Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Gregg Cherry who has shown a deep commitment to serving and improving his community through his work with child services and a career in law enforcement. Gregg was born March 29, 1955, to James and Audrey Cherry. He is the oldest of five children. He was born and raised in the Bedford- Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Gregg is a graduate of the old Boys High School where he played several positions on the football team. His football career continued at Shaw University where he received bachelors degrees in English and Communications in 1980. He is the loving father of Craig and Raven Cherry. It was his love and commitment to his community which led him to a career in law enforcement. During his tenure as an investigator and caseworker for the Bureau of Child Welfare, Gregg saw the many inconsistencies and tragedies children encountered in the child welfare system and wanted to make a positive difference. So, in 1984, he joined the New York City Police Department. He graduated in the first police academy class under the tutelage of Benjamin Ward, the first African American Police Commissioner of New York City. He began his service at the 79th police precinct. His no- nonsense attitude quickly gained the respect of his community and peers alike. For his work, Gregg was honored in 1977 with a Gold Shield as a detective. He also served as an organized crime investigator and in the vice and narcotics units in the NYPCD. Gregg's other law enforcement efforts include work as an Anti Terrorist Profiler, a security monitor of Federal installations in the New York area, and an independent investigative consultant with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. After 20 years of stellar service, Gregg retired on January 16th of this year and is now planning to pursue a career in Federal law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, Gregg Cherry has had a long and distinguished career in the NYCPD and remains committed to serving his community and country with his future employment in Federal law enforcement. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today; and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as you are keenly aware, the road to peace for the people of Sudan has been long and perilous. Last July, I spoke on the floor about the prospects for peace in the Sudan and the progress that was being made in negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. I am gratified to report that agreement has now been reached on the issue of wealth- sharing; and just this past weekend, issues were resolved with regard to the Nuba Mountain and Southern Blue Nile regions, two of the three disputed areas between the parties. My understanding is that an agreement on the disputed areas will be signed as soon as resolution can be reached on the third disputed area, Abyei. Mr. Speaker, we remain optimistic that these recent events will soon lead to an historic accord on a Framework Agreement, which will, at last, bring an end to the 20-year war in Sudan and bring peace and social stability to all the people of Sudan. Mr. Speaker, peace is near in the Sudan. I would like to recognize the commitment of President Bashir and the Khartoum government and that of SPLM/A and Mr. Garang in their tireless efforts to make this historic moment possible. I would also like to recognize the continuing commitment of this administration to achieving peace in the Sudan and that of Special Envoy John Danforth for his role as a catalyst for the peace process. Mr. Speaker, I call on my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating this historic milestone and in praying that a peace agreement will soon be reached. We should look forward to the day when peace is at hand, when U.S. sanctions can be lifted and Sudan removed from the State Department's State Sponsors of Terrorists list and given the opportunity to receive the benefits of American ingenuity, technology and investment for their sustained growth and economic prosperity.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month in Punjab, a seminar was held on the topic of Khalistan. Given the oppression that Sikhs have faced at the hands of the Indian government for attempting to secure their independence, this was a very courageous act. All of those who organized the event and who participated are to be commended for their courage. Freedom is the birthright of every people. The seminar was organized by former Member of Parliament Atinder Pal Singh. Speakers included Professor Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, who reportedly made an extremely strong argument for the Sikh Nation's right to self-determination. The Indian government claims that there is no support for Sikh independence, Mr. Speaker, but this seminar and other events show otherwise. Perhaps this answers the obvious question: If India is a democracy and if there is no support for an independent Khalistan, then why not simply hold a free and fair plebiscite on the issue, as democratic countries do, and settle it once and for all? Wouldn't that be the fair and democratic way to take care of this issue? America can support this just cause and we have a moral obligation to do so. We can stop our aid to India until all people there enjoy full freedom and we can officially call on India to hold a free and fair, democratic vote to determine the political future of the Sikhs of Khalistan and all the other minority nations seeking their freedom, such as predominantly Christian Nagaland and predominantly Muslim Kashmir. The Council of Khalistan issued a press release on the Khalistan seminar, which I would like to put in the Record at this time to show that the cause of freedom is universal and that it still has strong support in Punjab, Khalistan. Seminar on Khalistan Held in Punjab Independence Movement Is Alive and Well in Punjab, Khalistan Washington, D.C., December 17, 2003--Former Member of Parliament Atinder Pal Singh organized a seminar on Khalistan last month at Baba Makhan Shah Labana Hall, Sector 30, Chandigarh. Speakers included Professor Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon and others. Dr. Dhillon made a very strong argument for the right of the Sikh Nation to rule itself in a sovereign, independent Khalistan. General Narinder Singh was invited, but unable to attend. This seminar shows that the cause of Khalistan is alive and well in Punjab, despite the claims of the Indian government that there is no support for Khalistan and that only outside Sikhs are supporting independence. ``The outside Sikhs have an important role to play,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan. ``They have exposed the human rights against the Sikhs to the international community and internationalized the cause of independence for Khalistan,'' he said. ``They have also preserved Sikh history in the Congressional Record from 1984 to date, defeating the Indian government's attempts to alter it. However, it is the Sikhs in Punjab, Khalistan who are keeping the cause alive and liberating Khalistan,'' he said. ``It is very good to see this support for the cause of a sovereign, independent Khalistan,'' said Dr. Aulakh. On October 7, 1987, the Sikh Nation declared its independence from India, naming its new country Khalistan. ``We salute Sardar Atinder Pal Singh for organizing this important event and we salute all the presenters who presented their papers,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``They put the Indian government on notice that its effort to suppress the Sikh independence movement by force has failed and will continue to fail,'' he said. ``The mere fact that this seminar was conducted shows that there is a significant change in the repression in Punjab,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``It shows that people feel free to exercise their basic right of freedom of speech,'' he said. ``This is a step forward for the liberation of the Sikh Nation. There is a new upsurge of support for the cause of Sikh freedom,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``The flame of freedom burns brightly in the hearts of the Sikh people, in Punjab, Khalistan and outside as well.'' ``Every day, Sikhs pray `Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,' which means `The Khalsa shall rule,' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Sikhs must claim their birthright by liberating Khalistan. I hope that this seminar will be the forerunner to a Shantmai