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March 14, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 4115 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS GOVERNMENT GONE CRAZY requires employer-provided retirement porations with multiple plans and various plans- including pension, profit-sharing, benefit packages will have hundreds of and so-called 40l

e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 4116 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 14, 1989 In fact, Section 89 slipped through the Hill, Ga., already knows what it's like to ask absolutely ludicrous," says Danilson. Others tax-reform process with little notice. "No questions and get no answers. "I've asked who have studied the revisions still don't one focused on benefits changes" in the several insurance companies to send me like what they see. 1986 tax-reform legislation, said a Senate what they have on Section 89, but nobody "It seems to me that if a company is con­ aide. "They just sort of happened." has sent me anything yet. The individual sidering putting in a health-care plan, and Now, many employers are dragging their agents seem to be as much in the dark as we they run into this, they will just forget it," feet on compliance, waiting for it to collapse are," he says. says Frank L. Mason, president of the under its own weight. "We are hearing from Whether individual employers discrimi­ Mason Corp., a Birmingham, Ala., manufac­ employers who are predicting that Congress nate or not, the law puts the burden of turer of metal building products. will repeal Section 89 sometime in (1989] proof on them. Collecting and analyzing the "It's just too much of a burden to keep up after the outcry [over its complexity] data needed on each employee frequently with all the detail and still run a business," begins," says Ken Feltman, executive direc­ may cost more than correcting any discrimi­ he adds. "You can just load a small-business tor of the Employee Council on Flexible nation that is found. In fact, an employer wagon so full, and when you get beyond Compensation. He estimates that 60 percent may sink thousands of dollars into data col­ that, something has to give." of all businesses, primarily small companies, lection and analysis just to show that no dis­ have not yet heard about Section 89, crimination exists. making ignorance of the law a major obsta­ Among the law's data requirements are WE NEED MANDATORY INSPEC­ cle to compliance. those that compel employers to: TION OF FISH AND FISH PROD­ While large and midsized firms typically Identify the highly compensated and the UCTS are staffed to keep abreast of changes in non-highly compensated. benefits laws, many small firms don't have Determine who may be excluded from the the facilities to do so. tests. HON. BYRON L. DORGAN Observes Donald Utter, owner of Medical Identify each benefit that must be tested. OF NORTH DAKOTA Personnel Pool, in Madison, Wis.: "It's the Sort out the family status of employees one secret that the government has been for separate family coverage testing. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES able to keep. Almost every small-business Determine the number of former employ­ Tuesday, March 14, 1989 person I mention it to doesn't know what ees subject to testing. I'm talking about." Determine whether parts of an organiza­ Mr. DORGAN of North Dakota. Mr. Speaker, But small-business owners shouldn't tion can be tested as a separate line of busi­ am introducing today legislation that would assume that Congress will come to the ness. greatly improve the safety of the American rescue. Section 89 has powerful friends on Once the information is assembled, it isn't consumer of fish and seafood products. , including the two key figures enough to show that coverage was offered. behind the 1986 Tax Reform Act-Rep. Dan There is growing evidence that we need Benefit plans will be judged by the percent­ mandatory Federal inspection of fish and fish Rostenkowski, D-lll., chairman of the House age of employees who actually participate. Ways and Means Committee, and Sen. Bob The Section 89 Coalition, a group of 190 products, and growing support for such in­ Packwood, R-Ore., ranking minority associations and businesses, lobbied unsuc­ spection. member of the Senate Finance Committee. cessfully last year for a one-year delay in Every year, the importance of fish in the The law reflects a longstanding concern Section 89. The coalition's efforts were mo­ American diet increases. Until the middle of among many lawmakers that the federal tivated in part by the Treasury Depart­ this century, the consumption of fish products government doesn't have enough control ment's failure to produce regulations to im­ over who gets tax-exempt, employer-paid was essentially limited to coastal areas of the plement the law. But Congress was in no United States. Today, many species of fish benefits, according to staffers on the tax­ mood to start chipping away at tax reform, writing committees. The joint tax commit­ are