Dennis Kucinich: Bio, Issues, Vision

[Tinoire]

This thread is in answer to someone who told me that Dennis should remain in Congress because

He has already served three full terms in Congress, but he really hasn't made any serious accomplishments there.

So I thought I'd just get it over with and list his accomplishments right here, once and for all so that anyone interested can have a referential resource right here at DU.

Peace

[Tinoire]

1. Biography of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

Biography of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

Kucinich first came to national prominence in 1977 when he was elected mayor of Cleveland at age 31; the youngest person ever elected to lead a major American city. In 1978, Cleveland's banks demanded that he sell the city's 70 year-old municipally-owned electric system to its private competitor (in which the banks had a financial interest) as a precondition of extending credit to city government. Kucinich refused to sell Muny Light. In an incident unprecedented in modern American politics, the Cleveland banks plunged the city into default for a mere $15 million. Kucinich lost his re-election bid in 1979. Fifteen years later, Kucinich made his first step toward a political comeback, winning election to the Ohio Senate on the strength of the expansion of the city's light system which provides low-cost power to almost half the residents of Cleveland. In 1998 the Cleveland City Council honored him for, "having the courage and foresight to refuse to sell the city's municipal electric system."

Kucinich was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 8, 1946. He is the eldest of 7 children of Frank and Virginia Kucinich. He and his family lived in twenty-one places, including a couple of cars, by the time Kucinich was 17 years old. "I live each day with a grateful heart and a desire to be of service to humanity," he says.

As chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (which is the largest congressional caucus). Kucinich has promoted a national health care system, preservation of Social Security, increased Unemployment Insurance benefits, and the establishment of wholesales cost-based rates for electricity, natural gas and home heating oil. When the Supreme Court rules that mandatory arbitration could be a condition of employment, Kucinich introduces a bill to reverse the Court's decision.

In his Cleveland, Ohio district, Kucinich has been recognized by the Greater Cleveland AFL-CIO as a tireless advocate for the social and economic interests of his community. He is currently leading a civic crusade to save Cleveland's 90 year-old steel industry and the thousands of jobs and retiree benefits it provides. While hundreds of community hospitals have been closed throughout the country, Kucinich led a powerful citizens' movement which reopened two Cleveland neighborhood hospitals. He was prepared to block a railroad merger at the Surface Transportation Board until he gained an agreement from the nation's largest railroads which improved rail safety while diverting a heavy volume of train traffic away from heavily populated residential areas. His promotion of rail safety improvements gained him the top award from the Ohio PTA in 2000. His efforts on behalf of Cleveland's poor gained the recognition of the National Association of Social Workers. He continues to be a local and national advocate for the homeless.

Congressman Kucinich acts upon his belief that protection of the global environment is fundamental to preserving the life of all species. He has been honored by Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and the League of Conservation Voters as a champion of clean air, clean water and an unspoiled earth. He was an early critic of nuclear power as being risky economically, and environmentally, raising questions about nuclear wasted byproducts. As a state senator he raised so many questions about a planned siting of a nuclear waste dump in Ohio that the idea was eventually scrapped. Early in his first term in Congress he thwarted an effort to repeal a provision of the Clean Air Act. As a congressional representative to the global climate treaty talks, Congressman Kucinich encouraged America to lead the way toward a sustainable, shared stewardship of the planet through carbon reduction, and investment in alternative energy technologies.

He not only believes in sustainability, he practices it. Congressman Kucinich is one of the few vegans in Congress, a dietary decision he credits not only with improving his health, but in deepening his belief in the sacredness of all species. In the 106th Congress, his call for labeling and safety testing of all genetically engineered foodsprovoked a $50 million advertising campaign by the biotech industry. Kucinich hosted an international parliamentary session, attended by officials of 18 countries, on the social, economic, political and health impact of genetic food technologies. More recently he was one of the principal speakers at an international conference on water rights, where he called for governments to reserve public ownership of water resources.

US Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, a Democrat of Ohio, is a dynamic, visionary leader of the Progressive Caucus of the congressional Democrats who combines a powerful activism with a spiritual sense of the essential interconnectedness of all living things. His holistic worldview carries with it a passionate commitment to public service, peace, human rights, workers rights, and the environment. His advocacy of a Department of Peace seeks not only to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our society, but to make war archaic. His is a powerful, ethical voice fornuclear disarmament, preservation of the ABM treaty, banning weapons in outer space, and a halt to the development of a 'Star Wars' - type missile defense technology.

He has been recognized of his advocacy of human rights in Burma, Nigeria and East Timor. Together with the late Rep. Joe Moakley (D-Mass), he has led a concerted effort to close the School of the Americas, which has been an incubator of human rights violations in Central America. On the eve of the World Trade Organization's Seattle conference, Rep. Kucinich organized 114 Democrats to help convince President Clinton to seek human rights, workers rights and environmental quality principles as preconditions in all US trade agreements. Kucinich marched with workers through the streets of Seattle protesting the WTO's policies and with students through the streets of Washington, DC, challenging the structural readjustment policies of the IMF.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/info/bio.htm

[JohnKleeb]

79. I am tired of Kucinich being bashed for his past view on abortion

Gore and Clinton once were, no one is denying them respect because of that. Also Kucinich wasnt an anti choice, pro death penalty person either

[loyalsister]

125. It's not just abortion

and, I haven't heard if it has changed. He voted to ban stem cell research. This is something very very horrifying to me, because I deal regularly with people who have disabilities. There is tremendous potential for people who have spinal cord injuries, for example to benefit from the resulting treatments. Check out what Christopher Reeve has had to say on the issue. Under the current ban, he could go to another country, be treated, return to the US and, (if by some chance an amazing treatment had emerged) WALK off the plane only to be arrested. DK voted in favor of that scenario. This is too big a problem for me. I can't forgive it. But, he doesn't represent my other interests strongly, anyway.
For the sake of those who he does represent, I hope he has changed his mind. You might want to check that one out or urge him to think it over. He may be willing to give it some thought if urged by supporters. As a matter of fact, the voice of a 16 year old should resonate quite poingantly with him. It's the people who are our future who they really need to listen to, and the smart ones know it.

[Nadienne]

169. I wonder what his reasons are

for banning stem cell research...

Seems to me he is a man of reason, of logic, who thinks things over... He must have a reason...

[diamondsoul]

181. Hi, Nadienne, I think I can answer that question.

Dennis Kucinich still believes that human life begins at conception. His issue with stem-cell research is the question of the ethics of creating human life specifically for research purposes.

Whether he'll revise his current position at some point is anybody's guess, but it won't be without clear and compelling evidence that it's the right thing to do for the people. Right now, I'm not sure he's resolved his ethical concerns with the benefit to humanity over all.

[Sufficient Voice]

242. He was raised Catholic

and had a strong sense of Catholic morality. In Cleveland there is a big Catholic left movement. There always has been. It probably got him started on some of the good things he fights for too (like being anti-nuke anti-war pro-universal-health-care). The westside of Cleveland is not traditionally liberal, it just has that strong Catholic Worker left, and other Christian left groups, along with strong unions. Those were Dennis' friends and his base.

But Dennis is a man of logic and reason, and many progressives began to show him the inconsistencies in his beliefs. He made a mature decision to change, even though it alienated many of his local voters.

[Zomby Woof]

176. ZombyKick

[tsipple]

133. This Is Very Cool, Tinoire!

Thanks for posting Kucinich's accomplishments stretching over more than 25 years of public service.

Dennis is not my first choice, but he's moving up my second choice list rapidly. If he doesn't win the nomination, I want him in the next administration. I would want him leading the creation of a new high-speed rail system for our country, for example, if he'd be willing. Such a system would yield environmental, economic, and national security benefits.

I've seen a new battle emerge in recent days for the soul of the Democratic Party. It may be the Democratic Party's "Ronald Reagan moment," like 1980. So many of us are pissed at our Washington leadership. My thinking is that I want at least an undeniable Democrat -- i.e. to the left of Joe Lieberman, which isn't saying much I know -- who has kick-ass campaign skills to beat Bush. I think I've found my #1 choice.

But there are people who disagree with me on that, fortunately not too many here at DU. And this is a real question for our party. I don't think we win unless we both excite Democrats and go after independents (and disaffected Republicans). And what's the point of winning if we don't have an agenda with at least some progressive accomplishments? Why win if you'll govern pretty much the same way? And shouldn't we be fighting for expanding our democracy (small d), to re-engage citizens in their country's affairs? Over half of Americans don't bother to vote. Who can blame them if we don't offer anything different except a quick "D" next to the name? What hope do we have of taking big donor money out of politics if we don't build alternative sources of political strength flowing more directly from more Americans? How do we restore a free, independent, and civic-minded press rather than an oligopoly of corporate-dominated voices? (How do we get the "American BBC" going so we won't be in this pickle next election?)

I'm a very middle-of-the-road Democrat. A little libertarian, even. And I'm angry. I'm angry at the Senators and Congressmen who enabled the Bush Administration in Iraq, for example. I'm angry at Joe Biden, as another example, who has lately done a great job as a "pink tutu Democrat."

That said, all I'm asking for is that we nominate an honest-to-goodness Democrat. Someone who wasn't and isn't afraid to put a D next to his name. Is that too much to ask?

[no name no slogan]

136. Well put.

What a great post! :D

I think you've hit on why a lot of us long-time Democrats really want a change in the leadership of our party. Like you said, what's the point of electing a Dem if s/he will only govern like a Republican, but not quite as bad (whatever that could end up being).

Oh, and a big :kick: for this very cool thread!

[aikoaiko]

230. What was his stance on US gun ownership?

I'm a democrat and a gun owner (among other things). Where did stand on things like the AWB of 1994 and other gun issues?

[Tinoire]

2. Agriculture

Agriculture


Genetically Engineered Foods

Congressman Dennis Kucinich has established himself as a leading advocate for genetically engineered food regulation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dennis Kucinich believes that the American citizen must have the right to choose what foods they and their family eat and be assured of the safety of those foods.

He introduced first-of-a-kind legislation, HR 3377 to label all foods that are genetically engineered. The “Genetically Engineered Food Right To Know Act of 1999" received support from 56 other Members of Congress from both parties. Several food safety, consumer, environmental and farmer organizations endorsed the bill. In a January 1999 Time magazine poll, 81% of respondents wanted genetically engineered food labeled. This legislation was offered as an amendment to the fiscal year 2001 agriculture appropriations bill, but it was withdrawn with out a vote because support in the House of Representatives does not parallel the support for labeling by the American public.

Representative Kucinich testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in support of labeling of genetically engineered foods. His testimony focused on the need for labeling and the fact that the science of genetically engineering is new, imprecise and still vastly unknown.

Kucinich advocates the labeling of genetically engineered food to give consumers additional health and safety related information. Several food safety and environmental concerns have been raised in regards to genetically engineered foods, so until proven safe, consumer choice should be possible.

In response to these food safety concerns, Kucinich has introduced the "Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act of 2000". The legislation, H.R. 3883 required mandatory, scientifically-valid safety testing of all genetically engineered foods. The bill will prohibit foods that may be unsafe because they are genetically engineered to include severe or common allergens or increased antibiotic resistance.

Dennis Kucinich also secured $200,000 within the fiscal year 2000 agriculture spending bill for long-term research. This research was conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Ames Research Laboratory. The research investigated the potential risks from a genetically engineered corn that produces a bacterial insecticide. Certain forms of this insecticide may cause harm to the Monarch Butterfly, an important species that must be protected.

Representative Kucinich offered two amendments to fiscal year 2001 spending bills to further the science of genetically engineered foods. The first amendment, to the Agriculture Appropriations bill, instructs the Food and Drug Administration, our food safety regulators, to tackle the issue of unknown allergens within genetically engineered foods. The second amendment, to the Interior Appropriations bill, instructs the Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the environmental impact of genetically engineered fish escaping into the wild. The respective Chairmen offered to work on acceptable language to obtain these studies. In exchange, both of these amendments were withdrawn.

Representative Kucinich offered an amendment to the fiscal year 2002 agriculture spending bill to delay FDA approval of genetically engineered fish (GE fish) for one year. The amendment is necessary because commercial fishermen and environmentalists have raised concerns that GE fish may pose ecological risks that have not been carefully considered by federal marine agencies. Scientists from Purdue University and University of Minnesota have raised a number of serious questions about the ecological impacts of GE fish. The amendment corrects this situation by providing a one year moratorium, giving Congress the opportunity to investigate and authorize an agency with environmental expertise clear authority to regulate the environmental impacts of GE fish. The amendment lost on vote of 145 to 279.

Representative Kucinich scored a significant victory in the effort to guard against the unknown impacts of genetically engineered crops. He offered and passed an amendment to H.R. 2646, the Farm Security Act of 2001 that triples the research on the negative impacts of genetically engineered crops.

The USDA spends $180 million a year towards biotechnology research aimed at creating new agricultural products, while almost no research is conducted on the risks of these products. Federal regulators must have access to critical assessment research to minimize environmental impacts. The amendment set aside 3% of the biotech budget every year for this critical research. A 3% set aside will yield approximately $5.4 million every year in grants to examine the negative impacts. This amendment had strong support from farmers and environmentalists.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich introduced five bills in May of 2002 that provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for all genetically engineered plants, animals, bacteria, and other organisms. The five bills include the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act of 2002, the Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act of 2002, the Genetically Engineered Crop and Animal Framer Protection Act of 2002, the Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act of 2002, and the Real Solutions to World Hunger Act of 2002. A summary for the legislation is available.

National Organic Standards

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) and directed the Department of Agriculture to implement national organic standards. The USDA finally published a set of proposed rules for national organic standards in December 1997. This first draft of the proposed rule, however, undermined some of the fundamental principles of organic farming. The organic industry instantly mobilized to protect standards that farmers have been following for decades.

On April 20, 1998, Congressman Kucinich joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman. In this letter they urged the USDA to work closely with the organic industry to revise the rules so that they are based on the historical practices of the industry and in line with consumer expectations of organic products. Congressman Kucinich worked closely with Rep. Peter DeFazio in generating support from other members of Congress for the letter to Secretary Glickman. Also, he authored a "Dear Colleague" letter asking members to sign this letter.

On April 20, 1998, Kucinich also submitted his own comments on the proposed rules to the USDA. Citing the increased popularity of organic products in the marketplace and the great impact strict national standards would have on the industry, Kucinich suggested several changes to the proposed rules, including prohibiting irradiation of organic products, bio-solids as fertilizer, and genetically engineered organisms in organic productions. Kucinich also advocated strict oversight of any synthetic substances used in organic production and the humane treatment of organically raised animals. His comments were included as part of the official comment record on the National Organic Program.

On May 8, 1998, as a result of Kucinich's comments and those submitted by many others, Secretary Glickman announced that he would make substantial changes to the proposed rules. He noted that the final rule would prohibit the use of irradiation, bio-solids and genetically engineered organisms in organic farming and production.

In a statement in the Congressional Record, Kucinich rose in defense of strong organic standards and in support of Secretary Glickman's decision to revise the rules.

On June 23, 1998, Kucinich engaged the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Representative Skeen, in a colloquy during the debate of the Agriculture Appropriations bill. During the colloquy, the Chairman expressed his commitment to high organic standards that follow the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board and his request for the timely release a second draft of the proposed rules.

As the conferees for the Agriculture Appropriations bill prepared for their conference, Congressman Kucinich wrote and organized support for a letter urging them to retain language included in the Senate bill that will offset the high costs of organic certification for small organic farmers during the first round of certification under the new rules proposed by USDA. The Senate language also directs the Secretary to follow the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board in issuing a list of acceptable synthetic substances that may be used in organic farming.

In December 2000, the final rule for a national organic standard was issued and received strong support from organic consumers and farmers. Congressman Kucinich supports these rules and believes they will expand the organic food industry.

Bills Cosponsored 107th Congress 1st Session

H.R. 1816 - National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act. This bill would require expiration dates on all perishable foods.

H.R. 1700 - George McGovern: Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Act. This bill would provide money to purchase U.S. foods and donates these to schools in developing nations.

H.R. 990 - The Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act. This bill would equalize the tax treatment of food donations, and all businesses in the food industry that make donations will be eligible for this favorable deduction.

H.R. 1671 - The Safe Food Act. This bill would consolidate the federal government’s food safety responsibilities under a single independent agency.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 9, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Byrd and Stevens of the Appropriations Committee urging them to retain an amendment to the Department of Agriculture Appropriations bill which provided $160 million for the USDA’s Nutrition Program for the Elderly in the FY 2002 budget.

July 31, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture urging the USDA to publish its Final Rule on the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter.

June 14, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Committee on Agriculture requesting that more emphasis be placed on conservation when drafting the next farm bill.


http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/agriculture.htm

[revcarol]

37. So important to emphasize food support for the elderly.

Many depend on the one meal a day they get at the Senior Center, or meals-on-wheels, because they are unable to cook from scratch or afford nutritious foods.

And we gotta figure out some way they can get a meal per day on WEEKENDS!@!

[Tinoire]

3. Animal Rights

Protecting Animal Rights

Supporting increased funding for Animal Welfare Act Enforcement
Link between animal cruelty and human violence
Protecting Animal Right
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters

Supporting increased funding for Animal Welfare Act enforcement


Congressman Kucinich advocated for an increase in funding for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. Along with Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Kucinich spearheaded a letter signed by 117 Members of the U.S. Congress to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX) and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) urging an increase of $3.8 million in Fiscal Year 2002 for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This outpouring of support was critical in the House Agriculture Appropriation Committee’s decision to grant these funding requests for Fiscal Year 2002.

The Animal Welfare Act requires basic protections for millions of animals at 10,000 sites across the country, including medical laboratories, zoos and commercial breeding facilities known as puppy mills. However, through the 1990s , Animal Care's funding to do the job declined in real dollar terms, so that inspections dropped precipitously, needed follow-up at facilities in violation of the law could not be done, and animal health and welfare suffered. For the last and current fiscal years, Congress provided modest increases in Animal Care's appropriation.

Kucinich requested an increase of $2.4 million for the Animal Welfare division in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This funding would allow the Animal Care division to hire and train additional inspectors, conduct approximately 11,600 inspections and improve follow-up inspections. An increase of $1 million was urged for the Investigative and Enforcement Services. Finally, an additional $400,000 was requested for the Animal Welfare Information Center. This Center, created by Congress, serves as a clearinghouse and education resource for all individuals involved in the care and use of animals for experimentation. It provides information on training for laboratory employees, and legal requirements and appropriate care for animals in research, including minimizing pain and distress, preventing duplication of experiments, and reducing or replacing animals in research when possible.


Link between animal cruelty and violence toward humans


Congressman Kucinich strongly supports efforts to prevent violence at all levels - including animal abuse. Research confirms a strong correlation between animal cruelty and violence against humans. Studies show that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal abuse. It has also been found that animal cruelty often occurs in households experiencing family violence - child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse.

Kucinich was successful in adding language to the Manager’s Amendment of the H.R. 1900, the Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2001, that allows programs designed to prevent animal cruelty by juveniles and to counsel juveniles who committed animal cruelty offenses to be eligible for funding through the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant Program.

In an effort to promote awareness of the connection between animal abuse and human violence Kucinich sponsored a briefing, along with the American Humane Association, to educate Capitol Hill staffers about the topic.

Protecting Animal Rights

Congressman Kucinich supports the humane treatment of all animals and opposes legislation which results in animal suffering. During the 106th Congress, Kucinich was a leader in supporting legislation which bans the importation, manufacture and sale of products made with dog and cat fur, the Dog and Cat Protection Act. In March 2000, he sent a letter to Chairman Crane of the Trade Subcommittee, urging him to include the provisions of this bill in trade corrections legislation. A prohibition on importing products made with dog and cat fur was included in H.R. 4868, the Miscellaneous Trade and Tariffs Act of 2000, which successfully passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Clinton on November 9, 2000.

As you may know, this new law prohibits the import, export, manufacture or sale of dog and cat fur in the United States. The law also authorizes civil and criminal penalties up to $10,000 for violation of the law, requires the U.S. Customs Service to publish a list of businesses and individuals known to trade in dog and cat fur, and provides for continuing congressional investigations.

In addition, Kucinich was a cosponsor of a bill to establish a committee responsible for reviewing alternative methods to animal testing. This bill became Public Law in December 2000.

Congressman Kucinich has also consistently voted to support and strengthen the Endangered Species Act and has opposed all efforts to undermine it. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, which lists hundreds of plants and animals as endangered or threatened, is one of the major environmental laws. Once a species is listed, a recovery plan is developed to aid in the recovery of the species and the protection of its habitat.

Locally, Kucinich has written letters asking for humane methods to be considered in dealing with the deer overpopulation in Cleveland.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 1421 - Downed Animal Protection Act. A bill to prevent a stockyard owner or dealer from selling or transferring non-ambulatory animals.

H.R.397 - The Bear Protection Act. A bill to conserve global bear populations by prohibiting the importation, exportation, and interstate trade of bear viscera and items, products, or substances containing or labeled or advertised as containing, bear viscera, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3058 - Puppy Protection Act of 2001. This act is designed to allow the Department of Agriculture to revoke licenses of breeders who repeatedly violate animal welfare standards. Also this bill makes sure that breeders give female dogs time to recover between litters.

H.Con.Res. 180 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should reaffirm its opposition to any commercial or lethal scientific whaling.

H.Con.Res. 175 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 should be fully enforced so as to prevent needless suffering of animals.

H.R. 1581- A bill to end the use of steel-jawed leghold traps in the United States.

Endangered Species Recovery Act. A bill which reforms the Endangered Species Act by improving the scientific basis for listing species and provides incentive for small and large landowners to assist in protecting endangered species.

H.Con. Res. 103- A Resolution that honors the American Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the their 135th birthday.

Bills Cosponsored

H. Con. Res. 338: A concurrent resolution to recognize the link between violence against animals and violence against humans.

H.R. 3535 - Shark Finning Prohibition Act: A bill to prohibit shark finning in U.S. waters. Shark finning is the practice of removing a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass in the sea. This practice is cruel, has a negative impact on shark conservation, and is considered wasteful.

H.R. 4281 - ICCVAM Authorization Act: A bill to permanently establish ICCVAM, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods, and to require federal agencies to consider ICCVAM’s recommendations on new test methods and alternatives to animal tests.

HR 443 - Downed Animal Protection Act: A bill to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to transfer or market nonambulatory cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules, or goats, and for other purposes.

HR 960 - Endangered Species Recovery Act of 1999: A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to ensure the recovery of our Nation's declining biological diversity; to reaffirm and strengthen this Nation's commitment to protect wildlife; to safeguard our children's economic and ecological future; and to provide assurances to local governments, communities, and individuals in their planning and economic development efforts.

HR 1202 – Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit "canned hunting" of exotic animals.

HR 1622 - Dog and Cat Protection Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit the importation of products made with dog or cat fur, to prohibit the sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and distribution of products made with dog or cat fur in the United States, and for other purposes.

HR 1581- A bill to end the use of steel-jawed leghold traps on animals in the United States.

HR 1275 - A bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the interstate movement of live birds for the purpose of having the birds participate in animal fighting.

HR 2929 - Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999: A bill to exclude elephants from traveling shows and to eliminate elephant rides in order to protect spectators and make circuses more humane.

HR 1239 - Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act of 1997: A bill to protect 1.5 million acres of Arctic National Wildlife refuge.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

June 22, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman urging her to publish the USDA’s final rule on the transportation of horses and other equines to slaughter.

April 17, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Chairman Skeen of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee requesting funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund.

Letters

July 5, 2000- Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Defense, William Cohen urging the Navy to withhold deployment of their Low Frequency Active Sonar until information can be gathered and analyzed to determine what the effects of such a system would be on the marine environment.

June 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the International Whaling Commissioners urging them to stop the gray whale hunt by the Makah Indian Tribe of Washington State. The US Court of Appeals ruled that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration violated US environmental law by supporting the Makah Indian Tribe’s request to hunt gray whales in a National Marine Sanctuary before conducting an analysis as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The IWC should have the environmental assessment of the effects of the Makah’s whaling before ruling on quotas.

June 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the EPA’s administration of the Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program.

May 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee supporting full funding for Animal Care included in the President’s budget for FY01.

March 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinch sent a letter to Representative Philip Crane, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade, urging him to include the provisions of H.R. 1622, which would ban the import of products made with dog and cat fur, in any corrective trade legislation the Subcommittee considers.

July 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging him to continue to consider all options available to reverse declines in populations of Salmon in the lower Snake River.

March 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior Committee on Appropriations to urge additional funding to support work on the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This regional plan would help conserve important migratory wetland and grassland habitat.

July 1998 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging him to encourage the World Trade Organization to create rules protecting sea turtles.

Dog and Cat Protection Act of 1999

H.R. 1622 - Dog and Cat Protection Act of 1999: This bill prohibits the import, export or sale of dog and cat fur in the United States. In December 1999 Dateline NBC featured an 18-month investigation by the Humane Society of the United States on the issue of dog and cat fur. The investigation found that dog and cat fur is in widespread use overseas in a variety of garments such as coats, hats and gloves and has begun to surface in the U.S. market, mostly as trim on coats and animal figurines. An estimated 2 million dogs and cats are killed each year for their fur as part of the international fur trade. Ten to twelve dogs are required to make each fur coat, more if puppies are used. Up to 24 cats are needed to make one fur coat. Many of these animals are strays or are stolen from their owners. Inhumane methods are used in the killing of these innocent animals - hanging, beating, stabbing and bleeding to death, skinning alive, or drowning by having gallons of water pumped down tubes in their throats. These dogs and cats are housed in deplorable conditions without proper food, water or heating. In addition, they witness the killing of other animals.

In addition to banning the import of products made with dog and cat fur this bill will also require labeling of fur products. Currently, federal law does not require fur valued at under $150 to be labeled with the fur species. Products made from dog and cat fur usually tend to be priced below this figure.

When dog and cat fur is dyed it is nearly impossible for a consumer to distinguish the fur between other species such as wolf, fox and mink. Labels are often deceptive and DNA tests are the only foolproof method used to determine the species. During the investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States it was discovered that Burlington Coat Factory, a national clothing retailer, was unknowingly selling dog fur-trimmed coats. After the true origin of the fur was uncovered the store pulled the coats off the shelf and supports the ban on dog and cat fur in the U.S. However, this demonstrates how difficult it is to tell the difference between furs.

This bill also provides enforcement provisions which will subject violators to civil fines, criminal penalties, seizure of fur products, and ban against all future fur sale.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/animals.htm

[Mass_Liberal]

115. I'm sorry but I can't help laughing at the puppy protection act

don't get me wrong. i think dennis is an absoloutely great guy.

:dem:

[diamondsoul]

178. The title may be mildly amusing,

but the text and purpose are freakin' fantastic! I am one of the anti-puppy mill activists floating around, and I get majorly PISSED at the horrors of the dog and cat breeding industry for pet shops.

[Nadienne]

170. what about game management?

(ie, hunting)

Due to diminished numbers of natural predators, deer numbers in NW Iowa are on the rise... which leads to an increased risk for disease, starvation, and getting hit by cars.

As far as cruelty to animals, a quick death is more humane than a slow one. Even getting crushed by a truck is not always quick and easy. It's certainly not humane.

I'm curious... If Dennis Kucinich wins the nomination, will mouth-breathing, gun-totin', rootin'-tootin', shoot-em-up hunters say, "Don't vote for him; he'll try to take our guns away"? Is DK anti-hunting?

The opposite end of the spectrum is, does DK appreciate the balance between natural predators and natural prey... The balance that humans have screwed up with development and overpopulation... Is DK in favor of hunting as a means to restore a balance that was lost?

[redqueen]

171. Kucinich on Guns

...
"I have friends who both hunt and shoot. These are good people, they are not criminals, and they lock up their guns when not using them. I support their right to their hobbies, and I support the right to bear arms. I have also talked with widows and children left fatherless due to the improper use of firearms. As President, I will be committed to preventing such tragedies from happening. By helping to develop a society which does not look to violence as a method of solving problems, my proposed Department of Peace will play a key role in this. Conflict resolution and alternatives to violence will constitute major areas of responsibility within this new Department so that we can begin to lead by examples as well as by words.

My efforts to lead the fight against assault weapons have been highly recognized by The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. One year after the DC-area sniper attacks, I have co-signed a bill, H.R. 2038, to renew and strengthen the federal assault weapons ban. I was also the only presidential candidate to attend the recent Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSD) event.

While some of my opponents in the Democratic primary believe that gun laws should reside at the state level, I respectfully disagree. In this mobile society, national control of guns just is necessary, just as it is with pollution. It is the right of Americans to keep and bear arms; however it is not the right of American felons to arm themselves.

In a time when homeland security is of utmost concern, it is perplexing why anyone would not wish to keep guns out of the hands of those who might do us harm. This is why I would support legislation to require background checks, identical to the background checks currently required for transfers by licensed gun dealers, for firearm transfers by unlicensed gun dealers at gun shows. Sensible laws to prevent guns from winding up in the wrong hands do not infringe on any constitutional rights.

I agree with the Brady Campaign that Congress should end the gun industry's immunity from product safety regulation and that irresponsible dealers who allow weapons to fall into the hands of criminals should be held accountable. President Bush campaigned on the promise to reauthorize the assault ban weapon law. However, in a calculated move to avoid signing the bill, the President has not spoken out publicly or forcefully to make the House Republicans under Rep. Tom DeLay bring the legislation out of committee and pass it. It is a shame that our current President is willing to expend limitless political capital to financially benefit his own campaign contributors with trillion dollar tax cuts but will spend nothing to keep assault weapons out of the hands of potential terrorists."


http://www.kucinich.us/issues/guns.php

[Nadienne]

172. Thank You!

I figured this was so... It's consistent with his values. A nice balance between protecting our rights and protecting our safety. And, as a hunter myself, it's good to hear I won't be alienated in his campaign.

g'night!

[redqueen]

173. My pleasure!

Oh, and Welcome to DU! :hi: (if I already said that, pardon my enthusiastic welcomingness ;) )

Always a pleasure to answer questions about Kucinich. It's nice to be albe to support a candidate I can feel 100% confident about. :D

Love & light,
RQ

[Tinoire]

4. The Arts

The Arts

Accomplishments
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Accomplishments

Congressman Kucinich is a supporter of the arts. There is a positive, though limited, role that the federal government can play in promoting arts and culture in our communities. The United States spends less money than most industrialized nations on arts and culture, and it is only a very small percentage (less than 1/10th of one percent) of the total federal budget. That is why Congressman Kucinich encourages high school students in the 10th Congressional district to participate in the Artistic Discovery contest every year. Artistic Discovery, coordinated by Members of Congress, is the annual Congressional High School Art Competition and the national exhibition of the winning art representing Congressional Districts across the country. Each year, a winning piece of art from each district is on display as part of the national exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel leading to the US Capitol.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

March 16, 2001 -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Hon. James Nussle, Chairman of the Committee on the Budget, urging him to reject the President’s request to assume revenues from drilling activity that is prohibited under current law.

March 12, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting that he retain Dr. William Ferris as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Bill Ivey as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Letters

March 3, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House of Representatives Speaker Hastert asking him to allow the National Museum of Women’s History to donate a statue of Sojourner Truth to Congress.

Bills Cosponsored in 107th Congress, 1st Session


H.R.44 - A bill to recommend that the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp for actress Ava Gardner.

H.R. 1718 - National Museum of African American History and Culture Act of 2001
: A bill would establish a National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall.

H.R. 1598 - Artists' Contribution to American Heritage Act of 2001
. A bill to provide that a deduction equal to fair market value shall be allowed for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor.

H.Con.Res. 34 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of Ava Gardner.

Bills Cosponsored


HR 923 - National African American Museum Act:
A bill to authorize the establishment of the National African-American Museum within the Smithsonian Institution.

HR 1246 - A bill to create a National Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/art.htm

[Desertrose]

41. Nice to see he supports supporting the Arts :-)

Tinoire, this is wonderful...I am bookmarking this thread!!

Artists have sure been getting the short end of the stick since Bush....
be nice to have support of all the "unknown artists" trying to make a living from teir creations.
I was strongly discouraged as a child to do something other than my art...I am glad to see he encourages it in the communities.

Thank you, Dennis & all others, who encourage and show support to all who show creative expression in its various forms!!

peace music art!!!!
DR

[Tinoire]

5. Banking

Banking

Pro-Consumer Bank Regulations
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Pro-Consumer Bank Regulations

During the debate over bank deregulation in the 105th and 106th Congresses, Congressman Kucinich worked to protect pro-consumer banking reforms. In the 105th Congress, Kucinich fought to protect state banking regulations from being preempted by federal law. Put at risk by the bill were state laws and regulations protecting consumers from bounced check penalties, limiting liability for unauthorized debit card transactions, and limiting or prohibiting prepayment penalties when consumers sell their homes and pay off their existing mortgages. In cooperation with Consumers Union, Congressman Kucinich lobbied on behalf of state banking regulations and inserted clarification of the bill’s language to establish that it was not the intent of the bill to preempt state regulations.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

July 6, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill recommending reforms at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks to make them more open and accountable.

June 6, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to a letter to the Appropriations House and Urban Development subcommittee requesting the appropriation of $115 million in credit subsidy under the FHA multi-family loan guarantee program.

May 21, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressman Ralph Regula asking the Congressman to support Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones’s request for $1 million for the Cleveland Botanical Garden in the fiscal year of 2002, HHS appropriations bill.

March 21, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Conferees to urge adoption of the amendment to the Bankruptcy Bill. The provision would remove a penalty against an individual legally separated from his or her spouse who is applying for bankruptcy protection.

March 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman Alan Greenspan to urge the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to help remedy the increasing financial damage suffered by victims of predatory lending practices and the lack of any quality public data on the costs of home loans being provided in different neighborhoods and to various populations in the mortgage market.

Letters

June 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing his concern about the Federal Reserve rate hikes, with emphasis on effects of rising interest rates on incidence of unemployment among African Americans.

March 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich joined the Privacy Caucus, a group which promotes protecting consumer information privacy.

January 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of the United States urging reform of the International Monetary Fund.

October 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton asking him to veto the financial services modernization legislation because it does not go nearly far enough in ensuring that American consumers receive strong privacy protections.

September 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House and Senate conferees urging them to support the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to secure economic equality for all Americans.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 296 - Credit Card Consumer Protection Act. A bill that requires banks to mail monthly statements 30 days before the due date, to clearly indicate late charges, and to record dates statements were mailed and payments received.

H.R. 184 - College Student Credit Protection Act. A bill to limit credit lines to 20% of income for students, to permit “starter” credit cards, to eliminate fine print, and to require co-signed parents to agree to credit limit increases.

H.R. 4311 - Identity Theft Protection Act. A bill that obligates credit card issues to confirm address changes of cardholders and notify cardholder of requests for more cards in order to prevent identity theft.

H.R. 1306 - Wire Transfer Fairness and Disclosure Act of 2001. This bill amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to require additional disclosures relating to exchange rates in transfers involving international transactions.

H.R. 865 - Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2001. A bill to provide that a person who is legally separated from his/her spouse and files individually for bankruptcy would not have his/her spouse’s income taken into account when in determining whether the person filing for bankruptcy meets the means test.

Bills Cosponsored

HR 4311 - Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2000: A bill to make it harder to “steal” someone’s identity and illegally charge goods to their credit card.

HR 3142 - College Student Credit Card Protection Act: A bill to put tighter limits on credit card companies’ business with students, and to prevent very high levels of credit card indebtedness found among college students.

HR 3823 - Federal Payday Loan Consumer Protection Amendments of 2000 - A bill to protect consumers from payday lending which consists of high interest, short-term loans that use paychecks as collateral.

HR 3027 - Russian Economic Restoration and Justice Act of 1999 - A bill to propose principals governing the provision of International Monetary Fund assistance to Russia.

HR 114 - Teller Fee Relief Act: A bill to prohibit banks from charging higher fees when consumers opt to use human tellers rather than ATMs.

HR 900 - Consumer Credit Card Protection Amendments of 1999: A bill to enhance consumer disclosures regarding credit card terms and charges. It will prohibit many deceptive practices used by credit card issuers to snag consumers. The bill would restrict issuance of credit cards to students, expand protections in connection with unsolicited credit cards and third-party checks and protect consumers from unreasonable practices that result in unnecessary credit costs or loss of credit.

HR 1276 - Credit Card Consumer Protection Act of 1999: A pro-consumer bill to prohibit hidden fees by credit card companies.

HR 1929 - Banking Privacy Act of 1999: A bill to control the disclosure by financial institutions of personal financial information of customers of the institutions.

HR 2386 - Fairness for Check Cashers Act: A bill to prohibit charging fees to consumers who try to deposit a check with insufficient funds.

HR 2446 - Better America Bonds Act of 1999: A bill to create a new kind of bond issuable by state and local governments. State and local governments would not have to pay interest to bondholders. Instead, holders of the bond would receive a tax credit from the federal government.

HR 1333 - First-time Homebuyer Affordability Act of 1999: A bill to allow people to borrow against their IRAs to buy a home for the first time.

HR 382 - Wire Transfer Fairness and Disclosure Act of 1999: A bill to require wire transfer companies to disclose fees.

HR 2644 - Personal Data Privacy Act of 1999: A bill to create an "opt-in" and requires companies and the government to obtain consumer approval before personal information is shared or sold.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/banking.htm

[Tinoire]

6. Budget and Economy

Budget and Economy

Budget and Economy
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

Budget and Economy

On April 24, 2001, Congressman Kucinich introduced a bill, Rebuilding America's Infrastructure, H.R. 1564. This initiative would provide state and local governments with the funds needed to rebuild schools, bridges and roads, water treatment and sewer systems, and to provide funds for new school construction, mass transit systems and expanding the information superhighway to underserved populations.

The plan, based on a model developed by the Jerome Levy Institute, would provide state and local governments with $500 billion in zero interest loans for infrastructure programs over the next 10 years. Though infrastructure projects are very expensive, this bill would use money that the government already has in store. The Federal Reserve always holds a large amount of Treasury securities in order to add liquidity to our monetary system. Our bill will take a portion of those securities and simply transfer them into a new bank, the Federal Bank for Infrastructure Modernization (FBIM). These funds in the FBIM will continue to be overseen by the Federal Open Market Committee to maintain economic stability. The FBIM would establish zero-interest mortgage loans for states and local governments to use to fund specific projects. This way, Congress doesn’t need to appropriate any money, and states will be able to cut the cost of most projects in half with zero-interest loans. This unique funding mechanism has the potential to support America’s largest infrastructure program ever.

State and local governments would decide how and whether to use the funds made available by this initiative. Congress would define eligible projects by type. In this initiative, Congress would require that half the funds would be used for school repair and school construction.

Each state or local government would have access to about $185 per capita per year for 10 years for infrastructure improvement. Over the life of this initiative, state and local governments would have adequate funds available to optimally restore the infrastructure. For instance, the state of Ohio would have $20 billion available for infrastructure improvements.

On March 3, 2001, Congressman Kucinich testified at the Budget committee to unveil this plan to invest in America’s infrastructure and schools. Click here to read the Congressman’s testimony.

In the 106th Congress, Congressman Kucinich outlined a similar concept to the Budget Committee. The bill represents Congressman kucinich’s continuing commitment to rebuild the infrastructure.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

June 27, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Director Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. of the Office of Management and Budget requesting information about the status of the President’s report of obligations and expenditures for climate change programs and activities.

February 26, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush and Speaker Hastert requesting that debate about all aspects of budget policy occur before the passage of a tax cut.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/budgetandeconomy.htm

[Tinoire]

7. Business

Business

Patent Reform
Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs
Letters
Bills Cosponsored

Patent Reform

Congressman Kucinich worked with a bipartisan coalition in the House to modify proposed reform in the patent laws to ensure that the rights of small businesses and individual inventors was protected. Activity included a Dear Colleague letter to all Freshman House members and a statement on the House floor (April 17, 1997) in opposition to H.R. 400. His work contributed to the passage (Vote 88) of an amendment introduced by Rep. Kaptur that exempted small businesses and universities from the early patent publication provision of H.R. 400.

Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs

Given the importance of small business and career flexibility in our rapidly-changing economy, Congressman Kucinich believes that all young people could benefit from education and training in how to start their own businesses. He worked with the Greater Cleveland Growth Association and Ohio State University to formulate a new federal program that would enable junior high and high school students to receive training in entrepreneurial skills. This legislation, originally the "Future Entrepreneurs of America Act" (H.R. 4175) was introduced in June 1998 with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, including Steven LaTourette (R-Madison). It was later introduced as an amendment to HR 1995, the "Teacher Empowerment Act," and was passed. This year the “Future Entrepreneurs of America Act” (HR 1617), has been referred to the House Education and the Workforce Committee. The program will operate through the states, with funds going directly to schools and local educational agencies to educate students. It will establish of a National Clearinghouse for Teacher Entrepreneurship to encourage teacher interest and involvement in entrepreneurship education.

Letters

106th Congress
July 9, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Judge Sharp of the U.S. District Court, South Bend Division in support of the workers employed at the Cleveland Pneumatic Company (CPC).

May 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Speaker of the House requesting that the House of Representatives not move too swiftly in consideration of legislation that would radically affect our nation’s patent system and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State & Judiciary Appropriations in support of funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

February 8, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Pitosfsky of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to urge that the FTC give Barnes & Noble’s proposed acquisition of the Ingram Book Group the closest scrutiny.

Bills Cosponsored

106th Congress

HR 1219 - Construction Industry Payment Protection Act of 1999: A bill to require general contractors obtain payment bonds equal to the total amount of the contract.

HR 4956 - Corporate Code of Conduct Act: A bill to promote better corporate behavior. This bill will set labor and environmental standards; require corporations to report on compliance; gives preference (for government procurement) to corporation’s that comply.

HR 4321 - Anti-Trust Enforcement Improvement Act of 2000: A bill to establish a commission to examine effects of concentration in the Agricultural industry, and to make violations of anti-trust laws liable to more people, making violations more costly.

HR 3500 - The Small Business Telecommuting Act: A bill that establishes a pilot program to raise awareness about telecommuting among small business employers and to encourage such employers to offer telecommuting options to employees.

H.R. 534 - A bill protecting car dealers from mandatory, binding, arbitration agreements w/auto manufacturers thereby ensuring their access to the courts in cases of disagreement between dealers and manufacturers

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/business.htm

[Tinoire]

8. Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance Reform
Electoral Reform
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

Campaign Finance Reform

Campaign finance reform is an important issue today because the current system encourages undue influence by powerful corporations and wealthy individuals. Congressman Kucinich is a strong supporter of campaign finance reform. Kucinich supports reform that is conducive to freedom of speech and provides a more level playing field among candidates. There have been many bills introduced into the U.S. Congress and Congressman Kucinich plans to review their merits carefully and continue to work on a bipartisan basis to ensure that both parties receive only legal and ethical contributions. In the 106th Congress, Kucinich supported the Shays-Meehan reform bill, HR 417, which would reform the financing of campaigns for elections for Federal office.

Congressman Kucinich supports H.R. 2356, the Shays/Meehan Bipartisan Campaign Finance Act. This bill has been passed by the House of Representatives twice in previous Congressional sessions, and has bipartisan support.

Electoral Reform

After last year’s election, it is absolutely clear that our system of elections needs to be reformed. Voters need to be guaranteed that they will be able to cast a ballot, regardless of race, disability or language, and that the ballot will be counted fairly. Congressman Kucinich believes that the electoral system should be thoroughly reviewed, evaluated, and sufficient funds should be made available to cities to upgrade equipment and train workers. He is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1170, the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001, introduced by Rep. John Conyers.

The Progressive Challenge: An Action Agenda for Electoral Reform
(Click here to read Congressman Kucinich’s speech)

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress 1st Session

H.R. 380 - Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2001: A bill that would ban soft money, prohibits contributions from foreign nationals, tightens enforcement of current campaign finance laws, establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to recommend additional changes and clarifies “issue advertising”.

H.R. 1558 - Voter Registration Protection Act of 2001: A bill that would prohibit any state from refusing to register an individual who has been convicted of a federal crime, except for individuals in custody, under parole or probation.

H.R. 1170 - Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act: This bill which would require states to adopt uniform and non-discriminatory statewide standards for election machinery and allow provisional voting, authorizes funding to states, and establishes a commission to study best practices for providing access to voters with special needs.

H.R. 57 - Federal Elections Review Commission Act: This bill would establish a commission to study and make recommendations with respect to the federal electoral process.

H.R. 1997 - Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Reform Act: A bill to simplify the process for overseas voting with standard set laws, standard oath and a standard ballot. This bill encourages new and more accurate devices such as electronic devices for registration and voting.

H.R. 2830 - Voting Restoration Act: A bill to give ex-offenders the right to vote in Federal elections once they have completed their sentences, including probation or parole.

Bills Cosponsored

106th Congress

HR 1739 - Clean Money, Clean Election Act: A bill to reform the financing of Federal elections. It proposes providing candidates who voluntarily forgo private campaign contributions and who would agree to spending limits with public financing among other reforms.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

April 2, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President Bush asking him to voice his opinion on principals for electoral reform.

March 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Senators McCain and Feingold urging the Senate to pass a strong reform bill that bans soft money without raising the contribution limits.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/campaignfinance.htm

[Tinoire]

9. Civil Rights

Preserving Civil Rights



Preservation of Civil Rights Protection Act of 2001
Protecting Against Workplace Discrimination
Putting Words Into Action
Defending Constitutional Rights
Ending Racial Profiling
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored in the 106th Congress
Bills Cosponsored in 105th Congress

Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2001

Congressman Kucinich introduced a major civil rights bill, HR 2282, the "Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2001," to reverse a significant assault on the rights of employees. The bill, which is cosponsored by 38 members of Congress, reverses the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Circuit City v Saint Clair Adams. That decision allows employers to require potential workers to waive their right to legally enforce their civil rights and accept mandatory, binding arbitration instead as a condition of employment.

Rep. Kucinich believes workers should not be required to waive their legal rights as a condition of employment. In addition, the legislative history of the Federal Arbitration Act does not support the Court majority's interpretation. Furthermore, he believes that arbitration is a valid form of dispute resolution only if it is voluntary. When employers can require that employees accept arbitration in order to get a job, employees are denied a voluntary choice.

These opinions are based on decades of labor law. The Norris-LaGuardia Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act explicitly state that the employer- employee relationship is not balanced, to the employer's advantage. Furthermore, mandatory arbitration as a condition of employment is inherently unfair. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Policy Statement on Mandatory Binding Arbitration of Employment Discrimination Disputes as a Condition of Employment (1997), " agreements are imposed by employers because they believe them to be in their interests, and they are made possible by the employer's superior bargaining power." EEOC goes on to say, "agreements that mandate binding arbitration of discrimination claims as a condition of employment are contrary to the fundamental principles evinced" in the "nation's employment discrimination laws."

Rep. Kucinich’s position is also consistent with the history of the federal arbitration act. When the FAA was being drafted in the mid-1920s, its purpose was to create a forum for the resolution of disputes between commercial businesses. The seamen's union worried that mandatory arbitration could be used to compel seamen to serve out the term of their contracts, resulting in involuntary servitude. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover himself drafted the clarifying language to exclude the worker- employer relationship. The bill passed with support from both unions and business. Seventy-six years later, the U.S. Supreme Court ignored this history. They interpreted Hoover's exemption of workers from mandatory arbitration to mean only those workers involved in transportation. Everybody else is now subject to mandatory, binding arbitration.

HR 2282, advanced by the Progressive Caucus, which Rep. Kucinich chairs, amends the FAA by deleting everything after "employment" in 9 U.S.C. Section 1. The new exception would read, "but nothing herein contained shall apply to contracts of employment."

In addition, HR 2282 would make arbitration agreements between employers and employees unenforceable when they are conditions of employment. Arbitration agreements between employers and employees must be voluntary, meaning that they are made only after a dispute has begun. This preserves the right of employees to seek legal redress for violations of Federal statutory and Constitutional claims. The bill would apply to all pending disputes as well as future disputes.

Protecting Against Workplace Discrimination
Congressman Kucinich believes that all Americans should be able to work in a friendly environment. Ending discrimination is and should be the goal of society. By cosponsoring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA, Congressman Kucinich has stated his dedication to ending discrimination in the workforce. The bill would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. He continues to work on a bipartisan basis to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly in the workplace.

Putting Words Into Action
Congressman Kucinich has a written policy of non-discrimination with regards to sexual orientation for employment in his office.

Defending Constitutional Rights
Congressman Kucinich is a cosponsor of legislation that would prohibit the use of "secret evidence" in trials conducted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Kucinich believes that the cornerstone of our judicial system is that evidence cannot be used against someone unless he or she has the chance to confront it. Congressman Kucinich strives to ensure the rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities or age.

Ending Racial Profiling
Congressman Kucinich is a cosponsor of a bill that would ban racial profiling by police. It would also require state and local governments to adopt policies to ban racial profiling in order to be eligible for federal law enforcement grants. In addition, grant money would be provided to state and local police departments for officer training to eliminate this practice.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
August 2, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Postmaster General Bill Henderson requesting that a block of four stamps be issued in 2003 commemorating the lives of the four girls killed by the Ku Klux Klan in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963.

June 26, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to members of the House of Representatives urging them to support the Whistleblower Protection Act.

June 12, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to declare an executive moratorium on federal executions.

June 7, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting that he award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harriet Tubman.

March 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Secretary Colin Powell encouraging the Bush Administration to support CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Letters

May 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Attorney General concerning the continued detention of human rights activists from Iran.

February 29, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Members of Congress condemning human rights violations based on sexual orientation.

September 13, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House and Senate conferees urging them to pass the Moakley-Scarborough amendment. This amendment limits all funding and human rights abuses of the School of the Americas (SOA).

September 10, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Albright to express deep concern over the crackdown against Falun Gong practitioners in China. The arrest of hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners provides fresh and disturbing evidence of the lack of freedom of expression and assembly in China and of the Chinese government’s disregard for human rights.

April 1, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting him to work towards a resolution for Lori Berenson, an American citizen, who has been incarcerated in Peru, serving a life sentence after being convicted by a faceless military tribunal for treason. Lori Berenson maintained her innocence and was systematically denied due process by Peru.

February 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to Secretary of State Albright urging her to raise with the Vietnamese leadership the continuing imprisonment and torture of political prisoners.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H. Con. Res. 173 - A resolution condemning violations of internationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.

H. Con. Res. 188- A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the government of the People’s Republic of China should cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

H.R. 2692- The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001: This bill extends federal employment discrimination protections that are currently provided based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age and disability, to sexual orientation.

H. Res. 97 - This resolution recognizes the enduring contributions, heroic achievements, and dedicated wok of Shirley Anita Chisolm, the first African American woman elected to Congress.

H.R. 2074 - End Racial Profiling Act: This bill would prohibit racial profiling.

H.R. 1184 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Coin Act: A bill which authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

H.R. 498- Blind Empowerment Act: A bill which increases the earnings threshold under Social Security for blind workers.

H.R. 2282 - Preservation of Civil Rights Protection Act of 2001: This bill would prohibit employers from forcing workers to give up their rights in court.

H.J.Res.102 - This resolution supports the Birmingham Pledge and asks the President to establish a National Birmingham Pledge Week.

H.R. 2340 - Whistleblower Protection Act: A bill which codifies specific anti-gag rules, extends the independent litigating authority of the Office of Special Counsel, and allows appeals to be filed in Federal Circuit or the circuit in which the whistleblower resides.

H.J. Res.40 - This bill proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution relative to equal rights for men and women.

Bills Cosponsored in 106th Congress

HR 259 - A concurrent resolution expressing the concern of Congress regarding human rights violations against lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals around the world.

HR 2121 - Secret Evidence Repeal Act of 1999: A bill to ensure that no alien is removed, denied a benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act, or otherwise deprived of liberty, based on evidence that is kept secret from the alien.

HR 872 - Civil Rights Procedures Protection Act of 1999: A bill to make arbitration contracts unenforceable unless agreed to after a discrimination claim had arisen. It prevents the involuntary application of arbitration to claims that arise from unlawful employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, and for other purposes.

HR 2355 - Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

H RES 226- A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning the acts of arson at three Sacramento, California area synagogues on June 18, 1999, and affirming opposition to such crimes.

HR 1443 - Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act of 1999: A bill to require the Attorney General to collect data and make an analysis of past and current traffic stops allegedly motivated by race or other basis.

HR 622 - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999: A bill to amend federal law to make it easier for federal law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute cases regarding racial and religious violence. The bill also permits prosecution of violence based upon prejudice against sexual orientation, gender or disability.

H R 357 - A bill to prevent violence against women.

HR 306 - A bill to prohibit discrimination against individuals and their family members on the basis of genetic information or a request for genetic services.

HR 35 - A resolution condemning the racism and bigotry espoused by the Council of Conservative Citizens.

Bills Cosponsored in 105th Congress

H.R. 1858 - Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA): This bill prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workforce.

H.R. 2761- Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act: This bill extends basic federal benefits (health insurance, life insurance) to same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners of federal employees.

H.R. 3081- Hate Crimes Prevention Act: This bill allows federal authorities to be involved in hate crime cases based on gender, sexual orientation and disability in addition to cases based on race, religion, or national origin.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/civilrights.htm

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10. Consumer Protection

Protecting Consumers



Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods
National Organic Standards
Cooperative Purchasing--Saving Local Taxpayer Funds
Bills Cosponsored

Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods

Congressman Dennis Kucinich has established himself as a leading advocate for genetically engineered food regulation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dennis Kucinich believes that the American citizen must have the right to choose what foods they and their family eat and be assured of the safety of those foods.

He introduced first-of-a-kind legislation, HR 3377 to label all foods that are genetically engineered. The “Genetically Engineered Food Right To Know Act of 1999" received support from 56 other Members of Congress from both parties. Several food safety, consumer, environmental and farmer organizations endorsed the bill. In a January 1999 Time magazine poll, 81% of respondents wanted genetically engineered food labeled. This legislation was offered as an amendment to the fiscal year 2001 agriculture appropriations bill, but it was withdrawn with out a vote because support in the House of Representatives does not parallel the support for labeling by the American public.

Representative Kucinich testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in support of labeling of genetically engineered foods. His testimony focused on the need for labeling and the fact that the science of genetically engineering is new, imprecise and still vastly unknown.

Kucinich advocates the labeling of genetically engineered food to give consumers additional health and safety related information. Several food safety and environmental concerns have been raised in regards to genetically engineered foods, so until proven safe, consumer choice should be possible.

In response to these food safety concerns, Kucinich has introduced the "Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act of 2000". The legislation, H.R. 3883 required mandatory, scientifically-valid safety testing of all genetically engineered foods. The bill will prohibit foods that may be unsafe because they are genetically engineered to include severe or common allergens or increased antibiotic resistance.

Dennis Kucinich also secured $200,000 within the fiscal year 2000 agriculture spending bill for long-term research. This research was conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Ames Research Laboratory. The research investigated the potential risks from a genetically engineered corn that produces a bacterial insecticide. Certain forms of this insecticide may cause harm to the Monarch Butterfly, an important species that must be protected.

Representative Kucinich offered two amendments to fiscal year 2001 spending bills to further the science of genetically engineered foods. The first amendment, to the Agriculture Appropriations bill, instructs the Food and Drug Administration, our food safety regulators, to tackle the issue of unknown allergens within genetically engineered foods. The second amendment, to the Interior Appropriations bill, instructs the Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the environmental impact of genetically engineered fish escaping into the wild. The respective Chairmen offered to work on acceptable language to obtain these studies. In exchange, both of these amendments were withdrawn.

Representative Kucinich offered an amendment to the fiscal year 2002 agriculture spending bill to delay FDA approval of genetically engineered fish (GE fish) for one year. The amendment is necessary because commercial fishermen and environmentalists have raised concerns that GE fish may pose ecological risks that have not been carefully considered by federal marine agencies. Scientists from Purdue University and University of Minnesota have raised a number of serious questions about the ecological impacts of GE fish. The amendment corrects this situation by providing a one year moratorium, giving Congress the opportunity to investigate and authorize an agency with environmental expertise clear authority to regulate the environmental impacts of GE fish. The amendment lost on vote of 145 to 279.

National Organic Standards

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) and directed the Department of Agriculture to implement national organic standards. The USDA finally published a set of proposed rules for national organic standards in December 1997. This first draft of the proposed rule, however, undermined some of the fundamental principles of organic farming. The organic industry instantly mobilized to protect standards that farmers have been following for decades.

On April 20, 1998, Congressman Kucinich joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman. In this letter they urged the USDA to work closely with the organic industry to revise the rules so that they are based on the historical practices of the industry and in line with consumer expectations of organic products. Congressman Kucinich worked closely with Rep. Peter DeFazio in generating support from other members of Congress for the letter to Secretary Glickman. Also, he authored a "Dear Colleague" letter asking members to sign this letter.

On April 20, 1998, Kucinich also submitted his own comments on the proposed rules to the USDA. Citing the increased popularity of organic products in the marketplace and the great impact strict national standards would have on the industry, Kucinich suggested several changes to the proposed rules, including prohibiting irradiation of organic products, bio-solids as fertilizer, and genetically engineered organisms in organic productions. Kucinich also advocated strict oversight of any synthetic substances used in organic production and the humane treatment of organically raised animals. His comments were included as part of the official comment record on the National Organic Program.

On May 8, 1998, as a result of Kucinich's comments and those submitted by many others, Secretary Glickman announced that he would make substantial changes to the proposed rules. He noted that the final rule would prohibit the use of irradiation, bio-solids and genetically engineered organisms in organic farming and production.

In a statement in the Congressional Record, Kucinich rose in defense of strong organic standards and in support of Secretary Glickman's decision to revise the rules.

On June 23, 1998, Kucinich engaged the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Representative Skeen, in a colloquy during the debate of the Agriculture Appropriations bill. During the colloquy, the Chairman expressed his commitment to high organic standards that follow the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board and his request for the timely release a second draft of the proposed rules.

As the conferees for the Agriculture Appropriations bill prepared for their conference, Congressman Kucinich wrote and organized support for a letter urging them to retain language included in the Senate bill that will offset the high costs of organic certification for small organic farmers during the first round of certification under the new rules proposed by USDA. The Senate language also directs the Secretary to follow the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board in issuing a list of acceptable synthetic substances that may be used in organic farming.

In December 2000, the final rule for a national organic standard was issued and received strong support from organic consumers and farmers. Congressman Kucinich supports these rules and believes they will expand the organic food industry.

Cooperative Purchasing--Saving Local Taxpayer Funds

In 1994, Congress passed a new, money saving program for local and state governments and their public agencies. Called the cooperative purchasing program, it would allow local and state governments, school districts and public hospitals to purchase goods and services at the super discounted federal rate, saving the localities hundreds of millions of dollars per year. In the 105th Congress, several attempts were mounted to eliminate this program. Working in a bipartisan coalition with Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) and others, Congressman Kucinich led a public campaign to resist these efforts. He mobilized former mayors and county executives to plead their case to Congress, and held a news conference and briefing. Initial efforts were successful -- an attempt to delete cooperative purchasing during the 1997 supplemental appropriations process was defeated. Although the program eventually was eliminated, these efforts raised its public visibility and advocated the interests of states, localities and consumers.

Bills Cosponsored


H.R. 4514 - Rail Merger Reform and Customer Protection Act: A bill to strengthen the standards by which the Surface Transportation Board reviews railroad mergers, and to apply the Federal antitrust laws to rail carriers and railroad transportation.

H.R. 3263 - Peanut Labeling Act of 1999: A bill to require country of origin labeling of peanuts and peanut products, and to establish penalties for violations of the labeling requirements.

HR 170 - Honesty in Sweepstakes Act of 1999: A bill to set the standards for sweepstakes mailing to protect vulnerable consumers.

HR 3032 - National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 1999: A bill to restore the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission over amusement park rides which are at a fixed site, and for other purposes.

HR 2882 - Internet Consumer Information Protection Act: A bill to prohibit Internet service to pass on information to a third party unless notice is provided and consumers are allowed an opportunity to direct that information not be shared. Consumers would be able to request a copy of the information compiled about them at no charge, and allowed to review, verify or correct such data.

HR 2486 - Infant Crib Safety Act: A bill to provide for infant crib safety.

HR 2258 - Consumer Fairness Act of 1999 - A bill that defines pre-dispute arbitration clauses that are unilaterally imposed on consumers as an unfair and deceptive trade practice and prohibits their use in consumer transactions

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/consumers.htm

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11. Crime

Working to Reduce Crime and Reduce
Illegal Drug Abuse

Accomplishments
Link Between Animal Cruelty and Violence Against Humans
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored


Accomplishments

Congressman Kucinich continues to evaluate the merits of anti-crime measures in the U.S. Congress, and works on a bipartisan basis to curtail the escalation of crime. During the last session, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich amended juvenile justice legislation, the Child Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 1501), to assist States, through grant money, to obtain assistance in compiling the records of violent juveniles and establish statewide computer systems for their records. The Kucinich Amendment was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest police membership organization. This achievement helped to ensure that the juvenile justice bill introduced this year, Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act of 2001 (H.R. 863) provides grant money to assist states in establishing and maintaining a juvenile record system.

The initiative was inspired by the family of slain Cleveland Police Officer Robert "Robbie" Clark, who was killed in the line of duty on July 1, 1998, during an undercover drug operation. Since the tragedy, the Clark family has actively lobbied for a number of legislative changes, including improving juvenile criminal records, seeking research funds for new lightweight bullet proof vests, and designating Cleveland and northern Ohio as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The Office of National Drug Control Policy announced that Cleveland has been designated to receive new anti-drug funds under the HIDTA program.

Congressman Kucinich is also a supporter of the Parma Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program donating $500 annually for the past several years in his name through the K-Mart Race Against Drugs Foundation. The funds has enabled the Parma Police Department to expand the drug prevention services offered to students in local schools.

Kucinich, along with a number of Congressional colleagues, raced lawnmowers along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC in the annual "Kids Race Against Drugs Celebrity Challenge" on Capitol Hill. The purpose of the race, which links motorsports with substance abuse prevention, is to educate America’s youth to the danger of illegal drugs in today’s society. Each contestant in the race was awarded $500 dollars for a local drug-prevention charity.

Link Between Animal Cruelty and Violence Against Humans

Congressman Kucinich strongly supports efforts to prevent violence at all levels - including animal abuse. Research confirms a strong correlation between animal cruelty and violence against humans. Studies show that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal abuse. It has also been found that animal cruelty often occurs in households experiencing family violence - child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse.

Kucinich was successful in adding language to the Manager’s Amendment of the H.R. 1900, the Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2001, that allows programs designed to prevent animal cruelty by juveniles and to counsel juveniles who committed animal cruelty offenses to be eligible for funding through the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant Program.

In an effort to promote awareness of the connection between animal abuse and human violence Kucinich sponsored a briefing, along with the American Humane Association, to educate Capitol Hill staffers about the topic.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

August 29, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman Gekas of the House Judiciary Committee urging him to hold a hearing for HR 1709, a private bill for the relief of the victim of a brutal attack by a violent felon.

July 18, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Honorable Ralph Regula and the Honorable David Obey of the House Committee on Appropriations to urge them to them to support additional funding of $652,5000 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

July 13, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush urging him to use presidential power to issue pardons or clemency to the few surviving black sailors convicted by the Navy of mutiny following the explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California in 1944.

July 11, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Ohio State Representatives opposing HB 274, a bill which provides the ability to carry a concealed weapon in Ohio.

May 17, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the U.S. Senate asking to obtain clear answers from the Solicitor General nominee Theodore Olsen regarding his reported involvement in efforts to smear the Clinton administration.

May 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Subcommittee, and requesting funding for the Children’s Advocacy Center program at its authorized amount of $15 million for FY 2002.

April 10, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Subcommittee requesting continued funding for the Regional Information Sharing Systems Program (RISS) which provides for the exchange of information between law enforcement agencies in all fifty states.

February 9, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush to urging him to include funding for the Children’s Advocacy Center program in his FY 2002 budget.

Letters

September 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Crime urging prompt consideration of the Violence Against Women Act of 1999, which has improved, and in many cases, saved lives of women and children across the country.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 1509 - The National Media Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking Act of 2001. This bill provides for a national media campaign to reduce and prevent underage drinking in the United States.

H.R. 2291 - The Drug-Free Communities Reauthorization Act. This bill reauthorizes the Drug-Free Communities Act, which sends federal money directly to local coalitions working to reduce drug use through education and drug prevention programs.

H.R. 2670 - The Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act. This bill promotes financial and employment security for victims of domestic abuse.

Congressman Kucinich cosponsored the C.O.P.S. Reauthorization Bill that reauthorizes the Community Oriented Policing Services.

H.R. 1577 - The Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2001. This bill requires federal prison industries to compete for its contracts and provides additional opportunities for inmate vocational and remedial education.

H.R. 1266 - The Secret Evidence Repeal Act. This bill prohibits the use of secret evidence against non-citizens in immigration proceedings.

H.R. 1226 - The Young Witness Assistance Act of 2001. This bill provides grants to assist State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies with implementing juvenile and young adult witness assistance programs that minimize additional trauma to the witness and improve the chances of successful criminal prosecution or legal action.

H.R. 2670 - The Victim’s Economic Security and Safety Act. This bill includes provisions that prevent domestic violence, deal with issues battered women face in the workplace and protection for victims of domestic violence under programs authorized under the Social Security Act.

H.R. 1090 - Assistant United States Attorneys Retirement Benefit Equity Act of 2001. This bill amends subchapter III of chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, to include assistant United States attorneys within the definition of a law enforcement officer, and for other purposes.

H.R. 1014 - The Child Handgun Injury Prevention Act. This bill directs the Secretary of Treasury to require all newly manufactured handguns come equipped with child safety devices and establishes standards and testing for the devices.

H.R. 2036 - Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Protection Act of 2001. This bill prevents identity theft by restricting the sale and public display of social security numbers and stiffens the penalties for identity theft. Also this bill makes it more difficult to deny services if a customers refuses to provide his or her Social Security Number.

H.R. 1177 - The bill would limit the penalty for late enrollment under the Medicare Program to 10 percent and twice the period if no enrollment.

H.R. 1896 - The Treatment on Demand Assistance Act - A bill to ensure the substance abuse treatment is available to all substance abusers who seek it voluntarily.

Bills Cosponsored


H.R. 4659 - Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2000: A bill to allow postal patrons to contribute to funding for domestic violence programs through the voluntary purchase of specially issued postage stamps

H.R. 4033 - Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant of 2000: A bill to re-authorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, which provided 3,511 local and state police agencies with $23 million in matching grants for the purchase of thousands of bulletproof vests.

HR 357 - Violence Against Women Act of 1999: A bill to prevent violence against women.

HR 986 - A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to John Walsh in recognition of his outstanding contributions to American society in the fields of law enforcement and victims' rights.

HR 979 - The Public Safety Act: A bill to ensure that services related to the operation of a correctional facility and the incarceration of inmates are not provided by private contractors or vendors and that persons convicted of any offenses against the United States shall be housed in facilities managed and maintained by Federal employees.

H. Con Res 31- Honor Nation’s Fallen Law Enforcement Officers:
A bill to provide for a flag to be flown on a specially designated pole whenever an officer is killed in the line of duty.

HR 789 - Irwin Rutman Retired Public Safety Officers Death Benefits Act:
A bill to extend death and disability benefits to retired public safety officers who die, are permanently injured or totally disabled as a result of injuries suffered while responding to a fire, rescue, or police emergency.

HR 1082 - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999:
A bill to amend federal law to make it easier for federal law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute cases regarding racial and religious violence. The bill also permits prosecution of violence based upon prejudice against sexual orientation, gender or disability.

HR 1424- James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1999:
A bill that would criminalize the use of body armor in conjunction with another crime, prohibits purchase of armor by felons and allows federal agencies to donate surplus armor to local law enforcement officials.

HR 1423 - Body Armor Restriction Act of 1999:
A bill to prohibit mail order sale of body armor.

HR 2081- Gun Crime Prosecution Act of 1999:
A bill to provide for the appointment of an assistant United States Attorney for each judicial district for the purpose of prosecuting fire arms offenses.

HR 1248- Violence Against Women Act/Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act:
A bill to reauthorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women.

HR 3144- Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 1999:
A bill to extend the Community Oriented Policing Services program for 5 years.
http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/crime.htm

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12. Defense

Improving Our National Defense

Congressman Kucinich, the Ranking Democrat on the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans. Affairs, and International Relations, supports a strong and efficient military. He believes that the current practice of procuring ever more costly weapons has the effect of weakening military readiness. As the cost of new weapons systems rise, the cost of merely replacing aging weapons with new ones becomes prohibitively expensive. As a result, U.S. military forces shrink, while they become at the same time more expensive to maintain and more prone to failure.

Defense Department Fiscal Mismanagement
National Missile Defense
Nuclear Arms Reduction
Space Weapons Ban
Cluster Bombs
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Defense Department Fiscal Mismanagement


In his work as Ranking Democrat of the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans. Affairs, and International Relations, Congressman Kucinich has emerged as a strong critic of the Pentagon. s financial problems. In April, Kucinich wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, along with subcommittee Chairman Christopher Shays (R-CT), suggesting that the Secretary make fixing the Pentagon. s books . nothing short of number one mission.. In the letter, Reps. Kucinich and Shays highlighted evidence that the Department of Defense is unable to validate trillions of dollars in accounting entries, unable to account for billions of dollars in inventory, and unable to explain billions of dollars in unneeded equipment. . No major part of the Department of Defense has been able to pass the test of an independent audit,. wrote the representatives. This is in violation of both the Constitution. s Accountability Clause and the Anti-Deficiency Act, which require federal agencies to accurately report how they spend the money they are appropriated.

Congressman Kucinich has been similarly critical of the Defense Department. s acquisition strategy. In two different subcommittee hearings, Kucinich has expressed frustration with the Pentagon. s development of the F-22 fighter plane. Whereas the Air Force was initially supposed to spend $40 billion to acquire 888 planes, it will now bust its budget by over $10 billion in order to purchase just 333 planes. The result will be an older, less reliable force.

. Why is the Pentagon proceeding on this course?. asked Congressman Kucinich in his opening statement during an August hearing on the F-22. . If these purchases result in a fleet that breaks down more and flies less, shouldn. t we buy more aircraft that, although less sophisticated, may be more reliable? Currently defense spending is approaching the average levels of the Cold War in the 1970s. Yet, the Pentagon is seeking billions more. Congress deserves reassurance that this money is going toward a force that is more effective, not less so..

National Missile Defense


Congressman Kucinich opposes the deployment of a National Missile Defense (NMD) system. The system is extremely expensive, has inherent technological flaws that will make it impossible to work as promised, would have a destructive impact on nuclear non- proliferation and accompanying treaties, and would have a destabilizing effect on U.S. relations with allies world-wide.

Congressman Kucinich has been very active in this 107th Congress fighting missile defense. Kucinich recently challenged Pentagon claims about the July 2001 flight test of the ground-based missile defense system. In a statement issued immediately following the test, Kucinich called the test . flawed,. highlighting the Pentagon. s failure to include realistic countermeasures in the test. A day later, he sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld inquiring about reports that the test. s dummy warhead employed a Global Positioning System to help the intercepting missile track it.

In June, Congressman Kucinich introduced an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill to cut funding from the Airborne Laser (ABL) program and transfer the money to underfunded nuclear non-proliferation initiatives. The program seeks to put a laser on a 747 airplane in order to shoot down incoming missiles. Congress. investigative agency has said that a realistic ABL design . may not be achievable using current technology..

Congressman Kucinich also convened a National Missile Defense Strategy Summit in April to explore ways to challenge missile defense. Participants included Dr. Theodore Postol, Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Gordon Mitchell, Assistant Professor Communication at the University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Robert Bowman; and other members of Congress.

These initiatives follow a host of actions taken on missile defense in the last Congress. In an effort to protect taxpayers, Rep. Kucinich led 52 other Congressional Democrats in June 2000 in demanding an FBI investigation of allegations of fraud and coverup in the National Missile Defense program. These allegations were made by Dr. Pistol of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Pistol. s review of the program proved that the $60 billion anti-missile system cannot tell the difference between a decoy and a warhead, totally nullifying its usefulness. Pistol made public his conclusions in a letter he sent to the White House. After he sent the letter, the Department of Defense classified the letter and attachments. The congressional letter Kucinich initiated also requested that the FBI determine whether the classification of the scientist. s letter occurred in violation of Executive Order 12958, which prohibits the use of the classification system to hide fraud and other wrongdoing. According to the letter, . the Executive Order at subsection 1.8(a) states . In no case shall information be classified in order to: (1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; (2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency; (3) restrain competition; or (4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of national security.. Furthermore, the Executive Order states at 1.8 (c): . Information may not be reclassified after it has been declassified and released to the public under proper authority.. .

Congressman Kucinich also introduced a motion to instruct conferees to the Defense Authorization bill to cut funding for the National Missile Defense program. Speaking on the floor on numerous occasions, Rep. Kucinich continued to point out that the National Missile Defense system is a flawed system that is neither economically nor technologically viable. In June 2000, Congress debated the Defense Appropriations bill which allotted more than $1.8 billion for the National Missile Defense program. Rep. Kucinich introduced an amendment to this bill which would have cut funding for the National Missile Defense program and re-allocate it to the Defense Health Program. The amendment failed. As with this year. s test, Congressman Kucinich was highly critical of last year. s failed attempt to demonstrate the ability of NMD to intercept a missile. In a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General, Rep. Kucinich demanded that he review all technical data from this test relating to the failure of a balloon decoy accompanying the mock warhead to inflate. . It is more than passing strange that in yesterday. s failed test, the decoy balloon did not inflate. If it was programmed to not inflate, then a direct hit by the . kill vehicle. could have been celebrated as . proof. the system worked, much the same way that last October. s test was scored a success, though subsequent analysis showed its failure to distinguish between decoy and warhead. Is it really possible that the architects of the anti-missile system are reduced to such a pitiful condition that they cannot even inflate their own decoy?. Rep. Kucinich asked.


