Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Alajandra Pena in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment in this year's 75th Precinct Council Spelling Bee competition. Alajandra is currently in the fifth grade at P.S. 72 in Brooklyn, New York. She received a second place award in the spelling bee. Mr. Speaker, Alajandra Pena has demonstrated that she is committed to her academic studies and is an excellent speller. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring her and her accomplishment.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following article for the Record. [From the Washington Post, June 5, 2003] The Binge Isn't Over For Diller (By Leslie Walker) Barry Diller may prove Woody Allen was right when he said 80 percent of success is showing up. The onetime Hollywood mogul first got into electronic commerce more than a decade ago, never left and may end up being one of its biggest successes. It was 1993, soon after he entered the television home-shopping business, that he started extolling the convenience of ``buying underwear in your underwear.'' When the real electronic commerce wave arrived on personal computers instead of television, Diller regrouped and started buying Internet ventures. Yet except for his failed $18 billion bid to buy the Lycos Web portal in 1999, Diller has remained largely known as an entertainment and media executive, and his online escapades have attracted little attention. Until now. The digerati are finally taking notice of Diller's online empire since his conglomerate, USA Interactive (USAI), announced a recent string of takeovers that are transforming it into one of the Internet's superpowers. Diller's moves are part of a consolidation wave gaining speed in the high-tech sector, where start-ups are still struggling to overcome depressed stock prices and an oversupply of goods and services. ``We want to be the largest and most profitable e-commerce company utilizing multiple brands,'' Diller, chief executive of USAI, declared in an interview this week. (Diller is a director of The Washington Post Co.) Diller's recent acquisitions appear to reflect a shift toward more direct forms of commerce online, where new commercial matchmakers that could bypass traditional forms of advertising are catching on. First, a look at Diller's march across the Web: Since early last year, USA Interactive has announced it will acquire LendingTree Inc., which pairs home buyers with lenders and real estate agents online; travel agent Expedia Inc., which lets consumers make travel reservations online; British UDate.com, an online personals site; the outstanding shares of Hotels.com, an online provider of discount lodging bookings; and the remaining shares of Ticketmaster, the electronic ticketing agency in which USAI first took a 50 percent stake back in 1997. Also in the past year, Diller's company snapped up a string of offline travel-related companies, including the Entertainment discount-coupon book, the vacation exchange network Interval International and Britain's TV Travel Group. USAI already owned various ``back office'' services, thanks to acquisitions made a few years ago. In 1999, for example, it bought one of the world's biggest customer call-center operations, Precision Response Corp., which also conducts e-mail marketing campaigns and database services. And, of course, USAI still owns the Home Shopping Network. As a result of its takeovers, USA Interactive appears poised to take in more than $6 billion in revenue this year-- more than Amazon.com, eBay, Yahoo or any other Internet firm except America Online. Diller said that his Internet binge is not over. He intends to buy more Net gems and hinted that LendingTree points in the direction he is headed. (Think financial services.) Some analysts worry that the LendingTree deal, a stock swap valued at roughly $700 million, may be inflated because the home refinancing wave caused a temporary spurt in its business. But Diller discounts such talk. ``We couldn't care less what happens in the very, very, very near term,'' he told analysts when he announced the deal last month. ``What we care about is that we've bought the right business in the right category.'' Still, his company seems to garner more dollars than respect, perhaps because it resembles a giant Internet puzzle with the pieces not yet snapped into place. That may explain why Diller said this week he is flirting with changing the name of his company again. USAI has gone by at least five names in the past, none too memorable. The latest moniker makeover came last year when it sold off its cable TV channels and replaced ``Networks'' in ``USA Networks'' with ``Interactive'' to focus more on electronic commerce. Diller said the company's current mission is to act as a ``middleman'' between supply and demand in interactive commerce, making it more like eBay than retailer Amazon.com. Like eBay, USAI's companies typically take commissions for matching buyers and sellers. They hold little or no inventory, which lowers their costs and potentially boosts profit margins. EBay mostly auctions used goods but is aggressively courting sellers of new merchandise as part of its avowed bid to become ``the world's marketplace.'' While analysts think this could make it a head-to-head competitor with USAI, Diller doesn't see it that way. He said he doubts eBay will succeed in becoming the world's marketplace: ``They are not going to make the transition in every category to a fixed- price model,'' he predicted, ``and will be predominantly based in peer-to-peer auctions.'' Time will tell how much advantage can be gained from lumping together different Internet entities or ``multiple brands'' online. But for starters, there should be savings from no longer having to run five separate public accounting operations for LendingTree, Expedia, Hotels.com, Ticketmaster and USA Interactive, all of which have been trading under separate stock symbols. After buying a controlling stake in Expedia from Microsoft Corp. last summer, USAI declared its intention to buy the outstanding shares of its key subsidiaries. Expedia and Hotels.com resisted briefly but yielded this spring. Soon USAI will introduce loyalty incentive programs for people using its various e-commerce services. Diller said the first incarnation, perhaps points-based rewards, will debut later this year or early next. He added that he has no plans to create an overarching Internet network with a ``single sign-on'' for users of USAI sites, such as AOL attempted with its Web properties and Time Warner did with its original magazine sites at the ill-fated