E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 108 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Vol. 149 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003 No. 56 House of Representatives The House met at 10:30 a.m. and was of a hydroelectric project in the State of Illi- cipline, and provided tax relief for mil- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- nois. lions. The record is clear. pore (Mr. SIMMONS). S. 278. An act to make certain adjustments We passed a permanent ban on to the boundaries of the Mount Naomi Wil- f derness Area, and for other purposes. human cloning. DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO S. 328. An act to designate Catoctin Moun- We passed a resolution affirming TEMPORE tain Park in the State of Maryland as the Americans’ identity as ‘‘one Nation, ‘‘Catoctin Mountain National Recreational under God, indivisible’’ in the Pledge of The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Area’’, and for other purposes. Allegiance. fore the House the following commu- S. 347. An act to direct the Secretary of the We passed the Social Security Pro- nication from the Speaker: Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to tection Act to crack down on waste, WASHINGTON, DC, conduct a joint resource study to evaluate the suitability and feasibility of establishing fraud and abuse against the program’s April 8, 2003. most vulnerable intended beneficiaries. I hereby appoint the Honorable ROB SIM- the Rim of the Valley Corridor as a unit of MONS to act as Speaker pro tempore on this the Santa Monica Mountains National We passed a budget that sets the day. Recreation Area, and for other purposes. United States on a path to balance and J. DENNIS HASTERT, The message also announced that provides tax relief necessary to stimu- Speaker of the House of Representatives. pursuant to Public Law 101–509, the late an economy that can meet all our f Chair announces, on behalf of the Sec- needs. We passed a compassionate and effec- MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE retary of Senate, the appointment of Paul Gherman, of Tennessee, to the tive welfare reform package. A message from the Senate by Mr. Advisory Committee on the Records of We passed sweeping reforms to the Monahan, one of its clerks, announced Congress. Nation’s bankruptcy system. that the Senate has passed without We passed medical liability reform. amendment bills of the House of the f We passed legislation providing $835 following titles: MORNING HOUR DEBATES million in tax relief for America’s mili- H.R. 397. An act to reinstate and extend The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tary servicemen and their families. the deadline for commencement of construc- tion of a hydroelectric project in the State of ant to the order of the House of Janu- We passed legislation to create a na- Illinois. ary 7, 2003, the Chair will now recog- tional AMBER Alert system. H.R. 672. An act to rename the Guam nize Members from lists submitted by We passed tougher penalties against South Elementary/Middle School of the De- the majority and minority leaders for criminals who prey on children and partment of Defense Domestic Dependents morning hour debates. The Chair will funding to assist battered-women shel- Elementary and Secondary Schools System alternate recognition between the par- ters and victims of family violence. in honor of Navy Commander William ties, with each party limited to not to Not a bad start. Yet before we recess, ‘‘Willie’’ McCool, who was the pilot of the exceed 30 minutes, and each Member, Space Shuttle Columbia when it was trag- the House will also complete a final ically lost on February 1, 2003. except the majority leader, the minor- budget resolution with the Senate to ity leader, or the minority whip, lim- The message also announced that the provide tax relief and fiscal account- ited to not to exceed 5 minutes. Senate has passed bills of the following ability. We will pass a comprehensive The Chair recognizes the gentleman titles in which the concurrence of the energy package to better secure the from Texas (Mr. DELAY) for 5 minutes. House is requested: United States by reducing our depend- ence on foreign oil. We will pass the S. 164. An act to authorize the Secretary of f supplemental appropriation to fund the the Interior to conduct a special resource HOUSE ACHIEVEMENTS SPEAK study of sites associated with the life of liberation of Iraq, the ongoing war on Ce´sar Estrada Cha´ vez and the farm labor FOR THEMSELVES terror, and meet emerging homeland movement. Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, the Mem- security needs. The House of Rep- S. 212. An act to authorize the Secretary of bers of the 108th House of Representa- resentatives has acted on behalf of our the Interior to cooperate with the High tives have served the American people troops on the other side of the world Plains Aquifer States in conducting a well during the longest legislative and we have acted to secure their Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, proud and grateful countrymen here at and Modeling Program for the High Plains stretch we will have this year. We have Aquifer, and for other purposes. passed, or will pass, legislation that home. S. 220. An act to reinstate and extend the has upheld American values, protected Mr. Speaker, our actions speak for deadline for commencement of construction American families, affirmed fiscal dis- themselves, so I will stop interrupting.

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.000 H08PT1 H2866 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 OREGON CITIZEN MIKE HAWASH this American citizen, kept in solitary ability to insert troops deep into the ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MA- confinement for 3 weeks under this ma- city and the 1st Brigade of the United TERIAL WITNESS LAW terial witness warrant, attorney and States Army recently renamed Saddam The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- family subject to a gag order. This is a International Airport to Baghdad ant to the order of the House of Janu- person with strong ties to the commu- International. The evil and torturous ary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Oregon nity and does not appear to represent regime of Saddam Hussein and his (Mr. BLUMENAUER) is recognized during any risk of flight. Baath party cronies seems to be at its morning hour debates for 5 minutes. Citizens who know Mike have orga- end, all due to the valiant efforts of co- Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I nized their own Web site, alition forces. Though support for this am reflecting on the words of the ma- freemikehawash.org, that says it all. operation has been great and wide- jority leader, actions speak for them- Mr. Speaker, he had a hearing yester- spread, we as a body have been forced selves, and I think we are going to have day but he is bound over again under to face the politics of war. We have a series of discussions here on the floor these conditions. We do not know what been faced with a task of funding this of this Chamber dealing with the ac- is going on. He is going to be kept in war and making sure that our troops tions of the Republican majority and detention, it looks like, for at least an- are supplied with the best equipment in the mismatch between what the Amer- other 2 to 3 weeks. Mr. Speaker, this is the world. This week we must pass the ican public wants and needs. The no- deeply troubling treatment for an wartime supplemental conference re- tion that we are going to cut veterans American citizen. Put him before the port as soon as possible in order to benefits when we are sending our vet- grand jury now. If they think he has keep our military machine safe and, of erans-to-be into battle in the Middle committed some sort of crime, charge course, efficient. We must also con- East, the fact that we are providing him. If not, for heaven sakes, release tinue to show the world that what we even the tax treatment for the vet- him. We should not have a shroud of se- are doing is right and for the benefit of erans that he referenced was achieved crecy. We should not have indefinite our global safety. We must uproot Sad- only after the Republican majority was detention in solitary confinement for dam and show the world the atrocities embarrassed with their original pro- American citizens. We should not be that he has committed. So far, the ter- posal. They had to withdraw it because punishing them, their family and rorist links have been established, Mr. it confused assistance for our veterans friends. Speaker. Al Qaeda terrorists fought with aid for people who gamble from As I said, Mr. Speaker, at times dif- against coalition troops in southern overseas and manufacture tackle ficult situations provide a mirror. I Iraq. Foreign nationals—Egyptians, boxes. Mr. Speaker, I would like in- would hope that the mirror that we Jordanians, Saudis, Syrians, Yemenis— stead today to reflect on a moment of hold up to ourselves at this time were captured Sunday and led U.S. sol- what times of stress especially in war should show America at its best, not at diers to their training grounds at serve as a mirror for who we are. There its worst. Salman Pak. And, most convincing, have been times in our history like f raids of the Ansar al-Islam camps in World War II where it has reflected in northern Iraq revealed extensive al a very positive sense on our character, IRAQI LIBERATION Qaeda ties for this group believed to it has brought out the best in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- have extensive, high-ranking connec- American public, but also during that ant to the order of the House of Janu- tions with the Iraqi regime. As initial same period of time, there was also re- ary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Florida reports concerning chemical weapons flected some of the things that we are (Mr. STEARNS) is recognized during become more clear, we will learn the least proud of. For example, our treat- morning hour debates for 5 minutes. truth behind Saddam Hussein’s lies. All ment of legal Japanese residents and Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, today I we can do is pray that the maniacal Japanese citizens in this country, rise to support the actions of the leader will think of the people, the 4.5 herding them up and putting them in world’s greatest fighting force, the million Iraqi citizens, before he con- concentration camps. United States Armed Forces, which is siders unleashing all this chemical ar- One of the problems I have with the currently about 360,000 men and women senal. current situation is that it is fraught deployed overseas defending our free- Mr. Speaker, after Baghdad is se- with danger, and if we are not careful, dom. Though the terrains may differ cured and the Republican Guard is we will have a risk of losing track of greatly, their overall objectives remain completely destroyed, we will be faced who we are. I was struck last fall when the same, Mr. Speaker. From the swel- with the task of reconstructing Iraq. I read an article in the Washington tering jungles of Colombia and South But as eyes turn toward the U.N., Post that talks about how the material Korea to the barren moonscapes of Iraq many will turn to the rich oil fields of witness law in this country casts doz- and Afghanistan, U.S. forces put life Iraq and the many ways in which their ens of citizens, of Americans, into and limb in harm’s way to maintain countries think they can profit from limbo, where there were 44 people who the security of our great country. War our military’s work. Countries that de- were jailed as material witnesses and is a concept not easily understood, nounced our actions will look for ways kept in maximum security conditions never black and white, its ramifica- to get their hands on some of this Iraqi for a few days, in some cases for sev- tions always permanent and, of course, oil. France and its allies claim the eral months or longer. Seven of them severe. The fighting men and women of United Nations is the only body with were American citizens. I was troubled the United States know the con- the international legitimacy to admin- when I read that account, Mr. Speaker, sequences of war, yet continue to place ister Iraq. But, Mr. Speaker, is it? The but I must say that I was shaken when upon their shoulders this great mantle United Nations failed miserably in its I saw it occur in my community, where of responsibility. Though victory in supervision of Kosovo, Bosnia and So- 3 weeks ago Maher Hawash, Mike to his war always comes at a price, our ef- malia. Until Bush stepped in last year, friends, a 38-year-old software engi- forts in the Iraqi theater have yielded it had completely dropped any attempt neer, although born in the West Bank great success. Our Armed Forces have to get Iraq to disarm. The United Na- and who grew up in Kuwait, has been liberated thousands of Iraqis and have tions has never successfully fostered a an American citizen for over a dozen begun the delivery of much needed hu- democracy. This is not surprising since years, he lives with his wife Lisa, rais- manitarian support. Saddam’s regime many if not most of its members are ing three children here in our commu- seems to be on its knees, ready to col- nondemocratic countries and a police nity of Portland, Oregon, was arrested lapse. In what has been a historic cam- state like Libya heads the U.N. human in the Intel parking lot at 6:30 in the paign, U.S. Marines, a sea-based serv- rights commission. morning. At the same time almost a ice, have marched inland to Baghdad in There is at least one group of people dozen armed agents swept into his what has been the deepest land pene- among whom the United Nations has home. I heard from his former boss, tration ever by its air-ground team of no legitimacy. That is the 24 million Steve McGeady, a friend of mine, in planes, helicopters, troops and tanks. Iraqis who have suffered under more Portland, who was stunned by the ac- American troops have Baghdad sur- than two decades of Saddam Hussein’s cusation but more by the treatment of rounded. We have demonstrated an rule. Iraqis have seen U.N. inspectors

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.003 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2867 come and go. They have seen U.N. offi- et to vote on that says basically, do worry about that. Do not worry about cials rush to Baghdad to confer with not worry, your fears are for naught. the long-term. We can get through the Saddam with no easing of repression as You can have your cake and eat it, too. next couple of years. We can get a result. They have watched as U.N. You can do whatever you want. It will through the things that are coming at resolutions, including those obligating all work out. Do not worry, be happy. us down the road. Do not worry about Saddam to respect human rights, go For example, let us take debt. My the projections of an increasing deficit, not just unenforced but are not even wife and I, we have been worrying a deficit projected to increase by some cited in passing by the United Nations. about how much we owe. We do not estimates from 300 to $400 billion up to Again my congratulations to our like debt and when we have to incur close to a trillion dollars, given the full Armed Forces and to our President. debt we do not like it to get too high. impact of this tax cut. Do not worry God bless them both. We worry about retiring in debt. We about that. f worry about whether our kids are So I am a happy camper today. I do going to have to bail us out. We do not not have to worry. And if I were not so NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT? think that that is good for us and it is worried, I would be awfully scared. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- certainly not good for them. In the f ant to the order of the House of Janu- State legislature back in Hawaii, I wor- ary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Hawaii ried for a long time about how much MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (Mr. CASE) is recognized during morn- my State was borrowing, about wheth- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ing hour debates for 5 minutes. er our hard-earned dollars were going ant to the order of the House of Janu- Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I want to just to pay off debt, whether we were ary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Min- thank my colleague from Texas, our re- handing off Hawaii in better shape to nesota (Mr. GUTKNECHT) is recognized spected majority leader, for his re- our children than the Hawaii that we during morning hour debates for 5 min- marks this morning. I think I and all had been responsible for administering. utes. of us owe him a happy birthday wher- But now I am tempted to feel relieved, Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, ever he may be and we wish him a because I am told my Federal Govern- today I rise to talk about an issue that happy birthday on, I believe it is his ment is somehow different, I am told everyone should be aware of and I 56th birthday. Unfortunately, there my debt is good, do not worry about it, think more and more Americans are commendations have to end for the that the largest debt run-up since becoming concerned about and that is morning because as the war in Iraq President Reagan’s era is no problem. the rising cost of health care here in comes to its inevitable close and our And Alan Greenspan, somebody that the United States. Some of the esti- focus turns back to our domestic says debt is not bad, chronic debt is mates this year, and we are talking to issues, our domestic challenges and as bad. Chronic debt does not work. It small businesspeople in my district, they turn back to the number one chal- leads to a worsening economy. It leads they are looking at increases in the lenge that we face domestically, which to interest rate increases. I am told cost of their health care of anywhere is our Federal budget and fixing our about Mr. Greenspan, he is all wet, do from 10 percent to 40 percent and some economy, which is an area that the ma- not worry about him. even more than that. One of the ideas jority leader did not cover, I must say Let us take taxes. In my State that has been around for a number of to my colleagues and my constituents House, I embraced some tax relief in years in terms of controlling the costs back home and my fellow citizens that the 1990s, but I worried about whether of health care in the United States is when it comes to the Federal budget that tax relief was going to those most the concept of medical savings ac- that has been proposed by our Presi- in need, whether that tax relief was counts. This is a plan that really goes dent and embraced by our Republican going to result in economic revitaliza- back a long ways. As a matter of fact, colleagues and as it comes to that tion. I worried about the connection in my district where we have an awful budget that we will see later on the between lower taxes and an increased lot of farm families, they in effect have floor this week, I must say I am tempt- economy. Would cuts fix our economy? had medical savings accounts for a ed to feel relieved, and I am tempted to But here I am told, do not worry. We very long time. What they do is they feel relieved, because for too long I cannot give you any evidence of a con- essentially use their checking account have been worrying about the little nection between the tax cuts that we as the medical savings account, but the things like our economy and jobs and recommend and economic revitaliza- principle is relatively simple and that money and debt and education and tion. And we do not have to worry is where people can put money away, health care. about the Congressional Budget Office either through their employer or indi- At my State legislature like many of saying there is no connection. Do not vidually, into a medical savings ac- us in the State legislatures, I just worry, it will all work out. count to pay those ongoing medical spent a decade worrying about whether Let us take expenses, especially un- bills. At the same time, they buy a cat- we had enough jobs, whether our taxes known or uncertain expenses. My wife astrophic insurance policy that will were fair, whether we were borrowing and I worry about expenses that we pay those catastrophic expenses if they too much or whether we were spending know about and those that we do not should come down with cancer, if they too much, whether our kids were get- yet know about. We worry about col- should need a major surgery, some- ting a good head start, whether our lege. We worry about setting money thing like that. Catastrophic insurance seniors had the basics, what my Hawaii aside. We worry about a little bit of a is relatively inexpensive. And so in the would be like not next year but in 10, 20 rainy day fund to worry about things last several years we have allowed years and what I could do to hand it off that do not come along. But now I am more and more of the employers to do well. And at home, of course, because told from this budget, do not worry, we these medical savings accounts, to set government is no different than a do not need a little rainy day fund. We up these programs on a pretax basis so household in principle, my wife and I, already have one. It is called Social Se- that they get the advantages of the we have long worried about our jobs curity. We can bail it out if we need to Tax Code. But there was one major, and whether we could keep up with ex- and we do not even have to include glaring error and omission from the penses, whether our debts were too known expenses, expenses that we may legislation we passed in the past here high, whether our kids would grow up not know how much they will be ex- in the Congress and that is that public healthy, whether we could get a good, actly but we sure know that they are employees could not participate in affordable education, whether our par- coming. these. And so I have been talking to ents could live with decency. I am We all know, for example, that $75 my public employees back in Min- tempted to feel relieved because after billion is just the first installment of nesota. They would very much like to all those years of worry both in my our obligations overseas for the war participate in medical savings ac- State legislature and at home, my Re- with Iraq. Yet that is not factored into counts for a whole variety of reasons, publican colleagues in the White House this budget. Why not? I do not know. I one of which is it is a way that they and here in the Congress have given me guess I am being told, do not worry can begin to save money for long-term and are about to again give me a budg- about it, it will come later. And do not care, because we are now beginning to

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.004 H08PT1 H2868 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 realize we are all getting older. I hap- dren, working families, seniors and corporate interests. It should not be pen to be 52 years old. I was born in people with disabilities. Moreover, this done at the expense of Medicare or 1951. There were more babies born in critical safety net program under Medicaid. 1951 than any other year, we are the Medicare also contributes significantly f peak of the baby boomers, and we are to State economies by stimulating em- IN MEMORY OF SERGEANT DON- looking at this thing and saying, are ployment and business activity which ALD WALTERS, OREGON SERV- there ways we can begin to put money we cannot afford to undermine. ICEMAN WHO MADE THE ULTI- away for long-term care. One of the States, Mr. Speaker, are currently MATE SACRIFICE ways you can do that is with medical facing the most severe budget crisis savings accounts. But it is a glaring since World War II and nearly every The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- omission and it is terribly unfair to say State has proposed or enacted cuts in ant to the order of the House of Janu- that private employees in the private its Medicaid program. Any reduction in ary 7, 2003, the gentlewoman from Or- markets can go ahead and have access Federal Medicaid funding would place egon (Ms. HOOLEY) is recognized during to these medical savings accounts but millions of vulnerable Americans now morning hour debates for 5 minutes. public employees cannot. receiving Medicaid in jeopardy of los- Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, And so today I am introducing along ing their health insurance. Federal today I rise to pay my respect to a fall- with my colleagues the gentleman funding reductions would force States en soldier, a hero from my district who from Minnesota (Mr. SABO), the gen- to implement even deeper cuts by re- made the ultimate sacrifice for our tleman from Minnesota (Mr. PETER- stricting eligibility, eliminating or re- country. SON), the gentleman from Minnesota ducing critical health benefits and se- Sergeant Donald Walters grew up in (Mr. RAMSTAD), the gentleman from verely cutting or freezing provider re- Colorado, Springs, Colorado. His family Minnesota (Mr. KENNEDY), the gentle- imbursement rates. As a result, Med- moved to Salem, Oregon, when he was woman from Minnesota (Ms. MCCOL- icaid funding cuts would add millions in middle school. As a teenager, Donald LUM) and the gentleman from Min- more to the ranks of the 41 million worked at a Salem grocery store. He nesota (Mr. KLINE) the Minnesota MSA Americans that are already uninsured. liked to fish, camp and had a long- Empowerment Act of 2003. Essentially In addition, Mr. Speaker, I oppose in- standing interest in the military. He what this bill will do is allow public clusion in the budget of sweeping man- wanted to make a difference. A year employees on a pilot program basis to datory cuts of potentially $75 billion after graduating from North Salem have access to the same kind of pro- over 10 years to the Medicare program. High School, he joined the Army. grams that private employees have ac- Although the Republican budget on the Donald was an aspiring writer of chil- cess to. It is a very good bill. It is a surface level appears to take a softer dren’s books. Donald served in the first way for us to actually find out just how line on Medicare cuts as compared to Persian Gulf war, then left the mili- well these MSAs will work, especially Medicaid, in fact the budget requires tary about 2 years ago. As a testament with public employees. I am confident billions of dollars of mandatory pro- to his undying love of our country, he that they will work if they are given a gram cuts to the Medicare program. I reenlisted in the Army after September chance. This is a pilot program just for will show my colleagues how. The 11. For the weeks that Sergeant Wal- Minnesota to demonstrate that MSAs budget provides $400 billion in a reserve ters was missing in action, his commu- will work for the consumer, they will fund for Medicare reform. However, the nity in Oregon showed their support. work to help reduce the cost of health budget also instructs the Committee Nearly every house on the block was care and ultimately make it possible so on Energy and Commerce to come up adorned with an American flag, a yel- people can begin to set aside dollars with $107 billion that have to be in cuts low ribbon, or both. Sergeant Walters long-term for long-term care. to either Medicare, Medicaid or S– leaves behind his wife Stacie, three This is a good piece of legislation. I CHIP, the kids’ health insurance pro- loving daughters, his parents Arlene hope the people of the appropriate pol- gram, over 10 years and also requires and Norman, and his sister Kimberly. icy committees will give it a fairing the Committee on Ways and Means to To all those who he left behind, my hearing and if they will I am confident require $62 billion in cuts, some or all heart and prayers are with you as well that ultimately this will become law. of which could fall on Medicare. So al- as the hearts and prayers of a grateful Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will though there is not an absolute re- Nation. We will not forget you, Ser- join me in support of this important quirement that it comes from Medi- geant Donald Walters. legislation. care, because those two committees f will not have many choices, we are f RECESS going to see Medicare cuts as well, as CONCERNING THE CONFERENCE well as the mandatory Medicaid cuts. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- REPORT ON THE BUDGET RESO- Mr. Speaker, while the budget resolu- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair LUTION tion does not direct Medicare cuts, I declares the House in recess until noon The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- am very concerned because it does not today. ant to the order of the House of Janu- preclude them and these committees Accordingly (at 11 a.m.), the House ary 7, 2003, the gentleman from New will be allowed to cut Medicare if that stood in recess until noon. Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) is recognized is what is required to fulfill the rec- f onciliation instructions. As a member during morning hour debates for 5 min- b 1200 utes. of the Committee on Energy and Com- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise on merce, I would do my best to prevent AFTER RECESS the floor to call attention to the fiscal such cuts from taking place because The recess having expired, the House year 2004 budget resolution conference the effects would be devastating to the was called to order by the Speaker pro report and to express my opposition to structure and function of the Medicare tempore (Mrs. BIGGERT) at noon. the inclusion of any Medicaid or Medi- program and, more importantly, to the f care cuts as part of the final budget health of our seniors and disabled. resolution. Again, Mr. Speaker, I have to express PRAYER Mr. Speaker, although the House- my strong opposition to the inclusion The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. passed budget reconciliation contains of any Medicaid or Medicare cuts in Coughlin, offered the following prayer: an instruction to cut the Medicaid pro- the final budget resolution. They will Lord God, because Your prophet gram by $93 billion over 10 years, nei- only mean that more people will be un- Jeremiah is so highly personal, agoniz- ther the Senate budget resolution nor insured, less health care services will ing for his people and constantly inter- the administration budget includes be provided to a whole range of individ- acting with the members of his com- such devastating cuts to the Medicaid uals, and all this is being done basi- munity, he becomes a model for the program. As Members know, the Med- cally so that the Republicans can make Members of the 108th Congress. icaid program provides essential health more cuts for wealthy people, more tax His hopes and visions, doubts and coverage to 47 million low-income chil- cuts for the wealthy, more tax cuts for hesitations, anger and resentments, as