Nuclear Arms Reduction


In the course of his work on missile defense, Congressman Kucinich has come out in strong support of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Following President Bush. s May 1st address signaling his intent to withdraw from the treaty in order to build NMD, Kucinich came to the treaty. s defense, and expressed concern over Bush. s plans to act unilaterally on nuclear issues. . The ABM Treaty has served the world well for thirty years. Scrapping it and building a missile defense system will only invite Russia and China to build up arsenals able to overcome our defenses,. Kucinich said. He added, . Unilateral nuclear reductions are no substitute for formal arms control agreements. What is unilaterally reduced can also be unilaterally increased..

In April 2000, Congressman Kucinich, in a letter to President Clinton, asked him to reconsider attempting to modify the Anti- Ballistic Missile Treaty. Rep. Kucinich. s call came in the wake of ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the START II Treaty by the Russian duma. Rep. Kucinich, in his letter, applauded efforts by Russia to make progress towards non-proliferation by ratifying the START II and the CTBT. However, he warned that a move to amend the ABM Treaty would result in de-stabilization, sending us back into a Cold War. . Attempts to modify or change it to allow for a national missile defense would run counter to our interests, and the interests of Europe and Russia, and de-stabilize our relations with the region,. Kucinich stated in the letter. . Such efforts may be perceived as a threat by other nuclear countries, forcing them to reassess their own defense system and attempt to modernize their own nuclear arsenals..

Rep. Kucinich also participated in a parallel conference on the opening day of the UN NPT 2000 Review entitled . April 24, 2010: Our Nuclear Future. at the UN Plaza Hotel. The conference attempted to weigh two equally plausible scenarios for the future: one with weak treaties and rampant nuclear proliferation, and the other with a global disarmament treaty reached by 2010 in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Leading nuclear physicists, policy analysts, diplomats, scientists and weapons experts predicted how new technologies and policies will influence international arms control. On November 9, 1999, the 10th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Congressman Kucinich introduced H. Res 369, known as the Rapid Risk Reduction resolution. This resolution urged the President to engage in emergency negotiations with Russia on reciprocal arms reductions, encouraged a Congressional delegation to meet with members of the Russian Duma to discuss nuclear disarmament, and welcomed Rep. Woolsey's resolution, H.Res. 82, to promote measures through the United Nations on world-wide nuclear disarmament. Congressman Kucinich, in his continued effort to advocate peace and nuclear disarmament, participated in an event in front of the Capitol where a 200-foot replica of the Berlin Wall had been erected.

Space Weapons Ban

Related to his work on missile defense and nuclear issues is Congressman Kucinich. s plan to introduce legislation this fall banning the weaponization of space. The legislation will essentially put a lid on weaponization by banning both weapons stationed in outer space and the targeting of any objects in space. (The use of space-based reconnaisance and intelligence equipment would be permitted.) Such a ban would prevent a destructive space arms race along the lines of the nuclear arms race that has placed Earth. s existence in jeopardy for over fifty years.

In a July press release announcing his intention to introduce this legislation, Kucinich said, . We must work toward...an end to policies which cause this country to move toward the weaponization of space. I was pleased with the recent news from our neighbor to the north that Canada is ready to join an international effort to prohibit weapons in space. It is time for the United States to take the lead....

Cluster Bombs


In 1999, Congressman Kucinich introduced an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill that would eliminate the purchase of cluster bombs. Although the amendment was withdrawn, the leadership on the Appropriations committee agreed to hold hearings to investigate the use of these munitions. These weapons, dropped either by aircraft or rocket launchers, break open in mid-air and disperse hundreds of bomblets that saturate an area with flying shards of steel.

Cluster bombs turn into landmines when some of the bomblets fail to explode right away. According to the General Accounting Office, the failure rate of cluster weapons is extremely high - between 5% to 30%. Thus these unexploded bombs wreak havoc and kill civilians long after a war is over. More than 1.2 million of these bombs failed to explode during the Gulf War and are now killing people, ten years after the end of that conflict. An estimated 4 million cluster bomblets are still lying in rice fields, villages and on roadsides in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The United States spent more than $4.8 billion dollars between 1995 and 1999 buying cluster bombs.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session


October 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Senate leaders urging the adoption of H.Con.Res. 225 expressing the sense of Congress that every U.S. citizen is encouraged to display the flag of the United States as a symbol of solidarity following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

September 14, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the President urging the consideration to designate a grave site at Arlington Cemetery for the burial of our fallen military heroes who died as a result of the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

September 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush encouraging him not to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

September 10, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich joined the Bi-partisan Task Force on Non-Proliferation.

July 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting information about the nine advisory committees set to be established to examine issues from acquisition reform and financial management to missile defense and serve member quality of life.

July 12, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush urging that the Defense Department’s review of the current landmine policy lead to the United States joining the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

June 30, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera expressing concerns regarding the procurement process for the re-bid of the Army High Performance Computing Research Center (AHPCRC) , indicating that Ohio’s higher education community would like the opportunity to bid for the AHPCRC follow-on procurement.

May 4, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld requesting a non-classified report from the Pentagon addressing the testing aspects of the National Missile Defense program.

May 1, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld expressing concern over the process of developing and testing the V-22 Osprey.

March 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting for the immediate cessation of the military operations in Vieques, Puerto Rico out of concern of health, safety and environmental issues.

Letters


July 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General requesting an investigation of all technical information from the DoD's National Missile Defense Test relating to the failure to inflate of a balloon decoy accompanying the mock warhead.

June 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to defer his decision to deploy the National Missile Defense.

June 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to move toward a policy of true nuclear disarmament.

June 15, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation requesting him to conduct an investigation into the serious allegations of fraud and cover-up in the National Missile Defense program.

June 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting the adoption of the CSIS framework for reducing nuclear threat.

May 5, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Army expressing his concern about the dissemination of information for the federal bid for the Army High Performance Research Center.

April 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing his concern about the state of nonproliferation and disarmament efforts undertaken by the United States on the eve of the upcoming Review Conference of the Parties to the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). He urged to move on START II levels, to take weapons off hair trigger alert, and to reduce dependence on nukes.

March 15, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Walsh and Congressman Mollohan of the House Appropriations Subcommittee VA/HUD/Independent Agencies requesting additional funding for the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program (UEET), the Cross-Enterprise Technology Development Program (CETDP) to assure adequate funding for technology with increased competition while maintaining NASA center core competencies, and the Space Transfer and Launch Technology program in FY 2001. Congressman Kucinich also requested the establishment of an Aerospace Education Center in Cleveland, and support for NASA. s request for the Polymer Energy Rechargeable Systems (PERS) in FY 2001.

December 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) requesting CRS conduct a study to asses the military and economic damage inflicted by the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia and Serbian troops in Kosovo.

December 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Director of CRS requesting the examination of the Kosovo war with respect to the Rambouillet talk of February 6-23, 1999.

December 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Director of CRS requesting the evaluation of the legality of the Kosovo war with respect to United States law and Constitution, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Treaty and the United Nations Charter.

November, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter urging the President to reduce the threat of accidental nuclear war by taking nuclear weapons off "hair-trigger" alert status.

September 24, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ranking Member Julian Dixon of the Select Committee on Intelligence requesting support for the Intelligence Authorization bill for fiscal year 2000.

July 22, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Albright requesting that she take a strong stand regarding the actions of the Burmese junta while attending the Manila Post-Ministerial Conference of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

July 2, 1999 - Several Members of Congress co-signed a letter to Chairman Floyd Spence of the House Armed Services Committee to support a modified version of a Senate provision that provides fairness and health care choice to military beneficiaries.

May 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable F. Whitten Peters, to respectfully request that he authorize the National Transportation Safety Board to perform an investigation and release a public document from a crash at the United States Airforce Academy that took the lives of Cadet Pace Weber and his instructor, Captain Glen Comeaux.

May 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Lewis of the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations requesting the restoration of funding for research critical to the future readiness and modernization of the Air Force.

January 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President to urge him to make public the total intelligence budget for the current fiscal year, because his Administration had done so for each of the past two years. Also, the letter urged him to make public the total amount requested for intelligence for FY 2000, as recommended by a bipartisan consensus of national security experts.

January 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President to express profound concern about the situation in Kosovo and current U.S. policy toward the region. While relieved that U.S. and international intervention averted a humanitarian catastrophe the co-signers believe that Belgrade still has yet to comply with key parts of the peace deal.

January 15, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Cohen asking him to implement Congressional recommendations regarding the environmental and safety concerns of as many as 1,500 former and current military sites contaminated with unexploded ordinance.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session


H.R. 2013 - Strategic Arms Flexibility Act:
A bill to provide the President with flexibility to set strategic nuclear delivery system levels to meet United States national security goals.

H.R. 1594 - Foreign Military Training Responsibility Act:
A bill to create a tracking requirement whereby Defense and State develop a database to monitor the post-training record of foreign military and police personnel trained in the United States. Requires public reporting of training of foreign military and police by private U.S. contractors. Declassifies several items in the Foreign Military Training Report, including foreign units trained and the number of personnel trained. Establishes a task force to conduct an assessment of the kind of education and training that I appropriate for DoD to provide.

H Con. Res. 56 -A resolution expressing the sense of the Congress regarding National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Would honor men and women who severed and lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, as well as all those who fought during WWII.

H.R. 1935 - Korea Defense Service Medal Act:
A bill to award a campaign medal for all those who served in Korea from 1954 through the present day.

H.R. 126 - Trident II Missile Production Limitation Act:
A bill which would limit further production of the Trident II (D-

H.R. 1135 - Armed Forces Housing Improvement Act of 2001:
A bill which would allow married service members of all ranks and grades with at least one child to be authorized to live in quarters with three bedrooms when assigned on base/post housing.

H.R. 2590 - A bill which allows National Guard members to deduct overnight expenses incurred traveling from home to drill.

H.R. 1160 - Project ELF Termination Act of 2001:
A bill to terminates operation of the Extremely Low Frequency Communication System of the Navy.

H.R. 17 - Younger Americans Act:
A bill to recognize the security interests of the United States in furthering complete nuclear disarmament.

H.Con. Res. 4 - A concurrent resolution honoring Sgt. John Basilone of the Marines with the creation of a postage stamp.

H.R. 179 - Keep Our Promise to America’s Military Retirees Act:
A bill to provide Federal Employee Health Benefits Program coverage to military retirees under age 65.

H.R. 320 - Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act:
A bill which aims to restore the purchasing power of the G.I. Bill and its effectiveness as a recruitment incentive for military service.

H.R. 850 - National Coast Guard Museum Act of 2001:
A bill to establish a Coast Guard museum and authorizes $10 million for its construction. A museum currently exists for all service branches but the Coast Guard.

HR 2413 - Military Spouse Employment Assistance Act:
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense to design a three year pilot program to provide funding for spouse education and other job related assistance and ensures DoD contractors give priority in employment selection for military spouses.

HR 2310 - Military Pay Raise Act of 2001:
A bill to increase the rates of military basic pay for members of the uniformed services by providing a percentage increase of between 7.3 percent and 10.5 percent based on the members' pay grade and years of service.

H.Con. Res. 233 - A concurrent resolution expressing the profound sorrow of the Congress for the death and injuries suffered by first responders as they endeavored to save innocent people in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2907 - September 11th Families Stamp Act.
A bill to provide for the issuance of a postal stamp for the benefit of victims of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2917 - A bill to authorize the President to award gold medals on behalf of Congress to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane to crash prematurely.

H.R .2897 - A bill to provide for the granting of posthumous citizenship to certain aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence who died as a result of the hijackings of 4 commercial aircraft, the attacks on the World Trade Center, or the attack on the Pentagon, on September 11, 2001.

H. Con. Res. 228 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the children who lost one or both parents or a guardian in the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies (including the aircraft crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania) should be provided with all necessary assistance, services, and benefits and urging the heads of Federal agencies responsible for providing such assistance, services and benefits to give the highest possible priority to providing such assistance, services and benefits to those children.

H.R. 2718 - MX Missile Stand-down Act.
A bill that removes the warheads from the 50 MX missiles during FY2002. The Secretary of Defense is also encouraged to de-alert other nuclear weapon delivery systems, consistent with national security.

H.R. 2605 - Ordinance and Explosive Risk Management Act.
A bill to require the development and maintenance of an inventory of sites within former military ranges known or suspected to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) or other abandoned military munitions that pose a threat to human health, human safety, or the environment, to improve security at such sites and public awareness of the dangers associated with such sites.

Bills Cosponsored


HR 4251 - Enhancement of Congressional Oversight of Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act of 2000:
A bill to enhance Congressional oversight of nuclear transfers to North Korea. It requires that Congress pass a joint resolution approving of actions before any is taken.

HR 4266 - Prohibition on United States Government Liability for Nuclear Accidents in North Korea Act of 2000:
A bill to prohibit the US government from assumption of financial liability for nuclear accidents that may occur at nuclear sites. It makes private contractors liable.

HR 1063- International Military Training Transparency and Accountability Act:
A bill to prohibit the provision of defense services and training under the Arms Export Control Act or any other Act to foreign countries that are prohibited from receiving international military education and training or any other military assistance or arms transfers.

H CON RES 177 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that nuclear weapons should be taken off hair-trigger alert.

H RES 82 - A resolution recognizing the security interests of the United States in furthering complete nuclear disarmament.

HR 1812 - A bill to suspend the registration requirement and end the activities of civilian local boards, civilian appeal boards, and similar local agencies of the Selective Service System, except during national emergencies and to require the Director of the Selective Service to prepare a report regarding the development of a viable standby registration program for use only during national emergencies.

HR 2269 - A bill to prohibit the United States military assistance and arms transfers to foreign governments that are undemocratic, do not adequately protect human rights, are engaged in acts of armed aggression, or are not fully participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/defense.htm

[Tinoire]

13. Education

Education



Accomplishments
Expanding Prekindergarten Programs
Financial Aid for Higher Education
Helping CSU Students with Financial Aid Concerns
Class Size Report
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Accomplishments


In the 106th Congress, Congressman Kucinich played a key role in improving a significant education initiative. On July 20, 1999, the House passed the Kucinich amendment to HR 1995, the Teacher Empowerment Act of 1999, establishing the National Clearinghouse for Teaching Entrepreneurship. The amendment, which had bipartisan support, was passed by voice vote. The purpose of the amendment was to allow the Secretary of Education to award a grant to an organization with “substantial experience” in entrepreneurship education to create and operate a National Clearinghouse for Teacher Entrepreneurship. The clearinghouse would be responsible for coordinating professional development, distributing materials and encouraging teacher interest in teaching entrepreneurship.

The passage of this amendment capped off a many months-long effort to promote the teaching of entrepreneurship. Congressman Kucinich first established his leadership on this issue when he introduced a bill to promote the teaching of entrepreneurship, HR 4175, in the 105th Congress. He reintroduced the bill in the 106th Congress (HR 1331) in March of 1999.

In the 105th Congress, Congressman Kucinich supported Individuals with Disabilities Education Act reauthorization, providing educational access to students with disabilities. Kucinich advocated allocation of funds for national testing in reading or math. Kucinich also went on the record opposing school vouchers, citing this would be an “attempt to disestablish, not only public education, but the entire public realm.”

In his first term, Congressman Kucinich co-sponsored many education-related bills, including bills that would establish a partnership to rebuild and modernize America’s school facilities, increase Pell Grants, protect students and parents from scholarship scams, and ensure more Americans can pursue post-secondary education after high school graduation.

Congressman Kucinich worked with many of his colleagues, occasionally in bipartisan efforts, to further the cause of education. Congressman Kucinich signed a letter with his Ohio colleagues to continue the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse at Ohio State University for math and science education. Kucinich also signed letters to persons such as the President and committee chairman advocating issues such as rebuilding America’s schools, full funding for adult basic education, full funding for Title VI of the Elementary Education Act that would allow public libraries to purchase new books, and funding for school infrastructure improvement.
As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congressman Kucinich attended crucial hearings on the status of education in our society. Congressman Kucinich examined the funding of charter schools and voiced concern over the teaching of basic, necessary skills to students at primary and secondary levels. He maintained that although a blending of vocational education and fundamental education is necessary, our educational system must be sure to teach students the basic skills. Through his dedicated service to the Education and the Workforce Committee, Kucinich demonstrated his unwavering support of education.

Expanding Prekindergarten Programs


Congressman Kucinich introduced legislation, H.R. 3912, the Universal Prekindergarten Act, to expand high-quality, full-day, full-calendar year early education programs to all children age 3 and over. This legislation will provide funding to assist States in establishing a universal prekindergarten program that builds on existing federal and state prekindergarten initiatives. The program will be voluntary and free-of-charge to all families who choose to participate.

In addition, this legislation works to improve the quality of prekindergarten instruction by providing resources for the professional development of educators and increasing salary levels in order to recruit and retain qualified staff.

Congressman Kucinich believes that all children should have access to quality early education. Studies have shown that children who attended a high-quality prekindergarten program have higher academic achievement, lower rates of grade retention, are less likely to be placed in special education, and graduate from high school at higher rates than students who did not.

Currently there is a drastic shortage of affordable, quality early education programs that are accessible to working families. Quality prekindergarten programs can easily cost more than college tuition at a public university. By providing access to universal prekindergarten we are helping to ensure that all children, regardless of their family's income, receive the benefits of early education.

Financial Aid for Higher Education


Congressman Kucinich strongly believes all students, regardless of economic background, deserve an opportunity to attain a higher education. Kucinich has sponsored three annual “Continuing Education After High School” workshops for prospective students and their families in his Congressional district. These workshops have given constituents access to financial aid experts, who served as panelists in a discussion on financial aid options, including loans, grants, scholarships and pre-paid tuition. The workshops were held in October 1997, May 1998 and October 1999. In addition, Kucinich has sent a newsletter to the young adults in his district on topics of particular concern to their age group, including information on student aid available through the Department of Education. It is Congressman Kucinich’s goal that the option to attend college or a career school is possible for all students and adults. He will continue to work towards that goal through his membership on the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Helping Cleveland State University Students with Financial Aid Concerns


In October 1999, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich visited Cleveland State University campus to meet with students who were denied financial aid due to the school’s financial aid system. Kucinich and his congressional staff have been helping to facilitate finding solutions for students with financial student aid problems, and they have served as an intermediary with CSU administration officials. After a formal request was made by Rep. Kucinich for assistance, Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley deployed staff to CSU to help students. Secretary Riley also received from Kucinich a collection of e-mails, letters and a videotape which outline the students’ problems with the financial aid system at CSU. Congressman Kucinich is awaiting a report from the Inspector General on this situation.

Class Size Report


Studies confirm that students in smaller classes outperform their counterparts on standardized tests. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the ideal class size is eighteen students. In order to determine how our local schools measure up to these guidelines, Congressman Kucinich and his staff are conducting a classroom size study of kindergarten through third grade classes in Cuyahoga County. The results of the study will be forthcoming.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session


September 27, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter from the Education Committee expressing additional views for The Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001.

September 25, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to conferees of the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act asking them to address the issue of student transiency.

September 25, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressmen Regula and Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Housing and Human Services, and Education requesting full funding for the Mentoring for Success Program.

September 12, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Labor, Housing and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee to fully fund the Mentoring for Success Program.

September 7, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned additional views regarding H.R. 1900, the Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2001.

August 6, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Elementary and Secondary Education Act conferees urging them to include pupil services personnel as eligible participants under Title II programs.

August 2, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education and Labor requesting increased support for the Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.

August 2, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressman Boehner, Chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce requesting increased support for the Department of Education’s 21st Century Committee Learning Centers program.

July 30, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Boehner and Miller of the Committee on Education and the Workforce asking that they adopt the Senate language on full IDEA funding in the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act conference report.

July 25, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act conferees to adopt Senate language to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

July 25, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Elementary Secondary Education Act Conference Committee requesting increased support for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool program.

July 24, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Elementary Secondary Education Act Conference Committee urging them to include provisions that encourage more women to study and pursue careers in math, science, engineering, and technology.

July 23, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Elementary Secondary Education Act Conference Committee urging them to retain the Senate provision protecting students from the effects of pesticide use in school buildings and school grounds.

July 11, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressmen Regula and Obey requesting that they include $425 million for the GEAR UP program in the Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations bill.

June 29, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressman Regula supporting a $17 million appropriation for the National Youth Sports Program.

June 27, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to House and Senate leadership expressing concerns about legislation that would raise interest rates on student loans.

June 11, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Regula and Obey urging a significant increase in funding for TRIO programs, which work with low-income students to help them attend college.

May 29, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the House VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee asking for $90 million in Fiscal Year 2002 for YouthBuild, a program that helps at-risk youth obtain an education.

April 24, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressman John Boehner, Chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, requesting a new funding distribution formula for vocational rehabilitation programs that ensures that no state receives an annual increase of less than the inflation factor.

April 19, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to all members of the House of Representatives supporting a $150 million appropriations increase for the Department of Education TRIO programs, which prepare nontraditional students for post-secondary education.

April 17, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Labor, Housing and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee asking for the largest possible increase for Head Start.

April 12, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman Regula and Ranking Member Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Housing and Human Services, and Education Appropriations to support funding for expanding the Great Cities’ Universities Urban Educators Corps Partnership Initiative.

March 26, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Wolf and Ranking Member Serrano asking that $16 million be allocated for the Police Athletic League expansion. This is an afterschool athletic and recreation program for children.
March 6, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush expressing support for the education rate programs, which bring technology to schools and libraries across the country.
March 2, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Boehner urging the Committee to schedule hearings on H.R. 665, which would increase the minimum wage.

February 16, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush to request $100 million for school counseling services in his fiscal year 2002 budget.

February 14, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert expressing the opposition of the Democrats on the Committee on Education and the Workforce to a decision by the majority members to remove jurisdiction over Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges from the purview of the Twenty-first Century Subcommittee which retains jurisdiction over other higher education programs.

February 6, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush urging him to make available funds to make emergency school repairs and renovations.

February 1, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Boehner expressing opposition to the proposed Committee Rule to place Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions, graduate programs, and international programs in the “Select Education” subcommittee.

Letters


September 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, requesting support in securing final passage of legislation that would help student borrowers struggling with heavy student loan debt burden via lifting the 60 payment restriction and allow borrowers with student loan debt to deduct interest payments for the entire repayment.

September 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting the Administration to make the small class size initiative a priority during the final FY2001 budget negotiations.

September 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting the Administration to make school construction legislation a priority and work to pass this legislation before adjournment.

August 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Glickman, requesting him to select Ohio as one of the six pilot states to implement the program, which provides funds to expand meals for low-income 13-18 year olds participating in out of school programs like Boys and Girls Clubs, for at-risk school children.

July 21, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable David R. Obey, Ranking Member of the Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education supporting the Department of Education request of $10 million for the Urban Educator Corps Partnership Initiative.

May 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Committee requesting funding to support a National Center for Competency-Based Distance Education - a project established by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

April 18, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Committee requesting funding for school counselors. Since schools have been sites of youth violence, its responsible to equip them with counselors, to prevent future violence by identifying and, when possible, finding treatment for young people who night be prone to commit violence.

April 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations requesting funding for the National Sea Grant College Program in Fiscal 2001 at the level authorized in the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998.

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Harris Wofford of Corporation for National Service expressing his support for an AmeriCorps program currently under review for funding for 2000-2001 program year.

March 10, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to Members of Congress announcing a briefing to be held by the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalition to discuss efforts to increase literacy across the nation.

February 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to the Executive Director of the Service Employees International Union District 925 offering to lend his personal support to the Negotiating team trying to secure the first union contract with Cleveland State University regarding salaries, layoff, subcontracting, and fair share. The Congressman committed himself to convene a hearing of the Workers’ Rights Board to review the conduct of Cleveland State University if they continued to create difficulties in the negotiation process.

November 5, 1999 - Dennis Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House Speaker Dennis Hastert urging full funding for the youth activities and Youth Opportunity Grant in the FY 2000 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. The youth activities account provides funds for summer jobs, year-round training, valuable skills and work experience for disadvantaged youth.

October 20, 1999 - As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Congressman co-signed a letter to President Clinton to make sure the final Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill includes full funding for the Class-Size Reduction Program with strong provisions for fully qualified teachers.

August 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable John Edward Porter, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services & Education. He urged him to support the Elementary & Secondary Education Act Title VI Grant Program, which is the only federal education grant authorizing the funding of our nation’s public school libraries.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session


H.R. 1192 - National Writing Project Act.
A bill to provide training in the teaching of writing.

H.R. 117 - National Improvement in Mathematics and Science Teaching Act.
A bill to enhance science and math education by: providing grants to improve recruitment of math and science teachers, contributing grants for the professional development of math and science teachers, and providing grants for programs to encourage students to enter math and science fields.

H.R. 1330 - Helping Children Succeed by Fully Funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
A bill which provides full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which takes 40% of the extra cost to educate students with special needs, and makes this funding mandatory.

H.R. 737 - Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Act:
A bill which provides full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which takes 40% of the extra cost to educate students with special needs, and makes this funding mandatory.

H.R. 340 - Excellence and Accountability in Education Act:
A comprehensive education bill which provides over $17.5 billion in educational assistance, maintains investments in national priorities such as school construction and renovation, small class sizes, and after school programs, measures schools based on their performance in boosting the academic performance of at-risk populations and closing achievement gaps, focuses on teacher quality, and provides immediate assistance to failing schools.

H.R. 1076 - America’s Better Classroom Act.
A bill to contribute funding for school construction and renovation by providing federal tax credits to pay the interest cost on $25.2 billion of school modernization bonds.

H.R. 1119 - Teacher Sabbatical Leave Grants Act.
A bill to provide grants to public school teachers who take sabbatical leave for one or two semesters to pursue professional development.

H.R. 1622 - Affordable Student Loans Act.
A bill to eliminate fees on student loans.

H.R. 687 - Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act.
A bill to expand the teacher loan forgiveness program by forgiving up to $10,000 over five years for newly qualified teachers who teach in a low-income schools, teach special education, or teach in a designated teacher shortage area.

H. R. 265 - Right Start Act.
A bill to fully fund Head Start, improve child care access by doubling the number of children served by the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and expand Family and Medical Leave Act to include workers in businesses with twenty-five to fifty employees.

H.R. 611 - Education for Democracy Act.
A bill to re-authorize the Civic Education Program and the International Education Program. The Civic Education Program provides students information on the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and principles of a democratic government. The International Education Program provides training in civics to educators from emerging democracies.

H.R. 1162 - 21st Century Higher Education Act.
A bill to raise Pell grants to $7,000, double funding for GEAR UP and TRIO programs which help low income students attend college, recruit minority teachers, and encourage minority and disadvantaged students to enter science and technology fields.

H.R. 1483 - Employee Educational Assistance Act.
A bill to amend Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend the exclusion for employer-provided education assistance and restore the exclusion for graduate level educational assistance.

H.R. 1129 - High Performance Schools Act.
A bill to develop a program in the Department of Energy to help school districts produce school buildings using energy conservation technologies, day lighting, and renewable energy.

H.R. 972 - Parent Act.
A bill to provide grants to school districts for activities that are proven effective at improving student achievement through the involvement of parents.

H.R. 2387 - Go Girl Act.
A bill to provide funding for programs that encourage females to pursue degrees in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology.

H.R. 436 - A bill to repeal the sixty month limitation for deducting student loan interest payments, repeal the dollar limitation on the deduction for interest on student loans, and increase the income threshold for phasing out of the deduction.

H.R. 4487 - Investment in Quality School Leadership Act.
A bill to provide grants for professional development programs to superintendents, principals, and prospective superintendents and principals.

H.R. 5096 - IDEA Spending Integrity Act.
A bill to close a loophole in IDEA that allows school districts to shift education funding to non-educational purposes.

H.R. 3413 - Improving Safe and Drug Free School Programs Nationwide Act.
A bill to amend the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act by setting up a competitive grant program to provide funds for technical assistance and to implement many comprehensive prevention programs.

H.R. 790 - A bill to amend the Safe and Drug Free Schools Act to allow grants awarded through this program to go towards education programs to combat inhalant abuse.

H.R. 466 - A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies for the recruitment, training, and hiring.

H.R 477 - Holocaust Education and Awareness Act.
A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants promoting Holocaust education and awareness.

H. R. 686 - A bill to repeal the 60 month limitation period on being able to deduct interest paid on loans for higher education.

H.R. 490 - The Gifted and Talented Students Education Act.
A bill authorizing the Secretary of Education to make grants to states for use by public schools to develop or expand gifted and talented education programs.

H.R. 419 - A bill to increase the 21st Century Community learning centers grantees from three year funding cycles to five year funding cycles.

H.R. 367 - The Child Care Safety Act.
A bill to notify care givers and parents of recommended child care safety measures by requiring the posting of Consume Product Safety Commission child care safety standards in child care settings.

H.R. 265 - Right Start Act.
A bill to fully fund Head Start, improve child care access by doubling the number of children served by the Child Care and Development Block grant, and expand Family and Medical Leave Act to include workers in businesses with 25 to 50 employees.

H.R. 620 - National School Dropout Prevention and Recovery Act.
A bill to establish a Dropout Prevention Office at the Department of Education, establish a five year Model School Dropout Prevention Grant Program, and establish a National School Prevention Grant Program for schools to develop programs to lower dropout rates.

H.R. 620- The National School Dropout Prevention and Recovery Act.
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the model school dropout prevention grant program and the national school dropout prevention grant program.

Congressman Kucinich cosponsored a bill that amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reduce class size through the use of fully qualified teachers.

Teacher Mentoring Act of 2001
- A bill that provides funding to establish a mentoring system where new teachers learn from more experienced teachers.

H.R. 1992 - A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the opportunities for higher education via telecommunications.
H.R. 3086 - A bill to provide the Secretary of Education with specific waiver authority to respond to conditions in the national emergency declared by the President of the United States on September 14, 2001.

H.R. 2555 - A bill to establish a student loan repayment program for legislative branch employees. Executive branch employees are currently eligible for student loan forgiveness.

H.R. 2034 - A bill to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards at public elementary schools and licensed child day-care facilities.

H.R. 2283 - A bill to establish a grant program to assist schools in hiring school-based mental health and student service providers.

H.Res.13 - A resolution to express the intention of the House of Representatives to fully fund the federal Pell Grants Program.

H.R. 2636 - Foundations for Learning Act.
A bill to establish a grant program to promote emotional and social development and school readiness.

H.R. 2145 - College Fire Prevention Act.
A bill to provide for fire sprinkler systems in public and private college and university housing and dormitories.

H.R. 1990 - Leave No Child Behind Act of 2001.
A bill that represents a comprehensive policy agenda for America’s children, including provisions on health, child care, poverty, nutrition and hunger, housing, justice, and gun safety.

H.R. 17 - Younger Americans Act.
A bill to provide funds to communities to provide positive youth development programs including mentoring, services to promote physical and mental health and opportunities for community service and civic participation.

Bills Cosponsored


HR 5261 - School & Daycare Lead-based Paint Reduction Act:
A bill to authorize grants to state, local governments, and schools to rid lead paint.

HR 5096 - IDEA Spending Integrity Act of 2000:
A bill to close a loophole in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that permits school districts to shift education funding to non-educational purposes.

HR 5117 - Missing Child Tax Fairness Act of 2000:
A bill to maintain the dependency exemption for families of abducted children, as currently, families of missing children lose this exemption the year after the child is abducted, even if the family continues expending funds in the search for the child.

H.R. 3044 - Smaller Schools, Stronger Communities Act:
A bill to provide grants to local educational agencies to develop smaller schools.

H.R. 4272 - National Science Education Enhancement Act:
A bill to establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education, and for other purposes.

HR 4094 - Public School Modernization Act of 1999:
A bill to establish a limited credit for qualified public school modernization bonds (qualified school construction bonds and qualified zone academy bonds). It also provides federal tax credits to help pay interest on school modernization bonds. Six percent of the bonds will be issued to states based on their school-age population and forty percent to the 125 local school districts with the largest number of low income children. Congressman Kucinich was also and original cosponsor of Rangel’s School Construction bill.

HR 4271 - National Science Education Act:
A bill to provide funds for Master Teachers who, through professional development and support for utilization of hands-on inquiry materials, will lead groups of science, math, engineering or technology teachers in grades K-8; to encourage private sector contributions ti and involvement with the information technology programs in the neediest high schools; to strengthen the use of technology in the classroom by investigating what techniques and methods are most effective; to support teachers with a program for professional development in technology use and integration, to bolster rural education opportunities by encouraging distance learning components to science, math, technology, and engineering education programs; and to increase teacher’s access to cutting edge education programs by posting NSF-sponsored programs on the NSF Internet web site.

HR 4272 - National Science Education Enhancement Act:
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish and expand programs relating to science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education.

HR 4273 - National Science Education Incentive Act:
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage stronger math and science programs at elementary and secondary schools.

HR 3386 - Access Aid Act of 1999:
A bill to establish a program to identify and monitor college eligible high school students and their parents or legal guardians.

HR 3195 - Education for Democracy Act:
A bill to improve and refocus civic education.

H. Con. Res. 266 - A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress regarding the benefits of music education.

HR 2915 - Student Privacy Protection Act
- A bill to require parental consent before K-12 students can give out information to be used for commercial purposes.

HR 3386 - Access Aid Act of 1999
- A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a program to identify and monitor college eligible high school students and their parents or legal guardians.

HR 3195 - Education for Democracy Act
- A bill to amend part the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve and refocus civic education.

HR 2955 - Partnership to Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 1999
- A bill to establish a partnership to rebuild and modernize America’s school facilities.

HR 48 9- America After School Act
: A bill to provide before and after school care for children.

HR 323 - Employee Educational Assistance Act of 1999
: A bill that allows workers to obtain employer-provided education benefits tax-free.

HR 415 - Expand and Rebuild America’s Schools Act: A bill to allow schools to issue special bonds to pay for school construction. Instead of receiving interest on the bonds, lenders would receive tax credits in equivalent amount.

HR 1660 - Public School Modernization Act
: A bill that allows state and local governments and schools to issue interest-free bonds to finance school construction and modernization.

HR 1648 - State Infrastructure Banks for Schools Act
: A bill that establishes a revolving loan fund for school construction.

HR 1623 - Class Size Reduction and Teacher Quality Act of 1999
: A bill that reduces class size (grades 1-3) by establishing a grants program to help States and local educational agencies recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers.

HR 777 - Reward Attendance with Summer Employment Act
: A bill that would give federally supported jobs to students who have good school attendance records.

HR 959 - Affordable Education Through Pell Grants Act:
A bill that would increase the amount of Pell Grants, making higher education more affordable for low income students.

HR 625 - Veterans' Education Benefits Equity Act of 1999
: A bill to help veterans continue to obtain monthly educational assistance in special circumstances.

HR 1932 - A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Theodore Hesburgh, former President of Notre Dame.

HR 1960 - Educational Excellence for All Children Act of 1999:
A comprehensive bill that would authorize funding for elementary and secondary school programs.

HR 2265 - A bill that would make tax-free educational benefits provided to the children of employees.

HR 2673 - Violence Prevention Training for Early Childhood Educators Act:
A bill to provide training to professionals who work with children affected by violence and training in violence prevention.

HR 637 - Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999:
A bill to create a Department of Education grant program to help schools develop classes for gifted and talented students.

HR 2865 - Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 1999:
A bill to encourage the implementation or expansion of pre-kindergarten programs to include students four years of age or younger.

HR 2344 - Transition to Teaching Act:
A bill to provide funds to assist high-poverty school districts meet their teaching needs.

HR 2390 - Smart Classrooms Act:
A bill to create small, manageable, accountable classrooms with qualified teachers.

HR 3105 - Holocaust Education Assistance Act:
A bill which would provide grants for educational organizations to teach educational programs about the Holocaust.

HR 3156 - Teacher Training in Technology Flexibility Act:
A bill which would encourage school personnel to participate in professional development programs relating to the use of technology in education.

HR 2802 - Seniors in Our Schools Act:
A bill which ensures senior citizens are given an opportunity to serve as volunteers in education programs.

HR 2789 - School Administrators Recruitment and Retention Act of 1999:
A bill to provide grants to local educational agencies to recruit and retain qualified elementary and secondary school administrators.

HR 3006 - Early Education Act of 1999:
A bill to establish a program to expand the existing education system to include at least 1 year of early education before a child enters kindergarten.

HR 3275 - School Environment Protection Act of 1999:
A bill to minimize the use of pesticides in school and to notify parents of the use of pesticides in school.


http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/education.htm

[LWolf]

52. And more!

According to the conversation I had with Dennis yesterday, he sees education as the vehicle to lift people out of poverty and despair. He believes we ought to be addressing the root of our problem, by making sure families, schools, and teachers have all the resources they need to do the job. He doesn't think spending millions and millions on the testing industry is helping kids to learn. He wants to spend it on schools, teachers, and families instead.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[goodhue]

111. Electability

http://www.kucinich.us/electable.htm

Is Kucinich Electable? Can He Beat Bush?


If any Democrat has a history of attracting swing voters and "Reagan Democrats" in winning elections against better-funded Republican opponents, it is Dennis Kucinich. He has repeatedly defeated entrenched incumbents. He beat a Republican incumbent for mayor in 1977, for state senator in 1994 (overcoming the national right-wing tide) and for
Congress in 1996.

His Congressional district includes the suburb of Parma, Ohio, described as "one of the original homes of the Reagan Democrats." An Ohio daily calls it a "conservative Democratic district," which he carried by 74% in 2002. Being a success there may be a better predictor of national success than holding statewide office in a liberal stronghold like Vermont or Massachusetts.

Kucinich is a winner because he builds Wellstone-like grassroots campaigns against bigger-spending opponents. He is a winner because of his blue collar roots and populism, reflected in his battles for heartland voters against unfair, corporate-friendly trade deals.

He is an unabashed progressive who wins because swing voters who don't agree with him on every issue still see him as a fighter for their interests, as someone who will put the interests of workers and middle-class consumers ahead of big-money interests. No Democrat is better positioned in 2004 to attract 'Reagan Democrats' and swing voters with a frontal attack on how Bush policies hurt them and favor the rich.

Republicans use "wedge" issues to pry away traditionally-Democratic white working class voters -- a tactic that has not succeeded against Kucinich. In '96, for example, Republicans used his support of gay rights as a wedge, and he stood firm and triumphed.

On the other side of the spectrum, no other candidate can attract disaffected voters, 3rd party voters and Ralph Nader supporters to the Democratic column like Kucinich. Across the country, Nader 2000 voters and Green Party sympathizers are joining his campaign, as are other 3rd party supporters.

It's been a long while since progressives and the Democratic base have been so motivated, and so angry -- over manipulation and deceit that began in the 2000 election and continued through the Iraq war (now finally catching up with the Bush team). No candidate can better tap into and mobilize the anger of the Democratic base than Kucinich, who has never wavered in his opposition, who has courageously led the way in exposing war manipulation, and who speaks with passion to the big issues that animate Democratic and progressive activists.

Kucinich has been a winner in a swing district in the swing state of Ohio. And Ohio has 20 electoral votes. It is the state that is key to national victory; only two candidates in the 20th century won the presidency without carrying Ohio.

Al Gore lost Ohio in 2000 despite the Herculean efforts of Kucinich, as vividly described by journalist James Ridgeway in an article written days before the election: "Kucinich is a shoo-in, but hauling Gore along will be a daunting task. Shuttling back and forth from Washington, Kucinich has put together an old-fashioned canvassing operation throughout Cleveland and its suburbs that is one of the largest such efforts in the nation. By election day, 400 to 500 people will be on the streets...

"Day after day, members of the laborers, electricians, plumbers, and steelworkers unions crowd into Kucinich's tiny office on Lorain Avenue, piling signs into the backs of cars and pickups before hitting the neighborhoods. The general approach is for volunteers to use Kucinich's name to get a foot in the door, then ask for support for a Democratic judge before uttering the vice president's name."

Kucinich's best efforts couldn't win Ohio for Gore in 2000, but Kucinich can win Ohio himself if he is the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. And in presidential politics, as Bush-strategist Karl Rove knows well: As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.

http://www.kucinich.us/electable.htm

[Tinoire]

14. Energy

Energy

Gasoline Prices
Deregulation of the Electric Industry
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Gasoline Prices


Representative Kucinich believes that the recent rise of gas prices is a result of oil company profiteering and price gouging. The price of gasoline rose to $2 per gallon in Cleveland without a reasonable explanation and then decreased only after regulators began to question the high prices. To reduce fluctuations in price that harm consumers, Kucinich introduced the Gas Price Spike Act of 2000, which:

• institutes a windfall profit tax on industries who manage gasoline, diesel, crude oil, and home heating oil;

• acts as a disincentive for oil companies to take excessive profits, but would not raise gas prices for the consumers;

• provides tax credits to consumers who purchase highly efficient union-made cars, SUVs, and light trucks;

• provides local funding for reduced mass transit fares.

These benefits to consumers will help reduce our dependency on oil, while the windfall profits tax keeps gas prices in check.

Rep. Kucinich also introduced the “Lower Gasoline Prices through Technology Access Act of 2000” which addressed one of the reasons the oil industry has blamed for the high price of gasoline, especially reformulated gasoline (RFG) in the mid-west. Several recently issued patents for reformulated gasoline are deterring the industry from making RFG, and are making RFG more expensive for consumers. The legislation ensures that all oil companies have fair access to these patents by preventing monopolistic control of this important clean air technology. This will lead to lower gasoline prices because it will make the process for manufacturing RFG available to all oil companies.

Representative Kucinich also supported an amendment to the agriculture spending bill to increase the funding available for the Meals on Wheels program to offset higher gasoline prices. The Meals on Wheels program delivers food to our senior citizens, but when gas prices escalate, so do the costs of delivering these meals.

This serious issue was brought to the congressman’s attention by Joyce Able Scroth, the director for Department of Senior and Community Services of the City of Westlake. Her letter stated, "As you know, many of the volunteers for Meals on Wheels are, themselves, older adults on fixed incomes. One such couple travels almost 100 miles in a rural area to deliver meals; they are considering resigning because they cannot afford to volunteer."

To resolve this issue, Kucinich joined a bipartisan group of Members of Congress that successfully offered an amendment to increase funding for programs like Meals on Wheels by $20 million. This money will offset the increasingly high fuel costs by providing more food purchasing power and mileage reimbursement funds.

In the 107th Congress, Kucinich reintroduced the Gas Price Spike Act. The new bill, H.R. 1967, doubled the ultra-efficient vehicle tax credit to a maximum of $6000. This legislation benefits consumers by keeping a check on gas prices, bringing more efficient vehicles to the market, and lowering America’s dependence of foreign oil.

Deregulation of the Electric Industry


Congressman Dennis Kucinich has fought vigorously to place his constituents’ interests first every time they flip on a light. In Washington, D.C. and many states, including Ohio, policy makers are deregulating the electricity industry. The debate has focused on benefitting the electricity companies and large energy users, while residential consumers have been ignored.

More than half the states have deregulated, and they all lacked the consumer protections, fair markets and environmental protections necessary. This has led to a general failure of deregulated electricity markets. Wholesale electricity prices have increased nationwide. The extensive failure of deregulation in California has left many consumers with massive electricity bills while the power generation companies reaped record profits. The Progressive Caucus, chaired by Kucinich, released THE PROGRESSIVE PRO-CONSUMER SOLUTION TO TODAY'S ELECTRICITY CRISIS: Just and Reasonable Rates, a Tellus Institute report that detailed this failure and provided a pro-consumer solution.

Congressman Kucinich has also cosponsored an innovative new bill that provides incentives for expanding public power systems. This legislation, authored by Congressman Nadler (D-NY) and Congressman Hinchey (D-NY) provides for a Community Power Investment Revolving Loan Fund to provide for low-interest funds, blocks private power companies from interfering in the expansion of public power systems and reforms the tax system to ensure tax-exempt bonds can be used for public power systems.

Rep. Kucinich’s activities build upon past actions. Kucinich introduced H.R. 2645, the “Electricity Consumer, Worker and Environmental Protection Act of 1999.” The bill, which would significantly restructure the electric power industry, was introduced to protect the interests of consumers and the environment. Until this legislation was introduced, most legislative proposals for utility deregulation increase rates and increase the amount of pollution emitted into the environment, because they were written to benefit large industrial consumers and the utilities serving them.

HR 2645 will likely result in almost $500 billion in savings for residential consumers. The bill protects consumers and makes the electricity industry more worker friendly and more environmentally safe.

The bill:

• would set universal standards of service for residential customers;

• more of a choice among electricity providers;

• allows consumers to unite as townships and as buying clubs to save money;

• includes provisions for environmental protection of air quality;

• raises the bar on the pollution emission standards for global warming gases and heavy metals;

• creates affordable electric service for low- and moderate-income residential customers;

• supports renewable energy and energy efficiency;

• ensures consumer privacy is protected;

• protects consumer from market power abuses and

• anti-competitive mergers;

• and provides protection for workers in a deregulated industry.

Summary of H.R. 2645, The Electricity Consumer, Worker, and Environmental Protection Act of 1999


This bill impacts both states that have chosen to deregulate and those that haven't. Title I contains several consumer protections for all states. Title II contains important additional protections just for the states that have chosen to deregulate. It is important to note that this bill does not mandate that any state deregulate the electricity industry. Instead, this bill includes provisions to protect consumers, workers, and the environment regardless of whether a state chooses to deregulate or not.

The following are Title I changes that will impact everyone


Pollution standards.
This bill requires that all power plants should meet the same standards for pollution regardless of power plant age or fuel type. The following pollution standards are to be established starting in 2005:

• nitrogen oxides, a 79 percent decrease from 1990 emissions. This is intended to result in an emission rate of 0.15 pounds of nitrogen oxides per million BTUs;

• sulfur dioxide, a 77 percent decrease from 1990 emissions. This is intended to result in an emission rate of 0.30 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million BTUs;

• carbon dioxide, a 10 percent decrease from 1990 emissions by 2005, a 25 percent decrease by 2010, and a 80 percent decrease by 2030;

• mercury emissions are to be eliminated by 2010;

• high-level nuclear waste, a reduction of the production of radiation (in curies) by 5 percent by 2000, and 2 percent for each year after 2005;

• low-level nuclear waste, a reduction of the production of radiation (in curies) by 25 percent by 2000, and 5 percent for each year after 2005;

Public Benefit Funds
National electric public benefit board will oversee the collection and distribution of a 0.7 cents/kWh fund, which one third will be used to support affordable electric service for low- and moderate-income people. The remaining funds will used for protecting workers affected by electricity deregulation and to support renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

Renewable energy portfolio standards.
Total generation from renewable resources, including biomass, landfill gas, geothermal, solar, or wind resources, must equal 5% of all sales by 2005 and 10% by 2010, not including hydroelectric sources. Tradable renewable credits can be used by electricity suppliers to meet their RPS obligations.

Net-metering & interconnection standards.
Allows the owner of a renewable energy source of 2 megawatts or less to reduce their electricity bill by the amount of electricity produced.

Consumer privacy.
A distributor or supplier of electricity must obtain the written permission of a customer before it can release customer-specific information.

Payment plans.
All electricity distributors and suppliers must offer their customers deferred payment plans and equal-monthly-budget billing plans.

Electricity Bills.
All electricity distributors and suppliers must issue bills that disclose:

• understandable descriptions of all services and charges;

• a percentage breakdown of the sources of electricity (specifically biomass, coal, hydro, natural gas, nuclear, oil, solar, wind, power from municipal waste incinerators, other resources), a pie-chart showing these percentage breakdowns;

• a table showing actual pollutant emissions (specifically particulate matter, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, high-level nuclear waste, and low-level nuclear waste);

•
Office of consumer counsel.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must create an office of consumer counsel to represent the interests of consumers in matters before FERC.

Prohibition of power plant bailouts.
It shall be unlawful for any federal or state authority to require consumers to subsidize, directly or indirectly, the costs of owning or operating any power plant owned by an investor-owned company.

Distribution service and supply service quality standards.
Distributors and suppliers of electricity will be benchmarked and ranked by a nation-wide, publicly-available index that measures consumer concerns in multiple areas.

Prohibition of affiliate abuses and cross-subsidies.
Investor-owned utilities or their holding companies cannot be involved in any non-regulated business and cannot provide any non-regulated services.

Mergers
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cannot approve a merger if the merger would violate antitrust law, if it would reduce the number of suppliers in any geographic market, or if probable efficiencies could be achieved by other means.

Worker Protections
Power plant owners must ensure that workers have the necessary skills to safely perform their jobs. This bill requires all power plants to comply with standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This bill requires new owners of power plants to offer to rehire the current power plant workers at similar wage rates and benefits.

The following are Title II changes that will impact deregulated states


Aggregation of Consumers
Nonprofit public aggregation. States must permit consumers to establish options for nonprofit public aggregation in the form of new municipal electric systems; franchise contracts; community choice aggregation; or cooperative buying clubs in unincorporated areas. These nonprofit aggregators may control funds collected for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Consumer Protections
Prohibition of cost-shifting. No class of consumers can be charged rates for transmission or distribution service in excess of the class' proportional responsibility for the costs of providing these services. State regulatory commissions must adjust access charges if the rate differential between residential and industrial customers exceeds three percent.

Basic service.
Distributors must arrange for the provision of basic electricity service for consumers who do not select a supplier, or when suppliers are not able to provide service. Basic service will be provided by suppliers chosen through competitive bids. Consumers have the right to receive basic electricity service at prices that do not vary by time of day or season.

Change of supplier.
A customer may change his electric supplier at any time.

Distribution service disconnections and supply terminations.
All customers must be protected from unreasonable service disconnections and unreasonable supply terminations. A seller may not disconnect or terminate the customer's electric service for failure to pay for products or services other than electricity, or without providing adequate notice to the customer, or when a tenant's landlord fails to pay for service, or when a physician declares a medical emergency in a household.

Credit and collection practices.
Distributors that bill for suppliers must allocate a customer's partial payment first to services regulated by the state regulatory authority, and then to the unregulated portion of the bill. A retail supplier may not refuse to grant credit to any applicant, as stipulated by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Deposits required by retail suppliers may not exceed the applicant's estimated bill for a two-month period.

Unfair trade practices.
The following practices must be prohibited: cramming; slamming; the provision by suppliers to consumers of gifts of more than $50 in value; and misleading advertising.

Prohibition of affiliate abuses and cross-subsidies. Investor-owned utilities must transfer transmission and distribution assets to a regulated transmission company and a regulated distribution company. These transmission and distribution companies:

• cannot have any affiliation whatsoever, or use the name, logo, or trademark, of any company that owns, operates, or leases generation facilities, or that sells electricity in wholesale or retail markets;

• cannot own any security of any other company; and must provide all goods and services on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms.

•
Prohibition of excessive generation market power.
Investor-owned generation companies and their affiliates cannot own more than 20% of a state's baseload power plants, peaking power plants, and power plants that primarily provide ancillary services.

Worker protections.
Electric utilities can recover the costs of programs that provide for voluntary severance, job retraining, early retirement, continued health care, outplacement and related benefits. States should consider extended unemployment benefits to utility employees terminated due to electricity deregulation. Utilities must prepare plans through which the utility intends to mitigate the impacts of workforce reduction on employees.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session


October 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Speaker Hastert and Democratic Leader Gephart requesting that language requiring a total of $3.4 billion in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding for FY 2002 be included in any final economic stimulus package.

May 15, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman and Ranking Member of the subcommittee on Appropriations requesting an increase in funding to assist in the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles on America’s roads and highways.

May 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the subcommittee on interior appropriations supporting the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program which promotes alternative fuel vehicles.

May 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman Sonny Callahan, Ranking Member Peter Visclosky of the Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, and to Chairman Joe Skeen and Norman Dicks of the Subcommittee on the Interior. This letter requested sustained support for the energy efficiency and renewable energy research and development programs.

March 13, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich and the Progressive Caucus sent a letter to Minority Leader Richard Gephardt requesting a meeting to discuss an appropriate response to high energy prices around the country.

February 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham Congratulating him on his appointment and requesting the Secretary’s support concerning the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

February 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting an increase in Budget Submittal for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program with respect to Fiscal Year 2002.

February 12, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Vice President Dick Cheney expressing his enthusiasm for working with the Vice President on the newly formed committee on Energy Policy.

February 9, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting an increase in appropriations for LIHEAP, and an emergency supplemental appropriation of $150 million for the Weatherizing Assistance Program.

January 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting the President’s support for LIHEAP.

January 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting funds for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

January 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham acknowledging Ohio’s qualification for an Industry of the Future grant.

January 8, 2001. Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting $1.8 billion For LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2002.

January 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich rejoined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus.

Letters


November 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Energy requesting that the Department of Energy take immediate steps to investigate the health and environmental legacy of more than one hundred and fifty former nuclear weapons related sites nationwide to protect the former workers and local communities that may have been harmed by these facilities.

October 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission requesting that the Federal Trade Commission investigate whether producers and utility companies deliberately lowered production of natural gas last year in order to drive up prices for the winter in the Greater Cleveland area.

April 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee requesting funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), State Energy Programs, DOE efficiency Programs, Federal energy management, and better oil forecasting.

April 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Interior House Committee on Appropriations supporting money for increased grants of alternative fuel vehicles. Cleveland is a member of the Clean Cities Program which coordinates this program.

April 11, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies requesting for the President’s request of the Energy Star Program.

March 30, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee urging increases in funding for solar and renewable energy research and development in the FY2001 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.

March 30, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Packard and Ranking Member Visclosky asking for support of increased funding for renewable energy- solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, hydropower- research and development programs.

March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton asking for a home heating oil reserve to protect low income people from high heating oil prices. Spikes in the price of heating oil disproportionately harm the poor. The use of a government-owned reserve would benefit consumers both in the Northeast and throughout the country.

February 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting the release of additional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, as well as the release of oil from strategic petroleum reserves. The letter also asks the President to pressure OPEC to increase production and lower prices of oil; to investigate potential price gouging by the oil industry; and to convene and emergency meeting with the oil industry to demand an increase in home heating oil supplies.

February 7, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Vice President Gore and Administrator Carol Browner of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that the EPA create regulation for solid power plant wastes, which are high toxic and contaminate groundwater supplies.

January 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting the release of additional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds due to rising heating costs and the bitterly cold winter.

October 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Alan Schriber, Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to express his concern about the possible blocking of public participation in the transition plans of the Ohio electric utilities if proposed rules were adopted. By making modifications to the rules in extending the comment period, expanding original objections and other provisions, the public would have sufficient time to scrutinize the transition plans of all Ohio electric utilities.
September 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging a veto on any legislation with anti-environmental oil royalty riders attached. The rider blocks a new regulation that forces accurate estimates on the value of oil from federal lands. The estimates are then used to calculate royalties paid to the federal government.

July 15, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Packard and Ranking Member Visclosky urging their support of increases in funding for renewable energy research and development programs. Investment in these energy programs enhances field diversity, helps insulate the United States from future oil price fluctuations, create high-tech jobs and increase the U.S. market share for energy-supply products.

May 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education in the House Committee on Appropriations. In support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Bill, he requests secured funding to insure that millions of low-income families do not have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 459 - Pipeline Safety Enhancement Act.
A bill to strengthen pipeline safety by enhancing training and evaluation of pipeline employees, creating pipeline inspection programs, improving state oversight, and enacting citizen participation and review.

H.R. 1275 - Fuel Cell Tax Credit Act.
A bill to provide a $1,000 per kilowatt tax credit for fuel cells to encourage their commercialization.

H. R. 2039 - Wholesale Motor Fuel Fairness and Competition Restoration Act.
A bill to require the oil companies to report wholesale gas prices, prohibit price discrimination at wholesale level, and require FTC study of gasoline service stations and pricing practices.

H.R. 876 - Wind Energy Production Tax Credit Act.
A bill to extend the current 1.5 cents/kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity produced by wind.

H.R. 1459 - Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act.
A compromise bill to settle tax related issues between public power and private utilities.

H.R 954 - Home Energy Generation Act.
A bill to promote renewable energy generation in homes by requiring net metering and removing regulatory barriers.

H.R. 245 - Natural Gas Reserve Act.
A bill to create a natural gas reserve modeled after the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.

H.R. 660 - Ban Alaskan Oil Export Act.
A bill to ban Alaskan oil exports to ensure American oil goes to American consumers since current Alaskan oil sales to Asia reduce the supply of West Coast oil and keep prices high.

H.R. 268 - California Electricity Consumers Relief Act
A bill to establish cost based rates for wholesale electricity sales in the western United States now and retroactively last June and to order retroactive refunds for changes above the cost-based rate.

H.R. 4969 - KI Stockpile for Nuclear Accidents.
A bill to require FEMA and NRC to develop a plan to stockpile Potassium Iodine (KI) within a 50 mile radius of a nuclear power plant since taking KI during a radiation release helps prevent thyroid cancer since it blocks radioactive iodine.

H.R. 2174- The Robert S. Walker and George E. Brown Jr. Hydrogen Act of 2001
. A bill to reauthorize and amend the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990.

Bills Cosponsored


HR 5479 - Wholesale Motor Fuel Fairness and Competition Act:
A bill to deter oil companies from engaging in un-fair and anti-competitive practices such as price zoning, redlining, discriminatory wholesale fuel pricing, and a complex and complicated system of cost allocation the companies use that hide the factors on which wholesale costs are based and published.

HR 5345 - Energy Efficient Buildings Incentives Act:
A bill to provide tax deductions for new residential buildings for: efficient heating, cooling, and water heating systems; solar hot water and photovoltaic systems in homes; commercial building with 50% energy savings.

HR 5339 - Fuel Cell Tax Credits:
A bill to provide a $500/kilowatt tax credit for stationary fuel cells going to the purchaser of the fuel cell.

HR 5415 - Public Oversight of Wholesale Electric Rates:
A bill to provide a wind fall profits tax on wholesale electric rates in the Western System Power Grid.

HR 4792 - Comprehensive Pipeline Safety Improvement Act:
A bill to increase pipeline safety requirements via: standardized safety practices; public access to inspection reports; increasing fines for pipeline safety violation; requires certification procedures for increased safety.

HR 4969 - Potassium Iodine Stockpiling for Nuclear Power Plant Accident:
A bill requiring Potassium Iodine (KI) to be stockpiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in case of a nuclear power plant releases radiation.

HR 4977 - Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act:
A bill to provide a tax credit for energy efficient close washers and refrigerators that goes to the manufacturer.

HR 3608 - Home Heating Oil Prices Stability Act:
A bill to provide the Secretary of Energy with authority to create a Fuel Oil Product Reserve to be available for use when fuel oil prices in the United States rise sharply because of anti-competitive activity, during a fuel oil shortage, or during periods of extreme winter weather.

HR 1705 - A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline and to phase-out the use of MTBE, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3558 - Safe pipelines Act of 2000:
A bill to improve the safety of pipelines by requiring Federal certification, corrosion testing, notice of spills, hydrostatic testing, pipeline maps, studies on external leak detection, double walled pipelines, minimum burial depth and cost/benefit analysis by the National Transportation Safety Board.

HR 721 - Bond Fairness and Protection Act of 1999:
A bill which provides for tax-exempt bond financing of certain electric facilities.

HR 750 - A bill to provide a 5-year extension of the credit for producing electricity from wind.

HR 1358 - Energy Efficient Affordable Home Act of 1999:
A bill to provide tax credits for making energy efficiency improvements to existing homes and for constructing new energy efficient homes.

HR 2900 - Clean Smokestacks Act of 1999:
A bill to reduce emissions from electric powerplants.

HR 2980 - Clean Power Plant Act of 1999:
A bill to reduce emissions of mercury, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide from fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units operating in the United States.

HR 2947 - Home Energy Generation Act:
A bill to providing for the use of net metering by certain small electric energy generation systems.

HR 2569 - Fair Energy Competition Act of 1999:
A bill to support State programs for renewable energy sources, universal electric service, affordable electric service, and energy conservation and efficiency.

HR 2380 - Energy Efficient Technology Tax Act:
A bill to provide incentives to reduce energy consumption.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/energy.htm

[Tinoire]

15. Environment

Conserving the Environment

Clean Air and Global Warming
Drilling in the Great Lakes
Toxics
Water
Nuclear Power/Waste
Clean Air Standards
Environmental Disclosure
Cleveland's Eveready Plant Cleanup
Local
Why Is This Issue Important?
What You Can Do To Help
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Clean Air and Global Warming


Congressman Kucinich is committed to keeping our air free from pollution. In June 2002, he testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works during the hearing: Benefits and Costs of Multi-Pollutant Legislation, on the public health and environmental benefits of the Clean Power Act. Congressman Kucinich stressed the ethics of enacting multi-pollutant legislation, for air pollution adversely affects society’s most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. He is a cosponsor of multi-pollutant legislation introduced in the House, the Clean Smokestacks Act, which would require significant reductions in power plants by four key pollutants: mercury, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

In addition to working for improved clean air legislation, he has also actively opposed rollbacks of the Clean Air Act. In March 2002, he wrote to Administrator Whitman to oppose U.S. EPA’s proposed direct final rule to approve Ohio EPA’s weak nonattainment New Source Review program and has sent Dear Colleagues to House members opposing New Source Review rollbacks.

Drilling in the Great Lakes


Congressman Kucinich has successfully worked to oppose drilling in the Great Lakes. With Congressman Kucinich’s support, the House recently approved an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill by a vote of 265-157. This amendment does not allow any licenses or permits to be granted for oil or gas drilling in the Great Lakes. This victory was achieved after many years of advocating bills that Congressman Kucinich cosponsored that would ban drilling.

The Great Lakes is the world’s largest source of fresh water. Over 35 million people living in the Great Lakes basin use it for drinking water, and they are fortunate to have this natural resource. Drilling in the Great Lakes would not lower prices or even make an impact on the supply of energy. The supply of energy that could possibly be extracted is the equivalent of a mere eight days of what Ohio uses, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The enormous health and environmental risks of drilling are simply not worth it.

Toxics


CERCLA, or Superfund, is a comprehensive law that addresses hazardous waste cleanup. Superfund included a series of small taxes in order to be consistent with the law’s “polluter pays” principle. Congressman Kucinich has worked to ensure that polluters, not taxpayers, pay the bill for pollution and that pollution is cleaned quickly and thoroughly. In order to push for faster cleanup of Superfund sites, Congressman Kucinich conducted an investigation and authored the report: What is a corporate tax cut worth? When it’s the Superfund clean up tax, it’s the “Best Bargain in Washington” for campaign contributions. He wrote a letter to Budget Committee Chairman Nussle and Ranking Member Spratt with many of his colleagues requesting a renewal of the taxes, and has been a cosponsor of legislation that would reinstate Superfund taxes.

In order to prevent US-financed pollution overseas, Congressman Kucinich spearheaded a letter in July to the President of the International Finance Corporation, James Wolfensohn, urging the IFC to vote against a loan for construction of a pollution-causing plastics plant in India. The plant would not only cause dangerous air pollution for Indian residents at levels that would be illegal in the United States, but would also complicate the ability of residents to access drinking water. The loan has not been granted.

In August 2002, Congressman Kucinich learned that a respected scientist at the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences was being forced to sign a gag order. The scientist, Dr. James Huff, has spent decades working on occupational cancer risks. After Congressman Kucinich sent a letter raising questions about the gag order to NIEHS Director Olden, the gag order was withdrawn. Congressman Kucinich mobilized members on the Committee of Government Reform, and Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, which has jurisdiction over NIEHS to ensure that public health scientists do not face threats against their work again.

Water

Congressman Kucinich worked to ensure that all people can access clean water. Where access and quality are threatened by privatization, such as in the African country of Ghana, he has held briefings. As a fact-finding mission was leaving for Ghana, Kucinich hosted a congressional staff briefing for the delegates to speak about how international financial assistance was tied to water privatization projects. Such private projects have not been successful in helping get water to people in poor countries, and thus raise questions about the conditions under how US tax dollars are being spent. In August 2002, Kucinich traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa for the World Summit on Sustainable Development where he opened a session of the Parliamentarians for Global Action with a keynote speech on water privatization.

When it was reported that a major Clean Water Act program was going to be weakened, Congressman Kucinich questioned EPA Administrator Whitman during a Subcommittee hearing in July 2002. The Total Maximum Daily Load program (TMDL) sets maximum levels of different pollutants for water bodies that can still be considered in compliance with water quality standards. Currently, the overwhelming majority of the nation’s population lives within 10 miles of a polluted water body, and much work still needs to be done to clean up widespread pollution. When reports became clear that TMDL was going to suffer significant negative changes, Congressman Kucinich helped to spearhead a letter among his Congressional colleagues to oppose the rollbacks.

Nuclear Power/Waste


On June 14, 2000 Representative Kucinich sent a letter to the Secretary of Treasury objecting to the use of taxpayer dollars for a loan to Ukraine to complete the K2/R4 nuclear reactor project. The controversial reactors could not be licensed in the U.S., nor any other Western country, as their designs fall well below modern Western safety standards. The letter was signed by eight additional Members of Congress. Acting on behalf of the safety and health interests of all Americans, Kucinich sought to protect people from the dangers of nuclear waste. Kucinich has offered several amendments to each nuclear waste bill providing for unnecessary nuclear waste transportation. He has raised key safety issues such as avoiding populated communities, full-scale nuclear waste transportation cask testing, consultation with state and local government to select transport routes, ensuring private transportation carriers follow the routes selected, and advance notification of shipments. Kucinich authored a letter to Secretary Bill Richardson, the Secretary of Energy, asking for the release of Department of Energy maps of potential nuclear waste transportation routes. Kucinich led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to demand that the Department of Energy make available to the general public the potential routes. The effort was successful with the release of these maps on the following web site:

http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/&ln_desc=OCRWM+-+Office+of+Civilian+Radioactive+Waste+Managment">OCRWM - Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management

On December 6, 1999, Congressman Kucinich has also filed comments on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Draft Environmental Impact Statement. .

Clean Air Standards


Congressman Kucinich believes that job creation and economic revitalization are consistent with protecting the environment. In the 105th Congress, Congressman Kucinich initiated an effort to safeguard our environment by fighting to protect the Clean Air Act and to safeguard the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten air quality standards. Congressman Kucinich maintained in letters to President Clinton and EPA Administrator Carol Browner that the public supports stricter clean air standards, and that these standards should be implemented without delay. Kucinich organized his colleagues by leading a campaign against an amendment to an appropriations bill that attempted to block the EPA from enforcing air quality standards. The amendment was quickly withdrawn after a bipartisan coalition in opposition was mobilized.

Environmental Disclosure


In October of 1999, Kucinich supported an amendment that requires environmental concerns be taken into account when the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is considering assistance for projects that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact. OPIC is an executive agency that provides political risk insurance to American companies opening facilities overseas. The success of this amendment achieved a significant victory for the environment.

The amendment required information disclosure for environmentally sensitive OPIC Investment Fund projects such as oil refineries, chemical plants, oil and gas pipelines, large-scale logging projects and projects near wetlands or other protected areas. Current OPIC Investment Funds are not subject to any transparency requirements. While these projects may be necessary for the industrial development of developing countries, holding the US taxpayers liable for investments in projects that could pose serious environmental or health risks to local populations with no public oversight or disclosure is unacceptable. Thankfully, we have reduced the threat by requiring environmental disclosure of these projects.

Cleveland’s Eveready Plant Cleanup


In January 2000, Congressman Kucinich intervened in the planned redevelopment of the abandoned Eveready Battery factory. Eveready decided to abandon the original developer in favor of a less experienced developer who did not insist on a full environmental cleanup at this old battery production site. However, documentation of toxic metals and volatile organic chemicals in a waste pit on the site indicated that a cleanup was necessary. Kucinich asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to intervene to ensure public safety. Since these documents were not readily available for the public to review, Kucinich placed all the available environmental cleanup documents at the Walz Branch of the Cleveland Public Library over the objections of Eveready. The. U.S. EPA review should be complete soon.

Local


Congressman Kucinich’s office was instrumental in obtaining a grant worth nearly half a million dollars to restore Lincoln Park in Tremont. The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) grant will be used to restore the park and make it a useful, attractive park in the center of the Tremont neighborhood.

Why Is This Issue Important?


The air we breath, the water we drink and the forests we live near are not unlimited resources to be exploited. These are precious resources owned by the public interest. Polluting these resources and other ecological damages are a crime against society. Congressman Kucinich will continue to press for tough enforcement of existing environmental laws and the continued strengthening of these laws. Ensuring clean air, ensuring clean water, cleaning up toxic dumps, reducing global climate change and protecting our forests are top priorities for Congressman Kucinich.

Locally, a sustainable approach to living is how we make changes to the world. Right now in Cleveland, there is an effort to bring sustainability to Northeast Ohio. People are organizing elected officials, businesses and the public to adopt sustainability as a regional policy. The result will be programs to control urban sprawl, promote livable communities and smart growth, and regional planning in an environmentally protective way.

What You Can Do To Help


• Recycle.

• Monitor and question local environmental issues.

• Join a local or national organization that represents your views.

• Petition your elected officials for specific clean up actions in your community and stronger national laws to prevent pollution.

• Come to the conference on May 11-13, 2000, in Cleveland, Ohio, where we will plan to promote sustainable policies in architecture and urban design, business and economics, infrastructure, health and education and political and legal issues. If you want to attend, please contact my Lakewood office at 216-228-8850.

 Helpful Resources:

http://www.foe.org/&ln_desc=Friends+of+the+Earth">Friends of the Earth
http://www.sierraclub.org/environment/&ln_desc=Sierra+Club">Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/oh/&ln_desc=Ohio+Sierra+Club">Ohio Sierra Club
http://www.epa.gov/&ln_desc=U.S.+Environmental+Protection+Agency">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.house.gov/meehan/sdcaucus.htm&ln_desc=Sustainable+Development+Caucus">Sustainable Development Caucus
http://www.igc.apc.org/pirg/ohiopirg/index.htm&ln_desc=Ohio+PIRG">Ohio PIRG
http://www.ohiocitizen.org/index.html&ln_desc=Ohio+Citizen+Action">Ohio Citizen Action
http://www.ecocleveland.org/b/index.html&ln_desc=EcoCity+Cleveland">EcoCity Cleveland
http://www.theoec.org/&ln_desc=Ohio+Environmental+Council">Ohio Environmental Council
http://www.earthdaycoalition.org/&ln_desc=Earthday+Coalition">Earthday Coalition

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

September 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressman Walsh of the Appropriations Committee requesting that he assist in securing an earmark in the amount of $5 million in EPA wastewater special purpose grant funds.

September 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich wrote a letter to Thomas Skinner, Regional Administrator of the EPA, in support of the Ohio Program Review.

September 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush expressing concern about the Administration’s decision to reopen the decision of the National Park Service to phase out snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks.

September 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressman Walsh of the House Appropriations Committee requesting $5 million in wastewater special purpose grant funds for the Doan Brook Easterly Pollution Abatement project.

September 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee asking them to concur with the Arsenic in Playground Equipment Amendment during Conference.

September 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Congressmen Walsh and Mollohan of the House Appropriations Committee urging them to concur with the Arsenic in Playground Equipment Amendment.

September 18, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the House and Senate conferees on the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill to urge them to keep the provision to prevent Great Lakes drilling.

September 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ann Veneman, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in support of the Forest Service’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

July 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Christine Todd Whitman, Administrator of the U.S. EPA, urging her to make a positive decision about cleaning up the contaminated sediment in the Hudson River that upholds the Superfund Act.

May 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Interior Appropriations requesting that funds in the Interior Appropriations bill intended to facilitate drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge be eliminated.

May 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Agriculture committee asking for increased funding for conservation incentive programs for farmers.

May 16, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent letters to the EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking about the role and progress of each agency’s efforts to clean contaminated sediment of the Great Lakes.

May 9, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Christine Todd Whitman, Administrator of the EPA, urging her to honor the public’s right-to-know about arsenic in the drinking water.

May 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the entire House of Representatives asking for support for H.R. 1585. This bill would commission a study on proximity of federal housing to toxic sites.

April 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter supporting the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund Enhancement Act; Water and Infrastructure Improvement Act. This act would fund $5.4 billion annually for five years.

April 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to implement the Roadless Area Conservation Policy that would protect 60 million acres of national forest land from logging and roadbuilding.

April 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to implement Forest Conservation Regulations to preserve 60 million acres from logging, mining, and gas exploration.

April 4, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to continue U.S. participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Rep. Joe Skeen, Chairman of the House Interior Appropriations Committee, urging him to increase funding for the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund.

March 16, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to James Nussle, Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, urging him to reject the President’s request to include revenues from proposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into the budget.

March 14, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to seek reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide.

March 13, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell requesting funds for the United Nations Environment Program which would allow for investigating the presence of radioactive debris in Kosovo.

March 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush expressing his support for the continuation of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative.

February 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich joined the Livable Communities Task Force. The LCTF focuses on livability, sustainable development, the environment, and smart growth issues.

Letters


106th Congress

October 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative, requesting that the U.S. respond to the increase in the Japanese Whaling situation.

October 25, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Young and Ranking Member Obey of the House Appropriations Committee urging opposition to an anti-environmental rider that weakens the Endangered Species Act by increasing the uncertainty of the Steller sea lions.

October 4, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of the Department of Energy Richardson requesting a clean up of 150 former nuclear-weapons sites and to aid citizens affected by the hazardous conditions.

October 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Young of the House Committee on Appropriations requesting support of efforts to extend the moratorium on individual fishing quotas (IFQs), enabling ample time for Congress to develop legislative standards for all IFQ programs.

September 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Carol Browner, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, urging the EPA to make a positive determination in regulating the leading source of mercury emissions: coal-fired electric utilities.