Morcha (peaceful agitation) to establish a sovereign, independent Khalistan, thus fulfilling the desires of the Sikh Nation for Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,'' he said. ``Guru Gobind Singh gave sovereignty to the Sikh Nation and we must achieve it.'' The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 85,000 Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of Tamils, Assamese, Mampuris, Dalits, and others. The Indian Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders of Sikhs ``worse than a genocide.'' Indian police arrested human-rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra after he exposed their policy of mass cremation of Sikhs, in which over 50,000 Sikhs have been arrested, tortured, and murdered, then their bodies were declared unidentified and secretly cremated. He was murdered in police custody. His body was not given to his family. The police never released the body of former Jathedar of the Akal Takht Sardar Gurdev Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran Singh Ghotna murdered him. Ghotna has never been brought to trial for the Jathedar Kaunke murder. No one has been brought to justice for the kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh Khalra. According to a report by the Movement Against State Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political prisoners in India without charge or trial. Some have been in illegal custody since 1984! ``As Professor Darshan Singh, a former Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said, `If a Sikh is not for Khalistan, he is not a Sikh','' Dr. Aulakh noted. ``We must continue to press for our God-given birthright of freedom,'' he said. ``Without political power, religions cannot flourish and nations perish.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, recently my friend Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, the President of the Council of Khalistan, issued a New Year's message to the Sikhs. In it, he took note of the progress that has been made towards freedom for the Sikhs and other minority nations in South Asia. He also wrote that the effort to liberate the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, must continue. As you may know, the Sikhs declared their independence from India on October 7, 1987. They named their country Khalistan. Since that time, tens of thousands of Sikhs have been murdered to suppress the Sikh freedom movement and tens of thousands more have been held as political prisoners. Dr. Aulakh noted that seminars on Khalistan were held openly last year. He noted the ceremony honoring Sikh martyrs Satwant Singh, Beant Singh, and Kehar Singh. He wrote about recent initiatives by the Khalsa Panchayat to move the cause of freedom for the Sikhs forward. Mr. Speaker, the right to self-determination is the cornerstone of democracy. It is time for the United States, founded on the principle of self-determination, to support self-determination for the Sikhs. We can do this by cutting off our aid to India until the Sikhs of Khalistan, the Muslims of Kashmir, the Christians of Nagaland, and all the minorities enjoy full rights and freedom and by putting the Congress on record in support of self-determination for Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagaland, and the other nations seeking their freedom in the form of a free and fair plebiscite on the question of independence. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place Dr. Aulakh's letter into the Record at this time for the information of my colleagues. New Year's Message to the Khalsa Panth Washington, Jan. 19.--Happy New Year to you and your family and the Khalsa Panth. May 2004 be your best year ever. The Guru gave sovereignty to the Sikh Nation. (``In Grieb Sikhin Ko Deon Patshahi.'') The Sikh Nation must achieve it. We always remember it by reciting every morning and evening, ``Raj Kare Ga Khalsa.'' Now is the time to act on it. Do we mean what we say every morning and evening? The fire of freedom still burns strong and bright in the heart of the Sikh Nation. 2003 was an encouraging year for the Sikh freedom struggle. Sikhs openly held seminars in Punjab on the subject of Khalistan. This is a very good sign and we salute the people who participated in these seminars. They are keeping the flame of freedom lit. Now I urge Sikhs to unite and take action to liberate our homeland, Punjab, Khalistan. It is time to start a Shantmai Morcha to liberate Khalistan from Indian occupation. Never forget that the Akal Takht Sahib and Darbar Sahib are under the control of the Indian government, the same Indian government that has murdered over a quarter of a million Sikhs in the past twenty years. The Jathedar of the Akal Takht and the head granthi of Darbar Sahib toe the line that the Indian government tells them. They are not appointed by the Khalsa Panth. The SGPC, which appoints them, does not represent the Sikh Nation anymore. They have become the puppets of the Indian government and have lost credibility with the Sikh Nation. Otherwise they would behave like a real Jathedar, Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, rather than like Indian government puppet Jathedar Aroor Singh, who gave a Siropa to General Dyer for the massacre at Jalianawa Bagh. These institutions will remain under the control of the Indian regime until we free the Sikh homeland, Punjab, Khalistan, from Indian occupation and oppression and sever our relations with the New Delhi government. The Sikh Nation is a nation of martyrs. It is encouraging that the SGPC and the Akal Takht honored the Sikh martyrs S. Satwant Singh, S. Beant Singh, and S. Kehar Singh. Recent initiatives by the Khalsa Panchayat to bring the Sikh tradition and glory to the Khalsa Panth are highly appreciated. This is a good start to establishing Khalsa Raj as the Akali movement in the 1920s freed the Sikh Gurdwaras from the Mahants who were puppets of the Indian government. Today, the Akali leaders are the new Mahants. The Akali Dal conspired with the Indian government in 1984 to invade the Golden Temple to murder Sant Bhindranwale and 20,000 other Sikh during June 1984 in Punjab. If Sikhs will not even protect the sanctity of the Golden Temple, how can the Sikh Nation survive as a nation? The Akali Dal has lost all its credibility. The Badal government was so corrupt openly and no Akali leader would come forward and tell Badal and his wife to stop this unparalelled corruption. That is why the Akali Dal was defeated in the elections by the Congress Party. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has done one good thing for which we must appreciate him. He is prosecuting Badal, his son, and his wife for their corruption during their five years in power, 1997-2002. How could a Chief Minister of modest means amass over Rs4300 crore? He should pay the taxes on this wealth and account to the Sikh Nation where he got it. This ill-gotten wealth should be confiscated. Badal has destroyed the moral fabric of the Sikh religion. What happened to the concept of fairness and honesty? Because Sikhs are slaves in India, there is nobody to defend the Sikh interests internationally. Recently, an issue came up of the French banning the wearing of turbans in school. If Khalistan were free, the Sikh Nation could call the French Ambassador and tell him to stop this harassment of Sikhs. Our Ambassador to France would tell the French government the same thing: the turban is part of the Sikh religion and Sikhs should not be harassed. When Sikhs ruled Punjab, a French general, General Ventura, commanded the Sikh artillery. He himself wore a beard and a turban. In World War II, the Sikh army wearing turbans helped to liberate France so that France could enjoy freedom. Khalsa Ji, let's pray to Guru for freedom, unity, sovereignty, prosperity, and happiness for the Sikh Nation around the world and for everyone. The Khalsa Panth is determined to establish Khalsa Raj, as the events of this past year show. India is not one country. It has 18 official languages. Soon Kashmir will be free from Indian occupation. Now America is involved in it. As L.K. Advani predicted, ``When Kashmir goes, India goes.'' We agree with him. When I met President Bush on December 5, he personally told me, ``I am aware of the Sikh and Kashmiri problem and we stopped India and Pakistan from going to nuclear war.'' The Sikh diaspora has a moral responsibility to help the Sikh Nation to achieve its sovereignty by freeing Khalistan from Indian occupation. As President of the