Peter Visclosky

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, Northwest Indiana lost a great environmental leader late last year. Hanus Jan Steiner, who devoted every ounce of his spirit to conservation, passed away on December 28, 2000. On Saturday, May 19, 2001, Hanus Steiner's friends and family will gather to honor his memory at a Memorial Service in Chestertown, Indiana. Due to Hanus' dream, vision, and extraordinary efforts, Northwest Indiana retains numerous environmentally sensitive areas unique to our region and the world. Hanus led a very eventful and interesting life. Born July 5, 1920, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, he was the only member of this family to survive the Holocaust. In the fall of 1939, he received a scholarship to New York University. He entered the United States in 1940 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from NYU. After leaving school, Hanus worked for over 40 ears as a chemist in paint research for Sherwin-Williams on the South Side of Chicago. In 1945, he married his wife, Mary Ann Pickrel, who survives him in Alameda, California. In 1959, Hanus helped found the Porter Country Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and served as its president and treasurer. As a member of the League, he was dedicated to the continued success of the Chapter and the efforts to establish and protect the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Hanus received both State and national awards for his outstanding conservation work. Additionally, during my tenure in Congress, I have had the privilege to work firsthand with Hanus on various pieces of legislation that affect the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Hanus' latest effort was to increase the public awareness of E. coli occurring at Indiana Dunes' beaches, specifically Dunes Creek. Mr. Speaker and my other distinguished colleagues, Hanus Jan Steiner's legacy is a superb example of how activism can make a difference. Hanus will be missed not only by his family, but also by all those who knew him and worked with him throughout the years.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of Indiana's First Congressional District, John Greaves. On May 29, 2001, John will be honored for his dedicated service to the United Steelworkers of America Local 6787 at a dinner to be held at American Legion Post 260 in Portage, Indiana. John's distinguished career in the labor movement has made his community and nation a better place in which to live and work. For more than 30 years, John has worked at Bethlehem Steel Corporation and has been a dedicated member of Local 6787. While a member of Local 6787, John served as Treasurer from 1984- 1987, Chairman of the Grievance Procedure from 1987-1989 and Trustee from 1990 until his retirement earlier this year. Additionally, he serves as President of the Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor. John has devoted his entire working career to the expansion of labor ideals and fair standards for all working people. He has been a strong voice for the steel industry, meeting frequently with legislators in Indianapolis and lobbying leaders in Washington. Additionally, he has worked on a county level as a liaison between labor, industry and government to make the interests of working men and women known. While John has dedicated a substantial portion of his life to the betterment of union members, he has always found the time to serve his community as well. He serves as a board member for the Westchester YMCA and the Porter County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a former member of the Jaycees of America and served as a Labor Board member for the Porter County United Way. On this special day, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to John Greaves. His large circle of family and friends can be proud of the contributions he prominently has made. His work in the labor movement provided union workers in Northwest Indiana opportunities they might not have otherwise had. John's leadership kept the region's labor force strong and helped keep America working. Those in the labor movement will surely miss John's dedication and sincerity. I sincerely wish John Greaves a long, happy, and productive retirement.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, It is my distinct honor to commend seven dedicated teachers from Northwest Indiana who have been voted outstanding educators by their peers for the 2000-2001 school year. These individuals, Darwin Kinney, Zita Dodge, Mary Hedges, Judy Seehausen, Sandra Baker, Pat Reyes and Pat Nemeth, will be presented the Crystal Apple Award at a reception sponsored by the Indiana State Teachers Association. This glorious event will take place at the Broadmoor Country Club in Merrillville, Indiana, on Wednesday, May 16, 2001. Darwin Kinney, from Crown Point Community School Corporation, has taught for 34 years at Crown Point High School. While Darwin carries a heavy teaching load of Biology and Life Science, he has always been dedicated to maintaining personal interaction with his pupils. His commitment to students is obvious. As an educator, Darwin works closely with his students during and after school, ensuring that they maximize their potential. His desire to educate and enlighten the minds of the young adults who enter his room is evident in the way in which he interacts with his classes. Zita Dodge, from Hanover Community School Corporation, uses several different learning styles to reach every student. The love and care that she shows the children is reflected on every student's face. Zita started teaching in Hanover in 1970, where her career began as a music teacher. She then taught kindergarten and later moved on to teach first grade. During her service as an educator, Zita has served on several district and building committees. Continuing to challenge herself through education, Zita went back to school to become a counselor and was hired as a Home School Facilitator. For the past five years, Zita has enjoyed being back in the classroom teaching first grade. Zita has always unselfishly dedicated herself to the field of education, both to the children who were in her many classes and to all the adults that she helped become better parents and teachers. A dedicated teacher for 32 years, Mary Hedges of the School Town of Highland is a role model, inspiration and an outstanding professional. Mary is a wonderful caring teacher who frequently creates hands-on lessons for her students. She is always ready to listen to others. Mary is very active in the School Corporation. She is an officer of the PTO, sits on the Science Curriculum Committee and the Textbook Committee, and helps with the Performance Based Assessment. Judy Seehausen began her teaching career in 1974 in Columbus, Georgia, and is currently employed in the Lake Central School Corporation in St. John, Indiana. When Judy and her family moved to Indiana, she taught at Kahler Middle School. In 1979, Judy earned a life license in English, Guidance and Counseling and began working as a counselor at the high school. Judy returns to the classroom every summer to teach English, maintaining her teacher-student perspective. Teachers turn to Judy as their strongest advocate and her peers describe her as an outstanding and dedicated professional. She is a diplomat, creative problem solver and a mediator for all. As a professional educator during her thirty years of service to the School Town of Munster, Sandra Baker has been a valuable asset. Sandra is a leader in civic education, and has led her classes to superior rankings in the regional and state ``We the People'' constitutional hearings for eight consecutive years. In 1995, the American Lawyers Auxiliary named Sandra ``Elementary Teacher of the Year.'' For the past 15 years, she has taught a full-time magnet class for academically talented 5th graders. Sandra's greatest desire is to leave a positive mark on the world through her work with children. Pat Reyes from North Newton School Corporation in Morocco, Indiana, has been a third grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for twenty- six years. Pat is conscientious about having her students meet the standards expected of them, but she also gets involved in many extracurricular activities. For example, Pat works with the National Arbor Day Foundation in order to involve the school in an annual tree planting ceremony. She also is instrumental in coordinating special observances such as Read Across America Day, Grandparents' Day and PTA sponsored events. Pat is a continuous source of enthusiasm for her student and others. Pat Nemeth's high school teaching career is coming to a close as she nears a well-deserved retirement. Pat has taught at North Newton High School, Hanover Central High School, and for 24 years at Lowell High School. In addition to teaching business courses in the Tri-Creek School Corporation, she also teaches courses at Davenport University. Pat is the past recipient of the Inland-Ryerson Steel Outstanding Teacher Award, I wish Pat a long, happy, and healthy retirement. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in commending these outstanding educators on their receipt of the 2000- 2001 Crystal Apple Award. The years of hard work they have put forth in shaping the minds and futures of Northwest Indiana's young people is a true inspiration to us all.