October 18, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 25697 the business of doling, of building real in a state of crisis. Especially in the symptoms to this Nation. She worked democratic institutions. Do not forget, rural areas, these organizations are with the media to publicize the nature voluntarily, Kazakhstan unilaterally being forced to bear an extreme finan- of breast cancer. She was very effective disarmed its nuclear arsenal. cial burdens, causing them to stretch in alerting the women of this Nation to The United States needs to recognize their budgets dangerously thin and the need for breast examination and that this secular nation, bordered by forcing them to provide substandard treatment. Russia on the north, China to the east, care to their patients. In addition to that, later on in life, and several nations to the south and Every single day in my office I re- due to a number of pain medications west that may export Islamic fun- ceive calls and letters from patients that she was taking and the use of al- damentalism, really wants an eco- and their providers who tell me horror cohol, Mrs. Ford recognized the need nomic and strategic relationship with stories of people being sent home early for treatment for alcoholism and drug us. from the hospital, having therapy cut dependency and started the Betty Ford They understand that we want to see off before they are properly healed, and Clinic. This has been a life-saving in- evolving liberal democratic institu- being denied care altogether. This is stitution for many, many people. She tions, free markets, and a real respect not right. still takes a personal interest in it, for human rights. We need to under- I hear from my colleagues that we still visits with new patients as they stand that Kazakhstan has only 7 years have a huge surplus that we need to come in, and has been very effective in under its belt as an independent na- give back to the people. This Congress helping many people recover from sub- tion, and that they are taking impor- can start giving it back to the people stance abuse or alcohol abuse. tant steps in these matters. by providing adequate funding for the President Ford, of course, is well Let us look at Kazakhstan as an health care for our seniors who have al- known as the President who healed our evolving partner, and let us reward ready paid for it and so desperately Nation after the resignation from of- their important steps in the fields of need it. fice of President Nixon. However, since democracy, free markets, human rights I am glad to hear that my colleagues we have almost a generation elapsed with a stronger diplomatic and eco- on the Committee on Ways and Means since President Ford held office, I find nomic relationship. I invite my col- are moving forward on this issue, and I many people simply are not aware of leagues to visit this beautiful country am looking forward to working with what was happening at that time and and see for themselves the progress them to restore these dangerous cuts. the incredible turmoil that this Nation that is being made. Let us do the right thing and restore felt at the time that President Nixon f these massive cuts in Medicare reim- was undergoing examination by the bursement. MEDICARE PAYMENTS AND THE Congress, facing impeachment, and STATE OF FLORIDA f eventually resigning from office. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO When President Ford took that of- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a fice, he, in a very calm and deliberate previous order of the House, the gentle- BE AWARDED TO PRESIDENT AND MRS. FORD manner, proceeded to heal this Nation. woman from Florida (Ms. BROWN) is He restored order. He restored financial recognized for 5 minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a stability. He reduced interest rates. He Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, previous order of the House, the gen- improved the economy and showed that today we kicked off Voices Against Vi- tleman from Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) is our government could survive a crisis olence, a congressional teen conference recognized for 5 minutes. like that and function well. For this, with a goal of involving young people Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, just a he deserves our thanks and our com- in a nationwide debate on ways for leg- short time ago, we passed a resolution mendation. islators and others to prevent youth vi- allowing the use of the rotunda for a Because of this and because of the ac- olence, both nationally and in local ceremony to grant a Congressional tions of both President and Mrs. Ford, schools and communities. More than Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Ford. I thought it very deserving that they 400 students from across the country I would like to give some background receive the Congressional Gold Medal. will participate in the teen conference. information on that award. I was very This will be presented to them next I want to thank the gentleman from pleased to sponsor the bill that would week in the rotunda of the Capitol. I Missouri (Mr. GEPHARDT) for his leader- grant them this medal because they urge all Members to attend, and I urge ship in making this conference pos- have served this country so well for so also the citizens of this country to join sible. many years. me in applauding both Jerry and Betty Now, Mr. Speaker, I want to discuss What is unique about this medal, this Ford, President and Mrs. Ford, for an issue that is very important to the particular medal, and what is different their selfless service to this country for citizens of my State of Florida. The than any previous medal in history, is all the good that they have done for all cuts in the Medicare and Medicaid pay- that it will be awarded to both Presi- of us. ments to the health providers in my dent and Mrs. Ford. I believe it very State are causing a crisis. important to recognize the part that f With Florida’s large senior popu- both of them played in the history of lation, no other single payer impacts our country. VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE health care providers in the State more Mrs. Ford contributed a