Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as Christian Faith Baptist Church of Raleigh, North Carolina celebrates its 10th Anniversary, let me congratulate the members of the congregation and their pastor, the Rev. Dr. David C. Forbes, Sr. for their dedicated work in serving the emotional and spiritual needs of Raleigh residents. I also want to recognize Sister Gladys Graves and Sister Delores Steele for their leadership in making the celebration a success. Since Christian Faith Baptist Church was founded on February 18, 1990, your distinguished pastor and congregation have exemplified the very best in humanity through a common commitment to the Christian faith. That's why it is altogether fitting that you chose these simple words as your anniversary theme: ``Remembering God's Call, Rejoicing in God's Faithfulness and Re-committing to God's Work.'' Christian Faith Baptist Church has lived by these words for the past ten years. I commend you on your immense contributions during these past 10 years. Those sixty-five kindred souls, who came together at Roberts Park Center on Sunday, February 18, 1990, are a celebration of His provision in church growth and discipleship. Now, as a closely-knit church family with over five hundred disciples working diligently to support twenty-eight ministries, the established discipleship and service has been firmly established as the focus of Christian Faith Baptist Church. Let me again offer my sincere congratulations on this, your 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a remarkable cultural and humanitarian organization which has helped to promote and sustain the national pride of the Guyanese community in America and to provide humanitarian assistance to indigent groups in Guyana. Today, I celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Allied Organizations of Guyana. This organization was established in 1960 to promote the cultural, social, economic, and political welfare of the Guyanese American community and to provide humanitarian assistance to indigent groups in Guyana. During its stewardship of 40 years, it has achieved both objectives. It has helped to create a national pride among Guyanese in America, while providing vital humanitarian assistance to indigent groups in Guyana, such as the Archer's Home, the Dharma Sala, the Children's Wing of the Georgetown Public Hospital, and the Convent of Mercy. The organization was founded in 1960 by two outstanding Guyanese Americans--Dr. Aaron (Neddy) Peters and Dr. Thomas E. Thompson. Neddy Peters was a successful physician of Guyanese descent who had established a large and successful medical practice in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. He devoted a considerable portion of his time, energy and financial resources to promoting humanitarian efforts in the U.S. and Guyana. So devoted was Neddy Peters to the nation of Guyana that he requested that his body be returned and interred in the soil of Guyana. He died in 1971 and his body was interred in Guyana. Dr. Thomas Eustace Thompson was a well-known teacher and administrator in the public school system in New York, who has lived in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Like Neddy Peters, he devoted a considerable portion of his time, energy, and financial resources to promoting the arts and culture of Guyana. Together with his wife, Dr. Marguerite Thompson, he had accumulated the largest collection of Guyanese artifacts in the world. The collection was recently destroyed by fire, and it is our fervent hope that Guyanese organizations can put together the resources to replenish and restore this magnificent collection. The name of those associated with this organization are too numerous to mention, but among the prominent supporters were Eustace Bowen, Frank Applewaite and P.J. Storey from the Georgetown Dramatic Club; David Nurse, Euphemia Nurse and Clarence Griffith from the Help Guyana Movement; Pearl Softleigh from Daneco; Rev. Gladwyn Frazer and Edward S. Butts from the British Guiana Benevolent Association; Theresa Bowling, Ivan Cameron, Dolly Davis, Leslie Hendricks and Claire Johnson from the Guyana group in Queens; Dr. Thomas E. Thompson. Victor Blair and Dr. Marguerite Thompson from the Guyana Educational and Cultural Association.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Queenie Pegram, who her friends describe as ``very pleasant and good company.'' Queenie Pegrarn was born on October 23, 1900 in Stony Creek, Virginia. She is the fourth child of seven siblings. Ms. Pegrarn came from a very religious family and was baptized at the age of ten. She married her husband James in 1931 and moved to Brooklyn, New York where they immediately joined the church. Although they never had children of their own, Queenie and James raised their nephew Arthur and their cousin Brenda from infants. Ms. Pegram has been a member of the Missionary Society in her church for 69 years. For 30 of those years she served as the president. During those 69 years she served her community well, visiting and caring for the sick and shut-ins. Often she would reach home late, after a full day's work at her housekeeping job. She would read and pray for the sick way past her dinner hour. Ms. Pegram lives independent of her family with the help of a home health aid. She is still an active member of the community and attends church every Sunday, and sometimes stays for a double service. She is always willing to take the time to listen and share her wisdom, especially with the younger generation. Some of her quotes: ``The Lord has blessed me all my life, I didn't know them, but I do now;'' ``Treat others the way you want them to treat you and ``Love everyone.'' Mr. Speaker, Queenie Pegram is a woman of God and a true servant of the people. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable woman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lion Irving Stravitz, who passed away on December 19,1998. Irving Stravitz was raised in Brooklyn and, as a child, loved to work with his hands. He became a carpenter at a very young age and always had his own business. He met and married Eva, who became his partner in Lionism and life. She served side by side with him through thick and thin for the sixty- three years of their marriage. Together, they raised two children, David and Renee, who bestowed upon them the loves of their lives: two grandchildren, Allison and Matthew. Irving was emblematic of the drive that Lion Melvin Jones, one of the founding members of Lionism, exhibited. Irving became a member of the Hyde Park Lions Club and served the Club by holding every office up to and including President. He was elected to the position of Deputy District Governor of District 20-K1. Mid-stream, Irving transferred into the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club and served for the remainder of his thirty years. He received Certificates of Appreciation, plaques that honored his dedication and was the first Lion in the Club to be presented with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. His love and dedication will keep him in our hearts forever. Irving Stravitz was a Pin Trader and Pin Maker. His special project was the Vacation Camp for the Blind where his skill as a carpenter proved invaluable. He was involved with the Little League and ran the Hyde Park Lions Club's annual football pool fundraiser. In the final words of Marc Antony's eulogy of Julius Caesar, ``Indeed, this was a man.'' Mr. Speaker, I join with his friends and loved ones in saying'' ``Irving, indeed you were a man and one of Lionism's finest tributes.'' Mr. Speaker, Lion Irving Stravitz is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Health Care Fairness Act. As a senior member of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health and Environment, I have long been concerned about the pervasive inequality of health services endured by America's minority populations. At a recent hearing before my subcommittee, we confronted the compelling evidence that race and ethnicity correlate with persistent, and often increasing, health disparities among U.S. populations. Despite notable progress in the overall health of the nation, there are continuing disparities in the burden of illness and death experienced by African Americans, Hispanics, and others compared to the U.S. population as a whole. In fact, current