Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 106 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 106 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 145 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1999 No. 138 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. WELCOMING RABBI RONALD D. SAVE AMERICA'S SCHOOLS FROM Rabbi Ronald D. Gerson, Congrega- GERSON, GUEST CHAPLAIN VIOLENCE tion Children of Israel, Athens, Geor- (Mr. LINDER asked and was given (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given gia, offered the following prayer: permission to address the House for 1 O Lord, Ruler of our Nation and all permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- nations, gathered in this hallowed minute and to revise and extend his re- marks.) Chamber, the indomitable spirit of Co- marks.) Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, all of us lumbus, remembered this week, should Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, the pray- are duly concerned about the alarming move both legislators and constituents. rise in school violence, and I am It reminds us how the quality of explo- er this morning was offered by Rabbi pleased to report that the American ration has crowned our country's past Ronald D. Gerson, who comes to us Medical Association Alliance in con- and emboldened its future with hope, today from my district in Athens, enriched by the monumental vision of Georgia, the largest city in the Elev- junction with the New York State Med- our Founding Fathers who were in- enth District of Georgia. Rabbi Gerson ical Society is resolved to do some- spired by Thy holy word. has been a rabbi for a quarter of a cen- thing important about it. Today, com- May we in this land continue our ex- tury and now serves at Congregation munities throughout our Nation are joining in announcing this new pro- ploration. May we continue to reach Children of Israel in Athens, Georgia. I gram, Save America's Schools From new destinations of justice and peace am delighted to introduce him to the Violence, which recognizes that guns in in our Nation and in the world. House of Representatives and thank Heavenly Father, as we strive to new the playground are only a part of the him for his inspiring words of prayer horizons in our country's glory, guide problem. Solutions such as turning off us through the admonition of the for today's session. violent television programs, ignoring prophet Mica to do justly, to love Rabbi Gerson has devoted his life to music with violent or provocative mercy, and to walk humbly with our public and spiritual service, and I was lyrics, avoiding violent videos and God. honored to first meet Rabbi Gerson computer games and engaging in con- Amen. when I visited his congregation a cou- structive play will be encouraged f ple of years ago. I want to also recog- throughout this 1-year initiative. nize his wife and daughter and brother- School violence takes many forms, THE JOURNAL from name calling, to pushing, to bul- in-law who are visiting today also, and The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- lying. Over 3 million crimes were com- I have been informed that Rabbi ined the Journal of the last day's pro- mitted against teenagers in schools in Gerson's mother, who lives in Cali- ceedings and announces to the House 1996 including robbery, theft, van- his approval thereof. fornia, is probably watching her son at dalism, rape, sexual battery, and phys- Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- the early hour of 7 a.m. on the West ical attacks. The American Medical nal stands approved. Coast. Association Alliance's goal is to make f His knowledge of the tradition of our schools a safe place for our chil- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE faith and his ability to share his under- dren to learn to play and grow by send- The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman standing of it with others has found an ing the positive message that violence in our schools is unacceptable. from Texas (Mr. LAMPSON) come for- appreciative audience in Georgia and ward and lead the House in the Pledge today across the country and the world f of Allegiance. as he carries the eternal message to COMMENDATION OF DR. BERNARD Mr. LAMPSON led the Pledge of Alle- others. I am proud to share the floor MILSTEIN giance as follows: with Rabbi Gerson because of his reli- (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the gious convictions, his commitment to United States of America, and to the Repub- permission to address the House for 1 the service of others, and his faithful minute and to revise and extend his re- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, devotion to his congregation. I join all indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. marks.) my colleagues in the House in thank- f Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ing our distinguished guest chaplain ago a person of vision saw a way to im- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER for bringing us an inspirational mes- prove the sight of many residents. With The SPEAKER. There will be 15 one- sage to commence this day of the his foresight and dedication the Gulf minutes on each side. House session. Coast branch of Prevent Blindness 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. H9903 . H9904 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE October 13, 1999 Texas was formed and began its mis- lence affecting our young people, but Daimler-Benz. Chrysler is now a Ger- sion. Tonight, the Gulf Coast branch our communities are doing something man corporation, and upon merging will proudly celebrate its 20th anniver- about it. Today in San Luis Obispo, they said Americans will always have a sary with a gala event, and on this oc- California, and around this Nation, the strong voice in the new company's casion the founder of the Gulf Coast American Medical Association Alliance leadership. branch of Prevent Blindness, Dr. Ber- is kicking off its save schools program. So much for the tooth fairy, Mr. nard Milstein, will be honored as this SAVE, which stands for Stop Amer- Speaker. The three top American ex- year's person of vision. I commend Dr. ica's Violence Everywhere, began in ecutives were replaced, and now the Milstein on this wonderful honor. 1995. This year the AMA alliance will German company announced they will Prevent Blindness Texas is the larg- focus its efforts directly on our invest $28 billion, all of it in Germany. est voluntary health organization in schools. In my district, the San Luis What is next, Mr. Speaker? Mercedes- Texas that takes proactive measures in Obispo Medical Society Alliance will Benz limousines for our White House? the prevention of blindness. Over the team up with the local high school stu- Beam me up. years Prevent Blindness Texas has pro- dents and a local homeless shelter. I yield back the billions of dollars vided free vision screening to almost Dedicated teenagers will mentor that Congress invested into what is one million Texas preschoolers and younger children in need and help them now a German company. screened well over 650,000 adults for learn to resolve their conflicts peace- f blinding glaucoma. The Gulf Coast fully. branch alone screened nearly 2,100 Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud NO TAX INCREASES OR RAIDS ON adults and children during the last fis- that the national president of the AMA THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST cal year. Nearly 500 Galveston resi- Alliance, Ann Hansen, lives in my dis- FUND dents were provided free eye exams and trict. I join Ann in offering this ral- (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given glasses from this branch last year, al- lying cry in the fight against school vi- permission to address the House for 1 most doubling the prior year. olence. Save today. This organization exists without gov- minute. f ernment funding or United Way fund- Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, notwith- ing because of the generosity of people PRESIDENT'S SCHEME TO RE- standing the unwavering opposition of who share in its vision of saving sight. STRICT ACCESS TO PUBLIC President Clinton and his free-spending Funds are raised locally and work lo- LANDS allies in this Congress, American tax- payers are now enjoying a budget sur- cally. My heartiest congratulations to (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given Dr. Bernard Milstein and to Prevent plus for the first time in a generation. permission to address the House for 1 One might think that the President Blindness Texas. minute and to revise and extend his re- f would be willing to share some of that marks.) surplus with working American fami- PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT JUST Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, Amer- lies. After all, they created the surplus AS EMPTY AS H.R. 1 ica's public lands are vital to the fu- with their hard work and their tax dol- ture of this Nation, and I have very se- (Mr. SHAW asked and was given per- lars. rious concerns about the President's mission to address the House for 1 Tax relief perhaps? Not a chance. In- new scheme to restrict access to these minute and to revise and extend his re- credibly the White House instead pro- public lands. Most Americans recognize marks.) poses either, A, more taxes or, B, a raid Mr.