great deal to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a than Medicare. With almost 3 million the health of the women of this Nation previous order of the House, the gentle- Medicare beneficiaries, Florida has the by discussing very frankly and openly woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) second largest Medicare population in the fact that she had breast cancer. is recognized for 5 minutes. the United States. Almost one in every Now, that may seem rather mundane Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texs. Mr. five Floridians qualify for Medicare, today, but at the time she developed Speaker, I too rise today with great the highest percent of any State in the breast cancer, she was the First Lady pleasure to stand and welcome the country. Unfortunately for those hard- in the White House. Breast cancer was many young people who have come to working people, the cuts in Medicare not discussed in polite society. It was Washington, D.C. to participate in funding in the Balanced Budget Act are whispered about. As a result, many Voices Against Violence, a congres- preventing them from getting the care women did not know what caused sional teen conference sponsored by the that they need and deserve. breast cancer. They did not know office of the Democratic leader and the Florida’s home health agencies, about self-examination. They did not Democratic Caucus. skilled nursing facilities, medical know what treatments were available. However, these young people come equipment providers, Teaching and Mrs. Ford announced that she had from all over the country, and many of Disproportionate Share Hospitals are this terrible disease. She described the them come from so many different

VerDate May 21 2004 11:07 Jun 14, 2004 Jkt 039102 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\H18OC9.001 H18OC9 25698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE October 18, 1999 walks of life and, might I say, from dif- adding to it the Hate Crimes Preven- crease in violence in popular culture to the ferent political parties. This is a bipar- tion Act of 1999. What a travesty inas- lack of prayer in public schools. Others would tisan summit. Young people have come much as the Senate bill did have this even say that the increase of youth crime is a from across the country to talk about legislation. symptom of a larger breakdown in the moral the issues of youth violence and how it In the light of the tragedies that fabric of society. impacts their lives. have occurred in Illinois, in light of the By now, we know that the problem of youth I am pleased to have four students tragedies that occurred in my own violence cannot be traced to a single cause or here from my district in Houston, and State of Texas with James Byrd being source. At the same time, we here in Con- I met them at the airport this after- dismembered by hateful acts, those gress have formed various working groups noon as they arrived in Washington, who promoted racist provocations and and task forces to address this issue, because D.C. As they communicated with me acts, along with the activities of the we are all searching for some answers and their desires, each of them said they killing of Matthew Shepard, but many, solutions to youth violence. came to listen, but they also came to many others, these are just examples It is now appropriate that we have now provide solutions. of hateful acts in America. turned our attention to our children, and to They want to see more opportunities For those who would say that other take the time to hear from them. Not all of our for parents and schoolteachers and crimes are equal to hateful acts, that young people are caught up in the cycle of vi- counselors to listen to students. They any murder is hateful, they are abso- olence. We know that 95% of all young people want to find ways to help students who lutely wrong. I wish they would under- are good kids who want to do the right thing. are concerned or have problems and stand what the hate stands for. It Too often, we focus on the bad elements and pressures not to explode like what hap- stands for the intimidation of large overlook these children. pened in Columbine, but to have re- groups of people. This conference gives us an opportunity to sources where they can talk. These When James Byrd was killed and dis- make up for our neglect of this 95%. The pur- young people mean business, and they membered, it was not intended just to pose of this conference is to go beyond point- have come to work. say something to James Byrd. It was ing fingers at the various causes of youth vio- Young people live in a different world intended to tell African Americans lence, and to discuss tangible solutions. The than what existed about 20 years ago. that they do not stand equal in this solutions that will be offered these next 2 days In this new era, young people have all country, that they can be dismembered will come from our children. the advantages of a new techno- in this brutal manner. When Matthew It is refreshing to hear the perspective of logically advanced society as well as a Shepard was killed, it was intended to young people on solutions to youth violence. Last month, during the Congressional Black new landscape of social interaction. show gays and lesbians that they are Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, some Theirs is a future full of promise, and not equal in this Nation. Hate crimes intimidate groups. When young people participated in the Juvenile Jus- we are poised on a dawning of a new is this Congress going to understand tice forum I sponsored and shared some century that will bring even more. that, in order to make a national state- unique insights into the problem of youth vio- However, in light of these changing ment about who we are as Americans lence. times, we also have a society that as we go into the 21st century, we need I was enlightened by the views of these seems to be more detached, more cha- a national position as we did with the young people, especially the views of the otic, more violent. We have seen a sig- Voter Rights Act in 1965 and the Civil young men who were very articulate and in- nificant increase in violence against Rights Act of 1964, that