information about the biologic and genetic characteristics of racial and ethnic groups does not explain the health disparities experienced by these groups compared with the white, non-Hispanic population. Given the demographic projections for the U.S. population in 2030, I believe that it is imperative that Congress establishes a forward-looking strategy to address health disparities in minority communities. For example, research shows that the AIDS epidemic is disproportionately affecting minorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, African Americans, who comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population, account for 49 percent of AIDS deaths in 1998. In March 2000, an audit conducted by the U.S. General Accounting Office assessed how government funding on AIDS programs was spent. The audit concluded that African Americans and Hispanics were receiving substandard care relative to whites in areas such as doctor visits, emergency room care, hospitalizations, and drug therapies. In order to identify and rectify health disparities that occur among minorities, I agreed to cosponsor H.R. 3250, the House companion to S. 1880, the Health Care Fairness Act. Among other things, this legislation would create a new National Center for Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities. This center would support basic and clinical research, training and the dissemination of information with respect to minority health. I believe the new National Center will enable us to make real progress toward eliminating the daunting gap in health status between minorities and the rest of America, and I encourage my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop-Designate Aubrey Baker, Jr., the son of the late Bishop and Mrs. Aubrey Baker, Sr. Aubrey was born on November 19, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. At that time, his parents were members of Brooklyn No. I at First Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of the late Bishop Frank Clemmons. The family remained there for 5 years until 1937, when they moved to a little mission in Brownsville, Brooklyn under the pastorate of the late Bishop Frank Edward Cook. Aubrey was reared and nurtured in the church, and he received Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age. He was baptized and filled with the precious Holy Ghost at the Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ. Bishop-Designate Aubrey Baker, Jr. matriculated through the New York City Public School system, receiving his higher education at Long Island and New York Universities. He furthered his religious education at Shelton Bible College and the O.M. Kelly Religious Institute. In 1958, Bishop-Designate Aubrey Baker married Mildred Josephine Butler, and they were blessed with two beloved children: Aubrette and Renwick. As a loyal and faithful servant of the Lord, the late Bishop O.M. Kelly ordained Aubrey Baker, Jr. in 1959 at the Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn, NY. Continuing his faithful service, Bishop- Designate Baker, Jr., served as District Secretary Brooklyn No. 1, Assistant Financial State Secretary assisting the late Elder S.A. White, and State Y.P.W.W. President of ENY jurisdiction. In May 1973, Bishop-Designate Aubrey Baker, Jr., was appointed to the Keystone Church of God in Christ and, in August 1977 under the leadership of the late Bishop O.M. Kelly, he merged Keystone and Zion Temple Church of God in Christ. His service in the jurisdiction included serving as Assistant Superintendent to the late Bishop F.D. Washington in the Brooklyn Hill District. Thereafter, he succeeded the late Bishop F.D. Washington as the Superintendent. Under the leadership of the late Bishop F.D. Washington, he served as a member of the Finance Board. Mr. Speaker, Bishop-Designate Aubrey Baker, Jr. is a man of God and a true servant of the people. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, we are all pleased that the Canadian government has maintained an active investigation of the Air India bombing in 1985 that killed 329 people. Terrorism is always unacceptable, and all decent people condemn it. Thus, I read with interest this past weekend that Canada had arrested two Sikhs, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, for this bombing. Unfortunately, I believe that these two individuals are being scapegoated. The book Soft Target, written by journalists Brian McAndrew of the Toronto Star and Zuhair Kashmeri of the Tornoto Globe and Mail, shows that the Indian government itself carried out this atrocity. According to McAndrew and Kashmeri, the Indian Consul General in Toronto, Mr. Surinder Malik, pulled his wife and daughter off the flight shortly before it took off. A friend of the Consul General who was a car dealer in Toronto also cancelled his reservation. An Indian government official named Siddhartha Singh was also scheduled on the doomed flight and cancelled. Surinder Malik called the Canadian authorities about the crime before it was reported publicly that it had occurred to try to point them to a Sikh he claimed was on the passenger list. The pilot of the flight was a Sikh. It looks like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who made the two arrests this weekend, were not open to the evidence that the Indian government was responsible, even though Canada's other investigate agency, the Canadian State Investigative Service, tried to warn them. Soft Target quotes a CSIS agent as saying. ``If you really want to clear the incident quickly, take vans down to the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, load up everybody and take them down for questioning. We know it and they knew it that they are involved.'' Clearly, the objective was to damage the Sikh freedom movement and raise the spectre of ``Sikh terrorism'' to justify another of India's campaigns of violence against the Sikhs. Mr. Speaker, this is unfortunately not the only case of Indian state terrorim. The repression of Christians, which has taken the form of burning churches, murdering priets, raping nuns, burning a missionary and his two young sons to death, and other atrocities, is well known. In November 1994, the Indian newspaper The Hitavada reported that the late Governor of Punjab, Surendra Nath, was paid over $1.5 billion by the Indian government to foment state terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir. In March, during President Clinton's visit to India, the government murdered 35 Sikhs in the village of Chithi Singhpora, Kashmir. Two independent investigations and an Amnesty International report have confirmed the government's responsibility. Between 1993 and 1994, 50,000 Sikhs were made to disappear by Indian forces. More than 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered since 1984. Over 200,000 Christians have been killed since 1947 and over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed since 1988, as well as tens of thousands of Dalit ``untouchables,'' Assamese, Manipuris, Tamils, and others. As you know, Mr. Speaker, 21 of us wrote a letter in June calling for India to be declared a terrorist state. These are some reasons why we said that. Mr. Speaker, India should be declared a terrorist nation and subjected to the penalties that status brings. We should cut off our aid to India until it respects human rights. And Mr. Speaker, the only way that Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and other minorities will ever escape Indian tyranny is through the democractic right of self- determination. We should go on record in support of an internationally- supervised plebiscite in Punjab, Khalistan, in Nagalim, in Kashmir, and wherever people in South Asia are seeking their freedom from this terrorist government, to resolve their status the democratic way, by the vote. Democratic states don't practice repression and genocide, they decide issues by voting. Is India a democracy or not? The Council of Khalistan has issued a press release on these arrests. I would like to insert it into the Record for the information of the American people. Canadian Government Arrests Innocent Sikhs evidence shows indian government planned, executed Bombing of Air India Flight 182--Punish the Real Culprits, Not the Scapegoats WASHINGTON, D.C., October 31, 2000--Despite strong evidence that the Indian government carried out