September 19, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Albright urging the Administration to negotiate a treaty on the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that will protect the Great Lakes effectively.

September 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to use the upcoming appropriations negotiation period as an opportunity to secure adequate funding for the Livable Communities Agenda.

September 07, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Agriculture Appropriations Conferees urging them to include language in the Agriculture Appropriations bill legalizing importation of FDA-approved drugs.

September 07, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting he leverage more money for sustainable development/ the Livable Communities Agenda in budget negotiations.

September 07, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Administrator Carol Browner of the Environmental Protection Agency urging the EPA to issue a rule that would prohibit mercury emissions from powerplants, sighting the National Academy of Sciences finding that mercury levels in the environment do post a risk.

July 27, 2000 -Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of the Department of the Interior Brice Babbitt, requesting that the Department take appropriate steps to provide interim protection Bureau of Land Management wilderness lands.

July 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of Transportation and Kenneth Wykle of the Federal Highway Administration requesting a dialogue about strengthening the Department of Transportation’s efforts to implement the Urban Youth Corps provisions of the National and Community Service Act of 1993.

July 12, 2000 Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Mike Dombeck, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service urging the agency to manage motorized use of national forests.

June 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting continued opposition to anti-environmental riders and a commitment to a veto to stop these riders.

June 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to include the Alaskan Tongass National Forest in the Roadless Area program protecting it from development.

June 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary Babbit asking the Bureau of Land Management to inventory its federal lands to determine wilderness areas. May 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Forest Service requesting regulations on off road vehicles in national forests.

March 20, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Committee on Appropriations requesting money to deal with non-native invasive species because of the serious economic and environmental issues created by these species. the concern caused by the zebra mussell, specific to the Great Lakes, would be one of the species to be studied.

March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee asking for support for Urban and Community Forestry programs which would improve environmental conditions and quality of life in America’s cities and towns.

March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee advocating support for the National Sea Grant College Program to conduct research on issues of concern for coastal, marine, and the Great Lakes ecosystems.

March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee requesting additional funding for national scenic and historic trails because of their increased use for recreational activities.

March 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Governor Gilmore of Virginia asking for support of H.R. 1190, the “Solid Waste Transportation and Local Authority Act.” The bill permits states to have control over trash commerce.

March 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the International Trade Commission expressing support for the continuation of anti-dumping duty orders in place on steel bearings from certain countries in Asia and Europe.

October 18, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President expressing deep concern and strong opposition to the numerous anti-environmental riders that have been attached to several of this year’s appropriations bills in both the House and Senate.

September 21, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to House and Senate conferees of the Commerce/Justice State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Conference Committees opposing a rider that blocks the Administration from climate change efforts and complete treaty negotiations. This letter promotes the ability of the United States to promote technology and share information with other countries about strategies to combat climate change.

September 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency urging strong standards for the recently proposed radiation protection standards for Yucca Mountain.

August 4, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging him to continue to consider all options available to reverse declines in populations of Salmon in the lower Snake River.

June 15, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to his colleagues asking them to oppose the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 because it moves high-level nuclear waste through 43 states; decreases environmental standards and laws; and, raids the Social Security surplus.

March 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior Committee on Appropriations, to urge additional funding to support work on the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This regional plan would help conserve important migratory wetland and grassland habitat.

March 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter supporting appropriation funds for environmentally friendly Great Lakes projects.

March 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Rogers of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary expressing strong support for State Department and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration programs that benefit the Great Lakes.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Frank Wolf, Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation on the Committee on Appropriations to express his support of Department of Transportation activities that promote shipping in the Great Lakes. These programs are essential to the economic livelihood of the Great Lakes.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Ron Packard of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to voice his support of funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorities to enhance the environmental and economic needs of the Great Lakes region. These funding requests, bipartisan in nature, help ensure the successful implementation of Army Corps programs.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich joined his colleagues in a letter to Chairman Ralph Regula of the Subcommittee on Interior Committee on Appropriations to advocate programs in the Department of the Interior which protect fish and wildlife resources in the Great Lakes. By providing adequate funding, it insures proper management of the vital Great Lakes fisheries.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to James Walsh, Chairman on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies to support adequate funding of regional EPA programs.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Joe Skeen of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration to express his endorsement of programs to alleviate environmental impacts of agriculture. These programs would promote proper land use practices to prevent soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and degradation of water quality.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to James Walsh, Chairman of the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies to support funding for regional EPA programs. These programs, such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Water Quality Grants, and Clean Lakes program are important for supporting clean water, pollution control and successful implementation of EPA programs.

March 1, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Vice President Al Gore to heighten his awareness of the United States steel industry trade crisis because of imported dumped and subsidized steel. This crisis has a negative influence on domestic steel recycling, sustainability, American jobs, small businesses and the global environment.

February 23, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Jacob J. Lew requesting that the office expedite its review of the EPA’s standards on radiation release and allow the EPA to release these findings. It will give priority to the EPA standards, which are more strict than other standards for the Yucca Mountain site.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session


H.R. 36 - National Discovery Trails of Act of 2001.
This bill authorizes an additional category of national trail known as a national discovery trail, to provide special requirements for the establishment and administration of national discovery trails, and to designate the cross country American Discovery Trail as the first national discovery trail.

H.R. 770 - The Morris K. Udall Arctic National Wilderness Act of 2001.
A bill to preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wilderness in recognition of its extraordinary natural ecosystems and for the permanent good of present and future generations of Americans.

H.R. 488 - The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act.
A bill to designate as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, national park and preserve study areas, wild land recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors certain public lands in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

H.R. 117 - A bill which expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should develop, promote, and implement policies to reduce emissions of fossil fuel generated carbon dioxide with the goal of achieving stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States at the 1990 level by the year 2010.

H.R. 1252 - The Arsenic Reduction in Drinking Water Act.
A bill to decrease arsenic levels in drinking water to 10 parts per billion by 2003, and to 3 parts per billion by 2006. It would also authorize $800 million for small community water systems in order to meet standards.

H.R. 1431 - The Ombudsman Reauthorization Act.
A bill to reauthorize the Office of Ombudsman in the EPA as an independent office with its own budget. It would also require the Ombudsman to make a yearly report to Congress.

H.R. 1465 - The National Park Snowmobile Restrictions Act of 2001.
A bill to ban the use of snowmobile use in eleven national parks.

H.R. 908 - The Forest Access Immediate Relief Act of 2001.
A bill to terminate the Forest Service’s participation in the recreational fee demonstration program. Recreational fees are an unfair burden on less affluent individuals who wish to use public lands for recreation.

H.R. 2375 - The Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001.
A bill to protect farmers from urban sprawl, protect water quality and wildlife habitats, and encourage organic farming.

H.R. 1070- The Great Lakes Legacy Act.
A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants for remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern and to authorize assistance for research and development of innovative technologies for such purposes.

H.R. 2570- The Fisheries Recovery Act of 2001.
A bill to improve fish populations by preserving habitat, preventing over-fishing and decreasing by catch.

H.R. 2154- The Military Environmental Responsibility Act.
A bill to require the Department of Defense and all other defense-related agencies of the United States to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws, including certain laws relating to public health and worker safety, that are designed to protect the environment and the health and safety of the public.

CARA - The Conservation and Reinvestment Act.
Bill which authorizes funding for coastal ecosystems, Land and water conservation fund, wildlife, urban parks, historic preservation, Indian Lands and Endangered species.

H.R. 1032 - Great Lakes Water Protection Act.
A bill that places a drilling moratorium on the Great Lakes, directs the EPA to conduct a study of the environmental risks associated with drilling in the Great Lakes, and authorizes grants to Great Lakes states for conservation programs.

H.R. 1465 - Yellowstone-Grand Teton Snowmobile Bill.
A bill that protects national parks by affirming a rule of the National Park Service that would phase out snowmobile use in eleven parks.

H.R. 2729 - Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 2001.
A bill that reduces mercury pollution by requiring the EPA to create mercury emissions standards and regulations.

H.R. 2512 - The Act to Save America’s Forests.
A bill to end clearcutting on federal forestlands and ban logging in the last virgin forests and other core areas.

H.R. 2908 - Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act.
A bill to protect Alaska’s Tongass National Forest by including it in the roadless rule.

Bills Cosponsored


106th Congress

Community Character Act of 2000:
A bill that provides state grants to develop land use policies that promotes the goals of livable communities.

H.R. 4939 - Community Environmental Equity Act:
A bill that prohibits exposure to hazardous substances; requires assessments for all phases of waste treatment; and prohibits environmental injustice.

H.R. 4046 - Fisheries Recovery Act of 2000:
A bill to recover depleted fish stocks and promote the long-term sustainability of marine fisheries.

HR 4566 - Steel and Metals Consumer Radioactivity Protection Act (SCRAP):
A bill to instruct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue a rule-making on radiation releases in scrap metals and stops all releases until this standard is set.

HR 4013 - Upper Mississippi River Basin Conservation Act:
A bill to promote land conservation to reduce sediment and nutrient loading into the Upper Mississippi River.

HR 829 - Colorado Wilderness Act:
A bill to designate certain land in Colorado as National Wilderness Preservation System lands.

HR 4191 - Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act of 2000:
A bill to prevent invasive species in the Great Lakes and to prohibit ballast water discharges unless it is treated first. Permitting State Regulation of Oil Tanker Beyond Federal Regulations: A bill to continue the minimum federal standards and allow states to add more requirements. The Supreme Court has thrown out all state laws that require additional requirements on oil tankers.

HR 3686 - Road Back to Clean Air Act:
A bill to legislate current EPA and U.S. DOT regulations on transportation projects by ensuring air pollution concerns are addressed.

HR 1239 - Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act of 1997:
A bill to protect 1.5 million acres of Arctic National Wildlife refuge.

HR 525 - Defense of the Environment Act of 1999:
A bill to provide for the defense of the environment by preventing anti-environmental riders on bills and guarantees informed and accountable congressional process.

HR 1154 - National Parks Checkoff Act of 1999:
A bill to allow individuals to designate any portion of their income tax overpayments, and to make other contributions, for the benefit of units of the National Park System.

HR 1205 - A bill to prohibit oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes.

HR 1657 - Children's Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act of 1999:
A bill to give community citizens the right to know about the toxic ingredients in household products with which their children may come in contact.

HR 1190 - Solid Waste Interstate Transportation and Local Authority Act of 1999:
A bill to provide tools enabling state and local governments to responsibly manage waste from other states.

HR 488 - Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 1999:
A bill to designate as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, national park and preserve study areas, wild land recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors and certain public lands in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

HR 1549 - National Clean Water Trust Fund Act of 1999:
A bill to separate funds collected from Clean Water Act fines and penalties. It would designate these funds into a Clean Water Trust Fund as opposed to the General US Treasury and provide that these funds be used for enforcement actions and reparative projects associated with the Clean Water Act.

HR 2339 - National Discovery Trails Act of 1999:
A bill to develop the nation’s first coast- to-coast multi-use trail designated as the American Discovery Trail, the first national discovery trail. The first proposed trail would go through southern Ohio.

HR 2512 - The Act to Save America’s Forests:
A bill to protect federal forest lands by abolishing clear cutting and logging in remaining core areas of biodiversity within federal land.

HR 684 - Farm Sustainability and Animal Feedlot Enforcement Act (Farm Safe Act):
A bill to control pollution from large confined animal feeding operations.

HR 1732 - America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 1999:
A bill to designate certain Federal land in the State of Utah as wilderness, and for other purposes.

HR 488 - Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 1999:
A bill to protect public lands in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

HR 2339 - American Discovery Trails Act:
A bill to develop the nation’s first coast-to-coast multi use trail. The first proposed trail would go through part of Ohio.

HR 798 - Resources 2000:
A bill to fully fund the land and water conservation fund - monies for parks, public lands, forests, and urban recreation.

HR 869 - Stop Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf:
A bill to codify a Presidential Executive Order banning drilling on the outer continental shelf.

HR 2969- The Ecosystem and Indigenous Peoples Protection Act:
A bill to direct the U.S. Representative at the World Bank to vote and use influence to ensure that higher environmental standards are met. Enforcement achieved by denying U.S. funding for the Bank if it proceeds with environmentally destructive projects.

HR 2720 - The Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act:
A bill that provides a $15 billion authorization for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Its purpose is to fund wastewater treatment infrastructure with state grants. Additional sewage treatment plants prevent raw sewage flow into rivers and lakes.

HR 2956 - Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1999:
A bill to strengthen superfund law by requiring a right to know. It increases penalties on willful polluters, raising pollution standards, gives poor communities that are polluted same priority for clean-up as wealthier communities.

HR 2868 - School Payments in Lieu of Timber Sales:
A bill to increase school payments, but is linked to increased timber sales.

HR 1106- Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999:
A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to State agencies for projects that reclaim local water, wastewater and runoff for reuse. It also funds conservation managed by the EPA.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/environment.htm

[goodhue]

160. Gay Marriage

http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_111803.php

Kucinich Applauds Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2003


Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today released the following statement:

"As a candidate for president who publicly supports federal legislation for gay marriage, I applaud the Massachusetts Supreme Court for upholding the civil rights of citizens in their state by ruling it is unconstitutional for the state to deny marriage to gay and lesbian couples. The historic Goodridge et al. v. Department of Public Health decision can light the way for equality for all Americans.

"The effort by members of the Massachusetts state legislature to push a Denial of Marriage Act is a divisive measure. There must be federal protection for civil rights issues. Gay and lesbian couples should have equal protection under civil law. No state has a right to abridge basic rights to privacy. Separate is not equal.

"The right to marry is a civil right that should not be denied. I support federal legislation for civil marriage between same-sex couples. Civil Unions do not provide equal rights to LGBT Americans. According to a 1997 GAO report, civil marriage provides at least 1,049 legal protections and responsibilities from the federal government, including the right to take leave from work to care for a family member, the right to sponsor a spouse for immigration purposes, and Social Security survivor benefits that can make a difference between old age in poverty and old age in security. Civil unions are a kind of limbo with regard to governmental functions performed by both state and federal governments, such as taxation, pension protections, and provision of insurance for families."

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us

[Tinoire]

16. Health

Health

Congressman Kucinich believes that we must improve access to health care, insuring families against disaster when a health care calamity strikes, as well as ensuring the overall quality of health care for everyone.

Medicare
Medicare and Prescription Drug Costs
Pharmaceuticals
Universal Healthcare
Emergency Room Overcrowding
Health Costs
Autism
Thimerosal
Local
Environmental Health
What You Can Do to Help
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Medicare


Congressman Kucinich believes that funding for Medicare must be preserved and that further cuts in the program would be harmful to Medicare recipients who deserve quality care. Congressman Kucinich voted against the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 because of its proposed Medicare cuts. The bill increased Part B Medicare premiums. He has written to the President objecting to any further cuts in the Medicare program. Currently, there are many proposals being made to save this program. However, recently health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have started to cut benefits or dump Medicare coverage entirely in an effort to increase profits. This means that millions of seniors may be left with little or no coverage. This is unacceptable. Kucinich supports only those measures which safeguard the health care benefits of our elderly citizens and provide stability for Medicare's health care providers.

Medicare and Prescription Drug Costs


As trends in medicine change, more emphasis is being placed on the use of prescription medications. When Medicare was started more than 30 years ago, medicine relied more on a doctor’s direct treatment than on the use of medications. The Medicare system was not set up to cover prescription drugs. Congressman Kucinich believes that while Medicare has continued to provided quality health care to millions, it is in need of protection and improvement. The most urgent improvement needed is the addition of a prescription drug benefit, so that seniors who wish to receive the benefit can do so at an affordable price.

Congressman Kucinich is an original cosponsor of the Medicare Extension of Drugs to Seniors Act (MEDS). This bill will help reduce the cost of drugs for all Americans, as well as create the most generous drug benefit under Medicare.

Congressman Kucinich believes that a prescription drug plan needs to do two things:

1. Reduce the cost of drugs for all Americans. A plan needs to have strong cost containment measures.

2. Help seniors, who are one of the most vulnerable groups to high drug prices, with a generous benefit. This benefit should be consistent with what Medicare pays for other services: 80 percent covered by Medicare, 20 percent covered by the beneficiary.

The MEDS Plan does these two things.
It has strong cost containment measures. For example, Medicare would be a sole- purchaser of drugs, and be able to negotiate bulk discounts, like the VA does for veterans. It would also allow reimportation of prescription drugs, which would save 30-50 percent. Finally, it would reinstitute the reasonable pricing provisions to make sure that prescription drugs developed with taxpayer dollars at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are priced fairly. Pharmaceutical research that was done by NIH should not be given to private companies without ensuring that citizens will pay fair and reasonable prices.

The MEDS plan gives seniors the most affordable drug coverage of any proposal in Congress. It has the lowest premium of any plan at $24 month. No beneficiary would ever pay more than $2288 out of pocket, including the premium. Other plans would have set catastrophic coverage at $4,000 and $6,000! Also, the deductible is zero. That means that a beneficiary gets doesn’t have to first spend $250, like other plans, before he or she gets help from Medicare. Congressman Kucinich believes the MEDS plan will give seniors what they deserve: a stable, affordable drug benefit.

"Big Pharma": Mergers, Drug Costs and Health Caregiver Staffing Ratios

Click here to read the report


The office of Congressman Kucinich conducted a nationwide study of hospitals to find what effect the high price of prescription drugs is having on hospitals, especially the current nursing shortage. Congressman Kucinich’s office also worked with the Institute for Health and Socio-Economic Policy to create a comprehensive report. This is what Congressman Kucinich’s survey found: 68 percent of hospital executives said that current staffing levels will likely worsen because of the pressure caused by increases in drug prices. In the Midwest, 79 percent of hospital executives said that staffing levels will worsen. Even though we are in the midst of a national hospital nursing shortage, causing emergency room overcrowding and other problems, hospitals expect that they may layoff even more nurses!

This study finds escalating drug prices - not the reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates as many contend - are the primary reason for lower revenues and profits for many hospitals and managed care plans. Hospitals and health plans have, in turn, encouraged cost cutting in the form of staffing cuts and service reductions. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry is more and more dominated by a few powerful companies. The top 20 drug firms accounted for almost 60 percent of mergers and acquisitions. In any industry, this is a red flag to consumers. Drug prices are expected to go up nearly 18 percent this year, and the prices of most commonly used drugs are growing at twice the rate of inflation. Drug company mergers are therefore associated with rising prices.

The study that Congressman Kucinich has released shows that rising drug prices and mergers in the pharmaceutical industry will aggravate the nursing shortage. Now, as hospitals are in great need of resources to hire more staff, drug prices are squeezing hospital budgets to the extent that hospitals may actually fire the staff they currently have. This study shows that pharmaceutical mergers are creating a few powerful players in the industry, and are having a catastrophic effect on the health care system. As a member on the Committee for Government Reform, Congressman Kucinich plans to ask for hearings on this issue and work toward stronger enforcement of antitrust laws.

Pharmaceuticals


As one of the foremost issues in Congress over the past several sessions, Congressman Kucinich has sought to ensure that prescription drug plans provide adequate drug coverage at affordable prices and that drug prices are brought down. He has supported prescription drug legislation that would allow pharmaceuticals to be imported in order to decrease drug costs for seniors and all Americans.

During the debate on tax cuts as well as the budget, Congressman Kucinich attempted to introduce an amendment that would pay for prescription drugs. Called Prescription for America, passage of this amendment would guarantee affordable prescription drugs with a down payment of over $328 billion. It would provide this down payment by eliminating the tax cut scheduled to be given to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans.

In December 2002, Congressman Dennis Kucinich asked President Bush to establish a Federal Pricing Commission on Prescription Drugs after an analysis of more than 5,000 hospitals nationwide by the Institute for Health and Socio-Economic Policy (IHSP) hospitals revealed that hospitals increase the price of medication by an average of 340 percent. The Pricing Commission would be a federal commission charged with the gathering and reporting of pharmaceutical costs and charges in health facilities. “Drugs are driving up the cost of health care overall, and we must find which facilities are charging the most, and how this is impacting the rest of the health care system,” stated Kucinich.

Universal Health Care


Congressman Kucinich is an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act with Congressman John Conyers. This bill would provide all Americans the health care they need, from any doctor they choose, at a universal, high standard of quality. Americans would not be burdened with copayments, premiums or deductibles. Rather, they would be guaranteed access to medically necessary health care, including inpatient and outpatient care, dental care, vision care, pharmaceuticals, and other treatments that a patient’s doctor would deem necessary. In addition, this bill would come at a cost savings to employers.

On May 1, 2001 Congressman Kucinich, on behalf of the Progressive Caucus, hosted a Universal Health Care Briefing in collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus. Congressman Kucinich brought together 12 members of Congress, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, Marcia Angell, former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, as well as numerous other doctors, nurses, health care advocates, and patients. As part of the briefing, the Physicians for a National Health Program presented a proposal of a national, single-payer health plan.

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/healthcast/uhcb/may01&ln_desc=Kaisernetwork+Healthcast">Click here to watch, listen or read the Webcast of the Health Care Briefing

Emergency Room Overcrowding


After the closing of two community hospitals, Mt. Sinai and St. Luke’s, emergency departments at other Cleveland area hospitals experienced overcrowding. In order to find out other reasons for the overcrowding and work towards a solution, Congressman Kucinich hosted an ER Summit in the Lakewood District Office on May 7. Doctors, paramedics, nurses, patients, hospital administrators and local officials came together to discuss the problem.

One of the ideas was to create a web-based information system so hospitals instantly know about empty hospital beds in specific departments. This system, which has worked successfully in other cities such as Milwaukee, would help doctors transfer patients efficiently from the emergency room to the next appropriate department. This would also help alleviate overcrowding in the emergency room. Now, local Cleveland officials are investigating different systems to find the best one for Cleveland. Congressman Kucinich has helped to find several federal grants that could pay the cost of implementing the system.

Environmental Health


In order to draw attention to regulatory processes that delay or block environmental health legislation, Congressman Kucinich introduced the Value of Human Life amendment. Contrary to what Congress permits agencies to do, the Office of Management and Budget insists that agencies include human life discounts when cost/benefit analyses are conducted of proposed regulations. For certain regulations that affect human health, such as regulations related to toxic or other pollution, a monetary value of a life is estimated. For each year that a person is exposed, OMB insists that the value of a life is depreciated by applying a yearly percentage decrease to human lives. Kucinich’s amendment to the Treasury/Postal Appropriations bill would forbid discounts to be applied to people to ensure that all lives are worth the same.

Health Costs


Congressman Kucinich passed an amendment to ensure that government wide Cost Accounting Standards are applied to health plans in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, just as they are applied to all other federal contractors. Cost Accounting Standards ensure that the charges made to the government are appropriate and accurate. The amendment was passed with support from unions, the Administration and other health plans as part of the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill.

Autism


Congressman Kucinich, as a member of the Congressional Autism Caucus, is dedicated to finding the causes of autism and helping individuals with autism access the therapies they need. He has spoken out in favor of additional research during hearings of the Committee on Government Reform.

Thimerosal

In December 2002, pharmaceutical manufacturers of thimerosal were granted a liability exemption from health affects caused by thimerosal-containing vaccines in the Homeland Security bill. Congressman Kucinich strongly opposed the process by which this provision was inserted at the last minute without the knowledge of Members. On the first official day of business, Kucinich offered a procedural change to the Rules of the House of Representatives so that Members would have at least 24 hours to review conference reports before voting on them. He is also a cosponsor of legislation introduced by Rep. Tom Allen and Rep. Dan Burton to eliminate the thimerosal exemption.

Local

Congressman Kucinich’s office conducted a survey of hospitals in Cuyahoga County about the amount of charity care that each hospital provides. Click HERE to read the study.

What Can You Do To Help

Write a letter to the editor or an opinion editorial about the rising cost of prescription drugs in your community. Local community leaders and elected officials will often read these pieces and take an initiative on issues published in local papers.

Contact local public officials such as state representatives, city council members or your mayor and ask that they sponsor a resolution in the city or state council that emphasizes their interest in making prescription drugs available and affordable to local citizens.

Conduct your own prescription drug survey and share it with local officials, media outlets, and non-profit advocacy groups.

Start a petition that advocates maintaining affordable prescription drugs. Circulate this petition to different groups with in your community such as health care workers, senior citizens, parents and organizations concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Hold a public hearing to raise awareness about the importance of making health care available and affordable to all citizens. Invite elected officials, leaders from advocacy groups, local health care workers and experts in the health care industry.

Make your voice heard by writing to a local paper about the importance of managed care reform.

Keep track of relevant articles and stories in your local paper, radio station, or newsletters, share this information with others and relevant non-profit groups.

When politicians or elected officials are in a public setting such as the radio, debates, town hall meeting, speeches or public forums, you can ask them what they are doing to ensure that adequate health care coverage is being made available to the local citizens and their children.

Write to the President (http://www.whitehouse.gov/) about the need for health care reform.

Helpful Health Related Links

http://www.familiesusa.org/&ln_desc=Families+USA">Families USA
http://www.pnhp.org">Physicians for a National Health Program
http://www.u2kcampaign.org">Universal Health Care
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/">Kaiser Health Network
http://www.citizen.org/hrg/">Public Citizen: Health Research Group
http://www.retiredamericans.org">Alliance for Retired Americans

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 15, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush requesting an additional $1 billion to fight the global AIDS crisis.

October 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Foreign Operations Chairman, Jim Kolbe, and the Ranking Democrat, Nita Lowey, in support of funding for international tuberculosis control.

October 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressman Bonilla and Congresswoman Kaptur, Department of Agriculture appropriators, requesting that they ensure that the conferees retain the Stupak-Boehlert amendment and provide $160 million to fund USDA’s Nutrition Programs for the Elderly.

September 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Senators Daschle and Lott urging them to take up to Human Cloning Prohibition Act in the Senate.

September 10, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Chair and Ranking member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee supporting an increase in funding for the Children’s Mental health Services Program.

July 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Democrats highlighting the weaknesses of the Graham bill in the Senate. It also stressed that any prescription drug proposal must include strong cost containment measures.

July 18, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Bush, expressing concern about his Administration’s decision to reopen the decision of the national Park Service to phase out snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grant Teton national parks.

July 12, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to supporters of the Patient’s Bill of Rights supporters urging them to maintain language which provides coverage of an inpatient hospital stay following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection for a period of time as determined by the doctor in consultation with the patient.

June 29, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter urging the Secretary of Agriculture to require all fresh meat and poultry to have the same nutrition labels as those now required for processed meat and poultry.

June 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Democrats in support of an amendment that gives the FDA explicit authority to regulate imported drugs, and removes funding for enforcing the ban in oversight activities of the FDA.

June 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to his colleagues in Congress urging them to vote yes on an amendment that allows reimportation of prescription drugs.

June 19, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services urging their support for a twenty percent increase in the appropriation for the Area Health Education Center Program.

June 18, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Democrats advocating the Patients’ Bill of Rights.

June 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Democrats advocating the Patient’s Bill of Rights.

June 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee requesting a 20 percent increase in the appropriation for the Area Health Education Center Program (AHEC). Ohio AHEC programs improve health care professionals and access to quality health care in undeserved areas.
June 8, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, HHA, and Education of the Committee on Appropriations urging them to support funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration Grants for the Benefit on Homeless Individuals.

June 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to C.W. Bill Young, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, requesting that the Committee on Appropriations assure funding for the U.S. Department of Justice’s civil lawsuit against the tobacco industry in the amount of $57.6 million.

June 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a mailing to Cuyahoga County residents listing instructions for what to do in case of a medical emergency, and what constitutes a medical emergency

May 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking for an increase in funding given to the Department of Justice for the tobacco law suits.

May 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Jerry Lewis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense, urging him to provide $20 million for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program.

May 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to John Murtha of the Subcommittee on Defense urging him to provide $20 million for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program.

May 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting additional funding for the Department of Justice for the litigation in tobacco lawsuits.

May 17, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting additional funding for the Department of Justice for the litigation in tobacco lawsuits.

May 16, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee supporting funding for mental health programs for the homeless.

April 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Housing and Human Services, and Education to support an increase in funding for the Consolidated Health Centers program.

April 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, urging him to support funding to provide equitable graduate medical education funding for independent children’s hospitals.

April 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee requesting a significant increase in funding for community health centers.

April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee requesting funding for the peer reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program.

April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to re-open a public comment period on a health report on The Valleycrest Landfill.

April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Defense subcommittee on appropriations requesting funding for a Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer research program.

April 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Heath and Human Services, and Education, urging his support for a $3.4 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health.

April 4, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, urging him to support $23.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health in 2002.

April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Mitchell Daniels of the Office of Management and Budget requesting that the OMB approve funding for the Susan Harwood Training Grant that had been awarded to the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses foundation.

April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to President Bush requesting that Office of Management and Budget approve funding for the Susan Harwood Training Grant that had been awarded to the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses Foundation.

March 29, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President Bush urging him to present a budget request that included a comprehensive plan to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in our nation and throughout the world.

March 28, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson concerning the Kettering Medical Center Network and its quality of service. The medical Center has made conscience efforts to ensure proper care for its patients. However, the sudden closing of another hospital serving the same area has made it difficult for KMCN to fill the void.

March 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the Acting Principal Director of the Food and Drug Administrator, Bernard A. Schwetz, Tommy Thompson the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Christine Todd Whitman the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency expressing his strong objections the any proposal that would declare StarLink corn safe or legalize StarLink corn contamination.

March 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson expressing concern that independent drug stores are not included in Medicare HMO coverage for seniors. As it stands seniors do not have the option to decide who provides their prescription drugs.

March 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson requesting that HHS grants certain exemptions to the Hopeland clinic. After the largest hospital in the area shut down, the Hopeland clinic experienced tremendous patient growth and strain.

March 20, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to President George W. Bush requesting funding for a comprehensive AIDS program including global AIDS programs and prevention programs.

March 20, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, urging him to put the medical information privacy standards mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act into effect immediately.

March 19, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services appropriations committee requesting funding up to $285 million for the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education program. The congressman signed a similar letter with the Ohio delegation in February 2001.

March 15, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter sent to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson urging implementation of medical privacy regulations without further delays.

March 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ralph Regula the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor requesting doubling the funding for the National Institutes of Health during the Fiscal Year 2002.

February 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President Bush regarding the need for increased funding for drug treatment programs.

February 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to President Bush requesting that he include substantial funding for Graduate Medical Education for children’s hospitals.

February 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Robert Ney, the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, to register the Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Natural Foods Caucus with the Congressional Staff Organization.

Letters

106th Congress

November 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to General Accounting Office Comptroller General David Walker urging an investigation into possible profiteering by vaccine companies.

June 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Minority Leader, Gephardt, urging him to consider their Medicare prescription drug proposal that includes an 80/20 cost share instead of the Democratic proposal’s current 50/50.

June 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to make a pledge to provide $100 million for Tuberculosis (TB) control programs in the highest burdened country.

May 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, requesting information on Medical Research Materiel Command.

May 19, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Foreign Operations Ranking Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, requesting increased funding for international TB control in the Foreign Operations Bill.

May 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative Porter supporting increased funding for National Institutes of Health heart/stroke research.

April 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Lewis and Ranking Member Murtha of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, asking for further funding of the Department of Defense Peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program. The letter asks for the same amount appropriated last year of $175 million.

April 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Committee of Commerce, Thomas Bailey, requesting support for HR 3065, a bill which would exempt Ohio from the hospital-specific Medicaid disproportionate share (DSH) payment cap. It would give Ohio the flexibility needed to administer its DSH program.

April 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Managed Care Reform Conferees requesting a final managed care package that must include provisions banning genetic discrimination.

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education supporting increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention care and research.

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Porter requesting an increase of appropriations for consolidated health care center programs that provide services to nearly 11 million low-income uninsured patients.

March 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Young urging that prostate cancer research be funded at an accelerated pace. The letter asks that the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program be appropriated no less than $150 million, the increase of the National Institutes of Health appropriations by 15%, and that they fund the National Cancer Institute’s “bypass budget.”

March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Congressman Obey, ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, asking for his support of initial funding of $40 million to help support graduate medical education (GME) in our nation’s independent children’s hospitals.

March 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Speaker of the House Dennis J. Hastert informing him of the attempted closing of St. Michael’s Hospital in Cleveland, and apprising the Speaker of the steps that Representative Kucinich intended to take to draw national attention to this issue in order to stop the closing of the hospital.

March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to HCFA on the concern about the HCFA proposal to eliminate the requirement that nurse anesthetics be medically supervised and the need to ensure quality healthcare for seniors.

March 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting increased funding for Diabetes Research and supporting recommendations of the Diabetes Research Working Group.

February 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich cosponsored a letter to Chairman John Porter of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education supporting increased funding for graduate medical education programs at children’s teaching hospitals.

February 18, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton commending his efforts to provide prescription drug coverage to all seniors.

February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, commenting on the proposed rule on standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information that was published in the Federal Register on November 3, 1999.

February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a petition to bring H.R. 1495, the Access to Prescription Medication in Medicare Act of 1999, and H.R. 664, the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act of 1999, to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration under an open rule.

February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means urging the Conferees to the Norwood-Dingell managed care legislation to maintain whistle-blower provisions that are critical for health care professionals and nurses.

February 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo in support of Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons (MHS) and its Outreach and Payee Program.

February 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services urging the Secretary to review the list of excluded prosthetic codes to ensure it is inclusive of all prothestic devices and services that meet the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) guidelines. Congressman Kucinich also encouraged the Secretary to expand the list to include custom orthotic devices and services that are currently being denied to Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) patients because of their high cost.

January 21, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of the United States urging him to provide a minimum of $125 million for graduate medical educational (GME) programs at the nations independent children’s hospitals.

November 3, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Speaker of the House to urge an elimination of the school-based health provisions included in the Work Incentives Improvement Act because the offset provisions may reduce the number of low- income children who receive health services in public schools.

October 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of Congress co-signed a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Defense urging support of the Uniform Family Health Plan, a managed care program that provides health care for 100,000 members nation- wide.

October 13, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman William Thomas encouraging the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health to: 1) Stop the automatic across-the-board cuts to hospitals and home health agencies; 2) Increase reimbursements for hospital outpatient service rates; 3) Support legislation to improve home health care; 4) Restore cuts in Indirect and Graduate Medical Education; 5) Repeal the transfer provision to again allow Medicare to pay for patients to be transferred from a hospital to skilled nursing facility; 6) Provide relief for rural hospitals; and, 7) Increase the $1,500 cap on outpatient rehabilitation services.

September 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to express concern with a 5.7 percent across- the-board reduction in payments to hospital reimbursement rates. Planned reductions have already exceeded expectations, so this additional reduction further threatens the integrity of total payments to hospitals.

July 30, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to express concern with a proposed rule to implement a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. This proposed rule could potentially undermine the ability of patients to have complete access to the full range of treatments and services they need.

July 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Director Scanlon of the U.S. General Accounting Office asking for background and explanation for restriction and charge of home health billing procedures.

July 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of Congress co-signed a letter to Chairman Floyd Spence of the House Armed Services Committee to support a modified version of a Senate provision that provides fairness and health care choice to military beneficiaries.

June 17, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President to inform him of concerns about the impact of current Medicare cuts and urge him not to make any new cuts.

May 27, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President to express concerns regarding Medicare reform. The letter expressly stated opposition to a vouchers system; an age increase; and, co-payments for home health care. The letter supported a 15% surplus dedication; prescription drug benefits; and, automatic enrollment for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program.

April 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman John Porter encouraging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to support increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and research programs for Fiscal Year 2000.

April 1999 - Several Members of Congress co-signed a letter to Chairman John Porter encouraging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to provide a significant increase for the consolidated health centers program to help maintain health care access to the 10 million patients depending on them for their health care needs.

March 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the co-chairmen of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare expressing concerns about a co-payment proposal for home health services under Medicare which would severely hurt home health agencies and negatively effect Medicare beneficiaries.

December 31, 1998 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of Congress from Ohio co-signed a letter to the Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing Administration asking that Northeast Ohio hospitals be taken off of the competitive pricing demonstration project candidate list.


Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 1733 - MediKids Health Insurance Act. A bill to have MediKids enroll every child born after 2002 and phase in older children during the next five years. Children would be eligible until age 23. Families up to 150% of poverty pay no premiums or copays, between 150% and 300% of poverty pay a graduated premium, and above 300% of poverty pay a small premium.

H.R. 1202 - Annual Pap Test Screening Act. A bill to provide Medicare coverage for annual Pap Smear Tests.

H.R. 1522 - Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act. A bill to reduce the co-payment for outpatient mental health services, eliminate the 190-day cap for inpatient care, offer coverage for intensive residential services, and allow therapists and counselors to provide care.

Human Research Subjects Protections Act. A bill creating a comprehensive set of reforms to current human research protection laws and regulations to improve informed consent, expand authority for the National Bioethics Commission, and establish higher standards and requirements for Institutional Review Boards.

H.R. 1771 - Antibiotic Resistance Act. A bill to authorize funding to address antibiotic resistance by improving surveillance of antibiotic use, especially in animals, monitoring use patterns, and conducting public health education.

Prescription Drug Importation Amendment to Agriculture Appropriations. Amendment would give the FDA explicit authority to regulate imported prescription drugs (which were missing in last years bill), while removing funding for enforcing the ban.

H.R. 2125 - A bill to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.

H.R. 1896 - Treatment on Demand Assistance Act. A bill to authorize funding for drug treatment to $6 billion over five years. Half of the funds are given to states and half are given to direct grants for programs through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.

H.R 1648 - Emergency Ambulance Services Access Act. A bill to ensure that HMOs pay for emergency hospital and ambulance services by establishing a “prudent layperson” standard. That is, if a “prudent layperson” believes there is a medical emergency, the HMO should cover the necessary services. (People should not have to call their HMO before calling an ambulance.)

H.R. 1401 - National Health Service Corps Act. A bill to eliminate the income tax on scholarships given to medical professionals in the National Health Service Corps.

H.R. 504 - Community Access for Health Care Act. A bill to establish grants for Community Access programs, which coordinate local resources to provide health care to the uninsured.

H.R. 526 - Patients Bill of Rights. A bill to establish protections for patients by enforcing the protection through state and federal courts, require HMOs to offer more choices to consumers, and expand the Medical Savings Account program.

H.R. 1862 - Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act. A bill to streamline process for brand name drugs to the generic market, where costs are much lower.

H.R. 1968 - National Health Service Corps Reinvestment Act. This program, which funds tuition for doctors and other medical professionals who work in under served areas, benefits from increased funding and administrative simplifications under the bill.

H.R. 1089 - Access to Innovation for Medicare Rights. A bill to expand Medicare coverage to FDA approved, self-injected biologies that are a replacement for drugs/biologies that cannot be self-injected.

H.R. 953 - Organ Coordination Improvement Act. A bill to authorize funding for qualified “organ coordinator” staff in eligible hospitals. “Organ Coordinators” help hospitals match available donated organs to patients.

H.R. 1723 - Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act. A bill to authorize grants through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish eight research centers to study environmental factors potentially linked to breast cancer.

H.R. 1436 - Nurse Reinvestment Act. A bill to seek addressing the nurse shortage by providing grants for recruitment, providing grants for faculty development, providing grants to establish health career academics, establishing a National Nurse Service Corps, and providing hospital reimbursement for nurse training.

H.R. 1307 - Increase the Government Contribution for Federal Employee Health Insurance Act. A bill to increase from 727 to 801- the Federal Contribution to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

H.R. 910 - Influenza Vaccine Emergency Act. A bill to provide for emergency distribution of the flu vaccine so high risk individuals (over 65 years, in fragile health) can gain access to the flu vaccine.

H.R. 1383 - Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment. A bill which makes a technical correction so that Native American women can access treatment for breast and cervical cancer under Medicaid.

H.R. 2005 - COBRA Coverage Extension and Affordability Act. A bill to extend COBRA health insurance for five years, provide refundable tax credit for COBRA participants, and allow people 55 and over to continue COBRA until they are eligible for Medicare.

H.R. 1167 - Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act. This global initiative bill would cost $200 million to use the DOST (Direct Observed Short Treatment) strategy to improve tuberculosis treatment.

H.R. 1168 - Stop Tuberculosis Now Act. A domestic initiative bill to increase research funding for tuberculosis and establish the Committee on Interagency Collaboration for tuberculosis elimination.

H.R. 1400 - Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act. A bill to allow pharmacies to purchase drugs for Medicare beneficiaries at the average international price which will reduce prices by 40%.

H.R. 162 - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act. A bill to prohibit HMOs from creating limitations for treatment of mental health illnesses and substance abuses if similar limitations are not imposed for medical and surgical benefits.

H.R. 2945 - Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act. A bill to amend the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of marriage and family therapist services under part B of the Medicare Program.

H.R. 602 - Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act A bill to prohibit discrimination of individuals in health insurance and employment based on genetic information. Specifically, the bill prohibits discrimination in enrollment, premium rates, requesting test performance, and requesting, collecting, or disclosing information.

H.R. 536 - Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. A bill that requires HMOs to provide minimum hospital stays for patients undergoing a mastectomy (48 hours) and a lymph node removal (24 hours).

H.R. 1033 - The State’s Right to Innovate in Health Care Act. A bill to provide a competitive grant process which would select eligible states. The states would receive technical assistance, grants and waivers to create a universal health plan for all state citizens. The plan would be required to provide, at a minimum, all protections and benefits under the federal programs available at the state.

H.R. 1097 - FDA Tobacco Authorities Amendments Act. A bill to give the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products.

H.R 326 - Ovarian Cancer and Research Amendments Act. A bill to authorize $150 million for research, establish education programs for patients, and require the National Cancer Advisory Board to include at least one person at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

H.R. 1200 - American Health Security Act. A universal care bill that would provide comprehensive benefits through state-designed programs.

H.R. 792 - Treatment of Children’s Deformities Act. A bill to prohibit insurers from denying coverage of reconstructive surgery to help children born with congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, or affected by trauma, infection, tumors or disease.

H.R. 887 - Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Conforming Amendment. A bill to make technical corrections by providing an enforcement mechanism against HMOs who fail to provide coverage for breast reconstruction after mastectomies.

H.R. 1322 - Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act. A bill to provide emergency protections for retiree health benefits, forbid HMOs from making post-retirement decreases of health benefits, require HMOs to restore benefits reduced after retirement, and establish the Emergency Retiree Health Loan Guarantee program to guarantee loans to plan sponsors in meeting the requirements of this Act.

H.R. 1255 - Medicare Early Access Act. A bill to allow individuals 55 and older to buy into Medicare and allow retirees whose coverage is terminated to buy into employer’s plan for active workers.

H.R. 1890 - Medical Choice for Seniors. A bill to allow acupuncture to be covered under Medicare and FEHB.

H.R. 698 - Prescription, Reimportation, Improvement, Correction and Enhancement Act (PRICE). A bill to fix loopholes in last years prescription drug reimportation bill by clarifying FDA labeling, eliminating the sunset provision, removing county restrictions, and preventing contract restraints on foreign wholesalers and fast track approved drugs.

H.R. 1490 - A bill to modify the definition of “homebound” so that individuals receiving home health care can make some trips away from home (going to church, giving a speech) without losing health benefits. Currently, “homebound” status means that if someone ever leaves their home, except for medical care, benefits are eliminated.

H.R. 1289 - Registered Nurses and Patient Protection Act. A bill to constrain hospitals from requiring nurses to work mandatory overtime under normal hospital conditions (non emergency).

H.Res. 87 - Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers. A request to double funding to Community Health Centers under the consolidated Health Centers program.

H.R. 902 - Chiropractic Patients’ Freedom of Choice Act of 2001. A bill to provide for Medicare reimbursement for all physicians’ services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license.

H.R. 4825 - Family Opportunity Act (The “Dylan Lee James Act”). A bill that helps families with disabled children to stay together and stay employed without loosing access to appropriate health care for special needs.

H. Con. Res. 99 - An Act directing Congress to enact legislation by October 2004 that provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans.

H.R. 822 - The Medicare Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant Direct Reimbursement Act. A bill to provide for coverage under the Medicare Program for surgical first assisting services of certified registered nurse first assistants.

H.R. 1194 - The Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act of 2001. A bill to provide for parity in the application of treatment limitations and financial requirements to substance abuse treatment benefits under group health plans and individual health insurance coverage.

H.R. 1356 - The Food Ingredient Right to Know Act. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, other animal products, or known allergens bear labeling stating that fact and their names.

H.R. 902 - The Chiropractic Patients’ Freedom of Choice Act of 2001. A bill to provide for Medicare reimbursement for chiropractors.

H.R. 5101 - The Affordable HIV/AIDS Medicines for Poor Countries Act. A bill to promote availability of HIV/AIDS treatment by urging the WTO to exempt poor countries from provisions of intellectual property law and preventing U.S. agencies from seeking to overturn laws of those countries that promote access to prescription drugs.

H.R. 2087 - Federal Employees’ Access to Chiropractic Health Care Act of 2001. A bill to provide coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program any services provided by a licensed or certified chiropractor.

H.R. 2352 - Fair Balance Prescription Drug Advertisement Act. A bill to establish tougher regulations for Direct-To-Customer prescription drug advertising. Ads would be required to explain potential benefits and risks, and print ads would have to explain both positive and negative aspects in the same font size.

H.R. 2677 - Nursing Homes Quality Protection Act. A comprehensive bill to improve nursing homes by, mandating nursing staff levels, making background checks mandatory, and enacting tougher sanctions for nursing homes that are cited for violations.

H.R. 3188 - Medicare Chronic Care Improvement Act. A bill to improve care for seniors with chronic health care needs under Medicare.

H.R. 2663 - Contact Lens Prescription Release Act. A bill to allow patients to get his/her contact lens prescription from the eye doctor allowing them to compare prices for their specific lenses elsewhere. Patients are allowed to do this for eye glasses, but not for contacts.

H.R. 2725 - Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001. A bill to reauthorize a stamp which raises money for breast cancer research for another years.

H.R. 2484 - Visions Rehabilitation Act. A bill to make Medicare cover vision rehabilitation services. These services provide training for visually impaired people to complete daily tasks. Congressman Kucinich sponsored this bill in the 106th Congress.

H. R. 2232 - Minority Population Diabetes Prevention and Control Act. A bill that directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase diabetes programs in minority communities.

Health and Environment Assessment, Rapid Response and Tracking Act. (HEARRT Act) A bill to create a National Health tracking system to collect, analyze and report on the rate of chronic disease and the presence of environmental factors and exposure.

H.R. 2332 - A bill to help provide health insurance coverage to members of the Selected R Reserve and their dependents by permitting them to buy into the TRICARE program. The government would pay 60% of the premium and the beneficiary pays 40%.

H.R. 2173 - Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2001. A bill to amend the Public Health Act to include pharmacist services within National Health Service program of scholarships, including first-year pharmacy studies, loans, and funding.

H.R. 75 - Give a Kid a Chance Omnibus Mental Health Services Act of 2001. A bill to provide grants to local education agencies to promote mental health in children.

H.R. 1897 - Nurse of Tomorrow Act of 2001. A bill to provide financial incentives for nurse education to end the nursing shortage.

H.R. 2220 - Medicare Dialysis Benefit Improvement Act of 2001. A bill that increases the Medicare reimbursement by 2.6 percent for dialysis treatments (for patients with kidney failure.)

H.R. 292 - Mammogram Availability Act. A bill which requires insurance plans to cover an annual mammogram for all women ages 40 and above.

H.R. 2063 - Early Treatment for HIV Act. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit States the option to provide Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV.

H.R. 2635 - Immigration Health Care Bill. A bill to provide more flexibility to state and local governments that wish to provide primary and preventive health care services to the nine million undocumented residents currently living in America.

Bills Cosponsored

106th Congress

HR 4207 - FDA Tobacco Authority Amendments Act: A bill to provide FDA authority to regulate tobacco products.

HR 5137 - National Media Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking Act of 2000: A bill to provide for a national media campaign to reduce and prevent underage drinking in the U.S.

HR 5261 - School and Day Care Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act of 2000: A bill to provide grants to be used for lead inspections, interim control of lead-based paint hazards and hazard abatement projects at schools and child care centers.

HR 4571 - Providing Annual Pap Tests to Save Women’s Lives Act of 2000: A bill to provide female Medicare beneficiaries to receive annual pap tests.

HR 2620 - Medicare Glaucoma Deduction Act: A bill to provide glaucoma detection exam at least once every 2 years for Medicare-eligible patients age 60 and above with a family history of glaucoma, or at high-risk for the disease.

HR 5163 - Home Health Refinement Amendments of 2000: A bill to provide relief for home care agencies where Medicare funding has been reduced via: eliminating the 15% cut in the funding of home health services; provides additional funds for care of patients in rural areas and reimbursements provides for security in high-risk areas; recognizes tele- homecare as legitimate home health expenditure.

HR 4825 - Family Opportunity Act of 2000: A bill to provide states the option of allowing families with children with disabilities whose incomes or resources are above poverty level to buy in to the Medicaid program for their children.

HR 4356 - The Senior Health Care Pull Out Prevention Act: A bill to provide additional protections for Medicare beneficiaries under the Medicare and Choice Program.

HR 5116 - National Health Service Corps Reauthorization Act: A bill to provide the reauthorization of the National Health Service Corps, in which, there is over fifty health professionals in this program who are placed in Ohio.

H.R. 4807 - Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000: A bill to revise and extend programs established under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990.

H.R. 4614 - Nursing Staff Accountability and Training Improvement Act of 2000: A bill to require skilled nursing facilities furnishing services to Medicare beneficiaries to submit data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to nursing staff levels of the facility, to require posting of staffing information by facilities and the Secretary, to assess the adequacy of training requirements for certified nurse aides, and provide for grants to improve the quality of care furnished in nursing facilities.

H. Con. Res. 115 - A resolution expressing the support of the Congress for activities to increase public awareness of the dangers of pediatric cancer.

H.R. 3003 - A bill to designate certified diabetes educators recognized by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes education services under part B of the Medicare Program.

H.R. 4938 - A bill to improve access to health insurance and Medicare benefits for individual ages 55 to 65 to be fully funded through premiums and anti-fraud provisions, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for payment of such premiums and of premiums for certain COBRA continuation coverage, and for other purposes.

HR 3682 - Medicare HMO Administrative Payment Integrity Act: A bill to prohibit Medicare HMOs to use money for administrative costs that are not permitted under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

HR 4390 - MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2000: A bill to guarantee federal health care for kids born after 2002. It will be available for children of low income families.

HR 3224 - Women's Health and Cancer Rights Conforming Amendments of 1999: A bill to provide civil monetary penalty against those health plans who fail to provide coverage for breast reconstruction following mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery.

HR 837 - Mental Health Juvenile Justice Act: A bill to meet the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of incarcerated children and youth.

HR 243 - Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of mental health awareness, mental disorders, and early detection of mental illnesses to facilitate entry into treatment.

HR 61 - Medicare Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999: A bill to provide Medicare coverage for routine costs incurred in all phases of all federally-approved clinical trials.

HR 1304 - Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 1999: A bill to allow health care providers to come together as a coalition to present a united front when negotiating the terms and conditions of a contract with health insurers.

HR 1109 - Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 1999 -A bill to add a cost-sharing Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors.

HR 3710 - Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Preservation Act of 1999: A bill to freeze Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts at fiscal year 2000 levels in order to mitigate forthcoming fiscal year 2001 and 2002 reductions.

HR 2228 - Medicare Early Access Act of 1999 - A bill to help retirees facing employer provided cut backs by helping uninsured 55 and over to buy into Medicare.

HR 3569 - Human Research Projection and Promotion Act of 2000 - A bill to establish the Office of Protection of Human Research Subjects.

HR 3266 - Preserve Essential Antibiotics For Human Use -A bill to require drug companies to present evidence that the antibiotics used for growth promotion subtherapeutically in livestock cause no harm to human health.

HR 3224 - Women’s Health And Cancer Rights Conforming Amendments of 1999 - A bill to provide a civil monetary penalty against those health plans who fail to provide coverage for breast reconstruction following mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery.

HR 837 - Mental Health Juvenile Justice Act - A bill designed to meet the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of incarcerated youth.

HR 1941- Health Information Privacy Act: A bill to protect the privacy of personally identifiable health information.

HR 845 - Beneficiary Health Coverage Notification Rights Act of 1999: A bill to require health Insurance issuers to notify the beneficiaries of the plan if the employer fails to pay premiums necessary to maintain coverage. This notice must indicate the date of termination.

HR 137 - Whistle Blower Protection Act for Health Care Workers: A bill to prohibit discrimination or retaliation against health care workers who report unsafe conditions and practices which impact on patient care.

HR 353 - ALS Research, Treatment, and Assistance Act : A bill to waive the 24 month waiting period for Medicare eligibility on the basis of disability for ALS patients; provides Medicare coverage for outpatient drugs and therapies for ALS.

HR 116 - Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act: A bill to give women the option of a 48- hour stay in the hospital following a mastectomy.

HR 216 - Access to Quality Care Act: A bill to protect consumers in managed care plans and preserve against preemption certain State causes of action.

HR 2723 - Patients Bill of Rights/Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999: A bill to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health coverage.

HR 1396 - A bill to repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services under part B of the Medicare Program.

HR 2229 - Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999: A bill to lower reimbursements to providers to the level they actually pay and tries fines on providees who commit Medicare fraud.

HR 664 - Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act: A bill to allow Medicare recipients to buy drugs at the discounted rate that drug companies charge the federal government.

HR 1070 - Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 1999: A bill to help low income women find resources to fight breast and cervical cancer- states will be able to provide Medicaid coverage for these women.

HR 875 - Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999: A bill to provide funding to cities to establish cost-effective, comprehensive cockroach extermination programs as an important component of asthma prevention to intervention.

HR 1187- Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999: A bill to provide for coverage under the outpatient portion (part B) of the Medicare Program of medical nutrition therapy services furnished by registered dietitians and nutrition professionals.

H RES. 201- First Family Pledge resolution recognizing the importance for families to pledge to each other to be organ and tissue donors.

HR 1657 - A bill to disclose environmental risks to children’s health and expand the public’s right to know about toxic chemical use and release.

HR 626- Health Care Research and Development and Taxpayer Protection Act: A bill to require persons who undertake federally funded research and development of drugs to enter into reasonable pricing agreements with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

HR 832 - Veterans Tobacco-Related Illness Benefits Restoration Act of 1999: A bill to restore veterans tobacco-related illness benefits before the enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.

HR 914 - A bill to amend the Social Security Act to limit the penalty for late enrollment under the Medicare Program to 10 percent.

HR 3063 - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act: A bill to prohibit health insurers from denying, canceling, refusing to renew or changing coverage based on genetic information and protects the privacy of genetic information.

HR 655- Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1999: A bill to ensure clinical social workers can continue providing mental health services to nursing home residents.

HR 827- Improved Maternal and Children’s Health Coverage Act: A bill to improve enrollment and outreach efforts to children eligible for Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by removing unnecessary barriers to coverage. It also would give states new options to cover legal immigrant women through Medicaid and SCHIP.

H. Amdt. 500- Financing Graduate Medical Education in Children’s Hospitals: An amendment to HR 2506 that provides immediate financial assistance to children’s teaching hospitals for graduate medical education through a cap

[Tinoire]

89. Lagniappe on Health Care

Kucinich’s health care plan would be run by the states and federal government by eliminating insurance companies from administering health care.

Private insurance companies would be eliminated from the health care system completely

Clinton’s plan still left big insurance firms in the health care system, unlike Kucinich’s plan.

Health care is currently dominated by insurance firms and HMOS,
Thousands of physicians support a single-payer system .

Over the years, groups and individuals as diverse as Consumers Union, labor unions, the CEO of General Motors, the editorial boards of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and St. Louis Post Dispatch, and Physicians for a National Health Program have endorsed a single-payer approach.

The government would save money by making bulk purchases of prescription drugs, Kucinich said, something that Canada has done for years. American pharmaceutical companies have fiercely opposed such an approach, however, arguing that in driving down costs the government would siphon away funds needed for innovative research.

[Tinoire]

17. Housing

Housing Issues

Securing Homeless Programs
Helping the Homeless
Requesting Release of Census Data on Homeless
Affordable Housing for Cleveland
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Securing Funds for Homeless Programs

In the 106th Congress, Congressman Kucinich’s advocacy made federal homeless program funds more readily available to the community groups that implement those programs. Congressman Kucinich pressured Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials in private meetings, through statements on the House floor and in committee meetings to agree to give technical advice to non-profit applicants for HUD program funds. The changes HUD agreed to were passed into law after HR 409 passed the House of Representatives.

Congressman Kucinich learned of a problem when a Cleveland-based homeless program, PASS, was denied HUD funding. This Salvation Army program shelters 47 homeless men and gives them counseling and job training. HUD turned down the request after the applicant mistakenly checked the wrong box on the grant application form. The applicant had sought advice from HUD that would have prevented the problem. However, HUD denies giving advice to applicants.

Congressman Kucinich’s involvement made the critical difference. "This really means so much," said Bill Bowen, an official with the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland. "Thanks to your determined voice of reason, the HUD bureaucracy was successfully challenged to examine their rejection of this important project," wrote Tim McCormack, Jane L. Campbell and Jimmy Dimora, Cuyahoga County Commissioners, in a letter to Kucinich dated May 19, 1999.

In January, 2000, HUD turned down a request for funds submitted by Mental Health Services, Inc. of Cleveland on bureaucratic grounds. Mental Health Services provides mobile services for homeless persons. Congressman Kucinich acted immediately and wrote HUD Secretary Cuomo on behalf of Mental Health Services. As a result of Kucinich's action, HUD reversed itself and awarded funding to Cuyahoga County for mobile mental health services.

"For HUD to reverse itself…is close to miraculous…You have helped to preserve one of the most important programs for the homeless in Cuyahoga County," wrote President John Urban and Executive Director Steve Friedman of Mental Health Services, in a letter faxed on March 3, 2000.

Helping the Homeless

In December 1999, Congressman Kucinich chaired a fact-finding hearing to gather information on the status of programs affecting the Cleveland-area homeless population, particularly homeless families with children and homeless veterans. Local homeless providers know the needs of homeless families with children; they see the struggles of homeless veterans. The purpose of these hearings was to listen to testimony that highlighted policies possibly in need of change. The hearing included testimony from several homeless Clevelanders, and experts from the Cleveland chapter of the Salvation Army, the United Way, and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.

Requesting Release of Census Bureau Data on Homeless the Homeless

Congressman Kucinich has followed up these efforts in the 107th Congress by seeking to have the Census 2000 data on the nation’s homeless population released to the public. For the 2000 Census local governments and homeless advocacy groups, in partnership with the Census Bureau, invested resources in counting Americans sleeping in shelters, eating at soup kitchens, and living on the streets through Service Based Enumeration and Targeted Non-Shelter Outdoor Location programs.

However, the Census Bureau decided not to show the count of people living in shelters and on the streets separately. Instead, people counted on the street will be lumped in with people living in other “noninstitutional group quarters,” which are dormitories or other places in which people live that are not operated by the government.

Kucinich believes that local governments and community groups deserve to learn the results of this collection. If data is provided at the local geographic level communities will be able to determine what services are needed by residents of their community.

Local Cleveland community groups that participated in this enumeration. For example, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless held a service fair to increase the number of homeless people counted.

During consideration of the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2002 Congressman Kucinich and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY) offered an amendment to ensure the Census Bureau is able to release a special report in the fall containing the Enumeration programs. Unfortunately the amendment failed 209-217.

Kucinich has also sent letters to the Acting Director of the Census requesting the release of this information. In addition, Kucinich also contacted the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Census and requested a hearing on the Census 2000 information of people living on the streets and in homeless shelters.

Affordable Housing for Cleveland

In December 1999, Congressman Kucinich also announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded two federal grants aimed at helping Cleveland area residents find affordable rental housing. The first grant, of $1.3 million, was to the PVA Circle of Homes for five year funding for a total of 75 Section 8 housing assistance vouchers under HUD’s Mainstream Program. This program enables persons with disabilities (both elderly and non-elderly) to rent affordable private housing of their choice. The second grant, of $655,000, was awarded to the Cuyahoga Housing Authority for a total of 100 Section 8 vouchers to promote family unification among eligible families so that children will not be separated from their parents because of lack of housing.

In the 107th Congress, Congressman Kucinich is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2349, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act. This bill would place surplus funds generated by the Federal Housing Authority into a trust fund upon which states and non-profits could draw in order to build affordable housing and provide rental subsidies for low- and middle-income individuals. Today, over five million Americans are paying more than half their incomes on housing or living in substandard housing. This critical legislation would ease the housing crisis for citizens in the Cleveland area and all over our country.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

September 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman Walsh and Ranking Member Mollohan of the Veterans and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee expressing support for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and except the Senate inclusion of $100 million for the fund.

June 28, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting the President’s action to fully revitalize the Interagency Council on the Homeless.

June 14, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on House and Urban Development asking for their support to continue funding the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP).

June 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Ranking Member Mollohan of the Appropriations subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development requesting the inclusion $90 million for the department’s Youth Build program in the fiscal year 2002.

May 4, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman Walsh of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development requesting at least $300 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program for the Fiscal Year of 2002.

April 5, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned on to a letter to Chairman Walsh of the Appropriations subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development urging $200 million for the agency’s lead cafe housing grant initiative.

April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman Regula of the Health and Human Services subcommittee on Appropriations requesting $25 million for providing transitional housing to individuals who are fleeing domestic violence.

March 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the HUD subcommittee chair in support of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s lead safe housing grant initiative.

Letters

November 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to the Honorable Andrew Cuomo, the Secretary of the HUD concerning tenants in the Greater Cleveland area who are being threatened with losing their homes, without the benefit of public hearing or notice.

September 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to make him aware of a situation in which a fair housing agency and a local government in the 10th District applied for a grant and were denied because of a bureaucratic snafu at the HUD.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 425 - Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act of 2001. A bill to provide assistance to states for operation costs, capital expenditures, acquisition, preservation of projects with HUD-insured mortgages, section-8 contracts, and resident ownership. This bill also provides states with incentive to create programs to preserve low-income housing.

H.R. 674 - Home Ownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services Act. A bill that authorizes 1% down FHA mortgage loans for k-12 teachers, policemen, and firemen buying a home within the school district of local jurisdiction that employs them. This bill would help localities to attract and train qualified teachers, policemen and firemen.

H.R. 1172 - Historic Home Ownership Assistance Act. A bill that extends a 20% tax credit to homeowners who rehabilitate or purchase a newly rehabilitated home and occupy it as a principal residence. Taxpayers with little or no tax liability may convert the credit to a mortgage credit certificate to obtain a mortgage interest rate reduction from the lender. Developers may rehab a property and sell it to a homeowner with the tax credit taken over several years. This bill is directed at middle and low income families.

H.R. 1191 - The Community Development Block Grant Renewal Act. A bill to direct more CDBG funds to benefit low and moderate income people; require grantees to spend at least 80% of the CDBG funds to benefit low and moderate income people, instead of 70%; requires grantees to spend at least 40% of funds to benefit low income people; changes methodology to ensure benefits to low and moderate income people is not overstated.

H.R. 2022 - First-Time Homeowner Affordability Act. A bill to allow first time home purchasers to borrow from their 401(k) IRA account without paying either a penalty for early withdrawal or federal taxes on the amount withdrawn.

H.R. 674 - Home Ownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services Act. A bill to authorize 1% down FHA mortgage loans for K-12 teachers, policemen, and firemen buying a home within the school district or local jurisdiction that employs them. It would help localities attract and train qualified teachers, policemen, and firemen.

H.R. 2033 - Home Ownership Tax Credit Act. A bill to assist low-income families in becoming homeowners by encouraging investors to fund no-interest second mortgages. This simple tax credit will serve as an incentive for loaning institutions to lend to low-income families, which in turn will make the borrower’s down payment, mortgage payments, and closing costs more affordable.

H.R. 2338 - Renter’s Relief Act. A bill to provide refundable tax credit of up to $2500 for amount above 30% of a person’s income that goes toward housing.

H.R. 2349 - National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act. A bill that would use a portion of FHA’s profits to create a trust fund from which states and non-profits could draw to build affordable housing rental units in mixed-income locations, to construct affordable homes for low to middle income citizens, and to provide rental subsidies to low-income individuals.

H. R. 425 - Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act. A bill to provide assistance to states for operating costs, capital expenditures, acquisition, preservation of projects with HUD-insured mortgages, section-8 contracts, and resident ownership. Would provide states with incentive to create programs or preserve low-income housing.

H.R. 2243 - Housing and Employment Opportunities Reform Act. A bill to set aside 30% of all labor costs on contracts of $500,000 or more for hiring low-income employees. It will also improve existing worker training programs.

H.R. 442 - Amend Title 38 to increase maximum amount of a home loan guarantee available to veterans. A bill to increase the maximum amount of home loan benefits available to veterans and service members under the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program to $252,000.

Bills Cosponsored

H.R. 4803- National Flood Insurance Program Fairness Act: A bill to ensure homeowners are provided adequate notice of flood map changes and a fair opportunity to appeal such changes.

HR 864 - State and Local Investment Opportunity Act of 1999: A bill to increase the State ceiling on private activity bonds. It will also help first time home buyers in Ohio.

HR 2257 - Disaster Assistance Fairness Act: A bill to allow people who have suffered "substantial damage" to homes to receive a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

HR 425 - Housing Preservation Matching Grant of 1999: A bill authorizing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to help states preserve affordable housing for low-income families.

HR 1172 - Historic Homeownership Assistance Act: A bill to provide a tax break to those who own historic homes.

HR 1624 - Elderly Housing Quality Improvement Act: A bill to authorize several programs to benefit senior housing. It would provide funding for rehabilitation and maintenance of federally assisted elderly housing as well as conversion of elderly housing to assisted living facilities.

HR 595 - Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act: A bill to help Federal Housing Administration (FHA) borrowers during temporary lay off, injury, or other circumstances that make mortgage payments difficult.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/housing.htm

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18. Immigration

Immigration

Refugees
Defending the Rights of Legal Immigrants
Border Control
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

Refugees

Most legal immigrants who come to the United States come to join close family members. Others come through employment-based immigration and are sponsored by U.S. employers. Still others, approximately 6%, enter the country as refugees. Refugees flee their homelands because they fear persecution on account of their race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion or national origin. If refugees can demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution, then Congressman Kucinich believes the United States has a moral responsibility to assist them. That is why Kucinich has sponsored several bills to make it easier for refugees to immigrate to the United States.

Defending the Rights of Legal Immigrants

Congressman Kucinich is an original cosponsor of legislation that would prohibit the use of "secret evidence" in trials conducted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Kucinich believes that the cornerstone of our judicial system is that evidence cannot be used against someone unless he or she has the chance to confront it. Congressman Kucinich strives to ensure the rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, creed, ethnic orientation, sexual orientation, disabilities or age.

Congressman Kucinich is also leading efforts to restore basic benefits to legal immigrants withdrawn by the 1996 welfare reform legislation. In this 107th Congress, during which welfare reauthorization legislation will be considered, Kucinich plans to fight to ensure that all tax-paying, productive members of our society are treated equally.

Border Control

Many immigrants cross the border illegally or remain in the country illegally after their visas expire. For this reason Congressman Kucinich supports more strict enforcement of our illegal immigration laws. Kucinich believes that there is also need to hire additional Customs Service inspectors to oversee the importation of goods from overseas.

Congressman Kucinich supports changes to the immigration bill in this regard passed by the 105th Congress and signed into law by President Clinton, particularly in the area of enforcing employer sanctions against firms that hire undocumented aliens. He is actively monitoring any further measures and will work with a bipartisan coalition to improve our efforts in this area.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 690 - Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2001. A bill to redefine the definition of family in current immigration laws to allow the sponsorship of “permanent partners” for U.S. residency.

H.R. 654- Immigration Services Consumer Protection Act of 2000. A bill that establishes criminal penalties for immigration consultants who handle immigration matters and do not meet specified requirements, including license and contract requirements. It would also exempt attorneys, certain law students and law graduates, accredited representatives of qualified organizations, accredited foreign officials, and persons authorized to practice before the INS and Board of Immigration Appeals as of a certain date.

H.R. 945 - Andean Adjustment Act of 2001. A bill to permit qualified refugees from Colombia and Peru who entered the US prior to December 1, 1995 to opportunity to apply for lawful permanent residence.

H.R. 500 - U.S. Employee and Family Unity Legalization Act. A bill to enable individuals who have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years to legalize their status through changes in the date of registry. Registry is a provision of immigration law that enables unauthorized aliens in the US to gain legal status. The provision grants the Attorney General the authority to create a record of legal admission into the US if a person has continuously lived in the US since before 1971.

H.R. 1582 - Immigrant Children’s Educational Advancement and Dropout Prevention Act. A bill that provides an opportunity for children who were brought to the US at a young age to adjust their immigration status. This would allow them to qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and other educational assistance.

H.R. 1195 - Bill to extend 245(I) Immigration Filing Deadline. A bill to extend until April 30, 2002 the deadline that allows illegal resident aliens residing in the U.S. who become eligible for legal status to remain in the U.S. without returning to their native country.

H.R. 993 - A bill to improve the prevention and punishment of criminal smuggling, transporting, and harboring of aliens.

H.R. 1713 - A bill that would allow qualified immigrants to adjust their immigration status without having to leave the United States and apply from abroad. This section expired April 30th, 2001.

H.R. 1892 - Family Sponsor Immigration Act. A bill that would allow a parent, spouse, son, daughter or sibling to take up the role of financial sponsor from the deceased sponsor without interruption of the naturalization process.

H.R. 1143 - Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act. A bill that allows the states the option of using Medicaid and CHIP to cover legal immigrant children and pregnant women.

H.R. 1904 - Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act. A bill that would establish minimum standards for release or placement of an accompanied child in INS custody and would provide vulnerable children with access to counsel to help deal with immigration and legal issues

H.R. 690 - Permanent Partners Immigration Act. A bill that would include same-sex partners in definition of family in allowing the sponsorship of “permanent partners” for U.S. residency.

H.R. 945 - Andean Adjustment Act of 2001. A bill that would permit qualified refugees from Colombia and Peru who entered the U.S. prior to December 1, 1995 the opportunity to apply for lawful permanent residence.

H.R. 500 - U.S. Employee and Family Unity Legalization Act. A bill that would enable individuals who have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years to legalize their status through changes in the date of registry.

H.R. 133 - Eliminate Penalty for Citizenship. A bill that would correct the currently policy that makes the wait for a child’s visa longer if a parent applies for a visa to bring their unmarried child into the U.S. and while waiting for the visa to be issued the parent becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen.

H.R. 654 - Immigration Services Consumer Protection Act. A bill that establishes criminal penalties for immigration consultants who handle immigration matters and do not meet specified requirements, including license and contract requirements. It would exempt attorneys, certain law students and law graduates, accredited representatives of qualified organizations. Accredited foreign officials, and persons authorized to practice before the INS Board of Immigration Appeals as of a certain date.

H.R. 2348 - Tohono O’odham Nation Citizenship Act of 2001. A bill to grant citizenship to members of the Tohono O’odham nation, a people indigenous to lands that encompass part of Arizona and Mexico.

Bills Cosponsored

HR 5232 - The Immigration Health and Safety Act: A bill to correct provision in immigration reform bill of 1996, enabling immigrants with severe diseases facing deportation to be granted mercy.

HR 5035 - Immigration Services Consumer Protection Act of 2000: A bill to set requirements for immigration consultants. Provides criminal sanctions and fines for those who accept money in the immigration services.

HR 36 - Central American and Caribbean Refugee Adjustment and Relief Act of 1999: A bill to provide certain nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti, as well as their families in the United States, the opportunity to adjust their immigration status. It will give people from Central American and Caribbean countries an equal opportunity to immigrate.

HR 919 - Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 1999: A bill to adjust the immigration status of certain Liberian nationals who were provided refuge in the United States.

HR 2121- Secret Evidence Repeal Act of 1999: A bill to ensure that no alien is deprived of their liberty and civil rights based on evidence that is kept secret from them.

HR 2722 - Central American and Haitian Adjustment Act: A bill to allow qualified nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti an opportunity to become permanent residents of the U.S.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

May 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the subcommittee on immigration asking for permanent legal residence to be issued to Ana Esparza. With citizenship she will be eligible for the medical coverage she needs for a liver transplant that she needs to survive.

April 26, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to extend the deadline for eligible immigrants to become permanent, legal residents of the United States.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/immigration.htm

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19. Insurance

Insurance

Blue Cross and Blue Shield: Protecting Taxpayers’ Interests

Shortly after taking office, Congressman Kucinich intervened in an attempt by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the National Capital Area (BCBSNCA) to convert to a for-profit company. His experience as a state legislator when Blue Cross of Ohio attempted to sell its assets to the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, Columbia/HCA, led him to take this action.

In March of 1997, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Senator Glenn alerting him to the problems in this bill, and that this bill was soon to be considered by the Senate. Senator Glenn put a hold on the bill until protections were secured to prevent the loss of millions of tax dollars to a for-profit insurance company.

After months of negotiations, a compromise was reached to allow BCBSNCA to merge with the non-profit Blue Cross of Maryland, while at the same time protecting the assets accumulated in the nonprofit sector. The federal charter that has been governing BCBSNCA since 1939 was not lifted, thus protecting taxpayers’ interests.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/insurance.htm

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20. International Relations

International Relations

Iraq
Lifting Economic Sanctions on Iraq
Venezuela
ABM Treaty
Space Based Weapons
Human Rights
Kosovo
School of the Americas
Protecting Human Rights in Nigeria
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Iraq

Congressman Kucinich has been at the forefront of the anti-war movement in Congress. In June 2002, Congressman Kucinich, along with 76 other signers, sent a letter to President Bush urging a Congressional authorization for war for use of force, prior to any U.S. military involvement. The Administration had been attempting to strip Congress of its Constitutional powers by denying its authority to declare war.

