Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Well, if the gentlewoman will yield, with an abundance of caution, Mr. Eddie Ross from Vicksburg, Mississippi was in a similar situation. He signed a settlement agreement in November of last year, and we only got his check last Friday.

Mr. THOMPSON. What I would like to do, since the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) has joined us, is ask the gentlewoman to talk about the Grant family and the dilemma that they have gone through for the last 20 years, and how expectations have been elevated, only to be deflated, and as recently as last week brought family members here.

Mr. THOMPSON. I am not so convinced that if they did challenge the law, that our government would not try to defend the law. So in essence, we would be in court another 5 years trying to get clarification on that.

Mr. THOMPSON. That is correct.

Mr. THOMPSON. You are absolutely correct.

Mr. THOMPSON. For the amount of the settlement, which he had not received.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the representative of Mississippi 2nd Congressional District in support of H.R. 2912, the Medicare Venipuncture Fairness Act of 1997. This bill will delay the implementation of the Venipuncture provision in the Balanced Budget Act 1997, Section 4615. The service is greatly needed for elderly people who utilize home health services solely for venipuncture. Patients on Coumadin, a blood thinning agent, need repetitive blood sampling and monitoring to determine if their treatment is effective. The loss of this venipuncture service for patients on certain medications such as Coumadin could result in life threatening episodes. The Mississippi Association for Home Care estimates that eliminating the venipuncture provision will affect Ten to Twelve thousand patients in Mississippi alone. Punishing the frail and elderly recipients who depend upon home health services is not the intent of this change, but will be the ultimate effect. According to the Health Care Financing Agency (HCFA), the venipuncture provision was placed into law under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) in order to fight fraud and abuse of the Medicare system. Mr. Speaker, I am committed to ending fraud and abuse. However, I do not support fighting fraud and abuse to the detriment of the Nation's elderly. I am also greatly concerned about this provision due to the fact that: There were no hearings on the inclusion of this provision in the Balanced Budget Act, there was no Congressional Budget Office estimate given on the venipuncture provision, and the provision was based on anecdotal evidence and there were no specific clinical examples used as a justification for the provision. Therefore, I am in full support of H.R. 2912, which calls for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to delay the implementation of Section 4615 of the Balanced Budget Act for 18 months from the date of the enactment. This delay will also allow further study on the impact of the provision on the homebound frail and elderly. As I close, I would like to once again express my support for H.R. 2912 and thank Representative Rahall and Representative Aderholt for their work in bringing this legislation forth to protect the interests of venipuncture patients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2621, the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Authorities Act--the so-called fast track authority legislation. The take it or leave it approach fast track authority brought to the NAFTA and GATT agreements a few years ago led to the acceptance of trade negotiations that have damaged my home State of Mississippi and this Nation's economy, labor force, and environment. This is not an issue of free trade; I support free trade as most Members of both sides of the aisle and the President do. My opposition to fast track authority and that of many of my colleagues is part of an effort to permit Congress to have real input into the negotiation of trade agreements and the ability to properly inform the public of their possible effects. NAFTA and other trade agreements have severely hampered Mississippi and the Nation's opportunities for faster rates of economic development. Although United States exports have increased by 26 percent to Mexico and Canada since NAFTA's enactment in 1993, imports from those regions have increased by 47 percent according to Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau data. As a result, the Nation has lost a net total of 394,835 jobs since 1993. In Mississippi alone, major employers have moved across borders, forcing 6,671 people to face unemployment and difficult transitions to lower paying jobs. Moreover, as employers use the threat of moving their businesses overseas, employees are forced to take cuts in their paychecks and health benefits that have led to a 4-percent decline in nationwide median wages since 1993. Fast track authority would be a blank check for extending NAFTA and other international trade agreements that tend to neglect the delicate economy of small States, like Mississippi, that heavily depend on low- wage labor and manufacturing. In addition, these agreements have encouraged other countries to develop unsafe products and to ignore environmental standards. It is no mystery why the National Consumers League as well as the Nation's premier environmental organizations--the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the World Wildlife Fund, and others--oppose fast track authority. Granting fast track authority will send the wrong message to other nations about child labor, the environment, safety standards, and the United States willingness to support its workers. Mr. Speaker, I object to providing new fast track authority on behalf of the 6,671 Mississippians who lost their jobs since fast track was used to pass NAFTA in 1993, and I object to it in the name of my State and this Nation's future.