the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985, killing 329 people, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested two Sikhs, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bhagri, in the bombing. Flight 182 was piloted by a Sikh. ``The RCMP has never even considered the evidence that this bombing was an Indian government operation,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, the government pro tempore of Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its independence from India on October 7, 1987. He noted that the book Soft Target, written by two Canadian journalists, proves that the Indian government carried out the bombing. This finding is confirmed by Canadian Member of Parliament David Kilgour in his book Betrayed: The Spy That Canada Forgot. According to Kilgour, a Canadian-Polish double agent was recruited by terrorists working with the Indian government to help carry out a second bombing. The agent declined and reported what had happened. According to Soft Target, the Candian State Investigative Service (CSIS) was so convinced of the Indian government's involvement that at a meeting of the task force on the Air India bombing, one CSIS agent said, ``If you really want to clear the incident quickly, take vans down to the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, load up everybody and take them down for questioning. We know it and they know it that they are involved.'' According to Soft Target, Surinder Malik, the Indian Consul General in Toronto, pulled his wife and daughter off the flight suddenly, claiming that his daughter had to do some examinations for school. A Toronto car dealer who was a friend of the Consul General also canceled his reservation on Flight 182. Siddhartha Singh, head of North American affairs for external relations in New Delhi, who was visiting Indian officials in Canada, also suddenly cancelled his reservation. The book reports that Consul General Malik called the police about the bombing to alert them to an ``L. Singh'' who was allegedly on the passenger manifest even before the incident became public knowledge. Malik was one of several Indian diplomats Canada later asked to have removed from the country after CSIS unearthed evidence of an Indian spy network. CSIS agents believe that Vice Consul Davinder Singh Ahluwalia laid the groundwork for the bombing. He was transferred in 1985. ``India has practiced this kind of terrorism both inside and outside Punjab, Khalistan, for a long time,'' Dr. Aulakh said. He noted that in March, during President Clinton's visit to India, the Indian government murdered 35 Sikhs in the village of Chithi Singhpora, Kashmir. Two independent investigations and an Amnesty International report have confirmed the government's responsibility. In November 1994, the Indian newspaper Hitavada reported that the Indian government paid the late Governor of Punjab, Surendra Nath, about $1.5 billion to organize and support covert state terrorism in Punjab, Khalistan and in Kashmir. The Indian Supreme Court described the situation in Punjab as ``worse than a genocide.'' About 50,000 Sikhs languish in Indian prisons as political prisoners without charge or trial. Between 1993 and 1994, 50,000 Sikhs were made to disappear by Indian forces. More than 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered since 1984. Over 200,000 Christians have been killed since 1947 and over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed since 1988, as well as tens of thousands of Dalit ``untouchables,'' Assamese, Manipuris, Tamils, and others. ``Democracies don't commit genocide,'' Dr. Aulakh said. On June 21 Members of the U.S. Congress wrote to President Clinton urging him to declare India a terrorist state because of the repression against Christians, such as burning churches, murdering priests, raping nuns, and other atrocities. ``We must not let the Indian government's terrorist apparatus repress the minorities and derail our just struggle for independence by labeling them terrorists,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``The time has come for the Sikh Nation to begin a Shantmai Morcha to liberate Khalistan.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chester Brown for the realization of his dream with the opening of the new location for the West Ward Cultural Center, Inc. in Newark, New Jersey. This Sunday, October 29, 2000, will mark the relocation of a community organization that was the realization of a great dream by a truly remarkable man. The West Ward Cultural Center has served the community for over 20 years, providing food, clothing and social services to everyone from babies to senior citizens. Mr. Chester Brown, the founder and president of West Ward Cultural Center, was educated at Marywood College in Pennsylvania. A community leader and advocate for positive change, Mr. Brown has worked diligently over the past 20 years helping to make a difference in the lives of others. West War Cultural Center's new home stands as a tribute to his dedicated efforts. Chester Brown is also a devoted family man. His wife, Mrs. Loucinda Brown, and their talented daughters, Christina and Crystal, share his community spirit. As such, Christina and Crystal inspired the concept for the ``Children of Vision,'' whose aim is to encourage young people to aspire to academic excellence. Christina and Crystal are student instructors in Journalism, Computer Science and Cultural Arts at West War Cultural Center and participate as mentors for the young. Chester Brown is the son of the late Mr. Willie Brown and his wife, Mrs. Mable Brown. Blessed with a unique family of 16 sons and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Brown successfully raised their family by working as a team. They also took pleasure in helping others, which earned them the respect and admiration of many. It also set a precedent for their children, especially Chester, to follow. Mr. and Mrs. Brown would be proud of the admirable accomplishments of their son, Chester. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chester Brown is more than worthy of receiving this honor and our praises, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in recognizing this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend and retiring colleague, Bill Clay. For nearly three decades, you have served African Americans across the nation very capably, Members of Congress included. When you founded the Congressional Black Caucus several decades ago, the environment on Capitol Hill and in America was very different. It was a time of struggle, and in spite of the many victories we had won during the Civil Rights Struggle, you knew we still had a long way to go. Congressman Clay, the victories you won in those exciting, turbulent days mean so much for African Americans today. Many of my colleagues gathered here today will remember that in Post- Civil War America, Congress passed the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. While 22 African- Americans were elected to Congress in the following years, the promise of these amendments was destroyed by Jim Crow laws. After decades of struggle, the sacrifices of nonviolent civil rights protesters, such as yourself, spurred Congress to approve the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The passage of the Voting Rights Act was perhaps the most important victory won by Bill Clay and the Civil Rights Movement. Today, with what I hope will be the imminent Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives, our nation stands on the eve of a historic moment as the prize of the Civil Rights Movement--the Voting Rights Act--bears fruit. The fruit comes in the form of African American legislators like myself, gaining seniority, the foundation of power in Congress. In fact, the upcoming Congressional Election represents a significant opportunity where, for the first time in United States history, Congressional Communities would be chaired by 3 African Americans: Congressmen Charlie Rangel, Julian Dixon and John Conyers would Chair the Ways and Means Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees, respectively. Further, as many as 10 African Americans, including myself, would chair important Subcommittees if the Democrats win the majority. Bill, this is your legacy, and I salute you for it. I am also pleased to announce that your work will be continued in the 107th