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.006 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2869 well as arguments and pleading and and our Bill of Rights. It is an impor- H.R. 1276, the American Dream Down bonding with others, all these emotions tant program that aids students in un- Payment Act, removes that barrier for and the troublesome times tear apart derstanding their rights and respon- an estimated 40,000 low-income fami- Jeremiah’s fragile temperament and sibilities as American citizens. lies and individuals every year. fling themselves upon the pages of his Lourdes Academy, the reigning na- Madam Speaker, the extension of af- prophecy. tional champions, will be coming to fordable quality housing opportunities Jeremiah is realistic and bold as he Washington this month to compete for to every American is a moral impera- declares sin inevitably brings its own the national title. Please join me in tive for a decent, compassionate soci- sorrow. People who go after empty congratulating the students of Lourdes ety. H.R. 1276 represents a powerful idols become empty themselves. We are Academy and especially their teacher, step toward this goal, providing thou- all transformed for good or bad by that Rosie Heffernan, on their outstanding sands of men, women and children which we desire. achievement and wishing them much across our Nation with the dignity, sta- Lord, because this prophet will not success in the national competition. bility and economic empowerment of evade the honest emotional reaction of f homeownership. f what is going on around him, You SUPPLEMENTAL LEAVES make him a guide for Your people now CRITICAL AREAS UNDERFUNDED REPUBLICAN BUDGET caught up in war. Although Jeremiah SHORTCHANGES AMERICA is never far removed from the agony of (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of Cali- fornia asked and was given permission (Ms. WATSON asked and was given people, hope for him is always stirring to address the House for 1 minute.) permission to address the House for 1 just beneath the surface of the barren Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of Cali- minute and to revise and extend her re- Earth. fornia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to marks.) The word of the Lord endures forever. speak against the supplemental bill Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, the Amen. proposed by the Bush administration. budget shortchanges the security of f While Democrats strongly support cities and towns across America. The the immediate passing of whatever is next terrorist we catch might be THE JOURNAL necessary to support our troops, the caught by the FBI, but it is more like- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The administration’s war supplemental ap- ly that they will be found by local law Chair has examined the Journal of the pears to leave critical areas severely enforcement, like the routine traffic last day’s proceedings and announces underfunded. stop in April of 2001, where a police of- to the House her approval thereof. Under the bill, there would be no ficer pulled over none other than the 9– Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- money, no money, to provide commu- 11 ring leader Mohammed Atta. nal stands approved. nication equipment for first respond- It is not clear that the 9–11 attacks could have been prevented by a traffic f ers, leaving many local police, fire- fighters, and emergency workers un- stop, but what should be clear is that PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE able to communicate with each other even if our government has informa- tion on would-be terrorists, local law The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the during an emergency. There would be no money, no money, enforcement is still out of the loop. gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- The President and the Republican LEHTINEN) come forward and lead the for homeland security grants, despite the Coast Guard’s latest report that leaders in Congress both ignore this House in the Pledge of Allegiance. issue in their budgets. While we spend Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN led the Pledge of they are short almost $1 billion to meet port security needs in this year billions to tear down and rebuild Iraq, Allegiance as follows: the Republican budget shortchanges I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the alone. This bill also leaves nuclear security the local police officers, firefighters, United States of America, and to the Repub- and other first responders who are lic for which it stands, one nation under God, needs amounts unmet, providing only 7 percent of the $380 million which his America’s first defense against terror. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In my own district, the community own Secretary of Energy identified as f of Culver City, California, is right next an urgent homeland security require- to the Los Angeles International Air- APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO ment. port. They need our support with first This bill is bad for the economy, and UNITED STATES CAPITOL PRES- responders. ERVATION COMMISSION it is bad for our Nation’s first respond- f The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ers. Underfunding critical programs ant to 40 U.S.C. 188a, and the order of and operations puts our homeland at KEEP NETHERCUTT-KENNEDY the House of January 8, 2003, the Chair risk. AMENDMENT ON SUPPLEMENTAL announces the Speaker’s appointment f (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given of the following Members of the House AMERICAN DREAM DOWN permission to address the House for 1 to the United States Capitol Preserva- PAYMENT ACT minute.) tion Commission: Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, (Ms. HARRIS asked and was given this week we will be voting on our sup- Mr. YOUNG, Florida. permission to address the House for 1 Mr. LATOURETTE, Ohio. plemental appropriations bill to help minute and to revise and extend her re- partially fund the war in Iraq. An im- f marks.) portant amendment, which was unani- Ms. HARRIS. Madam Speaker, this mously agreed to by the House that is CONGRATULATING OUR LADY OF afternoon the Subcommittee on Hous- LOURDES ACADEMY on that bill, was called the Nethercutt- ing and Community Opportunity of the Kennedy amendment, and it has to do (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was Committee on Financial Services will with the fact that the Congress has given permission to address the House begin hearings on President Bush’s vi- voted not to allow Germany, France, for 1 minute and to revise and extend sionary plan to extend the dream of Syria and Russia to share in American her remarks.) homeownership to tens of thousands of taxpayer-funded reconstruction efforts Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- low-income families and individuals in Iraq. er, I would like to take this oppor- across our Nation. The idea behind this is that Russia, tunity to congratulate Our Lady of As I have consulted with housing ad- France, Syria and Germany have not Lourdes Academy in my congressional vocates throughout my district, I have been on our side and, in many ways, district for winning first place at the repeatedly heard that a great number helped accelerate the war in Iraq by ‘‘Florida We the People: The Citizen of low-income Americans could meet a seeming to side with Saddam Hussein. and the Constitution’’ competition. monthly mortgage payment were it not We believe that if the U.N. Security This civics competition ensures that for that initial obstacle of the closing Council and these members were uni- students understand the history and costs and down payment associated fied against the weapons of mass de- the philosophy of our U.S. Constitution with the traditional residential loan. struction and the regime of Saddam

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.009 H08PT1 H2870 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Hussein, perhaps we would be at peace ments and rental units to housing is NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF today in trying to find diplomatic solu- basically they do not have the money. LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE tions; but now, it seems these very There are programs that do work. (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given countries who are against U.S. action, The government needs to look at par- permission to address the House for 1 who have made a 4-month national pas- ticipating in this. minute and to revise and extend his re- time of bashing the U.S., now they f marks.) want to get U.S. tax dollars and help Mr. INSLEE. Madam Speaker, I rise rebuild Iraq. EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT today to mention a very important The Nethercutt amendment speaks RELIEF charitable project by our National As- to this, and I hope that the conference sociation of Letter Carriers, who have (Mr. DEFAZIO asked and was given committee will keep that in the legis- been engaged in this for several years. lation. permission to address the House for 1 minute.) On the second Saturday in May, which f will be May 10 this year, letter carriers Mr. DEFAZIO. Madam Speaker, 18 OFFICE OF PEACE months ago, the Republican leadership in over 10,000 cities and towns will be delivering much more than mail on (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given during the debate on the first $15 bil- their routes. They will be collecting permission to address the House for 1 lion bailout for the airline industry food donations left for them by their minute and to revise and extend his re- promised that soon, promptly, we caring patrons on the 11th annual let- marks.) would consider employee relief, includ- ter carriers national food drive. Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, in a ing financial assistance, health insur- I want to take this opportunity to moment I will introduce legislation ance and training for new careers. It is commend the letter carriers for this in- with 46 cosponsors to create a Depart- 18 months later, and those 150,000 air- credible charitable endeavor. This ef- ment-level office of peace and the De- line employees are still waiting, 18 fort by the letter carriers is the largest partment of Peace is introduced at this months of waiting. 1-day food drive in the Nation, and it moment when it seems that war is in- The airlines project they will lay off has resulted in the last 10 years in over evitable, when our troops are in the another 70,000 because of the war with half a billion pounds of food donations streets of Baghdad, when members of Iraq. Boeing has cut 30,000 workers. to our local communities. I hope every- the administration talk about the pos- They are all still waiting for that fi- one listening will participate on May 10 sibility of invasion of Iran and the pos- nancial assistance and extended unem- by leaving a box of nonperishable food sibility of invasion of Syria. ployment package. This is the moment when we need to Finally, today, here on the United next to their mailbox before their mail ask whether war is inevitable or not. States House of Representatives floor arrives. It will help the estimated 30 This is the moment when a Depart- for the first time, 18 months too late, million people who go hungry every ment of Peace can take steps to mak- we are going to take a vote on that day in America, including 12 million ing nonviolence an organizing principle issue; and we will see where people children. in our society and when we can create really stand, whether they are with the Congratulations to our letter carriers a structure in our government where workers or they just want to bail out for a job well done. we can strive to make war itself ar- the corporations. f chaic. GENERAL LEAVE Forty-seven Members of Congress f Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam have put their names on this legisla- REGULATORY TURMOIL tion because we are at a moment in the Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that history of our Nation and in the world (Mr. BACHUS asked and was given all Members may have 5 legislative where we need to be asking questions. permission to address the House for 1 days within which to revise and extend Is war inevitable? Forty-seven Mem- minute.) their remarks on the motion to go to bers of Congress say no. Is peace inevi- Mr. BACHUS. We should be particu- conference on H.R. 1559, making emer- table? The answer must be yes. larly concerned about the negative ef- gency wartime supplemental appro- fects which needless regulatory uncer- priations for the fiscal year ending f tainty and policy turmoil are having September 30, 2003, and for other pur- HOUSING ACTION RESOURCE on this country’s telecommunications poses, and that I may include tabular TRUST industry. and extraneous material. (Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. asked and was given permission to ad- b 1215 BIGGERT). Is there objection to the re- dress the House for 1 minute.) The United States’ economy is very quest of the gentleman from Florida? Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. dependent on an efficient and effective There was no objection. Madam Speaker, one of the main bar- telecommunication industry and the f riers of homeownership today is the links they provide. Maintaining these APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES ON down payment requirement from indi- important systems and building new H.R. 1559, EMERGENCY WARTIME viduals that do not have the money. Do advanced networks we are going to SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIA- down payment assistance programs need requires a climate of regulatory TIONS ACT, 2003 work? They do. stability. No one is going to invest One example is in Rancho heavily if they do not know what the Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Cucamonga, California. The Housing fundamental rules of the game are. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Action Resource Trust, called HART, The 1996 Telecommunications Act en- take from the Speaker’s table the bill was formed in 1995; and in 1998, they visions the FCC coming up with a (H.R. 1559) making emergency wartime started giving homeowners down pay- workable, judicially sustainable, com- supplemental appropriations for the ment assistance, and it is all private petitive framework in short order. fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, funds. Not a dollar of it is government Seven years have passed since the act and for other purposes, with a Senate funds. was signed into law, and according to amendment thereto, disagree to the What they have done is help 40,000 most authorities, the FCC’s latest deci- Senate amendment, and agree to the families actually achieve homeowner- sion is almost certain to be reversed conference asked by the Senate. ship, and it is significant. Like I said, and remanded once more. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there not a dime of it is government funds. In closing, Congress has a responsi- objection to the request of the gen- The HART gift funds can be used for bility to the shareholders of these com- tleman from Florida? down payment, closing costs, prepaid panies, to the hundreds of thousands of There was no objection. payments that can be used to remit employees, and, most of all, to millions MOTION TO INSTRUCT OFFERED BY MR. OBEY buy-downs; and the main obstacle we of consumers to end this turmoil. It is Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I offer a have for moving people from apart- not good for anyone. motion to instruct.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.011 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2871 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The They are out here once again asking (Mr. HOYER asked and was given Clerk will report the motion. the taxpayers to help finance their sur- permission to revise and extend his re- The Clerk read as follows: vival. Now, we have had some of those marks.) Mr. OBEY moves that the managers on the airlines go bankrupt not once, not Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise part of the House at the conference on the twice, but three times. I asked on the in support of the motion to instruct. disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the House floor last week how many times Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 1559, re- Continental Airlines had to go bank- to support this Democratic motion to instruct cede to the Senate on section 409 of the Sen- rupt before they were bankrupt. I still House conferees on the supplemental appro- ate amendment, providing 26 weeks of addi- tional temporary extended unemployment have not received an answer. priations bill. compensation for displaced airline related Now, I will fully grant that given the It’s just. It’s fair. And it enjoys bipartisan workers. serious nature of the war, given the im- support in both the House and the Senate, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- pact of 9/11, and given the fact that the even if the Bush administration has labeled it airlines are a crucial part of our econ- tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY) will ‘‘objectionable.’’ be recognized for 30 minutes, and the omy and our transportation system, I In short, this motion would instruct House would fully grant that some kind of co- conferees to recede to the Senate provision gentleman from Florida (Mr. YOUNG) will be recognized for 30 minutes. operative relationship between us and providing an additional 26 weeks of unemploy- The Chair recognizes the gentleman the airlines will be necessary in order ment compensation to workers in the air trans- from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY). to keep this economy healthy. But it portation industry. Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I yield seems to me that we ought to have This industry and its workers have borne the myself 8 minutes. some systematic way to assure that brunt of the continuing war on terrorism and Madam Speaker, American citizens when we are bailing out the airline in- have been wracked by our sluggish economy. often hear Members of Congress talk in dustry and its executives, that at least In fact, the industry is expected to lose $6.7 terms that they do not understand. some of those taxpayers’ dollars wind billion this year. They hear us talking about Blue Dogs, up trickling down to the workers who Approximately 200,000 airline workers have Blue Dog Democrats, they hear us keep those airlines moving in the first lost their jobs since September 11, 2001, and talking about Yellow Dog Democrats. place. another 70,000 workers are expected to be Sometimes they see us acting like lap So that is the purpose of this amend- laid off. dogs, and today I am afraid that the ment. Last week, the world’s largest carrier, AMR House may wind up genuflecting to Top ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Corporation’s American Airlines, averted Dogs, because that has been the gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy by negotiating $1.8 bil- eral pattern on the issue that I am Chair will remind all persons in the lion in labor concessions. And U.S. Airways only recently emerged raising this afternoon. gallery that they are here as guests of After 9/11, the Congress passed a $15 the House, and that any manifestation from bankruptcy after winning approval for billion airline assistance package, $5 of approval or disapproval of pro- $900 million federal loan guarantee. billion in direct cash payments and $10 ceedings or other audible conversation Last week, I also had the opportunity to billion in direct loans and loan guaran- is in violation of the rules of the meet with representatives of the industry and tees. The Congress was asked at the House. airline workers. And they know that their fate is inextricably same time, and a number of us have Mr. OBEY. I assume that does not linked; that one cannot survive without the tried to get it done, but Congress had come out of my time, Madam Speaker. The SPEAKER pro tempore. It does other. asked at the same time that we were not. Today, through this motion, we recognize bailing out the airline industry to also Mr. OBEY. So, as I was saying, lest that and say: What’s fair for the industry is fair recognize workers within that same in- anyone think that it is not needed, the for workers. dustry who were also losing their jobs airline industry itself estimates that In fact, members on both sides of the aisle and should have some help from the we have had a 15 percent increase in want to help. government. The Congress responded unemployment in that industry since 9/ This motion would instruct conferees to by saying, no, thank you. 11, and since January 1, we have seen agree to a provision that is very similar to bi- Now, the bill that the House passed another 15,000 layoffs. partisan legislation introduced last week by last week contained $3.2 billion in cash So I would ask the Members of this our colleagues, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania payments for the airline industry on House today to, for a change, let us not and Mr. OBERSTAR of Minnesota [H.R. 1553, this go-round and the Senate bill con- institutionally genuflect to the top the ‘‘Air Transportation Employees Assistance tained a figure of slightly over $2 bil- dogs in this society. Let us keep in Act’’]. lion. We are here today again to ask mind the needs of the underdogs and The Senate has already passed a plan to that if we are going to be bailing out provide at least some modicum of as- extend unemployment insurance benefits in its the airline industry that we also pro- sistance to the workers I am talking version of this legislation. vide some $275 million in assistance to about. The Members of this body should do the the workers in that same industry by Let me also explain that there will be same thing to aid this struggling industry, and providing an additional 26 weeks of a rollcall on this vote. I know that it its workers and their families. temporary extended unemployment may be possible that this motion could That’s precisely what this motion to instruct benefits for displaced airline-related be adopted on a voice vote. But frank- seeks. workers. ly, if we were to simply have a voice I urge my colleagues to support it. Now, the administration has let it be vote, it would not mean anything to Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 known what their position is, and es- anybody. It would be very easy to jet- minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- sentially they are opposed to this pro- tison this language in conference. fornia (Ms. PELOSI), the distinguished posal. And what they are telling Con- So I think to assure that this vote is minority leader. gress is that, instead, we should work a meaningful vote, let the chips fall The SPEAKER pro tempore. If we with the administration to make sure where they may in terms of passage. may go first to the gentleman from that any aid package is appropriately To assure that it is a meaningful vote Florida (Mr. YOUNG). scaled and ‘‘appropriately based on free and not just a sleight of hand so Mem- Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam market principles.’’ Well, I guess I am bers can say, ‘‘Well, do not worry, air- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I kind of new around here and naive line worker, I voted with you. Of may consume. around here, and I am not quite sure course, it was not a rollcall vote, and I am sorry. Did the gentlewoman what those ‘‘free market’’ principles of course the leadership made us turn wish to go? I will always yield to the are when it comes to the airline indus- around in conference so that there gentlewoman from California. try. would not be any.’’ But I would urge Ms. PELOSI. I am pleased to yield to To me, I think that the airline indus- Members to vote for the motion. the gentleman from Florida. try is a let’s pretend industry, run by Madam Speaker, I yield such time as Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, if the let’s pretend capitalists who are on the he may consume to the gentleman gentlewoman would yield to me brief- public dole, and I do not mean Bob. from Maryland (Mr. HOYER). ly, let me explain that I thought we

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.013 H08PT1 H2872 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 had an understanding that I would ex- line industry. So there is plenty of announces that she will postpone fur- plain the motion, that the gentle- money to handle this issue, but I am ther proceedings today on each motion woman would make her comments, and going to vote against it because of the to suspend the rules on which a re- then the gentleman would close and we problems it could cause as we go to corded vote or the yeas and nays are could yield back the balance of our conference. ordered, or on which the vote is ob- time. We have a tight schedule. The com- jected to under clause 6 of rule XX. Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam mittees on both sides of the aisle have Any record votes on postponed ques- Speaker, I apologize to the gentleman. worked extremely well. Just a few days tions will be taken later today. after receiving the President’s request, I guess I did not understand exactly. f But that is fine with me. No problem the Committee on Appropriations re- NUTRIA ERADICATION AND whatsoever. ported the bill to the House. As Mem- Mr. OBEY. Fine. Madam Speaker, I bers know, last Thursday we passed CONTROL ACT OF 2003 yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman this bill with an overwhelming vote in Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I from California (Ms. PELOSI). the House. move to suspend the rules and pass the Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I However, there are some significant bill (H.R. 273) to provide for the eradi- thank the gentleman from Wisconsin differences between our bill and the cation and control of nutria in Mary- bill presented by the other body. I just (Mr. OBEY) for yielding me this time, land and Louisiana. have the feeling this is going to be a and if that is not pleasing to the distin- The Clerk read as follows: fairly difficult conference because, guished chairman of the committee, I H.R. 273 while the House kept the bill very am pleased to yield to him first. If it is clean and close to what the President Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- okay, then I will proceed. resentatives of the United States of America in requested, to fight the war and provide Madam Speaker, once again I wish to Congress assembled, for homeland security and to support thank the gentleman from Wisconsin those of our coalition who are helping SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (Mr. OBEY) for his leadership on this This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Nutria us in this war effort, the other body, Eradication and Control Act of 2003’’. important issue, important to Amer- frankly, added quite a few things that SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. ica’s workers. Today, we have an op- were extraneous to the wartime issue; portunity to do the right thing for (a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the fol- and that is going to make the con- lowing: America’s aviation workers. ference a little difficult. Both the House and Senate versions (1) Wetlands and tidal marshes of the I want to get this conference com- Chesapeake Bay and in Louisiana provide of the supplemental appropriations bill pleted. Leadership has advised me, as significant cultural, economic, and ecologi- include financial assistance for the air- well as most of the Members, that we cal benefits to the Nation. lines, as they should. Aviation is an es- are not going to take our Easter dis- (2) The South American nutria (Myocastor sential cornerstone of the U.S. econ- trict work period recess until this bill coypus) is directly contributing to substan- omy. Both the House and Senate bills has left the Congress and has gone to tial marsh loss in Maryland and Louisiana focus primarily on mitigating for the the President since it is important to on Federal, State, and private land. cost of security provisions required by what the President is doing in Iraq. I (3) Traditional harvest methods to control the Federal Government, as those bills or eradicate nutria have failed in Maryland will vote against this motion. I want to and have had limited success in the eradi- should have that funding. But we can- again emphasize we need to move this cation of nutria in Louisiana. Consequently, not ignore the workers who form the bill quickly. If the conference gets tied marsh loss is accelerating. backbone of the aviation industry. up for more than 2 days, we will not get (4) The nutria eradication and control pilot Madam Speaker, at least 150,000 this bill to the floor in time for the program authorized by Public Law 105–322 is workers in the aviation industry have House to take its usual Easter recess. to develop new and effective methods for lost their jobs since 9/11, including In addition, I am opposed to motions to eradication of nutria. those who work for the airlines and re- instruct in general. I have no objection (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to lated industries. Many of these workers to what the gentleman wants to do, but authorize the Secretary of the Interior to it is just procedural for me. I think it provide financial assistance to the State of have exhausted their unemployment Maryland and the State of Louisiana for a benefits, and that was months ago. But could complicate the conference on program to implement measures to eradicate with the industry still contracting, this very important wartime supple- or control nutria and restore marshland new jobs are impossible to find. Thou- mental. damaged by nutria. sands more airline workers have lost Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- SEC. 3. NUTRIA ERADICATION PROGRAM. their jobs since the Iraq war began and ance of my time. (a) GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of layoffs in the industry could reach The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. the Interior (in this Act referred to as the 70,000 more. Concern about the expo- BIGGERT). Without objection, the pre- ‘‘Secretary’’), subject to the availability of sure to the deadly SARS disease in vious question is ordered. appropriations, may provide financial assist- There was no objection. Asia is now reducing air travel from ance to the State of Maryland and the State The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of Louisiana for a program to implement the U.S. to Asia even further. question is on the motion to instruct measures to eradicate or control nutria and The Senate has included $225 million offered by the gentleman from Wis- restore marshland damaged by nutria. for extended unemployment compensa- consin (Mr. OBEY). (b) GOALS.—The goals of the program shall tion for aviation workers. The House The question was taken; and the be to— should recede to the Senate position. Speaker pro tempore announced that (1) eradicate nutria in Maryland; the ayes appeared to have it. (2) eradicate or control nutria in Louisiana b 1230 and other States; and Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I object Madam Speaker, it is the least that (3) restore marshland damaged by nutria. to the vote on the ground that a we can do. I urge Members to vote for (c) ACTIVITIES.—In the State of Maryland, quorum is not present and make the the Secretary shall require that the program relief for aviation workers. To support point of order that a quorum is not the Obey motion to instruct conferees, consist of management, research, and public present. education activities carried out in accord- vote for the motion to instruct. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ance with the document published by the Mr. OBEY. Madam Speaker, I yield ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- United States Fish and Wildlife Service enti- back the balance of my time. ceedings on this motion will be post- tled ‘‘Eradication Strategies for Nutria in Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam poned. the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay Water- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I The point of no quorum is considered sheds’’, dated March 2002. may consume. withdrawn. (d) COST SHARING.— Madam Speaker, I am not really op- (1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of f posed to what the gentleman is sug- the costs of the program may not exceed 75 percent of the total costs of the program. gesting here. The Committee on Appro- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE (2) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.—The non-Fed- priations did add $3.2 billion to the eral share of the costs of the program may be wartime supplemental to deal with air- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- provided in the form of in-kind contributions line issues and to be helpful to the air- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair of materials or services.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.018 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2873 (e) LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EX- Federal and State partners is needed to valuable fish and wildlife habitat. This PENSES.—Not more than 5 percent of finan- complete these models over the next 5 legislation is noncontroversial and cial assistance provided by the Secretary years. should also help conserve coastal wet- under this section may be used for adminis- This semi-aquatic, nonnative rodent lands, something which is very impor- trative expenses. (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— has no natural predators in Maryland, tant to my district. I support H.R. 273 For financial assistance under this section, and they have consumed nearly half of and urge Members to do likewise. there is authorized to be appropriated to the the marsh lands on Blackwater Na- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Secretary $4,000,000 for the State of Mary- tional Wildlife Refuge. These marshes ance of my time. land program and $2,000,000 for the State of are vital to the survival of millions of Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I Louisiana program for each of fiscal years migratory waterfowl, bold and golden yield myself such time as I may con- 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. eagles, and neotropical songbirds. The sume to close. SEC. 4. REPORT. remaining acreage of Blackwater is in Madam Speaker, I thank the leader- No later than 6 months after the date of serious peril. Unless nutria are ship on the other side of the aisle for the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and moving this legislation. We appreciate the National Invasive Species Council shall— stopped, they will continue to destroy wetlands in Blackwater and other ref- the cooperation we have had from the (1) give consideration to the 2002 report for Democrats, as well as staff on both the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and uges on the Delmarva peninsula, and Fisheries titled ‘‘Nutria in Louisiana’’, and marshlands along the Atlantic coast sides. I urge Members to vote for this the 2002 document entitled ‘‘Eradication and the Gulf of Mexico. very important piece of legislation. Strategies for Nutria in the Chesapeake and H.R. 273 will authorize Public Law Mr. TAUZIN. Madam Speaker, Nutria is a Delaware Bay Watersheds’’; and 105–322, and it will implement the next rodent native to South America. They weigh (2) develop, in cooperation with the State step in the process, which is the eradi- approximately 18 pounds and resemble a bea- of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and cation of nutria in Maryland as well as ver. In the 1930’s, they were introduced into Fisheries and the State of Maryland Depart- Louisiana. Studies indicate that female nutria ment of Natural Resources, a long-term nu- the restoration of damaged wetlands. In their testimony, the U.S. Fish and are capable of producing up to 15 young per tria control or eradication program, as ap- year. By 1943, they were well established in propriate, with the objective to significantly Wildlife Service stated: ‘‘We recognize our state. The population of nutria in Louisiana reduce and restore the damage nutria cause the need to continue cooperative ef- reached levels of 20 million—many times high- to coastal wetlands in the States of Lou- forts to eradicate nutria in the Chesa- isiana and Maryland. er than any other state in the country. peake Bay region and will continue as The preferred habitat of this rodent is wet- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- a key Federal member of the nutria ant to the rule, the gentleman from land areas. They often dig intricate tunnel and eradication partnership.’’ burrow systems in their home range. Nutria Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST) and the gen- In addition, H.R. 273 authorizes have been known to eat rice, sugarcane, fruit tlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. money to alleviate the tremendous and nut trees and seedlings of bald cypress, CHRISTENSEN) each will control 20 min- problems that nutria have caused in but prefer wetlands plants. Studies suggest utes. Louisiana. According to the Louisiana that they waste 90 percent of plant material The Chair recognizes the gentleman Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, while feeding on the base and root system. from Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST). these pesky rodents have damaged or This root system ‘‘holds’’ our fragile wetlands Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I destroyed over 100,000 acres of wetlands yield myself such time as I may con- areas together. When the root systems are in their State. destroyed, so are the wetlands. sume. Under the terms of the bill, the Sec- Researchers in Louisiana have fenced off Madam Speaker, I am pleased to retary of the Interior will undertake areas of wetland plants in known nutria breed- offer this measure along with the gen- steps to control or eradicate nutria in ing areas. The protected area have had wet- tleman from Louisiana (Mr. TAUZIN). the two states and together with the lands plants exceed six feet in height, while The fundamental goal of this legisla- National Invasive Species Council de- the unprotected areas have literally turned into tion is to effectively address the grow- velop a long-term nutria control and mud, and eventually, open water. Between ing problem of nutria that are destroy- eradication program. 2000 and 2001, the area of marsh converted ing thousands of acres of essential wet- Madam Speaker, H.R. 273 will help to to open water increased by over 4500 acres land habitat. It also reauthorizes a 1998 solve serious problems facing Mary- as a results of nutria damage. These rodents law that created a pilot nutria program land’s Eastern Shore and Louisiana’s have damaged or destroyed over 100,000 in Maryland at Blackwater National marshlands. It will serve as a model for acres in Louisiana. Wildlife Refuge, Fishing Bay Wildlife other States that may face the pros- The State of Louisiana has spent millions of Management Area, and Tudor farms. pect of fighting against an invading dollars responding to this crisis. Nutria have Since that time, Federal, State and population of nutria. I urge Members been used as a source of fur, their meat has local partners have worked together in to vote for H.R. 273. been placed on numerous restaurant menus Maryland to develop a nutria eradi- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- and marketed by Louisiana’s top chefs, they cation strategy and to test restoration ance of my time. have been used as a food source for alligators methods on the damaged marsh. Lou- Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- in farming operations and the Audubon Zoo in isiana is working on a nutria control er, I yield myself such time as I may New Orleans used them in their animal feed. strategy and monitoring marsh recov- consume. In 2001 dollars, pelts sold at levels as high as ery. These are both carefully crafted (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was $31 each in 1931, $23 each in 1977, and proposals which will systematically ad- given permission to revise and extend today, $2.18 per pelt. In the late 1970’s, trap- dress nutria population control and her remarks.) pers removed up to 1.9 million nutria per year. marsh damage. They represent the cul- Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- More recently, despite the best efforts of the mination of scientific understanding er, as stated by the gentleman from state, only 987 trapping licenses were sold about nutria population, dynamics and Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST), the overall and less than 30,000 nutria were taken. marsh impacts. purpose of this legislation is to better The American alligator is the most signifi- Because of the nutria’s incredible coordinate and provide financial assist- cant natural predator of nutria. In Louisiana, ability to proliferate, partnerships in ance to the States of Maryland and where alligator are most abundant, nutria com- both States must act aggressively to Louisiana in their efforts to eradicate prise up to 60 percent of alligator diet. How- avoid population increases that could and/or control nutria, a large member ever, efforts to control the growing nutria pop- nullify previous effort and investment of the rodent family that has deci- ulation with alligator have proven insufficient. of public and private resources. Both mated wetland areas in both States. In fact, efforts to increase the alligator popu- Maryland and Louisiana are serious Madam Speaker, no one denies the lation to control nutria only resulted in a de- about nutria control and have contrib- fact that nutria have become far too crease of nutria in the alligator’s diet and an uted several million in non-Federal abundant in some regions of both increase in nutria trappers in alligator’s diets. funds, and both are committed to pro- States. In addition, it is the consensus I am happy to join my friend from Maryland, viding models for the control of nutria of wildlife biologists that greater effort Congressman GILCHREST, in this effort to pro- in the 14 other States in which they are should be undertaken now to control tect our fragile wetland areas from future de- found. Full commitment from both this invasive pest before it ruins more struction by passage of H.R. 273. As you

