May 12, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1023

to abuse this right: Pregnant women cross the

border into the United States as illegals, give

birth to a child and then claim the right to immigrate legally based on the citizenship of that

child. Some 40 percent of children born in

California are now born to parents who are illegal aliens. This is an outrageous abuse not

only of our Constitution and legal system, but

of the innocence of childhood as well. This

end-run around the Constitution was not the

intent of the Founding Fathers and we must

find a way to stop it. The birth of these children not only circumvents our law, but results

in huge medical costs for the hospital care of

the mothers and their children. These costs

are not covered by insurance and ultimately

drive up the cost of insurance premiums for

American citizens.

Education is another issue involving the children of illegal immigrants. When illegal aliens

are enrolled in public schools, costs go up but

tax revenue does not—illegal parents don’t

pay taxes. This results in overcrowding of

schools and, ultimately, higher taxes for taxpaying citizens. In some border communities,

as many as 40 percent of school enrollments

come from illegal aliens.

Crossing our borders illegally is not the only

crime committed by some illegal aliens. Thousands turn out to be criminals come to prey on

American citizens. This not only increases fear

and reduces safety, but runs up exorbitant

costs when these criminals are caught, convicted and housed in U.S. prisons.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service

has been hampered by incompetence, inefficiency, and indifference. The inability of this

agency to do its job has become common

knowledge, to the point that it is not longer a

serious deterrent to attempts to illegally enter

our country. The INS must be improved and

we must do our part by ensuring that it is adequately staffed and funded and has the legal

tools it needs to do its job.

Illegal immigrants may be the lawbreakers

in this equation, but U.S. employers are often

their accomplices, turning a blind eye and deaf

ear to the issue. Employers have not taken

seriously their responsibility to determine that

would-be workers are, in fact, legal U.S. citizens, and to not only reject illegals but report

them to the authorities. An immigration task

force headed by Barbara Jordan recently concluded that a national identification card may

be the only answer here. Such an idea is supported even by a broad spectrum of opinion,

liberal to conservative.

These costs of illegal immigration add up

very quickly. How can we balance the budget

or make difficult cuts in worthy programs when

this illegal activity is allowed to continue unchecked at such expense? As a member of

the Congressional Task Force on Immigration

Reform, I call on the House leadership to

make this a priority of the House of 104th

Congress. We must focus the spotlight on this

national scandal and see that it is ended, not

next year, next month or next week or even

tomorrow but today. There can be no more

excuses, no more delays.

THANK YOU, FRANK RECHSTEINER

HON. JAMES A. BARCIA OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, people who generously and graciously give of themselves time

and time again are most deserving of our gratitude. Mr. Frank Rechsteiner of Bay City, MI,

is one such individual. He is being honored on

May 31 by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay

County, Inc., for his 25 years of service to this

outstanding organization as an officer and a

member of its board of directors with the

awarding of its 1995 Helping Hand Award.

This seventh annual Night to Remember will

truly be a special one.

Frank was born in the Bay City area, in the

town of Kawkawlin, which also gave us the

1993 recipient of this prestigious award, our

former colleague and my predecessor, Bob

Traxler. He graduated from Bay City Handy

High School and continued to apply himself as

a most capable individual, rising to his current

position of president and CEO of Rechsteiner

Trenching.

Frank’s love for youth is very easy to understand. As the father of four children, MaryAnn,

Michael, Matthew, and Marc, he knows personally how precious children are, and how

vital careful upbringing is for their adult lives.

He and his wife RoseMarie can be proud of

their success as parents.

His devotion to his community includes his

service on the 4–H board of directors, and his

efforts as director of the Bay County Fair and

Youth Exposition. As a member of the Bay

City Lions Club, St. Maria Goretti Church, the

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rites, and as a

Noble of the Mystic Shrine Elf Khurafeh Temple, he has exemplified what it means to be

involved for the betterment of his friends and

neighbors.

Frank Rechsteiner is also known for supporting many organizations and individuals, including myself with his legendary pancake

breakfasts. Frank doesn’t say ‘‘no’’ when

asked to help. He asks ‘‘how’’ and ‘‘when.’’

That is one reason why he continues to serve

today as the vice president of the Boys and

Girls Club Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that our communities can be a little better, and problems easier to solve if we take the time to become involved. Some have the best of intentions, but

never get involved. Frank Rechsteiner has the

best of intentions and the best of involvement,

He is a model to us all.

I urge you and all of our colleagues to join

me in congratulating Frank Rechsteiner for his

well-deserved Helping Hand Award from the

Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County.

TRIBUTE TO OUR LADY OF REDEMPTION CHURCH AND BISHOP

fNICHOLAS J. SAMRA

HON. DAVID E. BONIOR OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, this coming

weekend Our Lady of Redemption Church in

my home State of Michigan, is celebrating its

75th anniversary. In addition, their interim pastor, Bishop Nicholas J. Samra, is celebrating

his 25th anniversary as a priest.

From the very beginning, the founders of

Our Lady of Redemption Church were committed to seeing the emotional, educational, and

spiritual needs of the Melkite community fulfilled. These Christian immigrants from Syria

and Lebanon had been attracted to the growing opportunity of Detroit since before the turn

of the century. However, not until 1920 did

these faithful Melkites receive their own priest.

In that year Bishop Michael Gallagher of the

Roman Catholic Church requested Melkite Patriarch Dimitri Cadi to send a priest for the

2000-member Melkite community within his diocese. Since that time the Melkite community

has grown to become a vital part of the Detroit

metropolitan area.

Originally in Detroit, the church moved to

Warren to accommodate the changing demographics of the community. This weekend, in

addition to celebrating the past, the members

of Our Lady of Redemption Church are proudly looking toward the future. The success of

this vibrant community has enabled them to

begin the construction of a new church on the

current grounds. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place this weekend along with

the other festivities.

The Diamond Anniversary of the founding of

the church is a proud milestone. Likewise, so

is the Silver Anniversary of the ordination of

Bishop Samra. As the community prepares to

celebrate these historic anniversaries, I applaud the Melkite community for its rich contributions to the tapestry that makes up American life in Michigan. I commend the congregation for their work and faith and urge my

colleagues to join with me in wishing congratulations to all the members of Our Lady of Redemption Church. May their next 75 years be

a continued fruitful ministry.

TRIBUTE TO ALLEN C. MARTIN

fHON. DONALD M. PAYNE OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on

March 31, 1995, a distinguished public servant, Mr. Allen C. Martin, retired from his position as undersheriff in the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Martin, a lifelong resident of

Elizabeth, had a 37-year career in law enforcement which was distinguished by his decency, commitment to the principles of justice,

and his concern for his community.

Mr. Martin began his law enforcement career in 1953 when he joined the Elizabeth Police Department, where he was assigned to

the Elizabeth Port area. In 1962, Mr. Martin

joined the New Jersey Department of Corrections as a corrections officer. In 1968 he transferred to the Union County Sheriff’s Office

where he served as a sheriff’s officer assigned

to the warrant squad.

In 1978, Ralph Froehlich, a man who has

since distinguished himself with his service

and commitment to the ideals of justice, was

elected sheriff of Union County. Sheriff

Froehlich appointed Mr. Martin as undersheriff

and placed him in charge of the process unit

and warrant squad. Undersheriff Martin computerized the office and increased its capacity.