Pathfinder.com. ``We do not believe in unnatural synergies, and we don't have one totalitarian brand,'' Diller said. ``We only want to make relationships where natural law dictates they make sense.'' AOL and Time Warner, of course, hyped ``synergies'' among their many brands when the two companies merged three years ago. Diller said the big lesson he learned from watching that merger flop was not to shortchange his Internet products but to keep improving them. ``They took care of everything but the product itself and paid a terrible price for it,'' Diller said of AOL. But USAI will exploit natural connections, he added, such as cross-linking among its Web sites and pursuing other cross-marketing opportunities. For instance, Evite.com, a free invitation service owned by USAI, already rotates banner ads on its online personals site, Match.com, and the Entertainment book. You can imagine its Citysearch's online city guides linking prominently to LendingTree's real estate service, or Hotels.com offering local event tickets from Ticketmaster when people book rooms. Whatever Diller winds up calling his many-headed Internet beast, it's a good bet it will grow up to be one of the surviving giants of the dot-corn jungle.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dennis Cooper in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment in this year's 75th Precinct Council Spelling Bee competition. Dennis is currently in the fifth grade at P.S. 306 in Brooklyn, New York. He received a third place award in the spelling bee. Mr. Speaker, Dennis Cooper has demonstrated that he is committed to his academic studies and is an excellent speller. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring him and his accomplishment.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Elvis Hernandez in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment in this year's 75th Precinct Council Spelling Bee competition. Elvis is currently in the fifth grade at Blessed Sacrament in Brooklyn, New York. He finished in first place in the spelling bee. Mr. Speaker, Elvis Hernandez has demonstrated that he is committed to his academic studies and is an excellent speller. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring him and his accomplishment.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Oluyemi O. Badero, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the field of medicine. Dr. Badero was born in Nigeria. Four years after completing medical school in Nigeria, he came to the United States in 1988. Dr. Badero, who is a U.S. citizen, received his internship and residency training in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate-Kings County Hospitals in Brooklyn, New York where he also served as chief resident, a prestigious position. He completed three separate fellowship training programs in critical care medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, the latter at the Yale University Program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dr. Badero is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. He is one of a very few African- American specialists in his field. In fact in February 2003, The Network Journal, named Dr. Badero as one of the top black doctors for cardiology based on his experience, expertise and bedside manner. Having completed an unprecedented nine consecutive years of post- graduate training, Dr. Badero is a highly regarded expert in cardiology. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and an active member of several other professional organizations. Dr. Badero has been widely published on a wide range of medical topics and has won numerous awards for his accomplishments. He currently serves as the Associate Chief of Cardiology and Associate Director of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Interfaith Medical Center, the Director of the Cardiology Clinic at Kings County Hospital, director of Cardiac Screening Clinic and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at SUNY Health Science Center. All of these medical institutions are located in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Oluyemi O. Badero has reached the highest levels of medicine in our country, all the way from Nigeria, and he has used his expertise to improve the lives of his 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, today I rise to pay tribute to Charles R. Branson, who on May 6th was the recipient of the 2003 Shepherd College President's Award for a Lifetime of Community Service. Mr. Branson attended Shadyside Elementary School in Shepherdstown's West End. In 1937, he took the state proficiency exam for 8th graders (he was in the 7th grade at the time), passed with the highest score and was named the valedictorian of his class despite having started elementary school two years later than his peers because of an injury to his legs. The only black high school in Jefferson County was at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. Mr. Branson enrolled at Storer, and his family struggled to pay the $16 a month board. His mother's untimely death, when Mr. Branson was a junior, put a financial strain on the family and he could no longer afford to stay on campus. He got a job at a tourist home that paid $2 a month and provided him lodging in the basement furnace room, which was permeated with coal dust. Despite these unpleasant conditions, he had the determination to continue his education. Mr. Branson graduated from Storer College's High School program in 1941 and returned to Shepherdstown. The quest for a job took him to New York City and Connecticut but he eventually returned to Shepherdstown where he briefly worked at Shepherd College. In 1942, he married Ruby Washington and shortly thereafter was inducted into the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was an assistant gunner in the 827th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company, C, Third Platoon. After training in North Africa, Mr. Branson was sent to Europe. He landed in Marseilles. He and his battalion took part in the invasion and liberation of Southern France. Within the next few days, they moved north towards the battle front. Despite waist deep snow, they finally reached Strasbourg and headed toward Luxembourg. From December to January he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the last great effort of the Nazi war machine to avoid defeat. After a month of fighting on the ground, the air support arrived and the tide began to turn in favor of the allied forces. After fighting in the European theater for several months, Mr. Branson found himself on a ship headed for the Pacific