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.005 H08PT1 H2874 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 know, more endangered species depend upon Madam Speaker, H.R. 108, which rective saying we are going to charge the habitat provided by wetlands than any amends the Education Land Grant Act school district X staff time for Federal other environment for survival. In coastal to require the Secretary of Agriculture workers to work on this. This is a dis- areas, each mile of vegetated wetland also re- to pay the costs of environmental re- connection between the intent of Con- duces storm surge by one foot—protecting views, is an important piece of legisla- gress, the assent of the executive these areas will save FEMA money in future tion for many schools, many school branch, and the execution by a bu- natural disasters. districts, but most of all for many stu- reaucracy. This bill recognizes the wetland destruction dents across the United States of Madam Speaker, the costs associated caused by nutria in Louisiana and authorizes America. with the conveyance under ELGA are the Department of Interior to become a partner Currently the new Education Land truly minimal to the Forest Service, a in our state’s ongoing efforts to prevent further Grant Act enacted in the 106th Con- drop in the bucket for that agency. damage to inland and coastal wetland areas gress allows the Forest Service to con- Here is the problem: Those same costs as a result of nutria. vey up to 80 acres of its land to school can prove absolutely prohibitive to Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I districts to renovate, expand, or con- school districts seeking to expand their yield back the balance of my time. struct school facilities. The act re- facility. Indeed, Madam Speaker, the quires that land conveyed is identified intent of the legislation was to offer b 1245 for disposal in the particular forest’s this land at minimal costs to school The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. plan and that the conveyance cost of districts, and our studies have borne BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- the survey is borne by the applicant. out that in 44 of our 50 States this will tion offered by the gentleman from The Forest Service has determined this have a positive impact primarily for Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST) that the cost to be $10 per acre. rural districts, but the entire intent of House suspend the rules and pass the However, both conveyance of land the legislation was to allow those rural bill, H.R. 273. under this act and the forest plan districts to focus their financial re- The question was taken. amendment require an environmental sources where they are best used, help- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the analysis under the National Environ- ing teachers teach and helping children opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of mental Policy Act known as NEPA. learn, not to be caught up in a bureau- those present have voted in the affirm- Presently the Education Land Grant cratic morass that would prove to be ative. Act and the interim Forest Service prohibitive to those districts. Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, manual fail to indicate who bears the So this particular piece of legisla- on that I demand the yeas and nays. cost of the environmental analysis. tion, Madam Speaker, H.R. 108, will re- The yeas and nays were ordered. Madam Speaker, this is the crucial quire the Forest Service to accept the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- point today. In implementing this law, full cost of the environmental analysis ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the the Forest Service staff has adminis- required by NEPA for these small land Chair’s prior announcement, further tratively determined that schools that conveyances. This would free local proceedings on this motion will be apply for a conveyance under this act school districts from burdensome ad- postponed. would need to pay for various adminis- ministrative costs, allow them to spend f trative costs, analyses, and environ- funds again on what is most important, mental compliance assessment. In fact, what goes on in the classroom for their REQUIRING SECRETARY OF AGRI- Madam Speaker, the interim directive CULTURE TO PAY COSTS OF EN- students. that has now finally been distributed The Education Land Grant Act was VIRONMENTAL REVIEWS WITH states various costs to be borne by initially passed by this Congress for RESPECT TO CONVEYANCES school districts, and, I quote now, the purpose of aiding local school dis- UNDER EDUCATION LAND GRANT ‘‘Nominal costs includes the nominal tricts. This legislation will simply di- ACT fee of $10 per acre conveyed, plus all rect the Forest Service to pay for any Mr. HAYWORTH. Madam Speaker, I costs directly associated with the environmental analysis costs, allowing move to suspend the rules and pass the project that the Forest Service may the Act to achieve its original intent of bill (H.R. 108) to amend the Education incur to evaluate and process a school improving communities and benefiting Land Grant Act to require the Sec- district’s request to acquire National school children across the United retary of Agriculture to pay the costs Forest Service lands under ELGA, such States. of environmental reviews with respect as, costs associated with National En- Madam Speaker, I would ask my col- to conveyances under that Act. vironmental Policy Act compliance, leagues to join me in support of this The Clerk read as follows: document preparation, surveys, posting legislation. H.R. 108 of property monuments, markers, or Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- posts, and recordation.’’ ance of my time. resentatives of the United States of America in In fact, another memo mentioned Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- Congress assembled, that even staff time, that even staff er, I yield myself such time as I may SECTION 1. COSTS OF REVIEWS FOR CONVEY- time used to process requests will need consume. ANCES UNDER EDUCATION LAND to be paid by school districts. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was GRANT ACT. Madam Speaker, my colleagues, what given permission to revise and extend Section 202 of the Education Land Grant we have here is a disconnection. In the her remarks.) Act (16 U.S.C. 479a) is amended by adding at 106th Congress this body passed the the end the following: Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- ‘‘(f) COSTS OF REVIEW.—The Secretary shall new Education Land Grant Act unani- er, H.R. 108 would require the Sec- pay the costs of all action required under mously. The other body did likewise. It retary of Agriculture to pay the costs section 102(2)(C) of the National Environ- was signed into law by President Clin- of environmental reviews conducted mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. ton in his final days of office. Here we pursuant to the Educational Land 4332(2)(C)) with respect to any conveyance have a textbook example of elected of- Grant Act. The majority and my col- under this section.’’. ficials, constitutional officers, doing league have already clearly and very The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- their job. As the author of the new passionately explained the bill, and we ant to the rule, the gentleman from Ar- Education Land Grant Act, it was have no objection. So we support H.R. izona (Mr. HAYWORTH) and the gentle- never my intent for a governmental bu- 108. woman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. reaucracy to determine administra- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- CHRISTENSEN) each will control 20 min- tively that they were going to charge ance of my time. utes. the rural school districts of America Mr. HAYWORTH. Madam Speaker, I The Chair recognizes the gentleman for their staff time. Indeed, Madam thank the gentlewoman from the Vir- from Arizona (Mr. HAYWORTH). Speaker, if I am not mistaken, anyone gin Islands (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN) for her Mr. HAYWORTH. Madam Speaker, I in the employment of the United favorable comments. yield myself such time as I may con- States Government serves the people, Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- sume. and here we have an administrative di- ance of my time.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.025 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2875 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the United States, providing for the preser- create a new park unit, but rather allows the question is on the motion offered by vation and use of the McLoughlin House as a House to be administered as part of an exist- the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. national historic site. ing unit. (6) The Association has had an exemplary HAYWORTH) that the House suspend the The McLoughlin House National Historic and longstanding role in the stewardship of Site is named for Dr. John McLoughlin, the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 108. the Historic Site but is unable to continue The question was taken. that role. ‘‘Father of Oregon’’ who established the fa- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the (7) The Historic Site has been an affiliated mous British Hudson Bay Company in Van- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of area of the National Park System and is couver, Washington in 1825. Dr. McLoughlin those present have voted in the affirm- worthy of recognition as part of the National supplied American pioneers with the goods ative. Park System. they needed to settle and survive at their new Mr. HAYWORTH. Madam Speaker, SEC. 3. MCLOUGHLIN HOUSE NATIONAL HIS- home in Oregon. on that I demand the yeas and nays. TORIC SITE. The House passed the same language in The yeas and nays were ordered. (a) ACQUISITION.—The Secretary is author- this bill during the 107th Congress as part of ized to acquire the Historic Site, from will- a larger package. The bill still enjoys the same The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ing sellers only, by donation, purchase with ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, broad support that it did last Congress and I Chair’s prior announcement, further except that lands or interests in lands owned urge my colleagues to support it. proceedings on this motion will be by the City may be acquired by donation Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- postponed. only. ance of my time. (b) BOUNDARIES; ADMINISTRATION.—Upon Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- f acquisition of the Historic Site, the acquired er, I yield myself such time as I may McLOUGHLIN HOUSE NATIONAL property shall be included within the bound- consume. HISTORIC SITE ACT aries of, and be administered as part of, the (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in ac- Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I given permission to revise and extend cordance with all applicable laws and regula- her remarks.) move to suspend the rules and pass the tions of the National Park System. bill (H.R. 733) to authorize the Sec- Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- er, the McLoughlin House National retary of the Interior to acquire the ant to the rule, the gentleman from McLoughlin House National Historic Historic Site in Oregon honors the Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST) and the gen- achievements of John McLoughlin, Site in Oregon City, Oregon, and to ad- tlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. minister the site as a unit of the Na- commonly referred to as the ‘‘Father of CHRISTENSEN) each will control 20 min- tional Park System, and for other pur- Oregon.’’ The site has been preserved utes. and managed by the McLoughlin Me- poses. The Chair recognizes the gentleman The Clerk read as follows: morial Association since its designa- from Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST). tion as a national historic site in 1941. H.R. 733 Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I Unfortunately, the association is no Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- yield myself such time as I may con- longer in a position to be the primary resentatives of the United States of America in sume. Congress assembled, management entity for this nationally Madam Speaker, H.R. 733, introduced very significant site and is therefore SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; DEFINITIONS. by the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as seeking Federal acquisition of the site. HOOLEY) authorizes the Secretary of Once acquired, the site will be man- the ‘‘McLoughlin House National Historic the Interior to acquire the McLoughlin Site Act’’. aged as part of the nearby Fort Van- House National Historic Site in Oregon (b) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this couver National Historic Site. Act, the following definitions apply: City, Oregon, and to administer it as The gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. (1) ASSOCIATION.—The term ‘‘Association’’ part of the existing Fort Vancouver HOOLEY) has worked tirelessly on be- means the McLoughlin Memorial Associa- National Historic Site, which has al- half of this legislation and is to be tion, an organization described in section ready been established as a unit of the commended for her diligence and perse- 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 National Park System. verance. The McLoughlin House site and exempt from taxation under section I would like to say after reading 501(a) of such Code. might have well begun to suffer serious some of the information before us here deterioration had she not stepped in to (2) CITY.—The term ‘‘City’’ means Oregon this morning that I want to thank the City, Oregon. preserve this important historic re- gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. (3) HISTORIC SITE.—The term ‘‘Historic source. Site’’ means the McLoughlin House National HOOLEY) for bringing this to the floor’s Madam Speaker, I yield such time as Historic Site which is described in the Act- attention and that the ‘‘father of Or- she may consume to the gentlewoman ing Assistant Secretary of the Interior’s egon,’’ as it is stated here, Dr. John from Oregon (Ms. HOOLEY). Order of June 27, 1941, and generally depicted McLoughlin from the Hudson Bay Com- Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam on the map entitled ‘‘McLoughlin House Na- pany, provided many weary travelers Speaker, I thank my colleague for tional Historic Site’’, numbered 007/80,000, with the goods and the resources and yielding me this time. and dated 12/01/01, and includes the McLough- the comfort that they needed as they lin House, the Barclay House, and other asso- I thank my colleague from Maryland ciated real property, improvements, and per- traversed this great continent. for his kind words. sonal property. H.R. 733, introduced by Congresswoman I rise today in appreciation of my (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ DARLENE HOOLEY, authorizes the Secretary of colleagues who made bringing this bill means the Secretary of the Interior. the Interior to acquire the McLoughlin House to the floor possible. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. National Historic Site in Oregon City, Oregon, Standing 6 foot 4 inches tall, Dr. Congress finds the following: and to administer it as part of the existing Fort John McLoughlin cast a giant of a (1) On June 27, 1941, Acting Assistant Sec- Vancouver National Historic Site, which has shadow on the early development of retary of the Interior W.C. Mendenhall, by already been established as a Unit of the Na- the Oregon frontier. For 21 years his means of the authority granted the Sec- tional Park System. The McLoughlin House, powerful voice was the only influence retary under section 2 of the Historic Sites of law and order over an empire 21⁄2 Act of August 21, 1935, established the an Affiliated Area of the National Park System, McLoughlin Home National Historic Site, lo- has long been the beneficiary of a close work- times the size of Texas. He had abso- cated in the City. ing relationship between the managing entity, lute control, and he maintained it (2) Since January 16, 1945, the site has been the McLoughlin Memorial Association, and its peacefully and profitably with a bal- known as McLoughlin House National His- partner, the National Park Service. The ance of justice. With an overwhelming toric Site. McLoughlin Memorial Association is no longer sense of compassion and generosity be- (3) The Historic Site includes the in a position to be able to support and man- yond reproach, it is little wonder that McLoughlin House and Barclay House, which age the National Historic Site. Consequently, he was regarded by native Americans are owned and managed by the Association. as a ‘‘Great White Eagle.’’ John (4) The Historic Site is located in a Charter this bill will enable the National Park Service Park on Oregon City Block 40, which is to essentially exchange roles with the associa- McLoughlin did indeed walk tall and owned by the City. tion to preserve this important historical treas- cast the greatest shadow that ever fell (5) A cooperative agreement was made in ure, while continuing to use the association as so humbly on the changing face of Or- 1941 among the Association, the City, and a resource. At the same time, the bill does not egon.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.027 H08PT1 H2876 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Born in 1784 near Quebec, Canada, pathized with the overwhelmed and Again, I thank all my colleagues for McLoughlin began his medical appren- often unprepared settlers. He extended their time and effort. ticeship at age 14. In 1803 at the ripe credit so they could purchase supplies, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- old age of 19, he was granted his license clothing and seed for planting, offered er, I yield such time as he may con- to practice surgery and pharmacy. food to those who were hungry, cared sume to the gentleman from Wash- Soon after, Dr. McLoughlin was ap- for those who took ill. This personal ington (Mr. BAIRD). pointed medical officer for the North decision by Dr. McLoughlin and the Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I thank West Company, fierce competitor of compassion he showed to these settlers the distinguished ranking member for Hudson’s Bay Company in the fur proved critical to establishing Amer- yielding me time, and my dear friend, trade. He continued there until 1821, ican settlers and solidified U.S. claims the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. until his acquisition by Hudson, for to the territory. HOOLEY). whom he continued working. By 1845, Dr. McLoughlin’s disgust for As the proud Representative of In 1824 Dr. McLoughlin was sent to Hudson’s policy toward American set- America’s Vancouver, as our Mayor Fort George, now Astoria, Oregon, near tlers was so great he was unable to Royce Pollard likes to describe it, I am the mouth of the Columbia River. stay with the company. After his res- privileged to represent Fort Vancouver Charged with establishing administra- ignation, he purchased the company’s itself. tive headquarters and supply depot for land claim at Willamette Falls in Or- As the gentlewoman from Oregon the expanding fur company, he was egon City and built a residence for his (Ms. HOOLEY) explained, the chief fac- also tasked with creating a mercantile family, the McLoughlin House, and tor of Fort Vancouver in its early arm of the British Government with took up residence in 1846. years was none other than John the goal of monopolizing the fur trade McLoughlin remained a public figure McLoughlin. He distinguished himself and maintaining peace among the nu- through his retirement and became a in numerable ways. His help to the merous Indian tribes. U.S. citizen in 1849. He donated land for American settlers of this region was in- Upon arrival, he found the existing the jail, for a female seminary, and in valuable, and many, many people de- facility to be run down, the farmland 1851 was elected mayor of Oregon City. scribed his hospitality. to be poor, and the location that was in He died in his home 6 years later. Narcissa Whitman, the wife of fron- general unsuitable for his responsibil- In 1941, the McLoughlin House was tier evangelist Marcus Whitman, whose ities. To remedy these deficiencies, he designated a national historic site, the statue resides in this very building, de- moved the site northwest and built a first one in the West; and in 1957 Dr. scribed Vancouver at the time as the new settlement in Belle Vue Point, in John McLoughlin was named Father of ‘‘New York of the Pacific Ocean.’’ Now, what is now Washington State, and Oregon by the State legislature. mind you, it was a pretty small New named it Fort Vancouver. The new fort Clearly, Fort Vancouver and the York. It was a stockade-type fort. But was an imposing presence. It contained McLoughlin House have a long and sto- for those who had traveled that long all the necessities for settlement with ried history together. The intent of my journey across the Oregon Trail, it was a school library, pharmacy, chapel, legislation is to see that this history is a beacon of friendship, of health care, warehouses, smithy, and the largest continued by expanding the boundaries of food and of protection. Without John manufacturing facility west of the of Fort Vancouver National Historic McLoughlin, that would not have been Rockies. To the rear of the fort were Site to include the McLoughlin House possible. fields of grain, vegetables, and an or- National Historic Site. I am proud to represent Vancouver, I chard for fresh fruits. Currently, the McLoughlin House is am proud to represent Fort Vancouver, Dr. McLoughlin maintained friendly maintained and managed by a non- as we call it, ‘‘Vancouver, not B.C.; relationship with the local Indians, and profit group. For nearly 100 years, the Washington, not D.C.’’ in 1829 when a visiting ship brought a association has done admirable work to Madam Speaker, I commend the gen- terrible fever that spread like wildfire, preserve and maintain this historic tlewoman from Oregon (Ms. HOOLEY) he spent countless hours tending the treasure. However, over the past sev- for her initiative, and our ranking ill, trying to ease their suffering as eral years, the association has been un- member and the Chair of the com- much as he could. Despite his best ef- able to raise the funds required to pro- mittee for their initiative in preserving forts, the fever devastated the tribes vide the needed maintenance and up- this valued historical site. I urge its and killed more than 30,000 people over keep of the property that is now in passage, and I urge people to come visit the next 4 years. jeopardy of falling into disrepair. the birthplace of American history in Meanwhile, though, Fort Vancouver The McLoughlin House National His- the Pacific Northwest, Fort Vancouver, flourished under the guidance of Dr. toric Act would do what should have Washington. McLoughlin. Even though he had no been done 60 years ago, include these Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- military forces, he was able to main- properties as part of the National Park er, I yield back the balance of my time. tain peace and order through his per- System, rather than creating a new Mr. GILCHREST. Madam Speaker, I sonality and hard work. He was a fig- unit of the National Park System. This yield myself such time as I may con- ure larger than life. legislation simply adds this historic sume. treasure to the existing Fort Van- Madam Speaker, I urge my col- b 1300 couver National Historic Site, which is leagues to vote for H.R. 733. I thank my His good relationship with the local already administered by the park sys- friend, the gentlewoman from the Vir- Indians kept the peace on that front, tem. gin Islands (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN), on the and it was not until his departure that I believe this addition will preserve other side and the staff on both sides of any unrest developed from that quar- in perpetuity the cultural, educational, the aisle, and certainly the two Mem- ter. and historical benefits of this historic bers that spoke here this morning. As a reward for his enlightened stew- site for future generations. I am proud I urge passage of this important piece ardship, he was knighted by Bucking- of the wide-ranging support for this of legislation. ham Palace by Queen Victoria in 1841. legislation, from the city, county, the Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- During the 1840s, the British came to citizens, the congressional delegation. ance of my time. the realization that preventing Amer- The citizens in Oregon City approved a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. ican settlers from homesteading in Or- ballot measure by 80 percent to allow BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- egon was all but impossible, but they this to go into the National Park Sys- tion offered by the gentleman from tried their best to discourage settlers tem. Maryland (Mr. GILCHREST) that the from beginning the trip. Tall tales of Again, I would like to thank every- House suspend the rules and pass the fierce Indians, unproductive land, and one who has contributed to making bill, H.R. 733. terrible weather conditions were spread this legislation possible, and I feel cer- The question was taken; and (two- far and wide. tain this legislation will move swiftly thirds having voted in favor thereof) Though it violated Hudson’s Bay through the Senate and to President the rules were suspended and the bill company policy, McLoughlin sym- Bush’s desk. was passed.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.029 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2877 A motion to reconsider was laid on Ford Lowey Ruppersberger Northup Rehberg Sullivan the table. Fossella Lucas (KY) Rush Norwood Reynolds Tancredo Frank (MA) Lynch Ryan (OH) Nunes Rogers (AL) Terry f Frelinghuysen Majette Ryan (WI) Nussle Rogers (KY) Thomas Frost Maloney Sabo Osborne Rogers (MI) Thornberry ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Gillmor Manzullo Sanchez, Linda Otter Rohrabacher Tiberi Gonzalez Markey T. Oxley Ryun (KS) Toomey PRO TEMPORE Gordon Marshall Sanchez, Loretta Paul Schrock Turner (OH) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Granger Matheson Sanders Pearce Sensenbrenner Vitter Green (TX) Matsui Pence Sessions Wamp ant to clause 8 of rule XX, and the Sandlin Green (WI) McCarthy (NY) Saxton Petri Shadegg Weldon (FL) Pickering Sherwood Weller Chair’s prior announcement, the Chair Grijalva McCollum Schakowsky Pitts Simmons Wicker will now put each question on which Gutierrez McDermott Schiff Hall McGovern Pombo Simpson Wilson (NM) Scott (GA) further proceedings were postponed Harman McHugh Pryce (OH) Smith (MI) Wilson (SC) Scott (VA) earlier today in the following order: Hart McIntyre Putnam Souder Young (AK) Serrano Hastings (FL) McNulty Radanovich Stearns Young (FL) Motion to instruct conferees on H.R. Shaw 1559, de novo; Hayworth Meehan NOT VOTING—19 Hill Meek (FL) Shays Motions to suspend the rules and Hinchey Meeks (NY) Sherman Brown, Corrine Gerlach Moran (VA) pass: Hinojosa Menendez Shimkus Brown-Waite, Hulshof Nadler H.R. 273, by the yeas and nays; and Hoeffel Michaud Shuster Ginny Hyde Payne Skelton H.R. 108, by the yeas and nays. Holden Millender- Combest Jenkins Smith (TX) Holt McDonald Slaughter Davis (TN) Lewis (CA) Stupak The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes Honda Miller (NC) Smith (NJ) Davis, Tom Lucas (OK) Taylor (NC) the time for any electronic vote after Hooley (OR) Miller, George Smith (WA) Gephardt McCarthy (MO) the first such vote in this series. Hoyer Mollohan Snyder Hunter Moore Solis ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE f Inslee Moran (KS) Spratt The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Israel Murphy Stark BIGGERT) (during the vote.) Members MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES Jackson (IL) Murtha Stenholm are reminded there are 2 minutes re- ON H.R. 1559, EMERGENCY WAR- Jackson-Lee Napolitano Strickland maining in this vote. (TX) Neal (MA) Sweeney TIME SUPPLEMENTAL ACT, 2003 Janklow Nethercutt Tanner b 1332 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jefferson Oberstar Tauscher John Obey Tauzin Messrs. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, pending business is the question de Johnson (IL) Olver Taylor (MS) POMBO, GALLEGLY, SIMPSON and novo on the motion to instruct con- Johnson, E. B. Ortiz Thompson (CA) BRADLEY of New Hampshire changed ferees on H.R. 1559 offered by the gen- Jones (OH) Ose Thompson (MS) Kanjorski Owens their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY). Tiahrt Kaptur Pallone Tierney Messrs. GREEN of Wisconsin, The Clerk read the title of the bill. Kelly Pascrell Towns WALSH, LaTOURETTE, WHITFIELD, Kennedy (RI) Pastor The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Turner (TX) SWEENEY, FOLEY, FRELING- Kildee Pelosi Udall (CO) Clerk will designate the motion. Kilpatrick Peterson (MN) HUYSEN, GUTIERREZ, RENZI, Udall (NM) The Clerk designated the motion. Kind Peterson (PA) FOSSELLA, LEWIS of Kentucky, Upton King (NY) Platts The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Van Hollen WALDEN of Oregon, AKIN, LINCOLN question is on the motion to instruct Kleczka Pomeroy DIAZ-BALART of Florida, MARIO Kucinich Porter Velazquez offered by the gentleman from Wis- LaHood Portman Visclosky DIAZ-BALART of Florida, PETERSON consin (Mr. OBEY). Lampson Price (NC) Walden (OR) of Pennsylvania, BARTLETT of Mary- Walsh The question was taken; and the Langevin Quinn land, EVERETT, Mrs. EMERSON, and Lantos Rahall Waters Speaker pro tempore announced that Larsen (WA) Ramstad Watson Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN changed their the ayes appeared to have it. Larson (CT) Rangel Watt vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speak- LaTourette Regula Waxman So the motion to instruct conferees Weiner er, I object to the vote on the ground Leach Renzi was agreed to. Lee Reyes Weldon (PA) The result of the vote was announced that a quorum is not present and make Levin Rodriguez Wexler the point of order that a quorum is not Lewis (GA) Ros-Lehtinen Whitfield as above recorded. present. Lewis (KY) Ross Wolf A motion to reconsider was laid on Woolsey The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evi- Lipinski Rothman the table. LoBiondo Roybal-Allard Wu Stated for: dently a quorum is not present. Lofgren Royce Wynn Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, The Sergeant at Arms will notify ab- on rollcall No. 112, had I been present, I sent Members. NAYS—150 would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ The vote was taken by electronic de- Bachus Collins Hensarling Stated against: vice, and there were—yeas 265, nays Baker Cox Herger Ballenger Crane Hobson Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 150, not voting 19, as follows: Barrett (SC) Crenshaw Hoekstra 112 I inadvertently pressed the ‘‘yea’’ button. [Roll No. 112] Bass Cubin Hostettler I meant to vote ‘‘nay.’’ Beauprez Culberson Houghton YEAS—265 Bereuter Davis, Jo Ann Isakson APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES Abercrombie Brown (OH) Delahunt Biggert Deal (GA) Issa The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Ackerman Burgess DeLauro Bilirakis DeLay Istook objection, the Chair appoints the fol- Aderholt Burr Deutsch Bishop (UT) DeMint Johnson (CT) lowing conferees: Messrs. YOUNG of Akin Capito Diaz-Balart, L. Blackburn Doolittle Johnson, Sam Alexander Capps Diaz-Balart, M. Blunt Dreier Jones (NC) Florida, REGULA, LEWIS of California, Allen Capuano Dicks Boehner Duncan Keller ROGERS of Kentucky, WOLF, KOLBE, Andrews Cardin Dingell Bonilla Ehlers Kennedy (MN) WALSH, TAYLOR of North Carolina, Baca Cardoza Doggett Bonner Feeney King (IA) HOBSON, ISTOOK, BONILLA, KNOLLEN- Baird Carson (IN) Dooley (CA) Bono Flake Kingston Baldwin Carson (OK) Doyle Boozman Forbes Kirk BERG, KINGSTON, FRELINGHUYSEN, OBEY, Ballance Case Dunn Bradley (NH) Franks (AZ) Kline MURTHA, DICKS, SABO, MOLLOHAN, Ms. Bartlett (MD) Clay Edwards Brady (TX) Gallegly Knollenberg KAPTUR, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mrs. LOWEY, Barton (TX) Clyburn Emanuel Brown (SC) Garrett (NJ) Kolbe Becerra Conyers Emerson Burns Gibbons Latham and Messrs. SERRANO, MORAN of Vir- Bell Cooper Engel Burton (IN) Gilchrest Linder ginia, and EDWARDS. Berkley Costello English Buyer Gingrey McCotter There was no objection. Berman Cramer Eshoo Calvert Goode McCrery Berry Crowley Etheridge Camp Goodlatte McInnis f Bishop (GA) Cummings Evans Cannon Goss McKeon ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Bishop (NY) Cunningham Everett Cantor Graves Mica Blumenauer Davis (AL) Farr Carter Greenwood Miller (FL) PRO TEMPORE Boehlert Davis (CA) Fattah Castle Gutknecht Miller (MI) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Boswell Davis (FL) Ferguson Chabot Harris Miller, Gary ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the remain- Boucher Davis (IL) Filner Chocola Hastings (WA) Musgrave Boyd DeFazio Fletcher Coble Hayes Myrick der of votes in this series will be con- Brady (PA) DeGette Foley Cole Hefley Ney ducted as 5-minute votes.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.033 H08PT1 H2878 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 NUTRIA ERADICATION AND Matsui Pombo Smith (TX) Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, CONTROL ACT OF 2003 McCarthy (NY) Pomeroy Smith (WA) McCollum Porter Snyder on rollcall No. 113, had I been present, I The SPEAKER pro tempore. The McCotter Portman Solis would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ pending business is the question of sus- McCrery Price (NC) Souder McDermott Pryce (OH) Spratt f pending the rules and passing the bill, McGovern Putnam Stark H.R. 273. McHugh Quinn Stenholm REQUIRING SECRETARY OF AGRI- The Clerk read the title of the bill. McInnis Radanovich Strickland CULTURE TO PAY COSTS OF EN- McIntyre Rahall Sullivan The SPEAKER pro tempore. The McKeon Ramstad VIRONMENTAL REVIEWS WITH Sweeney McNulty Rangel question is on the motion offered by Tancredo RESPECT TO CONVEYANCES Meehan Regula the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Tanner UNDER THE EDUCATION LAND Meek (FL) Rehberg Tauscher GILCHREST) that the House suspend the Meeks (NY) Renzi GRANT ACT Tauzin rules and pass the bill, H.R. 273, on Menendez Reyes The SPEAKER pro tempore. The which the yeas and nays are ordered. Mica Reynolds Taylor (MS) Terry pending business is the question of sus- This will be a 5-minute-vote. Michaud Rodriguez Millender- Rogers (AL) Thomas pending the rules and passing the bill, The vote was taken by electronic de- McDonald Rogers (KY) Thompson (CA) H.R. 108. Thompson (MS) vice, and there were—yeas 385, nays 30, Miller (MI) Rogers (MI) The Clerk read the title of the bill. not voting 19, as follows: Miller (NC) Ros-Lehtinen Thornberry Miller, Gary Ross Tiahrt The SPEAKER pro tempore. The [Roll No. 113] Miller, George Rothman Tiberi question is on the motion offered by YEAS—385 Mollohan Roybal-Allard Tierney the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Moore Royce Towns Abercrombie Crenshaw Herger Moran (KS) Ruppersberger Turner (OH) HAYWORTH) that the House suspend the Ackerman Crowley Hill Murphy Rush Turner (TX) rules and pass the bill, H.R. 108, on Aderholt Cubin Hinchey Murtha Ryan (OH) Udall (CO) Akin Cummings Hinojosa which the yeas and nays are ordered. Musgrave Ryan (WI) Udall (NM) Alexander Cunningham Hobson This will be a 5-minute vote. Myrick Ryun (KS) Upton Allen Davis (AL) Hoeffel Napolitano Sabo The vote was taken by electronic de- Andrews Davis (CA) Hoekstra Van Hollen Neal (MA) Sanchez, Linda Velazquez vice, and there were—yeas 406, nays 8, Baca Davis (FL) Holden Nethercutt T. Bachus Davis (IL) Holt Visclosky not voting 20, as follows: Ney Sanchez, Loretta Vitter Baird Davis, Jo Ann Honda Northup Sanders [Roll No. 114] Walden (OR) Baker DeFazio Hooley (OR) Nunes Sandlin Walsh YEAS—406 Baldwin DeGette Houghton Nussle Saxton Waters Ballance Delahunt Hoyer Oberstar Schakowsky Abercrombie Carson (OK) Filner Watson Ballenger DeLauro Hunter Obey Schiff Ackerman Carter Fletcher Bartlett (MD) DeLay Inslee Olver Schrock Watt Aderholt Case Foley Barton (TX) DeMint Isakson Ortiz Scott (GA) Waxman Akin Castle Forbes Bass Deutsch Israel Osborne Scott (VA) Weiner Alexander Chabot Ford Beauprez Diaz-Balart, L. Issa Ose Serrano Weldon (FL) Allen Chocola Fossella Becerra Diaz-Balart, M. Istook Owens Sessions Weller Andrews Clay Frank (MA) Bell Dicks Jackson (IL) Oxley Shaw Wexler Baca Clyburn Frelinghuysen Bereuter Dingell Jackson-Lee Pallone Shays Whitfield Bachus Coble Frost Berkley Doggett (TX) Pascrell Sherman Wicker Baird Cole Gallegly Berman Dooley (CA) Janklow Pastor Sherwood Wilson (NM) Baker Collins Garrett (NJ) Berry Doolittle Jefferson Pelosi Shimkus Wilson (SC) Baldwin Conyers Gibbons Biggert Doyle John Peterson (MN) Shuster Wolf Ballance Cooper Gilchrest Bilirakis Dreier Johnson (CT) Peterson (PA) Simmons Woolsey Ballenger Costello Gillmor Bishop (GA) Dunn Johnson (IL) Petri Simpson Wu Barrett (SC) Cox Gingrey Bishop (NY) Edwards Johnson, E. B. Pickering Skelton Wynn Bartlett (MD) Cramer Gonzalez Bishop (UT) Ehlers Johnson, Sam Pitts Slaughter Young (AK) Barton (TX) Crane Goode Blackburn Emanuel Jones (NC) Platts Smith (NJ) Young (FL) Bass Crenshaw Goodlatte Blumenauer Emerson Jones (OH) Beauprez Crowley Gordon Blunt Engel Kanjorski NAYS—30 Becerra Cubin Goss Boehlert English Kaptur Barrett (SC) Flake Paul Bell Culberson Granger Boehner Eshoo Keller Burgess Franks (AZ) Pearce Bereuter Cummings Graves Bonilla Etheridge Kelly Burton (IN) Goode Pence Berkley Cunningham Green (TX) Bonner Evans Kennedy (MN) Coble Graves Rohrabacher Berman Davis (AL) Green (WI) Bono Farr Kennedy (RI) Collins Hensarling Sensenbrenner Berry Davis (CA) Greenwood Boozman Fattah Kildee Culberson Hostettler Shadegg Biggert Davis (FL) Grijalva Boswell Ferguson Kilpatrick Deal (GA) King (IA) Smith (MI) Bilirakis Davis (IL) Gutierrez Boucher Filner Kind Duncan Miller (FL) Stearns Bishop (GA) Davis (TN) Gutknecht Boyd Fletcher King (NY) Everett Norwood Toomey Bishop (NY) Davis, Jo Ann Hall Bradley (NH) Foley Kingston Feeney Otter Wamp Bishop (UT) Deal (GA) Harman Brady (PA) Forbes Kirk Blackburn DeFazio Harris Brady (TX) Ford Kleczka NOT VOTING—19 Blumenauer DeGette Hart Brown (OH) Fossella Kline Blunt Delahunt Hastings (FL) Brown, Corrine Gerlach Moran (VA) Brown (SC) Frank (MA) Knollenberg Boehlert DeLauro Hastings (WA) Brown-Waite, Hulshof Burns Frelinghuysen Kolbe Nadler Boehner DeLay Hayes Ginny Hyde Burr Frost Kucinich Payne Bonilla DeMint Hayworth Combest Jenkins Buyer Gallegly LaHood Stupak Bonner Deutsch Hefley Davis (TN) Lewis (CA) Calvert Garrett (NJ) Lampson Taylor (NC) Bono Diaz-Balart, L. Hensarling Davis, Tom Lucas (OK) Camp Gibbons Langevin Weldon (PA) Boozman Diaz-Balart, M. Herger Gephardt McCarthy (MO) Cannon Gilchrest Lantos Boswell Dicks Hill Cantor Gillmor Larsen (WA) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Boucher Dingell Hinchey Capito Gingrey Larson (CT) Boyd Doggett Hinojosa Capps Gonzalez Latham The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Bradley (NH) Dooley (CA) Hobson Capuano Goodlatte LaTourette the vote). The Chair will remind Mem- Brady (PA) Doolittle Hoeffel Cardin Gordon Leach bers that less than 1 minute remains in Brady (TX) Doyle Hoekstra Cardoza Goss Lee Brown (OH) Dreier Holden Carson (IN) Granger Levin this vote. Brown (SC) Duncan Holt Carson (OK) Green (TX) Lewis (GA) Burgess Dunn Hooley (OR) Carter Green (WI) Lewis (KY) b 1340 Burns Edwards Hostettler Case Greenwood Linder Mr. NORWOOD changed his vote Burr Ehlers Houghton Castle Grijalva Lipinski Burton (IN) Emanuel Hoyer Chabot Gutierrez LoBiondo from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ Buyer Emerson Hunter Chocola Gutknecht Lofgren So (two-thirds having voted in favor Calvert Engel Inslee Clay Hall Lowey thereof) the rules were suspended and Camp English Isakson Clyburn Harman Lucas (KY) Cannon Eshoo Israel Cole Harris Lynch the bill was passed. Cantor Etheridge Issa Conyers Hart Majette The result of the vote was announced Capito Evans Istook Cooper Hastings (FL) Maloney as above recorded. Capps Everett Jackson (IL) Costello Hastings (WA) Manzullo A motion to reconsider was laid on Capuano Farr Jackson-Lee Cox Hayes Markey Cardin Fattah (TX) Cramer Hayworth Marshall the table. Cardoza Feeney Janklow Crane Hefley Matheson Stated for: Carson (IN) Ferguson Jefferson

