CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E2340 HON
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E2340 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 20, 2001 American heroes. The local Veterans of For- rence and I strolled side by side through the findings as to how all criteria have been satis- eign Wars Post No. 1922, and community Capitol as he donned his signature bow tie fied. leaders, initiated the project to help recognize and me wearing a more conventional necktie. Fourth, I put forth language that would dou- these men of valor and to give the citizens of He represented the wealthy suburban Main ble—from $900,000 to $1.8 million—the re- Gainesville the chance to hear, first-hand, their Line area of Philadelphia and I represent the sources for the BIA’s Branch of Acknowledg- amazing stories. vibrant Harlem area of New York City. How- ment and Research Division to upgrade its The Congressional Medal of Honor Society ever, we had many shared interests and expe- recognition process. announced the project to its members at its riences. To help localities adversely affected by fed- October annual reunion. Two Medal of Honor Lawrence Coughlin served in the Marine erally recognized tribes, my bill provides $8 recipients visited Gainesville on Veterans Day. Corps during the Korean War. His military million in grants to local governments to assist This program was organized before the training was evident in the way he conducted such governments in participating in certain tragedies of September 11, but in light of re- himself in the Congress. He was a very dis- decisions related to certain Indian groups and cent events, projects like the Gainesville ciplined man who took a dogged approach to Indian tribes. These grants could be applied Medal of Honor Host City Program highlight tackling the difficult problems that face the na- retroactively to any local government that has the sacrifice, patriotism and sense of duty that tion and the Congress. I remember his pas- spent money on decisions related to certain have been a foundation of our great nation. sion for the youth of our great nation. This Indian groups and/or tribes. Our Medal of Honor recipients are living ex- passion was the source of his drive to do In addition, my legislation also creates a amples of those values and are the best mes- whatever was necessary during his tenure on grant program of $10 million to be made avail- sengers to tell the price of freedom. While in the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and able to federally impacted towns for relevant Gainesville, these extraordinary individuals will Control to rid our communities of the scourge infrastructure, public safety and social service meet with school classes, speak to civic of drugs. Although some would say, Lawrence needs directly related to tribal activities. groups and others who would like to hear had a Patrician air about him I would say he And lastly, the measure would institute a about their experiences. It gives the honorees had the air of a proud ex-marine who viewed ‘‘cooling off period’’ of one year, in which any a forum for their thoughts and gives Gaines- the war on drugs as a series of unending bat- high-level BIA official could not appear before ville the chance to thank them for all that they tles to be confronted head on until the war their former agency. have done for their country. was won and victory proclaimed. As a man of Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce this Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mayor great consciousness, I will forever remember bill with three of my colleagues from Con- Kenneth Kaden for his leadership in promoting his stamina and commitment in his efforts to necticut—Mrs. JOHNSON and Messrs. SHAYS this project. It is an honor to recognize such eliminate drugs from our communities, making and MALONEY—and the gentleman from Wis- a unique and special program—The Medal of the world a better place for our youth. consin, Mr. GREEN. I urge others who care Honor Host City Program—and I look forward Mr. Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues about federal Indian recognition issues to join to seeing it succeed in Gainesville. join me in celebrating the life and the political us in working toward a recognition process f accomplishments of my great friend, the Hon- that is fair, open and respectful to all parties orable R. Lawrence Coughlin. involved. PERSONAL EXPLANATION f f HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL IN- STUDIES ENDORSE PROJECT DIAN RECOGNITION REFORM LABOR AGREEMENTS OF TEXAS LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. GEORGE MILLER Wednesday, December 19, 2001 HON. ROB SIMMONS OF CALIFORNIA Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably OF CONNECTICUT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES detained in my district during the following roll- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, December 19, 2001 call votes. Had I been present, I would have Wednesday, December 19, 2001 voted as indicated below. Rollcall No. 499: Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Yes; 500: Yes. Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, our Federal In- Speaker, I wish to bring the results of two re- f dian recognition process is broken. Recogni- cent studies on the value of project labor tion decisions don’t take months to decide, agreements (PLAS) to the attention of my col- IN MEMORY OF HONORABLE R. they take years—and sometimes decades. leagues. LAWRENCE COUGHLIN Towns and other interested parties—some- The California Research Bureau, a non- times forced to spend millions because of fed- partisan confidential research arm of the Gov- HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL eral recognition policies—rightfully believe ernor’s office and the state legislature con- OF NEW YORK their concerns and comments are often ig- cluded that project labor agreements are ‘‘val- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nored. Criteria for recognition has been over- ued by owners and construction firms alike looked rather than upheld under previous BIA [because of] the role PLAs play in resolving Wednesday, December 19, 2001 administrators. In short, the public and Indian disputes over roles contractors and sub- Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today is a bitter- tribes have lost faith in the current recognition contractors play in large and complex sweet day. It is with both great sadness and process. projects.’’ The CRB report also credited PLAs immense pride that I rise today in honor and A new administration has brought some for promoting local economic development, celebration of the life of my friend, the Honor- hope in fixing this important process. To this workforce training, and employment goals for able R. Lawrence Coughlin. end, I am rising today to introduce legislation women and minorities. Robert Lawrence Coughlin was born on that lays out a seven-point plan for reforming The UCLA Institute for Labor and Employ- April 11, 1929 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and grew the federal Indian recognition process. ment has also recently released a study that up on his father’s farm near Scranton, PA. He Specifically, my bill would first require the found that PLAs do not increase labor costs, served distinguishably as a Republican Mem- BIA to notify states whenever a tribe within do not exclude non-union workers, encourage ber of the United States Congress for 24 them files for federal recognition. The state competition, promote stability, cooperation and years, from January 1969–January 1993 rep- must in turn ensure that notice is given to productivity, and reduce the likelihood of work resenting a portion of Philadelphia, PA and its towns adjacent to that tribe. stoppages or delays. surrounding suburban Main Line area. Second, the legislation would require the Mr. Speaker, these studies merely confirm Lawrence’s accomplishments were great BIA to accept and consider any testimony—in- what has long been understood by those in- during his tenure in Congress. He was a man cluding from surrounding towns and others— volved in private and public sector construc- of great honor and truly a gentleman. I had that bears on whether or not BIA recognizes tion who are not otherwise driven by ideology: the pleasure of serving with him while I was a tribe. Project labor agreements promote the timely Chairman of the Select Committee on Nar- Third, under my measure, the BIA would be completion of construction projects and in- cotics Abuse and Control and he served as required to find affirmatively that all recognition crease productivity. They are good for busi- the Ranking Republican Member. criteria are met in order to confer federal rec- ness. They also promote apprenticeship train- At first glance, one would perceive our rela- ognition and any decision conferring recogni- ing and help secure better working conditions. tionship as that of the ‘‘Odd Couple’’ as Law- tion must be accompanied by a written set of They are good for workers. VerDate 11<MAY>2000 06:09 Dec 28, 2001 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0666 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A19DE8.004 pfrm07 PsN: E20PT1.