Council of Khalistan, I wish everybody a 2004 that brings freedom, prosperity, and happiness to you and to the Khalsa Panth. A free Khalistan is a must for the survival of the Sikh nation and will provide an optimal environment for the Sikh Nation to progress to its optimum potential politically, religiously, and economically. Panth Da Sewadar, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President, Council of Khalistan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the government of France has recently enacted a new policy prohibiting Sikh boys from wearing their turbans in school. They also prohibited Muslim girls from wearing the traditional head scarves in school. This policy is a threat to religious expression in France. It limits the ability of religious minorities to express their religion in the way that they are supposed to express their religion. Sikhs fought actively in both World Wars to help keep the French people free. They fought in their turbans in Africa and the Middle East in World War I and they fought in the liberation of France in World War II. Yet the French authorities see fit to deny them their full religious expression. Recently, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, wrote an excellent letter to French President Jacques Chirac about this unreasonable policy. I am inserting it into the Record with the consent of the House and I urge my colleagues to read it. Council of Khalistan, Washington, DC, January 19, 2004. Hon. Jacques Chirac, President of France, Champs Elysees, Paris, France Dear President Chirac: I am writing to you today on behalf of the Sikh community of France and the 25 million strong Sikh Nation around the world. Recently, France has made laws prohibiting Muslim schoolgirls from wearing head scarves and Sikh boys from wearing their turbans. The turban is a Sikh religious symbol. Sikhs are not allowed to remove their turbans. They are a major symbol of our religion. The Sikh Gurus commanded us to wear the turban at all times over unshorn hair, which is a gift from God. The Sikh religion is a sovereign, independent, monotheistic religion like Christianity. The Sikh religion requires every Sikh to wear five symbols. Unshorn hair is one of them. As you know, Sikh soldiers wearing their turbans fought to defend France and defend its freedom during World War II. They also helped France and Britain to win World War I by fighting in Africa and the Middle East. We were proud to do so. Sikhs are commanded to fight against injustice wherever it appears. We believe in the freedom and equality of all people. France is a secular, democratic republic. That implies a country that protects freedom of religious expression for all people. To force Sikhs to remove the turban is to destroy Sikhs' freedom of religious expression. That is neither secular, democratic, nor republican. It is simply the kind of system that Sikhs came to France and other countries to escape. President Chirac, I encourage you to reconsider this ill- advised ban. Sikhs must be free to express our religion as fully as any other Frenchman. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh. President, Council of Khalistan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to comment on the Bush Administration's report on the August 14 blackout that left millions of people in New York without power, some for days. The U.S.-Canadian outage task force on November 19 issued a report titled ``Causes of the August 14th Blackout in the United States and Canada,'' saying 50 million people from Indiana to Massachusetts and Canada went without electricity because of untrimmed trees and a computer glitch. But the New York Times reported on November 25 that ``a variety of experts now say the [report's] findings were too narrow, ignoring the federal government's role in the recent reshaping of the power industry.'' We need to know what the truth is. The Times has reported on the blackout as thoroughly as anyone, so this report is very important. Maybe we need an impartial investigator to follow up on what they are reporting. In the November 25 article, Alan Richardson of the American Public Power Association says that maybe the federal government didn't address what mistakes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made in breaking up the utility industry ``because the answer is not one that's comfortable politically.'' Commenting on the organization the FERC approved to run the transmission wires in the Midwest, transmission expert Robert Blohm is quoted in the article as saying ``How come nobody has examined this horror story, of how they set up an entity 10 times more complex than any known one, in such a short period of time?'' John Casazza, a retired executive from a New Jersey utility, says in the article that ``There are a lot of aspects in this blackout that have not been touched by [the Administration's] report. . . . The root causes are what has happened as a result of our government policy.'' If the experts think policy set by the government is the cause of the blackout, why are the government officials who made these bad policy decisions the ones that are writing the report on what caused the blackout? Back on September 23, the Times reported that ``Experts now think that on Aug. 14, northern Ohio had a severe shortage of reactive power, which ultimately caused the power plant and transmission line failures that set the blackout in motion. Demand for reactive power was unusually high because of a large volume of long-distance transmissions streaming through Ohio to areas, including Canada, that needed to import power to meet local demand.'' These long-distance transmissions were mainly by ``independent power producers,'' or IPPs, who often do not produce any reactive power. The article quoted Raymond Palmieri, who is responsible for transmission reliability in the Midwest, as saying reactive power ``is definitely a contributor'' to the blackout. Who has been pushing for these long-distance transmissions by IPPs? The FERC. They had experts saying for at least two months before the official blackout report came out that it was a problem. But what did that official blackout report, which FERC and the DOE directed and wrote, say about the role of reactive power and IPPs? ``[T]he suggestion that IPPs may have contributed to the difficulties of reliability management on August 14 because they don't provide reactive power is misplaced.'' There is nothing wrong with independent power producers. They perform a valuable role in meeting the nation's electricity needs. But if the government's blackout report barely even mentions the role of reactive power, and doesn't mention at all whether, in light of more long distance transmissions, someone should have changed the rules to make sure there was enough of it, when experts say it was ``definitely a contributor,'' something isn't right. While the FERC has been pushing for more long-distance transmission, Congress has been hearing from experts that the transmission system wasn't designed to operate that way, and that using it for long- distance transmission reduces reliability. At the House Energy and Commerce Committee's blackout hearing on September 4, Gene McGrath, the CEO of Consolidated Edison, said ``I think as an engineer and as an operator having the generation as close to the load center as it can be done is the best interest of everybody. . . . [A]s you separate generation from load you introduce another component. As you introduce other components you can introduce costs and you can introduce reliability problems.'' That is, generating the power two or three States away causes problems. We need to have the power generated close to where it is used. Is that issue even discussed in the Administration's blackout report? No--not even a little bit. Mr. Speaker, my constituents went without power on August 14. It's not just an inconvenience, it's a danger in many cases to be left without electricity. Life-support equipment, traffic signals, elevators, and so many other important devices all depend on electricity. But we seem to have a situation where our own government's review of the blackout steers away from even looking into what seem to be very important contributing factors. FERC Chairman Pat Wood testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee many times in the past couple of years, telling us that to maintain reliability for the wholesale markets his policies promote, we need to beef up the transmission grid. But now that we've had the biggest blackout in our history, FERC doesn't admit its policies that stress the grid had anything to do with it. Chairman Wood's Senate testimony on November 20 was ``the [transmission] operator's primary charge is to work the system you've got. . . . Markets do not compromise reliability.'' So no matter if FERC sprayed water on the road in the freezing cold, it's your fault if you crash your car. If we don't get an accurate picture from government investigators about the causes of the blackout, we will be dooming ourselves to more disruptions, dangers, and inconveniences in the future. I am not willing to allow that. I ask that we consider whether we need an independent investigation of the causes of the blackout so we can do what needs to be done to prevent the next blackout from occurring.