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.035 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2879 John Mollohan Schakowsky b 1347 ‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis- Johnson (CT) Moore Schiff trator’ means the Administrator of the Johnson (IL) Moran (KS) Schrock Mr. MILLER of Florida changed his Small Business Administration, acting Johnson, E. B. Murphy Scott (GA) vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ through the Associate Administrator for Johnson, Sam Murtha Scott (VA) So (two-thirds having voted in favor Small Business Development Centers. Jones (NC) Musgrave Serrano thereof) the rules were suspended and ‘‘(2) ASSOCIATION.—The term ‘Association’ Jones (OH) Myrick Shaw Kanjorski Napolitano Shays the bill was passed. means the association recognized by the Ad- Kaptur Neal (MA) Sherman The result of the vote was announced ministrator of the Small Business Adminis- Keller Nethercutt Sherwood as above recorded. tration under section 21(a)(3)(A). Kelly Ney Shimkus A motion to reconsider was laid on ‘‘(3) PARTICIPATING SMALL BUSINESS DEVEL- Kennedy (MN) Northup Shuster the table. OPMENT CENTER.—The term ‘participating Kennedy (RI) Norwood Simmons Small Business Development Center’ means Kildee Nunes Simpson f a Small Business Development Center par- Kilpatrick Nussle Skelton ticipating in the program. Kind Oberstar REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER Slaughter ‘‘(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘program’ means King (IA) Obey Smith (NJ) AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 1119 King (NY) Olver the regulatory assistance program estab- Smith (TX) Kingston Ortiz Mr. SIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I lished under this section. Smith (WA) Kirk Osborne ask unanimous consent to have my ‘‘(5) REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ASSIST- Snyder Kleczka Ose ANCE.—The term ‘regulatory compliance as- Solis name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. Kline Otter Souder 1119. sistance’ means assistance provided by a Knollenberg Owens Spratt Small Business Development Center to a Kolbe Oxley The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Stark objection to the request of the gen- small business concern to enable the concern Kucinich Pallone to comply with Federal regulatory require- LaHood Pascrell Stenholm tleman from Connecticut? ments. Lampson Pastor Strickland There was no objection. Langevin Paul Sullivan ‘‘(6) SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CEN- Lantos Pearce Sweeney f TER.—The term ‘Small Business Develop- Tancredo Larsen (WA) Pelosi NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS REG- ment Center’ means a Small Business Devel- Larson (CT) Pence Tanner opment Center described in section 21. Tauscher ULATORY ASSISTANCE ACT OF Latham Peterson (MN) ‘‘(7) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each LaTourette Peterson (PA) Tauzin 2003 of the several States, the District of Colum- Taylor (MS) Leach Petri bia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Lee Pickering Terry Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, I Virgin Islands, and Guam. Levin Pitts Thomas move to suspend the rules and pass the ‘‘(b) AUTHORITY.—In accordance with this Lewis (GA) Platts Thompson (CA) bill (H.R. 205) to amend the Small Busi- section, the Administrator shall establish a Lewis (KY) Pombo Thompson (MS) ness Act to direct the Administrator of Linder Pomeroy Thornberry program to provide regulatory compliance Lipinski Porter Tiahrt the Small Business Administration to assistance to small business concerns LoBiondo Portman Tiberi establish a program to provide regu- through participating Small Business Devel- Lofgren Price (NC) Tierney latory compliance assistance to small opment Centers, the Association, and Fed- Lowey Pryce (OH) Toomey business concerns, and for other pur- eral compliance partnership programs. Lucas (KY) Putnam Towns poses ‘‘(c) SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CEN- Lynch Quinn Turner (OH) TERS.— Radanovich The Clerk read as follows: Majette Turner (TX) ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the pro- Maloney Rahall Udall (CO) H.R. 205 gram, the Administrator shall enter into ar- Manzullo Ramstad Udall (NM) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- rangements with participating Small Busi- Markey Rangel Upton Marshall Regula resentatives of the United States of America in ness Development Centers under which such Van Hollen Congress assembled, Matheson Rehberg Velazquez centers will provide— McCarthy (NY) Renzi Visclosky SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(A) access to information and resources, McCollum Reyes Vitter This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National including current Federal and State non- Reynolds McCotter Walden (OR) Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of punitive compliance and technical assistance McCrery Rodriguez Walsh 2003’’. programs similar to those established under McDermott Rogers (AL) Wamp SEC. 2. PURPOSE. section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments McGovern Rogers (KY) Waters McHugh Rogers (MI) The purpose of this Act is to establish a of 1990; Watson McInnis Ros-Lehtinen program to— ‘‘(B) training and educational activities; Watt McIntyre Ross (1) provide confidential assistance to small ‘‘(C) confidential, free-of-charge, one-on- McKeon Rothman Waxman business concerns; one, in-depth counseling to the owners and Weiner McNulty Roybal-Allard (2) provide small business concerns with operators of small business concerns regard- Meehan Royce Weldon (FL) Weller the information necessary to improve their ing compliance with Federal and State regu- Meek (FL) Ruppersberger rate of compliance with Federal and State lations, provided that such counseling is not Meeks (NY) Rush Wexler considered to be the practice of law in a Menendez Ryan (OH) Whitfield regulations; Mica Ryan (WI) Wicker (3) create a partnership among Federal State in which a Small Business Develop- Michaud Ryun (KS) Wilson (NM) agencies to increase outreach efforts to ment Center is located or in which such Millender- Sabo Wilson (SC) small business concerns with respect to regu- counseling is conducted; McDonald Sanchez, Linda Wolf latory compliance; ‘‘(D) technical assistance; and Miller (FL) T. Woolsey (4) provide a mechanism for unbiased feed- ‘‘(E) referrals to experts and other pro- Miller (MI) Sanchez, Loretta Wu back to Federal agencies on the regulatory viders of compliance assistance who meet Miller (NC) Sanders Wynn environment for small business concerns; such standards for educational, technical, Miller, Gary Sandlin Young (AK) Miller, George Saxton Young (FL) and and professional competency as are estab- (5) utilize the service delivery network of lished by the Administrator. NAYS—8 Small Business Development Centers to im- ‘‘(2) REPORTS.— prove access of small business concerns to ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each participating Flake Sensenbrenner Smith (MI) programs to assist them with regulatory Small Business Development Center shall Franks (AZ) Sessions Stearns Rohrabacher Shadegg compliance. transmit to the Administrator a quarterly SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. report that includes— NOT VOTING—20 In this Act, the definitions set forth in sec- ‘‘(i) a summary of the regulatory compli- tion 36(a) of the Small Business Act (as ance assistance provided by the center under Brown, Corrine Honda McCarthy (MO) the program; and Brown-Waite, Hulshof Moran (VA) added by section 4 of this Act) shall apply. Ginny Hyde Nadler SEC. 4. SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY ASSIST- ‘‘(ii) any data and information obtained by Combest Jenkins Payne ANCE PROGRAM. the center from a Federal agency regarding Davis, Tom Lewis (CA) Stupak The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637 et regulatory compliance that the agency in- Gephardt Lucas (OK) Taylor (NC) seq.) is amended— tends to be disseminated to small business Gerlach Matsui Weldon (PA) (1) by redesignating section 36 as section concerns. 37; and ‘‘(B) ELECTRONIC FORM.—Each report re- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE (2) by inserting after section 35 the fol- ferred to in subparagraph (A) shall be trans- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. lowing new section: mitted in electronic form. ‘‘(C) INTERIM REPORTS.—A participating BIGGERT) (during the vote). Members ‘‘SEC. 36. SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY ASSIST- ANCE PROGRAM. Small Business Development Center may are reminded that there are less than 2 ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the fol- transmit to the Administrator such interim minutes remaining in this vote. lowing definitions apply: reports as the center considers appropriate.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.011 H08PT1 H2880 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003

‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON DISCLOSURE REQUIRE- ‘‘(D) Group 4: Georgia, Alabama, North gram only with amounts appropriated in ad- MENTS.—The Administrator may not require Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Flor- vance specifically to carry out this section.’’. a Small Business Development Center to dis- ida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. SEC. 5. PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS. close the name or address of any small busi- ‘‘(E) Group 5: Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indi- After providing notice and an opportunity ness concern that received or is receiving as- ana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. for comment and after consulting with the sistance under the program, except that the ‘‘(F) Group 6: Texas, New Mexico, Arkan- Association (but not later than 180 days after Administrator shall require such a disclosure sas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. the date of the enactment of this Act), the if ordered to do so by a court in any civil or ‘‘(G) Group 7: Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Administrator shall promulgate final regula- criminal action. and Kansas. tions to carry out this Act, including regula- ‘‘(d) DATA REPOSITORY AND CLEARING- ‘‘(H) Group 8: Colorado, Wyoming, North tions that establish— HOUSE.— Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Utah. (1) priorities for the types of assistance to ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the pro- ‘‘(I) Group 9: California, Guam, Hawaii, Ne- be provided under the program; gram, the Administrator shall— vada, and Arizona. (2) standards relating to educational, tech- ‘‘(A) act as the repository of and clearing- ‘‘(J) Group 10: Washington, Alaska, Idaho, nical, and support services to be provided by house for data and information submitted by and Oregon. participating Small Business Development Small Business Development Centers; and ‘‘(2) DEADLINE FOR INITIAL SELECTIONS.— Centers; ‘‘(B) transmit to the President, the Com- The Administrator shall make selections (3) standards relating to any national serv- mittee on Small Business and Entrepreneur- under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days ice delivery and support function to be pro- ship of the Senate, and the Committee on after promulgation of regulations under sec- vided by the Association under the program; Small Business of the House of Representa- tion 5 of the National Small Business Regu- (4) standards relating to any work plan tives an annual report that includes— latory Assistance Act of 2003. that the Administrator may require a par- ‘‘(i) a description of the types of assistance ‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS.—Not earlier ticipating Small Business Development Cen- provided by participating Small Business De- than the date 3 years after the date of the ter to develop; and velopment Centers under the program; enactment of this paragraph, the Adminis- (5) standards relating to the educational, ‘‘(ii) data regarding the number of small trator may select Small Business Develop- technical, and professional competency of business concerns that contacted partici- ment Center programs of States in addition any expert or other assistance provider to pating Small Business Development Centers to those selected under paragraph (1). The whom a small business concern may be re- regarding assistance under the program; Administrator shall consider the effect on ferred for compliance assistance under the ‘‘(iii) data regarding the number of small the programs selected under paragraph (1) program. business concerns assisted by participating before selecting additional programs under SEC. 6. PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE Small Business Development Centers under this paragraph. TO SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT the program; ‘‘(4) COORDINATION TO AVOID DUPLICATION CENTERS. ‘‘(iv) data and information regarding out- WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.—In selecting pro- Section 21(c) of the Small Business Act (15 reach activities conducted by participating grams under this subsection, the Adminis- U.S.C. 648(c)) is amended by adding at the Small Business Development Centers under trator shall give a preference to Small Busi- end the following: the program, including any activities con- ness Development Center programs that ‘‘(9) PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS.— ducted in partnership with Federal agencies; have a plan for consulting with Federal and ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—No Small Business De- ‘‘(v) data and information regarding each State agencies to ensure that any assistance velopment Center, consortium of Small Busi- case known to the Administrator in which provided under this section is not duplicated ness Development Centers, or contractor or one or more Small Business Development by an existing Federal or State program. agent of a Small Business Development Cen- Centers offered conflicting advice or infor- ‘‘(g) MATCHING NOT REQUIRED.—Subpara- ter shall disclose the name or address of any mation regarding compliance with a Federal graphs (A) and (B) of section 21(a)(4) shall individual or small business concern receiv- or State regulation to one or more small not apply to assistance made available under ing assistance under this section without the business concerns; the program. consent of such individual or small business ‘‘(vi) any recommendations for improve- ‘‘(h) DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS.— concern, except that— ments in the regulation of small business ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in ‘‘(i) the Administrator shall require such concerns; and paragraph (2), each State program selected disclosure if ordered to do so by a court in ‘‘(vii) a list of regulations identified by the to receive a grant under subsection (f) in a any civil or criminal action; and Administrator, after consultation with the fiscal year shall be eligible to receive a grant ‘‘(ii) if the Administrator considers it nec- Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory in an amount not to exceed the product ob- essary while undertaking a financial audit of Enforcement Ombudsman, as being most tained by multiplying— a Small Business Development Center, the burdensome to small business concerns, and ‘‘(A) the amount made available for grants Administrator shall require such disclosure recommendations to reduce or eliminate the under this section for the fiscal year; and for the sole purpose of undertaking such burdens of such regulations. ‘‘(B) the ratio that— audit. ‘‘(e) ELIGIBILITY.— ‘‘(i) the population of the State; bears to ‘‘(B) REGULATIONS.— The Administrator ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Small Business Devel- ‘‘(ii) the population of all the States with shall issue regulations to establish standards opment Center shall be eligible to receive as- programs selected to receive grants under for requiring disclosures during a financial sistance under the program only if the cen- subsection (f) for the fiscal year. audit under subparagraph (a)(ii).’’. ter is certified under section 21(k)(2). ‘‘(2) MINIMUM AMOUNT.—The minimum The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ‘‘(2) WAIVER.—With respect to a Small amount that a State program selected to re- Business Development Center seeking assist- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- ceive a grant under subsection (f) shall be el- linois (Mr. MANZULLO) and the gentle- ance under the program, the administrator igible to receive under this section for any may waive the certification requirement set woman from New York (Ms. fiscal year shall be $200,000. The Adminis- ´ forth in paragraph (1) if the Administrator trator shall reduce the amount described in VELAZQUEZ) each will control 20 min- determines that the center is making a good paragraph (1) as appropriate to carry out the utes. faith effort to obtain such certification. purposes of this paragraph and subsection The Chair recognizes the gentleman ‘‘(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The restriction de- (j)(2). from Illinois (Mr. MANZULLO). scribed in paragraph (1) shall not apply to ‘‘(i) EVALUATION AND REPORT.—Not later GENERAL LEAVE any Small Business Development Center be- than 3 years after the establishment of the Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, I fore October 1, 2003. program, the Comptroller General of the ‘‘(f) SELECTION OF PARTICIPATING STATE ask unanimous consent that all Mem- United States shall conduct an evaluation of bers may have 5 legislative days within PROGRAMS.— the program and shall transmit to the Ad- ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—In con- ministrator, the Committee on Small Busi- which to revise and extend their re- sultation with the Association and giving ness and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and marks and include extraneous material substantial weight to the Association’s rec- the Committee on Small Business of the on this legislation. ommendations, the Administrator shall se- House of Representatives a report containing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there lect the Small Business Development Center the results of the evaluation along with any objection to the request of the gen- programs of 2 States from each of the fol- recommendations as to whether the pro- tleman from Illinois? lowing groups of States to participate in the gram, with or without modification, should There was no objection. program: be extended to include the participation of Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, ‘‘(A) Group 1: Maine, Massachusetts, New all Small Business Development Centers. H.R. 205 is identical to legislation this Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and ‘‘(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— House passed unanimously on October Rhode Island. ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to ‘‘(B) Group 2: New York, New Jersey, Puer- be appropriated to carry out this section 2, 2001. Unfortunately, this bill did not to Rico, and the Virgin Islands. $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal pass the Senate last year. We are here ‘‘(C) Group 3: Pennsylvania, Maryland, year thereafter. today to try again. West Virginia, Virginia, the District of Co- ‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON USE OF OTHER FUNDS.— H.R. 205 was so strongly supported by lumbia, and Delaware. The Administrator may carry out the pro- the Committee on Small Business that

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.012 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2881 both the ranking member and I decided year. That is 60 percent higher than in good faith. With the adoption of this to skip the markup process and bring costs for businesses with more than 500 legislation, we are giving small busi- this bill straight to the House floor. It employees. nesses the support they need to navi- contains all the compromises within Small firms are less equipped to deal gate the often complex realm of Fed- our committee and with the Senate. with regulations than large corpora- eral regulations. For those interested in the legislative tions. Business owners want to comply In closing, let me thank the gen- history of the bill, I would encourage with regulations because they know tleman from New York (Mr. SWEENEY) them to examine the committee’s re- that a safe and healthy workplace for this bill. I strongly urge the adop- port from the 107th Congress on H.R. makes them more productive, but often tion of this legislation. 205. they do not know how to comply or Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- This bill is designed to help small where to start. ance of my time. businesses cope with the maze of Fed- With the adoption of this legislation, Mr. MANZULLO. Madam Speaker, I eral, State and local regulations that we take a big step in helping our Na- yield myself such time as I may con- have created such a heavy burden on tion’s small businesses to navigate the sume. Main Street America. Every day we all regulatory process with passage of the Sometime ago, the gentleman from receive complaints from our constitu- National Small Business Regulatory New York (Mr. SWEENEY) came to me ents about their inability to under- Assistance Act. This legislation estab- and said, Chairman, I have got a very stand regulations that are written in lishes a 3-year pilot program to provide interesting piece of legislation; and I legalese rather than in plain English confidential and nonpunitive advice to took a look at it, and this is the type and about arbitrary actions taken by small businesses that are trying to of legislation that really helps out some regulatory agencies. weather a blizzard of complex Federal small business people. Instead of creating a new program, regulations. The gentleman from New York (Mr. H.R. 205 uses the existing Small Busi- Business owners sometimes fear ap- SWEENEY) is the former labor commis- ness Development Center network to proaching agencies for compliance as- sioner for the State of New York, un- provide regulatory compliance assist- sistance because these are the very doubtedly proud of Syracuse, and even ance to small businesses. The SBDC agencies charged with enforcement. though I am a graduate of Marquette, I network has a good track record with They worry, Can I talk about OSHA re- am still here supporting the bill. He explained how difficult it is, and I small businesses. Because many small quirements with the labor Depart- agree with him, for small business peo- business owners fear going to regu- ment? Can I discuss environmental reg- ple to understand the web of regula- latory agencies for compliance advice, ulations with the EPA? tions. He has experience in the private/ SBDCs can serve as a buffer so that By creating a compliance program through the Small Business Develop- public sector. small business can receive the hands- Madam Speaker, I yield as much ment Centers national network, we on assistance it needs without retribu- time as he may consume to the gen- will provide a neutral, non-threatening tion. tleman from the Empire State (Mr. Already this fiscal year, the Small environment small business owners use SWEENEY), whose idea fostered this leg- Business Administration received an to get important information and ad- islation. additional $1 million appropriation for vice without fear of retaliation. Mr. SWEENEY. Madam Speaker, I The SBDCs, which have a solid rep- SBDCs to provide regulatory compli- thank the gentleman for recognizing utation for aiding local enterprise, al- ance assistance to small businesses. me; but more particularly, I would like ready provide counseling, training and H.R. 205 simply builds upon this initial to thank the chairman for his persist- education. This legislation creates a first step. In addition, the legislation ence in pursuing this matter. includes enhanced privacy protections one-stop shop for regulatory compli- As he mentioned, several years ago, I for small business clients of SBDCs. ance that will help small business own- introduced the original of H.R. 205, the I urge my colleagues to support H.R. ers who want to do the right thing to National Small Business Regulatory 205. do the right thing. Assistance Act, passed it through the Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- In addition, this legislation would es- Committee on Small Business, passed ance of my time. tablish a database clearinghouse for in- ´ it through the floor here; and unfortu- Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I formation gathered by the SBDCs nately, we were not able to get the bill yield myself as much time as I may based on their interaction with local passed through the Senate and get our consume. businesses. This data will be useful in work completed. Today, I rise in strong support of further identifying the compliance The Chairman has stayed with us on H.R. 205, the National Small Business needs of small business and tailoring this issue, and through his diligence we Regulatory Assistance Act of 2003, assistance to them. have been able to get it back on the which would establish a regulatory While SBDCs provide more compli- floor, and I want to thank my friend compliance assistance program to this ance assistance and gather more infor- and ranking member, the gentlewoman Nation’s small businesses. I thank the mation, we must ensure that the sen- from New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ), be- gentleman from New York (Mr. sitive information brought forward by cause I know she, too, has been very SWEENEY) for his hard work on this small business is kept absolutely con- committed and very persistent in pur- issue and congratulate him for bring- fidential. This legislation guarantees suing this matter; and I am very, very ing this bill to the floor. privacy for those who receive compli- thankful. With the American economy still ance assistance and extends these pro- Madam Speaker, we strive in this struggling, it is now more important tections to all small businesses that era, in this time to find different ways than ever to make it easier for small seek any assistance from their local to help the American economy as we businesses, this Nation’s economic SBDC. travel down the road to recovery. We backbone, to expand. In today’s busi- This legislation bars the sharing of try to find ways that we can instill ness environment, one of the greatest information that any SBDC collects on public confidence in our economy; and obstacles standing in the way of a business with any third body or agen- I think it is imperative that we in Con- growth for many of this Nation’s small cy. This will guarantee that small busi- gress, despite all of the other activity businesses is regulatory compliance. nesses receive the assistance they need going on around us, continue to work Small businesses regularly find them- in complete confidence and privacy. in small ways and large ways and in selves lost in the maze of Federal regu- Madam Speaker, we want all our any way we can to help the American lations that are designed to create small businesses to comply with the economy. safer and healthier workplaces. regulations that preserve the health, In fact, regulatory burdens are typi- environment, and well-being of our b 1400 cally ranked as a top concern for small workers and our communities; but of- And I think this bill really is an ef- businesses, and the Small Business Ad- tentimes, small businesses do not have fort on the part of this House to make ministration estimates those burdens access to the resources they need if a concerted effort to aid the corner- cost almost $7,000 per employee per they want to comply with regulations stone of the American economy, and

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.040 H08PT1 H2882 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 that is the small business. The spirit of Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge all my businesses trying to survive and pros- entrepreneurship is really a char- colleagues to support and pass H.R. 205, per. They are bringing about a revival acteristic specifically unique to Amer- this bill, and I want to once again rec- of a rural economy in an area that ica. Recognized in that spirit is really ognize the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. needs to retain its employment. the heroism and the important role MANZULLO) and the ranking member, Now, what concerns them? Taxes and that small business entrepreneurs and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. regulation. They do not have great ac- proprietors provide for the American VELA´ ZQUEZ) for their great work and cess to explanations of what is and is economy in terms of jobs, opportunity, their persistence in staying with this not the proper Federal Government and even technology. bill and this idea. regulation. They hardly have access to As Members of Congress, we receive Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I the Federal Register. They do not have the Federal Register daily in our of- yield such time as he may consume to too many attorneys in town, even if fices. Though these documents are filed the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. CASE). they could afford to pay them. But for safekeeping and reference, they are Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I want to they do have a small business develop- rarely poured over for specific details. join in the remarks of my colleague ment center a few miles away in the However, for the average small busi- from New York in thanking both my town of Hilo. If they can go to that ness owner to understand his or her ranking minority member and my small business development center for legal obligations as entrepreneurs try- chair on the Committee on Small Busi- free confidential advice on what Fed- ing to create these jobs, they have to ness, a committee that I am very proud eral regulations are, that will make a be carefully analyzed, the Federal Reg- and happy to serve on, for their great world of difference to those small busi- istry, that is, to understand the ever- bipartisan efforts. I also again thank nesses, and that town will survive and changing regulations to which the the gentleman from New York (Mr. that region will survive and prosper, businesses are subjected. SWEENEY) for allowing me to cosponsor and my island will survive and prosper, I believe additional measures need to what I think is a very important bill as will my State and country. be taken to better assist small business for small businesses in our country. So we can easily see the benefit of owners in their compliance with Fed- I do not think we have to recite at this legislation as we go forward. And eral guidelines and statutes. H.R. 205 any great length that small business is the benefit of this legislation, again, is relieves the burden shouldered by the in fact the engine of our economy. This to state that basically where our Fed- average small business owner through- is especially true in Hawaii where eral Government does implement and out America. small businesses represent 97 percent of impose regulation on the small busi- In the 106th Congress, Mr. Speaker, all businesses. And it is not just small nesses of our country, I believe and this body passed the National Small business as a category carried by the this legislation says that we also in- Business Regulatory Assistance Act as Federal Government, we are talking herit a duty on the part of the Federal a pilot program. In the 107th Congress, about the grassroots of small business Government to ensure that the people both the House and the Senate adopted in Hawaii. We are talking about busi- that are subject to those regulations versions of this bill, though they are nesses where 34 percent have annual understand them and are able to com- nonconforming, and as I said before, no sales, gross revenues of under $250,000, ply with them. These are small busi- final action was taken before Congress where well over 85 percent of all busi- nesses that want to comply, but the adjourned. I was encouraged by the bi- nesses have 10 or fewer full-time em- challenge is to comply fully and with partisan enthusiasm for this program ployees, and 69 percent 5 or fewer full- the minimum expenditure of money so and have conferred with our colleagues time employees. that that money can be put into in- in the Senate to work out technical When we ask those small businesses vesting in that company and producing disagreements with prior language, so what are the challenges they face, no tax revenues for all of us. it is my hope that H.R. 205 will receive different from anywhere else in our So this is a good bill. This is a bipar- tisan bill. This is an example of what the approval of both the House and the country, they will say that their chal- we can do together. And again I com- Senate in the near future so as to move lenges are taxes and regulations. Now, mend the chair and the ranking minor- forward in our efforts to increase the we can deal with taxes some other ity member of the committee that I am lifespan of American small businesses. place in some other debate, but today In the 108th Congress, the National we are dealing with regulations. And proud to serve on, as well as the gen- Small Business Regulatory Assistance for a small business, and those of us tleman from New York (Mr. SWEENEY), Act will function as a permanent that have been in small business know and pledge my support to this and urge project, not a pilot program. This legis- this, government regulation means that it go forward. Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I re- lation will establish small business time and it means attorneys. And time serve the balance of my time. compliance centers in 20 American and attorneys means money. And Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I States and territories. These facilities money for a small business on a thin yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from will provide assistance to small busi- margin means the difference between Illinois (Mr. DAVIS). ness owners, allowing them to better survival and failure. And to take it a Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, comply with regulatory guidelines and step further, that in turn means the let me commend the chairman, the ease the burden of critical yet over- difference between government reve- gentleman from Illinois (Mr. MAN- worked small business development nues coming about or not. So it is in ZULLO) and the ranking member, the centers. It is important to note that all of our interests to deal with the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. H.R. 205 will not replace current regu- regulatory situation, and this bill does VELA´ ZQUEZ), for bringing this legisla- latory compliance programs but com- that. tion to the floor. plement them. Let me give my colleagues a hard Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the Mr. Speaker, the Small Business Ad- core example from my own home State. economic engine that drive America ministration does an exceptional job My big island, my home island, the big because they create three-fourths of all promoting the development of enter- Island of Hawaii. There is a region of new jobs, employ half our workers, ac- prise in our country. However, the cur- the Island of Hawaii known as count for half of our gross domestic rent structure can only do so much. We Hamakua. And there is a town in product, and contribute more than 55 need to better serve the small business Hamakua known as Honokaa. And percent of innovations. Small busi- community once they are given a leg Hamakua, as I was growing up on that nesses have and will continue to pull to stand on. The Federal Government island, was a sugar community. And the U.S. economy out of recession. has invested a great deal in America’s Honokaa was a sugar town. And in the They anchor our neighborhoods, em- courageous entrepreneurs. By pro- last 10 or 15 years, sugar has faded ploy and train our workers, and take viding small business owners the nec- away. As I walk down the streets of care of our families. They are the rea- essary assistance to comply with ever- Honokaa today, there is a revival; but son that the U.S. economy is the changing regulations, Congress will so- it is a revival of small business, not of strongest in the world. lidify the very foundation of the Amer- a large scale industry. As I walk down Despite all their contributions, small ican economy. that street, that street is full of small businesses face many obstacles. One of