In August and September 2002, Congressman Kucinich held several press briefings airing various aspects of the conflict with Iraq that were not receiving due attention in the mainstream media. The briefings received nationwide media coverage and covered such aspects including the humanitarian toll on the Iraqi people, the vested corporate oil interests that may be coloring the Administration's actions, the economic burden that a war would place on the U. S., the consequences for Middle Eastern and international attitudes towards the United States, and the jeopardy of our status as a legitimate and just role model in international politics. Distinguished speakers included Scott Ritter, former senior UNSCOM inspector, Denis Halliday, former UN Humanitarian coordinator, and Ambassador Edward Peck, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.

Congressman Kucinich continued his efforts by creating a coalition of members of Congress in opposition to the authorization to use force against Iraq. Members sparked an essential democratic debate on the floor of the House of Representatives. Weekly meetings, press conferences, whipping and lobbying other members, garnered an anti-war sentiment in the House. Over 2/3 of the Democrats ended up voting against the war resolution.

Lifting Economic Sanctions on Iraq

Congressman Kucinich remains committed to organizing efforts to lift non-military sanctions in Iraq. These sanctions continue to cause devastation to the infrastructure and people of Iraq -- especially Iraqi children, who continue to suffer and die from sanctions- related illnesses.

Congressman Kucinich supports the continued sanctions on oil revenues and military-related goods as these sanctions have effectively hampered the regime’s ability to rebuild its weapons capacity. However, economic sanctions have not been effective at bringing the Government of Iraq to compliance with UN resolutions.

In an attempt to curtail the criticism of U.S. and British-lead sanctions, Secretary Powell introduced the idea of “smart sanctions” to the United Nations in 2001. However, this revised strategy is simply a public relations stunt, as "smart sanctions” do not fully address in the humanitarian needs in Iraq. Smart sanctions still maintain a ban on “dual-use” items, which are items that could be of potential military use. This is especially harmful as many of these items are used as spare parts for water and sanitation, electricity, transport, communications and oil installations.

In June 2001, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell encouraging him to “examine the humanitarian crisis that has afflicted the Iraqi people as a consequence of sanctions” in his evaluation of our sanctions policy. The letter also urged the de-linking of economic sanctions from the military sanctions currently in place against Iraq.

On Sunday, August 6, 2000 - marking the 10th anniversary of the imposition of sanctions against Iraq - Rep. Kucinich attended a national rally at the White House where thousands of people gathered to protest the economic sanctions.

Congressman Kucinich has also convened several Congressional briefings about the issue. On July 27, 2000, Congressman Kucinich and Congressman Conyers held a congressional briefing on Iraq sanctions entitled, "Putting the Pieces of the Iraq Sanctions Puzzle in Place." On May 3, 2000, Kucinich held a briefing on the impact of sanctions on the Iraqi population. An estimated 100 people were in attendance. Testimony in favor of lifting the economic sanctions on Iraq came from three former United Nations workers: Hans von Sponeck, former UN Humanitarian Coordinator; Denis Halliday, former UN Humanitarian coordinator and Scott Ritter, former senior UNSCOM weapons inspector. The briefing was co-sponsored with Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

On April 18, 2000, Rep. Kucinich and 25 other Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright requesting a meeting to discuss United States sanctions policy. Secretary Albright replied by reiterating the State Department's support for the economic sanctions and offered to have a member of her staff brief Congressional members on this issue.

In March 2000, Rep. Kucinich signed on to a letter to the President which urged him to lift the economic sanctions on Iraq. This letter was signed by more than 70 members of Congress.

Venezuela

In June 2002, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the House Committee on International Relations requesting an investigation into the role of the U.S. Administration in the April 2002 coup against Chavez in Venezuela. A number of reports came out detailing meetings between members of the U.S. Administration and leading Chavez opponents. Also, according to the New York Times, “the United States channeled hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to American and Venezuelan groups opposed to President Hugo Chavez, including the labor group whose protests ld to the Venezuelan president’s brief ouster this month.”

Congressman Kucinich also sent a letter to Senator Dodd on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee requesting that the Senate hold hearings on the possible U.S. role. Subsequently, Senator Dodd asked the Office of the Inspector General at the State Department to investigate.

In December 2002, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to President Bush urging the Administration to oppose any attempt to remove the democratically elected government of Venezuela by a military coup or other unconstitutional means. It also called upon the U.S. government to not have normal diplomatic relations with a coup-installed government.

ABM Treaty

Immediately after the Administration's announcement of its intentions regarding the ABM Treaty in December, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to President Bush urging him to reconsider his decision, in order to preserve both global security and the international coalition the President has assembled to fight terrorism.

The Constitution makes clear that only Congress has the power to make and repeal laws. It also states that treaties, which are ratified by the Senate and signed by the President, like any other laws represent the "supreme law of the land." Thus the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the ABM Treaty without consulting one or both houses of Congress violates our Constitution. This is significant, because it erodes our constitutional system of checks and balances designed to prevent power from being concentrated in any one branch of government.

Withdrawing from the ABM Treaty also has national security implications. For thirty years, the ABM Treaty has helped hold together an architecture of agreements that has limited the threat posed by nuclear weapons. There is considerable evidence that the less formal nuclear agreements and policies set to replace this architecture will render nuclear relations unpredictable and unstable.

On Tuesday, June 11th, Congressman Kucinich and thirty other members of the House of Representatives filed a lawsuit to block the President from withdrawing from the ABM Treaty without seeking the consent of Congress. They were represented by Klimaski & Grill, P.C, Lawyers’ Committee on Nuclear Policy, and the Center for Constitutional Rights.

But on December 30, 2002, Judge John Bates, a Bush appointee, dismissed the case on two grounds: that a minority of congressmen had "no standing" to bring the case to court and that the issue of how to terminate treaties constituted a "political question" that could not be resolved by the courts except as a possible "last resort."

Congressman Kucinich and his attorneys will not appeal the decision. John Burroughs, a lawyer for the representatives, took heart from one aspect of the judgment, noting in a January 1 statement that Bates' decision "does not foreclose Congress from asserting its constitutional role in the treaty termination process."

Space Based Weapons

In January 2002, Congressman Kucinich introduced a bill, H.R. 3616, which would ban the weaponization of space.

The Space Preservation Act would essentially put a lid on weaponization by banning both weapons stationed in outer space and the targeting of any objects in orbit in space (The use of space-based reconnaissance and intelligence equipment would be permitted). Such a ban would prevent a destructive space arms race along the lines of the nuclear arms race that has placed Earth’s existence in jeopardy for over fifty years.

A space weapons ban will also free up money to fund more important needs. The Department of Defense's Space Based Laser, just one of many different space-based weapons being contemplated, is expected to cost $70-80 billion to develop.


Human Rights

As an advocate of ending discrimination in the United States and promoting human rights worldwide, Congressman Kucinich, a member of the Human Rights Caucus, has made the issue of human rights a top international relations priority.

In the 107th Congress, Congressman Kucinich is again a co-sponsor of the Human Rights Information Act (H.R. 1152). The bill aims to provide a process for declassifying on an expedited basis certain documents relating to human rights abuses in Guatemala, Honduras, and other regions. Releasing these documents would help investigators look into human rights abuses and bring human rights violators to justice.

H.R 1152 has the support of nearly 70 bi-partisan cosponsors, including many senior Republicans on the Government Reform Committee such as Reps. Ben Gilman, Connie Morella, Chris Shays and Tom Davis. Rep. Chris Smith, the Chairman of the House International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee, is also a cosponsor of the bill. Moreover, this bill has the full support of the entire human rights community and is being watched closely by the relevant NGOs.

The original version of the bill introduced in the105th Congress provided for an expedited procedure for the US Government to respond to requests for human rights documents regarding Guatemala and Honduras. Rep. Kucinich believed that the benefits of this bill should not be limited to only two countries, but should be accessible to others as well. Consequently, Rep. Kucinich introduced an amendment in committee in September of 1998 which expanded the scope of this bill. The amendment opened the declassification procedures to international entities such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States or Truth Commissions similar to the Guatemalan Clarification Commission. The amendment also provided for other legitimate international entities from non-Latin American or Caribbean countries, including human rights officials, to have access to declassified information.

On April 5, 2000, a Government Reform subcommittee unanimously reported the HRIA to the full committee. Rep. Kucinich testified at the subcommittee urging his colleagues to vote in favor of this important legislation.

Rep. Kucinich believes that if there is a legitimate request for human rights records-- irrespective of its national origin-- it should be honored, so long as it does not endanger our national security. Release of such information could help families of torture, kidnapping, and killing victims answer long-standing questions about the whereabouts of their loved ones. If enacted, the Human Rights Information Act would be invaluable to these families.

Kosovo

Congressman Kucinich played an active leadership role in Congress in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Balkan crisis in 1999. In an effort to encourage peace and negotiations in the Balkans, in April, 1999 Kucinich joined an 11-member congressional delegation to Vienna, Austria chaired by Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA). There, the representatives met with leaders of the Russian Duma. The two delegations issued a joint report that included recommendations for resolving the crisis and a framework for a peace accord. A congressional resolution based on the Congress-Duma peace framework, H. Con. Res. 99, came out of these consultations.

Congressman Kucinich was one of the leading Democrats in opposition to the Balkan war and to NATO's bombing strategy. On April 28, 1999, Congress voted overwhelmingly against declaring war on Yugoslavia (H.J. Res 44). Congressman Kucinich was also instrumental in the defeat of a bill (S.Con.Res. 21) that would have legally sanctioned the Administration to wage a larger war. The resolution was defeated in a 213-213 tie vote. As a result, the War Powers Resolution's restriction on the length of an unauthorized military campaign remained in place, and was one factor leading to the war’s quick end.

On April 30, 1999, a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress, including Congressman Kucinich, filed a lawsuit to compel the President to follow the Constitution and halt U.S. armed forces from engaging in military action in Yugoslavia unless Congress declared war or granted the President specific statutory authority.

In Cleveland, Congressman Kucinich co-chaired and attended a candlelight "Procession for Peace" on Sunday, May 23, 1999. Under a driving rain, more than 400 marchers walked 1.2 miles across one of Cleveland's largest bridges in support of peace. The peace march was organized by Cleveland religious leaders, community groups, and labor organizations to push for an end to NATO's bombing of Serbia, an end to ethnic cleansing, and for peaceful negotiations to end the two-month war.

Kucinich also held a weekly series of "Teach-Ins" on Capitol Hill discussing the consequences of and alternatives to the NATO bombing campaign. He wrote to the Administration on many occasions regarding the targeting of civilian sites and infrastructure, and delivered several speeches on the House floor questioning the NATO bombing campaign in Yugoslavia.

Congressman Kucinich has continued to monitor events in the Balkans since the NATO bombing stopped. In July of 2000, Kucinich introduced an amendment to a Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that would have prohibited funding from being used for the Kosovo Protection Corps. In September, 1999 the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was transformed into a 5,000-member, demilitarized, civilian organization known as the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). According to UN Regulations on the establishment of the KPC, "the Kosovo Corps shall not have any role in law enforcement or the maintenance of law and order."

However, according to an unreleased internal United Nations Report, the Kosovo Protection Corps had been responsible for violence, extortion, murder and torture. The Washington Post reported that the UN document cited several members of the KPC who "allegedly tortured or killed local citizens and illegally detained others; illegally attempted to conduct law enforcement activities; illegally forced local businesses to pay taxes; and threatened UN police who attempted to intervene and stop the wrongdoing. Rep. Kucinich's amendment was not passed, but Rep. Kucinich remains determined to find non-military solutions to strife in the Balkans.

In his effort to search for common ground in the Balkans, Congressman Kucinich has held various congressional briefings on the topic of Kosovo. In March 2000, Rep. Kucinich invited military analysts and international policy researchers to discuss the continued conflict on the ground in the region. Speakers included: Chuck Spinney, Operational Research Analyst, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis and Evaluation at the Pentagon; Robert Hayden, Director, Russian and Eastern European Studies, University of Pittsburgh; Ted Carpenter, Vice President for Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute; Stojan Cerovic, Senior Fellow at the United States Institutes of Peace; Michael Ratner, Vice President, International Lawyer, Center for Constitutional Rights; and Pierre Sprey, former Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis at the Pentagon.

On July 19, 2000, Rep. Kucinich held another briefing to discuss the future of the Balkans. The briefing, entitled "Keeping the Peace in Kosovo?", examined the peacekeeping process in Kosovo a year after the war ended. One of the issues the panelists discussed was whether NATO's mission has accomplished its stated goal to establish peace in the region. In addition, panelists discussed United States policy towards the Balkans region and what is likely to become of Kosovo in the future. Panelists included: James Bissett, former Canadian Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Albania; Srdja Trifkovic, director of the Center for International Affairs at Rockford Institute; and David Binder, former New York Times correspondent in East Europe.

In this 107th Congress, Rep. Kucinich convened a briefing in April 2001 entitled “Peace in the Balkans: Myth or Reality?” focusing on the recent developments in Macedonia and Kosovo and the environmental effects of war in the Balkans. Participants included Joan McQueeney Mitric, a journalist who has covered the enviromental catastrophe; General William Nash, who served in the Balkans, of the Council on Foreign Relations; and Gary Dempsey of the Cato Institute.

School of the Americas

Because graduates of this school have been responsible for numerous human rights violations across Latin America, Rep. Kucinich has long been an opponent of the School of the Americas (SOA). Among the many victims who have died at the hands of SOA graduates were Clevelanders Sister Dorothy Kazel and Sister Jean Donovan.

As a long time human rights advocate, Kucinich has actively fought to end funding for the School of the Americas. When the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2001 was debated on the House floor last year, Congress voted by a 204 to 214 margin against an amendment to close the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning. Rep. Kucinich voted in favor of this amendment.

Later, he voted against the Defense Authorization Bill because of a number of concerns about the legislation, including its provisions for the closing and then re-opening of this school under a new name: the Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC). The legislation passed.

There are serious doubts as to whether this new Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation will be substantially different from the School of the Americas. Many of the changes are cosmetic. For example, existing courses remain and any independent oversight is still significantly limited.

Rep. Kucinich has consistently cosponsored legislation that calls for closing the School of the Americas. He has also made several statements on the floor of the House of Representatives advocating the closure of the School. In this 107th Congress, Kucinich has sent a Dear Colleague letter to other House members emphasizing the similarities between WHISC and the SOA.

Despite the narrow failure last year of a measure to close the School, there is reason to be encouraged that the SOA can eventually be shut down. Major headway was made in July 1999, when the House of Representatives passed an amendment that cut funding for the School of the Americas. Passage of this amendment was a tremendous victory for human rights defenders, and moved activists one step closer to closing the School.

The Senate passed its own version of the bill, which included funding for the School. Appointed conferees of the House and Senate met to try to resolve the differences between the two bills. Unfortunately, the compromise deleted the amendment language which cut funding for the School of Americas, and thus effectively restored funding for the school.

Congressman Kucinich voted against this conference report and spoke out on the House floor against the overall spending bill because it deleted the provision which would have canceled funding for the School of the Americas.

Protecting Human Rights in Nigeria

Congressman Kucinich was a recipient of the 1999 William Moses Kunstler Racial Justice award for his efforts in opposition of Chevron's environmental degradation in Nigeria. According to the William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice, an organization whose mission is to combat racism and social injustice, "Congressman Kucinich has fought for what is right his whole life. He is a politician who does not act like one; he is willing to take on members of his own party as well as banks and big business. One of Congressman Kucinich's major goals has been to hold international corporations accountable for their conduct. Recently, he has worked in Congress for an investigation of collaboration between Chevron and the Nigerian military in the repression of activists protesting against the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta. Chevron has given the Nigerian military helicopters and other hardware that was used to kill those interfering with Chevron's oil drilling."

In a March 5, 1999 letter to Committee Chairman Ben Gilman, Kucinich and several Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the International Relations Committee requested a congressional investigation into allegations that Nigerian security forces, with the help of US-based oil company Chevron, killed innocent Nigerian civilians, committed human rights abuses and harassed environmental activists.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 15, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to request the release of Dr. Chunyan Teng, a permanent U.S. resident and a Falun Gong practitioner, who is imprisoned in Beijing.

September 10, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary Powell urging him to take immediate action to lift any sanctions against Iraq that prohibit importation of chemicals or equipment essential to water treatment or purification.

September 10, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Pastrana of Columbia urging him to take immediate steps to end the impunity enjoyed by the Colombian paramilitary groups that have been targeting and assassinating members and leaders of Colombian trade unions.

September 6, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter urging all parties to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland to use all resources at their disposal to end the violence.

September 5, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Zemin of China requesting the President’s consideration of the case of Chen Yabin, a democracy activist who has been in prison for ten years.

August 29, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Junta Local de Concilacion y Arbitraje in Puebla, Mexico encouraging the use of secret ballots in all union recognition elections.

August 21, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Senate Majority Leader Daschle in support of cancellation of the debts of poor countries.

August 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Fox of Mexico urging review of the case of jailed environmentalists Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia.

August 3, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Mubarak of Egypt expressing disapproval over the arrest of 52 men in Egypt on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation.

August 3, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Vincente Fox of Mexico concerning the imprisonment of Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia, two farmers and environmental activists.

August 2, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan urging that his country oppose the Zionism is Racism declaration at the UN Conference in Durban.

Letters

October 31, 2000, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Chairman Yasser Arafat requesting continuous attempts to employ diplomatic efforts to restore peace in the Middle East, and to continue to work with regional partners to revive the delicate peace process.

October 19, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting him to take action to vastly improve the conditions of life and the potential for peace in the Middle East region via de-linking the economic sanctions from the military sanctions in place against Iraq.

October 10, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs requesting that the Foreign Operations conference report include $750 million for the Migration and Refugee Account, the full amount already authorized by Congress for FY 2001.

October 10, 2000, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel, urging Israel to use the utmost restraint when encountering Palestinian or Lebanese civilian populations and to continue to employ diplomatic efforts to restore peace and work with regional partners to revive the delicate peace process.

October 6, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt, requesting support for considering H. Con. Res. 328 under suspension of the rules.

October 3, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Foreign Operations Conference Committee for an increase in funding for refugee protection.

August 7, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Judge Maclovio Murillo Chavez requesting that the decision in the case of Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia will be settled in accordance with human rights principles established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Mexico is a party. Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter regarding HR 4811, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY2001, requesting stronger language addressing the refugees still trapped by militias in West Timor, and the ongoing harassment by militias of humanitarian aid workers assisting in the refuge camps.

July 28, 2000, Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting his support for the release of Lori Berenson, an American citizen who is being wrongfully imprisoned in Peru.

July 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging him to sign the UN convention on Landmines.

July 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton encouraging economic assistance to Lebanon in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal from the region.

July 25, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Albright concerning a massacre of six men residing in the “Peace Community” in the region of Antioquia, Colombia.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the conferees on the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill and the Conferees of the Baltic Caucus, expressing support for the SEED program, requesting that they maintain $20 million of funds for the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program for the Baltics.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey expressing concern about the imprisonment of Esber Yagmurdereli.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Albert Fujimori of Peru expressing concern over the imprisonment of Mirtha Ira Bueno Hidalgo.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Mexico expressing concern over the imprisonment of Brigadier General Jose Francisco Gallardo Rodriguez.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Jiang Zemin of China expressing concern over the imprisonment of Chen Yanbin.

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Uganda expressing concern over the conduct of Ugandan military forces in the northern war zone.

July 21, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton, provide leadership in the international community in an effort to meet the United Nations goal to cut world hunger in half by the year 2015.

July 20, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Egypt requesting the release of a Dr Said Ibrahim, a pro- democracy activist who has been jailed by Egypt for receiving foreign aid.

July 19, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Judge Maclovio Murillo Chavez expressing concern about the arrest and legal proceedings in the case of 2 environmental activists in Mexico.

July 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Columbia expressing concern for Colombia’s indigenous U’wa people.

July 14- Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing strong support for increased United States investment to address tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, and malaria globally.

July 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Government of China in support of the mothers of the victims of Tianamen Square and requesting accountability for the events of Tianamen Square.

July 11, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton and Congressional leaders requesting that they make passage of the Hunger Relief Act a legislative priority.

July 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to leaders in Peru, China, Mexico, and Turkey regarding specific child soldiers cases in these countries.

June 30, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Tunisia urging him to respect human rights: release of political prisoners, end torture, recognize freedom of press, religion, assembly, and allow political prisoners to return to work.

June 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Cyprus encouraging US involvement in Cyprus settlements talks.

June 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland urging him to consider Chris Patten’s recommendations for the Police Bill which represent a package which must be implemented comprehensively if Northern Ireland is to have the policing arrangements it needs.

June 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Burmese government demanding immediate release of James Mawdsky who is being imprisoned in Burma for distributing pro-democracy leaflets there.

June 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Department of Treasury requesting that the United States representative vote to oppose funding for the loan program for the completion of two nuclear power plants in the Ukraine (Khmelnitsky 2 and Rivne 4).

June 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the World Bank requesting publication of an internal report on a project in China (which has raised concern about population relocation by the Chinese government in Tibet) before the World Bank votes to fund the project.

June 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary Albright expressing his concern for East Timorese refugees, opposition to state’s plan to close refugee camps before refugees go home, and support for UNHCR’s work in East Timor.

June 7, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to raise human rights issue during his meeting with President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico.

June 7, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of the Republic of Panama requesting her to intervene to allow journalist Dr. Cabal to leave Panama to testify before the United States Congress about ways both countries can improve diplomatic relations and guarantee the continued safe and efficient operation of the Panama Canal.

June 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee requesting unanimous consent for S. Con. Res. 110, a concurrent resolution congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.

June 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the President and Secretary of the Department of Treasury requesting that there be no consideration of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline project until the Inspection Panel’s report on China’s Western Poverty Reduction Project is disclosed to the public, that the lessons learned form the investigation be clearly articulated to the public and applied prior to the approval of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline project, and that they ensure there are no violations of World Bank policy or US law in the project before proceeding with the vote.

June 1, 2000 -Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Ernesto Zedillo expressing his concern about the case of Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia, two farmers and environmental activists from the Mexican state of Guerrero who were arrested and allegedly tutored by members of the Mexican army. June 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Pastrana urging human rights protection in Columbia.

June 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Mexico expressing his concern about the two farmers who were recently arrested in Mexico, and the human rights abuses against them and their lawyers. The letter encourages upholding UN conventions on Human Rights.

May 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Guatemala congratulating him on his initial actions as President, particularly with regards to prosecution and investigation of human rights abuses.

May 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to pressure Russia against human rights abuses in Chechnya.

May 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Columbia expressing his concern about the massacre in Columbia in the village of San José de Apartado on February 19th. The letter urges the President to clarify events leading up to the massacre and urges observance of human rights.

May 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton responding to the news that the United States will be resuming some military-to-military training with Indonesia. It urges that no such steps be taken until there is clear indication that the Indonesia armed forces have accepted civilian control and are no longer committing gross human rights violations. The letter urges the maintenance of a full ban on military sales and training.

May 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of Defense urging the unclassified release of the “Air War Over Serbia” report.

May 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education House Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities for the creation of the National Center for Competency-Based Distance Education.

May 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton opposing his decision to proceed with the removal of the peaceful protesters from the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

April 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of the Republic of El Salvador urging El Salvador to implement a rural strategy to help reactivate the rural sector recently devastated by Hurricane Melie.

April 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives urging him to authorize a congressional delegation to Iraq to investigate the effect of sanctions.

April 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations expressing his wish that the people of Iran and the United States will be able to join together in peaceful, constructive endeavor.

April 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to support the release of Lori Berenson, an American citizen who is being wrongfully imprisoned in Peru.

March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton asking to extend Temporary Protective Status for Hondurans in the United States. Many Hondurans sought refuge in the U.S. after Hurricane Mitch ransacked much of Central America. The deportation of Hondurans would bring about severe strain to the country and to the individual families.

March 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing concern for the refugees from East Timor. The letter requests that the Administration provide access to West Timor refugee camps; allow refugees to return to East Timor without intimidation; disarm and disband militias; help track refugees; and stop the use of intimidating militia ads that discourage refugees from returning home.

March 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter inviting Members of Congress to join the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. The primary purpose of the Ukrainian Caucus is to organize members who share a common concern for building stronger bilateral relations between the United States and Ukraine.

March 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the leadership of the Appropriations Committee and its subcommittees requesting $25 million in emergency funds for East Timor. East Timor won independence in 1999, after over two decades of Indonesian military rule.

March 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Rabbi Moshe-Reuven Azman, Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Kiev, Ukraine, congratulating him on the rededication of the Great Synagogue of Kiev.

March 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a resolution which recognizes human rights abuses in Mexico and the expulsion of human rights observers. The resolution urges Mexico to facilitate entrance of human rights observers into Mexico and to clarify their immigration policy regarding such observers.

February 18, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting that the United States-China bilateral trade agreement on China’s World Trade Organization (WTO) membership be made available to the public.

January 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging the lifting of economic sanctions on Iraq. January 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton asking for reform of the dominant institutions in the global economy, particularly in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). An open and transparent process for the selection of the next head of the IMF could begin to restore some of the IMF’s tattered credibility.

January 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President expressing strong support for the UN investigation of the atrocities committed against the East Timorese people.

January 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressing U.S.-Mexican relations concerning counter-narcotics programs.

November 17, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Speaker of the House to express support for meaningful reform to end food and medicine sanctions because denying access to food and medicine is an abhorrent foreign policy tool. Additionally, unilateral sanctions punish American farmers and depress American commodity prices by denying access to significant international markets.

November 10, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the President of the Ukrainian Gazette thanking him for contacting him regarding the founding of the American-Ukrainian newspaper, “Ukrainian Gazette.”

October 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Speaker of the House urging full and immediate funding for the Wye River agreement. As Israel and the Palestinian Authority move ahead with implementation of the Wye agreement and final status negotiations, it is vital for the future of the peace process that the United States also do its part in meeting its commitments and obligations.

October 26, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Republic of Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Secretary of State Albright expressing concern over the government closure of two respected newspapers, al-Shoura and al-Haq, undermining freedom of press and democratic progress. Both of the two papers are popular advocates of Yemen’s migration towards democracy and political freedoms.

October 18, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to President Clinton requesting that the President examine the need for promoting closer ties between the United States and the Republic of Croatia.

September 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu to send a strong message that the international community, and particularly the United States, continues to monitor the situation in Guatemala, and that the Guatemalan government is still held responsible for implementing the peace accords that it signed in 1996.

September 13, 1999 - Several Members of Congress sent a letter to House and Senate Conferees to bring their attention to the funding priorities of microcredit. Microcredit is the practice of extending small loans to the poorest of the world’s poor so that they may start- up or expand small businesses and pull themselves out of poverty.

August 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to U.S. Attorney General Reno to encourage the extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of Liberia who are residing here in the United States.

June 21, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Colombian President Pastrana urging him to promote human rights and protect human rights activists.

June 15, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Prime Minister Blair to express deep concern regarding the current crisis in the Irish peace process. Specifically, this letter urges implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

June 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several members of Congress co-signed a letter to Chairman Callahan and Ranking Member Pelosi of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee in support of a strong U.S. investment in microenterprise programs. Microenterprise refers to the provision of small loans to very poor people, so that they can start to expand small business ventures.

June 11, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to the President of The World Bank expressing concerns about the failure of the Indonesian Government to respect the human rights of the people of East Timor and to allow them an opportunity to express their right of self-determination.

June 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to Mr. Samuel Berger, National Security Advisor to the President, requesting to meet with him about releasing the documents pertaining to the murder of four U.S. churchwomen in El Salvador in 1980.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several members of Congress sent a letter to President Ben Ali of Tunisia expressing concern over human rights abuses in Tunisia.

February 26, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright asking her to press the Indonesian government to alleviate violent situations brought on by the Indonesian military.

January 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Prime Minister Vajpayee of India urging him to protect religious minorities in India.

January 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President urging him to enforce labor rights in Mexico when he visits the Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo in February.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 151 - A bill calling for $100 million more in disaster relief for India and for economic assistance to help rebuild Gujarat.

H.R. 1358 - A bill to remove sanctions that have already been removed by executive action. This bill would remove Indian and Pakistani companies from a list of entities that American companies cannot do business with.

H.Con. Res. 116- A resolution recommending the integration of the Baltic States in N.A.T.O.

H.R. 1179 - Tibetan Policy Act of 2000. A bill to support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity.

H.R. 1806 - A bill that allows Liberian refugees to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. if they have continually been present since 1/1/2001 until time of application. This is due to the ongoing violence in Liberia.

H.R.81 - A bill urging China to release Rebiya Kadeer, a member of the Uighur minority in China’s Xingjiang autonomous region. She was imprisoned in China after attempting to meet with staff members of a US Congressional Delegation.

H.R. 160 - A bill calling on China to release Li Shaomin and other Chinese-American scholars. They were imprisoned on espionage charges. Shaomin was actually held for 3 months without being charged, and has not been allowed to contact his family or lawyer.

H.R. 931 - Sudan Peace Act. A bill that calls on the Administration to create an effective and comprehensive policy towards the Sudan.

H.R. 819 - A bill to designate the Federal building located at 143 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio, as the ``Donald J. Pease Federal Building.”

H.R. 1152 - Human Rights Information Act. A bill to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law by providing a process for executive agencies for declassifying on an expedited basis and disclosing certain documents relating to human rights abuses in countries other than the United States.

H.R. 348 - Central American and Haitian Adjustment Act. A bill to amend the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to provide to certain nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti an opportunity to apply for adjustment of status under that Act, and for other purposes.

H.R. 675 - East Timor Transition to Independence Act. A bill to provide assistance to East Timor to facilitate the transition of East Timor to an independent nation, and for other purposes.

H.R. 742 - Humanitarian Exports Leading to Peace Act of 2001. A Bill to provide the suffering people of Iraq with access to food and medicines from the United States.

H.R. 918 - Clean Diamonds Act - A bill to prohibit the importation of diamonds unless the countries exporting the diamonds into the United States have in place a system of controls on rough diamonds.

H.Con. Res. 60 - A resolution supporting an International War Crimes Tribunal in East Timor.

H.Con.Res. 29 - Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the conviction of ten members of Iran's Jewish community.

H.R. 931 - A bill to facilitate famine relief efforts and a comprehensive solution to the war in Sudan.

H.Con.Res. 118 - A bill urging the return of portraits painted by Dina Babbitt during her internment at Auschwitz that are now in the possession of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

H.Res. 181- A resolution congratulating Peru on elections and expressing sympathy for earthquake victims.

H.R. 1726- A bill to provide for adjustment of immigration status for certain aliens granted temporary protected status in the United States because of conditions in Montserrat.

H.Con. Res. 185- Expressing deep regret for the refusal of the United States to provide political asylum to the Jewish refugees aboard the S.S. ST. LOUIS in May and June of 1939.

H.R. 133- A bill that urges the Turkish government to release the four democratically-elected Kurdish Parliamentarians who continue to be imprisoned seven years after their arrest.

H.Con.Res. 195 - Expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of Japan should formally issue a clear and unambiguous apology for the sexual enslavement of young women during colonial occupation of Asia and World War II, known to the world as ``comfort women''.

H. Con. Res. 77- A resolution supporting reunification of Korean Americans and their North Korean families.

H.R. 1642- The Debt Cancellation for the New Millennium Act. This bill urges the President to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to make several changes to improve the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.

The Peacekeeper Act of 2001. This bill urges the President to instruct the US ambassador to the UN to encourage the establishment of a permanent peacekeeping force.

H.R. 2782 - The Corporate Code of Conduct Act. This bill establishes minimum worker rights, human rights, and environmental protection guidelines for US-based multinationals based on US and international standards.

H.R. 3552 - National Foundation for the Study of Holocaust Assets Act of 2001. A bill which creates a foundation to promote further research and education in the area of Holocaust-era assets and restitution policy.

H. Con. Res. 81- This resolution recognizes the 90th Anniversary of the tragic Triangle Fire in New York City.

H.R. 2138 - Bridges to the Cuban People Act. A bill to provide the people of Cuba with access to food and medicines from the United States, to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba, to provide scholarships for certain Cuban nationals, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3169 - International Disability and Victims of Landmines, Civil Strife and Warfare Assistance Act of 2001. A bill to authorize assistance for individuals with disabilities in foreign countries, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2739 - A bill to require the United States to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the WHO summit.

H.R. 2693 - Holocaust Victims Insurance Relief Act. A bill to require insurance companies operating in the United States to disclose the names on policies that were in effect in areas under Nazi control between 1933 and 1945.

H.Con.Res. 211 - Resolution recognizing the efforts of Burmese leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

H.R. 938 - United Nations Rapid Deployment Act of 2001. This bill establishes rapidly-deployable peacekeeping force of at least 6,000 volunteers expressly trained and equipped for peacekeeping operations.

H.Con.Res.131 - A resolution congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 10th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence.

Bills Cosponsored

HR 5065 - Nazi and Japanese War Crimes Disclosure Act: A bill to extend the current Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act for an additional two years.

H. Con. Res. 357 - A resolution which calls upon the Government of Japan to issue an apology for its war crimes and pay reparations to the “comfort women” it enslaved during World War II.

H. Res. 580 - A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the murder of human rights lawyer Jafar Siddiq Hamzah in Medan, Indonesia.

H. Con. Res. 395 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Congress condemning the September 6, 2000 militia attack on United Nations refugee workers in West Timor and calling for an end to militia violence in East and West Timor.

HR 5101 - Affordable HIV/AIDS Medicines for Poor Countries Act: A bill to provide measures to increase availability of affordable HIV/AIDS medicines in developing countries via: encourages developing countries to enact policies to make HIV/AIDS medicines affordable; prohibits US Trade Rep from initiative WTO challenges to laws of developing countries that promote access to HIV/AIDS medicines; Encourages pharmaceutical companies to make HIV/AIDS medicines available to developing countries at affordable prices.

H.R. 4803- National Flood Insurance Program Fairness Act: A bill to ensure homeowners are provided adequate notice of flood map changes and a fair opportunity to appeal such changes.

H. Res. 461 - A resolution that urges the release of certain Members of Parliament in Turkey of Kurdish origin.

HR 4357 - East Timor Repatriation Security Act of 2000: A bill to continue the ban on US military sales and assistance to Indonesian military.

H. Con. Res. 293 - A concurrent resolution urging compliance with the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

H. Con. Res. 328 - A concurrent resolution that emphasizes as support for the democratically elected government in exile and continuation of sanctions against the Burmese writing government.

H.R. 3192 - The Hunger Relief Act: A bill to allow low-income legal immigrants to be eligible for participation in the Food Stamp Program, to allow states to set a higher limit for cars for families receiving food stamps, to allow food stamp recipients more flexibility in their housing, and to raise funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

H.R. 230 - Cuban Humanitarian Trade Act: A bill to allow for trade with Cuba on food, medicine, and medical supplies. Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2000: A bill to change law to allow for free travel to Cuba.

H.R. 3825 - Humanitarian Exports Leading to Peace Act of 2000: A bill to change US law to make it easier to export US food and medicine to Iraq.

H. Con. Res. 258 - A concurrent resolution congratulating the Republic of Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the rule of the former Soviet Union.

H. Con. Res. 275 - A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to Iraq’s failure to release prisoners of war from Kuwait and nine other nations in violation of international agreements.

H. Con. Res. 251 - A concurrent resolution to commend Croatia for the conduct of its parliamentary and presidential elections.

HR 3544 - Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act - A bill to authorize the award of a Congressional gold medal for Pope John-Paul II.

H Con Res 238 - Peaceful Resolution in Chiapas, Mexico - A concurrent resolution calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Chiapas, Mexico.

H CON RES 21- A bill that recommends the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

HR 2809- A bill to impose an immediate suspension of assistance to the Government of Indonesia until the results of the Aug. 30, 1999 vote in East Timor have been implemented.

HR 732 - A bill to close the United States Army School of the Americas.

HR 772 - HOPE for Africa Act of 1999: A bill aimed to reduce debt obligations and increase prosperity in the continent of Africa.

H CON RES 54 - A resolution to honor the Irish peace process on the one-year anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement.

H CON RES 99 - A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the congressional leadership and the Administration should support the efforts and recommendations of the United States Congress-Russian Duma’s meeting in Vienna, Austria, held April 30 - May 1, 1999, in order to bring about a fair, equitable, and peaceful settlement between the warring factions in Yugoslavia.

H CON RES 28 - A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should introduce and make all efforts necessary to pass a resolution criticizing the People's Republic of China for its human rights abuses in China and Tibet at the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

H RES 97 - A sense of the Congress resolution on the situation in Haiti, calling on the country’s leaders to work out a compromise and expressing concern about the status of democracy in the country.

H CON RES 100 - A concurrent resolution urging the compliance by Turkey with United Nations resolutions relating to Cyprus.

H CON RES 80 - A concurrent resolution calling for an end to restrictions on freedoms and human rights of enclaved people in occupied areas of Cyprus.
H CON RES 83 - A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the Republic of Yugoslavia release the three illegally detained U.S. servicemen and abide by the Geneva Convention protocols regarding the treatment of both prisoners of war and innocent civilians.

H CON RES 156 - A concurrent resolution supporting World Tibet Day and indicating a commitment to human rights in China.

HR 2269 - Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit United States military assistance and arms transfers to foreign governments that are undemocratic, do not adequately protect human rights, are engaged in acts of armed aggression, or are not fully participating in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

H RES 389 - A sense of the Congress resolution that dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama should be renewed.

H CON RES 209 - A resolution condemning the use of children in the military.

H RES 107 -A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

HR 2859 - A bill to impose an immediate suspension of assistance to the Government of Indonesia until the results of the August 30, 1999, vote in East Timor have been implemented, and for other purposes.

H CON RES 165 - A resolution expressing United States policy toward the Slovak Republic.

H CON RES 209 - Expressing condemnation of the use of children as soldiers and the belief that the United States should support, and where possible, lead efforts to establish and enforce international standards designed to end this abuse of human rights.

H RES 92 - A resolution recommending the integration of the Republic of Slovakia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/internationalrelations.htm

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21. Peace

PEACE EFFORTS


Photo Gallery
Department of Peace Bill Introduced
Summary of Department of Peace Legislation
Press Release on Introduction of Department of Peace
Legislation Introduced to Create a Department of Peace
Reflections on the War In The Balkans
Peace Through Nuclear Disarmament
What You Can Do To Help
What Do You Think?
America: A New Spirit

Photo Gallery




Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) accept a panel of the Children's Cloth of Many Colors from Brynn Stalvey, a student at Bonnie Brae Elementary School in Fairfax, VA. The panel is part of a peace quilt, designed and constructed by children that contains messages about what peace means to them.




Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is joined by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman John Conyers Jr (D-MI) at a Washington, DC news conference to unveil legislation establishing a cabinet level Department of Peace.



Legislation Introduced to Create a Department of Peace

On April 8, 2003 Congressman Kucinich introduced H.R. 1673 (first introduced July 11, 2001) a bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace which embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world. To search for the text of the legislation, along with a current list of cosponsors click here.

Domestically, the Department would be responsible for developing policies which address issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly. Internationally, the Department would analyze foreign policy and make recommendations to the President on matters pertaining to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.

The Department would also have an Office of Peace Education that would work with educators in elementary, secondary and universities in the development and implementation of curricula to instruct students in peaceful conflict resolution skills. In addition, a Peace Academy, modeled after the military service academies, would be established to provide instruction in peace education and offer opportunities for graduates to serve in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.

I encourage you to review the Department of Peace legislation and share with me any comments you have on the legislation.

Summary of Department of Peace Legislation

Legislation introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich to create a Department of Peace includes the following:

• Establish a cabinet-level department in the executive branch of the Federal Government dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.

• Headed by a Secretary of Peace, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

• The mission of the Department shall: hold peace as an organizing principle; endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; strengthen nonmilitary means of peacemaking; promote the development of human potential; work to create peace, prevent violence, divert from armed conflict and develop new structures in nonviolent dispute resolution; and take a proactive, strategic approach in the development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict and structured mediation of conflict.

• The Department will create and establish a Peace Academy, modeled after the military service academies, which will provide a 4 year concentration in peace education. Graduates will be required to serve 5 years in public service in programs dedicated to domestic or international nonviolent conflict resolution.

• The principal officers of the Department, in addition to the Secretary of Peace will include; the Under Secretary of Peace; the Assistant Secretary for Peace Education and Training; the Assistant Secretary for Domestic Peace Activities, the Assistant Secretary for International Peace Activities; the Assistant Secretary for Technology for Peace; the Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament; the Assistant Secretary for Peaceful Coexistence and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution; the Assistant Secretary for Human and Economic Rights; and a General Counsel.

• The first day of each year, January 1st will be designated as Peace Day in the United States and all citizens should be encouraged to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace in the coming year.


http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/peace.htm

Department of Peace Web-Site

[ErasureAcer]

38. My birthday is "Peace Day"

YAY!

Thanks Dennis...more reason to support you. :)

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22. Pensions

Pensions

Accomplishments
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored
Letters

Accomplishments

Congressman Kucinich is working to protected the pensions and pension rights of working people.

In 2001, Congressman Kucinich offered two amendments to H.R. 10, the Portman-Cardin Pension Reform bill during the Education and Workforce Committee markup. The first amendment would help workers gain more information about their pension plans, empower them to make good decisions about their plans, and better secure their retirement funds. The second amendment would increase the amount of benefits that are guaranteed by the federal insurance plan, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, if a company is faced with bankruptcy. Congressman Kucinich is also an original cosponsor of a bill, H.R. 2134, to accomplish this same goal.

In 2000, Congressman Kucinich worked in a bipartisan coalition to halt the conversion of employee benefit plans to cash balance pensions. Congressman Kucinich participated in a rally of IBM employees at the IBM shareholder meeting in Cleveland on April 25, 2000. Kucinich cosponsored a successful amendment to the Treasury, Postal appropriation bill that will protect workers from conversion of their pensions to cash balance plans. Rep. Kucinich had earlier cosponsored legislation to protect middle age workers from the effects of cash balance pension conversions. HR 2902 would ensure that workers do not lose the pension benefits they have earned when their employer shifts its method of calculating benefit amounts.

Congressman Kucinich has also been a strong supporter of pension reforms, such as the government pension offset and the windfall elimination provision, and of reforming Section 415(b) limitations. Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code puts an unreasonable limit on the amount certain retirees can receive from their pensions. In the formula imposed by this law, many retirees, especially union retirees in the building and construction trades, are denied the full benefits their unions negotiated and for which their employers saved. This limitation was reformed in 2000 by HR 1102, which Congress passed on July 19. Kucinich voted in favor of the bill.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 10 - Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act. This bill would increase the IRA contribution limit and doubles the limit for people over 50, increases portability of plans, strengthens pension security by protecting employee investments and furnishing more plan information more frequently, and reduces regulatory burdens to encourage small businesses to offer retirement plans.

H.R. 1073 - Restricting the Windfall Elimination Provision. This bill exempts retirees from the Windfall Elimination Provision whose combined government pension and social security payments are less than $2,000 and $3,000. It does not affect those earning over $3,000/month.

H.R. 848 - Social Security Benefits Restoration Act of 2001. This bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision, which reduces primary insurance amounts for individuals receiving pensions from noncovered employment.

H.R. 1217 - Pension Offset Reform Bill. This bill helps lower pensioned retired government employees. This bill makes the pension offset apply only where the pension and Social Security benefits exceed $1200.00 per month.

H.R. 2638 - Social Security Fairness Act. A bill to repeal the pension offset provision applicable to husband’s and wife’s insurance benefits, widow’s and widower’s insurance benefits, and mother’s and father’s insurance benefits with respect to Old Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and the windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.

H.R.2134 - Increase in Phase-in Limitation. A bill to increase the guarantee on benefit improvements for workers whose companies go bankrupt.

Bills Cosponsored

106th Congress
HR 2631 - A bill to lower required employee contribution to federal pension program, and to restore the historical level of contribution.

HR 2631 - Federal Employee Retirement Contributions Act of 1999: A bill to lower required employee contribution to federal pension program, and to restore the historical level of contribution.

HR 583 - Assistant United States Attorneys Retirement Benefit Equity Act of 1999: A bill to recognize assistant U.S. Attorneys as “Law Enforcement Officers” for the purposes of making them eligible for government pensions.

HR 208 - Federal Thrift Savings Plan Participation Act: A bill that allows workers to participate immediately, without a waiting period, in the Thrift Savings Plan.

HR 372 - Public Pension Parity Act: A bill to equalize tax treatment of public pensions to Social Security.

HR 1093 - Public Safety Employer-Employee Act of 1999: A bill to provide collective bargaining rights to police and firefighters.

HR 1590 - Retirement Security Act of 1999: A bill to improve pensions by improving pension access and coverage, promoting pension portability, strengthening pension security, and increasing pension equity for women providing retirement security for all Americans.

HR 739 - Retirement Account Portability Act of 1999: A bill to open access to pensions for employees.

HR 1102 - Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act: A bill to allow employees the opportunity to manage and preserve their retirement savings when they switch jobs.

HR 82 - Budget Exclusion: A bill to remove the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the budget. This separate budgetary status makes any cuts in Social Security benefits more visible and therefore more difficult to make.

HR 2902 - Pension Benefits Protection and Preservation Act of 1999: A bill to protect pension benefits of employees in defined benefit plans and to enforce the age discrimination requirements with respect to amendments resulting in defined benefit plans becoming cash balance plans.

HR 860 - Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision: A bill to revise the Windfall Elimination formula under which a percentage of a retirees monthly Social Security check is withheld if he or she is also eligible for a federal, state or local government pension.

HR 1217 - Government Pension Offset Repeal: A bill to repeal current law where a widow’s Social Security benefits is reduced or eliminated if the widow is eligible for a pension based on a state, local or federal job not covered by Social Security.

Letters

106th Congress
July 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Dan Burton, Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee and Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Member of the committee, requesting that the Committee act on H.R 1769, the Federal Employee Benefits Equity Act of 1999 and make it retroactive to 1996.

July 7, 2000 Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the House leadership urging them to support the inclusion of a small business tax credit within the pension reform legislation that the Committee and the House are expected to consider in the coming days.

March 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Clay of the Ways and Means Committee requesting that the Subcommittee on Social Security hold a hearing to consider the merits of H.R. 1217, the Government Pension Offset Reform Act of 1999, which would allow pensioners and widowers affected by GPO provisions to receive a minimum of $1200 per month before offset provisions could be imposed.

January 5, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission urging a rule stating that International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) should not exclude stockholders proposal on retirement pensions at this year's annual meeting.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/pensions.htm

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23. Postal Issues

Postal Issues

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 250 - Postmaster Fairness and Rights Act. A bill to improve the terms and conditions of work for the nation’s postmasters.

H.CON.RES.38 - A resolution to honor Martha Matilda Harper, a nineteenth century female entrepreneur with a social conscience, with a stamp.

H.R. 1861- The Post Office Community Partnership Act of 2001. A bill to provide that the procedures relating to the closing or consolidation of a post office be extended to the relocation or construction of a post office.

H.R. 156- A resolution to preserve six-day USPS mail delivery.

H.CON.RES. 181 - A concurrent resolution calling on the U.S. Postal Service to refrain from closing or consolidating post offices.

H.CON.RES. 114 - A concurrent resolution to direct the U.S. Postal Service to designate a commemorative stamp that honors Paul Robeson’s legacy.

Bills Cosponsored

H.R. 4853 - A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1568 South Glen Road in South Euclid, Ohio, as the ‘Arnold C. D'Amico Station’.

H Con Res 20 - A concurrent resolution to support the issuance of a commemorative stamp to recognize the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

HR 670 - Post Office Community Partnership Act of 1999: A bill to give communities a voice in decisions regarding opening and closing Post Offices.

HR 2535 - Postal Service Enhancement Act: A bill to preserve, protect and promote the viability of the United States Postal Service.

H CON RES 38 - Paul Leroy Robeson Commemorative Postage Stamp: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Paul Leroy Robeson, and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General in 1999, that such a stamp be issued.

H RES 60 - Zora Neale Hurston Commemorative Postage Stamp: A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a postage stamp should be issued in honor of Zora Neale Hurston.

H RES 144 - Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Postage Stamp: A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a postage stamp should be issued commemorating Cesar E. Chavez.

HR 2357 - Louise Stokes Post Office: A bill to designate the United States Post Office located at 3675 Warrensville Center Road in Shaker Heights, Ohio, as the "Louise Stokes Post Office."

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/postal.htm

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24. Reproductive Rights

Reproductive Rights

Control of the Congress, White House, and by power of appointment, the federal judiciary, has occurred at a time when the national Republican Party has pledged to enact legislation that would criminalize abortion. They have committed to an increasingly aggressive campaign. In recognition of this, I have found that the abortion-related legislation being brought to the House floor no longer reflects my position. Last year, I withheld my support from a number of bills.

I don’t believe in abortion. I do, however, believe in choice.

I have always believed in the goal of reducing the need for abortions. Throughout my career, I have supported programs with this intent. I have supported social programs, expanded Medicaid coverage, and maternal and child nutrition programs to strengthen vulnerable families. Also, I have stood behind programs that teach sex education, domestic family planning and promote the use of contraception. It was my hope that these efforts would give women the information and support they would need to make their own reproductive choices.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is one of the most serious decisions a woman might make. It is a deeply personal decision. In our society, all women and all men have a right to make difficult moral decisions and make personal choices. But women will not be equal to men if this constitutionally protected right is denied.

I believe that women have the right to determine their reproductive choices, and I believe that criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional. I do not believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned.

At this very moment, Members of Congress are preparing to dismantle this Constitutional protection. As a Member of Congress, I refuse to participate in this effort. The law has the potential to keep abortion as legal and safe, or more expensive and more dangerous.

This is a moment in our country’s history when our country is in need of conciliation, not division. I believe it is possible to stand in defense of the Constitution and at the same time, strive to reduce the need for abortions. It is my intent to remain committed to working with all parties in this debate towards this goal.

I support the Constitution and I support a woman’s right to freedom of choice.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/reproductiverights.htm

[Tinoire]

25. Science and Technology

Science and Technology


Kucinich Statement on Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy
NASA: Maintaining a Secure Budget for FY2002
NASA: Maintaining a Secure Budget for FY2001
Congressional Aerospace Caucus
NASA's Aircraft Noise Reduction Program
Funding for the NASA Glenn "Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program"
Preventing Severe Cuts in NASA's FY 2000 Budget
Securing NASA's Budget in 105th Congress
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored

NASA: Maintaining a Secure Budget for FY2002

Congressman Kucinich has been a strong advocate for both an increase in the budget for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and for NASA Glenn Research Center’s priorities. Kucinich recently met with NASA Administrator Dan Goldin and other members of the Ohio delegation to discuss NASA Glenn and long-term plans to ensure Glenn employees are able to continue their groundbreaking research and development and enable the U.S. to maintain leadership in space exploration, research and technology. Kucinich also worked with Congressman LaTourette in sending a letter from the Ohio delegation to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee handling the NASA budget and requesting support of NASA Glenn programs.

The House of Representatives passed a budget of $14.9 billion for NASA for Fiscal Year 2002. The Glenn-based “Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program,” which is designed to produce quieter, less polluting, and more efficient aircraft engines received $47.5 million funding. The total budget for the fluids and combustion research at Glenn is up to $52 million. In addition, $1.5 million was provided for the Glennan Microsystems Initiative and the Polymer Energy Rechargeable Systems received $3.0 million in funding. As the appropriations process continues, Kucinich will maintain leadership in ensuring NASA has adequate funding to remain at the forefront of space and technology.

NASA: Maintaining a Secure Budget for FY2001

Kucinich joined with thirteen other Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt stressing the importance of NASA and the need to provide critical funding to maintain America's leadership in space exploration, research and technology. Kucinich also worked with Congressman LaTourette in sending a letter from the Ohio delegation to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee handling the NASA budget asking for support of the NASA Glenn programs. The House passed a budget of $13.7 billion for NASA, an increase of $112, 781,000 from FY2000. The Glenn-based "Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program", received an increase of $15 million in the FY2001 budget, bringing the total funding for the project to $50 million.

Congressional Aerospace Caucus

Congressman Kucinich formed a new congressional organization, the Aerospace Caucus, with Congressman Dave Weldon. This bipartisan organization is the focal point for aerospace issues in the House of Representatives. Kucinich’s role in aerospace issues will help ensure a prosperous future for NASA Glenn.

NASA's Aircraft Noise Reduction Program

In the summer of 1999, Congressman Kucinich led a committed group of House members for legislation to increase funding for a NASA airport noise reduction program. This effort required a hard fought vote on the House floor which passed 225-203. This important program is designed to promote new technologies aimed at reducing aircraft noise. This program will help benefit thousands of local residents of Cleveland’s Hopkins International Airport. Continued funding of the Aircraft Noise Research program aims at ensuring that new aircraft will be quieter and less disruptive to people who live near airports, including thousands of local residents living nearby Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Funding for the NASA Glenn "Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program"

Working with Congressman Traficant and Congressman LaTourette, Dennis Kucinich has restored funding for the “Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program” in a bill to authorize NASA for the next three years, a program based at Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center. Rep. Kucinich defended the program in a letter sent to all Members of Congress. When the NASA Authorization bill was debated by the full House of Representatives, the three Ohio Congressman were successful in amending the bill to remove language that would have eliminated funding for the program. This was a great example of our Ohio Congressional delegation pulling together to benefit the NASA Glenn Research Center and strengthen America’s commitment to high tech research and development activities.

Preventing Severe Cuts on NASA’s FY 2000 Budget

Dennis Kucinich’s most impressive achievement was leading a bipartisan effort to prevent severe cuts on NASA’s FY 2000 budget, and additional program funds for aeropropulsion, aircraft noise reduction, and other aeronautics-related research. The promising budget news follows Kucinich’s earlier success of early 1999 that secured a commitment that NASA Glenn would suffer no net loss of full-time employees despite the elimination of the key aeropropulsion High Speed Research program in which the Center was a prime participant. Congressman Kucinich joined twenty of his congressional colleagues in writing a letter to President Clinton opposing NASA funding cuts contained in the VA/HUD and Independent Agencies appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2000. The signers of the letter request that the President "veto the bill based on its drastic cuts, particularly the cuts in NASA funding which directly affect our constituents." Congressional concerns over NASA funding began with the House VA/HUD subcommittee’s recommendation of a $1.3 billion cut to NASA funding. The cut represented a 10 percent decrease in the agency’s total funding. While the House Appropriations Committee restored $400 million to the NASA budget, concerns remain as to the implications of reduced funding on NASA centers, projects, and jobs. NASA Glenn will receive an increase of $20 million for the Ultra Efficient Engine Technology research program, for a total of $70 million in annual research spending; a total of $20 million is allocated for new aircraft noise reduction program, for which NASA Glenn could share responsibility with the NASA Langley Virginia facility; and an additional allocation of $10 million for the Trailblazer program, for which NASA Glenn is the lead research facility.

Securing NASA’s Budget in 105th Congress

In the 105th Congress, the 1997 Budget deal reached between the President and Congress limits discretionary spending until 2003. NASA had taken a billion dollar cut in 1995. If any more cuts are imposed, the agency will suffer irreparable harm to their programs. Congressman Kucinich co-wrote a letter with Representative David Weldon (R-FL) to House Speaker Newt Gingrich arguing for stabilization of NASA’s budget. They obtained more than 201 signatures on the letter, which the Speaker forwarded to the President. This is the first time a bipartisan effort such as this had been made for over ten years.

After the release of the President’s 1999 budget, Kucinich held a press conference with Rep. Dave Weldon and Nick Lampson to support the proposed NASA budget level. The President asked for $13.4 billion for NASA in his 1999 budget. This is higher than a $12.6 billion figure that had been proposed earlier. The news conference was held immediately following the Science subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics hearing on the budget. Kucinich was invited to sit with the Subcommittee for the hearing and questioned Mr. Goldin, NASA Administrator, about the proposed spending for the Aeronautics program. The budget proposal had good news for the High Speed Research Program at Lewis as it provided funding for Phase II research. The budget level for NASA overall was set at $13.4 billion. The letter to the Speaker, which was forwarded to the Administration, had a major impact on securing the $13.4 billion figure for NASA.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

August 16, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to The Honorable Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA, following up on his meeting with the Ohio Delegation.

June 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to The Honorable James Walsh, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, requesting restoration of $39 million in funding for NASA rotorcraft research and development.

May 29, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to The Honorable Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA, requesting that the Glenn Research Center be provided with an additional $6 million in FY ‘01 budget authority to avoid layoffs in the facility until final funding decisions regarding the ISS Utilization budget are made.

April 9, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies asking them to fully fund NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program for FY 2002.

April 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to The Honorable Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA, to express three specific concerns that he believes NASA should address within its budgetary guidelines.

Letters

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative Walsh supporting NASA funding.

March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Minority Leader, Richard Gephardt, urging him to support the President’s FY01 budget request of $14.035 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

October 5, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter sent to the Appropriations Subcommittee requesting the Senate’s level of funding for NASA, which would give full funding for NASA.

September 13, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert expressing concern over NASA cuts in the VA/HUD Appropriations bill and asking them to reconsider these cuts in conference.

July 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies informing them of Alabama’s Marshall Space Flight Center’s attempts to assemble parallel capabilities of Ohio’s NASA Glenn Research Center and urging them to rectify the situation.

March 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee supporting a $28 million funding level for the National Space Grant Program in FY 2000.

December 17, 1998 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission indicating his concern for the Commission’s readiness for Y2K with appropriate audits, repairs and contingency plans.

Bills Cosponsored

H Con. Res. 66 – Declaration of Space Leadership: A concurrent resolution expressing a declaration of space leadership.

HR 835 – Research and Development Tax Credit: A bill to make research and development tax credit permanent.

HR 2572 – Apollo Exploration Award Act of 1999: A bill to direct the Administrator of NASA to design and present an award to the Apollo astronauts.

HR 709 – Capital Investments in Technology: A bill to provide incentives for more science and technology education. It would also help dislocated workers.

HR 1599 – Government Purchases of Information Technology: A bill to authorize the purchase of information technology by state and local governments through general supply schedules.

HR 3161 – Research and Development Funding: A bill to assure a fair level of federal funding for basic scientific, biomedical and pre-competitive engineering research.

HR 1265 – A bill to develop a demonstration project through the National Science Foundation to encourage interest in the fields of mathematics, science and information technology.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/sciandtech.htm

[Tinoire]

26. Social Security

Social Security


Social Security
Social Security’s Political Crisis
Why investing Social Security in the Stock Market is a bad deal
Alternatives to the Stock Market "Solution"
Final Thoughts
What You Can Do to Help
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session


Social Security

Congressman Kucinich has been one of the sobering voices on the Social Security "crisis." Contrary to what some are saying, Social Security is in fact secure. But there are political forces that are trying to dismantle Social Security. Wall Street is seeking the privatization of Social Security because of the billions of dollars of fees they will be able to charge on retirement investment accounts, and these private interests seek the dismantling of Social Security because they oppose successful government programs.

Congressman Kucinich has been at the head of efforts in Congress to protect and preserve Social Security. For instance, Congressman Kucinich brought experts together on Capitol Hill to examine and refute claims that Social Security is facing a crisis. At a conference he held in Washington in February, 1999, members of Congress, staff and the public heard from Ralph Nader, economists and senior citizen advocates dispelling the myth that Social Security faces a crisis.

In 2001, the Progressive Caucus, which Rep. Kucinich chairs, offered an amendment to prohibit the implementation of the Presidential commission’s privatization plan. Nearly every Democrat voted in favor of our amendment. Indeed, this vote revealed that we need only 30 more votes to stop privatization. Rep. Kucinich believes that in the event a real privatization plan should come before Congress, we will succeed in finding those 30 votes.

Congressman Kucinich has also circulated letters among other members of Congress against privatization of Social Security.


Social Security’s Political Crisis

Social Security is essentially sound. Social Security is projected to pay all promised benefits for the next three and one-half decades without any changes whatsoever. A projected shortfall occurring 39 years in the future is not a crisis. No other organization, public or private, has a plan for operation 39 years into the future. Social Security is secure.

Indeed, Social Security's financial solidity is improving, even as Congress does nothing. The Trustees released an analysis recently that asserted that the Social Security Trust Fund is now projected to be solvent through the year 2042, without any congressional action. Only a few years ago, a previous Trustees' report set the date of projected insolvency to 2030.

The Social Security Trust Fund has gained seven complete years of solvency without privatizing Social Security or investing it in the stock market! Social Security got stronger without any Congressional action because the economy grew stronger and wages rose. This should be a lesson for everyone claiming a desire to save Social Security. We don't need the stock market to solve Social Security's projected financial shortfalls. We only need to strengthen the economy and raise wages, and Social Security will strengthen itself.

Nevertheless, Social Security does face a political crisis. It is a political crisis that there are members of Congress who want to radically dismantle Social Security and replace the Social Security guarantee with a stock market gamble. The President is guilty of stoking anxiety about Social Security for political advantage –the President’s “Commission to Strengthen Social Security” is stacked to privatize Social Security. Every member of the Commission has declared a preference for diverting Social Security resources to the stock market. Indeed, they were chosen by the President because they support privatization. Even the Wall Street Journal(May 10, 2001) wrote, "It's no secret that President Bush stacked his bipartisan commission with members who agree with his goal of creating private accounts." Top officials in the President’s cabinet have also used scare tactics, as when the Treasury Secretary derided the Social Security Trust fund as being “worthless.” It is unprecedented that a Treasury secretary would refer to government-issued bonds -- the assets in the trust fund -- as anything but backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is also cynical, because the U.S. redeems all bonds in full and on time. Investors the world over know that, which is why a U.S. treasury bond is considered the safest investment in the world. Neither this Treasury secretary nor any other would keep his job for long if he seriously considered defaulting on U.S. bonds; Congress would ensure that. The Social Security trust fund contains equivalent bonds which are, therefore, the safest investment in the world.

Fortunately, the President will face opposition to his plan to privatize Social Security. In 2001, the Progressive Caucus, which Rep. Kucinich chairs, offered an amendment to prohibit the implementation of the Presidential commission’s privatization plan. Nearly every Democrat voted in favor of our amendment. Indeed, this vote revealed that we need only 30 more votes to stop privatization. Rep. Kucinich believes that in the event a real privatization plan should come before Congress, we will succeed in finding those 30 votes.


Why investing Social Security in the Stock Market is a bad deal

There are many opinion leaders sporting plans to save Social Security, and they all have one thing in common: they all divert Social Security tax revenue to the stock market. There are differences among the stock market plans. Some call for complete privatization and the establishment of individual accounts. Others call for government investment in the stock market. And still others are a kind of hybrid. While the differences are important, the similarities are even more important and subject to the same weaknesses.

Proponents of investing some or all of Social Security in the stock market say that doing so will make a lot of money for Social Security. This argument does not make sense. Why?

The stock market cannot earn the rates of return that it has in the past if we accept the Social Security trustees' assumptions about economic growth. Proponents of investing Social Security in the stock market assume that the stocks will earn a 7% annual real rate of return over the next 75 years. Although these returns have occurred over the last 75 years, the Trustees are predicting that the economy will grow half as fast as it used to: 1.45% per year. It is impossible to get the same rate of return on stocks in such a slow growth economy.

To be consistent with the Trustees' slow growth projections, we would have to assume a 3.5% return on stocks. This is not very different from the projected return on government bonds (2.9%), which the Trust Fund currently invests in. The stock market will not be a source of additional funds if the assumptions the Social Security actuaries use are applied equally to stock market performance.

Here's how the math works: stock prices are already at a record level relative to their earnings (33 to 1, compared to an historic average of 14 to 1). If we assume that this ratio is not going to go higher, then stock prices have to grow at the same rate as earnings, or net profits. How fast can profits grow? The Trustees assume that profits grow at the same rate as the economy. That's 1.45%, according to the Trustees. So, that would allow for a 1.45% increase in the value of stocks. Of course, shareholders also receive dividends. the average dividend payout is currently about 2%. If we add this to the increased price of the stock, we get a total return of 3.45%.

If you think that the stock market is going to make high returns over the next 75 years, then you are rejecting the pessimistic assumptions of the Trustees AND you don't have reason to believe that Social Security faces serious financial trouble. The question to ask anyone proposing a stock market fix to Social Security is: what are your assumptions for economic growth, and what do you assume will happen to the price-to-earnings ratio of the stock market? If the response is: we're assuming the same economic assumptions as the Trustees, then they are also assuming a gigantic increase in the price-to-earnings ratio. And you know what that means -- an extremely risky and historically abnormal stock market.

Stock market investment is inherently risky. Stocks go up, and they go down. For every winner there must be a loser. Since Social Security is the only guaranteed income in case of old age or disability, putting Social Security into the stock market would be like betting the rent money. Not only would individuals have to pick the winning stock from the losing ones (and face the consequences if they bet wrong), but all people would have to confront the variations in stock market returns that come from the timing with which they invest. Market analyst John Mueller has shown that there is a lot of variation in the lifetime stock market total return based simply on timing. He found that someone investing during his working life (age 25 to 65) would have drastically different average returns if that person started working in 1940 and retired in 1980 (rate of return would be about zero) or started working in 1950 and retired in 1990 (rate of return would be about 4.5 percent). Mueller found that in several instances, the rate of return was below zero. Since people cannot control when they age, this variation will mean that some people would go without retirement income while others would have income. That disparity is what the original Social Security system was designed to prevent. Therefore, investing Social Security in the stock market would be a step backwards for society.

There are also serious political costs to linking the subsistence retirement benefit Americans cannot do without to the stock market. First, government investment of Social Security in the stock market will precipitate renewed attacks on existing consumer protections and a powerful argument against passage of new consumer protections. The future is even more bleak when one considers how a stock market-dependent Social Security system would add new and harmful pressures to consumer, environmental and workplace safety protections. Picture a "Social Security Protection Act of 2010." This would be the bill that the business lobby would advance to strip consumer, environmental and workplace safety regulations on the plausible argument that those regulations diminish the price of stocks held by Social Security. It has a certain cynical logic -- eliminate the regulations, and the stock prices rise, and so does Social Security's "ability" to pay promised benefits. If you think that deregulation disguised as "paperwork reduction" is bad, you do not have to imagine very creatively to see that deregulation disguised as Social Security protection is the political Trojan horse of all time. Second, government investment of Social Security in the stock market will introduce conflicts of interest within the government, impairing enforcement of consumer protections and obstructing the improvement of those protections. Some may wonder how the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Federal Communications Commission would respond to the increased pressure to approve mergers caused by the effect on Social Security of higher stock prices in sectors of the economy where merger activity was rumored. Couldn't Congressional appropriations for those investigations be imperiled if protecting Social Security's stock holdings were the reason? Wouldn't fear of causing a drop in the stock market, or even in a sector of the market place a chilling effect on future lawmaking? Those laws or institutions that cut across industries and affect the shape of the economy such as antitrust or product liability would be put under the greatest pressure.

Alternatives to the Stock Market "Solution"

You might say, if the stock market is not an adequate solution to long term funding problems, the Social Security actuaries' assumptions still forecast problems. If the actuaries' projections become reality, there are many steps Congress can take. First, Congress can correct a persistent problem -- Congress has been shortchanging the interest rate on the Social Security trust fund. The interest rate was arbitrarily set to the intermediate term bond rate. But that is a lot less than the average interest rate of US Treasury-backed securities. If Congress changed the law to credit the Social Security trust fund with the average interest rate of all Treasury-backed securities, we can reduce any long term financing problems by about 30 percent. Second, Congress can back Social Security with a guarantee that any shortfall will be made up through general revenue. Claims of impending insolvency are indeed concerning, but underneath the rhetoric is really a mundane, non-emergency fact – that the income from the payroll tax is projected to no longer meet expected benefit costs. That does not mean that the costs are too great in any absolute sense, just that more money is needed than the dedicated tax is projected to raise. Compare that to the thousands of other government projects that are funded out of general revenue, rather than a dedicated payroll tax. The same claim of “crisis” cannot be made because Congress meets the cost every year automatically by law. That point is worth remembering, because it reveals that the mere form of funding, not the absolute ability to find funding, is the real source of the problem. In Congress, finding more money is a normal operation of Congress. If Social Security were supplemented by general revenues, as most government programs are, it would be more difficult for privatizers to argue that bankruptcy is the inevitable result of forces beyond congressional control. Can you imagine anyone arguing that the Pentagon is going bankrupt? Of course not. The Pentagon will go bankrupt only if Congress wants it to. The same is true of Social Security. Social Security will become insolvent only if Congress says it should. Raising the average wage in America will make the most important contribution to Social Security's long-term projected financial balance, since Social Security derives almost all of its revenue from a wage-based tax. Congress should work to ensure that Americans receive a real raise of $7,000 above any increase in the cost of living over the next 10 years, raising the average real wage to $36,000 from about $29,000 today. If Congress only does this, maintaining such an average increase over the long term (a real wage growth rate of 2 percent), Social Security's projections will remain in balance through 2049. A number of steps can be taken to set the economy in that direction, including reducing the legal barriers to unionization through instituting the "card-check" requirement for unionization; raising the minimum wage to $7.50, restoring purchasing levels of 1970, and maintaining a low unemployment rate and low real interest rates on borrowing.

Final Thoughts

People will disagree on how to represent the facts about Social Security. Congressman Kucinich believes that a projection based on assumptions about how the economy will function in 75 years cannot be taken very seriously. Congress doesn't make budgets of more than 5 years into the future. Yet, many very smart people are using a forecast of insolvency 37 years into the future to justify radical changes to Social Security, including linking Social Security to the stock market. Just because someone says the sky is falling is no reason to put up a net. The debate about the future of Social Security is a debate about our priorities as a nation. If we value guaranteeing retirement security to our senior citizens, then we will make it a top priority and fund it. If we do not value it, then we will give it to the private sector. Look what happens when the health of our nation is in private hands. People go without health care, while profits are made. The same will happen if we entrust Social Security to Wall Street.

What You Can Do To Help

Arming yourself with the facts about Social Security and understanding the myths about it will help you and the people you talk to. I have found it helpful to visit the homepage of two economists, Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot. See for yourself by clicking on:

www.cepr.net/Social_Security/index.htm

Then go out and tell people what you have learned. You can:

• write a letter to the editor about the myth of Social Security insolvency;

• ask your friends and members of groups you support to sign a petition opposing the investment of Social Security in the stock market;

• ask your local legislature to pass a resolution opposing privatization of Social Security

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

June 20, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter supporting the Food Stamp Overpayment Protection Act. This act makes sure that food stamp recipients would not have to pay back undue burdens when they receive an incorrect amount. However this bill would not apply to overpayments of $1000 or more.

May 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to Representatives Lynn Rivers and Tony Hall requesting a $5 million increase in grant money to help cut the cost incurred by food banks when distributing federally donated food to the needy.

May 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to The C0-chairs of the President’s commission to Strengthen Social Security. The purpose of this letter was to ask for Ohio teachers to be included in any changes that are made during social security reforms.

May 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter that would preserve the solvency of the Social Security trust fund by raising the interest rate the trust would receive.

January 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to request information on the stock return assumptions that have been used in making projections of benefits for social security reform plans that involve individual accounts, or solvency projections for proposals to place a portion of the trust fund in the stock market.

Letters (106th Congress)

July 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Department of Agriculture requesting that they ensure that the conferees on the Agriculture Appropriations bill retain an amendment providing $160 million to fund USDA’s Nutrition Programs for the elderly.

May 5, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Lawrence Summers, Secretary of the Department of Treasury to receive an update on Treasury’s efforts to change the format of the address portion of Social Security benefit checks in order to make beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers invisible through the envelope.

March 21, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration requesting a study of the effect on the incidence of poverty of raising the normal retirement age.

March 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert requesting his support of H.R.34, the DeLauro Resolution. This bill asks Congress to take into account the impact of various Social Security reform proposals on women.

April 30, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert expressing that mandatory participation of government employees not be included in any Social Security reform plan, consistent with the original legislative intent of the Social Security Act.

Bills Cosponsored (106th Congress)

HR 773 – Older Americans Act: A bill to reauthorize Older Americans Act in its current form.

H RES 34 - Guarantee Social Security For Women: A resolution recognizing the unique effects that proposals to reform Social Security may have on women.

HR 860 - Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision: A bill to revise the Windfall Elimination formula under which a percentage of a retirees monthly Social Security check is withheld if he or she is also eligible for a federal, state or local government pension.

HR 1217 - Government Pension Offset Repeal: A bill to repeal current law where a widow’s Social Security benefits is reduced or eliminated if the widow is eligible for a pension based on a state, local or federal job not covered by Social Security.

HR 1422- Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act: A bill to require the establishment of a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits under titles II and XVIII of the Social Security Act.

HR 2039 - Social Security Financial Solvency Act of 1999: A bill to guarantee full benefits, no tax increases for the full 75 period by transferring general revenue to the SS trust fund.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R.498 - The Blind Empowerment Act. A bill to amend the Social Security Act to increase the level of earnings under which no individual who is blind is determined to have demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability.

H.R. 1464- The Social Security Benefits Fairness Act of 2001. A bill to entitle survivors of deceased social security beneficiary to the benefits paid in the month of the beneficiary’s death.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/socialsecurity.htm

[revcarol]

188. A real BEAN COUNTER about Social Security

and SS funds invested in "the market."

HE MAKES SENSE. Is this why he is so ignored?

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27. Social Welfare

Social Welfare

Congressman Kucinich has actively sought to make reforms to social welfare programs that would reduce poverty, help families to obtain and keep jobs with a livable wage.

The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, created in 1996 out of the Aid to Dependent Families (AFDC) program, was a major shift in social welfare programming. TANF embraced a “work-first” strategy and allowed states great flexibility in implementing a block grant. After 5 years, welfare cash assistance caseloads have decreased by nearly 50 percent, but overall poverty has declined by less than 2 percent. Since the economic recession started in March 2002, measures of unemployment and poverty have increased.