theater to join that fight. However, while on route, to Japan, a voice on the ship's loudspeaker announced the end of the war. The ship returned to the United States. Mr. Branson was honorably discharged from the Army on October 3, 1945. Upon returning to Shepherdstown, he and his wife purchased the home in which they still live. After working for a year in local orchards and at the local Army hospital, he was persuaded by his wife to attend college. He graduated from Storer College with a bachelor's degree. He served as a teacher and football coach in the Luray, Virginia public schools until 1956, when he returned to Shepherdstown once again. He worked in the patient relations department of the local Veterans' Hospital until his retirement in 1985. In addition to working and raising a family, Mr. Branson served on the Shepherdstown Town Council from 1974 to 2002. During his tenure on the council, he spearheaded the cleaning of Back Alley and the paving of streets in the predominantly African American East and West End communities within the town. He insured that the interests of the African American community were not forgotten in the deliberations and the decisions of the council and fought to preserve the small-town environment of Shepherdstown while assuring that all members of the community had access to basic services. Mr. Branson is a member of St. John the Baptist Church and is chairperson emeritus of St. John's Deacon Board. Mr. Branson was given the President's Award in recognition of his service to the community. I want to recognize him because of the odds he overcame and his determination to make a difference for ordinary people.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the rule for H.R. 1588, the National Defense Authorization bill. In one swift act, this bill would make sweeping changes to the civil service system that has served its employees and our nation well for 100 years. The recent quick and decisive action by our armed services in Iraq demonstrated that the current civil service system has not harmed our military's effectiveness. I strongly believe that our DOD civilian employees deserve all of the same protections that workers in other agencies enjoy. Even if some of these ideas had merit, which they clearly do not, DOD is not ready to implement such a major personnel change without first making critical management reforms. In a hearing on April 8, Comptroller General David Walker said that although DOD may get an ``A'' for fighting and winning armed conflicts, it receives a ``D'' for its management practices. Previously, the Comptroller General described the financial management problems at DOD as ``pervasive, complex, long- standing, and deeply rooted in virtually all business operations throughout the department.'' This does not sound like an agency that is ready for wholesale changes to its personnel system. The GAO has also noted repeatedly that agency-wide, the entire government does not have the systems in place to implement meaningful performance-based pay that this bill would enact as well. Although civil service reform may warrant consideration, all of the nonpartisan, credible information indicates that this bill goes way too far and that the DOD is not ready to effectively make such changes. This rule did not allow our side to offer an amendment that would help address the shortcoming in the civil service section of the bill. So I urge the defeat of this unfair and poorly crafted rule.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, The Republic of China on Taiwan will be celebrating their President's third anniversary in office this May. I join Taiwan's friends in extending my congratulations to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. During the last 3 years, Taiwan's president has strengthened relations with the United States. Taiwan has given us full support in our war against global terrorism and our war with Iraq and offered humanitarian assistance to post-war Iraq. Taiwan is our friend and we appreciate Taiwan's friendship. We hope Taiwan will have an early resumption of talks with the Chinese mainland. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in everyone's best interest. Also, we hope that Taiwan will be successful in stopping the spread of SARS and that Taiwan will receive observer status with the World Health Organization. Congratulations, President Chen.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Henry ``Hank'' Carter in recognition of his dedication to improving the care for the disabled population and ensuring their access to wide ranging opportunities in his communities. In 1972, Hank Carter founded Wheelchair Charities, Inc. Hank's lifelong commitment to improving the lives of disabled people began when his best friend, Tjader, became disabled from a bullet that shattered Tjader's spinal cord. Hank's friend was sent to Goldwater Memorial Hospital to recuperate through a rehabilitation program where Hank often visited him and in the process, made new friends. Through his daily visits to the hospital, Hank came to realize that his friends, although physically challenged, still longed for their American Dream. These young patients, many in their teens and early twenties, wanted to participate in the same type of daily activities in which able bodied people engaged. Hank knew this would be impossible without financial support. Creating a financial support system to enhance the quality of life for his new friends quickly became his passion. As a young leader in Queens Bridge Houses, Hank organized playground sports; musical shows and block activities. His crowning achievement has been an annual neighborhood fundraising basketball tournament to help support activities for inpatients and outpatients of Goldwater Memorial. Today, the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic is a citywide competition with a boys and girls division. These neighborhood tournaments provided the foundation for Wheelchair Charities, Inc. Over the years, this non-profit, all volunteer organization has raised over $7 million for people with disabilities. Some of the items that the funds have paid for include 184 motorized wheelchairs; 20 manual wheel chairs for the wheelchair basketball teams; three buses to transport wheelchair bound patients; a computer laboratory; and an equipment room. Mr. Speaker, Hank Carter is committed to improving the lives of the disabled population in his 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 Ernesta Bowman in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the company she founded and for her commitment to providing financial