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the Reverend Dr. John L. Giles in recognition of his pastoral anniversary. While Reverend Giles was born in the tiny town of Sanger, TX, located 38 miles southwest of Fort Worth, he considers himself a native of San Francisco. It was during high school that he joined St. Kevin's Catholic Church and learned the Catholic discipline. He was also a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Upon graduating from Balboa High School, he had saved enough money to attend college and support himself. Through his hardships, he learned independence, responsibility, the importance of healthy living, and helping others and his family. Drafted in the Vietnam War, he spent 18 months in Friedberg, Germany where he earned the rank of sergeant in 15 months and he attended both Catholic and Protestant churches. He read the bible more and more and his favorite scriptures are Psalm 23, 27, and 121. In May 1997, Pastor Giles earned his doctorate in Holistic Ministry at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Upon returning to San Francisco, he joined the Solid Rock M.B. Church and was baptized. In August 1970, he was accepted at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA. He also attended Morehouse School of Religion and served briefly at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta as a youth minister under the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. Additionally, he has served at First Baptist in LaGrange; First African Baptist, Bainbridge and the Beulah in Quitman. He served as Chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL and as pastor of New Hope M.B. Church until 1994. Presently, he is the Pastor of True Faith Inspirational Baptist Church in Tampa, FL. He is married to JoVanore Sims Giles, who serves as chairperson of the Deaconess Ministry and participates in the choir and other activities. They have two daughters, JoVanore Giles-Galbreath and Jenee Codallo-Nelson, and one son, Johnathan who is attending college at the School of the Holy Cross. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Dr. John L. Giles has honorably served our Nation in the armed services and has provided spiritual guidance and leadership to several parishes across the country. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Wilson-Towns Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, which I have introduced today with Representative Wilson of New Mexico. The virus which causes Hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. Currently, about 4 million people in the United States are believed to have the Hepatitis C virus. However, exact figures are not available because of the stealthy nature of this virus. Often called the ``silent epidemic,'' people infected with the Hepatitis C virus can be virtually symptom-free for decades before realizing that life-threatening damage has occurred. Unfortunately, to date, there is no vaccine to prevent this disease. When this virus first appeared, it was believed that only intravenous drug users were at risk. However, today we know that this disease is no respecter of persons. People from all walks of life have become victims of this virus. Our young people are particularly at risk because tattoos and body piercings have become the fastest growing mode of transmission for Hepatitis C. Many young people are unwittingly putting themselves at risk for contracting this disease. We must provide them with information which will enable them to make informed decisions about this risk. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan effort, which is modeled after a bill introduced on the Senate side by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote and support a comprehensive prevention, research and medical management referral program for persons suffering from the Hepatitis C virus. If passed, this bill will represent the first federal effort to provide a strategic approach to combat this disease. Mr. Speaker, this disease has affected almost 2 percent of the population of this country. We must take concrete action now before many more are needlessly subjected to this virus. Let us not miss this opportunity to avert this potential public health threat. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), and of course the ranking member of the full committee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), of course, and the ranking member as well, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky). Mr. Speaker, this legislation is long overdue. This legislation will allow sellers to work in coordination with optometrists and ophthalmologists across the Nation to ensure that every consumer has access to their prescription in a timely fashion while making the contact lens marketplace more competitive. Consumers deserve the best possible prices and service. Therefore, Congress must involve itself, as it is doing with H.R. 3140. I am proud that both sellers and the doctors have come together in support of this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. In addition to my friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr), I would also like to thank the following: Kelly Zerzan, Jonathan Cordone, Jenny Hansen, and Jesse McCollum for their hard work on this bill as well. Once again, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3140. It is a great bill and deserves the support of this House. Any time we can make life better for consumers, then we should be anxious and eager to do so, and there is no doubt in my mind that this legislation makes life a lot better for consumers. So I am delighted to support it and encourage my colleagues to do likewise.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce a Sense of the Congress resolution which will draw attention to a tragedy which affects thousands of women around the world each year. Obstetric fistula is a major pregnancy-related complication. It occurs when a woman is in obstructed and prolonged labor without medical help. The prolonged pressure of the baby's head against the mother's pelvis cuts off the blood supply to the soft tissues surrounding her bladder, rectum, and vagina. Because of the prolonged and difficult labor, the baby usually dies. However, if the mother survives, the physical and emotional consequences are devastating. The injured tissue soon rots away, leaving a perforation, or fistula which causes the woman to lose control over urination and/or bowel function. Because of a lack of understanding about the cause and treatment of fistulas, women who are fistula sufferers are often abandoned by their husbands, forced out of their homes, and ostracized by family. Although currently virtually unknown in the western world, fistulas were once common in the United States and Europe before the advent of widespread maternal healthcare and hospital births. The current estimates of one million fistula sufferers may be very conservative. Actual sufferers may number over 3 million throughout the developing world. This suffering can be readily ameliorated with reconstructive surgery. Fistula surgical repair has up to a 90 percent success rate and ranges in cost from $100-$400. Although this surgery is inexpensive by American standards, for women in the developing world, this cost is prohibitive. Even if the surgery is affordable, many women in developing countries are either unaware of treatment options or unable to access treatment. A recent report, Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment: Findings from Nine African Countries, commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) details fistula occurrence in nine countries in sub- Saharan Africa: Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia. There are currently 35 hospitals in the aforementioned countries which have the capacity to conduct fistula surgery, but are without the financial resources. The United States House of Representatives should address this issue. To that end, I am introducing a Sense of the Congress Resolution which acknowledges the need of the U.S. government to take steps to end the needless suffering of these women. I request that my colleagues support this bill.