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Hystercine Rankin. Mrs. Rankin, a quilter, received the 1997 National Heritage Fellowship. The award is the National Endowment for the Arts' most prestigious honor in folk and traditional arts. Mrs. Rankin, a native of Port Gibson, MS, has been a quilter all of her life. She has taught many workshops throughout the State and worked with quilters to help them improve their skill. Mrs. Rankin has also influenced others to become more involved in the quilting community. She is truly an asset to the State of Mississippi. During her trip to Washington, she had the opportunity to meet with First Lady Hillary Clinton. When asked about her new found acquaintance, Mrs. Rankin simply stated that she never knew that a needle would take her this far from home. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute today to Mrs. Hystercine Rankin, one of Mississippi's precious jewels.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to join others in welcoming Dr. Stephen Chen to Washington, DC. He has recently assumed the position of Taiwan's top representative in Washington, replacing D. Jason Hu. Representative Chen comes to Washington with impeccable diplomatic credentials. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy Secretary- General to President Lee Teng-hui of the Republic of China [ROC]. Dr. Chen is a distinguished career diplomat. He served at the Embassy of the ROC in Manila in 1953, and has held a number of diplomatic posts throughout the world. In the sixties, he was stationed in Brazil and in the early seventies he held various consular posts in the United States. Representative Chen is married to Madam Rose Te Chen, has two sons and one daughter. I am told he speaks several languages fluently, and I know that he speaks and understands the English language and its nuances and idioms quite well. Representative Chen will undoubtedly have a challenging job in Washington, but I believe he will strive hard to strengthen the good relations between Washington and Taipei. I extend to Dr. Chen and his family the very best wishes for a productive and worthwhile experience during their Washington tenure.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to Mr. James W. Meredith, the first African-American to enroll in a segregated university in Mississippi. October 1, 1962 marked the date when James Meredith became the first African-American to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Mr. Meredith was born in Koskiusko, MS, on June 25, 1933. After living serveral years in Mississippi, James moved to live with his uncle in St. Petersburg, FL, where he enrolled in high school and finished. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force at age 18, where he served for 9 years. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, James Meredith went to study abroad in Africa where he wrote his first of numerous books entitled ``Three Years in Mississippi.'' After his stay in Africa, James Meredith returned to Mississippi to start an organization called March Against Fear in order to empower and encourage African- Americans to register to vote. This organization went on to register 300,000 people in Mississippi. In addition to his efforts to register African-Americans to vote, James Meredith started the James Meredith Library Clubs of America. This organization was created to lure African-American males into the library and encourage them to read. Mr. Speaker, because of these many accomplishments, I would like to take time out to honor Mr. James Meredith for his vision and courage.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in reluctant support of Representative Goodling's amendment to prohibit the use of funds in the bill to develop and administer a national testing program in reading and mathematics. I believe that Congress and the President have still not committed themselves to a serious discussion of education policy or spending in this country. Unfortunately this standard continues today as the parties on both sides of this issue have sought to hide behind this national testing initiative by labeling it as either a remedy for many of the problems this country is having with elementary and secondary education or some nefarious effort on the part of the Federal Government to become more involved in education curriculum. The national testing program included in this legislation deserves neither of these classifications. If implemented and carefully monitored, it has a number of provisions that will be of great assistance to both State and Federal policymakers as well as parents interested in their child's education. However, I oppose the national testing initiative included in this bill because it does not ensure that this Government will take any steps to