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, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1998 No. 35 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m., and was Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- offenses of the war in Tunisia, Sicily, called to order by the Speaker pro tem- nal stands approved. Naples-Foggia, Po Valley, the Northern pore (Mr. SHIMKUS). f Apennines, the Balkans, Rome-Arno, f and southern France. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER Following his discharge in 1945, Rev- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the PRO TEMPORE erend Eisenhart entered the Lutheran gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. LEWIS) Theological Seminary at Mount Airy, The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- come forward and lead the House in the Pennsylvania, where he received a fore the House the following commu- Pledge of Allegiance. bachelor of divinity degree in May 1948 nication from the Speaker: Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky led the and he was ordained into the Gospel of WASHINGTON, DC, Pledge of Allegiance as follows: Ministry of the United Lutheran March 25, 1998. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Church of America. He continued his I hereby designate the Honorable JOHN United States of America, and to the Repub- graduate studies to earn a master of SHIMKUS to act as Speaker pro tempore on lic for which it stands, one nation under God, sacred theology degree in May 1952. this day. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. NEWT GINGRICH, Four congregations have had the Speaker of the House of Representatives. f privilege of being ministered by Rev- f ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER erend Eisenhart prior to his retirement in 1982. PRAYER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The In retirement, Reverend Eisenhart's Reverend Henry E. Eisenhart, Na- desire to serve has not diminished. He tional Chaplain, The American Legion, Chair will recognize 15 1-minutes on each side. is a 36-year member of the Wallace Wil- Washington, D.C., offered the following lard Keller American Legion Post 232 f prayer: and he has been Post Chaplain since Almighty God, we stand before You INTRODUCING GUEST CHAPLAIN, 1963. Additionally, he has served as in prayer, entreating Your presence in REVEREND HENRY E. EISENHART Pennsylvania State Chaplain of the this House of Representatives. American Legion from 1989 to 1997. He We thank You for America, for the (Mr. GREENWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House was named chairman of the Patriotic privileges we have, the rights we cher- Religious Memorial Service for the ish, the freedoms we enjoy. Bless these for 1 minute.) Mr. GREENWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I 75th National Convention of the Amer- Representatives while they reflect on ican Legion held in Pittsburgh, Penn- the historic past, shape our destiny rise to welcome and to introduce our guest chaplain for today, Reverend sylvania in 1993. And most recently, he today, and focus on the challenges and was appointed National Chaplain of the opportunities of a new century. Stimu- Henry Eisenhart. He is the National Chaplain of the American Legion, and I American Legion for the Legion year late them to think clearly, speak cau- 1997±1998. tiously, and act courageously on com- want to thank him for his thoughtful plex issues for the betterment of the words this morning. I am not surprised, Mr. Speaker, that people. Endow them with wisdom to Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell my he received the ``Good Thing You Do legislate discreetly and discerningly colleagues a little bit about Reverend Award'' for outstanding and dedicated for a safer and stronger Nation and for Eisenhart. He is a lifelong resident of services rendered to the Pennsylvania peace and justice in our world. Pennsylvania. He graduated from Muh- American Legion. Empower the legislators not only lenberg College with a bachelor of phi- It is fitting this morning that we upon what they are doing, but also losophy degree in 1942, and he was in- honor Reverend Eisenhart for his life- upon what they ought to be doing for ducted into the United States Army long devotion to serving his country, God and country. Amen. Corps, where he served with honor and his community, and for his untiring f with distinction. He was part of the service to the Word of the Lord. landing at Oran, North Africa on Janu- It is, thus, with great pleasure that I THE JOURNAL ary 27, 1943. He was attached to the 51st welcome the Reverend Henry Eisenhart The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Troop Carrier Squadron and the 62nd to the House today and offer him Chair has examined the Journal of the Troop Carrier Group. He served val- heartfelt thanks on our behalf for lead- last day's proceedings and announces iantly in some of the most desperate ing us in prayer this morning as our to the House his approval thereof. and critical battles, campaigns, and air guest chaplain. 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. H1451 H1452 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE March 25, 1998 EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE leagues to really put Social Security Over the next 21 days, taxpayers (Mr. DELAY asked and was given per- first by co-sponsoring a bill with me across this country will spend many mission to address the House for 1 today. sleepless nights and work countless minute.) The bill that I will be introducing ac- hours in an attempt to figure out ex- complishes two major objectives. Num- Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, according actly how much of their hard-earned ber one, it provides that the money to press reports, the President has in- money must be sent to the govern- that we are borrowing from the Social voked executive privilege to avoid ex- ment. Security trust fund this next year be plaining some of his actions in the Heaven forbid the amount is off by a marketable certificates. Instead of the White House. And for the record, nei- single cent, causing the taxpayer to nonmarketable IOUs, they would be ther George Bush nor Ronald Reagan face the unbridled wrath of the IRS. marketable so we could, in effect, take Mr. Speaker, the time is now to ever invoked executive privilege during it around the corner to the local bank enact comprehensive tax reform. Sweet their tenure in the White House. anytime the Trust Fund needed that dreams, Mr. and Mrs. America. If the President is allowed to use ex- money for paying benefits. f ecutive privilege regarding current The other provision takes some of events, I can only wonder what other the surplus money and allows younger AN ACCURATE COUNT OF EVERY ways would he use executive privilege. workers on a ten year pilot to invest AMERICAN IS ESSENTIAL IN THE Would he cite executive privilege to some of that surplus money in their YEAR 2000 CENSUS avoid explaining his plans to spend the own 401(k)ÐThrift savings-type retire- (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was surplus? When people ask him his real ment accounts. That will help in the given permission to address the House thoughts about cutting taxes, will he long term to keep Social Security sol- for 1 minute.) simply say executive privilege? And vent and let these workers accrue more Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to his opposition to edu- wealth than they would have under the as we prepare to take the census in the cation savings accounts, the President current system. year 2000, I want to take just a moment could cite executive privilege. It is bet- Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues and underscore the importance of this ter than admitting he is a pawn of the to look at this bill and consider co- issue. I also want to commend and con- teachers' unions. sponsorship. gratulate the gentlewoman from New Mr. Speaker I urge the President to f York (Mrs. MALONEY) for her leader- rethink his use of executive privilege. ship in keeping this issue before the CONGRESS BETTER START DOING It sets a terrible precedent. American people. SOMETHING ABOUT JOBS f Mr. Speaker, let us remember that (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was every person must count; therefore, DEMOCRATS OFFER REAL given permission to address the House every effort must be made to count CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM for 1 minute and to revise and extend each and every citizen. We must be (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given his remarks.) able to avoid the massive undercounts permission to address the House for 1 Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, every that we experienced during the past 2 minute.) day the American people are told how decades, especially among poor and mi- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the Re- great the economy is. I do not buy it. nority population groups. Just as we publican leadership has scheduled a Let us check the scoreboard. In 1995 have been able to count the huge sham campaign finance reform bill for 900,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy. crowds that have turned out to greet consideration this week. The Repub- In 1996 1,100,000 filed for bankruptcy. the President on his visit to Africa, we lican bill would not achieve reform And last year 1,400,000-plus filed for must be able to count each and every even if it passed.