In order to provide necessary resources for helping low income families, Congressman Kucinich has written to OMB Director Mitch Daniels with Progressive Caucus colleagues urging funding increase for TANF and has met with Budget Committee Ranking Member John Spratt on the same topic. He was the sponsor of the “Progressive Strategies for TANF Reauthorization” Briefing for the Progressive Caucus, Hispanic Caucus and Black Caucus, including speakers from Welfare Made a Difference, NOW, Center for Fathers, Families and Public Policy, National Council of La Raza, National Partnership for Women and Families, and the National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support.

Kucinich has also testified before the House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee and organized one-minute speeches on the House floor. When TANF reauthorization legislation was revised in the House Education and Workforce Committee, Congressman Kucinich offered an amendment to eliminate full family sanctions. During floor consideration, Congressman Kucinich offered the Patsy Mink Memorial TANF Reauthorization Act. This bill, offered as a substitute, would offer real opportunities to families in poverty, back every provision with adequate time and funding, and provide a safety net during times of recession.

During 2002, another important social welfare program was reauthorized – The Food Stamp program. Congressman Kucinich led the Progressive Caucus in an effort to ensure that positive reforms were included in the final bill, such as restored eligibility to legal immigrants, adequate funding, transitional benefits and an extension of the 3-month time limit on jobless, childless adults. He spearheaded a letter with his colleagues in July 2001 to the authorizing committee, and followed up with another letter on April 8, 2002 when the bill was in conference committee.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/socialwelfare.htm

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28. Tax Reform

Tax Reform

The American People's Dividend
Simplifying Family Tax Credits
Protecting Retired Teachers
Protecting Low Cost Airline Passengers
Interest/Dividend Tax Break
Accomplishments 1997
Accomplishments 1998
Bills Cosponsored 1999
Bills Cosponsored in 2000
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

Congressman Dennis Kucinich has consistently voted against tax increases and has supported tax cuts and tax credits for a wide variety of purposes.

The American People’s Dividend

As Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Kucinich advocated for a tax cut plan that would give every man, women, and child an equal tax dividend of $300. Unlike the tax relief passed into law, this plan would have given the top 1% of income earners, exactly 1% of the tax cut. Every person should benefit from a tax cut. Unfortunately, children and senior citizens were largely ignored by the tax rebate checks mailed in the summer of 2001.

Simplifying Family Tax Credits

Representative Kucinich is crafting legislation to reform the Earned Income Tax Credit designed to help working lower class families. Under the new proposal, several tax credits will be rolled into one to ease the complexity of the family tax credit. The proposal also significantly expands the benefits of the tax credit, while retaining the incentive to work. By providing increased benefits to working low income families, they can pull themselves out of poverty. However, all families will benefit from the expanded tax credit.

Protecting Retired Teachers

In 1997, Congressman Kucinich voted against HR 2014 because it raised taxes on retired teachers by removing the tax exemption of TIAA/CREF pensions; and increased the cost of Medicare to senior citizens, by transferring $115 billion in Medicare costs to beneficiaries. Congressman Kucinich voted for an alternative bill that did not repeal the TIAA/CREF tax exemption; it gave capital gains tax relief on the sale of homes, family businesses and family farms; increased the exclusion from taxation of estates, and gave a tax credit on education expenses and child care.

Protecting Low Cost Airline Passengers

Congressman Kucinich opposed a tax increase on airline passengers of low-cost carriers. The provision shifted tax burden from passengers of expensive airlines to those of low-cost airlines by shifting tax collection from being a fixed tax rate on the price of tickets to a mixture of a fixed rate plus a per segment fee.

Interest/Dividend Tax Break

Congressman Kucinich also co-authored a tax reduction bill, the Hulshof-Kucinich SAVE act (HR 3215) that would eliminate the tax on the first $200 of interest or dividend income for individuals; $400 for couples filing jointly. Co-Sponsor Representative Kenny Hulshof (MO).

Accomplishments 1997

Congressman Kucinich voted against HR 2014 because it raised taxes on retired teachers by removing the tax exemption of TIAA/CREF pensions; and increased the cost of Medicare to senior citizens, by transferring $115 billion in Medicare costs to beneficiaries.

Congressman Kucinich voted for an alternative bill that did not repeal the TIAA/CREF tax exemption; it gave capital gains tax relief on the sale of homes, family businesses and family farms; increased the exclusion from taxation of estates, and gave a tax credit on education expenses and child care.

Congressman Kucinich opposed a tax increase on airline passengers of low-cost carriers. The provision shifted tax burden from passengers of expensive airlines to those of low-cost airlines by shifting tax collection from being a fixed tax rate on the price of tickets to a mixture of a fixed rate plus a per segment fee.

Accomplishments 1998

Congressman Kucinich supported tax legislation that included tax cuts providing: deductions for married couples; deductions of health insurance costs for the self-employed; and accelerated estate and gift tax reductions.

Congressman Kucinich also co-authored a tax reduction bill, the Hulshof-Kucinich SAVE act (HR 3215) that would eliminate the tax on the first $200 of interest or dividend income for individuals; $400 for couples filing jointly. Co-Sponsor Representative Kenny Hulshof (MO)

Bills Cosponsored 1997

HR 853 - This bill directs the Comptroller General of the US to study the effect of a tax system comprised of a 10% Federal consumption tax.

HR 18 - A bill to provide for legal accountability for the deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals.

HR 127 - This bill to permanently extend the exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance.

HR 755 - A bill to allow individuals to designate any portion of their income tax overpayments, and to make other contributions, for the benefit of units of the National Park System.

HR 947 - The bill would make research and development tax credit permanent to encourage more research.

HR 1632 - A bill to provide a tax break to employers which offer tuition assistance, and students who owe loans.

HR 1583 - The Family Business Preservation Act: A bill targeted to provide estate tax relief to small businesses and family farms.

HR 519 - A bill to encourage individuals/companies to donate to foundations of stock for which market quotations are readily available.

HR 2527 - A bill to restore the tax exemption to teachers and college professors pensions that was removed by this year’s tax bill.

Bills Cosponsored 1998

HR 2778 - Family Dependent Care Affordability Act: A bill to provide refundable tax credit for child care expenses. It is particularly helpful for low-income families.

HR 2499 - Charitable Giving Tax Cut: A bill to allow taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions to deduct a portion of their charitable contributions.

HR 4538 - Energy Efficient Technology Tax Act: A bill to offer tax credits for the purchase of highly efficient building equipment, new energy efficient houses, rooftops and solar systems.

HR 4031 - A bill to provide tax exclusion for union legal plans, and restores the tax exclusion on employer-provided legal services.

HR 3215 - SAVE Act: A bill co-authored the Hulshof-Kucinich SAVE act which would eliminate the tax on the first $200 of interest or dividend income for individuals; $400 for couples filing jointly.

HR 2819 - Extend R&D tax credits

Bills Cosponsored in 1999

HR 2380 - Energy Efficient Technology Tax Act: A bill to enact tax credits for all of the President’s energy efficiency initiatives.

HR 1196 - Education Loan Interest Tax Deduction: A bill to repeal the 60-month limitation on the amount of education loan interest which is allowable as a deduction.

HR 1060 - Distorting Subsidies Limitation Act of 1999: A bill to require businesses benefitting from special grants or tax deferrals to be taxed on the value of the subsidies at the same rates as currently apply to other income under the federal corporate tax structure.

HR 1229 - Volunteer Firefighter Equipment Enhancement Act of 1999: A bill to expand the types of equipment which may be acquired with tax exempt financing by volunteer fire departments and to provide a comparable treatment for emergency medical service organizations.

HR 1358 - Energy Efficient Affordable Home Act of 1999: A bill to provide tax credits for making energy efficiency improvements to existing homes and for constructing new energy efficient homes.

HR 1640 - Exclusion For Group Legal Services: A bill that will allow unionized workers an exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans.

HR 1194 - Foster Care Tax Credit: A bill to simplify record keeping requirements for foster care tax credits.

Bills Cosponsored in 2000

HR 4133 - Corporate Welfare Reduction Act: A bill to end several loopholes in the tax code that give large breaks to corporations. The money earned goes to debt reduction and small companies export promotion.

HR 1997 - Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act: A bill to eliminate taxation of civil rights victims’ settlements and court awards. Under current law, such settlements are double taxed and force higher settlements to cover these taxes.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R.622 - Hope For Children Act of 2001. A bill that doubles the adoption tax credit to $10,000 and extends it permanently.

H.R.147 - Layoff Tax Relief Act of 2001. A bill that would allow the first $2,500 of a severance package to be tax free.

H.R. 840 - Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2001. A bill to exclude from gross income amounts received on account of claims based on certain unlawful discrimination and to allow income averaging for back pay and frontpay awards received on account of such claims.

H.R. 1734 - Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act. A bill which ensures decent treatment for flying passengers and genuine competition amongst airlines. The Passenger Rights Provisions are that they must have access to all fares, must be informed of delays, consumers must have access to state consumer laws, and that involuntary bumped passengers must receive more compensation. The Competition Provisions are that there must be additional DOT authority to ensure fair competition and that multiple studies must be done to examine the lack of airline competition.

H.R. 1433 - IRS Refund Accessibility Act. A bill to permit the IRS to post on its website uncollectible refunds.

H.R. 1434- A bill to make permanent the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans and to increase the maximum amount of the exclusion.

H.R. 1773- A bill to allow a credit against income tax for the purchase of a principal residence by a first-time home buyer.

H.R. 1193- The No Taxation Without Representation Act. A bill that provides full voting representation for D.C. residents.

H.R. 1114- The Tax Haven Disclosure Act. This bill provides the Treasury Department more enforcement power, requires greater taxpayer reporting, and disallows the benefits for shadow businesses.

H.R. 1443 - IRS Refund Accessibility Act. This bill permits the IRS to post uncollected funds on their website.

H.R. 840- Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act. This bill eliminates the unfair tax paid by lawyers who fight against discrimination.

H.R. 147- Layoff Tax Relief Act. This bill makes the first $2,500 of severance packages under $150,000 tax free.

H.R. 622 - Hope For Children Act. This bill doubles the adoption tax credit to $10,000 and extends it permanently. The congressman also cosponsored this bill in the 106th Congress.

H.R. 2999 - First Things First Act. A bill that calls for the postponement of tax cut until certain progressive objectives are met, including a prescription drug plan, housing construction and school modernization.

H.R. 2902 - Phoenix Fund Victims Assistance Act. A bill that would provide taxpayers an option of donating tax refunds to a victim assistance account administered by FEMA to provide vital assistance to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

H.R. 3015 - Working Families Tax Rebate. A bill to provide an immediate payroll tax rebate of up to $300 to people who didn’t benefit from the tax cut signed into law in June 2001.

Letters

March 7, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Archer of the House Ways and Means Committee requesting that the committee support lifting a sixty-month cap of interest deductions for student loans.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

July 30, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Chairman Drier and Ranking Member Frost of the Committee on the rules in support for an amendment to the Securing America’s Future Energy Act. The amendment would provide a 30% federal tax credit to individuals and businesses that install small wind energy systems during the next ten years.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/taxreform.htm

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29. Telecommunications

Telecommunications

Parma Area Code: Thinking Globally by Acting Locally
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Parma Area Code: Thinking Globally by Acting Locally

When Ameritech announced that it would split Parma into two area codes, Congressman Kucinich became very concerned about the impact of this decision on small businesses in Parma and the safety of senior citizens. He worked with Parma Mayor Gerald Boldt, the Parma City Council and others to make the city’s case to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state agencies, leading to a special investigation by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Kucinich also introduced federal legislation to protect small and medium-sized cities from being split into two or more area codes.

Congressman Kucinich discovered that the PUCO did not know what percentage of telephone numbers in area code 216 were in fact in use. Experts nationally estimate that fewer than 20 percent of available telephone numbers in a given area code are in fact in use. The rest are wasted. He further discovered that without specific authority from the Federal Communications Commission, PUCO was unable to impose methods of leading to greater number allocation efficiency, such as 1,000 number block pooling.

Congressman Kucinich pursued obtaining the necessary authority for the PUCO. In July, 1999, he introduced a bill, HR 2439, that would force the FCC to delegate the necessary authority to state commissions. Specifically, his bill directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), by December 31, 2000, to develop and implement a plan for the efficient allocation of telephone numbers. Until it has fully implemented such plan and at the request of a State commission, his bill directed the FCC to delegate to state commissions all necessary authority to implement measures to conserve telephone numbers. The bill succeeded in starting discussion in Congress about area code proliferation, though the bill was not reported out of Committee.

In August, 1999, Congressman Kucinich and Congressman Charles Bass (R-NH) offered an amendment to accomplish the same objective. Their legislative maneuver forced the House of Representatives to debate area code proliferation and number conservation for the first time. Their amendment was supported by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and state commissions, including Ohio. Though not adopted, this amendment stimulated still more discussion in Congress and focused attention on the FCC.

On August 10, 1999 Rep. Ed Markey, ranking Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing telecommunications commerce, and Congressman Kucinich wrote to FCC Chairman Kennard to prod the FCC to "move forward with all deliberate speed" to implement number conservation methods and to "respond rapidly to situations in particular States that are currently being forced to implement new area code adjustments."

On August 20, 1999, Congressman Kucinich organized members of the California Congressional delegation to write to their public utilities commission to ask that it "temporarily delay implementation of the 424 area code " in order to compel the FCC to delegate to California the necessary authority to implement a better alternative, namely conservation. Indeed, the California Public Utilities Commission did in fact delay the overlay. California was awarded the necessary authority shortly thereafter.

After PUCO petitioned the FCC for the necessary authority to implement number conservation efforts, Kucinich again supported the PUCO and furthered the cause of obtaining state authority to implement number conservation. On October 12, 1999, Kucinich wrote to FCC Chairman William Kennard to insist that, given his two year involvement in area code regulation, it was unacceptable that the FCC would not act immediately to grant the PUCO the necessary authority. Congressman Kucinich wrote, "the State of Ohio still does not have the requisite authority to prevent more unnecessary area code splits. This is unacceptable. I want a clear explanation of why the FCC has dragged its feet with respect to the state of Ohio, and what the FCC intends to do to empower the state of Ohio to prevent area code splits through number conservation methods." On November 30, 1999, the FCC decided to award PUCO with the necessary authority to prevent a split or overlay of area code 440.

Letters

December 7, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Mr. Roger L. Carpenter concerning the Telecommunication Act of 1996 establishing local competition.

October 27, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich signed a letter to Chairman Kennard of the Federal Communications Commission to designate 211 as a community service hotline.

August 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission, requesting a delay in the implementation of the area code to give time for new federal developments an opportunity to implement a better alternative.

August 10, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to encourage implementation of conservation measures of the North American Numbering Plan.

June 9, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman Bill Archer of the Ways & Means committee, urging his consideration of a provision to extend the wind energy production tax credit until the year 2004 to increase wind power efficiency.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 664 - Digital Divide Elimination Act. A bill to provide refundable credit of up to 50% of the cost of a computer for those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, to increase charitable deduction for technology donations, and to expand deduction to include non-profits that provide computers to poor families.

H.R. 1531 - Cell Phone Service Disclosure Act. A bill which directs the FCC to set minimum standards of quality for cell phone service, create a public database on cell phone complaints, and provide a toll free cell phone complaint line.

H.R. 1035 - Small Business Telecommuting Act. A bill to direct the SBA to conduct a pilot program to raise awareness about telecommuting options for small business owners.

H.R. 1842 - FCC Authority to Regulate Cable Television Rates. A bill to repeal section 301 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act which removed FCT authority to regulate cable television rates and to receive consumer complaints.

H.R. 782 - The People’s Access to Government Information Act. A bill to provide for the establishment of an Internet site on Federal financial assistance.

H.R. 2813 - The Cable T.V. Consumers Protection Act. A bill to authorize States to regulate the rates for cable television service and to impose a one-year moratorium on increases in such rates.

Bills Cosponsored

HR 3100 - Know Your Caller Act of 1999 - A bill to prohibit telemarketers from interfering with caller Identification service.

HR 486 - Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to preserve low-power television stations that provide community broadcasting.

HR 2346 - Recourse Against Unlawful CB Usage: A bill to give recourse against unlawful citizen band (CB) operators by allowing local and state authorities to enforce FCC regulations.

HR 1858 - Consumer and Investor Access to Information Act of 1999: To promote electronic commerce through improved access for consumers to electronic databases, including securities market information databases.

HR 3180 - Telemarketing Victims Protection Act: A bill to authorize the Federal Trade Commission to issue new rules requiring telemarketing firms to notify consumers of their right to be placed on national and state do-not-call lists, and to reconcile those lists with their own.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/telecomm.htm

[Tinoire]

30. Trade

Steel/Trade

Steel Crisis
Worker Rights and Trade
International Monetary Fund Reform
What is Fast Track (a.k.a. Trade Promotion Authority)?
What is the WTO?
Other trade issues: Permanent MFN status for China
How does all of this relate to Steel?
What You Can Do To Help
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored


Congressman Kucinich continued to fight to protect workers’ rights and local democracy from attack by global corporate trade.

Steel Crisis - Efforts in Congress

Congressman Kucinich has been one of the most outspoken and active members of Congress in response to the crisis. A leader of the Congressional Steel Caucus, Kucinich has again been active in this Congress pushing a steel quota bill. H.R. 808, the Steel Revitalization Act, would limit foreign steel imports to levels existing before the recent surge. It would also increase loan guarantee funding for steel companies, and set up a fund to help pay the retirement costs of steel worker retirees. Congressman Kucinich has fought for this bill's passage, helping to recruit more than 220 co-sponsors. This effort mirrors his work on the steel quota bill introduced in the 106th Congress, the Visclosky-Quinn-Kucinich-Ney bill. During the floor debate on that bill, Congressman Kucinich pointed out to members of Congress the absurd priorities of U.S. trade policy. Referring to the U.S.'s vigorous use of the World Trade Organization to open Europe to bananas grown in Central America by Chiquita brands, a U.S.-based multinational corporation, Kucinich said, "Bananas did not build America. Steel did... The administration cares more about bananas than about steel. Such a trade policy is, in a word, bananas." The quota bill passed the House by an overwhelming margin, 289-141, on March 17, 1999.

Congressman Kucinich has also pursued other legislative initiatives to secure a healthy steel industry for the long-term. Kucinich recently introduced the Steel and National Security Act, which would reauthorize a law, the Defense Production Act, that authorizes various Presidential actions to save industries vital to our national security. His reauthorization bill includes specific directives that the President consider steel such an industry and step in to help domestic steel. Kucinich has also introduced a bill along with Rep. Steven LaTourette, H.R. 1564, that would provide money for states to undertake infrastructure projects, such as the building of schools and roads. States would be required to use only American steel.

In addition to votes and floor speeches, Congressman Kucinich was the first member of Congress to confront the Administration with the effects on the steel industry by the Asian financial crisis. In a White House meeting in mid-December 1997, he met with National Economic Advisor Gene Sperling and discussed the necessity of renewing voluntary restraint agreements and the use of U.S. anti-dumping laws to protect the American steel industry.

Congressman Kucinich has also pressured the new administration to act on the steel crisis. The efforts of Kucinich and other members of Congress helped spur President Bush to initiate a Section 201 trade investigation of steel imports. Since that announcement, Kucinich has closely monitored the scope and speed of the investigation, co-signing a letter to the President urging the inclusion of all steel-related products in the investigation. In September, Kucinich plans to testify before the U.S. International Trade Commission in support of strong remedies for the U.S. steel industry.

Steel Crisis - Efforts in Cleveland

Congressman Kucinich has fought hard to help Cleveland-area workers affected by the steel crisis. During the recent negotiations between LTV and the United Steelworkers of America, Kucinich worked to make sure that LTV jobs and the pensions of current and former LTV retirees remained intact. He met numerous times with LTV Chairman William H. Bricker and urged him to negotiate in good faith with the Steelworkers and LTV's creditors towards an agreement that preserved the jobs and benefits of employees. When LTV filed motions in bankruptcy court to cancel existing labor and retiree agreements, Kucinich spoke out against the use of threats in the negotiating process by filing a motion on behalf of LTV workers objecting to LTV's actions. The efforts of Kucinich and others paid off: LTV and the United Steelworkers of America reached an agreement recently that preserves the retirement benefits of current employees. This agreement has been approved by a bankruptcy judge.

Worker Rights and Trade

Congressman Kucinich was an active opponent of making permanent most-favored-nation trading status with China, continuing his effort to build support for a new trade policy that conditions trade relations with the U.S. on worker rights. Kucinich was most concerned that granting China permanent MFN would encourage U.S. businesses to close facilities in the U.S. or forgo investment in the U.S. in favor of opening new factories in China. Products made in those factories would be sold in the U.S. as well as other places in the world.

As Congressman Kucinich said in a letter released to every member of Congress:

"It is a myth that the U.S. exports high technology to China, while the U.S. only imports labor-intensive, low technology goods. In fact, we import both, and we have a trade deficit with China in both.

"Indeed, trade in the highest technology is unbalanced in China's favor. According to the latest figures from the Department of Commerce, the U.S. now imports from China 64 percent more than it exports to China in Advanced Technology Products. These products include: microprocessors, printed circuits, integrated circuits, telephone switching equipment, and turbojet engine parts.

"Corporate leaders are fond of calling high-technology the "industry of tomorrow." Some tomorrow is in store for American workers! Permanent MFN will give China a permanent advantage in attracting high technology manufacturers, and U.S. firms a permanent incentive to build new plants in China, not the U.S."

Congressman Kucinich organized several briefings on the effects permanent MFN would have on manufacturing, agriculture and high technology. He did this in coordination with Rep. Charlie Norwood, a Republican from Georgia.

In the previous year, Kucinich organized 113 Democrats to sign a letter calling upon the Administration to renegotiate existing WTO agreements to remove prohibitions on linking trade and worker rights, before any new WTO agreement is negotiated. The letter states that the U.S. should be free:

• to prohibit import of products made with child and forced labor, and

• to use the leverage of access to the U.S. market to guarantee the rights to workers all around the world to organize into unions and bargain collectively; to be protected by workplace safety and right-to-know standards that are minimally equivalent to current U.S. standards, and to benefit from legal minimum wage levels.
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International Monetary Fund Reform

Congressman Kucinich has been instrumental in drawing Congressional attention to the effects of the IMF's harsh economic policies on developing countries. For the past two years, Kucinich has insisted that future funds for the IMF must be conditioned on an end to the IMF's imposition of those policies, which cause unemployment, environmental despoilation, and a deterioration of health and education.

In the 107th Congress, Kucinich has tried to protect gains made in previous Congresses. He testified to the Foreign Operations Subcommittee that an important reform banning user fees for certain essential services was being undermined by the Department of Treasury. here. [br />
In the 106th Congress (1999-2000), the House made two important advances. Rep. Kucinich offered an amendment to direct the Department of Treasury to create an inventory of all the instances in which the IMF requires borrowing countries to privatize industry and government services, deregulate environmental and financial laws, roll back labor law reforms, and raise interest rates. The Chairman of the subcommittee agreed to include acceptable language in the bill to obtain such a study. In exchange, the amendment was withdrawn. The House also passed an amendment offered in the Foreign Operations subcommittee by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to prohibit the IMF from requiring developing countries to charge fees for health services and education. Those fees have been shown to discourage poor people from receiving health care and education for their children. In addition, Rep. Kucinich was the only member of Congress invited to speak to the tens of thousands of people who demonstrated against the IMF and World Bank in Washington, DC on April 16, 2000.

In the 105th Congress, Congressman Kucinich was one of the leading advocates of IMF reform. Congressman Kucinich introduced a bill with Congressman Jim Saxton, a senior Republican from New Jersey, to press for reform of the IMF and deliver meaningful debt cancellation to the world's poorest countries (HR 2939). The bill was the inspiration for a successful amendment offered in the Banking Committee that delinked debt relief from obligating poor countries to follow IMF economic policies. That amendment passed on November 3, 1999. In the 105th Congress, Congressman Kucinich was a leader in the effort to prevent IMF expansion, and his activities helped to delay a $18 billion expansion by nearly one year. Notably, Kucinich successfully lobbied other Members of Congress when a procedural motion was raised to require that Congress give the IMF expansion funds. The motion was defeated on April 23, 1998.

Congressman Kucinich was also successful in eliminating a "plant closing provision" of the IMF funding bill. The bill contained investment deregulation conditions that would have automatically applied if funds were appropriated for the IMF. Those conditions would have had the effect of encouraging plant closings in the U.S., since the IMF would have been guaranteeing conditions that multinational corporations seek when they transfer capital from the U.S. to developing nations. Those conditions were also the subject of negotiation in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). Congressman Kucinich lobbied other members of Congress in the leadership to eliminate those conditions.

What is Fast Track (a.k.a. Trade Promotion Authority)?

Fast Track is a procedural straightjacket designed to speed Congressional votes on international trade agreements. Congressman Kucinich has opposed Fast Track legislation since coming to Washington.

He was one of the leaders of the effort that defeated Fast Track in 1997 and 1998. Fast Track would have enabled the U.S.Trade Representative to negotiate an expansion of NAFTA to the rest of South America and other countries.

There is good reason to oppose Fast Track. Namely, it ushered in NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement has caused numerous problems since it was enacted in 1993. The U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada has ballooned. As a result of increased imports from our NAFTA partners, American workers have lost thousands of good paying jobs. At the same time, some companies have used the threat of moving jobs to Mexico to place downward pressure on wages and benefits for American workers. Meanwhile, the labor side agreement to NAFTA has proven to be totally ineffective. The real value of wages for Mexican workers has declined since NAFTA was enacted, and not a single company has been cited for violations of worker rights or labor standards.

In addition, serious concerns have been raised about environmental problems and food and truck safety under NAFTA. The degradation of the environment has escalated along our border with Mexico, and the environmental side agreement has proved to be a complete failure. At the same time, it is abundantly clear that the U.S. government is not adequately inspecting trucks and agricultural products that enter this country, thereby threatening the health and safety of the general public. Furthermore, the sovereignty of local, state and federal authorities to protect their constituents from environmental and other dangers is severely undermined by the investor rights section (Chapter 11) of NAFTA.

If granted Fast Track authority, the new administration hopes to expand NAFTA to encompass all countries in the Americas. This Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) would export the destructive effects of NAFTA throughout our hemisphere.

For all of these reasons, Rep. Kucinich is convinced that Congress should continue to reject any fast track legislation. We need to make sure that the serious problems which have arisen under NAFTA are addressed in a meaningful way before we rush ahead with expanding this trade agreement to the rest of South America.

What is the WTO?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995. It is the result of Uruguay Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations. The WTO consists of 16 agreements on subjects ranging from domestic patent law to food safety regulations - and has 135 member countries. The WTO transformed the GATT, a consensus-based trade pact that focused primarily on tariff and quota cuts, into a new global commerce agency that allows member countries to challenge any of each other's laws as "illegal barriers to trade." The WTO can enforce its rulings and force countries to get rid of disputed laws by approving retaliatory economic sanctions against the losing country. In its five-year existence, WTO dispute panels have almost exclusively ruled against the challenged laws, which are often health and safety related.

The WTO Has No Minimum Human or Worker Rights Criteria for Membership:

Under WTO rules, as long as it met WTO commercial obligations, Nazi Germany would not be disqualified from WTO membership based on its conduct. WTO rules do not require that member countries (or countries wishing to gain WTO membership) respect or enforce internationally agreed core human and labor rights standards. WTO policy explicitly enables countries to ignore global norms relating to collective bargaining, child labor, and forced labor as a strategy to reduce production costs and gain a competitive advantage vis-a-vis manufacturers in other countries. The WTO thus has put in motion a global trading regime whose rules reward the players who are most exploitative of labor, promoting a race-to-the-bottom that undercuts advancement of international labor rights and the improvement of standards of living worldwide.

GATT/WTO Rules Threaten Efforts to Protect Labor Rights:
Many people want to stop child labor, but the WTO blocks the most obvious ways of doing that. For instance, the WTO prohibits our use of a ban on the import of products made with child labor. GATT rules prohibit distinguishing among products based on how they are made. This means that a WTO Member country cannot ban goods produced in forced labor camps, goods made by children under abusive conditions or goods produced in violation of other internationally recognized labor or human rights. This is confirmed by a U.S. Congressional Research Service report, which warned that a U.S. proposal to ban the products of child labor would subject the U.S. to a GATT challenge.

The WTO agreement on government procurement bans the consideration of non-commercial factors (such as human and labor rights) in government purchasing decisions. One mechanism with which to improve both government and corporate accountability is to reserve lucrative public contracts for socially responsible businesses. But the WTO denies citizens this type of control over the use of their own tax dollars. Under WTO government procurement rules, countries can only take into consideration commercial factors when awarding contracts. These rules have been used by the EU and Japan to challenge a Massachusetts state selective purchasing law against corporations in business with Burma's human-rights-violating regime.

WTO rules on product standards cast worker safety safeguards as illegal trade barriers: Under new WTO rules, even workplace safety laws can be challenged as illegal trade restrictions. Canada is pressing such a challenge against France's ban on asbestos.

The WTO undermines the sovereignty of countries.

The WTO has taken away the freedom of citizens to pass laws freely. The proof is in the numbers: The total number of completed WTO cases: 65. The number of instances countries have changed their laws or policies in response to WTO challenge: 59.

The U.S. uses the WTO to protect compact disk makers and bananas, not workers.

The WTO is not used by the U.S. to protect worker rights. Instead, the U.S. is most likely to use the WTO to protect patents and copyrights. The number of WTO challenges initiated by the US: 30. The chances that a US challenge targeted patent or copyright laws: 1 in 3. Another U.S. priority is bananas. The U.S. has vigorously used the WTO to open Europe to bananas grown in Central America by Chiquita brands, a U.S.-based multinational corporation. Bananas did not build America. Steel and auto did. But this shows that the administration cares more about bananas than about steel or automobiles. Such a trade policy is, in a word, bananas.

The WTO has been used to rollback advances in public health programs.

Developing countries face a health and economic crisis due to HIV/AIDS. At the same time, they cannot afford the market price for antiretroviral drug treatment.

Brazil's answer has been to manufacture generic antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and provide them free of cost to all Brazilians who need them. Brazil's program has been successful; it has reduced the AIDS death rate by half. The World Bank and the United Nations cite Brazil's HIV/AIDS program as one of the best in the world. Nevertheless, the U.S. challenged Brazil for violating WTO intellectual property laws, and the WTO agreed to establish a panel to rule on the case. If the U.S. had won this case, the WTO would have authorized the U.S. to impose punitive economic sanctions on Brazil. Fortunately, the U.S. withdrew its case against Brazil on June 25, 2001, in response to public pressure.

Other trade issues: Permanent MFN status for China

Contrary to what certain special interests said to Capitol Hill, it was neither necessary nor desirable to grant China permanent Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status. Instead, Congress could and should continue to review China's trading status on an annual basis.

Permanent MFN was not necessary -- The WTO does not require that the U.S. grant China permanent MFN. In fact, the international trade agreement only requires that China receive MFN, but it does not specify that the award must be on a permanent basis. We could continue to review China's trading status on an annual basis and satisfy the WTO. So long as the U.S. does not allow the status to lapse, we would be in compliance with international trade obligations. There is no legal reason requiring Congress to give China permanent MFN status. This isn't just my legal opinion - it’s also that of the Secretary of Commerce during the last administration, William Daley. At a news conference on December 16, 1999, Secretary Daley admitted to a reporter for a Washington trade journal that permanent MFN is not legally necessary. However, the Administration "emphatically" wanted permanent status.

Permanent MFN is not desirable -- Permanent MFN for China has cost the U.S. the best leverage we have to influence China to enact worker rights, human rights and religious rights and protections. At the current time, the U.S. buys about 40 percent of China's exports, making it a consumer with a lot of clout. So long as the U.S. annually continued to review China's trade status, we would potentially have had the ability to use access to the U.S. market as leverage for gains in worker and human rights. But once China was given permanent MFN, we lost that leverage, and China will now be free to attract multinational capital on the promise of super low wages, medieval workplace conditions and prison labor. Recent history shows that the current Chinese regime is completely incapable of reform on its own.

Consider the case of the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and China on prison labor, when China agreed to take measures to halt the export of products made with forced labor. According to a recent U.S. State Department report, "In all cases , the Ministry of Justice refused the request, ignored it, or simply denied the allegations without further elaboration." If Congress gives up its annual review of China's trade status, Congress will be unable to do anything about worker rights there.

Furthermore, giving China permanent MFN will be harmful to the U.S. economy, since the record trade deficit with China (and attendant problems such as loss of U.S. jobs, and lower average wages in the U.S.) will worsen. For 2000, the trade deficit was nearly $84 billion. Now that China has been awarded permanent MFN and is close to WTO membership, the trade deficit will worsen. In a September 30, 1999 report, the U.S. International Trade Commission concluded that China's accession to the WTO would cause "an increase in the U.S. trade deficit with China".

Conclusion : There was no legal requirement to award China permanent MFN. Permanent MFN will be a drag on the U.S. economy and has cost us the best leverage we have to promote justice in China and throughout the world.

How does all of this relate to Steel?

The steel crisis of the past few years is a direct result of the Asian Financial Crisis and collapse of the Russian economy, which occurred during 1997 and 1998. With Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines, and Russia all afflicted, global demand for steel plummeted. Steel that had once gone into real estate development in Asia now came flooding into the American market. Since the steel was made in countries whose currencies had fallen in value, it was incredibly cheap. As a result, steel made in America, though made more efficiently and by high-skilled workers, could not compete. Ten thousand steelworkers were laid off, and six steel companies were driven into bankruptcy. After a brief respite, the cycle has resumed, and the American steel industry is again being battered by a flood of cheap imports.

The Asian Financial Crisis, the collapse of the Russian economy, and the resulting flood of steel imports can all be attributed to the forces of free trade and globalization. The sequence plays out as follows:

1) The International Monetary Fund, which controls international economic policy, imposes so-called “structural adjustment” policies on developing nations - including the Asian countries and Russia - as a condition of receiving loans. Essentially, these harsh policies force developing countries to very quickly transform their economies into export-driven ones. Only countries that develop such economies are granted favorable terms on their debt by the IMF.

2) Forced into the creation of export-led economies, developing nations become dependent on the United States both for investment capital and as a market-of- last-resort in which to sell goods. If investors, for whatever reason, begin to flee these countries, a financial crisis ensues. Falling demand for materials like steel force countries to dump low-cost goods into the United States.

3) The WTO regulations described above make it difficult for the United States to protect its industries through tariffs or quotas on imports, despite the existence of U.S. trade laws that provide for such action. The presumption against protective measures is often reinforced by U.S. trade representatives, who are steeped in the same free trade, pro-globalization ideology as WTO and IMF officials.

4) The result? A race to the bottom that benefits no one. One country’s hard times (say, Korea) forces it to dump cheap goods in another country (the U.S.) that then ends up sharing the misery. Workers everywhere suffer - Americans lose their jobs, and Koreans are forced to accept poor working conditions to keep prices cheap.

What You Can Do To Help:

• Join a local or national organization that represents your views.

• Organize within your union or other member group for a strong stand against unfair trade rules and strong enforcement of trade laws designed to protect American workers.
•
• Petition your elected officials to oppose Permanent MFN for China.
•
Helpful Resources

http://www.tradewatch.org&ln_desc=Public+Citizen’s+Global+Trade+Watch">Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch
http://www.foe.org&ln_desc=Friends+of+the+Earth">Friends of the Earth
http://www.uswa.org&ln_desc=Steelworkers">Steelworkers
http://www.uaw.org&ln_desc=Autoworkers">Autoworkers
http://epinet.org/epihome.html&ln_desc=Economic+Policy+Institute">Economic Policy Institute
http://www.essential.org/monitor/monitor.html&ln_desc=Multinational+Monitor+Magazine">Multinational Monitor Magazine

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 3, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the Federal Reserve System, the Security and Exchange Commission and the Department of Commerce in support of Key Bank and National City Bank’s application to the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Program for a proposed loan to the LTV Corp.

August 2, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman Stephen Koplan of the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting that he proceed in its Section 201 investigation on steel without extending the Commission’s present schedule.

July 6, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill recommending reforms at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks to make them more open and accountable.

June 13, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to the entire house of representatives urging support to include labor and environment in the core text of future trade agreements

June 7, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting the US Trade Representative to request the initiation by the International Trade Commission of an investigation into steel imports and to request emergency relief for the ailing steel industry.

May 7, 2001. Congressman Kucinich signed a letter to President George W. Bush regarding the International Trade Commission recommendation to extend the wheat gluten safeguard measure for two years.

May 4, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to remove Guatemala from the list of countries that receive duty-free trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences.

March 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush requesting assistance in preventing the demise of the U.S. steel industry.

March 5, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush asking for the release of the text of The Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.

February 14, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to President George W. Bush as members of the Steel Caucus requesting assistance in addressing the ongoing domestic steel crisis.

February 5, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman James Harmon of the Export-Import Bank of the United States expressing strong disappointment and dismay at the recent decision to provide an $18 million loan guarantee to Benxi Iron & Steel Co., Ltd, a Chinese steel mill and exporter.

January 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Corp. William Harrison to express appreciation for the additional credit to LTV by Chase Manhattan Bank and to ask to honor LTV’s line of credit.

January 8, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Secretary Norman Mineta and Daniel Rooney of the U.S. Department of Commerce Steel Loan Guarantee Board expressing concerns regarding the administration of the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act of 1999.

January 5, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to President William Jefferson Clinton in support of the World Trade Organization.

Letters

October 27, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative, to urge that the Administration support the President’s use of his full authority under the Pelly Amendment to end Japan’s efforts to undermine international controls on whaling.

October 25, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton to urge taking a bold and comprehensive approach to address the continued crisis in the domestic steel industry via immediately initiating a comprehensive case under Section 201 of trade laws and impose meaningful restraints on steel imports from offending non- WTO countries.

October 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Congressman Charles Rangel, Ranking Member on the Committee of Ways and Means, to urge the Conferees on HR 4868, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act, to conclude rapidly so that this legislation can be voted on by the 106th Congress and signed into law by President Clinton.

October 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Congressman Bill Archer, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, to urge the Conferees on HR 4868, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act, to conclude rapidly so that this legislation can be voted on by the 106th Congress and signed into law by President Clinton.

October 11, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable David Obey, Ranking Member of Committee on Appropriations, urging strong opposition to require rapid trade liberalization as a prerequisite for bilateral or multilateral debt relief in the current fiscal year.

October 11, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Export Financing Appropriations, urging strong opposition to require rapid trade liberalization as a prerequisite for bilateral or multilateral debt relief in the current fiscal year.

October 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton to urging that the US show the flexibility and imagination necessary to enable the logjam in the US/EU negotiations to be broken, and a solution to be found that safeguards US national interests as well as the fundamental economic and social needs of the Caribbean to maintain its export trade.

September 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to fellow Colleagues urging them to read specific articles reinforcing why PNTR for China was a wrongly granted status without conditions as voted by the House, in an effort to continued dedication to free trade.

September 7, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich signed a letter to Donna Koehnke, Secretary for the International Trade Commission, stating intention to testify at the International Trade Commission’s Sunset Review Hearing on Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products on September 13, 2000.

August 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Marcy Kaptur, Ranking Member of the Agriculture Subcommittee and Appropriations Committee, urging the inclusion of language requiring the President to report to Congress the effectiveness of lifting any unilateral food and medical sanctions if such legislation is passed to terminate unilateral food and medical sanctions against any country.

August 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable David Obey, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, urging the inclusion of language requiring the President to report to Congress the effectiveness of lifting any unilateral food and medical sanctions if such legislation is passed to terminate unilateral food and medical sanctions against any country.

August 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable C.W. Young, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, urging the inclusion of language requiring the President to report to Congress the effectiveness of lifting any unilateral food and medical sanctions if such legislation is passed to terminate unilateral food and medical sanctions against any country.

August 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Joe Skeen, Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee, urging the inclusion of language requiring the President to report to Congress the effectiveness of lifting any unilateral food and medical sanctions if such legislation is passed to terminate unilateral food and medical sanctions against any country.

July 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Honorable Stuart Eizenstat, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, urging leadership in terminating any benefit for export of tobacco products.

July 18, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to His Excellency Shunji Yanai of the Embassy of Japan to urge the government of Japan to agree to an open and transparent process for conducting the settlement of the Hot-Rolled Steel dispute between the US and Japan.

June 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting him to encourage the IMF and World Bank to stop requiring Mozambique to privatize its cashew nut processing industry and the sugar industry.

April 19, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Deputy Secretary of the Treasury supporting arms control and opposing the use of a feature of the US tax code (Foreign Sales Corporation) to subsidize military sales.
April 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Worker Rights Consortium indicating his support for the Worker Rights Consortium.

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting that he use his authority to block any IPO brought to the US capital markets by CNPC, and/or PetroChina, until an acceptable use of the proceeds therefrom has been assured.

March 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Attorney General requesting that she withdraw from a Government’s appeal of the District Court ruling requiring that environmental representatives participate on the forest sector industry advisory committees.

March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Commerce Committee requesting conduct hearings on the securities regulations issues arising out of the initial public offering (IPO) of the common stock of PetroChina Company Ltd.

March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the US International Trade Commission requesting support for the continuation of anti-dumping duty orders on steel bearings from countries that are now subject to review by the International Trade Commission under the “sunset” review process.

March 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Chairman Crane of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade asking that the subcommittee include the provisions of H.R. 1622, the Dog and Cat Protection Act, in any trade correction legislation considered this session. H.R. 1622 would make it a federal offense to import dog and cat fur. March 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton commending his call at the World Trade Organization ministerial for trade discussions to include broader representation, including the perspectives of the labor and environmental communities.

February 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressing his concern over recent mergers in the pharmaceutical industry. The mergers effect on the future of competition in high technology areas of medicine could be quite detrimental. The letter asked the FTC to look into the implications of this matter and publish a study on the results.

February 11, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton encouraging the President to stop actions meant to deny more environmental input and advocates in trade advisory panels to refrain from commenting officially to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on other countries environmental measures without first seeking public comment in the U.S. on the Administration’s position.

December 24, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Overseas Chinese Democracy coalition regarding the pending decision to grant China permanent Post- Favored-Nation trading status. The letter encourages their actions in service of democracy and human rights.

November 18, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade proposing that he hold comprehensive hearings on the impact of the proposed agreement of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

November 16, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing concern that the current trade rules of the World Trade Organization may be contributing to a reduction of the environmental and consumer protections in the United States and abroad.

November 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton opposing the authorization of the Treasury Department’s proposal to use the appropriations process to authorize the sale of gold reserves held by the International Monetary Fund and condition multilateral debt reduction on IMF austerity programs.

October 20, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky supporting the renewal of World Trade Organization "green-light" subsidy rules to ensure that some of the most popular economic development strategies in the United States cannot be attacked.

October 18, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich wrote a letter to Professor Robert Stumberg at Georgetown University Law Center expressing desire to join the amicus brief on behalf of members of Congress in support of the Massachusetts Petition for Certiorari in the Burma law case. The original case overturned the Massachusetts Burma law on grounds the law was preempted by federal sanctions on Burma, and that the law encroached upon federal foreign affairs power.

October 10, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky posing questions about consequences to auto industry of China’s inclusion in the World Trade Organization and what actions are being done to prevent negative consequences.

October 6, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky raising concerns surrounding the letter alleging that the European Union acted without adequate scientific evidence banning antibiotics, and thus may violate a World Trade Organization Agreement.

September 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) opposing new United States resources for the IMF and sale of IMF gold unless the IMF makes fundamental reforms.

September 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund urging him to provide immediate debt relief to heavily indebted poor countries and delink debt relief from structural adjustment programs.

September 17, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton urging him to proclaim an effective, four-year program of import relief to the wire rod industry to restore it world-class competitiveness.

July 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing concern with World Trade Organization negotiations on a trade liberalization agreement for wood products.

July 16, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Ambassador Barshefsky expressing concern over the manner in which the World Trade Organization is interpreting the SPS agreement which includes guidelines that fall below US standards.

July 1, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton expressing concern about granting China Most Favored Nation trade status until progress is made on labor and human rights, proliferation and environmental issues.

June 24, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the president urging him to maintain current U.S.-Mexican cross-border trucking restrictions to protect the safety of the traveling public and commercial drivers.

May 23, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Wolfensohn of the World Bank requesting him to reconsider a proposal to fund the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project because the project raises concern for human rights violations and corruption, social and environmental impacts.

April 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting his signature on H.R. 975, the Bipartisan Steel Recovery Act, which would impose quotas on steel imports.

March 29, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton to express opposition to the Administration’s agreement with the People’s Republic of China in support of WTO accession without Congressional approval.

March 12, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund to express the belief that the US should refuse to continue financial support to the IMF unless it actively demonstrates a commitment to new economic policies, new mechanisms of accountability and greater transparency.

February 24, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert to request that substantive steel legislation be brought to the floor as soon as possible to keep steelworker jobs and maintain the strength of the US steel industry.

February 15, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to urge President Clinton to take a more aggressive approach to cease the flood of unfairly traded steel on the US market and protect US steelworker jobs.

January 27, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President to recommend that the Administration restrict steel imports against cartel-like Japanese practices.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 460- The Truth Act of 2001. A bill that requires companies to make available critical information about the workplace conditions to workers making its products.

H. R. 152- A bill that urges the President to continue delaying a NAFTA provision which gives Mexican truckers and trucks unregulated access to the United States.

H.R. 2181- The Softwood Lumber Fair Trade Act. A bill to impose certain restrictions on imports of softwood lumber products of Canada.

H.R. 1988- Trade Reform Act of 1974. Repeals a requirement that the cause of serious injury be substantial tot the domestic industry producing as article like or directly competitive with an article that is being imported into the United States with respect to the President’s taking action to facilitate efforts by such industry to make a positive adjustment to the important to the import competition.

H.R. 1819 - Free Trade Community Relief Act - This bill would provide the Secretary of Commerce with the authority to designating certain areas as NAFTA-Impacted Communities, especially in rural or inner city areas where displaced workers have few options re-employment.

HR 635 - Steel Industry National Historic Park Act - A bill to preserve the steel heritage of the Pittsburgh region.

H.Con. Res.. 234 - A resolution stating the sense of the Congress we act to protect American steel because of its importance as a building material and because it is unwise to rely on foreign imports of such an important resource.

H.R. 837 - A bill to provide that, for purposes of making determinations for certain trade remedies and trade adjustment assistance, imported semi-finished steel slabs and taconite pellets produced in the United States shall be considered to be articles like or directly competitive with each other.

Bills Cosponsored

H. Con. Res. 308 - Anti-”Laogai” Act: A resolution against importing products made in Chinese prison-labor factories.

HR 1997 - Tax Haven Identity Act: A bill to mandate identification of tax havens in foreign countries, to require taxpayers to report related transactions in foreign countries, and to disallow foreign tax credits for tax havens in foreign countries.

HR 3188 - Consumer Access to a Responsible Accounting of Trade Act of 2000 - A bill that labels the country of origin of diamonds.

HR 884 - A bill to require prior congressional approval before the United States supports the admission of the People's Republic of China into the World Trade Organization, and to provide for the withdrawal of the United States from the World Trade Organization if China is accepted into the WTO without the support of the United States.

HR 412 - Trade Fairness Act of 1999: A bill to make it easier to bring trade law cases against dumping countries.

H J RES 57 - China Trade resolution: A joint resolution disapproving the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations) to the products of the People’s Republic of China.

HR 975 - Steel Recovery Act: A bill to provide for a reduction in the volume of steel imports, and to establish a steel import notification and monitoring program.

HR 2995 - A bill to require the marking of frozen produce with the country of origin on the front panel of the package for retail sale.

HR 1967 - NAFTA Impact Relief Act: A bill to provide tax incentives and job training grants for communities affected by the migration of businesses and jobs to Canada or Mexico as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

HR 2595 - A bill to provide a moratorium on the export of bulk fresh water until certain conditions are met.

HR 1621 - Made in USA Label Defense Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit the use of the "Made in USA" label on products of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and to deny such products duty-free and quota-free treatment.

H CON RES 132 - A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress in opposition to gold sales to fund the International Monetary Fund’s failed Enhancement Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF).

HR 2193 - America’s Footwear Workers Protection Act: A bill to prevent Caribbean footwear workers from receiving duty free status.

HR 1505 - Fair Trade Law Enhancement Act of 1999: A bill to prevent the "dumping"of products in the United States steel market by foreign steel companies.

H RES 298 - A resolution calling on the President to abstain from renegotiating international agreements governing anti- "dumping" and countervailing measures.

HR 2700 - Highly Essential Lifesaving Pharmaceuticals for Africa Act HELP for Africa Act: A bill to ensure that any federal funding for clinical research in Africa follows the same ethical guidelines as research conducted in the USA. The bill also protects the rights of African countries to import lower cost pharmaceuticals through GATT by legal means.

HR 772 - HOPE for Africa Act, Human Rights, Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment for Africa Act: A bill to authorize a new trade, investment, and development policy for sub- Saharan Africa that is mutually beneficial to the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa and the United States.

HR 506 - A bill to ensure that the volume of steel imports does not exceed the average monthly volume of such imports during the 36-month period preceding July 1997.

HR 1885 - A bill to provide for facilitating the importation into the United States of certain drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

HR 3027 - Russian Economic Restoration and Justice Act of 1999: A bill to propose principles governing the provision of International Monetary Fund assistance to Russia.

HR 2939 - The Debt Relief and IMF Reform Act of 1999: A bill to cancel the debts of the world’s most poorest countries and to reform the International Monetary Fund.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/trade.htm

[Tinoire]

31. Transportation

Transportation

Train Traffic Mitigation
Airport Expansion: Reducing Noise
Truth in Airfares
NASA: Maintaining a Stable Budget
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Train Traffic Mitigation

In Congressman Kucinich's ongoing effort to protect residents from excessive train traffic and noise, he built on the successes of the past four years and continues to be an advocate for local residents.

In January 2000, the FRA, the federal agency that regulates railroad safety for the United States, published a draft regulations on Quiet Zones, new rules which could allow for a reduction or prohibition on train whistles after local communities had implemented improved safety conditions.

At Congressman Kucinich's request the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) held a public hearing on the issue of establishing a "Quiet Zone" on train traffic whistles for our local area. It was held on May 1, 2000, at Berea's Baldwin Wallace College. Berea was one of 8 communities across the country, including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Chicago, to host one of these important meetings about the FRA's proposed rules on Quiet Zones.

The FRA is considering new rules which seek to balance the need for rail safety with the needs of the people for peace and quiet in their homes and neighborhoods. These proposed rules would allow for certain conditions in some areas that would permit trains to cross roads without blowing their whistles, but only if there would be no compromise in safety.

On July 18, 2000 the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on the impacts of establishing quiet zones. Congressman Kucinich testified in strong support of quiet zones, but cautioned the committee to examine the cost impacts on local communities. At the request of Congressman Kucinich, Mayor Robert Blomquist of Olmsted Falls also testified in strong support of quiet zones.

These are only the most recent effort Congressman Kucinich has made. In June 1997, Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads applied to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for the acquisition of Conrail. Not widely publicized by the applicant railroads, the proposed acquisition came to light in Ohio's 10th Congressional District when mayors in Cleveland's western suburbs were asked by a newspaper reporter to comment about a plan to triple the freight train traffic on a single track in the densely populated West Shore suburbs of Lakewood, Rocky River, and Bay Village, Ohio. The mayors contacted Congressman Kucinich about the plan to increase traffic from 13 to 39 trains per day in some of the most densely populated neighborhoods between New York and Chicago. In Lakewood alone, 27 at-grade rail crossings along 4 linear miles of track would be affected.

Under the Conrail acquisition plan, Conrail property, including trains, tracks, and right-of-ways, would be divided between Norfolk Southern and CSX. The tracks through the Greater Cleveland area would be divvied up to create new train traffic patterns throughout the Greater Cleveland area, increasing traffic in many parts of the 10th District.

Upon learning of the proposed acquisition, Congressman Kucinich immediately filed as a Party of Record with the STB. His status as a Party of Record not only entitled him to comment on the economic effects of the acquisition but also the human and natural environment effects. As a Party of Record, Congressman Kucinich was able to file trial briefs and participate in every aspect of the acquisition, including the financial merits of the merger, the effect the acquisition would have on the public interest, and the impact the merger would have on competitiveness in the Greater Cleveland area and nationwide.

Norfolk Southern's proposal to increase the number of trains on tracks through Cleveland's densely populated suburbs of Lakewood, Rocky River, and Bay Village, Berea, Olmsted Falls, and Olmsted Township could have adversely affected the quality of life of local residents. Kucinich and several suburban mayors raised these serious concerns about the harmful effects of Norfolk Southern's and CSX's proposal on local emergency services, particularly fire, police, and medical emergency services. The officials stated that emergency vehicles will be forced to wait at railroad crossings. Additionally, an increase in the frequency of trains at crossings will result in a significant increase in rail transport of hazardous materials.

Congressman Kucinich created a powerful community coalition around the train issue that was composed of individuals, community activists, a bipartisan coalition of mayors, technical experts and others. Congressman Kucinich also worked effectively with a variety of government agencies at local, state and national levels, notably the STB, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the federal agency with jurisdiction over all rail safety issues, and the Ohio Rail Development Commission, a state agency overseeing business development and safety issues surrounding rail transportation in Ohio.

At the request of Congressman Kucinich, FRA Administrator Jolene Molitoris agreed to hear local concerns in September of 1997 regarding the Conrail acquisition application. Six hundred citizens attended the hearing in September 1997. Mayors and representatives from Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, Westlake, Olmsted Falls, and Berea shared the stage with Congressman Kucinich and Administrator Molitoris to hear the concerns of citizens, elected officials, fire, police, and hospital officials, representatives of schools and PTAs, rail safety advocates, and members of the business community with issues to bring to the discussion. This issue drew more than 6,000 inquiries from constituents about increased freight train traffic.

In October 1997, as part of his filing with the STB on the merits of the merger application, Congressman Kucinich created an alternative proposal. Kucinich proposed forming an independent rail operating entity that would function like an air traffic control center that would re-route rail traffic away from residential areas to the industrial areas needing freight service. Kucinich also delivered an analysis detailing the lack of competition for Cleveland-area businesses as a major flaw with the proposed Conrail merger. The analysis also outlined the environmental problems associated with the merger, and proposed mitigation for communities in Ohio's 10th Congressional District affected by the merger. Congressman Kucinich reiterated his request for the independent operating entity in his February 1998 trial brief, in which he also outlined the antitrust implication of the Conrail acquisition, as proposed by Norfolk Southern and CSX.

In March 1998, Congressman Kucinich sent a strongly worded letter on behalf of the Lakewood Fire Department to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) following a fire at the Holy Family Day Care Center in Lakewood, where three Lakewood fire and emergency vehicles were delayed for four minutes by a passing train. Kucinich cited the emergency vehicle delay as yet another example of safety problems likely to increase as a result of Norfolk Southern railroad's proposed tripling of train traffic in the West Shore suburbs. Three of the five emergency vehicles dispatched to the day care center by the Lakewood Fire Department were stopped for three to four minutes at the Warren Road crossing while a train traversed the city. Expert testimony at the September 1997 FRA hearing revealed that three or four minutes could mean the difference between life and death to a heart attack victim.

On March 17, 1998, the STB published Decision No. 71 which ordered the railroads to negotiate with the communities in the Greater Cleveland area. The STB stated that "the Cleveland area is unique with respect to the proposed CSX and NS operations. The Cleveland area would be a major crossroad for the CSX and NS proposed systems for traffic moving between the Northeast and the Midwest. . . . To the extent agreements are not reached, will take the necessary steps to develop its own environmental mitigation for each of the communities in the Greater Cleveland area. . . ."

As a result of the multiple concerns and the STB's order, Congressman Kucinich and the local mayors entered into negotiations with both Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads. Congressman Kucinich identified and successfully assembled funding from a number of sources that enabled local elected officials, train company representatives, the Governor and Congressional representatives to negotiate a settlement to provide concrete benefits to Ohio's 10th District. For example, Congressman Kucinich, along with Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Madison), secured $26 million dedicated to mitigating the effects of the proposed Conrail acquisition. The Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act, otherwise known as BESTEA, included significant funding dedicated to the 10th Congressional District to alleviate many of the problems caused by the proposed acquisition of Conrail by Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation railroads.

On June 2, 1998, Congressman Kucinich, along with Mayor Tom Jelepis of Bay Village, former Mayor Stan Trupo of Berea, Mayor Madeline Cain of Lakewood, and Mayor Don Umerley of Rocky River, signed a set of historic agreements with Norfolk Southern and CSX that reroute trains from the West Shore, set up an alternative freight rail line through industrial portions of Cleveland, and provide federal, state, and railroad funding for grade separations in Berea and Olmsted Township. Congressman Kucinich and West Shore officials were joined by Ohio Governor George Voinovich, John Snow, the President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSX Transportation, and David Goode, the President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk Southern railroad, to announce this historic settlement to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

Congressman Kucinich secured an $87 million agreement with the Norfolk Southern and CSX Railroads, and the State of Ohio to construct two underpasses in Berea at Front Street and Bagley Road, and one overpass in Olmsted Township at Fitch Road, to protect these communities. Also, for the West Shore communities, crossing gates were put in place at each of the 27 grade crossings in Lakewood. Hazardous material response programs were set up in each of the affected communities. Noise mitigation will be provided wherever the STB ruled it is necessary. The federal funds authorized for the project total $26 million; Norfolk Southern and CSX have committed a combined $44 million; the State of Ohio committed $17 million in state funds.

Importantly, the settlement includes stopping the increases in freight train traffic on the West Shore line and diverting the excess freight traffic to industrial areas of Cleveland, alleviating Congressman Kucinich's concerns that the acquisition would be anticompetitive and violate the nation's antitrust laws. Furthermore, because of traffic increases in Berea, Olmsted Falls, and Olmsted Township that could not be avoided, funding in the settlements include:

• $14 million for underpasses at Front Street and Bagley Road in Berea;

• $5 million for a grade separation at Fitch Road in Olmsted Township;

• $5 million additional funds for further mitigation in Berea; and

• $12 million general fund for the Conneaut-Vermilion rail line segment, for which the Berea and

Olmsted Township projects would be eligible.

The agreements secured by Congressman Kucinich among the affected communities, the State of Ohio, Norfolk Southern, and CSX include:

• Reduction in the number of trains from 39 trains per day, as proposed in the original merger plan, to 13.9 trains per day, a reduction to 1995 levels, along the Nickel Plate Line from Cleveland through the West Shore communities, including Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, and Westlake;

• Diversion of excess freight traffic from residential West Shore communities to industrial areas of the community between Cloggsville and the Rockport Yards;

• Expedited construction of Cloggsville Connection and double tracking at Vermilion, Ohio, much of which is already completed, making the diversion of the excess traffic possible;

• $87 million in federal, state, and railroad funding for infrastructure improvements in the 10th District, including two major underpasses at Front Street and Bagley Road in Berea, a major grade separation at Fitch Road in Olmsted Township, and major track improvements throughout the District;

• Safety gates and flashers for every rail crossing on Norfolk Southern's Nickel Plate line in Lakewood and the west side of Cleveland;

• Coordinated Hazardous Material Response and Electronic Notification System that includes a 24-hour toll-free number to report any accidents, crossing malfunctions, or any other emergency to the railroads;

• Noise mitigation for residents living close to tracks who will experience significant increases in the number of trains near their homes; and

• Legal recourse in the event that the terms of the agreement are not met.
The agreements reached in this merger are unprecedented. Never before have the railroads agreed to provide so much relief to citizens affected by a merger. This victory for the 10th Congressional District in Ohio can be attributed to extensive citizen participation in the merger, early intervention by public officials, and a legal process that encourages public participation.

On May 10, 1999, Congressman Kucinich, former Mayor Trupo, Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris, and representatives from the Railroads and the State of Ohio held a press conference near the tracks at Front Street to announce that the state and the railroads delivered the first major installment of funding necessary to hire a project manager to begin the process of grade separation construction at Front Street and Bagley Road.

Also on May 10, 1999, Congressman Kucinich wrote to Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater asking that Ohio's 10th Congressional District be used as a demonstration project for Quiet Zones.

On June 1, 1999, Conrail was officially acquired by Norfolk Southern and CSX.

In June of 1999, Kucinich secured transportation funds dedicated to help the West Shore, Berea, and Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township communities begin construction of necessary road underpasses and overpasses in Berea and Olmsted Falls. Construction work scheduled for Berea at Front Street and Bagley Road will receive $2.5 million and work scheduled for Olmsted Falls and Township will receive $625,000. An additional $1.6 million was secured for line improvements along the Vermillion-Conneaut railroad line, including necessary gate crossings and safety improvements.

In September of 1999, Congressman Kucinich, Lakewood Mayor Madeline Cain, and other West Shore officials joined representatives from Norfolk Southern and the Ohio Rail Development Commission in announcing the completion of the installation of crossing gates at the 27 grade crossings in Lakewood. The crossing gates were constructed ahead of schedule and under budget.

In October of 1999, Kucinich released letters he received from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) in response to earlier bipartisan letters that the and Congressman LaTourette had sent to the agencies on behalf of local communities' efforts seeking the establishment of "quiet zones" for local train traffic. The letters provide some new insight to the federal agencies' efforts to implement new regulations on the sounding of locomotive horns at rail crossings, allowing for "exceptions.....whenever communities established alternatives that provide the same level of safety at crossings as that provided by train horns" such as the construction of median barriers and grade crossing safety improvements. Congressman Kucinich asked that the FRA expedite rulemaking and hold hearings on any proposed rules on quiet zones in the Cleveland area.

On December 17, 1999, Congressman Kucinich, in response to complaints from Olmsted Falls School officials, held a press conference announcing his request to the FRA that federal rules be made to prohibit the blocking of grade crossings by parked trains, a problem that has increased in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township since the Conrail merger went into effect. This request was part of a 3-point plan that also includes restricting the parking of trains to more than 400 feet from a crossing to ensure visibility of vehicles crossing the tracks, and upgrading obsolete signal technology in the Olmsted Falls Schools community and nationwide.

Airport Expansion: Reducing Noise

Congressman Kucinich continues to advocate for noise reduction and for careful consideration in the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins airport. Congressman Kucinich has been and will continue to be an "Airport Watchdog," making sure that the expansion of the airport will be beneficial, not detrimental to the people most affected by airport expansion. In July 2000, Congressman Kucinich achieved a victory for the 10th district of Ohio by helping to secure $2.4 million in federal funding for the noise insulation program. This funding will provide relief from jet noise for an estimated 115 homes in the City of Cleveland and Olmsted Falls areas.

This builds upon Kucinich's efforts on behalf of local residents. Residents of Greater Cleveland have heard much discussion about the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. There is no question that the airport is a significant engine of economic growth for the entire region. However, the concerns of people who live in the surrounding communities must be taken into consideration as the airport is expanded. While Congressman Kucinich supported some needed upgrades and expansion to keep Cleveland's airports and the Greater Cleveland area economically competitive, he opposed the expansion plan because it places a disproportionate burden on the residents of surrounding communities.

Congressman Kucinich became involved with the proposed expansion of the airport when former Mayor Tom Jones, Council President Beverly Smith and residents of Olmsted Falls came to him with their concerns. The Airport Coalition — consisting of current and former NASA engineers — presented compelling evidence that the city's plan to expand an existing runway from under 9,000 feet to over 12,500 was unnecessary. Kucinich called a public hearing, held on November 27, 1997, where former Mayor Jones, Council President Smith, members of the Airport Coalition met with six hundred residents. Several representatives from Cleveland, the airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were on hand to make presentations. At this hearing, the city of Cleveland stated that the runway would not be built one foot longer than necessary.

In the fall of 1999, Congressman Kucinich closely followed the public meetings in Cleveland and Olmsted Township to disclose and take comments on its Draft Noise Study. He also followed the public hearings focused on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) by the Federal Aviation Administration. Both were well attended, with approximately 1,500 residents from across Ohio's 10th Congressional District attending these meetings to voice their concerns about both expansion and current operations of Hopkins.

In October 1999, the FAA released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Hopkins airport expansion. With input from the mayors of Bay Village, Berea, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Parma, Rocky River, Strongsville, and Westlake, as well as the many citizens of Ohio's 10th Congressional District who contacted his office, Congressman Kucinich filed official comments with the FAA on the City of Cleveland's proposed expansion.

In his 18-page formal filing with the FAA on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Kucinich said the study did not offer sufficient alternatives to the proposed plan, and inadequately addressed environmental and residential concerns. Kucinich cited the study as inadequate for not addressing alternatives that would place less burden on the people who live closest to Hopkins. Greater use of other area airports such as Burke Lakefront Airport or the Akron/Canton Regional Airport would have better addressed the concerns of local residents and their elected officials.

In Kucinich's submitted written comments for the Draft Noise Study, he raised concerns over the slow pace and low quality of the sound insulation program for residences near the airport. He stressed the need for a Displaced Threshold on the southwest runway to reduce noise for residents of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township. And he stated support for programs and procedures to reduce airport noise. A range of issues were addressed including environmental concerns, noise concerns, and other planning alternatives.

Truth in Airfares

In June 1997, Consumers Union filed a petition for rule making before the U.S. Department of Transportation calling for truth in airfares. The "Truth in Airfares" petition would require airlines to provide data on the average and lowest fares charged by carriers for each class of service on each route served by the carrier. In November 1997, Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to express his support of this petition and to ask the Department of Transportation to find a solution that would save American air travelers hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Kucinich later held a press conference with Consumers Union, and circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter to other Members of Congress to gain their support for this initiative. This effort produced a letter to Secretary Slater signed by 10 Members of Congress, including several key Appropriation Committee members.

NASA: Maintaining a Stable Budget

Continued funding of the NASA Glenn Research Center's Aircraft Noise Research program aims at ensuring that new aircraft will be quieter and less disruptive to people who live near airports, including thousands of local residents living nearby Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Congressman Kucinich has strongly advocated for both an increase in NASA's budget and for NASA Glenn Research Center's priorities. Kucinich joined with thirteen other Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt stressing the importance of NASA and the need to provide critical funding to maintain America's leadership in space exploration, research and technology. Kucinich also worked with Congressman LaTourette in sending a letter from the Ohio delegation to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee handling the NASA budget asking for support of the NASA Glenn programs. The Glenn-based "Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program", which is designed to produce quieter, less polluting, and more efficient aircraft engines received an increase of $15 million in the FY2001 budget, bringing the total funding for the project to $50 million. The House passed a budget of $13.7 billion for NASA, an increase of $112, 781,000 from FY2000.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

September 24, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Martin Sabo and Harold Rogers of the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee urging his support for the full $1 million for the Cleveland Innerbelt Discretionary Interstate Maintenance project.

May 7, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich joined the Airport Noise Caucus, which works to create and promote policies aimed at protecting constituents from air noise.

March 30, 2001. Congressman Kucinich signed a letter to Denis Galvin the Acting Director of the National Park Service requesting a study to determine what Ohio sites can be designated National Historic Landmarks for their significance in the history of powered flight.

March 28, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich signed on to a letter to Harold Rogers of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee requesting $71.9 million in bus and bus facility funding for the State of Ohio.

March 27, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the National Park Service requesting that they perform a study on aviation history as a resource for selecting historic places and landmarks.

March 20, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta urging the Department of Transportation to revoke Foreign Air Freight Forwarding license recently granted to DHL Worldwide Express.

March 19, 2001- Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Chairman Rodgers of the Transportation Appropriation Subcommittee requesting additional funds for bus programs in the State of Ohio.

Letters

June 13, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary Slater urging him to strengthen DOT’d efforts in using youth corps to implement sections in TEA-21 for community related transportation projects.

April 12, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Interior House Committee on Appropriations requesting an increase for the US Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program to support State Energy Program (SEP) grants that will encourage more widespread use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).

March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Committee on Appropriations requesting increased funding for the Coast Guard.

March 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure requesting the opportunity to outline Ohio's predicament. Ohio is, in a sense, being "penalized" for using a product that is promoted and subsidized by explicit federal policy.

February 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation requesting comments on a shortfall in projected funding for Ohio, which may be a result of the state's increased consumption of ethanol-based fuels. Consequently, even though gas tax revenues into the Highway Trust Fund have increased, Ohio's federal funding share has actually decreased.

February 17, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) expressing the fear of the Ohio Department of Transportation that it is not receiving a fair share of federal highway funding, and asking that the FHA look into the matter. The decreased funding could have adverse affects on the State of Ohio’s ability to meet infrastructure needs.

February 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), requesting a status report on NASA’s future plans for the Glenn Center, especially in regards to the plans for airplanes remaining at the Center.

February 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Mr. Frank Coda, Executive Director of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers urging them not to reduce the standard air ventilation on commercial aircrafts from 15 cubic feet per minute per person to 5cfm/p.

April 19,1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Transportation Appropriations Committee requesting more money for noise compatibility programs

April 16, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration expressing concern over the lack of Federal standards for Conductor training and crew size.

April 12, 1999 -Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President of Amtrack expressing concern over the low level of Amtrack service in Ohio.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R.1116 - Quiet Communities Act of 2001. A bill which refunds the office of Noise Abatement and Control at the Environmental Protection Agency.

H.R.318 - Commuter Benefits Equity Act. A bill which provides a uniform dollar limitation for all types of transportation fringe benefits excludable from gross income.

H.R.443 - Public Oversight of Wholesale Electric Rates Act. A bill which would impose a windfall profit tax on wholesale electric energy sold in the Western System Coordinating Council.

H.R.1074 - Consumer Friendly Airline Ticket Transfer Act. This bill permits airline tickets to be transferred to another person. Also, this act blocks separate fees for passengers who deplane early at a lay over or buy two round-trip tickets and use one trip each to avoid higher cost tickets.

H.R.761 - Airline Merger Moratorium Act. A bill which will impose a temporary moratorium on certain airline mergers and acquisitions.

H.R.384 - The Airline Passenger Fair Treatment Act. A bill that will establish a national policy of basic consumer fair treatment for airline passengers.

H.R. 677 - Foreign Truck Safety Act. A bill that would require foreign trucks to meet U.S. truck safety standards every year.

H.R. 2746 - Airport Noise Curfew Act. A bill that would establish a commission to investigate the potential for airport curfews.

H.R. 2263 - The Federal Efficient Motor Vehicle Fleet Act. A bill which would require that ten percent of the motor vehicles purchased by Executive agencies be hybrid electric vehicles or high-efficiency vehicles.

H.R. 1296 - Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Act. A bill that would block mandatory arbitration of disputes between auto manufacturers and auto dealers.

H.R. 1265- Bicycle Commuter Act. This bill makes bicycling commuters eligible for the qualified transportation benefits, an exemption from employment taxes for employers who provide funding for alternative transportation.

H.R. 1070- Railroad Track Modernization Act. A bill that authorizes funding for small railroad track improvements.

H.R. 2329- High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001. This bill establishes $11 billion in bonds for high speed rail systems nation-wide.

H.R. 432- Railroad Crossing Delay Safety Assurance Act. This bill gives all states the authority to limit the amount of time trains can block grade crossings if the Department of Transportation does not exercise its authority and issue regulations within one year.

H.R. 433- Railroad Crossing Delay Reduction Act. This bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue its own regulations by August 1, 2002.

H.R. 999- Railroad Merger Reform and Customer Protection Act. This bill increases the standards by which the Surface Transportation Board reviews rail mergers and would subject railroads to existing antitrust laws.

H.R. 1140- The Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001. This bill makes several improvements in the current benefit structure especially for widows and widowers, it provides significant tax relief for the railroad industry, and it also strengthens the financing of this program.

H.R. 1734 - Airline Passengers Bill of Rights. This bill requires airlines to notify passengers of all delays and passengers that have been bumped involuntarily should receive more compensation. Also gives The department of Transportation more authority to ensure fair competition.

H.R. 2955 - Displaced Workers Assistance Act. This bill provides extended unemployment insurance benefits and health care coverage to airline workers displaced as a result of the September 11 attacks.

H.R. 2329 - High Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001. This bill would establish $11 billion in bonds for high speed rail systems nationwide.

Bills Cosponsored

HR 4507 - Transit Rail Access Improvement and Needs Act for the 21st Century (TRAIN 21): A bill to permit the Surface Transportation Board to mediate right of way disputes between Mass transit agencies and freight railroads.

H. Con. Res. 388. - A resolution recognizing the historic significance of the 100th anniversary of the AAA Ohio Motorists Association, and extending best wishes for the continued success of the organization.

HR 4507 - Transit Rail Access Improvement and Needs Act for the 21st Century (TRAIN 21): A bill to permit the Surface Transportation Board to mediate right of way disputes between Mass transit agencies and freight railroads.

H. Con. Res. 306 - Safe Highway Resolution: A resolution that the “federal freeze” on triple trailer trucks, and longer combination vehicles should not be lifted. This is supported by law enforcement officials and transportation unions.

HR 3546 - Commuter Tax Equity Act of 2000: A bill to remedy the disparity in tax breaks for commuters that utilize mass transit and those that drive themselves by revising the tax code to allow the same $175 per month benefit for all employees, eliminating the discrimination against mass-transit commuters.

HR 561 - Aircraft Noise Reduction Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit operation of all older and louder aircraft engines in the most noise impacted regions of the country, which would include Cleveland.

HR 1463 - Right to Know About Airport Pollution Act of 1999: A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study how to reduce pollution around airports, to study standards for cleaner airplane engines and to require airports to be regulated by community Right-to-Know laws governing hazardous materials.

HR 2499 - Silent Skies Act of 1999: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit the operation of certain aircraft not complying with stage 4 noise levels.

