that ended with Memphis' surrender. Ed Williams, Shelby County historian, said the park offered a good vantage point for citizens to watch the Battle of Memphis, and a Union contingent reportedly docked below the bluffs on the way to accept the city's surrender. In the early 1900s, reunions of Confederate veterans were held on the site, Williams said. The park includes several plaques honoring Civil War heroes and a statute of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. It also has memorials unrelated to the Confederacy, including a Ten Commandments tablet. Still, Judith Johnson, executive director of Memphis Heritage Inc., said the park holds an important place in the city's past and changing it should be approached with care. ``I know a lot of people at the end of the 20th Century feel the Confederacy is not someting we can hold up as a value we can embrace, but we can't erase our history,'' Johnson said.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record. Judge Clears Way for Trial of Five Whites in 1970 Killing of Black Man Belzoni, Miss. (AP).--The rejection of speedy trial arguments has apparently cleared the way for five white men to stand trial for murder in the beating death of a black man almost three decades ago. Humphreys County Circuit Judge Jannie Lewis on Thursday rejected claims by defense attorneys that ordering a trial now would violate the rights of the men. Lewis ruled the state Supreme Court had earlier rejected similar speedy trial arguments in the case of Byron De La Beckwith, convicted in 1994 in the ambush slaying of black leader Medgar Evers in Jackson. The five are accused of killing 54-year-old Rainey Pool in April 1970. Authorities said the sharecropper was beaten to death and his body thrown into the Sunflower River. Charged with murder are Joe Oliver Watson, 56, of Rolling Fork; James ``Doc'' Caston, 65, of Satartia; his brother, Charles E. Caston, 60, of Holly Bluff; Hal Crimm, 49, of Vicksburg; and Dennis Howell Newton, 49, of Flora. Watson's attorney Gaines Dyer of Greenville argued that Beckwith had two trials with hung juries in 1964 while the defendants in the Humphreys County case never went to trial. ``Should this defendant be subjected to a trial 29 years later because the district attorney believes now he can get a conviction because the racial climate is different?'' Dyer asked the court. The case against Beckwith's was reopened after records of the defunct state Sovereignty Commission showed the segregation spy agency had screened jurors for Beckwith in 1964. District Attorney James Powell Reopened the case last year at the request of Pool's relatives. He said the defendants were not entitled to a dismissal because ``they can no longer get a jury that stacks in their favor.'' ``There was never any real attempt to secure justice'' in the Pool case, Powell said. In a 1970 ruling, then-Circuit Judge B.B. Wilkes threw out a statement Watson made to police in which he allegedly implicated himself and four others. Wilkes dismissed the case three days later at the request of prosecutors. Powell in July obtained new indictments against Watson, Crimm and the Castons, plus Newton, who was not previously charged. A June 28 trial date is set for Newton. Powell said Watson's trial would follow. Charles Caston, James Caston, and Crimm, all represented by Vicksburg attorney Mark Prewitt, will face trial together. Newton and Watson made statements implicating themselves and the others, Powell said Thursday. He said Crimm admitted involvement to the woman he would later marry. Newton on Thursday testified that he wasn't read his rights. ``They said they knew I didn't do it, didn't have anything to do with it, and just wanted to know what happened that night,'' Newton testified. Retired Highway Patrol Investigator John Pressgrove said Newton was read his rights. However, he acknowledged that part of the record was in someone else's handwriting. Pressgrove said he had no independent recollection of the interview. ``You know I can't remember 30 years ago. I can't hardly remember what I did yesterday,'' the 71-year-old Cleveland man said. Lewis ruled a jury can be told about Newton's statement but Crimm's wife, Margaret Crimm, could not be called to testify. She did not rule on the admissibility of Watson's statement. Greenville attorney Howard Dyer III, who also represents Watson, argued that Powell's statements in newspaper interviews, including his intention to use Watson's confession, should be grounds to dismiss the charge against his client. ``He shouldn't be making statements to the public, particularly in view of the fact that we've got a confession that has been suppressed, thrown out, done away with,'' Dyer said.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a life long resident of Cleveland, Mississippi and my constituent, Mrs. Mary Jane Rodges. Mrs. Rodges will celebrate her 85th birthday on May 22, 1999. Mrs. Rodges, a devoted mother, dedicated church woman, and retired educator of local acclaim has much to be thankful for and is well deserving of our high praise. She taught in the Mississippi public school system for 40 years, helping to prepare thousands of young people for a brighter future. Mrs. Rodges was just as devoted to her church as she was to building the minds of others. She shared her talents and uplifted the congregation of St. Paul Baptist Church in Shaw, Mississippi, as its musician, for more than 50 years. Mrs. Rodges' greatest accomplishment though has to be the five children she raised--who all became valuable and productive citizens of our country. One of her daughters, Mrs. Bobbie L. Steele, who is a Commissioner for Cook County in Chicago, Illinois, is planning a grand celebration for her mother. This is a well-deserved event for an exceptional woman and I stand here on the floor of the House of Representatives today and ask all to join me in wishing Mrs. Mary Jane Rodges ``Happy 85th birthday''.