Congress. For example, earlier today, like you, I have long been interested in promoting sound public policies that will ensure that students living in economically disadvantaged areas have the same educational opportunities as children in affluent areas. That's why I introduced legislation to create Educational Empowerment Zones. This legislation is premised on the idea that giving teachers meaningful incentives to live in the communities where they teach will improve the educational opportunities for children in low-income areas. My legislation will provide for the establishment of federally designated areas where federal aid and private funding can be targeted to increase teacher salaries, provide for loan forgiveness, and enhance teacher-training opportunities. The specific choice of the Educational Empowerment Zones will be based on factors such as the number of low- income families, the dropout rate, the rate of teen pregnancy and class size. Bill, in addition to promoting initiatives like my Educational Empowerment Zones, I am looking forward to guarding your legacy by working with the Congressional Black Caucus to take the lead on efforts to close the Digital Divide. As we travel through our Districts and look in the faces of our children, we see the tremendous potential within these kids. It is our duty to ensure that this potential is not wasted because they do not have access to technology. As we all know, our rapidly growing electronic economy will drive our growth and prosperity throughout the new century. Yet, business leaders and policy makers must work together to ensure that everyone in our society is positioned to reap the benefits of, and participate fully in, the new digital age. In my opinion, the effort to close the digital divide represents the first major civil and economics rights struggle in the new millennium. We've seen the statistics, and we know people on the downside of the digital divide--the `have nots'--are already at a competitive disadvantage in pursuing educational and professional opportunities in an increasingly online society. Mr. Speaker, I hope that we will be able to work together on this and similar initiatives aimed at closing the Digital Divide. In closing, let me say again, Bill, that I salute you for your accomplishments in Congress and the legacy you will leave us. I hope that we will be able to guard that legacy and keep opening doors of opportunity for all children in America.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 97th Anniversary of the founding of Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York. Let me congratulate this ``Faith Community of Black Catholics'' who, under the guidance of Father Andrew L. Struzzieri, are continuing in the tradition of almost a century of dedicated work serving the emotional and spiritual needs of Brooklyn residents. Since Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church was founded, the members of the congregation have exemplified the very best in humanity through a common commitment to the Christian faith. As one of the oldest places of worship in Brooklyn, the congregation has adopted the tree as a symbol of the strong roots that Charity members establish to better themselves and, ultimately, the community. As is said in proverbs: He is like a tree planted near running water, that yield fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Psalm 1:3 NAB Mr. Speaker, Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church's reputation for being on the leading edge of the development of creative and innovative strategies to address human needs at home and abroad is an inspiration to us all. For the past three years some of their special contributions have been to present Brooklyn Senior High School Youth with scholarships and gifts toward their college education. Its Prison Ministry continues to be dedicated to work towards assisting those in their time of extreme need by way of prayer and positive actions. Its Ministers of Service provide Eucharist to the sick at Brookdale Hospital and those parishioners who are unable to leave their homes. In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me again offer my sincere congratulations to Kerry Mills, Anniversary Chairperson, and the entire congregation of Our Lady of Charity Roman Catholic Church and to commend them on their immense contributions during these past 97 years. I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing them good fortune and continued blessings in the future.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize His Excellency, the Honorable Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the former President of Guyana and current leader of the People's National Congress. During his Presidency from August 1985 to October 1992, Mr. Hoyte initiated far-reaching electoral and economic reforms that strengthened the bases of the democratic culture of Guyana, promoted market-oriented policies and stimulated economic growth. Prior to becoming President, Mr. Hoyte served as First Vice President and Prime Minister. In addition, he held numerous Ministerial posts, including those of Home Affairs, Finance, Works and Communications, and Economic Development. As a Minister of Government, Mr. Hoyte had at various times responsibility for African, Caribbean and Pacific affairs under the Lome Convention. His portfolio also included Caribbean Community Affairs. As a member of its Conference, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community charged him with responsibility for promoting freedom of movement within the Community and for coordinating the Caribbean Community's policy on the environment for the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. In fact, Mr. Hoyte has always taken a keen interest in ecological and environmental matters, working closely with the London-based Commonwealth Human Ecology Council. He is the architect of the Iwokrama International Rainforest Project in Guyana, which he initiated as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1989. Born in Georgetown, Guyana in March 1929, Mr. Hoyte received B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of London. He is a British-trained lawyer, a Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and a Member of the Guyana Bar. He was appointed to the Queen's Council in 1969, and his designation was changed to Senior Counsel in 1970 when Guyana became a republic. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hoyte is more than worthy of receiving this honor and our praises, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join his wife, Joyce Hoyte, and me in recognizing this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, it has recently come to light that the police in Punjab have been planting RDX explosives on members of the Babbar Khalsa organization in Punjab and then killing them in encounters, claiming that they are importing the explosives from Pakistan. The Indian government is known to have infiltrated the organization's top levels. They used their agents within this and other organizations to carry out the bombing of their own Air India airliner off Canada in 1985, which killed 329 innocent people. In November 1994, the Hitavada, an Indian newspaper, reported that the Indian government paid $1.5 billion to the late Governor of Punjab, a man named Surendra Nath, to foment terrorist activity in Punjab and Kashmir. In March, according to two extensive investigations, the Indian government murdered 35 Sikhs in the village of Chithi Singhpora. Between 1993 and 1994, 50,000 Sikhs ``disappeared'' at the hands of Indian forces. According to Amnesty International, there are thousands of political prisoners being held without charge or trial. Human-rights activists say that there are 50,000 Sikh political prisoners alone. The Akali Dal government in Punjab promised to get these political prisoners released, buy they have made no move to do so. Mr. Speaker, it is clear who the real terrorists are. As the defenders of freedom and democracy, America must declare India a terrorist state and cut off its aid until the terrorism and human- rights violations end. We should also declare our support for protecting the rights of Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and other minorities by supporting self-determination for their homelands in the form of a free and fair plebiscite on their political status, with international supervision to make sure that neither side tries to corrupt the vote. Mr. Speaker, the Council of Khalistan has issued a press release on the Indian government's effort to revive the spectre of ``terrorism'' in Punjab by planting RDX explosives on Sikh activitists. I encourage all my colleagues to read this informative press release, and I would like to insert it into the Record at this time. Babbar Khalsa Members Being Killed for RDX--Planting Explosive Is Modus Operandi of Indian Intelligence Indian Government Has Infiltrated Sikh Organizations Washington, D.C., October 24, 2000.