we stand sightful about their experiences. One young young people and violence committed against hate crimes? man spoke eloquently of what he thought by young people. These young people It is a travesty and a shame that this were the negative perceptions he faced as a want the violence to stop. appropriations bill would not have the young Black man. There are many competing theories inclusion of the Hate Crimes Preven- This is the type of dialogue I hope the as to the causes of youth violence, tion Act of 1999 similar to what the young people will engage in as they discuss from the increase in violence in pop- other body did. We are going to fight solutions to youth violence. The close to 400 ular culture to the lack of prayer in it, and we are going to prevail because participants will get to discuss these issues schools. Others will even say that the good people in America will prevail with the President and other policy makers to increase of youth crimes is the symp- over evil. help us understand their perspective on this tom of a larger breakdown of our soci- Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I problem. ety. But I believe these young people stand tonight to welcome the many young I hope that these teens will come away from will be instructive as they come to people who have come to Washington, DC, to this conference with a new understanding of Washington. participate in ‘‘Voices Against Violence,’’ a each other that they can take back to their I welcome Jessica Abad from Booker congressional teen conference sponsored by communities. T. Washington High School, Eric Del the Office of the Democrat Leader and the I am pleased to have four students from my Toro from Barbara Jordan High Democratic Caucus. district in Houston here to participate in the School, Andrea Marie Garrity from Young people have come from across the conference—Jessica Abad from Booker T. Reagan High School, and Ashley Rob- country to talk about the issue of youth vio- Washington High School; Eric Del Toro from inson from Jesse H. Jones High School, lence and its effect on their lives. I am pleased Barbara Jordan High School; Andrea Marie along with Dr. Alma Allen, the chap- to have four students here from my district in Garrity from Reagan High School; and Ashley erone, a member of the Texas Board of Houston. Robinson from Jesse H. Jones High School. Education and school administrator Young people live in a different world than I would like to thank the Houston community from the HISD. what existed just 20 years ago. In this new for assisting us in bringing these students to As I close, Mr. Speaker, let me con- era, young people have all the advantages of Washington. I would also like to thank Dr. gratulate the gentleman from Missouri a new technologically advanced society as Alma Allen, a member of the Texas State (Mr. GEPHARDT), the Democratic lead- well as a new landscape of social interaction. Board of Education and School Administrator er, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Theirs is a future full of promise and we are from the Houston Independent School District FROST), the caucus leader, for helping poised on thedawning of a new century that who has accompanied the students as a chap- to sponsor this conference. will bring even more. erone. I said, Mr. Speaker, that we started However, in light of these changing times, I strongly urge my colleagues to participate out with a sense of hope for these we also have a society that seems to be more in this conference to listen to the concerns of young people coming here. I am dis- detached, more chaotic and more violent. We our young people. As I stated earlier, we have appointed, however, as I speak about have seen a significant increase in violence had many hearings, conferences, working another issue, that as the Commerce, against young people and violence committed groups and debates on this issue in which we State, Justice appropriation bill comes by young people. relied on the expertise of trained adults to tell to the floor of the House, the conferees There are many competing theories as to us about the problem. Now it is time to listen have decided or rejected the idea of the causes of youth violence, from the in- to our young people for their view.

VerDate May 21 2004 11:07 Jun 14, 2004 Jkt 039102 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR99\H18OC9.001 H18OC9 October 18, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 25699 I would like to thank the Democratic Leader sion in our society, by the way, said Democrats controlled spending. There DICK GEPHARDT and Caucus Leader MARTIN ‘‘blank happens.’’ The USA article was always more money available, FROST for sponsoring this conference. Al- says, ‘‘Blank happens,’’ Harmon said, without any regard to a balanced budg- though the conference is being sponsored by using an epithet for excrement. Neither et. Ronald Reagan decreased taxes, he the Democrat Party, we have bipartisan sup- a CBS spokesman nor Henry Bromwell, did not increase taxes like the Presi- port in the form of Republican offices that executive producer of the series, could dent plans to do, $74 billion worth. And have sent students. I thank everyone who has remember a time when censors had al- he only had control of the Senate for worked so hard since this summer to put this lowed the word to be used. ‘‘It’s noth- one term. The Democrats controlled event together. ing I haven’t tried a couple of times be- Congress, where spending is originated Finall, I thank the young people who came fore, except this time I won, Bromwell and voted for. from all across the country to participate. I said.’’ After Ronald Reagan, the Democrats urge you to raise your voices against violence Apparently the word was expected to continued spending with no regard for loud and clear—especially now because we be used for artistic truthfulness. Well, a balanced budget. All additional rev- are listening. Mr. Speaker, I think the American enue that the tax decrease brought in, f public has, I hope, had a bit of enough they spent. And that was not enough, about artistic expression on national they raided the Social Security Trust LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION television with a captive audience that Fund and used it as a slush fund to pay The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a breaks new barriers, not new high bar- for such things as welfare, that was previous order of the House, the gen- riers but new low barriers. What a dis- wasted in many cases. There are many tleman from Washington (Mr. tinction for CBS television. How proud families that need welfare, but not the NETHERCUTT) is recognized for 5 min- they must be that this barrier has now 40 percent that was eliminated, and utes. been reduced even lower. The standards now the President lauds, after he ve- Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, for conduct, for language, for pro- toed our bill twice. like no other creatures on Earth, priety, for dignity, for expression has They are trying to do the same thing human beings have the unique ability now reached a new low for CBS and now that they did when they had con- to communicate through language. We this so-called entertainment show. trol of the House, spend more than the can communicate feelings of love or Now, it is one thing to pay money balanced budget. To do so, they have to hope or anxiety or suspense or excite- and go to the movies and watch trash, take it out of Social Security or the ment, all conveying feelings of emo- which there is plenty of in today’s soci- President has to identify where he tions, feelings of concern. We do that ety. If individuals want to do that, peo- would take the money from. He will through language. We use the English ple have the right in a free society to not do that, because in each of his language and all the other languages of do that. But on national television, be- budgets he has said, I will make cuts in the world which are spoken through fore a national audience, to somehow the fifth year, when he would not even human beings who try to convey those be proud of the breaking of this new be here. And then he refuses to tell feeling accordingly. low barrier, I fear, says volumes about where those cuts would come, except We have over the years respected television today and the entertainment for defense, because he knows it would great writers like Shakespeare and industry. make people mad at him. people in politics like Lincoln and Ken- Are there no bounds in the entertain- The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. nedy and the poetry of Robert Frost, ment industry on television? I suspect OBEY) said that the Democrats did and the magic word of Byron and Keats there may not be, as these new lows more for Social Security. I think that and Shelley as poets. George Will in to- keep being reached by people who are is a joke. In 1993, they increased the day’s world is a master of the word, of somehow proud of this low-class artis- taxes on Social Security. For 30 years speaking effectively and carefully and tic expression as defined by some pro- they stole the money out of the Social with great meaning. ducer who feels that he is somehow Security Trust Fund. There is zero trying to make his mark. He has made money in that fund, but they will say, b 2000 his mark all right. He has made a low oh, there are notes in there and they The reason I mention this today, Mr. mark. are guaranteed. But they are not Speaker, is that over the years I think I would urge Americans who are dis- backed up with gold; they are only we have seen a reduction in the respect gusted with this kind of language and backed up by the U.S. Government. for the English language and what the lowness of it and the failure of the And the only way to make those Social words mean, how grammar is expressed language to be expressive in a dignified Security notes valuable is to put the or not expressed, whether it is proper and acceptable societal way to write money in there. When there is a sur- or not. And just last Thursday we saw, CBS News and give them all that they plus, the money can be put back in on CBS television, a new low in expres- can express about their disapproval for there. The Republicans have said we sion for millions of people to see and this kind of activity. are going to put a lockbox on it and observe and listen to on national tele- f make it a trust fund not a slush fund, vision. but yet the President wants to take the There was a show called Chicago FOREIGN OPERATIONS money out. Hope, and there was a headline in USA APPROPRIATIONS VETO Remember, in 1993, he not only in- Today following that show entitled The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. creased the taxes on Social Security, Chicago Hope Breaks the Barrier. Well, GUTKNECHT). Under a previous order of he increased the taxes on the middle this is the barrier that Chicago Hope the House, the gentleman from Cali- income. I think using the term middle broke. It was the barrier of obscenity fornia (Mr. CUNNINGHAM) is recognized class is a terrible term to use. There and foul language that I think we have for 5 minutes. are no middle-class citizens in this not seen in any time in our history on Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, country. They may be low income, television, on network television. there was not time allowed in the de- they may be middle income or high in- The actor involved, Mark Harmon, bate on foreign aid, and I wanted to come, but yet the Democrat leadership plays a doctor, apparently, and he was make some comments, and so I will do continues to use class warfare, and I before a medical review board to ex- so now. think it is wrong. plain why a promising teenage baseball First of all, the ranking minority We are not going to take the dollars pitcher had to have his arm amputated, member on the subcommittee, the gen- from Americans, but yet the gentle- the story says, when an infection set in tlewoman from California (Ms. PELOSI), woman from California (Ms. PELOSI) and, following a series of operations, made a statement that more money said that the billions of dollars is just was unable to play, apparently. So this was available to Ronald Reagan for for- a little bit, a good investment. Well, doctor on television, a revered profes- eign aid. Well, that is because the that little bit we already funded Africa

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