address the disparity in mathematics and reading proficiency that we all know this testing will demonstrate. The local areas where there are concentrated numbers of students that are dropping out of high school, failing, and scoring low on the sporadic tests administered now desperately need direct injections of funding from the Federal Government. We can all argue about what types of restrictions or demands should be tied to these funds at a later date. In the meantime, we should implement a national testing program that includes a national formula for focused education spending, and we should do it as quickly as possible. Let me discuss some reasons why I believe this national testing initiative could produce a number of benefits for parents and State governments interested in improving elementary and secondary education. However, I will first address the concerns of the many parents that educate their children at home who have contacted my office to express their opinions on this amendment. I respect your decision to home- school your children very much. However, the vast majority of children in the United States are educated at public schools, and it is essential that elected officials and education planners on the Federal and local level have the resources needed to develop effective public policy. National testing will fulfill that need without unduly intruding on your right to practice home-schooling. This national testing program would allow States or local education agencies [LEA's] to voluntarily administer specific tests to every fourth grade pupil in reading and eighth grade pupil in math. I do not believe enough emphasis can be placed on the fact that this program would be voluntary, and participation in these tests would not affect a State or LEA's eligibility for assistance under Federal aid programs. Any effort to extend the Federal role in this process beyond the design and administration of these tests would require further congressional action, and as we all know, that is simply not going to happen. At the present time, there is no current education test that every pupil in every grade takes nationwide. One or more tests are administered to virtually every pupil in many grades in almost all States, but these tests vary from State to State. Some States develop their own tests, others are members of multi-State consortia that develop assessments, and others administer tests developed by commercial publishers. The National Assessment of Education Progress [NAEP] is the closest existing initiative to a national testing program. However, the NAEP only determines mathematics and reading proficiency in samples of school children. The present education testing system prevents policymakers in many States from comparing their education statistics with other States. If an effective education program is implemented in one State and then copied in another, for example, the two State governments may not be able to compare the success of their efforts because of difficulties in correlating the research statistics or even a lack of well-documented results. More importantly, the current system prevents a parent from being able to compare their children's academic achievement with other students on a local, State, or national level. A parent whose child makes average grades may be satisfied with their child's academic progress. Unfortunately, these parents will not be aware that their child may have fallen behind the rest of their classmates until they take their SAT's at the age of 18. This proposal will provide every parent of every child in a State or LEA that chooses to participate with comparisons of their child's results to other students at their school, in the State, and in the Nation. If every family receives that envelope in the mail, I believe there will be a lot of parents who choose to get more involved in their child's education, which after all is what the majority of my colleagues will agree is the most effective education policy there can be. I am concerned that a national test may be constructed in a manner that is biased against traditionally undereducated populations, such as African-Americans and Hispanics. If Federal funding was tied to the improvement of test scores in areas that score poorly, this bias could lead to underserved sanctions in regions that have high numbers of minorities. As a result, if a national testing program is implemented in the future, we will have to pay careful attention to the design of the tests and remain skeptical of any effort to create a Federal enforcement procedure. However, national testing's benefits for these populations far outweigh these risks. By motivating parents to pay more attention to their child's academic development and providing policymakers the empirical evidence needed to design effective education policies targeted at minorities, this initiative will produce the first real effort to address the failure of current education policies in these areas. In the end, we are not interested in creating a uniform national education curriculum; we are only demanding a uniform national education outcome--a system where every child has the same opportunity to succeed through an advanced public education system. In my home State of Mississippi, sampled children already score well below the national average on the NAEP's fourth grade reading test and are ranked in the bottom fifth in eighth grade math proficiency. If a well-planned, voluntary national testing program could be coupled with a funding distribution system directed at those areas most in need, then I would be happy to support such an initiative. I hope that this Congress and the administration will reconsider the design of a national testing program. However, above all, we must cease this piecemeal education policymaking and begin a legitimate debate on the whole education policy