--Punjab Police have been killing members of Babbar Khalsa in encounters in Punjab, claiming that they are bringing RDX explosives in from Pakistan. Planting RDX explosives is the modus operandi of the Indian government. A few years ago, they planted RDX in the car of an American businessman who was visiting Punjab and Pakistan to visit relatives and religious shrines. ``The Indian government has infiltrated the top levels of Babbar Khalsa,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, the government pro tempore of Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its independence from India on October 7, 1987. He noted that the book ``Soft Target,'' written by two Canadian journalists, proves that the Indian government carried out the 1985 bombing of an Air India jetliner that killed 329 people. They used their agents within Babbar Khalsa in that operation, he charged. ``There is no terrorism in Punjab except the terrorism of the Indian government,'' Dr. Aulakh said. He noted that in March, during President Clinton's visit to India, the Indian government murdered 35 Sikhs in the village of Chithi Singhpora, Kashmir. Two independent investigations and an Amnesty International report have confirmed the government's responsibility. In November 1994, the Indian newspaper Hitavada reported that the Indian government paid the late Governor of Punjab, Surendra Nath, about $1.5 billion to organize and support covert state terrorism in Punjab, Khalistan and in Kashmir. The Indian Supreme Court described the situation in Punjab as ``worse than a genocide.'' About 50,000 Sikhs languish in Indian prisons as political prisoners without charge or trial. Between 1993 and 1994, 50,000 Sikhs were made to disappear by Indian forces. More than 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered since 1984. Over 200,000 Christians have been killed since 1947 and over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed since 1988, as well as tens of thousands of Dalit ``untouchables,'' Assamese, Manipuris, Tamils, and others. ``There are many good people in Babbar Khalsa who just want freedom for our homeland, Khalistan,'' Dr. Aulakh said, ``but they are being used by Indian intelligence and its agents within Babbar Khalsa to revive the myth of Sikh terrorism and undermine the Sikh struggle for freedom. The infiltration goes to the highest levels,'' he said. ``I call on Babbar Khalsa members to make sure that they are not used by Indian infiltrators. I call on them to unite with the Council of Khalistan in the peaceful, democratic, nonviolent movement to liberate Khalistan,'' he said. ``India is on the verge of disintegration,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Kashmir is going to be free. Khalistan will also be free during this decade, by the grace of Guru. Guru gave sovereignty to the Sikh Nation,'' he said. ``It is time for a unified effort to liberate Khalistan. We need to support the leadership which is sincere, capable, committed, and dedicated to the liberation of Khalistan,'' he said. ``The Council of Khalistan has led the struggle for the last 15 years and has the above mentioned qualities. We must unite behind the Council of Khalistan, form a Khalsa Paj Party in Punjab, Khalistan, and begin a Shantmai Morcha to liberate Khalistan.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Detective Christopher Devaney, who will be named the ``Cop of the Year'' tomorrow, October 25, 2000. Let it be known that he shares this honor with his wife, Miriam, and their three beautiful children: Chris, Ryan and Donavan. Born on March 16, 1963, Christopher Devaney could never have imagined how he would one day impact the lives of the people of New York City. Christopher grew up on Long Island, where he attended St. Anthony's High School in Smith Town. He went on to attend Manhattan College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. To pursue his desire to help people, Christopher became a police officer, receiving his appointment to the New York City Police Department on June 30, 1992. Police Officer Devaney has been assigned to the 67th and 9th Precincts, as well as the Street Crime Unit during his tenure as a member of the police force. Christopher's hard work and extra effort that he brought to the job were recognized and rewarded with a promotion to the position of detective on June 9, 1999. Having been assigned to the Robbery Apprehension Module Squad at the 63rd Precinct, Detective Devaney was responsible for many arrests. These included arrests for possession of guns, robbery and rape, as well as three arrests for bribery. Detective Devaney was also responsible for an attempted murder arrest in which seven guns were recovered and removed from the street within the confines of the 63rd Precinct. Detective Christopher Devaney has received forty Excellent Police Duty acknowledgements, ten Meritorious Police Duty recognitions, and three Police Duty commendations, which is the highest honor a police officer can receive. As a result of his outstanding service, Detective Christopher Devaney was inducted as a member of the Police Department's Honor Legion. Mr. Speaker, Detective Christopher Devaney is more than worthy of receiving this honor and our praises, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in recognizing this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on September 27, a letter from the Council of Khalistan was published in the Washington Times. It details the propaganda spread by the Indian government to discredit its opponents. That propaganda is necessary for the Indian government to cover up the atrocities and state terrorism against Christians, Sikhs, and other minorities. Former Indian cabinet minister R.L. Bhatia admitted in 1995 that the Indian government is spending ``large sums of money'' to spread this propaganda and influence affairs in the United States. Earlier this month, militant Hindu fundamentalists attacked the home of a priest. They beat him and his neighbor. The neighbor was beaten so badly that he died. Unfortunately, this kind of thing is not unusual. It is just the latest in a series of atrocities carried out by organizations under the umbrella of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of the ruling BJP. While Prime Minister Vajpayee was in New York during his recent visit to the U.S., he said, ``I will always be a Swayamsewak.'' Last week, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar said that there is no difference between the ruling BJP and the supposedly secular Congress Party. Unfortunately, from the point of view of the minorities in India, it is true. There is no difference. Whoever is in power, the repression continues. India has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, over 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since 1947, over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988, and tens of thousands of Dalit ``untouchables'' and other minorities. Thousands of Sikhs and other minorities are in illegal detention without charge or trial simply because they are opposed to the government, or because they are members of a minority. Mr. Speaker, it is time for India to stop its state terrorism against the minorities within its borders. We must stop American aid to India and declare our support for self-determination for the people of Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, and the other nations seeking their freedom, in the form of a free and fair democratic plebiscite. These measures are the only ones we can take that will help to bring real freedom and democracy to the people of South Asia. I would like to submit the Council of Khalistan's letter into the Record for the information of my colleagues. [From The Washington