consumed nationwide. Since 1975, per especially when delay would add $300 mil­ capita consumption has increased substantial­ tee estimates that employer-provided lion to the federal budget deficit. health-care plans alone cost the government ly, and over the next several years, consump­ $32 billion a year in "lost" revenue. "The coalition met very heavy resistance from Rostenkowski," said Christine Hartoft, tion is expected to grow by nearly 3 percent That kind of money, Congress decided, annually. should produce better social-policy results, a legislative assistant with the Association namely health insurance for lower-paid of Private Pension and Welfare Plans. "He Currently, only 20 percent of the fish con­ workers. Section 89 was driven by the per­ wasn't interested in anything that would sumed in this country has undergone volun­ ception that many employers were giving make it look like tax reforms was unravel­ tary Federal inspection. There is currently no their highest-paid employees generous bene­ ing." mandatory inspection of seafood products as fits while giving their lower-paid employees Nonetheless, the Technical and Miscella­ there is for meat and poultry. Instead, fish in­ less or nothing at all. Supporters of this neous Revenue Act of 1988, signed into law Nov. 11, did contain some of the coalition's spection is a hit-or-miss program, paid for by view note that 52 percent of the 37 million processors themselves. While the Food and Americans who have no health insurance recommendations for simplifying the law. either work full time or are members of Among them: Drug Administration has some oversight re­ families headed by full-time workers. Ac­ Employers may test their benefit plans for sponsibility, their role is limited to spot checks cordingly, Congress cracked its tax-policy compliance with non-discrimination rules on and recall of hazardous products only after whip, forcing employers to fall into line or one day of the year; they do not have to they are on the supermarket shelf. risk losing a tax subsidy for highly paid track each benefit choice by each employee The most recent report from the Centers for workers. Said one congressional staff for each day of the year. Disease Control indicates 24 percent of trace­ member who worked on the legislation: Benefit plans will not fail the nondiscrim­ ination tests simply because too many em­ able food-borne illnesses were linked to fish "Why should the government be satisfied and shellfish in 1982. This CDC report shows that blue-collar workers are getting less ployees choose to be covered by the spouses' than white-collar workers?" plans. that food poisoning outbreaks are 1O times Business owners generally have no quarrel Companies with nine or fewer workers more likely to be caused by seafood than by with Congress' intent. It's the execution may phase in coverage for part-time em­ beef. that has benefits managers throwing up ployees, those who work at least 17 .5 hours In March 1986, the prestigious New Eng­ their hands in frustration. a week, over three years. land Journal of Medicine reported that con­ Most large and midsized companies have The latter two changes are major conces­ sumption of raw shellfish is known to be asso­ sions to the concerns of small companies, turned to outside consultants for assistance. ciated with individual cases and sporadic out­ Small firms may find they have no other says Ron Danilson, assistant director of choice, says Feltman, of the Employee group operations with the Principal Finan­ breaks of enteric illness. In fact, an outbreak Council on Flexible Compensation. "In the cial Group of Des Moines, Iowa. A 1988 com­ of gastroenteritis which reached epidemic pro­ end, what we have is a technician's dream pany survey of 100 employers with fewer portions in State in 1982 was linked and a layman's nightmare," he adds, ex­ than 10 workers found that up to 70 percent to raw shellfish. plaining that Congress made Section 89 "so would fail, primarily because of the initial An increasing number of fish and shellfish complex that the traditional expert that the participation requirements for parttimers processors favor strengthening inspection of small-business owner has relied on, his in­ and workers covered by a spouse's insurance their products. As the National Fisheries Insti­ surance broker, is no longer an expert. Now plan. he'll have to go to higher-priced talent: law­ But even with the changes, the law and tute said at a congressional hearing in 1986, yers, accountants, and consultants." the monumental problems it poses for em­ "It is logical that seafood inspection be re­ Reed Creaser, secretary /treasurer for ployers remain basically intact. "To expect evaluated and restructured to encourage General Crane and Hoist Inc .. in Richmond small business to understand Section 89 is greater consumer acceptance of seafood for March 14, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 4117 the sake of ensuring health benefits and to vently demand beef-up eradication and THE 1989 SCHOLAR