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today. During the break, Frank Ellis Smith, one of my constituents, passed away. A former Member of this body, Frank Ellis Smith dedicated his life to economic development in my home State, the hospitality State, Mississippi. Frank Smith fought valiantly in World War II, earning the Bronze Star for his heroic service record. His work with NATO has made the world a safer place and his efforts as an educator have filled the minds of young Americans with the knowledge necessary to realize full, rewarding lives. Mr. Smith was a great Mississippian and a loyal, dedicated American. He has left behind a legacy of achievements that have brought honor to every person proud enough to call themselves a Mississippian.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a champion of the poor and disenfranchised in Mississippi, Sister Carla Dolce. Sister Carla was born in New Orleans, LA, where she served as a co-director of the New Orleans Training Center for Community Organizers, School Administrator and Teachers. She has served as president of three high schools in Dallas, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Alton, IL. Sister Carla began her work as a community developer in Tunica, MS, through the Sacred Heart Southern Mission. She was the catalyst for the Tunica Organization of Women [TOW] an organization of women of color. TOW, together with five other northern Mississippi women's groups, formed the North Mississippi Leadership Network which is associated with other groups in a regional and technical network. Sister Carla was also instrumental in forming the Tunica Citizens Committee for Education, a biracial group to support public education in Tunica. She has also supported education by working with Northwest Community College, the YOU (alternative education) Program, developing a credit union workshop and parent participation mini conference sponsored by TOW in partnership with the Education for the Mid-South and the Agriculture Extension Services. Sister Carla has served as the eyes, ears, and body of support for the ill-housed in Tunica. Working tirelessly to see that maximum of government programs and funds are delivered to Tunica residents. Together Sister Carla and I worked with the State and national offices of Rural Development to provide over $600,000 in housing loans for new construction and repairs. In general, Sister Carla's efforts were to support movement for change that worked to assist the people in their efforts to bring benefits equitably to all citizens. Sister Carla Dolce, teacher, motivator, and bridgebuilder is now leaving Mississippi to bring her love and attention to those in need in Illinois. We will miss her greatly. Mississippi's loss is Illinois' gain.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Mr. Frank Parker who died on Thursday, July 10, 1997. He was born in Mount Pleasant, PA. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1962 and then spent 2 years at University College, Oxford University, England. In 1966, he received his juris doctorate degree from Harvard Law School. After law school, he began his distinguished career in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He wrote the commission's report, ``Political Participation'' in 1968. Mr. Speaker, I first met this giant of a man in 1968 while he was a lawyer in the Mississippi office of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. He served courageously in the protection of civil rights of black Mississippians in this office for 13 years. Mr. Parker was a strong advocate for voting rights and worked vigorously for passage of the Motor Voter Act. His tireless fight for justice and equality is one of the defining principles of his life. Mr. Parker was a MacArthur Foundation Distinguished Scholar at the Joint Center for Political Studies in Washington, DC, in 1985 and 1986 and spent the year doing research for ``Black Votes Count.'' The book was honored by the American Political Science Association, the Mississippi Historical Society, and the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in the United States. In 1992 and 1993, Mr. Parker returned to the Joint Center for Political Studies and did research for a book supporting affirmative action. Mr. Parker taught at the District of Columbia School of Law from 1992 to 1995. He taught law at American University for a year before leaving to take a position as a visiting professor of constitutional law at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. Mr. Parker leaves a proud legacy as a husband, father, brother, mentor, civil rights leader, community activist, and great American. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting the late attorney Frank Parker for his outstanding contributions to this Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Amanda Elizabeth Green. Ms. Green is the recently elected Miss Tougaloo College for the 1997-98 school year. She is a junior with double majors in English and history with an emphasis in pre-law from Kokomo, MS. Amanda is the daughter of Mr. Arthur Lee Green and Mrs. Debora P. Green. She is the youngest of two children. Her brother, Arthur Bernard Green, has had a tremendous impact on her life. She quotes the best advice given to her by him, ``If you believe it, conceive it, then you will achieve it.'' While attending Tougaloo College, Amanda has participated in many student activities which include serving as president of the Tougaloo Modeling Squad, Miss Reuben V. Anderson Pre- Law Society, the NAACP, the National Political Congress of Black Women, the committee to re-elect Supreme Court Justice Fred Banks, and has served as an intern for the Mississippi State Supreme Court. Amanda is currently the president of the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society, vice-president of the junior class, a member of the Student Activities Council, Tougaloo Ambassadors of Merit Scholars, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a resident assistant. Amanda is a strong believer that the children are our future. Following that belief, she serves as a tutor for an after-school program at Rowan Middle School in Jackson, MS and a mentor at the Kokomo Head Start Center in Kokomo, MS. Although she is involved in several extracurricular activities, Amanda still has time to excel as a Dean List scholar at Tougaloo. She is also a member of the New Damascus M.B. Church in Kokomo and plays an active role in the community. She believes that all of her strength comes from God and acknowledges that all the glory belongs to him. After obtaining her two bachelor of arts degrees from Tougaloo, Amanda plans to further her education at a prestigious law school where she will receive both her masters of arts and doctoral degrees. Amanda plans to one day establish a college fund in her parents name for needy students diligently seeking an education, holding true to the African adage ``It takes an entire village to raise a child.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Ms. Amanda Elizabeth Green, Miss Tougaloo College 1997-98 school year.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Mr. Cornelius ``Neal'' Green, Jr. On April 21, 1997, Mr. Green departed this life at the age of 49 due to an extended illness. He attended Jackson public schools and graduated from Jim Hill High School. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 3 years of active duty and he remained active in the Army Reserve until January 1990. His last duty assignment was with the 185th Aviation Battalion where he was the communications section leader and attained the rank of sergeant first class. After his 3 years of active duty, he returned to Jackson and enrolled in Jackson State University where he received a bachelor of arts in political science and masters of science in counseling. Cornelius was an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Cornelius began a career with the Travelers Insurance Co. as a financial services sales representative and continued his career as a marketing associate, agency supervisor, production supervisor and senior account analyst. He had an outstanding career and received many awards for his job. Mr. Green's memory will be forever cherished by his devoted and loving wife of 24 years, Tomie Zean Turner Green; two children: Nikisha and Synarus, and a host of relatives. Mr. Speaker will you join me today in honoring late Mr. Cornelius ``Neal'' Green, Jr.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Sebrina Rene Palmer. Ms. Palmer is the recently crowned Miss Alcorn State University for the 1997-98 school year. She is a junior elementary education major from my hometown of Bolton, MS. Sebrina is actively involved in her community. She is a member of the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Alcorn State University Ambassadors, a student recruitment organization, and the Student National Educators Association. She has championed the St. Jude Annual Walkathon and Bike- A-Thon as well as the community clean up project and a homeless prevention project. Sebrina's platform for Miss Alcorn State University was AIDS awareness. She campaigned on the necessity among young people to not forget this devastating and fatal disease. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher because she believes in giving back to her community. Sebrina is also a member of the County Line Baptist Church in Pocohontas, MS. She serves as the Sunday school pianist, member of the choir, the usher board, and the Home Mission Institute. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Palmer also of Bolton. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Ms. Sebrina Rene Palmer, Miss Alcorn State University, 1997-98 school year.