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the chairman of the committee; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member; of course, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the Subcommittee on Health chair; and of course, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the ranking member; and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), who worked very closely with me and also the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman). Poison control centers have always had broad bipartisan support, and I was delighted once again to join my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), in sponsoring the House version of the reauthorization. The role of these centers in basic public health care continues to grow. For example, the Academy of Pediatrics recently urged parents to contact the local poison control centers rather than using the time- honored method of inducing vomiting in children where poisoning is suspected. Our action today will ensure that poison control centers will be there to answer the call for those frightened parents. Continued strong Federal funding will help to establish new centers as well. This effort is particularly critical at a time when we are increasingly concerned about poison being used as an element of bioterrorism. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that language was included to ensure that funds under this bill would go directly to the centers for their work and not diverted to costly and unnecessary studies. I would like to thank the committee leadership and committee staff on both sides of the aisle for moving this legislation expeditiously, and I would urge our Senate colleagues to ensure that the bill is passed with the House modifications prior to our adjournment. As a result of what we are doing here today, the lives of people will be saved. Not only that, we will save a lot of money because it is cost-productive. Many times we have youngsters in particular who end up in the emergency room, and it costs a whole lot more to treat a person in the emergency room than to pick up the phone and call the poison control center and for them to tell that mother who has already panicked that all they have to do is take this and let their son or daughter go to sleep. Therefore, I am excited about this because it is cost-saving, and that is something that we should not forget. Anywhere, anytime we can cut corners and save lives at the same time, then I think we should not hesitate to do it.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, while I intend to support the Energy Conference Report, I want to emphasize the importance of flexibility in the new section, to the Federal Power Act, section 16031 on Electric Reliability Standards. Given the recent ``blackouts'' in areas like my home State of New York, it is critical that State or regional entities not be prohibited from adopting more stringent reliability standards as long as this action does not result in lesser reliability outside the State or region than what is provided by the Electric Reliability Organization's reliability standards. I recognize that compromise was needed to bring this bill to the floor today but I do not believe that reliability is an area where our standards can or should be reduced, particularly in areas like New York where reliability is so critical to preventing future blackouts.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Wesner Moise, M.D. in recognition of his commitment and service to his community and his outstanding accomplishments in the field of medicine. Wesner is the director of Geriatric Medicine at Interfaith Medical Center. He has been a solo practitioner at the same Brooklyn location for 27 years. He earned his medical degree from the State University of Haiti. He joined St. Johns Episcopal Hospital, now Interfaith Medical Center, for a rotative internship after completing an additional six- month rotation in pathology. He spent the next three years in the Department of Medicine and became chief resident. He remained very active in the Institution and served on different committees: Quality Assurance, Infection Control and the Medical Executive Committee. Wesner has always had a special interest in the elderly. He provides free seminars to senior centers, screening examinations and flu vaccine. He is also a founding member of the Haitian Association of Physicians Abroad (AMHE), New York Chapter and frequently lectures on health care issues affecting the Haitian community. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the New York State Medical Society, Kings County Medical Society and American Geriatric Society. Dr. Moise and his wife Mireille, an artist, have been married for thirty-three years. They are very proud of their three children who all graduated from Harvard University. Patrick, an entrepreneur, is developing a software company in Seattle, Washington. Astrid is an aspiring academic cardiovascular surgeon. She is presently doing research on stem cells and angiogenesis at the University of Pennsylvania. Michael, a financial analyst, is presently pursuing his MBA at Columbia University. The Moises are the quintessential ``Interfaith Family.'' His wife and four sisters all worked as registered nurses at Interfaith. Dr. Moise's philosophy can be summarized as follows: Be all you can be, make a difference for your community, be a role model for your children, and be supportive of your family. Mr. Speaker, Wesner Moise, M.D. has dedicated his time and medical expertise to the community through his own practice and his work at Interfaith Medical Center. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as the lead sponsor of the House version of S. 1590, I am pleased that we are considering this legislation today. S. 1590 would rename the post office located at 315 Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``James E. Davis Post Office Building.'' I would also like to note that this bill has been cosponsored by the entire New York delegation, and I would like to thank my colleagues from New York for doing so. On that tragic day when Councilman James Davis of Brooklyn was murdered in a violent shooting in City Hall, New York City, we lost a true public servant. He was an intelligent, passionate, and energetic young man who had an extremely bright future. He worked very hard and took his duties as a public servant very, very seriously. He was only 41 years old and had served almost one term in the New York City Council. But he had already made his mark. I met James through the Youth March Against Violence that he organized. His commitment to this issue was genuine. However, when I think of him, I remember one of the last conversations we had, which I think really embodies his approach to public service. We were meeting with housing authority officials, and he told them we weren't there to point fingers at every one. But if we didn't work together to get thing done, we would all take the blame. Sound advice that I think all public officials should take to heart. With James, it was always about the community. He was dedicated to its betterment, having served as a police officer and district leader before being elected to the city council. One could always see the love he had for his neighbors and constituents. Naming a post office after him would be a lasting tribute to all of his hard work for the community that he loved so much. While we still have a heavy heart for losing such a good friend, the James E. Davis post office can help us celebrate his life. I think I can speak for all of Brooklyn when I say that the James E. Davis post office is something that we will all be proud of.