ATHLETES­ allow the Nation to benefit from the significant interdiction efforts. Both conservative drug THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL potential offered by our fishery resources." czar William Bennett and liberal Sen. John FOUNDATION AND HALL OF My bill, the Mandatory Fish Inspection Act Kerry, D-Mass., propose sending U.S. troops to Latin America to wage war against peas­ FAME of 1989, would require the Secretary of Agri­ ants and shadowy traffickers. Like Gen. culture to establish a comprehensive, statisti­ William, Westmoreland in Vietnam, they HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI cally sound program of mandatory inspection claim to see light at the end of the tunnel­ of the commercial processing of all freshwater if only Americans will invest more money OF and saltwater fish, shellfish, and their products and more manpower in the drug war. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES which are used for human consumption. On one point they do have a case: The Tuesday, March 14, 1989 Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join United States has never made fighting the me in protecting American consumers by co­ drug traffic its absolute, number one priori­ Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sponsoring this important legislation. ty. As the State Department report admits, pay tribute to 19 young men who have been "political and economic instability in drug­ selected as the 1989 Scholar Athletes by the producing areas around the world have re­ Sacramento Valley Chapter of the National WILL WE GET OUR HOUSE IN sulted in the subordination of our drug con­ Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. ORDER? trol agenda to other pressing concerns." The young men being honored are to be True enough. It's no accident that the commended for their outstanding perform­ countries singled out by the Bush adminis­ HON. FORTNEY PETE ST ARK tration for sanctions because of their role in ances both on and off the football field. These OF CALIFORNIA the drug trade-Panama, Afghanistan, Iran, students have demonstrated superior academ­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Syria, Laos and Burma-are simply those it ic application and athletic ability, sportsman­ Tuesday, March 14, 1989 dislikes for other reasons. Countries no less ship, school leadership and citizenship. I ask guilty of fostering the drug trade-Mexico, that my colleagues join me in saluting Mark Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, Jonathan Mar­ Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, the Ba­ Krieger of the University of California, Davis; shall of the Oakland Tribune's editorial staff is hamas, Pakistan-win reprieve year after Rick Pembrook of the University of Pacific; perhaps the most knowledgeable editorial year because of their friendship or impor­ Ken Stinnett of California State University, writer on the flawed approach of our Federal tance to the United States. Sacramento; Robert Blair and Bryon Rockwell Government's so-called war on drugs. Time "The hypocrisy doesn't stop there, howev­ er. As the implicated nations quickly point of Davis High School; David DeMarco of and time again, the Tribune has printed Woodland High School; Greg Harcos, Greg lengthy discussions written by Jonathan about out, Washington demands that they cut supply, even though it hasn't managed to Quilici and Chris Campbell of Jesuit High our Nation's drug policies. The paper contin­ cut U.S. demand, which drives the world­ School; Kris Johnson of Bear River High ually raises some provocative questions about wide market. Congress insists that foreign School; Mike Mccarn of Lincoln High School; how we can best succeed in this area. nations vanquish sophisticated drug armies Mark Parsons and Robert Perry of Bella Vista I'm sure a majority of Members of this body when it can't even keep Jamaican gangs High School; Laurence Taylor and Allen would agree with President Bush's statement from taking over the streets of Washington, Woods of Rio Americano High School; Mark that "we will never win this war on drugs DC. The administration expects Peru to Eddy of Delta High School; Jason Hartsfield of unless we stop demand for drugs." That point spray its jungles with deadly herbicides like San Juan High School; Khari Jones of Center is clear cut and obvious. I'm not as sure, how­ Spike when the United States won't even High School; and Woon Park of Fairfield High ever, about the efficacy of the arguments of use Paraquat on its own marijuana fields. School; for their superlative achievements. some who think we ought to invade Colombia, And Americans point the finger at foreign I would like to pay special tribute to two pave Bolivia, or bulldoze the Andeas in order producers of cocaine and heroin when do­ mestic marijuana plantations and PCP and young men who have demonstrated courage to stop the supply. amphetamine labs turn out vast quantities and outstanding scholar-athlete performances A National lnstitutue on Drug Abuse