HR 2702 - Quiet Communities Act of 1999: A bill to reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control in the Environmental Protection Agency.

HR 3091 - Protection of Train Employees: A bill to provide for the protection of train employees by requiring 72 hours off after 7 consecutive work days for all train operators.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/transportation.htm

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32. Tributes

In Recognition of Others Who Have Served the Public

Congressman Kucinich has cosponsored legislation to honor distinguished Americans, including:

HR 3557 - A bill to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York.

H RES 202 - A bill expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the artwork displayed in the Capitol and in the office buildings of the House of Representatives should represent the contributions of women to American society.

HR 1363 - A bill to require all federal agencies and publications to refer to the third Monday in February by its legal name, “Washington’s Birthday.”

HR 3557 - A bill to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York.

HR 573 - A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Rosa Parks in recognition of her contributions to the Nation.

HR 239 - A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Senator John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions toward American society for more than fifty years.

HR 396 - A bill to designate the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the "Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building".

HR 938 - A bill to designate the Federal building located at 290 Broadway in New York, New York, as the "Ronald H. Brown Federal Building."

HR 1405 - A bill to designate the Federal building located at 143 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio, as the "Donald J. Pease Federal Building".

H RES 41 - A resolution honoring the women who served the United States in military capacities during World War II and recognizing that these women contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in the war.

H J RES 22 - A joint resolution to commemorate the birthday of Cesar E. Chavez.

HR 2286 - A bill to designate the Federal building located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC, as the "Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building".

HR 1804 - A bill to authorize the Pyramid of Remembrance Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to soldiers who have lost their lives during peacekeeping operations, humanitarian efforts, training, terrorist attacks, or covert operations.

HR 1932 - A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, former President of Notre Dame.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 1565- A resolution to award a congressional gold medal to Brian Lamb, C-SPAN’s founder, chairman, and CEO.

H.R. 2723- A resolution to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their contributions to the Nation on behalf of the civil rights movement.

H.R. 4289 - A bill to authorize the President to present a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter in recognition of their service to the Nation.

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/tributes.htm

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33. Veterans

Supporting American Veterans

Veterans Issues
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Veterans Issues

The men and women who serve the United States of America in the armed forces deserve our strong support and appreciation. The debt that our country owes to its veterans is an important one that must be honored. Taking into account this exemplary service, it is our obligation to provide our veterans with the finest health care available. It is important to take care of those who have sacrificed so much to serve their country. As a result of Congressional action, more than a million veterans and their families will be getting a new prescription drug benefit this year, called Tricare for Life, which includes a mail-order pharmacy. Starting April 1, 2001, veterans 65 and older who served 20 years or more can enroll in the pharmacy benefit, and on October 1, 2001, enroll in the medical benefit. This means that Tricare will provide Medicare supplemental coverage, so instead of a person paying a 20 percent copayment, Tricare will pay it in most cases. For more information, call Congressman Kucinich’s Lakewood District Office: [phone].

In the 106th Congress, the House passed the Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act, H.R. 2116. This bill will allow for the expansion of Veterans’ benefits and long term health care benefits. Congressman Kucinich voted in favor of this bill after significant changes were made from the original legislation. The changes eliminated increasing co-payments on prescription drugs for illnesses not related to military service and assess new co-payments on devices such as hearing aids, eye glasses, dentures etc. It also eliminated establishing the framework for hospital closures making it easier for the government to close important and necessary veterans health facilities.

Congressman Kucinich supports legislation that provides the necessary services to our nation’s veterans. He is currently a cosponsor of HR 179, the "Keep Our Promise to America’s Military Retirees Act." This legislation, introduced by Representative Ronnie Shows, restores health care benefits to military retirees with more than 20 years of service. He is also a cosponsor of legislation, HR 303, introduced by Representative Michael Bilirakis to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who retired with over 20 years of service and who have service-connected disabilities to receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either. America must keep its promise for adequate health care and retirement benefits to those veterans who have served our country. Congressman Kucinich will continue to support and advocate any legislation that makes this promise a reality.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary Anthony Principi of the Department of Veterans Affairs requesting that the department withdraw a proposed rule which both drastically raises the co-payments for each 30-day supply of prescription drugs for our nation's veterans and allows for co-payments to rise annually with prescription the drug component of the Medical Consumer Price Index in 2003.

September 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Clinton urging him to restore purchasing power to the education benefits in the Montgomery GI Bill.

Letters

106th Congress

June 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative Stearns thanking him for the action his subcommittee has taken this year on recruitment, retention and pay for the Department of Veterans Affairs health care professionals.

June 6, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President Clinton requesting an investigation on depleted uranium (DU) affects on Iraq civilians and Gulf War Veterans.

May 25, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Veterans Administration to request a budgetary increase to provide adequate service to the nation’s veterans including veteran health care.

March 20, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-sponsored a letter to Representative Frank Wolf, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations requesting support for increased funding to the Coast Guard and asking, at minimum, to support President Clinton’s FY2001 request for long-overdue increases in operating and acquisition accounts. This includes the New Great Lakes Icebreaker.

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

HR 818 - Ukrainian American Veterans Charter Act. This bill would grant the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) a congressional federal charter.

HR 303 - Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001. This bill would allow veterans with a service connected disability to receive both military pay and disability.

HR 936 - Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Act. This bill establishes program improvements and coordination between existing programs to meet the needs of homeless veterans.

HR 1071 - Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act. This bill would improve educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill by providing a monthly stipend for educational programs, repealing the pay reduction that accompanies program participation and expands enrollment eligibility.

H.Con.Res. 20 - VETS Day - This bill denotes November 10th as Veterans Educate Today’s Students (VETS) Day. Schools and civic leaders are encouraged to have forums and activities to educate students and allow them to interact with veterans.

HR 639 - Comprehensive Hepatitis C Health Care Act. This bill establishes single standard for VA testing and requires treatment of all vets with Hepatitis C.

H.R. 548 - The Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2001. This bill increases the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for surviving spouses age 62 and older.

H.R. 65 - Military Retirement Equity Act of 2001. A bill to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability to receive a portion of their military retired pay concurrently with veterans’ disability compensation.

Bills Cosponsored

106th Congress

HR 5271 - The Veterans’ Family Farm Preservation Act: A bill to exclude property used for farming, ranching or other agricultural purposes from a veteran’s net worth calculation in order to help them qualify for pension benefits and affordable health care.

HR 5311 - Heather French Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2000: A bill to improve and increase the number of programs for homeless veterans. H Con. Res. 408- (no short title) - A resolution expressing appreciation for the United States service members who were aboard the British transport HMT ROHNA when it sank, the families of these service members, and the rescuers of the HMT ROHNA's passengers and crew.

HR 5132 - Veterans Comprehensive Hepatitis C Health Care Act: A bill to set up a program for testing and treating veterans with Hepatitis C.

HR 5397 - The Veterans Commemoration Act of 2000: A bill to mint coins in commemoration of American veterans and use the proceeds to fund transportation for disabled veterans to and from VA hospitals.

HR 1071 - The Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act: A bill to improve education benefits for veterans.

HR 5109 - Department of Veteran Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 2000: A bill to improve the personnel system of the Veterans Health Administration.

HR 284 - Honor Guard for Veterans Empowerment Act: A bill to require employers to give employees who are members of a reserve component a leave of absence for participation in an honor guard for a funeral of a veteran. H Res. 51 - (no short title) - A resolution to recognize the suffering and hardship endured by American civilian prisoners of war during World War II.

HR 4328 - Reservists Tax Relief Act of 2000: A bill to allow reservists to receive compensation for travel expenses when called to duty.

H Con. Res. 58 - A resolution to recognize the importance of veterans to the United States and express support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day.

H J Res 86 - A joint resolution that recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War and honors the sacrifice of those who served.

HR 3193 - The Duty to Assist Veterans Act: A bill to require VA to assist veterans in obtaining the evidence necessary to establish their eligibility for benefits before deciding the claim.

3. HR 3573 - Keep Our Promise to America’s Military Retirees Act: A bill to restore health coverage to retired members of the uniformed services.

4. H. Con. Res. 226 - Veterans Health Fairness Resolution: A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the budget for VA health care should include amounts to ensure for coverage for all vets, including priority group 7.

HR 1671 - A bill to grant a Federal Charter to Korean War Veterans Association, Incorporated.

HR 3463 - Ukrainian American Veterans Charter Act - A bill granting a Federal Charter to the Ukrainian American Veterans, Incorporated.

HR 566- Stand Down Authorization Act: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct Stand Down events and to establish a pilot program that will provide for an annual Stand Down event in each State.

HR 430- A bill to extend eligibility for hospital care and medical services to veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart, and for other purposes.

HR 1804- A bill to authorize the Pyramid of Remembrance Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to soldiers who have lost their lives during peacekeeping operations, humanitarian efforts, training, terrorist attacks, or covert operation.

HR 1008 - Robert Stodola Homeless Veterans Assistance Act: A bill to require 20 percent of the total funds of the Housing and Urban Development under the Stewart McKinney Assistance Act to be used to serve veterans.

HR 1160- A bill to authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones or bronze markers for all veterans whether or not the grave is already marked.

H CON RES 60- A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that a series of commemorative postage stamps should be issued honoring veterans service organizations across the United States.

HR 625- Veterans’ Education Benefits Equity Act of 1999: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue payment of monthly educational assistance benefits to veterans enrolled at educational institutions during periods between terms if the interval between such periods does not exceed eight weeks..

HR 2283- A bill to ensure that states without active duty bases or units can call on reservists to perform honor guard details at veterans’ funerals.

HR 2966- Keep Our Promise to America’s Military Retirees Act: A bill to restore health care coverage to retired members of uniformed services.

HR 1764- Veteran’s Compensation Equity Act of 1999: A bill to reduce and eliminate the benefits offset veterans currently suffer when they are eligible to collect both military retirement pay and service to connected compensation.

HR 1214- Veteran’s Claims Adjunction Improvement Act of 1999: A bill to mandate a quality assurance program within the Veteran’s Administration with respect to the claims adjustment process.

HR 303- A bill to allow retired members of the Armed Services who served more than 20 years receive VA compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction of either.

HR 3293- A bill to erect a plaque near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for vets that died during the war but not eligible to place their names on the memorial.

HR 1020 - A bill to establish a presumption of service connection for the occurrence of hepatitis C in certain veterans.

HR 832 - Veterans Tobacco-Related Illness Benefits Restoration Act of 1999: A bill to restore veterans tobacco-related illness benefits before the enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.

H RES 41 - A resolution honoring the women who served the United States in military capacities during World War II and recognizing that these women contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in the war

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/veterans.htm

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34. Worker Rights

Worker Rights

Fight to Save Jobs at Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland, Ohio
490 jobs saved at Cleveland Pneumatic, Cleveland, Ohio
100 jobs saved at Viking Sewing, Westlake, Ohio
Opposing Contracting out Federal Services
Defeating Worker Disempowerment; Independent Contractor Language
Letters to the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Letters
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session
Bills Cosponsored

Congressman Kucinich stands up for workers. He has fought to protect good paying jobs in his district and around the country through aggressive advocacy.

Strengthening Workers’ Rights: Restoring Integrity to the Collective Bargaining Process

Congressman Kucinich believes that company management should not be rewarded for locking out their employees. But when the dockworkers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) were locked out by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) in late September 2002, the Administration invoked a provision in the Taft-Hartley Act, which forced the union members back to work under their old contract. Rep. Kucinich believes this provision provides an incentive for management to bargain in bad faith, as a lock-out can start a chain of events which forces employees back to work, fundamentally undermining the integrity of the important collective bargaining process.

As a result, Congressman Kucinich introduced HR 5644, a bill to repeal anti-worker provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act, which allow the President to intervene in strikes and lock-outs. Although these parts of Taft-Hartley are intended to protect “the national health or safety” of the nation, in reality they severely weaken the right of labor to collectively bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and more security for their families.

Fight to Save Jobs at the Cargill Salt Mine, Cleveland, Ohio

Congressman Kucinich continues to lead an effort to save the jobs of union workers at the Cargill Inc. Whiskey Island salt mine. On May 6, 2002, 165 members of Teamsters Local Union No. 436 went on strike during contract negotiations. In early August, the workers made an unconditional offer to return to work. However, the workers were told that Cargill was laying off 56 union members, had hired 83 permanent replacement workers, and was allowing only 26 of the union workers back to their previous positions.

As a result, Congressman Kucinich has committed to working with the union and the Greater Cleveland community to restore the workers to their rightful jobs. On September 24th, Rep. Kucinich sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of Labor Dave Lauriski calling for an investigation into the worker safety practices at the Cargill Salt mine after research conducted by his office revealed that Cargill’s operator accident rate greatly exceeded the accident rates both for U.S. mines generally and in U.S. salt mines specifically. The unsatisfactory safety record was especially concerning in light of the efforts of Cargill to lock out their experienced union mine workers. Congressman Kucinich also wrote the President of Cargill asking that Cargill negotiate in good faith with Local 436, honor the union's seniority list, and allow union miners with seniority to be returned to work immediately.

Rep. Kucinich then convened a series of three Salt Miners Summits in which he invited Cargill’s union miners, their union leadership, and local legislators from the area to strategize as to how best to address the crisis and care for workers with immediate needs like health care and housing. With raised community awareness of the issue, the Board of County Commissioners of Cuyahoga County adopted a resolution urging Cargill to resolve the labor dispute with Teamsters Local 436, allowing the workers to return to their jobs.

Though charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Cargill had not violated labor law by refusing to reinstate striking employees after an unconditional offer to return to work and converting temporary employees to permanent status, Congressman Kucinich has pledged to continue to fight for the locked out Cargill workers and their families as the case is appealed.

The Fight to Protect Workers’ Pensions at Lakewood Manufacturing Co.

Rep. Kucinich believes every worker has a fundamental right to financial security during his or her retirement. He has been a vigilant supporter of workers’ pension rights both on a national and local level.

Responding to a constituent concern regarding the handling of the pension plan at Lakewood Manufacturing in Westlake, Ohio, Congressman Kucinich initiated an investigation into the fund. The investigation uncovered that workers at Lakewood Manufacturing had not received documentation of their plan performance in five years. In addition, there was evidence that workers’ pensions had been grossly mismanaged by the plan’s administrator, leading to a severe depletion of the fund’s value.

As a result, Rep. Kucinich called on the Department of Labor to expedite an investigation into the management of the pension fund and prosecute all wrongdoing. On December 18, 2002, the Department of Labor filed a formal civil complaint charging Lakewood Manufacturing with breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA, the law that governs the handling of pension plans, using much of what Rep. Kucinich has uncovered as evidence.

Though the case is still pending, Congressman Kucinich continues to investigate the Lakewood Manufacturing pension plan and has pledged to ensure that the workers have their pensions restored to the fullest extent possible.

Fight to Save Jobs at Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland, Ohio

Under guidelines set forth by the White House Office of Management and Budget, federal agencies may conduct cost comparison studies between the cost of contracting work to a commercial organization and the cost of in-house performance of this work. Recently, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) conducted such a study of its Retired and Annuitant Pay function, for the purposes of determining whether a contractor or an in- house team could do the work for less. This function is currently carried out by about 450 workers in Cleveland and 100 workers in Denver.

On June 15th, DFAS issued a decision: the work would be awarded to an outside contractor. Immediately, Rep. Kucinich, along with Rep. Steven LaTourette, issued a statement expressing concern for the welfare of DFAS employees and support for any employee attempt to challenge the decision.

Soon after, the union that represents the employees filed an appeal of the outsourcing decision. The appeal presented a host of evidence that DFAS had not followed federal guidelines and awarded the work to an outside group unfairly. Rep. Kucinich, joined by Reps. LaTourette, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and Sherrod Brown, signed a letter in support of this appeal.

Though the appeal was denied, Rep. Kucinich continues to fight for DFAS employees. On August 15th, Rep. Kucinich, again joined by the Cleveland-area representatives, sent a letter calling on Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Director Thomas Bloom to reconsider the appeal of its outsourcing decision filed by DFAS employees and reverse its plans to contract out work. The representatives also sent letters to the head of the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, and the Defense Department Inspector General urging an investigation of DFAS’ actions. In these letters, the representatives issued a point-by-point critique of the way DFAS carried out its cost comparison study and considered the appeal of its decision.

490 jobs saved at Cleveland Pneumatic, Cleveland, Ohio

In 1999, Congressman Kucinich helped protect over 490 jobs at the Cleveland Pneumatic Plant on Marble Avenue. The plant was in immediate danger of being closed, as a consequence of a merger between its owner, BFGoodrich, and another maker of airplane landing gear, Coltec Industries. In fact, several internal documents that were leaked revealed that BFGoodrich intended to close the Cleveland plant after the merger. Furthermore, those documents indicated that the newly merged company would be "union free." When asked for public comment, however, BFGoodrich maintained that no decisions had been made on which plants would be closed.

Congressman Kucinich subsequently investigated possible antitrust violations of the merger and questioned BFGoodrich about its intentions to eliminate the union. He lobbied the Federal Trade Commission to withhold its approval of the merger. When that failed, Congressman Kucinich held bipartisan hearings of the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, of which he is the ranking Democrat, in Indiana and Cleveland. The hearings, held in June and July 1999, drew top officials of BFGoodrich as well as Allied Signal, a competitor in the landing gear business. The hearings also drew local officials of the United Auto Workers, the union that represents workers at the Cleveland plant, as well as local elected officials. At the hearings, Congressman Kucinich pressed BFGoodrich officials to explain their projected cost savings and other details on the effects of the merger. Congressman Kucinich also wrote to the Ohio judge evaluating the merger for anti-trust violations, testified at Senate hearings regarding the antitrust implications of the merger, and drafted an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill.

In July, 1999, BFGoodrich announced a multiyear contract with the union at the Cleveland plant. In December, 1999, BFGoodrich announced its corporate restructuring plans and repeated its intention to keep the Cleveland plant open.

100 jobs saved at Viking Sewing, Westlake, Ohio

Congressman Kucinich helped save over 100 Cleveland jobs at Viking Sewing Machine. Viking is a Westlake, Ohio distributor of the Swedish-made sewing machine. Viking had been included in a preliminary list of European products that would be subject to a prohibitive (100 percent) tariff in retaliation for EU restrictions on the import of bananas grown by an American-based multinational corporation.

Congressman Kucinich persuaded the U.S. Trade Representative to remove European household sewing machines, such as those made by Viking, from the list of targeted products. Kucinich wrote a December 2, 1998 letter to the USTR, arguing that U.S. sanctions should have a minimal effect on American workers. The selection of Viking clearly violated the principle. In the third week of December, USTR notified Kucinich that his appeal for the Viking workers was successful.

Viking Sewing Machine's Chief Executive Officer, Bengt Gerborg, said this after hearing the news that his company would stay open: "This is certainly the best holiday news we could have hoped for. We appreciate the work Congressman Kucinich did on behalf of Viking and its employees, dealers and customers."

Contracting out Federal Services

Because it tends to reduce accountability to the taxpayer, substitute a less experienced set of workers for seasoned, capable government employees, and deflate wages, Congressman Kucinich has opposed contracting out federal services to private vendors. In 1998, he fought against passage of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act. Though the bill was enacted, he has remained skeptical of the law. In October, 1999, Kucinich raised Congress' awareness of the issue when he testified before the Subcommittee on Government Management and Information Technology.

In this 107th Congress, Congressman Kucinich has again raised concerns about federal outsourcing before the Government Reform Committee. Participating in a hearing on federal outsourcing conducted by the Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement, Kucinich called for a study of the wages and benefits paid by government vendors who receive federal contracts. Citing a report that 1 in 10 federal workers earn less than a living wage, Kucinich posed the following question to the witnesses, among whom were administration officials: “Do you think that the federal government should be in the business of saving money on the backs of workers?”

Kucinich has also fought efforts to contract out federal work carried out in Cleveland (see section on the Defense Finance Accounting Service above).

Defeating Worker Disempowerment; Independent Contractor Language

The original 1998 Budget Bill passed by the House of Representatives contained a provision that would have made it very easy for employers to classify workers as "independent contractors." This would have undermined pensions and job protections for millions of workers. In cooperation with unions and women's organizations, Congressman Kucinich waged a campaign inside Congress to have this section removed from the final bill. He spoke against the provision several times in front of the full House, and circulated a letter (with 79 signatures) to the President asking him to demand the elimination of this section. They succeeded. This section was dropped from the final budget bill that the President signed in August 1997.

Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session

October 11, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Senator Ted Kennedy opposing the nomination of Eugene Scalia as Solicitor of Labor.

September 14, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to David Schneiderman, CEO of Village Voice Media, requesting his assistance for workers at the Free Times in Cleveland, who were trying to organize.

August 17, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Regula and Obey expressing support for a $40 million increase in funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

August 3, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Mexican government supporting a secret ballot union election at the Kukdong maquiladora factory in Puebla, Mexico.

August 1, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter opposing a delay in the investigation of illegally traded steel.

July 31, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao urging her to enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act wage and hour laws for poultry workers.

July 31, 2001- Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Starbucks commending them for selling Fair Trade whole bean coffee in its stores.

July 17, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Regula and Obey of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education requesting that they reconsider the proposed budget cuts for the Workforce Investment Act.

June 12, 2001 - Letter to progressive organizations inviting them to a press conference in support of the Federal Arbitration Correction Act of 2001, which would secure workers’ rights to sue under civil rights and whistleblower laws.

June 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush requesting clemency for the Port Chicago sailors.

June 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Secretary Powell supporting transparency in U.S. training of Indonesian police forces.

June 5, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush urging him to investigate the importation of basic materials used to make steel, in addition to the finished product.

April 24, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush encouraging him to take action to assure that the U.S. does not become dependent on foreign steel.

April 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressman Obey supporting Job Corps in the Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations process.

April 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Brad Botwin of the Bureau of Export Administration expressing concern over the effect that imports of iron ore and semi-finished steel would have on the U.S. steel industry.

March 30, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush asking for his assistance in halting the demise of the U.S. steel industry.

March 30, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressman Serrano supporting funding for the expansion of the Police Athletic League.

March 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Congressmen Walsh and Mollohan supporting the firefighter assistance grant program.

March 6, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush protesting the Administration’s decision to stay implementation of the rule on Contractor Responsibility, Labor Relations Costs, and Costs Relating to Legal and Other Proceedings.

March 5, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Leo Mullin, CEO of Delta Air Lines, urging him to allow Delta flight attendants to decide for themselves whether to support union representation.

March 2, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to John Boehner, the Chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, supporting an increase in the minimum wage.

February 19, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush and Senate Finance Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Baucus opposing the nomination of Thelma Askey to the International Trade Commission.

February 14, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President Vincente Fox of Mexico expressing concern over the labor situation at the Duro Bag maquiladora factory in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas.

February 12, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to President George W. Bush urging him not to allow the federal government to do business with companies that break laws designed to protect consumers, competitors, workers and the environment.

February 9, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the World Trade Organization supporting the Continuing Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000.

January 10, 2001 -Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to the Secretary of Labor in support of funding for the continuation and expansion of the Ohio Incumbent Worker Training Project.

January 9, 2001 - Congressman Kucinich cosigned a letter to Marian Floyd of the Department of Labor urging her to consider funding for the Cuyahoga Telecommunications Career Training and Connection (CTCTC).

Letters

March 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter in support of the Worker Rights Consortium, a grassroots monitoring group established to enforce codes of conduct of apparel manufacturers with the goal of stamping out sweatshops.

February 8, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Department of Labor in support of ergonomics standards promulgated by the Department of Labor.

June 7, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to John Edward Porter, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education urging him to protect funding for youth summer jobs in the Labor Appropriations bill.

August 10, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Commissioner of the IRS, Secretary of Labor and Chairwoman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission urging them to investigate and take action on possible violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Employment Retirement Income Security Act.

September 27, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President encouraging him to tell the Salvadoran government not to persecute three Salvadoran labor leaders who testified to a Congressional briefing about conditions in Maquiladoras

Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st Session

H.R. 464 - Kate Mullany National Historic Site Act. A bill to designate the Kate Mullany house a national historical sit. Kate Mullany was an organizer and leader in the early days of the women’s labor movement. Her house in Troy, NY is the last surviving structure associated with her life and accomplishments.

H.R. 1262 - Federal Wage Worker Pay Fairness Act. A bill which would guarantee wage grade workers an annual pay raise, lift caps on blue-collar pay raises, end the practice of paying DoD wage grade workers less than their counterparts in other agencies, and make changes in the data collection of date used to determine wages.

H.R. 1144 - Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act. A bill to make improvements in current benefit structure and provide significant tax relief for the railroad industry.

H.R. 652 - Labor Relations First Contract Act. A bill which states that if an employer and a newly elected representative of the employees have not reached a collective bargaining agreement within 60 days of the union’s certification, the employer and union will jointly select a mediator to help them reach an agreement. If they cannot agree on a mediator, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services will appoint one of them.

H.R. 206 - Federal Child Care Affordability Act. A bill to allow federal agencies to use their budgets to pay for part of the operating costs of child care centers so that it will decrease the fees charged to lower income federal employees who use child care.

H.R 1457 - Federal Living Wage Act. A bill requiring employees of Federal contracts or subcontracts of more than $10,000 along with individuals hired directly by the U.S. government, be paid the greater of $8.20 per hour or the hourly wage necessary to reach the poverty level. Another provision would mandate that these workers receive benefits such as medical or hospital care, vacation and holiday pay, disability and sickness insurance, life insurance, and pensions.

H.R. 169 - Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act. To require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection laws, and for other purposes.

H.R. 481 - Disabled Workers Opportunity Act. To amend the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the period of Medicare eligibility for disabled workers.

H. CON. RES. 3 - Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding a Federal holiday to commemorate the birthday of Cesar E. Chavez.

H.R. 460 - Truth Act of 2001. A bill to require nationals of the United States that employ individuals in a foreign country to provide full transparency and disclosure in all their operations.

H.R. 652 - Labor Relations First Contract Act of 2001. A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes, and for other purposes.

H.R. 180 - Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act of 2001. A bill to modernize the financing of the railroad retirement system and to provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries.

H.R. 1262 - The Federal Wage Worker Pay Fairness Act. A bill relating to prevailing rate systems for Federal employees.

H.R. 665 - Fair Minimum Wage Act. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.

H.R. 464 - Kate Mullany National Historic Site Act. A bill to establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York.

H.R. 169 - Notification and Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Act. A bill to require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection laws.

H.R. 781 - Paycheck Fairness Act. Whenever in this Act (other than in section 8) an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

H.R. 481 - Disabled Workers Opportunity Act. A bill to amend the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the period of Medicare eligibility for disabled workers .

H.R. 961 - Young American’s Workers’ Bill of Rights Act. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to reform the provisions relating to child labor.

H.R. 1457 - Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act of 2001. A bill to provide for livable wages for Federal Government workers and workers hired under Federal contracts.

H.R. 1475 - Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2001. A bill to provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions.

H.R. 105 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding Cesar E. Chavez.

H.R. 457 - To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to establish a transitional adjustment assistance program for workers adversely affected by reason of the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of the People's Republic of China.

H.R. 2691 - Income Equity Act of 2001. A bill to cap the corporate tax deduction for executive pay according to a formula linked to the wage of the lowest paid employee at the firm.

H.R. 2966 - Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement to determine appropriate methods for their preservation and interpretation.

H.R. 2868 - National Weather Service Flexible Work Scheduling Act. A bill to provide for appropriate overtime pay for National Weather Service forecasters performing essential services during severe weather events, and to limit Sunday premium pay for employees of the National Weather Service to hours of service actually performed on Sunday.

H.Con.Res.177 - Resolution honoring Dolores Huerta, Latina labor leader.

H.R. 1360 - A bill to repeal an Executive Order barring Project Labor Agreements.

H.R. 93 - The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act. A bill to raise the mandatory retirement age of federal firefighters from 55 to 57.

H.R. 218 - Community Protection Act. A bill to exempt qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms.

H.J.Res.42 - Legislation to require that the American Flag on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff one day each year on the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Bills Cosponsored

H.R. 2457- Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act of 1999: A bill to prohibit health insurance and employment discrimination against individuals and their family members on the basis of predictive genetic information or genetic services.

HR 4567 - Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act: A bill to establish twelve weeks of paid leave for birth, and caring for child or parent.

H.R. 1050 - Living Wage, Jobs For All Act: A bill to lay out a program for full employment, public investment to span job growth, convert some military to civilian, and to prevent price setting and increases by monopolies, lower interest rate, etc..

HR 1271 - Fair Pay Act of 1999: A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes.

HR 1770 - Federal Employees’ Overtime Pay Limitation Amendments Act of 1999: A bill to place all Federal Employees on the General Schedule on a level playing field for overtime compensation.

HR 3540 - A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act such that blind persons must be paid at least minimum wage.

HR 1227 - Federal Procurement and Assistance Integrity Act: A bill to ensure that the Federal Government conducts business with contractors who abide by our nation’s labor, health and safety laws.

HR 2298 - Equity for Temporary Workers Act of 1999: A bill to provide protections, opportunity and equity for temporary employees in the workplace.

HR 90 - Stop Sweatshops Act: A bill to strengthen the ability of the Department of Labor to enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Improves ability of workers to obtain redress for violation of the Act.

HR 953 - Aviation Safety Protection: A bill to promote safety in the Airline industry by granting protection to workers when they expose unsafe practices.

H RES 144 - Honor Cesar E. Chavez: A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a postage stamp should be issued commemorating Cesar E. Chavez.

HR 325 - Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1999: A bill to increase the Federal minimum wage.

HR 541- Paycheck Fairness Act: A bill to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex.

HR 730- Insular Fair Wage & Human Rights Act: A bill to extend U.S. minimum wage and immigration law to the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and includes provision to preserve the integrity of the "Made in the USA" label requiring that it only apply to garments made in compliance of all US labor practices.

HR 1093- Public Safety Employer-Employee Act of 1999: A bill to give collective bargaining rights to police and firefighters.

HR 826- Overtime Pay for National Weather Service Forecasters: A bill to entitle National Weather Service employees to be paid true time and one half for overtime work.

HR 776- Fairness for State and Local Workers Act: A bill to expand Occupational Safety and Health Administration coverage to include state and local government employees.

HR 714- Protection of Seamen Against Economic Reprisal Act of 1999: A bill to protect river boat crews against reprisals by employers if workers expose health and safety violations.

HR 1830- Improve the Unemployment Insurance System: A bill to enhance the Federal-State Extended Benefit program, to provide incentives to States to implement procedures that will expand eligibility for unemployment compensation, to strengthen administrative financing of the unemployment compensation program, to improve the solvency of State accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund, and for other purposes.

H RES 116- Support the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: A resolution to support International Labor Organization's rights of workers and to urge the President to promote the ILO Declaration.

HR 1525 - Independent Contractor Clarification Act: A bill to clarify how businesses may classify their employees, as either employees or independent contractors in order to reduce misclassifications.

HR 2551- Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 1999: A bill that limits the spread of prison labor in the United States and puts restrictions and obligations on Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

HR 675 - Beryllium Exposure Compensation Act: A bill that affords workers with relief for injuries arising out of exposure to hazards involved in the mining and processing of beryllium.

HR 872 - Civil Rights Procedures Protection Act: A bill to prohibit the involuntary application of arbitration in employment discrimination and sexual harassment cases.

HR 1050 - Living Wage on Federal Contractors: A bill that would require that Federal contractors and subcontractors pay their employees a minimum wage equal to the federal poverty level.

HR 826 - National Weather Service Flexible Work Scheduling Act: A bill to provide for appropriate overtime pay for National Weather Service forecasters performing essential services during severe weather events, and to limit Sunday premium pay for employees of the National Weather Service to hours of service actually performed on Sunday.

HR 3062- Coal Miner Environmental Impact Assistance Act: A bill that employs coal miners to reclaim mining sites closed for environmental reason

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/issues/workerrights.htm

[LWolf]

74. His record/platform on worker's rights is without peer;

and at our meetup last night, we were given criteria for producing campaign materials; a union label or produced by an independently owned business. No corporate produced products in the campaign materials.

[goodhue]

108. Jobs Programs/Infrastructure

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/issue_jobs.htm

Kucinich Proposal: Employ the Jobless to Rebuild America's Decaying Infrastructure
(Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2003)

Our country is facing twin crises: high unemployment and a decrepit infrastructure. Dennis Kucinich has developed a means to solve both problems, and put the unemployed to work rebuilding America's infrastructure.

Unemployment stands at 6.2% nationally. Long term unemployment has become a persistent problem. Nearly 2 million Americans have been looking for work unsuccessfully for over six months, while over 9 million Americans are unemployed. According to the Economic Policy Institute, there are three unemployed people for every job opening.

Ironically, at the same time so many Americans can't find work, there is much work to do. The crisis of our decaying infrastructure is something we see every day when we sit in traffic bound by orange barrels that line our highways. It is something that schoolchildren experience at their desks, crowded together under leaking roofs. In cities, municipal sewer systems overflow into rivers, streams and estuaries. These events occur with increasingly regularity as systems age. Infrastructure problems threaten our productivity, our economy, our environment and our health.

Nationally, it would take more than $1 trillion to bring our country's roadways up to speed, according to a report released a couple years ago by the American Society for Civil Engineers. It would take $127 billion to repair and renovate our schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And in a study completed by the Water Infrastructure Network, it would take $1.3 trillion over 20 years to build, operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater facilities.

With work that needs to be done, and people needing to work, what America needs is a way to put unemployed Americans to work rebuilding America's neglected infrastructure.

The Kucinich plan will make that happen:
The Kucinich plan calls for the creation of a low-cost federal financing mechanism to administer $50 billion in zero-interest loans every year to localities for infrastructure projects for ten years. Twenty percent of these funds would be targeted for school construction and repair.

State and local governments would continue to issue bonds to finance infrastructure projects. But the Kucinich plan would authorize the federal government to buy those bonds. States would have to repay the principal, but unlike normal municipal borrowing, these bonds would pay zero interest. So the cost of borrowing for infrastructure improvement would be reduced by half.

The federal government would hold these bonds in the Federal Bank for Infrastructure Modernization (FBIM). The bank, as an extension of the Federal Financing bank under the Treasury, would administer the loans. The loans would bear a small fee of one-quarter of one percent of the loan principle to cover the administrative costs of the FBIM. In order to provide the money for the loans, the FBIM would hold a portion of the Treasury securities that the Federal Reserve normally holds. The Fed currently holds about $300 billion in Treasury securities. By transferring about $50 billion annually to the FBIM, it would still allow the Fed to operate as it does now to add liquidity to the system. The Fed, instead of buying securities, would buy the mortgage loans of the states. This way the FBIM's finances would be integrated by the Federal Open Market Committee so as not to disrupt its ability to promote economic stability.

In his February, 2001 testimony, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan supported a very similar type of transaction. Already, the Open Market Committee conducts repurchase agreements in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the agencies. Greenspan stated: "The FOMC asked the staff to explore the possible mechanisms for backing our usual repurchase operations with the collateral of certain debt obligations of U.S. States and foreign governments." This plan would follow that approach by providing the tool for the FOMC to integrate the mortgage loans of the states.

This amount would be varied so the funds could be used as a tool to foster stable economic growth. During times of economic slowdown, the FBIM would make more loans available to spur investment. During times of economic boom, the FBIM would make fewer loans available.

The Kucinich plan will put Americans back to work. Two million Americans would find jobs in such enterprises as rebuilding schools, designing roads, refurbishing environmental projects, manufacturing steel for water systems. And the Kucinich plan will increase the quality of life in America, by making highways safer, water cleaner, and schools more conducive to learning.

Related News:

On Labor Day, Bush Taking New Jobs To Ohio, Associated Press, 9/1/2003

[Tinoire]

35. Dennis Kucinich: The Progressive Vision

Dennis Kucinich: The Progressive Vision


It's time for America to resume its glorious journey. Time to reject shrinking jobs and wages, disappearing savings and rights. Time to reject the detour towards fear and greed. Time to look out upon the world for friends, not enemies. Time to counter the control of corporations over our politics, our economy, our resources, and mass media. Time for those who have much to help those who have little by maintaining a progressive tax structure. Time to tell the world that we wish to be their partner in peace, not their leader in war. Most of all, it is time for America to again be the land where dreams come true because the government is on the side of its people.

Unfortunately, America now leads the world in categories we should not be proud of. America is now the world’s leading jailer with an incarceration rate higher than China. We lead the industrialized world in poverty and in the growing gap between rich and poor. And we are the only industrial nation not to provide national health care.

This is what a Kucinich administration would work to deliver for America:

<1> Universal Health Care with a Single Payer Plan
Over 40 million Americans have no health care and 30 million more have only minimal coverage. Those with coverage often pay exorbitant amounts. The current profit-driven system, dominated by private insurance firms and their bureaucracies, has failed.

A Kucinich administration would establish streamlined national health insurance, Medicare for All. It would be publicly-financed health care, privately delivered. It would provide affordable prescription drugs, thanks to bulk purchasing. The General Accounting Office of Congress has concluded:

"If the U.S. were to shift to a system of universal coverage and a single payer, as in Canada, the savings in administrative costs would be more than enough to offset the cost."

<2> Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
Social security is the basic covenant our society has with workers who have built our economy. At a time when CEOs earn 240 times the pay of the average worker, it is unconscionable not to return full retirement benefits to age 65.

A Kucinich administration would make that possible through a progressive tax structure and reordered national priorities. Social Security must not be privatized. Retirement years cannot be dependent on the rise and fall of the stock market.

<3> Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
The global trade regime of NAFTA and WTO has enriched multinational corporations. But for workers, family farmers, and the environment, it has meant a global race to the bottom. Companies leave the U.S. in search of low wages, low commodity prices, anti-union climates, and lax environmental laws. NAFTA has been used to whipsaw workers at the negotiation table, forcing wages and benefit concessions under threat of moving jobs overseas. Trade treaties must be conditioned on workers’ rights, human rights, and environmental principles.

Among the first actions of a Kucinich Administration will be withdrawal from NAFTA and the WTO—to be replaced by fair trade agreements.

<4> Repeal of the "Patriot Act"
The "Patriot Act" is not what American patriots have fought and died for. To allow our Bill of Rights to be nullified without judicial supervision invites tyranny. The Attorney General has been handed unfettered power to wiretap, search, jail, and invade our most sacred right to privacy. The government must not be allowed, without probable cause or warrant, to snoop on our communications, medical records, library records, and student records.

<5> Right-to-Choose, Privacy, and Civil Rights
In a Kucinich administration, a woman’s right-to-choose will be protected as essential to personal privacy and gender equality.

Only those who agree to uphold Roe v. Wade will be nominated for the Supreme Court. Civil rights (and voting rights) enforcement will be intensified. Lesbians and gays will be afforded complete equality throughout society. Affirmative action will be maintained as a tool for racial and gender equality. Drug policy will emphasize treatment over criminalization, and not a rampaging war that erodes Constitutional freedoms, privacy, and law enforcement resources. An end to capital punishment will be sought.

<6> Balance Between Workers and Corporations
American workers are working longer and harder for less pay than 20 years ago. What’s needed is a resurgence of organized labor, and a Kucinich administration will tenaciously defend the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Since the purchasing power of the minimum wage has dropped 21% in two decades, it’s time for living wages, not minimum wages. And it’s time to reverse tax cuts that benefit the already well-to-do, and retain an estate tax. Investing $500 billion to rebuild schools, roads, bridges, ports, and sewage, water and environmental systems will do more to stimulate our economy than tax breaks for the wealthy.


<7> Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K through College
Since education is the only proven way to reduce poverty, it is unacceptable that a child’s education be dependent on where they are born or the financial status of their family. The federal government spends only 2.9% of its budget on education. That will change under a Kucinich administration, because quality education is a core American right and value.

Education must emphasize creative and critical thinking, not just test-taking. Schools need money to decrease class size, increase teachers’ salaries, renovate decaying facilities, and include hands-on job training for those not going to college. Pre-K and after-school programs will get increased funding, and the soaring costs of college will be reversed.

<8> A Renewed Commitment to Peace and Diplomacy
America will return to its role as the most admired—not hated—nation. The doctrine of "pre-emption" will be retired, as will an aggressive, unilateralist foreign policy that makes our homeland less secure, not more. Our security will be enhanced by working with other nations and the U.N. instead of acting like an Empire, arrogantly undermining international agreements such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions, the Small Arms Treaty, the International Criminal Court, and the Kyoto Climate Treaty. As President, Kucinich will work to implement two measures he sponsored in Congress: the Space Preservation Treaty, which bans space-based weapons, and a cabinet-level Department of Peace, to establish non-violence as an organizing principle in both domestic and international affairs.

A Kucinich administration will cut bloated and unneeded weaponry from a military budget that now almost equals the military spending of all other countries combined. The Kucinich peace dividend will be invested in education, health care, environmental clean-up, urban infrastructure, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and other pressing domestic needs.

<9> Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms
Agriculture, trade, and economic policies that favor agribusiness conglomerates have devastated family farmers, rural communities, and the environment. While the number of family farmers has plummeted, profits have soared for a handful of agribusiness giants that increas-ingly control everything from seed to shelf.

A Kucinich administration will break up agricultural monopolies and restore a strong, independent family farm system with fair prices for farmers and healthy food for consumers. A Kucinich Administration will monitor and reduce contamination of our air, water, and food from factory farms, with strong USDA enforcement of tough new food safety laws.

<10> Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
Clean air and water, as well as an intact ozone layer, are not luxuries, but necessities for our children’s future.

A Kucinich administration will toughen environmental enforcement, support the Kyoto Treaty on global climate change, reduce oil dependence, and spur investment in alternative energy sources, including hydrogen, solar, wind, and ocean. Clean energy technologies will produce new jobs. Tax and other incentives will favor sustainable businesses that conserve energy, retrofit pollution prevention technologies, and redesign toxins out of their manufacturing processes. The right to know (for example, when food is genetically engineered) will supercede corporate secrecy. Globally, the U.S. will become a leader in sustainable energy production and a partner with developing nations in providing inexpensive, local, renewable energy technologies.

Who is Dennis Kucinich?

Congressman Kucinich of Ohio is a modern "Profile in Courage." In the late 1970s, as the youngest mayor ever of a major city, Dennis bravely said "NO" to an Enron-like takeover of Cleveland’s city-owned power company, Muny Light. In retaliation, major banks—which were interlocked with the private utility that would have become a monopoly by seizing Muny—drove the city into default. Dennis’s political career was derailed ... until 15 years later, when he was vindicated for resisting a corporate power grab and saving Cleveland residents hundreds of millions of dollars on their electric bills. In five consecutive winning elections since 1994, his campaign symbol has been a light bulb.

Elected to Congress in 1996, Dennis has continued to wage courageous battles for workers, consumers, the environment, and civil rights. He is the only presidential candidate who voted against the civil libertiesshredding "Patriot Act." He rallied opposition to the illegal and destabilizing Iraq war—from a small group of Congressional dissenters to the nearly 2/3 of House Democrats who ultimately voted against the war resolution. He co-chairs the Progressive Caucus, the largest caucus of Democrats in Congress. Dennis Kucinich is a heartland politician who can win elections. When he became mayor, state senator, and then Congress member, he defeated a Republican incumbent each time. In 2004, he hopes to defeat another one: George W. Bush.

[genius]

36. This is great. Thank you

I hope some of the undecideds read it.

[Aaron]

39. Good thread ty tinoire (n/t)

[LWolf]

40. Great idea!

What if we took one of these issues at a time, and had a thread discussing his plans, and inviting civil debate/discussion on those issues?

[Tinoire]

42. I think that would be a great idea

and think this is what we should be doing with all the candidates instead of herding ourselves into defensive little partisan camps!

All the candidates deserve fair exposure and we all deserve the best chance to make the right choice.

This isn't to say that DK is the right choice for everyone, or even the right choice for the White House even though that's what I firmly bleieve (in case anyone couldn't tell ;)) but we really do have to rise above the bickerind and blind cheer-leading because 2004 is going to be a moment of defining moral choice for us and for America.

The world doesn't have the luxury of having anything other than the best canididate in the White House after *. These times are TOO scary and dangerous.

Peace

[revcarol]

43. My flyer for our August 7th PUBLIC meeting about Kucinich says:

"INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Make an informed decision. Know your candidates!!"

What's that statement: Fool me once, OH, Ya know..."


We have to NOT be fooled by enthusiasm, blinded by anger against the Bush administration, accepting of any candidate against Bush just because of the grief at what is happening to our nation. We must make THE BEST DECISION WE CAN MAKE, BY KNOWING ALL THE CANDIDATES' POSITIONS!!

[Egnever]

44. Well done!

A very well done thread and a lot of work. It would be nice if this could be stuck on top. But that would be supporting a candidate i suppose by du.

Thanks for the hard work though.

I like most of what Denis stands for and has done. However he doesnt excite me much and in fact comes off as a little wierd when I see him speak. I would hapily vote for him if he gets the nod as i can get past the image he projects in person but I worry that others wouldnt be able to. Hell part of the reason the bush gore thing was so close was because people thought gore was stiff and wierd. I would hate to see a repeat.

I would gladly throw my support behind denis if he wins, but he doesnt motivate me like dean does. I think we will need as many motivated people as posible come election time. I will try to be as motivated for any of the nine that get the nod. I hope you will too!

[Tinoire]

46. Thanks Egnever!

And whew yes, it took me several hours to do that but it was worth it. Why don't you do one for Dean? I think this is more of the stuff we need because I too would like to be as motivated as possible for any of the nine that get the nod!

I understand what you say about him not exciting you and 1. that's a matter of personal preference because I have the reverse problem with other candidates so that's cool and 2. have you ever really seen or hear him? See my post here about my morning with Kucinich: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=109485

But more importantly, watch this little video-ette. I just found this last night: http://www.muzility.com/video/viewer.php?code=kucinich/moment

and more links here: http://soli.inav.net/~njohnson/kucinich/

I'm waiting for the author's permission to copy his work and paste it at DU and as soon as I get that, will repost stuff here.

Peace and thanks! I look forward to talking with you again!

[Darranar]

45. Amazing thread here, Tinoire!

If he did all this as a congressman, it would be great to see what he could do as President of the US!

[govegan]

47. Great work, great post, and thanks so much

Looking over the work of Representative Kucinich reinforces my wholehearted support for his candidacy.

Like others, I detest the chimpster, the BFEE, the PNAC and most of the GOP.

However, so far I find little to admire in any of the candidates from the Democratic Party, outside of DK, Al Sharpton, possibly Bob Graham and Carol Moseley-Braun.

When I look at the political work of Howard Dean, John Kerry, John Edwards, Joe Lieberman and Dick Gephardt, I cannot find a concrete reason to vote for them. I used to think that I would vote against the GOP by selecting a Democrat. I voted for Clinton twice, despite reservations about his moral character and his leadership abilities. I voted for Gore with a little more enthusiasm, but we all know where that got us.

Trust is paramount. Honesty, integrity and intelligence are important in building trust.

Dean seems to be popular in DU, but he made his money as part of the medical establishment, did he not? The AMA and its affiliates are about two or three notches below the legal profession when it comes to ethics and morality, trust and integrity. Voting for a doctor from the medical establishment would be like voting for a GOP-lite faux liberal from the political establishment.

When I see campaign ads proclaiming the "The Doctor is In" it makes my skin crawl.

Peace

[LWolf]

48. govegan, you nailed it right here:

Trust is paramount. Honesty, integrity and intelligence are important in building trust.

This is exactly what draws people to Dennis. This is what makes him the hope for America. He really is the "Real Deal!"

I hope some of the other candidate's supporters will post platform and record; we all need to be as informed as possible about our choice. A responsible vote is an informed choice.

[blm]

49. Wow...the lightning kept me offline for awhile...

but, this thread was a welcome sight to come back to....thankyou so much, Tinoire...well done. I'm sure many will learn alot from it.

[JackieO]

50. Awesome work, Tinoire!

What a great service you've done! Thanks so much!

[dpbrown]

51. This rocks, great work!

I wonder if anyone watched NOW with Bill Moyers on Friday. They showed how "CEO compensation" in the defense industries has risen dramatically since 2000, and how the Pentagon is not only the only agency that Bush doesn't want "Accountability" from, it hasn't been able to provide its mandatory audit (did you spend the dollars Congress gave you on the things Congress authorized?) since 1990.

I think it's hogwash that the Pentagon can't be made 15% more efficient. And only one candidate is calling for the Pentagon to be made more efficient, and that's Dennis Kucinich.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[blm]

53. bump

for Tinoire's hard work.

[Tinoire]

54. The Racism Smear from the GOP - DK Supporters Pls read

From Tinoire. Black and PISSED! (Cutting and pasting from a post I just made to CSWebster).

1. Kucinich grew up in the projects and color-blind?

2. Even belied in that ridiculous article anti-DK people are passing around:

Soon thereafter, a federal judge ordered Cleveland schools to use busing to integrate. Despite anger among whites, Mayor Kucinich kept the peace.

"The thing that people have never given Dennis credit for was the desegregation," said Esther Weissman, who was a lawyer for the court clerk's office and campaigned for Kucinich for mayor. "There was never any problem, in contrast to Boston, in contrast to other major cities."

Pinkney, a former political strategist for Carl Stokes, says that while Kucinich frequently criticized Stokes "to make himself visible and to build his base among whites on the West Side," Kucinich today is popular among Cleveland's black voters because of his fights for the disadvantaged and blue-collar workers.

Louis Stokes says that when Kucinich was mayor, he gave many jobs to blacks and eventually healed his rift with Carl Stokes. The two often met for breakfast at Shaker Square before Carl Stokes died in 1996.

3.

Now... So researching into this... Who do I find out was Carl Stokes was? He was a political rival who just happened to be Black. And now, just because Kucinich didn't get along with Carl Stokes - the smear campaigners imply that Kucinich is a racist in general. Jesus! Thank God Carl Stokes wasn't an Etiopian Jew. We'd be hearing that Kucinich was an anti-Semite too! Political rivals disagree all the time, sometimes vehemently and all that is fine and well but playing the Clarence Thomas racism card is unacceptable!!


You know what's really sad. We Black folks can smell insincerity and hypocrisy a mile away. We smelled it when Gore wouldn't have any Black secret service men (btw, did you make a stink about that for us?) and we smell ROTTEN politics when people smear a man Blacks have overwhelmingly voted for in Ohio and who has done more for Black advancement and for the improvement of race relations than most candidates put together.

It seems that all that's out there is one smear article from an author with a vendetta on a web-site with a vendetta? If there were any basis to that smear, one would think there would be a lot more than that insinuating article. Black people aren't shy. Don't you think we would have spoken up and spilled this long ago?

4. So I went to research Carl Stokes... And here's what I found.
Here's whatMelvin Holli, had said about him:

((Melvin Holli is Professor of History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He's just written a book called The American Mayor: the Best and the Worst Big City Leaders. 90.3's April Baer spoke with him about some of Cleveland's luminaries))


AB–Are you familiar with the tenure of Carl Stokes here in Cleveland?

MH–Yes.

AB–Now here's a fellow who really set a great impression in a lot of people's minds, in terms of what he was able to accomplish - simply by becoming Cleveland's first black mayor. And yet I notice he did not happen to make your list.

MH–No, he did not. He suffered a very bad shoot-out and riot that occurred in his city, a black versus white shoot-out which you may recall having read or heard about, and it was discovered that some of the black militants and nationals had been using public money to buy guns and firearms, which they then used against the police. And when the riot occurred, he pulled all the white police off out. He thought he could control the riot by putting black police officers in. It flopped completely. It didn't work as a strategy, and toward the end of his term, Carl Stokes became more and more militant and played the race card over and over again, and recognized he could not be re-elected. So the riot really crushed his career, as it would many other mayors. The riot would also crush Jerome Cavanaugh's career in Detroit - and Cavanaugh was a white mayor! But riots are very costly to a mayor's reputation. Let me give you another example - one of the great mayors who's mentioned in our top ten, a black mayor in Los Angeles: Tom Bradley, a very successful mayor in his twenty years in office. He was also crushed by the LA riots of 1992. He realized he could not be re-elected after that riot, saw the handwriting on the wall, and walked away from the office. So Stokes was not unusual, although Stokes suffered more than Bradley did.

AB–One wonders if any mayor could stand such a challenge - such serious racial unrest as that - and come out completely unscathed.

MH–Well, Mayor Richard J. Daley did. He was one of the tough guys who survived the 60s.


http://www.wcpn.org/spotlight/news/0301mayor.html

About Melvin Holli: Melvin Holli, a professor of history at the University of Illinois in Chicago, has written the book, The American Mayor: the Best and Worst of the Big City Leaders.He is a member of the American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians. Holli has been awarded the Woodrow Wilson fellowship, the National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship and the Society of Midland Authors prize for best history.

-----
5 More about just what a racist opportunist :eyes: Kucinich is:

Excerpt from From David C. Ruffin’s “Fairness Agenda in a Conservative Congress” Oct 1999

Going President Clinton’s New Markets Tour this
summer one better, the members of the Progressive Caucus ((of which Kucinich is the co-chair))
will launch an “Economic Human Rights” bus tour of the Deep South from Atlanta to Birmingham, between November 11 and 13. During the tour, participating Caucus members will visit local health clinics, schools, and work sites, including abandoned textile mills that have been relocated overseas. At each stop, the Caucus members will hold field hearings in economically depressed areas where they will listen to testimony from local organizations. The primary focus of the hearings will be on the issues of health care, education, and income equity. The members expected to join the tour are: John Lewis and Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, Earl Hilliard of Alabama, Luis
Gutierrez of Illinois, Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, John Conyers of Michigan, and Caucus Chair Peter DeFazio of Oregon. They will be accompanied by Harry Belafonte and Danny Glover.
Members of the Caucus plan to use the information
gleaned from the hearings to craft legislation to implement
various elements of the Agenda. Some bills have already
been drafted, including the Corporate Welfare Reduction
Act, Income Equity Act, and the American Jobs Act.
www.jointcenter.org/focus/pdffiles/oct99.pdf

((Kucinich all alone with such a huge group of black folks- they would have eaten him alive if he were a racist opportunist!))

6.--- More about Carl Stokes:

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Up from the Depths, Down Again, Then Up: 1971-1975

When Ralph Perk became mayor of Cleveland in November 1971, his first job was to pick up the pieces that Carl Stokes had left, after Stokes blew his big opportunity to pull the city together. It was strictly a rescue job, to overcome a $13.5 million cash deficit, give a raise to city employees negotiated six months previously without the money to pay it, to get rid of incompetents Stokes had loaded on the payroll, but most of all to start the citizens believing in themselves again. It looked like a Herculean job.

http://clevelandmemory.org/SpecColl/porter/Chapt15.html

After reading all I read about Carl Stokes I would certainly hope Kucinich had some harsh words for him! What I am disappointed in is that Carl Stokes would use the race card and that others would repeat that smear simply because Kucinich is not their candidate.

Repeating this garbage is beneath you.

And while we're on the subject. Here's what I found out about that web-site www.kucinich.com (and no you're not responsible for it but you and everyone else should know what's behind that so-called "parody" site) that grabs any e-mail with the word BUSH out of your e-mail system ((see my post above))


7.

In an April 9, 2003 e-mail Motley commented on his "Truth About Dennis Kucinich" site,
I have learned that some people can take a joke and some cannot. A few people opposed to my site actually have a sense of humor which is comforting.
Motley explains his motivation in the "About Us" section of the site:
This website is run by me as a personal project. I guess you could call it a "labor of love".
I picked up the domain about four years ago when I realized that it was available and Dennis had not grabbed it. I originally had www.kucinch.org as well but it didn't get that many hits so I dropped it. I started getting tons of hits when the Kucinich for President Campaign (hee hee - I snicker when I hear that) announced it was using www.kucinch.us as it's official site. I've gotten over 7,000 hits (as of March 25) since the announcement in late February! Most of these hits are from folks looking for the official site so you can imagine the response I get from them.
As a Cleveland native, I have followed Dennis' career for the last three decades and have grown to despise him. Quite simply, Dennis is a communist, baby-killing, carrot-chomping, opportunist who is DANGEROUS and who drove us to war with Iraq with his so-called peace efforts. He has done NOTHING in his 30 + years on the public dole except grab headlines. He has created no jobs, has no ideas and is just out for himself. He has no idea what this region needs and doesn't care. He's an embarrassment to Northeastern Ohio and I am trying, in a little way, to get the word out about him. If people know what he really stands for, there's NO WAY he will be able to keep his job.
By the way, the web site has no connection to Dennis Kucinich. And while I am a registered Republican and am active in local politics, the site is not sponsored or supported by any political party. I have a regular job in the private sector, pay taxes, am married and am trying to raise my kids in this world being corrupted by Dennis and other "evil doers". The site is funded by me and operated by me. My only motive is to spread the truth about Dennis Kucinich!
John Motley


http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/cands/web0403b.html

----
Election 2004 March 03, 2003

Strongsville GOP's Childish Tactics
Tonight I happened upon www.kucinich.com... which turns out to be a juvenile, hateful, anti-Kucinich web portal.

BY Brian Douglas

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Disgusted with this, I decided to find out who is behind it. Well, I did a domain look up, and the best I could find was that the web site was registered by a "J Motley", with additional contact information pointing to P.O. Boxes and unaffiliated phone #'s. So whoever is behind it is too cowardly to admit it. So after some googling, I finally found this:


http://www.strongsvillegop.com/Contact%20Us.htm ((GOP ??? HMMM- More Rove tactics from these Freeper Nazis or what?! ))

You'll note the Vice President is John Motley, and in the "Links" box on the right side of the page you'll see Kucinich.com
I was very disgusted and discouraged by www.kucinich.com. I am doing my best to support candidates like Kucinich, and am doing my best to spread the word about his recently announced candidacy, and it really pisses me off that a lot of people who will want to find out more about him, may just go ahead and type in www.kucinich.com only to find that the GOP has gotten their hands on it.

The twisted minds of the republican campaign managers have been pretty web-savvy in the past. I remember reading an article a while ago about how GW's campain went and bought roughly 200 domains that could have been used against them (i.e. www.dontvotebush.com bushsucks.com nobush2000.com etc). ((And yes that article is in the DU archives))

There's got to be a way to make this work against the Republicans. I think that anyone and everyone who supports Kucinich shouldn't boycott this site, rather they should promote the hell out of it. Why? Because it so brashly demonstrates the immature, dirty political tactics of the republican party. Everyone I've shown this site to found it just as disgusting as me, and thereby either strengthened Kucinich, weakened his opposition, and many times both.


http://216.239.33.104/search?q=cache:4Wvbhfb_n7MJ:www.just-cause.org/archives/000005.html+%22John+Motley%22+Republican+kucinich&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8

[JohnKleeb]

55. Thats a sigh of relief

[blm]

56. bump...

will not let this thread die.

[LWolf]

64. Thank you, Tinoire.

The best way to stop a smear right in it's tracks is to confront it with facts!

[diamondsoul]

75. Would you do me a favor

and come to the kucinich volunteer bbs and to my forum on Delphi and post this info about www.kucinich.com please?

This creep has been spamming the volunteer board with links and rants against Dennis lately. We've been deleting them as fast as he does it but maybe we should leave a few floating around. I'm surprised he hasn't hit my delphi forum! anyway here are the links-

http://us.denniskucinich.us/phpBB2/index.php?sid=1585bcde0e035e165717def55b85ae9c

http://forums.delphiforums.com/spirithome/start

Just put it in the Volunteer Discussion folder so people can see who this twit is.

[Tinoire]

82. Oh yes of course! I'll do that tonight!

Also, please feel free to copy/paste whatever you need.

The issues I got from Dennis campaign web-site I just had to reformat everything!

[Gingersnap]

57. bump

Thanks for all the work Tinoire. It would be great if supporters of the other candidates could put up equivalent issues threads.

[blm]

58. bump....

there were issues threads from other candidates. They were lost in the changeover. I'll try to find some to bump.

[Mairead]

59. Tinoire -- umnitsa! This is a lovely piece of work

Let's all request that Skinner et al. peg one issues/record thread for each candidate to the top of the list, the rule being that no 'discussions' be allowed in them. This one would of course be the one for Dennis.

How about it?

[blm]

60. We tried to get that months ago, Mairead...

I think it was Dr. Fate who brought it up. The admins didn't go for it at the time.

[Tinoire]

61. I agree and think that's an EXCELLENT idea!! & Great news re AZ Greens

Because then it would be so much easier to compare the candidates on the issues as opposed to their looks or rhetoric.

Have you guys heard this great news: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=52397&mesg_id=52397 ?

I hope our party gets the message but I'm not holding my breath!

On edit: Spasibo bol'shoe lyubov'! :)

[blm]

62. Heard it?

I've been spreading it around.

Go figure that a Kerry worker has inside info from a Kucinich worker. Hmmmmmm....wonder what that could mean? heheh.

[JohnKleeb]

63. You know its not just the issues for me and Dennis

two words- work ethic, he's there in congress when we need him and he also has committment with his views, he spoke at anti war rallies, and also I say it again, I relate to Dennis best and thats not just issues too, have a simliar heritage and I think he has heart problems too.

[LWolf]

68. I agree.

One post each at the top, platform/issues only. That way all the debaters have facts at their mousetip, right here on DU.

[Desertrose]

96. CLARIFICATION -AZ Greens are not endorsing DK- at this point

Sorry this took so long to post...I see the original poster has been tombstoned..hopefully not in Tombstone , AZ :evilgrin:

(However...speaking privately to a Green high up in the party- he personally endorses DK but must walk a very fine line...I am sorry this happened and hope that it will not cause problems for Dennis in any way...or for my Green friends)
Peace
DR



Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003
From: "Kevin R. Spidel"
Subject: Fw: IMPORTANT! -Kucinich Arizona Campaign & Greens - Clarification (please forward)

To all -

This is VERY important. Please note - The below press release was put out to clarify a rumor that surfaced in a hoax. This message posted on the Democratic Underground made claims that I, as State Director for the Kucinich Campaign, spoke to someone and said that the Arizona Green Party ENDORSED the Kucinich Campaign. This is untrue! So is the claim that there is over 40,000 Greens in Arizona that will be supporting Kucinich. I wish there were 40,000 Greens in Arizona, what a progressive state we would be if that was the picture! Nonetheless the claim was made at this post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=52397&mesg_id=52397 is false!

You can see that post is now down!
(Actually there was a typo in the link- I corrected it)
Again we feel it was put up to break up the positive relationships we have had thus far with the Green Party in the state. We have been working closely with the Greens and understand that Kucinich's platform parallels many of that of the Green Platform. We stand in solidarity with the progressive community in supporting the progressive platform. Part of the 'progressive message' is knowing that the Green Party IS committed to GREEN candidates and party building. We recognize that and are 100% supportive of that. We work in close unity on coming up with strategy that will help one another out in this process. We, as the progressive family, MUST stand to support our fellow progressive causes. It is with this unity and understanding that we work together. It is with that message that we will be the leaders of social change.

The message from the above post read:

Original message
GREEN PARTY ENDORSES KUCINICH!

The Arizona Green Party has decided to ENDORSE DENNIS KUCINICH!
( a friend of mine,out in Arizona who is the State Director,
just called me)

EVERY GREEN PARTY member of Arizona, all 40,000+ of them are
going to register DEMOCRAT for the election!

Please NOTE: I, as the State Director for Kucinich, NEVER have spoken to anyone about an endorsement from the Greens. We have only spoken of the aforementioned support of the ISSUES and have made reference to the Nationwide support fromm the Greens of Kucinich. In fact just this weekend, Dennis spoke to a meeting of the Campus Greens with this same message.

We are working currently on rectifying this message that was put out on behalf of the name of the Green Party here in Arizona and the Kucinich Campaign in Arizona that was false. We are working together to draft a formal release stating that this message that was put out was false, and that these two groups still are in unity on our goals toward advancing the progressive agenda and the issues inherent within.

I hope to be in touch with you soon on this manner. Please forward this note to your networks.

In peace and solidarity,

Kevin Spidel
State Director, Arizona
Kucinich for President
http://www.az4kucinich.org



Subject: Arizona Greens affirm commitment to Green candidates and party


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Arizona Green Party
Sam Ritchie, Treasurer,
Richard Scott, GPUS Delegate

Arizona Greens affirm commitment to Green candidates and party building; dispel rumors of presidential endorsement.

PHOENIX, AZ - August 8, 2003 - The Arizona Green Party, in response to internet rumors that they had endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate, announced today that they are still firmly committed to party building and working to elect Green Party candidates at the local, state and national level.

"Greens across the country agree that the Green Party should run a presidential candidate in 2004 and the Arizona Green Party supports that decision," said Brian Lane, co-chair of the Arizona Green Party. "We are building a political party free from corporate influence and dedicated to ecology, social justice, nonviolence and grassroots democracy. Given recent events at home and abroad, Arizona and America cannot afford us sitting this one out. The only candidate we will endorse for President will be our own."

Three announced Green Party presidential candidates -- David Cobb, Lorna Salzman, and Carol Miller -- spoke to the Green Party's national meeting on July 19th in Washington, D.C. Cynthia McKinney, Paul Glover, and Ralph Nader, all of whom are also considering national campaigns, sent statements that were read during the convention.

<snip>

The announcement came in response to a rumor, started on a Democratic web site, that the Arizona Green Party had endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate and was encouraging Greens to register as Democrats.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," said co-chair Maggie Silk. "We are actively registering new Green Party members and working hard to collect the 20,000 signatures we will need to re-gain our ballot status."

The Arizona Green Party lost its ballot status in October 2001, after Nader failed to capture 5% of the vote in Arizona, the minimum required to retain ballot status.

<snip>

[revoltnow]

217. that's unfortunate...

Its too bad, because Dennis could really use all the support he gets, especially when the media completely ignores him...

[huellewig]

227. The other day we had a Kucinich infomercial..

I think it was last Saturday. Kucinich ran a thirty minute ad on our local NBC station. It was well done but I was kinda shocked seeing it. Kucinich had spoke a few weeks ago in my town so I think that might have had something to do with it. BTW: This is in Eugene Oregon. Over 800 people (including myself) went to see him. It was a A+ speech. But, has anyone else seen this 30 minute ad?

[Tinoire]

65. Kucinich #1 in Gainesville Poll (after AFL-CIO) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Presidential Forum
8/5/2003

<snip>

The Gainesville viewers also held a straw poll. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich led the way with about a third of the vote, followed by Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Tonight's straw poll is believed to be the earliest in our area.

http://www.wcjb.com/news.asp?id=7753

[JohnKleeb]

66. all right DK

[Tinoire]

67. INTERNS, ACTIVISTS: Kucinich Wants You!

Subject: INTERNS, ACTIVISTS: Kucinich Wants You! (please forward)
From: "Kucinich Campaign" <[email protected]>



After an event-packed weekend campaigning and fundraising in Southern California -- Dennis Kucinich is in Chicago today to join a hotel workers' picket line and speak to the AFL-CIO union federation (watch C-SPAN tonight). The country's top labor leader, John Sweeney, told the Washington Post yesterday that Dennis was one of two presidential candidates with the best labor record.

Our campaign keeps gaining new recruits (many after Dennis' speech
aired Sunday on C-SPAN), showing poll growth in the first caucus state of Iowa, and drawing more media coverage -- and attacks from right-wing pundits (always a good sign!) Across Southern California, activists wore newly-minted t-shirts: "Kucinich, a Democrat with Backbone." Below are two ways you can help us build our campaign to transform the Democratic Party into a party that stands for peace and justice...

STUDENT INTERNS WANTED
Want to join our National Campaign Team? (Have a friend or family member in college or recently graduated?) The Kucinich Campaign is offering full-time internships for the fall, winter, and spring. You'll get hands-on experience in political science; some of you can receive academic credit. Most importantly, you'll be working to elect a candidate who battles for expanded educational opportunities for all, environmental renewal, and international peace.

Internships are available in areas such as field organizing; outreach
to students, labor and other groups; Internet technologies; scheduling and events; office management; issues; media; fundraising/financial.
Positions are mostly located at the National Campaign Headquarters in Cleveland, where out-of-town interns will be provided housing in a dorm-like atmosphere and a monthly stipend. Positions may also be available in your locale with regional Field Coordinators.

For more info and to download an application:
http://www.kucinich.us/internship.htm

MEET KUCINICH-SUPPORTERS NEAR YOU -- Only Two Days Left
Our National MeetUp Day is Thursday, August 7. Across the country,
Kucinich folks will be getting together. Sign up now if you want to
meet your progressive-thinking neighbors. For details, visit
http://www.kucinich.us/volunteeraction.htm#meetup

To remind yourself how unique our campaign is: http://www.kucinich.us
Please forward this email to at least one new person. That's how we
grow.

[blm]

69. Bump.

.

[JohnKleeb]

70. too young for that intern job shame

bump it too

[Tinoire]

71. Sorry to hear that but you are alraday interning for him!

with all the GREAT work you're doing on this board!

I'm off to the Veterans for Peace event and will grab you a pin ok?

Peace :)

[genius]

72. What is the age on those intern positions?

There are a number of kids working on his campaign who would probably be interested.

[Tinoire]

78. I don't know

The link is here but I haven't re-installed Adobe on my computer so I can't open the application.

Here's the link: http://www.kucinich.us/internship.htm

[diamondsoul]

177. If I'm not mistaken it's 18 min.

AND we're looking for new interns now.

[revcarol]

73. Isn't DK invited to speak at the Veterans for Peace national event?

That's what I heard from the grapevine.

[Tinoire]

80. Yes and he was awesome! I put a thread in GD and sorry

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=160436

I should mentioned something here. :(

Met Will Pitt and a bunch of modern heroes. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[diamondsoul]

76. Hey Tin, you mentioned photos

In the other thread about meeting Dennis. Could you possibly e-mail me when you have a free minute? I'm working on a project for Cleveland Headquarters and I'm looking for private photos to use. I can't really go into any details but I'd love to see what you have if you don't mind donating them. :)

*on edit-Also can I snatch your issues research to drop into my Delphi forum? I tried to do something like that and wasn't nearly as successful as you were at finding this stuff!:D

[Tinoire]

81. By all means! Please feel free to!

Actually, if you prefer, I can e-mail you the formatted version (you know with the xx for bold etc... If you prefer that send me your e-mail...

I don't have the pictures yet :( they're supposed to show up on his web-site but I may have to bug them... I want to see them too!

Peace

[diamondsoul]

83. If they're being used

On the main site I may have seen some already. *grin* I'm working on a project with some of the same ones working on the site, and one of them just sent me some newer photos yesterday.

[Tinoire]

84. WHAT?! ! !

Do you see a girl with frizzy reddish hair? Wearing a 60's style shirt and jeans? One is a group photo with Dennis' arms draped around my shoulders as I hold a blue DK for Pres sign!

Have you seen those?!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I'm smiling, smiling!

If you've seen those, PLEASE PM me or tell me who to contact!

THANKS!

[diamondsoul]

93. Ooh, sorry to get your hopes up.

I just went back and checked and the ones I've seen are apparently all from Iowa.:( If I see yours pop up I'll be sure and let you know.

[Il_Coniglietto]

85. I got one of those t-shirts when DK was here in SoCal

He was speaking at an event in the San Fernando Valley and I went. I gave my dad $50 that I'd been saving up and he wrote a check and donated it to them for me (I'm only 16 so I can't do it on my own). So they said you can get a t-shirt and I've got it on right now (go figure!). There were four colors or so, but I got a maroon colored one that says in white letters at the top 'A Democrat with Backbone!' and below it 'www.KUCINICH.us' with Kucinich in HUGE letters :)

On a side note, it's rather comfortable :)

Thanks for posting this whole thread! Brilliant idea and proof that DK has fought and will continue to fight for not just his constituents, but the people of this country.

[genius]

86. It really stands out.

And Dennis really showed his backbone at the AFL-CIO debate. He was awesome.

[blm]

77. KeithPotkin bump

.

[kwolf68]

87. Im sorry

But in reading what Dennis Kucinich is about, is there any doubt he is the best man for the job?

I won’t get my hopes up. Kucinich may not make his mark now, but he is planting the seeds. In 4, 8, 12 or 20 years from now someone just as ambitious, as heartfelt and awesome as this man (or maybe this man) will be elected.

When that day comes we will look back at warriors like Paul Wellstone and Dennis Kucinich who fought for what was right. Even if it doesn’t enrich them or take them to the pedestal of this government, the fact of the matter their contributions to this nation will dwarf nearly all other politicians.

But the incredible depth Dennis puts into his ideas…The myriad of issues he grapples with, the direction is almost breathtaking.

I like Kerry, Edwards and have been warming up to Dean…but if I get a hint DK could make a run at this I would be done with it. I guess the pragmatist in me wants Bush gone and Kerry (or JE or HD) are the best chance.

The idealist in me so desperately wants Dennis to be the next President of this nation.

I wish I didn’t care about the things I care about. I wish I wasn’t so pro-environment, pro-education, pro-peace, anti-penalty, pro justice…I just wished I didn’t care sometime.

[Tinoire]

88. Kucinich ranked # 1 by AFSME in Des Moines, IA (May 03)

May 22, 2003
Taking charge

By Donald Lambro

The Democratic Leadership Council, founded in the mid-1980s to drive the looney left from the party, is worried that the liberal activists may be taking over again. <snip> Among the second tier candidates, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio is bringing rank-and-file labor union members to their feet with a call to take the profit out of the health care industry and turn it over to the government, lock, stock and barrel.

At a candidate forum Saturday sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employes in Des Moines, a focus group of AFSME members gave Mr. Kucinich — who doesn't draw a blip in the national polls — their highest approval score.

<snip>

This is why warning flags went up when DLC leaders saw the results of Democratic pollster Celinda Lake's focus group at the AFSME candidate forum.