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.043 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2883 these obstacles is the expanding vol- Medicaid/Medicare program, alone, has over I support H.R. 205. umes of regulations where small busi- 100,000 pages of laws and regulations. The Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I nesses are mandated to learn and com- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services urge the adoption of this bill, and I ply with government guidelines. The has over 200 forms that generate 1.7 million yield back the balance of my time. number of Federal regulations has annual responses from health care providers. Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield nearly doubled over the past 20 years. These forms consume over 100 million hours back the balance of my time. The Federal Register, the resource every year that health care providers could The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. book of Federal regulatory initiatives have been using to treat patients. TERRY). The question is on the motion and changes, has increased to nearly Committee and Member staff often serve as offered by the gentleman from Illinois 80,000 pages. With these kinds of rules an intermediary between small businesses (Mr. MANZULLO) that the House sus- and regulations, small businesses are and the federal government in resolving fed- pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. finding themselves confused and often eral regulatory compliance issues. What we 205. lost in piles of regulatory paperwork. are doing in this bill is expanding the scope of The question was taken. It is difficult in this economy for small the SBDC network to educate small business The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the businesses to grow and prosper. The ex- owners to ensure greater compliance of fed- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of cess Federal Government paperwork eral regulations. There are more than 1,000 those present have voted in the affirm- requirements cost the economy about SBDC service locations in the United States, ative. $100 billion a year. Much of this cost is Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, on paid by small business owners. American Samoa. By using the SBDC network that I demand the yeas and nays. Mr. Speaker, this is the reason why I to conduct this pilot program, H.R. 205 en- The yeas and nays were ordered. support the passage of H.R. 205, the Na- sures that American entrepreneurs receive The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tional Small Business Regulatory Act regulatory information in a proven vessel. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the of 2003. This bill requires the Small Last Congress, this legislation passed the Chair’s prior announcement, further Business Administration to enter into House but did not get signed into law. I contin- proceedings on this motion will be an agreement with participating small ued support until we are finally able to adopt postponed. business development centers to pro- this into law. I would also like to commend f vide small businesses with the informa- Representative SWEENEY for continuing to tion necessary to improve their rate of move this bill forward. RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVER- compliance with Federal and State reg- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, SARY OF THE SINKING OF THE ulations. Businesses would receive con- I rise in support of H.R. 205. U.S.S. ‘‘THRESHER’’ fidential, free, one-on-one, in-depth I support H.R. 205 because the National Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. counseling regarding compliance with Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the Federal and State regulations and 2003 establishes valuable programs that help rules and agree to the resolution (H. would indeed receive referrals to ex- America’s small businesses and entre- Res. 170) recognizing the 40th anniver- perts and other providers of compliance preneurs. sary of the sinking of the U.S.S. assistance. H.R. 205 helps small businesses by estab- Thresher. Again, Mr. Speaker, I commend the lishing a program that provides confidential as- The Clerk read as follows: chairman (Mr. MANZULLO) and the sistance to small business concerns, and pro- H. RES. 170 ranking member. I think that this is vides small businesses with the information Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was first probably one of the most bipartisan needed to improve their compliance with Fed- launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on committees in the House. It is a com- eral and State regulatory agencies. July 9, 1960; mittee that does indeed work well to- H.R. 205 also enhances the role of federal Whereas, with a crew of 16 officers, 96 sail- gether and it is indeed a committee and state regulatory agencies by creating a ors, and 17 civilians, the U.S.S. Thresher de- that turns out legislation like this bill partnership among various Federal agencies parted Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for her that I am pleased to support. to increase outreach efforts to small busi- final voyage on April 9, 1963; Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I con- nesses, and utilizes the service delivery net- Whereas the military and civilian mix of tinue to reserve the balance of my work of Small Business Development Centers the U.S.S. Thresher crew reflects the unity time. to assist small businesses with access to pro- of the naval submarine service in the protec- tion of the United States; Ms. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise grams and assistance with regulatory compli- Whereas at approximately 7:47 a.m. on today in support of H.R. 205, The National ance. April 10, 1963, while in communication with Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of The positive impact of Small Business De- the surface ship U.S.S. Skylark, and approxi- 2003. This bill amends the Small Business Act velopment Centers on small businesses and mately 300 miles off the coast of New Eng- to direct the establishment of a program which local economies can be seen by looking at the land, the U.S.S. Thresher began her final de- would provide regulatory compliance assist- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) scent; ance to small businesses through participating at the University of Houston in my home Dis- Whereas, on April 10, 1963, the U.S.S. Small Business Development Centers trict. Thresher was declared lost with all hands; The University of Houston SBDC provides Whereas the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher (SBDCs), the Association for SBDCs, and gave rise to the SUBSAFE program, which Federal compliance partnership programs. many services including business manage- has kept United States’ submariners safe at Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I on the ment, government procurement, and inter- sea as the strongest and safest submarine Small Business Committee have dedicated national trade assistance. It also provides force in history; much time and energy to addressing the issue training and consulting services. The Houston Whereas the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher small business’ burden of complying with fed- SBDC has helped many small businesses gave rise to an ocean engineering curricula eral regulations. One of the greatest chal- excel in Houston’s business market. Each in institutions of higher education that has lenges facing small business owners is under- year the SBDC gives awards to Houston’s Top enabled and sustained the United States’ standing and affording their regulatory require- 100 growing businesses. In 2002, in part be- preeminence in submarine warfare; and Whereas the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher ments. Often, small businesses are so heavily cause of the efforts of the SBDC, a small busi- demonstrated the ‘‘last full measure of devo- penalized for non-compliance with regulatory ness Houston floral products distribution busi- tion’’ in service to the United States, and requirements, that they are forced out of busi- ness, Arko Associates, Inc., experienced this devotion characterizes the sacrifices of ness. Imagine being a small business, in the 191% growth. Another small business Smart all submariners, past and present: Now, current state of our economy, and being faced Kids Software, an education software firm, ex- therefore, be it with paying a $73,000.00 penalty for not sub- perienced 199% growth. Each of these busi- Resolved, That the House of Representa- mitting enough ‘‘supporting documentation.’’ nesses made the Houston Top 100. tives— Mr. Speaker, this is not hypothetical—it is re- These small businesses enhance the quality (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Thresher; ality. of life in our local communities. (2) remembers with profound sorrow the The House Small Business Committee has H.R. 205 provides the services and regu- loss on April 10, 1963, of the U.S.S. Thresher held many hearings to examine the myriad of latory compliance assistance to help many and her gallant crew of sailors and civilians; regulations that small businesses are sub- small businesses and entrepreneurs stay in (3) expresses its deepest gratitude to all jected to. For example, it is estimated that the business. submariners on ‘‘eternal patrol’’, who are

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.045 H08PT1 H2884 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 forever bound together by their dedicated water. After an extended loss of com- The Thresher’s crew notified its com- and honorable service to the United States; munications with the submarine, a panion ship on the surface, the USS and search and rescue team was deployed. Skylark, that it was experiencing minor (4) requests the Clerk of the House of Rep- In April 1963, it was determined that difficulties. The Skylark then received resentatives to transmit a copy of this reso- lution to the Chief of Naval Operations and she had gone down taking all 129 lives ominous but less clear signals, and to the Commanding Officer of the Ports- of her crew. soon realized that the Thresher had mouth Naval Shipyard to be accepted on be- The brave men who served on this sunk to the depths with all souls on half of the families and shipmates of the submarine died while in service of their board. crew of the U.S.S. Thresher. country, but their sacrifice was not in Despite a depth of 8,400 feet, the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- vain because from this tragic accident Navy located the wreckage. It was able ant to the rule, the gentleman from came the creation of the United States to investigate and discovered the like- New Hampshire (Mr. BRADLEY) and the Navy SUBSAFE program. This pro- ly cause of the catastrophe. A leak in gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. SNY- gram increased the standards of all the engine room seawater system had DER) each will control 20 minutes. United States Naval submarines’ re- caused a reactor shutdown, and left the The Chair recognizes the gentleman serve buoyancy, allowing submarines sub insufficient power to resurface. The from New Hampshire (Mr. BRADLEY). to rise to the surface more quickly and loss of the Thresher and its crew left an GENERAL LEAVE easily, even when damaged or flooding. important legacy for future genera- Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Because of the success of this program, tions of submariners. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent the United States Navy has the safest The Navy subsequently implemented that all Members may have 5 legisla- submarine force in history. new procedures such as the SUBSAFE tive days in which to revise and extend It is important not to forget the role program to ensure that no submarine their remarks on H. Res. 170, the reso- that the United States submarine fleet would ever again enter the water with- lution under consideration. played in winning the Cold War. It was out a full safety certification and rig- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the power and strength of the United orous test program. These changes objection to the request of the gen- States submarines that provided an in- have benefited the Navy and saved tleman from New Hampshire? valuable deterrence which enabled the lives over the last 4 decades. There was no objection. United States to win the Cold War and This week, memorials are being con- Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. end the threat of Soviet aggression. ducted at the Portsmouth Naval Ship- Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time The submarine crews who gave their yard to mark the 40th anniversary of as I may consume, and I rise today to lives while protecting the United the tragedy. This resolution pays trib- honor the memory of the crew of the States made the ultimate sacrifice for ute to the crew of the USS Thresher, U.S.S. Thresher, an American nuclear their country and should be honored as who continue to be remembered submarine which was lost with all they stand on eternal patrol. During throughout New England for their hands during sea trials off the coast of this time of conflict and unrest, I be- bravery and sacrifice. Today we offer Cape Cod 40 years ago. lieve we must pay tribute to the crew our remembrance and our gratitude to The Thresher was the first of a new of the Thresher and all submarine crews them and express our sorrow to the class of nuclear submarines that would who have given their lives to protect families they left behind. prove to be instrumental in ending the the freedoms and liberties that we Again, I appreciate the gentleman Cold War. I speak today to commend enjoy as American citizens. I urge from New Hampshire (Mr. BRADLEY) in the bravery and heroism of 129 men strong support for this resolution. bringing forth this resolution and ask who lost their lives in this terrible ac- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the whole House to join us in honoring cident, and to honor all of our men and my time. the lost crew of the Thresher. women in the armed services who have Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield given their lives to protect our free- such time as he may consume to the myself such time as I may consume. doms. gentleman from Maine (Mr. ALLEN). Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this resolu- The nuclear attack submarine, U.S.S. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank tion being brought to the House floor Thresher, was commissioned on August the gentleman for yielding me this today. April 10, 1963, marks the 40th an- 3, 1961 under the command of Com- time. I rise in strong support of H. Res. niversary for the loss of the Thresher mander Dean Axene. This was the sec- 170, a resolution to commemorate the and brings home once again the dan- ond ship to carry the name Thresher, 40th anniversary of the tragedy of the gers inherent in military service, par- and was built at the Portsmouth Naval USS Thresher, and I thank the gen- ticularly with regard to new tech- Shipyard. The Portsmouth Naval Ship- tleman from New Hampshire (Mr. nology. yard has a long and distinguished his- BRADLEY) for bringing this resolution Our edge militarily in America has tory of building and maintaining the forward. The gentleman from New been and will continue to be our tech- Navy’s submarine fleet. During World Hampshire and I jointly represent al- nology, but with new technology comes War II, Portsmouth established a most all of the workforce at Ports- unexpected risks; and that is what was record for building the largest number mouth Naval Shipyard where the seen with the Thresher. of submarines during a single calendar Thresher was built in 1961 and which A word about nuclear-powered sub- year, 31 in 1944. continues to serve a vital function for marines, and that is that not only did On October 18 of that year, the the Navy in submarine repair and over- these men demonstrate courage, but Thresher sailed south to Puerto Rico, haul. also the very nature of their work dem- where she conducted sea trials of her Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago 129 sailors, onstrates intelligence, high levels of weapon systems and diving mecha- officers and civilians lost their lives education, long-term commitments to nisms. Upon completion of these exten- when the USS Thresher went down off the submarine service and to the nu- sive tests, the Thresher returned to her the coast of Cape Cod. It was one of the clear force. We also have to recognize home port of Portsmouth for an over- worst peacetime submarine disasters in the dedication and perseverance of haul before commencing active duty. history. The Thresher was the lead ship their family members who have to After finishing the overhaul, she was of a new class of nuclear-powered sub- share with them their commitment to escorted by the U.S.S. Skylark to an marines. Following commissioning in nuclear submarines. area 300 miles off the coast of Cape August 1961, the Thresher spent the So today we pay tribute to the 129 Cod, Massachusetts. next year and a half in sea trials to men, including 17 civilians, who were test its technological enhancements. It lost 40 years ago and now rest at 8,400 b 1415 returned to Portsmouth Naval Ship- feet in the ocean. I thank the gen- There she conducted a series of deep- yard for overhaul. tleman from New Hampshire (Mr. diving tests. During one of these tests, On April 9, 1963, the Thresher de- BRADLEY) for bringing this resolution. the Skylark received a number of gar- parted for deep-sea training. The next Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, bled transmissions from the Thresher, morning as the boat was near its max- I rise today to express my deepest sympathies followed by what sounded like rushing imum depth, something went wrong. to the crew and families that perished with the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.013 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2885 USS Thresher. On board was a crew of 16 of- noncommunist student organization with complishing these necessary reforms, includ- ficers, 96 sailors and 17 civilians, and on April fellow students from Croatia and Slovenia, ing efforts to fight organized crime and cor- 10, 1963, the submarine was declared lost Zoran Djindjic moved to Germany, where he ruption. earned a doctorate in philosophy under The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- with all hands. ¨ Jurgen Habermas in 1979, and returned to ant to the rule, the gentleman from I am in support of the House Resolution Yugoslavia in 1989 to teach philosophy at 170, in recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Novi Sad University; Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER) and the gen- sinking of the USS Thresher. I hope we all Whereas in 1989, Djindjic joined a group of tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) can take a moment to remember with pro- Serb dissident writers and intellectuals to each will control 20 minutes. found sorrow the loss of those brave and gal- found the Democratic Party; The Chair recognizes the gentleman lant people aboard, both sailors and civilians. Whereas one year later, Djindjic was voted from Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER). I also want to take this time to express my the Chairman of the Democratic Party Exec- GENERAL LEAVE deepest gratitude to all submariners on ‘‘eter- utive Board and in January 1994, he was Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask elected the party’s president; nal patrol.’’ These men and women are for- Whereas Djindjic became a member of the unanimous consent that all Members ever bound together by their dedicated and Serbian Parliament in 1990, serving as the may have 5 legislative days within honorable service to the United States, and party’s parliamentary group whip and a which to revise and extend their re- we thank you for taking such pride in this member of the Republic’s Council at the marks on the resolution under consid- honor. Federal Parliament 3 years later; eration. The loss of the USS Thresher gave rise to Whereas following 88 days of mass protests The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the SUBSAFE program. This has kept United over electoral manipulation during local objection to the request of the gen- elections in 1996, Zoran Djindjic was elected States Submariners safe at sea, and we have Belgrade’s first noncommunist mayor since tleman from Nebraska? the safest and strongest submarine fleet in World War II; There was no objection. history. Its loss also gave rise to furthering Whereas Djindjic is widely believed to be Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield oceanic studies, so we can continue to protect the chief strategist and main organizer be- myself such time as I may consume. the men and women who serve our nation so hind the Yugoslav presidential elections of Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today well. September 24, 2000, and the uprising of Octo- in strong support of H. Res. 149, a reso- Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield ber 5, 2000, that resulted in the overthrow lution expressing the condolences of back the balance of my time. and delivery of former Yugoslav President the House of Representatives in re- Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Slobodan Milosevic to the International sponse to the assassination of Prime Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance (ICTY), that was investigating atrocities Minister Zoran Djindjic of Serbia. It is of my time. committed during the tragic and violent with sadness that this Member brings The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. breakup of Yugoslavia; this resolution to the floor of the TERRY). The question is on the motion Whereas subsequent cooperation with the House of Representatives today. Prime offered by the gentleman from New ICTY has been judged to be less than opti- Minister Djindjic was assassinated on Hampshire (Mr. BRADLEY) that the mal, but in recent months Prime Minister March 12. This tragic event was a House suspend the rules and agree to Djindjic moved forcefully to fight the orga- shock to the people of Serbia, to the nized criminal structures that Serbia inher- the resolution, H. Res. 170. people of the Balkans, and to people The question was taken. ited from the Milosevic era and to arrest war criminals who have remained at large; around the world. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Whereas Djindjic is also credited with mas- If anyone represented the present opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of terminding the Serbian elections of Decem- state of the Balkans, all of the changes those present have voted in the affirm- ber 2000, in which the Democratic Opposition that occurred in recent years, the hope ative. of Serbia (DOS), a coalition of 18 parties for a free, democratic and prosperous Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. spanning a broad range of the political spec- future, it was Prime Minister Djindjic. trum, won 65 percent of the popular vote; Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas He was the decisive leader who played and nays. Whereas the DOS elected Djindjic to be Prime Minister of Serbia on January 25, 2001; a critical role in bringing democracy to The yeas and nays were ordered. Serbia. He was probably the most visi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Whereas during his 2-year tenure as Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic sought to advance ble and important proponent of helping ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the democracy, human rights, free market re- the Serbian people come to terms with Chair’s prior announcement, further forms, and the rule of law; the past, the destruction and the injus- proceedings on this motion will be Whereas Djindjic’s leadership raised des- tices of the tragic events which have postponed. perately low living standards and advanced been happening in the Balkans over the f the integration of Serbia into Europe; and Whereas Prime Minister Djindjic managed past decade. He was the leader most de- EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF to maintain a disparate 17-party coalition termined to integrate his country into HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES government with a narrow majority in order Europe and the community of Western TO ASSASSINATION OF PRIME to achieve these urgently needed reforms: democracies, to provide a future of se- MINISTER ZORAN DJINDJIC OF Now, therefore, be it curity, prosperity, and hope to the Ser- SERBIA Resolved, That— bian people. (1) the House of Representatives offers its However, only 21⁄2 years after the Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move condolences and deepest sympathy to the to suspend the rules and agree to the people of Serbia and the family of Zoran overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic, let us resolution (H. Res. 149) expressing the Djindjic following the assassination of Prime not forget how fragile freedom and de- condolences of the House of Represent- Minister Djindjic; mocracy in the region really is. During atives in response to the assassination (2) the House of Representatives under- this crucial period, Prime Minister of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic of stands that organized criminal groups within Djindjic was the leader who rep- Serbian society continue to threaten the free resented the best hope for the changes Serbia, and for other purposes. and democratic government of Serbia and The Clerk read as follows: and reforms necessary to lead the Montenegro; former Yugoslavia to a new and dif- H. RES. 149 (3) the House of Representatives recognizes Whereas Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic that while implementing necessary reforms ferent direction; but in the context of a symbolized the hopes of a new generation of and cooperating with the International country and a region of so much vio- Serbs exhausted by decades of war and tur- Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia lence, hatred and corruption over the moil until he was felled by 2 sniper bullets in may carry significant risks for the leader- past decade, anyone who would have front of his office in the center of Belgrade ship of Serbia and Montenegro, these reforms made these necessary forums would on Wednesday, March 12, 2003; and this cooperation are necessary and must certainly make enemies and endanger Whereas Djindjic’s killing was a heinous continue; and both himself and the path of reform in attack on democracy; (4) it is the sense of the House of Rep- his country. Whereas Zoran Djindjic was born on Au- resentatives that the United States should Prime Minister Djindjic sought to gust 1, 1952, in Bosnia and became politically support continued democratic reforms initi- active during his student years at the Uni- ated by Zoran Djindjic, should urge his suc- change the political system in Serbia, versity of Belgrade; cessors to dedicate themselves to continue to sought to fight organized crime and of- Whereas after spending several months in support his road to reform, and should pledge ficial corruption, and sought to bring jail for attempting to create an autonomous to assist Serbia and its new leadership in ac- suspected war criminals to justice. He