analy­ of drugs for the domestic market. in the face of adversity. Michael Morris Gipson sis of national drug consumption found that America pays a high price for such hypoc­ and Ernest Rodriguez are to be commended just 1O percent of cocaine consumers con­ risy. The obvious double standard makes en­ for their dedication and spirit in playing foot­ sume 51 percent of all the cocaine used in emies of people throughout the world who our country. The demand for the drug is driv­ feel judged and condemned by an arrogant ball with only one leg. ing the supply. superpower that won't even get its own Mr. Speaker, I congratulate these young Yet we only have 250,000 public and pri­ house in order. And it blinds Americans to men for their distinguished accomplishments. I vate treatment slots to help the estimated 2 tackling domestic sources of the problem by know that the determination and drive which million of the 6.5 million cocaine and heroin making easy scapegoats of foreign devils. they have demonstrated will serve them well Worst of all, it encourages demagogues to addicts who will seek treatment this year. in their future endeavors and I wish them con­ rail for an extension of failed drug strate­ tinued success. Yes, we ought to do everything in our power gies abroad, regardless of the cost. to encourage other countries from growing, The cost is high. The combination of the and exporting to our country, illicit narcotics. private U.S. demand for drugs and the offi­ PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE However, we should also first get our own cial U.S. demand for foreign drug enforce­ PROBLEMS IN TIBET house in order. ment promotes the growth of organized Clearly, we can't win the war on drugs with­ crime, corruption and violence throughout out cutting the demand for drugs. I believe much of the Third World. Countries like HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON that affordable, available treatment and drug Colombia have lost control of their own fate OF NEW YORK education awareness are the best answers to to U.S.-financed traffickers who murder police chiefs, prosecutors, judges, publishers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cutting the demand. and politicians with impunity. Tuesday, March 14, 1989 The following editorial makes some very The heedless extension of U.S. drug eradi­ valuable points: cation programs in turn pushes desperate Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I believe that EXPORTING THE DRUG PROBLEM peasants into the hands of guerrilla organi­ the reason all of us are here today supporting "This scourge will stop," President Bush zations like the fanatic Shining Path in passage of this resolution is simple. It is to let declared in his inaugural address. But his Peru or Marxist FARC in Colombia. These the Government of the People's Republic of own State Department told a different story groups represent a challenge to peace and China know, very clearly, that the next few last week in its latest annual report on the democracy every bit as great as that posed years can hold either great promise or great worldwide drug problem. by the traffickers. regret in their relationship with our Nation. Everywhere, drug supplies are on the rise. In the long run, the United States cannot With the election of President George Bush, Opiuim production jumped in Afghanistan export its responsibility for solving the drug and Burma. Cocaine boomed in Bolivia. problem. Americans can only export the the Government of the People's Republic of Marijuana surged in Colombia. The world is problem itself by making the rest of the China knows that it has an old acquaintance awash in drugs as never before. world pay for our own failure to cope with with whom it can talk concerning any diplo­ Despite every indication that supply-side the social and personal reasons why individ­ matic disagreements we may have. But its drug enforcement has failed, politicians, fer- uals misuse drugs in the first place. leaders must also know, if they do not already 4118 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 14, 1989 understand it, that this American President THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF subcommittee in opposition to this proposed holds a strong commitment to human rights. THE AMERICAN LEGION sale. Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe it is time They must clearly understand that both his for Congress to pass this legislation. The rea­ views on their policies and the views of this HON. WILLIAM 0. LIPINSKI sons to do so are clear. Congress will be heavily influenced by the ac­ OF First, the Sly Park Unit is operationally sepa­ tions that they take with regard to the rights of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rate from the rest of the CVP and that the El Dorado Irrigation District is the sole benefici­ the peoples they govern. This influence will be Tuesday, March 14, 1989 magnified to the extent that they either re­ ary of this unit. For this reason it makes emi­ spect or disregard previous promises they Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to nent sense to separate the Sly Park Unit from have made under the slogan of "two systems, ask my colleagues to join in recognizing the the rest of the CVP financially as well. one country." 