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and admiration that I congratulate the members of Carpenters Local 1005 of Merrillville, Indiana who will be honored at their 29th Annual Pin Recognition Banquet. The union members of Northwest Indiana have consistently demonstrated the work ethic and quality craftsmanship on which the community prides itself. The banquet, to be held on Saturday, May 12, 2001 at the St. Elijah Serbian American Hall in Merrillville, will be held in honor of those members who have completed between 20 and 65 years of service with the union. Also to be awarded are the Joe Manley Humanitarian Award, the Ken Castaldi Apprentice of the Year Award, and the Contractor of the Year Award. Carpenters Local 1005, which received its charter on March 7, 1972, and is one of the largest Carpenters locals in the state of Indiana, will honor its members for their years of dedicated service. Charles James, initiated in 1936, will be honored for his 65 years of service. Those members who will be honored for 60 years of service include: Rexford McDaniel and Nicholas Mudry. Those who will be honored for 55 years of service include: Lester Cornett, Billy Frost, William Gabbard, Sam Loiacano, Harold Massa, Fred Roberts, Robert Rosenbaum, John Taylor, Leonard Taylor, Robert Tucker, James Williams, and Ivan Wynkoop. The members who will be honored for 50 years of service include: Melvin Anderson, Jack Bartruff, Walter Catlow, Carl Cauley, James Cooley, John Curtis, Otis Davis, John Gottby, Robert Green, Bartul Letica, Walter Mahns, John Mihalko, Sam Pysh, Jr., Glen Snow, Albert Touchette, and Tage Borg. Those members who have served for 45 years include: Kenneth Anderson, Felix Bannon, Eugene Claus, Clyde Fauser, George Hendershot, Kenneth Horan, William Kristoff, Clive Leach, George Nannenga, Raymond Niksch, George Patterson, Jr., Fred Reynolds, Harry Spurgeon, Charlie Stokes, Raymond Wardell, and Jessie Castle. Those members who will be honored for 40 years of service include: Howard Johnson, Jr. and Peter Znika. The members who will be honored for 35 years of service include: Eddie Andersen, Steve Hostinsky, Otto Massow, Oscar Mischan, Loren Pollard, James Thoreson, Grant Wedding, Warren Wilkerson, Dennis Williamson, and Kenneth Mahler. Those members who will be honored for 30 years of service include: Leroy Dewar, Gene Harlow, Winford Harris, Charles Prewitt, John Rassbach, Ronald Robinson, Charles Spiller, and Joe Sulhoff. The members who will be honored for 25 years of service include: Gordon Anderson, Theordore Blahunka, Joseph Crnkovich, Michael Darden, Ronald Dwight, Joseph Erb, William Herbst, Paul Hernandez, Sr., Kenneth Huhn, George Klippel, Nick Kotur, Wray Loney, Roy Scarborough, Rich Steinhilber, Robert Stivers, Bruce Thomas, Thomas Trulley, Michael Twilla, and Donald Welch. Those members who will be honored for 20 years of service include: Jeff Basco, Paul Cieszkiewicz, Harold Evers, Eugene Glowacki, Jefrrey Hall, Roy Jonkman, John Kucik, William Lueder, Daniel Lustgarten, William McCarty, Ricky Nance, Robert Paske, Warren Perry, Jessie Simmons, Drew Smith, and Michael Stanton. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating these dedicated, honorable, and outstanding members of Carpenters Local 1005, in addition to the hardworking union men and women throughout the country. The countless hours of exceptional service the men and women of Carpenters Local 1005 have provided to their community deserve our admiration and respect. Their dedication and commitment are the epitome of the values we hold in Northwest Indiana, and I am proud to represent such fine men and women in Congress.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn memorial to the estimated 1.5 million men, women, and children who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide. As in the past I am pleased to join so many distinguished House colleagues on both sides of the aisle in ensuring that the horrors wrought upon the Armenian people are never repeated. On April 24, 1915, over 200 religious, political, and intellectual leaders of the Armenian community were brutally executed by the Turkish government in Istanbul. Over the course of the next 8 years, this war of ethnic genocide against the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire took the lives of over half the world's Armenian population. Sadly, there are some people who still deny the very existence of this period which saw the institutionalized slaughter of the Armenian people and dismantling of Armenian culture. To those who would question these events, I point to the numerous reports contained in the U.S. National Archives detailing the process that systematically decimated the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. However, old records are too easily forgotten--and dismissed. That is why we come together every year at this time: to remember in words what some may wish to file away in archives. This genocide did take place, and these lives were taken. That memory must keep us forever vigilant in our efforts to prevent these atrocities from ever happening again. I am proud to note that Armenian immigrants found, in the United States, a country where their culture could take root and thrive. Most Armenians in America are children or grandchildren of the survivors, although there are still survivors amongst us. In my district in Northwest Indiana, a vibrant Armenian-American community has developed and strong ties to Armenia continue to flourish. My predecessor in the House, the late Adam Benjamin, was of Armenian heritage, and his distinguished service in the House serves as an example to the entire Northwest Indiana community. Over the years, members of the Armenian- American community throughout the United States have contributed millions of dollars and countless hours of their time to various Armenian causes. Of particular note are Mrs. Vicki Hovanessian and her husband Dr. Raffi Hovanessian, residents of Indiana's First Congressional District, who have continually worked to improve the life in Armenia, as well as in Northwest Indiana. Three other Armenian- American families in my congressional district, Dr. Aram and Seta Semerdjian and Sonya Doumanian, and Ara and Rosy Yeretsian, have also contributed greatly toward charitable works in the United States and Armenia. Their efforts, together with hundreds of other members of the Armenian-American community, have helped to finance several important projects in Armenia, including the construction of new schools, a mammography clinic, and a crucial roadway connecting Armenia to Nagorno Karabagh. In the House, I have tried to assist the efforts of my Armenian- American constituency by continually supporting foreign aid to Armenia. This past year, with my support, Armenia received over $90 million of the $219 million in U.S. aid earmarked for the Southern Caucasus. In addition, on April 6, 2001, I joined several of my colleagues in signing the letter to President Bush urging him to honor his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian people have a long and proud history. In the fourth century, they became the first nation to embrace Christianity. During World War I, the Ottoman Empire was ruled by an organization known as the Young Turk Committee, which allied with Germany. Amid fighting in the Ottoman Empire's eastern Anatolian provinces, the historic heartland of the Christian Armenians, Ottoman authorities ordered the deportation and execution of all Armenians in the region. By the end of 1923, virtually the entire Armenian population of Anatolia and western Armenia had either been killed or deported. While it is important to keep the lessons of history in mind, we must also remain committed to protecting Armenia from new and more hostile aggressors. In the last decade, thousands of lives have been lost and more than a million people displaced in the struggle between Armenia and Azerbaijan, over Nagorno-Karabagh. Even now, as we rise to commemorate the accomplishments of the Armenian people and mourn the tragedies they have suffered, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and other countries continue to engage in a debilitating blockade of this free nation. On March 28th of this year, I testified before Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee on the important issue of bringing peace to a troubled area of the world. I continued my support for maintaining of level funding for the Southern Caucasus region of the Independent States (IS), and of Armenia in particular. I also stressed the critical importance of retaining Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act that restricts U.S. aid for Azerbaijan as a result of their blockade. Unfortunately, Armenia is now entering its twelfth year of a blockade, and Section 907 is the one protection afforded it by the Congress. The flow of food, fuel, and medicine continues to be hindered by the blockade, creating a humanitarian crisis in Armenia. A repeal of Section 907 would only serve to legitimize Azerbaijan's illegitimate acts of aggression. I stand in strong support of Section 907, which sends a clear message that the United States Congress stands behind the current peace process and encourages Azerbaijan to work with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Minsk Group toward a meaningful and lasting resolution. In the end, I believe Section 907 will help conclude a conflict that threatens to destabilize the entire region and places the Armenian nation in distinct peril. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, Representatives Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone, for organizing this special order to commemorate the 86th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Their efforts will not only help bring needed attention to this tragic period in world history, but also serve to remind us of our duty to protect basic human rights and freedoms around the world.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate the Croatian Sons Lodge Number 170 of the Croatian Fraternal Union on the festive occasion of its 94th Anniversary and Golden Member banquet on Sunday, April 29, 2001. This year, the Croatian Fraternal Union will hold this gala event at the Croatian Center in Merrillville, Indiana. Traditionally, the anniversary celebration entails a formal recognition of the Union's Golden Members, those who have achieved fifty years of membership. This year's honorees who have attained fifty years of membership include: Edwin C. Bronikowski, Anthony Bucich, Virginia Carija, Anna Gee, Mary Kocevar, Michael E. Krall, Catherine Michael, Basil Movchan, Dorothy Pavlakovic, Ethel M. Podrebarac, Rose Marie Radulovich, Martha Sablich, Mary Stewart, and Theresa M. Znika. These loyal and dedicated individuals share this prestigious honor with over 300 additional Lodge members who have previously attained this important designation. This memorable day will begin with a morning mass at Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Gary, Indiana, with the Reverend Father Benedict Benakovich officiating. The festivities will be culturally enriched by the performance of several Croatian musical groups. The Hoosier Hrvati Adult Tamburitza Orchestra directed by Jerry Banina, the Croatian Glee Club ``Preradovic,'' and the Croatian Strings Tamburitzans and Junior Dancers directed by Dennis Barunica will perform at this gala event. A formal dinner banquet will end the day's festivities. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Lodge president Betty Morgavan, and all the other members of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge Number 170, for their loyalty and radiant display of passion for their ethnicity. The Croatian community has played a key role in enriching the quality of life and culture of Northwest Indiana. It is my hope that this year will bring renewed hope and prosperity for all members of the Croatian community and their families. I am proud to represent these gifted residents of the First Congressional District of Indiana.