After first place finisher Mr. Kucinich, the most liberal candidate in the nine member pack, civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton came in a close second on AFSME's score card. Mr. Gephardt was third. Mr. Dean was fourth, followed by Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Bob Graham of Florida and former Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun of Illinnois.

<snip>

http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20030521-110726-9813r.htm

Donald Lambro, chief political correspondent of The Washington Times, is a nationally syndicated columnist.

[Tinoire]

90. Ursa Minors take on Dennis Kucinich!

Posted by wheresthemind a few minutes ago.

Check it out! If you loved Paris, you'll LOVE this! If you like music and politics, you'll love this!


http://www.ursaminor.org/media/audio/kucinich-dub.mp3

More songs about Kucinich here: http://www.wewantkucinich.com/cd.htm

Posted today, August 15th, expect copycat rhetorical clones from the other camps any minute now ;)

http://www.minnesotaforkucinich.com

[diamondsoul]

94. I love the Ursa Minor one

Matter of fact I like them all, but that one is my favorite followed closely by "Kucinich for Peace". These people are talented!

[Tinoire]

91. KUCINICH vs. GEPHARDT, KERRY & DEAN

KUCINICH vs. GEPHARDT, KERRY & DEAN

-- Which Way for the Democratic Party?

A vote for Dennis Kucinich in the primaries is not just a vote for a unique and courageous member of Congress, who was the first presidential candidate to oppose Bush's war in Iraq and led antiwar opposition in the U.S. House. It is also a vote that says as clearly as possible to Democratic leaders and candidates that you want the Democratic Party to stand for an important set of progressive principles that will help us win in November.

INCREASE DOMESTIC SPENDING -- TRIM THE PENTAGON

A vote for Kucinich says that you want the bloated Pentagon budget cut to help pay for enhanced environmental clean-up, educational opportunities from pre-K to college, national health insurance for all and other expanded domestic programs. U.S. military spending will soon rival that of all other countries on the planet combined. Kucinich proposes specific cuts in Pentagon spending on weapons systems that are unworkable, unnecessary and wasteful, including Star Wars missile defense, F22s and V22s.

By contrast, Dean, Kerry and Gephardt refuse to cut Pentagon spending. Dean has repeatedly insisted that he will balance the federal budget while keeping the Pentagon budget off-limits to cuts. That's a traditional Republican position. Kerry has suggested that Dean would not have a big enough military. Gephardt stood with Bush on the war. Is this where you want the Democratic Party to stand? Congressman Kucinich says it's voodoo budgeting for Democrats to propose enhanced domestic spending while refusing to cut the Pentagon budget, which is almost half of all federal discretionary spending.

Only Kucinich has a plan for our nation to join other advanced democracies with genuinely universal health coverage -- national health insurance that eliminates the waste and bureaucracy of private insurance, the primary obstacle to universal coverage. Other candidates propose tinkering with a system that leaves private for-profit insurance firms in the center of healthcare: "My plan is not reform," Dean told the New York Times. "If you want to totally change the healthcare system, I'm not your guy."

A vote for Kucinich in the primaries is a vote for new and sensible federal priorities that most Americans support.

A NEW GLOBAL TRADE SYSTEM

Congressman Kucinich advocates a global system in which the United States leads the world in negotiating trade agreements that raise up environmental, labor and human rights standards around the world. Under the existing regime of NAFTA, the World Trade Organization and secret trade tribunals, multinational corporations have been allowed to drive standards downward.

In 1999, Congressman Kucinich was one of the few elected officials who joined environmental and union activists to protest the WTO in Seattle. His first act as President will be to withdraw from NAFTA and the WTO -- to be replaced by bilateral "fair trade" pacts in their place that feature labor and environmental protections. Randy Hayes, the respected environmental leader who founded Rainforest Action, says: "Kucinich is the only presidential candidate calling for the elimination of the World Trade Organization. That alone would do more to support nature's needs than any other environmental action. Vote for Kucinich."

Dean and Kerry have been strongly pro-NAFTA and "free trade." Gephardt was a key proponent of the WTO. By voting for Kucinich, you are saying that you want the Democratic Party to stand for a democratic trade system -- not trade deals negotiated in secret by and for multinational corporations. Kucinich has a position on trade that most Americans support.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

A vote for Kucinich says that you want the Democratic Party to support new priorities in criminal justice and a new approach to drug abuse emphasizing treatment over criminalization. Congressman Kucinich wants to end the ineffective and racially-biased "drug war," which fuels violence, saps law enforcement resources, and undermines precious constitutional freedoms, such as the right to privacy. It has fueled a prison-industrial complex at the expense of racial minorities who are disproportionately incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses -- and at the expense of taxpayers. Kucinich strongly supports the right of those suffering from disease to have access to medical marijuana. This position on the drug war is not heard from Kerry, Dean or Gephardt.

A vote for Kucinich is a vote that says you want the United States to move away from the policies of Iran, China and Saudi Arabia, and join more than 100 countries, including all of Western Europe, that have abandoned the death penalty. Kucinich says that our country's death penalty is racially and economically biased, is no deterrent to crime and risks executing the innocent. He agrees with Amnesty International that it is the ultimate human rights abuse for a government to kill someone it has pacified and in custody.

In the 21st century, shouldn't the Democratic Party stand for these more effective and enlightened criminal justice policies?
--
WHICH WAY FOR DEMOCRATS?

Federal budget priorities, global trade and criminal justice are not side issues. They are fundamental issues for the Democratic Party. Only a vote for Kucinich in the primaries will be counted as a vote for a Democratic Party with progressive vision and real solutions.

While it is true that any Democrat is preferable to Bush, it is also true that a primary vote for these other candidates can only be interpreted as encouraging a Democratic Party that supports the status quo and failed policies of the past . It's a vote that seems to say yes to bloated military budgets; regressive and racially-biased criminal justice; and a system of corporate globalization that harms the planet and people's aspirations in developing countries.

A Democratic Party primary or caucus is the right place to send a message of what kind of Democratic Party you want -- that you want a nominee who sets a new direction from Bush and Bush-lite policies of leading Democrats. When people vote for Kucinich, it strengthens the progressive wing of the party. When enough people vote for Kucinich, he wins. In primaries, that doesn't require many votes.

By voting for Kucinich in the primaries, you are also saying that you want civil liberties safeguarded (he's the only candidate who voted against the "Patriot Act") -- and that you want a new U.S. approach to foreign relations, one that increases our security at home by leading a new international consensus enforced by law, treaties and a strengthened U.N. You're saying that you want an America that looks upon the world for friends, not enemies; an America that tells the world we want to be their partner in peace, not their leader in war; an America that offers the developing world concrete help through a "Global Green Deal" for sustainable development, and through trade policies that lift up living standards abroad; an America that offers the world a helping hand, not a clenched fist.


Vote Kucinich. A better world is possible.

To read "Can Kucinich Beat Bush?" http://www.kucinich.us/electable.htm

http://www.kucinich.us/whichway.htm

[Tinoire]

92. Kucinich's "Weaknesses" May Be Strengths: Choice, Pentagon & Electability

Thank you to dpbrown!

Why I think Dennis Kucinich's Supposed Weaknesses May Be Strengths


Three critiques I hear regularly regarding Dennis Kucinich are: 1) He "switched" on choice to run for President, 2) You can't cut the Defense Budget during the "War on Terror," and 3) He's unelectable.

In the following essay, I take a crack at those three supposed weaknesses.

Choice

During the period of time when Rep. Kucinich received the worst rating by groups that monitor pro-choice votes he:

1. Voted against requiring counselors to notify parents and impose a five-day waiting period when minors entered family planning clinics to buy contraceptives.

2. He voted to force federal health care plans that include drug coverage to include coverage for contraceptives.

3. He voted against creating a new crime of assaulting a pregnant women based on causing harm to a fetus.

4. He voted against a measure that would have banned the use of US Population funds to advocate abortion as a family planning measure.

5. He voted against banning "partial birth" abortion when the health of the mother is not specially protected as an exception to the ban.

Rep. Kucinich's votes are votes of empowerment. His votes, even during this time, were focused on putting more control over reproductive choice in the hands of the person making that choice. Since that time, he's come to a fuller understanding of the gender inequity ramifications involved in the pro-choice movement, and is the only candidate who has declared his intention to make judicial nominations subject to a litmus test on Roe v. Wade.

It should be noted that Antonin Scalia has expounded that judges should "quit" if they're not pro-death penalty, because that is the "law of the land." In just that way, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and no candidate has embarked on so bold a policy decision as to plumb from each potential judicial appointee their position on upholding that "law of the land." Rep. Kucinich's movement from personal empowerment to broad, full, and deep support of the positions of the pro-choice movement put him in the unique position of being the best candidate on choice, because he came to his position not through an examination of what would be the politically expedient choice, but through a natural evolution of his deeply held belief in personal empowerment and the responsibility of society and the government to play a healthy role in the development of that empowerment.

Candidate Kucinich is clearly, in my mind, the best candidate on choice.

Pentagon versus Terror

As to the Pentagon, candidate Kucinich is the best candidate to promote safety and an effective defense as well.

A recent NOW with Bill Moyers presentation outlined the dramatic and startling inability of the Pentagon to track where it spends the mountains of money it receives from Congress. For more than 14 years it has been unable to answer the simple question, posed to it under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, "did you spend the money Congress gave you on the things Congress authorized you to spend it on." Not once in 14 years has the Pentagon been able to answer "yes" or "no" to that simple question. That's not even a real audit. It's just accountability. The Pentagon is unaccountable to the public, because they can't figure out how they're spending the public's money. And if they can't determine how the money's being spent, they're not keeping us safe. Simple as that.
http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript_spinney.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/defensedollars.html

The Pentagon is not keeping us safe. Where does the money go? Here's one place, and it ties directly with the corruption George Bush brought to Washington. CEO pay at Lockheed Martin went up from $5.8 million in 2000 to $25.3 million in 2002. CEO pay went up at General Dynamics from $5.7 million in 2001 to $15.2 million in 2002. It went up at Honeywell from $12.9 million in 2000 to $45 million in 2002. It went up from Northrop Grumman from $7.3 million in 2000 to $9.2 million in 2002. What do those figures say to you?

What they say to me is the Pentagon is another slush fund for rich military contractors to raid the Treasury.

The Pentagon is not keeping us safe when the cost of weapons rises faster than the price to produce them. That's called "cost growth" and what it means is the cost of weapons increases faster than the budget. And this has been going on for 40 years. And when the budget increases, that basically creates an incentive structure to jack up the cost even further. We saw this in the 1980's. You can think of the 1980's as the mother of all experiments. And when Ronald Reagan poured money into the defense budget the cost went through the roof.

Costs go up because the money goes in.

Data shows that when the Pentagon reduces the budget the contractors cut their costs. In some cases they come in under cost estimates when the money dries up. Producing the same product. It makes no economic sense in any kind of commercial context. It makes perfect political sense.

Only one candidate is calling for the Pentagon to be made 15% more efficient. Only one candidate is calling for the Pentagon to be made accountable to the people who pay for its systems with their tax dollars. Only one candidate is calling for the elimination of weapons systems no one wants, and the demilitarization of space.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

Coupled with making the Pentagon more efficient, candidate Kucinich is proposing a Department of Peace to coordinate our peaceful contracting with other nations, and to oversee the initiation of educational efforts targeted at reducing fear and violence at home. This department would be the answer to the perpetual question of "who" when everyone calls for more "education" to reduce domestic violence, to promote safe havens in communities, to give children something to do other than get involved in gangs.

Only one candidate has a clear vision for keeping us safer here and abroad with a Pentagon strengthened through accountability, and a Department of Peace to oversee the building of strong and mutually beneficial relationships with nation-states, with our neighbors, and in our families.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

Electability

Let's be clear here. Every Democratic candidate is electable. It's an overstatement, but not by much: A rock could probably beat Bush in 2004. Electability is not the issue. We are being tasked with choosing the best President we can get from the choices before us.

We should probably be grateful to George Bush for giving us this opportunity. Bush, the loser of the popular vote in 2000, got something like 50 million votes. Gore, the winner, got closer to 51 million. Eighty million eligible voters sat the election out.

The year 2000 was the neocon Waterloo. The Republican base of homophobes, gun nuts, uterus-enslavers, and corrupt corporatists is tapped. And since 2000 Bush has done his best to alienate every voter who crossed over to vote for him from the Libertarians and from the centrist Democrats.

All Bush has is fear.

All the Republicans have is a hope that their efforts to screw voters will mean they will be able to steal the vote in 2004 through: a) screwing the voters in Colorado through redistricting, b) screwing the voters in Texas through redistricting, c) screwing the voters in California through recall, d) screwing the voters in Florida by refusing to reinstate 50,000 voters wrongfully purged as felons, and e) screwing all the people of the nation by implementing Diebold's "black box" voting system with no paper trail (having eliminated the VNS watchdog and its exceptional record at predicting elections).

The Republicans wouldn't be working so hard to steal, screw, and deprive voters if they thought their message was going to carry them in 2004. They know they're screwed, and they're scared.

We own the issues, but we don't own the media (Podesta - get busy!) and we have to diligently guard against the destabilizing of the electoral process the Republicans have been engaging in with "black box" voting and redistricting and recall mayhem.

In my opinion, it's the overfunded extremist machine and its grip on the lapdog media that we must take care not to "misunderestimate." But I also think we have to be clear that right now it only runs on one thing - fear. There are three constituencies that are mobilized by the BFEE (that's Bush Family Evil Empire): Extremists, the fearful, and cookie-cutter patriots.

Bush got the highest number of votes he's ever going to get "on issues" in 2000. (Billion dollars a week on military adventurism while the energy grid fails at home - who thinks we need another tax cut?) Since he can't win on issues any longer, that's why we're seeing such a rush to fund-raise, a glut of electoral destabilizing moves from Republicans, and a blind and wholehearted embrace of "black box" voting technology forced on states by federal legislation.

Since Bush has literally driven Libertarians, Reduced Governmentists, Conservative Democrats, and most Independents away with his embrace of neo-conservative extremist positions on nearly everything since being appointed in 2000, and he has no respectable positions on anything that will be attractive to those constituencies or that he hasn't already debunked by his subsequent actions while in office, he'll win absolutely *zero* votes with his "compassionate conservative" hogwash this time around.

Bush has no issues, that's why he's running on extremism, fear, and cookie-cutter patriotism.

What that means, for every one of the candidates, is that all the positions belong to the Democrats. It should also mean that if the "fear" and "cookie-cutter patriotism" legs of the Bush campaign are neutralized, that Bush will be left with nothing to run on but extremism.

I'm not saying it will be a cakewalk (although given our advantage on issues it should be). But what should happen is this: All of the nearly 51 million voters who voted for Gore will reject Bush again this time (unless they're a) immobilized by fear, or b) turned into cookie-cutter patriots by the Evil Fairy Bushmother). Some of the 80 million who didn't vote should be motivated by restrictions on civil liberties or other heinous Bush policies to vote this time around. And Bush definitely won't get as many votes from the 50 million or so voters who voted for him last time, because he's alienated so many of those voters.

Issues will be the key, because Democrats own all the issues, except for, as I mentioned, fear, extremism, and cookie-cutter patriotism (but we *will* own or neutralize them by offering a candidate with a clear vision). Because Democrats own the issues, I believe we'll be in the best position to pick up all those votes (those of the 51 million Gore voters, the 80 million nonvoters, and the disenchanted from Bush's 50 million), by offering the candidate who is the best on the issues.

So, in my opinion, while the ability to competently elucidate coherent positions on the issues is and will be a means by which to distinguish the Democratic potential nominees from one another, to the extent that electability is an issue as it relates to Bush, the only thing that will matter is that the nominee is sufficiently *the opposite* of Bush's position on all the things that count.

Other than whether the candidate is "like Bush" or "not like Bush" on issues that resonate with voters (other than the three I mentioned: fear, extremism, and cookie-cutter patriotism) I still think the whole electability bugaboo is a red herring when used as a tool to distinguish one potential nominee from another.

We should nominate the candidate who is the best on the issues, and the election will take care of itself, the money will flow, and we'll evict the Poseur Prince from Al Gore's house.

The key for Bush will be to convince enough of the Gore voters, Independents, non-voters, and Democrats to a) vote for him because they're afraid, or b) give up their duty to think for themselves and buy into the cookie-cutter patriot hype machine.

I think it's a shame that this Fortunate Son and his sick cabal of neo-conservatives have been able to reduce the national dialog to these essentially ignorant and disrespectful issues (fear and fake patriotism), but as long as our candidate neutralizes one or both of these neo-conservative pathways to power, we win.

That's why whomever we nominate is going to be the next President of the United States.

So let's nominate the best then, shall we?

In my opinion, Dennis Kucinich is the candidate who is the best on the issues.

Dennis Kucinich for President of the United States of America.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=21170

[Equinox]

95. Thank you so much, Tinoire.

For making the information so easily available!!

:toast:

[dpbrown]

97. Kucinich Calls for U.N. to Replace U.S. In Iraq

7/28/2003

Kucinich Calls for U.N. to Replace U.S. In Iraq

In statements from his Congressional office and on the campaign trail, Kucinich continued today to advocate that U.N. peacekeeping forces replace U.S. troops in Iraq. His stance is in stark contrast to other Democratic candidates; Howard Dean, for example, supports sending additional U.S. troops to Iraq (Meet the Press, 6/22).

Kucinich said today: "This weekend, with the deaths of 5 US troops, we were once again reminded of the dangers facing US troops in what has become a quagmire. To date 243 U.S. troops have died in Iraq. It is time that the United States begins the process of withdrawing our troops, and allow a UN peacekeeping force to take over the reconstruction of Iraq.

"In their rush to war, the Administration failed to adequately prepare for the post-invasion period. Negotiations for an exit must begin now. An exit agreement with the United Nations must involve the US letting go of the contracting process.

"The UN must also take over management, accounting and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq's oil profits. Additionally, a transition from UN control to self- determined governing structure by and for the Iraqi people must be planned. Finally, the Administration, which unwisely ordered the bombing, must fund the reconstruction."

http://www.kucinich.us

[Tinoire]

98. Audio of Commonwealth Club Speech and Q&A

The audio of Dennis Kucinich speech is available in RealAudio format, and is split between the speech and the question and answer session.

Dennis Kucinich <07-31-03>


Speech <27:06>
Q & A <34:17>









http://www.commonwealthclub.org/archive/03/03-07kucinich-audio.html

[Tinoire]

99. Kucinich and the Pro-Life / Pro-Choice switch

diamondsoul (331 posts) Sun Aug-24-03 05:03 PM
Original message
Kucinich and the PL- PC switch


Since this thing just keeps coming up and since someone else posted a thread showing when the Draft Kucinich movement began, adding still more credence to my argument, here we go.

Recently this issue was brought up yet again at Delphi Forums. The poster doesn't ravel much outside her own forum as far as I can tell so I didn't hesitiate to clarify things for her. I did so by going to C-span.org and looking up votes on abortion issues during 2001 and 2002. Here's what I found-

In Sept of 2001, there was a vote on an abortion related issue, the last mention of it I find in the 107th Congress, First Session.

"Rejected: Sanchez amendment No. 4 printed in House Report 107-218 that sought to allow abortions to be performed in overseas military hospitals (rejected by a recorded vote of 199 ayes to 217 noes, Roll No. 357)."

Kucinich opposed the Sanchez amendment. Shortly after this vote would have been the winter recess of Congress. In looking again, through the Library of Congress to check the session dates, I see that the House didn't adjourn for winter break until Dec.20th, 2001, reconvening Jan.23rd for the Second Session.

Ok, so now we're looking at when the next vote on an abortion related piece of legislation comes up. We know there wasn't anything after Sept. of 2001, and my search shows the next vote coming in March of 2002. At this point Kucinich appears to have revised his political position on abortion because he voted in favor of that legislation-

"Rejected the Jackson-Lee of Texas motion that sought to recommit the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report it back to the House forthwith with an amendment that exempts an adult sibling, grandparent, minister, rabbi, pastor, priest, or other religious leader from provisions prohibiting the transportation of minors in circumvention of certain laws relating to abortion by a yea-and-nay vote of 173 yeas to 246 nays, Roll No. 96."

In the time span between these two votes, 6 months time have passed, no abortion related legislation has crossed the floor of the House, and Kucinich has had numerous opporunities to speak to women close to him and most likely plenty of others on the subject. Given that my own change of heart took considerably less time, like about three weeks, and Kucinich had a full 6 months with which to ruminate on the subject, plus plenty of input from other sources, I'd love for someone to explain what is so suspicious about it.

Taking all of this, along with the fact that Kucinich wasn't even mentioned as a Presidential candidate until AFTER his Prayer for America speech which took place at the onset of the war earlier this year, I'd have to say the assertion that his change of positions was a political ploy is wholly unfounded and unsupportable.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=225113

[Desertrose]

100. a late night #100 kick up for DK

This is a great thread...just want to make sure it stays on page one...
I have a real feeling come Sept , DK is gonna become much more visible...once the college kids start spreading the word about Dennis!!
:)

Peace
DR

[diamondsoul]

101. Thanks, for including this. :)

I'm flattered! and I really LOVE this thread.:evilgrin:

[adityanm]

102. Would you post the problem that he had with his police chief?

I recall he had severe conflict with his police chief whom he had hired with great deal of publicity.

He later on fired him for disagreeing with him.

[roughsatori]

103. Why don't you post the link to what you are talking about?

If you want us to read about it so badly.

[diamondsoul]

104. No, not for disagreeing with him.

The issue with Chief Hongisto came up during police contract negotiations. There are no specific details about the incidents surrounding his decision to fire the Police Chief except that he continually had problems with Cleveland's safety director.

From the little I've been able to find on the topic, most of it coming from Cleveland Magazine, it seems to me Kucinich thought Hongista was indeed a first rate Chief of Police but, when it came to the negotiating table, he wasn't up to the task. The Chief of Police and the city's Safety Director have to be able to work together or the public isn't safe. It seems Hongisto still has some harsh feelings over it, however I have to commend Kucinich for doing what he thought was best for his public.

http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/editorial/thismonth_features.asp?docid=359 <--Negative article on Kucinich's Mayoral term which includes this snippet about the police negotiations and the security directors staff-

"Some of the takeover incidents bore a striking resemblance to a Little Rascals film plot. On the second day of the new administration, 21-year-old Tonia Grdina (Betty's younger sister), the new executive secretary to the safety director, walked into the budget and management office in search of payroll figures. A slight girl with bangs that continually fall into her eyes, Tonia is usually not taken seriously at first glance by men in three-piece suits. (It was her presence at the bargaining table during the police contract talks that prompted police negotia tor Bill McNea to complain that the city was forcing him to deal with a kid still wearing training bras.) Nonetheless, she was told that if she would have a seat, the acting director (the regular director had already resigned) would find the information she wanted and bring it out to her."

http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/editorial/thismonth_features.asp?docid=363#top <---More positive article about Kucinich's Mayoral term which includes these snippets, the first from Kucinich himself-

"They had good reason to!" he declares. "I had just fired the best police chief in the United States. And why was he the best police chief in the United States? Because only a month earlier, that's what I told everybody!"

And then Kucinich laughs. He grabs Jabo's arm and they laugh loud together, enjoying a moment of an era that's finally gone by. "If I wasn't the mayor and ... a mayor did what I did, I'd probably be in the stands booing him too," he later says. That s part of politics. You have to learn to accept criticism. A lot of it was deserved then."

<snip>

"Most famous for their youth and their gall - his assistant director of public safety was just 21 years old - Kucinich and his administration provided great fodder for the media to sink its teeth into, chewing up stories and spitting them out in newspapers all over the country. How could they resist such temptation as the time when the head of the city's board of education was fined for "mooning" his brother on an interstate highway? Or the time when the feisty and media-hungry mayor fired police chief Richard Hongisto during a live press conference on WJW TV-8?"

[Tinoire]

105. Kucinich on Cuba

H.R. 2138 (2001)- Bridges to the Cuban People Act. A bill to provide the people of Cuba with access to food and medicines from the United States, to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba, to provide scholarships for certain Cuban nationals, and for other purposes.

H.R. 230 (1999)- Cuban Humanitarian Trade Act: A bill to allow for trade with Cuba on food, medicine, and medical supplies. Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2000: A bill to change law to allow for free travel to Cuba.

----------------------------------------
From his official campaign site:

Cuba ttp://www.kucinich.us/issues/issue_cuba.htm

END THE EMBARGO ON CUBA

Our policy toward Cuba has failed. More than four decades of a unilateral embargo and persistently hostile and aggressive rhetoric and actions from successive administrations have created only misery for the Cuban people and have hurt, not helped, U.S. interests at large.

Common sense dictates that we pursue a policy of normalizing relations with Cuba. A Kucinich Administration will work for repeal of the Helms-Burton Act and the immediate lifting of the trade embargo.

A Kucinich Administration will take several steps to restoring a more humane and effective policy toward this important neighbor:

1. Support normal bilateral trade with Cuba. Farm communities throughout the U.S. are being denied a natural market in Cuba, and Americans are being denied products from Cuba.

2. Restore Americans' freedom to travel to Cuba. Our government's travel ban violates the Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of movement.

3. Work to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act, which has encouraged smuggling and put lives at risk -- and has reinforced arbitrary and unequal immigration policies.

4. Support increased national security cooperation with Cuba.

----------------------------------------
Kucinich calls for end to embargo on Cuba

Democratic Presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich would work to open up trade with Cuba and kill or greatly reform NAFTA and the World Trade Organization if he were elected.

“We need to open up new markets for farmers,” he said Monday in Davenport. “We need to open up Cuba.”

http://havanajournal.com/business_comments/A315_0_4_0_C/

-----

DEAN VS. DENNIS ON CUBA: More Embargo vs. Immediate End

The Kucinich position is clear: "Our policy toward Cuba has failed. More than four decades of a unilateral embargo and persistently hostile and aggressive rhetoric and actions from successive administrations have created only misery for the Cuban people and have hurt, not helped, U.S. interests at large. A Kucinich Administration will work for repeal of the Helms-Burton Act and the immediate lifting of the trade embargo."

Meanwhile the Miami Herald reported on Tuesday that "Howard Dean says he is shifting his views on the trade embargo with Cuba...Dean said he supports rolling back the embargo in order to encourage human rights advancements -- but citing Fidel Castro's recent crackdowns on dissidents, says that in recent months he has become convinced that 'we can't do it right now.'"

http://www.muhajabah.com/muslims4kucinich/archives/006413.php

----------------------------------------


by Michael W. Stowell
August 18, 2003


What will you do, Americans, will you elect Dennis Kucinich? Will you demand that his voice be heard, will you take your voices out into the streets and shout loud and clear, for all to hear, will you exercise your right of free speech? Now, America and Americans, will you put partisanship out of your minds and unite for the common good? Will you change the course of history?

Then what will you do, America, after you've elected President Kucinich; what will you do with those who've supported Bush and his tenders? What do you have in mind for those in Congress, and those in your courts? Show them the door? Escort them out?

And what will you do with the money that you no longer give to Israel? What will become of the death camps in Palestine, who will clean them up? Who will rebuild Palestine for the Palestinian people and their new Palestinian state?

What will you Americans do about the destitution that you left behind in that country your government disappeared, Yugoslavia? Can you afford all the reparations? How about some bread? Some bakeries? Some medicine? Some books?

Now what will you do, America, now that you've opened your borders and lifted the sanctions on Cuba? Will you invite the Cuban people to a celebration? Will you throw a great party in Washington D. C. and invite the whole country of Cuba, and provide safe passage?

When you Americans finally take charge of your government, I imagine you'll have plans for Cheney and Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and the rest. Don't forget about Poppy Bush, though, send him to a prison farm that has chickens to keep, it will be good therapy, for all of us.

<snip>

Will you open your prison doors and release your political prisoners? Will you end the barbarity of capital punishment? Will you tear down your prison/industrial complex and start building some schools? Will you support an international court that has the authority to prosecute your leaders and military if they commit crimes?

When?

You can do this America, but only you can do this. I would love to see people from around the world sending money to help you elect Dennis Kucinich, and I am sure they would if they could. However, if you do not have significant money to give, or even if you do, money is a small part of it when everyone takes the time to do what is necessary.

What will you do, America?


Michael W. Stowell is a local activist in Northern California.
http://www.swans.com/ A site well worth a visit!!!

[Osolomia]

182. The ONLY candidate standing up to the MiamiMafia who stole last election!

All the leading Democratic candidates are still pandering to the Miami mafia despite the the fact that the majority of Representatives, the majority of Senators, the majority of Governors, the majority of State Legislators, the majority of Cuban-Americans, and the majority of Americans want the hostile trade and travel ban against Cuba lifted now:

Of the ten current democratic hopefuls, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is the only one who supports an end to the embargo.

Much more...
Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

Considering the MAJOR travesty of democracy that keeps Americans trade and travel banned to this day, this issue speaks volumes about the 2004 Democratic* p/residential contenders.

[Karmadillo]

106. Thank you, Tinoire. Great thread. If only CNN would let you serve

as Judy Woodruff's replacement for a week or two...

[Tinoire]

107. Thanks Karmadillo! Here's a lagniappe just for you

From you that's HIGH praise indeed- thanks. It was really my pleasure putting this together. I think as time goes on people are going to be shocked by the strength of Kucinich's campaign.

Here's a great link for you that I'm still in the process of reformatting for DU, with the author's permission

http://soli.inav.net/%7Enjohnson/kucinich/

Peace


Kucinich, 2004

"Nobody likes him but the people";)

George Forbes, a Black man who was President of the City Council when Dennis was Mayor

[Karmadillo]

110. Great site. Thanks again for providing

so much genuinely helpful information. The quality of the advocacy of the Kucinich supporters who post in this forum is very impressive. I think in the long run it's the kind of effort that's going to have a big impact on those who've yet to make up their minds about whom to vote for (and maybe even on those who think their minds are already made up).

Some of the posts I've read are packed with so much information I've been reminded of something Arundhati Roy wrote in her excellent essay on Noam Chomsky:

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=11&ItemID=4116

<edit>

As someone who grew up on the cusp of both American and Soviet propaganda (which more or less neutralised each other), when I first read Noam Chomsky, it occurred to me that his marshalling of evidence, the volume of it, the relentlessness of it, was a little — how shall I put it? — insane. Even a quarter of the evidence he had compiled would have been enough to convince me. I used to wonder why he needed to do so much work. But now I understand that the magnitude and intensity of Chomsky's work is a barometer of the magnitude, scope, and relentlessness of the propaganda machine that he's up against. He's like the wood-borer who lives inside the third rack of my bookshelf. Day and night, I hear his jaws crunching through the wood, grinding it to a fine dust. It's as though he disagrees with the literature and wants to destroy the very structure on which it rests. I call him Chompsky.

Being an American working in America, writing to convince Americans of his point of view must really be like having to tunnel through hard wood. Chomsky is one of a small band of individuals fighting a whole industry. And that makes him not only brilliant, but heroic.

more...

A small band now, maybe, but getting bigger everyday.

[Desertrose]

127. growing...yes

and I just think this is such an awesome amount of information compiled...heck- could almost be a website of its own...

Hey Tinoire...ever think of linking to the main website or even to this one?

http://www.wewantkucinich.com/wewantkucinich.htm

Just don't want this thread to get lost!!!!

Peace
DR

[JohnKleeb]

109. Dennis Kucinich hero of the times

:) I cant hate a man who receives an award for his committment to peace. I am so happy for him getting that award. Hes running to make war less frequent if that means more and more will live their lives in peace :) I will be proud to say I was one of the few who supported President Kucinich early on. We will remember him win or lose as a man who inspired us, at a crossroads in time inspired us the world to better ourselves. Here is a man who loves his country like no other. :) I really admire this guy so much.

[AnAmerican]

112. Gotta bump this one

Keep up the good work Tinoire

[groovedaddy]

113. Good work! Go DK!

He is the real deal!

[diamondsoul]

114. Department of Peace

I'm not sure how well I can explain it because it's a lot bigger proposal than what some seem to think.

The Department of Peace is not being proposed to deal strictly with foreign relations issues, which seems to be the impression most people have on hearing of it. Kucinich gets a little more in depth on the subject on his issues page covering it, but even that isn't quite detailed enough for the average citizen to comprehend the scope of the Department.

The Department of Peace would be charged with a number of things-
1. addressing nonviolent resolution of conflicts across the United States-
such as in our schools, as part of protest training seminars, in domestic relationships, parenting, etc. The people staffing it would be charged with developing teaching tools for educating the public that violence is rarely the correct response to conflict and showing how there are better ways to address those conflicts.

2. addressing nonviolent conflict resolution in international affairs-
such as diplomacy training, negotiation skills, reinforcing the notion that violence should not be threatened for any but the most extreme circumstances (i.e. direct threat to our nation or one of our allies), etc.

3. examining the United States' role in the arms race and deterining where and how it is wise to scale down our weapons development systems in the interests of promoting Peace across the globe. Hopefully gathering the information needed to convince our DoD to lead the race to nuclear disarmament.

4. examining human rights problems in other nations and how the US can influence those problems without resorting to violence or military force, IOW, instead of threatening Afghanistan, we offer humanitarian assistance in exchange for a change in Afghan National policy toward women, allowing women to be educated for example.

5. determining when peaceful efforts at conflict resolution have been exhausted and when military strength should be applied to a conflict. Generally speaking this would be in conjunction with the UN and other International organizations devoted to global peace.

Now having given you some of what I understand to be the purpose of the Department of Peace, let me explain why I believe it is a valid and even needed proposal-

First, I'm a strong proponent of nuclear disarmament. I don't believe nuclear weapons should EVER be used on anyone for any reason. They are the most heinous weapons ever developed and I'm appalled that the United States resorted to using them at any time given their lasting impact on innocent people. Charging the DoD with any sort of disarmament is like telling an oil mogul we have enough oil and not to drill anymore. It ain't gonna happen. The entire goal of the DoD is to see to it that the US has the biggest, baddest, scariest weapons in existance. They will not back down from that goal without some serious pressure from the Presidential administration. A Department of Peace working in unison with the DoD would exert that pressure.

Additionally, the DoD is not going to scale back weapons production of any sort, nor focus it's energies on the security of the United States. Why? Because there's too much money to be made in war. It IS a racket and our DoD is right in the midst of it. We need a Department determined to pull the United States back from the profiteering of war and war planning to counter the corporate pressure on the DoD. As a Federal Department under the control of the President and his cabinet, the Department of Peace would fulfill that role.

Once established, the Department of Peace could easily be turned loose from the President himself, and his cabinet, and allowed to function on its own with the prime directive being exhaust ALL means of peaceful resolution and determine when that has been done with no result. At that point it would answer to Federal auditors and the Ways and Means comittee like any other Federal Department.

On a domestic level, surely we've all watched the nightly news and been sickened at all the violence happening in our own neighborhoods. Our children are taking guns to school and killing each other. Teens are shooting each other over clothing, over drugs, over a simple hurled insult! People are shooting each other or attacking each other because somebody ran a red light for pity's sake!

The violence we see daily MUST be addressed at both the top and bottm of our society in order to be brought under control. We must deal with the propensity of our DoD to resort to violent force inconflict resolution, AND simultaneously train our citizens how to deal with conflict without resorting to violence. That begins with education, and in order to implement something like that, nationwide, we need a special department dedicated to the concept of Peace itself. The ducation can't just be in schools, it has to be in schools, workplaces, social services efforts, prisons, everywhere. Everyone has to be exposed to this at some point.

Now some people will say that's socialist or communist idealism. I disagree. I'm just an ordinary person who has seen enough violence that these days I can barely stand to watch the news or read the paper. I would much rather attend courses on peaceful resolution of conflict than to see another funeral because nobody cared enough to address the problem of violence within this country. People CAN improve, but only if we all decide to give each other the means to do so. That starts with education and example. Dennis Kucinich is offering the education and the example, and I am prepared to take him up on it. I can't weigh the cost in human lives as a result of violence against the cost of a new federal Department dedicated to ending it, sorry, but I can't put a price-tag on the death and destruction I've seen in my scant 35 years of life. It's worth the cost if it prevents just one person from dying needlessly.

[Tinoire]

116. Kucinich receives 68% on informat poll & 54.3% on Newsday Poll

(On edit: Thank you Genius for posting this)

Survey of what Americans want in a President. Dennis got 68%

Edited on Tue Sep-09-03 04:31 PM by elad
What Americans Are Really Looking For In A President
by Natasha H. (age 12)

<snip>
410 people were surveyed at a variety of places, including beaches, anti-Bush protests, churches, and shopping malls. The sample involved individuals in Orange and San Diego Counties (two of the more conservative counties in California) and involved probable voters in the Democratic Primary.

<snip>

The third question was, "Toward which candidate are you currently leaning?"

The results of the third question on the survey was a surprise in view of the polls. Dennis Kucinich received 68%. Actually, this is in line with the Move-on results, where Dennis placed second after his campaign had just started and before it was even going in many places. Dennis occasionally places first in the Democrats.com poll as well. He has also received the endorsements of two top activist Internet news services, Citizens for Legitimate Government and Democrats.com, the latter of which has a membership of 125,000 activists.

Many pre-primary polls are limited to long-term party members. Many of those questioned in this survey were newly registered Democrats and people who were planning to re-register as Democrats and this may account for the difference between this and more high profile polls. The individuals surveyed at the anti-Bush rallies were activists who seemed better informed on all the issues and candidates than most individuals. In view of the millions who protested the Iraq war, it is clear that these people can organize. If they are falling behind one candidate, that candidate will have ready-made campaign workers when the time is right. If most pollsters stay away from the activist community, they may find some upset victories at election time.


-snip-

http://debateusa.com/featured/hull_richter.htm

You might want to read this fast. DebateUsa does not have archives.

********************************************************************

Who Will You Vote For President?


George W. Bush (422 responses) 3.3%


Carol Moseley Braun (495 responses) 3.8%


Howard Dean (4292 responses) 33.1%


John Edwards (36 responses) 0.3%


Dick Gephardt (255 responses) 2.0%


Bob Graham (23 responses) 0.2%


John Kerry (156 responses) 1.2%


Dennis Kucinich (7037 responses) 54.3%


Joe Lieberman (48 responses) 0.4%


Al Sharpton (184 responses) 1.4%

12948 total responses (results from 9/10/03 - Poll has been running for over 10 days with Dennis consistently hovering above 50%)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-prez2004story,0,5467485.htmlstory?coll=ny-nationworld-nation-utility&vote8594962=1

[goodhue]

117. Diane Rehm

http://www.wamu.org/dr/index.html

Wednesday, September 10, 2003


10:00 - Rep. Dennis Kucinich

Ohio congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich joins Diane to talk about why he's running for president. He'll discuss his strong stand against the war in Iraq, and his views on Medicare, labor, trade policy, and more.

Kucinich for President
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)

[Tinoire]

118. STATEMENTS

Kucinich Answers President Bush

Congressman Kucinich issued this statement in response to Bush's televised address from the White House: "Rather than acknowledging the failures of his policies, and the fact that Iraq had nothing to do with September 11, and that there were no weapons of mass destruction, the President this evening attempted to compound his blunders by deepening America's involvement in Iraq.

He seems to forget that he attempted to drag the entire world into this using claims that had no basis in fact -- the same world that he now has to go back to lacking credibility and having squandered the good will that was there two years ago.

The Bush Administration's arrogant occupation of Iraq has harmed the United States' position in the world community, caused the deaths of 289 American soldiers at last count, and diverted tens of billions of dollars from domestic needs.

Now the President is asking for another $87 billion.

We must allow the UN to take over peacekeeping operations in the country. The UN must take over management, accounting, and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq's oil profits.

There must be no privatization of the Iraqi oil industry.

The UN must handle the awarding of all contracts for the rebuilding of Iraq so that there can be no more sweetheart contracts for companies like Halliburton.

The President has been unable to produce evidence that this war was fought over weapons of mass destruction. It is not too late for him to prove that it was not fought over oil. That can be done by returning control of the oil to the Iraqi people."

9/4/2003
Kucinich Introduces Universal Pre-K Bill

Congressman Dennis Kucinich today introduced a bill to expand pre-kindergarten programs to ensure all children ages 3-5 have access to a high quality, full-day, full calendar year pre-kindergarten education. The bill would provide grants to states to implement statewide universal pre-K programs.

"By providing students with early educational opportunities we can help lay the foundation for future academic success," stated Kucinich, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. "Our country has great wealth. Yet, we are constantly selling the youth of our nation short."

The new program, funded by state and federal money, will be free and voluntary for children and their parents. The bill supplements existing pre-K programs and provides for professional development of early childhood educators. Kucinich's bill has 31 congressional co-sponsors and has been endorsed by the Children's Defense Fund and the National

Association for the Education of Young Children.

9/2/2003
Kucinich Wins Endorsement of Iowa Peace Group

The leading peace group in Iowa, STAR*PAC, resoundingly endorsed Kucinich as "the first president of the new millennium to stand for peace." Citing his antiwar leadership in Congress and his campaign positions (including cuts in Pentagon spending), STAR*PAC threw its weight 100% behind Kucinich. STAR*PAC's endorsement, which followed a careful analysis of the records of all nine Democratic candidates on peace and justice issues, may be influential to peace groups across the country.

9/1/2003
Labor Support for Kucinich

Most of the nine Democratic presidential candidates marched in the Des Moines Labor Day parade in Iowa, the crucial first voting state. As mainstream journalists acknowledged, no one had more supporters in the parade than Dennis, whose talk at the end of the parade was carried by C-SPAN. Also unveiled on Labor Day was the "Rank and File Labor for Kucinich" steering committee, 32 Iowa labor leaders and activists from 15 unions who are reaching out to other union folks to get them to vote for Kucinich in the January caucuses.

8/31/2003
Kucinich on Labor Day: Bush in Ohio, Policies Have Failed

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued this statement as President Bush was to travel to Ohio on Labor Day:

"Ohio's economy needs more than a political stump speech. The President's visit, and reckless economic policies, will do nothing to help the more than 369,500 Ohioans who are out of work. This President has presided over the worse job creation record in over 50 years. Our nation is averaging a loss of 68,000 jobs a month, and the nation has lost 2.5 million manufacturing jobs since this President has taken office.

"The President's 'leave-no-billionaire-behind' tax cut to the wealthy will do nothing to help the average Ohioan. The recently passed tax cut will continue a trend advocated by this Administration of accelerating wealth upwards. The first 60 percent of Ohio taxpayers will only see a cut of $380 in total over the next four years. But, the richest 1% of Ohioans will be rewarded with tax cuts worth $52,240 on average over the next four years.

"Already, this Administration's policies have led to cuts in spending on important domestic needs such as education, health care, veterans' benefits, child care and led to sky high state budget deficits. Ohio, alone, is facing a projected state budget deficit of $2 billion in FY '04.

"Of all days to use Ohio as a political backdrop, the President has chosen Labor Day. I hope that his tour of the state will include the empty factories and bankrupt corporations that are the legacy of our nation's misguided trade policies. Ohio's manufacturing base, like many states, has been decimated by NAFTA. Yet this Administration wants to expand NAFTA. Ohio, and our nation, deserve better."

8/25/2003
U.N. Should Take Over Peace Keeping in Iraq

Congressman Kucinich issued the following statement on Iraq today:

"It is clear now that the United States is bogged down in an ongoing guerrilla war with almost daily casualties. The situation is one that the Administration did not plan for and is not adequately prepared to handle.

"Assertions by the President, and his Administration, that the war is over and that our mission was accomplished, like their claims about Iraq's 'vast stockpiles' of WMD's, are false and misleading. While this Administration was quick to send troops into harm's way, it has no exit strategy for removing US troops from the country.

"Negotiations for an exit must begin now. The UN must take over management, accounting and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq's oil profits. There must be no privatization of the Iraqi oil industry. The UN must handle the awarding of all contracts for the rebuilding of Iraq so that there can be no more sweetheart contracts for companies like Halliburton. Additionally, a transition from UN control to self-determined governing structure by and for the Iraqi people must be planned.

"It was wrong to go into Iraq. It is wrong to stay in Iraq. Let's support our troops by bringing them home."

8/6/2003
Chicago Debate Fallout: Gov. Dean's Denial on Social Security Age

Rep. Dennis Kucinich does not accept the media script that portrays Democrats as groveling before unions and civil rights groups. Quite the contrary, he sees Democrats who often serve up vague and fuzzy rhetoric to loyal constituencies during campaigns and then govern against the interests of those voters once in office. That's why -- at the AFL-CIO forum in Chicago -- he tried to encourage fellow Democrats toward specificity.
That's why -- since Gov. Dean says he is committed to a balanced budget while keeping Pentagon spending off-limits to cuts -- Rep. Kucinich felt it was important and relevant to a union audience to question Dean's public statements about raising the Social Security retirement age. In arguing for his own position of returning the age to 65 at the nationally-televised forum, Kucinich noted that "Mr. Dean has said that he'd move the retirement age to 68. One time, he talked about moving it to 70."

A few minutes later, Dean simply offered a broad denial: "I have never favored a Social Security retirement age of 70. Nor do I favor one of 68."

Today, Congressman Kucinich said: "It's unfortunate that Dr. Dean was not forthright with labor leaders and activists concerning his statements on Social Security which had been discussed on a recent 'Meet the Press' program. I was surprised at his denial, which raises many questions. If he wants to clarify his earlier statements, fine. But don't deny them while appealing for union votes."

BACKGROUND

"The way to balance the budget, Dean said, is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans pensions, while the states cut almost everything else. 'It would be tough but we could do it,' he said." (Times-Picayune, 3/5/95, "And Politicians Wonder Why They Aren't Trusted," by Miles Benson, Newhouse News Service)

Dean was asked about the comment on "Meet the Press" (6/22/03):

DEAN: ...I don't recall saying that, but I'm sure I did, if you have it on your show, because I know your researchers are very good."

RUSSERT: Well, Miles Benson is a very good reporter for the Newhouse News.

DEAN Yes, he is. No, no, no. I'm sure I did. I'm not denying that I said that.

A few minutes later on the same "Meet the Press," Dean said the following as he discussed budget balancing and Social Security: "I also would entertain taking the retirement age to 68. It's at 67 now. I would entertain that."

Dennis Kucinich and Ani DiFranco in Seattle recently, where they were each on tour.
Photo by Ken Slusher.

Ani DiFranco on Kucinich (as quoted in Rolling Stone):
"He's got all the right ideas and I was just instantly struck by how different he is from any politician I've ever met. I believe him to be a really good man who has a real understanding of himself as a public servant, which is what a politician is supposed to be. He's not a self-aggrandizing strategist or corporate whore. He's the real thing."

LONG SHOTS DO WIN!
The "Seabiscuit" movie has opened across the country, and more than a thousand Kucinich volunteers have been at theaters handing out "Long Shots Do Win!" fliers and other Kucinich literature. The movie tells the true story of a small, relatively-unknown racehorse -- derided by the experts as a long shot with no chance of winning -- who not only wins, but inspires a nation in the midst of the Great Depression.

To learn more about the "Seabiscuit" campaign, go to our Volunteer Action! page.

7/28/2003
Kucinich Calls for U.N. to Replace U.S. In Iraq

In statements from his Congressional office and on the campaign trail, Kucinich continued today to advocate that U.N. peacekeeping forces replace U.S. troops in Iraq. His stance is in stark contrast to other Democratic candidates; Howard Dean, for example, supports sending additional U.S. troops to Iraq (Meet the Press, 6/22).

Kucinich said today: "This weekend, with the deaths of 5 US troops, we were once again reminded of the dangers facing US troops in what has become a quagmire. To date 243 U.S. troops have died in Iraq. It is time that the United States begins the process of withdrawing our troops, and allow a UN peacekeeping force to take over the reconstruction of Iraq.

"In their rush to war, the Administration failed to adequately prepare for the post-invasion period. Negotiations for an exit must begin now. An exit agreement with the United Nations must involve the US letting go of the contracting process.

"The UN must also take over management, accounting and distribution to the Iraqi people of Iraq's oil profits. Additionally, a transition from UN control to self- determined governing structure by and for the Iraqi people must be planned. Finally, the Administration, which unwisely ordered the bombing, must fund the reconstruction."

7/20/2003
Kucinich Walks Picket Line with HERE Local 8

The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 8 in Seattle is on strike in an effort to obtain fair employee benefits. Congressman Kucinich supports the efforts of HERE Local 8. On Saturday, July 19, 2003 the Congressman joined their picket line at the Double Tree Inn.
You can also help HERE Local 8. Just call the Double Tree corporate headquarters in Memphis Tennessee at 901-374-5000 and the Hilton corporate headquarters in Beverly Hills, California at 310-278-4321. Tell them that you support HERE Local 8 in their efforts to obtain fair benefits.

7/17/2003
KUCINICH ADDRESSES NAACP

This morning, Dennis Kucinich appeared and was warmly received at the NAACP convention in Miami. In his remarks, he discussed peace and justice issues, and explained his effort to establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace.

Kucinich could not attend an NAACP candidates' forum on Monday due to an important Medicare vote. The next day, Congressman John Conyers Jr., the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued a statement explaining why Kucinich had not been able to attend Monday's forum; Conyers called Kucinich "one of the most exciting candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination," and referred to his "exemplary record when dealing with issues facing the African American community."

7/16/2003
Kucinich Donor List "Like Hollywood Guest List

Cleveland Plain Dealer, reporting today on Kucinich donors:

"His campaign contributors list for the second quarter of this year eads like a Hollywood guest list. Singer Bonnie Raitt, movie star Edward Norton, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream founder Ben Cohen and controversial television host Jerry Springer - now a U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio - all gave Kucinich the $2,000 maximum donation allowed by law, according to a report Kucinich filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Kucinich also received contributions from folk singer Peter Yarrow and film stars Ben Affleck, Jeff Bridges and James Cromwell, an animal-rights activist who played Farmer Hoggett in the classic children's film 'Babe.'" The Plain Dealer went on to mention donations from actors Eric Roberts, Larry Hagman ("Dallas," "I Dream of Jeannie") and Mimi Kennedy ("Dharma and Greg").

GOOD NEWS ON FUNDRAISING

Today, the Kucinich campaign released its financial figures for the April-June quarter, showing the biggest percentage jump in fundraising of any presidential campaign. Our fundraising climbed this quarter to more than $1.5 million, and we ended with over $1 million cash on hand.

"Our goal was to raise a million dollars in our first full quarter," said Congressman Kucinich. "We far exceeded our expectations. A grassroots campaign like ours, with thousands of volunteers, doesn't need to match the other campaigns in fundraising -- we will invest our cash on hand in expanded field operations...We are showing that a campaign based on a progressive issues agenda can resonate with voters and gain momentum -- despite those in the media who want to write us out of the race."

Our campaign has been surging in recent weeks. Of the $1.5 million raised in the quarter, roughly half came in the last two weeks, and 2/3 of the total came from credit card donations through the Internet. The average donation for the quarter was $77. With so many small donations, the great news for our campaign is that 90-95% of our total will be eligible for federal matching funds.

7/9/2003
Kucinich: Cut Bloated Pentagon Budget to Fund Education

For the second day in a row, Rep. Kucinich took to the House Floor to call for cutting wasteful military spending to fund domestic programs.

Yesterday, in debate on the $368 billion Defense Department Appropriations Bill, he singled out the F22 fighter plane, the V22 Ospry and other unnecessary weapons systems. Today, in a debate on an education bill, he continued to critique Pentagon waste and misplaced priorities:

"We will pass this bill today, the Ready to Teach Act, and in doing so, we all agree that the country needs the federal government to spend $300 million on teacher preparation and retention. But in fact, we won't spend that much on teacher preparation and retention. The President has asked that we spend only $90 million, or 30 percent of what we today all agree is necessary. Why?

"Yesterday we passed a Defense spending bill that spends $8.9 billion on the National Missile Defense system that doesn't work, and today we will pass an education bill that, if fully funded, would work. But we won't fully fund it.

"There is money for education. We could re-allocate the $8.9 billion for missile defense and put it into education. We'd have money to hire and train thousands more qualified teachers. We'd have money to buy 9 million new computers for our children and schools. We'd have the money

to fully fund and expand the Head Start program, DEA, and The No Child Left Behind Act.

"National Missile Defense doesn't work. Teachers do. They work for our children, they work for America, and they work for our future."

7/9/2003
Kucinich: Bush White House Manipulated Congress

Dennis Kucinich, leading opponent of Iraq war in the House, took to the floor again today to speak out against White House deception in the pre-war period, and to demand public hearings.

"More attention needs to be paid to false and misleading statements that preceded the vote on the Iraq Resolution in this House. Two days before the vote, on October 8, 2002, speaking in Cincinnati, the President spoke of his determination to attack Iraq: 'Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof - - the smoking gun - - that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud'.

"This chilling, apocalyptic statement was not based on clear evidence of peril, but was in fact based on falsehoods, hidden from public view by the office of the Vice President.
"Did the Vice President's office knowingly conceal information its own representative obtained that Iraq was in fact not attempting to purchase nuclear materials from Niger? Was the White House in possession of this same information prior to the President giving his shocking declaration in Cincinnati?

"There is no question that the President's statements we now know were false and misleading influenced the debate in this House and the decision to go to war. It is imperative we have open, public hearings to wash this stain from our national reputation."

7/8/2003
Feminists for Kucinich

Eight diverse feminist writers and organizers have initiated a statement in support of Kucinich, which will be widely circulated to attract new supporters.

The original signers are: BARBARA EHRENREICH, political essayist and author ("Nickel and Dimed"); ANGELA GILLIAM, professor and scholar of Black feminist anthropology and international feminism; YNESTRA KING, writer and activist on environmental, feminist, and disability issues; GAIL LERNER, organizer in the global women's movement and with U.N. agencies; GRACE PALEY, peace activist and author ("Enormous Changes at the Last Minute"); ROSALIND PETCHESKY, international feminist activist and political science professor; DIGNA SANCHEZ, Latina community activist in New York; MEREDITH TAX, novelist, essayist and international organizer of feminist writers.

Although the statement has just started to circulate, it has already attracted signatures from such prominent feminists as Blanche Weisen Cook, biographer of Eleanor Roosevelt; Marilyn French, author of "The Women's Room"; actor and singer Ronnie Gilbert; Jewish activist and poet Irena Klepfisz; and political scientist Zillah Eisenstein.

Below is a summary of the statement. Click here for the full statement, and to sign on.

FEMINISTS FOR KUCINICH

Rather than waiting to hear what all the Democratic candidates have to say, then jumping on the bandwagon of the least offensive, we decided to make our own list of priorities and see who agrees with us.

1) We want a candidate who will stop the war on the poor. 2) We want a candidate who stands for peace, respects international treaties and institutions such as the U.N. and the International Criminal Court, and tries to resolve problems through negotiation. 3) We want a candidate who will defend the separation of church and state, and the individual rights guaranteed us by the Constitution.

4) We want a candidate who opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and who stands for women's reproductive rights and recognizes that these rights depend on universal health insurance. 5) We want a candidate who will address questions of global economic imbalance and stand up for the rights of immigrants. 6) We want a candidate who will challenge racism domestically and internationally.

Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who not only agrees with all these points but has developed policies to support them: starting a cabinet-level Department of Peace; supporting unions and the right to organize; cutting the bloated military budget; restoring environmental regulations and launching a "Global Green Deal" to benefit developing countries; withdrawing from NAFTA and the WTO and challenging IMF/World Bank policies; repealing the "Patriot Act"; upholding Roe v. Wade; working for universal health insurance; and abolishing the racially and economically biased death penalty.

Because we feel that he comes closest to representing our priorities, we have decided to support Dennis Kucinich for President.


7/2/2003
WILLIE NELSON ENDORSES KUCINICH

One of the most beloved figures in popular music and culture has endorsed the populist presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich.

Statement from Willie Nelson: "I am endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President because he stands up for heartland Americans who are too often overlooked and unheard. He has done that his whole political career. Big corporations are well-represented in Washington, but Dennis Kucinich is a rare Congressman of conscience and bravery who fights for the unrepresented, much like the late Senator Paul Wellstone. Dennis champions individual privacy, safe food laws and family farmers. A Kucinich Administration will put the interests of America's family farmers, consumers and environment above the greed of industrial agribusiness.

I normally do not get too heavily involved in politics, but this is more about getting involved with America than with politics. I encourage people to learn more about Dennis Kucinich at his website and I will be doing all I can to raise his profile with voters. I plan to do concerts to benefit the campaign."

(This is an individual endorsement and does not reflect the views of any organization.)

6/27/2003
MOVEON PRIMARY: KUCINICH SCORES BIG

An elated Dennis Kucinich commented on the MoveOn vote: "This is a great showing and a tremendous victory for our campaign. Thanks to everyone who worked on his 'First Primary.' You proved the media pundits wrong, and you'll keep proving them wrong throughout the campaign."

If early primaries are about beating expectations, then the clear winner of the MoveOn Primary is Dennis Kucinich. He won 76,000 votes, 2nd place and 24% of the total.

While pundits have tried to relegate us to "fringe" or "2nd tier" status, Democratic voters have finally had their say: "Kucinich is in the top tier." This vote reflects what the Kucinich campaign has been seeing in the field -- the biggest crowds and biggest audience response.

The Dean Campaign did not exceed expectations -- since many thought, given his early start and Internet presence, he'd reach 50% and win MoveOn's endorsement. The Kerry Campaign did not -- it is the best-funded, highest-polling campaign.

It's the Kucinich Campaign that scored big today.

Our fundraising and support base have surged in the last two weeks, partly due to the MoveOn campaign. It's another reason Kucinich is the winner -- because his Internet outreach effort is poised for geometric growth.

Kucinich commented: "As this process goes on, and the differences in the candidates' positions become known to Democratic voters, we are poised to move on and move up."
Top MoveOn vote-getters 1) Dean 44%, 139,000 2) Kucinich 24%, 76,000 3) Kerry 16%, 50,000 (Each of the other six candidates, most considered 'top tier' by mainstream media, received 3% or less).

6/24/2003
KUCINICH BILL TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY

Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced a bill today that would abolish the federal death penalty, noting the 101 men and women exonerated from Death Row. "The imposition of the death penalty," stated Kucinich, "is both racially and economically biased. African American defendants are more likely to receive death sentences than others who committed similar crimes. Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is an acceptable moral alternative to capital punishment."

Joining Kucinich in co-sponsoring the "Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act" were 36 members of Congress, including progressive Caucus co-chair Barbara Lee and ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, as well as many fellow progressives and members of the Black and Hispanic Caucuses.


6/20/2003
BEN COHEN ENDORSES KUCINICH

In this endorsement, I am speaking out as an individual -- and not on behalf of any organization, business, government, labor union or armed force. Nor does it imply that there will soon be an ice cream flavor named Kucinich Kreme.

You know me as a Vermonter, an entrepreneur, a Grateful Dead fan, and a longtime advocate for a peace dividend -- for providing money we need to invest in our children, our schools, and our environment by reducing Cold War-era Pentagon expenditures. There is one candidate running for President who supports the values most important to me, and most critical to the country. That candidate is Congressman Dennis Kucinich, the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, and the leader on Capitol Hill in challenging Bush Administration foreign policies that make Americans less -- not more -- secure.

While others discuss incremental change, only Dennis Kucinich advocates changing the way our government is run in order to reflect the values of America's people. As Granny D says: "We are the people who believe in a world of environmental beauty, of happiness and not exploitation, of justice and not oppression and torture. A world safe for children.We believe in international law and cooperative action."

How we spend our money as a nation reflects our values and beliefs. Look at your personal check book, and it tells you what is important to you. Our nation's checkbook tells us that our priorities are all wrong -- and Kucinich is the one candidate bold enough to say so. He calls for funding human needs such as universal healthcare, education, environmental cleanup and expanded programs for the poor, the cities, the elderly, and he does it at no additional taxpayer expense by shaving up to 15 percent of the billion dollar a day Pentagon budget.

Because of our skewed national priorities, municipal and state governments are in crisis, as are school districts. Other candidates offer compassionate rhetoric about leaving "no child behind," but it's just lip service without putting your money where your mouth is, and getting rid of tax breaks benefiting the wealthy.

So in this election, voters should say: "Show me the money. What will you cut? What programs will you expand?" I like the answers provided by Dennis Kucinich.

My top priority in November 2004 is defeating George W. Bush, and I will try to make that happen even if Dennis Kucinich does not become the Democratic nominee. Win or lose the nomination, his grassroots presidential campaign is the vehicle for expanding the party, moving it in a progressive direction, bringing in new voters, and reaching out in a serious way to bring back disaffected voters. That's another reason I endorse Kucinich for President.

6/12/2003
Kucinich: White House Manipulated 2002 Election

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, leader of antiwar opposition in the House, continued to challenge the Bush Administration on the lead-up to war in Iraq, issuing a statement today:
"Last October, this Congress voted to give the President the authority to use force against Iraq to thwart an imminent threat from Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

"The Administration urged action against an imminent threat. So Congress voted, only weeks before the 2002 election. Some Democrats voted for it thinking there would be an opportunity to refocus on domestic issues. Instead national security and Iraq's so-called imminent threat became the divisive issue in the election. The question became: who was patriotic and who wasn't.

"The Administration capitalized on the fears of Americans. They misrepresented the nature of the Iraqi threat. They misled Congress. They misled the American people. By pushing for a quick vote before the election, they changed the election and manipulated the outcome.

"The Resolution of Inquiry will establish the truth once and for all."

Kucinich's Resolution of Inquiry in the House to force the Administration to turn over intelligence to back its claims on Iraq's WMDs, is now signed by 36 Congress members. As a privileged resolution, it must be voted on in Committee within 11 legislative days.

6/11/2003
”Mr. President, Where Was the Imminent Threat?”

Congressman Kucinich again took to the House floor today to question the White House on Iraq:
"Over the past year, the Bush Administration has made specific and unequivocal statements about the imminent threat posed by Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction -- repeatedly claiming they had intelligence showing Iraq had 25,000 liters of anthrax, 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin, 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent, and over 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents. So where are those vast stockpiles? Where was the imminent threat?

"At the State of the Union Address, the President said: '...Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent.' Where are those vast stockpiles? Where was the imminent threat?

"Did this Administration deliberately mislead this nation into war telling us that there was imminent threat, when there was not?

"The resolution of inquiry now signed by 36 Members of Congress aims to find out the truth."

6/6/2003
KUCINICH #1 WITH ACTIVISTS, AGAIN

Speaking to more than 1200 progressive leaders and activists in civil rights, labor, feminism, peace and the environment at the "Take Back America" conference in D.C. yesterday, Kucinich "electrified" the crowd with a "spell-binding speech." Here's a description from Salon, whose sub-headline reported, "Kucinich's Bush roasting gets the biggest cheers":

"The most impassioned applause of the day was reserved for Kucinich. Introduced by Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America, as 'the only vegan in Congress,' Kucinich took the stage to John Lennon's 'Imagine' and proceeded to conjure the heyday of American progressivism by promising a new version of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Works Project Administration. 'We're gonna rebuild America's cities and we're gonna do it with America's steel'... Medicare for all, money pulled out of the Pentagon budget to pay for schools and other domestic programs, and 'total nuclear disarmament.' He spoke to the crowd's fury over the war in Iraq, getting a screaming standing ovation when he cried: 'This war was wrong! This war was fraudulent! We must expose this administration.'

"When he was finished it was clear there was no point in having anyone else follow him. 'Dennis Kucinich has barbecued George Bush,' said the emcee. 'How about we have a barbecue right now?'"

The crowd adjourned to a party, according to Salon, partly because conference organizers took pity on Dick Gephardt and delayed his video message, scheduled to follow Kucinich, which "would have played like a parody of establishment banality."
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PS. While there was no doubt to those in attendance at the "Take Back America" conference yesterday that Dennis Kucinich had won the event, some journalists seem so blinded by their preconceived notions of who is a "frontrunner" or "contender" or "leading candidate," that they have difficulty reporting objectively on what happens in front of their eyes. In the Los Angeles Times account, which acknowledged that Kucinich's speech was "repeatedly interrupted by standing ovations," Dennis is reduced to little more than a footnote.

What's striking about some of the mainstream coverage of our grassroots campaign is how similar it is to the dismissive coverage of Jerry Brown in '91/'92 and Jesse Jackson in '87/'88 -- while prominence and tens of thousands of words were lavished on well-funded "contenders" who barely made it past the first New Hamphire primary, and whose campaigns are no longer even remembered.

To challenge media bias and marginalization vist our Responses to the Media page.

6/10/03
KUCINICH ON HOUSE FLOOR: CREDIBILITY GAP IS GROWING

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, leader of Congressional opposition to the Iraq war, took to the House floor today to continue pressing for the truth about the Administration's drive to war:

"The credibility gap is growing. First the Administration said the US had to sweep aside the UN inspections and the UN Security Council because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that were an imminent threat. Now, Paul Wolfowitz says: 'The truth is that for reasons that have a lot to do with the US government bureaucracy, we settled on the one issue that everyone could agree on, which was weapons of mass destruction as the core reason.'

"Now their story is changing: Iraq had a weapons 'program,' they say. No longer weapons of mass destruction, but a program. If this Administration can fabricate reasons for war after the fact, where will America be headed for war next?

"Congress must demand accountability for the wanton exercise of war power, for the loss of life, the destruction of property, the waste of tax dollars and the damage to America's reputation. Thirty-three members of the House have now signed the Resolution of Inquiry to demand the White House tell the truth."

Kucinich's Resolution of Inquiry, demanding the Administration turn over intelligence to back its pre-war claims about Iraq, was introduced Thursday and has growing support. It is a privileged resolution and must be voted on in Committee within 14 legislative days of being introduced.

6/4/2003
Kucinich Stands Up for Right-to-Choose and Gender Equality

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich took to the House floor on June 4th to strongly oppose a ban on so-called "partial-birth abortions":

"Let's all be clear -- the bill before us is unconstitutional because it does not contain an exemption for the health of the woman who seeks to exercise her reproductive rights. Opponents of the right to reproductive choice should know that. This bill likely will not prevent a single abortion. But it does defeat the rights of women.


"I believe that equal protection under the law and the right to privacy should be freedoms enjoyed by women as well as men. But women will not be equal to men if this constitutionally protected right is denied. This bill infringes on those rights for women, and that is why I will oppose it.

"Throughout my career, I have tried to work to reduce the need for abortions by preventing unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive sex education, birth control, and increased access to health care. I think that all of my colleagues would agree that we should work to prevent unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortions.

"Advocates of this bill who say they stand in defense of life would be more believable if they worked to support families with adequate child care funding, child tax credit relief for vulnerable families, and peace. For some, this debate is only about politics. The fact that other abortion legislation, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, has been advanced on the publicity of the Laci Peterson tragedy shows the unfortunate politicization of this debate.

"I do know, however, that many are sincere in their desire to reduce the need for abortions. In leading the nation toward this goal, we must preserve Constitutional rights. We must respect the freedom and equality of women. The best path for our country is not to escalate the divisiveness and political nature of this debate. Rather, it is to remember the principles of this nation and refrain from undermining the freedom of choice. We must respect the basic human dignity of women to make personal decisions."

6/3/2003
KUCINICH DEMANDS RELEASE OF INTELLIGENCE THAT LED TO WAR
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich, leader of the opposition to the Iraq war in the U.S. House, is announcing at a noon news conference on Wednesday that he will use a Resolution of Inquiry to demand the release of the intelligence that led to the war in Iraq, and to Administration claims that Iraq had tons of biological and chemical weapons, delivery systems, and a 'reconstituted' nuclear program.

"This Administration led this nation into war based on lies," said Kucinich. "I think that this Congress, and the American people, have a right to know what information this Administration had, and how they justify their public comments. Now is the time for truth-telling."
A Resolution of Inquiry is a rarely used House procedure that Kucinich used successfully in March to get the Administration to release the 12,000 page weapons report that Iraq had submitted to the UN.

5/26/2003
Kucinich Challenges Bush Rhetoric on Iran

Dennis J. Kucinich continued his antiwar leadership in Congress by challenging the Bush administration on its dangerous stance toward Iran. As ranking Democrat on the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, Kucinich issued the following statement:

"The rhetoric and posturing by this Administration over Iran serves only to validate impressions in the region that the United States is empire building. It is disturbing that as our nation is just beginning to learn that it was misled in the build-up to war in Iraq, that this Administration is seeking to continue its dangerous policy in the region with an aggressive posture towards Iran... Now more than ever, it is critical that the United States work with our friends and allies in the Middle East to root out terrorists cells and implement a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

5/22/2003
Kucinich to FCC: Stop the Corporate Takeover of our Mass Media

A longtime foe of media monopolization, Dennis Kucinich blasted the federally-assisted corporate takeover of U.S. media in formal comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Kucinich's protest comes as the FCC seems prepared to announce new, even more deregulatory rules on media ownership.

"Walking further down the path of deregulation skews the national discourse and is directly contrary to the welfare of the public. It is adamantly not in the public interest to grant a few corporations the privilege to broadcast their views and augment their voice to the American people at the expense of the many."

Kucinich focused attention on Clear Channel, a company with ties to the Bush Administration that now owns 1200 stations nationwide: "Clear Channel's national and dominant presence, a direct result of deregulation, threatens an imbalance in the public discourse -- an imbalance caused by the government granting one corporation the power to dominate the public airwaves, and the privilege to amplify its voice on public property. It is well documented that Clear Channel has removed on-air personalities from stations that it has bought, and replaced those local announcers with more centralized voices."

5/19/2003
KUCINICH SCORES IN IOWA

As was widely reported this past weekend (Washington Post, L.A. Times, etc.), Dennis Kucinich was ranked number one by undecided union members at Saturday's candidate forum in Des Moines at AFSCME's national convention. Reuters reported: "A focus group of 30 union members in Iowa, which holds the first nominating contest in January, found Kucinich with the highest overall rating and Sharpton, Gephardt and Dean right behind, pollster Celinda Lake said. 'I loved what Kucinich feels in his gut and how he supports labor; I think he gained a lot of support today,' Michael Arken of Portland, Oregon, said after the forum."

Despite a late start, our campaign is gaining traction in this crucial heartland caucus state. "Kucinich has been spending considerable time in Iowa," reported the political columnist of the Des Moines Register, "and his good score indicates he could be on the verge of becoming a factor in the Iowa contest."

Kucinich received a rousing reaction to his opening remarks:

"As President, I'll make sure that workers' rights are enshrined in a Workers' White House. As President, I'll issue an executive order which will say that anyone who gets a federal contract will have to provide that when 50% of the workers sign up for a union, there's an automatic union. As President, I'll set aside those provisions of Taft-Harley which attack the right to organize. As President (with a 100% AFSCME voting record, I might add), one of my first acts in office -- recognizing how trade has devastated so many towns around Iowa and the nation -- will be to cancel NAFTA and the WTO.

"I ask this administration: Tell me, Mr. Bush, where are those weapons of mass destruction? I've seen those weapons, and I'll tell you where they are. Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction. Hopelessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Let's bring back hope in America. Let's bring back jobs in America. Let's bring back workers' rights in America! Thank you."

5/21/2003
Kucinich on the House Floor: "A War Based on Pretext"

During consideration of a Defense Authorization bill, Congressman Dennis Kucinich -- leader of anti-war opposition on Capitol Hill -- took to the House floor to again challenge the Bush Administration's deceptions on Iraq:

"This Administration led this nation into a war based on a pretext that Iraq was an imminent threat, which it was not. The Secretary of State presented pictures to the world he said were proof. Today, despite having total control in Iraq, none of the very serious claims that the Administration made to this Congress, to this nation, and to the world have been substantiated.

"Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Indeed, what was the basis for the war? We spend $400 billion for defense. Will we spend a minute to defend truth? The American people gave up their health care, education and veterans benefits to pay for this war. And for what? Answer the questions, Mr. President."

5/13/2003
KUCINICH TO CONGRESS: WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR AIDS, FAMILY PLANNING, HEALTHCARE

Testifying today on behalf of the Congressional Progressive Caucus before an appropriations subcommittee, Dennis J. Kucinich called for increased spending for AIDS, family planning and our health care infrastructure.

While the Subcommittee is certainly faced with budget difficulties, we ask that it maintain a focus on federal programs that have worked in the past to provide health care, education and workforce support. The need for these programs becomes even more critical during our current recession.

Title X of the Public Health Service Act, the National Family Planning Program is critical in providing contraception and preventive health care to millions of Americans who have low incomes or are otherwise uninsured. These programs are important "entry points" for many women and families into the health care system. Unfortunately, funding for Title X programs is 57 percent less than it was in 1980. For FY 2004, $325 million is needed to maintain services in Title X clinics and make newer, more dependable forms of contraception available, along with new technologies for screening of cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.

We ask the Subcommittee to support $3.5 billion in FY'04 for Global AIDS programs, and of that number, $1.7 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Domestically, we request $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative. It provides funds to community-based organizations, research institutions, minority-serving colleges and universities, health care organizations, state and local health departments, and correctional institutions to help them address the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the minority populations they serve. The Initiative fills gaps in prevention, treatment, surveillance, infrastructure, outreach and education across communities of color.

Finally, we ask that you provide a significant increase for the Consolidated Health Centers Program. Over the past two years, health centers have expanded to treat an additional 3 million new patients. As the numbers of uninsured families continue to grow, it is even more critical that health centers are provided increased resources to continue to treat the patients that come through its doors. While the CHC program is no substitute for comprehensive health insurance, it has operated as a critical piece of the health care safety net.

5/09/2003
Kucinich: Is the Administration Proving it is About Oil?

In the wake of news that the Bush administration is proposing a U.N. resolution "granting the United States broad control over Iraq's oil industry and revenue"(Washington Post, May 9), presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich -- ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security -- issued the following statement:

"Today's news once again raises questions about the Administration's true intentions in Iraq. For months the Administration has said the war was not about oil, but its actions tell a different story.