Times, Wed. Sept. 27, 2000] No Militants in the Council of Khalistan Manpreet Singh Nibber's Sept. 16 letter, ``India human rights criticism from unreliable source?'' is so full of disinformation that he must be fronting for the Indian Embassy in its effort to confuse the American people. Mr. Nibber, who is a member of the Punjab Welfare Council of the USA, does not address any of the facts we brought up in our last letter. Instead, he spreads Indian disinformation about the Council of Khalistan and its origins. He knows there are no ``militants'' involved in the council. We consistently support the liberation of Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its independence from India on Oct. 7, 1987, by democratic, nonviolent means through the Sikh tradition of ``Shantmai morcha,'' or peaceful agitation. The Indian Embassy has interfered in American elections, calling for the re-election of former Sen. Larry Pressler and attempting to damage the re-election campaign of Sen. Robert Torricelli. A few years ago, the Indian Embassy was caught giving illegal campaign donations to members of Congress through an immigration lawyer named Lalit Gadhia, who pleaded guilty to the scheme in federal court. There are many other Gadhias throughout this country. Former Indian cabinet minister R.L. Bhatia admitted in a 1995 news conference that the Indian government is spending ``large sums of money'' through the embassy to influence American politics. But what is that money defending? On Sept. 8, militant Hindus attacked the home of a priest and beat the priest and his servant. The servant was so severely beaten that he died of the injuries. On Aug. 25, news stories reported that militant Hindu nationalists kidnapped and tortured a priest in Gujarat, then paraded him naked through town. This attack was part of a wave of terror against Christians since Christmas 1998. Incidents have included the murder of priests, the rape of nuns and the burning to death of a missionary and his two sons in their van by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Schools and prayer halls have been attacked and destroyed. The individuals who raped the nuns were described by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a militant organization within the RSS, as ``patriotic youth.'' The RSS was founded in support of fascism. In March, 35 Sikhs were murdered in the village of Chithi Singhpora in Kashmir. Two extensive independent investigations, one conducted by the Movement Against State Repression and the Punjab Human Rights Organization and another conducted by the Ludhiana-based International Human Rights Organization, proved that the Indian government was responsible for this massacre. The Indian government has murdered more than 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, according to figures published in Inderjit Signh Jaijee's ``The Politics of Genocide.'' India also has killed more than 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since 1947, more than 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988 and tens of thousands of other minorities. Amnesty International reports that thousands of political prisoners are being held without charge or trial in ``the world's largest democracy.'' India is hostile to the United States. It votes against America at the United Nations more often than any country except Cuba. In May 1999, the Indian Express reported that Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes led a meeting with Cuba, China, Iraq, Serbia, Russia and Libya to construct a security alliance ``to stop the U.S.'' India openly supported the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Its nuclear weapons test started the nuclear arms race in South Asia. It refuses to allow the Sikhs, Kashmiris, Christians and other minority nations seeking their freedom to decide their political future in a free and fair vote, the democratic way. America must not accept this kind of brutality and tyranny from a government that claims to be democratic. We must cut off aid and trade to India and support a free and fair plebiscite to ensure human rights and self-determination for Khalistan, Christian Nagalim, Kashmir and all the minority nations and peoples living under Indian rule.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, let me convey how pleased I am to support this legislation. The bill corrects current law by recognizing that there is a ninth time zone in the United States, namely the time zone followed by the people of Guam and the Northern Marianas. My colleague, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood), I want to salute him today, has corrected this oversight with this bill and has also given the time zone a name, Chamorro standard time. Chamorro refers to the indigenous people of the area, and I salute my colleague for his creativity by choosing the name Chamorro. The time zone will honor the historic unity of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Marianas and the people who live in the region. I congratulate the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) for his work on this bill; and, of course, I congratulate his staff and all the staff members that have been involved in this. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, let me again congratulate my colleague for the outstanding work that he has done in terms of creating the ninth time zone. I urge my colleagues to support this. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by first congratulating my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), of course and the ranking member of the subcommittee, as well. Let me just say that this is a very important piece of legislation. As we walk and we talk to people who are suffering from this disease, we think about the fact that maybe we need to do more. I think that this is a giant step in the right direction because we need to do more in terms of research and need to make certain that treatment is available to those that suffer from this illness. I think that access to treatment is very, very important. I think that when we look at many people in some of the rural areas of this country that are having great difficulty getting treatment, I think that this is the right step. I would like to again congratulate my colleague from Ohio and, of course, my colleague from Florida, both colleagues from Florida, for their outstanding work in this effort and to say to them that they probably do not realize how many lives they are saving and how many people that are encountering all kinds of difficulties that they are going to make life better for all of them. And I want to salute them for that.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Avis Kelly Baysmore for over thirty years of dedicated and loyal service to Brevoort Children's Center in Brooklyn, New York. Avis Kelly Baysmore is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great- grandmother. Mrs. Baysmore and her family have been blessed with excellence, greatness, the favor of God, love and honor, the law of kindness in tongue, morality and character. All of these amazing attributes are the result of a God-centered life. A child of God, Mrs. Baysmore came to Brevoort Children's Center in 1970 as a Substitute Teacher. For the next year she taught as a substitute teacher in other centers, including Tompkins and Sumner Children's Center. On July 5, 1971, she was hired as a Teacher's Aide at Brevoort Children's Center, working in Group 2 with four-year old children. After one year, Mrs. Baysmore was transferred to Group 2.6-3, where she worked until her retirement. Mrs. Baysmore was enrolled by BKS in an Early Childhood Education Program at New York University, where she obtained credit in Early Childhood Education. She continued on to Pace College and attended many workshops in Early Childhood Education. Later, Mrs. Baysmore would become an Associate Teacher, filling in for the Group Teacher on many occasions. Finally, she also served as a Shop Steward for 19 years. In her own words, Mrs. Baysmore says ``It has not been easy, but I trusted God for everything and all Honor. Glory and praise goes to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was He that brought me through thirty years of service.'' Mr. Speaker, Avis Kelly Baysmore is more than worthy of receiving this honor, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me