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I offer congratulations to some of Northwest Indiana's most dedicated and talented workers. On Saturday, April 7, 2001 the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 599 in Hammond, Indiana will honor those members who have served for 25 years or more during their annual pin presentation award ceremony. Devoted to their craft, these skilled employees represent the hard work and blue-collar work ethic for which the citizens of Northwest Indiana pride themselves. Local 599, led by President Dan Brown, will celebrate tenures ranging from 25 years to 65 years of service. Those members who will be honored for 65 years of service include: John A. Horvath and Richard C. Simpson. The carpenters who will be honored for 60 years of service include: Aaron F. Droke, Marvin Eriks, and Frank Heitzman. Those members who will be honored for 55 years of service include: Arnold Austgen, Edward J. Behling, Benjamin Boreland, Kenneth L. Brown, Lowell J. Goubeaux, Ralph Govert, Julius Housty, Harold Huntington, Lowell F. Lantrip, Sammy Maniscalco, Chester Przybyla, Lowell Swim, and Leonard Wolak. Those who will be honored for 50 years of service include: Charles Adair, Alan A. Burrell, Thomas J. Devich, Leslie W. Drake, John E. Hoffman, and Richard J. Wilson. Those who will be honored for 45 years of service include: Larnie J. Duncan, Leonard R. Geissendorfer, Chester E. Graham, Alan I. Hausworth, Joseph H. Hindahl, and Donald W. Scholte. John E. Blink will be honored for 40 years of service. Those members who will be honored for 35 years of service include: William J. Courtright, James Jendreas, Kenneth G. Krooswyk, Billy G. Mayo, John P. Potucek, John L. Powers, and John S. Sikich. The members who will be honored for 30 years of service include: Kenneth E. Collmar, Ronald L. Graham, Charles A. Maddox, and Albert J. Ovaert. Finally, those members who will be honored for 25 years of service include: Edward Cisarik, Dennis J. Fleener, James W. Hawk, Gregory F. Murzyn, Kenneth D. Shunway, Denzel K. Taylor, and Darryl A. Tharp. Northwest Indiana has a rich history of excellence in its craftsmanship and loyalty by its tradesmen. These workers are all outstanding examples of each. They have mastered their trade and have consistently performed at the highest level throughout their careers. They have demonstrated their loyalty to both the union and the community through their hard work and self-sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating these dedicated, hardworking, and honorable members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 599 in Hammond, Indiana. They, along with all the local unions in Northwest Indiana, represent the backbone of our economic community, and I am very proud to represent them in Washington. They truly are the cornerstone of America's success.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and esteem that I congratulate Mr. Rudy Nichols and Mr. Lupe Valadez on their retirement from the United Steelworkers of America. Rudy has been a member of the USWA for over 45 years, while Lupe has served for over 50 years. These two men, along with their colleagues, help form the economic backbone for Northwest Indiana. Without their hard work and dedication, the communities of Northwest Indiana would indeed suffer. A retirement celebration will be held in their honor on April 21, 2001 at the Dynasty Banquet Center in Hammond, Indiana. Rudy Nichols began his distinguished career at the age of 18 as an armature winder and motor inspector for Youngstown Sheet and Tube in East Chicago, Indiana in February, 1956. During that time, he became a member of USWA Local 1011 and served as an apprentice representative and shop steward. He later moved on to the Midwest Steel Division of National Steel in Portage, Indiana, where he became a member of Local 6103. Through his perseverance and undying loyalty he eventually became the president of the local, and served on several committees that were devoted to improving the quality of the workplace for its members. After 13 impressive years at National Steel, Rudy moved on to become the Safety and Health Coordinator for District 31 in August, 1978. He quickly moved up within the union and became the Sub District 4 Director, the position he currently holds. With Mary, his wife of 45 years, by his side, Rudy has watched as their two children, Walter and Rhonda, have grown to be outstanding citizens and parents of their own. Lupe Valadez was the fourth of six sons born to Gerardo and Ventura Valadez on the south side of Chicago. After serving with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, Lupe came home to follow in his father's footsteps and begin working at U.S. Steel South Works, where he immediately became heavily involved in USWA Local 65. He eventually went on to serve the local in many capacities, including Public Relations Director, Assistant Grievanceman, and three terms as Financial Secretary. After more than 20 years of devoted and outstanding service, District 31 Director Jack Parton recognized the important qualities that Lupe could bring to the District office and hired him as an organizer. Within ten short years Lupe became the Organizing Coordinator for District 31. When the union consolidated in 1995, he became the first Organizing Coordinator for District 7, which encompasses the states of Indiana and Illinois. Lupe's first concern, however, has always been his family. His loving wife Olivia, and sons Dino, Nick, Michael, and John Paul can usually be seen helping with the numerous activities he is coordinating. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Rudy Nichols and Lupe Valadez on their retirement from the United Steelworkers of America. Unions are a vital aspect of the communities of Northwest Indiana, and these two men have shown the loyalty, perseverance, and work ethic that allow the unions to thrive. Their efforts will surely be missed by their co-workers and the citizens of Northwest Indiana.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and esteem that I congratulate Esther Kristoff on her retirement from the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council after 32 years of service as the executive director. Esther has dedicated her career to providing the guidance that our children need, a service that is far too rare in today's society. She will be honored at a retirement celebration to be held on April 30, 2001. Esther Kristoff has enjoyed an outstanding career with the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council. When she became the executive director in 1969, she had already devoted over 16 years to the organization. She has held a myriad of positions, from troop leader and troop organizer to member of the Board of Directors. Esther has given innumerable hours of service to the Girl Scouts, but it is the quality of her work that is most impressive. She has received every one of the local Girl Scout Council awards that were available to her, including the Appreciation and Honor Pins and Thanks Badges I and II for outstanding service to both the Council and the surrounding community. In 1998, she received the Girl Scout service pin for 45 years of devoted service. A graduate of Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, Esther has undergone extensive training in the field of management. She has trained at such highly regarded institutions as Columbia University and Harvard University. She has also learned tremendously from her instruction experiences at Case Western Reserve University and the GSUSA Training Center in New York. The knowledge she gained from these programs has enabled her to become a true leader within the Council and the community. Esther's history of volunteerism is impressive and praiseworthy. She has held a variety of positions and enjoys sharing her experiences with others. She served as president of the Hammond Woodmar Kiwanis from 1993-1995 and was recognized for her outstanding work and loyal service. She is an active member and secretary of the executive committee at the Lake Area United Way. Esther has also volunteered her time to work with local political leaders for the improvement of her community. She has worked with the Hammond mayor's office on several committees, the latest being the Hammond Marketing Committee. While on this committee she helped to organize the Keep Hammond Beautiful program and the Hammond Pride Week celebration. Esther has also served as a guest speaker for the Hammond Historical Society and as a volunteer speaker for the Lake Area United Way speaker's bureau. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Esther Kristoff as she celebrates her retirement from the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council after 48 years of service and 32 years of service as the executive director. Her commitment to the youth of Northwest Indiana should be recognized and must be commended. She has dedicated her life and her career to helping others, and her efforts will surely be missed.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is truly my distinct honor to pay tribute to one of Northwest Indiana's hidden treasures, Jerald T. Mahshie, of Schererville, Indiana. Jerry is one of the most dedicated, distinguished and creative citizens of Indiana's First Congressional District. For the past 3\1/2\ years, Jerry has been the Director of Food and Beverage at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana. While Jerry has been a resident of the First Congressional District for only a short time, Northwest Indiana has certainly been rewarded by the true service and uncompromising dedication he has displayed to both its citizens and communities, as well as his employer. During his tenure at the Radisson Hotel, Jerry's consummate professionalism and attention to detail enabled the facility to become one of the premier meeting and dining locations in the First Congressional District. When I think of Jerry, the first image that comes to my mind is not his successful professional career, but his extraordinary leadership and care for others. Whenever a project has needed a leader or an issue has needed to be addressed, Jerry has stepped forward to accept the challenge. Unfortunately, Northwest Indiana will be losing this hidden treasure, as Jerry has accepted a position in the Indiana's capitol, Indianapolis. Jerry is truly a remarkable man. His hard work has earned him a number of accomplishments and awards. Such achievements include: Member of the American Academy of Chefs, President of the American Culinary Federation Chefs of Northwest Indiana, Certified Executive Chef, 1999 Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality and Professional of the Year. In addition to his devotion to his job, Jerry finds time to serve his community. He is a past member of the Hammond Area Career Center Advisory Board and the Ivy Tech Gary Campus Advisory Board, as well as the Chairman for the 2001 Taste of Northwest Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Jerry Mahshie for his remarkable accomplishments, enduring service, and the unforgettable effect he has had on the people of Northwest Indiana. We will surely miss him. May the future continue to hold great things for this outstanding professional.