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in my continuing efforts to document and expose racism in America, I submit the following articles into the Congressional Record. Missing Point of Affirmative Action; Black Hens Shouldn't Cater to White Foxes (By Leonard Pitts, Jr.) As if Florida didn't already have problems, here comes Ward Connerly to pick a fight over affirmative action. The thing that makes you sit up and take notice, of course, is that Connerly is black. Who isn't fascinated at the sight of a hen campaigning for the foxes? This particular hen is pretty good at what he does. The Sacramento businessman has spearheaded ballot measures that overturned affirmative action in Washington state and his native California. Monday, Connerly announced a petition drive aimed at doing the same thing in Florida. God must hate the Sunshine State. Don't get me wrong. I think there's good reason to question affirmative action, if not to oppose it outright. It seems fair to ask if, by setting aside contracts and classroom seats for minorities and women, government does not inadvertently reinforce in them a victim's mentality--an insidious sense that they lack the stuff to earn those things on their own merits. That observation, however, must be balanced by the observation that white men have long enjoyed a kind of de facto affirmative action. After all, for generations, the nation used every legal and extralegal means to deny women and racial minorities--blacks in particular--access to education and entrepreneurship. It retarded the progress of those groups while offering white men set-asides and preferences that allowed them to move ahead by prodigious leaps. It's not too much to ask the country to make right what it made wrong. Especially considering that the hostility toward blacks and women has hardly ended, but only become more subtle. If we don't redress the inequity through affirmative action, fine. But how do we do it? Because it's crucial that we do. It'd be good if Connerly showed any grasp of this. Instead, his stated reason for opposing affirmative action is that it's racially divisive. Which is such an asinine assessment that you hardly know where to begin responding to it. Perhaps it's enough to simply ask which campaign to open closed doors was ever anything but divisive. The Civil Rights Movement? That was divisive. Feminism? Yep, divisive, too. The United Farm Workers boycott? Pretty darn divisive. The Civil War? Golly gosh, that was about as divisive as it gets. Hell, division is predictable. Those who enjoy privileges seldom surrender them easily or willingly. But it's not simply the abject stupidity of Connerly's reasoning that offends. Rather, it's the way that reasoning offers aid and comfort to the new breed of white bigotry. The one which tells us that white people are the true victims of racism. You know the rhetoric . . . victimized by preferences, victimized by employers, victimized by political correctness that accepts a Miss Black America pageant or an Ebony magazine but, darn it, would have hissy fits over Miss White America or a magazine called ``Ivory.'' The most virulent of modern white bigots will tell you with a straight face and evident sincerity that he is only fighting for equality. And never mind that by virtually every relevant measure, white men--still!--enjoy advantages that go well beyond simple parity. Most people--black, white and otherwise--understand this and recognize cries of white victimization for what they are: only the latest effort to turn the language of the civil rights movement to the cause of intolerance. Only the most creative attempt to dress racism up as reason. There are valid reasons for disliking affirmative action. That it's divisive is not one of them. And while it's troubling that some white guys won't understand this, disconcerting that they would embrace an image of themselves as powerless and put-upon, it's downright galling to see that ignorance validated by a black man. Some would call Ward Connerly an Uncle Tom. It is, to my mind, an unfortunate term that's been too often used to discourage black intellectual independence. I won't call Connerly that. I will, however, suggest that he is a confused Negro who should know better than to allow his skin color to be used as moral cover by those whose truest goals have little to do with liberty and justice for all. If this hen has any sense, he might wonder at the motive of the foxes at his back.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the Rev. Jesse Jackson is truly one of America's unsung heroes, and today I stand before you to sing his praises. For many years, conservatives have held Jesse Jackson up as the poster child for liberal causes. They have chastised him and demonized him. They have cursed him and mocked him. And at the same time they wear their version of Christian values on their lapels, they look down on everyone that does not conform to their narrowly interpreted set of rules. However, if ever there was a person who exemplified the morals and the values espoused by Christ, that person is the Rev. Jesse Jackson. In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, our Savior, Jesus Christ tells us which values will be looked upon favorably in the kingdom of Heaven. Some of the ones he mentions who will be blessed are: ``The poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'' The Rev. Jackson has dedicated his life to representing the most marginalized, disenfranchised members of American society. ``Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.'' The Rev. Jackson has made filing the souls of Americans as important as filing the bellies of the hungry. ``The merciful, for they will be shown mercy.'' The Rev. Jackson has stepped into the chasm of propaganda and demonization to meet with the leaders of our nation's ``enemies'' and bring America's sons and daughters back from captivity in foreign countries. ``The pure in heart, for they will see God.'' The Rev. Jackson's approach to solving problems clearly illustrates the innocence and humility of his altruistic intentions, his love of all people, and his dedication to making the world a better place for everyone. ``The peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.'' The Rev. Jackson has been a strong, outspoken advocate of diplomacy and nonviolent conflict resolution. ``Those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for their is the kingdom of heaven.'' The Rev. Jackson has stood on the front lines of our nation's struggle to recognize the civil rights of all its citizens. Rev. Jackson, we appreciate you and the work you are doing to walk the path. We commend you for your tireless efforts to bring home American soldiers who have become prisoners of war. However, your selflessness does not stop there. On a number of occasions, your intervention has freed citizens being held as human shields by Saddam Hussein and political prisoners from Cuban jails. Hold your head up Brother Jackson. You are somebody! Keep the faith! When you are feeling a little unappreciated, just remember. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.