70th anniversary of the American Legion. Second, at a time when the Federal Gov­ Today is the 30th anniversary of the Chi­ Founded at a caucus of the American Expe­ ernment is reducing its involvement in water ditionary Force, March 15-17, 1919, in Paris, nese suppression of the national uprising in project construction and operation, particularly France, the American Legion was chartered Tibet. We all had hoped that those days of for smaller, independently operated projects by Congress on September 16, 1919. such as Sly Park, it makes sense both from a martial law and bloodshed had been foresa­ For 70 years the American Legion has fiscal and resource management standpoint ken by the People's Republic of China. Events worked to further the interest of veterans and for the Federal Government to sell this project now taking place in Tibet, however, point out their families, to promote national security, to to the local user and beneficiary. to us all that they have not. Tibetans are improve educational and recreational services being killed, dragged from their homes, and and to support the expression of Armeican In the long run both the county of El Dorado arrested. Foreign tourists are being prevented ideals. and the Federal Government will benefit from from traveling to Tibet and possibly reporting The American Legion was instrumental in this sale. The sale of the Sly Park Unit will on Chinese police actions there. organizing the U.S. Veterans Bureau. In 1930 allow the Federal Government to recoup its If our two nations' relations are to further this became the Veterans' Administration. It is original investment plus the appropriate inter­ improve at any level, they must do so on the fitting that this 70th anniversary year is est, and to cease to incur any more operating basis that the Government of the People's marked by the elevation of the Secretary of and maintenance costs-in that sense, Mr. Republic of China understands and sincerely the Veterans' Affairs to Cabinet rank. Speaker, by raising Federal revenues this pro­ respects human rights and the rightful place The American Legion was a leader for the posal is actually a deficit reduction measure. of democratic institutions in society. While GI bill of rights which has been an essential On the other hand, from the local perspec­ there are signs that that government is aware part of the opportunity provided to our veter­ tive, this sale would mean that the Sly Park of the importance we here in the United ans. users would own this facility which they've States place on such respect for human The American Legion has also campaigned been operating and maintaining for more than rights, its actions to date to build such respect for increased display of the American flag and 30 years, and they will cease to incur addition­ have not been sufficient. for its proper display. Recent events have al interest costs in the future on a project they On the one hand, the People's Republic of demonstrated their effectiveness at raising are willing to pay off now. this issue when the American flag has been China has indicated that it is more actively in­ This proposal is consistent with the new displayed on the floor for people to walk vestigating abuses of human rights by its generation of water policy endorsed by the upon. agencies and police, but on the other, it con­ Congress with passage of H.R. 6 in the 99th The American Legion has been an integral tinues to avoid the talks that the Dalai Lama Congress: It places the burden of owning and part of American culture and society for 70 has offered to hold with its representatives to operating a water project on the local benefi­ years now. The legion has sponsored baseball ciary-not the Federal Government. review and improve the true state of human teams, Boy Scout troops, a national high and political rights in Tibet. The provisions in the bill allow for the Sec­ school oratorical contest, Boys State and retary of the Interior to set the price based on It will simply not be enough for the People's Boys Nation. the actual construction costs plus interest on Republic of China to issue stern warnings Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the the M&I portions of the project plus Federal against dissent and then repress political pro­ American Legion on their 70th anniversary O&M costs minus what EDID has already paid tests whenever it wishes. Not if it truly wishes and thank them on behalf of our Nation, for under their existing water contracts. to gain the trust of the United States and the their hard work, dedication and service, in war It is our intention in writing the price this rest of the free world. and peace, to the United States of America. way to determine the fair and equitable level As