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to announce that the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame's 15th Annual Induction Banquet will be held tonight, March 15, 2001, at the Hammond Civic Center, in Hammond, Indiana. Eleven individuals, all of whom attended high school in Hammond, Indiana, will be inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. The new members of the Hall of Fame include: Mike Bradburn, Bob Bradtke, Allison Buell, Donald Clark, Ray Cross, Rudy T. Folta, Terry Irk, Hal Morris, Kurt Nondorf, Frank P. Staucet, and Bob Wilson, Sr. Mike Bradburn, a current resident of Chester, California, graduated from Hammond Morton High School in 1963. While at Morton, Bradburn was an outstanding athlete, participating in football, wrestling, and track and field. In football, what this speedy, hard-driving fullback lacked in size, he made up for in grit and determination. He played on the Governors' 1961 state championship squad and earned all-state honors the following season. He continued his football career at Northwestern University, from where he graduated in 1957. An outstanding basketball and baseball player at Bishop Noll, Bob Bradtke graduated in 1956. Prior to moving to Lansing, Illinois, where he currently resides, Bradtke coached at Bishop Noll, Whiting and Gavit. As a basketball player at Bishop Noll, he was an all-state guard that teamed up with Oscar Robertson and fellow Hammond Sports Hall of Famer Frank Radovich on the Indiana all-star squad that played the Kentucky all-stars. On the baseball diamond, Bradtke played virtually all positions. He continued his career in college as a basketball player at Notre Dame, where he was a two-year letter winner before graduating in 1960. Current resident of Hammond, Indiana, Allison Buell, became the first female athlete from a Hammond high school to qualify for the state finals in a field event. Buell was an outstanding high jumper and long jumper at Clark High School, where she graduated in 1988. While in college, Buell competed in the high jump at Cornell University, before transferring to Columbia College, from where she graduated with honors in 1996. As a junior, this Clark valedictorian placed third in the high jump at the state meet, then returned home to help the Lady Pioneers softball team win a sectional title the next day. The late Donald L. Clark had an outstanding wrestling and football career. After graduating from Clark High School in 1952, Clark attended Purdue University and joined the wrestling team. In 1957, Clark graduated from Purdue with academic honors he then embarked on an outstanding career in education and coaching. As wrestling coach at Hammond High, he directed the Wildcats to back-to-back state championships in 1962 and 1963. Longtime Hammond, Indiana, resident Ray Cross, will also be inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. While at Hammond High, Cross played running back and defensive back on their 1960 state football championship team, earning Chicagoland All-Star Team honors, as well as a scholarship to West New Mexico University. Cross was a versatile player and signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League, but his career was cut short by a knee injury. He then returned home, where he embarked on a teaching and coaching career, leading Eggers Middle School football, basketball and track teams to numerous city championships. Rudy Folta, a current resident of Chicago, Illinois, won eight varsity letters as a football quarterback, basketball guard, and baseball shortstop for the Hammond Tech Tigers before graduating in 1957. After graduation, Folta continued his football career at Wabash College, where he captained the Little Giants in 1960. Current Griffith, Indiana resident Hal Morris enjoyed a school record setting and state championship career as a high school sprinter at Clark High School. After placing fifth in the state track and field finals his sophomore and junior years, he won the 220-yard dash in the state finals in 1946. He also placed second in the state that year in the 100-yard dash. Terry Irk, currently of Bainbridge, Indiana, was a 1971 Gavit graduate. While at Gavit, he was active in football, basketball and golf. As a versatile football player, Irk played quarterback and safety and his play earned him all-conference and all-area honors, as well as a scholarship to the University of Evansville. Kurt Nondorf of Houston, Texas, was a standout in football and track at Hammond High School. After graduating from Hammond High, he continued competing in both sports as an Ivy Leaguer at Yale. Frank Staucet of Slingerlands, New York, graduated from Catholic Central, now Bishop Noll, in 1941. After a season of college baseball at St. Joseph's College and three years representing his nation in the armed forces, he embarked in 1946 on a 10-year professional baseball career. Playing primarily shortstop for Albany, New York of the Eastern League, he compiled a career minor league batting average of .261, including a .300 mark his final season. He was a league all-star in 1948, 1949 and 1950. While attending Clark High School, current Highland, Indiana resident Bob Wilson, Sr., was an exceptional football, basketball, and baseball player. He went on to achieve prominence in the sport of bowling. Wilson has won numerous titles in various bowling competitions, including the ABC's National Team Championship in 1979. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Mike Bradburn, Bob Bradtke, Allison Buell, Donald Clark, Ray Cross, Rudy T. Folta, Terry Irk, Hal Morris, Kurt Nondorf, Frank P. Staucet, and Bob Wilson, Sr. for being inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. Their service, dedication, and success have left an indelible mark on Hammond, Indiana and Indiana's First Congressional District.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, on February 28, 2001, one of this nation's most distinguished and able labor leaders will officially retire. George Becker, the president of the United Steelworkers of America, will formally mark the conclusion of a career that spans 57 years. During his tenure as the president of the Steelworkers union, he has reinvigorated the union's political presence as a force in the national debate about trade, globalization, and its effects on working men and women. He has been an outspoken critic of free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, that have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of American manufacturing jobs and a weakening of America's manufacturing and industrial base. He has been a fierce proponent of workers' rights and human rights, especially in China, Mexico, and other developing nations around the world. George Becker literally grew up across the street from a steel mill; the Granite City mill in his hometown of Granite City, Illinois. He went to work in the mill in the summer of 1944. Besides Granite City Steel, Becker also worked as a crane operator at General Steel Castings, and as an assembler at Fisher Body. He also served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. Becker became active in USWA Local 4804 at Dow Chemical's aluminum rolling mill in Madison, Illinois, where he worked as an inspector. Over the years, he was elected by his co-workers as local union treasurer, vice president, and president. As a result of his hard work and leadership, Becker was later appointed as a USWA staff representative. In 1975, Becker came to the USWA's International headquarters in Pittsburgh as a staff technician in the union's Safety and Health Department. He helped to establish some of the first national health standards adopted later by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for workers exposed to lead, arsenic, and other toxic substances. Becker also led the union's collective bargaining in the aluminum industry as chair of the USWA's Aluminum Industry Conference. Later, he also headed the Steelworkers' organizing program and led major corporate campaigns, including a worldwide campaign against Ravenswood Aluminum Corporation and the return to work of 1,600 Steelworkers after a 20-month lockout. The Ravenswood struggle was later chronicled in the 1999 book, titled, ``Ravenswood: The Steelworkers' Victory and the Revival of American Labor,'' by Tom Juravich and Kate Bronfenbrenner. In 1985, Becker was elected as international vice president for administration. He was reelected to that position in 1989. He also served as administrative assistant to Lynn Williams after Williams became international secretary in 1977 and international president in 1983. In November, 1993, Becker was elected international president of the United Steelworkers and was reelected to a second term in November, 1997. Becker's presidency of the Steelworkers has included many milestones for the union. In June, 1995, Becker won the support of his Board of Directors to reorganize the Steelworkers from 18 districts in the U.S. into nine districts, increasing efficiency and political strength. In July, 1995, Becker engineered the merger of the 98,000-member United Rubber Workers with the Steelworkers. In 1997, the 40,000-member Aluminum, Brick, and Glass Workers Union also merged with the Steelworkers. Under George Becker's leadership, the Steelworkers won significant settlements in strikes at Bridgestone/Firestone, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, and Newport News Shipbuilding Company. The struggle at Wheeling- Pittsburgh Steel restored a defined benefit pension plan for 4,500 members. The struggle at Newport news Shipbuilding also won significant increases in workers' wages and pension benefits. Becker also expanded the Steelworkers' political strength by creating a Rapid Response program, which informs and activates local union members to lobby Congress on issues crucial to working men and women. In 1998, Steelworkers generated over 170,000 letters to Congress opposing so-called ``fast track'' trade negotiating authority, which played a major part in defeating the measure. Becker also initiated a Washington internship program for the union, which brings rank and file members to Washington for an intensive 12-week long session of education about the workings of Congress along with practical experience in the art of lobbying on behalf of the union's legislative agenda. Becker has become a regular fixture in Washington with frequent appearances and testimony before Congressional committees, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Administration, and other government agencies. As one of the vice-presidents of the AFL-CIO, he was instrumental in reforming the labor federation and was a key supporter of John Sweeney as AFL-CIO president in 1995. On the world stage, Becker is an executive committee member of the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF) and chairman of the world rubber council of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine, and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). In 1998, Becker was appointed by President Clinton to the President's Export Council and the U.S. Trade and Environmental Policy Advisory Committee; both important forums which he used to speak out on behalf of workers' rights. Becker also served as a member of the Congressional Trade Deficit Review Commission, which conducted extensive hearings in Washington and across the nation on the causes and consequences of the nation's burgeoning trade deficits. Becker's leadership ensured that Steelworkers were prominent in the protests marking the Seattle WTO Ministerial meeting in December, 1999. Mr. Speaker, George Becker's success as a labor leader has been because of his intelligence, skills, and tenacity. Because of all of those attributes and above all, because he has never forgotten where he came from, his career has improved the lives of millions of American workers and their families. I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Steelworkers union president George Becker upon his retirement and for a lifetime of dedicated service to not only the men and women of his beloved Steelworkers union, but all working men and women.