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.028 H08PT1 H2886 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 attempted to develop better political Mr. Speaker, the tragic assassination (Mr. EMANUEL), one of the original institutions, to establish an inde- of Prime Minister Djindjic happened movers of this important resolution. pendent judiciary, and to reform the just a few weeks ago, but the repercus- (Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given police and the military. Although not sions of this barbaric act will be felt permission to revise and extend his re- exempt from what may have been le- throughout the Balkans for years to marks.) gitimate criticism, perhaps even ap- come. Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank pearing to turn a blind or jaded eye to Prime Minister Djindjic was a coura- the gentleman from California (Mr. some of the forces that are so prevalent geous and bold political leader, an LANTOS) for yielding me this time. in Serbian society, he was seen to be anti-communist and a democratic ac- Mr. Speaker, I rise as an original co- making remarkable progress. He was tivist. He was one of the leaders of the sponsor and in strong support of House the leader of a coalition and the leader ouster of dictator Slobodan Milosevic Resolution 149, expressing the sorrow of a younger generation who were in the fall of 2000. Djindjic was a Ser- of the House of Representatives in re- bringing their efforts to bear to trans- bian patriot who clearly understood sponse to the assassination of Serbian form Serbian society. However, in the that Serbia’s future lay in Europe, not Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic earlier process, the forces of the past proved in the isolation nationalism that this month. remarkably entrenched and widely plagued the Balkans at the sunset of On behalf of more than 1,000 of my based. the 20th century. constituents of Serbian descent, I com- Mr. Speaker, let us recognize how Prime Minister Djindjic will go into mend the gentleman from Illinois significant the tragic event of March history books as the man who made (Chairman HYDE); the gentleman from 12, 2003, is for Serbia and the Balkans. the brave decision to extradite former California (Mr. LANTOS) ranking mem- Let us recognize that the path of re- dictator Slobodan Milosevic to The ber; as well as the gentleman from Ne- form and fighting the forces of the past Hague for trial on war crimes. It is braska (Mr. BEREUTER), the Europe is not easy. Reformist leaders in Serbia widely believed that the renewed at- Subcommittee chairman; and the gen- and throughout the Balkans are vul- tempts by Mr. Djindjic and his govern- tleman from Florida (Mr. WEXLER), nerable, and reformist and newly- ment to go after entrenched organized ranking member, for their leadership democratic governments are fragile. crime in Serbia and war criminals in in recognizing a truly remarkable re- President Bush said Prime Minister that country led to his assassination. former and a champion of democracy in the Balkans. Djindjic will be remembered for his b 1430 role in bringing democracy to Serbia The world has lost a great friend and and for his role in bringing Slobodan Prime Minister Djindjic was also a a true democrat in the Prime Minister. Milosevic to justice. pragmatic politician. While pushing While our brave troops engage in an- Mr. Speaker, let us also remember the Serbian nation towards Europe, other war-torn region, we identify with Prime Minister Djindjic for his courage Mr. Djindjic also tried to appease na- the war-weary citizens of Serbia and and bravery in fighting some of the tionalistic elements of Serbian society. Montenegro who lived under most corrosive and virulent forces of His government’s cooperation with the Milosevic’s cruelty. the past in Serbia and the former International War Crimes Tribunal was Serbia has courageously dem- Yugoslavia. This resolution shows that uneven, but on balance Mr. Djindjic onstrated that it is willing to defeat a the House of Representatives supports was leading Serbia in a positive direc- brutal tyrant and will not allow its the reforms that Prime Minister tion, progress that will be set back as democratic progress to unravel. As we Djindjic spoke about most ener- Serbia deals with the ramifications of mourn the Prime Minister’s death, this getically and upon which he sought ac- this horrendous assassination. resolution says loud and clear that tion. Reflecting upon the forces that Mr. Speaker, today we mourn, to- America will work with Serbia to en- brought his death must cause our coun- gether with the Serbian people and sure that its path to democracy will try and the international community with Mr. Djindjic’s colleagues and never be deterred. to redouble our efforts to assist the loved ones. We know that the job of To all the young democracies of to- country of Serbia and Montenegro as it leading Serbia is risky and difficult, morrow, who, like Serbia, have also seeks a new and different future. and we pledge to offer support to the thrown off the yoke of dictatorship and We offer our strongest encourage- continued democratic reforms initiated totalitarianism and embraced the val- ment to the new leaders of Serbia and by Mr. Djindjic. That is why today, Mr. ues of liberty and freedom, this resolu- Montenegro so that they may redouble Speaker, I want to call on my col- tion says to them that the United their efforts in pursuit of crucial re- leagues in Congress and in our govern- States, the House of Representatives, forms. They must have the courage, ment to remain engaged in the Balkans the people’s House will stand with the resources, and the support first of and to offer continued support to the them no matter how many tomorrows their citizenry and their country, but reformers there. Our national interest it takes to achieve democracy. also the international community to will suffer if this region backslides to- The Serbian people are our fellow aggressively fight the forces of the wards lawlessness and conflict. countrymen and allies because they past, the forces of hatred and violence, The United States has unfinished embrace the values of democracy and the forces of organized crime and the business in the Balkans. The establish- freedom. Our nations share a mutual history of official corruption in their ment of a genuine rule of law and a admiration for democracy, which is country. system of justice that benefits the citi- never a guarantee or a foregone conclu- Mr. Speaker, in offering this resolu- zens of these countries, the restruc- sion. It is accomplished only through tion and statement, this Member offers turing of local economies, the estab- perseverance and courage. Democracy his deepest sympathies and heartfelt lishment of a vigorous civil society, requires the force of vision and deter- condolences to the family of Prime the creation of independent media, and mination endowed upon great leaders Minister Djindjic and the people of Ser- the resettlement of refugees are just a like the late Prime Minister. His death bia and Montenegro. few of the tasks that remain. at only 50 is a great loss for his family Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, with continued U.S. and friends, and it is also a tremendous my time. leadership and engagement in the Bal- loss for the democratic progress in the Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield kans, these tasks can all be achieved. I Balkans. The New York Times edito- myself such time as I may consume. urge all of my colleagues to support rialized on the day after his murder: Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support the passage of this important resolu- ‘‘In countries that lack institutions, of this resolution. First, I would like to tion. individuals matter greatly.’’ commend the gentleman from Illinois Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of After Yugoslavia fell apart following (Chairman HYDE); the chairman of the my time. Marshal Tito’s death, a common line Subcommittee on Europe, the gen- Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I have that the nation had been held together tleman from Nebraska (Mr. BEREUTER); no further requests for time, and I re- by the force of his personality, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. serve the balance of my time. Milosevic dragged Yugoslavia back to a EMANUEL) for their leadership on this Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 darker time by igniting human geno- important resolution. minutes to the gentleman from Illinois cide not seen in Europe since Hitler.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.055 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2887 But the brilliance, the charisma, the delivery of Slobodan Milosevic to the Inter- Cuban people to bring democratic change to force of vision of Zoran Djindjic national Criminal Tribunal. Mr. Djindjic under- the island by denying universally recognized steered Serbia away from an era of eth- stood that horrific war crimes were being com- liberties, including freedom of speech, as- mitted, and was there to support his people to sembly, association, movement and of the nic cleansing and towards liberty and press; equality. The Prime Minister was a re- see their persecutor punished. Whereas on March 9, 2003, many of Cuba’s former who envisioned a free and mod- Zoran Djindjic was elected Prime Minister of prominent dissidents issued a statement ti- ern Europe. In less than 2 years he lib- Serbia on January 25, 2001. In his two year tled ‘‘Joint Statement’’ to the European eralized markets, elections, the press, tenure, he sought to advance democracy, Union, wherein they reaffirmed their view of and parliamentary debate. He showed human rights and free market reforms. The the Cuban Government’s ‘‘total vocation to that the human spirit and desire for United States values its democratic cohorts, immobility and its refusal to respect inter- freedom can never be extinguished. and we can appreciate even more the people nationally recognized human rights or ac- cept the existence of legitimate political op- Through calm persuasion he brokered who seek to bring democracy to a region that has not had the privilege of maintaining it. Mr. position’’ and further stated that ‘‘in recent a compromise with Montenegro, helped times the Cuban Government has intensified prevent further bloodshed in Kosovo, Djindjic was an effective democratic leader; he its political and social repression’’; restored human rights and economic raised the low living standard and opened the Whereas commencing on March 17, 2003, realization, the rule of law to a nation Serbian markets to precipitate trade through- the Cuban Government carried out a mas- torn apart by four wars and two rebel- out Europe. He was a stable Prime Minister sive, island wide crackdown on members of lions started by his predecessor, who effectively dealt with the task of keeping Cuba’s pro-democracy movement, which in- a 17 party coalition government. cluded the arrest of over 80 dissidents, Milosevic. among them many who signed the ‘‘Joint After extraditing Milosevic and other Zoran Djindjic understood the value of human rights, and worked tirelessly to main- Statement’’, activists of the Assembly to war criminals, the world contributed Promote Civil Society, promoters of the more than $1 billion in economic aid tain equal opportunities in a country that had been vacated of such leadership for half a Varela Project, independent journalists, and which proved a tremendous boost to a numerous members of Cuba’s nascent inde- century. He was an advocate of civil liberties people whose standard of living had pendent civil society; and individual freedoms. We should feel so long been the worst in Europe. He Whereas the Cuban Government arbitrarily lucky to have had an ally of our American taught his countrymen to appreciate searched the homes and confiscated personal principles over in Eastern Europe. items belonging to pro-democracy activists; the rewards of integrating into the Eu- The death of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic Whereas independent journalists were rope of tomorrow, the Europe of the is a travesty on so many levels. We have lost among those incarcerated in this massive 21st century, and his steadfast pursuit one of our democratic allies, someone who crackdown, including Raul Rivero, known as of reforms gave democracy a foothold wanted the best for his country. The Serbian the dean of the dissident independent jour- in Serbia and the people of Serbia a people have lost one of their greatest leaders. nalists in Cuba; hope of tomorrow. Whereas independent librarians, who make I stand firmly in support of this resolution, so their homes available so that the Cuban pop- In these difficult times, Mr. Speaker, the United States Congress can show its sym- we stand with our friends in the Bal- ulation may have access to publications oth- pathy in a time of great mourning. erwise censored by the Cuban Government, kans as they mourn a fallen hero and Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield also became victims of repression, as many search for a new leader dedicated to back the balance of my time. were arrested, their homes ransacked and fulfilling the democratic vision of mod- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, we have searched, and publications and other belong- ern Serbia who will always be remem- no additional speakers, and I yield ings confiscated; bered in history for his honor, his back the balance of my time. Whereas Marta Beatriz Roque, and other greatness, and his selfless commitment The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. leaders of the ‘‘Assembly to Promote Civil to the public good. TERRY). The question is on the motion Society’’, an islandwide movement seeking offered by the gentleman from Ne- to coordinate the various sectors of Cuba’s Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield nascent independent civil society who work myself such time as I may consume. braska (Mr. BEREUTER) that the House for a democratic transition, were incarcer- I want to thank the gentleman from suspend the rules and agree to the reso- ated and face lengthy sentences, including California (Mr. LANTOS) and the gen- lution, H. Res. 149. life sentences; tleman from Illinois (Mr. HYDE) for ex- The question was taken. Whereas activists who have collected or pediting the consideration of this reso- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the signed petitions for the Varela Project were lution. I want to particularly note the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of also incarcerated in this crackdown and may contributions of the gentleman from Il- those present have voted in the affirm- also face life sentences; Whereas more than 80 pro-democracy lead- linois (Mr. EMANUEL) who had the ative. Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on ers who work for a peaceful transition to de- major role in drafting the legislation. I that I demand the yeas and nays. mocracy in Cuba have been incarcerated and am grateful to have his assistance and The yeas and nays were ordered. sentenced under ‘‘Law 88’’ and ‘‘Law 91’’, two his cosponsorship along with a substan- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- draconian totalitarian laws that call for long tial number of other Members who be- sentences of 10, 15, or 20 years, or life impris- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the onment, or even death for pro-democracy ac- lieve this is an important way for the Chair’s prior announcement, further House to recognize the contributions of tivity; proceedings on this motion will be Whereas there is concern for the well-being the Prime Minister. postponed. and safety for all of Cuba’s political pris- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, f oners, particularly Juan Carlos Gonzalez I rise today to express my deepest condo- Leyva, who is a blind human rights activist lences to the nation of Serbia, the friends, SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING incarcerated since March of 2002 without family, admirers and supporters or Zoran SYSTEMATIC HUMAN RIGHTS being formally charged, and Leonardo Djindjic. The Serbian prime minister, who was VIOLATIONS IN CUBA COM- Bruzon Avila, who has been denied medical tragically assassinated, was a leading pro- MITTED BY CASTRO REGIME attention according to Amnesty Inter- ponent of democracy, human rights, and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I national, despite the effects of a prolonged hunger strike while in prison.; progress for the country of Serbia. move to suspend the rules and agree to Whereas a plea for solidarity was made The assassination of Prime Minister Djindjic the resolution (H. Res. 179) expressing from within the notoriously harsh prison in was more than the killing of an admirable the sense of the House of Representa- Cuba known as ‘‘Combinado del Este’’ and leader; it was a heinous attack on democracy. tives regarding the systematic human signed by 21 political prisoners, among them Mr. Djindjic was elected Belgrade’s first non- rights violations in Cuba committed by Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Francisco Chaviano, communist mayor since World War II. He be- the Castro regime, calling for the im- Rafael Ibarra, and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez lieved in the ideal and principles of maintain- mediate release of all political pris- ‘‘Antunez’’ to the member states of the 59th ing a democratic state, and dedicated himself oners, and supporting respect for basic Session of the United Nations Human Rights to pursuing that cause. human rights and free elections in Commission; Whereas the Cuban Government has car- We can thank Zoran Djindjic for being a Cuba. ried out ‘‘summary trials’’ to expeditiously chief organizer of the Yugoslav presidential The Clerk read as follows: sentence pro-democracy leaders to try to in- elections in September 2000. We also owe H. RES. 179 timidate and silence other pro-democracy him tribute as being a principal strategist for Whereas the Cuban Government continues activists on the island, while world attention the October 2000 uprising, which led to the to repress all peaceful attempts by the is primarily focused on Iraq;

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.059 H08PT1 H2888 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Whereas the Castro regime has engaged in Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I VILLA CLARA mass arrests of dissidents while the United yield myself such time as I may con- Librado Linares Garcı´a, Periodista Nations Commission on Human Rights, of sume. Independiente—20 years. which Cuba is a member, is meeting in Gene- Nobel peace laureate Eli Wiesel has Lester Gonza´ lez Pento´ n, Periodista va; Independiente—20 years. Whereas certain member countries of the said: ‘‘. . . to remain silent and indif- Omar Ruiz Herna´ ndez, Periodista Latin American and Caribbean group ferent is the greatest sin of all . . .’’ Independiente—18 years. (GRULAC) at the United Nations Commis- Indifference breeds evil. Indifference Margarito Broche Espinosa, opositor—25 sion on Human Rights are currently drafting is the enemy of freedom. Indifference years. ´ a resolution on the violations of human helps cloak the deplorable actions of Omar Pernet Hernandez, opositor—25 rights by the Cuban Government; tyrants. years. Whereas the Cuban Government has re- Cuba’s ruthless dictator counts on ISLA DE PINO peatedly violated the rights enshrined in the this indifference. Taking advantage of Favio Prieto Llorente, Periodista Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the global attention being focused on Iraq Independiente—20 years. Inter-American Convention on Human and noting the worldwide tendency to The list seems endless as the Rights, and other international and regional daunting reality of what the dictator- human rights agreements, and has violated ignore or minimize the deplorable human rights condition in Cuba, the ship has done sinks into our conscious- the mandates issued by the United Nations ness. Since March 18, Mr. Speaker, Cas- Commission on Human Rights; Castro regime has launched a full-scale Whereas foreign diplomats and members of assault on those who are struggling to tro’s security agents have been storm- the international press have been barred by bring freedom and democracy to this ing into the homes of dissidents and the Cuban Government from being present at enslaved nation. Courageous men and other opposition leaders across the is- the ‘‘summary trials’’; and women such as Marta Beatriz Roque, land, confiscating typewriters, books, Whereas pro-democracy leaders on the is- an independent economist and leading papers, and other professional and per- land have come together to call for the im- sonal belongings. And what have been mediate release of all Cuban political pris- pro-democracy advocate, are being sen- tenced to harsh prison terms of 20 their so-called crimes? Engaging in oners, and are requesting international soli- such ‘‘threatening’’ activities such as darity with the internal opposition, as re- years. Marta Beatriz had previously possessing and lending books by au- flected in a March 31, 2003, statement signed spent nearly 3 years in prison for pub- by some of the most prominent dissidents on lishing, along with three other col- thors such as Vaclac Havel, Ghandi and Martin Luther King. Hector Palacios the island: Now, therefore, be it leagues, a paper calling for democratic Ruiz, for example, was engaged in such Resolved, That the House of Representa- reforms. Independent journalists such ‘‘treasonous’’ behavior, to quote the re- tives— as Raul Rivero, who is highlighted in (1) condemns the brutal crackdown of the gime, as helping to draft the document the resolution before us, as the dean of Cuban Government on the island’s peaceful in December of last year which called the independent dissident Cuban jour- pro-democracy movement; for ‘‘free hiring of employees.’’ He was nalists, was sentenced to 20 years. Fel- (2) calls for the immediate release of all also found in possession of books such low journalists such as Ricardo Gon- Cuban political prisoners; as ‘‘Castro’s Final Hours’’ and ‘‘A Man- (3) supports the right of the Cuban people zalez Alfonso and Hector Maseda ual for Education in Human Rights’’ as to exercise fundamental political and civil Gutierrez also received 20-year sen- well as children’s games. liberties, including freedom of expression, tences. assembly, association, movement, press, and Every day more and more opposition Other victims of this wave of repres- leaders are sentenced to languish in the right to multiparty elections; sion include Jose Daniel Ferrer, a (4) calls on the United States Permanent squalid jail cells and subjected to the Representative to the United Nations and member of the Christian Liberation most inhumane and degrading treat- other International Organizations in Geneva, Movement, whose penalty was in- ment. We cannot and must not be si- Switzerland, to work with the member coun- creased to death per a special request lent. We cannot and must not be indif- tries of the United Nations Commission on by the puppet whom the regime has as ferent to the anguish and misery en- Human Rights to ensure a resolution that in- the presiding judge. There is also inde- dured by the Cuban people just 90 miles cludes the strongest possible condemnation pendent union labor leader Oscar of the current crackdown of dissidents and of off our shores at the hands of the de- Espinosa Chepe, and Manuel Vazquez praved and cruel dictator and his the gross human rights violations committed Portal, Nelson Molinet Espino and Nel- by the Cuban Government; and agents of terror. (5) calls on the Latin American and Carib- son Alberto Aguiar. The European Union has issued state- bean group (GRULAC) at the United Nations I enter into the RECORD their names ments condemning the arrests and de- Commission on Human Rights to exclude and their sentences. manding that these prisoners of con- Cuba from its slate of candidates for the PINAR DEL RIO´ science be immediately released. Am- United Nations Commission on Human Vı´ctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, nesty International urged Cuba to re- Rights and urges all member nations to op- Periodista Independiente—Life in prison. lease all of its prisoners of conscience pose renewing Cuba’s membership on the Horacio Julio Pin˜ a Borrego, Periodista and reform the laws which make such United Nations Commission on Human Independiente—12 years. Rights until the Government of Cuba ad- Eduardo Dia´ z Fleitas, opositor—15 years. detentions possible. Human Rights heres to international human rights stand- Fidel Sua´ rez Cruz, opositor—12 years. Watch called on the United Nations ards, such as those delineated in the Uni- CIUDAD HABANA Commission on Human Rights to con- versal Declaration of Human Rights. Rau´ l Rivero Castan˜ eda, Periodista demn these abuses and do so strongly The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Independiente—Life in prison. and unequivocally. Human Rights ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Jorge Olivera Castillo, Periodista International, the American Society of Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) and the Independiente—Life in prison. Newspaper Editors, and the Inter- Ricardo Gonza´ les Alfonso, Periodista gentleman from California (Mr. LAN- American Press Association have all Independiente—Life in prison. denounced this incredible Stalinist TOS) each will control 20 minutes. ´ ´ Hector Maceda Gutierrez, Periodista crackdown. Newspapers such as the The Chair recognizes the gentle- Independiente—Life in prison. Houston Chronicle, the San Diego woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- Manuel Va´ zquez Portal, Periodista Union Tribune, the Pittsburgh Post- LEHTINEN). Independiente—16 years. Osvaldo Alfonso Valdez, opositor—Life in Gazette have run editorials with head- GENERAL LEAVE prison. lines underscoring that: ‘‘Saddam and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I Pedro Pablo A´ lvarez Ramos, opositor—Life Fidel are Birds of a Feather’’; ‘‘Crack- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- in prison. down in Cuba: A Reminder that Castro bers may have 5 legislative days within He´ctor Palacio Ruiz, opositor—Life in pris- on. is Still a Tyrant’’; and ‘‘Castro’s Re- which to revise and extend their re- gime as Repressive as Ever.’’ marks on the resolution under consid- LA HABANA The Los Angeles Times led its edi- eration. Miguel Galvan´ Gutie´rrez, Periodista torials by saying: ‘‘After years of call- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Independiente—Life in prison. Jose´ Ubaldo Izquierdo Herna´ ndez, ing for liberalized relations with Cuba, objection to the request of the gentle- Periodista Independiente—20 years. this editorial page must now urge woman from Florida? He´ctor Rau´ l Valle Herna´ ndez, opositor—15 American policymakers to hit the There was no objection. years. brakes.’’

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.017 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2889 Just today the Washington Post ran permitted to witness the summary torship is in the midst of a brutal an editorial by Richard Cohen which trials, which does not surprise those of crackdown on the peaceful pro-democ- said: ‘‘I would like to hear some moral us who have experienced the tactics of racy movement in Cuba. outrage about Castro . . . Fidel Castro the Gestapo in Hitler’s time and the Since the world’s attention has been is a thug and a fool.’’ KGB under Stalin. Fidel Castro is a focused on Iraq for some weeks, the But it is our turn now to speak. It is worthy follower of both of these out- Cuban tyrant decided to crack down on our time for the U.S. Congress to stand rageous dictators. the peaceful pro-democracy movement, behind the Cuban people, side by side, Not only are the trumped-up charges including independent librarians, inde- as it has done for so many times before against these political dissidents inde- pendent journalists, independent physi- and is so doing with the Iraqi people. fensible; Castro and his henchmen are cians, and many others; rounded them This resolution is a strong first step. convicting individuals for practicing up and has thrown them in dungeons. House Resolution 179 details the se- their profession and exercising their Some of the so-called summary trials quence of events which have transpired fundamental political and civil lib- have already taken place. Perhaps the in recent weeks and places particular erties. best known independent journalist in emphasis on the plight of these polit- Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, our resolu- Cuba, Raul Rivero, was already sen- ical prisoners such as Juan Carlos Gon- tion calls upon the international com- tenced in one of those sham Roman cir- zalez Leyva, a blind human rights dis- munity to recognize these outrageous cus trials, sentenced for having a type- sident imprisoned for over a year who violations of human rights and to ex- writer, for having some articles pub- is gravely ill and has yet to receive clude Cuba from the United Nations lished. For having articles published in medical attention. Commission on Human Rights after its Spain and in the United States and for term expires at the end of this year. other such ‘‘crimes,’’ Raul Rivero has b 1445 Mr. Speaker, while Castro and his been sentenced to 20 years. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of henchmen seem intent to break the Marta Beatriz Roque, mentioned by my time. backs of many political dissidents and the distinguished gentleman from Cali- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield their growing organizations in a man- fornia, perhaps one of the best known myself such time as I may consume ner not seen since the 1960s, the regime of the political prisoners rounded up in and rise in strong support of this reso- has concentrated much of its fury this totalitarian crackdown, was sen- lution. against the Varela Project. Founded tenced to 20 years. Her indictment Mr. Speaker, first I would like to and led by Oswaldo Paya, the Varela makes interesting reading, if it can be thank my friend, the gentleman from Project asks Cubans to sign a petition called an indictment. Illinois (Chairman HYDE), for expe- calling for a referendum on open elec- The dictatorship charged her with diting consideration of this resolution; tions, freedom of speech, freedom for having created a Web page, with having and I want to congratulate my good political prisoners, and free enterprise. a computer in her home, with utilizing friend, the gentlewoman from Florida Despite gigantic risks, over 30,000 cou- a server in the United States for her (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN), for her powerful rageous Cubans have penned their Web page, for having spoken on Radio and eloquent statement and for her names to the petition in the hope for Marti, for having published articles in leadership on this resolution, as well as change. an independent publication known as my colleagues, the gentleman from Mr. Speaker, we have had many con- ‘‘Encuentro,’’ for having in her posses- New Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ) and the tentious disagreements, both in com- sion in her home a fax machine of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. LINCOLN mittee and on this floor, on how best to mark Panasonic, and for having a copy DIAZ-BALART). bring about change in Cuba; but today machine, a Canon copy machine. Mr. Speaker, after several years of this body stands united in solidarity That is in the so-called indictment in masquerading as a liberalizing regime, with those who endure torture, incar- the year 2003, in this hemisphere, by the brutal and deplorable nature of ceration, and deprivation of all types the Cuban tyrant, the indictment pre- Fidel Castro’s sickening communist because they dare to strive for free- pared by the Cuban tyrant of Marta state has manifested itself once again. dom. Beatriz Roque, who has been sentenced In the last couple of weeks, Castro’s We stand together in strong con- to 20 years. thugs have arrested and detained ap- demnation of these cowardly arrests I think that much of the responsi- proximately 80 Cubans. Their crime? and the outrageous prosecution and bility for what is going on in Cuba They sought to express their disagree- persecution of those 80 individuals, and today, unfortunately, lies with the fact ment with their government, provide we demand their immediate release that the international media does not an independent media voice, stock and the release of all political pris- report sufficiently with regard to what their shelves with banned literature oners in Castro’s jails. We stand to- happens in Cuba. that reports the interests of inde- gether in our conviction that, despite A distinguished new colleague of ours pendent labor, and otherwise improve the Castro regime, democracy will pre- recently actually told me she had wit- the lot of their fellow citizens. vail in Cuba. nessed a Special Order that we did pre- Among those arrested, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of cisely on this crackdown, a number of were prominent political dissidents, my colleagues to support this resolu- us last week, the distinguished new such as Marta Beatriz Roque; inde- tion. gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. MIL- pendent journalists, such as Raul Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of LER of Michigan). She asked me, Rivero and Ricardo Gonzalez; inde- my time. ‘‘Where can we read about what is pendent labor advocates, like Pedro Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I going on? Why don’t we read in our Pablo Alvarez; and civil society activ- yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from major newspapers about the details of ists, such as Antonio Diaz Sanchez of Florida (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART), this totalitarian brutal crackdown in a the Varela Project. the author of this resolution. country 90 miles away?’’ I think she The Castro regime intends to place Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of has a very legitimate point. I think the these and other individuals on trial in Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gen- media has a responsibility to report what have been called kangaroo courts tlewoman for yielding me time. about such things in a neighboring for allegedly collaborating with the Mr. Speaker, I wish to also thank the country 90 miles away. United States to harm Cuba and its gentleman from Illinois (Chairman So today is the day, Mr. Speaker, economy. HYDE) and the gentleman from North when we need to as a Congress of the Just yesterday, a sham court sen- Carolina (Chairman BALLENGER), as United States set our differences aside tenced Marta Beatriz Roque, Antonio well as the ranking members, the gen- and concentrate on the brutal totali- Diaz Sanchez and Ricardo Gonzalez Al- tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) tarian crackdown that is taking place fonso, among others, to 20 years in and the gentleman from New Jersey in Cuba and speak with one voice that prison for ‘‘acts of conspiracy.’’ Nei- (Mr. MENENDEZ), for expediting this this Congress, as it has so many times ther representatives of the diplomatic important resolution. It is important it in the past, stands for human rights corps nor the international press were be considered today because the dicta- and demands human rights, starting

