E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 105 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 144 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1998 No. 11 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I object Herger Markey Redmond The Reverend Ronald F. Christian, Hill Martinez Regula to the vote on the ground that a Hinojosa Mascara Reyes Director, Lutheran Social Services of quorum is not present and make the Hobson Matsui Riley Fairfax, VA, offered the following pray- point of order that a quorum is not Hoekstra McCarthy (MO) Rivers er: present. Holden McCarthy (NY) Rodriguez Almighty God, Your glory is made Hooley McCollum Roemer The SPEAKER. Evidently a quorum Horn McCrery Rogan known in the heavens, and the fir- is not present. Hostettler McGovern Rogers mament declares Your handiwork. The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Houghton McHale Rohrabacher Hoyer McHugh Ros-Lehtinen With the signs of Your creative good- sent Members. ness all about us, we must acknowledge Hulshof McInnis Rothman The vote was taken by electronic de- Hutchinson McIntosh Roukema Your presence in our world, through vice, and there were—yeas 353, nays 43, Inglis McIntyre Roybal-Allard Your people, and within us all. answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 33, as Istook McKeon Royce So, therefore, we pray for Your Jackson (IL) McKinney Ryun follows: mercy when our ways are stubborn or Jackson-Lee Meehan Sabo [Roll No. 14] (TX) Meek (FL) Salmon uncompromising and not at all akin to Jefferson Meeks (NY) Sanchez Your desires. YEAS—353 Jenkins Metcalf Sanders We pray for Your guidance in the Ackerman Camp Dunn Johnson (CT) Mica Sandlin choices and chances of life, so that Aderholt Campbell Ehlers Johnson, E. B. Millender- Sanford Allen Canady Ehrlich Johnson, Sam McDonald Sawyer Your wisdom will inform our decisions. Andrews Cannon Emerson Jones Miller (CA) Saxton And, we pray for Your grace so that Archer Cardin Engel Kanjorski Minge Scarborough we can place the consideration of oth- Armey Carson Etheridge Kaptur Moakley Schaefer, Dan Kasich Mollohan Schumer ers before the promotion of self. Bachus Castle Evans Baesler Chabot Everett Kelly Moran (VA) Sensenbrenner For Herculean efforts given by com- Baker Chambliss Ewing Kennedy (MA) Morella Serrano mon folk who serve their brothers and Ballenger Chenoweth Farr Kennedy (RI) Murtha Shadegg sisters every day in quiet love without Barcia Christensen Fattah Kennelly Myrick Shaw Kildee Neal Shays the herald of trumpet or headline, we Barr Clayton Fawell Barrett (NE) Coble Fazio Kilpatrick Nethercutt Sherman give You thanks, O God. Barrett (WI) Coburn Foley Kim Neumann Shimkus And, for the Olympian challenges Bartlett Collins Forbes Kind (WI) Ney Shuster faced every day by courageous people Barton Combest Ford King (NY) Northup Sisisky Kingston Nussle Skaggs who are struck down by disease or de- Bass Condit Fossella Bateman Conyers Fowler Kleczka Ortiz Skeen struction, we ask O God, for Your Bentsen Cook Frank (MA) Klink Owens Skelton intercession. Bereuter Cooksey Franks (NJ) Klug Oxley Slaughter Bless our days and our deeds in Your Berman Cox Frelinghuysen Knollenberg Packard Smith (MI) Kolbe Pallone Smith (NJ) peace. Amen Bilbray Coyne Frost Bilirakis Cramer Gallegly LaFalce Pappas Smith (TX) f Bishop Cubin Ganske LaHood Parker Smith, Adam Blagojevich Cummings Gejdenson Lampson Pastor Smith, Linda THE JOURNAL Bliley Cunningham Gekas Largent Paul Snyder Latham Paxon Solomon The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- Blumenauer Danner Gilchrest Blunt Davis (FL) Gillmor LaTourette Payne Souder ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- Boehlert Davis (VA) Gilman Lazio Pease Spence ceedings and announces to the House Boehner Deal Goode Leach Pelosi Stabenow Bonilla DeGette Goodlatte Levin Peterson (MN) Stark his approval thereof. Lewis (CA) Peterson (PA) Stearns Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Bonior Delahunt Goodling Boswell DeLauro Gordon Lewis (GA) Petri Stenholm nal stands approved. Boucher DeLay Goss Lewis (KY) Pickering Stokes Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant Boyd Diaz-Balart Graham Linder Pitts Strickland to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on Brady Dickey Granger Lipinski Pombo Stump Livingston Pomeroy Sununu agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of Brown (CA) Dicks Greenwood Brown (FL) Dingell Hall (OH) Lofgren Porter Tanner the Journal. Brown (OH) Dixon Hall (TX) Lowey Portman Tauscher The SPEAKER. The question is on Bryant Doggett Hamilton Lucas Price (NC) Tauzin the Chair’s approval of the Journal. Bunning Dooley Hansen Luther Pryce (OH) Taylor (NC) Maloney (CT) Quinn Thomas The question was taken; and the Burr Doolittle Hastert Burton Doyle Hastings (WA) Maloney (NY) Radanovich Thornberry Speaker announced that the ayes ap- Buyer Dreier Hayworth Manton Rahall Thune peared to have it. Calvert Duncan Hefner Manzullo Rangel Thurman

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

H449 H450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 Tiahrt Watkins Wicker I think it is all too easy in peacetime This problem is big and getting big- Tierney Watt (NC) Wise Towns Watts (OK) Wolf to forget exactly how much was sac- ger. I urge my colleagues to join me in Traficant Waxman Woolsey rificed. I think it is all too easy to for- protecting efficient, good quality home Turner Weldon (FL) Wynn get that the young men and women we health care. Our senior citizens deserve Upton Wexler Yates have in Bosnia, the situation develop- no less. Walsh Weygand Young (FL) Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Wamp White ing in Iraq, the 38,000 young Americans Waters Whitfield in Korea, all of them are risking their for the RECORD: lives, separated from their families, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR NAYS—43 doing what it takes so that America HOME CARE, Abercrombie Gutierrez Pascrell Washington, DC, February 10, 1998. Baldacci Gutknecht Pickett can be free and safe. Hon. JAMES P. MCGOVERN, Becerra Hastings (FL) Poshard We in this House have the great Borski Hefley Ramstad honor to serve with a man who was House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Clay Hilleary Schaffer, Bob courageous in fighting for his country, Building, Washington, DC. Clyburn Hilliard Scott DEAR REPRESENTATIVE MCGOVERN: On be- Costello Hinchey Sessions a man who was courageous in serving half of the National Association for Home DeFazio Kucinich Stupak as a prisoner of war, a man who came Care (NAHC), the nation’s largest home Deutsch LoBiondo Taylor (MS) back to continue serving his country as health organization representing home care English McDermott Thompson a State legislator and a Member of providers, caregivers and the patients they Filner McNulty Velazquez Congress. serve, I would like to commend you for in- Fox Menendez Visclosky troducing legislation that would address Gephardt Moran (KS) Weller We all today have a chance, not just some of the devastating inequities in the in- Gibbons Obey here in the Congress to vote on a reso- Green Olver terim payment system (IPS). We whole- lution honoring prisoners of war, but to heartedly support your legislation, which ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 call on every county, every city, and will delay its implementation and change Spratt every State some time during this 25th the base year for calculation of per-bene- anniversary year to hold an event hon- ficiary caps. NOT VOTING—33 oring those who have been prisoners of As you know, IPS became effective with Berry Harman Oberstar war, honoring their families and their cost reporting periods starting October 1, Callahan Hunter Riggs children, recognizing what they do for 1997. The new per-beneficiary limits, how- Clement Hyde Rush ever, will not be published until April. This Crane John Schiff all of us, and recognizing how much means that approximately 2/3 of home health Crapo Johnson (WI) Smith (OR) our freedom depends on their sacrifice. providers will be on the new IPS without Davis (IL) Lantos Snowbarger I urge all of my colleagues to join me Edwards McDade Talent knowing what their per-beneficiary limits Ensign Miller (FL) Torres in recognizing a great American who will be. Your legislation, by delaying the im- Eshoo Mink Vento we are privileged to have serve with us, plementation date, would ensure that provid- Furse Nadler Weldon (PA) the gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM ers would not have to be ‘‘flying blind’’ Gonzalez Norwood Young (AK) JOHNSON). under a wholly new system. b Equally important is your provision which 1023 f would change the base year for calculation of Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi changed PROTECT EFFICIENT, GOOD the per-beneficiary caps from fiscal year 1994 his vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ QUALITY HOME HEALTH CARE to ‘‘fiscal year 1995 or, at the election of the Mr. EVERETT changed his vote from agency, calendar year 1995.’’ This change will (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ level the playing field among agencies and permission to address the House for 1 cap reimbursement rates at more reasonable So the Journal was approved. minute and to revise and extend his re- amounts. The result of the vote was announced marks and include extraneous mate- Once again, thank you for your leadership as above recorded. rial.) on this most important issue. We look for- f Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, be- ward to working with you to assure passage of the legislation. Please contact Eric Sokol PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE cause of an ill-advised provision in last or Lucia DiVenere of my staff if we can be of year’s budget agreement, providers of any assistance to you. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. home health care all across America Sincerely, CAMP). Will the gentleman from Kansas are in danger of being forced out of VAL J. HALAMANDARIS, (Mr. TIAHRT) come forward and lead business. Many of these home health President. the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. agencies have been crucial in our ef- Mr. TIAHRT led the Pledge of Alle- forts to control health care costs. HOME HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION giance as follows: Unfortunately, because of the way OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC., Boston, MA, February 11, 1998. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the the budget agreement was drafted, Hon. JAMES P. MCGOVERN, United States of America, and to the Repub- Medicare reimbursement rates for Cannon House Office Building, Washington, lic for which it stands, one nation under God, some agencies will be higher than oth- DC. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ers simply because of how those agen- DEAR CONGRESSMAN MCGOVERN: On behalf f cies structure their fiscal years. Fur- of the 155 members of the Home & Health ther, the agreement requires that home Care Association of Massachusetts, I am de- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER lighted to offer our full endorsement of the PRO TEMPORE health care agencies be in compliance with Federal spending caps before the McGovern/Cook bill that amends the Interim The CHAIRMAN. The Chair will en- government tells agencies what those Payment System for Home Health Care tertain ten 1-minute speeches on each under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. We caps are. Mr. Speaker, where is the understand that Senator Kennedy will be fil- side. logic in that? ing a companion bill in the Senate. f Today I am proud to introduce a bi- It is our belief that the McGovern bill is a partisan bill with the gentleman from sensible attempt to retain Congress’ intent HONORING PRISONERS OF WAR ON Utah (Mr. COOK), and 18 other cospon- to slow the growth in the home health indus- THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE sors, that will help these providers to try while correcting the provisions of the END OF THE VIETNAM WAR continue their important work. law we believe are unreasonable and unwork- able. (Mr. GINGRICH asked and was given Mr. Speaker, our bill allows home Your unwavering advocacy on our behalf permission to address the House for 1 health care agencies, if they wish, to has given our members hope that the inequi- minute and to revise and extend his re- calculate their caps based on 1995 levels ties of the Interim Payment System may be marks.) rather than the 1994 levels mandated corrected. The patients who depend on the Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise by the budget agreement. The bill also services are grateful. today to draw my colleagues’ atten- takes into account the wide variety of Once again, many, many thanks for your tion, and the country’s attention, to agency fiscal years and allows for more support of the home health industry. Sincerely, the 25th anniversary of the end of the home health care visits to our seniors KEN MCNULTY, Vietnam War, and in particular to the under the caps. Finally, we push back President. sacrifice and the service to America of the date of compliance, giving provid- PATRICIA KELLEHER, prisoners of war and their families. ers time to meet the requirements. Executive Director. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H451 INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO IN- PARENTAL FREEDOM OF minute and to revise and extend his re- VESTIGATE INTERIOR SEC- INFORMATION ACT marks.) RETARY (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, many of us (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 take our local radio and TV stations permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- for granted. Whenever we want to see minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) the news, the weather, our favorite marks.) Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, yesterday show, we can simply turn on our tele- Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, yester- I introduced the Parental Freedom of visions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. day the announcement was made that Information Act along with 48 other But there is another commitment our an independent counsel will be ap- cosponsors. It is an act which will em- local broadcasters make, a commit- pointed to investigate Interior Sec- power parents to guide and participate ment to our communities. retary, Bruce Babbitt. To this I say: It in the education of their children. I am pleased today to commend the is about time. Teachers have told me that involved good work being done by stations in Mr. Speaker, let us review what has parents are the most important thing eastern North Carolina. Radio and tele- happened here. When asked to explain public schools need to help students vision stations alike in the area run why he denied a particular Indian gam- learn. I believe involved parents must thousands of public service announce- ing license, Secretary Babbitt re- be informed parents. ments each year covering every topic The Parental Freedom of Informa- sponded that the administration in- from alcohol abuse to senior issues. In tion Act will ensure that parents have structed him to do so. Next, he denied addition, many eastern North Carolina access to curriculum and testing mate- ever having said that. Then he denied stations play an active role in worthy rials to which their children are ex- ever having made that denial. Finally, causes such as raising funds for chil- posed and will require parental consent he has admitted that his original lie is dren’s hospitals, collecting contribu- prior to any student being required to tions to the Toys for Tots program and the truth and that we just all have a undergo medical or psychological test- gathering pledges for local food banks. big misunderstanding. ing or treatment while at school. Whether it is helping the needy, pro- Well, Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is a Again, that is, before any mandatory tecting us with storm information or misunderstanding, but somewhere be- medical exams or treatment or manda- covering the local news, local broad- tween all the lies, all the denials, and tory psychological testing, parents casters have built a great legacy of all the misunderstandings, a $300,000 must be notified for their consent. campaign donation was made to the This legislation in no way seeks to public service. Democratic Party in exchange for gov- influence the content or curriculum of I come to the floor today to salute ernmental action against the non- tests. It simply allows parents to ac- the fine work of broadcasters in east- contributing Indian tribe. cess the basic information which in- ern North Carolina and throughout the Hopefully, the independent counsel volved parents need to guide the edu- Nation, and to let them know that will be able to sift through the lies and cation of their children. their efforts are appreciated. find the truth. Clearly, the American Most of us agree that when parents people deserve no less. get involved in their child’s education, f their children do better in school and f their schools become stronger. This PUERTO RICO legislation will help remove the obsta- ´ b 1030 cles that prevent parents from being (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and involved. So let us get behind the Pa- was given permission to address the CASEY MARTIN rental Freedom of Information Act. House for 1 minute and to revise and (Mr. HOYER asked and was given f extend his remarks.) Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO´ . Mr. Speak- permission to address the House for 1 ON MEXICO minute and to revise and extend his re- er, three days from today, 100 years marks.) (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was ago, the USS Maine exploded in Ha- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Casey Mar- given permission to address the House vana, an incident that started the tin is a 25-year-old young man who for 1 minute and to revise and extend Spanish American War, a war that lives in America, the land of oppor- his remarks.) Americans proudly entered to free Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, a CIA tunity. He suffers from K–T–W syn- Cuba from Spanish rule, a war that report says Mexico’s powerful Interior drome which is a circulatory disorder also liberated Puerto Rico from Span- Minister is dirty. He is tied to drug in his right leg which causes great pain ish rule, but turned Puerto Rico into a cartels and he turned a blind eye to when he walks significant distances. U.S. territory. drug trafficking. A blind eye to 7 tons Notwithstanding that, he had the cour- We have now been a territory of the of narcotics crossing the border every age to become a second team all-Amer- United States for 100 years and we have single day, 14,000 pounds? been disenfranchised U.S. citizens for ican on the Stanford golf team. The After all this, the White House is of- 81 years. Can any Member of Congress Professional Golfers Association said ficially certifying Mexico as a cooper- give us one good reason why 3,800,000 that the ADA did not apply to Casey ating partner in our war on drugs. Un- American citizens should be denied the Martin and it was not designed or in- believable. Some war on drugs. The In- right to vote and the right to represen- tended to apply to competitors in pro- terior Minister is dirty. fessional sporting events. Their last drug czar was on the car- tation? Puerto Ricans are part of the The judge felt differently and sus- tel’s payroll, and 14,000 pounds a day great American family, but a century tained what I think we in this body are poisoning America. Beam me up. has passed us by and we remain felt, that somebody with a disability Evidently there is not as much testos- disenfranchised as a colony at a time ought to be given a reasonable accom- terone at the White House as there is when colonies are not only modation to participate as fully as rumored to be. I say, let us secure our unfashionable but embarrassing to a their courage and commitment would borders with the military who are fall- Nation that preaches democracy allow. ing out of chairs without armrests throughout the world and calls for a Gary Phelan, a disability expert, was overseas. plebiscite in Cuba. Congress has pro- quoted as saying that the ADA was Let us straighten out our country, crastinated on the solution to our po- about opportunity, not pity. Casey Congress. And let us declare war on litical dilemma for too long. Martin was the victim of fate, but he narcotics. Congress has the authority and the was not defeated by that disability. He f moral responsibility to approve H.R. has competed and prevailed. It was a 856, the U.S.-Puerto Rico Political Sta- great day for America yesterday when LOCAL RADIO tus Act, a bill for self-determination, a he was allowed to compete fully to the (Mr. JONES asked and was given per- bill to pave the road to enfranchise- extent of his ability. mission to address the House for 1 ment and equality. H452 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 IN TRIBUTE TO AMERICA’S IRAQ brief House Members prior to and dur- PATRIOTS (Mr. PAUL asked and was given per- ing the previous Gulf War. This has not (Mr. ROGAN asked and was given mission to address the House for 1 been done this time. permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Most Members of this body know minute and to revise and extend his re- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the morning only what they have read or heard in marks.) papers today recorded that Russia was news reports. Why this rush to war? Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, 200 years providing weapons technology to Iraq. Why all this eagerness to send young ago George Washington, in his farewell We have known for years that China American men and women into harm’s address, said that the love of liberty has done the same thing. Does this way? The case has not been made. was interwoven into the ligament of mean that we must attack them as I am certainly not defending Saddam every American heart. well as Iraq? Hussein. I voted for the last Gulf War Our country has changed much over Instead, though, we give foreign aid and many have forgotten how close the last two centuries. But one thing to both China and to Russia, so indi- that vote was. But last time Hussein that has not changed is the sentiment rectly we are subsidizing the very had moved on another country and was Washington expressed: The love of lib- weapons that we are trying to elimi- threatening others. Many nations, in- erty still burns in every American nate. cluding our own, have weapons of mass heart. On countless battlefields around I would like to remind my colleagues destruction, nuclear and otherwise. the world, American patriots for over that bombing a country, especially one Has there been any overt action or in- two centuries have repeatedly taught halfway around the world that is not a dication that Hussein is getting ready us the eternal truth: freedom is never direct threat to our security, is not a to use his? We have not been told. free. moral act. A moral war is one that is The American people are not clamor- We are reminded of their ready sac- defensive and a legal war is one that is ing for war, Mr. Speaker. War should rifice today, as the Speaker of the declared by Congress. We should only be the most reluctant decision we House so eloquently noted, as we re- pursue an act of war when our national make, and then only when there is no flect upon those now who serve over- security is threatened. other reasonable choice. As ABC’s For- seas in harm’s way, and also as we re- Bombing will solve nothing. It will rest Sawyer asked on Nightline last flect upon the fact that 25 years ago, open up a can of worms. We should not night, Are we about to do more harm our first American prisoners of war re- condone it. We should not endorse it. than good? turned from Vietnam. One of those We should not encourage it. brave patriots who answered the call of Please think carefully before we per- f freedom and paid an immeasurable mit our President to pursue this war price serves in this body with us today: adventure. RECOGNIZING SAM JOHNSON The distinguished gentleman from f (Mr. LARGENT asked and was given Texas Mr. JOHNSON. permission to address the House for 1 I am honored to join the Speaker and REFORM THE IRS NOW minute and to revise and extend his re- my colleagues in paying tribute to SAM (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given marks.) JOHNSON, and all those patriots like permission to address the House for 1 Mr. LARGENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise him, for their heroism, for their sac- minute and to revise and extend his re- today to honor my colleague and rifice, and most of all for their love of marks.) friend, the Honorable SAM JOHNSON. liberty. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, just Twenty-five years ago tomorrow, the when we thought things could not get gentleman from Texas (Mr. JOHNSON) f worse at the IRS, they have. left Vietnam after nearly 7 years as a I picked up this Washington Post ar- prisoner of war. He was shot down DEMOCRATS’ AGENDA ticle last week. The title is ‘‘IRS Goof April 16, 1966, while flying his 25th mis- (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was Creates Returns That Keep Return- sion over Vietnam. SAM JOHNSON can given permission to address the House ing.’’ At first I thought it was a joke, teach us all a thing or two about valu- for 1 minute and to revise and extend but then I learned that the IRS did ing and never taking for granted our her remarks.) make, in fact, a huge goof, about a mil- freedom because SAM JOHNSON lost his Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as lion packets of 1040 forms sent out to for 7 years. we speak, Democrats in the House and the taxpayers had preprinted address I would like, Mr. Speaker, if I could, Senate are joining the President and labels. That is not going to do anyone to read one paragraph, an excerpt from the Vice President to talk about our any favors. his book ‘‘Captive Warriors.’’ Its says a agenda for America. That American The famous world class computer lot about the gentleman from Texas agenda includes education, reducing system over at the IRS will read the (Mr. JOHNSON), my friend. class size, hiring 100,000 new teachers, bar code on the preprinted label and, ‘‘I turned my attention toward God. health care, making sure that people in one might ask, will it then send it to When the guards increased their pa- America can choose their doctor, can the proper location for processing? No, trols and their vigilance and my talks receive the quality care that they de- sir. It will not. It will send the form with Howie had to be stopped, I could serve; also securing Social Security, right back to you. In fact, we can even still talk freely to God. I knew with making sure that it is secure into the imagine the making of an infinite loop, certainty that He was present in that new millennium, making sure that we with our 1040s just making around-the- dark, cramped closet of a cell. He lis- modernize it and to expand it so that world tours, back and forth between tened when I prayed. This I knew with- 55- and 56-year-olds who have been ex- our houses and the IRS. out doubt. He answered me. When Bible cluded from their jobs, who have been Mr. Speaker, the IRS is still out of stories and verses of comfort came into laid off, can buy into a medical pro- control. It is enough. It is time for my thoughts, I knew He placed them gram for themselves and their families. some radical reform at the IRS. there. I was comforted and encouraged. Mr. Speaker, we stand ready to serve f And I began to know my creator in a the American citizenry. We are happy way I had never known Him before. today that the Senate and House THE RUSH TO WAR ‘‘I know now in retrospect that God’s Democrats are joining the President (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given intimate interaction with me in the and Vice President in announcing to permission to address the House for 1 Mint strengthened me and built my America that we will work for them, minute and to revise and extend his re- faith so that I would be able to trust but we will work in securing and mak- marks.) him in the darkness of the terrible ing quality education for all our chil- Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, President days that still lay ahead for me.’’ dren. Bush sent the Secretary of State, the SAM JOHNSON, a great American and Mr. Speaker, this is a great day for Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of defender of faith and freedom, we sa- the American citizenry. the Joint Chiefs of Staff and others to lute him today. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H453 ATTACKING JUDGE STARR enforce the Federal Contested Election Act erodes the fundamental basis of our de- by prosecuting any of the 11 witnesses who mocracy and our Republic. (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- refused to comply with the provisions of mission to address the House for 1 There have been attempts in this such Act which require production of evi- process to argue that our concern minute and to revise and extend his re- dence on a timely basis; marks.) Whereas despite the lack of full coopera- about making sure that only those peo- Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Former Ar- tion from witnesses and government agen- ple who are eligible to be registered kansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker; cies, the investigation of the election con- and, therefore, eligible to vote, was not Clinton business partners Jim and test in the 46th Congressional District of the focus of our concern. Their argu- Susan McDougal; former Arkansas California has resulted in evidence that over ments have been that, quite frankly, 700 illegal votes were cast in that election, what we are doing is ‘‘racist;’’ that we Judge David Hale; former Associate At- including votes cast by persons who were not torney General and Rose Law firm are on a ‘‘witch hunt.’’ citizens of the United States; It is extremely difficult to under- partner of Hillary Clinton and golfing Whereas the evidence of illegal voting stand why someone would not want to partner, Webb Hubbell; Arkansas busi- comes from the following sources: make sure that voter rolls are accu- nessman Eugene Fitzhugh; Arkansas (1) The Registrar of Voters of Orange Coun- rate. It is without contention, Mr. businessman Charles Matthews; Arkan- ty has indicated that 124 absentee ballots Speaker, that in those areas involving sas appraiser Robert Palmer; White- were cast illegally in the November 1996 Gen- eral Election. people who wish to become naturalized water real estate agent Chris Wade; Ar- (2) The Committee on House Oversight’s citizens that there are enormous prob- kansas banker Neal Ainley; former top comparison of Immigration and Naturaliza- lems today. We discovered just this Clinton aide Stephen Smith; Arkansas tion Service records and Orange County week that the Immigration and Natu- Little Rock developer Larry Kuca; and voter registration records provide evidence ralization Service has hired one of the Arkansas businessman William J. that more than 600 additional votes were il- big five accounting firms to examine Marks, Sr., 13 people either convicted legally cast in that election; the way in which their process oper- or pleaded guilty. Whereas the number of votes shown to be illegal by clear and convincing evidence is ates. b 1045 less than the post-recount 979 vote margin We have been accused of racism be- I wonder how these people feel when by which the election was decided; cause we thought we needed some firm- they hear over and over again from Whereas it is critical that the incidence of er identification than is currently illegal voting be reduced and eliminated in James Carville and the Clinton attack available from the INS. The INS now future elections and that the ability of inves- admits that they are going to look at a machine, who defend ethical outrages tigators in future election contests to detect that Judge Starr’s investigations have and punish voter fraud be enhanced; proposal which requires digitized pho- ‘‘turned up nothing.’’ Whereas the Committee on House Over- tographs and fingerprints at the begin- White House tactics bring to mind a sight should continue its investigation of il- ning of the process, in the middle of tactic known to every trial lawyer: legal voting practices and recommend to the the process, and at the end of the proc- When you have the facts, argue the House of Representatives legislative meas- ess. facts; when you have the law, argue the ures to reduce voter fraud and improve the It just seems to me that if that sys- integrity of the voting process; and tem is admittedly flawed, and that peo- law; when you have neither the facts Whereas the Committee on the Judiciary nor the law, attack the prosecutor. ple have become citizens who should and the Committee on Appropriations should not have become citizens, or, even Nothing to show? Maybe Judge closely examine the operations of the De- Starr’s attackers might want to ask partment of Justice and the Immigration more regrettably, those private organi- those 13 people what they think. and Naturalization Service to ensure that zations who participated, ostensibly, in proper steps are being taken to enforce the bringing this citizenship about, utilized f laws of the United States and accurately the opportunity to interact with these DISMISSING THE ELECTION CON- provide information on the citizenship status nascent citizens in a way that put TEST AGAINST LORETTA of individuals, as required by Federal law: them on voter rolls illegally, has got to SANCHEZ Now, therefore, be it be investigated until it is resolved. Resolved, That the election contest of Rob- Included in the Coopers & Lybrand Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, by direc- ert Dornan, contestant, against Loretta report is the suggestion that these pri- tion of the Committee on House Over- Sanchez, contestee, relating to the office of vate operations should be shut down. sight, I call up a privileged resolution Representative from the 46th Congressional In the particular contested election in (H. Res. 355) and ask for its immediate District of California, is dismissed. front of us, one of those private organi- consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. zations, Hermandad Nacional, had 60 The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- CAMP). The reported resolution con- percent of the people it registered lows: stitutes a question of the privileges of the House and may be called up at any flawed. That kind of a ratio either indi- H. RES. 355 time. cates sloppiness or an unwillingness to Whereas credible allegations by contestant The gentleman from California (Mr. follow the rules. Which clearly indi- Robert Dornan of election fraud in the 46th cates we should not use these private Congressional District of California were re- THOMAS) is recognized for 1 hour. ceived by the House of Representatives and Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, for pur- organizations. Now, whichever instance an investigation has been conducted under poses of debate only, I yield the cus- it is, it simply means voter rolls are the authority of the Federal Contested Elec- tomary 30 minutes to the gentleman flawed. tion Act; from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), pending Mr. Speaker, I yield 8 minutes to the Whereas that investigation was repeatedly which I yield myself such time as I gentleman from Michigan, (Mr. VERN hindered and delayed by the lack of coopera- may consume. EHLERS), the chairman of the task tion by the Department of Justice, the Im- Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us force, to give my colleagues an under- migration and Naturalization Service, and dismisses the contested election in standing of the details of this particu- key witnesses; California’s 46th District. That is clear- lar examination of an election beyond Whereas the delay and lack of cooperation included the following: ly the substance. The real story is that the normal examination of contested (1) The refusal of the Immigration and Nat- in the process of examining this par- elections historically. And thank good- uralization Service to provide any informa- ticular contested election, it is clear ness we are finally looking at the prob- tion to the Committee on House Oversight that voter rolls across the country are lems behind the surface. until the Service was subpoenaed and the suspect. Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank failure 8 months after the subpoenas to pro- We all know that elections are fun- the chairman of the committee for vide the accurate information needed by the damental to our democracy. Free and yielding me this time. I am pleased to Committee. fair elections are essential in selecting come to the House and report on the (2) The refusal of key witnesses to provide our Representatives in this Republic. evidence under the provisions of the Federal results of a very thorough investiga- Contested Election Act. The belief on the part of people who tion of the DORNAN-SANCHEZ contested (3) The refusal of the Department of Jus- cast their ballot that their ballot may election race. tice, in complete disregard of a resolution be negated by someone who should not I was given the following charge by passed by the House of Representatives, to have been able to vote in an election the chairman of the committee, when I H454 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 took this task: I was asked to chair poenas and the INS then responded to moment ago, this is definitely a matter this task force because of my reputa- the subpoenas. The delay was most un- of concern. Altogether, we have ap- tion for integrity and honesty, and he fortunate because we wanted to wrap proximately 2,500 illegal registrants emphasized in the initial assignment up the investigation quickly. discovered in our process; and that has that he wanted me to be fair, honest, Another delay occurred with the sub- to be taken care of as a separate issue, factual and thorough. This charge was poenas issued by former Congressman through further legislation. That indi- reinforced by the Republican leader- Dornan in an attempt to engage in the cated that there were still 820 suspect ship of the House several times during discovery process and get more infor- registrants who did vote in the Novem- the course of this investigation when mation. All of those subpoenas were ig- ber 1996 election. certain issues came up, and once again nored by the recipients and no progress At that point we went into extensive I was always encouraged to be fair, was made on that point. examination of the data to try to docu- honest, factual and thorough in the in- Furthermore, the request by the ment in the best possible way those vestigation. And I have certainly at- House to the Department of Justice to that we could be certain were illegal tempted to do that because that is the enforce the subpoenas resulted in no noncitizens who voted, and the number way I want it to be. action and, again, we incurred approxi- that emerged was 624. We had cir- It is regrettable that many false mately a 3-month delay. cumstantial evidence that an addi- charges were made by the minority Finally, the Congress itself issued tional 196 had voted but were unable to party, even on the floor of the House, subpoenas to a few crucial witnesses document it to my and our satisfac- during the course of this investigation. and organizations, and after consider- tion; and, therefore, we decided not to Because I felt it improper for anyone able work on our part and their part, include those in the total of question- involved in the investigation to com- they responded and we did get some in- able votes. ment, I restrained my comments at formation, although it is still in ques- If we add to the 624 illegal noncitizen that time. tion as to how thorough that was. voters that we have identified the 124 Initially, there were several charges I give this only by background to il- absentee ballots that had previously made in the contest documents filed by lustrate some of the difficulties en- been disallowed by the Orange County former Representative Dornan. As we countered by the task force in attempt- Registrar of Voters, then we discover examined these, we found that many of ing to ascertain the truth and, as I 748 illegal votes. And that is the total them simply could not be substan- said, to be fair, honest, factual, and that we had emerge as the number of tiated. But what we did find was that thorough. illegal votes cast in that election. If charges of illegal voting, specifically of Let me give a very brief report of the one were to include those votes with fraudulent voting by noncitizens, could process and of the discoveries we made. circumstantial evidence of illegality, be substantiated and, in fact, were This chart looks very complex because there would be 944. true. it is, and it is very hard to read be- Let me remind my colleagues again, The initial examination by the reg- cause there is a lot of information on the margin of victory was 979. Let me istrar of voters of Orange County dis- one sheet. I will not go through it in also remind my colleagues, the three covered 124 absentee ballots which were detail; I simply want to illustrate that options open to the committee and the invalid, and so that reduced the 979 the process started by getting a com- task force were, number one, to dismiss vote margin by 124. The California Sec- puter tape of the Orange County voter the election, simply saying there is not retary of State did an independent in- registration list, computer tapes of the sufficient proof to change the result of vestigation of the election, along with INS database, and running compari- the election; number two, to say the the Los Angeles office of the Immigra- sons. And that is what we started from. evidence was so overwhelming in favor tion and Naturalization Service, and The rest of the work primarily was of the contestant that we had to over- identified in their first pass 305 nonciti- going through the results of the com- throw the election and seat Mr. Dor- zens who had registered to vote and puter match because we wanted to de- nan; and number three, to simply say, had voted. termine to the maximum extent pos- we cannot tell the result of the elec- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, will the sible what names had to be eliminated tion, no one can tell the result of the gentleman yield? because they had proof of citizenship at election, and we vacate the seat and Mr. EHLERS. I yield to the gen- time of registration to vote. So most of the State must call a new election. tleman from Maryland. the work, contrary to what one might It is our recommendation to the com- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I do not expect from a Republican majority mittee, and its recommended to the want to interrupt the gentleman’s task force, was not devoted to finding Congress, that we dismiss the election statement, but I want to ask him a additional noncitizen voters but rather in view of the fact that the number of question to clarify what he just said. to prove that we could verify and docu- illegal votes we identified is less than When the gentleman indicated that ment the results presented here. the margin of victory that was pre- reduced the margin by 124, am I correct b viously determined. that in order to do that, we would have 1100 Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank to assume that all of those votes were Let me report now on what we dis- the chairman for yielding the time, and cast for the gentlewoman from Califor- covered in terms of number of votes. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman nia (Ms. SANCHEZ)? After doing the computer check, elimi- from Michigan (Ms. KILPATRICK), a Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank nating obvious mismatches, we had an member of the committee. the gentleman for calling that to my original number of 7,841 suspect votes. Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I attention. I did not mean to imply Upon further examination, going thank my distinguished leader of the that. Reducing the margin gets into through not just the INS computer task force as we did our work. We ap- another issue, but my point is that the tapes but also through the INS written preciate his standing in and for all the reports from the Registrar of Voters records and trying to clear up the work that he put into this committee and the Secretary of State certainly many discrepancies we encountered, we and into the final report. indicated substantial problems with discovered that 5,303 of the 7,841 actu- Mr. Speaker, we discussed this issue the election. ally were citizens and were legitimate now for 13 months and $2 million of the Unfortunately, the national head- registrants. So we subtracted that taxpayers’ money. I am happy that we quarters of the INS stopped the process from the 7,841 and that indicated we finally came to a concluding approval by telling the Los Angeles office they still had 2,538 suspect registrants. that the case should be dismissed. We were no longer allowed to cooperate Then, checking the voter records care- said that over and over again on this with the California Secretary of State. fully, we determined that 1,718 of them, side of the aisle for the last 13 months. At that point, the House Oversight even though they had registered ille- And we believe then, as we believe now, Committee asked the INS to cooperate, gally, did not vote and so, therefore, that there was no case against the gen- and again we were told no. All this re- had no impact on the election. tlewoman from California (Ms. sulted in approximately a 3-month But it does illustrate the point that SANCHEZ), as has been documented by delay, until the committee issued sub- the chairman of the committee made a the Orange County grand jury, citizens February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H455 in that district, as has been docu- HOYER's tireless efforts toward justice for the my colleagues in Congress to do the same. mented now by the Republican sec- people of the 46th Congressional District, Access to voting denied to a single senior citi- retary of state. none of whom, I might add, will be able to zen casting an absentee ballot, to a newly-nat- Mr. Speaker, there has been much vote for him in the fall, speaks to the highest uralized citizen, or someone who has voted in time spent on this issue. Ms. SANCHEZ aspirations and goals of public service. I am the last several elections, based on a peremp- and some of our Members have been proud and privileged to serve with Congress- tory analysis of one's race, creed or ethnicity, threatened. I myself received a threat man HOYER and Congressman SAM is access to voting denied to us all. on last Monday that my brains would GEJDENSEN, my Democratic colleagues on the Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 be blown out because of my stance on House Oversight Committee. minutes to the gentleman from Ohio this very important issue. What is at The legacy of the protection of voting rights (Mr. NEY), a member of the contested stake here is, Mr. Speaker, the Voting for minorities in the United States was a hard- election task force. Rights Act: Should American citizens, fought battle that saw its culmination in the Mr. NEY. I thank the chairman for and we mean citizens of America, be al- adoption of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. De- yielding me the time. lowed to participate in the voting proc- spite entreaties to the contrary, there has Mr. Speaker, let me go over a few, I ess that this country has. I believe that been no demonstration from the Majority that think, important points of what oc- we should. any changes to our current registration lawsÐ curred through the task force. I want The 1965 civil rights law and the 1964 proof or documentation of citizenship to reg- to commend the gentleman from Voting Rights Act said that we ought ister to vote, or to allow states to require So- Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) for his integ- to allow American citizens to partici- cial Security numbers on voting registration rity and thoroughness on the issue, and pate. Was there fraud in this election? applicationsÐare needed or necessary to en- also the gentleman from California The Orange County grand jury said no. sure the accuracy and validity of our nation's (Mr. THOMAS), the chairman, and all The Republican secretary of state said elections. A grand jury in California, and the members of the task force for going no. And more than that, the gentle- Republican Secretary of State, concluded that through the entire process. woman from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) no fraud occurred in this election of a Demo- But the task force found evidence of won with over 900 votes, a solid vic- cratic member of Congress. After 13 months over 700 illegal voters. Now 124 of those tory. and $2 million in taxpayer's dollars in wasted were illegal absentees, according to the It is unfortunate that we had to funds, we have concluded 748 people may Orange County Registrar, because of spend this time. I want to remind my haveÐI emphasize, may haveÐvoted improp- the procedure. But also in the area of colleagues that in 1964, when Rosa erly. Of this total, 124 of these ``suspect'' vot- noncitizens, 600 noncitizens, based on Parks, who was my constituent, by the ers were elderly and disabled people who sub- matching of INS and voter lists, in fact way, refused to give up her seat, she mitted absentee ballots. In California, ten mil- voted in this election. Now that is two- did so because she believed that Amer- lion people voted. This resulted in one con- thirds of the entire total margin of vic- ica was the land of the free and the tested election, and of that, 748 votes may tory. home of the brave, she believed that have been improperly cast. While this is not I know we cannot say who they civil rights ought to be afforded all perfect, a 99.99 percentage for voting accu- would have voted for. I fully realize American citizens and that those same racy is certainly a pretty good electoral record. that. I do not know who those people citizens ought to be allowed the privi- We all want open, honest and fair elections would have voted for. But I think it lege to vote. and registration processes. What should not has got to be pointed out that in fact I fully support the registration of all happen, as a result of this decision by the these 600 voters existed in this elec- citizens. I think that any impairment House Oversight Committee, is the further dis- tion. or any attack on the Voting Rights Act enfranchisement of voters by even more re- Now as far as the evidence of over is despicable and we must fight against strictive registration requirements. As we all 1,700 more illegal registrations, there is it. I believe that as we move to the new know, this would only be the beginning of the evidence that there were 1,700 more. millennium in this country that we recurrence of poll watchers, literacy tests, and They did not vote but they could have take all American citizens with us. poll taxesÐother relics of a bygone era that in any election throughout California Those that are disenfranchised, we died with the adoption of the Voting Rights Act or anywhere else; if in fact illegal vot- ought to bring them also into the of 1965. These, and other further and unwar- ers exist, they can vote. American dream. ranted voting rights restrictions, hinder the Now the task force, I think this is Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this progress and freedom of not just minorities, important, confirmed that 60 percent of Congress for the first year and now in but of all Americans. Tomorrow will mark the Hermandad’s registration was illegal. my second year, I am delighted to have anniversary of the founding of the Southern That bothers me because Hermandad served on the House Oversight in this Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an Nacional Mexicana registered 1,160 per- hearing process. It certainly has grown organization founded by the late Martin Luther sons. Sixty percent were not properly me up and taught me that as we work King, Jr. As we all know, it was the courage, registered, they were illegal. And that for the American citizens we can speak bravery and dedication of a current resident of means that taxpayers across this coun- out and speak up, that when we do my Congressional District, Rosa Parks, whose try also, because there were taxpayers’ right by the people who elected us, we single-minded refusal to negotiate her prin- dollars involved with this group, paid have a better America for all of its ciples, led in no short measure to the adoption for that. Now I do not think that is a citizens. of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Vot- good use of any taxpayers’ dollars I am convinced that the Voting ing Rights Act. Thirty-three years later, I am across this country. I think the conclu- Rights Act is a very real part of that. afraid that we are witnessing the beginning of sion is the system for detouring voter I will fight vehemently any proposals the end of that hard fought battle. fraud is flawed. that would weaken that Voting Rights I am also concerned about this legislation's I just want to say something about Act for all American citizens. precedence for tort law. While I am not an at- the attack on voters’ rights. This is not I rise in support of the wisdom of Congress torney, it was my belief that one of the prin- an attack on voters’ rights. This is in dismissing the challenge by former Con- ciples in law is that the loser pays. It befud- standing up as the United States House gressman Robert K. Dornan and ending, once dles and confuses me as to why the legal bills of Representatives, in a United States and for all, the election that was certified by of the loser, former Representative Robert K. congressional election, and supporting the people of the 46th Congressional District Dornan, are being reimbursed along with voters rights. All we ask is that those of California and by California's Republican those of the winner, Representative LORETTA voters be citizens. And under the Cali- Secretary of State. Although I voted for the SANCHEZ. It is unfortunate that Congressman fornia law, they were not citizens. legislation as a member of the House Over- HOYER's attempt to eliminate this patently un- So the final conclusion of this task sight Committee, I voted for it with some trepi- fair provision was not approved by the Com- force, I think, points out that it is not dation and concern. I would also like to take mittee. about who won or lost, but it is about this opportunity to thank the members of the I fully support the full and unfettered access the American people, who become very, Task Force for their hard work and diligence, to registration and voting for all U.S. citizens. very apathetic in voting across the especially the gentleman from the State of I will continue to fight against any further ero- country. And American people know Maryland, STENY HOYER. Congressman sion of the Voting Rights Act, and encourage that the United States House looked H456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 into illegal voters and that after this Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, we have that is inaccurate, and it seems to be a we follow up together on a bipartisan two or three people coming. We moved rationalization in the last 14 months. basis to ensure that the best elections pretty quickly here, and we are waiting My daughter happens to be here are held in any State and in any dis- for somebody to yield to. today, and I was waiting until she got trict across the country. Would the gentleman like to take here with a class from this community The bottom line of this is that there one speaker, then we will take one? of new immigrants to America. My par- has been a lot of things said and peo- Mr. THOMAS. My understanding ents came to this country in 1949, and ple’s emotions. If we listen to our voice from the Speaker is that you have 10 by 1950–1951 we were living in the State mail, threats run both sides I guess. minutes more than we do. And it is of Connecticut. My parents broke no But I think that the significant point usually customary in debate to try to laws. When my mother saw a uni- to this is that at the end of the day, even the time up. You have 25 minutes. formed officer, she would tremble be- when Bob Dornan came to us and said We have 14. cause of her experiences under the that there were illegal voters, Bob Dor- Mr. HOYER. If you have one more Nazis and Stalin. nan was right, there were illegal vot- short speaker, if you will take that, To have a major political party in ers, 600 noncitizens in that election. then we will take a long stretch of this country have a record where it put But the other thing that Bob Dornan time to do exactly that. ballot security police only in areas of did with his tenacity, and I know no- Mr. THOMAS. I tell the gentleman immigrants is an outrage to what this body likes these types of hearings, it is that I have a number of speakers that country stands for. We ought to be en- not pleasant for anybody, but it does want to speak a long time. The outrage couraging new immigrants to partici- point out that in fact we have flawed of what went on requires a lot of time pate in this system, not trying to in- elections in the country, elections, the consumption. timidate them from that participation. election process, that we have to cor- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 The laws we have in this country rect if we expect voters to have con- minutes to the gentleman from Con- need to focus on fraud. The grand jury fidence in the United States congres- necticut (Mr. GEJDENSON), distin- found none. Where there are humans, sional elections or in elections all the guished ranking member. there are mistakes, but this was a way down through the courthouse level Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, it is clean and fair election, and what we do across this country. with great pleasure that I come to the here today is right, but it is late. Let Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- floor today. This last 14 months need us move forward and free this district self 30 seconds. not have occurred. What was clear and give the honor and respect to our I want to say just to clarify as this from the very beginning was that the colleague she deserves. debate proceeds, our side believes, gentlewoman from California (Ms. I would like to particularly mention based upon what we have been able to SANCHEZ) had won her seat in Congress, the great work the gentleman from count, we categorically deny that there she had won it by a substantial major- Maryland (Mr. HOYER) has done in this is substantial proof that there is any- ity, a majority that exceeded the ma- case, and appreciate his efforts in this where near the number of 600, 500, 400, jority of the Speaker of the House in a one and a previous election. 