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Ralph and Gloria Dickerson in recognition of their commitment and service to their community. Ralph Dickerson, Jr. has served honorably as the President of United Way of New York City since May 1988. As President of United Way of New York City, he has led the organization into the position of being the largest private funder of health and human services in New York City and as a major force in forging bold new solutions to the city's most critical human care challenges. Under his leadership, United Way of New York City's revenue has grown from $75.1 million to $135 million, making it the largest United Way in the nation. In addition, United Way of New York City has used its extensive knowledge of community-based human service agencies to broker and partner with government, foundations and business in ground breaking initiatives that are successfully addressing the city's human care issues and the high dropout rate. Ralph has held key executive positions for 30 years in local United Ways including St. Louis, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration; and he received a M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin. Ralph and Gloria are the proud parents of two children, daughter, Maria Renee (deceased), and Ralph III. Their son, Ralph III and daughter-in-law, Michelle, have given them two grandsons, Cameron and Garrett and a granddaughter, Lauren. Gloria is the President of Maral Enterprises, Inc., The Learning Tree, and Copy Bee, which she started in May 1988. Maral is a children's book distribution company while the Learning Tree, and Copy Bee are retail stores offering teachers, parents and children a full line of educational books, materials and learning guides. This entrepreneurial business came about as a result of Mrs. Dickerson's written bibliography and review of children's books mostly written by African-American authors. Prior to this business venture, she served as Assistant Dean at the University of Wisconsin and Cleveland State University. She began her career as a special education teacher. Gloria holds a B.S. in Special Education, an M.S. degree, and completed her work toward a Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Missouri. Gloria serves on educational, civic and volunteer organizations, boards and as a Trustee at her daughter's school, The Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Alpha Kappa Alpha National Sorority. Ralph has served as a Director with several civic and corporate organizations and has received numerous city awards and honorary degrees. He was also inducted into the Alpha Kappa Psi Honorary Business Fraternity. Mr. Speaker, Ralph and Gloria Dickerson have both made significant contributions to their community through both their professional and voluntary endeavors. As such, they are more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these truly remarkable people.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Charles E. Simpson, in recognition of his commitment and service to his community and his outstanding accomplishments in the field of law. Charles is an attorney and a partner of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP., and chairs the firm's Bankruptcy, Corporate Restructuring and Workouts Practice Group. He is also a member of the Litigation and Real Estate Practice Groups. Since 1981, Charles has served as one of the counsels to the Honorable Edolphus Towns of the 10th Congressional District, Brooklyn, New York. In addition, he is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Red Cross, the Queens Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and the Brooklyn Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. From 1983 through 1987, Mr. Simpson served as Brooklyn's Representative on the Board of Directors of the then New York City Public Development Corporation. He also served as counsel to the Bed-Stuy/Crown Heights Area Health Plan and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. He was a member of the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Minorities in the Profession from 1987 to 1992. Charles, who served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1972, graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California in 1974 and received his law degree in 1977 from Harvard. He was named a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow in 1974. Mr. Speaker, Charles E. Simpson has dedicated his time to an array of local activities and causes, often using his legal expertise for the betterment of the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Edward Vasquez, Dino Anselmo and Brian Latimore; detectives of the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, for their recent heroic efforts. While we are rightly reminded about the heroism of police officers, and other first responders after 9/11, police officers risk their lives to save others' lives every day of the year. As an example of one such heroic effort, I am submitting for the Record an article published on November 3, 2003, in the N.Y. Daily News about how three Brooklyn detectives who saved the life of a young girl trapped inside a burning building. For their efforts, all of us from New York City, especially those from Brooklyn, are proud and grateful. [From the New York Daily News] Hero of the Month: Cops Donned Fire Hats (By Patrice O'Shaughnessy) (Hero of the Month spotlights those men and women, civil servants and civilians, who go beyond the call of duty to make New York a better place.) Edward Vasquez, Dino Anselmo and Brian Latimore are three longtime detectives in East New York, Brooklyn, used to confronting gunmen and tracking down murder suspects. Racing into a smoke-filled building recently to evacuate tenants proved to be equally tense. ``It's just a reaction,'' Latimore said. ``You see a guy with a gun, you don't think about it while you're doing it. You just think about getting another gun off the street. We saw the smoke; we all knew we were going to go.'' The result brought the same satisfaction. ``Everybody got out safe; that's what it's all about,'' Latimore said. For disregarding their own safety and rescuing a 4-year-old girl and several adults from a fire, the three are the Daily News Heroes of the Month. ``They could have just stood outside and called 911,'' said Mariano Alvarado, whose daughter, Taija, was carried out by the cops. ``They cared about getting people out. They ran in themselves.'' The detectives, all of whom have young daughters, were driving on Pitkin Ave. on their way to the 75th Precinct station at 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 23, after searching for a robbery suspect, when Anselmo spotted smoke. Latimore turned their car down Ashford St., and they saw smoke pouring out from the top of a three-story building. It was raining hard. ``Not a soul was on the block,'' Vasquez said. The building was run-down--the windows of the top floor boarded up, tenants on the second floor, squatters living on the first. ``I was pretty sure it was occupied, because I saw a Big Wheels on the second-floor fire escape,'' Vasquez said. ``We got out of the car and ran right in.'' They started banging on doors on the first floor. The smoke was coming down the stairs and filling the hallway, which was dimly lit to start with. ``The landing was all black smoke,'' Anselmo said. ``Brian went to the car to get a flashlight. . . . I found three adults in the rear apartment on the first floor. We asked if anyone was upstairs, and they said a family and a little baby.'' Vasquez went up. ``I was holding onto the wall going up stairs. The plywood was hot. . . . I was afraid the stairs would fall.'' He kicked an apartment door open and saw Alvarado waking up in an apartment full of smoke. Alvarado said he had not smelled any fire. ``I heard someone trying to kick in the door. . . . My daughter was watching TV in the bedroom, my wife and baby daughter were at the hospital and a detective was in my kitchen,'' he said. ``He grabbed my daughter and another cop grabbed me. It was pretty smoky in the stairs.'' Vasquez put his jacket over Taija and Anselmo hustled Alvarado out. ``I could hear crackling and crashing, and I started coughing, and then I saw a little beam of light,'' Anselmo said. ``Brian got us out.'' Taija was taken to a hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Anselmo was given oxygen, then he and Vasquez went to the 102nd Precinct in Queens to interview some gun suspects. Latimore went back to the squad room and finished his shift. ``You reacted, did what you had to do and got back to work,'' Anselmo said. ``Later, as people started to ask us about it, it felt good.'' Alvarado and his family are in temporary housing; his youngest child has high levels of lead from substandard housing and requires medical treatment. ``I don't know where we will go next,'' Alvarado said. They cannot return to 344 Ashford St. because the utilities have been shut off--the building was declared dangerous to live in--and the apartment has been looted of pipes and a new radiator, Alvarado said. The three detectives were recognized by the police Honor Legion. Vasquez said his 10-year-old daughter, Rachel, was so excited that she kept trying on different dresses to wear to the dinner. ``A lot of guys have done a lot of good things here,'' Vasquez said. ``You feel great after the fact. And my family was very proud.