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration that I congratulate Ms. Susan Rehrer as she retires after 21 years of dedicated service to the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Northwest Indiana. A retirement celebration will be held for her on Tuesday, March 6, 2001 at the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. As Executive Director of the VNA for the past 13 years, Susan has been directly responsible for the management and administration of the agency's programs and services. She has been instrumental in leading the VNA through many different changes, including industry upheaval, market influx, new innovative programming and financial viability. Through her diligence the VNA has not only survived through these difficult changes, but it has thrived in the midst of the industry's transition. Susan's leadership helped to successfully develop the Critical Pathways program. This program is an individualized patient care plan which relies on precise, detail-oriented information. It has revolutionized the industry by allowing each patient to receive the care needed. Susan is extremely proud of the development of this program, and her hard work has helped to ensure its success. During her years at the VNA, Susan has demonstrated a sincere love for the community in which she lives. In addition to improving the lives of others through her professional career, she has also volunteered her time to champion many causes aimed at bringing comfort to those in need of assistance. She has played an active role in the Healthy Start program, a community-based infant mortality reduction plan employed in many areas of Northwest Indiana and throughout the country. Susan is also involved in the Healthy East Chicago program, designed to mobilize individuals and resources to promote a healthy community. For all of her conscientious efforts, both professionally and voluntarily, Susan has been recognized by her peers. She has earned numerous state and national awards for excellence in the health care industry. Her dedication to the VNA movement and home health care in Indiana has been extraordinary. She is a true believer in the industry's importance and its ability to improve the lives of those who otherwise would live in discomfort. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Susan Rehrer for her 21 years of service to the Visiting Nurse Association, and the last 13 years as the Executive Director. Susan has shown impeccable leadership abilities as well as an undying love for her community. The people of Northwest Indiana will surely miss her enthusiasm, but we thank her for her years of service and wish her happiness in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pleasure and admiration that I congratulate the parishioners of the Sacred Heart Parish in East Chicago, Indiana, as they celebrate their 75th anniversary as a congregation, as well as the 60th anniversary of the opening services in their current sanctuary, on March 4, 2001. The day will begin with a special Mass conducted by Bishop Dale Melczek to be followed by a celebratory luncheon. Originally known as Mission of Assumption Slovak Parish, Sacred Heart was founded in order to service the spiritual needs of Slovaks in East Chicago and Whiting, Indiana. Services were held at several churches in the two cities until Father Clement Mlinarovich saw a great need for the Mission in East Chicago. From 1926 to 1941, the Sacred Heart Parish conducted Masses, confessions, and missions at various churches throughout the city. After many years of relying on other churches' facilities, the dedicated parishioners decided to build their own sanctuary. The beautiful church was dedicated in May 1941 by Bishop John Francis Noll of the Fort Wayne Diocese, with many delighted Slovak priests and lay citizens from around Lake County attending. The Sacred Heart congregation was overjoyed that they finally had their own house of worship. They also took special pride in the building because many of the parishioners volunteered to assist with its construction. Father Andrew G. Grutka was the first resident pastor at the newly completed church. He preached to the Sacred Heart congregation from 1942 to 1944, after which he became the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gary. Father Louis Duray and Father Milan Bach succeeded Father Grutka and made significant improvements, including beautifying the sanctuary and purchasing a home for the priest. Father Joseph Semancik was later sent to Sacred Heart as the pastor, a position he maintains today. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the congregation of Sacred Heart parish in East Chicago, Indiana as they celebrate the 75th anniversary of their founding and the 60th anniversary of the construction of their church. Sacred Heart Parish has undergone many changes from the time it began as the Mission of Assumption Slovak Parish. They have settled in East Chicago, built a beautiful sanctuary, and expanded the congregation to include a variety of ethnic backgrounds. What has remained the same is the dedication, loyalty, and love for their fellow man the parishioners have displayed throughout the parish's many years of service to the community. May God continue to bless the parishioners and the church leaders for many years to come.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Black History Month with my colleagues. As we approach the 45th Anniversary of the arrests in which many of Montgomery's African American leaders, including the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., were indicted, tried, and convicted under an old law prohibiting boycotts, it is important for us to remember that the quest for civil rights is an ongoing journey. The Montgomery Bus Boycott officially began on December 1, 1955, when Rosa Parks, a seamstress and civil rights activist, was arrested for disobeying a city law that required blacks to give up their seats when white people wished to sit in those seats or in the same row. After this arrest, a chain of events unfolded that had an undeniable impact on American society. African-American community leaders quickly urged all blacks to stay off the city buses on the day that Parks' case was due in court. Dr. King later wrote, ``a miracle had taken place'' when all the buses in Montgomery were empty the following morning. Capitalizing on the boycott's initial success, local ministers and civil rights leaders met to organize themselves as the Montgomery Improvement Association. As important as the founding of the organization itself, the group elected King as president, and the group quickly moved on a unanimous vote to continue the boycott indefinitely. Bus boycotts had been held before for short periods of time in other Southern cities, so local authorities were not expecting the Montgomery boycott to last very long. However, the resolve shown by the community was extraordinary. The Montgomery Improvement Association even organized a ``private taxi'' plan, under which blacks who owned cars picked up and dropped off blacks who needed rides at various points throughout the city. Maintaining the boycott was not easy. Local leaders had their homes bombed, and private taxi drivers were arrested on trumped up traffic charges. Each day that it continued, attempts were made to break the boycott, which had hurt downtown businesses considerably. In court, black residents of Montgomery pushed hard for complete integration of the city's buses. Because the Brown versus Board of Education decision said that the ``separate but equal'' doctrine had no place in public education, Montgomery's residents argued that the doctrine had no place in any public facilities. On November 13, 1956, the United States Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional. Montgomery's black residents returned to the buses after the Supreme Court mandate had been enacted in December of that same year--a full 382 days after the protests began. Trying to put the Montgomery boycott into perspective is not an easy task, but I would argue that there are three key points to be made when discussing its legacy. First, the ascension of Dr. Martin Luther King as a leader is of the utmost importance. The boycott gave Dr. King a leadership position within the national movement, and he quickly became an international symbol of tolerance who worked tirelessly for the advancement of civil rights. It should also be noted that the work of the work of Dr. King was extraordinary because of his effectiveness at drawing support to the movement. He built a groundswell of support by recruiting like-mined people throughout the South across the normal barriers of race, age, and religion. A good example of this is the creation of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee in 1960, where King recruited both black and white college students to lead boycotts, sit-ins, and marches for the cause of civil rights. Secondly, the Montgomery boycotts are an important aspect of America's history because they caught the attention of the entire nation. The massive scale and duration of this protest was widely reported, heightening public awareness to the lack of the civil rights of African-Americans. As the first organized mass protest by blacks in Southern history, the Montgomery boycotts also set the tone for the rest of the movement. The boycott's effectiveness demonstrated the power of nonviolent direct action in the quest to end Southern segregation. Similar nonviolent protests and actions, including the important luncheon counter sit-ins that took place throughout the South at segregated stores and restaurants, can be traced to the Montgomery boycotts. Lastly, honoring the history of the Montgomery boycott reinforces the fact that civil rights require our attention at all times. We must be vigilant at all times, to ensure that no person is every discriminated against on the basis of the color of his or her skin. It may not always be easy, but the path has been laid out clearly for us. Collectively, we must commit ourselves to the protection of each person's unalienable rights to ``life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.''