services to underserved communities. Ernesta G. Procope, formerly Ernesta Bowman founded E.G. Bowman Co. Inc., a commercial insurance brokerage firm, in the early 1950s soon after the death of her first husband. The company began as a homeowners and auto insurance agency in front of a storefront in Bedford- Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. It is now grown to be a large commercial lines brokerage on Wall Street and the largest minority-owned and woman-owned insurance brokerage firm in the U.S., celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Procope is still the CEO and president of the agency. In addition to servicing churches, colleges and social agencies, the firm's clients have included several of the Fortune 500 companies such as Tiffany & Co., Avon Products, American Express, IBM, Philip Morris, PepsiCo Inc. and General Motors. Among Bowman and its president's notable achievements include fighting to implement the New York State Property Fair Plan, which created an insurance pool to cover properties in previously redlined areas, and winning a bid solicited by the U.S. Information Agency to write insurance worldwide for Fulbright Scholars. The firm also became the insurance broker of record for the U.S. portion of the Alaskan Pipeline. Procope was named Woman of the Year by former First Lady Patricia Nixon in 1972 and was also appointed Special Ambassador to The Gambia by President Ford. Often referred to as the First Lady of Wall Street, Procope has been recognized by Business Insurance magazine as one of the 100 leading women in the insurance industry and by Crain's as one of the 100 Leading Women in business. Procope holds honorary doctor of law degrees from Howard University, Adelphi, Marymount Manhattan College and a doctor of humane letters from Morgan State University. Mr. Speaker, Ernesta G. Procope has served an exemplary role model for women and minorities in the business world and has worked to ensure that all communities are treated fairly by insurance firms. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable woman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Lillie Mae Evans Ferebee in recognition of her 100th birthday celebration and her commitment to her community. Lillie Mae Evans Ferebee, the eldest daughter of the late Willie and Sarah Evans, was born on May 2, 1903 in Greenborough, Georgia. She is the only child from a family of six children. Mrs. Ferebee moved to New York in 1937 where she met and married her husband, the late Livingston Ferebee. Although God never blessed them with biological children, they raised many family members and neighborhood children who have risen to become professionals throughout the great city of New York. The special gifts from God are her beloved daughter, Sharon Borno and her granddaughter, Yolanda Denise Taylor. Mrs. Ferebee has been the mother of these ladies from the time of their births. Many beautiful people are found in the Borough of Brooklyn, including Ms. Ferebee herself, who at the age of 100 years old resides in the Brevoort Housing Development of the Bedford Stuyvesant community. Mrs. Ferebee is affectionately known as ``Duchess'' to her family. A retired supervisor with the federal government at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Mrs. Ferebee has lived her life with the axiom of helping those who are unable to care for themselves. She graduated and completed her early education in Greensborough, Georgia. Mrs. Ferebee has traveled throughout the United States as a motivational speaker. Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Ferebee administered care to many children in her neighborhood, enabling them to complete college and become business and health professionals, lawyers, and doctors. She has advocated on tenant issues for over 30 (thirty) years in the Brevoort Development. Mrs. Ferebee has been well respected for her role as captain of the Brevoort Tenant Association. Over the years, she has received numerous awards from the New York City Housing Authority, the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, the Eastern Order, and many other community organizations. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to salute Ms. Lillie Mary Evans Ferebee on her 100th birthday celebration. She is truly a gift from God and an honest and virtuous woman! As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this remarkable woman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Lucille Corrine Hagans in recognition of her commitment to helping others throughout her eighty- five years. Ms. Hagans was born to the late Samuel and Hagar Cohen. Lucille and her family left the hills of Savannah, GA, and migrated to Coatesville, PA. In 1948, she moved to Brooklyn, NY. Her home was always filled with guests and she did not mind opening up her doors to those in need. Ms. Hagans has been a positive role model for the lives of many. There were times she traveled through the snow and the rain to make sure that everyone in her household had food to eat and a place to lay their heads. She has always been a hard and diligent worker. A great seamstress and milliner, Ms. Hagans has sewn for many people all over New York City. She has an innate gift of teaching. God has equipped her to help educate others. Ms. Hagans is also a clothing designer in her own right. Ms. Hagans is a woman of character and standards. She lives a holy life and is a woman of prayer and consecration. She introduced her children and grandchildren to the Lord by taking them to church and teaching them the word of God. She has taught the women in her family to strive for what they want in this life. And, she has been a role model and a woman of integrity. Mr. Speaker, through her longstanding commitments and her dedication to teaching and spreading the Lord's word, Lucille Corrine Hagans has shown that she is clearly devoted to her community. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this remarkable woman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week, I am today introducing the ``Medicaid Obesity Treatment Act of 2003'' to elevate the visibility of a national health epidemic that is wreaking havoc upon our Nation. Scientific evidence demonstrates a strong correlation between obesity and asthma, particularly among children. This bill, which is similar to legislation I introduced last year with Congressman James Greenwood, will provide Medicaid coverage for medically necessary treatments for chronically obese beneficiaries. With this legislation, I hope to raise the level of attention to this devastating illness and to provide medically necessary treatments to millions of overweight children who suffer from obesity comorbidities such as asthma. If the Congress passes this legislation, The Medicaid Obesity Treatment Act will be the first legislation ever enacted to address the need to ensure access for all Americans to drug therapies designed to treat obesity and its related comorbidities, and I am proud to be its sponsor. According to the Surgeon General, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has almost doubled among America's children and adolescents since 1980. It is estimated that one out of five children is obese. The epidemic growth in obesity acquired during childhood or adolescence is particularly threatening to the national health because it often persists into adulthood and increases the risk for some chronic diseases, such as asthma, later in life. Obesity has truly become a national health care crisis. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 60 percent of Americans over 20 years of age are overweight or clinically obese. Weight-related conditions represent the second leading cause of death in the United States, and result in approximately 300,000 preventable deaths each year. Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital recently discovered a new gene involved in asthma that may provide a link between the development of asthma and obesity. The study, released at the 60th anniversary meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, examined the gene which belongs to a family of similar proteins that have been found to cause insulin resistance and obesity in mice. Another recent study by the Harvard School of Medicine of 16,862 children, ages 9 to 14, found that those who were the most overweight were two to three times as likely to have asthma as the least overweight subjects. Whether obesity is caused by genetics, environment, lifestyle, diet or a combination of these elements, its effect is devastating for all persons who suffer from it. However, science has made great strides in recent years to combat it. Several new drugs offer great promise in the fight to prevent and treat obesity and its related comorbidities. My bill will revisit a thirteen year old provision that allows states to exclude Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs, even in cases where these drugs have the potential to save obese patients' lives or to improve their related conditions like asthma. The notion that obesity is merely a lifestyle choice and not a disease is no longer valid scientifically, and must be stricken from the law. Medically necessary medicine for the treatment of chronic obesity and its related illnesses should be covered under Medicaid like any other medically necessary drug. This is the purpose and goal of my bill. Although this expansion in Medicaid coverage might incur some marginal cost to the overall program, requiring states to cover proven obesity medication may actually reduce Medicaid expenditures as a result of decreases in the costs associated with treating asthma and other obesity-related comorbidities. Given the numerous benefits of reducing obesity, we should be providing access to life saving anti- obesity treatments, just as we provide medications for other life threatening diseases. Obesity and asthma represent related growing health crises that must be addressed with more than just words. This bill offers an important first step towards eliminating obesity, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I support the attempt in this bill to provide basic medical assistance to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. To understand the importance of this assistance, we must get a firm grasp on the enormity of this problem. AIDS is truly a global killer. The virus respects no national boundaries, no religious affiliation, no race, no gender, and no age. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the region of the world most severely affected by HIV and AIDS, there are an estimated 25.3 million persons infected with the virus. In 7 African countries, 20 percent of the population is affected. In Botswana, it is estimated that 36 percent of the adult population is infected with HIV. Other regions of the world have equally alarming statistics. In Asia, the world's most populous continent, 3.5 million people are infected with HIV. Eastern Europe has the most rapid rate of growth in HIV infections. In 20 short months, the number of infected persons in the Russian Federation rose from 10,000 to 70,000. In Latin America, an estimated 1.9 million people are infected with HIV. In the Caribbean, HIV has impacted about 400,000 people. HIV and AIDS is the leading cause of death in Africa and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. In the countries most affected in Africa, life expectancy has declined by 10 years and the infant death rates have doubled. This disease has ravaged families. In the developing world, the loss of one parent can lead to a loss of income, the end of educational opportunities for children and an increase in child labor. The loss of both parents can be devastating. It has been estimated that by 2010 there will be 40 million children in Africa who have been orphaned because of the AIDS virus. That is equivalent to every child living east of the Mississippi River in this country. I know this is a grim picture, but to paint a rosy scenario would be inappropriate. Compassion and concern are not enough. We must take concrete action, here and now. This epidemic can be stabilized and reversed. We must work effectively with leaders of the world to achieve these outcomes. Africa's tragedy can be reversed and a similar cataclysm can be avoided in other countries. This legislation is a good step forward in addressing this issue. But we must be prepared to take the next step and assist countries impacted by these diseases.