300, 200 confirmed noncitizen voters in previous election. The process we went Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield this election. over which lasted these months was myself such time as I may consume. Now, the majority has not shown us Mr. Speaker, I am not pleased that their analysis yet, so we cannot ana- completely irregular. b the primary argument being made is lyze their figures. But ours show that 1115 once again name calling and guilt by their figures are wildly inflated. It was partisan, it was an attempt to association. In the minority’s own Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the create a crisis where none existed, and views that were filed today, they say gentlewoman from the District of Co- frankly, it is the wrong message to there may have been mistakes, prob- lumbia (Ms. NORTON). send to the American people. In a coun- Ms. NORTON. I thank the gentleman lems or even illegalities in the election try that has virtually half its citizens for yielding. in the 46th district. Our job was to get Mr. Speaker, this has got to be a bit- not registered and only half of them to the bottom of that. I am just sorry tersweet moment for the gentlewoman showing up to the polls, with the per- that there was an attempt to argue centage of people voting and register- from California (Ms. SANCHEZ). The something entirely different than what women Members of Congress rejoiced ing on a continuous decrease, this is a this was about, and apparently it con- when a new woman joined us in 1996, wrong message to send to America. tinues on the floor even today. It sim- bringing the number of Hispanic It is clear from the very beginning, ply will not wash. women finally to four. But my col- from the court action taken in this Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the league was forced to win her seat case, that this was a legitimate vic- gentleman from California (Mr. ROHR- twice; first at the polls, and then from tory; and the only reason we may be ABACHER). a baseless challenge in the Congress here today is over a battle of several Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, itself. elections ago in a case in Indiana, first and foremost, when the integrity Her ordeal has been unworthy of a nothing to do with the gentlewoman of our election process is in question, it body that promises democracy and fair from California. Had the majority ad- is certainly something that should be representation. But she has shown her- hered to the law, we would have dis- investigated when we have made it self to be a fighter extraordinaire. The missed this motion in its first days. more easy for illegal aliens to register attempt to steal her seat has raised her Our previous colleague, Mr. Dornan, to vote with this motor voter program status from simply one more excellent maybe properly thought, but when he that was put in place several years ago. new Member to one of heroic propor- looked at several homes in the district Of course, we want to make sure that tions throughout this country. and found 18 people with different the people who are voting in elections The best way to make this one right names in one house, that there was are legally entitled to vote; otherwise is for every Member of this House to something irregular. One house turned we are diminishing the rights of our congratulate her and wish her well. LO- out to be an establishment for a reli- own people. RETTA, you won, not once but twice. gious order; the other was a military This is a case that should have been Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, might I facility or house where military indi- investigated. Something smelled about inquire of the time on both sides? viduals lived together quite legally, all that election from day one. Hermandad The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. registered legally. And if polling infor- has received a great number, a great CAMP). The gentleman from California mation tells us anything, the Marines amount of Federal funding. (Mr. THOMAS) has 141⁄4 minutes remain- probably voted for Mr. Dornan, and he Hermandad, an organization that was ing, and the gentleman from Maryland might have even gotten a small portion deeply involved in LORETTA SANCHEZ’S (Mr. HOYER) has 241⁄2 minutes remain- of the religious order as well. campaign, received Federal funds, and ing. We need to end this process today, they ended up registering to vote peo- The gentleman from Maryland has and I will vote for this resolution, al- ple who are not entitled to vote. Sixty 251⁄2 minutes remaining. though there is much in this resolution percent of the people in that, who are February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H457 registered by that organization, were It was unfortunate to call this proc- today is declared an emergency. Could not legal voters. ess an election contest. It causes some we not begin tomorrow by working to- This is something that deserved to be to think that this is a game. It is seri- gether on this important issue? looked into, and I think that we have ous business whenever we contemplate And to the Speaker, the gentleman not proven or disproven exactly who throwing out a single ballot in any from Georgia (Mr. GINGRICH), I know of won or did not win that election in the race, especially when a voter has never his proposal to launch a new effort in 46th. been confronted with the evidence America’s schools to teach civics. I Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me against them. challenge him to expand his ideals and a great deal of pleasure to yield 2 min- It is not over. In the coming days the ensure that every 17-year-old spends utes to the distinguished chairperson committee intends to have these sus- time learning about registration, the of the Hispanic Caucus, the gentle- pects purged from the voting rolls de- electoral system. Give them hands-on woman from California (Ms. ROYBAL- spite overwhelming evidence that the experience. Let them see what voting ALLARD). vast majority were legal voters last is about. We must do more to reverse Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, November. the decline in voter participation in the voters of the 46th Congressional I hold here in my hand an official this country of ours. District have reason to celebrate. After document of the committee. However, And finally, I am reminded of 2 Sun- a year of investigation and political the committee is so ashamed of this days ago when I was the guest of honor posturing with a taxpayer price tag of political hit piece it would not even at a Catholic mass in my district. The $1 million, the Republican leadership put its own name on it. I say to the priest gave a sermon about rejection, has been forced to give up its investiga- gentleman from California (Mr. THOM- the rejection Jesus felt when he was tion because it has found nothing to AS), his document contradicts his own turned against and the rejection his substantiate its claims that the gentle- task force chair, the gentleman from Orange County parishioners felt when woman from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) Michigan (Mr. EHLERS). their votes were cast in doubt. was not duly elected by the voters in It is rebutted by 4 sworn statements. Today, Orange County is celebrating her district. It is refuted by the indisputable fact the dismissal of this case. I am going The 46th District can celebrate with that the accuser claims he was in pos- home to tell those parishioners that pride because, in spite of Republican session of an absentee ballot even be- the faith they placed in this democracy attacks and efforts to discredit their fore they were distributed by the Re- has been honored, that they have not vote and their Congresswoman, the publican registrar of Orange County. been rejected by those who stood tall gentlewoman from California (Ms. And finally, he leaves out the fact that in their defense, that here, uniquely in SANCHEZ), fought back with dignity he was a disgruntled fired employee of this world, justice will ultimately pre- and honor to protect their right to a school district and that he made his vail on behalf of the voters of Orange elect their representative while at the accusation against a school board County. same time working diligently and ef- member who refused to order his rein- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield fectively on their behalf in the halls of statement and who was not an em- myself such time as I may consume. Congress. ployee of my committee. Mr. Speaker, included in that list, I It is unfortunate that the Republican A word about racism: We searched hope, is working together to make sure leadership refuses to accept the facts the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD for the last that the modernizations in the INS and gracefully allow the gentlewoman Congress and found 50 occasions when that have been requested, including from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) to serve this House and the other body debated digitized photographs and fingerprints, her district. Instead they have chosen race-based outcomes. Of course, those are part of that order so that we can to resort to tactics unworthy of their references to racial preferences and re- once and for all guarantee that the vot- leadership position by introducing this verse discrimination and race-based ing rolls are clean. unfairly worded resolution. set-asides were about affirmative ac- Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he Nonetheless, this issue must be dis- tion. Whenever this Congress subpoe- may consume to the gentleman from missed, and I ask my colleagues to vote nas government records of Americans Florida (Mr. STEARNS). aye. at the INS, for a narrow slice of time in (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 a small geographic region the outcome permission to revise and extend his re- minutes to the distinguished gentle- will be race-based. marks.) woman from the 46th district of the In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the out- Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak State of California (Ms. SANCHEZ), come would unfairly target Dutch im- against the resolution beofre the House to dis- making it clear that at no time was migrants; in San Francisco, the Chi- miss the election challenge by Congressman there any evidence or allegation that nese immigrants; in Miami, the Cubans Robert Dornan. she did anything other than act prop- would be unfairly labeled; and in Provi- I believe the House is setting a terrible erly during the election in the 46th Dis- dence, Rhode Island, it would be precedent on how to handle a contested elec- trict. Italians. Racism is persistent and as tion. Each Member is being asked to vote one Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank real today as it was 100 years ago. way or the other on this highly important mat- the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. As we honor the birth of a great lead- ter, but the vast majority of the Members have HOYER) for this time and for his dili- er, President Lincoln, let us resolve to been unable to read, let alone see, the report gent and effective representation for understand these issues and to open from the House Oversight Committee regard- the citizens of Orange County. I thank our minds to do more to end this bias ing the contested election. also the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. against any ethnic or racial subgroup. My staff has been trying since last Friday to GEPHARDT), the gentleman from Con- I say to the gentleman from Ohio obtain a copy of the committee report to re- necticut (Mr. GEJDENSON), the gentle- (Mr. NEY) I heard and understood him view the details of this case. As of this morn- woman from Michigan (Ms. KIL- on this issue, and therefore I extend an ing, my staff still has not been able to get a PATRICK), and the gentleman from New invitation. If he will permit me to join copy. Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ), who have each him in a school in his district to dis- This is no way to dismiss a contested elec- carried a special burden in this cause. cuss voter fraud or anything else, I will tion. How can I, as a Member of this body, And to all of my colleagues on this side host him in my district to do the same. fairly determine the accuracy of the House of the aisle and to a handful on the And to the gentleman from Michigan Oversight investigation without having the abil- other, congratulations. (Mr. EHLERS), he says the Contested ity to review its report. They were right. When others were Election Act needs changes. I invite The Committee has discounted 624 votes. spreading false and dark and shameful him to sit down with my staff and to do Beyond these votes, the Committee has listed allegations of criminality and conspir- bipartisan reform. an additional 196 votes as indicating cir- acy, they stood tall for justice, and And to the gentleman from Califor- cumstantial illegal noncitizen voting. their judgment was confirmed by 19 nia (Mr. THOMAS), his district and mine But the Committee is not adding the 196 ad- honest citizens on a grand jury of Or- have serious problems with water rec- ditional possible illegal votes to the total. ange County. lamation projects. Half of our State Why? H458 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 We have not been shown adequately why tion groupings were reviewed by staff. From portunity for this office to review various as- the 196 votes have not been added to the that review the following was determined: pects of our operation. Thank you for bring- total. If we add the 124 absentee ballots that 67 registration groups, though appearing to ing your concerns to my attention. indicate duplicated records on your list, were Very truly yours, have been disallowed by Orange County and actually separate individuals with similar ROSALYN LEVER, the recent subtraction of another 26 votes by registration data. Registrar of Voters. the County due to voting in a non-residence 19 registration groupings had duplicate b and double registering, the total illegal votes records. However, after reviewing original 1130 documented and alleged is now 970. documents, information does not support the Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Ms. SANCHEZ had been originally designated conclusion that any of these voters actually minutes to the distinguished gen- the winner by 979 votes, but now we have in- voted twice. The duplicate registrations have tleman from New Jersey (Mr. MENEN- been canceled. dication that a possible 970 votes were cast il- DEZ), one of our deputy whips. 11 registration groupings, representing 11 (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was legallyÐproviding Ms. SANCHEZ with a victory voters, have been referred to the District At- by just nine votes. torney for review for possible Elections Code given permission to revise and extend Are we ready to dismiss an election chal- violations. his remarks.) Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want lenge that has been deemed to have been ADDRESSES WITH 6 OR MORE REGISTERED won by 9 votes with over 900 potential illegal VOTERS to thank the distinguished gentleman votes. Of the 145 addresses submitted with 6 or from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) not only I do not believe we have given this election more registered voters, two addresses were for yielding, but for all of his work on challenge its absolute fair review and the also submitted and reviewed as part of the behalf of not only the gentlewoman Committee has not done its job of informing business address list. Staff reviewed the re- from California (Ms. SANCHEZ), but our the Members of the details of its investigation. maining 143 addresses with the following re- community, which looks at this case COUNTY OF ORANGE, sult. with great, great interest. GENERAL SERVICES AGENCY, 127 addresses appear to be residences with Mr. Speaker, the dismissal of this Santa Ana, CA, January 17, 1997. multiple families or large family groups. witch hunt is a victory for justice and WILLIAM R. HART, 11 addresses are apartment complexes. integrity and respect for the electoral 5 addresses are large residential facilities. Hart, King & Coldren, process. It is a victory for the gentle- Santa Ana, CA. AFFIDAVITS POTENTIALLY HELD MORE THAN 3 woman from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) DEAR MR. HART: Our office has concluded DAYS BEFORE SUBMITTAL TO THE REGISTRAR its review of the various lists submitted by OF VOTERS and the people of California’s 46th Dis- trict who elected her. It is also a vic- you on December 17, 1996. Though it would be Holding records for more than three days inappropriate to discuss individual voter not affect the voter’s eligibility to vote. tory for the Hispanic American com- records, I have provided below summary data munity who stuck together and fought which should clarify and offer perspective on ‘‘VOTED TAPE’’ AND ‘‘STATEMENT OF VOTES’’ DO NOT MATCH this battle, despite attacks on our pri- the issues you have raised. vacy, on our honor, and on our very BUSINESS ADDRESSES The ‘‘voted tape’’ is a tape of voter history and is not utilized in the official canvass. citizenship, our citizenship. Of the 50 addresses submitted representing The ‘‘voted tape’’ is a computer product They underestimated how much that 122 voters, 8 of the addresses representing 29 which is created from a static file of active meant to us, those of us from families voters were duplicated on your list. The re- voter registrations as of 29 days prior to the who came here fleeing political perse- sulting 42 addresses representing 93 voters election and which are still active when the cution, or from nations without basic were reviewed by staff. From the review the tape is created after the election and who rights know and honor the value of our following was determined: have voted in the election. As a result the 39 addresses representing 88 voters were lo- vote. That truth was on our side, and ‘‘white provisional’’ (NVRA Fail Safe) voters cations which served as the voters’ residence that truth won out. and ‘‘new citizen’’ voters are not included on and, therefore, met criteria for registering to Mr. Speaker, 15 months ago, Bob Dor- the ‘‘voted tape’’. In addition, records can- vote. celed between election day and the creation nan claimed a vast conspiracy of voter 2 addresses representing 4 voters were loca- of the tape will not appear on the ‘‘voted fraud stole that election from him, but tions which were not the voters’ residence. tape’’. Some voted records will not accu- the California Secretary of State did Those records are being forwarded to the rately reflect the method of voting. not find any evidence to proof his District Attorney for review and appropriate The data you submitted was compiled by action. charges, a grand jury in Orange County ‘‘regular’’ precinct and not ‘‘consolidated 1 address representing 1 voter was improp- did not find enough proof to issue a sin- voting’’ precinct. This accounts for many of erly entered in the computer system. The ad- gle indictment in the case. The exhaus- the discrepancies in the detail portion of dress information has been corrected. Both tive taxpayer-funded $1 million, 14- your list. Due to the nature of the ‘‘voted addresses were within the same ballot type tape’’ and the fact that the Statement of month investigation produced no ulti- for the general election. Votes is compiled by ‘‘consolidated voting’’ mate proof to overturn the election, REGISTRATIONS INDICATING THE VOTER WAS precinct, this office will address only the and the Republican-dominated over- UNDER AGE summary totals on your report. sight committee itself was forced to Two records were submitted which ap- The report submitted indicated 106,255 bal- recommend dismissing the charges be- peared to indicate the voters were not 18 lots cast on the Statement of Votes and cause there was not enough evidence to years of age at the time of election. After re- 104,270 voters on the ‘‘voted tape’’. Staff has back up Mr. Dornan’s outrageous viewing the original and prior affidavits of reviewed our ‘‘voted tape’’ and has deter- charges. registration, staff has determined both indi- mined there are 104,447 individual voter viduals are over 18 years of age and the dis- records on the ‘‘voted tape’’. Therefore, that One would think that all of these crepancies were caused by data entry errors. shall be the base number used. facts would be enough for Republicans ABSENTEE VOTER RECORDS to admit that Mr. Dornan’s claims Of the 128 records submitted, 5 records were simply false. Instead, in this reso- were duplicated on your list. The resulting lution, Republicans blame various gov- 123 records were reviewed by staff. From that ‘‘Voted tape’’ total ...... 104,447 ernment agencies and officials, from review the following was determined: ‘‘White provisional’’ voters not in- the INS to the U.S. Justice Depart- 59 records appear to have met the basic cri- cluded on ‘‘voted tape’’ ...... 666 ment, as well as various witnesses in teria of absentee return in person, by certain ‘‘New citizen’’ voters not included the case, for preventing them from get- authorized relatives, or in emergency by a on ‘‘voted tape’’ ...... 218 ting the proof they needed. designated representative. Canceled records not included on I have another, more rational expla- 60 records do not appear to have strictly ‘‘voted tape’’ ...... 464 nation for the lack of evidence. It does conformed to the criteria of EC 3017 but were executed by the voter. Total ...... 105,795 not exist. That is the reality, and that 4 records that the absent voter had not is why Hispanic Americans across the This leaves a difference between the properly executed. country are today rejoicing in this de- ‘‘voted tape’’ and the Statement of Votes of DUPLICATE REGISTRATIONS INDICATING 460 records. The 460 records indicate an aver- cision but not forgetting in November POSSIBLE DOUBLE VOTING age of two data entry errors per ‘‘consoli- about what some in this House tried to Of the 114 registration groupings submit- dated voting’’ precinct. do to our basic rights. ted, 17 registration groupings were dupli- The information you have submitted has Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, could I cated on your list. The resulting 97 registra- been valuable in providing an additional op- inquire as to the time remaining? February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H459 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. Speaker, we consider today an plicated process. But I point out to my CAMP). The gentleman from California issue that is perhaps the most fun- colleagues only that the minority staff, (Mr. THOMAS) has 13 minutes remain- damental issue that can come before smaller and with less information, did, ing, and the gentleman from Maryland the House: Who shall be elected rep- in fact, analyze and go through all of (Mr. HOYER) has 14 minutes remaining. resentative of a congressional district. the votes and all of the names that Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to It is a decision that the Constitution of were generated during the course of the gentlewoman from Washington the United States places in the hands this investigation. (Ms. DUNN), a former member of the of two entities. First instance, the vot- The minority staff on the Committee committee. ers of our districts, the people, and on House Oversight undertook an ex- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- then secondly, the Members of this tensive and exhaustive analysis of the tlewoman from Washington (Ms. DUNN) House to judge whether that election data from the INS and other sources. is recognized for how long? was conducted properly. The minority undertook a diligent and Mr. THOMAS. One minute, Mr. It is, therefore, a matter of great im- exhaustive review of the records before Speaker, plus the time that people portance that should be approached us. have been getting after each speaks. with caution, serious consideration, An enormous database was developed Ms. DUNN of Washington. Mr. Speak- thorough and fair analysis, and non- which included information on Orange County er, I rise to thank the Committee on partisanship. It is with regret, frankly, registrants who potentially matched an INS in- House Oversight because I think that that I stand before my colleagues dividual, all naturalization data about the indi- the committee has shown great cour- today to say that while I believe the vidual that was available, including electronic age in considering this challenge to an decision the majority is recommending and hand written notations, and all relevant in- election. is correct and appropriate, the process formation about the individuals registration For decades, we never took a second date and voting status. First, the minority had look at challenges and there was a deal that preceded that decision is not one I to reduce the massive list to those who actu- made between both sides of the House hope that future Congresses will rep- ally voted in the 46th Congressional District, of Representatives, and nothing was licate. The procedures set forth in the Fed- ever done. I think there were among from this database we were able to discern in- eral Contested Election Act, under those four decades of challenges prob- dividuals who had gender conflicts, obvious which this contested election was sup- ably some very good and useful basis. first name mismatches, obvious middle name posed to be considered, are quite clear However, why I am particularly thank- mismatches, and individuals who were clearly and have been used under Democratic American citizens by virtue of birth, parentage ful to Chairman THOMAS and the com- mittee for looking at this challenge is and Republican majorities. The proce- or naturalization date. The INS repeatedly warned that their that it has brought to public view some dures that the task force and the com- data could not be relied on for the pur- very serious problems that exist for mittee undertook in this election con- pose it was being used. Short of face- people who run elections and for citi- test were not consistent with the act, to-face interviews, we will never know zens who should have the right to elect in my opinion, and were not fair, and for sure that the individual from the their own representatives themselves. were certainly not bipartisan. Specifically, I am talking about the From the beginning of this contest, I INS is indeed the same individual as whole area of motor voter and the repeatedly sought a bipartisan process the Orange County voter. Yet, given whole area of the requirement that one whereby we could agree on the proce- that caveat, some conclusions about must be a citizen before he or she dures and the issues before us. I was the majority’s number can be stated. votes. I did work as a party chairman disappointed that throughout the last I can tell my colleagues that the in Washington State for 11 years, and I 14 months, those efforts were contin- number of voters who are described as must say we had the cleanest elections ually and consistently rebuffed. So illegal, noncitizen voters is greatly ex- of all of the States in the Nation dur- closed has this process been that as I aggerated, and that the majority’s own ing that time. Most of it is due to the stand before my colleagues today, I evidence shows this. I want to show my success of our Secretary of State, have only just received a copy of the colleagues a chart where we have ana- Ralph Munro, who himself was an early majority’s report. In fact, contrary to lyzed some, not all, about 150, of the 346 supporter and initiator of motor voter. assertions and commitments that were or so that may be voters who are not But the problem exists in this sort of made to me, I have never been given identified by naturalization date. The scenario, Mr. Speaker. Last year when the majority’s analysis of the votes in fact of the matter is that we have I renewed my driver’s license, the man question to this very day. I, nor any found that 93 percent of the signature behind the counter asked me to come other Member on this floor, with the matches on suspect lists referenced by back there and look at some docu- possible exception of the two Repub- the, 93 percent, were in fact U.S. citi- ments. He showed me a stack of docu- lican task force members and the gen- zens on November 5, 1996. ments this high that he told me were tleman from California (Mr. THOMAS), I can tell my colleagues that rather illegal documents used by people to get have seen the analysis on which the than stonewalling and being unco- their driver’s licenses, upon which they numbers that we have heard earlier operative, the INS responded to more would get the guaranteed right to vote. today are based. than 20 separate committee requests Those were people who were not citi- It is incomprehensible to me that I for either electronic data matches or zens, then using the national ability of come to the well of this House with ab- paper file reviews. The INS has pro- a citizen to vote. solutely no idea how the majority vided approximately 8,000 worksheets This is a big problem, and to the de- reached its findings. Although I am a and nearly 3,700 signatures for the com- gree to which this investigation leads full member of the task force, I have mittee. I would tangentially inform ev- us to analyze and do oversight over the yet to see the list of names behind the erybody in this House, as I have before: whole motor voter issue so that citi- numbers on the majority’s report. I This process has never been pursued be- zens will be required to vote, and that have agreed to keep that confidential, fore in the history of this Republic; not people who are not citizens of our great and I appreciate the chairman’s obser- when the Irish immigrants moved into Nation will not have the authority to vation that in fact every name has Boston, not when the Italian immi- put into positions representatives of been kept confidential. grants moved into Providence; not our Nation I think is a great achieve- However, because the minority, after when the Polish immigrants moved ment of this investigation, and I look a fight, had access to the data received into Chicago; not when the Jewish pop- forward to those oversight hearings from the Immigration and Naturaliza- ulation moved into New York; never that the Committee on House Over- tion Service, I can make some judg- before in the history of America. Not sight will have and to our Secretary of ments about the majority’s numbers. once has this process been pursued. State, Ralph Munro, for providing tes- My colleagues cannot read this chart, Mr. Speaker, 72 different INS field of- timony, as he has agreed to do and I understand, any better than we could fices, including five INS foreign offices, looks forward to doing. read the majority’s chart. Why? Be- as well as district offices, sub-offices, Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- cause as the gentleman from Michigan service centers, asylum offices and self 8 minutes. (Mr. EHLERS) said, it has been a com- headquarters assisted the committee in H460 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 this investigation. I can tell my col- had an extensive investigation. Allega- credit it. Call it partisan. Call it a leagues that within 7 days of being sub- tions were made on this floor about in- witch-hunt. Fail to cooperate. And not poenaed by the Committee on House dividuals and about organizations. just that side of the aisle, but Federal oversight, the INS provided the com- b 1145 agencies, INS, the Department of Jus- mittee with its first list of names, over tice. And then some who have been in- 500,000 from around the country. There The grand jury of California refused volved in this fraud have fled the coun- were less than 110,000 people who voted to indict a single person or single orga- try so we cannot talk to them. Does all in the congressional race in the 46th nization after hearing the evidence. As of this sound familiar? District, yet 500,000 names were gen- I said earlier, at no time was the gen- Finally, the most repugnant part of erated by the INS in response to the tlewoman from California (Ms. the tactics of the other side is to come majority’s request. SANCHEZ) ever, ever implicated in any and disrupt the proceedings of the I can also tell my colleagues that of wrongdoing. It is right and proper that floor. My concerns is that we cannot the 748 votes that the majority con- we sustain her election today. act through intimidation in this proc- tends are illegal votes by noncitizens, The facts have told a different story ess. We cannot act through obstruc- 124 of them concern absentee ballots. than were originally projected. After a tion. We cannot act through delay. If The registrar of elections who did an yearlong investigation by the DA no we pervert the electoral process, we de- outstanding job during the course of crimes have been found. The DA of Or- stroy faith and confidence in the entire the election and during the course of ange County could not convince a system. this investigation, Roz Lever, said that grand jury of 19 citizens to indict any- Mr. Speaker, this election is one of in a less contested election, she would one. The gentlewoman from California the worst cases of voter fraud in the count. Why? Because the only thing has been found, as we knew it to be the history of Federal elections. Again, wrong with that citizens’ vote was that case, to have won this election. Mr. this is not a game of horseshoes. This it was delivered by the wrong person Speaker, I am glad this has finally is a fact that we have got to 700 and we under the statute. It was an absentee come to an end. have stopped counting. ballot. It may have been a neighbor Mr. Speaker, I would simply say that Mr. Speaker, this Congress has spent rather than a husband that was able to I will offer a motion to recommit so millions and millions of dollars to en- deliver that ballot, but they were citi- that the only thing in the resolutions sure fair elections in Haiti, in Bosnia, in countless developing nations and de- zens of the United States of America. is to do what we should have done in veloping democracies across the world. Their citizenship was never in doubt. February of last year: Dismiss this Yet, we cannot ensure an honest elec- Although the majority talks about 748 complaint that did not provide credible tion and fair election in the 46th Dis- noncitizens voting, they know that evidence, as required by precedents for trict and there are still on the rolls number is exaggerated. the last 30 years, to show anything Furthermore, I can tell my col- other than the gentlewoman from Cali- 1,700 illegal voters, according to our in- leagues that beyond these absentee bal- fornia won cleanly, fairly, and obvi- formation. Let me say that history will record lots, hundreds, hear me now, hundreds ously the election in the 46th Congres- the closing down of this investigation of the so-called illegal, noncitizen vot- sional District in 1996. Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, would of fraud and this election with disdain. ers are indeed citizens, and have been My grandparents were all immigrants. for a very long time. While some may you please indicate to me how much time is remaining on each side. The greatest day in their life was when not have been citizens when they reg- they became an American citizen. The istered, a bone of legal contention, and The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CAMP). The gentleman from California second greatest day was when they I understand that, they were citizens were able to cast a vote, because they when they voted. The massive net that (Mr. THOMAS) has 11 minutes remain- ing. The gentleman from Maryland often did not have that opportunity the majority cast over the past 14 from where they came. (Mr. HOYER) has 5 minutes remaining. months included individuals that had The integrity of that vote has been Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 been citizens prior to 1996, and hear me disparaged here today. What have we minutes to the gentleman from Florida now, have been citizens of this country done to the vote that I and they cher- (Mr. MICA), a member of the Commit- for over 20 years that are in the list ish? If those who close down this inves- tee on House Oversight. that the majority has projected. tigation were taking a wrecking ball to Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, what we are Let me make clear, at no time was there the side of this House of Representa- talking about here today is one of the any credible evidence to show anything other tives’ chambers, I do not believe they most important responsibilities given than the election of LORETTA SANCHEZ. When could do more damage to this institu- to the Congress, and that is to be a Robert Dornan's initial allegations proved tion than what they are doing today. groundless, that should have been the end of judge of its own Members in contested Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I do not this matter. But the majority wanted to prove elections. know how many speakers that the ma- a point. They wanted, for the first time ever to Mr. Speaker, this resolution is about jority has left. I may be the only re- move the Federal contested elections act be- fraud in a contested Federal election. maining speaker. Right now, we do not yond a motion to dismiss. When even that ef- This important responsibility is not a have the other speakers here and we fort proved fruitless, they turned to the INS. game of horseshoes where if we get know where they are and they are This matter has taken longer than it close, we win. This is about one of the aware and they obviously cannot get should have, Mr. Speaker. The commit- most sacred responsibilities and oppor- back. tee has had in its possession the evi- tunity every American has, and that is Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, we have dence that it needed to reach today’s to cast an honest and fair and open bal- the right to close and we have two conclusion for at least 5 months. lot. speakers. Is the gentleman from Mary- If the committee's initial request to the INS The question today is, did fraud land saying that he is the only one re- had been more focused, rather than the occur? And the answer is yes, fraud did maining or there will be additional 500,000 person fishing expedition it was, we occur in this. We have information ones arriving? could have finished sooner. If the majority had from the county, we have information Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, at this managed the procedures of this case in a from the State, we have information time I am the only remaining speaker thoughtful and expeditious manner, rather than from Federal agencies. But we just that we can find, because we note two letting motions objecting to Mr. Dornan's over- heard the gentleman from Maryland of our speakers who want to speak, the ly broad and intrusive sit for months, we could speak at the well who said that we do gentleman from Michigan (Mr. have finished earlier. If we could have come not have all the information necessary. BONIOR), the minority whip, and the together and reviewed the evidence together, Mr. Speaker, I today protest the clos- gentleman from California (Mr. BECER- rather than duplicating staff and committee re- ing down of this investigation of fraud, RA), the chairman of the Hispanic Cau- sources, we could have come to this House and I am dismayed by what has taken cus, both wanted to speak. Both of sooner. place by some on the other side, what them are at another event right now. Some people on this floor continue to they have done. The tactics are, first of We are trying to get them here. I am talk about fraud. The district attorney all, smear the investigation. Try to dis- the only speaker remaining. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H461 Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the gen- had been illegally registered? Would he I called a quorum call at this time, I tleman from Maryland indicates he is have pursued that? Let us clear away would be in order? the only speaker remaining, thus I the political baloney. Of course he The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from would have pursued it. Of course we in the discretion of the Chair, and the California (Mr. HUNTER). had a right to do this. Of course Mr. Chair does not have to entertain a call Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, the for- Dornan did what every single other of the House at this time. est almost gets lost for the trees. Member would have done. Mr. HOYER. But I could do that? Seven hundred forty-eight illegal votes Now, he did not get the 900-plus votes Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, my as- were found by clear and convincing evi- that was the margin in the election, sumption was that the time was or- dence. Now I, like a number of other according to the committee’s report dered, the time was allotted, and the Members, sat down and got debriefed and its analysis. But that was an in- time should be consumed. by the committee and that was my complete report, in my view, for this Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the question: When the smoke cleared, reason: It did not review any of the il- gentleman from California (Mr. CAMP- were there illegal votes cast? Were legal aliens who voted. It only reviewed BELL), someone who has been ex- there illegal voters involved? The an- people, the 10,000 or so people who had tremely helpful in getting us to under- swer on both counts was yes. signed up with the system. stand the mathematical theories and Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman So if they never signed up with the the false assumptions that have from California (Mr. THOMAS), chair- system and if they were registered by underlain previous attempts to exam- man of the committee, to ask: Does one of these bounty hunters who got 10 ine elections. this accurately represent the finding of bucks for registering and voting them (Mr. CAMPBELL asked and was the committee? for the party, like the bounty hunters given permission to revise and extend Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, that is who registered and voted the guy who his remarks.) correct. assassinated the Presidential con- Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, it is Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, reclaim- tender, Mr. Colosio in Tijuana, he was my prayer that today we can put our ing my time, 748 illegal votes were assassinated by a guy who had been animosities behind us and that is the found by clear and convincing evi- registered twice by the Democrat reason why I asked to speak. Mr. Speaker, I wish to say that it is dence. Party in Los Angeles, of all places. my view that the gentlewoman from Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues So those people who were registered, California ought to have her attorneys’ that this investigation was not driven who were illegal aliens and who were fees paid, because she is the prevailing by revelations that Bob Dornan pro- not citizens, who had not signed up to party. I believe that in civil litigation, duced. It was driven by the Los Angeles be naturalized, were not identified. and that should apply here. Times’ report by a Hispanic reporter There is only one way to identify them. who reported that the Hermandad of- And the way to identify them is very b 1200 fice had been raided and that 227 illegal difficult, very hard, very expensive. It I also believe that my good friend voters, nonlegal voters, had been iden- costs about $5 million. We must go and colleague, the gentleman from tified by authorities. That is what door to door and qualify every voter, Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) has done a very started driving this investigation, a once a prima facie proof of fraud has fine job and that it was unfair to criti- Hispanic reporter. been found of illegal voters. We go door cize him as much as he has been criti- Mr. Speaker, let me go to my second to door and we start with Adams and cized. He is an honest man and he did point. The Hispanic community is not go to Ziegler and see if a person is a his very best. against this investigation. At least the legal voter. It costs a lot of money and The same goes for my good friend and Hispanic community that I know. The takes a lot of time. That is the other 90 colleague, the gentleman from Califor- Hispanic community that I served with percent of voters in this district. We nia (Mr. THOMAS). What lasts from this, in Vietnam. The Hispanic community did not do it. what comes out of this that might be in Southern California that believes in Mr. Speaker, Bill Jones, secretary of of permanent value is that we should in having free and fair elections. state of California said, I want to do it. the future have a standard for those Mr. Dornan, is a colleague and a He announced he was going to do it in cases where we cannot prove ballot-box friend who I traveled with to Central March of 1997, and he did not do it. He stuffing, but where the number of per- America when the democracy of Sal- said, and I quote, sons who voted, who should not have, vador was in question, the democracy Given the current state of the law, my exceeds the margin of the outcome. of Honduras, the proposed democracy hands are for all legal purposes tied. I am That is a case that is ambiguous in in Nicaragua was in question. I met prevented from undertaking a large-scale existing law. I think it is a good rule, with him in one of the last meetings citizenship qualification check of the Orange going forward, that when the number with Jose Duarte, that great democrat County voter file as I initially requested in of cases of illegal voters exceeds the March of 1997. of Salvador who brought them to free- margin, we have to hold a new election. dom and democracy, and Bob Dornan So, Mr. Speaker, put me down as feel- That seems to me safe. said, ‘‘This is one of the great people in ing that this investigation is incom- Lastly I would say that the more im- our hemisphere. He is going to bring plete. I am going to vote ‘‘no’’ because portant thing even than that lesson is free elections to this country.’’ I think it is incomplete, because once that we not let the rancor continue. I Bob Dornan did exactly what every we made the prima facia showing of il- welcome my colleague from California one of us would have done. If we had legal voters we should have taken the as a fellow Californian. I trust that all had a narrow election in which we time and taken the expense of $5 mil- of us can put this behind us for the thought we had won on Election Day, lion to check the qualifications of good of our Congress and the good of we were ahead in the votes, the absen- every voter in the district. our Nation. tee ballots came in when we were be- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I apolo- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. hind. And then we had a story come gize, but we have had another event CAMP). The gentleman from California out and tell us that raids were being with the President going on. That is (Mr. THOMAS) has 2 minutes remaining, made and over 227 illegal voters had why we are having a little trouble. and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. been found, which Member in this PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY HOYER) has 5 minutes remaining. Chamber would not have rightly con- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I have a Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- tested that election? parliamentary inquiry. self 2 minutes. The gentleman from Connecticut The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gen- (Mr. GEJDENSON) spoke and said there tleman will state it. tleman from California. The rancor should have been no contest. The gen- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I do this ought to pass from us. I will tell my tleman from Connecticut won one of just to explain to all the Members that friend from California that there would his elections by 23 votes. Now, what if I do not want them to think that I am have been far less rancor if this had he had been told by the major news- getting special advantage from the been a more open process, and we had paper in his town that 227 Republicans chairman. Mr. Speaker, am I correct if felt included in this process. H462 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 I think I have the reputation of being thousands of Hispanic voters. They tificate signed by the chief election of- a fair Member who can work with both wasted more than a million dollars of ficer of their State been allowed to be sides of the aisle. I value that reputa- taxpayer money. They ran after so seated, the Democrats did not seat tion and I value that mode of operat- many false leads, stumbled into so him. The Republicans honored the cer- ing. But I will tell my friend that there many dead ends, jumped to so many tificate of election. are clearly some erroneous things that conclusions, I am surprised they can We do things differently than you do. are being said on this floor: 748 illegal still stand up today. You name-call. You argue that there is In the end, they came up empty. In votes. Nobody on this floor knows that no fraud in this election and yet, based the 15 months the Republicans could there are 748 illegal votes that were upon your minority report, you indi- find no evidence, no evidence that LO- cast in this election. I guarantee it. I cate that there were flaws in the elec- RETTA SANCHEZ did anything but win guarantee it as someone who has tion. You argue that the INS data is worked pretty hard on this case, who her election fair and square. So the Re- publicans finally are giving up. They not sufficient for us to prove our point, has read all the precedents, who has but you use the same INS data to say read not the majority report, because I are giving up because they have no case. that our point is invalid. You cannot just received it at 10 minutes of 10:00, have it both ways. but read all of our report, all our law- I do not really expect the Repub- yers’ reports, and investigated as much licans will apologize to the gentle- I understand you are disappointed as I could with the time I had available woman from California (Ms. SANCHEZ), that you are no longer the majority on matches of signatures. but they ought to. I do not expect the and you can not continue to shut down We believe that there is a general Republicans will apologize to the thou- questionable elections as you did for 40 issue here, but that, very frankly, the sands of Hispanic Americans for ques- years. But what this majority now will House has been hurt in the attempt to tioning their right to vote merely on do on this case and in the future is to establish a new precedent with respect the basis of their ethnic heritage, but get to the bottom of problems in elec- to the level of credible evidence nec- they ought to. And I do not really ex- tions. essary to get a Member to the time pect the Republicans will apologize to One thing this House can do is thank when they have to respond to as pro- the voters of Orange County for trying Mr. Dornan because he looked at the longed and expensive contest as this to undermine their constitutional Contested Election Act and said, it is a has been. rights, but they ought to. catch-22 if people can stonewall while LORETTA SANCHEZ won the 1996 elec- The distinguished gentleman from trying to get to the bottom of it. California (Mr. HUNTER) said that we tion fair and square. Grudgingly, the were not proceeding on Mr. Dornan’s Republicans have to acknowledge that. It has been said on your side that you allegations. He was absolutely correct. But now they are trying to cover up need to know the truth. The truth will It was the gentleman from California their retreat with an ugly cloud of in- set you free. What is wrong with trying (Mr. HUNTER) that said that. We believe nuendo and a bill that will be before us to get to the bottom of what happened that is the case. What we were proceed- in just a few minutes to discourage mi- in an election? If you try to find out ing on was information garnered by the nority voters from casting their ballots who the honest voters were, you are committee, not on the contestant’s at election time. automatically a racist. If you try to case. Indeed, the contestant does not This campaign of intimidation has determine an accurate count, it is a have all the information, in my opin- got to stop. Republicans must accept ‘‘witch-hunt.’’ ion, that he should have right now. But that voters get to choose who they What in the world do you folks do neither does the contestee. But it is want represented in this Congress. with a recent headline that says ‘‘INS LORETTA, congratulations on your time for us to dismiss this case. It is Proposing Citizenship Test Overhaul’’? victory. Your courage is an inspiration time for us to go beyond this and in- There is a new screening process to cut to us all. deed it is time to free the gentlewoman Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- fraud and delays. from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) from the self the balance of my time. It was the political people, the politi- bondage which has been this case, and We come to the end of a long and cal appointees of the Department of allow her to fully represent the people somewhat torturous time in this Justice who stonewalled. We are famil- of the 46th District. She has been doing House. I congratulate the majority for iar with that tactic from this adminis- so well and I know she will continue. coming to its conclusion. I think it is tration. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the an appropriate and correct conclusion. The professionals at INS cooperated distinguished gentleman from Michi- I regret the rhetoric that is included initially in California. Had we gotten gan (Mr. BONIOR), minority whip. in the preamble to that conclusion. I that kind of cooperation, we would The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- think it is erroneous. I disagree with have brought this to a conclusion much tleman from California (Mr. THOMAS) it. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, at the faster. We did not have a preordained has 2 minutes remaining, and the gen- appropriate time I will make, as I said result. We wanted to get to the bottom tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) has earlier, a motion to recommit with in- of it. We have gotten to the bottom of 3 minutes remaining. structions. That motion to recommit it as best we are able. We need to Mr. THOMAS. Is the gentleman’s in- will simply provide for the passage of change the laws to fully understand tention to yield the additional minute, the dismissal of the complainant’s con- who is on the rolls, responsibly and if necessary, or is he going to reserve test. That is what we ought to do. That properly, and who is not. it? is what facts show. It is time that we Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I will fin- do so. Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker and ish our time before yielding back. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she my colleagues, I rise to thank my colleagues Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank may consume to the gentlewoman from on the other side of the isle for finally having my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). the courage, after 15 months and over one HOYER) for his work on this, my col- (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and million of wasted taxpayer dollars spent, to league from New York and my col- was given permission to revise and ex- dismiss the completely unfounded challenge of league from New Jersey (Mr. MENEN- tend her remarks.) former Congressman Dornan to the election of DEZ), my colleagues who worked on Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. LORETTA SANCHEZ. this issue. Speaker, I rise with humility, and I This totally partisan investigation singled out In 1996, the voters of Orange County rise with a sense of freedom that today Representative SANCHEZ and the voters of the elected LORETTA SANCHEZ and they de- we will be able to free LORETTA 46th District of California for unparalleled scru- feated Bob Dornan. That is the way SANCHEZ, finally free LORETTA tiny and harassment, the likes this body never American democracy is supposed to SANCHEZ. work. Voters get to choose who they Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield saw before. want to represent them in the Con- myself the balance of my time. After hounding Ms. SANCHEZ and the His- gress. Mr. Speaker, I find it ironic the pic- panic-Americans in her District for more than For the past 15 months Bob Dornan ture that is painted by the now minor- a year, with unfounded allegation after allega- and the Republicans have forgotten ity in terms of this process. Would that tion, the majority has finally come to accept that. They questioned the integrity of someone who held a valid election cer- what many of us have known from the very February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H463 beginning, which was: That Ms. SANCHEZ was The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Taylor (MS) Velazquez Weygand Thompson Vento Wise duly elected by the lawful voters of her district; tleman qualifies as being opposed to Thurman Visclosky Woolsey and that officials in the State of California in- the resolution because he is opposed to Tierney Waters Wynn cluding, the Orange County District Attorney the preamble which is not to be sepa- Torres Watt (NC) Yates and the California Secretary of State, certified rately voted on under these cir- Towns Waxman Turner Wexler her election. cumstances. So therefore he is opposed So I applaud my Republican colleagues for to the resolution in its present form NAYS—215 taking this action today. While I believe that and he qualifies at this point. Aderholt Gillmor Packard this resolution is 10 months too late in coming The motion is not debatable. Archer Gilman Pappas Armey Goodlatte Parker to the floor, I am grateful that we can finally Without objection, the previous ques- Bachus Goodling Paul put this matter to rest and Ms. SANCHEZ can tion is ordered on the motion to recom- Baker Goss Paxon get on with doing the job she was elected to mit. Ballenger Graham Pease Barr Granger Petri do. Thank you. There was no objection. Barrett (NE) Greenwood Pickering Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut, Mr. Speak- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bartlett Gutknecht Pitts er, I am very pleased that the House Over- question is on the motion to recommit. Barton Hansen Pombo sight Committee has decided to dismiss the The question was taken; and the Bass Hastert Porter Bateman Hastings (WA) Portman election contest against our colleague, LORET- Speaker pro tempore announced that Bereuter Hayworth Pryce (OH) TA SANCHEZ. the noes appeared to have it. Bilbray Hefley Quinn Of course, this action took an unconscion- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I object to Bilirakis Herger Radanovich Bliley Hill Ramstad able amount of timeÐmore than a year has the vote on the ground that a quorum Blunt Hilleary Redmond passed since Congresswoman SANCHEZ was is not present and make the point of Boehlert Hobson Regula seated in this House. Of course, this action in- order that a quorum is not present. Boehner Hoekstra Riley volved charges that on their face had no merit The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Bonilla Horn Rogan Brady Hostettler Rogers but were nonetheless pursued. Of course, it is dently a quorum is not present. Bryant Houghton Rohrabacher difficult to understand the actionÐexcept as The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Bunning Hulshof Ros-Lehtinen an attempt to intimidate and distract a vulner- sent Members. Burr Hunter Roukema Burton Hutchinson Royce able new member of this House. The vote was taken by electronic de- Calvert Hyde Ryun Nonetheless, I am pleased. And I would be vice, and there were—yeas 194, nays Camp Inglis Salmon glad to put this difficult chapter behind usÐex- 215, not voting 21, as follows: Campbell Istook Sanford cept that the majority is intent on writing a new Canady Jenkins Saxton [Roll No. 15] Cannon Johnson (CT) Schaefer, Dan chapter today. YEAS—194 Castle Johnson, Sam Schaffer, Bob The Oversight investigation turned up no Chabot Jones Sensenbrenner Abercrombie Gejdenson Meeks (NY) Chambliss Kasich Sessions evidence of large-scale non-citizen votingÐnot Ackerman Gephardt Menendez Chenoweth Kelly Shadegg in Orange County, and certainly not nation- Allen Goode Millender- Christensen Kim Shaw Andrews Gordon McDonald wide. Why then are we being asked to con- Coble King (NY) Shays Baesler Green Miller (CA) sider this next piece of legislation? At best, it Coburn Kingston Shimkus Baldacci Gutierrez Minge Collins Klug Shuster is unnecessaryÐa solution in search of a Barcia Hall (OH) Moakley Combest Knollenberg Skeen Barrett (WI) Hall (TX) Mollohan problem. At worst, it is an effort to intimidate Cook Kolbe Smith (MI) Becerra Hamilton Moran (VA) naturalized American citizens from exercising Cooksey LaHood Smith (NJ) Bentsen Hastings (FL) Murtha Cox Largent Smith (TX) our most precious rightÐthe right to vote. Berman Hefner Nadler Crapo Latham Smith, Linda Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join Berry Hilliard Neal Cubin LaTourette Snowbarger Bishop Hinchey Oberstar me in congratulating LORETTA SANCHEZÐonce Cunningham Lazio Souder Blagojevich Hinojosa Obey againÐin her election victory in November Davis (VA) Leach Spence Blumenauer Holden Olver Deal Lewis (CA) Stearns 1996. And I urge them also to join me in op- Bonior Hooley Ortiz DeLay Lewis (KY) Stump Borski Hoyer Owens posing the unfair and unworkable Horn bill. Diaz-Balart Linder Sununu Boswell Jackson (IL) Pallone Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I would Dickey Livingston Talent Boucher Jackson-Lee Pascrell urge all colleagues to vote aye and I Doolittle LoBiondo Tauzin Boyd (TX) Pastor Dreier Lucas Taylor (NC) move the previous question on the res- Brown (CA) Jefferson Payne Duncan Manzullo Thomas Brown (FL) John Pelosi olution and on the preamble. Dunn McCollum Thornberry Brown (OH) Johnson, E. B. Peterson (MN) The previous question was ordered. Ehlers McCrery Thune Cardin Kanjorski Pickett Ehrlich McDade Tiahrt MOTION TO RECOMMIT OFFERED BY MR. HOYER Carson Kaptur Pomeroy Emerson McHugh Traficant Clay Kennedy (MA) Poshard Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I offer a English McInnis Upton Clayton Kennedy (RI) Price (NC) motion to recommit. Everett McIntosh Walsh Clyburn Kennelly Rahall Ewing McKeon Wamp The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the Condit Kildee Rangel Fawell Metcalf Watkins Costello Kilpatrick Reyes gentleman opposed to the resolution? Foley Mica Watts (OK) Coyne Kind (WI) Rivers Mr. HOYER. I am opposed to the pre- Fossella Moran (KS) Weldon (FL) Cramer Kleczka Roemer amble. Fowler Morella Weldon (PA) Cummings Klink Rothman Fox Myrick Weller The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Danner Kucinich Roybal-Allard Franks (NJ) Nethercutt White Davis (FL) LaFalce Rush Clerk will report the motion to recom- Frelinghuysen Neumann Whitfield Davis (IL) Lampson Sabo mit. Gallegly Ney Wicker DeFazio Levin Sanchez Ganske Northup Wolf The Clerk read as follows: DeGette Lewis (GA) Sanders Gekas Norwood Young (AK) OYER Delahunt Lipinski Sandlin Mr. H moves to recommit the resolu- Gibbons Nussle Young (FL) DeLauro Lofgren tion H. Res. 355 to the Committee on House Sawyer Gilchrest Oxley Oversight with instructions to report the Deutsch Lowey Schumer same back to the House forthwith with the Dicks Luther Scott NOT VOTING—21 Dingell Maloney (CT) Serrano Buyer Furse Peterson (PA) following amendment: Dixon Maloney (NY) Sherman Callahan Gonzalez Riggs Strike the preamble. Doggett Manton Sisisky Clement Harman Rodriguez PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY Dooley Markey Skaggs Conyers Johnson (WI) Scarborough Doyle Martinez Skelton Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I have a Crane Lantos Schiff Edwards Mascara Slaughter Ensign Miller (FL) Smith (OR) parliamentary inquiry. Engel Matsui Smith, Adam Eshoo Mink Solomon The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Etheridge McCarthy (MO) Snyder tleman will state it. Evans McCarthy (NY) Spratt Farr McDermott Stabenow b 1232 Mr. THOMAS. As the motion was Fattah McGovern Stark presented, it is its entirety. Can the Fazio McHale Stenholm Mr. NEUMANN, Mr. NETHERCUTT gentleman then be partially for and Filner McIntyre Stokes and Mrs. CHENOWETH changed their partially against a motion to recom- Forbes McKinney Strickland vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Ford McNulty Stupak mit? The gentleman is not opposed to Frank (MA) Meehan Tanner Messrs. SKAGGS, TAYLOR of Mis- the motion in its present form? Frost Meek (FL) Tauscher sissippi, KENNEDY of Massachusetts, H464 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 and MURTHA changed their vote from McCrery Pickett Smith (TX) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GIB- McDade Pitts Smith, Adam ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ McDermott Pomeroy Snowbarger BONS). Is there objection to the request So the motion to recommit was re- McGovern Porter Snyder of the gentleman from California? jected. McHale Portman Souder There was no objection. The result of the vote was announced McHugh Poshard Spratt f McInnis Price (NC) Stabenow as above recorded. McIntyre Pryce (OH) Stark VOTER ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McKeon Quinn Stenholm PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 1998 CAMP). The question is on the resolu- McKinney Radanovich Stokes McNulty Rahall Strickland Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I move to tion. Meehan Ramstad Stupak The question was taken; and the Meek (FL) Rangel Sununu suspend the rules and pass the bill Speaker pro tempore announced that Meeks (NY) Redmond Talent (H.R. 1428) to amend the Immigration the ayes appeared to have it. Menendez Regula Tanner and Nationality Act to establish a sys- Metcalf Reyes Tauscher tem through which the Commissioner Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Millender- Riley Tauzin demand the yeas and nays. McDonald Rivers Taylor (MS) of Social Security and the Attorney The yeas and nays were ordered. Miller (CA) Rodriguez Thomas General respond to inquiries made by Minge Roemer Thompson The vote was taken by electronic de- election officials concerning the citi- Moakley Rogers Thornberry zenship of voting registration appli- vice, and there were—yeas 378, nays 33, Mollohan Ros-Lehtinen Thune not voting 19, as follows: Moran (KS) Rothman Thurman cants and to amend the Social Security Moran (VA) Roukema Tierney Act to permit States to require individ- [Roll No. 16] Morella Roybal-Allard Torres uals registering to vote in elections to YEAS—378 Murtha Rush Towns Myrick Ryun Traficant provide the individual’s Social Secu- Abercrombie Davis (IL) Hill Nadler Sabo Turner rity number, as amended. Ackerman Davis (VA) Hilleary Neal Salmon Upton The Clerk read as follows: Aderholt Deal Hilliard Nethercutt Sanchez Velazquez Allen DeFazio Hinchey Neumann Sanders Vento H.R. 1428 Andrews DeGette Hinojosa Ney Sandlin Visclosky Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Archer Delahunt Hobson Northup Sanford Walsh resentatives of the United States of America in Armey DeLauro Hoekstra Nussle Sawyer Wamp Congress assembled, Bachus DeLay Holden Oberstar Saxton Waters SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Baesler Deutsch Hooley Obey Scarborough Watkins Baker Diaz-Balart Horn Olver Schaefer, Dan Watt (NC) This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Voter Eligi- Baldacci Dickey Houghton Ortiz Schumer Watts (OK) bility Verification Pilot Program Act of Barcia Dicks Hoyer Owens Scott Waxman 1998’’. Barrett (NE) Dingell Hulshof Oxley Serrano Weldon (FL) SEC. 2. VOTER ELIGIBILITY PILOT CONFIRMA- Barrett (WI) Dixon Hutchinson Packard Sessions Weldon (PA) TION PROGRAM. Barton Doggett Hyde Pallone Shadegg Weller (a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General, in Bass Dooley Inglis Pappas Shaw Wexler Bateman Doyle Istook Parker Shays Weygand consultation with the Commissioner of So- Becerra Dreier Jackson (IL) Pascrell Sherman White cial Security, shall establish a pilot program Bentsen Duncan Jackson-Lee Pastor Shimkus Whitfield to test a confirmation system through which Bereuter Dunn (TX) Paxon Shuster Wicker they— Berman Ehlers Jefferson Payne Sisisky Wolf (1) respond to inquiries, made by State and Berry Ehrlich Jenkins Pease Skaggs Woolsey Bilbray Emerson John local officials (including voting registrars) Pelosi Skeen Wynn with responsibility for determining an indi- Bilirakis Engel Johnson (CT) Peterson (MN) Skelton Yates Bishop English Johnson, E. B. Peterson (PA) Slaughter Young (AK) vidual’s qualification to vote in a Federal, Blagojevich Ensign Johnson, Sam Petri Smith (MI) Young (FL) State, or local election, to verify the citizen- Bliley Etheridge Kanjorski Pickering Smith (NJ) ship of an individual who has submitted a Blumenauer Evans Kaptur voter registration application, and Blunt Everett Kasich NAYS—33 (2) maintain such records of the inquiries Boehlert Ewing Kelly Ballenger Gutknecht Pombo Boehner Farr Kennedy (MA) made and verifications provided as may be Barr Herger Rogan necessary for pilot program evaluation. Bonilla Fattah Kennedy (RI) Bartlett Hostettler Rohrabacher Bonior Fawell Kennelly Burton Hunter Royce In order to make an inquiry through the Borski Fazio Kildee Calvert Jones Schaffer, Bob pilot program with respect to an individual, Boswell Filner Kilpatrick Chabot Kingston Sensenbrenner an election official shall provide the name, Boucher Foley Kim Chenoweth Lewis (KY) Spence Boyd Forbes Kind (WI) date of birth, and social security account Crane McIntosh Stearns number of the individual. Brady Ford King (NY) Cubin Mica Stump Brown (CA) Fossella Kleczka (b) INITIAL RESPONSE.—The pilot program Doolittle Norwood Taylor (NC) shall provide for a confirmation or a ten- Brown (FL) Fowler Klink Gekas Paul Tiahrt Brown (OH) Fox Klug tative nonconfirmation of an individual’s Bryant Frank (MA) Knollenberg NOT VOTING—19 citizenship by the Commissioner of Social Bunning Franks (NJ) Kolbe Buyer Harman Schiff Security as soon as practicable after an ini- Burr Frelinghuysen Kucinich Callahan Johnson (WI) Smith (OR) tial inquiry to the Commissioner. Camp Frost LaFalce Clement Lantos Smith, Linda Campbell Gallegly LaHood (c) SECONDARY VERIFICATION PROCESS IN Edwards Livingston Solomon Canady Ganske Lampson CASE OF TENTATIVE NONCONFIRMATION.—In Eshoo Miller (FL) Wise Cannon Gejdenson Largent cases of tentative nonconfirmation, the At- Furse Mink Cardin Gephardt Latham torney General shall specify, in consultation Gonzalez Riggs Carson Gibbons LaTourette with the Commissioner of Social Security Castle Gilchrest Lazio b 1252 and the Commissioner of the Immigration Chambliss Gillmor Leach and Naturalization Service, an available sec- Christensen Gilman Levin Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma changed his Clay Goode Lewis (CA) ondary verification process to confirm the Clayton Goodlatte Lewis (GA) vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ validity of information provided and to pro- Clyburn Goodling Linder So the resolution was agreed to. vide a final confirmation or nonconfirmation Coble Gordon Lipinski The result of the vote was announced as soon as practicable after the date of the Coburn Goss LoBiondo as above recorded. tentative nonconfirmation. Collins Graham Lofgren (d) DESIGN AND OPERATION OF PILOT PRO- Combest Granger Lowey A motion to reconsider was laid on GRAM.— Condit Green Lucas the table. Conyers Greenwood Luther (1) IN GENERAL.—The pilot program shall be Cook Gutierrez Maloney (CT) f designed and operated— Cooksey Hall (OH) Maloney (NY) (A) to apply in, at a minimum, the States Costello Hall (TX) Manton GENERAL LEAVE of California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Cox Hamilton Manzullo Illinois; Coyne Hansen Markey Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members (B) to be used on a voluntary basis, as a Cramer Hastert Martinez supplementary information source, by State Crapo Hastings (FL) Mascara may have 5 legislative days in which to and local election officials for the purpose of Cummings Hastings (WA) Matsui revise and extend their remarks on Cunningham Hayworth McCarthy (MO) assessing, through citizenship verification, Danner Hefley McCarthy (NY) House Resolution 355, the resolution the eligibility of an individual to vote in Davis (FL) Hefner McCollum just agreed to. Federal, State, or local elections; February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H465 (C) to respond to an inquiry concerning of notification from an election official subdivision thereof) may, for the purpose of citizenship only in a case where determining under subsection (i). making inquiries under the pilot program in whether an individual is a citizen is— (h) LIMITATION ON USE OF THE PILOT PRO- the administration of any voter registration (i) necessary for determining whether the GRAM AND ANY RELATED SYSTEMS.— law within its jurisdiction, use the social se- individual is eligible to vote in an election (1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any curity account numbers issued by the Com- for Federal, State, or local office; and other provision of law, nothing in this sec- missioner of Social Security, and may, for (ii) part of a program or activity to protect tion shall be construed to permit or allow such purpose, require any individual who is the integrity of the electoral process that is any department, bureau, or other agency of or appears to be affected by a voter registra- uniform, nondiscriminatory, and in compli- the United States Government to utilize any tion law of such State (or political subdivi- ance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 information, data base, or other records as- sion thereof) to furnish to such State (or po- U.S.C. 1973 et seq.); sembled under this section for any other pur- litical subdivision thereof) or any agency (D) to maximize its reliability and ease of pose other than as provided for under this thereof having administrative responsibility use, consistent with insulating and protect- section. for such law, the social security account ing the privacy and security of the underly- (2) NO NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD.— number (or numbers, if the individual has ing information; Nothing in this section shall be construed to more than one such number) issued to the in- (E) to permit inquiries to be made to the authorize, directly or indirectly, the dividual by the Commissioner. pilot program through a toll-free telephone issuance or use of national identification (k) TERMINATION AND REPORT.—The pilot line or other toll-free electronic media; cards or the establishment of a national program shall terminate September 30, 2001. (F) subject to subparagraph (I), to respond identification card. The Attorney General and the Commissioner to all inquiries made by authorized persons (3) NO NEW DATA BASES.—Nothing in this of Social Security shall each submit to the and to register all times when the pilot pro- section shall be construed to authorize, di- Committee on the Judiciary and the Com- gram is not responding to inquiries because rectly or indirectly, the Attorney General mittee on Ways and Means of the House of of a malfunction; and the Commissioner of Social Security to Representatives and to the Committee on (G) with appropriate administrative, tech- create any joint computer data base that is the Judiciary and the Committee on Finance nical, and physical safeguards to prevent un- not in existence on the date of the enact- of the Senate reports on the pilot program authorized disclosure of personal informa- ment of this Act. not later than December 31, 2001. Such re- (i) ACTIONS BY ELECTION OFFICIALS UNABLE tion, including violations of the require- ports shall— TO CONFIRM CITIZENSHIP.— ments of section 205(c)(2)(C)(viii) of the So- (1) assess the degree of fraudulent attest- (1) IN GENERAL.—If an election official re- ing of United States citizenship in jurisdic- cial Security Act; ceives a notice of final nonconfirmation tions covered by the pilot program; (H) to have reasonable safeguards against under subsection (c) with respect to an indi- (2) assess the appropriate staffing and the pilot program’s resulting in unlawful dis- vidual, the official— funding levels which would be required for criminatory practices based on national ori- (A) shall notify the individual in writing; gin or citizenship status, including the selec- and full, permanent, and nationwide implemen- tive or unauthorized use of the pilot pro- (B) shall inform the individual in writing tation of the pilot program, including the es- gram. of the individual’s right to use— timated total cost for national implementa- (2) USE OF EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY CON- (i) the process provided under subsection tion per individual record; FIRMATION SYSTEM.—To the extent prac- (g) for the prompt correction of erroneous in- (3) include an assessment by the Commis- ticable, in establishing the confirmation sys- formation in the pilot program; or sioner of Social Security of the advisability tem under this section, the Attorney Gen- (ii) any other process for establishing eligi- and ramifications of disclosure of social se- eral, in consultation with the Commissioner bility to vote provided under State or Fed- curity account numbers to the extent pro- of Social Security, shall use the employment eral law. vided for under the pilot program and upon eligibility confirmation system established full, permanent, and nationwide implemen- (2) REGISTRATION APPLICANTS.—In the case under section 404 of the Illegal Immigration of an individual who is an applicant for voter tation of the pilot program; Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of registration, and who receives a notice from (4) assess the degree to which the records 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 110 Stat. 3009–664). an official under paragraph (1), the official maintained by the Commissioner of Social (e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSIONER may (subject to, and in a manner consistent Security and the Commissioner of the Immi- OF SOCIAL SECURITY.—As part of the pilot with, State law) reject the application (sub- gration and Naturalization Service are able program, the Commissioner of Social Secu- ject to the right to reapply), but only if the to be used to reliably determine the citizen- rity shall establish a reliable, secure method following conditions have been satisfied: ship of individuals who have submitted voter which compares the name, date of birth, and (A) The 30-day period beginning on the registration applications; social security account number provided in date the notice was mailed or otherwise pro- (5) assess the effectiveness of the pilot pro- an inquiry against such information main- vided to the individual has elapsed. gram’s safeguards against unlawful discrimi- tained by the Commissioner, in order to con- natory practices; firm (or not confirm) the correspondence of (B) During such 30-day period, the official did not receive adequate confirmation of the (6) include recommendations on whether or the name, date of birth, and number provided not the pilot program should be continued or and whether the individual is shown as a cit- citizenship of the individual from— (i) a source other than the pilot program modified; and izen of the United States on the records (7) include such other information as the maintained by the Commissioner (including established under this section; or (ii) such pilot program, pursuant to a new Attorney General or the Commissioner of whether such records show that the individ- Social Security may determine to be rel- ual was born in the United States). The Com- inquiry to the pilot program made by the of- ficial upon receipt of information (from the evant. missioner shall not disclose or release social SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. security information (other than such con- individual or through any other reliable source) that erroneous or incomplete mate- There are authorized to be appropriated to firmation or nonconfirmation). the Department of Justice, for the Immigra- (f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSIONER rial information previously in the pilot pro- tion and Naturalization Service, for fiscal OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION gram has been updated, supplemented, or years beginning on or after October 1, 1998, SERVICE.—As part of the pilot program, the corrected. such sums as are necessary to carry out the Commissioner of the Immigration and Natu- (3) INELIGIBLE VOTER REMOVAL PROGRAMS.— provisions of this Act. ralization Service shall establish a reliable, In the case of an individual who is registered secure method which compares the name and to vote, and who receives a notice from an The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- date of birth which are provided in an in- official under paragraph (1) in connection ant to the rule, the gentleman from In- quiry against information maintained by the with a program to remove the names of ineli- diana (Mr. PEASE) and the gentleman Commissioner in order to confirm (or not gible voters from an official list of eligible from North Carolina (Mr. WATT) each confirm) the validity of the information pro- voters, the official may (subject to, and in a will control 20 minutes. manner consistent with, State law) remove vided, the correspondence of the name and The Chair recognizes the gentleman date of birth, and whether the individual is a the name of the individual from the list (sub- citizen of the United States. ject to the right to submit another voter reg- from Indiana (Mr. PEASE). (g) UPDATING INFORMATION.—The Commis- istration application), but only if the follow- Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- sioner of Social Security and the Commis- ing conditions have been satisfied: imous consent that all Members may sioner of the Immigration and Naturaliza- (A) The 30-day period beginning on the have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- tion Service shall update their information date the notice was mailed or otherwise pro- tend their remarks on the bill under in a manner that promotes the maximum ac- vided to the individual has elapsed. consideration. curacy and shall provide a process for the (B) During such 30-day period, the official The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there prompt correction of erroneous information, did not receive adequate confirmation of the objection to the request of the gen- including instances in which it is brought to citizenship of the individual from a source their attention in the secondary verification described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph tleman from Indiana? process described in subsection (c) or in any (2)(B). There was no objection. action by an individual to use the process (j) AUTHORITY TO USE SOCIAL SECURITY AC- Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- provided under this subsection upon receipt COUNT NUMBERS.—Any State (or political self such time as I may consume. H466 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 Mr. Speaker, there is no more pre- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of then the official would have to notify cious right of citizenship than the my time. the individual in writing and permit right to vote. When noncitizens falsely Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. them the opportunity to establish their claim to be citizens in order to vote, Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. eligibility to vote. There would be 30 this right is cheapened for everyone Mr. Speaker, there are 5 important days to provide proof of citizenship. else. reasons why this bill is a bad idea. The So it is not a mandate; it is a process Congress recognized the significance bill’s proposed verification system just that will work, and the data are there, of vote fraud by aliens in passing the simply will not work. The bill would and we should not be hiding it in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immi- expose individuals’ Social Security hills, we should be letting those data gration Responsibility Act of 1996. The numbers to public inspection, an idea be used to assure the purity of elec- act makes falsely claiming to be a citi- that we have long opposed. tions in the United States of America. zen in order to register to vote or to This bill is politically motivated. Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. vote a Federal criminal offense. The bill undermines the Voting Rights Speaker, I yield such time as she may There is currently no satisfactory Act and the National Voter Registra- consume to the gentlewoman from way for local registrars to ensure that tion Act, the so-called motor voter act, Florida (Mrs. MEEK). there are no noncitizens on their vot- and this bill has never ever been con- (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was ing rolls or for the Justice Department sidered and voted upon by any commit- given permission to revise and extend to enforce the criminal penalties. At- tee of this House or any subcommittee her remarks.) tempts have been made to check voting of this House. Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rolls against Immigration and Natu- Those are 5 good reasons that this oppose this bill. ralization Service records in order to bill should be defeated. ferret out noncitizens; however, INS I oppose this bill because we have no evi- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of dence that it will effectively fight voter fraud. data at best can only tell us that a my time. voter is a legal alien or a naturalized This nation has had voter fraud for hun- Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 dreds of years. But the Republican leadership citizen. INS data cannot tell us wheth- minutes to the gentleman from Califor- er a voter is a native born U.S. citizen has apparently just noticed it. They are bring- nia (Mr. HORN), the author of the bill. ing to the floor today a bill that was introduced or an illegal alien. Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, when my Our colleague, the gentleman from almost a year ago and is so complicated that Irish great-grandfather came here, the it was referred to three committees on April California (Mr. HORN), introduced a bill first time he had a chance to vote, he to resolve this dilemma. H.R. 1428, the 24, 1997. dressed up in top hat and tails to go to Voter Eligibility Verification Pilot But only one Committee has even held a the polls. When my German immigrant Program Act of 1998, will provide us hearing on the billÐon June 25. None of the father came here, he could not afford with the means to identify noncitizens three Committees has voted on it. the top hat or the tails, but the proud- who are either trying to register to Why is the leadership afraid to let the nor- est moment of his life was when he cast vote or are already registered. The bill mal Committee process work? Why are they his first vote in the United States of will set up a 3-year pilot program in rushing to the floor today a bill that was intro- America. which registrars on their own initia- duced almost a year ago? The vote is precious. American citi- tive can send their voting rolls to the One of my constituents has an explanation. zens expect the voting rolls to consist Federal Government to be checked He says this bill would undermine the Motor of American citizens. But right now against both Social Security Adminis- Voter Law, erect new barriers to voting, and there is no way to make that assur- tration and INS records. suppress voting by members of ethnic and ra- ance. What this bill does is provide an Checking the rolls with both agencies cial minorities. opportunity in five pilot States over is the key to a successful verification Why are we focusing on only one kind of the next three years to test the federal program. Just about everyone has a voter fraud? What about dead people who information that a local registrar of Social Security number. Therefore, vote? What about U.S. citizens who vote more voters may seek. It is not compulsory; checks against Social Security Admin- than once? What about U.S. citizens who are it is not the Federal Government tell- istration records can tell us whether prevented from voting? ing the States how to deal with their someone is fabricating an identity and Vote against this bill and send it back to the voting rolls, but it is the Federal Gov- whether someone is a native-born citi- three committees so that we can develop a ernment providing two tools for the zen. thoughtful bipartisan response to the serious local registrar to use to answer one As I mentioned, the INS maintains problem of voter fraud. question: Is the person a citizen or is naturalization records. Comparing in- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. the person not? formation on voters against both agen- Speaker, I yield such time as he may American voters expect citizens to be cies’ records will let us know conclu- consume to the gentleman from Texas sively whether individuals are U.S. on that roll, not noncitizens. (Mr. GREEN). citizens or not. Illegal aliens will not b 1300 (Mr. GREEN asked and was given be able to escape notice simply because permission to revise and extend his re- the INS has no record of them. The pilot program would be in Cali- marks.) I know there is opposition to this fornia, New York, Texas, Florida and bill. Opponents will argue today that Illinois. It would terminate on Septem- Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the Social Security Administration’s ber 30, 2001, and it would make very opposition to H.R. 1428. records do not always indicate whether clear that State and local governments I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1428, the a person is a citizen. True. But the may require the Social Security num- Voter Eligibility Verification Act. This bill is de- records do indicate the place of birth, ber simply as part of the voter reg- signed to undermine the voter turnout of our and anyone born in the United States istration process. Again, it is a ‘‘may.’’ country's naturalized citizens. is a citizen. If they do not want to do it, they do How does this bill achieve this goal? H.R. The opponents may argue that oper- not have to do it. But 23 States now re- 1428 allows local and state election officials to ation of the pilot program will result quest or require at least part of the So- pull anyone's name and submit it to either INS in discrimination. Not true. The bill cial Security number for voter reg- or to the Social Security Administration for ver- specifically states that a registrar’s in- istration purposes. Again, that has ification of citizenship. If the name can not be quiry must be part of a program or ac- been up to the States. confirmed by either agency, this bill will force tivity to protect the integrity of the Now, the election official, if he or she the voter to provide citizenship verification to electoral process that is uniform, non- found that by accessing the Social Se- the local voter registrar. Therefore if my name discriminatory and in compliance with curity base that there were noncitizens could not be confirmed, I would need to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. on the voter roll, then they could go present my birth certificate or passport to vote. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to into the INS base to find out if they Who are the targets of H.R. 1428? support H.R. 1428 and let the American are naturalized, which is the equiva- The targets are citizens whose names may people know that we will not sit back lent of citizenship and is citizenship. If seem questionable to election officials. Where and see their rights demeaned. there is no evidence of naturalization, will they start this search? Are they going to February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H467 start with Green, Smith, or Jones? Or are they A better title for this bill is the ``Voter Sup- wanted to stand up for the right of all going to start the search with Gonzales, pression Act.'' Not only will it discourage new Americans to participate in our democ- Torres, or Jiminez? citizens from exercising their rights, but it racy, now is your chance. Now is your Conceivably, this bill would allow election of- could easily prohibit natural-born and natural- turn, now is your time. ficials to send the names of whole neighbor- ized citizens from voting. Like the poll tax, like the literacy hoods for verification. In Texas we have this This bill hands control over voter lists to test, this bill is intended to keep people ability now to challenge voters. state and local officials with no requirements from participating in our political I support all efforts to stop voter fraud. How- that they act in ways that are uniform and do process. That is a shame; it is a dis- ever, this bill does seem to target our immi- not discriminate. Citizens could be purged grace. It harks back to another period, grant population. from the voter rollsÐdenied their constitutional a dark period in our history. I urge my colleagues to oppose this anti-im- rightÐsimply because they had an ``ethnic- We have come too far to go back to migrant bill. sounding'' surname or because they live in a the days of Bull Connor, Sheriff Jim Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. predominantly minority neighborhood. Clark, and George Wallace. We cannot Speaker, I yield such time as he may And what would be their recourse? Well, go back, we must not go back, and we consume to the gentleman from Cali- under this bill, they would have to depend on will not go back. I urge all of my colleagues to do what fornia (Mr. FILNER). the INS and the Social Security Administration they know is right in their hearts. Sup- (Mr. FILNER asked and was given to ``confirm'' their citizenship, even though nei- port one man, one vote. Let us not permission to revise and extend his re- ther agency is equipped for that purpose. marks.) erase the progress we have made in our Citizenship cannot be confirmed by check- Nation. Defeat the Horn bill, defeat Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in ing a person's Social Security number. The strong opposition against this measure this bill, and defeat it now. Social Security Administration does not require Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 to intimidate voters in my State of information about citizenship and only started minutes to the gentleman from Califor- California. requesting it 20 years ago. And the INS only nia (Mr. HORN). Mr. Speaker, the right to vote is too sacred keeps records of immigrantsÐnot natural-born Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be dependent on incomplete, unreliable citizens. to respond to my good friend from data bases. To top it off, H.R. 1428 would Our nation decided long ago that tests for Georgia (Mr. LEWIS). allow states and local officials to reject voter voter eligibilityÐlike the poll taxes and literacy I happen to have been on the drafting registration applications and to force the per- tests used in the SouthÐwere wrong and ab- team in the Senate where we wrote son registering into the intimidating position of horrent. We enacted the Voting Rights Act to that bill in the Republican leader’s trying to prove that two huge bureaucracies' cast asideÐonce and for allÐthe barriers con- back office. There were four of us on data bases are flawed. cocted to keep minorities from exercising their the staff from the Republican leader- The Social Security Administration and the constitutional right to vote. ship side, and there were five on the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which I remember the days before the Voting Democratic side, including the Depart- are both charged with verifying names of reg- Rights Act. I remember when some citizens ment of Justice. If we had thought in istered voters in this misguided act, say they could exercise their right to vote while others the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that this cannot do it. The Social Security Administra- had arbitrary and ridiculous hurdles placed in was a law so that noncitizens could tion did not begin recording citizenship status their way. vote, we would have been laughed out until 1980. The agency clearly states, ``The This bill is a return to those days. I find of Congress. The fact is, the Voting use of our system for confirmation of citizen- nothing to be proud of in that history. And I do Rights Act of 1965 has nothing to do ship is not feasible.'' The INS has no records notÐand cannotÐsupport repeating it. with this issue. of native born American citizens and can only Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, verify the status of those who were naturalized Speaker, I yield such time as she may will the gentleman yield? in recent years. consume to the gentlewoman from Mr. HORN. I yield to the gentleman How many people will take the time to ob- North Carolina (Mrs. CLAYTON). from Georgia. tain a copy of their birth or naturalization cer- (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, tificate that they have not had to produce for permission to revise and extend her re- I was on the bridge from Selma to years? marks.) Montgomery. I almost lost my life on How many people who are native born Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise March 7, 1965, because I was fighting Americans will feel that they are being given in strong opposition to this bill. for the right to vote, to open up the po- ``the third degree'' by local elected officials just Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. litical process. I do not know, maybe the gentleman has changed his ways or because the officials perceive that they appear Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- maybe he has seen a different light, but to be Hispanic or Asian or any other racial or tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS). that is the effect of this legislation. It ethnic minority? Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, will destroy the heart and the very It is unfair, illegal and unconstitutional to I rise against this misguided legisla- tion. This bill is a dagger in the heart soul of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. make voting easy for one group of citizens Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It de- and difficult and intimidating for another group. my time, I would say to the gentleman, stroys not only the spirit, but the very That is what H.R. 1428 does. the fact is, every single African Amer- soul of the Voting Rights Act. Too To take information trickling out of an in- ican born in this country is automati- many people have died so that every complete, inaccurate and highly bureaucratic cally a citizen of the United States. system of flawed data bases and turn it over American can exercise their right to Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. to local officials with discretion in interpreting vote. Jimmy Lee Jackson, Mickey Speaker, I yield such time as he may this data will have only one effectÐillegally Schwerner, James Cheney, Andy Good- consume to the gentleman from Michi- preventing people from exercising their con- man. These are not just names. I knew gan (Mr. CONYERS). stitutional right to vote. This democracy de- these young men. We have come a long (Mr. CONYERS asked and was given pends on its citizens' faith in the voting sys- way in this country toward protecting permission to revise and extend his re- temÐthose citizens will have no faith in a sys- every American’s right to vote. This marks.) tem which intimidates them and prevents them bill erases the gains we have made. It Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank from participating in it. Vote no on H.R. 1428! forgets those sacrifices. and commend the ranking member of Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Many of my colleagues over the last the subcommittee, the gentleman from Speaker, I yield such time as he may 12 years since I have been in the Con- North Carolina (Mr. WATT). I rise to ex- consume to the gentleman from North gress have come to me and said, ‘‘I press how sorry I am that the name of Carolina (Mr. HEFNER). wish I had been there with you. I wish the gentleman from California (Mr. (Mr. HEFNER asked and was given I had fought those battles with you.’’ HORN) would be on the document that permission to revise and extend his re- Let me say: If you wanted an oppor- we are opposing today. marks.) tunity to stand up, if you say you Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in wanted to go on the freedom rides, if Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- opposition to the Voter Suppression you say you wished you had marched woman from Connecticut (Ms. Act. across the bridge in Selma, if you DELAURO). H468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, today is test a confirmation system through which missioner of Social Security, to estab- the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the they will respond to inquiries made by elec- lish a pilot program to test and con- father of the Republican Party. I think tion officials concerning the citizenship of firm a system. SSA and INS will re- individuals who have submitted voter reg- that President Lincoln is turning over istration applications. Department of Jus- spond to inquiries made by election of- in his grave today, because this pro- tice funds would be authorized to carry out ficials concerning the citizenship of in- posal flies in the face of the legacy of the pilot program. dividuals who have submitted voter President Lincoln, the legacy he left Based on this understanding, and in order registration application. Department his party and the legacy that he left to expedite consideration of this legislation of Justice funds, not Social Security his country. He would be appalled. by the full House, I do not believe a markup trust funds, are authorized to carry out This proposal clearly is aimed at de- by the Committee on Ways and Means will be necessary. However, this is being done the pilot program. nying minority voters their legal right only with the understanding that it does not The pilot program lasts only 3 years, to vote. This bill not only threatens in any way prejudice the Committee’s juris- operated in a minimum of 5 States, and the rights of minority voters, it vio- dictional prerogative in the future with re- is used on a voluntary basis by election lates the values of privacy that are at spect to this measure or any similar legisla- officials and will include safeguards to the very foundation of a free society. tion, and it should not be considered as protect the privacy and avoid discrimi- This is a value that everyone in this precedent for consideration of matters of ju- natory practices. risdictional interest to the Committee on Chamber holds very dear, or should Ways and Means in the future. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hold dear. Thank you for your consideration of this gentleman from California (Mr. HORN), This proposal would amend the So- matter. With best personal regards, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. SMITH), cial Security Act, overturn the Privacy Sincerely, chairman of the Committee on the Ju- Act protections, by allowing States to BILL ARCHER, diciary Subcommittee on Immigration require Social Security numbers for Chairman. and Claims, the gentleman from Cali- voter registration. But the proposal Mr. Speaker, the Voter Eligibility fornia (Mr. THOMAS), chairman of the does nothing to protect or ensure the Verification Act was originally intro- Committee on House Oversight, and privacy of those Social Security num- duced by the gentleman from Califor- their staffs for their willingness to bers submitted on voter registration nia (Mr. HORN) on April 24, 1997. H.R. work to achieve an agreeable solution. applications. This is one more attempt 1428 was referred to the Subcommittee Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. at intimidation. All Americans should on Social Security of the Committee Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- be aware. on Ways and Means on May 1, 1997. The tleman from California (Mr. BECERRA). Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to subcommittee has not taken any ac- Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank remember the legacy of Abraham Lin- tion on the bill due to the concerns re- the gentleman for yielding me this coln today. Vote ‘‘no’’ on this proposal. garding the impact of certain provi- time. Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 31⁄2 sions on the Social Security program Perhaps without knowing it, I believe minutes to the gentleman from Ken- and its administration. that my colleague from California (Mr. tucky (Mr. BUNNING). Social Security was created to pro- HORN) made a very prophetic comment (Mr. BUNNING asked and was given vide a comprehensive package of pro- in response to the gentleman from permission to revise and extend his re- tection against the loss of earnings due Georgia (Mr. LEWIS) just a few minutes marks and include extraneous mate- to retirement disability and death. ago when the gentleman from Georgia Voter registration does not relate to rial.) (Mr. LEWIS) raised some concerns that Mr. BUNNING. Mr. Speaker, first of Social Security programs’ purposes. African Americans here in this country all, I would like to include in the Therefore, Social Security trust funds fear so much by this legislation when may not be used to pay for the activi- RECORD a letter from the gentleman he said, ‘‘but blacks are born in this ties assigned to the Social Security Ad- from Texas (Mr. ARCHER) to the Speak- country, they get automatic citizen- ministration and the agency would er of the House of Representatives the ship.’’ gentleman from Georgia (Mr. GING- need to be reimbursed. Secondly, this new and potentially I say to the gentleman, he forgets RICH). that there are a lot of black Americans The letter referred to follows: significant workload would interfere with SSA’s ability to fulfill its basic in this country who came to this coun- FEBRUARY 11, 1998. responsibilities to the American pub- try from Haiti, African countries, and Hon. NEWT GINGRICH, are now American citizens but came as The Speaker, The Capitol, Washington, DC. lic. In addition, the Social Security Administration is not in a position to immigrants. And there are many, DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am writing regarding many, many Latino Americans who consideration of H.R. 1428, the ‘‘Voter Eligi- definitely confirm citizenship as they bility Verification Act of 1998,’’ which was are not the official custodian of records came from Latin American countries introduced on April 24, 1997, by Representa- which construct evidence of citizen- and Asian Americans who came from tive Horn, et. al. the bill, as introduced, was ship. The agency’s records on citizen- Asian countries who, when they first referred to Committee on Judiciary, and in ship are not necessarily current. Accu- were here, could have been questioned addition, to the Committees on Ways and racy of the SSA’s records is dependent about their citizenship, and still may Means and House Oversight. on the validity of the documents pre- be questioned about their citizenship As introduced, the bill would amend the because of their looks and because of Immigration and Nationality Act ot estab- sented as evidence. lish a system through which the Commis- Last year the Federal Illegal Immi- the way they may speak. sioner of Social Security and the Attorney gration Reform and Immigrant Respon- But let us not forget that there are General respond to inquiries made by elec- sibility Act made it explicitly illegal Irish in this country, there are Italians tion officials concerning the citizenship of for noncitizens to vote. State and local in this country, there are Bulgarians in voting registration applicants, and amends officials, however, can do little to en- this country whom, on appearance, one the Social Security Act to require individ- force the law without having a way to may believe were born here and are en- uals registering to vote in elections to pro- verify registrants’ eligibility. In a spir- titled to automatic citizenship and vide their Social Security number. automatic right to vote, but that may As you know, provisions dealing with na- it of cooperation, the Committee on tional social security are within the jurisdic- Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on So- not be citizens. And by empowering tion of the Committee on Ways and Means, cial Security has worked with the these local officials, without any kind and under normal circumstances the Com- Committee on the Judiciary and the of guidance to decide they are going to mittee would meet to consider this bill. How- Committee on House Oversight to check people, what we are doing is re- ever, it is my understanding that Chairman reach an agreement on needed legisla- turning us to the days when we had Hyde or his designee will be offering an tion. The revisions and provisions of poll taxes and the like. amendment on the floor to address the con- the Voter Eligibility Verification Pilot We are suppressing the vote; we are cerns of the Committee on Ways and Means going to raise hurdles to participation, and its Subcommittee on Social Security. Program Act of 1998 responds to the Among other things, the bill, as amended, concerns of the Ways and Means Sub- and we are trying to do it with a sys- would provide for the Attorney General, in committee on Social Security. tem that cannot work, because Social consultation with the Commissioner of So- This bill provides for the Attorney Security, the administration has said, cial Security, to establish a pilot program to General, in consultation with the com- a Social Security number has never February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H469 been more than a way to tell people if we know, is to send those checks out necticut (Mrs. KENNELLY) is concerned they qualify for Social Security, not on time, to be effective when the peo- about the burdens on the Social Secu- for anything else. ple call the agency, to serve the people rity Administration, after we heard b 1315 of these United States. from the gentleman from Kentucky Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to (Mr. BUNNING) with his praise of the The INS will say that their records vote against this bill. This bill does not amendments that made sure none of cannot tell if someone is eligible to provide the adequate support system the trust fund money would be spent. vote; only if someone has naturalized. necessary to carry out what its inten- There are no dollars from the Social So we are getting ready to embark on tions might be. But what it will do, and Security trust fund that are going to something which will deny American I think necessarily will do and should be utilized for this purpose. What the citizens who have the right to vote not do, is take away from our very im- chairman did say, if we listened to him, that opportunity. Mr. Speaker, that is portant Social Security agency which was that the program was going to be the worst signal we can give on the is so important to the citizens of this modeled after an employer’s program birthday of a man who made most pos- country. that is already on the books. We are al- sible the right for all Americans to Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve lowing elected local officials to func- vote. the balance of my time. tion as employers currently do in a Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, may I in- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. pilot program. quire as to the balance of time on both Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- Returning to the question of the INS sides. woman from New York (Ms. and its records, obviously after our in- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GIB- VELA´ ZQUEZ). quiries and our attempt to work with BONS). The gentleman from Indiana (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ asked and was the professionals at INS, although we (Mr. PEASE) has 101⁄2 minutes remain- given permission to revise and extend were stonewalled by the political ap- ing, and the gentleman from North her remarks.) pointments at the Department of Jus- Carolina (Mr. WATT) has 14 minutes re- Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the tice, the INS professionals have come maining. road to the ballot box for women and to realize that they have to do better; Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve minorities has never been easy. Now, do better for all Americans. the balance of my time. Republicans want to begin a new and The Coopers & Lybrand report said Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. tragic chapter in our country’s voting that they are going to have to have Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- rights history. digitized photographs and electronic tlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. KEN- Mr. Speaker, I was born in this coun- fingerprints at several stages of the NELLY), the next Governor of Connecti- try. As a Puerto Rican, I am just as citizenship process. My assumption is cut. American as anyone from Massachu- that the INS and the Clinton adminis- Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. setts or Virginia. Yet, the Horn bill tration will now be called racist be- Speaker, I am speaking as the ranking could easily deny me the right to vote. cause they want verification. What is member of the Subcommittee on Social The simple fact is that H.R. 1428 gives wrong with verification? Security, and I want to emphasize the election officials too much power to Frankly, if we have voter rolls that negative impact this bill would have on rely on INS data to bar people from people know are honest, that would the Social Security Administration. voting. strengthen motor voter, not weaken it. Mr. Speaker, the bill would impose As natural born citizens, millions of To the degree we have people going on an enormous work load on the same Puerto Ricans with no record at INS the rolls and we continue to have fraud agency that is responsible for sending could unfairly be stopped at the ballot in voting, there is going to be a mas- every Social Security check out every box. This is wrong, pure and simple. sive effort to fundamentally reform the month. These are so important. As we Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues motor voter bill. This effort will be led know, tens of thousands of older that the only purpose for this hostile by the local election officials who have women have only the Social Security legislation is to torment citizens. If we to enforce motor voter. If my colleagues were truly inter- check to rely on. And even if additional silent the voices of any Americans, we ested in trying to make sure that a funds are provided, urgent needs such destroy our democracy. I urge my col- person’s right to vote is protected, as the revision of the Social Security leagues to defeat this voter suppression they would be supporting this kind of computer system for the year 2000 ap- bill. proaches and needs attention. Even Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 legislation. Then we can ensure that though voter registration is so legiti- minutes to the gentleman from Califor- the rolls are accurate and that the motor voter law is not undermined. mately important, it is not what the nia (Mr. THOMAS), the distinguished Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Social Security Administration should chairman of the Committee on House be doing. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Oversight. Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, how More importantly, the Social Secu- Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank much time do I have remaining? rity Administration does not keep the the gentleman from Indiana for yield- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- kinds of records necessary for this re- ing. tleman from California (Mr. THOMAS) quirement. Prior to 1971, Social Secu- Mr. Speaker, I think it is appropriate has 30 seconds remaining. rity Administration data was based on at this time to rise and provide some Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, if the only what a citizen told the agency. No facts for the record since there has gentleman from Rhode Island would documentation was required until 1981. been a series of statements that are like to ask me a question on his time, Furthermore, the legislation would just factually inaccurate. I would appreciate it because I have a undermine the motor voter law dis- First of all, this is not a new or inno- very short time. Does the gentleman couraging voter participation under- vative idea, that is using Social Secu- have time? mining voter rights. We have worked rity numbers for voter identification. Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. so hard to encourage citizens to get to There are currently more than half a Speaker, I have time, but it is coming the polls on Election Day. This bill dozen States that do it. So my assump- up in 3 minutes. would force us to take a step back- tion is that those who have gone to the Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, okay, wards in our efforts to promote voter well on the other side of the aisle to then I will be with the gentleman in 3 registration by establishing an unnec- argue that this is somehow un-Amer- minutes. essary obstacle to voter registration ican believe that the States of Georgia, Mr. Speaker, this is a very modest and taking away from the participa- Hawaii, Kentucky, New Mexico, South attempt, based on what we now know tion of many citizens. Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are from the contested election in Califor- This legislation would discourage all un-American because they utilize nia’s 46th District that there will be voter participation, divert important Social Security numbers for verifica- people who go to the polls and who will resources away from the Social Secu- tion. not be voting legally. rity Administration, and also the cen- In addition to that, I found it inter- Any Member who does not want to tral purpose of that administration, as esting that the gentlewoman from Con- support this very reasonable check to H470 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 provide election officials with tools to that have taken place. And as an insti- Mr. Speaker, I listened to the gen- make sure their voting rolls are accu- tution, we have been over the past sev- tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS). I was rate are, in fact, damaging the very ar- eral Congresses encouraging greater a school girl 34 years ago when the gen- gument they argue that they are try- participation. And yet what has hap- tleman from Georgia stood on that ing to support, and that is the advances pened? We have seen a lowering in par- bridge for voting rights. Today I think that we have made in allowing more ticipation and an increase in fraud. that all Americans need to stand to- people to come on the rolls would be This is, as my friend said, a very cau- gether once again to overcome the sustained. tious step. forces that would take us back to the Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. The gentleman from California (Mr. days of Jim Crow, that would take us Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds. HORN) is one of the key authors of the back to the days when poll taxes were Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Voting Rights Act, and I know that he in place. California is talking about something would do nothing whatsoever, nothing Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to that may exist in the future. Unfortu- whatsoever to overturn that very im- stand together for America. nately, this process has to verify voters portant legislation which he worked Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 now. As soon as it is put in place. And on. minute to the gentleman from Califor- the INS and Social Security have both Mr. Speaker, we should support this nia (Mr. BILBRAY). said unequivocally they do not have very modest measure to ensure that (Mr. BILBRAY asked and was given the capacity to do this. that franchise is in no way jeopardized. permission to revise and extend his re- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. marks.) gentleman from New York (Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, until 3 years ago, I was a county supervisor FORBES). tleman from Ohio (Mr. BROWN), the (Mr. FORBES asked and was given former secretary of state of the State supervising the registration system for permission to revise and extend his re- of Ohio. voters in a county of over 2.5 million marks.) Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, people, and I know now what I knew Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank what is this bill really all about? Last then. There are two ways of violating a the gentleman from North Carolina month the Los Angeles Times ran a voter’s rights. One is not to allow story: ‘‘National GOP Officials Outline (Mr. WATT) for yielding me this time. qualified voters to vote, and the other Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to Poll Watcher Plan.’’ is to allow unqualified voters to vote Behind closed doors at last month’s what I think is an ill-conceived meas- and negate those qualified voters from Republican National Committee meet- ure that would, frankly, do more to voting. ing, Republicans cooked up a plan to create a big government bureaucracy Now there is a lot of talk on this put ‘‘poll watchers’’ and ‘‘challengers’’ centralized here in Washington, D.C., floor year after year about democracy at key precincts on Election Day. and do little, if anything, to get at the and how important it is. This vote is Mr. Speaker, are they putting them about the integrity of our electoral question of voter fraud. in Beverly Hills? No, they are target- This is an ill-conceived measure. I process that sends every one of us here. ing, quote, ‘‘districts with substantial And if what we are trying to say now is think that we are turning back the racial or ethnic populations.’’ clock and creating a mechanism that that the integrity of that vote, that The L.A. Times reported: ‘‘For many qualified voters are being given the will only enhance discrimination. It in Orange County, the proposed poll will further divide this Nation. And, right to make their vote count, then watchers would be reminiscent of the vote for the bill offered by the gen- frankly, if we truly care about voter uniformed security guards that the fraud, we would do some other kinds of tleman from California (Mr. HORN). It GOP placed outside voting sites in As- is a very moderate approach. things working with local governments semblyman Curt Pringle’s district in b in the States, rather than this Repub- 1988. Republicans ended up paying 1330 lican majority creating a big govern- $400,000 to settle a civil lawsuit If my colleagues want to find excuses ment bureaucracy that is composed of, brought by several Latinos outraged by to walk away from this issue, I ask again, the watchful eye of Big Brother. the incident.’’ them to consider the fact that in the Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Mr. Speaker, every American should 1960s there were those who found ex- Speaker, did the gentleman from New be outraged. Whether they are white, cuses not to stand up for the right of York use his entire minute? black, brown, Hispanic, Asian Ameri- voters to be able to have their vote The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- cans, African Americans, this bill is an count. Today, in the 1990s, sadly there tleman has 15 seconds remaining. outrage. The Republicans should be are those who are finding excuses to Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. ashamed of themselves. allow unqualified people to have access Speaker, I just wanted to make sure Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve to the voting polls to disqualify good, that we were reserving the time for our the balance of my time. qualified voters. side. We have many speakers. Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- gentleman, then, reserve the balance of woman from California (Ms. LOFGREN). tleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS). his time? Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, no one (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Yes, in this body is for fraud, but unfortu- given permission to revise and extend Mr. Speaker. nately this bill has nothing to do with his remarks.) Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 fraud. As the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want minute to the gentleman from Califor- my friend and colleague, has men- to thank the gentleman from North nia (Mr. DREIER). tioned, unfortunately, the immigration Carolina for yielding me the time. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given records cannot prove U.S. citizenship. I rise today in opposition to this res- permission to revise and extend his re- Mr. Speaker, as the letter from OMB olution which will add barriers to the marks.) received yesterday points out, the So- free exercise of voting for many Ameri- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I have the cial Security Administration records cans. The fundamental right to vote is highest regard for my colleagues who also will not definitively reveal the the foundation on which our democ- have stood in opposition to this meas- status of citizenship. When we put the racy is based. The right to vote was di- ure. But the fact of the matter is they two together, we do not get anything rectly attributable to the American are using little more than rhetoric. more than what is there to begin with. Revolution, enactment of the 15th The gentleman from California (Mr. We cannot prove citizenship with these amendment, women’s suffrage and the THOMAS) got right to the facts. records. Voting Rights Act of 1965. We have a responsibility in this Con- So why are we here today? We are In the segregated South, poll taxes gress. It is the responsibility to protect here today to consider a bill that would and literacy tests were used as weapons that very precious franchise: the right deter and discourage Americans who against the right to vote. Now, more to vote. Everyone acknowledges that are not Anglo from voting. Whether in- than 120 years later, 28 years after en- we have witnessed fraud in elections tended or not, that will be the effect. actment of the 15th amendment and 3 February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H471 years after enactment of the Voting anti-immigrant behavior? No. Now Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. King, Goodman, Rights Act of 1965, we are considering they want to create unnecessary fear Chaney, Schewerner, and countless others legislation that could once again in- within the Hispanic community and gave up their lives to ensure that every Amer- hibit the right to vote. H.R. 1428 would create unwarranted fear of the His- ican would have the right to vote. The days of give wide discretion to State and local panic community in the eyes of our fel- requiring Americans to count how many bub- officials to deny legalized citizens, pre- low Americans. bles are in a bar of soap, before giving them sumed to be illegal immigrants, the I am not in the business of giving ad- the right to vote must never return. This legis- right to register to vote. vice to NEWT GINGRICH, but let me say lation disguised as a bill to prevent voter fraud This is a bad piece of legislation. this: Latino voters are American vot- could take us back to the days when a series Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve ers. When we vote, we remember who of tests dictated whether one had the right to the balance of my time. stood with us and who stood against us. vote. Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. And we are not alone; Americans of di- At a time when voter registration and partici- Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- verse backgrounds are united. They de- pation should be encouragedÐthis bill seeks tleman from New Jersey (Mr. MENEN- test discrimination, are sick of to discourage potential voters and especially DEZ). scapegoating and are fed up with fin- minorities. This bill must be rejected for four (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was ger-pointing. The Republicans will go reasons. First, there has been no evidence of given permission to revise and extend on record today not simply as oppo- widespread voter fraud. Secondly, this bill in- his remarks.) nents of Latinos but as opponents of Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, with fringes on privacy rights of individuals by re- the principles that should make each of H.R. 1428, which I call ‘‘the voter sup- quiring that voters Social Security numbers be us proud to be an American. pression and antivoter privacy act,’’ listed. Thirdly, the Department of Justice and Well, I'll tell you what kind of name Gingrich Republicans are proving that they are Social Security Administration have stated that isÐit's an American name. the party of big, prying and intrusive this bill is untenable and unsafe. Every bit as AmericanÐin factÐas Garcia. government. Republicans want the So- Finally, this bill should be rejected because Or Morales. Or Jimenez. it is an assault on the Motor Voter bill. cial Security Administration, the INS, Each one an American. Each deserving the the Justice Department to run back- Therefore, I urge my colleagues to resist the right to vote. Each deserving of respect. temptation of interfering with the franchise in ground checks and share private infor- And none deserving of the scapegoating, mation on American citizens who sim- this mannerÐreject this bill and protect the suspicion, and cynicism that the Republicans rights of millions of Americans to participate in ply want to register to vote. Unless have aimed at them with this legislation. things have changed since I was in law the democratic process. It's obvious why the Republicans drafted Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. school, Americans have the right to this bill: vote without going through a security Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- Republicans learned in 1996 that there is a woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). check by ‘‘big brother’’ government. price to pay for practicing the politics of preju- Why would Republicans do this? (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked dice. and was given permission to revise and Maybe it is that they just finished Latino voters grew tired of hearing Repub- blowing a million taxpayers’ dollars in extend her remarks.) licans' red-hot rhetoric and cold-hearted legis- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. a 14-month investigation in the LORET- lation targeting our community. Speaker, I thank the ranking member TA SANCHEZ case that they could not So, in response, Latinos voted for tolerance, prove. for his leadership. opportunity, and equality. I rise with strong opposition to the What is next in the Republican plan? In other words, Latinos voted for Democrats. Will the FBI run checks on everyone recognition that every single one of us And what is the Republicans reaction? was one day an immigrant coming to who gets a driver’s license? Will Social To change course? To end their anti-Latino, Security recipients be fingerprinted by this Nation, believing in freedom and anti-immigrant behavior? liberty and seeking an opportunity to the INS? And who will be targeted by No. Now they want to create unnecessary serve this Nation as a citizen. Whether the Republican efforts? Americans of fear within the Hispanic community, and cre- it be at war or at peace, immigrants Hispanic descent and other minorities ate unwarranted fear of the Hispanic commu- from all over the world came for jus- who have common last names often nity in the eyes of our fellow Americans. tice and freedom. found on immigration lists and who I am not in the business of giving advice to Now, today, in this House this Repub- simply do not look like our typical NEWT GINGRICH. But let me say this: lican leadership and majority want to mode. Latino voters are American voters. We have to make it more convenient When we vote, we remember who stood take away and clothe the Voter Rights for our citizens to vote, not more dif- with us who stood against us. Act with the cover of the Ku Klux Klan ficult and intimidating. If that scares And we are not alone. and deny those new immigrants who Republicans, more working families The Republicans will go on record today not become citizens the right to vote. How mean fewer Republican votes. simply as opponents of Latinos . . . but as tragic that we have come to this. His- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. opponents of the principles that should make panic voters, Asian voters, new voters Speaker, how much time remains? each of us proud to be an American. from the continent of Africa, yes, this The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GIB- Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve is what this bill will do. It cannot be BONS). The gentleman from North Caro- the balance of my time. implemented, Mr. Speaker. lina (Mr. WATT) has 6 minutes remain- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. The reason is, the Social Security ing, and the gentleman from Indiana Speaker, I yield such time as he may Administration does not know how to (Mr. PEASE) has 51⁄2 minutes remaining. consume to the gentleman from Illi- implement it. They do not have any Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. nois (Mr. DAVIS). kind of data beyond 7 years ago. I ask Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was any one of you who is an American tleman from Illinois (Mr. GUTIERREZ). given permission to revise and extend today, would you want this to have Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, it is his remarks.) happened to your grandmother and obvious why the Republicans drafted Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I your grandfather? Then stand up for this bill. Republicans learned in 1996 rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1428, those who have come for freedom and that there is a price to pay for practic- the Voter Eligibility Verification Act. are legal citizens. Vote down this hor- ing the politics of prejudice. Latino Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposi- rible stab in the Voter Rights Act. voters grew tired of hearing Repub- tion to H.R. 1428, the Voter Eligibility Verifica- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to licans’ red-hot rhetoric and cold- tion Act. A great man once said give me lib- H.R. 1428, the Voter Eligibility Verification Act. hearted legislation targeting our com- erty or give me death. I say give me the ballot H.R. 1428 purports to eliminate voter fraud by munities, so in response Latinos voted box free and unencumbered or give me death. requiring proof of citizenship for registered vot- for tolerance, opportunity and equal- I find it ironic that we stand here today in ers and applicants for voter registration. In ity. In other words, Latinos voted for FebruaryÐthe month set aside for the cele- fact, this bill is nothing more then a thinly Democrats. bration of Black History and we are debating veiled tool for suppressing the minority vote. What is the Republican reaction? To a bill that threatens to undermine with the At a time when voter turnout is at record change course to end their anti-Latino franchise rights of millions of Americans. lows, Republicans are proposing a bill that H472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 would make sure that fewer voters participate great post-Civil War amendments— mation accurately, and both agencies in future elections. H.R. 1428 effectively un- knew what they were doing, and they are already on record opposing this. dermines the Voting Rights Act and the Na- differentiated. They knew the dif- Mr. Speaker, it seems that the col- tional Voter Registration Act. ference between ‘‘person’’ and ‘‘citi- leagues who want to return to this H.R. 1428 will empower local election offi- zen.’’ The last I knew, we wanted citi- antialien ideology of the Know-Nothing cials to drop citizens from voter rolls if the So- zens of the United States to vote. The Party of the 1850s, that is what is in cial Security Administration and the Immigra- millions who have come here—includ- question here. Within the current po- tion and Naturalization Service are unable to ing my father, who left tyranny for litical climate this could only be con- confirm a person's citizenship status. How- freedom, and my great-grandfather— strued as a means to prevent the par- ever, according to testimony from both the INS could hardly wait to be naturalized and ticipation of ethnic minorities in the and SSA, H.R. 1428 is utterly unworkable be- become an American citizen. electoral process. cause neither agency can conform the citizen- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. This is discrimination of its worst ship of a majority of Americans. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- kind. It is indeed, as the gentlewoman When names which have been submitted woman from California (Ms. WATERS). said, un-American. for verification to the INS and SSA come back Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, in Henry Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong op- ``unverifiable,'' state and local election officials Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, ‘‘The position to H.R. 1428. This is yet another at- are left with the sole discretion to decide who Landlord’s Tale, Paul Revere’s Ride,’’ tempt to undermine the voting rights and dis- will be allowed to vote. The legislation pro- he describes the will and resistance of courage voter participation of certain ethnic vides no means by which to ensure that these those who came from Britain who had groups. Rather than encouraging every willing officials act in ways that are uniform and non- fled their mother country and created American citizen to exercise his or her right to discriminatory. Since there is no criteria for the 13 colonies seeking freedom and de- vote, my colleagues want to restrict this right. challenging whether a voter on the rolls is a mocracy. He described, ‘‘One if by land, Over the past few years, the ills of our nation citizen or not, election officials may choose to two if by sea, on the opposite shore I have been blamed on immigrants or the de- block access to the ballot box based on a per- will be, ready to ride and sound the scendants of immigrants. This is discrimination son's appearance, accent, or ``foreign-sound- alarm through every Middlesex village of the worst kind. My heritage within the bor- ing'' name. and farm.’’ ders of this great nation goes back five gen- Ensuring fair participation in the political Today we are here sounding the erations. But it is people like me who this bill process is fundamental to our democracy. In- alarm. H.R. 1428 is unAmerican. It is attempts to repress and rob of an active politi- creasing voter participation, rather then stifling unfair. It is an outrageous attempt to cal life. it, is the only way to guarantee that more deny immigrants democracy. H.R. 1428 This bill is based on the misguided percep- American voices are heard in the ongoing na- is quite simply a frontal assault on our tion that voting by noncitizens is a major prob- tional debate over the future of this country. Nation’s essential voting rights. lem in this country. Yet, even the most inflated We do not want this experiment in Texas. We The bill would seriously undermine studies estimate that illegal voting in this coun- do not want this attack on Hispanic, Asian, or the Federal laws governing the uniform try constitutes but a mere fraction of all voters. other new immigrants who are legal citizens. and nondiscriminatory registration of The INS is required to and has fully cooper- I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing voters. It is reminiscent of the poll tax ated with election officials during investigations this dangerous and discriminatory piece of leg- and literacy tests, of Jim Crow. of voter fraud. Not only is this bill unneces- islation. This bill would allow local political sary, it is impractical. Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 officials to make arbitrary and poten- Neither the Social Security Administration minute and 30 seconds to the gen- tially discriminatory decisions by se- nor the INS have accurate databases to con- tleman from California (Mr. HORN). lectively targeting groups of voters and firm citizenship status. These agencies are in- Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I have lis- forcing them to prove their citizenship, capable of providing this information accu- tened with great interest to my col- using an incomplete and inaccurate rately and both the Social Security Administra- leagues on the other side. Usually in database. tion and the Justice Department have already the debate on a bill we have a few facts Vote down this bill. It is unAmer- voiced their opposition to this legislation. The that are facts on both sides. This morn- ican. It is unfair. America deserves bet- INS is already working to become more effi- ing I have heard hardly any facts. ter than this kind of misguided public cient, reforming its system to reduce backlogs It is very simple. A vote against this policy. and prevent criminals from becoming citizens. bill says ‘‘We do not want to check Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Forcing it to take on further unnecessary, citizenship. We want illegals and non- Speaker, would the Chair advise us of time-consuming duties would be a waste of citizens to vote in American elec- the time remaining? taxpayer dollars that are intended to natural- tions.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- ize, not penalize. Now, if Members think this is wrong, tleman from North Carolina (Mr. Many U.S. citizens were naturalized before may I say, we all stand up and take the WATT) has 3 minutes remaining, and the INS began keeping computer records at oath in this Chamber to abide by the the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. all. These Americans, who have been voting Constitution. The Fourteenth Amend- PEASE) has 4 minutes remaining. for years, are among the most likely to have ment says: All persons born or natural- Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. their voting rights revoked and their participa- ized in the United States and subject to Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- tion suppressed. If election officials are al- the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of tleman from California (Mr. TORRES). lowed to ``confirm'' citizenship status of reg- the United States and of the State Mr. TORRES. I thank the gentleman istered voters and applicants, we grant them wherein they reside. And we look at for yielding me the time. the prerogative to reject applicants and drop the Fifteenth Amendment: The right of Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my voters from the rolls. A name returned citizens of the United States to vote strong opposition to this legislation, ``unconfirmed'' would be deemed ineligible to shall not be denied or abridged by the which is yet another attempt to under- vote. Millions of native-born and naturalized United States or by any State on ac- mine the voting rights and discourage citizens would be turned away and have to count of race, color or previous condi- voter participation of certain ethnic prove they are citizens. tion of servitude. groups. Rather than encouraging every The bill we have before us today would You will notice the Civil War—Re- willing American citizen to exercise overturn the Voting Rights Act and invalidate construction legislators put this lan- his or her right to vote, I must say, the National Voter Registration Act or ``Motor guage together to differentiate be- this restricts that very right. Voter Law.'' This landmark legislation success- tween ‘‘person’’ and ‘‘citizen.’’ It is This bill is based on the misguided fully established procedures that encourage very clear. They are saying only citi- perception that voting by noncitizens voter participation nationwide. Since its enact- zens in the United States should vote. is a major problem in this country. Yet ment in 1993, 13 million new voters have reg- They are not saying persons. They are the most inflated studies estimate that istered, including senior citizens, disabled citi- saying citizens. That is the basic illegal voting constitutes but a mere zens, military personnel, and many others. choice. fraction of all voters. Neither the So- This is the intention and design of a democ- The framers of the Constitution and cial Security Administration nor the racy. Reinstating obstacles to this achieve- the framers of these amendments—the INS is capable of providing this infor- ment would be counter-productive. Within the February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H473 current political climate, this can only be con- this bill is all about. It is wrong. It is vast majority of the voting-age population. strued as a means to prevent the participation un-American. We should turn it SSA issues Social Security numbers (SSNs) of ethnic minorities in the electoral process. around. to native-born citizens, naturalized citizens, Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. and aliens legally admitted for permanent Millions of Americans take for granted the residence; the citizenship information in rights they have in this country. For a recently Speaker, I yield myself the balance of SSA’s files may not be up-to-date or (if the naturalized citizen, voting is an opportunity to my time. SSN was issued before 1981) based on docu- fully experience a newly earned freedom. It is The question is what problem are we mentary evidence. The INS has information something to be practiced with pride and self- trying to solve by this bill? I submit to about naturalized citizens but not about na- respect. But many of these new citizens do Members that the problem we are try- tive-born citizens; even those data contain not carry, on their person, documents to prove ing to solve by this bill is one that the gaps, are not entirely automated, and rely their citizenship. How many of us in Congress Republicans are trying to create. on the alien registration number rather than the SSN. carry such documents? Some of these new b 1345 Because the limitations of these data citizens have a yet to receive these papers They are seeing an unregistered would soon become apparent to state and due to tremendous backlogs at INS. Even local officials, the number of inquiries is voter behind every tree and they are those who are already registered would be likely to be small, as would the cost of re- seeing them vote for Democrats. That subject to new requirements. sponding to them. Filling the gaps in the is what this bill is all about. They have This bill is nothing but a spiteful attempt to agencies’ data would require the creation of spent over a million dollars on a wild new data bases, clearly an expensive under- retaliate against the Latino community for goose chase and now they bring a bill taking, but one that would be barred by the sending Bob Dornan to the unemployment to the American people which they bill. line. It is more of the same failed tactics used know will fail to cover their tracks and I hope that this information is helpful to by the Republican leadership in a continue ef- you. If you have further questions, please do make it look good. fort to cast a cloud of suspicion on a large not hesitate to contact me, or have your This bill will not work. The Social percentage of Americans and reduce minority staff contact Kathy Ruffing of my staff at Security Administration and the INS participation in the 1998 and 2000 election cy- 226–2820. have already told us that they do not Sincerely, cles. This is an unjustified assault on Ameri- have the records. Who will be sent JUNE E. O’NEILL, cans of color, those with foreign surnames or there to check their citizenship? Peo- Director. particular accents. Such subjective scrutiny ple who look like they are not Amer- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong will have a chilling effect on the voting power ican citizens: Hispanics, blacks, people opposition to the H.R. 1428, the so-called of Latinos and Asian Americans. who are minorities. This bill is un- Voter Eligibility Act. Despite its name it will do Mr. Speaker, I call upon all of those who be- American. They will then be given 30 nothing to verify eligible voters. Instead this bill lieve in democracy and those who continue to days to take an appeal, but that 30 will undermine the Voting Rights Act of 1965, believe in the ``American Dream'' to vote days will expire after the next election. the Motor Voter Act, create a national data- against this misguided bill. base system and unnecessarily invade the pri- Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve So what happens when I walk into vacy of millions of Americans. That the Re- the balance of my time. the polling place and try to cast my publican leadership would bring such a bill Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. vote? I will be told, oh no, you cannot that diminishes a citizen's constitutional right Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gen- vote because you do not look Amer- ican. The Republicans are seeing diver- to vote, to the full House under suspension, tleman from Rhode Island (Mr. KEN- sity behind every tree. Stand up and circumventing three House committees that NEDY). have jurisdiction, and making seven sub- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. understand that this country is about stantive changes to the bill the night before, is Speaker, I would like to thank the gen- diversity and honoring diversity, not a disgrace. tleman from North Carolina for yield- destroying it. That is what this bill will do. That is what it is intended to This verification scheme in this bill is simply ing me this time. unworkable. THe Social Security Administra- As I was growing up in my family and do. No committee has marked up this tion (SSA) and the Immigration and Natu- I read about my uncles, President Ken- ralization Service (INS) do not have the nedy and Robert Kennedy, and I read bill. It comes to the floor today in the wake of the Sanchez dismissal as cover records to verify citizenship. The SSA is un- about their leadership in the 1960s and able to confirm citizenship because SSA is not read about the 1964 Civil Rights Act for my Republican colleagues. That is the sole reason it is here. the official custodian of birth, naturalization, or and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, I other records that constitute evidence of citi- thought my uncles had done it all. This bill is un-American. It should be voted down and we should be ashamed zenship. The INS database is severely flawed Growing up in my family, I thought, because is does not include any information how could I ever fight the same fights for bringing it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I include for the on any native born citizens. And the INS data- they fought for, because I wanted so RECORD a letter dated February 11, base does not include citizens naturalized be- much to be a part of their fight. 1998, from the Congressional Budget Of- fore computer records were kept or citizens I am telling my colleagues today, I who were recently naturalized. We are all never thought I would see the day when fice regarding this bill: CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, against voter fraud, but H.R. 1428 is requiring their fight was not over. But it is not a confirmation process for citizenship which is over; it is carrying on with this bill, U.S. CONGRESS, Washington, DC, February 11, 1998. just not possible with any existing federal 1428, as we speak on the floor. Hon. MELVIN L. WATT, database. Last year, the Republicans put before Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration The bill would also be very costly. Since the this House a bill that said for teachers and Claims, Committee on the Judiciary, bill was not reported from any committee the and principals to choose the students U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, CBO did not complete a formal estimate. But, out of their classes that they thought DC. in a letter dated today the CBO states ``. . . were illegal aliens. In New England, DEAR CONGRESSMAN: On February 10, you filling the gaps in the agencies' data would re- requested CBO’s analysis of H.R. 1428, the where I represent Rhode Island, the quired the creation of new databases, clearly highest illegal immigration problem is Voter Eligibility Verification Act. H.R. 1428 was introduced last June, but it has not been an expensive undertaking, but one that would Irish overstays, Mr. Speaker, Irish reported by a Committee, and CBO has not be barred by the bill.'' So the proponents of overstays. completed a formal estimate of its budgetary the bill can't have it both ways. But it is impos- Do my colleagues want to know how implications. sible to confirm citizenship without creating a many teachers and how many prin- The bill, as introduced, would direct the new expensive national database. Watch out! cipals and how many voting people are Social Security Administration (SSA) and Big brother is watching and checking your citi- going to question Irish people who look the Immigration and Naturalization Service zenship! like me when they go into the voting (INS) to respond to inquiries from state and H.R. 1428 is also a threat to privacy be- booth versus how many are they going local election officials about the citizenship of prospective voters. It is difficult to esti- cause voting registration records are public to question that look like the gen- mate the likely costs of the bill, because nei- records. Nothing in the bill would protect or tleman from North Carolina (Mr. ther SSA nor INS now maintains the infor- ensure the privacy of Social Security numbers. WATT) or the gentlewoman from New mation that would be necessary to provide But the darkest provisions of this bill is its im- York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ). That is what definitive confirmation of citizenship for the pact on the Voting Rights Act and the Motor H474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 Voter Act. At a time when voter turnout is dan- Mr. Speaker, our right to vote is among our rest of the population. If H.R. 1428 were en- gerously low, this legislation seeks to discour- most sacred duties as Americans. acted, that number would drop even lower. age voter registration. Why should citizens As our nation has evolved, so has our elec- This bill is flawed in many ways. First, H.R. have to bear the burden of proving their citi- toral process. 1428 says that for persons born prior to 1978, zenship? How do you prove this? Should we The days of the infamous poll tax are gone, the Social Security Administration would be re- now require everyone to carry a birth certifi- and the 19th Amendment ensures that all of quired to report where that person was born. cate or other document at all times? This is an our nation's citizens are granted representa- If a person was born 70 years ago in another unacceptable burden would have a dispropor- tion through their vote. country, but has since become a naturalized tionate impact on low-income, language mi- H.R. 1428, the so-called ``Voter Eligibility U.S. citizen, his or her INS records are norities and elderly who may not have access Verification Act'' is a misguided Republican at- archived in a federal vault. There would be no to the resources to pursue a complicated, con- tempt at curtailing the Voting Rights Act as way to verify the citizenship of long term, natu- fusing procedure for confirmation of citizen- well as key provisions of the Privacy Act. ralized Americans through this scheme. The bill allows federal, state, and local offi- ship. This effort is the equivalent of a modern Second, the bill would provide a 30-day ``ap- cials to randomly challenge the right to vote of day poll tax that was designed a century ago peal'' period, which would allow a person any person they choose, and it directs the So- to keep African Americans from the voting whose citizenship is unverifiable to submit cial Security Administration and the Immigra- booths. ``supplemental'' materials. At the end of those Motor voter has been a great success. In a tion and Naturalization Service to investigate 30 days, the local or state registrar of that Subcommittee hearing last year, the League the citizenship of any individual at the request voter will then decide whether to permit the of Women Voters testified that the Federal of election officials. person to vote. This is an incredible affront to Election Commission reports that 1996 saw The INS and the Social Security Administra- the Voting Rights Act. To give a registrar the the highest percentage of the voting age pop- tion both oppose this bill. They know that ability to deny an American citizen their right ulation registered to vote since reliable records many of their files are outdated and that they to vote is a disgrace and an injustice. were available in 1960. Nearly 73 percent of cannot accurately verify the citizenship of eligible Americans are registered to vote. Why Americans. This is America, Mr. Speaker. This bill was do we under the unsubstantiated guise of Furthermore, by allowing states to require conceived out of paranoia and xenophobia voter fraud do we need to reverse this trend? Social Security numbers on voter registration and it would severely threaten the voting rights Many Americans, including many members formsÐa practice which is prohibited under of all Americans. Mr. Speaker, rather than dis- in this House on both sides of the aisle have the Privacy ActÐthis bill would overturn key courage, we should encourage Americans to worked hard to eliminate barriers, test and de- provisions of current law, and make the Social participate in the Democratic electoral process vices which would hinder people from register- Security numbers of Americans public informa- and to become fully engaged in the affairs of ing to vote. Why are we bringing legislation to tion. the country, which is their fundamental right. floor which will turn back the clock on the ef- Mr. Speaker, let's keep this Congress from I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. forts to preserve the constitutional right to vote violating the fundamental rights of Americans. 