March 18, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 5023 time when exports now account for 30% of Coast Guard and committee authorizers will only a paycheck can bring. They deserve to U.S. farm cash receipts and nearly 40% of all consider the import role the Coast Guard be in control of their lives and have the peace agricultural production. It is abundantly clear, plays in ice rescues and will work toward pro- of mind of independence and personal secu- that in addition to free trade, America must viding adequate resources to satellite stations, rity. The Work Incentives Improvement Act guarantee fair trade. like the one in St. Clair Shores, to fulfill their takes significant steps toward reforming Fed- The 1996 Freedom to Farm Act returned mission. I look forward to working with the eral disability programs, improving access to control of farming operations to producers in Coast Guard and the committees of jurisdic- needed services, and releasing the shackles exchange for sharp restrictions on the level of tion in this important matter. of dependency. government support. The goal was to provide f Look at today’s disability program: more U.S. farmers with the flexibility to run their op- than 7.5 million disabled Americans receive erations according to the marketplace. But in THE WORK INCENTIVES benefits from SSI and SSDI. Providing assist- exchange, the U.S. government has a clear IMPROVEMENT ACT ance to these individuals costs the Govern- responsibility to ensure that our farmers and ment $73 billion a year—making these dis- ranchers have the ability to compete fairly HON. RICK LAZIO ability programs the fourth largest entitlement expenditure in the Federal Government. Now, against other exporters, not against foreign OF NEW YORK if only one 1 percent, or 75,000, of the 7.5 mil- governments. I will continue my efforts in Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lion disabled adults were to become em- gress to compel the executive branch to vigor- Thursday, March 18, 1999 ously fight foreign trade barriers and utilize ployed, Federal savings in disability benefit available tools such as the Export Enhance- Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in- would total $3.5 billion over the lifetime of the individual. Removing barriers to work is a ment Program and the Market Access Pro- troduce a bill that has one goal and one goal major benefit to disabled Americans in their gram to promote U.S. products abroad. only—enabling individuals with disabilities to pursuit of self-sufficiency, and it also contrib- Furthermore, the State Department and the pursue their desire to work. In today’s work- utes to preserving the Social Security trust current administration must be forced to un- place, less than one-half of one percent of dis- abled Americans successfully move from dis- fund. derstand the economic consequences of uti- The Work incentives Improvement Act lizing food as a diplomatic weapon. Our farm- ability benefits to employment and self-suffi- ciency. A recent Harris Survey, however, would create new State options for SSDI and ers and ranchers cannot continue to bear the SSI beneficiaries who return to work to pur- overwhelming burden of ineffective unilateral found that 72 percent of Americans with dis- abilities want to work but nearly 75 percent of chase the health care coverage they would sanctions. The federal government should be otherwise be entitled to if they did not work. It persons with disabilities are unemployed. required to identify funding sources to reim- would support a user-friendly, public-private What is the problem, here? burse farmers for the reduction in prices approach job training and placement assist- Let me tell you about a man from my dis- caused by our government’s actions, and this ance for individuals with disabilities who want trict. He is a 39-year-old Navy Veteran from must occur before such actions are permitted to work, and it provides for new ways to in- to take place. Bay Shore, NY. Several years ago, he worked form SSDI and SSI beneficiaries of available Agriculture is the bedrock of the American on Wall Street with the hopes of becoming a work incentives. economy, and our agricultural productivity is stockbroker. Unfortunately, an accident in The man from Bay Shore, NY, said, ‘‘I want the envy of the world. Assuring Colorado’s 1983 left him a quadriplegic. Because of his to work. I do not want to be a burden to tax- farmers keep this edge in the global economy injury, this man relies on a tracheostomy to payers.’’ The Work Incentives Improvement is one of my highest priorities in Congress. help him breath and speak. Act will help him become a successful stock- f He requires nurses or caregives to clean his broker. When he does so, he hopes to open tracheostomy and requires 24-hour home care to open his own firm and hire people with dis- COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION to assist him bathing, dressing, housekeeping, abilities. ACT OF 1999 and numerous other daily activities. This indi- Now is the time to make major progress to- vidual’s physical challenge, however, does not ward removing barriers and enabling people SPEECH OF inhibit his ability to become a stockbroker. Ten with disabilities to work. Millions of Americans HON. DAVID E. BONIOR years after his tragic accident, he successfully are waiting eagerly to unleash their creativity OF MICHIGAN passed the ‘‘Series 7’’ test, a grueling 6-hour and pursue the American dream. They are IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES exam, to become a licensed stockbroker. Ex- waiting for us to act, Mr. Speaker. Let’s act cept for Federal barriers, he would be a stock now. Wednesday, March 17, 1999 broker today. He cannot, however, because f he would lose his Medicaid and Medicare, The House in Committee of the Whole PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION which he needs to survive. House on the State of the Union had under OF H.R. 975, REDUCING VOLUME