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Mrs. Minnie Cox. Mrs. Cox was one of only five African-Americans in Mississippi to supervise a third-class postal facility. In 1891, Mrs. Cox, was appointed Postmistress of the Indianola Post Office in Indianola, MI, by President Benjamin Harrison. Mrs. Cox served at this position until 1893, only later to regain the post in 1897. Being a person of color, Mrs. Cox's appointment was followed by scrutiny and criticisms not because of her performance, but because of the color of her skin. Mrs. Cox dedicated her life to making sure that the people in Indianola received their mail on a timely basis. She worked 7 days a week and she even paid the rent for delinquent boxes to avoid harassment of her customers. Mrs. Cox held this position during a time when it was not popular to have African-Americans in an authoritative position. She was an educated, aspiring, and inspiring woman during her time. Along with being a Postmistress, Mrs. Cox and her husband started one of the first African-American-owned banks in the Mississippi Delta as well as one of the first African-American-owned insurance agencies in the South. In 1904, the Cox's organized the Delta Penn Savings Bank. Four years later, the couple organized the Mississippi Beneficial Insurance Co., which had an income of more than $500,000 and a staff of 400 employees. During the 1910's and 1920's, she was reputed to be one of the richest African-American women in the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting Mrs. Cox for her courage to take her place in society as a trailblazer and role model for many future generations of African-Americans.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Aaron E. Henry, a fellow Mississippian, and civil rights pioneer died Monday morning, May 19, 1997, of complications resulting from a stroke, following a 5-month illness. Dr. Henry was a mentor, a humanitarian, a scholar, and a great human being. I would like to share with you the following information about the life of a man who helped to forge the shape of society in this country for all African-Americans. Dr. Henry was born in Clarksdale, MS, July 2, 1921, to the late Joseph and Elizabeth Henry Jackson. He was the youngest of five children. His natural parents died when he was very young and his formative years were spent under the nurturing support of his maternal uncle and aunt, Edd Henry and Mattie Logan Henry. He was an active member of Haven United Methodist Church, serving as lay leader, and a member of the United Methodist Men. He attended public schools on Coahoma County, graduating from Coahoma Agricultural High School. He entered the U.S. Army as a private in 1943 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946. Following his discharge, Dr. Henry attended Xavier University in New Orleans. After receiving a degree in pharmacy in 1950, he returned to Clarksdale and opened the Fourth Street Drug Store. His career as a civil rights activist began soon thereafter. On June 11, 1950, he married the lovely Noelle Celestine Michael of Jackson. To this union one daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth, was born. In 1953, Dr. Henry organized the Coahoma County Branch of the NAACP and served as the State NAACP president from 1960 until 1993. He worked with all five of the field directors of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, including the late Medger Evers. In an effort to assure equal representation for all Mississippians, he chaired the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party that successfully challenged the established State Democratic Party during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, NJ. This effort led to the creation of the integrated Democratic Party in Mississippi. Dr. Henry participated in the Freedom Rider Movement and in the Mississippi Freedom Summer's nonviolent campaigns of public protest which led to the eventual passage of the Public Accommodations sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On the national level, Dr. Henry was instrumental in securing congressional support for passage of the Office of Economic Opportunity Act. Several programs, including Head Start and Job Corps, grew out of this act to provide services to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Dr. Henry's quest for equality and fair treatment was evident in his commitment to securing Job Corps and Head Start Programs for Mississippians. He believed in the need for Job Corps' existence and in the young people it would serve. He worked with former Gov. Cliff Finch to bring the first Job Corps Center in Mississippi located in Crystal Springs, MS. Dr. Henry recognized that the benefits of the program would mean job opportunities for the State's poor and underserved young people. He not only was a pioneer in the State for Job Corps and Head Start, but for many programs that impacted the quality of life for all Mississippians. In a fitting tribute to his years as a civil rights leader, Dr. Henry was elected by the citizens of District 26 in Coahoma County to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1979 and reelected in 1983 and 1987. He was an active member of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus. Dr. Henry has served on the board of director of a number of organizations including the national NAACP where he served as vice president and as a member of its executive committee; chairman of the National Caucus for the Black Aged since 1972; member of the Federal Council on Aging since 1977; the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; the Southern Regional Council and the Mississippi Council on Human Relations. Dr. Henry was chairman of the board and primary stockholder in Civic Communications Corp., the holding company for WLBT-TV-3, Inc., the minority-owned NBC affiliate in