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Taiwan for its efforts in effectively addressing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Taiwan has done an admirable job of dealing with this new, global, and fatal disease. Taiwan's response to SARS has far outpaced many of its neighbors in that region of the world. It has been forthright about the problem and has worked with the international community to stem the spread of this deadly disease. Quoting Dr. Scott Dowell, Director of the International Emerging Infections Program in Thailand, Center for Disease and Control and Prevention, ``the health authorities in Taiwan were taking unprecedented measures to respond to the outbreak, and we thought that they were doing a very good job. . . . They were quite capable in doing that in Taiwan, and we were encouraged by the lack of transmission to healthcare workers during the first weeks we were there.'' Even more remarkable is that Taiwan has responded so effectively to this global problem without being a member of the World Health Organization (WHO). Because of its lack of statehood, Taiwan, home to nearly 24 million people, has been denied membership status in the organization. This made it even more difficult for health experts to gather important information about SARS on the island and highlights the need for Taiwan to receive observer status at the WHO. In a relatively short period of time, SARS has shown that it knows no borders. When infecting people, this disease does not stop at man-made borders. Thus, I would call on the World Health Organization and its members to grant observer status to Taiwan so that they can be properly integrated into the global health network. The SARS outbreak is a stark reminder of the importance of working with the entire international community in finding solutions to global problems like the spread of disease. Failing to do so prolongs the problem and puts more people at risk. Mr. Speaker, the leaders of Taiwan have worked hard on their own and with the international community to detect and treat SARS. As such, its leaders are worthy of receiving our recognition today.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of National Public Health Week. I want to thank the organizers and sponsors of events around the nation that serve to raise everyone's awareness of the need to improve public health, particularly in the area of the nation's obesity crisis. Those groups include the American Public Health Association, American Dietetic Association, Pfizer Inc., Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine, Research!America, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. One of the greatest public health challenges facing our Nation today is curbing obesity, which has increased at such unprecedented levels that health professionals are calling obesity a national epidemic. Spurred by sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, about 60 percent of American adults are overweight and 15 percent of children and teenagers are overweight. The percentage of overweight adolescents has tripled during the last twenty years. Although I am pleased that the numbers in my home state are slightly better, the percentage of the population that is obese is still troubling. What is even more troubling is the research that indicates that obesity is an even greater problem among the African-American and Latino communities. The health consequences of obesity are real and significant. Being overweight is associated with increased risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. About 300,000 deaths each year are associated with being obese. In fact, people who are overweight have a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death. As the American Public Health Association stated in their release, ``reversing this life threatening trend has moved beyond a matter of personal responsibility to a national crisis that all Americans must respond to.'' Unfortunately, we are moving in the wrong direction. Less than ten percent of children walk or ride their bicycles to school and more schools are inviting fast food vendors into their cafeterias. We need to make a concerted effort to increase physical fitness activities among the entire population, especially children, and encourage all Americans to adopt a healthier diet that includes fruits and vegetables. I applaud the work of all of the organizations that are spreading this message during National Public Health Week. However, if we are going to be successful in reducing obesity, we must make sure that this message is heard the entire year and not just for one week. That is why I will soon reintroduce my bill, the Medicaid Obesity Treatment Act. I hope to work with all of the sponsors involved with National Public Health Week to ensure passage of my bill in this Congress.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 380, the Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003. I'd like to recognize Chairman Davis, Ranking Member Waxman and Representatives McHugh and Davis for their fine work on this issue. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 735, the House companion. This is an important bill that deserves the support of the entire House. If we fail to act, the Postal Service has warned that it will be forced to raise rates as early as this fall. This is something the public can not afford. If the Postal Service continues to pay into the Civil Service Retirement System under the current rate structure, the Postal Service will overfund the system by about $71 billion by the time its pension obligations expire in 2071. This bill gives the Postal Service credit for its excess assets and thus, reduces the amount of money that it needs to pay into the fund. This will have no effect on current or future retirees' pension benefits. In fact, the bill is strongly supported by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the business community. The savings realized from the bill will allow the postal service to make needed upgrades to improve service. Additionally, the Postmaster has also promised to keep rates steady through 2006. This bill is a complete slam dunk. It is good for the public, the letter carriers, and the mailing industry. I urge its passage.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me say that basically a lot of my friends in particular thought that Syracuse was going to lose. After watching Kansas destroy Marquette, they felt if Kansas could destroy Marquette that way, Syracuse has no chance. But they did not realize that Coach Boeheim was able to make adjustments and basically shut down the fast break for the first half because of the fact that he was able to get back, and he stressed it with his team. So as a result of making adjustments, he proved one thing, that he is one of the greatest coaches in the country today. I think that any time a coach can make those kinds of adjustments and shut down a fast break like Kansas had, that shows that they know what they are doing. I would like to salute Coach Boeheim for his outstanding leadership and the fact that he was able to make the adjustment and show that coaching is very, very important. I want to salute him for that, and also to say to him, in terms of his players, it is always good if you have players that will respect you and will follow your lead, as his players did. It was very obvious that they listened to him and made adjustments, and as a result, they were successful. I would like to salute him for that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), who is a great Syracuse fan and his district goes almost to Syracuse, New York.