May 14, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E793 American looks better rocking on the porch media covered the presidential race aggres- The reason to make certain we have a than he (or she) does trudging through the sively for just 21 days, from the Iowa caucus properly functioning presidential nominat- mud buck-naked with spotlights turned on on February 10 until the South Carolina pri- ing process is that the presidency itself is (another way to describe participation in the mary on March 2. Most of what went before our most important institution as we go into current presidential nominating process)? consisted of asking people like me, ‘‘Why are the new century, and the debate about who Raise the limits on individual giving to you behind Bob Dole 72–3 in the polls?’’ at a should be that president is our most useful campaigns from $1,000 to $5,000. The well-in- time when everyone knew Dole and no one national discussion. tentioned $1,000 limit, placed into the federal had ever heard of me. After South Carolina, f law after Watergate, was meant to reduce the most frequently asked question was, the influence of money in politics. As with ‘‘When are you going to get out?’’ So, most HONORING THE DRY HOLLOW many federal laws, it has done just the oppo- of us did. Let us hope the national political VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT site. For example, to raise $10 million in 1995 writers never decide to become umpires. The for my campaign, I attended 250 fund-raising World Series wouldn’t last more than one in- events. This took about 70 percent of my ning. HON. BART GORDON Now, in defense of the media, it is hard to time. I became unusually well acquainted OF TENNESSEE with a great many good Americans capable cover a 21-day wild rollercoaster ride, which of giving $1,000 (who probably represent a is what the nominating process has become: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cross section of one percent of all the people 38 primaries in 25 days. Let’s change this: Tuesday, May 14, 1996 in the country). Wouldn’t I have been a bet- Let Iowa and New Hampshire go it alone in ter candidate—and the country better off February. Then, require all the other states Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I am taking this had I been elected—if I had spent more time to hold their primaries on the second Tues- opportunity to applaud the invaluable services traveling around America and visiting our day of March, April, or May. This would give provided by the Dry Hollow Volunteer Fire De- allies abroad? (I actually did this during 1994, winners a chance to capitalize on successes, partment. These brave, civic-minded people when I was not meeting nice people who voters a chance to digest new faces, and can- give freely of their time so that we may all feel didates a chance to actually meet voters. could give $1,000.) safer at night. Remove the state spending limits. This is What do you think would have happened this step two in the crusade to deal with the phe- year if after the surprising New Hampshire Few realize the depth of training and hard nomenon of the zillionaire in politics. Think primary (Buchanan winning, Dole stumbling, work that goes into being a volunteer fire- of it this way: Say the fifth-grade teacher or- me surging, Forbes falling) there had been fighter. To quote one of my local volunteers, ganizes a contest for class president with three weeks to campaign before a March 12 ``These fireman must have an overwhelming water pistols as the weapon of choice; then primary in a bunch of states? Then another desire to do for others while expecting nothing some kid arrives with a machine gun. Either month until another set of primaries? Lots in return.'' take away the new kid’s machine gun (Bill more interesting—and lots more conductive to sound judgment by the voters, too. Preparation includes twice-monthly training Bradley suggests a constitutional amend- programs in which they have live drills, study ment to limit what individuals can spend on Create a new C–SPAN channel to cover the their own campaigns) or give the rest of the country outside Washington. Chief execu- the latest videos featuring the latest in fire- fifth graders the freedom to raise and spend tives from outside Washington sometimes fighting tactics, as well as attend seminars enough money to buy their own machine make the best chief executives in the coun- where they can obtain the knowledge they guns. In one week just before the New Hamp- try. Why not a cable channel devoted en- need to save lives. Within a year of becoming shire primary, Steve Forbes bought 700 ads tirely to Michigan governor John Engler’s a volunteer firefighter, most attend the Ten- on one Boston television station in one charter schools, San Antonio county execu- tive Cyndi Krier’s crime program, Milwau- nessee Fire Training School in Murfreesboro week, most of