economic freedom grows in the People's which will help the Federal Government re­ Republic of China, political freedom will con­ INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO cover its investment and allow El Dorado, in tinue to seek its own birth. Such democratic PROVIDE FOR THE SALE OF essence, to buy out its existing contract. and cultural freedoms will be sought by all of THE SLY PARK UNIT OF THE China's peoples, and each time any such CVP TO THE EL DORADO IRRI­ striving is met by the kind of repression we GATION DISTRICT A LETTER FROM EL SALVADOR are seeing today in Tibet, our two nations' re­ lations will suffer, and suffer greatly. HON. NORMAND. SHUMWAY The Foreign Minister of the People's Re­ HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS OF CALIFORNIA public of China, Mr. Qichen, recently stated OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that he thought our two nations' relations IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES were very likely to flourish with the election of Tuesday, March 14, 1989 Tuesday, March 14, 1989 Mr. Bush to the Presidency. I urge Mr. Qichen Mr. SHUMWAY. Mr. Speaker, today I am re­ and the other leaders of his government to introducing legislation to provide for the sale Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I take this op­ truly give such great expectations a chance to of the Sly Park Unit of California's Central portunity to share with my colleagues the fol­ take concrete form. I join my colleagues here Valley Project to the El Dorado lrrigat1on Dis­ lowing letter from Mr. Peter O'Driscoll. Mr. today in urging the People's Republic of China trict in El Dorado County, CA. O'Driscoll, a former constituent of mine, is to accept the Dalai Lama's offer for a peace­ Mr. Speaker, last year the Interior Subcom­ now living in San Antonio Los Ranchos, El ful resolution of the problems that are once mittee on Water and Power held a hearing Salvador, which is the sister city of Berkeley in again painfully obvious in Tibet. that focused on this proposed sale. At that El Salvador. hearing, the El Dorado Irrigation District pre­ In discussing the capture, torture, and re­ sented its case for approval of this sale. The lease of Mayor Amadeo Lopez and three CVP Water Users Association has also offi­ others, Peter conveys the reality of life in this cially endorsed this sale. It is important to and other repopulated communities in El Sal­ note that no testimony was presented to the vador. March 14, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 4119 APARTADO 01-34, SAN SALVADOR, tion. But what would the elite, U.S.-trained Fourth Infantry Brigade. Amadeo Lopez, 25 EL SALVADOR, CENTRAL AMERICA, "Atlacatl" Battalion think of such subver­ years old, was traveling with three other December 20, 1988. sive talk? campesinos and United Nations officials in a DEAR FRIENDS. Belated Christmas greet­ Mass proceeded normally, even as the vehicle belonging to the United Nations ings! I hope all is well with you and your sound of gunfire on a nearby hillside elicit­ High Commission on Refugees, one of the families, and as always I shall be thinking of ed some worried looks. But as the congrega­ major sponsoring agencies in the repatri­ you at this time. As I learned last year, tion rose for communion, several intense ation of Salvadorans from Honduras. De­ Christmas is a very different proposition volleys of machine gunfire from positions spite the protests of the U.N.H.C.R. repre­ down here. In San Salvador, merchants only 100 yards from our wall-less, tin-roofed sentative, the four were taken from the car string up fairy lights and display incongru­ chapel drew some shrieks of panic, as many and accused of being guerrillas.

29-059 0 -90-44 (Pt. 3) 4122 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS March 14, 1989 TRIBUTE TO BETTY JO WATTS and two paraplegics various phases of the honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition, manufacturing process. the Commission was directed to provide Many times, she said, the financial assist­ advice and assistance to organizations with HON.GEORGE(BUDDY)DARDEN ance the government gives to the disabled respect to the observance of the holiday. OF discourages them from working. They lose The Commission has encouraged appropri­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their disability payments when they become employed, and often jobs available to the ate nationwide ceremonies relating to the ob­ Tuesday, March 14, 1989 disabled offer meager wages. servance of the holiday honoring Martin Mr. DARDEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to "They wind up to a certain extent living Luther King, Jr., and sponsored activities day to day, watching TV or something . . . submit for inclusion in the CONGRESSIONAL which educate the American people about Dr. If they were working, they would have King's values of racial equality and nonviolent RECORD an article from the March 2, 1989 At­ something to look forward to," Ms. Watts lanta