CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E463 The people of the United States are deeply poration (OPIC) equity fund. Such a fund gen- flood protection at a reasonable cost and have committed to religious liberty. The 105th Con- erates private sector focus and interest in the added benefit of being environmentally ac- gress overwhelmingly passed the International Northern Ireland and the Border area and ceptable. Religious Freedom Act of 1998. This act es- makes sure that women entrepreneurs have The Colusa Basin and the Bureau of Rec- tablishes an Ambassador at Large for Inter- meaningful access to that funding. We believe lamation have jointly developed an integrated national Religious Freedom and a nine-mem- that the multiplier effect from such a fund plan that would provide flood protection for cit- ber Commission on International Religious could generate a total $1.2 billion in new pri- ies and agricultural areas by reducing peak Freedom who will monitor the status of reli- vate investment. runoff flooding along streams; capture storm gious freedom in foreign countries. Addition- Our legislation also relies on the General- water for local uses, groundwater recharge, ally, the Act encourages the President of the ized System of Preferences (GSP) to assist and wildlife purposes; improve water quality; United States to become more thoroughly in- Northern Ireland's exporters to grow their reduce land subsidence; and improve the volved by regularly reporting to Congress on economy and job base. For those of you who quality and quantity of fish and wildlife habitat the state of religious liberty and by requiring don't know, the United States Generalized in the region. the President to take specific actions against System of Preferences (GSP) provides pref- The program includes the construction of 11 countries which violate this freedom. erential duty-free entry for approximately 4,500 small, off-stream, environmentally sound foot- Let me emphasize that the Act mandates products from 149 designated beneficiary hill reservoirs and 10,000 acres of new wet- U.S. Government action against not only countries and territories. lands and riparian habitat. This bill is sup- countries engaged in persecution of religious GSP lowers the tariff rate for goods being ported by a wide range of interests, including believers, but also mandates U.S. Government imported into the United States. GSP already local farm bureaus, cities and counties in the action against countries that are actively intol- is in place for portions of the European Union. Colusa Basin, irrigation districts, the CALFED erant of religious groups or those that allow Because beneficiary designees are not re- Bay-Delta program and conservation groups societal intolerance to exist. The intolerant ac- quired to change import policies. GSP des- such as the California Waterfowl Association, tions of Western European governments ignation for Northern Ireland and the border among others. squarely are in the purview of the Act. The counties of the Irish Republic would not re- I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- Commission, the Ambassador at Large, and quire them to seek an amendment from the porting this bill, and build upon the bipartisan the President are mandated to focus on issues EU or the Treaty of Rome. coalition of cosponsors committed to improv- of religious intolerance, and I encourage them Finally, the legislation relies on the Inter- ing flood control, water quality, and wildlife to focus on the actions taken by Western Eu- national Fund for Ireland to increase funding habitat in northern California. ropean governments in light of international for projects that will create rapid job growth in f law an international commitments on religious the private sector. The bill recommends six liberty. projects for funding and support that will pro- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Clearly the actions taken by the Govern- vide both immediate and mid-term job gener- ments of France, Belgium, Germany, and Aus- ating growth. HON. RON LEWIS tria call into question the commitment those We feel strongly that now is the time for the OF KENTUCKY countries made to ``foster a climate of mutual U.S. to send a clear, serious and solid signal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tolerance and respect.'' I urge the Administra- of support to the parties in Northern Ireland Wednesday, March 17, 1999 tion to continue raising these issues with the that are struggling to implement the peace Governments of Western Europe to insure agreement. Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I through law and governmental practice that re- Stimulating real job creation through improv- would appreciate having the following state- ligious freedoms for minorities are protected. ing access to our marketplace and encour- ment printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD in f aging private investment would send a strong the appropriate place: Mr. Speaker, on March signal to everyone that the price of peace 16, 1999, I was returning from Moscow where GOOD FRIDAY TRADE AND I participated in meetings with leaders of the INVESTMENT ACT could very well be prosperity. f Russian Duma as part of a Congressional Del- egation trip led by my colleague, the Honor- HON. JIM McDERMOTT THE COLUSA BASIN WATERSHED able CURT WELDON. The purpose of our trip OF WASHINGTON INTEGRATED RESOURCES MAN- was to discuss missile defense issues and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AGEMENT ACT OF 1999 specifically H.R. 4. As a result, I missed Roll- Wednesday, March 17, 1999 call votes 51, 52 and 53. Had I been present, Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, we're here HON. DOUG OSE I would have voted YES on all three votes. today because we share a common goal. We OF CALIFORNIA Rollcall No. 50ÐH.R. 891, Federal Maritime all want the peace process in Northern Ireland IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Commission Authorization Act. VoteÐ``Yes.'' and the Irish Republic to work. Wednesday, March 