them negative adverting kee’s school-choice program? Give these where they undergo further, intensified train- against Dole (plus a few gentler ads against leaders as much C–SPAN face-time as mem- ing. me). Forbes, let us remember, spent almost bers of Congress. This will give the public no time raising his money and had no limits When the residents of my district go to bed more exposure to state and local politicians on what he spent per state. The rest of us at night, they know that should disaster strike who might then have a better chance of win- did. If New Hampshire is most of the and their home catch fire, well-trained and ning national office. ballgame in the presidential primaries, why Let the candidates speak more often for qualified volunteer fire departments are ready shouldn’t we be permitted to defend our- themselves. Praise the media here. C-SPAN’s and willing to give so graciously and gener- selves even if we use up all the money the Road to the White House on Sunday nights ously of themselves. This peace of mind government allows us to spend during the set the pace. I was astonished how many told should not be taken for granted. entire campaign? me they saw C-SPAN’s 50-minute coverage in By selflessly giving of themselves, they en- Deregulate the election process. The Fed- July of my walk across New Hampshire. The sure a safer future for us all. We owe these eral Election Commission is full of com- New York Times printed excerpts from can- petent people trying to do their jobs (several volunteer fire departments a debt of gratitude didates’ speeches, even some very long ex- for their service and sacrifice. of whom are about to audit my campaign, cerpts. The networks all showed unedited which, if everything works out perfectly, stump speeches of the major candidates. f will only take only about three years. I am Find the good and praise it. These were al- not kidding). The campaigns are grossly ways the words of my friend the late Alex MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS overregulated. of the $10 million our cam- Haley. I can find the good easily about this paign raised during 1995, about $1 million process, even with its flaws. During the last HON. MAC COLLINS went for accountants and lawyers for compli- year I walked across New Hampshire meet- ance with the federal rules. Is it really nec- ing several hundred people a day, spent 80 OF GEORGIA essary, for example, for the federal govern- days in Iowa in maybe 200 meetings that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment to decide that a candidate’s campaign ranged from 20 to 300 people, and had at least Tuesday, May 14, 1996 T-shirts need not bear the ‘‘Paid for by .. .’’ 50 meetings in Florida with the delegates to disclaimer? Fewer rules and full disclosure the Presidency III straw poll. During most of Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the should be the bywords here. these meetings I was little known and Georgia State Senate recently adopted a reso- Start the coverage earlier. From the mo- unencumbered by news media. At least the lution that encourages the Congress of the ment the networks began to cover the cam- news media presence was so small it did not United States to enact health care reform paign (this year it was not until late Janu- disrupt the flow of the session. ary), you could feel the lift. As a candidate, I remember wishing time after time that measures that include Medical Savings Ac- you can also feel the collapse. I cannot help anybody who had any sense of cynicism counts [MSA's]. State legislators realize that but think that there are ways—even many about our presidential selection process MSA's will eliminate barriers to health insur- months out—to relate the day’s news about, could be with me, as a fly on the wall—be- ance and increase access for millions of say, the failure of the Hartford school sys- cause they could not be cynical after hearing Americans. For the record I submit a copy of tem’s private-management contract to what and seeing and feeling what I saw. The audi- the resolution adopted by the Georgia State the presidential candidates say about how ence always listened carefully. Their ques- Senate on March 5, 1996. schools should be run. tions went straight to the heart of what kind Spread it out. At a breakfast in Washing- of country we could have, of our jobs, our A RESOLUTION ton in November, I said this to my friends in schools, our neighborhoods, and our families. Encouraging the Congress of the United the news media: ‘‘If you guys were sports- In meeting after meeting, I came away cer- States to enact legislation to provide for writers, you would arrive during the last tain that this is a nation hungry for a vision medical savings accounts; and for other pur- quarter of the Final Four championship contest, not one willing to tolerate a trivial poses. game and claim you had covered the entire presidential election. There is a great mar- Whereas, it is estimated 37 million Ameri- basketball season.’’ You can imagine how ket in the American electorate for a full- cans are without health insurance, many many friends I made with this statement, fledged discussion about what kind of coun- while between jobs, and more are under- but I was right. By my count, the news try we can have in the year 2000 and beyond. insured because of the effects of rising health E794 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 14, 1996 care costs and spending. The costs of health today a great New Mexican and a great Amer- was written by an old friend and respected care are escalating, forcing employers to ican. colleague of mine by the name of Paul C. trim the level and availability of health care Oliver Seth, who served on the Tenth Circuit Mellott, Jr. Paul is the chairman of the board benefits to their employees; and Court of Appeals for more than 30 years, died and executive vice president of H.B. Mellott Whereas, overutilization of health care services for relatively small claims is one of on March 27, 1996, at 80 years of age. Estate Inc. and the current chairman of the the most significant causes of health care Judge Seth was born and raised in New board of the National Stone Association. His cost and spending increases. Currently, more Mexico. He later graduated from Stanford and remarks represent a keen insight into what the than two-thirds of all insurance claims for then Yale Law School, returning to Santa Fe future of transportation policy holds and the medical spending are less than $3,000.00 per to join his father's reputable law firm, Seth and exciting challenges that lie ahead for us as a family per year in this country; and Montgomery, now Montgomery and Andrews. Nation. Paul's words speak loud and clear to Whereas, in response to the runaway cost At the outbreak of World War II, Judge Seth all of us who understand that an investment in increases on health care spending in this joined the Army and was subsequently infrastructure is an investment in the future country, the private sector has developed the prosperity of our country. concept of medical savings accounts. This shipped to the European front, where he par- initiative is designed to ensure health insur- ticipated in the Normandy Invasion and the HIGHWAYS AND YOU: THE ROAD TO OUR ance availability for Americans. It is predi- Battle of the Bulge. He achieved the rank of FUTURE cated on providing incentives to eliminate major and was decorated by the French Gov- (By Paul C. Mellott, Jr.) unnecessary medical treatment and encour- ernment. As we approach the millennium and the age competition in seeking health care; and After World War II, Judge Seth returned to impending 21st Century, a formidable array Whereas, through employer-funded medical Santa Fe and his father's firm. He married of new and exciting challenges loom on the horizon. Many of these issues could in vary- savings account arrangements and reduced Jean MacGillivrary, who, along with two cost qualified higher deductible insurance ing degrees, after the way which aggregate policies, millions of Americans could insure daughters, Laurel and Sandy, and brother, producers do business as well as impacting themselves for both routine and major medi- Jim, survive him. Many prominent New Mexi- on the ultimate future well-being of our in- cal services. Under the concept of medical cans became Judge Seth's clients, including dustry. savings accounts, an employer currently pro- the late artist, Georgia O'Keeffe. He remained While emerging technology continues to viding employee health care benefits would with his father's firm until being appointed to open windows of opportunity for streamlin- purchase instead a low cost, high deductible the bench in 1962, serving simultaneously on ing the production techniques and general major medical policy on each employee. The administration of quarry business, the ever numerous boards and organizations in Santa growing impact of government legislation employer may then set aside the saved pre- Fe and helping found Santa Fe Preparatory mium differential in a medical savings ac- and regulation overshadows virtually every- count arrangement. The participating em- School. He is fondly remembered by the law thing on our agenda. The effectiveness with which our industry ployees would use the money in the account clerks for whom he served as mentor, many of interacts with government will be a major to pay their medical care expenses up to the whom became New Mexico attorneys and determining factor in building the road to deductible. However, any account money judges. our future in the aggregates industry. It en- unspent by the participating employees in a Oliver Seth was highly respected as an at- tails such crucial aspects as determining the plan year would then belong to the employ- torney, as a judge and as