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pleasure that I pay tribute to one of the most caring, dedicated, and selfless citizens in Indiana's First Congressional District, Imogene Matthews of Gary, Indiana. After serving the constituents of Northwest Indiana in my Gary District Office for the last 10 years, Imogene announced her retirement this past December. Imogene Vanetta Matthews was born on April 15, 1954, in Gary, Indiana. Imogene, affectionately known as Moby, was the youngest girl of 11 children born to Emmett and Pauline Matthews. A lifetime native of Gary, Indiana, Imogene graduated from West Side High School in 1972. One need look no further than her career choices after high school to determine what kind of person Imogene is. From her beginnings at the Gary Manpower Administration helping to place young children in day- care centers and homes, to her years of service as executive secretary for Gary Mayor Richard G. Hatcher, to the last person she assisted in her capacity as a Federal caseworker in my office, she has dedicated her life wholly to public service. I was fortunate enough to have Moby on my staff as a Federal caseworker since 1989. Her commitment to her work and the people of Northwest Indiana eventually earned her a position as my Deputy District Director. During her tenure in my office, she has worked selflessly to ensure the well-being of all those around her. Her exceptional knowledge and expertise in dealing with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Social Security Administration are unparalleled. While serving on my staff, she reunited dozens of families, helping loved ones attain the privilege of U.S. citizenship and aiding those already in the U.S. by acquiring the passports and visas they needed to visit their relatives abroad. You only needed one meeting with Imogene to see the revelation that her choice of vocation is not only a result of the responsibility she feels to a community she loves but is also a reflection of her deep and abiding compassion for those around her. Federal casework can be a thankless task. But Moby never wavered. Regardless of the barriers that faced her, Imogene threw herself into her work with the patience and perseverance of Job. Her overwhelming commitment to following through on her promises made her an absolute miracle worker. My office is often the last resort for many of my constituents with problems. Imogene never let anyone feel desperate or afraid. On the contrary, she was a great source of hope to many people who had nowhere else to turn. She treated everyone who walked into my office with the dignity and respect they deserved, regardless of their situation in life or the details of their problems. After working with her for a decade, I can say easily that her kindness knows no bounds. As one might expect, Imogene selflessly gives her free time and energy to her community as well, her friends, and, most importantly, her family. Imogene is a member of the NAACP as well as the Young Women's Christian Association. She is also an active volunteer for the American Association of Retired Persons and is a member of the Friends of the Gary Public Library. In addition to these important activities, Imogene promotes another cause that is near and dear to her heart. She is an avid Chicago Bulls fan and a Michael Jordan fan. Pictures of Michael Jordan adorned her office along with a life-size cutout of M.J. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in commending Imogene ``Moby'' Matthews for her lifetime of dedication, service and compassion to the residents of northwest Indiana. She has touched the lives of many residents and she will be sorely missed not only by those she has helped with her outstanding service and uncompromising dedication but by myself and my staff who have seen her extraordinary expertise and felt her deep compassion and love. She will never be replaced.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I support S. 2413, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2000. I would like to recognize over 260 of my colleagues who joined me as a cosponsor of H.R. 4033, an identical House version of this bipartisan legislation designed to save the lives of police officers, which my colleague from New Jersey, Frank LoBiondo, and I sponsored and which was approved overwhelmingly by the House earlier this year. Mr. LoBiondo has once again proven that he is an indispensable leader on this vital issue. His commitment to police officers in his district and nationwide is absolutely unquestionable. Furthermore, he has repeatedly championed the cause of corrections officers, who are often the forgotten arm of the law enforcement community. In this age of expanding and increasingly violent prison populations, Mr. LoBiondo has taken the lead in pushing for the development and use of stabproof vests to protect those who keep violent criminals behind bars. I am pleased to say that, largely due to his efforts, S. 2413 includes provisions which will make stabproof vests available under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program. Mr. LoBiondo's staff, especially his Legislative Assistant, Bryan Cunningham, have been incredibly helpful in this process. Their work has been a worthy reflection of Mr. LoBiondo's long-standing commitment to the protection of our nation's law enforcement officers. I would also like to extend my thanks to Senator Campbell and Senator Leahy, the Senate sponsors of this legislation. It has been my pleasure to work with them to see this bill passed before the conclusion of the 106th Congress. I would like to express my deep appreciation to Crime Subcommittee Chairman Bill McCollum, whose dedication to this program has proven invaluable in securing a speedy floor vote on this reauthorization. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Carl Thorsen, a member of the Judiciary Committee staff. Formerly an assistant to Mr. LoBiondo, Carl worked with us on the original authorization of this program and has been a valuable ally in our efforts to pass bulletproof vest legislation in the 106th Congress. The Crime Subcommittee's Ranking Democrat, Bobby Scott, has also lent his powerful voice to this important cause. I commend his efforts in pushing this legislation forward, and thank him on behalf of the police and corrections officers who will benefit from its enactment. Bobby Vassar, on Mr. Scott's staff, also deserves praise for his dedication and support, which helped make an often long and difficult process fast and painless. All of these gentlemen recognize the importance of this legislation to law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line every day for our safety. As an appropriator, I would be remiss if I did not mention the considerable assistance we have received from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary. Chairman Harold Rogers and Ranking Democrat Jose Serrano have been instrumental in ensuring that this program is consistently funded at its authorized level. Finally, I would like to thank the members of the law enforcement community who have worked with me and my staff to ensure that we crafted the best possible legislation to meet their needs. I am proud that the Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs' Association, International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, National Troopers' Coalition, Police Executive Research Forum, and the Law Enforcement Alliance of America have placed their collective memberships of over 500,000 law enforcement The seed for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program was planted over six years ago, when I was told by local police officers that many gang members and drug dealers in Northwest Indiana had the protection of bulletproof vests, while many of the police officers who patrol the streets in my district did not. I was absolutely stunned by this. I believe that when police officers are issued guns and badges, they should be issued a bulletproof vest as well. If we are going to ask these men and women to risk their lives to keep our streets safe, we have a responsibility to ensure they have the equipment needed to do their job. Unfortunately, we often fall short of this obligation. Each year, hundreds of police officers in this nation are killed in the line of duty. Studies show that, between 1980 and 1996, there were 1,182 felonious deaths of police officers due to firearms. Of those deaths, 924 of the officers were not wearing bulletproof vests. Wounds to the torso area killed 42 percent of those officers; wounds that could have been prevented had those officers been equipped with bulletproof vests. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has estimated that risk of fatality from a firearm for officers not wearing body armor is 14 times higher than for officers wearing body armor. In fact, modern bulletproof material has saved the lives of more than 2,500 police officers from gunfire since its introduction in the mid-1970's. However, bulletproof vests are not limited to stopping bullets. Police officers will attest to vests' roles in saving their lives from impact during car accidents, adding an extra layer of protection while subduing a violent suspect, and giving them the confidence they need to carry out dangerous assignments. Despite these statistics, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do not even have access to a vest. This problem is accentuated by our nation's commitment to beefing up our police forces. In May 1999, the Department of Justice announced that we had reached our goal of putting an additional 100,000 officers on the streets almost a year ahead of schedule. But what good is hiring new officers if we cannot give them the tools they need to do their jobs? I was even more troubled to learn that many law enforcement agencies, especially in small towns or rural communities, simply found the costs of vests prohibitively expensive. During a visit to a local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police in Dyer, Indiana, officers explained that a good vest can cost over $500, while heavier body armor can cost almost $1,000. As a result, many agencies are simply unable to budget for vests, a fact which sometimes forces officers to purchase vests at their own expense. Despite the risk, many officers are unable to balance the cost of the vest with the cost of feeding their families, making car payments, or sending their children to school. Statistics show that officers in small police departments are much less likely to have vests than their counterparts in larger departments with greater resources. Yet just because they do not have access to vests, if