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I also rise to honor the Syracuse Orangemen on winning the first- ever NCAA men's basketball championship title. I had Syracuse in the championship bracket, and I am proud to say that I was on board on the bus before they left Syracuse. I felt that they would be able to do it. I did not wait until they got to Bourbon Street. I felt they would be able to do it. I must admit that in 1996, I think it was, they were in the Meadowlands and they were playing Kentucky, and of course we thought that Syracuse would be able to be successful that night. Kentucky ended up winning, and Syracuse ended up finishing second. But Coach Boeheim did not give up. He stayed with it. He continued to recruit and bring in great athletes; and, Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of these young men and coaches and wish them much success. As I think about the Syracuse team, I am reminded of a team that Coach Cal Irvin coached, because he reminds me so much of Coach Boeheim in terms of his commitment and dedication to his athletes and to winning. Of course, he had some great players. As Syracuse had Carmelo Anthony, Cal Irvin had Al Attles. And of course when I look at the character and the attitude of the players, I think about Carmelo Anthony and also the attitude of Al Attles. And then I look at the other players on the team that Cal Irvin had during those days: a guy by the name of Herb Gray, another guy by the name of Joe Howell, Hank Marshall, Charlie Harrison, Hugh Evans, Gerry Powell, and the list goes on. And then I look at the Syracuse roster and I look at each player and I can sort of compare them with those players that Cal Irvin had back in those days, and they were outstanding players. Let me just say that I think that Syracuse can be extremely proud of their accomplishments. I know that Coach Boeheim is proud. I met him many, many years ago. I was introduced to him by a gentleman by the name of Al Wooten, who was a football player at Syracuse. He introduced me to Coach Boeheim and said that Coach Boeheim was a person that had a winning spirit and of course had a winning attitude. And of course after 27 years he has demonstrated that. Because most people would not wait around for 27 years, but he did, and I think that he needs to be applauded for that. Today, with the competition being what it is, it is not easy to win a national championship. But winning a national championship with quality players, with people that have character, I think that is the key. So I would say to Syracuse and to the basketball team, you were able to win on the basketball court, now all you have to do is win in the classroom. And I am certain that as a result of that, you will do well in life. I know someone mentioned earlier, my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), that Carmelo Anthony was probably the best freshman in the country. I would like to say that he is the best basketball player in the country, bar none. There is no doubt in my mind. To watch him and to realize he is a freshman and being able to do the kinds of things he did, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the best basketball player in the NCAA today. There is no question about it. I think the thing I really like about him is his character. He is a man who really is going to go places because he has the right attitude. I think more young people need to have that kind of attitude today. If they had that kind of attitude, I think a lot more of them would be much more successful. So I salute Carmelo Anthony for demonstrating to other young people in the world that you can have the proper attitude and still be good at what you do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. I really feel that the Syracuse team was an outstanding team, and it shows what can be done when you work real hard. I was just comparing Coach Boeheim with Coach Cal Irvin, who coached North Carolina A&T University for many, many years, how he always stressed working hard. When I look at the results of the Syracuse team and I look at the results of the North Carolina A&T team from many, many years ago, I can see the similarities between the two teams, the coaches as well as the players. I think that today means more than anything else. Al Attles is one of the finest individuals I have ever met, and they tell me, and from what I have seen and heard, that Carmelo Anthony is the same kind of individual. When I look at the outstanding players he had, going right down the roster, I think this is what it is all about today, having players that have character, having players that understand how important it is to follow rules and regulations. I am hoping that all of the young people in America were able to look at them and see in terms of the type of attitude that they demonstrated in this play that night as they won the championship. They won it with pride. They were proud. They were not people who were always arguing with the referees and arguing with each other. I think when teams work together, it shows what they can accomplish. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1036. If this bill were to become public law, the gun industry would be granted more liability protection than any other industry in America. I must say that I've heard of throwing bones to constituency bases before, but I might define this as the 96 ounce Peter Lugar's Porterhouse with all the sides included. The gun industry dumps thousands and thousands of guns onto the streets in municipalities like New York and has never been held responsible for their irresponsible actions. This bill would make it impossible to hold the industry accountable for their actions. H.R. 1036 would also prohibit future lawsuits and dismiss current liability lawsuits underway against the gun industry. I am particularly concerned about the timing of this bill given the lawsuit filed by the NAACP against the gun industry, which is currently taking place in U.S. District court in Brooklyn. This bill would prohibit that suit from going forward. Instead of dealing with the real problems that are confronting us such as job security or a prescription drug bill for seniors, the Republican leadership rushed this bill to the House floor before the NRA convention begins in a couple of weeks. This bill should be defeated.