consideration the bill (H.R. 820) to authorize His situation is not unique. His predicament appropriations for fiscal years 2000 and 2001 is replicated all across this country—by the OF STEEL IMPORTS AND ESTAB- for the Coast Guard, and for other purposes: millions. Suffolk County, NY, alone has LISHING STEEL IMPORT NOTIFI- CATION AND MONITORING PRO- Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Chairman, the U.S. Coast 261,000 disabled individuals—most of whom GRAM Guard provides many valuable services to our want to work. Yet, disabled Americans must country. Among them are ice rescues. As choose between working and surviving. Fed- SPEECH OF many of us along the Great Lakes know, the eral benefit programs such as Social Security Coast Guard has saved countless lives and Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR. provided invaluable services to our commu- Security Income (SSI) provide benefits, includ- OF TENNESSEE nities. ing eligibility for health coverage through Medi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the district which I represent, Macomb care and Medicaid. Services that many dis- Wednesday, March 17, 1999 and St. Clair Counties, recreational uses of abled workers require, such as personal as- Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sup- Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and Lake sistance, are often not covered by employer port of the Bipartisan Steel Recovery Act of Huron are not just limited to summer activities. health care. So, when a disabled American 1999. I believe this initiative provides a com- Ice fishing is a growing and popular rec- secures a job and earns income, he or she prehensive approach to enforcing trade laws reational activity, but from time to time way- may lose their government benefits and, sub- by stating clearly and forcefully that the United ward fishermen find themselves in need of sequently, their health coverage. States does not and will not tolerate violations help. This is why I have introduced the Work In- of trade laws by foreign corporations. Our communities do a great job in rescuing centives Improvement Act in the House of As we enter a new millennium, we must individuals from critical circumstances, but Representatives. The Federal Government face and embrace globalism by ensuring that their rescue capacity could be greatly aided by should remove existing barriers and allow all our citizens have the skills required to com- a Husky Airboat stationed at the St. Clair these individuals to work. Like all other Ameri- pete in the international economy. Export-driv- Shores Coast Guard Station. As we consider cans, disabled Americans deserve economic en job growth ensures that our communities’ the Coast Guard authorization bill, I hope the opportunity. They deserve the satisfaction that living standards continue to rise.

VerDate jul 14 2003 09:22 Oct 01, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR99\E18MR9.000 E18MR9 5024 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 18, 1999 The primary forces shaping our economy— INTRODUCTION OF A SENSE OF has been successful. Once he believes in globalization, digitalization, deregulation, and CONGRESS RESOLUTION RE- someone he puts everything he has into mak- diversity—require that we consider a broader GARDING THE DAMS ON THE CO- ing that person successful. This dedication array of international trade and investment op- LUMBIA AND SNAKE RIVERS has worked for Popovich regardless of the art- portunities. The city of Memphis is considered ist or type of music he is promoting. America’s Distribution Center, and trade liber- HON. DOC HASTINGS In 1986 Popovich applied this formula to alization will help us become the World’s Dis- OF WASHINGTON Polygram Nashville and turned the label into a success. Acts like Johnny Cash, Kris tribution Center. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, March 18, 1999 Kristofferson, the Everly Brothers, and Kathy But, while I support free trade, I also sup- Mattea signed with Popovich and Polygram port fair trade. When other countries employ Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, the people of Nashville. unfair trading practices, we must respond in the Pacific Northwest are currently engaged in Popovich also signed polka legend Frankie kind. The rules of the international trading sys- a debate on the best way to ensure the sur- Yankovic, the Polka King, to the label. tem, as laid out in the World Trade Organiza- vival and recovery of endangered and threat- Yankovic won a Grammy for his 1986 album tion, are predicated upon fair trade. If a coun- ened salmon and steelhead. These fish are ‘‘70 Years of Hits’’, which Popovich co-pro- very important to the people of our region, and try violates these rules, the system itself suf- duced. Yankovic and his polka music were we are dedicated to ensuring their survival. fers. quick hits in Nashville. Popovich has since However, Mr. Speaker, ongoing studies by started Our Heritage, a polka and ethnic music That is why we must respond forcefully the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Na- subsidiary of Cleveland International. when foreign firms are dumping their products tional Marine Fisheries Service into the feasi- In the fall of 1998 Popovich, along with his in the United States at prices under the fair bility of removing federal dams to enhance fish son, Steve, Jr., Ed Shimborske, and Michael market value. That is why we must respond runs have focused the fish recovery debate Seday, formed another subsidiary of Cleve- forcefully when huge import surges threaten too narrowly. We do not need to choose be- land International, Grappler Unlimited. With American jobs. This bipartisan measure dem- tween our economy and our salmon, which is Grappler Unlimited, once again, Popovich is onstrates to the rest of the world that there is precisely what those advocating the removal focusing on music that is perhaps outside the a right way and a wrong way to pursue of dams are