Jackson, MS; KLTV in Tyler, TX; KTRE in Lufkin, TX; and WLBM in Meridian, MS. He was chairman of the board of directors for MINACT, Inc., a management and training firm in Jackson operating Job Corps centers throughout the Nation. His commitment to community, educational and civic issues propelled him into the forefront of the American Legion, Elks, Masons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was recognized for his outstanding academic achievements through honorary degrees from Tougaloo College, Rust College, Mary Holmes College, Prentiss Institute, Queens College, and Boston University. Professionally, he was recognized by the American Pharmaceutical Association with the Hubert H. Humphrey Award. Dr. Henry lived an active and committed life. He leaves to cherish memory a daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth of Clarksdale; grandsons, Aaron and Demon of Clarksdale; a sister, Thelma Henry Johnson of St. Louis, MO, and many supporters of justice and equality throughout this Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Meek]. (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, for the record, let me start by reemphasizing the fundamental principles upon which Members of Congress, both Democrat and Republican, already agree. First, we must balance the budget. Second, we must responsibly protect the budget priorities of the American people: education, the environment, the social safety net, Medicare and Medicaid; and most important, we must apply deficit reduction fairly and ask Americans who are the most able to shoulder their portion of our shared economic burden. Mr. Chairman, the Congressional Black Caucus's budget alternative accomplishes all of these goals. It is balanced, it is fair, it is responsible. By all accounts, Mr. Chairman, if we hold the Republicans true to their word, then they should love this budget. Our alternative contains no tax increases on individuals or businesses. It cuts domestic spending by $23 billion, and the Congressional Budget Office says our budget will balance a year before the Republican budget will. For the last 3 years, my esteemed colleagues on the other side of the aisle have focused budget debate here in the House on obtaining a budget that is certified by the Congressional Budget Office as being balanced by the year 2002. The Congressional Black Caucus's alternative budget does better than that. We balanced the budget by the year 2001, a whole year before any of the budgets introduced by the Republicans. While they are trying to figure out how to squeeze the last few billion dollars out of our children, seniors, and the poor to reach a balance by 2002, under our budget, America will already have a $7 billion surplus. And we managed to do all of this and all the other things while maintaining an effective social net, by fully funding Head Start, the WIC Program, section 8 housing, and Chapter 1 education. Mr. Chairman, there are no tax cuts in our budget. That is because the CBC believes America cannot afford them. We should balance the budget first. It makes no sense to force the poorest Americans to go without food stamps, school lunches, and baby formula in order to balance the budget and then turn around and give wealthy campaign contributors, people who can afford to pay $25,000 to have dinner with the Republican leadership in the Library of Congress, a huge tax cut. No American should benefit from another American's suffering. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the Congressional Black Caucus alternative. Unlike the budget resolution we will be voting on later tonight, this budget was forged in the light of day. What my colleagues see in our budget is exactly what they get. It is balanced, it is fair, it is responsible. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, let me first compliment the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters], the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, for this leadership in this budget effort, but this evening I rise in strong support of the Congressional Black Caucus fiscal year 1998 alternative budget. It is the only budget that balances a year earlier and shares the burden equally. This alternative budget offers a vision of America for all people, regardless of race, color or creed or economic status. It is our obligation to present a budget which promotes the general welfare and advances the interests of the caring majority of our Nation. The majority of Americans believe that the power and wealth of our country should be utilized for the benefit of all people. The Congressional Black Caucus views the military and other defense programs funded in a defense function as just one element of the three in a comprehensive national security strategy. The second leg of the triad is an engaged and effective foreign policy strategy to bring about conditions of regional and international security. The third leg of that triad includes domestic involvement in education, research and development, community and economic infrastructure, and individual well-being that are so critical to maintaining safe and cohesive communities. Mr. Chairman, this budget reflects a caring and sharing majority, not one that is business as usual.

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

Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New York [Ms. Velazquez].