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo Clemons Pruitt in recognition of his steadfast commitment to his community. Reverend Pruitt served as the Sixth Rector of St. Philip's Church from September 12, 1993 to March 30, 2003. During his ministry, he made significant contributions to his community, church and congregation. For example, he helped raise an additional $20,000 for the Endowment fund; he founded the All Saints Gospel Choir and developed a movie night as a vehicle for a youth ministry in the Parish and in the Brooklyn Archdeaconry. Rev. Pruitt also established blood donation drives and was responsible for the placement of Black icons in the church. In addition to his congregation at St. Phillip's, Reverend Pruitt served as a Chaplain to the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, Adjunct Professor at George Mercer School of Theology, Dean of St. Matthew's (Central Brooklyn) Deanery, Chairman of the Diocesan Department of the Budget of the Diocese, Secretary of the Board of Managers of Episcopal Health Services, Chaplain of the Clergy Caucus of Central Brooklyn Churches, Chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Addiction and Recovery, and Vice-President of Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church. He was also a Member of Community Board No. 3 in Brooklyn and a member of the Steering Committee of the 81st Precinct Police Clergy Caucus. While the Rector of St. Phillip's, Canon Pruitt received numerous awards and honors including: The 1994 Community Service Award from Brooklyn Gas; 1995 Community Service Award from Crown Heights Lions Club; 1998 Community Service Award from Bedford-Stuyvesant Headstart; 1999 Community Service Award from the City of New York Police Reserve Association; 2000 Community Service Award from New York Blood Center; 2001 Community Service Award from the 81st Precinct Police Community Relations Council, and 2002 Community Service Award from The New York City Police Department. Most recently, he received the 2002 Chairman's Award for Service from the Central Brooklyn Churches. In addition to this long list of community service honors, in 1996, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity, honors causa, from St. Paul's College, citing career excellence in community service and parish ministry. He also raised funds to help rebuild churches throughout the country such as St. Thomas Church in Farmingdale, NY, St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City, OK, and a church in Princeville, NC. Mr. Speaker, with his numerous awards and community contributions, Reverend Canon Dr. Alonzo Clemons Pruitt has shown that he is clearly dedicated to his community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable human being.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my deep concern and stringent opposition to the proposed cuts in veterans health care contained in the President's 2004 Budget. While a tax cut may require us to discuss reductions in many vital programs, there are few cuts that are as unkind as the cuts the President wishes to visit upon those brave men and women who were willing to serve and if necessary die for this country. Mr. Speaker, this House recently voted on a 2004 budget from the President which will cut funding for veterans health care and benefit programs by nearly $25 billion over the next ten years. These cuts would require the Veterans' Administration for the first time in its history to require monetary payment from those who have already paid with their service to this nation. According to the Veterans' Administration, approximately one out of every two veterans could lose their only source of medical care under the President's budget plan. What should the VA say to a veteran who needs treatment but cannot afford to pay? I cannot believe that we would honor their service by turning them away. And yet, under the President's plan, rejection may be the only response that a fiscally-strapped health care system can give. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the veterans who served this country responded affirmatively to this nation's call to service. We cannot now respond negatively to their call for help.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1463. While it offers significant liability protections to those entities that are responsible for administering the vaccination program, it simply does not provide the protection required by frontline health workers who have been asked to volunteer for the national smallpox vaccination program. More to the point, we have had three recent deaths, which can be reasonably traced to the vaccinations, and several other workers and military personnel have experienced cardiac-related problems after being vaccinated. All the major unions--Service Employees International Union, American Federation of Teachers, American Nurses Association, International Association of Firefighters, International Union of Police Associations--who represent health workers and first responders, have declared that this legislation fails to provide an adequate compensation program. Thus far, only 14 states have been able to definitely assure workers that workers' compensation programs would cover them. Further, innocent third parties who suffer adverse reactions are not covered by workers' compensation. In the '60's, more than 20% of the adverse vaccination events occurred in secondary contacts. Therefore, the vaccination program poses a risk not only to first responders, but also to their patients and their families. Moreover, public health experts, like the Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, now question whether anyone with three or more ``major risk factors'' for heart disease, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol should receive the smallpox vaccine. Given the cost of screening for the above factors, it is particularly troubling that there is no guaranteed funding for medical screening, education or surveillance. Our armed services personnel received personalized education, and free and confidential prescreening prior to the administration of the vaccine. This process resulted in one-third of the potential recipients being screened out of the program. We should offer the same education and screening opportunities to our nurses and first responders. Finally, Mr. Speaker, even though this bill falls short on a compensation and education and screening program, I remain hopeful that the Emergency Supplemental will at least provide adequate funding for States and localities to administer this program when and if an adequate compensation program is put in place.