17, 1999 As hard as it is to get folks to sign a peace Mr. Speaker, the Maritime Commission pro- agreement. It's even harder to make sure that Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to intro- vides needed protections for U.S. shippers it gets fully implemented. duce the Colusa Basin Watershed Integrated and carriers through its oversight and licensing We feel strongly that the best chance we Resources Management Act of 1999. activities. I support this bill which allows the have to ensure the Good Friday Peace Agree- The Colusa Basin drainage area consists of Commission to improve services, address the ment is fully implemented is by creating jobs 1,036,000 acresÐ1,620 square milesÐin Y2K computer problem, and continue its mis- and economic growth. northern California within Glenn, Colusa and sion. The legislation we are introducing today is Northern Yolo Counties. The Colusa Basin Rollcall No. 52ÐH.R. 774, Women's Busi- the first comprehensive effort by the United Drainage District embodies more than 600,000 ness Center Amendments Act. States to create real jobs and real investment acres of the Sacramento Valley, spanning VoteÐ``Yes.'' in Northern Ireland and the border counties of from Knights Landing in the south to Orland in Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 775 which will the Irish Republic. the north, with the Sacramento River and the allow more women to benefit from the Wom- Our legislation uses existing trade and in- Sierra foothills forming the east and west en's Business Center program currently oper- vestment tools to stimulate tangible economic boundaries. ated by the Small Business Administration. assistance to the people of Northern Ireland Flooding in Colusa Basin causes approxi- This measure simplifies matching fund require- and the border counties. Faced with continued mately $4.9 million in property damage each ments and increases authorization levels for resistance to the Irish free trade efforts of the year. In 1995, a major flood did an estimated the program making it easier for communities past, we concluded that a fresh attempt to $100 million in damage to private and public to establish centers that will educate and en- fashion legislation that could address Euro- property. The costs of these floods are borne courage small business growth. pean reticence while quickly delivering mean- by residents, local agencies and the Federal Small businesses in this country exemplify ingful trade and investment assistance to Government. Large-scale traditional flood-con- the true meaning of what is called the ``Amer- Northern Ireland and the border counties was trol methods are not cost effective in the ican Dream''. This measure takes another step in order. Basin. Instead, local authorities are focused toward preserving that dream by encouraging The legislation provides for the creation of a on small-scale structural and non-structural more Americans to start their own business. $300 million Overseas Private Investment Cor- flood control remedies that would produce Rollcall No. 52ÐH. Con. Res. 25. E464 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 17, 1999 VoteÐ``Yes.'' current resolution expressing the sense of the and Mr. T. L. Cummings. These fine individ- Mr. Speaker, I recently met with Prime Min- Congress that a postage stamp should be uals came together to constitute a New Testa- ister Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders who issued honoring the 100th Anniversary of the ment Church under the name of Inglewood are working in earnest to gain a peaceful solu- Junior League. Baptist Church, over seventy-five years ago. tion along the West Bank. These efforts in- One of my constituents, in Georgia, Ms. Inglewood Baptist Church is to be com- clude negotiations about the formation of a Martina Goscha, a dedicated and long time mended for its outstanding contributions to the permanent Palestinian State. member of the Cobb Marietta, Junior League, community over the years, including the bib- Recent statements by PLO Leader Yassir brought this important issue to my attention. lical qualities of Bible study, prayer, fellowship, Arafat, regarding his willingness to declare an The Junior League was founded in 1901, in Christian education, evangelism and missions, independent Palestinian State along the West New York City, by Mary Harriman. The Asso- as well as its continuing cooperation with the Bank, are threatening those fragile negotia- ciation was launched for those more fortunate Southern Baptist Convention. tions. Should Mr. Arafat follow through on his in helping those more in need. Volunteers This congregation should further be com- statement, he will be violating the Oslo ac- would work in settlement houses on New mended for its commitment to world-wide mis- cords and dragging the peace process to- York's Lower East Side to improve child sions through its annual giving to the Cooper- wards hostility. I support this non-binding reso- health, nutrition, and literacy. ative Missions Program of the Southern Bap- lution expressing the sense of Congress that The Junior League's efforts caught on, and tist Convention and the missionaries the decisions about the Palestinian controlled land in 1912 the Junior League expanded to Mon- church has supported such as Archie and along the West Bank must be made through treal. In 1914, the Junior League of St. Louis Margaret Dunaway, Dr. J. Mansfield, and the negotiation process. It also states that marched for women's suffrage and was active Ethel Bailey. Congress opposes any attempts, outside of in World War I efforts by selling bonds and Inglewood Baptist Church must also be rec- the negotiation process, to establish a Pales- working in Army hospitals. In 1921, 30 Junior ognized for its ongoing leadership as a min- tinian State. The agreements made through Leagues joined to form the Association of Jun- istry and outreach center serving Inglewood the peace process must be upheld by all par- ior Leagues International (AJLI) to collectively and the greater Nashville area while con- ties involved. advance