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Rev. Richard A. Hatcher for his exemplary and distinguished service to his congregation, which has earned him the Thomas R. Fortune Pastor of the Year Award. Rev. Hatcher was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia to the late Letcher and Eva Hatcher. In 1959, he moved to New York City where he met Susie Clarke, who after an extensive courtship would later become his wife. Their union resulted in three children, Kecia, Nicole and Richard Hatcher, Jr. While devoutly serving in Christian fellowship at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Rev. Hatcher received the calling to God's ministry. After intensive studies at the Manhattan Bible Institute, he became a licensed minister. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Hatcher was ordained. He furthered his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle. Rev. Hatcher pastored at Bethenia Baptist Church for 15 years. Through his leadership and with God's blessings, the church was able to acquire adjoining property which led to the expansion and renovation of the church, including the installation of new pews, purchasing a new piano, construction of new office space, and creating a learning room for the youth and a room solely designed for prayer. The renovation also included a complete face-lift of the main sanctuary. Weekly bible study and the ``Hour of Power'' prayer service were instituted to further serve as a spiritual base for Bethenia's members. Although the loss of his beloved wife, Susie, was devastating, it did not weaken his faith or commitment to his calling. On July 9, 2000, Rev. Hatcher preached his initial sermon as Pastor-Elect of Bethesda Memorial Baptist Church. Although it has been only three years, Rev. Hatcher has proved to be a spiritual leader, teacher and motivator. His accomplishments are already numerous. They include getting the day care functioning again, installing a bathroom in the daycare, enlarging the pastor's office, opening a trustee room, and establishing a music room. Marble floors have been installed in the lobby and several of the church's windows have been replaced and upgraded. The Rev. Hatcher also started a Food for Survival and Food Bank Program as well as a soup kitchen, which feeds up to 150 people. Mr. Speaker, Rev. Richard A. Hatcher has been an exemplary pastor to his congregation, serving as a spiritual leader and teacher for the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Lena Scarborough-Gates for her commitment to the education of our children. Lena Scarborough-Gates was born in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Brooklyn College where she received her Bachelor's of Arts Degree and Master's of Arts Degree, both in Early Childhood Education. She was accepted into the Assistant Principal's Internship program, sponsored by the Department of Education where she was awarded four supervisory licenses, Principal, Assistant Principal, Education Administrator and Early Childhood Supervisor. She began work on her doctorate degree at New York University. Lena started her teaching career at the Emanuel Day Care Kindergarten at Emanuel Baptist Church. She then moved on to become Group Teacher at the Faith Hope and Charity #1. After a few years at Faith Hope and Charity #1, she began her career at the New York City Department of Education, Community School 21 as a kindergarten teacher. At Community School 21, she also served as a first grade teacher, Community School Coordinator and staff developer. She furthered her professional career by moving to Public School 5 as an Assistant Principal. Later, she would become Principal of Public School 5. Lena is a member of the Antioch Baptist Church where she serves as the chairperson of the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Antioch Music Ministry. She is a member of the Antioch Community Service Corporation and founder of Caring Educators in Action. She is also a member of the Stuy Park Lion's Club International. Lena is a member of the Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, which has afforded her to travel throughout the country. The Ebony Ecumenical sings as one of its featured songs, a song written by Dr. James A. Forbes, senior minister of the Riverside Church called ``Love My Children.'' Lena, who has a passion for children, says that this song is a tribute to children everywhere. Lena is married to James Gates and that union has been blessed with twin sons, Jaime Derrell and Jarrarie Darryl. Mr. Speaker, Lena Scarborough-Gates has dedicated her professional career to educating our children. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Harry T. Pinchback for his long-time public service and commitment to the Brooklyn community. A descendant of P.B.S. Pinchback, the first African American to become a state governor, Harry T. Pinchback was born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. In his late teens, he moved to the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. He and his wife Peggy have been married for 45 years, and they have a daughter Angela and a grandson named Paris. ``Pinch,'' as he is universally known throughout Brooklyn, graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Brooklyn and would later attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice for two years. Before entering public service, Pinch first pursued a career as a professional singer and then as a professional baseball player, where he played left field for the St. Louis Cardinal minor league organization. Back in Brooklyn, Pinch joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1967. He was the first supervisor of the summer youth program for the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, which took children on recreational and educational field trips. He was also the first supervisor of the cadet program for the 75th Precinct, which was a training program for those who wanted to enter the police force. Pinch was also the first coordinator of the school crossing guard program for the 75th Precinct. Additionally, he risked his life on the force in several dangerous situations, working on the narcotics unit in Brooklyn and on undercover assignments throughout New York City. Pinch was also the first African-American selected to the NYPD softball team and one of the first African-Americans selected to the NYPD football team. After retiring from the NYPD in 1988, he returned to public service, working as a Special Assistant for Congressman Ed Towns, where he still continues to serve. Mr. Speaker, Harry T. Pinchback has had a long and distinguished career serving the people of Brooklyn, first as a police officer and then in the Office of Congressman Ed Towns. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Raul King for his success in the realty business, which has earned him the Thomas R. Fortune Business Award. Raul King was born on March 17, 1946 in the Dominican Republic. The son of Rosa and Pedro King, and the second of five children, Raul came from modest and humble beginnings. At an early age, Raul learned the value of hard work. He worked as a boiler mechanic on a locomotive train that would cross the town of Sanchez where he lived. In the summer of 1963, at the age of 17, Raul enlisted into the navy, earning the rank of Officer Petty Class. In 1970, Raul made his first trip to the United States, where he arrived in New York. Once in New York he worked as a mechanic and obtained his G.E.D. at Bushwick High School. In 1981, Raul got involved in real estate investments and through perseverance and trial and error, he became a promising real estate salesperson. By 1990, Raul obtained his license in real estate and became a licensed Realty Broker. For the past decade, Raul has shown a passion for the realty business and he has no plans to retire. Raul and his wife Beebis King have been married for 23 years. They now have four children and five grandchildren Mr. Speaker, from humble beginnings, Raul King has come to this country and has become a successful realtor through hard work and dedication. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. for his commitment to public service and active involvement in New York's civic affairs for more than 40 years. While Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. is a native of Panama, he has been a vital asset to the Brooklyn community for more than four decades. Starting with the Unity Democratic Club in 1960, he worked as an Election District Captain and Campaign Manager for the late Thomas R. Fortune, Executive Member. Dr. Stewart was a diligent member of the Unity Democratic Club advising and supporting in all political elections. In 1968, he began his own political career as a successful candidate for State Senate, where he served for four years. From 1968-1969, he served as Statewide Chairman of the NAACP Political Action and Voter Registration Committee. He was also one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of the Commerce, Labor, and County of Kings Corporation that converted the Brooklyn Navy Yard into an industrial park. Additionally, Dr. Stewart was a member of the New York State Governor Mario Cuomo's Advisory Committee on Black Affairs and a New York State delegate to President Jimmy Carter's White House Conference on Small Business. Dr. Stewart has been very active in ensuring a strong future for Kings County Hospital. From 1984-1990, Dr. Stewart served as chairperson of the Community Advisory Board of Kings County Hospital and a member of the Medical Board. In 1984, he began a campaign for the rebuilding and modernization of Kings County Hospital, resulting in the current rebuilding program of more than $100 million, which was completed in 2002. In the community, Dr. Stewart has also served as the Chairperson of the Program Development Committee of the Community Advisory Board from 1980-1984, and 1991-1998. Currently, Dr. Stewart is the director of the Southern Diaspora Research and Development Center (SDRDC), which is a non-governmental organization. The executive members, officers and all of the members of Unity Democratic Club salute Dr. Waldaba Stewart for his enduring and strong support. Mr. Speaker, in a short time, Dr. Waldaba H. Stewart, Jr. has been a dedicated public servant for more than 40 years, demonstrating a real commitment to the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Rev. Robert M. Waterman for his devout commitment to his congregation and dedication to his community. Rev. Robert M. Waterman, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a young man, he was reared in Hemingway, South Carolina, and steeped in both the Pentecostal and Baptist traditions. In 1985, he was licensed to preach by Abundant Life Tabernacle. Rev. Waterman also served as the Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor at Union Baptist Church in White Plains, New York under the pastoral guidance of Reverends Robert L. Mason and Verlin D. Williams. He began his work at Antioch on November 4, 2001, and was officially installed as the church's reverend in May of 2003. During this time, Reverend Waterman graduated from the New York Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. Rev. Waterman has brought many talents to Antioch including a youthful exuberance, a commitment to getting the job done, and a quiet yet ebullient spirituality. With his leadership, new seats and carpet have been installed in the balcony, an after school homework program was created, the Wednesday night bible study was revived, and a large influx of new worshippers have come to the church. Since his installation, Reverend Waterman has worked closely with the youth ministry, forming Teens United for Fellowship (TUFF). He has also established leadership classes and retreats, reinstituted the Christian education department, spearheaded the purchase of a state-of-the-art sound system in the sanctuary, and revived the Antioch Community Service program for youth and seniors. He has also been instrumental in the building fund for the elevator project. Spiritually, Reverend Waterman is known as ``The Preacher of Thunder'' as he encourages his congregation to know God so that hearts, and thereby lives, can be changed. His commitment to Antioch is demonstrated by his relocation to the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. As Antioch Baptist Church celebrates its 85th anniversary, the church is stronger than ever with the guidance and leadership of Reverend Waterman. Mr. Speaker, in a short time, Rev. Robert M. Waterman has already made a positive difference in the lives of the Antioch Baptist Church congregation and the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Patricia A. Lee for her achievement in expanding a local business, which has served the Brooklyn community for several years. Patricia A. Lee was born in Magnolia, NC. She attended E.E. Smith High School in Keanansville, NC, and upon graduation, she continued her education at Norfolk State University. In 1970, she earned a B.S degree in business administration. Soon afterward, Patricia was employed by Allstate Insurance Company as an injury claims adjuster. After working for Allstate for two years, she joined her family's business, the North Carolina Country Store, in Brooklyn, NY, as vice president of Marketing and Business Operations. Her hard work paid dividends, and in 1988, she expanded the business by opening a restaurant, The Carolina Country Kitchen, which has been in Brooklyn for 13 years. The restaurant is now located in the country store. Patricia is an active member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jamaica, NY. She has also been involved in numerous community efforts including her membership on the 73rd Community Council and the Bedford Stuyvesant Community Planning Board. Additionally, she is a contributor to several block associations and is very active in her community and neighborhood schools. Mr. Speaker, Patricia A. Lee has made significant contributions to her community through her entrepreneurial and volunteer activities. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Michael A. Olmeda for his commitment to serving his community through active civic participation. Since 1990, Michael has been a social and policy advocate in the Brooklyn community, focusing on issues of substance abuse prevention, housing development, and senior citizen advocacy. As a member of prominent local and citywide organizations, he has taken an active role in raising community awareness about the problems facing our community as well as working to solve those problems. For several years, Michael has worked as Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns. Serving as a key member of the Assemblyman's staff, he has played an integral role in implementing many of the Assemblyman's annual community service programs, such as the senior conference, the community service awards program, the turkey drive, and the annual toy drive. As a child, Michael grew up around politics in the Bronx, with his mother's active involvement in Community Schools District 9 politics. As a teenager, he worked with a local group called the National Association for Puerto Rican Affairs (NAPRA), where he learned his way around campaigns, stuffing envelopes, working poll sites, and getting to know the political structure of the Bronx. After a brief tour of service with the U.S. Army, Mike came back to the Bronx to work as a butcher. Realizing this was not his professional calling, he moved to the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, where he met Senator Ada L. Smith. Involved with politics again, Mike's first Brooklyn campaign was with Councilman Martin Malave Dilan. Since then, he has continued to grow within the political community, managing campaigns for many prominent local and statewide officials. Most recently, he worked on the McCall for Governor and the Fernando Ferrer for Mayor campaign. A recent graduate of Long Island University, Mike hopes one day to work with local community based organizations, implementing programs that demonstrate the importance of computer literacy in our community. Michael has been married to his wife Cecelia for the past 20 years and they have four beautiful children Steven, Racquel, Travis, and Mikey. Mr. Speaker, Michael A. Olmeda has served his community admirably through both his professional life and volunteer activities. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable individual.