Journal-Constitution which highlights the said. social change. It performs an important serv­ determination and resourcefulness of my con­ Lack of adequate transportation also pre­ ice by promoting the teachings of Dr. King stituent, Ms. Betty Jo Watts. Ms. Watts is not vents some disabled from seeking a job, she and coordinating special commemorative only coming back from a devastating accident, said. events in the United States and many nations but she is providing opportunities and hope for As a member of Total Accessibility for around the world. other disabled people. In the process, she is Cobb, an awareness group for the disabled, The Commission is also instrumental in in­ Ms. Watts has helped convince the Cobb structing our young people of the dangers of even helping to ensure more cost-effective County Commission to equip all its buses in government spending. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Watts its upcoming transit system with wheelchair drugs and the importance of education. Chil­ has demonstrated that perseverance can lifts. dren are encouraged to "Live the Dream" of overcome tragedy and physical limitations. Despite lack of transportation and decent Dr. King and continued Commission efforts DISABLED WOMAN'S JOB SEES HER THROUGH wages, many disabled are eager to prove are crucial if the program is to succeed. Loss they are just as hard-working and dependa­ The worldwide and civil and human rights ble as the able-bodied on the job, she said. community needs the Commission's continued SHE SEEKS TO HIRE OTHERS WHO ARE By earning a decent wage, the disabled HANDICAPPED coordinated guidance so that the international will be paying taxes like other workers. "So celebration of Dr. King's legacy may continue. CBy Connie CuQ.ningham) it's not like you're really giving them some­ Betty Jo Watts, president of Pacific Atlan­ thing. They're giving something back," she Reverend King was a brilliant civil rights tic Products, has what many people might said. leader, a distinguished member of the clergy, consider to be a traditionally male job­ The government would also benefit an­ and a Nobel laureate. His vision of equal making heavy-duty cable for military weap­ other way, Ms. Watts said. Most of her work rights and opportunity for all people trans­ onry. is done for the Defense Department, and formed this country and energized social jus­ Not only does she handle the job with with more employees, she could increase her tice movements around the globe. Unfortu­ ease, she performs her duties from a wheel­ volume and lower her prices, she said. nately, the impact and the importance of Dr. chair. Ms. Watts currently employs her son and But the wheelchair is only part of the a few other workers to make heavy-duty King's life is being diluted by commercialism story. and light-duty cable for bombs, missiles, tor­ and selective memory. In 1972, 13 years before a fall from a deer pedoes, aircraft and computers. The continuation of the Martin Luther King stand while on a hunting trip left Ms. Watts Ms. Watts said she has no qualms about Federal Holiday Commission will help prevent paralyzed from the waist down, her husband making cable for military purposes. "I further distortion in Dr. King's message and suffered a brain-damaging stroke. Faced figure we need to be prepared as other coun­ will help spread his true legacy to the unin­ with mounting insurance bills and support­ tries are. Because if we're not prepared, we formed. When the Commission first began its ing her family, Ms. Watts took over her hus­ cannot fight." in the fall of 1984, only 19 States ob­ band's business. She attended night school Just as important as lowering her price to work and learned how to solder and read blue­ the military, though, is offering the dis­ served Dr. King's birthday. This year, however, prints. abled the opportunity to feel a sense of ac­ all but seven States and over 100 foreign In 1980, Ms. Watts moved to Austell from complishment. "You know you're still in the countries have made his birthday an official Burbank, Calif., and relocated the business chair, but if you have the self-esteem of holiday. in 1982 to West Fork Business Park in going to work, you feel just as good as the This year, because of the efforts of the Lithia Springs. Before moving, she had next person," Ms. Watts said. Commission, millions of American participated given custody of her husband, who died in in seminars, rallies, prayer services, and other 1982, to her mother-in-law. Business was good until she suffered the CONYERS INTRODUCES LEGIS- tributes. People of all races, cultures and polit­ fall in 1985. Ms. Watt's son, daughter and LATI ON TO EXTEND AND ical persuasions came together in the same friends filled the work orders to keep the MAKE PERMANENT THE spirit of good will and fellowship that charac­ business going while she began therapy at MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. terized Dr. King's life. The Commission has Shepherd Spinal Center. FEDERAL HOLIDAY COMMIS- developed and helped to distribute "Living the From her bedside she would teach her son SION Dream" pledge cards on which over 2 million to read blueprints, and eventually she re­ people have affirmed their commitment to the turned to work. • Ms. Watts discovered that working helped HON. , JR. ideals of freedom, justice and opportunity for her forget the pain some paraplegics experi­ OF MICHIGAN all. In preparation for the third national holiday celebration, the Commission distributed more ence. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES "This is a lot of my therapy instead of than 300,000 pamphlets, posters and maps, drugs," Ms. Watts said. Tuesday, March 14, 1989 responded to 5,000 inquiries, and serviced Ms. Watts wants other disabled people to Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today, a bipar­ over 135 State and local holiday commissions. join her on the job to help them help them­ tisan group of more than 80 of our colleagues The Commission has also published and dis­ selves by earning a decent wage and gaining tributed the new "Living the Dream" newslet­ much needed self-esteem. has joined with me in reintroducing H.R. 4443, She is seeking government assistance to legislation which passed the House in the ter which provides information to King holiday make her entire workshop accessible to the 1OOth Congress to extend the Martin Luther celebrants around the country. disabled and to train them in cable manu­ King, Jr., Federal Holiday Commission beyond Consistent with the teachings of Dr. King, facturing. its current expiration date of April 1989, and the Commission participates in projects ad­ Making cable involves many individual make it a permanent Commission. dressing issues of national concern such as jobs, such as counting, reeling and inspect­ The Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, illit­ ing wire; soldering; operating a machine Commission was established in 1984 following eracy, urban economic development, child that assembles multiconductors into cable; abuse, family violence, job placement and installing connectors onto the cable and enactment of legislation designating a Federal putting protective covering over the cable. holiday in Dr. King's honor. Its purpose then counseling, and voter registration. Ms. Watts said these jobs are not difficult was to encourage appropriate ceremonies and The Commission has achieved near mir­ to learn, and most can be done while sitting. activities throughout the United States relating acles with minimal private donations and ap­ In the past, she has taught a quadriplegic to the first observance of the Federal holiday propriate fund-raising activities, but in order to March 14, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 4123 fully meet its mandate the Commission's re­ her position on the Commission shall be DON'T HIKE FEDERAL GAS TAX sources needs are much greater than private filled by a member of the family surviving efforts to day have met. Martin Luther King, Jr., not already a HON. BOB McEWEN A small Federal appropriation will enable member of the Commission, who shall be the Commission to devote its time to carrying appointed by the family and shall serve as a OF OHIO out its congressional mandate, rather than member of the Commission at the discretion IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the family. exert and exhaust its energies on fund-raising "(3) The 2 members of the Commission Tuesday, March 14, 1989 activities. appointed as members of the family surviv­ Mr. McEWEN. Mr. Speaker, the As Dr. King said when he set the goal in his ing Martin Luther King, Jr .. shall serve as 1963 March on Washington speech: Plain Dealer recently ran an editorial by Bob members of the Commission at the discre­ Brown, former assistant director of the Ohio When we allow freedom to rein, when we tion of the family.". Department of Transportation, regarding a let it ring from every village and hamlet, (b) CONTINUATION OF TERMS OF EXISTING from every State and city, we will be able to MEMBERs.-The individuals who are mem­ new Federal gas tax. Mr. Brown does an ex­ speed up that day when all of God's chil­ bers of the Commission on the date of the cellent job of pointing out the dangers of dren-black and white, Jew and Gentile, enactment of this Act shall be considered to using a gas tax for Federal deficit reduction, Catholic and Protestant-will be able to join have been appointed members for a term and I would like to bring this information to the hands and sing in the words of the old ending on the first June 1 that occurs after attention of my colleagues. Negro spiritual, Free at least. the date of enactment of this Act. [From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Jan. 14, We must continue the work of the Commis­ SEC. 4. REPORTS. 1989] sion. Section 8 of Public Law 98-399 <98 Stat. DON'T HIKE FEDERAL GAS TAX If Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream is to be a 1475) is amended by striking the period at reality, then it must become a reality in the