1428. for all Americans? Bringing this legislation to I strongly urge my colleagues to vote Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, we floor, under suspension, represents yet an- against H.R. 1428. examine a flawed bill targeted against minority other sad day for this Congress. I urge the Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong voters in this country, H.R. 1428 is crafted not members to oppose this extreme short-sighted opposition to H.R. 1428, the Voter Eligibility only to intimidate voters and fail to preserve measure. Verification Act. citizens' privacy, it also places an undue bur- Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express The only purpose this bill serves is to under- den on the Social Security Administration my opposition to the Republican majority's at- mine the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the (SSA) and the Immigration and Naturalization tempt to control the electoral process. H.R. National Voter Registration Act, more com- Service (INS). monly referred to as the Motor Voter law. H.R. 1428 could keep millions of Americans from H.R. 1428's mechanism to ensure voter au- 1428 is exclusionary in nature, and it's mo- voting. American citizens, could be selectively thenticity is through confirmation from the SSA tives are questionable. removed from the voter lists. This kind of fed- and INS. However, these organizations them- Mr. Speaker, if ever we as legislators want- eral interference in the local electoral process selves stated that they cannot guarantee U.S. ed to discourage American citizens from vot- would have a chilling effect on millions of new citizenship for all Americans for the following ing, this bill would get the job done. There is citizens who would be frightened away from reasons: The SSA's citizenship data is self-re- no argument that persons who are not citizens this most sacred expression of the people's ported (before 1978, the SSA did not require of this country should not be permitted to vote. will. citizenship information); INS has accuracy However, this bill is not the answer. This Republican bill will lead to discrimina- problems with current computer-recorded in- tion against racial and ethnic minorities. Citi- When immigrants become citizens of the United States, they are very proud and have formation (before the INS began keeping com- zens could be purged from the voter rolls puter records, thousands of individuals were soley on the basis of an ethnic-sounding sur- an earnest desire to contribute to and partici- pate in the greatest democratic nation in the already naturalized; these are Americans who name or the fact that they live in a predomi- will be ``missed'' if this system is in place). nantly minority neighborhood. world. Whether it is to join the workforce and Sadly, it appears this legislation is part of a contribute to the economy, or to cast a vote H.R. 1428's attempts to ensure a voter's larger Republican effort to suppress Hispanic and participate in the democratic electoral American citizenship is shadowed by a greater voter turnout. This campaign began with the process, we ought to embrace our new coun- offense to our constituents. It sends a clear year-long, million-dollar investigation into Con- trymen and women with respect. signal for minorities not to come to the ballot box because they will be harassed and unduly gresswoman LORETTA SANCHEZ'S defeat of H.R. 1428 would take away that respect. Republican Bob Dornan in California's 46th We would be saying to everybodyÐeven questioned about their loyalties. According to district. those born in this countryÐ``Prove to us that H.R. 1428, if the SSA and INS cannot confirm This bill will not work. Both the INS and So- you are a true American. Prove to us that you an individual's citizenship, local and state offi- cial Security have already said they cannot are entitled to vote in our Democratic electoral cials can deny a person the vote. Now, if your confirm the citizenship of most Americans. process.'' last name is Nguyen or Santos, I can assure We need to remove obstacles to participa- What's next, Mr. Speaker? Will we have to you that you should expect more questions tion not build fear into the electoral process. start carrying our personal papers on our per- and obstacles than if your name was Newton Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, earlier son at all times in the event that we will sud- or Smith. today this chamber voted to end the probe denly prove our nationality when we cross Let us not forget that American ethnic mi- into the election of Congresswoman LORETTA state lines as they did in World War II Eu- norities are valuable members of our society. SANCHEZ. rope? Introducing legislation which is flawed in con- Congresswoman SANCHEZ was vindicated, This bill is also an affront to the 35 million ception and implementation and targeted to and the voice of her constituents was re- plus voting aged Americans with disabilities this segment of society is counter to our affirmed. who have benefitted greatly from mail-in reg- American ideals of fairness and democracy. I It should have never been questioned! istration since, in many instances, these indi- urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 1428. And now Republicans want to set our nation viduals are physically unable to go to a reg- We cannot afford to decrease the number of back. They want to create new barriers to vot- istration site. Americans with disabilities al- Americans voting in this nation. We are a de- ing for every American. ready register to vote at a rate 20% below the mocracy after all, not an oligarchy. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H475 Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that on the voting process, but because the means or will the efforts of local officials be more fo- the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the Repub- employed in this bill represent yet another cussed on the Singhs, the Martinezes, and the lican Leadership in the House of Representa- step toward the transmutation of the Social Nguyens? Unfortunately, the historical record tives is bringing to the floor a proposal that Security number into a national identification would indicate the latter. says if you are African American, if you are number by which the federal government can In addition, the bill presumes that the INS Hispanic American, if you are Asian American, more easily monitor private information regard- and the SSA will have their records available the Republican Party does not trust you to ing American citizens. and updated for use by local officials, which vote. The measure before us builds barriers The Social Security number was created we know is not likely to be the case. And and creates a coercive environment with the solely for use in administering the Social Se- should local election officials not be able to election and voting process. curity system. Today, thanks to Congress, par- confirm citizenship, they can drop voters from In its worse manifestation, H.R. 1428, the ents must get a Social Security number for the rolls without having proven that they are ``Voter Suppression Act,'' could return us to their newborn babies. In addition, because of not qualified to vote. the ``good old boys'' days of Jim Crow laws. Congress, abuse of the Social Security system Mr. Speaker, rightly or wrongly, Hispanic- It is a proposal that has the effect of intimidat- also occurs at the state level such in many Americans and other immigrants to our coun- ing minority voters and creating a double states, one cannot get a driver's license, apply try feel a growing bias against them. U.S. citi- standard that makes it more difficult for Amer- for a job, or even receive a birth certificate for zens living in my district who were born in ican citizens, who do not meet these new Re- one's child, without presenting their Social Se- Latin America have expressed their growing publican superimposed criteria, to vote. For curity number to a government official. frustration and fear with harassing INS raids the Party of Lincoln, the Party of ``states' Now Congress is preparing to authorize the which treat all immigrants as suspects; they rights'' to interject this unprecedented level of use of the Social Security number to verify citi- are being denied the presumption of inno- big brother, big government is a shame. zenship for purposes of voting. Opponents of cence. A Salvadoran-American woman living Minnesota has led the nation in voting par- this bill are right to point out that, whatever in my district, who has been a resident and a ticipation for the past few decades by provid- protections are written in this bill, allowing citizen for more than 20 years, never leaves ing election day registration and extended ab- states to force citizens to present a Social Se- her house without her U.S. passport, for fear sentee ballot procedures. To date, there have curity number before they can vote will require that she may be harassed or detained by im- been no examples of widespread scandal or the augmentation of a national data baseÐ migration or other law enforcement authorities. voter fraud. At a time that we should be doing similar to those created in the Welfare Reform H.R. 1428 threatens to intensify the growing more to empower new voters and facilitate the and the Immigration Bills of 1996. feeling of alienation among immigrant U.S. citi- voting process, this measure moves back- Mr. Speaker, clearly we are heading for the zens, without assuring that it can easily, rea- wards to a process which is a proven failure. day when American citizens cannot work, go sonably, or fairly accomplish its objective of Mr. Speaker, none of us condone illegal vot- to school, have a child, or even exercise their ballot integrity. For these reasons, I must op- ing. But this is an issue that has been and right to vote without presenting what, in effect, pose H.R. 1428. should continue to be addressed at the state is quickly becoming a national I.D. card. Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in and local level. If the Republican members are National I.D. cards are trademarks of totali- strong opposition to H.R. 1428, the Voter Eligi- truly concerned about how minority voters tarian governments, not constitutional repub- bility Protection Act. This legislation would per- vote, maybe they should end their policies de- lics. I'm sure all of us have seen a movie de- mit state and local voting officials to verify the signed to divide our nation and penalize mi- picting life in a fascist or communist country citizenship of registered voters through the So- norities instead of trying to frustrate the legiti- where an official of the central state demands cial Security Administration or the Immigration mate exercise of their franchise, the right to to see a citizen's papers. Well the Founders of and Naturalization Service. I would urge my vote. I urge a ``No'' vote on H.R. 1428. the Republic would be horrified if they knew colleagues to vote against this misguided at- Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I that the Republic they created had turned into tempt to undermine one of our most precious, rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1428 an overbearing leviathan where citizens had to fundamental and hard-fought rights, the right which seeks to limit eligibility for voter registra- present their ``papers'' containing a valid gov- to vote. tion by the creation of a new federal voter eli- ernment identification number before getting a It is clear to me that this bill would intimidate gibility system to confirm the citizenship of job or voting. voters by subjecting them to a burdensome registered voters. In order to protect the privacy rights of process of citizenship verification. Most upset- This apparently politically-motivated bill America's citizens, I plan to soon introduce the ting is that it would disproportionately impact would amend the Immigration and Nationality Privacy Protection Act, which will forbid the Americans of color, who will be suspect for no Act to establish a system through which the use of the Social Security number for any pur- other reason than the way they look. At a time Commissioner of Social Security and the At- pose other than for the administration of the when we should be continuing our efforts to torney General must respond to local voting Social Security system. I would urge my col- open the electoral process to more Americans, officials who question, for one reason or an- leagues to support this bill when introduced particularly more minorities, to ensure that all other, the citizenship of voter registration ap- and vote against the Voter Eligibility Act. It is groups are adequately represented, I am as- plicants. time for Congress to protect the Constitutional tonished that my colleagues would even con- My colleagues, I ask you is this bill nec- rights of all Americans and stop using the So- sider a measure that will undoubtedly have the essary? What evidence is there of widespread cial Security number as a de facto national opposite effect. H.R. 1428 threatens to keep voter registration fraud by noncitizens? identification card. millions of voters from exercising their rights, Instead of combating voter registration fraud Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, all Americans and that is the very last thing this Congress H.R. 1428 would likely foster discrimination in- are concerned with maintaining and improving should be doing. stead, because it would allow state and local the integrity of our nation's elections. We know In addition to the shamefully discriminatory officials to drop American citizens from the that, in some recent cases, illegal immigrants impact that will result from this legislation, voter rolls solely on the basis of their ``ethnic and others not legally qualified to vote have there is the simple fact that the measure will sounding'' last name or because of the fact registered and cast ballots. A number of bills not work. Both INS and SSA have themselves that they live in a predominantly minority have been introduced in this Congress to deal admitted that they lack the capacity to accu- neighborhood. with this problem. rately verify the citizenship status of voters. Additionally, it is an unworkable bill since Regrettably, H.R. 1428, while attempting to H.R. 1428 would violate the privacy rights of neither the Social Security Administration nor restore electoral integrity, actually threatens to voters, undermine the Voting Rights Act and the INS can confirm the vast majority of citi- return us to a darker era in our nation's his- the National Voter Registration Act, discour- zens born in the U.S. tory, when people's voting rights were fre- age eligible Americans from voting, and foster I urge my colleagues to oppose this poten- quently challenged or harassed and their right discrimination when we should be working to tially discriminatory and mischievous bill. At a to cast ballots was denied. eradicate it and instead celebrate the diversity time when voter turnout is already at record H.R. 1428 would allow local officials to that is such a critical component of this great lows, this bill would make sure even fewer citi- check the eligibility of registered voters by nation. All this, and the legislation would not zens vote. submitted names from the voting rolls to the even accomplish its purported goals. Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition Immigration and Naturalization Service or the I will oppose this measure, and I urge my to the Voter Eligibility Verification Act (H.R. Social Security Administration. But how will colleagues to do the same. 1428). My opposition to this bill is not because the names be chosen? Will the Smiths, the Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise I oppose taking steps to protect the integrity of Johnsons, and the Andersons be scrutinized, today with grave concern regarding legislative H476 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 initiatives to restrict voter registration and turn- the ``suspension of the rules'' calendar. This gle fought, lives lost, and freedom gained from out. The so-called ``Voter Eligibility Confirma- method does not allow Members of Congress, 33 years worth of challenge and controversy. tion System'' in effect threatens voting rights in support or opposition to this bill, to offer It is my hope that the wisdom of truth, jus- of the American constituency. amendments or engage in more than 40 min- tice and fairness will prevail today on the floor As introduced, this legislation would estab- utes of debate. of the House of Representatives. This bill lish a federal program for state and local elect- H.r. 1428 would require American citizens, must be stopped. In the spirit of Rosa Parks, ed officials to ``confirm'' the citizenship of reg- whom the Immigration and Naturalization in the memory of Viola Liuzzo, let us stop the istered voters and voter registration applicants. Service (INS) and the Social Security Adminis- erosion of access of freedom and justice. Let The proposal would allow elected officials to tration could not confirm to be citizens, to be us maintain the integrity and validity of our submit the names of voter registration appli- selectively removed from registration lists. As elections. Let us encourage all citizens to reg- cants and registered voters to the Immigration a Member of the House Oversight Committee, ister and vote. Vote against H.R. 1428 on final and Naturalization Service and the Social Se- I have first-hand knowledge of how flawed, by passage. curity Administration for citizenship confirma- the INS's own admission, the INS database is. Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. tion through a computerized system. According to researchers of the INS database Speaker, I yield back the balance of With all due respect to my Colleague, this is during the contested election of California's my time. bad policy! The data on which this system is 46th Congressional District, William Thomas Mr. PEASE. Mr. Speaker, I yield based is inaccurate. The fact is that an Amer- was listed as a possible person who might not such time as he may consume to the ican citizen can have a social security number be eligible to vote in the 46th Congressional gentleman from Georgia (Mr. GING- and stand the possibility of not being con- District in California. The INS database does RICH), the Speaker of the House. firmed as a citizen by the Social Security Ad- not contain data on any native-born citizens. Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I could ministration. Thousands of U.S. citizens were Even naturalized citizensÐcitizens who pay tell from the emotionalism of the at- naturalized before the agency began keeping taxes, work legally, and are probably going to tacks that those who are opposed to computer records at all. As a result, our fellow fight and possibly die, in another war against this bill did not have very many facts Americans will be targeted to have their voting IraqÐare not included in this INS database. to work on so they decided to use rhet- rights undermined by the use of such a sys- What is worse is that the database for the oric and symbolism. tem. Social Security Administration is equally This bill is actually quite simple. It Historically, women and minorities in our flawed. Before 1978, the Social Security Ad- has a very simple premise: One should Nation have been singled out and questioned ministration did not collect information on citi- be an American citizen to participate based on their surnames or appearance. Al- zenship or country of origin. Therefore, citi- in an American election. This is not a though this American struggle has made many zensÐincluding the vast majority of the mem- complicated idea. A person can be a progressions, this act of discrimination should bership of CongressÐwho received a Social black American as a citizen, I would not and must not be tolerated by our distin- Security card before 1978 probably would not say to my friend; they can be a yellow guished House. be able to register or vote under H.R. 1428. American citizen, a red American citi- Under current federal and state laws, both This bill would also make Social Security num- zen, a white American citizen, a brown voter registration fraud and voter fraud are bers part of the public record. As many Mem- American citizen, they can be a tall crimes. The notion that massive citizenship bers of Congress know, two employees of the American citizen, a short American verification procedures are needed does not Legislative Resource Center were fired by citizen, but they should be an Amer- align with the facts. The data received from Chairman WILLIAM THOMAS because of their ican citizen. the House Oversight Committee hearing in alleged mis-handling of the Social Security We can have the full range of diver- 1995 revealed that the real problem of voter numbers of employees of the House of Rep- sity. Persons may have emigrated from fraud had to do with the abuses of State ab- resentatives. If it is wrong for Congress to Fiji or emigrated from Ireland. I would sentee ballot laws, NOT by Latinos or Asian make the Social Security numbers of its em- say to my friend from Rhode Island, Americans. ployees public, it is wrong for states and mu- since I was a Doherty on my grand- Let's get real. This bill attempts to set meas- nicipalities to do the same. mother’s side, certainly we want those ures that not only overturns the Privacy Act This legislation does nothing to ensure that Irish who are here legally to vote if projections, but recreates a system that affects naturalized citizens or U.S. born citizens will they are citizens. But we do not want the minorities in our America. not be discriminated against. As an African Irish who are here illegally, nor do we As the Honorable Jimmy Carter so elo- American, I cannot recount the number of want anyone else who is here illegally quently stated in his 1981 farewell address, times that I felt the sting of discrimination or to vote. ``America did not invent human rights. In a prejudice because I did not fit someone's I listened for a long time to rhetoric, very real sense . . . human righters invented mind-set of what an ``American'' looked like. It now I think it is time to talk about America.'' is one thing if a blue-eyed, white male is trying what this bill is about. This is a nar- As we move into the new millennium, let us to register or vote. It is another thing for a rowly drawn bill. The essence of this continue to build bridges in our Nation. We dark-skinned, Latina female with an accent to bill is simple and it is based, frankly, need to address the facts of this proposed leg- try to register or vote. This bill hearkens back on the recommendations of the Sec- islation and not be distracted by the rhetoric. to the days before the adoption of the 1965 retary of State of California. The Sec- All Americans should have the inalienable Voting Rights Act in which there were grand- retary of State of California says there right to vote and that right must not be deter- father clauses, poll taxes, literacy tests and are people voting in California who are mined based on whether an elected official outright intimidation by ``poll watchers'' to de- not citizens and he does not have the decides that one of our fellow Americans is termine just who could or could not either reg- means to check them. ``ethnic-looking'' verses ``American-looking.'' ister or vote. Now, somebody said the Immigration In closing, I will leave with the powerful It saddens me to know that, after a genera- and Naturalization cannot support this statement of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther tion, some of the same issues of equality and bill. Frankly, I am shocked that any- King, Jr., ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to fairness that one of my constituents, civil one on the other side of the aisle would justice everywhere.'' rights titan Rosa Parks, stood for are being raise the issue of the Immigration and Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today eroded today. It saddens me to know that, Naturalization Service. We had a re- in staunch and vehement opposition to H.R. after a generation, some of the same issues of port released Monday that in creating 1428, the Voter Eligibility Verification Act. This freedom and enfranchisement, a citizen of the new citizens, according to an outside bill would repress the participation of legal, City of Detroit, civil rights martyr Viola Liuzzo, accounting firm, 90.2 percent of the U.S. citizens in the process of both registering died for are being threatened today. It sad- files were handled wrong. In three of- to vote and participation in elections. Further- dens me to know that, as a current Member fices, 99 percent of the files were han- more, it would erode the hard-earned gains of of Congress, I receive the notice of threats dled wrong. the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and I encour- against my life to fight for justice. Let the If anything, there ought to be a scan- age my colleagues to oppose this legislation record reflect that I am not placing my meager dal about the fact that the Immigra- on final passage. This bill, which was not con- work on the same standard as these two cou- tion and Naturalization Service itself, sidered in either the House Judiciary Commit- rageous and brave persons. What I am saying according to this estimate, last year tee nor the House Oversight Committee for a is that it is regrettable that we, as a nation, had 38,000 citizens, had 38,000 citizens markup, is being pushed onto the floor under have obviously learned so little from the strug- made citizens who should not have February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H477 been made citizens, 11,000 of whom, The vote was taken by electronic de- Frank (MA) Matsui Rush Frost McCarthy (MO) Sabo 11,000 of whom were criminals. vice, and there were—yeas 210, nays Gejdenson McCarthy (NY) Sanchez Now, I would say to my colleagues 200, not voting 21, as follows: Gephardt McDermott Sanders that, first of all, the real answer ought [Roll No. 17] Gordon McGovern Sandlin to be let us overhaul the Immigration Green McHale Sawyer YEAS—210 Gutierrez McIntyre Schaffer, Bob and Naturalization Service so it does Hall (OH) McKinney Aderholt Gilchrest Norwood Schumer its job effectively, let us make sure the Hamilton McNulty Archer Gillmor Nussle Scott Hastings (FL) Meehan Social Security system has a computer Armey Gilman Packard Serrano Hefner Meek (FL) that works, and then let us allow a Bachus Gingrich Pappas Shays Hilliard Meeks (NY) Baker Goode Parker Sherman State—what are we asking a State to Hinchey Menendez Ballenger Goodlatte Paxon Sisisky Hinojosa Millender- do? It is not complicated. We are say- Barr Goodling Pease Skaggs Holden McDonald ing to a State to make sure that the Barrett (NE) Goss Peterson (PA) Skelton Hooley Miller (CA) Bartlett Graham Petri Slaughter only people participating in their elec- Houghton Minge Barton Granger Pickering Smith, Adam tions are legal American citizens. That Hoyer Moakley Bass Greenwood Pickett Smith, Linda Hutchinson Mollohan is the only criteria here. Bateman Gutknecht Pitts Snyder Jackson (IL) Moran (VA) People get up and make all these Bereuter Hall (TX) Pombo Spratt Jackson-Lee Morella Bilbray Hansen Porter Stabenow comments as though somehow, if they (TX) Murtha Bilirakis Hastert Portman Stark John Nadler yell racist long enough, if they scream Bliley Hastings (WA) Pryce (OH) Stenholm Johnson, E.B. Neal diversity long enough, if they somehow Blunt Hayworth Quinn Stokes Kanjorski Oberstar Boehner Hefley Radanovich Strickland come in here and pretend this is about Kaptur Obey Bonilla Herger Ramstad Stupak something else—this is a very narrow Kennedy (MA) Olver Brady Hill Redmond Tanner Kennedy (RI) Ortiz bill. Members who vote against this Bryant Hilleary Regula Tauscher Kennelly Owens bill are saying they do not want to Bunning Hobson Riley Thompson Kildee Pallone Burr Hoekstra Rogan Thurman know if illegal immigrants are voting. Kilpatrick Pascrell Burton Horn Rogers Tierney Kind (WI) Pastor They do not want to know if nonciti- Calvert Hostettler Rohrabacher Torres Kleczka Paul zens are voting, many of whom, by the Camp Hulshof Roukema Traficant Klink Payne Campbell Hunter Royce Velazquez way, may be here legally, may have Kucinich Pelosi Canady Hyde Ryun Vento been told they could register even LaFalce Peterson (MN) Cannon Inglis Salmon Visclosky Lampson Pomeroy though they were not citizens and may Castle Istook Sanford Walsh Levin Poshard be innocent. Chambliss Jenkins Saxton Waters Lewis (GA) Price (NC) Chenoweth Johnson (CT) Scarborough Watt (NC) All we are saying is an American Lofgren Rahall Christensen Johnson, Sam Schaefer, Dan Waxman Lowey Rangel citizen’s right to vote is one of their Coble Jones Sensenbrenner Wexler Luther Reyes most precious rights. How can we can- Coburn Kasich Sessions Weygand Maloney (CT) Rivers Collins Kelly Shaw Wise cel out an American citizen with a non- Maloney (NY) Rodriguez Combest Kim Shimkus Woolsey citizen and not feel that we are some- Manton Roemer Cook King (NY) Shuster Wynn Markey Ros-Lehtinen how cheating the essence of freedom in Cooksey Kingston Skeen Yates Martinez Rothman America? This bill is about citizenship, Cox Klug Smith (MI) Mascara Roybal-Allard it is about citizens being allowed to Crane Knollenberg Smith (NJ) Crapo Kolbe Smith (TX) NOT VOTING—21 vote. Cubin LaHood Snowbarger I want to repeat: If a person is an Af- Cunningham Latham Solomon Buyer Harman Oxley rican American and a citizen, they can Davis (VA) LaTourette Souder Callahan Jefferson Riggs vote; if they are Asian American and a Deal Lazio Spence Clement Johnson (WI) Schiff DeLay Leach Stearns Eshoo Lantos Shadegg citizen, they can vote; if they are an Deutsch Lewis (CA) Stump Everett Largent Smith (OR) Hispanic American and a citizen, they Dickey Lewis (KY) Sununu Furse Miller (FL) Towns can vote; if they are a European Amer- Doolittle Linder Talent Gonzalez Mink Young (AK) ican and a citizen, they can vote; if Dreier Lipinski Tauzin b 1412 Duncan Livingston Taylor (MS) they are Native Americans and a citi- Dunn LoBiondo Taylor (NC) Ms. BROWN of Florida, Ms. ROY- zen, they can vote. And, frankly, if Ehlers Lucas Thomas BAL-ALLARD and Mr. BECERRA their ancestors come from all five cat- Ehrlich Manzullo Thornberry Emerson McCollum Thune changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to egories and they are a citizen, they can English McCrery Tiahrt ‘‘nay.’’ vote. Ensign McDade Turner Mr. GILMAN and Mr. LEACH This is not about diversity, it is Ewing McHugh Upton changed their vote from ‘‘nay’’ to about enforcing the law. And I think to Fawell McInnis Wamp Foley McIntosh Watkins ‘‘yea.’’ try to vote this down with the sham ar- Fossella McKeon Watts (OK) So (two-thirds not having voted in gument of racism is, in effect, a way of Fowler Metcalf Weldon (FL) favor thereof) the motion was rejected. Fox Mica Weldon (PA) covering up the fact that some Mem- The result of the vote was announced bers, in fact, favor allowing noncitizens Franks (NJ) Moran (KS) Weller Frelinghuysen Myrick White as above recorded. to vote, allowing people who have no Gallegly Nethercutt Whitfield f right to vote, and that means canceling Ganske Neumann Wicker out the legal vote of a legal citizen who Gekas Ney Wolf b 1415 Gibbons Northup Young (FL) should have that vote protected as one RECOGNIZING AND CALLING ON NAYS—200 of the hallmarks of democracy. ALL AMERICANS TO RECOGNIZE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Abercrombie Boyd DeGette THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE question is on the motion offered by Ackerman Brown (CA) Delahunt OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Allen Brown (FL) DeLauro Andrews Brown (OH) Diaz-Balart FORCES HELD AS PRISONERS OF PEASE) that the House suspend the Baesler Cardin Dicks WAR DURING THE VIETNAM CON- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1428, as Baldacci Carson Dingell FLICT amended. Barcia Chabot Dixon Barrett (WI) Clay Doggett Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- The question was taken. Becerra Clayton Dooley Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Bentsen Clyburn Doyle er, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker, I object to the vote on the Berman Condit Edwards Committee on National Security be ground that a quorum is not present Berry Conyers Engel discharged from further consideration Bishop Costello Etheridge and make the point of order that a Blagojevich Coyne Evans of the resolution (H. Res. 360), recogniz- quorum is not present. Blumenauer Cramer Farr ing and calling on all Americans to rec- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Boehlert Cummings Fattah ognize, the courage and sacrifice of the dently a quorum is not present. Bonior Danner Fazio members of the Armed Forces held as Borski Davis (FL) Filner The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- Boswell Davis (IL) Forbes prisoners of war during the Vietnam sent Members. Boucher DeFazio Ford conflict and stating that the House of H478 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998

Representatives will not forget that Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON), who is more than 2,000 members of the United and three Outstanding Unit awards, who re- a Member of this body, who spent 7 States Armed Forces remain unac- tired from active duty in 1979 in the grade of years, 7 years in a POW camp in Viet- counted for from the Vietnam conflict colonel, and who personifies the verse in Isa- nam during the Vietnam war. iah 40:31, ‘‘They shall mount with wings as and will continue to press for a final eagles’’; Mr. Speaker, our good friend, the accounting for all such servicemembers Whereas among the prisoners held in the gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHN- whose fate is unknown, and ask for its Hanoi Hilton was then-Captain Pete Peter- SON) was shot down on April 16, 1966, immediate consideration. son, United States Air Force, a former Rep- while flying on his 25th mission over The Clerk read the title of the resolu- resentative in Congress from Florida who is North Vietnam, and as I said, he spent tion. now serving, in a distinguished manner, as 7 years in POW camps and 2 years in The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the United States Ambassador to Vietnam, the infamous Hanoi Hilton. And during LATHAM). Is there objection to the re- who was shot down on September 10, 1966, the time he was in the Hanoi Hilton quest of the gentleman from Okla- and while a prisoner conducted himself with valor and, notwithstanding the tremendous along with his colleagues, I think there homa? suffering inflicted upon him, continually were 11 or 12 of them, he lived in leg There was no objection. demonstrated an unfailing devotion to duty, irons, suffered malnutrition and lived The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- honor, and country, and who during his mili- in appallingly primitive conditions. lows: tary career was awarded two Silver Stars, And they were mistreated, they were H. RES. 360 one Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Fly- tortured, and yet the gentleman from Whereas participation by United States ing Cross, three Bronze Stars with V De- Texas never, never gave in. He was a Armed Forces in combat operations in vices, two Purple Hearts, six Air Medals, one real patriot under very difficult condi- Air Force Commendation Medal, the Viet- Southeast Asia during the period from 1964 tions. through 1972 resulted in as many as 8,000 nam Service Medal with eight devices, and one Meritorious Service Medal, and who re- And here he is 25 years later, now a United States servicemen being taken pris- Member of the Congress of the United oner by enemy forces; tired from active duty in 1981 in the grade of Whereas the first such United States serv- colonel; States, and the resoluteness he showed iceman taken as a prisoner of war, Navy Lt. Whereas the men held as prisoners of war during his incarceration in Hanoi and Commander Everett Alvarez, was captured during the Vietnam conflict truly represent the Hanoi Hilton is just as strong on August 5, 1964; all that is best about America; today as it was back then. He is a pa- Whereas following the Paris Peace Accords Whereas the 25th anniversary of Operation triot whose spirit was never broken, of January 1973, 591 United States prisoners Homecoming begins on February 12, 1998; and and I am very proud he is a Member of of war were released from captivity; Whereas the Nation owes a debt of grati- tude to these patriots for their courage and the Congress of the United States, and Whereas the return of these prisoners of I am very, very proud that he is my war to United States control and to their exemplary service: Now, therefore, be it families and comrades was designated Oper- Resolved, That the House of Representa- friend. ation Homecoming; tives— Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- Whereas many United States servicemen (1) expresses its gratitude for, and calls er, for the purposes of debate only, I who were taken prisoner as a result of upon all Americans to reflect upon and show yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from their gratitude for, the courage and sacrifice ground or aerial combat in Southeast Asia Texas (Mr. REYES). have not returned to their loved ones and of the brave men, including particularly Sam Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- their fate remains unknown; Johnson of Texas and Pete Peterson of Flor- ida, who were held as prisoners of war during self such time as I may consume, and, Whereas United States prisoners of war in Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman Southeast Asia were routinely subjected to the Vietnam conflict; from Oklahoma (Mr. WATTS) for yield- brutal mistreatment, including beatings, (2) urges States and localities to honor the torture, starvation, and denial of medical at- courage and sacrifice of those brave men ing this time to me. tention; with appropriate ceremonies and activities; Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to Whereas United States prisoners of war and rise in support of this important reso- were held in a number of facilities, the most (3) acting on behalf of all Americans, will lution which honors the U.S. military notorious of which was Hoa Loa Prison in not forget that more than 2,000 members of personnel who were held as prisoners of downtown Hanoi, dubbed the ‘‘Hanoi Hilton’’ the United States Armed Forces remain un- war during the Vietnam conflict. I am by the prisoners held there; accounted for from the Vietnam conflict and will continue to press for a final accounting equally honored to serve in this House Whereas the hundreds of American pris- with my good friend, the gentleman oners held in the Hanoi Hilton and other fa- for all such servicemembers whose fate is un- cilities persevered under terrible conditions; known. from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON) and an- Whereas the prisoners were frequently iso- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- other colleague, Mr. PETERSON, who is lated from each other and prohibited from tleman from Oklahoma (Mr. WATTS) is also being honored in this resolution. speaking to each other; recognized for 1 hour. Acknowledging the courage and sac- Whereas the prisoners nevertheless, at Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- rifice of this Nation’s POWs and rein- great personal risk, devised a means to com- er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman forcing the commitment to continuing municate with each other through a code from Indiana (Mr. BURTON). to press for a final accounting of those transmitted by tapping on cell walls; Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- servicemen who remain missing in ac- Whereas then-Commander James B. tion is very appropriate, and I am Stockdale, United States Navy, who upon his er, I thank the gentleman from Okla- capture on September 9, 1965, became the homa for yielding this time to me. pleased that we are considering this senior POW officer present in the Hanoi Hil- Let me just say that anybody who resolution on this 25th anniversary of ton, delivered to his men a message that was serves this country in the armed serv- the release of many of Vietnam’s to sustain them during their ordeal, as fol- ices and fights and lays their life on POWs. lows: Remember, you are Americans. With the line for all of us deserves every- As a Vietnam veteran myself, I un- faith in God, trust in one another, and devo- thing that we can give them. Honor. derstand the horror of that war and the tion to your country, you will overcome. Respect. Everything. great sacrifices that were made by my You will triumph; But those who spend time in prison comrades in arms from throughout this Whereas among the prisoners held in the Hanoi Hilton was then-Major Sam Johnson, camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and Nation, but I, like most in this body United States Air Force, now a Representa- have had to endure the hardships and and in this country, can never under- tive in Congress from Texas, who was shot the torture and pain of that are special stand the nightmare experienced by down on April 16, 1966, while flying his 25th to me and should be to every American our POWs. While we are all subject to mission over North Vietnam and while a because they pay a price even above terrible living conditions, missing prisoner conducted himself with such valor those that give their lives because they loved ones, fear of losing our lives to as to be labeled by the enemy as a die-hard have to go through daily torture for the Vietcong hostile fire, we were, how- resister and, notwithstanding the tremen- long periods of time. And so my heart ever, the fortunate ones. dous suffering inflicted upon him, contin- The POWs and the MIAs had so much ually demonstrated an unfailing devotion to goes out to them and their families duty, honor, and country, and who during his who have had to pay that sacrifice over more to deal with. They were routinely military career was awarded two Silver the years and during the Vietnam war. subjected to brutal mistreatment, in- Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distin- Today I want to specifically talk cluding beatings, torture, starvation, guished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with about my good friend, the gentleman the denial of medical attention. That February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H479 they were also kept apart for many, of a prisoner and time and so on, to Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, it is with many years from seeing another Amer- have it in mind, to have it in one’s great honor and pride that I am here ican was an added hardship. mind, is everything being done, is ev- today with my colleagues to honor the Let us not forget their families. erything being done to get that person gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHN- Their families suffered equally, and out? And that would be tough. SON) and the other prisoners of war families today suffer not knowing the I just cannot think of a worse from the Vietnam war. As a former Ma- final outcome of those men and women thought to go through somebody’s rine and a Vietnam veteran, I think missing in action. Many loved ones do mind in that condition than to think, I our hearts go out to everyone who not know the fate of their soldiers still wonder if they are really trying to get served in that war and particularly to living today. I think that we should re- me; and so I hope that we do remember the 591 folks that came home as former flect today on the sacrifice of these those folks and those families. POWs. Too often we go off to war, different families. b 1430 We also should acknowledge the con- ones, and left the little children be- tinued suffering of the families of hind, and I left little children behind I particularly like the way the word- those, as I mentioned, who are missing when I went for my second tour. I will ing of this resolution read. We could in action. We must continue to seek in- never forget the look in the eyes of my talk about the thousands of prisoners formation about these missing men for middle daughter, and she said, ‘‘Daddy, of war, we could talk about the 591 that the families and because the United do you really have to go?’’ Television, came home, but when we read one States military is loathe to leave be- battlefields all the time, every day, man’s story, it means a whole lot more hind any of its soldiers, sailors, airmen and I said, ‘‘Cindy, yes, I have to go.’’ to the American public and to those or Marines. We in the House of Rep- And it was pretty tough. folks that really did not follow the resentatives must help the families in So I appreciate the gentleman from events of that period, or perhaps are the military continue seeking informa- Texas (Mr. REYES) making the com- too young to remember the events of tion about these 2,000 service members ment that he has about the families, that period. The old story about one who remain unaccounted for. and we cannot do enough to remember person is a story and 1,000 is a statistic, It has been said many times, all gave those not only in that conflict but oth- and we know that SAM JOHNSON is not some and some gave all, as well as ers that made that sacrifice. And fami- a statistic, but is a very honored man blessed are the peacekeepers. Blessed lies should be included. So to the gen- in his home country and in his State. truly are our POWs and MIAs. tleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON), So we are proud of the gentleman I stand here in the people’s House again I thank him, welcome him home from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON), we are saying, God bless our POWs, our MIAs and God bless him and all those that proud of all of the men and women that and everyone whose lives they have have served as he did. have served in Vietnam, and I am Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- touched. proud to add my name to this resolu- Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my er, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman tion today. colleague, the gentleman from Iowa from Texas (Mr. ARMEY), the majority Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. leader. (Mr. BOSWELL). Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gen- Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given tleman from Texas (Mr. DELAY), the the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. permission to revise and extend his re- majority whip. WATTS) for yielding this time to me, marks.) Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I too rise and let me say from the outset, I will Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I too to pay tribute to a great American, not use the entire 5 minutes because rise to salute the gentleman from SAM JOHNSON. He is a dear friend, and we have so many people who want to Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON). I had a cou- certainly a true profile in courage. To- speak on this. morrow marks, as has already been ple of tours in Vietnam, and I can say I was reading about the stay of the very openly that one of the things I did said, the 25th anniversary of Operation gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHN- not want to happen to me is what hap- Homecoming, when the gentleman SON) in North Vietnam and thinking pened to him. I did not want to burn in about it as he and I have talked about from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON) and 738 one of those helicopters, and I did not it and thinking about others that other American prisoners of war re- want to be a prisoner, and I thought stayed there, and we are going to hear turned to the United States from im- about it many, many days. all the details so many times about prisonment by the North Vietnamese. I was privileged that an associate of how he was shot down on April 16, 1966, On this day in 1973, SAM JOHNSON mine that I went through flight school and how he was released on February boarded a plane in Hanoi’s airport and with, name was JOHNSON, he and I had 13, 1973. But there is one detail I think returned home after having spent 7 the mission to go after James Roe in that tells me that the SAM JOHNSON years as a prisoner of war at the hands the Delta. Remember Roe? And 5 years held captive with the Vietnamese all of the North Vietnamese. He endured that he had been subjected to the con- those years ago is the same SAM JOHN- unspeakable torture, lived in primitive ditions of a prisoner and the Delta and SON I know today in the House of Rep- conditions and suffered from malnutri- so on, and we alternated days. We had resentatives. tion, and when one shakes SAM’s hands, other missions to run, so we alternated See, the Vietnamese concluded, as I one can feel the torture in his hands. days; and I cannot tell my colleagues have concluded, that he is a stubborn Two things helped him survive those our thrill the day that we got him. We man. They called him a diehard. They awful years in North Vietnam: a very, almost shot him, but we got him, and I thought, even as a prisoner of war, this very strong faith in God, and a deep, wish I could share some of the things stubborn man was a threat to their vic- deep love of his wife, Shirley. he had to say. tory, and they took him and nine oth- For 2 of those 7 years SAM JOHNSON Anyway, I am very appreciative that ers that were particularly stubborn and was imprisoned in that infamous Hanoi we take the time. I occasionally will go put them in isolation in a prison that Hilton. It was there that he endured down to The Wall and recognize some was particularly vicious called by the the worst of his torture. Communica- names there, and I have to thank my Americans ‘‘Alcatraz.’’ For 21⁄2 years tions between the prisoners as a well- good fellow upstairs that mine’s not SAM JOHNSON remained in that prison known story was forbidden, but that there too, and I am sure the gentleman in isolation from all the others, and he did not stop the Americans from devel- from Texas thought that more than a remained a stubborn man. oping an intricate tap code that helped few times. And I also have go through Then, as now, the gentleman from the prisoners maintain their sanity. my mind different times about those Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON) was stubborn Once, when JOHNSON and Commander that are missing in action, and I can- about his love for this country and his James Stockdale were caught using not think of a worse thing than to be faith in God, and it brought him home. this tap code, the Vietnamese retali- an American citizen, have carried the I thank him. ated with the worst kind of punish- flag and gone into conflict at the be- Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ment. They put SAM in a cell about 21⁄2 hest of this country and then cir- minutes to my good friend, the gen- feet wide by 8 feet long. The Americans cumstances would come that because tleman from Arkansas (Mr. SNYDER). derisively called that cell ‘‘The Mint’’ H480 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 after a Las Vegas hotel. It was in The they have come together because of the One week later, when our military fi- Mint where SAM JOHNSON was set in courage of Mr. JOHNSON from Texas, nally secured the area, a search was stocks so tight he could not even move. and the courage of people like Pete Pe- conducted of the crash site, but Cap- The Vietnamese kept SAM in that terson from Florida, our Ambassador tain Johnson was nowhere to be found. cell in those stocks for 72 days, and on to Vietnam today. These people gave Residents of the nearby town said that the 72nd day, a typhoon struck Hanoi an enormous amount for their country. an American soldier had been taken Hilton. Water flooded SAM’s cell. He We owe them the deepest sense of grat- prisoner and had been seen recently in thought he was going to drown. So he itude, as we owe all people who serve in this particular town. However, these prayed, and he prayed that night like our Armed Forces. residents were either unable or unwill- he had never prayed before, and when So it is with that that I want to com- ing to provide further information. To he awoke the next morning, he discov- mend the gentlemen who have intro- this day, no further information re- ered that he had actually survived, duced this legislation, to thank those garding Captain Johnson has surfaced. thanks to God. Not only had he sur- who have served in our Armed Forces, No one has stepped forward to account vived, but the typhoon had blown the especially our Vietnam veterans whom for his whereabouts. boards off his cell and he saw the sun we specifically honor today, and of Captain Johnson is an American for the first time in 72 days. course those who are missing and who hero. He risked his life to safeguard his SAM JOHNSON serves as an inspiration have been prisoners of war. We deeply fellow soldiers and he risked his life to of every Member of this House. He en- feel and understand their pain, and we protect our freedom. It is unacceptable, dured that pain of imprisonment fight- particularly appreciate their sacrifices. Mr. Speaker, that the whereabouts of ing for his country. Nobody knows the Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- Captain Johnson and other valiant value of freedom more than the gen- er, I yield myself such time as I may Americans are yet to be determined. tleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON). consume. We must resolve in Congress to do We are all honored by his presence in Mr. Speaker, today, as a member of whatever we can to get a full account- this House, and I am honored and very the House Committee on National Se- ing of what happened to Captain John- proud to call SAM JOHNSON a friend of curity, I rise to pay tribute to the son and every one of the other men and mine. many thousands of Americans who women who have been taken prisoner Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 have been held as prisoners of war and or are still missing in action. minutes to the gentleman from Michi- the many thousands of Americans who I would also like to recognize two gan (Mr. BONIOR), my friend and col- are still missing in action. Today POWs who, thank God, returned from league. marks the 25th anniversary of the re- their pain and suffering and are even Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank lease of the first American POWs from today still making contributions to our my friend from Texas (Mr. REYES) for North Vietnam, and accordingly, I urge great Nation. The honorable Pete Pe- yielding me this time. my colleagues here today to support terson, one of our former members and I want to rise in support of this reso- this resolution which honors those 591 a distinguished member of the House lution. I want to thank those, includ- American POWs who were reunited Committee on National Security, was ing the Speaker and the leadership on with their families 25 years ago today also a prisoner of war. He now serves the other side of the aisle, for offering in a mission known as Operation admirably as the United States Ambas- it, and I want to commend, as my col- Homecoming. sador to Vietnam, and he is working Today, Mr. Speaker, there are still leagues have, the distinguished gen- hard to find out what has happened to 8,100 American soldiers who fought val- our men and women who are still miss- tleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON), iantly in the Korean War and still have for his service to this country. ing in Southeast Asia. Today, Mr. yet to return home. We have yet to lo- I came here almost 22 years ago and Speaker, I wish to recognize Pete Pe- cate their whereabouts. Today, there one of the first things that I involved terson for his valor and dedication to are still some 2,500 American men and myself in in this body was putting to- protecting America’s freedom. women who battled in the streets and I would also like to recognize a gen- gether a group of Members, Vietnam jungles of Southeast Asia during the tleman who is currently serving in the era veterans. There were 11 of us at Vietnam War and still have yet to re- United States House of Representa- that time. The gentleman from Penn- turn home. We have yet to determine tives, and again, still making contribu- sylvania (Mr. MURTHA), to my right, their whereabouts. tions to our great Nation and the great was one of them; the gentleman from Let me tell my colleagues a story to State of Texas. Our colleague, SAM Vermont, Mr. JEFFORDS was another illustrate the sacrifices that America’s JOHNSON of Texas was a POW in Viet- one, Vice President GORE, and there soldiers have made to secure freedom nam for almost 7 years. He refused to were others as well. And at that time it in our land. I want to tell my col- cooperate when the enemy demanded was very clear that Vietnam veterans leagues about Captain Bruce Johnson, that he give them important informa- were receiving a very short end of the a soldier from Michigan. On May 25, tion. legislative pie in this Congress. Their 1965, Captain Johnson was being air- Mr. Speaker, SAM JOHNSON is an education benefits were not adequate, lifted with 6 other soldiers to a loca- American hero and all of us today sa- their health care benefits were not ade- tion in South Vietnam where they were lute his patriotism and his dedication quate, their readjustment counseling needed to offer assistance to a Special to protecting his country’s freedom. benefits were almost nonexistent; and Forces unit in trouble. Mr. Speaker, in Oklahoma there is an so together, Republicans and Demo- While the relief helicopter carrying old saying that we have: ‘‘You don’t crats, we put together a program, and Captain Johnson was landing, it came call them cowboy until you see them little by little, it got enacted over a pe- under heavy mortar and small arms ride.’’ And for the last 3 years I have riod of 2 or 3 years. We even had dif- fire. In an attempt to avoid furious as- worked with SAM JOHNSON and I have ficulty getting recognition for Vietnam sault, the aircraft took off and tried to seen him operate and I have seen him veterans back then. gain altitude, only to lose control and work, and I say to my friend from I remember a bunch of us had a tree crash into some nearby parked vehi- Texas, SAM, we call you cowboy in planted over near Constitution Gardens cles. Oklahoma. about 22 years ago to commemorate An American pilot circling the area I will say it again. Over 8,100 Amer- Vietnam veterans before the wall was soon established contact with Captain ican men and women who fought in even conceived, and then of course Jay Johnson and Captain Johnson reported Korea are unaccounted for. Over 2,500 Scruggs and a few others came along sadly that he was the lone survivor. American men and women who fought and we put together a group and we Captain Johnson also reported that the in Vietnam are still unaccounted for. worked very hard to get the Vietnam situation around him was grim and Mr. Speaker, we must not rest until we Veterans Memorial that has meant so that he was under heavy fire and that account for every single one of these much to so many in this country. no more American personnel should be brave men and women. They deserve no It has been a long road, but I think sent to this location. It was just too less, and their families deserve no less. on this issue we have seen Republicans dangerous. Shortly thereafter, contact Mr. Speaker, I call for all of my col- and Democrats come together, and was lost with Captain Johnson. leagues to recognize the sacrifices of February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H481 America’s POWs and MIAs by support- might have given in, he stood firm. His went through. But we can say a sincere ing this resolution. faith in his God was never surrendered, word of gratitude to you as an Amer- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of it was fortified. ican and as you continue to serve our my time. So what do we say to a soldier who country in these halls. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. gave so much of himself to his coun- Mr. Speaker, also being honored in LATHAM). Without objection, the gen- try? And what do we say to a man who this resolution is a gentleman who tleman from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) endured unthinkable torture and re- served ably and well as well as on the will manage the time on his side of the fused to think of giving in? What do we committee on which I now serve, Pete aisle. say to an American hero who kept the Peterson from Florida, who not only There was no objection. faith, stood his ground, and defended endured the hardships of being a pris- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- his country? oner of war during the Vietnam con- tleman from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) is What do we say to this very special flict, but returned and completed a suc- recognized. person? There is only one thing I can cessful Air Force career, was elected to Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 think of to say and that is ‘‘Thank Congress, and now presently serves as minutes to the gentleman from Florida you.’’ SAM, we thank you for your com- the United States Ambassador to that (Mr. BOYD). mitment to freedom and your courage sad country. To his credit, he went Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to fight. To most Americans you are back in another capacity to help heal to thank the gentleman from Missouri more than a soldier, you are a peace- those wounds that were so open and so (Mr. SKELTON) for yielding me this maker. To me and to the rest of us who sore from those many years ago. time. I also want to thank the sponsors know you, you are a respected col- This resolution also makes reference, of this resolution and the gentleman league and a very cherished friend. excellent reference to Admiral James from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) for in- So, Mr. Speaker, to all of those who B. Stockdale, who I know and have cluding the honorable Pete Peterson as keep the peace and who preserve free- great admiration for. All three of these a part of this resolution. dom, but especially to our friend, SAM gentlemen should be remembered and It is with a certain great amount of JOHNSON, I want to say God bless you properly doing so in this resolution. pride and humility that I am here and thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, it was 1978. I was a today, not just as a Member of this dis- Today I rise to pay tribute to an authentic freshman in this body. Mississippi Con- tinguished body, but also as a fellow American hero, Congressman SAM JOHNSON. gressman Sonny Montgomery asked me Vietnam veteran who has served along- On April 6, 1966, U.S. Air Force Colonel as the only freshman to go to Vietnam side many brave men who did not have JOHNSON was shot down while flying his 25th to help bring back remains of those the fortune to return home to their mission over North Vietnam. For the next who had died in that conflict. It was a family and friends, as I did. seven years, Colonel JOHNSON experienced an very difficult trip. A very difficult trip. Today, on this 25th anniversary of unimaginable amount of threats, tormentÐand The gentleman from Pennsylvania Operation Homecoming, I would espe- yesÐtorture. (Mr. MURTHA) was a member of that cially like to pay my respects to two He was kept in solitary confinement. He delegation, and we did. We met with men. One, a brave fallen soldier who withstood malnutrition. He endured leg irons. various Vietnamese officials and we served by my side as my radio tele- And he suffered unconscionable humiliation. were given the remains and returned phone operator, the second of the 506 But though he was beaten, he was never them honorably and correctly to a 101st Airborne Division in the Republic broken. Where others might have given in, ceremony at the air base in Honolulu, of Vietnam, Gilbert Ruff, Jr., from St. SAM simply stood firm. Hawaii, a memory that I shall long re- Louis, Missouri; and the other, the Through it all, his love for his country never member. honorable gentleman who served as a wavered, it strengthened. His faith in his God This resolution calls for remember- Member of this Chamber, a war hero was never surrendered, it was fortified. ing those who sacrificed, like SAM and former POW, a man whose seat I What do you say to a soldier who gave so JOHNSON, like Pete Peterson, like Ad- now hold, a man who now, after so much of himself for his country? miral Stockdale. But we should also many years, returned to Vietnam to What do you say to a man who endured un- pay tribute to those who fought in that serve as our Ambassador to that coun- thinkable torture and refused to think of giving war, who wore the American uniform, try, the Honorable Pete Peterson. in? who did well and returned home to There is no doubt that this Nation And what do you say to an American hero work and live and experience the free- owes a great debt of gratitude to those who kept the faith, stood his ground, and de- doms of our country. To them, too, we who sacrificed their lives, who fought fended his country? say a heartfelt thanks. and persevered, whose courage and What do you say to this very special per- We should also, Mr. Speaker, well re- service prevailed during this difficult son? There's only one thing you can sayÐ member those in previous conflicts. conflict in Vietnam. thank you. Now, this is the 25th anniversary of the release of the prisoners, Operation b SAM, we thank you for your commitment to 1445 freedom and your courage to fight. Homecoming, 1973 from the Vietnam It is men like Gilbert and Pete that To most Americans you are more than a conflict. But there were previous con- truly represent all that is good and soldier, you are a peacemaker. And to me, flicts in which Americans were held honorable and is the best in America. you are more than a respected colleague, you captive, were mistreated, and were able Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- are a cherished friend. to come home to an American wel- er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentle- God bless SAM JOHNSON. And God bless all come. woman from Texas (Ms. GRANGER). of America's warriors who keep the peace and I have a neighbor down the street in Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, today I preserve our freedom. Lexington, Missouri, on Franklin rise to pay tribute to an authentic Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield Street, a longtime friend, George Stier, American hero, Congressman SAM myself such time as I may consume. who was shot down as a pilot, a lieu- JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the spon- tenant in the United States Army Air Mr. Speaker, on April 16, 1966, U.S. sors of this resolution which calls for Corps at the time, and spent many, Air Force Colonel SAM JOHNSON was all Americans to recognize the courage many, many months in a stalag in Ger- shot down while flying his 25th mission and sacrifice of members of the Armed many. over North Vietnam. And as we heard Forces held as prisons of war during I went to a wake just a few weeks ago today, for the next 7 years he experi- the Vietnam conflict. Especially sin- for another friend who more recently enced unimaginable amounts of threats gled out is our friend from Texas (Mr. was mayor of Higginsville, Missouri, in and torment and, yes, torture. SAM JOHNSON). Lafayette County, who was captured He was kept in solitary confinement. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is an ex- on Corregidor in May of 1942. He served He withstood malnutrition and endured ample of courage and is one for the his- as a marine, and he endured the hard- leg irons and suffered unconscionable tory books, and SAM JOHNSON, we all ships of the Japanese prisoner experi- humiliation. But though he was beat- salute you and there is no way for us to ence. Buford Thurmon, as his remains en, he was never broken. While others adequately empathize with what you lay in the casket at that funeral home, H482 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 Buford Thurmon was wearing his be- amongst us day by day here in the confinement because he would never loved United States Marine uniform. House of Representatives, and many do allow the torture to break his will, his So it is to all of those today in the not know about what he has been love of America and his faith in God. Vietnam conflict, and in my mind, in through in his life because he is so In recognition of his service, the the other conflicts in which Americans down to earth. He has got it so put to- military has given him two Silver have suffered because they were Ameri- gether. He has such resolve and com- Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distin- cans, because they had courage, be- mitment for the benefit of all the peo- guished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star cause they believed in this country, to ple in this country. His word is his with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air them I say a heartfelt thanks and bond. He will never vary from it. Medals and three Outstanding Unit words of gratitude. Mr. Speaker, he is an individual, as Awards. And SAM, a special thanks to you not we heard from the gentleman from Everyone in this House talks about only for what you have done, but for Texas (Mr. SMITH) who went to Viet- patriotism and sacrifice. SAM JOHNSON your work here in the Congress of the nam because it was the right thing to embodies patriotism and sacrifice. United States. do. And it was an honorable cause. Today he continues to fight for free- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Politicians let him down and let down dom. He has been fighting for individ- my time. the rest of our military personnel who ual liberty since he came here to Con- Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- made the great sacrifice in Vietnam. gress in 1991. It has been my high honor er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman But we owe him a great debt of grati- to be able to join him in that struggle from Texas (Mr. SMITH). tude. He knew the risk. He knew the since I arrived here in 1995. He has done Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I danger. And unfortunately it befell him it effectively and without rancor. SAM’s selfless devotion to America thank the gentleman from Oklahoma and his body was shattered. He endured and freedom is evident every day. He (Mr. WATTS) for yielding. pain and deprivation beyond anything never mentions the awards or his brav- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong that Americans can have any idea of. ery in action. He never mentions the support of this resolution. Today we Mr. Speaker, I hope every American exploits of or the horrors of his cap- honor a man who withstood the agony can read his book. I read it and I could tivity. That is just not SAM’s way. He of war and the horrors of imprison- not put it down. I lived for 2 weeks is humble. He is kind. He bears no ill ment. SAM JOHNSON’s courage is an in- with him and his experiences in Viet- will. Every time I see his smile or spiration to all Americans as we salute nam. But he emerged from that a man him on the 25th anniversary of his re- shake his hand, I am reminded, here that can be an idol for all of us. Young stands a man who sacrificed more for lease from Vietnam captivity. people today can aspire to be the indi- One of the requirements I have in my this country than I can ever imagine. vidual, to have the character and the It is fitting that we honor him today. office for summer interns is to write attributes of this man, SAM JOHNSON. Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- two reports on a select number of Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call him er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman books. One of those books was written my friend. I would follow him any- from Texas (Mr. SESSIONS). by our colleague, SAM JOHNSON. It is where and know that trust, faith, hope, Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank called ‘‘Captive Warriors’’ and it is re- resolve, patriotism would be leading the gentleman from Oklahoma for quired reading in my office. me. yielding me the time. For many of my interns, the Vietnam SAM, I am honored to be your friend. I rise today to give thanks also to my War is as distant as the Civil War. I am honored to serve with you and I good friend, SAM JOHNSON, my friend After reading the book, though, they love you. and colleague, a man who has been a come away with a new sense of patriot- Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I re- mentor for me politically for many ism and humility because of the sac- serve the balance of my time. years. But I want to admit that as we rifices that SAM JOHNSON and thou- Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- give great admiration to SAM JOHNSON, sands of others made for our country. er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman I want you to know that he has a fam- But what makes the greatest impres- from Indiana (Mr. MCINTOSH). ily. He has a lovely wife, Shirley, who sion on many of us is that SAM JOHN- Mr. MCINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank is with us today, who is here in the gal- SON was held captive for nearly 7 years. the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. lery, who has stood by her husband for Half of those years were spent in soli- WATTS) for yielding me this time. years and years, a woman who has tary confinement, yet during his years Mr. Speaker, SAM JOHNSON is my faith in God and faith in our country, in captivity, his faith in God and coun- hero and today politicians give out to SAM’s 3 children and 10 grand- try was unwavering. that honor much too easily. But SAM children. Mr. Speaker, to paraphrase President JOHNSON is a real hero in every sense of We give thanks to SAM JOHNSON be- John F. Kennedy, I think that a gath- the word. cause he is a hero, a captive warrior ering of prisoners of war from Vietnam There are few Members of this House who came home, who gave his very best would be a most extraordinary collec- who have given so much of themselves for America, but who gives it every sin- tion of courage ever assembled since to this country and we have heard gle day today. George Washington faced the British about that today. Few have earned the SAM, we love you. We respect you. We since the Revolutionary War. right to be called a patriot. He has an- appreciate you. Let the day never, Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure swered every call to serve this country, never get too far away from us here. that I urge my colleagues to support in wartime and in peace. He has been a We can say not only thank you but this resolution in honor of my friend warrior and a public servant, and on thank you also to the men and women and colleague, SAM JOHNSON. both occasions he has fought for the who did not come home who I know Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I re- same cause: freedom at home and you live with in your heart every day. serve the balance of my time. abroad. We are proud of you. And to you and Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- Mr. Speaker, when the United States Shirley we say, God bless you. er, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman asked SAM to serve to battle com- Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- from Texas (Mr. ARCHER), the dean of munism in Asia, he did not hesitate. He er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman the Texas delegation and the chairman was in the Air Force for 29 years. He from New Jersey (Mr. PAPPAS). of the Committee on Ways and Means. was a hero in Korea and then served Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, America Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank again in Vietnam, as we have heard needs heroes. We have one of them the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. about. within our midst. Prior to my coming WATTS) for yielding me this time and to Congress, I would tune in to C-SPAN b for managing what I believe is a very, 1500 every once in a while, and SAM JOHN- very important moment for the House On that day in 1966 when his F–4 was SON is one of the Members that I would of Representatives and for the people of shot down over North Vietnam, an see and listen to and admire. Since I this country. event occurred that would change his have had the good fortune to work with Mr. Speaker, the individual that we life forever, serving 7 years as a pris- him, that admiration has only in- honor today is a man who walks oner of war, three of them in solitary creased incredibly. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H483 My father served in World War II. today. I think in 1998 America we I join with my colleagues today in honoring Fortunately, he never had to be a pris- ought not to confuse heroes with celeb- SAM JOHNSON. I want to add my personal oner of war. For you, SAM, and for so rities, and there is a real difference. thanks for selfless devotion to duty, his hard many other Americans that had that Celebrities are known for being known. work, his sacrifice, and his friendship. indignity thrust upon them, words can But heroes are known for the values, Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today never be used, we could never find the the principles, their character, their to pay tribute to a real American hero, Con- words to express how humbling that integrity, and the love for this great gressman SAM JOHNSON, and to all his fellow must be for all of us to see the sac- country and the love for their wonder- POWs who so bravely and valiantly served rifices that people like you have made ful God. this country. As you well know, SAM was shot for each of us here. And for so many SAM JOHNSON is a real hero. His book down over North Vietnam and imprisoned for Americans that means so much. has been mentioned today. SAM, I can almost seven years under horrifying condi- SAM, you are to be commended for say for all of our colleagues that you tions. your willingness to continue to serve have been a wonderful book, your life What strikes me most about SAM's story is your country and it is my great honor has been a wonderful book for us to his unshakeable faith in the Lord. On the to serve with you. God bless you and read on a daily basis here in the Cham- evening of his 72nd day in leg stocks, SAM your family. ber. We appreciate your heart and your was ready to give up. For months he had not Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- patriotism. been able to move from his shackles. For er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of months he had not seen the sun or sky from Illinois (Mr. EWING). my time to the gentleman from Texas through the boarded-up windows of his tiny Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I have a (Mr. SAM JOHNSON). cell. As he fell asleep that evening, SAM very special place in my heart for all The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- thought to himself: ``It would be okay if I never Vietnam veterans. SAM JOHNSON only tleman from Texas (Mr. SAM JOHNSON) woke up again.'' That night, a powerful ty- makes that a greater and bigger place is recognized for 61⁄2 minutes. phoon struck Hanoi. As SAM's cell filled with in my heart. We came into this body a Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. J.C., water, be began to pray as never before. He few days apart. He was just ahead of you are terrible. You are great. You knew then more than ever that the Lord was me, so he always gets the office I want are perfect. I thank you for bringing and I am right behind him. But we are his hope and his salvation. As SAM later re- this to the floor. And IKE, you, and all counted, ``When I woke up the next morning, kind of a class of our own. the other Democrats I know, respect Just two little stories that make me I realized the storm has blown the covers off and admire our veterans and those who know what SAM JOHNSON and Shirley the window, and that morning I saw the sun are in the service today. This Nation Johnson are all about. When I talk to rise for the first time in 72 days. That was God would not be the great Nation it is SAM, and he does not talk much about in all His glory coming up out there. And it's were it not for the veterans from the it, he says when they stand you up and good to know He's there; it certainly helps to Revolutionary days right on up until blindfold you and they are going to put your mind at rest. It helps you to get today. shoot you and then they do not, he through those tough times.'' I hope we will remember those who God bless you SAM JOHNSON. God bless our says, you never fear again. are in the service in places of harm’s And then when I talk with Shirley, POWs. And God bless America. way today and who might be put in and she is a great friend of Connie’s CONGRESSMAN SAM JOHNSON harm’s way and hope that we will not and mine, she takes it so lightly. Well, (Testimonial as told to Northwest Bible have to put them there. Those are the he ran off while I was raising the chil- Church) guys that down through the years have dren. Listen, I want you to know that we’ve been I think they are a great couple. made this country great, have made it doing a little bible study up there in Wash- You certainly do love your country, free. I can assure you, until you have ington, DC, believe it or not. . . . My good- your family and your God. It shows had freedom taken away from you, you ness, the Lord is directing you and, you every day in that great big smile. God never can understand exactly what the know, it goes to show you the faith and the grace and the failures that make our lives bless you, SAM. beauty of it is. Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- This Nation represents that. America worth living. Let me tell you a little bit about what happened to me in Vietnam. I er, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman is and will be the greatest nation in the world. All you have to do is step across was shot down in an F–4 and ejected to get from Pennsylvania (Mr. GEKAS). out. Our air speed was about 650 knots, which Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the border in any direction and you is kind of slow I guess. I broke my left arm the gentleman for yielding me the know you want to come back. in two places and dislocated my left shoulder time. I salute the veterans of this Nation and broke my back. When I landed the bad After I was drafted into the Army who have made it great. I think, with guys were on me in about 30 seconds. We and served 2 years during the Korean you, we should honor those who are in were right in the middle of a division of the conflict, I could not wait to get out and the service of our Nation today, respct enemy troops, and I was caught pretty tell my friends and family how much I and honor them. Let me just tell you, quickly. They threw me around and they took over had suffered when I was in the Army, there was a quote left on the wall in Vietnam, in one of those prisons when a house and just kicked the people out. The the great contributions and sacrifices guards and I were thrown in there. My back- that I made. The truth was that I never we left, which I think says it all: Free- seater also got out, fortunately, and was put saw combat. I was in a tank once at dom has a taste to those who fight and in another house where they threw people Fort Knox, and I did go through basic almost die that the protected will out. We stayed there for just one night and training, was trained to be a tank com- never know. then went to a place called ‘‘Dong Hui’’ mander; but I was lucky and never did God bless you all. It is pleasure to be which was in North Vietnam. There they ac- really have to do anything that would in this body with each and every one of cused us of being air pirates and took me out and put me in front of a firing squad. Even put me in harm’s way. you. Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with though you’ve been trained in the Air Force But then I met JOHN MCCAIN and SAM Survival School and you know or think they JOHNSON and others in similar cir- my colleagues to honor a decorated fighter are not really going to hurt you, when you’re cumstances, and all of a sudden, I made pilot, a former POW, a distinguished Con- standing there with six guys facing you with a plea to myself and promise to myself gressman and a good friend, SAM JOHNSON. rifles, and you see them pull a clip out of that I would never say that I suffered The Hallmark of SAM's life has been serv- their pockets, jam it in the gun, and charge while I was in the Army. I was glad I iceÐservice to the Air Force, to this House, to the weapon, you know you can’t really tell served, and I am happy that I did my the citizens of the Third Congressional District whether there’s a bullet going in or not. And duty. But it paled in comparison to of Texas, and to the country. His record of they pull them up and the officer gives the sacrifice and dedication to duty is unmatched signal to fire and they all go click, those sacrifices made by the likes of click. . . . You’re facing them and you won- SAM JOHNSON and JOHN MCCAIN. in this House. I know he would be uncomfort- der about that. They tried again later, and Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speak- able with the term ``hero''Ðbut in a time when the second time I laughed at them. They er, I yield myself 30 seconds. American youth are looking for true heroes, threw me in a pit. You know, in retrospect, It is interesting that we have used they would do well to look to SAM JOHNSON for that was the Lord being with me. I followed the word ‘‘hero’’ here in this Chamber their inspiration. him by praying as hard as I could at that H484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 time, but the real faith you know, the Lord It was a terrible storm and my cell started Well, it happened to be New Year’s Eve really being with you, doesn’t come home to flood. The water was rising fast and since when we moved together so we sang Christ- until you stop and think how he provided. I couldn’t move because of stocks I had no mas carols and that was just a great time. Later they put a cast on my arm. They way to escape the water. I had nothing else But when you’re in a communist world like dressed up some guards like doctors (which to turn to but my faith. I began to pray. I that, the Vietnamese think that it’s a dem- is how you become a doctor in Vietnam). prayed like I had never prayed before, be- onstration so they came charging in and said They pulled it down to the extreme (that it cause I knew that the Lord was my only sal- ‘‘Stop, you are not authorized to do that.’’ broke it in two places) and then they folded vation at this point. It ends up that the Lord We didn’t care, we were going to have a it up and put a cast on it. That was their was with me that night. When I woke up the church service every Sunday regardless. And medical deal. They broke it again in route to next morning I realized the storm had blown we did, they took 3 senior officers out and Hanoi during the travel which took us about the covers off the window and that morning put them in solitary and in irons, and we 25 days. And when we got to Hanoi nearly ev- I saw the sun rise for the first time in 72 kept doing it and they came in one night and erybody was treated the same, it was a week days. That was God in all his glory coming they took about 40 more of the seniors out of torture, while they were trying to get up out there. And it’s good to know He’s and put them in solitary and in fact doubled military information. And you know, they there, it certainly helps to put your mind at them up in bunks and really made them un- never found out that I ran the Fighter Weap- rest. It helps you to get through those tough comfortable. We got in the windows and ons School of the Air Force. times. started signing ‘‘Battle Hymn of the Repub- That very day they came and took me out My back seat pilot Larry Chesley and I lic,’’ ‘‘God Bless America,’’ all the good of the stocks. I could not walk, obviously. made up a couple of stories. Like, ‘‘I had just songs that you know, in our room. There Two guards carried me over to an interroga- gotten there, I didn’t know anything about were about 370 of us in that camp and every the airplane, they just put me in it and told tion office and set me down on a three-legged stool, and this guy says ‘‘We’re going to kill room got up in the window and started join- me to fly over, and they put bombs and na- ing in with us. palm on it, but I didn’t know what was on you.’’ They threatened to do that fairly the airplane. And the back-seater got in the often. But, they said they had this confes- The North Vietnamese came running in plane there, so I didn’t know him. He was sion from Stockdale and obviously you’re in- with their guards in full battle dress with volved. I said, let me see it because I don’t new to Vietnam and he didn’t know a thing gas masks on, and we thought they were think he’d write one. And he, of course, about radar.’’ They told me when I got up going to try to throw tear gas in, but they wouldn’t let me look at it. So I told him that over N. Vietnam push that button. We told didn’t. We could peek through the walls he was lying, I knew Stockdale didn’t write them that story and they gave up after where we had but holes and we noticed that anything. He got mad and said just go back. the whole town of Hanoi had come out to see awhile. Well, that month they took 11 of us to a I was put into an empty dirty room. When what the commotion was. Well that died out place we called Alcatraz. Jim Stockdale was that night and the next day the camp com- they came in to interrogate you they one of them with us, and Jeremiah Denton brought a table in so the interrogators can mander came on the loud speaker and said from Alabama, ex-senator. He was in the ‘‘the camp authorizes you to have church sit behind it and start asking questions. You same camps with me practically the whole were without food and water for about a services.’’ You know that only God could time, he taught me the tap code. This was a make that happen, and I’ll tell you what, the week. But, it was one of those trials that you code where we took the letters of the alpha- go through. They took this broken arm of Lord was with us. I think each and every one bet and put them into five rows of five let- of us is stronger from that experience. mine and broke it again and twisted it right ters each and eliminated the ‘‘k’’ and used on around and tore it out the other side, try- the ‘‘c’’ for ‘‘k’’ for a while, but later tucked I never really thought about being in- ing to make me talk to them. And really, the it back in where it belongs. And a ‘‘b’’ would volved in the Congress, which has brought Lord was protecting me as I look back on it. be tap—tap, tap (1st row second letter) and me here to talk to you today. Jerry Denton It was very painful. So we didn’t change our we became pretty adept at doing that. In Al- and Jim Stockdale and all of us talked about story and apparently my backseater told the catraz we were all in 11 different cells, side how badly managed our government was and same thing. Later (five years later) the com- by side, and kind of in an ‘‘L’’ shape, and we decided that when would we get involved mander, who was the colonel, walked in and could talk to each other pretty rapidly with when we got back to the U.S. and do some- said ‘‘You lied to us.’’ I said no, what are you that code. We then decided we weren’t talk- thing about it, instead of just complaining. talking about. He said when you first got ing fast enough, so we developed a ‘‘cough, So, I got involved in the State Legislature shot down you didn’t tell us the truth. I said, hack, spit code.’’ And I said, ‘‘you know and when Steve Bartlett resigned to run for ‘‘No, you must be mistaken, Americans Jerry, we’re going to get caught for this and mayor of Dallas, I decided to try for the never lie.’’ the Vietnamese are going to really clamp House. And I think the Lord led the way and I later was put with a guy named Jim down on us and we’re going to be in trouble.’’ prompted me to do that and hopefully, I can Stockdale who is now in California. We were But, he said, ‘‘no, we’re going to try it.’’ be there for you and represent you and our in a place where they kept bringing men who It was around 1968, I guess, when they beliefs up there. had just been shot down. I tried to talk to started letting us out for exercise, first time I do know that this is one nation under them and tell them how they could guard ever. And about 15 minutes a day. So Jerry God, our founding fathers wrote this Con- themselves and how to react and respond to got out of his cell and he was walking around stitution under the precepts of the Bible. the Vietnamese so they wouldn’t get into too and he was talking and having the prisoners The Supreme Court needs to use the Bible as much trouble. They knew we were doing it communicate with him. We used a clearing a guide, as a Law book. We have been drift- but they couldn’t catch us. If they had of the throat for one, two clears for two, a ing, as a country, far from these founding caught us they would have really punished cough for three, a hack for four, and a spit principles. And I’m hoping that we can get us. I don’t understand that mentality, but for five. We talked for three years with that more people up in D.C. to turn that around. they would punish us and it would be in com- code and the Vietnamese never caught on. Thank you so much for letting me share my munist ways. Their population over there must think story with you today, and I hope you will One of the most serious incidents involved Americans have a respiratory problem. We Stockdale and I. We were caught commu- share with me. My office is always open. God always signed off in the evening with ‘‘God bless you and God bless America. nicating with other prisoners and the guard bless you.’’ busted in the door of our cell. Stockdale Every Sunday, we would pray together, Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, with tried to fight him and he knocked him to the somebody would know it was Sunday, and great respect and tribute to our friend, floor. Our punishment for this was the worst the Vietnamese took about half a day off. the gentleman from Texas (Mr. SAM of my entire time in prison. Some guy would stomp on the floor and we’d JOHNSON), we sincerely hope that this They put me in a little cell that was about all get on our knees and pray together. We resolution passes unanimously. I thank two and a half foot wide by eight foot long could feel the power of prayer when we were that we called the Mint, we named every- together, everybody praying, even though we the gentleman from Oklahoma for his thing after a Las Vegas hotel. So, there’s one weren’t side by side, separated by walls. We efforts in this regard, as well as the other guy in an adjoining cell with me, and did that for as long as I can remember. other cosponsors. at the same time they put me in leg stocks. And then one day they had the Son Tay Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance I don’t know if you know what that is but raid and I don’t know if ya’ll remember that it’s kind of like the pilgrims when they used or not, but it was an effort to try to rescue of my time. to punish people they put them in the middle the guys out of the camp at Vietnam. They The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. of the town square. They set me in those failed in that effort because they had moved LATHAM). Without objection, the pre- stocks and locked my legs down so I couldn’t about 30 days earlier. And it was unfortunate vious question is ordered on the resolu- move for 72 days. I didn’t get up for any- because they were going to move them back, tion. thing. but it scared them enough that they moved But, on the 72nd day an amazing thing hap- us all together for the first time. And when There was no objection. pened. My cell was on the corner, so I had we moved together we decided to have a The resolution was agreed to. windows, but they were all boarded up. I church service and I’ll never forget because hadn’t seen the sun or anything for 72 days. Jerry said ‘‘Sam you sing for us and lead,’’ A motion to reconsider was laid on That night a typhoon came through Hanoi. and I said ‘‘I can’t sing,’’ but I did. the table. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H485 ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER tleman from Indiana (Mr. SOUDER) is contains an article about that museum's fas- PRO TEMPORE recognized for 5 minutes. cinating exhibits. It is my pleasure to submit it The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted for publication in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. Chair will remind all Members that it to rise in honor of our country's greatest presi- [From the Civil War Times, March 1998] is not in order in debate to refer to any dent whose birthday we celebrate today. A NEW LINCOLN MEMORIAL occupant in the gallery. We Republicans honor Lincoln as a founder (By Al Sandner) of our great political party and the first Repub- In Fort Wayne, Indiana, one man’s admira- f lican president. We are right to this. But this tion gave birth to the largest private collec- AUTHORIZING THE SPEAKER TO is not the source of Lincoln's greatness. tion of Lincoln-related materials in the APPOINT MEMBERS TO REP- Lincoln used the Republican party and the world. The two-year-old museum that houses RESENT THE HOUSE OF REP- presidency as vehicles to achieve three mag- the collection combines modern technology nificent things. He preserved this great union with 19th-century artifacts to create a RESENTATIVES AT CEREMONIES hands-on, in-depth examination of ‘‘Lincoln FOR OBSERVANCE OF GEORGE of ours. He ended slavery on this continent. and the American Experiment.’’ WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY He extended to the American entrepreneurial For generations the people of Fort Wayne, spirit to millions of people of all walks of life. Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask Indiana, have cherished the legend that We have a word for that on a subcommittee Abraham Lincoln stopped here on the fateful unanimous consent that it shall be in I chair. We call it ``empowerment.'' trip that catapulted him into the race for order for the Speaker to appoint two Without a strong union, the United States the presidency. They’ve cherished it and Members of the House, one upon the would not have become the economic power hoped it was true, but couldn’t be sure. recommendation of the minority lead- Legend had it that Lincoln changed trains it is today. Because of Lincoln's work, this na- er, to represent the House of Rep- here on his way to deliver a speech at the tion produced the highest standard of living of resentatives at appropriate ceremonies Cooper Institute in New York, where his son, any in the history of the world. And because for the observance of George Washing- Robert, was a student. The speech made a the United States remained one nation, it was deep impression on the audience and caught ton’s birthday to be held on Monday, able to assemble the moral military might that the attention of Northeastern power brokers, February 23, 1998. liberated millions this century from three of the vaulting him into the elite company of men The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there worst tyrannies in all of history: nazi Germany, regarded as potential presidential can- objection to the request of the gen- imperial Japan, and the Stalinist ``evil empire.'' didates. On his journey eastward, he was a tleman from Illinois? regionally known lawyer, soldier, surveyor, Throughout the world, the name ``Lincoln'' There was no objection. and politician. On the return trip his name connotes compassionÐand for good reason. was being whispered in the halls of power as f Slavery sickened him. ``If slavery is not wrong, a contender for the highest office in the land. DISPENSING WITH CALENDAR nothing is wrong'' he said. He worked to re- The Fort Wayne train switch—if it really WEDNESDAY BUSINESS ON strict its expansion before the civil war; used happened—was related closely enough to a WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1998 that military emergency to end it; and forced pivotal moment in American history to through the thirteenth amendment to the con- make any city proud. Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask stitution to prevent its re-instatement. Recent research has laid the legend to rest unanimous consent that the business and replaced it with historical fact. ‘‘We As Commander in Chief, he made merciful have determined that on February 23, 1860, in order under the Calendar Wednesday use of his pardoning powers. He was particu- rule be dispensed with on Wednesday, Abraham Lincoln did change trains in Fort larly sympathetic to young offenders. ``Must I Wayne while on his way to the Cooper Insti- February 25, 1998. shoot a simple-minded soldier boy, who tute speech,’’ said Gerald Prokopowicz, Lin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there deserts, while I must not touch a hair of a wily coln scholar and director of programs for the objection to the request of the gen- agitator who induces him to desert?'' he said, Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne. tleman from Illinois? ``* * * to silence the agitator and save the boy In the years since 1860, working on faith There was no objection. and dedication alone, one local businessman is not only constitutional, but withal a great and Lincoln admirer created in this mid- f mercy.'' sized northeastern Indiana town (closer to AUTHORIZING THE SPEAKER, MA- There was one group of lawbreaker, how- Knute Rockne country than to what is usu- JORITY LEADER AND THE MI- ever, to whom he showed no mercy, slave ally thought of as the land of Lincoln) what NORITY LEADER TO ACCEPT traders. In one celebrated instance, he refused was to become the largest private collection of Lincoln materials in the world, housed in RESIGNATIONS AND MAKE AP- to commute to life in prison the sentence of person who had committed that hideous a $6 million, 30,000-square-foot museum that POINTMENTS AUTHORIZED BY is both a tribute to Lincoln and an inter- LAW OR THE HOUSE, NOTWITH- crime. Before Lincoln's presidency, that law had gone enforced. After it, there was no need active multimedia essay on his impact on STANDING ADJOURNMENT America as we know it. to have it at all. Fort Wayne, a 203-year-old city also known Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask It was also during Lincoln's administration as the final resting place of Johnny unanimous consent that, notwithstand- that homestead legislation became federal pol- Appleseed, doesn’t really need an excuse for ing any adjournment of the House until icy and land grants to states for the establish- housing the Lincoln Museum. The institu- Tuesday, February 24, 1998, the Speak- ment of colleges became law. These meas- tion stands on its own merits, combining rel- er, majority leader and minority leader ures, along with the example of Lincoln's life ics and reconstructions, videos and period be authorized to accept resignations story, came to characterize the American en- documents, the deadly serious (for example, a slave’s manacle) and the whimsical (the and to make appointments authorized trepreneurial spirit. by law or by the House. tail end of a 1970s Lincoln Versailles with its As the ``empowerment subcommittee'' con- trademark wheel on the trunk lid and a col- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tinues to explore ways to assist individuals lection of bands from ‘‘Lincoln’’ brand ci- objection to the request of the gen- and communities achieve their full potential, gars). tleman from Illinois? we will carry Lincoln's spirit with us. Lincoln The museum’s 11 exhibit galleries inge- There was no objection. was the personification of ``empowerment'' in niously incorporate hundreds of Lincoln-era f America. Here is how he described it: artifacts and art works—including the ink- ``The prudent penniless beginner in the well Lincoln used in signing the Emanci- SPECIAL ORDERS pation Proclamation, Lincoln family photos world labors for wages for a while, saves a and handwritten documents, the president’s The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under surplus with which to buy tools or land for him- legal wallet, and his pocket knife. Its re- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- self, then labors on his own account for an- search library, with 18,000 volumes and 5,000 uary 7, 1997, and under a previous order other while, and at length hires another new photographs, draws Lincoln scholars from of the House, the following Members beginner to help him.'' across the country. will be recognized for 5 minutes each. I urge all Americans to pause on this day Traveling exhibits have included one of the few surviving signed copies of the Emanci- f and all through the year to reflect upon the pation Proclamation (the Leland-Boker Edi- words and deeds of this extraordinary human tion, which was sold during the Civil War to THE 189TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE being. They do this by visiting the Lincoln Me- BIRTH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN benefit war relief work) and one of 13 copies morial and Ford's Theater, here in Washing- of the resolution for the 13th Amendment, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ton, and the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, which banned slavery. More recently, an ex- previous order of the House, the gen- Indiana. The March issue of Civil War Times hibit called ‘‘White House Style’’ displayed 9 H486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 original and 24 replica formal gowns worn by Lincoln and Douglas, and—thanks to clev- discharge from the army, original notes, and first ladies from Martha Washington and erly arranged mirrors—see yourself sitting other documents are used to illustrate how Mary Todd Lincoln to Nancy Reagan and at eye-level with these two great orators. he handled callers and their pleas. After Hillary Rodham Clinton. You may suffer by comparison, but it is a making all these decisions, you may have You enter under a painting of the U.S. Cap- fascinating experience. the leisure to sit back and notice how me- itol dome whose construction held such sym- Nearby is another interesting compari- ticulously Lincoln’s office has been re-cre- bolic importance in Lincoln’s mind that he son—the earliest known photographic por- ated—right down to the wallpaper and the insisted the work continue unabated traits of Lincoln, take in April and May of width of the carpet stripes. throughout the Civil War. Lincoln’s words— 1846, followed by photographs of him during Now things lighten up. Blinking lights out- prophetic at the time, cautionary and vir- the war years. He grew haggard under the line a movie theater marquee that an- tually mythic today—are written, painted, strain of his wartime presidency, but not as nounces today’s attraction: ‘‘Lincoln at the and engraved on walls and other surfaces. drained and devastated as you might expect. Movies.’’ On screen, television movie critic Lincoln’s words also ring in your ears as Next, the visitor is thrown into the caul- Gene Siskel teams up with Pulitzer Prize- you absorb the man and the times he shaped. dron of war. The events and battles of the winning author and historian David Herbert Throughout, the voices of narrator Ossie most critical years of U.S. history are de- Donald to critique movies that depict the Davis and Sam Waterston as Lincoln guide scribed in a time line that circles the walls life of Lincoln—using the format Siskel and the visitor through Lincoln’s life, and the fit of the ‘‘Civil War’’ gallery. A bank of six fellow Chicago critic Roger Ebert use on seems totally comfortable, perfectly natural. touch-screen computer monitors allows the their television series, At the Movies. They Davis is an actor, writer, producer, and di- visitor to read Lincoln’s mail, redecorate the discuss actors and interpretations over the rector. Waterston played Lincoln in a tele- White House as Mary Todd Lincoln did, take years—from Henry Fonda’s Young Mister vision miniseries and gave Lincoln a voice in a trivia quiz, or refight major Civil War bat- Lincoln to Waterston’s interpretation in the Ken Burns’s landmark Public Broadcasting tles. In the game ‘‘You Be the General,’’ television miniseries Gore Vidal’s Lincoln. Walter Houston, Raymond Massey, and Mary Service special on the Civil War. Union and Confederate positions are mapped Davis narrates the video that introduces out on the computer monitor, and you are Tyler Moore (as Mary Todd Lincoln in Gore the visitor to the permanent exhibit ‘‘Abra- allowed to make the moves: sort of a com- Vidal’s Lincoln) are also discussed from his- ham Lincoln and the American Experiment.’’ puter-generated chess game based on actual toric, theatrical, cinematic, and purely per- sonal points of view. The five-minute film sets the stage, tracing events. One player reported reversing history and winning the First Battle of Bull Run for The fun continues. In ‘‘Remembering Lin- the times and events that shaped the man coln’’ a trail of red lights crosses an oversize who soon shaped the times and events the North. Another refought Gettysburg, but was never quite sure what he was doing—or map of the United States from coast to around him. America in Lincoln’s day was coast. This, the ‘‘Lincoln Highway,’’ was whether he won or lost. (Fortunately for the the world’s only large-scale experiment in America’s first transcontinental thorough- Union, this would-be general was born a cen- democracy, and many doubted it could long fare. It serves as the backdrop for a collec- survive. As the film ends, Lincoln addresses tury too late.) ‘‘The Fiery Trial’’ is the name given to the tion of things named for Lincoln over the the press corps just after his election to the past 160 years—from an automobile to cities next mini-theater presentation. In a small, presidency: ‘‘Your troubles are over. Mine and towns, schools, manufacturing compa- comfortable auditorium, three seven-minute are just beginning.’’ nies, fruit growers, and a surprising number multimedia programs explore different fac- So begins your journey to explore the ten- of cigars. Sticking out of the wall below the ets of Lincoln and the Civil War. In ‘‘Lin- sions over slavery that threatened the exper- map, as though the brakes had failed while iment in democracy, the war that was ig- coln’s Soldiers,’’ the letters of Corporal someone was backing up, juts the tail end of nited by the tensions, Lincoln’s role in guid- George Squire of Fort Wayne are used to de- a Lincoln Versallies. ing the democratic nation through its great- scribe life in the Union army. ‘‘Lincoln: Across the aisle is ‘‘Dear Mr. Lincoln,’’ a est trial, and the way people have since re- Commander-in-Chief’’ explains the problems station where children are given pencil and membered Lincoln. the president had in finding a general to paper and encouraged to add to the exhibit Leaving the theater, you step into ‘‘Lin- bring victory to the North. And ‘‘Lincoln and by writing a letter or postcard to the 16th coln’s America,’’ divided like Caesar’s Gaul Emancipation’’ tells about his role in ending president. The good ones can become part of into three parts: ‘‘The Dynamic North,’’ slavery. Again, the voices of Davis and the exhibit. ‘‘I regret to inform you they are where a single state, New York, runs more Waterston create an aura of warmth and fa- still assassinating people,’’ one young person factories than the entire South; ‘‘The Ex- miliarity—in deadly contrast to the stereo reportedly wrote early on. Even parents join panding West’’; and ‘‘The Prosperous South.’’ booms and strobe flashes of cannon fire. Out- in. ‘‘My son was a reluctant reader until he Now, as then, the South seems to dominate, side the door of the theater are a cavalry of- read a story about you in the 2nd grade,’’ to attract more attention than its size and ficer’s sword, which you can draw partly our wrote one mother. ‘‘Thank you. I live in a economic power should warrant. of its scabbard; an infantryman’s heavy, better place because of you.’’ The focal point of the room is a full-scale, black leather backpack, which you can heft Wall-sized photographs of history as it was rough-hewn Mississippi River flatboat. You onto your shoulders; and—as a symbol of this made at the Lincoln Memorial in Washing- walk under the vast tiller, manned by a life- first modern war—a half-scale model of an ton, D.C., illustrate the theme of the next- size, six-foot-four-inch Lincoln mannequin early Gatling gun, precursor of the machine to-last gallery, ‘‘The Experiment Contin- standing on the deckhouse’s flat roof. A pass gun. The Gatling gun was introduced during ues.’’ It seems to show Lincoln’s moral be- under the boat’s keel places you in the the war but was rarely used. liefs still have an impact on American soci- South; cotton bales and barrels stand around Like Billy Pilgrim, visitor from another ety today. Here is Marion Anderson, barred the dock. Touch the rough wood, finger the time and another war in Kurt Vonnegut’s by the Daughters of the American Revolu- cold steel of a slave manacle. Read a list of anti-World War II novel Slaughterhouse tion from other Washington venues, perform- slaves for sale. Read Lincoln’s words: ‘‘If Five, it’s easy to get ‘‘unstuck in time’’ here. ing outdoors for hundreds of thousands of en- slavery isn’t wrong, nothing is wrong.’’ In the free-flowing layout, you could wander thralled Americans in 1939. Here is Martin Just as the debate over slavery led the na- into, say, ‘‘Ford’s Theater and Beyond’’ and Luther King, Jr., telling America ‘‘I have a tion to war, so are you led into the next gal- then into ‘‘A Lincoln Family Album.’’ The dream’’ in 1963. And there are Vietnam veter- leries. ‘‘Prairie Politician to President’’ and former displays a replica of the theater box ans opposed to the war struggling unsuccess- ‘‘Speaking Out.’’ In this general area is a re- the president occupied that ill-fated Good fully to seize the memorial in 1971. Now the museum visitor is truly drawn production of the sort of room where Lincoln Friday night while describing the conspiracy into the American Experiment—by voting on grew up, read, and worked out his sums. His that led to his death and transformed him four key questions: (1) Is the American Ex- copy of Parson Weems’s Life of Franklin is on from controversial politician to American periment a success? (2) Is it still alive today? legend. The latter displays Lincoln’s own display here. Somewhere in this area, you (3) Does it work for most Americans? (4) Are photographs of his children while an upright learn (if you didn’t already know) that Lin- you confident of its future success? coln was fascinated by technology and held piano plays recordings of Mary Lincoln’s fa- The tally? In the two years since the mu- the only patent ever granted to a president vorite songs, including ‘‘Skip-to-Mi-Lu.’’ seum opened, some 27,000 visitors have said of the United States—for a system he in- Children’s attractions in this area include ‘‘yes’’ to each question. However, the ‘‘no’’ vented to refloat boats. Artifacts here in- games, clothes for dress-up, and an inter- votes have varted notcieably Questions 1, 2, clude an invitation to the dance where he active Lincoln family portrait. and 4 have received about 19,000 ‘‘no’’ votes. met his future wife, Mary Todd. Stepping back just a bit in time, you can Meanwhile, number 3 has drawn about 16,000 The ‘‘Speaking Out’’ gallery reproduces revisit the fringes of the Civil War gallery, ‘‘no’’ votes—indicating a large number of the Chicago meeting hall where the Repub- sit at a desk much like Lincoln’s, and face absentions. licans nominated Lincoln for president. A some of the same problems he did during his The museum tour ends on a colorful note life-size statue of Lincoln stands at a podium regular public sessions (which he called his as the visitor passes through ‘‘A Lincoln on the bunting-draped stage, while a dra- ‘‘Public Opinion Bath’’). You sit in a chair Gallery,’’ which displays art inspired by Lin- matic re-creation of the Lincoln-Douglas de- looking into a faithful reproduction of Lin- coln. The art works are taken from the mu- bates play on a large video screen behind coln’s office, are presented with pleas the seum’s own extensive collection. him and his words fill the air. president heard during these sessions, decide In the lobby, opposite the 23-foot-long ‘‘A. It is here, too, that you can sit at an inge- how to handle the request, and then push a Lincoln’’ signature and his 12-foot-high por- niously arranged desk between like masks of button to learn what Lincoln did. Letters of trait is a well-stocked gift shop with books, February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H487 video tapes, CD–ROMs, games, statues, and dential elections in Lithuania. I wish (Mr. VISCLOSKY addressed the replicas of White House china. Under the sig- they would have. They should be proud House. His remarks will appear here- nature, on the lower level, is the library, of the fact that an American citizen after in the Extensions of Remarks.) with more than 200,000 newspaper and maga- was elected the new President. Valdas zine clippings regarding Lincoln; more than f Adamkus, from my home State of Illi- 5,000 original photographs (including those The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a nois, is a shining example of the Demo- from Lincoln’s own family album); 200 docu- previous order of the House, the gen- cratic reforms which have come to this ments signed by Lincoln; 7,000 19th-century tleman from California (Mr. COX) is former Soviet state. His election testi- prints, engravings, newspapers, and music recognized for 5 minutes. sheets; 18,000 books; scores of period artifacts fies to the desire of the Lithuanian (Mr. COX addressed the House. His and Lincoln family belongings, and hundreds people to do away with ex-Communists remarks will appear hereafter in the of paintings and sculptures. Here, too, is the and to embrace western ideas. traveling exhibit area—most recently the President Adamkus and his family Extensions of Remarks.) site of the ‘‘White House Style’’ show. fled the country as the Communists f So how did this $6 million, 30,000-square- took over during World War II. After foot tribute to Lincoln and interactive COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS OF spending part of his teens in a Nazi multimedia essay on his impact on American PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE life come to be created in a mid-sized north- camp, President Adamkus emigrated to eastern Indian city? In 1905, Arthur Hall was the United States. Here he forged a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a forming an insurance company in Fort truly distinguished career as a regional previous order of the House, the gen- Wayne. A great admirer of Lincoln, he wrote administrator for the Environmental tleman from California (Mr. FILNER) is to Robert Todd Lincoln, the son whose at- Protection Agency. With the many recognized for 5 minutes. tendance at the Cooper Institute had pro- years spent in America, president Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise vided Abraham Lincoln with a platform for Adamkus will be able to bring fresh today to commemorate the centennial his watershed 1860 speech, for permission to of Philippine independence, and to rec- use his father’s name. Along with his ap- non-Soviet ideas to government. proval, Todd sent a photograph of his fa- Now is the time for the United States ognize some true heroes of World War ther—the same one that is the basis for the to recognize the struggle the Lithua- II, the Filipino World War II veterans. engraving on the $5 bill today. nians have endured for democracy and Filipino soldiers were drafted into The company grew into what is today one freedom. On January 16 President Clin- the Armed Forces by President Frank- of the nation’s largest financial services or- ton took the first step in realizing the lin D. Roosevelt and promised full ben- ganizations. The Lincoln National Corpora- importance of this region of the world. efits as American veterans. But those tion opened its first museum on Lincoln’s On that day he signed the U.S.-Baltic benefits were rescinded by the 79th birthday in 1928. The new museum, now Congress in 1946. The gentleman from owned by the nonprofit Lincoln National Charter. While the charter does not Foundation, opened October 1, 1995, in Lin- contain any security guarantees, it New York (Mr. BEN GILMAN) and I have coln National headquarters—less than a mile does prove to the Baltics the continu- now introduced a Filipino Veterans Eq- from the site of the railroad station where ing commitment of the United States uity Act, H.R. 836, which would restore Lincoln, we now know, changed trains on to their country. Additionally, the the benefits promised when these sol- February 23, 1860. charter commits the Baltic States to diers were drafted into service by the f democracy, rule of law, free markets President of the United States and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and human rights. fought side by side with soldiers from previous order of the House, the gentle- However, what the charter should not the American mainland against a com- woman from California (Ms. SANCHEZ) do is close the door on the expansion of mon enemy. is recognized for 5 minutes. NATO to include the Baltic region. Re- Over 175 of our colleagues have co- (Ms. SANCHEZ addressed the House. cently, we have begun to hear that sponsored H.R. 836, in support of these Her remarks will appear hereafter in NATO does not need to be expanded. brave veterans. A most appropriate the Extensions of Remarks.) Some fear the expansion will dilute the way to commemorate the centennial f military alliance which is the essence year of Philippine independence is to of NATO. They would rather have the pass H.R. 836 and restore honor and eq- b 1515 European Union do much of the work uity to the Filipino veterans of World CELEBRATING LITHUANIA’S for the emerging democracies while War II. INDEPENDENCE DAY leaving NATO to deal with Russia. This As Congressman of the congressional The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. is very shortsighted. district which includes more Filipino PITTS). Under a previous order of the What we need to do is focus on the American residents than any other ex- House, the gentleman from Illinois region, providing guidance and support cept for Hawaii, I am very honored to (Mr. SHIMKUS) is recognized for 5 min- while these countries are developing. have been chosen as their Representa- utes. The United States should not pull back tive in Congress. I look forward to par- Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise and leave these countries stranded in a ticipating in the 1998 celebrations com- today to pay tribute to the people of strategic uncertainty. Enlargement, memorating Independence Day and the Lithuania who will be celebrating their with the need to meet the rigorous spirit, resourcefulness, warmth and Independence day next Monday. With military and political standards will compassion of the people of the Phil- the passage of each year, Lithuania continue to promote calm in the re- ippines and of Filipino Americans. grows into a more stable, prosperous gion. We need to leave the door open June 12, 1898 is the day the Phil- and Democratic country. To ensure for expansion so that Lithuania, Latvia ippines gained its independence from this growth continues in Lithuania and and Estonia have a goal to strive to- Spain and June 12 is celebrated in the the rest of the Baltic States, the wards as they continue to develop. Philippines as Independence Day by United States must remain committed Mr. Speaker, again I would like to order of President Diosdado Macapagal. to supporting the region. congratulate the Lithuanian people on This year, in the Philippines and in Lithuania is rich in history and has another year of independence. After all the numerous Filipino-American com- proven its resilience. This country has their hard work and struggle, they are munities in the United States, lengthy continually been occupied by rogue re- beginning to reap the rewards. The celebrations are being prepared that gimes which exploited its resources and United States should wholeheartedly will occur throughout the entire year. people. However, the desire for democ- embrace Lithuania and the entire Bal- In my hometown of San Diego, a civic racy continued to grow within the tic region through the expansion of parade showcasing Filipino culture is Lithuanian people. After four decades NATO so these emerging democracies among the many events planned to of suppression, Lithuania finally can continue to prosper. commemorate this milestone. achieved freedom in 1990 and reestab- f Historians tell us that the Phil- lished the independent Lithuanian The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ippines was ‘‘discovered’’ in 1521 by state. previous order of the House, the gen- Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan. I do not think that many Americans tleman from Indiana (Mr. VISCLOSKY) is In spite of a bloody battle between Fili- paid attention to the recent presi- recognized for 5 minutes. pino freedom fighters and the invaders, H488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 in which Magellan was killed, Spain, retained and contributed its own piece lacks this honor, and I believe that as for whom Magellan worked, colonized to our Nation’s history, from being a we celebrate Black History Month, it is the Philippines and held power for Dutch and Scottish farming settlement appropriate to correct this emission. nearly 400 years. to a battle site for revolutionary war I would like to offer my appreciation In 1896, Filipinos mustered the cour- skirmishes; from supporting New Jer- to Mr. Charles Spain, a resident of age to bond together to overthrow the sey as a rural community to trans- Houston, which the gentlewoman and I Spanish colonialists. Filipino revolu- forming it into a suburban center. In come from. Mr. Spain brought this tionaries, led by General Emilio the wake of World War II, Marlboro has very important matter to my attention Aguinaldo, took to the streets of his made its mark. Now, 150 years later, and I am grateful for his diligence and hometown of Kawit, Cavite, about 15 the township will celebrate its anniver- assistance in helping my office to in- miles southwest of Manila and pro- sary with rich new traditions, includ- troduce this legislation to correct this claimed an end to Spanish rule. The ing a time capsule burial and ceremony error. open resistance of the imperial power to offer history to future generations, of Spain led to the Declaration of Inde- annual recreation events, concerts and Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pendence 2 years later on June 12, 1898, festivities, as well as having speakers support this measure. Let us continue and with it the birth of Asia’s first on Marlboro’s history and other events. to honor the legacy of Dr. King and independent nation. It is fitting that, while remembering continue to move forward with his But in real terms, just as Spain the past, they are looking to the future dream. slipped out, came the colonizing power by having children participate in the Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- of the United States. Spain ceded the celebration. A time capsule, as I men- woman for yielding me this time. Philippines to the U.S., blatantly ig- tioned earlier, will create a picture for noring the Filipinos’ own proclamation later generations of what the township Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. of freedom. So, practically, the century was like in 1998. Speaker, I applaud the gentleman for of independence is somewhat of an illu- In the years to come, I sincerely hope his leadership on this issue, and I sion, for the Philippines was a terri- that Marlboro Township will continue would join the gentleman in cosponsor- tory and then a Commonwealth of the to build on the foundations of the past ing this legislation, which I think is an United States until July 4, 1946. How- to ensure a happy and prosperous fu- important correction for an honorable ever, Independence Day is celebrated ture for all its residents. I offer my gentleman, Dr. Martin Luther King. for good reason on June 12 because the congratulations and best wishes to I would like to as well, Mr. Speaker, victory in 1898 symbolizes to the Fili- Mayor Matthew Scanepiecco and the to raise several issues that really are pino people the triumph of political Township Council. It is my honor to in keeping with Black History Month, will and physical endurance by Filipi- have this municipality within the in recognition of many of our tried- nos against foreign control. Today, boundaries of my district and it is my and-true men and women who served in Filipinos are free and they have proven good fortune to be able to participate the Vietnam war. I am certainly a their quest for freedom in countless in its very special anniversary. product of that era and I could not find battles, most recently as part of the f a better time to take a moment to sa- American army in World War II. THE MEDICARE VENIPUNCTURE lute those who lost their lives and sac- Mr. Speaker, it is time we award FAIRNESS ACT OF 1997 rificed in order that we might be free. these brave heroes with the recognition Many people had many things to say they deserve. Let us pass the Filipino The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a about the Vietnam war, but I have Veterans Equity Act this centennial previous order of the House, the gentle- nothing to say other than for those year. woman from Texas (Ms. SHEILA JACK- SON-LEE) is recognized for 5 minutes. who fought and those who lost limbs f Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. and were injured and those who lost The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Speaker, before I begin, I yield to my lives and to their families and loved previous order of the House, the gen- friend and colleague, the gentleman ones, I salute you, I applaud you, I tleman from Washington (Mr. ADAM from Texas (Mr. BENTSEN). honor you. SMITH) is recognized for 5 minutes. SUPPORTING THE INCLUSION OF THE DR. MARTIN In my district I work extensively (Mr. ADAM SMITH addressed the LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY IN THE U.S. FLAG with homeless veterans, many of whom House. His remarks will appear here- CODE are from the Vietnam era. They are no after in the Extensions of Remarks.) Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise less diminished because of the tragedy f today to introduce legislation correct- of their life, because of some misstep ing an oversight that occurred in the that might have brought them to this RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVER- 98th Congress during the establishment SARY OF MARLBORO TOWNSHIP point, but they are certainly a part of of the Federal holiday celebrating the the honor of those who have served, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a birthday of our Nation’s greatest civil and my hat is off to them. previous order of the House, the gen- rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, I salute those veterans of the 18th tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAPPAS) Jr. is recognized for 5 minutes. It is customary during the establish- Congressional District who served in Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, it is my ment of official Federal holidays to Vietnam. I certainly am grateful for privilege to congratulate the citizens signify the importance of the date the ending of that war, and I salute all of Marlboro Township as they com- through recognition in the U.S. Flag of the veterans and all of the men and memorate the 105th anniversary of the Code. The U.S. Flag Code encourages women all over this country who incorporation of their community. This all Americans to remember the signifi- served in this Vietnam war. is a time of celebration and remem- cance of each Federal holiday through It is for this reason, Mr. Speaker, brance, a time to celebrate the growth the display of our Nation’s banner. The that I applaud the President today and achievements of Marlboro Town- Flag Code reminds people that on cer- highlighting for America the Patient’s ship, while remembering the efforts tain days every year, displaying the Bill of Rights. And I will be supporting and sacrifices of the good men and flag will show respect for the people that legislation, along with the women, past and present, who helped and events that have shaped our great Venipuncture Fairness Act of 1997. In make Marlboro Township what it is Nation. fact, many of my constituents, many today. I believe the American people should veterans, are in home care, and the Beginning as a small group of small be afforded the opportunity to pay home care agencies are now being pre- rural settlements in the 1600s, Marl- their respects to the memory of Dr. cluded from going to the homes of boro has grown to be a center of activ- King and all his achievements through homebound individuals and taking ity and a place to call home for a com- the display of our flag on the day we vital signs that are necessary for pre- munity of over 30,000 people. Through- honor him. Of the ten permanent Fed- scription drugs and other various medi- out this time of growth, Marlboro has eral holidays, only the King birthday cations and physical needs. This H.R. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H489 2912 will correct an injustice by Medi- and fraud in the Medicare system. However, I what Congress intended. So it may be care to prevent coverage for the have been presented with absolutely no evi- time to encourage regulators to help venipuncture service that is needed. dence to support the contention that home bring down the barriers to competition and all markets, including rural com- b 1530 venipuncture services were a source of either waste or fraud. There are no estimates as to munities. At the same time, I want to So, Mr. Speaker, let me again thank either how much venipuncture services were invite companies interested in offering the veterans of the Vietnam War and costing the system before the Balanced Budg- local services at affordable rates to thank the families who gave through et Act, or how much this dangerous change come on down to eastern North Caro- their loved ones the ultimate sacrifice. will save the Medicare system. In fact, the re- lina and offer my constituents a Let us never forget. moval of coverage for home venipuncture may choice. We are waiting for them. And then as we proceed into this leg- in fact end up increasing overall health costs Mr. Speaker, another issue I just islative agenda year, let us not forget by forcing seniors and disabled citizens into want to raise is the issue indeed of the those who need the patient bill of nursing homes when they otherwise could Afro-American farmer. We are now rights who now live with us today in have stayed at home. talking about Afro-American History America. Let us assure them of good I have, therefore, not heard anything to con- Month, and this is the time not only to health care and the rights of physi- vince me that there was abuse of home cite progress and to cite renewed hope cians and patients to make the deci- venipuncture services, such that the change for the future, but also to cite some of sions about life and death, not about made by section 4615 was warranted. I have, the opportunities we have to make cor- rections. good health care. however, heard much to convince me that this And, as well, I ask my colleagues to The black farmers known in North change is endangering the health and well- Carolina and known throughout the support H.R. 2912 to correct the injus- being of senior citizens and disabled people tice of eliminating the venipuncture South have been suffering for many throughout this country. I have heard from reasons. But one of the reasons they visitation by home care agencies. Let people in my district who do not know how us support the Venipuncture Fairness have been suffering is not to have ac- they are going to provide their elderly rel- cess to capital, not to have opportuni- Act of 1997. atives' doctors with blood samples now that Mr. Speaker, I submit the following ties to the resources of USDA in an this policy change has been instituted. I have nondiscriminatory manner. This issue for the RECORD: heard from one family that, faced with the dis- Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to urge has been highlighted recently because continuation of Medicare reimbursement for a number of farmers had really had this Congress to remedy a wrong we per- venipuncture, sought to have someone con- petrated upon America's home-bound seniors foreclosures on their homes and a num- tinue to come to their home to draw their el- ber of them have been in a struggle and disabled people when we passed one of derly mother's blood. However, they were un- with their government to make sure the Medicare provisions in the Balanced Budg- able to find any agency or organization that they treat them fairly for the last 20 or et Act of 1997. As of February 5, 1998Ðlast could provide this vital service, even it they 25 years. And yet, our government has ThursdayÐhome venipuncture services for in- scraped together the funds to pay for the serv- not found an opportunity not only to dividuals who do not receive any other skilled ice privately. address the agreed and admitted dis- home health services are no longer covered What am I to tell these families, who are crimination but not to make them by Medicare. H.R. 2912, the Medicare making personal sacrifices by caring for their whole, not to make sure that they get Venipuncture Fairness Act of 1997, would re- loved ones at home? How can I tell them that their land back, which was taken indis- instate Medicare coverage for this vital medi- we appreciate their devotion but that some- criminately and they should make sure cal service. body had a suspicion, not apparently sup- that the remedy they fashion and offer Venipuncture is simply the drawing of blood. ported by any statistics, that this was a good to black farmers are not empty ges- Thousands of home-bound individuals rely on service to discontinue so we did? I will not tell tures where there is no opportunity to this service to ensure that their doctors are them that, without also telling them that we make them whole where they can farm able to monitor their medication levels, particu- are trying to remedy this terrible error. again and have a quality of life, which larly with the most complicated drugs such as I urge this Congress to support those Ameri- indeed all Americans want. heart medications, blood thinners, and insulin. cans who need our help the most, our home- So I want to urge my colleagues, as Section 4615 of the Balanced Budget Act re- bound senior and disabled citizens, by sup- they reflect with me on Black History moved venipuncture from the list of prescribed porting H.R. 2912, the Medicare Venipuncture Month, they also reflect on the small services that qualify a Medicare beneficiary for Fairness Act of 1997. We must, as represent- black farmer, which has been an inti- other home health services. Therefore, unless atives of the American people, be willing to mate part of our struggle and our de- a patient has been prescribed another skilled admit when we have made a mistake and velopment in feeding our country. service, he or she will no longer be reim- remedy it as soon as we possibly can. They simply want to farm. They sim- bursed for the cost of having blood drawn at f ply want to have the opportunity as home. any other farmer to have the resources, There are several problems with this new SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF have the technical assistance, to have approach. The reason most of these patients TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT the programs offered to other farmers require their blood to be drawn at home is that The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. offered to them. they are unable to travel to their doctors' of- PITTS). Under a previous order of the There may come a time when this fices, either because they are located in a House, the gentlewoman from North Congress has to step in and make those rural area, or because their health is such that Carolina (Mrs. CLAYTON) is recognized corrections to make sure our country leaving home is not feasible or safe. For those for 5 minutes. lives up to the code and make sure that patients that are able to leave home, public Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, it has all farmers, all Americans, have the transportation is often unavailable, and ambu- been 2 years since we passed the Tele- same equal right access to capital, ac- lance services to and from the doctor's office communications Act of 1996. When we cess to American programs, and to may cost up to $250 a trip. For those patients passed that act, we were all very en- make sure that our country honors, who cannot leave home, their only option may couraged that our communities would honors, their commitment, when they be placement in a nursing home. We are all enjoy local telephone service that had make a commitment they will not dis- acutely and unfortunately aware of the exorbi- not been available in the past at a com- criminate, and if they are found to be tant cost of those facilities. petitive rate. Those of us from rural discriminatory, there will be a remedy In addition, this policy change may in fact communities were particularly hopeful that will be a remedy fashioned accord- be unnecessarily increasing the amount spent about the prospect of such service. ing to the damage done to them. on skilled home health services. Essentially, Unfortunately, I have yet to see one Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to we are forcing doctors to prescribe additional, of those companies that lobbied us in consider that as they reflect. costly services in order to ensure that their pa- any of the counties I represent in rural f tients' medication levels are appropriately ad- North Carolina. Instead, they have set The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a justed and safe. up shops in Charlotte and in the Re- previous order of the House, the gen- I voted for the Balanced Budget Act of search Triangle serving big business tleman from North Carolina (Mr. 1997. I believe it is important to combat waste and large corporations. That is not JONES) is recognized for 5 minutes. H490 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 (Mr. JONES addressed the House. His was, danced a few of their polkas, got harm the people of Iraq; the United remarks will appear hereafter in the to know these people and their deep de- States wishes that we could reach an Extensions of Remarks.) sire to finally once again see the birth agreement which would allow the sanc- f of freedom in Lithuania. And lo and be- tions to be limited, the people to have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a hold, perestroika finally came and ulti- prosperity, and Iraq to live in peace previous order of the House, the gen- mately, in February of 1991, I recall with its neighbors. tleman from Kansas (Mr. TIAHRT) is there was a declaration of independ- But the current dictator, Saddam recognized for 5 minutes. ence by the Lithuanian people. And at Hussein, has a track record unlike any Mr. TIARHT addressed the House. that particular February gathering, in other leader in the world. He has used His remarks will appear hereafter in regard to Lithuanian Independence chemical weapons against his neigh- the Extensions of Remarks.) Day, we had an awful lot of people in bors. He has used chemical weapons f my district who shed in tears of joy be- against his own people. He shot his own cause freedom had finally come to SALUTE TO LITHUANIAN son-in-law when he returned from de- their native land. There have been ups AMERICANS fecting. He is clearly a brutal and dan- and downs since then. And truly a re- gerous dictator who, despite having The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a markable thing has occurred, when an lost a war against the coalition, de- previous order of the House, the gen- American who has dual citizenship, as spite having subjected his own people tleman from Illinois (Mr. Fawell) is I have indicated, has been elected the to 7 years of economic sanctions, de- recognized for 5 minutes. President of Lithuania. spite the United Nations inspectors in Mr. FAWELL. Mr. Speaker, I simply So my very, very best regards to Val this country, despite the world media want to take this occasion, along with Adamkus and his wife Alma and to the watching him, despite pressure dip- my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Lithuanian people in my district. They lomatically from virtually every coun- SHIMKUS), to extend my best wishes to have a great heritage. And we look for- try in the world, has persisted in trying Lithuanian Americans all across this ward to a rebirth of freedom and all the to build and retain chemical and bac- land. And most especially, I would ex- knowledge of the American democratic teriological weapons of mass destruc- tend those warm regards to the Lithua- ways which Val Adamkus has, being tion. These are particularly frightening nian Americans who are in the 13th brought to the Presidency of Lithua- because they are potentially usable by Congressional District back in Illinois, nia. terrorists and have for their size and a district that I have had the honor of f weight a remarkable capacity to kill representing here in Congress for 13, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a human beings. going on 14 years. I would also espe- previous order of the House, the gen- A future terrorist act in which bac- cially like to mention the fact that a tleman from Washington (Mr. teriological or chemical weapons could constituent of mine by the name of METCALF) is recognized for 5 minutes. be used as in the World Trade Center, Valdas Adamkus, Val Adamkus as we (Mr. METCALF addressed the House. in a subway, or any other site where have known him, from Hinsdale, Illi- His remarks will appear hereafter in there are a lot of people could produce nois, and, believe it or not, has been the Extensions of Remarks.) a horrifying casualty rate. The United elected the President of Lithuania. f Val Adamkus is quite a tremendous States has made it clear that we will person. He came from Lithuania. He is RECESS not accept biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction in the still a Lithuanian citizen, obviously The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- holding dual citizenship between this hands of someone with a proven record ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- of using them. country and also in Lithuania. He was clares the House in recess until ap- We are working with the United Na- a part of the fighting force that re- proximately 5 p.m. today. sisted the Soviet invasion. Accordingly (at 3 o’clock and 40 min- tions. We are working with our allies. Actually, before the Nazis came in utes p.m.), the House stood in recess It is our hope that our allies will help World War II, the Soviet Union had until approximately 5 p.m. us bring Saddam Hussein to recognize that he should not proceed, that he taken over and taken away the liberty f of the Lithuanian people which they should allow unlimited United Nations b had gained in 1920. But after the Soviet 1705 inspections so the world can rest as- Union came in after World War II, Val AFTER RECESS sured that he is not building biological and chemical weapons. Adamkus came to this country, got a The recess having expired, the House degree at the Illinois Institute of Tech- was called to order by the Speaker pro If he refuses, at some point, the President has made clear the United nology in Chicago, went on to quite an tempore (Mr. PITTS) at 5 o’clock and 5 able career. And just recently, after re- minutes p.m. States will use whatever level of force is necessary in order to eliminate the tiring from a distinguished career with f the Federal EPA, at the age of 71, he sites that we believe currently are decided that he might want to go into SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT ON being used to build biological and politics and traveled back to his home- IRAQI POLICY chemical weapons. If after that there is land in Lithuania, gradually became The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a still a problem, I think the United involved in politics, and now will be previous order of the House, the gen- States will have to continue to explore sworn in as President of Lithuania on tleman from Georgia (Mr. GINGRICH) is the options of making sure that Sad- February 26. recognized for 5 minutes. dam Hussein, under no circumstance, is But over the years of my tenure in Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise able to build and distribute biological Congress, I have often attended Lithua- and I note the presence of my col- and chemical weapons. nian Independence Days at the World league, the distinguished minority But no one in Iraq should be con- Lithuanian Center in Lemont, Illinois. leader, who also will speak this after- fused. Just as we were in 1991, the I have learned to have a deep and abid- noon, because both of us I think want United States is committed. The ing respect for the Lithuanian Ameri- to make the point that the leadership United States will, in fact, follow cans and their deep, deep desire, espe- of this Congress is very committed to through on its commitments. I urge cially when I first was in Congress, for supporting the President of the United Saddam Hussein to save the people of freedom and democracy to come back States and in supporting, frankly, all Iraq from violence. I urge him to take to Lithuania. I felt then that it was of the people around the planet who are a step towards ultimately some day perhaps decades away. concerned about Saddam Hussein and lifting the sanctions. I urge him to And every year I was invited to the the danger of bacteriological and comply with United Nations resolu- Lithuanian World Center, where I came chemical weapons of terror. tions. And I want him to know that, on to have so many dear friends in the The fact is that the United States behalf of the overwhelming majority of Lithuanian community. As a result I has no argument with the people of Republicans who are deeply committed grew to recognize what their culture Iraq. The United States has no wish to to a safer world for our children and February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H491 grandchildren, that we are resolutely resentatives in Congress, to speak on the President to go and bomb another determined not to allow Iraq, under this serious matter. The President nation. There was a time in our history this leader, to have biological and should have the support of the Con- when bombing another country, when chemical weapons, and we support the gress and the public when sending our that country had not attacked us, was President in taking steps to defend the servicemen and women into harm’s an act of war. But today we do this United States and that our prayers and way. rather casually. our support in the strongest way will I am very concerned that we have not Morally, the only justifiable war is a be with our young men and women in acted on a resolution of support al- war of defense, a war when our na- the Middle East if they should have to ready. Two weeks ago, on the eve of tional security is threatened. A legal undertake missions in order to save the the President’s State of the Union ad- war in this country is one that is de- world from chemical and biological dress, Speaker GINGRICH and Majority clared by the Congress acting for the weapons. Leader LOTT both pledged their support people. f of the President’s policy, as the Speak- We have not declared a war. If we had er so eloquently said again today. Two CALLING FOR THE RESOLUTION a declared war even once since World weeks later, we are still not having ac- SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT ON War II, possibly we would have fought tion in the Congress on a resolution. IRAQI POLICY for victory. Instead, we get involved I urged the Speaker yesterday to too carelessly and we do not fight to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a bring before the House prior to the previous order of the House, the gen- victory, and maybe that is why we are President’s Day recess a resolution standing here today debating the con- tleman from Missouri (Mr. GEPHARDT) supporting all necessary and appro- sequence of the Persian Gulf war be- is recognized for 5 minutes. priate actions to respond to the threat Mr. GEPHARDT. I thank the Speak- cause we really did not achieve victory posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass de- and the war continues. er. I thank the Speaker for his state- struction program. ment. And I certainly agree that the It is now clear that because of time It is argued that the legislation President’s policy should be supported we will not have such a resolution be- passed in 1990 gives legitimacy for the by the Congress of the United States fore the recess. I, therefore, respect- President to pursue this adventure, but and the people of the United States to fully call on the Republican leadership this really contradicts everything in- bring an end to this activity by Sad- to bring up bipartisan legislation for tended by the founders of this country dam Hussein. consideration by the House as soon as that we could literally pass legislation Seven years ago, Congress authorized possible after the recess. It is our re- which was not a declaration of war and the President to use military force to sponsibility and duty to ensure that to allow it to exist in perpetuity. And repel the aggression of Saddam Hussein Members have an opportunity to ex- here it is 7 or 8 years later, and we are against Kuwait. Seven years ago, U.S. press support for our men and women going to use legislation passed by Con- forces, with the full support of the in uniform prior to military action in gress. Very few of us were even in that American people, freed the people of the Persian Gulf. Congress at that time that are in the Kuwait from Iraqi domination. Seven One hundred and eighty years ago, current Congress, but they want to use years ago, the international commu- Thomas Jefferson said, and I quote, that. nity began an inspection and monitor- that ‘‘in a free government, there Also a contradiction to our estab- ing regime to assure that Saddam Hus- should be differences of opinion as to lished form of government is the fact sein could no longer pose a threat to public measures and the conduct of that that legislation was passed more the Gulf region and the world commu- those who direct them is to be ex- or less to rubber-stamp a U.N. resolu- nity. pected. It is much, however,’’ he said, tion. So I think those are terms that Despite these efforts, Saddam Hus- ‘‘to be lamented that these differences are not justifiable under our system of sein has defied the clear requirements should be indulged at a crisis which law, and I call my colleagues’ attention set forth by the United Nations. His re- calls for the undivided councils and en- to this because this is very serious. peated refusal to allow full inspection ergies of our country and in a form cal- I do not care more about military and compliance by the United Nations culated to encourage our enemies.’’ than those who would bomb; they have inspectors have prevented the readmit- I urge this House to take up this res- just as much concern as I have. But I tance of Iraq into the community of olution as soon as we come back. I be- am concerned about the rule of law, peaceful nations. Both the Iraqi people lieve it is the right thing to do for our and obviously, I am concerned about and the entire Gulf region remain im- country, for our people and, most im- consequences that are unforeseen, and periled by Saddam Hussein’s deadly portantly, for the young men and there could be many. policies. women which we may have in harm’s I am worried that we do not have al- Over the past several months, the way in the days ahead. Iraqi government has increased its de- lied support, and everybody recognizes f fiance of the world community. At the that now. There are very few neighbors same time, it continues to pursue URGING CAUTION ON ACTION of Saddam Hussein who are very anx- unabated development of weapons of TAKEN IN IRAQ ious for us to do this. So that should cause some reservation. mass destruction and concealment of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Also the military strategy here is those efforts. After months of discus- previous order of the House, the gen- questionable. It is actually what are we sions with the Iraqi government by tleman from Texas (Mr. PAUL) is recog- going to try to achieve? Are we going both international organizations and nized for 5 minutes. to try to literally destroy all the weap- individual governments, diplomatic ef- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, obviously, I ons, or are we going to try to destroy forts to resolve this matter appear to am not in the leadership; I do not him? Are we just going to bomb people have had little, if any, impact on the speak for the leadership. But I do hope where maybe innocent people will be regime’s behavior. It is therefore rea- that I speak for a lot of people in killed? The long-term military strat- sonable to consider the use of military America and other Members of Con- egy has not been spelled out, and I force to ensure that Iraq can no longer gress who may feel differently. I equal- have a concern for that. threaten its neighbors or United States ly condemn the horrors going on in the interests in the region. country of Iraq. I have no desire at all Also we are not doing real well on If we cannot assure this through dip- to defend Hussein. I rise, though, to the P.R. front because just today on lomatic means, we must be prepared to just urge some caution on what we do. the Reuters wire line there was a re- ensure this by the other means at our port that came out of a television pro- b disposal, including the use of military 1715 gram in Britain, which is rather fright- force. As this administration con- I have a problem with the procedure, ening. Although I have criticized our templates the use of military force, I which we are pursuing, that we are policy of the 1980s, because during the believe that it is necessary for the condoning, encouraging and literally 1980s we were obviously allies of Sad- American people, through their Rep- paying for a program which permits dam Hussein, but the reports on British H492 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998 television now say that both the Amer- that war is reversed, America will lose much as this Congressman can do to ican Government, both the U.S. Gov- its ability to determine events around make sure that we are doing the right ernment and the British Government the world, and Americans, when we thing, only this time I would hope the participated and they have the docu- lose this power as the leading power of President of the United States, unlike ments, U.S. documents, that document, the world, we will pay a dear price. George Bush, does the job right and that say that we did participate in But I hope, if military action does completes the job before bringing our sales of biological weapons to Saddam take place, that we do not make the troops home. And I would hope that Hussein, which points out an inconsist- mistake that we made last time. Hun- hundreds of thousands of troops do not ency. And I guess all governments have dreds of thousands of people, or up- need to be sent there, but instead, this the right to change their minds, but I wards to 200,000 Kuwaitis were killed could be handled in a better way than still think that should caution us in during the last war. Saddam Hussein that perhaps. what we do. managed to escape. And I remember The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Nothing is going to happen to the during the planning phases of the last PITTS). The time of the gentleman world. Saddam Hussein has not threat- war I said to Dick Cheney and Colin from California (Mr. ROHRABACHER) has ened his neighbors since the Persian Powell personally that they would expired. Gulf war, and surely before we get back have my support because American Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I in 10 days this is unnecessary. troops were in harm’s way, and I would would ask unanimous consent for 2 The other side of the aisle suggests support them in that effort to protect more minutes. that we have a full debate and a resolu- the lives of Americans and to make The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tion in 10 days after we come back. sure it was a successful mission. But as Chair cannot entertain an extension of That certainly makes a lot of sense to I told them at that time, when this is time during a 5-minute special order me. I think at this point to condone over, make sure Saddam Hussein is period. and endorse and encourage the Presi- dead. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Appealing the dent to do something at this late hour And I hope that if have to take fur- ruling of the Chair, Mr. Speaker, the when there is essentially no one here in ther military actions against the peo- Chair on many occasions has extended the Chamber, I do not think this is a ple of Iraq that we do not waste our unanimous consent for an extension of good way to casually step into some- weaponry on ordinary citizens, on peo- 2 minutes. thing that could be rather dangerous. ple who probably like the United The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is a The resolutions that have been talked States of America; and I hope that our question of recognition. A 5-minute about ironically are quite similar to goal is not simply containing Saddam special order may not be extended. the resolution passed in the 1960s that Hussein or punishing him. Our goal Mr. ROHRABACHER. Yes, that is got us further involved in Vietnam. should be the overthrow and elimi- correct. But last night I was given a 5- So, in all sincerity, I come here ask- nation, one way or the other, of Sad- minute unanimous-consent request. ing all Members to be cautious and for dam Hussein. f the President not to move too hastily. First and foremost, if we are willing POWERS WHICH BELONG TO f to commit our military to that part of the world, we should at least be able to CONGRESS ACHIEVING OUR GOAL IN IRAQ declare this man a war criminal. After The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a all, he was an environmental criminal, previous order of the House, the gen- previous order of the House, the gen- an eco-criminal, for what he did to the tleman from California (Mr. HORN) is tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- environment, the destruction of the oil recognized for 5 minutes. ABACHER) is recognized for 5 minutes. wells and the seas and the other pollu- Mr. HORN. I would just like to say, Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, tion that he caused back then, not to Mr. Speaker, I listened with great care we are being warned of possible mili- mention the hundreds of thousands of to the remarks of my colleague from tary action against the Government of lives that he caused to die, the people Texas. [Mr. PAUL] I think he raises le- Iraq, and I remember well the last he caused to die because of his aggres- gitimate questions, and I recall back to time, or should I say the first time, be- sion. And if he commits other acts of my first years in the Congress in 1993– cause there have probably been some aggression and does not go along with 1994 when we had numerous meetings other military actions against Iraq in the agreement, we should make sure with the then-Chairman of the Joint the meantime, but back in 1990 when that we declare him a war criminal and Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell. Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and that the goal of our action is not pun- He was always a very honest, gutsy so began our special relationship with ishing the Iraqi people, but working Chairman. He put to us the tough ques- the people of Kuwait, let us note that with the Iraqi people in order to help tions such as: When do we know we after hundreds of thousands of Ameri- them establish a government that is have won? What do we have to do if we cans have spent time in the Persian responsive to their will. engage our forces? When do we know Gulf and after our Nation has put its Who knows if it would be an absolute we will get out of the mire? There were entire prestige on the line that we can- democracy or not, but if the people of a number of us on this floor who fought not permit Saddam Hussein now to re- Iraq who live under the oppression of the use of troops in Bosnia. verse what we won back in 1990 and Saddam Hussein had the ability to di- We have been very lucky in Bosnia, 1991. rect their own government, there but when we were told that it would be If we do that, if we permit Saddam would be no problem because they only one year, we all knew that was Hussein to, for example, conduct a suc- would not risk the lives of hundreds of utter nonsense; we could be there for 15 cessful lightening strike against Ku- thousands of their family in order to years for that matter. wait, against the people of Kuwait, or make a point of the way a dictator, the What the gentleman from Texas if we permit Saddam Hussein to bla- way a brutal egotistical dictator like stressed is that perhaps it is time for tantly stockpile weapons of mass de- Saddam Hussein does. this House to follow the Constitution struction, the United States will lose As I say, we are tied to the people of of the United States and not act be- any ability to influence events any- Kuwait because the people of Kuwait cause a United Nations resolution is where in the world. No petty tyrant or now, having saved them once, if we per- standing and we will defer to that. no people seeking freedom or no oppo- mit them again to be taken over by We should never defer to anybody nent or adversary or friend will trust this tyrant, not only will be lose those when it comes to a war where Amer- our word again, because even Saddam people, but we will lose our ability to ican lives might be spent. What we Hussein has made a laughing stock of maintain peace throughout the world, should do is follow the constitutional the United States of America. a dreadful price that we cannot afford procedures. The President should con- So, first and foremost, let us recog- to pay. sult extensively with this Chamber, nize there is a special relationship with So I wish the President of the United and I realize that Presidents some- the people of Kuwait that for the rest States guidance from God and support times do not have the time to do it, but of our lives we will have, because if from the United States Congress, as we should have the series of meetings February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H493 we had when the Croatians, the Ser- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, will the gen- Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, if bians and the Bosnians were fighting tleman yield? the gentleman will yield, I am cer- what some called a civil war, and we Mr. HORN. I yield to the gentleman tainly not here to oppose any particu- did not at that time get ourselves in- from Texas. lar plan of legislation; I am here spe- volved in that matter. Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the cifically to make sure that people un- Some might say that we were wrong gentleman for yielding. I would like to derstand that this is a serious issue and and we were too late and we should make two points. The other gentleman that it cannot be negated simply by a have acted earlier. What we should from California makes a good point misreading of history that Saddam was have done, I think most of us would about the character of Saddam Hus- our friend back in the 1980s or some agree, is to permit the arming of the sein, but my colleagues have to remem- other type of wishful thinking about Bosnians so they could defend them- ber and have to realize that he was a the nature of the strategic politics in selves from the Croatians and pri- close ally that we encouraged for 8 the world that we have to play. marily the Serbians. years during the 1980s, so we helped Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming Now we do not have that situation build him up, which contradicts this my time, I would just say to the gen- where there is a democratic opposition whole policy. I would like to see a more tleman from California (Mr. ROHR- to Saddam that is knowable. He is a consistent policy. ABACHER), I am certainly not saying brutal murderer, he would kill all op- Then the gentleman brings up the that Saddam was our friend, but I ponents, he kills his generals on a reg- subject: Yes, he may be in the business think our administration was naive in ular basis. And we know what he did to of developing weapons, but he has got- its support of Iraq against Iran, and the Shiites, and that was partly our ten help from China and Russia, and that is what concerns me. The balance fault when we did not reverse a stupid possibly from Britain and the United of power system, while academics can order which permitted him to use heli- States, and 20 other nations are doing write about it, and the British did that copters, and we know he killed the the same thing. So if we are interested for 500 years, is frankly not the way in Kurds in northern Iraq. in stopping these weapons, we better modern times that we should conduct So we do have people in Iraq that attack 20 countries. So we have a job ourselves. have suffered under his brutal regime. on our hands. f But more of us should be involved in Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, this decision than just a few. And that will the gentleman yield? LEAVE OF ABSENCE is the way the Constitution is written, Mr. HORN. I yield to the gentleman By unanimous consent, leave of ab- and we ought to follow the Constitu- from California. sence was granted to: tion. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin (at the re- I yield to the gentleman from Cali- first of all, I do not know where the quest Mr. GEPHARDT) for today, Thurs- fornia (Mr. ROHRABACHER). gentleman got his information that day, February 12, 1998, on account of Mr. ROHRABACHER. We, of course, Saddam Hussein was an ally; a close illness in the family. worked together in opposing the Amer- ally, the gentleman says, of the United Mr. RIGGS (at the request of Mr. ican military commitment in Bosnia. States. I am sorry that I was in the ARMEY) for today, Thursday, February But you do believe that America can- White House at the time. Saddam Hus- 12, 1998, on account of viewing flooded not just stand aside and let Saddam sein was never a close ally. He was not disaster areas in California. Hussein develop stockpiles of weapons, an enemy, but to label him a close ally f is not only misreading history, it is na- and we need to act in some way be- SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED cause it might then precipitate some ivete beyond anything. type of military action that he might We supplied some support for the By unanimous consent, permission to take on Kuwait. Iraqis and sometimes we gave support address the House, following the legis- Mr. HORN. Let me just say, for my for the Iranians during that war be- lative program and any special orders own answer, I think that our problem cause during that time there was a heretofore entered, was granted to: (The following Members (at the re- here is that we have given too many strategy of keeping that war going in quest of Mr. SKELTON) to revise and ex- Presidents powers that belong to Con- order to prevent those two powers from tend their remarks and include extra- gress. themselves individually dominating neous material:) b the region. Having them attack each 1730 other was a good strategy at that time, Ms. SANCHEZ for 5 minutes today. I was on the floor as a young Senate but far from being an Iraqi ally. Mr. VISCLOSKY for 5 minutes today. assistant when the Tonkin Gulf Reso- Saddam Hussein is obviously some- Mr. FILNER for 5 minutes today. Mr. BENTSEN for 5 minutes today. lution came in. Only two United States one that right now, after we have al- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas for 5 min- Senators had the guts to stand up and ready gone through this, our futures utes today. oppose it, Mr. Gruening of Alaska, and are linked. If Saddam Hussein ends up Mrs. CLAYTON for 5 minutes today. I believe Mr. Morse of Oregon, and now negating the results of the last war, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD for 60 we know that they were right. The who will then listen to us anywhere in minutes today. Tonkin Gulf Resolution was a lot of ba- the world? I pose that question to both (The following Members (at the re- loney. This situation is not baloney. of my colleagues. If he is able to have quest of Mr. SHIMKUS) to revise and ex- The gentleman from California (Mr. a lightning strike against Kuwait or tend their remarks and include extra- ROHRABACHER) correctly notes that it stockpile these nuclear weapons, who neous material:) is a very serious situation, and we need will believe the United States again Mr. TIAHRT for 5 minutes today. to deal with these things, either on a after we have made this commitment? Mr. FAWELL for 5 minutes today. collective security basis with the Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, will the gen- Mr. METCALF for 5 minutes today. United Nations forces, but we should tleman yield? (The following Member (at his own not be the sole police force that has to Mr. HORN. I yield to the gentleman request) to revise and extend his re- remedy all problems in the world. That from Texas. marks and include extraneous mate- is what bothers me. If we are going to Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the question rial:) do it, let the members of the executive is not so much, let us say, that we Mr. PAPPAS, for 5 minutes, today. branch come up here, discuss this seri- could concede some of the gentleman’s (The following Member (at his own ous matter with a lot of us, and see argument, but why do you have such request) to revise and extend his re- where we are on the subject. hostility to the Constitution and to the marks and include extraneous mate- Now, President Bush did that in process as what we are talking about? rial:) terms of the Gulf War. There was a de- Why do we not have a declaration of Mr. GINGRICH for 5 minutes today. bate, probably one of the better de- war and win it? Why should we go with (The following Member (at his own bates conducted in the House in the a U.N. resolution and legislation that request) to revise and extend his re- last twenty years, and then a vote was is 8 years old? That is one of our great- marks and include extraneous mate- cast. est concerns. rial:) H494 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998

Mr. GEPHARDT for 5 minutes today. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. 5963–9] received February 10, 1998, pursuant (The following Member (at his own PITTS). Pursuant to the provisions of to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on request) to revise and extend his re- House Concurrent Resolution 201, 105th Commerce. 7244. A letter from the Director, Office of marks and include extraneous mate- Congress, the House stands adjourned Regulatory Management and Information, rial:) until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Mr. PAUL for 5 minutes today. 24, 1998. ting the Agency’s final rule—Technical The following Member (at his own re- Thereupon (at 5 o’clock and 35 min- Amendments to Approval and Promulgation quest) to revise and extend his remarks utes p.m.), pursuant to House Concur- of State Implementation Plans for Louisi- and include extraneous material: rent Resolution 201, the House ad- ana: Motor Vehicle Inspection and Mainte- nance Program; Correction of Effective Date Mr. ROHRABACHER for 5 minutes journed until Tuesday, February 24, [FRL–5964–1] received February 10, 1998, pur- today. 1998, at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour de- suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Commit- The following Member (at his own re- bates. tee on Commerce. quest) to revise and extend his remarks f 7245. A letter from the Director, Office of and include extraneous material: Regulatory Management and Information, EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Mr. HORN, for 5 minutes, today. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ETC. f ting the Agency’s final rule—Clean Air Act Under clause 2 of rule XXIV, execu- Reclassification; Arizona-Phoenix Non- EXTENSION OF REMARKS tive communications were taken from attainment Area; Ozone [AZ–001–BU; FRL– 5917–4] received February 10, 1998, pursuant By unanimous consent, permission to the Speaker’s table and referred as fol- to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on revise and extend remarks was granted lows: Commerce. to: 7237. A letter from the Director, Office of 7246. A letter from the Director, Office of (The following Members (at the re- Regulatory Management and Information, Regulatory Management and Information, quest of Mr. FAWELL) and to include ex- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- traneous matter:) ting the Agency’s final rule—Dimethomorph; ting the Agency’s final rule—National Emis- sions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Mr. CLYBURN. Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemp- tions [OPP–300609; FRL–5767–8] (RIN: 2070– Emissions: Group IV Polymers and Resins Mr. SHIMKUS. AB78) received February 10, 1998, pursuant to [AD-FRL–5508–6] (RIN: 2060–AE37) received (The following Members (at the re- 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on February 10, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. quest of Mr. SKELTON) and to include Agriculture. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. extraneous matter:) 7238. A letter from the General Counsel, 7247. A letter from the Director, Office of Mrs. LOWEY. Department of Transportation, transmitting Regulatory Management and Information, Mr. LEVIN. the Department’s final rule—Air Bag On-Off Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ting the Agency’s final rule—Approval and Mr. KIND. Switches [Docket No. NHTSA–97–3111] (RIN: Promulgation of State Implementation Mr. GONZALEZ. 2127–AG61) received January 8, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Plans for Louisiana: Motor Vehicle Inspec- Mr. HAMILTON. Commerce. tion and Maintenance Program [LA–33–1– Mr. MCGOVERN. 7239. A letter from the General Counsel, 7357; FRL–5924–6] received February 10, 1998, Mr. LAMPSON. Department of Transportation, transmitting pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- Mr. MILLER of California. the Department’s final rule—Parts and Ac- mittee on Commerce. Mr. ROTHMAN. cessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Glaz- 7248. A letter from the Director, Office of Regulatory Management and Information, Mr. BAESLER. ing in Specified Openings [FHWA Docket No. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Mr. LANTOS. MC–97–5; FHWA–97–2364] (RIN: 2125–AD40) re- ceived January 8, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. ting the Agency’s final rule—Technical Mr. YATES. Amendments to Dried Fermentation Solids (The following Members (at the re- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. 7240. A letter from the Director, Office of and Solubles of Myrothecium Verrucarria; quest of Mr. SHIMKUS) and to include Regulatory Management and Information, Exemption from the Requirement of a Toler- extraneous matter:) Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- ance on All Food Crops and Ornamentals; Mr. PORTMAN. ting the Agency’s final rule—Approval and Correction of Effective Date [FRL–5965–3] re- ceived February 10, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Mr. FAWELL. Promulgation of Air Quality Implementa- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. tion Plans; Connecticut; Reasonably Avail- Mr. THOMAS. 7249. A letter from the Director, Office of able Control Technology for Volatile Organic Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Regulatory Management and Information, Compounds at Siskorsky Aircraft Corpora- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tion in Stratford [CT7–1–5298a; A–1–FRL– Mrs. MYRICK. ting the Agency’s final rule—Control of Air 5949–6] received February 11, 1998, pursuant Pollution from Motor Vehicles and New Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Mr. CHAMBLISS. Motor Vehicle Engines; Modification of Fed- Commerce. eral On-Board Diagnostic Regulations for Mr. KLUG. 7241. A letter from the Director, Office of Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks; Mr. MCKEON. Regulatory Management and Information, Extension of Deficiency Policy [FRL–5966–6] Mr. SHAW. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- received February 10, 1998, pursuant to 5 Mr. HASTERT. ting the Agency’s final rule—Dried Fer- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on mentation Solids and Solubles of Mr. ROGERS. Commerce. Myrothecium Verrucaria; Exemption from 7250. A letter from the Director, Office of Mr. SAXTON. the Requirement of a Tolerance on All Food (The following Members (at the re- Regulatory Management and Information, Crops and Ornamentals [PP 4F4398/R2209A; Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- quest of Mr. PAUL) and to include ex- FRL–5570–1] (RIN: 2070–AB78) received Feb- ting the Agency’s final rule—Control of Air traneous matter:) ruary 10, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Pollution; Removal and Modification of Ob- Mr. SOLOMON. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Commerce. solete, Superfluous or Burdensome Rules Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. 7242. A letter from the Director, Office of [FRL–5966–4] received February 10, 1998, pur- Mr. MANZULLO. Regulatory Management and Information, suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Commit- Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- Mr. MCHALE. tee on Commerce. ting the Agency’s final rule—Technical 7251. A letter from the Acting Director, De- Mr. GOODLING. Amendments to National Emission Stand- fense Security Assistance Agency, transmit- Mr. LEWIS of California. ards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: ting the Department of the Air Force’s pro- Mr. STOKES. Group IV Polymers and Resins; Correction of posed lease of defense articles to Pakistan Mr. MCINTOSH. Effective Date Under Congressional Review (Transmittal No. 01–98), pursuant to 22 U.S.C. Mr. COSTELLO. Act [FRL–5963–8] received February 10, 1998, 2796a(a); to the Committee on International Mr. TORRES. pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- Relations. 7252. A letter from the Acting Director, De- f mittee on Commerce. 7243. A letter from the Director, Office of fense Security Assistance Agency, transmit- ADJOURNMENT TO TUESDAY, Regulatory Management and Information, ting notification concerning the Department FEBRUARY 24, 1998 Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- of the Army’s Proposed Letter(s) of Offer and ting the Agency’s final rule—Technical Acceptance (LOA) to Italy for defense arti- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move that Amendments to Clean Air Act Reclassifica- cles and services (Transmittal No. 98–22), the House do now adjourn. tion; Arizona-Phoenix Nonattainment Area; pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(b); to the Commit- The motion was agreed to. Ozone; Correction of Effective Date [FRL– tee on International Relations. February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H495 7253. A letter from the Assistant Secretary strument Approach Procedures; Miscellane- rity First Reserve Fund into which the Sec- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, ous Amendments (Federal Aviation Adminis- retary of the Treasury shall deposit budget transmitting certification of a proposed li- tration) [Docket No. 29107; Amdt. No. 406/1–7] surpluses pending Social Security reform; to cense for the export of defense articles or de- (RIN: 2120–AA65) received January 8, 1998, the Committee on Ways and Means. fense services sold commercially to Denmark pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- By Mr. PAUL: (Transmittal No. DTC–6–98), pursuant to 22 mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- H.R. 3208. A bill to prohibit the use of funds U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on Inter- ture. appropriated to the Department of Defense national Relations. 7264. A letter from the General Counsel, from being used for the conduct of offensive 7254. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Department of Transportation, transmitting operations by United States Armed Forces for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, the Department’s final rule—Airworthiness against the Republic of Iraq for the purpose transmitting notification of a proposed man- Directives; Airbus Model A300–600 and A310 of obtaining compliance by Iraq with United ufacturing license agreement for production Series Airplanes (Federal Aviation Adminis- Nations Security Council resolutions relat- of major military equipment with Germany tration) [Docket No. 97–NM–333–AD; Amdt. ing to inspection and destruction of weapons (Transmittal No. DTC–19–98), pursuant to 22 39–10272; AD 98–01–09] (RIN: 2120–AA64) re- of mass destruction in Iraq by the United U.S.C. 2776(d); to the Committee on Inter- ceived January 8, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Nations, unless such operations are specifi- national Relations. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transpor- cally authorized by law; to the Committee 7255. A letter from the Administrator, Na- tation and Infrastructure. on National Security. tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- 7265. A letter from the General Counsel, By Mr. COBLE (for himself and Mr. tion, transmitting a report of activities Department of Transportation, transmitting GOODLATTE): under the Freedom of Information Act for the Department’s final rule—Compliance H.R. 3209. A bill to amend title 17, United 1997, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(d); to the Com- with Parts 119, 121, and 135 by Alaskan Hunt States Code, to limit liability for copyright mittee on Government Reform and Over- and Fish Guides Who Transport Persons by infringement for on-line material; to the sight. Air for Compensation or Hire (Federal Avia- Committee on the Judiciary. 7256. A letter from the Executive Sec- tion Administration) (RIN: 2120–ZZ06) re- By Mr. COBLE: retary, National Labor Relations Board, ceived January 8, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. H.R. 3210. A bill to amend title 17, United transmitting the report in compliance with 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transpor- States Code, to reform the copyright law the Government in the Sunshine Act for 1997, tation and Infrastructure. with respect to satellite retransmissions of pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(j); to the Commit- 7266. A letter from the General Counsel, broadcast signals, and for other purposes; to tee on Government Reform and Oversight. Department of Transportation, transmitting the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addi- 7257. A letter from the Deputy Assistant the Department’s final rule—Robinson R–22/ tion to the Committee on Commerce, for a Administrator for Fisheries, National Oce- R–44 Special Training and Experience Re- period to be subsequently determined by the anic and Atmospheric Administration, trans- quirements (Federal Aviation Administra- Speaker, in each case for consideration of mitting the Administration’s final rule— tion) [Docket No. 28095; SFAR No. 73–1] (RIN: such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- Magnuson-STEVENS Act Provisions; Tech- 2120–AG47) received January 8, 1998, pursuant tion of the committee concerned. nical Amendments [Docket No. 980202026– to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on By Mr. STUMP (for himself, Mr. 8026–01; I.D. 011598C] received February 11, Transportation and Infrastructure. EVANS, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. CLYBURN, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the 7267. A letter from the Chief, Regulations Mr. QUINN, Mr. FILNER, Mr. BILI- Committee on Resources. Unit, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting RAKIS, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. COOKSEY, 7258. A letter from the Director, Office of the Service’s final rule—Order of Applying Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. HUTCH- Sustainable Fisheries, National Oceanic and Federal Tax Deposits [Notice 98–14] received INSON, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. HAYWORTH, Mr. Atmospheric Administration, transmitting February 10, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. MASCARA, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. PETERSON the Administration’s final rule—Fisheries of 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and of Minnesota, Ms. CARSON, Mr. the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Means. REYES, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. SOLOMON, Pollock in Statistical Area 620 [Docket No. f Mr. BAKER, and Mrs. CHENOWETH): 971208295–7295–01; I.D. 020598D] received Feb- f H.R. 3211. A bill to amend title 38, United ruary 11, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. States Code, to enact into law eligibility re- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Resources. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS quirements for burial in Arlington National 7259. A letter from the Commissioner, Im- Under clause 5 of Rule X and clause 4 Cemetery, and for other purposes; to the migration and Naturalization Service, trans- of Rule XXII, public bills and resolu- Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. mitting the Service’s final rule—Procedures By Mr. STUMP (for himself and Mr. tions were introduced and severally re- for Filing a Derivative Petition (Form I–730) EVANS) (both by request): for a Spouse and Unmarried Children of a ferred, as follows: H.R. 3212. A bill to amend title 38, United Refugee/Asylee [INS No. 1639–93] (RIN: 1115– By Mr. MCGOVERN (for himself, Mr. States Code, to revise the provisions of law AD59) received February 11, 1998, pursuant to COOK, Mr. WEYGAND, Mr. NEAL of relating to retirement of judges of the 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on the Massachusetts, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. United States Court of Veterans Appeals, to Judiciary. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. provide for a staggered judicial retirement 7260. A letter from the General Counsel, DELAHUNT, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. HILL- option, to rename the Court as the United Department of Transportation, transmitting IARD, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. OLVER, Mr. States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Department’s final rule—Procedures for TRAFICANT, Mr. MOAKLEY, Mr. FROST, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Participating in and Receiving Data From Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts, Mr. Veterans’ Affairs. the National Driver Register Problem Driver PALLONE, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. MARKEY, By Mr. QUINN (for himself, Mr. FIL- Pointer System [Docket No. NHTSA–97–3280] Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, and Mr. NER, Mr. STUMP, Mr. EVANS, Mr. (RIN: 2127–AG21) received January 8, 1998, ACKERMAN): BUYER, Mr. KENNEDY of Massachu- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- H.R. 3205. A bill to amend title XVIII of the setts, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. MASCARA, Mr. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Social Security Act to delay for one year im- COOKSEY, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. OLVER, ture. plementation of the per beneficiary limits Mr. PASCRELL, Ms. WATERS, and Mr. 7261. A letter from the General Counsel, under the interim payment system to home MANTON): Department of Transportation, transmitting health agencies; to the Committee on Ways H.R. 3213. A bill to amend title 38, United the Department’s final rule—Procedures for and Means, and in addition to the Committee States Code, to clarify enforcement of veter- Participating in and Receiving Data From on Commerce, for a period to be subse- ans’ employment rights with respect to a the National Driver Register Problem Driver quently determined by the Speaker, in each State as an employer or a private employer, Point System [Docket No. NHTSA–97–3155] case for consideration of such provisions as to extend veterans’ employment and reem- (RIN: 2127–AG21) received January 8, 1998, fall within the jurisdiction of the committee ployment rights to members of the uni- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- concerned. formed services employed abroad by United mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- By Mr. BILBRAY (for himself, Mr. States companies, and for other purposes; to ture. CANADY of Florida, and Ms. HARMAN): the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 7262. A letter from the General Counsel, H.R. 3206. A bill to amend the Fair Housing By Mr. MCKEON: Department of Transportation, transmitting Act; to the Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 3214. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- the Department’s final rule—Airworthiness By Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mrs. enue Code of 1986 to provide that property Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Air- KENNELLY of Connecticut, Mr. STARK, may be seized for the collection of taxes only planes [Docket No. 97–NM–271–AD; Amdt. 39– Mr. MATSUI, Mr. COYNE, Mr. LEVIN, with the approval of a private, volunteer 10230; AD 97–25–06] (RIN: 2120–AA64) received Mr. CARDIN, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. panel of attorneys, certified public account- January 8, 1998, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. NEAL of Massa- ants, and enrolled agents; to the Committee 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transpor- chusetts, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. JEFFER- on Ways and Means. tation and Infrastructure. SON, Mr. TANNER, Mr. BECERRA, and By Mr. HULSHOF (for himself, Mr. 7263. A letter from the General Counsel, Mrs. THURMAN): KUCINICH, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. WELLER, Department of Transportation, transmitting H.R. 3207. A bill to amend the Social Secu- Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. the Department’s final rule—Standard In- rity Act to establish the Save Social Secu- WELDON of Florida, Mr. TORRES, Mr. H496 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998

CHRISTENSEN, Mr. HAYWORTH, and Mr. improvements in the State of Virginia, and in the jurisdiction of the committee con- HERGER): for other purposes; to the Committee on Ag- cerned. H.R. 3215. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- riculture. By Mr. REDMOND: enue Code of 1986 to provide a partial exclu- By Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon (for herself H.R. 3235. A bill to authorize the Navajo In- sion from gross income for dividends and in- and Mr. COOKSEY): dian irrigation project to use power allo- terest received by individuals; to the Com- H.R. 3227. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- cated to it from the Colorado River storage mittee on Ways and Means. enue Code of 1986 to adjust for inflation the project for on-farm uses; to the Committee By Mr. BENTSEN: amount of family-owned businesses excluded on Resources. H.R. 3216. A bill to amend the Act com- from the gross estate of a decedent; to the By Mr. ROTHMAN (for himself, Ms. monly called the ‘‘Flag Code’’ to add the Committee on Ways and Means. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. HAM- Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to the list of By Mr. JOHN (for himself, Ms. ILTON, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. days on which the flag should especially be STABENOW, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. STEN- ANDREWS, Mr. BARR of Georgia, Mr. displayed; to the Committee on the Judici- HOLM, Mr. BERRY, Mr. BOYD, Mr. BENTSEN, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BRADY, ary. HOLDEN, Mr. GOODE, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. BURTON of In- By Mr. BUNNING of Kentucky (for Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. SISI- diana, Mr. CALVERT, Ms. CARSON, Mr. himself, Mr. DELAY, Ms. DUNN of SKY, Mr. CONDIT, Mr. BAESLER, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. DEUTSCH, Mr. Washington, Mr. HOUGHTON, Mr. MINGE, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. FILNER, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. CAMP, Mr. COLLINS, BISHOP, and Mr. CRAMER): FOLEY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. H.R. 3228. A bill to amend the Line Item Mr. FROST, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. WATKINS, Mr. WELLER, Mr. CRAPO, Veto Act of 1996 to add the requirement that HORN, Ms. JACKSON-LEE, Mr. KEN- Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. if Federal budget is in surplus then the ve- NEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. LANTOS, PAPPAS, and Mr. PAUL): toed item shall be used to reduce the public Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. H.R. 3217. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- debt; to the Committee on the Budget. MARKEY, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New enue Code of 1986 to reduce the tax on vac- By Mr. MANZULLO (for himself, Mr. York, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. MENENDEZ, cines to 25 cents per dose; to the Committee HYDE, Mr. ISTOOK, Mr. CANNON, Mr. Mr. NADLER, Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. on Ways and Means. HOEKSTRA, Mrs. EMERSON, and Mr. OWENS, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. PAPPAS, By Mr. BURTON of Indiana (for him- BACHUS): Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. PORTER, Mr. ROE- self, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. SNOWBARGER, H.R. 3229. A bill to provide for the applica- MER, Mrs. ROUKEMA, Ms. SANCHEZ, Mr. BARR of Georgia, Mr. HORN, Mr. bility, to providers of services under title X Mr. SAXTON, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. SHER- SESSIONS, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. PAPPAS, of the Public Health Service Act, of State re- MAN, Mr. SNOWBARGER, Mr. SPRATT, Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, and Mr. MICA): Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. TURN- H.R. 3218. A bill to repeal a provision of the porting requirements for minors who are vic- tims of abuse, rape, molestation, or incest; ER, Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma, Mr. Indian Self-Determination Act which ex- WEXLER, Mr. YATES, Mr. GORDON, Mr. empts certain former officers and employees to the Committee on Commerce. EVANS, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. of the United States from restrictions relat- By Mr. MANZULLO (for himself, Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut, Mr. HOYER, ed to aiding and advising Indian tribes; to HYDE, Mr. ISTOOK, Mr. CANNON, Mr. Mr. KING of New York, Mr. FRELING- the Committee on Resources. HOEKSTRA, Mrs. EMERSON, and Mr. HUYSEN, Mr. FORBES, and Mr. FOX of By Mr. BURTON of Indiana (for himself BACHUS): H.R. 3230. A bill to provide for parental no- Pennsylvania): and Mr. COX of California): H.R. 3236. A bill to promote full equality at H.R. 3219. A bill to repeal a provision of the tification of family planning services, and reporting under State law for minors who the United Nations for Israel; to the Com- Indian Self-Determination Act which ex- mittee on International Relations. empts certain former officers and employees are victims of abuse, rape, molestation, or incest, under title X of the Public Health By Mr. SCHUMER: of the United States from restrictions relat- H.R. 3237. A bill to establish a national reg- Service Act; to the Committee on Com- ed to aiding and advising Indian tribes; to istry from which adopted children may ob- merce. the Committee on Resources. tain medical information voluntarily pro- By Mrs. MEEK of Florida (for herself, By Mr. CONDIT: vided by their birth parents; to the Commit- H.R. 3220. A bill to authorize the use of cer- Mr. DIAZ-BALART, and Ms. ROS- tee on Ways and Means. tain land in Merced County, California, for LEHTINEN): By Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. AR- an elementary school; to the Committee on H.R. 3231. A bill to adjust the immigration CHER, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. Resources. status of certain Honduran nationals who are BRADY, Mr. BONILLA, Mrs. By Mr. CUMMINGS: in the United States; to the Committee on CHENOWETH, Mr. COMBEST, Mr. CRAPO, H.R. 3221. A bill to amend chapter 89 of the Judiciary. Mr. DELAY, Mr. EDWARDS, Ms. title 5, United States Code, concerning the By Mr. MILLER of California (for him- GRANGER, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) self, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. SAM JOHNSON, Mr. REDMOND, Mr. Program, to enable the Federal Government STARK, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. SMITH of to enroll an employee and his or her family FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. FURSE, Mr. Texas, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. TURNER, in the FEHB Program when a State court or- GUTIERREZ, and Mr. DELAHUNT): ders the employee to provide health insur- and Mr. YOUNG of Alaska): H.R. 3232. A bill to amend the Federal H.R. 3238. A bill to amend the Federal ance coverage for a child of the employee but Water Pollution Control Act to control Water Pollution Control Act to prevent the employee fails to provide the coverage; water pollution from concentrated animal lapses in National Pollutant Discharge to the Committee on Government Reform feeding operations, and for other purposes; to Elimination System permits; to the Commit- and Oversight. the Committee on Transportation and Infra- tee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. DICKS: structure. H.R. 3222. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- By Mr. SHAW: By Mr. PAPPAS (for himself, Mr. H.R. 3239. A bill to amend the Social Secu- enue Code of 1986 to provide for tax-exempt SAXTON, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. AN- rity Act to require health maintenance orga- financing of private sector highway infra- DREWS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, nizations under the Medicare Program to structure construction; to the Committee on Mrs. ROUKEMA, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. disclose to enrollees and potential enrollees Ways and Means. FRANKS of New Jersey, Mr. certain information on the credentials of By Mr. DOGGETT: PASCRELL, Mr. ROTHman, Mr. H.R. 3223. A bill to designate the Federal physicians providing services by or through building located at 300 East 8th Street in FRELINGHUYSEN, Mr. PAYNE, and Mr. the organization, the financial status of the Austin, Texas, as the ‘‘J.J. ’Jake’ Pickle LOBIONDO): organization, and the compensation paid to H.R. 3233. A bill to repeal a provision of law Federal Building‘‘; to the Committee on officers and executives of the organization; Transportation and Infrastructure. preventing donation by the Secretary of the to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in By Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself, Mr. Navy of the two remaining Iowa-class battle- addition to the Committee on Commerce, for ships listed on the Naval Vessel Register and a period to be subsequently determined by COBLE, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr. SMITH of the Speaker, in each case for consideration Texas): related requirements; to the Committee on H.R. 3224. A bill to amend title 18, United National Security. of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- States Code, to provide protection from per- By Mr. POMBO (for himself, Mr. LEWIS tion of the committee concerned. sonal intrusion for commercial purposes; to of California, Mr. MCKEON, Mr. SES- By Ms. SLAUGHTER (for herself, Mr. the Committee on the Judiciary. SIONS, Mr. STUMP, Mr. DOOLITTLE, ACKERMAN, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. By Mr. GALLEGLY: and Mr. COBURN): ENGEL, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. H.R. 3225. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- H.R. 3234. A bill to require peer review of HOUGHTON, Mrs. KELLY, Mrs. LOWEY, enue Code of 1986 to increase the limits on scientific data used in support of Federal Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. the amount of nondeductible contributions regulations, and for other purposes; to the MANTON, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New to individual retirement plans; to the Com- Committee on Government Reform and York, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. MCNULTY, mittee on Ways and Means. Oversight, and in addition to the Committee Mr. NADLER, Mr. QUINN, Mr. RANGEL, By Mr. GOODLATTE: on Science, for a period to be subsequently Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. H.R. 3226. A bill to authorize the Secretary determined by the Speaker, in each case for TOWNS, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, and Mr. of Agriculture to convey certain lands and consideration of such provisions as fall with- WALSH): February 12, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H497 H.R. 3240. A bill to direct the Secretary of victimizes public officials and Colombian ADDITIONAL SPONSORS the Interior to study alternatives for estab- and foreign nationals; to the Committee on lishing a national historic trail to com- International Relations. Under clause 4 of rule XXII, sponsors memorate and interpret the history of wom- By Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself and were added to public bills and resolu- en’s rights in the United States; to the Com- Mr. ACKERMAN): tions as follows: mittee on Resources. H. Con. Res. 222. Concurrent resolution ex- H.R. 59: Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. LUCAS of By Mr. SOUDER (for himself, Mrs. pressing the sense of Congress, congratulat- Oklahoma, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. KIM, Mr. MYRICK, and Mr. WATTS of Okla- ing the former International Support and GILCHREST, and Mr. OXLEY. homa): Verification Commission of the Organization H.R. 123: Mr. ADERHOLT and Mr. LUCAS of H.R. 3241. A bill to amend the Housing and of American States (OAS-CIAV) for success- Oklahoma. Community Development Act of 1974 to au- fully aiding in the transition of Nicaragua H.R. 218: Mr. PAUL and Mr. STRICKLAND. thorize States to use community develop- from a war-ridden state into a newly formed H.R. 234: Mr. MILLER of California, Mr. ment block grant amounts provided for non- democracy and providing continued support FALEOMAVAEGA, and Mr. BROWN of Ohio. entitlement areas to offset the costs of State through the recently created Technical Co- H.R. 284: Mr. LAFALCE, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. charity tax credits; to the Committee on operation Mission (OAS-TCM) which is re- TORRES, and Ms. FURSE. Banking and Financial Services. sponsible for helping tostabilize Nicaraguan H.R. 306: Mr. WALSH. By Mr. SOUDER (for himself, Mr. BUR- democracy by supplementing institution H.R. 350: Mr. BISHOP, Mr. PALLONE, and Ms. TON of Indiana, and Mr. SOLOMON): building; to the Committee on International PRYCE of Ohio. H.R. 3242. A bill to ban the provision of Relations. H.R. 508: Mr. PAUL. Federal funds to the International Monetary By Mr. GINGRICH (for himself, Mr. H.R. 519: Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. Fund unless a joint resolution is enacted ARMEY, Mr. DELAY, Mr. KING of New BONIOR, Mr. CUMMINGS, and Ms. KILPATRICK. that approves a certification by the Attor- York, Mr. SPENCE, Mr. SOLOMON, Mr. H.R. 612: Mr. JOHN, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. ney General and the Secretary of State that STUMP, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. BURTON STUMP, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. all countries eligible to receive IMF funds of Indiana, Mr. ISTOOK, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mr. UPTON. are cooperating fully with the congressional MCINTOSH, Mr. BUYER, Mr. SKELTON, H.R. 630: Mr. BROWN of California. and Justice Department investigations into and Mr. SNYDER): H.R. 699: Mr. LEWIS of California and Mr. the financing of the 1996 presidential elec- H. Res. 360. A resolution recognizing, and STUPAK. tion campaign and have disclosed the iden- calling on all Americans to recognize, the H.R. 758: Mrs. EMERSON, Mrs. ROUKEMA, tity of all commercial entities in the coun- courage and sacrifice of the members of the and Mr. DREIER. try that would benefit from the provision of Armed Forces held as prisoners of war during H.R. 774: Mr. BROWN of California. the funds; to the Committee on Banking and the Vietnam conflict and stating that the H.R. 791: Mr. PAUL. Financial Services. House of Representatives will not forget that H.R. 859: Mr. PICKERING, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. By Mrs. THURMAN (for herself, Mrs. more than 2,000 members of the United HALL of Texas, Mr. BARCIA of Michigan, Mr. FOWLER, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. States Armed Forces remain unaccounted EDWARDS, and Mr. HUTCHINSON. BOYD, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Mr. for from the Vietnam conflict and will con- H.R. 863: Mr. ROTHMAN. DEUTSCH, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. HASTINGS of tinue to press for a final accounting for all H.R. 900: Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Florida, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, and such servicemembers whose fate is unknown; H.R. 979: Mr. KNOLLENBERG, Mr. ROMERO- Mr. WEXLER): to the Committee on National Security. BARCELO, Ms. HARMAN, Mr. DICKS, Mr. H.R. 3243. A bill to authorize the Adminis- By Mr. BEREUTER: CHRISTENSEN, and Mr. TRAFICANT. trator of the Environmental Protection H. Res. 361. A resolution calling for free H.R. 1071: Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Agency to make grants to State agencies and impartial elections in Cambodia; to the H.R. 1114: Mr. DUNCAN and Mr. CALLAHAN. with responsibility for water resource devel- Committee on International Relations. H.R. 1161: Mr. SHERMAN. opment for the purpose of maximizing avail- By Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself, Mr. H.R. 1362: Mr. WYNN. H.R. 1371: Mr. DOOLITTLE. able water supply and protecting the envi- HAMILTON, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. H.R. 1425: Mr. CLYBURN and Mr. BERMAN. ronment through the development of alter- HOUGHTON, Mr. BALLENGER, and Mr. H.R. 1595: Mr. SUNUNU, Mr. MILLER of Flor- native watersources; to the Committee on CAMPBELL): Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Res. 362. A resolution commending the ida, and Mr. CRAMER. By Mr. WISE: visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to H.R. 1605: Mr. WEXLER. H.R. 1689: Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. H.R. 3244. A bill to suspend temporarily the Cuba; to the Committee on International Re- SHAYS, Mr. MCINTOSH, Mr. CLEMENT, Mr. duty on KN001 (a hydrochloride); to the Com- lations. HILL, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. STUMP, mittee on Ways and Means. By Mr. GEKAS (for himself and Mr. By Mr. BEREUTER: Mr. SNYDER, Mr. EHRLICH, and Mr. FOSSELLA. PORTER): H. Con. Res. 218. Concurrent resolution H.R. 1712: Mr. CALVERT. H. Res. 363. A resolution expressing the concerning the urgent need to establish a H.R. 1715: Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. PASTOR, Mr. sense of the House of Representatives that cease fire in Afghanistan and begin the tran- HORN, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. TRAFICANT, the Federal investment in biomedical re- sition toward a broad-based multiethnic gov- Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, search should be increased by $2,000,000,000 in ernment that observes international norms Mr. KUCINICH, and Mr. SANDERS. fiscal year 1999; to the Committee on Com- of behavior; to the Committee on Inter- H.R. 2020: Mr. STOKES, Mr. BLAGOJEVICH, merce. national Relations. Mr. FAWELL, and Mr. FORD. By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for him- By Mr. BROWN of Ohio (for himself, H.R. 2094: Mr. MARKEY. self, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. GEPHARDT, Mr. Mr. SOLOMON, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. BILI- H.R. 2109: Ms. RIVERS. WOLF, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. ROHRABACHER, RAKIS, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. STRICKLAND, H.R. 2228: Mr. TORRES. Mr. LANTOS, Mr. FRANK of Massachu- Mr. CHABOT, Mr. WYNN, and Mr. H.R. 2290: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. setts, Ms. NORTON, Mr. UNDERWOOD, ROHRABACHER): H.R. 2345: Mr. POSHARD, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. TIERNEY, H. Con. Res. 219. Concurrent resolution re- Mr. JACKSON. and Mr. CLAY): lating to Taiwan’s participation in the World H.R. 2400: Mr. BROWN of California, Mr. H. Res. 364. A resolution urging the intro- Health Organization; to the Committee on EVANS, and Mr. TAUZIN. duction and passage of a resolution on the International Relations. H.R. 2431: Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. human rights situation in the People’s Re- By Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania (for him- SESSIONS, Mr. STUPAK, and Mr. NEUMANN. public of China at the 54th Session of the self, Mr. WELLER, Mr. ROTHman, Mr. H.R. 2450: Mr. PAUL. United Nations Commission on Human ENGEL, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. PASCRELL, H.R. 2467: Mr. FARR of California. Rights; to the Committee on International Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. H.R. 2485: Mr. GEKAS and Mr. LUTHER. Relations. SALMON, Mr. FORBES, Mr. MILLER of H.R. 2497: Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington, Florida, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. CAMPBELL, Mr. TAUZIN, and Mr. METCALF. f Mr. CHABOT, and Mr. POSHARD): H.R. 2501: Mr. PAUL. H. Con. Res. 220. Concurrent resolution re- H.R. 2504: Ms. WOOLSEY. garding American victims of terrorism; to PRIVATE BILLS AND H.R. 2524: Mr. HINCHEY and Mr. BARRETT of the Committee on International Relations. RESOLUTIONS Wisconsin. By Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself and H.R. 2537: Mr. GOODLING. Mr. ACKERMAN): Under clause 1 of Rule XXII, H.R. 2549: Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. ADAM H. Con. Res. 221. Concurrent resolution ex- Mr. SMITH of Michigan introduced a bill SMITH of Washington, and Mr. STOKES. pressing the sense of the House of Represent- (H.R. 3245) to waive time limitations speci- H.R. 2579: Mr. HUNTER, Mr. RYUN, and Mr. atives that a renewed effort be made by all fied by law in order to allow the Medal of HILL. sides to end the violent guerrilla war in Co- Honor to be awarded to Chester G. Theissen, H.R. 2602: Ms. NORTON. lombia, which poses a serious threat to de- of East Leroy, Michigan, for acts of valor H.R. 2613: Mr. CRAMER and Mr. BALDACCI. mocracy as well as economic and social sta- during the Korean conflict; which was re- H.R. 2691: Mr. FORBES. bility as evidenced by the recent increase in ferred to the Committee on National Secu- H.R. 2697: Mr. ROTHMAN. guerrilla and paramilitary violence which rity. H.R. 2718: Mr. GOODLING. H498 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 12, 1998

H.R. 2723: Mr. TALENT. KUCINICH, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. BLUMENAUER, H.R. 3131: Mr. CLYBURN. H.R. 2734: Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. H.R. 3140: Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota and H.R. 2736: Mr. SOLOMON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. FURSE, Mr. HEFLEY. H.R. 2752: Mr. TORRES and Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. BENTSEN, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mr. SHER- H.R. 3172: Mr. HILL. H.R. 2754: Mr. TIERNEY. MAN. H.R. 2755: Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania and H.R. 3174: Mrs. EMERSON, Mr. JONES, and, H.R. 3026: Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. SCHUMER. H.R. 3032: Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. H.R. 2760: Mr. BARCIA of Michigan and Mr. H.R. 3050: Mr. LEVIN. H. Con. Res. 52: Mr. GREENWOOD, Mr. PICK- SHAW. H.R. 3065: Mrs. TAUSCHER. ETT, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. HORN, H.R. 2774: Ms. STABENOW and Ms. MCKIN- H.R. 3072: Mr. HORN, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. Mr. METCALF, and, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsyl- NEY. DEGETTE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. RUSH, vania. H.R. 2778: Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut and Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. FORD, and Mr. DAVIS of Illi- H. Con. Res. 114: Mr. WEXLER and Mr. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. nois. H.R. 2788: Mr. FOLEY, Ms. WOOLSEY, and TIERNEY. H.R. 3081: Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. SABO, Mr. Mr. KOLBE. H. Con. Res. 154: Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, WEXLER, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. H.R. 2797: Mr. FORD. Mrs. LOWEY, and Mr. LUTHER. BLAGOJEVICH, Ms. JACKSON-LEE, Mr. H.R. 2819: Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. ADAM SMITH of H. Con. Res. 184: Mr. HANSEN, Mr. KENNEDY LAMPSON, and Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Washington, Ms. LOFGREN, and Mr. MCGOV- H.R. 3084: Ms. FURSE, Ms. LOFGREN, and of Massachusetts, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. LEWIS of ERN. Mr. STRICKLAND. Georgia, and Mr. LAMPSON. H.R. 2821: Mr. FROST, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. H.R. 3086: Mr. JOHN, Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. H. Con. Res. 187: Mr. BENTSEN, Mr. REYES, COYNE, Mr. CAMP, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. KIL- FORD, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. OLVER, Mr. and Mr. HALL of Texas. DEE, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. ROHRABACHER, and HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. H. Con. Res. 195: Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. FURSE, Mr. UPTON. H.R. 2829: Mr. BOUCHER, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. and Mr. FROST. TIERNEY, and Mr. WALSH. BROWN of California, and Mr. TORRES. H. Con. Res. 203: Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. KIL- H.R. 2867: Mr. BEREUTER and MR. SOLOMON. H.R. 3100: Mr. BECERRA, Ms. CARSON, Mrs. PATRICK, Mr. DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. SOLO- H.R. 2870: Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. ACKERMAN, CLAYTON, Mr. DICKS, Mr. DIXON, Mr. FORD, MON, Mr. GUTIERREZ, and Mr. MCNULTY. Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. Mr. LUTHER, Mr. BILBRAY, Mrs. KELLY, and H. Con. Res. 216: Mr. GOODLING. OBSON KLECZKA, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. Mr. H . H. Con. Res. 217: Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. H.R. 2912: Mr. GOODE. SANCHEZ, Mr. STRICKLAND, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. GILLMOR, Mr. WHITFIELD, and Mr. WHITE. H.R. 2921: Mr. DAVIS of Florida. WEYGAND, and Ms. WOOLSEY. H.R. 2982: Mr. SHAYS, Mrs. MALONEY of New H.R. 3125: Mr. MANTON, Mr. PAUL, and Mr. H. Res. 279: Mr. MARKEY, Mr. VENTO, and York, and Mr. HORN. GREENWOOD. Mr. COSTELLO. H.R. 2994: Mr. FROST, Mr. BROWN of Califor- H.R. 3126: Mr. FORD, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. H. Res. 340: Ms. SANCHEZ, Mr. ETHERIDGE, nia, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. HORN, Mr. YATES, and Ms. KILPATRICK. Ms. RIVERS, and Mr. DELAHUNT.