today in recognizing this truly remarkable woman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on September 27, a letter from the Council of Khalistan was published in the Washington Times. It details the propaganda spread by the Indian government to discredit its opponents. That propaganda is necessary for the Indian government to cover up the atrocities and state terrorism against Christians, Sikhs, and other minorities. Former Indian cabinet minister R.L. Bhatia admitted in 1995 that the Indian government is spending ``large sums of money'' to spread this propaganda and influence affairs in the United States. Earlier this month, militant Hindu fundamentalists attacked the home of a priest. They beat him and his servant. The servant was beaten so badly that he died. Unfortunately, this kind of thing is not unusual. It is just the latest in a series of atrocities carried out by organizations under the umbrella of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of the ruling BJP. While Prime Minister Vajpayee was in New York during his recent visit to the U.S., he said, ``I will always be a Swayamsewak.'' Last week, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar said that there is no difference between the ruling BJP and the supposedly secular Congress Party. Unfortunately, from the point of view of the minorities in India, it is true. There is no difference. Whoever is in power, the repression continues. India has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, over 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since 1947, over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988, and tens of thousands of Dalit ``untouchables'' and other minorities. Thousands of Sikhs and other minorities are in illegal detention without charge or trial simply because they are opposed to the government, or because they are members of a minority. Mr. Speaker, it is time for India to stop its state terrorism against the minorities within its borders. We must stop American aid to India and declare our support for self-determination for the people of Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, and the other nations seeking their freedom, in the form of a free and fair democratic plebiscite. These measures are the only ones we can take that will help to bring real freedom and democracy to the people of South Asia. I submit the following article into the Congressional Record. [From the Washington Times, Sept. 27, 2000] No Militants in the Council of Khalistan Manpreet Singh Nibber's Sept. 16 letter, ``India human rights criticism from unreliable source?'' is so full of disinformation that he must be fronting for the Indian Embassy in its effort to confuse the American people. Mr. Nibber, who is a member of the Punjab Welfare Council of the USA, does not address any of the facts we brought up in our last letter. Instead, he spreads Indian disinformation about the Council of Khalistan and its origins. He knows there are no ``militants'' involved in the council. We consistently support the liberation of Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its independence from India on Oct. 7, 1987, by democratic, nonviolent means, through the Sikh tradition of ``Shantmai morcha,'' or peaceful agitation. The Indian Embassy has interfered in American elections, calling for the re-election of former Sen. Larry Pressler and attempting to damage the re-election campaign of Sen. Robert Torricelli. A few years ago, the Indian Embassy was caught giving illegal campaign donations to members of Congress through an immigration lawyer named Lalit Gadhia, who pleaded guilty to the scheme in federal court. There are many other Gadhias throughout this country. Former Indian cabinet minister R.L. Bhatia admitted in a 1995 news conference that the Indian government is spending ``large sums of money'' through the embassy to influence American politics. But what is that money defending? On Sept. 8, militant Hindus attacked the home of a priest and beat the priest and his servant. The servant was so severely beaten that he died of the injuries. On Aug. 25, News stories reported that militatnt Hindu nationalists kidnapped and tortured a priest in Gujarat, then paraded him naked through town. This attack was part of a wave of terror against Christians since Christmas 1998. Incidents have included the murder of priests, the rape of nuns and the burning to death of nuns and the burning to death of a missionary and his two sons in their van by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS), the parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Schools and prayer halls have been attacked and destroyed. The individuals who raped the nuns were described by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a militant organization within the RSS, as ``patriotic youth.'' The RSS was founded in support of fascism. In March, 35 Sikhs were murdered in the village of Chithi Singh-pora in Kashmir. Two extensive independent investigations, one conducted by the Movement Against State Repression and the Punjab Human Rights Organization and another conducted by the Ludhiana-based International Human Rights Organization, proved that the Indian government was responsible for this massacre. The Indian government has murdered more than 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, according to figures published in Inderjit Singh Jaijee's ``The Politics of Genocide.'' India also has killed more than 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since 1947, more than 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988 and tens of thousands of other minorities. Amnesty International reports that thousands of political prisoners are being held without charge or trial in ``the world's largest democracy.'' India is hostile to the United States. It votes against America at the United Nations more often than any country except Cuba. In May 1999, the Indian Express reported that Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes led a meeting with Cuba, China, Iraq, Serbia, Russia and Libya to construct a security alliance ``to stop the U.S.'' India openly supported the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Its nuclear weapons test started the nuclear arms race in South Asia. It refuses to allow the Sikhs, Kashmiris, Christians and other minority nations seeking their freedom to decide their political future in a free and fair vote, the democratic way. America must not accept this kind of brutality and tyranny from a government that claims to be democratic. We must cut off aid and trade to India and support a free and fair plebiscite to ensure human rights and self-determination for Khalistan, Christian Nagalim, Kashmir and all the minority nations and peoples living under Indian rule.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eagle Scout Edgar James III. Edgar James, III began scouting at the age of seven in 1992 as a Cub Scout with Pack 263, Stuyford District, Brooklyn, New York. As a Cub Scout, he learned the basics of Scouting, and as a Webelos, he prepared himself to become a Boy Scout. In May 1995, Edgar earned Cub Scout's highest award, the Arrow of Light. Edgar was selected by his peers as a candidate for the Order of the Arrow, Honor Campers. He successfully completed the Ordeal and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Shu-Shu-Gah Lodge #24, in 1997. Through tenacity, determination and hard work, Edgar progressed consistently through the ranks from tenderfoot in 1995 to his Eagle Award on July 27, 1999. Along the trail to Eagle, Edgar has served in several leadership positions including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and, currently, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Edgar completed his Eagle service project with Outstanding Renewal Enterprises, Inc., in Manhattan. His goal was to encourage others while learning about environmentally sound management of New York City's Solid waste. Recycling and composting methods were used to inspire New York City residents to take responsibility for their environment in order to make the city a cleaner and greener place in which to live. Edgar is a junior attending Midwood High School at Brooklyn College where he is in the Medical Science program and played the trumpet in the Marching Band. He was selected to participate in the Intel Corporation Social Science Research Program, representing Midwood High School. Edgar is a member of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. His future plans include a career in either medicine or law or, hopefully, to combine both and become a sports agent. Mr. Speaker, Edgar is one of tomorrow's leaders, and I encourage my colleague to join me in honoring him today.