their work. tinuing a tradition of excellence through com- f As the AJLI expanded, its chapters became mitment to the future. more involved in addressing urban issues; de- The Inglewood Baptist Church and its mem- TRIBUTE TO WALNUT CREEK veloping programs in education, housing, and bership have served as outstanding examples LIONS CLUB social services. Among countless other issues, of faithfulness and brotherly love to all of Mid- the AJLI has been active in collaborating on dle Tennessee. I wish them the best on their HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER juvenile delinquency with the National Com- 75th Anniversary. OF CALIFORNIA mission on Crime and Delinquency, and the f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. Department of Justice. REGARDING THE AGRICULTURE Wednesday, March 17, 1999 In 1989, the Association received the Presi- ECONOMY Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, today I con- dent's Volunteer Action Award. In 1990, the gratulate the Walnut Creek Lions Club as they AJLI launched a massive immunization cam- paign in four countries. Currently, 193,000 HON. DAVID D. PHELPS celebrate their 75th Anniversary. Since its OF ILLINOIS women are members of the AJLI, dedicated to founding in April 1924, the Walnut Creek Lions IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES improving their communities through effective Club has provided immeasurable services to Wednesday, March 17, 1999 the citizens of Contra Costa County. I am action and leadership of trained volunteers. proud to honor them as they celebrate their 75 Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me Mr. PHELPS. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by years of dedication to the betterment of their today in supporting this concurrent resolution. thanking my colleagues Ms. KAPTUR, and the community and the world at large. The 100th Anniversary of the AJLI celebrates Ranking Member on the Agriculture Com- Mr. Speaker, as you may know, Lions are a century of community service by volunteers mittee, Mr. STENHOLM, for gathering us here to committed to sharing their success by helping dedicated to community service, leadership talk about the agriculture economy. There is those less fortunate than themselves. Created and achievement. perhaps no more timely or pressing issue fac- in 1917 by Melvin Jones in Chicago, Lions f ing our nation's farmers and the legislators who represent them in Washington, and I am Clubs International now enjoys over 44,000 HONORING INGLEWOOD BAPTIST clubs worldwide, with a membership of 1.4 grateful to have the opportunity to participate CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF in this discussion. million in more than 185 countries. In 1925, ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become The importance of agriculture to the families ``knights of the blind in the crusade against and economy of Illinois' 19th District cannot be darkness''. Thus began the Lions Clubs' re- HON. BOB CLEMENT overstated, and I am proud to serve on the nown for their sight-related programs, includ- OF TENNESSEE Agriculture Committee, where I hope to have ing SightFirst, the world's largest blindness IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a role in shaping our nation's agriculture pol- prevention program. The motto of every Lion, Wednesday, March 17, 1999 icy. Every one of the communities I represent is deeply impacted when agriculture experi- however, is simply ``We Serve'', which elo- Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in quently expresses the true mission of this ences tough times, and these are some of the honor of Inglewood Baptist Church in Nash- toughest in recent memory. community service club. ville, Tennessee, on the occasion of its 75th Please join me in recognizing the Walnut The pork industry is in the midst of a crisis, Anniversary. and prices are also low for other commodities Creek Lions Club as they celebrate their 75th Inglewood Baptist Church was constituted anniversary. Their service-minded spirit is in- that are critical to my district, such as corn on March 9, 1924, and came about as a result and soybeans. The Natural Resource Con- spirational and I am honored that they are a of the personal vision of Mr. and Mrs. R.J. part of my constituency. servation Service in Illinois is facing a major Overall, Sr. who initially met with thirty mem- budget shortfall that will likely necessitate of- f bers for Bible study in a personal residence lo- fice closures of month-long furloughs of all of EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CON- cated at 2330 Shelton Avenue on November the state's NRCS employees. Farmers are ex- GRESS THAT A POSTAGE STAMP 18, 1923. periencing undue delays in receiving disaster SHOULD BE ISSUED HONORING These original charter members included: assistance and other USDA payments, and THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Overall, Sr., Mr. Robert J. Farm Service Agency offices throughout the THE JUNIOR LEAGUE Overall, Jr., Mrs. Ellen DeMontbreun, Ms. country are understaffed and overworked. Mattie DeMontbreun, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. I urge my colleagues to recognize the ur- HON. BOB BARR Hardaway, Mr. and Mrs. John R. West, Ms. gency of this situation and hope we can work OF GEORGIA Hattie Mae West, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Morrison, together to find both short- and long-term solu- Mr. and Mrs. J. Burton, Mr. Edwin Ragan, Ms. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions to the problems that plague our agri- Florine Ragan, Mr. Finis E. Smith, Mrs. Patie culture community. Wednesday, March 17, 1999 Gwynn, Mrs. Ennis Eagan, Mrs. J.L. White, I believe one way we can help is by ex- Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. Walter Roach, Mrs. W. Nelson, Mr. and empting agricultural products from trade sanc- today to announce the introduction of a con- Mrs. C. O. Reed, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Caldwell, tions. The health of America's agriculture