a kind, thoughtful future levels of federal investment in the ees to save, spend on medical care, or use and dignified human being. He will be greatly highway program and other infrastructure otherwise. This would be a strong incentive missed by many in New Mexico as well as activities. for people not to abuse health expenditures around the nation. I respectfully invite all my Because of the central role which govern- and to institute ‘‘cost-shopping’’ for medical ment affairs is destined to play in our future, care services; and colleagues to join me in giving tribute to this highly esteemed New Mexican. the Association will—during my tenure as Whereas, by setting aside money for em- NSA Chairman—be placing a major focus on ployees to spend on health care, employees f augmenting and upgrading the Government could change jobs and use the money they PERSONAL EXPLANATION Affairs Program. However, it is important to had so far earned to buy interim health in- point out that this emphasis is not intended surance or to cover health care expenses, in any way to detract from any of our other thereby eliminating the problems of HON. JAY DICKEY ongoing programs, such as our effort to em- uninsureds between jobs and helping to re- OF ARKANSAS phasize the value inherent in aggregate prod- duce ‘‘job-lock’’; and ucts, our industry recognition activities, en- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whereas, by making medical care decisions vironmental stewardship, improved safety the employee’s prerogative, individual pol- Tuesday, May 14, 1996 and health in the workplace, and the whole icyholders have a strong stake in reducing range of membership services which NSA costs. This simple financial mechanism will Mr. DICKEY. Mr. Speaker, I was excused provides on a day-to-day basis. from official business the evening of Thursday, expand health insurance options to others A SPLENDID TRACK RECORD who presently have no insurance. Most im- May 9, 1996, and Friday, May 10, 1996. I am NSA’s Government Affairs Division had a portantly, this move to decrease health care proud to say that I was absent in order to be splendid track record in 1995. Our top accom- cost burdens in this country would require present for my daughter's graduation. Had I plishment was securing enactment of legisla- no new federal bureaucracy and would be been present my votes would have been cast tion designating the 160,000-mile National revenue neutral to employers. as indicated below: Highway System (NHS) late in the first Con- Now, Therefore, be it Resolved by the Sen- gressional session. This ‘‘crown jewel’’ of ate that the members of this body encourage Rollcall No. Vote cast NSA’s legislative program establishes an en- the Congress of the United States to enact Vote cast during federal presence in the nation’s high- legislation swiftly and in good faith to en- 159 ...... Yes way network and will provide $13 billion in able Americans to establish medical savings 160 ...... No federal aid for the NHS over the next two accounts. 161 ...... Yes years. Be it further Resolved that the Secretary 162 ...... Yes 163 ...... Yes This success certainly was a major mile- of the Senate is authorized and directed to 164 ...... No stone in the road to our future. As an added transmit an appropriate copy of this resolu- 165 ...... Yes bonus, the NHS bill also contained a provi- tion to the President of the United States, 166 ...... Yes sion, strongly advocated by our industry, re- the President of the United States Senate, pealing the mandated use of crumb rubber in f the Speaker of the United States House of asphalt pavement—a provision that had been Representatives, and all members of the ‘‘HIGHWAYS AND YOU: THE ROAD a part of the original Intermodal Surface Georgia congressional delegation. Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). f TO OUR FUTURE’’ As a result of the Transportation Appro- priations legislation, funding for the core OLIVER SETH TRIBUTE HON. BUD SHUSTER Federal Aid Highway Program grew by $400 million and highway spending for the cur- OF PENNSYLVANIA rent year was set at $19.9 billion. Therefore, HON. BILL RICHARDSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES our strategy to work toward expanding high- OF NEW MEXICO Tuesday, May 14, 1996 way appropriations in a year of declining IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES federal spending on transportation proved to Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Tuesday, May 14, 1996 be successful. Furthermore, we believe that insert the following article entitled ``Highways this offers tangible proof that Congress real- Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with and You: The Road to Our Future'' into the ized the inherent value of highway mobility great respect and admiration that I honor CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. This superb article to all Americans.