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Craig B. Gaddy, Sr., of the Friendship Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. I honor Reverend Gaddy today in celebration of his first anniversary as Pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Gaddy is deserving of our praise because he has served as a pillar of our community, having devoted his life to serving the needs of others. He is the son of Sister Lucille A. Gaddy, who he describes as ``my rock, my sword and shield.'' Reverend Gaddy is also the proud father of Nyesha J. Gaddy, and Craig Jr. He is the brother of Eric, James, Michael, Debra, David Jr., Tracey, Tyrone, Michelle, Tonya, Pamela and Theresa. Mr. Speaker, the entire Gaddy family has been blessed with excellence, greatness, the favor of God, love and honor, the law of kindness in tongue, morality and character. All of these amazing attributes are the result of a God-centered life. Under the watchful eye of the late Reverend Dr. D. W. Batts, Reverend Gaddy received his license to preach the gospel in 1982 at the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church. In 1986 he received his ordination proper by Dr. Batts and the Eastern Baptist Association. In 1989 he was assigned to the Southern Baptist Church in New York City under the pastorate of the Reverend Eugene King, where he served as youth minister. In 1997, he was elected Assistant Pastor at the Southern Baptist Church where he served faithfully until 1999. On June 26, 1999, Reverend Gaddy was called to pastor the Friendship Baptist Church. There, he continued in the footsteps of a truly great pastor, the late Reverend Dr. U.B. Whitfield. Reverend Gaddy serves with the National Baptist Association, the Empire State Association, the Eastern Baptist Association, and the NAACP. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Craig Gaddy, Sr. is more than worthy of receiving this honor, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me today in recognizing this truly remarkable man.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2311, which reauthorizes ``The Ryan White CARE Act''. HIV infection and AIDS in Brooklyn remains a difficult battle. The Centers for Disease Control found that minorities now account for more than half of all new cases in the United States. AIDS now kills more black men that gunshot wounds. And, it is also the leading cause of death for Hispanic men ages 25 to 44. This disease has equally affected women and children in minority communities. Eighty-four percent of the AIDS cases involving children, age 12 and under, can be found in the black community. And, AIDS has now become the second leading cause of death for black women and the third leading cause for Hispanic women. I have witnessed these statistics first hand. My congressional district has the highest incidence of new AIDS cases of any area in New York City. Brownsville has more people living with AIDS than 12 States. It has the second highest number of blacks living with AIDS in all of New York City. In addition, East New York and the Ft. Greene neighborhoods have large populations of women living with AIDS. Yet, we have not witnessed either the research or treatment and care dollars following the change in disease patterns. While Brooklyn is the epicenter of this disease in New York City, the majority of the Ryan White and NIH funds are still going to organizations which do not serve this constituency. In response to language which I worked to include in this legislation, hopefully, this trend will be halted. And, minority communities, like Brownsville, Ft. Greene and East New York, will receive their fair share of treatment dollars. I am very pleased that with today's floor consideration of the Ryan White CARE Act we will be able to continue to bring resources to those communities and people who are impacted by AIDS and HIV infection. And, I would urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, in Post-Civil War America, Congress passed the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution to give African Americans the right to vote and to participate meaningfully in the governance of this country. While 22 African-Americans were elected to Congress in the following years, the promise of these amendments was destroyed by Jim Crow laws. After decades of struggle, the sacrifices of nonviolent civil rights protesters spurred Congress to approve the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The passage of the Voting Rights Act was perhaps the most important victory won by the Civil Rights Movement led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All of these efforts were made with the recognition that the franchise is critical to the ultimate emancipation of the African American people. Unfortunately, as we approach the first national election of the new millennium, we are confronted with another challenge to the enfranchisement of millions of African-Americans. Mr. Speaker, there is simply no justification for the disenfranchisement of almost 3 million Americans who served their sentences for the commission of a felony crime. Let me repeat that point: over 3 million Americans have lost their right to vote even after they have paid their debt to society. Mr. Speaker, this issue is of great concern to my community, which already suffered so much from the so-called ``war on drugs.'' The war on drugs is perhaps the single most ``effective'' tool in disenfanchising millions of African Americans since Jim Crow. Between 1985 and 1995, there was a 707% increase in the number of African Americans in state prison for a drug offense, compared to a 306 percent increase for whites over the same period. In addition, since the advent in 1986 of mandatory minimum sentences for drug related offenses, the number of African Americans in prison on drug-related offenses has exploded. In fact, despite evidence that African Americans and Caucasians use drugs at roughly the same rate, African Americans have been especially hard hit by mandatory minimum sentences: African Americans comprise about 13 percent of the United States' population, 15 percent of drug users, and 17 percent of cocaine users. However, thanks to the war on drugs being targeted against our communities, African Americans account for 33 percent of all federal drug convictions, 57 percent of Federal cocaine convictions and a staggering 84 percent of all federal crack cocaine convictions. Once convicted, these individuals often lose their right to vote for life. The result? The combined effect of the war on drugs and mandatory minimum sentences being targeted at African Americans and other minorities is that these groups are losing their right to vote at staggering rates. That's why I come here today, to join my colleagues in demanding passage on vital legislation to make all persons released from prison automatically eligible to vote in federal elections. This, Mr. Speaker, is a necessary step in restoring the franchise to those Americans who have already suffered so much.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Emma Beatrice Taylor, a resident of Brooklyn, on her 95th birthday. I ask my colleagues assembled here today to please join me in acknowledging Mrs. Taylor's remarkable life. On this day, October 3, 1905, here in Washington, D.C., her father, an immigrant from Africa, and her mother, an immigrant from England, were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Emma. As a young girl, Emma possessed excellence, greatness, the favor of God, love and honor, the law of kindness in tongue, morality and character. Emma married Elbert James Robinson, and their union was blessed with three beautiful daughters, including my very good friend, Delores Chainey. Mr. Speaker, all of the amazing blessings bestowed upon Emma Taylor are the result of a God-centered life. Mr. Speaker, Emma Beatrice Taylor is more than worthy of receiving our birthday wishes, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me today in honoring this outstanding woman.