does not mean they are immune from the violent crime that plagues many of our communities. In this age of cross-country drug and illegal firearms trafficking, rural methamphetamine labs, and rapidly expanding suburban areas, even rural and small town police officers increasingly find themselves faced with dangerous, well-armed criminals. Without vests, these officers are at the mercy of these criminals. Even in larger departments, officers may have vests purchase years earlier which are now either worn out or obsolete. The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center at the National Institutes of Justice has recommended that bulletproof vests be tested every 5 years for bullet resistance degradation. Even as we begin to provide vests for the estimated 25 percent of law enforcement and corrections officers without access to bulletproof and stabproof body armor, other officers are wearing vests that are losing their protective qualities due to constant wear and tear. In order to alleviate this problem, in 1997, I, along with Mr. LoBiondo, introduced H.R. 2829, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act. With over 300 co-sponsors, the measure passed by an overwhelming margin. Ultimately, a similar measure introduced by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Patrick Leahy was enacted on June 16, 1998. The 1998 law created a program which authorized $25 million per year to pay up to 50 percent of the costs of bulletproof vests for local and state law enforcement agencies. In order to ensure that smaller jurisdictions received a fair share of the funds, the money was to be distributed evenly, with half going to jurisdictions with under 100,000 residents and half going to larger jurisdictions. In each of the first two years of this program, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program has provided over 3,000 law enforcement agencies with funding to purchase over 90,000 bulletproof vests and body armor. The program is operated through the Office of Justice Programs' first Internet-based funding application process. The web site was developed within six months of the appropriation, and offers a one-stop application process. The site allows law enforcement agencies to log in, purchase vests from a choice of dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of styles, and automatically apply for the grant upon purchase. This effort garnered the prestigious 1999 Intergovernmental Open Systems Solutions Gold Award from the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils for the program. Unfortunately, in the most recent year of the program, funding was insufficient to provide any law enforcement agency with the full matching grant requested under the program. In fact, the average grant award represented only 30 percent of the cost of the vests, a 20 percent shortfall on the federal side. These agencies came to us in good faith and committed to providing vests to their officers if the federal government matched their funds. For many smaller agencies, this shortfall is devastating, and could end up taking away funding from other important departmental programs. Therefore, we must, in turn, honor our commitment to provide these agencies with the full 50 percent of the costs of these vests. In order to do so, S. 2413 doubles the yearly authorization of the program to $50 million from Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 through FY 2004. This figure, based on demand from the first two years of the program, should be sufficient to fully fund all grant requests at the 50 percent matching level we promised in 1998. The original authorization of this program also included a provision to allow the purchase of stabproof vests for corrections officers and sheriff's deputies who regularly face violent criminals in close quarters in our nation's jails. The primary threat to these officers comes from homemade knives. The ingenuity displayed in smuggling in and creating sharp weapons in prison is phenomenal. This combination of violent felons and deadly weapons often leads to explosive conflicts into which deputies and corrections officers must insert themselves to restore order. In order to do this, they must be confident that they have the best protection possible from the criminals they must subdue. Unfortunately, the Department of Justice decided that requests for funding for stabproof vests under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program were not valid until a national standard for such vests is developed by the National Institutes of Justice (NIJ). After over two years of development, NIJ continues to delay the implementation of such a standard. In order to address this issue, we supported amendments to the measures, offered by Chairman McCollum during subcommittee consideration of H.R. 4033 in the House and by Senator Leahy during floor consideration of S. 2413 in the Senate, which will allow states to develop their own stabproof vest standards, independent of NIJ or the Department of Justice. These standards will then be used as a basis for agencies within each state to purchase stabproof vests through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant program and until NIJ makes good on their promise to complete a national standard. Finally, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2000 would take extra precautions to ensure that those small agencies, which are often in most need of additional funding for bulletproof vests, would receive the entire grant for which they apply. As I noted earlier, many smaller agencies find themselves unable to purchase vests for their officers due to limited funding. The program, to date, has not fulfilled their expectations, because it has fallen short of giving many of these agencies a full grant. Therefore, S. 2413 includes a provision which ensures that smaller jurisdictions, with under 100,000 residents, will receive all of the funding they request before money is allotted to larger jurisdictions. This is more of a safeguard than a limitation. Under statistics from the first two years of the program, less than $15 million would be needed to fully fund these small jurisdictions. Under a $50 million authorization, this would leave well over half of the funding to larger jurisdictions. However, with an expected increase in demand due to the new treatment of stabproof vests, it is vital that we ensure smaller communities that their police officers will be cared for. We must protect the Crown Point, Indiana, officer who unknowingly pulls over an armed drug dealer on U.S. Highway 231 as much as the New York City officer involved in an orchestrated drug raid. Our legislation is intended to reauthorize a highly successful program which provides a partnership between the federal government and state and local law enforcement agencies in order to make sure that every police and corrections officer who needs a bulletproof vest gets one. It is clear to us that every officer on the street should have a vest, and that the need to supply officers with vests is important enough to warrant direct federal assistance. Furthermore, the overwhelming positive response we have received from law enforcement agencies and officers to this program highlights the continued need for the program. Mr. Speaker, at the heart of this effort is our desire to save the lives of police officers. When we make this commitment, we offer protection not just to the officers, but to every community in America. We prevent the suffering of families of fallen officers. We prevent the loss of leaders in our communities. Perhaps most importantly, we give those who protect us the ability to do their job better, more confidently, and with a knowledge that their entire nation is behind them every day, in even the most dangerous situations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up in support of our police and corrections officers, and vote for S. 2413.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, Saturday, November 11, 2000, marks the observance of Veterans Day, honoring all veterans who have pledged allegiance to their country and all of its endeavors. This day is sets aside to recognize the boldness and bravery of those who have fought to uphold the standards of democracy. Just prior to Veterans Day on Thursday, November 9, a special ceremony titled, ``Salute 2000: An American Patriotic Celebration'' will be held at the Radisson Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana, to celebrate patriotism and pride and to honor five local veterans for their dedicated military service. Those veterans that will be honored include: Joseph M. Dzieglowicz, John Gamez, David Hinshaw, Harry Kaczorowski and James J. Thiel. Joseph M. Dzieglowicz, a United States Army veteran of World War II, served our country from October 12, 1942 to December 28, 1945 as a combat engineer with the 339th Engineer Construction Battalion. He stayed with the 339th Battalion for his entire 30 months of duty in the southwest Pacific theatre of operations. John Gamez is another fine example of one of our American heroes. As a member of the Armed Forces, John Gamez earned numerous medals during his tour of duty in Korea including the Silver Star Medal, two Purple Heart Medals, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Korea United Citation, the United Nations Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Additionally, David C. Hinshaw of Hammond, Indiana, is a veteran of the United States Army. He left the active Army in 1973 and joined the Indiana National Guard. While in the National Guard, Captain Hinshaw rose to Lieutenant Colonel and later Commander 2nd of the 151st Infantry in South Bend, Indiana. Hinshaw was a member of the Army Reserves until his retirement in 1998. As a member of the United States Army, Harry Kaczorowski served his country until he was discharged in December of 1944. During the Battle of Kasserine Pass, Kaczorowski was taken as a prisoner of war by General Rommel's Afrika Korps and was later liberated by the Soviets in 1945. A graduate of Dyer High School, James J. Thiel enrolled in the Army Air Corps at age 19 and served his country until 1945. Thiel earned the Presidential Unit Citation with Cluster, Aerial Gunner's Wings, ETO Ribbon with four Battle Stars, Air Medal with Six Clusters, Good Conduct Medal and a WW- 2 Victory Medal for his 50 aerial combat missions over northern Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Germany, southern France and the Balkens. The great sacrifice made by these five men and those who served our country has resulted in the freedom and prosperity of our country and in countries around the world. The responsibility rests within each of us to build upon the valiant efforts that these men and women who fought for this country have displayed, so that the United States and the world will be a more democratic and prosperous place. To properly honor the heroism of our troops, we must make the most of our freedom secured by their efforts. In addition to the five veterans who are to be honored at this patriotic celebration, I would also like to commend all of those who served this country for their bravery, courage, and undying commitment to patriotism and democracy. May God bless them all. We will forever be indebted to our veterans and their families for the sacrifices they made so that we can enjoy our freedom. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in saluting these five men and the other veterans who have fought for our great country.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, as we meet today, the United States steel industry continues to bleed to death. Let me give you but one example. LTV stock has plummeted 75 percent since January, and its year-end losses are likely to approach $2 per share. On October 5, they essentially gave away two tin mills, one in Gary, Indiana, the other in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, today they are going to announce that one out of every ten people who yesterday were working in East Chicago, Indiana, are not going to continue to work there. There will be 30 people today, one out of every ten employees, who will not have a job at day's end. That is why, under the leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), 236 of us have asked the President to initiate a 201 trade action on those countries and those companies that are dumping steel and violating our law. It is time that the administration initiate that 201 trade action, and it is also time that the administration should immediately take action against non-WTO member nations who import steel in order to stem the tide of illegally imported steel from some of the worst violators of our trade laws.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker; I rise today to express my strong support for House Resolution 605 introduced by Representative Wilson. I would also like to applaud the efforts of the Missing and Exploited Children Caucus for raising the awareness of such issues. H. Res. 605 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that communities should implement the Amber Alert Plan to expedite the recovery of abducted children. The Amber Alert Plan was created in 1996 in memory of 9-year- old Amber Hagerman who was kidnapped and murdered in Arlington, Texas. The Alert has been credited with saving the lives of at least 9 children nationwide. Last year in Northwest Indiana, more than 1,600 children were reported missing. When a child is abducted, time is the most important factor in determining whether that child will return home alive. Due to the Amber Plan's proven track record of success, I initiated the Alert in my district on April 4, 2000. The Amber Alert is a joint effort between media outlets and police departments that enlists the help of the public to put more eyes on the look out for a missing child. In the event of an abduction, radio, and television stations provide quick, police-generated reports on the child. The notification plan commonly beings with a high-pitched tone and is followed by detailed information about the missing child or kidnaping suspect. A phone number is then given for the public to call if they see either the child or the suspect. Police are careful not to overuse the Amber Plan, carefully evaluating the circumstances of a missing child report before sounding the alert. I truly believe that the Amber Alert will be a valuable resource in my district in the effort to assist localities in the timely return of any missing child. I support the efforts of communities across the U.S. in implementing their own Amber Alert programs to assist in the recovery of abducted children. This resolution has been endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which continues to work tirelessly to implement this program nationwide. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution in an effort to combat child abduction and protect our children.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration that I congratulate Pastor Charles Sims, Jr. for his ten years of dedicated service to Saint Philip Lutheran Church in Gary, Indiana. One of the longest tenured Lutheran pastors to serve in the city of Gary, the members of St. Philip deeply appreciate Pastor Sims unfailing dedication to strengthening the parish community. To recognize his commitment to St. Philip Church, his parishioners are hosting a celebration dinner in his honor, entitled ``Staying the Course, Answering the Call,'' on November 11, 2000. From modest beginnings, St. Philip has grown into an integral part of the area and neighborhood. The community activism and social awareness displayed by the congregation has made a lasting difference to the citizens of Gary. The parishioners' outreach and concern for their fellow man can be attributed in large part to the efforts of Pastor Sims. He has consistently shown the courage and leadership necessary to effect change in his community. Originally named Tarrytown Lutheran Church, St. Philip was constructed in 1956 to serve the spiritual needs of African-American Lutherans living on the far west side of Gary. During its dedication service on January 20, 1957, the congregation renamed the Church. On October 22, 1967 the members of the parish dedicated a new educational wing to the church. Located at 3545 West 20th Place in Gary, the church has been a foundation of the community for many years. Many ministers sustained St. Philip during its first 34 years of existence. Some of the preachers held permanent assignments, while others worked on a part-time basis. On October 21, 1990 the loyal congregation of St. Philip was blessed to have Pastor Sims, a graduate of Chicago University's Lutheran Seminary, accepted the call to lead the St. Philip parish. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Pastor Charles Sims, Jr. for his decade of tireless service to the members of St. Philip Lutheran Church and the Gary community. We are fortunate to have such an outstanding leader in our community, and I hope the people of St. Philip enjoy many more decades under Pastor Sims' spiritual guidance. His vision and spiritual mission have made Northwest Indiana a better place to live and work.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise for two purposes. The first is to add my voice to that of the gentleman from California (Chairman Packard) and to acknowledge to my colleagues that there is an agreement as far as the changes that were made on energy and water. It obviously is now included in part of the underlying legislation. I would ask for their support. The second point I would make is that I believe that the bill relative to the Veterans Administration, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies also deserves our support, and will congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), as well as the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), for their work. Again, I do urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to consider cosponsoring House Resolution 635, the Executive Steel Defense Resolution. We currently have 205 cosponsors calling upon the President of the United States to initiate a section 201 trade case to bring to an end illegally traded steel in the U.S. domestic market. Despite investing $35 billion to modernize, despite the loss of 240,000 jobs, despite cutting back capacity by 20 percent, despite doubling productivity since 1983 because of collusion overseas, because of illegal dumping from countries overseas, particularly during the intervening time from 1998 until now, we have seen six bankruptcies of steel companies. We have seen an additional 6,000 steelworkers lose their jobs. We have seen capacity utilization decline from 90 percent to 75 percent. We cannot afford to wait till the next Congress. We cannot afford to wait for the next administration. I call upon President Clinton to immediately file a section 201.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would simply end my remarks by again asking my colleagues to vote to override the President's veto. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I join my colleague, the gentleman from California, in asking all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote to override the President's veto of H.R. 4733, the Energy and Water Appropriation Act for the year 2001. The chairman eloquently addressed the primary controversy that is engaged in this legislation and that is the Army Corps manual and regulations dealing with water flow on the Missouri River. I would join in his observations. First of all, that the President in 4 previous years has signed legislation with similar language. Secondly, as far as the issue that is of complaint to the President, it will not come to fruition for another 2 fiscal years, so I do not think it would be appropriate to veto this legislation based on that one provision, given the good work the chairman and the committee has done on the bill. The President also mentioned, however, three other items in his veto message, and I would like for a moment to address each of his concerns. The President indicated he is upset that we had not set aside enough funds for renewable and solar energy. I would point out to the Members that for the current fiscal year 2000, we appropriated and the administration will spend $362 million for these programs. The conference report that was approved by the House and Senate and sent to the President approved for this coming fiscal year $422 million for these programs, a $60 million increase. The President also had concerns relative to expenditures for the Florida Everglades. The fact is that this legislation contains $20 million in construction funds for the Everglades, the exact dollar figure in the President's budget. What the President wanted to do is to add additional expenditures that had not yet been authorized, and we have been very diligent in ensuring that unauthorized programs not enter into the legislation. Finally, the President has complained that $20 million was not set aside for the so-called Bay-Delta CAL-FED program. In past years, we have appropriated up to $60 million for this important program; and the chairman, during the debate and discussion we had on the floor on the conference report, indicated it was his desire to set aside those $20 million if again we had authorization to do so. A compromise to date has not yet been struck. We lack the authorization and, therefore, the chairman, I think wisely, although I know it was a very tough and painful decision for him, decided not to include those moneys in the bill, and I think it is an eminently justifiable position. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest for these reasons and those propounded by the chairman of the subcommittee that all of the Members of this institution vote to override the President's veto. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.