asking us to do. Instead, I believe mainstream—punk. globalization. we can have both a strong economy and His ear for music that is outside the main- healthy fish runs. stream, and his willingness to dedicate himself The plight of Birmingham Steel, which oper- This Congress must make it clear that de- to it and the musicians who perform it, has en- ates a mini-mill in the Ninth District of Ten- stroying the dams on the Columbia and Snake abled him to be successful for over 36 years. nessee, is an example of how the current cri- Rivers is not a ‘‘silver bullet’’ solution to restor- With his son at his side, Steve will undoubt- sis is affecting working families in our country. ing salmon runs. Losing the flood control, irri- edly continue to help all types of great music In Memphis, Birmingham Steel employees gation, clean power generation, and transpor- find an audience. manufacture steel that is eventually fashioned tation benefits of these dams would be a Ladies and gentlemen please join me in into wire rods. Since 1993, wire rod imports grave mistake, and one not easily corrected. honoring Steve Popovich. from non-NAFTA nations have increased 60 Instead, the federal government and the peo- ple of the Pacific Northwest must work to- THE POLKA PUNK ROCKER percent, and in the past 18 months these im- By Laura Demarco ports have increased by 16 percent. Surely, gether to address the entire range of factors Steve Popovich made Meat Loaf a main we need to rectify this situation. impacting fish populations: habitat, harvest levels, hatcheries, dams, predators, and nat- course and helped tell the world ‘‘Cleveland We also need to be wary of the macro- ural climate and ocean conditions. Rocks.’’ Now, he’s looking to strike gold economic effects of the surge in imports. A re- again with the ethnic music of his roots— Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the people polka—and the DIY spirit of his son’s pas- cent Business Week article noted that the of the Northwest will save our salmon. But we sion—punk rock. merchandise trade deficit widened by 25 per- must do so in a realistic and comprehensive The walls of Steve Popovich’s office don’t cent in 1998, to a record $248 billion. Most of way, and not by grasping for easy answers. I have to talk to tell his story. Mixed in this can be attributed to surging imports, such encourage all my colleagues to who believe among the rows of gold and platinum records as the steel surges from Brazil, Russia, and that we can balance human needs with the hang ‘‘I love kieska’’ and ‘‘polka naked’’ bumper stickers. A ‘‘Cleveland Rocks’’ stick- Japan. Economists agree that while the U.S. needs of endangered and threatened species to support this resolution. er decorates the window. His son’s high economy continues to prosper and grow, a school class photo hangs near a backstage ballooning current account deficit could prompt f snapshot of Bruce Springsteen and Billy a correction in stock prices, a weaker dollar, IN HONOR OF STEVE POPOVICH Joel. A huge, psychedelic poster of Meat and possibly even a recession. In other words, Loaf is framed near a smiling reproduction of Frankie Yankovic. our unprecedented record of high growth— HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH It’s a scene as colorful and complex as the while keeping inflation and unemployment OF OHIO man himself. Each memento stands for a low—is jeopardized by import surges. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES part of Popovich’s life: Music mogul. Proud About two decades ago, the U.S. steel in- Thursday, March 18, 1999 ethnic. Even prouder father. Genius Meat Loaf marketer. Polka promoter. The man dustry was widely criticized for lagging com- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to who helped Ian Hunter tell the world ‘‘Cleve- petitiveness, excessively high prices, and low recognize Steven Popovich, founder of the land Rocks.’’ labor productivity. Both management and labor Cleveland International Record label. He’s also the busy head of two new subsidi- realized that they had to reinvent the way Over the past 36 years Mr. Popovich has aries of his Cleveland International Record steel was produced in the United States. They achieved considerable success in the music label, the ethnic/polka Our Heritage * * * Pass It On line and the punk/metal offshoot, did so through reinvestment, streamlining, and business by taking chances on artists and Grappler Unlimited. hard work. The steel industry has since turned music at the fringes of the mainstream. For Why polka and punk? Like the other music itself into one of the most admired, productive example, Popovich signed Meat Loaf to the Popovich has championed through his 36- sectors of U.S. business. Cleveland International label after Meat Loaf year music industry career, they’re styles had been rejected by several record compa- that often get overlooked. Both have a de- Now, as world trading rules are being flaunt- nies. After signing Meat Loaf, Popovich voted core of fans who buy the records, wear ed, it is time for us to come to the aid of this launched what is considered one of the most the fashions and seek out the shows. Neither proud industry, an industry that is crucial to successful marketing campaigns ever. gets radio play nor respect in mainstream media. Then again, neither did a certain our national defense and our American herit- Popovich mixed the powerful CBS marketing age. Our steel workers deserve better. The hefty singer, until Popovich made Meat Loaf department with grassroots efforts to make a household name. world trading system deserves better. For Meat Loaf a national icon. Popovich may look like anything but a these reasons, I am proud to be a cosponsor Popovich’s success with Meat Loaf provides music mogul in his jeans, Cleveland Inter- of the Bipartisan Steel Recovery Act of 1999. just one example of how and why Popovich national T-shirt and Pat Dailey’s baseball

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