"If Iraqi oil is for the Iraqi people, the United Nations should manage the oil profits until a credible Iraqi government is installed. The United States should not control the Iraqi people or their resources, nor should the U.S. dictate where their resources go.

"This move by the Administration to manage Iraq's oil revenue will undermine the US's ability to reconstruct Iraq and further harm the United States's credibility in the world community."

5/02/2003
Kucinich: The Military Victory is a Foreign Policy Failure

Just before President Bush made his speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich -- ranking member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations -- issued the following statement:

"Regardless of the outcome, the war in Iraq was wrong. While the United States has won a military victory in Iraq, the Administration never justified the war, rendering it a diplomatic and foreign policy failure.

"The Administration led America into a war based on false pretenses. Even today, as the President declares an end to combat, there is no credible evidence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction -- weapons that, according to the Administration, posed an immediate and imminent threat to our nation and our allies, and could not be eliminated through international weapons inspectors.

"The Administration, with its policy in Iraq, has isolated the United States from the international community and threatens to make our country less safe not more safe.

"Bringing the troops home, and bringing in the international community to assist with humanitarian reconstruction and security, must happen immediately. Rhetoric alone will not convince the world that the United States is not occupying Iraq, especially since the U.S. has prioritized the rebuilding oil infrastructures instead of providing humanitarian assistance."

4/28/2003
KUCINICH: "They're Both Wrong"

A debate has recently erupted between rival Democratic campaigns, with one candidate quoted as saying "We won’t always have the strongest military," and a rival campaign responding that the candidate had implied he "would compromise or tolerate an erosion of America’s military supremacy."
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Tonight, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich, the ranking Democrat on the Government Reform subcommittee that monitors the Pentagon, issued the following statement:

"They’re both wrong. The U.S. military is the strongest in the world by far, and will remain so. But Democrats cannot lead the nation without being strong enough to confront the bloat and waste in the Pentagon budget."

"Our military budget is almost as big as that of all other countries combined. While we have unchallenged superiority in military strength, we also have more people without healthcare than any other advanced industrial country -- and Democrats must be bold enough to say the two issues are linked."

"I don’t agree with other Democrats that we can continue to increase military spending, and still deliver on our domestic agenda for middle class and working Americans. We can’t. That’s voodoo budgeting."

"In this campaign, I plan to make a major issue of hometown security -- healthcare, jobs and education for all -- and misspent Pentagon dollars, even as other Democratic candidates join President Bush in pressing for still more exorbitant military budgets."

04/24/2003
Bush Economics Bad for Ohio and the Nation

With the President traveling to Ohio today to sell his misguided economic plan based on tax cuts to the wealthy, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement:

"Like most of the nation, Ohio's economy is hurting. Since the beginning of this Administration Ohio has lost 167,800 jobs or 3.06% of the statewide employment. In my hometown of Cleveland, since January of 2001, we have lost 53,900 jobs and have an unemployment rate of 6.8%. In Canton, where the President will visit today, the unemployment rate is 7.1%.

"The President's economic strategy of tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent, and aggressive foreign policy, will make it impossible for our economy to recover and will lead to continued cuts in important domestic needs. Already, this Administration's policy has led to cuts in spending on important domestic needs such as education, health care, veterans benefits, child care and led to sky high state budget deficits. Ohio, alone, is facing a projected state budget deficit of $2 billion in FY '04.

"Nationwide, since the President was inaugurated, our economy has lost 2.6 million jobs, an average of 73,400 jobs a month, and 8.4 million Americans are unemployed. Even with 8.4 million Americans unemployed, the plan that the President has come to Ohio today to sell will produce only 190,000 jobs in 2003. This is simply unacceptable.

"It is clear that the Administration's flawed economic policy is out of step with the needs of Ohio and our nation. Most Ohioans will not benefit from the Administration's tax cut proposal. Under the President's plan, 1,580,900 Ohioans will receive no tax cut at all. And another million will get a tax cut of less than $100.

"The Administration's tax plan calls for speeding up and making permanent many of the tax cuts enacted in 2001, along with the elimination of individual income taxes on corporate-source dividends and capital gains. These tax cuts will not stimulate the economy because they are slow to phase in and invest money in the wrong areas.

"In addition, Ohio's economy has been decimated by NAFTA. This Administration wants to expand NAFTA, when any sensible economic program for Ohio would repeal it.

"The President's economic record in Ohio, and the nation, is one of high unemployment, factory closings and corporate bankruptcies. Ohio, and our nation, deserve better. To stimulate our economy takes more than tax cuts to the wealthy. It requires federal spending, progressive tax cuts to people who need the money now, and real efforts to create new high paying jobs.

04/21/2003
Kucinich to Rumsfeld: Release Number of Iraqi Casualties

In a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich requested that the Department of Defense release the total number of Iraqi casualties incurred in the war in Iraq.

"Now that the combat phase of the war has ended, it is critical that the full extent of losses be calculated. While it may be difficult to account for the exact number of Iraqi combatants killed in battle, the number of Iraqi civilians killed and injured in the conflict should be released, " wrote Kucinich, the Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.

After sending the letter, Kucinich commented: "The United States owes it to the people of Iraq and the world community to make this information public."

04/14/2003
"Kucinich: Administration's Agenda of Tax Cuts For The Wealthy and War Will Leave Nations Needs Unmet"

"This Administration's domestic agenda of tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent and an aggressive foreign policy will leave our pressing domestic needs unmet," stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich today.

“Today, on tax day, we are once again reminded of the misplaced priorities of this Administration.

“Domestically, our economy is hurting, unemployment is high, and we are losing larger numbers of jobs from the manufacturing industry and all this Administration can talk about is tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent. It is clear that the Administration’s flawed economic policy is out of step with the needs of our nation.

“Abroad, this Administration is pursuing an aggressive foreign policy that will further isolate the United States from the world community and hamper our ability to confront the threat of terrorism. This Administration’s policy in Iraq, and now Syria, is isolating the US and squandering international sympathy created in the wake of 9/11.

“Combined the Administration’s tax cuts and aggressive foreign policy will leave our nation’s needs unmet. Already, this Administration’s policy has led to cuts in spending on important domestic needs such as education, health care, veterans benefits, and child care. Our nation’s needs will continue to go unmet as long as this Administration continues to press forwarded with a flawed economic plan and a dangerous, aggressive foreign policy.

04/14/2003
"Kucinich Calls Administration's Rhetoric Towards Syria 'Reckless and Dangerous'

The Administrations rhetoric this weekend towards Syria is reckless and dangerous, and could further hurt the United States’ standing in the region and the world, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) stated today.

Kucinich, Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, today issued the following statement:

“The rhetoric out of the Administration this weekend towards Syria is reckless and dangerous. Such threats only serve to further destabilize the region, fuel anti-American sentiment and isolate the United States from the international community.

“It appears that the Administration using the same rhetoric and political posturing that led to the unjustified war against Iraq. Our nation cannot afford this dangerous and aggressive foreign policy. On the heels of war with Iraq, the Administration’s posturing appears to be putting the United States on a path to war with Syria.

“Threatening action against Syria could help fuel speculation that the Administration is seeking to build an empire in the Middle East. Now more than ever the United States needs to work with the international community to repair damaged relations and to rebuilding of Iraq. The rhetoric out of this Administration is counterproductive towards this goal.

“With such threats, the Administration is taking our nation down a dangerous path. If the Administration continues with this rhetoric the United States risks more violence in the Middle East region, further isolation from the international community, and the continued sacrifice of our pressing domestic needs.

04/09/2003
Kucinich Introduces Legislation to Create Cabinet Level Department of Peace

With our nation at war in Iraq, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), today, reintroduced legislation to create a cabinet level Department of Peace.

The legislation, introduced in the last Congress, embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Domestically, the Department would be responsible for developing policies, which address issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly. Internationally, the Department would analyze foreign policy and make recommendations to the President on matters pertaining to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.

"Now, more than ever, this legislation is urgently needed," stated Kucinich. "Our current foreign policy makes our nation less safe and will make it impossible to meet our domestic needs. This legislation offers an path towards peace and prosperity."

The bill already has 47 original co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

04/01/2003
Kucinich
Takes To House Floor To Oppose War Supplemental


Vows To Oppose Supplemental; Offers Amendment to Bring Troops Home
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition to the war in Iraq within the House, spoke today on the House floor in opposition to the war supplemental and offer an amendment to bring the troops home.

Kucinich issued the following statement:

"I support the troops. But, this war is illegal and wrong. I do not support this mission. I will not vote to fund this Administration’s war in Iraq."

"This war is not about defending the United States from a foreign threat in Iraq. This war is not about the U.S. trying to save or liberate the Iraqi people. This is not about an Iraqi nuclear threat. Iraq did not attack the United States. The United Nations (UN) did not approve this war as being necessary to protect international security. In addition, this Administration did not provide evidence for its claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD) prior to military conflict. And, several key pieces of evidence have been shown to be fraudulent."

"This war is killing our troops. This war is killing innocent Iraqi civilians. This war must end now. It was unjust when it started two weeks ago, and is still unjust today. The U.S. should get out now and try to save the lives of American troops and Iraqi citizens."

"Many members of the Republican Leadership have demonstrated how to vote against war funding and support our troops. On December 13, 1995, the House, under the control of Speaker Gingrich, considered HR 2770. This bill, a “prohibition of funds for deployment of Armed Forces in Bosnia,” was introduced by Rep. Bob Dornan (R-CA). Many leading Republicans, such as Tom DeLay, Dennis Hastert, Bill Thomas, Duncan Hunter and Henry Hyde, voted to cut-off funds for the military action while troops were deployed in Bosnia. In fact, 82% of Republicans voted to cut off the funds while troops were deployed in Bosnia."

"Ending the war now and resuming weapons inspections could salvage world opinion of the United States. The greatest threat to the United States at this time is terrorism, which this war will breed."

During debate, Kucinich offered an amendment to bring the troops home immediately. The Kucinich amendment would cut $19.3 billion from Operation Iraqi Freedom Fund. The amendment would leave $30.3 billion to fund the war to date, plus $10 billion to get the troops out of Iraq. The amendment would save taxpayers $19.4 billion or could be used for increased homeland security, education, healthcare, or veterans funds.

Kucinich will vote 'no' on final passage of the war supplemental.

04/01/2003
Kucinich Takes to The House Floor To Call For An End to The War

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition to the War in Iraq within the House, issued the following statement on the House floor:

"Stop the war now. As Baghdad will be encircled, this is the time to get the UN back in to inspect Baghdad and the rest of Iraq for biological and chemical weapons. Our troops should not have to be the ones who will find out, in combat, whether Iraq has such weapons. Why put our troops at greater risk? We could get the United Nations inspectors back in.

"Stop the war now. Before we send our troops into house-to-house combat in Baghdad, a city of five million people. Before we ask our troops to take up the burden of shooting innocent civilians in the fog of war.

"Stop the war now. This war has been advanced on lie upon lie. Iraq was not responsible for 9/11. Iraq was not responsible for any role al-Qaeda may have had in 9/11. Iraq was not responsible for the anthrax attacks on this country. Iraq did not try to acquire nuclear weapons technology from Niger. This war is built on falsehood.

"Stop the war now. We are not defending America in Iraq. Iraq did not attack this nation. Iraq has no ability to attack this nation. Each innocent civilian casualty represents a threat to America for years to come and will end up making our nation less safe. The seventy-five billion dollar supplemental needs to be challenged because each dime we spend on this war makes America less safe. Only international cooperation will help us meet the challenge of terrorism. After 9/11 all Americans remember we had the support and the sympathy of the world. Every nation was ready to be of assistance to the United States in meeting the challenge of terrorism. And yet, with this war, we have squandered the sympathy of the world. We have brought upon this nation the anger of the world. We need the cooperation of the world, to find the terrorists before they come to our shores.

"Stop this war now. Seventy-five billion dollars more for war. Three-quarters of a trillion dollars for tax cuts, but no money for veterans ' benefits. Money for war. No money for health care in America, but money for war. No money for social security, but money for war. We have money to blow up bridges over the Tigris and the Euphrates, but no money to build bridges in our own cities. We have money to ruin the health of the Iraqi children, but no money to repair the health of our own children and our educational programs.

"Stop this war now. It is wrong. It is illegal. It is unjust and it will come to no good for this country.

"Stop this war now. Show our wisdom and our humanity, to be able to stop it, to bring back the United Nations into the process. Rescue this moment. Rescue this nation from a war that is wrong, that is unjust, that is immoral.

"Stop this war now".

04/01/2003
Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs: Affirmative Action Is Necessary And Must Be Preserved

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the historic University of Michigan affirmative action case. The court will consider whether state educators can consider race as a factor in law and undergraduate admissions. Progr

[JohnKleeb]

119. Cass you realize that this is the first thread ever to focus on the issues

exclusively and all
btw check your pms.

[LWolf]

120. Funding education sound particularly good right now.

Friday night after a 58 hour week at school, including 13 1/2 hours yesterday, chasing my tail trying to make things happen. Trying to find materials that support the mandated standards, to no avail. Trying to figure out how to do 9 or 10 hours' worth of instruction in each 7 hour day with the kids to keep up with the mandated curriculum schedules. Meetings every day. Digging into my own pocket for the support materials, since the school district can't find them. And it's my job to make it all happen. The buck stops with me.

This has always been an appreciated part of Dennis' platform, but right now it is especially pointed for me. Fund education, please. Fund every mandate. Support me with planning time, supplies, materials, etc. Fund it. Stop running it on a budget paid for in my life's blood.

[iivii]

122. re:"Funding education sound particularly good right now."

keep fighting the good fight. America has lost so many good teachers due to the lack of financial appreciation due them. Sooner than later, you will be rewarded. it has to happen soon, or else we will have zer0 good teachers left, with America's future generations dumber than a box of rocks.

Come on Dennis... lets help him, help US

[LWolf]

124. So I am!

Fighting the good fight right now means 12 hours a day, 200 or so papers to correct this weekend, and $$$ out of my own pocket for what we need to function. It also means struggling to make sense out of nonsensical schedules and conflicting rules and mandates. It's only the 3rd week of school, and I'm exhausted.

Still, when I look at my students, I know I can't just walk away.

I can hold out hope. And Dennis is that hope for public ed in this cycle. Not a bandaid or a modification; true support for the actual people in classrooms.

[Rhiannon12866]

151. Welcome to DU, iivii ! Welcome to the lovefest for Dennis!

Your point is very well taken. Welcome again to DU! We are glad to have you onboard! LOL! :-)

[Tinoire]

126. "STATEMENTS" Pt 2

04/01/2003
Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs: Affirmative Action Is Necessary And Must Be Preserved

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the historic University of Michigan affirmative action case. The court will consider whether state educators can consider race as a factor in law and undergraduate admissions. Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), today, called on the Supreme Court to uphold affirmative action and rule in favor of the University of Michigan.

Today, Co-Chairs Kucinich and Lee issued the following joint statement:

"Affirmative action is necessary, affirmative action is right, and affirmative action must be preserved.

"For the first time since Brown v. Board of Education, which opened up educational opportunities for millions of Americans, our public schools are becoming increasingly segregated by race.

"In our cities, indices of black-white segregation suggest extreme separation of minorities far beyond the levels reported in other multi-racial societies such as Brazil, Canada, Australia, and the UK. In fact, the only other nation where minority segregation indices routinely exceed those reported in the United States was the Union of South Africa under apartheid.

"Segregation in our cities leads to dire consequences in the educational environment for minorities. High minority school districts receive far less in state and local educational funding than districts that have predominantly white students.

"America's diversity is strength, not a weakness, and it is absolutely critical that we nurture programs that enhance opportunities for those who have been historically left behind. To do nothing, to abolish affirmative action, is to use de jure means to fall back into the de facto segregation
of the past, which made a mockery of democracy, equality, liberty and justice - the very values on which this nation was founded.

"Affirmative action is still essential because a truly level playing field is still an elusive goal, not a reality. Today, we stand united in our support of affirmative action and the University of Michigan. Our nation is at a critical junction; the Supreme Court must not send our nation back into some of the darkest moments in our history, but instead lead our nation to a fair and just future."

Both Kucinich and Lee joined 110 Members of Congress, on February 18, 2003, in signing a friend of the court brief on behalf of the University of Michigan.


03/31/2003
Kucinich: President Continues to Mislead The Country About the War

Today, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:

"Today, President Bush said the following to Coast Guard personnel: Our victory will remove a sponsor of terror, armed with weapons of terror. Our victory will uphold the just demands of the United Nations and the civilized world."

"This statement is another example of rhetoric that the Administration is using to mislead the public in the war against Iraq. Iraq has not been proven to have weapons of mass destruction, by either the United Nations or the United States. Further, this statement falsely implies that the United Nations and 'the civilized world' sanctioned war in Iraq. It also incorrectly implies that the United Nations sanctioned regime change and the removal of Saddam Hussein."

"This Administration has consistently misled the public on the cost of war, the cause for war, the facts of war, and the support for war. It is time to end this war immediately and bring the troops home."
back to list 03/26/2003
House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade

America needs a healthy domestic steel industry and we must protect the steelworkers who built up this great nation.

But between 1997 and 2002, America’s steel industry and its workers were under attack by foreign companies illegally dumping steel into the American economy, sending 35 steel companies into bankruptcy and costing 54,000 industry employees their jobs.

As a result, I am proud of the efforts of the Steel Caucus, which continually advocated for the Administration to initiate a Section 201 steel investigation into these imports. We also succeeded in pushing the International Trade Commission to recognize the devastating effect of steel imports through a finding of injury. We even gathered with 25,000 steelworkers on the ellipse to make sure the President imposed an effective tariff to help stem the tide of imports.

One year later, this remedy is working and it must be continued. In my hometown of Cleveland, it helped us find a new owner to keep our steel mills running. Industry-wide since the Section 201 relief was implemented, domestic steel is beginning to see signs of a recovery: domestic producers have experienced incremental improvements in revenues, operating income, and capacity utilization.

Additionally, the industry has made significant progress toward restructuring and consolidation. The International Steel Group (ISG), which came into existence following its purchase of LTV, has agreed to acquire the assets of Bethlehem Steel. US Steel announced plans to purchase National Steel. Section 201 relief, if allowed to run its course, will result in a more competitive domestic industry.

The tariffs have also caused a modest price recovery in industry. Prices for hot rolled steel rose from historic lows of only $210 per ton in December 2001 to around $300 per ton today. But even so, prices for all major flat rolled products are still below 20-year historical averages, and steel imports still remain approximately 25 percent of the market.

The tariffs were a good start, and they must be allowed to continue. The United States has finally made clear that it is no longer willing to serve as the World’s Steel Dumping Ground. The United States has also made clear that the national security of our country requires a strong and viable domestic steel supplier base. Only the continuation of the 201 tariffs will mitigate the harm of unfairly traded imports and assist the industry in a critical recovery. Keep the steel tariffs working!

03/27/2003
This War is Wrong and Must End!

Today, at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:
"This Administration has never made its case for war against Iraq. It is an unjustified war, which the Administration continues to misrepresent and exaggerate. The most recent example is the Administration's characterization of international coalition support for this war."

"This morning, President Bush once again exaggerated the extent of support for the war stating that the coalition of countries supporting this war is larger than the 1991 Gulf War. What Bush failed to mention was that back in 1991, all of the 34 coalition members offered military force, by contributing troops on the ground, aircraft, ships or medics. "

"This war involves the troops of only the U.S., Britain, Australia, Poland and Albania. Not even the three members of the Security Council that support the war, Spain, Italy, and Bulgaria are committing military support."

"This Bush Administration has been adding coalition member to their list based on statements of “moral” support. As the Washington Post reported last week, if this type of criteria was used back in 1991, the size of the coalition would likely have topped 100 countries."

"Further, the total cost of the Gulf War to the United States was around $4 billion dollars. This time, the President has come to Congress requesting a $75 billion bill, all of which will be paid by U. S. taxpayers. Clearly, military and economic support from countries is far more important than statements of 'well-wishes'."

"This war must end now. It was unjust when it started last week, and is still unjust today. The U.S. should get out now and try to save the lives of American troops and Iraqi citizens. Most importantly, ending the war now and resuming weapons inspections could salvage world opinion of the United States, which has been deteriorating since the talk of war began. After all, the greatest threat to the United States at this time is terrorism, which is breeding from this war."

03/24/2003
Kucinich on the Cost of War

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement on the cost of war:

"The bill for this unprovoked attack is just starting to come in, and the American people should start worrying that Administration has lost control over the costs.""In fiscal terms, the costs for this unprovoked, and therefore preventable, war could have covered giving every American child safe, enriching pre-kindergarten classes or every American senior citizen prescription drug coverage for one year. "

"It is shameful and irresponsible that the Administration released this information only after Congress considered and approved its fiscal budget for 2004. The budget, passed by Congress after war had begun, included a $700 billion tax give away to the wealthy, but not the cost of war. "

"The Administration's priorities are out of step with what America needs, and this war will cause America more problems than it could ever solve: it will fan anti-American flames overseas, divert attention from unmet domestic needs, such as stimulating the weak economy, and plunge the U.S. government deeper into debt that today's children will be paying when they are adults."

"Americans are beginning to learn the cost of war in terms of human life. It is time to reflect on what this war will cost America in terms of the brave men and women who serve, in terms of the loss of innocent life, the sacrifice of the domestic agenda and the ruination of America’s standing in the world."

03/20/2003
Statement of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich
H. Con. Res. 95 “The Support The Troops” Resolution

"I support the brave young men and women who are following orders that have placed them in harm's way. I hope and pray for their safe return. My thoughts and prayers are with them, their families and loved ones in this difficult time. While I will always support the troops, I can not support this mission. Last night, the President ordered an unprovoked aggressive attack against Iraq in violation of American traditions of defensive war. This war is wrong. As a nation we must come together to support the troops but, continue to challenge the policy that has put them at grave risk."
back to list 03/19/2003
Congressman Kucinich issued the following statement upon the American attack against Iraq:
"This is a sad day for America, the world community, and the people of Iraq. Tonight, I hope and pray for the safe return of our troops and the end to this unjustified war."
"President Bush has launched an unprovoked attack against another country. Iraq does not pose an imminent threat to the United States or any of its neighboring nations. Iraq was not responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11. Tonight, President Bush has commanded U.S. forces to go to war in violation of American traditions of defensive war that have lasted since George Washington. This war is wrong; it violates the Constitution and international law."
http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#040103c

[eridani]

121. Looking at the long term

Either the campaign will overcome the blackout and he gets the nomination, or it won't and he doesn't.

Either way, all of us need to commit to a longterm mobilization to enact his vision. Even if in the best of all possible worlds, he actually is inaugurated, our work is just beginning.

His campaign is in many ways like that of Jackson in '88 and Brown in '92. When Jackson lost interest in running for public office, the Rainbow Coalition fell apart. I have this feeling that Dennis won't abandon the movement that he has inspired. (And if he does, I'll personally fly to Cleveland and rip him a new one!) :)

[goodhue]

138. Yes

This is just the beginning! Stand Up. Keep Fighting. This is the Moment.

[Desertrose]

123. This thread is too good to die..

so I'll :kick: it up

:)

Peace
DR

[JohnKleeb]

128. thanks again

Now maybe someone did another one of these for their candiate during my "vacation" but what you did here Tiniore was explain on a large scale why I support Kucinich, but folks it aint just issues honest to god. I for one am sick of being told to wait, this is the moment, this is anyone's game. If you read Franken's book well did you read that Wellstone quote on 205 *nudge* its what I believe too.

[Rhiannon12866]

129. Kick!

:kick: for Dennis!:-)

[LWolf]

130. kick for the issues

:kick:

[cosmicdot]

131. kick for our future

great work, Tinoire

labor of love

[dweller]

132. Impressive!

:kick:

lots to read here.
dp

[Tinoire]

134. Kick

:kick:

[Rhiannon12866]

135. Kick!

:kick::hi:

[no name no slogan]

137. Another Kick x2

for AMERICA!

:kick: :kick:

[Rhiannon12866]

139. I love your sig line, no name no slogan!

It sounds like a great one to me. Here's another kick from me for both you and Dennis!:kick:

[JohnKleeb]

140. Hi Rhi and I agree too

:hi: and a :kick: on the best damned candiate and most underrated in the race.

[Rhiannon12866]

141. I agree, John, and I didn't say that I like the new photo

The shorter hair makes him look older and more statesman-like. I'll bet you never thought you would hear that from someone calling herself Rhiannon! LOL!:hippie:

[JohnKleeb]

142. heh

Oh I didnt say anything about that Rhi, I dont care how his hair is but he does look good in that, you didnt offend, he looked pretty good when I met him too. Thats such a great quote, *yells at supposely more better and electable candiates* well guys? *listening* nah Rhi they didnt reply, the centrists may get mad hehe.

[Rhiannon12866]

143. John, I liked what Kucinich was saying long before I ever knew

what he looked like. Unfortunately, many people base their opinions on appearances. The fact that he looks older and more statesman-like can only work to his advantage.:hi:

[goodhue]

144. me too

I was a rabid Kucinich fan before I ever saw a photo. The twinkle in his eye has only increased my devotion. This remains the best thread I've ever seen on DU. Thanks for keeping it up!

[Rhiannon12866]

145. You're welcome! Anytime! Anything for Dennis!

Actually, I think he's kind of cute! LOL!:-)

[FubarFly]

146. Back to the top you go.

In case anyone forgets why Dennis kicks some serious :kick:

:-)

[Rhiannon12866]

147. One more kick for Dennis

I know he's a longshot, but we need his unique and sincere voice in this race!:-)

[goodhue]

148. Who Is Dennis Kucinich?

http://www.kucinichsightings.com/

[snoochie]

149. Bump!

Too bad not all candidates have threads like this...

Dennis Kucinich ROCKS! :D

:kick:

[JohnKleeb]

150. You should thank Tiniore for this

Shes the best damned supporter we got. She really has helped me support this noble man with a heart the size of the world and who inspires me. Kucinich himself says this campaign is about heart and I say yes.

[snoochie]

152. D'oh! good idea!

Tiniore, thanks a bazillion!

I was about to say too bad not all the candidates have supporters like you, but then, that wouldn't really be my true feelings. }(

I'm SO glad you're on Kucinich's team!

:kick:

[Tinoire]

154. lol blush shucks

Guys, it was really nothing :) I'm honored to be on the same time as all of you...

I will do everything in my power to make it Kucinich 2004! He's our best hope, our only really good one I feel, for the future!

[Tinoire]

153. Kucinich on Homeland Security - Please add to this one!

$550B defense budget implies more taxes
make the connection between the rising deficit and the war in Iraq. Because unless we commit ourselves to get out of Iraq-get the UN in and get the US out-we're going to see rising deficits. Are we going to have tax cuts for the wealthy and then ask people later on to increase their taxes? Are we going to have the Pentagon budget go to $550 billion within eight years and ask the people to pay more taxes? I think we have to reorder our priorities. It begins with getting out of Iraq.
Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan Sep 25, 2003

Cut defense budget by 15%, even if unpopular
Q: As president, what would be the least popular, most right thing you would do?
KUCINICH: I would move to cut the Pentagon budget by 15%, which would in no way affect adversely our national defense, and put the money into child care. And I would move to create a Department of Peace which would seek to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our society and to work with the nations of the world to make war itself archaic.
Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan Sep 25, 2003

End the ban on gays in military
End the ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals serving in the US armed forces.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Terminating ABM treaty was unconstitutional
Kucinich filed a lawsuit in federal district court to block the President from withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972. The President's termination of the ABM Treaty represents an unconstitutional repeal of a law duly enacted by Congress.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Violence and war are not inevitable
Violence is not inevitable. War is not inevitable. Nonviolence and peace are inevitable. We can make of this world a gift of peace which will confirm the presence of universal spirit in our lives. We can send into the future the gift which will protect our children from fear, from harm, from destruction.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Confront the bloat and waste in Pentagon budget
The US military is the strongest in the world by far, and will remain so. But Democrats cannot lead the nation without being strong enough to confront the bloat and waste in the Pentagon budget. Our military budget is almost as big as that of all other countries combined. I don't agree with other Democrats that we can continue to increase military spending, and still deliver on our domestic agenda for middle class and working Americans. We can't. That's voodoo budgeting.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Hometown Security: social spending instead of military
I plan to make a major issue of hometown security -- healthcare, jobs and education for all -- and misspent Pentagon dollars, even as other Democratic candidates join President Bush in pressing for still more exorbitant military budgets.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Abide by Non-Proliferation, ABM, and Test Ban Treaties
We must abide by the principles of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, stop the development of new nuclear weapons, take all nuclear weapons systems off alert, and persist towards total, worldwide elimination of all nuclear weapons. Our nation must revive the Anti Ballistic Missile treaty, sign and enforce the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, abandon plans to build a so-called missile shield, and prohibit the introduction of weapons into outer space.
Source: Campaign website, www.Kucinich.us, "On The Issues" Aug 1, 2003

Bush's foreign policy of preemption is destabilizing
KUCINICH : You and Dick Gephardt were two of the biggest supporters of President Bush's war against Iraq. You both endorsed his proposal for unilateral first strike. The president's ever-changing reasons for going to war have not been justified by the evidence. Now how can we as Democrats win this election if we simply rubber stamp this president's destabilizing foreign policy of preemption, and nuclear first-strike, without offering a serious alternative?
LIEBERMAN: I'd say how can we win this election if we send a message of weakness on defense and security after September 11, 2001? Protecting the American people's security, giving them a sense of safety, making sure people in this country are not worried when their loved ones go out to the mall, or take a train, go to a movie theater--that is the first goal of our government, and that means being strong on defense and homeland security.
Source: Democratic Debate in Columbia SC May 3, 2003

Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill.
Vote to pass a bill appropriating $266 billion in defense spending for FY 2000. Among other provisions the bill would allot $1.2 billion for research and development for next-generation tactical aircraft, yet would not include $1.8 billion in procurement funds for the new F-22 Raptor combat aircraft. The bill would also fund a 4.8 percent pay increase for military personnel. The bill would also allot $93.7 billion for operations and maintenance to be used to maintain military properties and spare parts that have been reduced due to overseas military combat missions.
Reference: Bill introduced by Lewis, R-CA; Bill HR 2561 ; vote number 1999-334 on Jul 22, 1999

Voted NO on deploying SDI.
Vote to declare it to be the policy of the United States to deploy a national missile defense.
Reference: Bill introduced by Weldon, R-PA; Bill HR 4 ; vote number 1999-4 on Mar 18, 1999

Take US nuclear missiles off high alert.
Kucinich sponsored the MX Missile Stand-Down Act:
Title: To take the 50 Peacekeeper (MX) missiles off of high-alert status.
· Requires the Secretary of Defense, during FY 2002, to remove the warheads from the 50 Peacekeeper (MX) intercontinental ballistic missiles.
· Urges the Secretary to take measures to lengthen the time for launch of U.S. nuclear weapons while remaining consistent with national security.
· Requires an annual report from the Secretary on the inventory of Russian nuclear forces, their alert status, and the condition of Russian early-warning systems.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR2718 on Aug 2, 2001

End the use of anti-personnel mines.
Kucinich sponsored the Landmine Elimination and Victim Assistance Act:
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
1. the Department of Defense should field currently available weapons and other technologies, and use tactics and operational concepts, that provide suitable alternatives to anti-personnel mines and mixed anti-tank mine systems; and
2. the United States should end its use of such mines and join the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
3. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to make permanent (currently terminates on October 23, 2003) the prohibition on the transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
4. Directs the President to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive plan for expanded mine action programs, including victim rehabilitation, social support, and economic reintegration.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR948 on Mar 8, 2001

http://ontheissues.org/2004/Dennis_Kucinich_Homeland_Security.htm

[joyautumn]

213. He's THE Ranking Dem on Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee!

What? Yes, that's right. Kucinich is THE Democrat in charge of Congressional Oversight of the anti-American liberty-choking Homeland Security Department that Lieberman, Kerry, Edwards and their Republican buddies created (with wire-tap-EZ inventor Bill Clinton nodding in the background), and that Kucinich voted against.

http://reform.house.gov/NSETIR/ and click on the "members" link on the right side of the page, or follow this direct link, to the pdf file:

http://reform.house.gov/UploadedFiles/national%20security%20members.pdf

This means Kucinich has studied Homeland Security inside out and backwards, including all top-secret briefings or documents his oversight subcommitte is privy to, so when he talks about it, he is THE main authority on it among House Dems.

He is the one candidate who REALLY has the goods on Bush and Company. And I'm sure all the 'front-runners' are running away from Kucinich because they're afraid to debate him on issues of Homeland Security and Intelligence. Kucinich would rip them to shreds, and rip Bush to shreds.

[redqueen]

155. Go Go Dennis!

:kick:

[tobys]

156. Who is Dennis Kucinich?

Soon, All will know!

[goodhue]

157. welcome

good question

[Rhiannon12866]

158. Welcome to DU, tobys!

Glad to have another Kucinich supporter among us!:hi:

[goodhue]

159. keep it kicked n/t

[Tinoire]

161. Kucinich: I Will Close School of Americas

Kucinich: I Will Close School of Americas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2003


Over the next three days, thousands are expected to protest the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Ga. (The school has been renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.)

Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today released the following statement:

"I stand against terror and violence and in solidarity with the victims of the School of the Americas graduates. I support nonviolent demonstration against the SOA. The United States' ability to persuade other nations to investigate terrorism will be strengthened by the closing of a US school that has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers to wage war against their own people, against union organizers, religious workers, teachers, and student leaders. As president I will close the School of the Americas."

Rev. Roy Bourgeois, MM, Founder of SOA WATCH and Dennis Kucinich endorser, said:

"Today our world is filled with violence and people are looking for hope. I am supporting Dennis Kucinich for President because he is the person who can bring more peace and justice in our country and in our world. These are challenging times and Dennis Kucinich has the wisdom, integrity, vision and courage to give us the hope our country is seeking today."

http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#School_Americas

[LWolf]

162. One more reason:

Why he's my candidate.

Why the status quo doesn't want to "let him out" to be recognized by all of America.

Go, Dennis!

[Tinoire]

163. We Can't Reduce Deficit with Current Iraq and Pentagon Funding

Kucinich: We Can't Reduce Deficit with Current Iraq and Pentagon Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2003


Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich today released the following statement:

"Congressman Gephardt and Dr. Dean are said to differ fundamentally on how to reduce the deficit that the Bush administration has saddled us with. According to the Des Moines Register, Gephardt says he will increase taxes and spending, and that this will stimulate the economy. Dean has suggested he would cut spending or 'limit the growth' of domestic programs.

"But both are in complete agreement with President Bush that the Pentagon's bloated $400 billion budget should continue untouched and that the U.S. occupation of Iraq, with a price tag already over $150 billion, should not be ended quickly. Gephardt also voted for the latest spending of $87 billion on Iraq, while Dean, depending on his audience, both supported and opposed it.*

"Dr. Dean is promising to balance the budget, but he's refusing to cut Pentagon spending. With a budget deficit that is approaching $500 billion, where will he get the money? The only place he can get the money is from the very domestic programs that are already suffering because of the oversized military budget.

"If a president is unwilling to cut where the spending is greatest and the waste the most extreme, but promises to balance the budget and reduce the deficit, you can be sure there will be cuts where we can less afford them. Today I introduced a bill that will lower taxes for most Americans while repealing tax cuts to the wealthiest few. Unless Democrats have the courage to stand up to the current war economy and insist on a major shift in priorities, we will not put this country on solid footing or win next year's election.

"In addition to my tax reform bill, I have proposed a plan that would end the US occupation of Iraq in 90 days. And I have committed to cutting 15 percent of the Pentagon's wasteful budget."

*Among Dr. Dean's comments supporting the $87 billion were his statements during televised presidential debates from New York and Phoenix.

Kucinich's plan to end the occupation of Iraq is available at http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#100903

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.


http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_120803c.php

[diamondsoul]

168. This statement just thrilled me.

I've been saying similar things since we went into Iraq, before I'd even heard of Dennis. He never fails to speak my mind.

[Tinoire]

164. Diebold Withdraws Legal Threats

Diebold Withdraws Legal Threats
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2003


Diebold Inc., one of the nation's largest electronic voting machine manufacturers, is withdrawing more than a dozen legal threats against ISPs for hosting users who publish or link to corporate documents suggesting there are flaws in its equipment and irregularities with certifying the systems for elections. Nor will it issue additional cease-and-desist notices concerning these corporate documents, US District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel heard today. Diebold has until this point waged an intimidation campaign to repress circulation of employee e-mails that raise concerns about the security of its electronic voting machines.

This move came after widespread public protest. Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Conyers requesting that the Committee hold a hearing to investigate abuses of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by Diebold. Kucinich also posted the documents in question on his congressional website.

Today, Kucinich released this statement:

"In a democracy where already half the people don't vote and where the last presidential election was decided by the Supreme Court, we cannot tolerate flawed voting equipment or intimidation of those who point out the flaws. Diebold backing down from its intimidation campaign is a positive step. An open and honest examination of the flaws in electronic voting will lead us to only one possible conclusion: electronic voting machines are dangerous to democracy because there is no way of ensuring their accuracy. We need to have a voter-verified paper trail for every election so that any errors and irregularities caused by the voting machines can be discovered."

Kucinich's letter to Sensenbrenner and Conyers stated, in part:"There is a compelling argument that the fair use doctrine precludes copyright liability for posting the e-mails. The archive is predominantly factual and was reproduced to inform the national public debate on election reform, specifically, on the machines used to count our votes. The e-mails do not harm any market of Diebold's, except in the sense that admitted problems may cause municipal and state purchasers to subject the machines to greater scrutiny.

"Furthermore, numerous letters were sent to ISPs whose users only hyperlinked to other sites where the Diebold employee e-mails were posted. Hyperlinks do not qualify for copyright protection, and their use does not incur copyright liability. In cases where ISPs complied with requests, they have often shut down entire websites for weeks at a time, instead of removing the alleged infringing activity. The safe-harbor driven 10-business-day takedown period can remove non-infringing websites during a critical interval of discussion.

"Diebold's actions abuse the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, using copyright to suppress speech rather than fulfill the Constitution's purpose for copyright, to 'promote progress.' These abuses raise a fundamental conflict with the First Amendment, diminishing the Internet's tremendous value as a most free medium of expression. Diebold's actions are representative of a growing body of abuses through which large and powerful parties unfairly intimidate ISPs to remove information those parties do not like. In other examples, the claims are not really about copyright, but about not showing the parties in a negative light, or not allowing consumers to compare prices, or quieting religious critics. Powerful parties should not be permitted to misuse copyright as a tool for limiting bad press and barring access to legitimate consumer information."

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_112803.php

[Tinoire]

165. Kucinich Alone Against an Occupation

Kucinich Alone Against an Occupation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2003


In Monday's presidential debate only Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke out in favor of ending the occupation of Iraq. Only Kucinich spoke, and received applause for speaking, for disarmament and the work needed to create peace.

NPR's Morning Edition yesterday reported on Kucinich's leadership on this critical issue:
"Most of President Bush's potential Democratic opponents oppose the $87 billion aid package for Iraq, Afghanistan and US troops there. And a few in Congress, including one Democratic presidential hopeful, are calling for an immediate US withdrawal. 'We are looking at an intensification of this conflict in Iraq. That's why I'm insisting that we take a new course, end the occupation.' Ohio Congressman and White House hopeful Dennis Kucinich thinks the US should pay for rebuilding damaged Iraqi infrastructure. But Kucinich wants the US to quickly renounce all other economic and political interests there. He believes that would convince a reluctant UN to take on more political transition and security duties in Iraq. Kucinich rejects critics who call his plan 'totally unrealistic.' 'What could be more unrealistic than the United States attacking a nation which did not attack us, which had nothing to do with 9/11, thinking that somehow this country has the right to carve up Iraq in a privatization scheme which is clearly in violation of the UN Charter? American troops are continuing to die, the security situation is getting progressively worse. That's why we need to get the UN in and the US out of Iraq.' "

Today Kucinich released this statement:

"While various candidates posture and pretend to have opposed the War on Iraq more consistently than they did, they are missing the opportunity to oppose the occupation. Holding a debate months from now over who supported the occupation more than another will do nothing for the lives that will be lost in the coming days and weeks. The time to begin the end of the occupation is now."

Today's Events:

Kucinich, returning to Cleveland from last night's presidential debate in Iowa, will hold a press conference at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday morning in front of Antioch Baptist Church at 8869 Cedar Ave. (at 89th Street) in Cleveland, Ohio. He is scheduled to meet with the United Pastors of Ohio at 11 a.m. at the church. Kucinich will talk to the media about the war and the occupation of Iraq, its impact on the economy and on American cities, and the domestic agenda he is proposing.

Grand opening of Kucinich for President East Side Office, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
3645 Warrensville Center Road, Ste. 306, Shaker Heights, OH

Fundraiser, 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
3715 Warrensville Center Road, Shaker Heights, OH

For more information: http://www.kucinich.us

For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm.

http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_112503.php

[Tinoire]

166. UN in, US out: Kucinich's Plan to Bring Our Troops Home

UN in, US out
Kucinich's Plan to Bring Our Troops Home

UN in, US out
Kucinich's Plan to Bring Our Troops Home
The war in Iraq is over and the occupation of Iraq has turned into a quagmire. The US troops have become the targets of criminals and terrorists who are flowing into Iraq for the chance to shoot Americans. The cost of the occupation keeps rising: The President has already asked for more than $150 billion to pay for it. And there is no end in sight. The UN is now in an impossible situation, where most of the members view the war and occupation of Iraq to be a US folly. Under these circumstances, the UN can’t help. The US is stuck, mostly alone, with a costly, unpopular and unending occupation of Iraq. If we stay the course, it will do damage to American security. Iraq was not and is not a threat to the US, yet the demands of an occupation will overstretch our armed forces. And the extended deployment of reserve forces make us vulnerable at home because the reserve call ups include large numbers of firemen, policemen and other first responders who are needed for the homeland defense mission.

People are asking, is there a way out? I believe there is. I am writing to share with you a plan that will get the UN in Iraq and the US out. This plan could bring the troops home by New Year’s day, it will cost much less than the President’s, and it will increase American security.

The President must go to the UN and announce the US intention to hand over all administrative and security responsibilities to the UN. The UN would help Iraqis move quickly toward self-determination.
The UN, not the US, will administer Iraq’s oil revenues. It will be necessary to renounce clearly and unequivocally any interest in controlling Iraq’s oil resources.
The UN will administer contracts to repair Iraq. War profiteering will no longer be practiced by the White House. It will be necessary to suspend all reconstruction contracts and close the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority, because of the suspicion caused by the sweetheart deals that the Administration has given to large American corporations. In its place, the UN would help Iraqis administer funds to employ Iraqis to repair the damage from the invasion.
Bring US troops home as UN peacekeeping troops rotate into Iraq: The goal is to bring all US troops home by the new year, but in any case, to bring them home as quickly and as safely as possible with a planned and orderly withdrawal.

As soon as practicable after this address, the UN Security Council would ratify a new resolution on Iraq that would deploy a multinational force under UN mandate to keep the peace in Iraq while the interim Iraqi government receives UN support and a new Iraqi government is elected. It is my hope that within one month, the first UN troops and support personnel will arrive in Iraq, and the first US troops will be sent home. UN peacekeeper troops and Iraqis who are commissioned as police and military will replace the US (at a rate of two UN peacekeepers for every three US troops). In place of the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority, the UN will open an office to provide administrative support to the Iraqi Governing Council, which will direct the repair to infrastructure damaged by US invasion in the immediate term. In two months, the UN will begin to conduct a census of the Iraqi population to lay groundwork for national elections. At the same time, new temporary rules for the election will be promulgated, guaranteeing universal suffrage on a one-person –one vote basis. During the transition period, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the American and UN force commanders for a turnover period will settle the question of who commands the troops. The MOU will specify who is to be in charge in case an incident happens during that period. These might be local agreements such as have been used before or they might be for the entire area of operations. By the end of month three, all US troops will have returned home.

In month four, a major milestone will be reached when Iraqi sovereignty is established for the first time. A nationwide election will take place to elect representatives to a Constitutional Convention. The Constitutional Convention will have two duties: 1) elect a temporary Prime Minister who appoints a cabinet to take over responsibility from the Iraqi Governing council, and 2) draft a national constitution. Accountability of this Prime Minister is achieved by virtue of the fact that he can be recalled by a majority of the Convention.

In one year, there will be nationwide elections pursuant to the new Constitution, which will install an elected government in Iraq.

The US owes a moral debt to the people of Iraq for the damage caused by the US invasion. The US will also owe a contribution to the UN to help Iraq make the transition to self-government. American taxpayers deserve that their contributions be handled in an accountable, transparent manner. However, Americans are not required to build a state-of-the-art infrastructure as the Administration is planning. The Administration is ordering for top shelf technology from US corporations for Iraq and paid for by US taxpayers. Sweetheart deals have been awarded with billions of dollars to top corporations and political contributors. That is precisely what corrupts the Administration’s reconstruction efforts today. Instead, Iraqis should be employed to repair Iraq, and US taxpayers should pay only for the damage caused by the US invasion, including compensation for its victims. US taxpayers should not be asked, however, to furnish for Iraq what we do not have here.

The war and occupation in Iraq have been costly in other ways too. One price the Administration has forced the US to pay is America’s moral authority in the world. The Administration launched an unprovoked attack on Iraq, and the premises of the war are proving to be false. This has cost our credibility and done serious harm to America’s standing in the world. After the attacks of 9-11, the world felt sympathy for us. But this war and the occupation have squandered that sympathy, replacing it with dangerous anti-American sentiment in most of the world’s countries. And, perhaps most costly of all, the US occupying force serves as a recruiting cause for terrorists and people who wish us ill.

All we can do now is to make a dramatic reversal of course: we must acknowledge that the continued US military presence in Iraq is counterproductive and destabilizing. We have a choice in front of us: either we change course, withdraw our troops and request that the UN move in, or we sink deeper into this occupation, with more US casualties, ever higher financial costs, and diminished security for Americans.

We need a real change. My plan will bring the troops home by the new year, transfer authority to the UN with provisions made toward a rapid transition to Iraqi sovereignty, and it will save billions over the Administration’s occupation. It will enable the US to think creatively about how the US will deal with threats that come not from established countries with conventional armies (our armed forces are more than adequate to that task), but rather threats that come from networks of terrorist and criminals, who use unconventional means to injure Americans. We must also apprehend the criminals who masterminded the 9-11 attacks on this country, a goal that is hindered by the occupation of Iraq. Lastly, it will also enable the US to redirect scarce resources to rebuild America.

Sincerely,
Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress


http://www.kucinich.us/bringourtroopshome.php

[LWolf]

167. Good plan.

As usual.

This thread is growing and growing; Dennis brings substantive ideas, plans, and actions to issue after issue.

And he wants a chance to mention them in debates; imagine that!

;-)

[CivilRightsNow]

175. Bumpitty bump

bump bumpitty bump.. look at Tinore go... :)

[goodhue]

174. kick

for this most excellent post

[diamondsoul]

179. PUUUUUUSHING it up! n/t

[Name removed]

180. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LWolf]

183. Thank you, Name Removed,

for kicking the best candidate thread on DU. The one about a candidate's record, platform, and take on the issues. Dennis' site reads like an encyclopedia of issues and how to approach them to benefit America. Here's more on one of my personal issues:

http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#120303

12/3/03
Kucinich on Failure of No Child Left Behind Act

"Today’s news report highlighting the failures of the Houston school system is an ominous warning of the failure of the 'No Child Left Behind' Act promoted by this Administration. The 'No Child Left Behind' Act is based on the Houston program and is bound for the same problems unless immediate action is taken to reform education in this country.

"This Administration, and Republicans in Congress, have turned their back on the our nation's students and teachers. The President's budget request for FY ’04 underfunds his own bill by almost $10 billion. And, the Republican controlled House plan would underfund the bill by almost $8 billion. This is unacceptable, and our children deserve better.


"The President’s plan for education reform has become nothing more than an unfunded mandate. It leaves schools grossly underfunded and encourages teachers simply to teach students to pass performance tests, instead of teaching a broad based curriculum. This policy has failed the students of Houston and left unchanged will fail students nationwide.


"True educational reform will come when we invest our time and resources in provided students with better paid and highly qualified teachers. When we invest in new and modern facilities to replace the crumbling schools to many children attend everyday. And, true reform will come when we reduce class sizes.


"Our nation has great wealth. There is no better investment for our nation then providing our youth with the tools they need to succeed. We must make true education reform a priority of this Congress and our nation."

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/education.php

[dpbrown]

184. A kick for public financing!

https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php

The BFEE is the problem - Kucinich is the answer.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[goodhue]

185. big kick

for the best post ever

[Rhiannon12866]

186. Dennis was inspiring in Iowa last night!

He deserves all the kicks he can get!:-)

[Forkboy]

187. Awesome thread Tinoire!!!

you're the best!

[goodhue]

189. kick

for Iowa caucus day

[LWolf]

190. Caucus Day kick

:kick:

[cosmicdot]

191. Fear ends. Hope begins.

[Tinoire]

192. Kicking this up

Poor form I know but Kucinich's message is too important!

[Poseidon]

193. Kucinich

Kucinich has done so many great things for America, and he will do many more in the future.

[goodhue]

194. kick for no WMDs

[dweller]

195. DK was right

:kick:

http://kucinich.us/DennisKucinichWasRight.pdf


Tinoire, your thread is one of the best i've seen here.
:thumbsup:

dp

[goodhue]

196. kick

for WA, MI, ME . . .

[Matilda]

197. Kick!

[cosmicdot]

198. kick for caucuses

[boobooday]

199. Dennis Kucinich is the best hope for America

And it just drives me crazy. Why couldn't we ever have a nominee who isn't from a privileged background, member of skull and bones, etc. DK has worked the same jobs you and I have . . . hospital orderly, restaurant work, etc., along with his experience in government. He has a real platform, that offers a REAL alternative to this nightmare of an administration. We need somebody with the ideas of an FDR right now, to end this cycle of social decay.

Kucinich is only "unelectable" because the media delcares it so. And they (excuse me) stink like hell of their own corporate feces.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

Jeanette

[cosmicdot]

208. absolutely - "end this cycle of social decay"

I've waited a long time for an RFK to rise up ...

[boobooday]

200. DK -- a real democrat. Is that too much to ask ?

For a change, why couldn't we have a nominee who isn't from a privileged background, member of skull and bones, etc. DK has worked the same jobs you and I have . . . hospital orderly, restaurant work, etc., along with his experience in government. He has a real platform, that offers a REAL alternative to this nightmare of an administration. We need somebody with the ideas of an FDR right now, to end this cycle of social decay.

Kucinich is only "unelectable" because the media delcares it so. And they (excuse me) stink like hell of their own corporate feces.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

Jeanette

[mmm]

201. YES! This is the first time I am voting in a primary

Dennis is the best, far and away.

[jerryster]

202. Kucinich is done

I have to admit that it's interesting that there are so many responses to this thread. Haven't read any since I don't have time right now. I do have time to inform anyone reading that Kucinich's campaign is over. If you disagree try this quote from Jon Stewart: "I hear Kucinich say, "When I'm President" and I just want to say,dude".
Time to unite behind John Kerry and get Bush the hell out of the White House.

[eridani]

203. Nope. Never happen

all the way to Boston, at least.

[Tinoire]

204. What? The Primaries are over? The Kerry Campaign has said so?

You just keep clutching those coronation tickets.

One day they might be worth something as a curiousity... a testament to premature arrogance eager to circumvent the Primaries and prevent the people's voices from being heard.



President Truman Trounces Dewey. Never mind the pundits and propagandists...

[Rhiannon12866]

205. I certainly agree with you

I am so glad that Dennis has stuck with it, ever confident and on-message. It is just beyond me and quite discouraging that he hasn't done better. But his voice is an important one that needs to be heard.:-)

[LWolf]

206. Here's a clue for you.

You need one.

Less than half of the country has had an opportunity to vote. Trying to say that "it's over," or to crown a victor, before people get to vote,

DISENFRANCHISES OVER HALF OF US.

IT IS ACTIVE DISRESPECT FOR, AND UNDERMINING OF, THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

AND IT DOESN'T ENDEAR ANYONE TO KERRY. TELLING PEOPLE THAT THEIR CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN IS OVER, AND THAT ITS TIME TO PACK IT IN BEFORE THE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED TO UNITE BEHIND SOMEONE THAT IS NOT THEIR CHOICE, IS DISRESPECTFUL OF THEIR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

Anyone more likely to vote for Kerry when the primary gets to their state because someone told you your candidate's campaign is over, and you ought to fall in line like a good little stepford voter? Anyone?

Anyone?

Anyone?

The crickets agree with you.

[MrMickeysMom]

245. You rule, LWolf... Hey and don't forget Friday Jan 4, Bill Moyers with

Dennis Kucinich!

Goddamnit.... Why does it always take Moyers to reach across the sleeping masses and speak TRUTH to POWER?

[cosmicdot]

207. should would be nice to take California

... that would be so sweet ...

Freedom by erasure great song - even better set to music :)
Released on Loveboat album.
------------------------------

Freedom will come
To real love
Heaven will come
For real love

Do-wah, Do-wah, Do-wah
Run away when it hurts
From the things that we do
Do-wah do-wah do-wah
Don’t know why we cry
Run away from the truth

Children of new men
Colors of human kind
In shadow
Good is your loving
Growing and sharing storms

Believe
You've got to believe

Calling the day freedom will come
And we will arise to real love
Day by day, heaven will come
And we’ll survive for real love

Cherish the union
The light in a stranger's eyes
Your guardian angel
Who will make all the wrong things right

Believe
You've got to believe

(doo wahh-doo wahh)
(doo wahhh, doo wahhh)
(doo wahh-doo wahh)
(doo wahhh, doo wahhh)

Calling the day freedom will come
And we will arise to real love
Day by day, heaven will come
And we’ll survive for real love

Calling the day freedom will come
And touch the sky in heaven above
Day by day, heaven will come
And we’ll survive for real love

Calling the day freedom will come
And touch the sky in heaven above
Day by day, heaven will come
And we’ll survive for real love

Calling the day freedom will come
And touch the sky in heaven above
Day by day, heaven will come
And we’ll survive for real love


such poise

[Rhiannon12866]

209. The thing I don't understand is that Dennis Kucinich inspires

so many people. I have seen it on DU and he was the favored one by the MoveOn people in their primary. I just don't understand why he isn't doing better in the state primaries. He has a vision, but he is, in many cases, behind Al Sharpton, whom I like, but he knows he's not going to win. What gives, here? Does anybody know?:shrug:

[cosmicdot]

211. I would think Media exposure and its presentation hasn't helped

that's not Dennis's fault ... he's there ... not all the candidates have received equal time ... and, even if in the Media ... we have the Corporate Media ... using 'polls' to sway thinking ... using the mouths of the likes of Chris Matthews, Hannity & Colmes (they have to be looked at as a team; since 'our' guy doesn't carry the water for us), etc., to push, shove, sway, trend, influence, lie, whatever it takes to help shape 'thoughts'; and, opinions ...

has Media pulled its embeds at the Kucinich campaign? I'm not sure.

Just using Wes Clark as an example ... he had all that Iraq invasion exposure on CNN (was he paid? - doesn't matter - exposure mattered) ... name recognition comes ... how many times at DU have we seen the names of other candidates as if they were running from spin room to pundit dens almost daily ... coming on CNN ... on MTP ... on Oh' Really ... on this ... on that ... constantly ... rarely has Dennis Kucinich's name come up.

I'm so glad he said what he challenged the Media during the NH 'debate' ... more Democrats need to focus the discourse, and not be dragged around the stream like a hooked bass.

I trust Dennis; and, I trust people supporting Dennis. IMO he has the integrity we need to start restoring Public Trust ... I believe he has set forth a platform which truly addresses the needs of our country, and that of the world ... the goals we must establish to be sustainable in the 21st Century ... and, the highlight of that platform: it factors people 100% ... there's no compromise 'in language' or 'approach' which might even hint that the values of corporate america are taken into consideration ... which seems clear in policy statements from the DLC or, as they are also known, New Democrats on Line (NDOL.org), it's auxiliary salary provider for a select few: the Progressive Policy Institute (I really don't care for their use of the term "progressive"); those like the Koch Foundation who supports Bush, the Aspen Institute (which 'scholared' one of the DLC 'founders'), and the CATO Institute ... etc. etc. etc.

that's my $.02, and, I'm sticking with it.

:hi:

I believe Dennis is a candidate we all can support.

[Rhiannon12866]

212. I agree that they all haven't gotten equal time

I remember in one of the early debates there was a lot of sniping and the snipee got to answer the accusation leveled at him. Carol Moseley Braun complained that she and Dennis weren't being given a chance to speak because nobody was mad at them.

I appreciate your thoughtful response. I am hoping that with Will Pitt on board we will be seeing and hearing more from Dennis. I'm not deluded enough to imagine that he can overtake Kerry, but I think he has an important message and I am just so glad that he has hung in there.

I also agree with you about the question of trust. I think that's a great point. Maybe that's the reason that he is my choice. I know that I could trust him to do the right thing. He is thinking of the good of the country, follows his conscience and isn't beholden to any special interests, though it has certainly cost his campaign dearly.

I agree that Dennis is a candidate that we can all support. It's just a shame that all of America doesn't share the views of those of us on DU.:-(

BTW, I love your puppy photos. They remind me of my Barney.:loveya:

[KathCO]

210. kick

For a great post.

[kclown]

214. The only candidate proposing defense cuts.

Seems to be the only candidate who realizes that our incomprehensibly huge defense establishment failed utterly to perform during the worst attack in our history. They crashed a plane into the Pentagon!

There is no credible military threat to us in the world today. I don't advocate abolishing defense, but if we want to eliminate waste that's the first place to look.

Bunker busters and tactical nukes have just one purpose: masturbatory fantasies for right-wing radio hosts.

[cosmicdot]

215. Progressives Should Vote Kucinich

Progressives Should Vote Kucinich
by Ronnie Dugger


Dennis Kucinich is the one candidate for President whose vision,
eloquence and commitments on the issues can lead us to rise to and
surmount the worldwide crises precipitated by the Bush Administration.


http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml%3Fi=20040301&s=dugger

"When I'm elected President," Kucinich says, "it will be a workers' White House." His nominees for the Supreme Court would have to agree to uphold Roe v. Wade. Affirmative action would be maintained. Not Iraq but the District of Columbia would become the fifty-first state. Gays and lesbians would have complete equality. Drug use would be decriminalized. Kucinich is for federal chartering and control of corporations, and a Kucinich administration would break up mass-media, energy and agricultural monopolies; monitor and reduce the contamination of our air, water and food from factory farms; toughen environmental enforcement; reduce dependence on oil; and spur investment in hydrogen, solar, wind and ocean energy.

[LWolf]

216. Remember why

there's an election?

Here's a :kick: for the best platform, the best candidate, and the best DU candidate thread ever.

[Rhiannon12866]

221. I agree. Plus, the man has a sense of humor.

He did David Letterman's Top Ten List last night. So what happened here? Does anybody know why there are all these deleted messages? Who could possibly dislike Dennis Kucinich?:shrug:

[Tinoire]

222. War / occupation lovers

more concerned about their portfolios and the unfair price of their oil than about justice or human life.

[Rhiannon12866]

225. I still don't understand what they said or why they would dislike

Dennis Kucinich? Freepers, yes, but nobody who belongs on DU. :shrug:

[JohnKleeb]

224. who could dislike him?

morons thats who.
:kick: for my fave presidential candiate.
Rhi I think its people saying hes socialist or whatever, personally as much as I do like Kerry, if I could do it all over again, I would like Kucinich to be the nom. However and I admit I do difer with some folks on this that Kerry is a nice alternative but what could be.

[Rhiannon12866]

226. You know, John, that I will support Kerry, since he is going to be

the nominee, but Dennis is, and always has been, my first choice. I did support Gephardt, since I was convinced he was our best chance to defeat Bush*, but apparently not. I am just very confused as to why anyone could so dislike Dennis, as there is absolutely nothing to dislike. I remember, in one of the debates, Carol Mosley Braun complained that she and Dennis weren't getting a chance to speak since "nobody's mad at us." The others were all getting a chance to refute statements directed at them. This may have been a totally unrelated argument, but I didn't see it, and was just curious, since Dennis is such a positive spirit, I just couldn't imagine him engendering such invective that it would have led to deleted messages. That's all.:-)

[Name removed]

218. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

219. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

220. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LWolf]

223. The man with the plan for Iraq:

I have to point out that this is not a new plan; Dennis has been advocating this all along. Suddenly, it is important. Yesterday, talking heads on NPR were calling for John Kerry to formulate a detailed, specific plan in contrast to *. Dennis Kucinich:

"The war in Iraq is over and the occupation has turned into a quagmire. The United States troops have become the targets of criminals and terrorists who are flowing into Iraq for the chance to kill Americans. The cost of the occupation keeps rising: The President has already asked for more than $155 billion to pay for it, and there is no end in sight. The United Nations is now in an impossible situation, where most of the members view the war and occupation of Iraq as a U.S. folly. Under these circumstances, the UN is unlikely to help. And UN assistance with a U.S. occupation would not allow the establishment of an Iraqi government that was acceptable to the Iraqi people.

"U.S. military casualties in Iraq have now exceeded 500, and the media has begun comparing the figure to the number of U.S. dead in Vietnam in 1965 prior to the significant expansion of U.S. operations there.

"Other Democrats join the Bush Administration in explaining that 'We can't cut and run.' I say we can't continue the damage we are causing and cannot begin repairing it until we withdraw our occupying army. We must pay for what we destroyed. We must pay reparations to the families of innocent civilians we killed and injured. But we must work through the United Nations. We must allow the United Nations to facilitate the creation of a democratic government that will be acceptable to the Iraqi people. No government created by the United States will be. It is better that we recognize this now than after the next 500 deaths.

"If we stay the course it will do damage to American security. Iraq was not responsible for 9/11 and had no weapons of mass destruction. It was wrong to go in and it's wrong to stay in. The demands of an occupation are overstretching our armed forces. And the extended deployment of reserve forces makes us vulnerable at home. The reserve call-ups include large numbers of firemen, policemen and other first responders who are needed for hometown security. Americans are asking, is there a way out? I say there is. This is my plan to get the UN in ... and the U.S. out of Iraq! This plan will bring our troops home within 90 days of UN approval, and strengthen American security.

"The following is the only detailed plan from any candidate for President that will quickly bring all U.S. troops home from Iraq.


The United States must ask the United Nations to manage the oil assets of Iraq until the Iraqi people are self-governing.

The United Nations must handle all the contracts: No more Halliburton sweetheart deals, No contracts to Bush Administration insiders, No contracts to campaign contributors. All contracts must be awarded under transparent conditions.

The United States must renounce any plans to privatize Iraq. It is illegal under both the Geneva and the Hague Conventions for any nation to invade another nation, seize its assets, and sell those assets. The Iraqi people, and the Iraqi people alone must have the right to determine the future of their country's resources.
The United States must ask the United Nations to handle the transition to Iraqi self-governance. The UN must be asked to help the Iraqi people develop a Constitution. The UN must assist in developing free and fair elections.
The United States must agree to pay for what we blew up.
The United States must pay reparations to the families of innocent Iraqi civilian noncombatants killed and injured in the conflict.
The United States must contribute financially to the UN peacekeeping mission.
The United Nations, through its member nations, will commit 130,000 peacekeepers to Iraq on a temporary basis until the Iraqi people can maintain their own security.
UN troops will rotate into Iraq, and all U.S. troops will come home.
The United States will abandon policies of "preemption" and unilateralism and commit to strengthening the UN.
"I will work tirelessly to take America in a new direction, to gain approval of this plan at the United Nations, and to put it into action, bring all U.S. troops home in 90 days. Only if the United States takes a new direction will we be able to persuade the UN community to participate. Such a new direction is reflected in this 10-point plan.

"As President I will go to the UN and announce America's intention to abide by this plan if approved by the UN.

"I will ask the UN Security Council to ratify a new resolution on Iraq that would deploy a multinational force under UN mandate to keep the peace in Iraq while the interim Iraqi government receives UN support and a new Iraqi government is elected. It is my plan that within one month, the first UN troops and support personnel will arrive in Iraq, and the first U.S. troops will be sent home. UN peacekeeping troops and Iraqis who are commissioned as police and military will replace the U.S. In place of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority, the UN will open an office to direct the repair to infrastructure damaged by U.S. invasion. In two months, the UN will begin to conduct a census of the Iraqi population to lay groundwork for national elections. At the same time, new temporary rules for the election will be promulgated, guaranteeing universal suffrage on a one-person, one-vote basis. During the transition period, a Memorandum of Understanding between the American and UN force commanders for a turnover period will settle the question of who commands the troops. By the end of month three, all U.S. troops will have returned home.

"In month four, a major milestone will be reached when Iraqi sovereignty is established. A nationwide election will take place to elect representatives to a Constitutional Convention. The Convention will have two duties: 1) elect a temporary Prime Minister who appoints a cabinet to take over responsibility from the Iraqi Governing Council, and 2) draft a national constitution. Accountability of this Prime Minister is achieved by virtue of the fact that he can be recalled by a majority of the Convention.

"In one year, there will be nationwide elections pursuant to the new Constitution, which will install an elected government in Iraq.

"The U.S. owes a moral debt to the people of Iraq for the damage caused by the U.S. invasion. The U.S. will also owe a contribution to the UN to help Iraq make the transition to self-government. American taxpayers deserve that their contributions be handled in an accountable, highly visible manner. However, Americans are not required to build a state-of-the-art infrastructure as the Administration is planning. The Administration is ordering top-shelf technology from U.S. corporations for Iraq, paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Sweetheart deals have been awarded with billions of dollars to top corporations and political contributors. This is precisely what corrupts the Administration's reconstruction efforts today. Instead, Iraqis should be employed to repair Iraq, and U.S. taxpayers should pay only for the damage caused by the U.S. invasion, including compensation for its victims. U.S. taxpayers should not be asked to furnish Iraq with what we do not have here!

"The war and occupation in Iraq have been costly in other ways too. One price America has paid is the loss of our moral authority in the world. The Administration launched an unprovoked attack on Iraq, and the premises of the war are proving to be false. This has cost us our credibility and done serious harm to America's standing in the world. After the attacks of 9-11, the world felt sympathy for us. But this war and the occupation have squandered that sympathy, replacing it with dangerous anti-American sentiment throughout the world.

"America must make a dramatic reversal of course: we must acknowledge that the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is counterproductive and destabilizing. We have a choice in front of us: either we change course, withdraw our troops and request that the UN move in, or we sink deeper into this occupation, with more U.S. casualties, ever higher financial costs, and diminished security for all Americans.

"We need a real change. My plan will bring the troops home in 90 days, transfer authority to the UN with provisions made toward a rapid transition to Iraqi sovereignty, and save billions of dollars. It will enable the U.S. to think creatively about how to deal with threats that come not from established countries with conventional armies (our armed forces are more than adequate to that task), but rather threats that come from networks of terrorists and criminals who use unconventional means to injure Americans. We must also apprehend the criminals who masterminded the 9-11 attacks on our nation, a goal that is hindered by the occupation of Iraq. Lastly, my plan will also enable the U.S. to redirect scarce resources to rebuild America."

[Rhiannon12866]

228. Tinoire, Dennis is just the best, IMO, and I was incredibly

disappointed that he didn't do better in the primaries. I talked more than one person into voting for him, here in New York. I will vote for whoever gets the Democratic nomination, which looks like Kerry, but Dennis remains my candidate and closest to my heart.
:loveya:

[arcane1]

229. ah, Dk.. I'd bear his children if I could..

:loveya:

[goodhue]

231. kick

[Rhiannon12866]

232. One of my most favorite threads of all time.

Thanks, Tinoire.:-)

[goodhue]

233. Web site just relaunched

Check it out:

http://www.kucinich.us/

A New Beginning

April 5, 2005

Video transcript:

Hi. Welcome to our new web site. I'm very excited about this new beginning we're making. With our theme being Insight and Action, we're going to give you an opportunity to gain insight into up-to-the-minute developments in Washington. And we'll ask for your feedback, so that we can continue to expand into more and more areas of interest to you.

At the same time, wherever we offer insight, we will also give you an opportunity to take part in action. Because what we're about is a dynamic change of our American political process and of trying to elevate the human condition.

You know and I know that our country can be much better. And it will be better with our renewed efforts. I expect that you're going to have an opportunity to participate in our efforts to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace. To help create a universal health care system in the United States. To help this country take a path towards sustainable energy. To work to improve our global climate. To bring about peace in Iraq.

There are so many areas where we're going to have a chance to work together. As a matter of fact, one of our new initiatives is a very deep analysis of Social Security. I hope you enjoy it; and I hope that you'll find it an opportunity to hold your own Town Hall meetings. We'll provide you with the video, and sometimes I'll be able to call in to that meeting.

There are so many things we're going to be doing with this new web site, and I'm glad that you're a part of it. I enlist your support, your continued cooperation. So join me. Come on aboard, and see the work that has been done. It's a new beginning, and with your help, we're going to continue to make an impact on the politics of this country and to work together to make this a better world.

Thank you very much. Welcome back!

http://www.kucinich.us/messages/dk2005040502.php

[cosmicdot]

234. kick

Yesterday, I wondered what could be done to encourage our portfolio'ed millionaire-club members of the Senate and House to disinvest in companies, for starters, which have contributed to Tom Delay's legal fund. Perhaps accompany the 'sell' with a protest letter to the Board.

As both stockholders and elected officials, they hold a unique advantage to wield influence few others have.

Too few have a seat at the corporate tables of power which have such enormous influence over our system, legislation, policy and lives. Most of us can only hope to affect one front of the battle. Proxy proposals affecting domestic and foreign policy are out of reach.

I wondered if I am the only person who sees the values and integrity inconsistencies at work?

What check and balance exists over corporate power?

How can that power-hold over our domestic and foreign policies be broken? Who establishes how we operate abroad ... the likes of GE or our sovereign nation?


A visit to opensecrets.org to investigate the personal finance reports of our elected officials is often revealing; and raises these types of questions for me?

-How can a politician in good conscience hold investments in the Frist family HMO business, HCA, which was caught defrauding Medicare?

-or in Halliburton feeding off the Iraqi war?

-do you fight harder to block the Bankruptcy changes while having investment in MBNA?

-how about personal finances showing stock ownership in Wal-Mart w/employees surviving on food stamps, and with slave-wage situations abroad?

-or investment in American Int'l Group (AIG) currently under investigation by the NY Atty General Eliot Spitzer

-or stock in Clear Channel, a corporation destroying local radio individuality/creativity and pumping in Rush Limbaugh which is corrupting political thought ... how can one invest in a company providing the very propaganda against one's own Party?

-or to be invested in El Paso which participated in the enron energy scam?

-are they going to do anything about the cost of prescriptions or healthcare when they're invested in Pfizer, Merck, and other mega-health corporations?

-it's good to be tough on the EPA, but, at the same time, be invested in polluters?

-save the Alaskan wilderness on one hand, but invest in Off-Shore Drilling on the other?

etc. etc. etc.

and, then, there's Dennis...

Financial Disclosure Statement for calendar year 2003
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/pfd2003/N00003572_2003.pdf

[sellitman]

235. Kucinich has more of the right answers than ANYONE else but...

As a Jew I am not comfortable with his Mid East views.

That being said....I am an American first and we need more Dennis Kuciniches. He is a principled liberal that even I could support despite my stated opinion above. The only one who comes close from the last group of choices we had was Dean ( Who I supported until the end).

As far as the future....I also like Barbara Boxer & Conyers.


Just my .02

[Jdemsindiana]

236. Why Conyers

If you did not support dennis's middle east views then why would you agree with Conyers?

[Rhiannon12866]

237. I'm a little confused, as well. What about his Middle East views?

Dennis Kucinich, my candidate, was totally opposed to the Iraq war, since the beginning, and was the only one of our Democratic candidates who voted against it. He took a lot of criticism for this. Dean also opposed it, which I applaud him for, but he did not have to vote. Dennis did.

I also like Barbara Boxer and John Conyers, who have also showed exceptional courage in opposing the Republicans, since their fellows in Congress just seem to back down. But Dennis Kucinich still led the way.:shrug:

[goodhue]

238. big kick

[AnOhioan]

239. Keeping this one kicked...

Big thanks to Tinoire for taking the time to compile all the info in this thread.

[goodhue]

240. The Tonight Show 9/24/2007

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x57348

[fenriswolf]

241. k&r for dennis

[bigwillq]

243. This is a great thread.

Thanks for posting. :) :hi:

[FlyingSquirrel]

244. DECEMBER 15 2007 .COM

DECEMBER 15, 2007 is the date on which we can begin to take back our country. It is also the date in 1791 upon which our Bill of Rights took effect.

On December 15, 2007, Dennis Kucinich will attempt to shatter Ron Paul's recent $4.2 million single day fund raising record, and collect a mind-boggling $10 million in one day.

This can only happen with your help. The website is December152007.com. Spread the word! Money is what makes the media sit up and take notice. Without it you are a fringe candidate worthy of little respect or news coverage and no speaking time in the debates - if you are even invited to them. A candidate who can raise $10 million in a single day can no longer be ignored by the mainstream media.

Please go to December152007.com and pledge to contribute on December 15 by signing up on the email list. You must actually contribute on the 15th on Dennis Kucinich's official website; a reminder email will be sent on that day.

Please also promote this event in any way you possibly can. Put a sign over the freeway. Put a large sign on your vehicle and park it somewhere legal where a lot of traffic goes by. (I did, I move it twice a day to make sure someone doesn't try to get it towed). Call a friend, email family and friends....... Now is the time to take action, not just sit on the sidelines and carp.

And by all means put your money where your mouth is - as one bumper sticker on my pickup truck says, "Talk is cheap... Make a donation!"