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.063 H08PT1 H2890 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 with the cessation of the brutal crack- rounded up and are being sentenced in lations and its repeated demonstra- down being perpetrated on the Cuban show trials reminiscent of Hitler and tions of contempt for the mandates people. And as the resolution continues Stalin? issued by the U.N. Commission on to state, we call for the respect of all Where is the outrage that inde- Human Rights. elemental human rights, including the pendent union activists have been Further, it calls for a resolution to right of self-determination, which can rounded up, that this crackdown occurs be offered and passed at the Human be manifested only through free and when the U.N. Human Rights Commis- Rights Commission, which accurately fair multiparty elections. sion meets in its annual session in Ge- reflects this grim reality. It seizes the Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very neva? The Castro dictatorship’s mem- opportunity which presents itself in pleased to yield 5 minutes to my good bership of that commission is itself a May of this year when Cuba’s member- friend, the gentleman from New Jersey mockery and a travesty. ship on the commission expires. It does (Mr. MENENDEZ), the ranking member The show trials have begun, with the so by calling on the Nation of Latin on the Subcommittee on the Western same coerced confessions and the same America and the Caribbean group to Hemisphere, the chairman of the betrayal of dissident organizations by oppose and deny the regime a seat on Democratic Caucus and an indefati- Castro’s security agents who infil- this human rights body. More impor- gable fighter for freedom in Cuba. trated these groups. tantly, this resolution calls for the im- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I And what are the verdicts? Guilty. mediate release of all Cuban prisoners thank the distinguished gentleman for Guilty of criminal association. Guilty of conscience. It sends a strong, defini- yielding me time and for his statement of enemy propaganda. Guilty of dan- tive message that the United States before as well. gerousness. Guilty of contempt for au- Congress stands with the dissidents, Mr. Speaker, where is the outrage? thority, of resisting authority. Guilty the independent journalists, and all Where is the outrage regarding the lat- of seeking democracy and a respect for pro-democracy activists, and not with est barbarity from the dictatorship of human rights. That is Castro’s social- their oppressor. Fidel Castro? ism. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Where is the outrage that a blind dis- So far, 47 peaceful dissidents have my time. sident, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, is been sentenced to between 12 and 27 Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am de- detained in the harshest of political years in prison in what the State De- lighted to yield 2 minutes to the gen- prisons and that the Castro regime de- partment calls ‘‘Kangaroo courts’’ that tleman from New York (Mr. RANGEL), nies him his needed medication; that began proceedings last Thursday. the distinguished ranking member of Leonardo Bruzon, an Amnesty Inter- Let me just mention a few of those the Committee on Ways and Means, national prisoner of conscience who sentenced. and an indefatigable fighter for human suffers from the ill-effects of a hunger Omar Rodriguez Saludes, an inde- rights across the globe. strike, is denied needed medical atten- pendent journalist known to ride his (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given tion? bicycle to news conferences with a permission to revise and extend his re- Where is the outrage, that three of camera dangling by a strap from his marks.) the four brave authors of the pro-de- neck: 27 years, the hardest sentence so Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in mocracy essay, ‘‘La Patria Es De far. Hector Palacios, one of the key fig- support of this legislation without any Todos,’’ the nation belongs to every- ures promoting the Varela Project: 25 hesitation. one, Marta Beatriz Roque, Rene Gomez years. Oscar Espinosa Chepe, who Most all Americans, and certainly Manzano and Felix Bonne, have been wrote critical articles about the Cuban those in this House, are strong advo- mercilessly thrown in jail and face sen- economy for the Internet: 25 years. Ri- cates for democracy all over the world, tences raging from 20 years to life? cardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Raul Rivero’s and we had hoped that the seeds of de- Ms. Roque, who had the audacity to editor at ‘‘De Cuba’’ magazine: 20 mocracy would have grown in Cuba. call herself an independent economist years. Many of us have taken different ap- and criticized Cuba’s economy, has al- And it goes on and on. proaches how we would want to do this, ready been sentenced to 20 years. The So to all who go sip wine with Castro, but one thing is abundantly clear: It fourth author, the Afro-Cuban leader, smoke his cigars and are regaled by his has taken too long for Castro to recog- Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, who already soliloquies, where is the outrage? nize the importance of open elections served 3 years for displaying national Mr. Speaker, the expression of inter- and, certainly, no Americans can find flags upside down in an act of civil dis- national outrage has begun from Euro- any justification of the wanton and obedience, will also be sentenced. His pean governments to Jimmy Carter to massive arrests of people, many of three colleagues having the audacity to the AFL-CIO. May we all raise our whom who were advocates of normal- fast peacefully to protest his detention. voices to join the growing chorus of ization, all of whom were advocates of Where is the outrage, that the inde- outrage and condemnation of this dic- democracy, to have been arrested with pendent journalists movement in Cuba, tatorship heard around the world, closed and secret trials and without led by journalist and poet Raul Rivero, heard everywhere, except for these hal- any evidence that their conduct was a have been rounded up, had their houses lowed halls. May this Congress not sit threat to the security of the people in ransacked by state security thugs, and silent now as the show trials proceed. Cuba. their professional personal belongings May this Congress stand in solidarity While we also are reminded that taken from them? with those dissidents and human rights some of us are old enough to have sup- We learned this morning that Raul activists who heeded Pope John Paul’s ported the July 26 resolution against Rivero was sentenced to 20 years. words during his visit to Cuba: ‘‘Do not Batista and recognize that we do not Among the dangerous materials that be afraid.’’ ‘‘Do not be afraid.’’ want those days ever to return, still we Rivero possessed was a collection of Let us in this bastion of democracy are not satisfied with the progress that Martin Luther King’s speeches auto- also not be afraid to vote for this reso- has been made in terms of moving to- graphed by former President Jimmy lution. ward democracy, and it is hard for us Carter on his recent trip to the island. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I to believe that the Cuban Government yield myself 1 minute to explain what wants us to believe that these people b 1500 this bill actually does. I have had some were arrested because they were in- It was taken as evidence of subver- Members ask. volved in a conspiracy with the United sive thought. House Resolution 179 establishes the States of America to overthrow their Where is the outrage, that those who nexus which exists between the current government. If they truly believe that gathered the signatures of 30,000 brave wave of repression and the 59th session the United States intended to over- men and women who, much like our of the United Nations Commission on throw their government, they should Founding Fathers, with the stroke of a Human Rights which is currently being have exercised their right to have pen, had the courage to peacefully de- held in Geneva. And in doing so, it kicked out the chief of the U.S. Inter- mand a referendum calling for demo- takes into account the dictatorship’s ests Section there, and then not to cratic changes, were unceremoniously systematic and gross human rights vio- hold their people hostage and subject

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.066 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2891 to the painful sentences that have been Cuban government. Just as the shooting inci- not deserve to sit in judgment of others imposed upon them. dent set back the development of our relation- on human rights after what is going on I join in urging the Cuban Govern- ship for several years, that unwarranted viola- right now, and after a record like this. ment to release these people, to open tion of the rights of ordinary Cubans, in my Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the up these courthouses, and to whatever humble opinion, has further set back the ef- resolution. complaints they have about the con- forts of the Cuban and American people to Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am de- duct of any Americans that are in move toward democracy and free trade. lighted to yield 6 minutes to the gen- Cuba, to let the whole world see it. But For 30 years, I have been part of a some- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. I am glad to stand with my colleagues times unpopular effort to improve relations be- DELAHUNT), one of the leaders on the and ask for an immediate response to tween our countries. I would be less than hon- House Committee on International Re- the call of this House, and that is to re- est if I did not say now that the response of lations, and our acknowledged expert lease the prisoners forthwith. the Cuban government to concerns raised on Latin America. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolu- from many quarters has been less than ade- Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I tion introduced by my colleague, Congress- quate. I will continue to support any effort by thank the gentleman for yielding me man LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART condemning the ac- our two countries to improve that relationship, this time. tions of the government of Cuba in violation of but I cannot support this action taken by the As others have stated, this for me, the rights of its citizens. It is not the resolution Cuban government. Indeed, I am forced to too, is a day of disappointment and that I would have drafted, but it comes close condemn it. sadness, profound sadness, of human enough in reflecting my objections to these ac- I know that this view is shared by many of rights violated, and of diplomatic op- tions. my colleagues, and I hope that the Cuban portunities squandered. As a sovereign Representatives of the Cuban government government will seek ways to undo this unfor- nation, only Cuba can decide how to at- want us to believe that their actions in arrest- tunate setback to relations between our coun- tend to its own national security. But ing and prosecuting Cuban citizens were tries. over the last 3 weeks, decisions have based on evidence of their involvement in a I hope that they will reconsider this action been made in Havana that seriously conspiracy with the United States to overthrow against people who were seeking to dem- undermine efforts to normalize rela- their government. The Cuban citizens being onstrate their political differences with their tionships with the United States. prosecuted—many of them journalists and ad- government. I hope that the government will I come to the floor today as part of a vocates of open elections and supporters of take the most drastic action for any govern- group, the so-called Cuba Working normalization of relations with the United ment to take, to reverse itself and release the Group. It is bipartisan in nature, 25 Re- States—allegedly consorted with the Chief of prisoners. publicans, 25 Democrats. We have spent the U.S. Interests Section in Havana in this Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I considerable time and effort to tear the conspiracy at private meetings, including visits thank the gentleman from New York wall down that has divided our people to each others’ homes. for his statement of support. for some 40 years. This has put us at The so-called evidence is that the United Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to odds with the White House. It has put States government provided the Cuban activ- my good friend, the gentleman from us at odds with many of our colleagues ists with millions of dollars with which to carry Arizona (Mr. FLAKE), a member of our that are sitting here today. But we are out the conspiracy and that these Cuban citi- Committee on International Relations not at odds today. zens, therefore, were in violation of Cuban Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I thank At this moment, we stand together. law. the gentlewoman for yielding me this In the past I have called on President It is hard to believe that the Cuban govern- time, and I thank the gentlewoman and Bush to lift the U.S. restrictions on ment feels so insecure that these mass ar- the gentleman from Florida for author- travel by Americans to Cuba, to let our rests had to be carried out, that the trials had ing this important resolution. It is im- people go. Well, today, I call on Presi- to be held in secret, without any evidence ex- portant to all of us. dent Fidel Castro to let his people go. posed to the Cuban people or to the inter- For those of us who have followed the For me, this issue is more than polit- national community, or that the God-given situation in Cuba, we have been sad- ical, it is personal, because some of right of Cuban citizens would be so violated. dened and sickened by the events that those who have been arrested are my It is even harder to believe that if this con- have happened over the last month, al- friends. I want to speak about 2 of spiracy theory held water, the person who was though I do not believe any of us have them. My colleagues have heard their at the center of the conspiracy—the Chief of been surprised. This latest crackdown names here. Hector Palacios, a Varela the U.S. Interests Section in Havana—would typifies the last 43 years now that Project organizer, and Oscar Dhepe, an be allowed to remain in Cuba. Fidel Castro has been in power. It is all independent journalist. Their arrests Hardly anyone could disagree that Castro- too typical. and convictions pain me more than led revolution of 1959 had improved the lives Let us look at what is going on here. anyone in this Chamber can com- of the great majority of Cuban citizens. But I had the opportunity to be in Cuba prehend. They are men of exceptional we’ve waited too long for the revolution to take just less than a month ago and we met character and integrity who seek the next step in offering true democracy to all with several of the dissidents at that peaceful change. They are not agents of Cubans. Some Americans believe that the time. Hector Palacios, director of the violence or insurrection. Far from it. best way to bring democracy to Cuba is a pol- Independent Center for Social Studies They acknowledge Cuba’s advances in icy of embargo, cutting off all food, medicines, and the key organizer of the Varela health and education brought about by travel, trade and social and family contacts. Project, was just sentenced to 25 years. the revolution, and they want to accel- Some of us believe that—as with other com- Oswaldo Alfonsa, also an organizer for erate that progress in other areas, so munist countries, such as China and North the Varela Project, 18 years. Oscar they work through modest, small, yet Vietnam—a better way is to tear down barriers Espinosa Chepe, an economist, former courageous acts within the Cuban Con- and allow the Cuban people to see the bene- diplomat and independent journalist, 20 stitution. They create and have made fits of democracy. In my view, such a policy of years. every effort to create political space. engagement is far better than the use of prop- As the gentleman from New York Hector’s apartment houses one of the aganda and the distribution of radios and noted, I do not think anybody, any- first so-called independent libraries in pamphlets. U.S. citizens are the most effective body, believes that these people are Cuba, a few shelves devoted to old med- ambassadors of democracy. guilty of the crimes that they have ical encyclopedias and geography Despite the ability of supporters the embar- been charged with. They are simply texts, some children’s books donated go to sustain that failed policy for over 40 guilty of voicing ideas and ideas that by members of my office. But when years, there has been a great deal of progress this regime is too afraid of. Hector was arrested, these books were in the movement toward normalization of rela- This resolution is important because taken away. Doctor Seuss is not a tions between our countries. Just as in Feb- it allows us to let people across the threat to the Cuban revolution. ruary 1996, when the Cuban government shot country and across the world, and par- During our visits, we talk about how down two unarmed private aircraft piloted by ticularly those who sit on boards and to hasten a climate of mutual respect Cuban-Americans based in Miami, this time commissions of the United Nations, to between the people of our 2 countries, there was no threat to the security of the understand that a regime like this does between our governments. Ironically,

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.067 H08PT1 H2892 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 they argued persuasively for an end to swooped up in these kinds of numbers ment of Cuba against political dissent. the embargo and travel restrictions on and brought to trial at a time when it Those arrested include two dozen inde- Americans to Cuba. Let me quote from is clear in the mind of the dictator that pendent journalists, leaders of inde- Oscar Chepe, who presently is incarcer- we are looking at other things, shows pendent trade unions and opposition ated for 20 years in a Cuban jail. This just how wrong he is. political parties, and pro-democracy is his quote. These are his words: ‘‘Ex- Once again this regime is showing its activists involved in the countrywide perience demonstrates that isolation true colors. These actions continue to reform effort known as the Varela breathes life into totalitarianism. On be proof of Castro’s horrific record of project. the other hand, contact between peo- repression, that no matter how much It makes no difference whether you ples free individuals from falsehoods we argue and no matter which side we are for or against change in U.S. policy and from the lives without dignity that are on in other debates, people agree on towards Cuba. On this matter we speak they are forced to lead.’’ this floor today, it continues to be the with one voice. These arrests are unac- As the gentleman from New York kind of commitment that Castro ceptable. The summary trials and (Mr. RANGEL) indicated, we are told makes to his people, a commitment to harsh sentences merit universal con- that these arrests had nothing to do repress them. demnation. with the content of their words. Rath- The Castro regime has chosen this Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege er, they are intended to send a message particular time because they thought of traveling to Cuba many times and to the United States in response to a we were looking elsewhere. We show on have met directly with Cuban inde- perceived pattern of illegal provo- the House floor today that we are not pendent journalists and members of the cations from our own State Depart- looking elsewhere, that we continue to dissident community. Many of these ment. look at Cuba, we continue to hope for individuals were arrested in the latest Well, I submit that the message we the liberation of Cuba, we continue to crackdown. They are receiving harsh have received is very different and hope for the greater freedom for the sentences for actions we take for deeply disturbing. It is that diversity Cuban people. The civilized world can- granted here in the United States: the of thought is not welcome in Cuba, not stand quietly by and tolerate these right to hold meetings, have discus- even at the expense of jeopardizing terrible abuses of individual rights. As sions, and express opinions different progress toward normalization. How we try to bring freedom to another from those held by our government. else can we explain 20- and 25-year sen- country, we have to continue to stand The Cuban Government has said that tences for Hector and Oscar and dozens for freedom in this hemisphere. And these arrests are in response to actions of others after only cursory consulta- today we join the President of the by U.S. Ambassador Cason and the U.S. tions with their lawyers and quick United States, the European Union, Interests Section that are perceived as trials, closed to the public, foreign dip- and many others, including the Catho- deliberate attempts to foment subver- lomats, and the international media. lic Church, who have condemned these sion in Cuba. It is inconceivable, if one knows actions. Mr. Speaker, those grievances should these men, that they were conspiring I urge the huge vote on this resolu- be raised and resolved between the two with the United States. Like dozens of tion as we send an important message governments, but no action of the other detainees, they were working in to Castro. United States Interests Section justi- behalf of the Cuban people. Nobody Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask fies in any way these recent arrests. else. They posed no threat to the unanimous consent that each side may The right of diplomats to meet with Cuban Government. have an additional 10 minutes so all of people who represent a range of views, As I said, I disagree with some of my our colleagues may be heard. including people who peaceably dissent colleagues in Cuba. For example, I Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I object. from the policies and priorities of their have chosen to travel there, to visit The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. own governments, should not be im- with people like Hector Palacios and TERRY). An objection is heard. peded. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I believe Oscar Chepe. And unlike my friends Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would the restrictions on U.S. diplomats in from Florida, some of my friends, I op- like to request my colleague to recon- Cuba and Cuban diplomats in the pose U.S. policies which prevent ordi- sider his objection. This is a matter of United States are just plain wrong. nary Americans from offering the same great principle. Several colleagues Mr. Speaker, I am seriously con- solidarity to those seeking change in would like to speak on this subject, cerned about the increased tensions our relationship with Cuba, a relation- and I think it is singularly unfair to and hardening of positions in U.S. ship that has been stated so eloquently deny them the opportunity to do so. Cuban relations. They do little to ad- by another prominent Cuban dissident Mr. MURTHA. I object, Mr. Speaker. vance human rights or open political who was recently released from serving Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I space in Cuba; in fact, quite the oppo- 5 years in a Cuban jail. His name is ask unanimous consent that each side site. I fear that without a concerted ef- Vladimiro Roca, and he said that the be granted an additional 5 minutes. fort to change our policies towards one relationship ought to be characterized Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, would my another for the better, it will only lead by dialogue, negotiation, and reconcili- friend agree to 5 minutes on each side? to greater restrictions in both coun- ation. Again, those are his words. Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I with- tries and fewer opportunities for mod- draw my objection. I will agree to 5 erate voices in both countries to en- b 1515 minutes each side. gage directly with one another. I will But that is a debate for another day. The SPEAKER pro tempore. There is conclude by urging the Cuban Govern- I might have written this resolution a unanimous consent for 5 additional ment to release immediately all these somewhat differently, but I commend minutes for each side. prisoners and all prisoners of con- my colleagues for bringing it to the Hearing no objection, each side is science. floor of the House; and I urge my col- granted an additional 5 minutes. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I leagues all of my colleagues to support There was no objection. yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from it; and I ask the Cuban Government to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Michigan (Mr. MCCOTTER), a member of release these people. tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) our Committee on International Rela- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I now has 6 minutes remaining. tions. yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Mr. MCCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Missouri (Mr. BLUNT), the distin- minutes to the gentleman from Massa- in support of the resolution. guished majority whip. chusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN). We in America inhabit the bosom of Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I am glad Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I freedom. Yet, scant miles, though a to rise in support of this resolution and thank the gentleman for yielding me lifetime away from our shores, suf- in opposition to the deplorable behav- time. fering and dying under an antiquated ior we see in Cuba today as evidenced Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Communist tyrant, the Cuban people by these so-called desires. That people resolution. All voices must condemn yearn to breathe free. By passing this whose only desire is freedom would be the recent crackdown by the Govern- resolution, we in the citadel of freedom

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:57 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.068 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2893 say to the Cuban people, we hear you infiltrated dissident groups testified against Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I and we will help you. For if we do not, their supposed colleagues on charges of sub- yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from version and collaborating with American we will betray our own cherished demo- New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), the vice chair- diplomats. Almost 80 people were arrested in cratic principles and our refusal will an islandwide sweep that started last month man of our Committee on Inter- constitute a mute chorus of deafening and that has been condemned by numerous national Relations. silence in the face of human suffering. human rights advocates, the European Union Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. I urge adoption of the resolution. and foreign leaders. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 He´ctor Palacios, a key organizer of the yielding me time. minutes to my good friend, the gen- Varela Project, which seeks democratic re- Mr. Speaker, since mid-March the tleman from New Jersey (Mr. forms, was sentenced to 25 years. Marta Castro dictatorship has carried out a Beatriz Roque, an independent economist PALLONE). who angered authorities when she invited massive crackdown on human rights Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise the chief American diplomat in Cuba to her defenders, independent journalists, and today in support of H.R. 179 that con- home in February, received a 20-year sen- trade unionists and other brave and demns the brutal crackdown of the tence. noble pro-democracy activists through- Cuban Government on the island’s Omar Rodrı´guez Saludes, an independent out Cuba. peaceful pro-democracy movement and journalist who covered the news scooting Not satisfied with the ongoing tor- around Havana on a battered bicycle, was ture and mistreatment and incarcer- calls for the immediate release of all handed the longest sentence: 27 years. Cuban political prisoners. Cuban authorities said the dissidents had ation of approximately 400 political Mr. Speaker, I have addressed this conspired with James Cason, the United prisoners, Castro has begun a new, omi- House on several occasions regarding States diplomat, and they brought charges nous, and shameful attack on another Castro’s continued assault on and dis- against them under a law that makes illegal 80 of the best and brightest and most regard for human rights and democ- any support of measures like the American courageous of Cuba. Now, as we meet racy. I and several of my colleagues trade embargo that would harm the island’s here today, his people and his thugs are economy or sovereignty. During an appear- have spoken recently of Castro’s deci- ance at the University of Miami today, Mr. beating, victimizing, and sentencing to sion to arrest and try over 80 non- Cason had a one-word reply when asked if he very long prison sentences those who violent human rights advocates, pro- thought—as the Cuban government had sug- are the cream of the crop in Cuba, who democracy leaders, and independent gested—that he provoked the crackdown by believe in freedom and democracy. journalists in what has become a cam- his repeated meetings with dissidents. Castro, with all eyes diverted on Iraq paign by the regime to silence all ‘‘Lies,’’ he said. and the war in Iraq, is trying to silence He defended his contacts with the dis- voices of peaceful opposition on the is- sidents as a normal part of his work, saying dissent with violence, ‘‘show’’ trials, land. that the American mission in Havana pro- and incarceration. This latest mani- Inside of a month Castro has ar- vided people with books, Internet access and festation, Mr. Speaker, of cruelty by rested, arraigned, tried, and sentenced newspaper clippings, among other services. the Castro dictatorship is but another, many of the dissidents, some receiving They did not, he said, pay the groups or give but a highly significant other, re- prison terms as long as 27 years. them their marching orders, but supported minder of the true character of this re- Mr. Speaker, there is an article in to- their call for a quick and peaceful transition to democracy. gime. It is cruel, brutal and an egre- day’s New York Times that I would ‘‘We should be clear, the opposition is not gious violator of human rights. like to enter into the record, and it a shadow government waiting to move into Mr. Speaker, Castro’s brutal actions mentions James Cason, the U.S. dip- power,’’ Mr. Cason said in his speech. ‘‘They hopefully will serve as a wake-up call lomat that has been spoken of, and it are simply among the few who openly say to those in the United States, espe- says that the reason this is happening what so many others believe, that it is time cially those in the United States Con- is because they have become such ef- for change. Because they have become effec- gress who argue that it is time to lift fective advocates that the government tive advocates, the government attacks the travel ban and sanctions against them, labeling them subversive traitors.’’ attacks them. International groups condemned the sen- Cuba. I especially want to focus, Mr. The reason this is happening is these tences, saying those arrested were exercising Speaker, on those in the European dissidents are having an impact. People fundamental freedoms protected by the Uni- Union who have been trading with the believe in them in Cuba. They are hav- versal Declaration on Human Rights, of island country of Cuba for so many ing an impact on basically changing which Cuba is a signer. Several Latin na- years without any linkage whatsoever and reforming the government ulti- tions have introduced a proposal to censure to human rights. Trade, trade, trade, mately. They have become voices of Cuba at the current session of the United Na- tions Commission on Human Rights in Gene- while this barbaric dictatorship gets change. That is why it is so important va. worse and worse and worse. that we here in the United States basi- ‘‘It’s perverse that there’s a massive crack- In previous Congresses, Mr. Speaker, cally condemn what Castro is doing, down in Cuba just at the moment that the I have offered an amendment to lift the because otherwise people like them United Nations is examining Cuba’s human travel ban, if and only if political pris- will not continue. rights record,’’ said Jose´ Miguel Vivanco, the oners are freed and felons who have Americas director of Human Rights Watch. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my col- committed acts of violence in the leagues to support this resolution. ‘‘The commission must condemn these abuses, and do so strongly and unequivo- United States against U.S. police, in- These recent actions by the Castro re- cally.’’ cluding a trooper from the State of gime are simply the next step in the Relatives of some dissidents denounced the New Jersey, are brought to the U.S. in systematic denial of even the most lengthy prison terms as effective life sen- order to be held accountable. That basic human rights for the citizens of tences. Raul Rivero, a poet and the dean of amendment, sadly, lost. Cuba. Congress must send a strong the island’s independent journalists, who was Now, today on the floor we are united message to Castro that despite his given a 20-year sentence, suffers from phle- bitis and other illnesses. in rhetoric and sentiment for those hopes that the world would be looking ‘‘This is so arbitrary for a man whose only who are being incarcerated and mis- the other way, that his actions have crime is to write what he thinks,’’ said Mr. treated. But we also need linkage, Mr. not gone unnoticed and will not be al- Rivero’s wife, Blanca Reyes. ‘‘What they Speaker. We need to recognize that ac- lowed to continue. found on him was a tape recorder, not a gre- tions, and particularly those that are [From the New York Times, April 8, 2003] nade.’’ linked to trade and travel bans, can be Mr. Cason said that the United States CUBAN DISSIDENTS GET PRISON TERMS AS would offer moral support to those who very efficacious—actions always speak LONG AS 27 YEARS would assume the work of those now in jail. louder than our words. I call upon the (By David Gonzalez) The Cuban government put limits on Mr. European Union, Mr. Speaker, to en- MIAMI, Apr. 7.—Cuban courts today began Cason’s movements after he traveled some gage the human rights abuses of Castro handing out prison terms of up to 27 years to 6,000 miles around the island in his first six with something more than rhetoric. dozens of dissidents, including journalists months. Some have speculated the govern- Members of the EU have been trading, and librarians, who had been advocating ment might decide to keep him out of the as has Canada, for so many years. What democratic reforms, according to human country, a possibility he accepted. rights groups and news reports from Havana. ‘‘They can shoot the messenger if they have they gotten for it? Maybe they The harsh sentences capped five days of want,’’ Mr. Cason said. ‘‘There will be more made a few bucks or a few Euros or a trials in which state security agents who had messengers coming.’’ few Canadian dollars, but they have,

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.071 H08PT1 H2894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 however unwittingly, aided and abetted b 1530 Cuban people, and that is why it is im- this brutal tyrant in horrific repression Mr. Speaker, I yield the remaining portant. That is a step to free elec- against his people. time to the gentleman from Florida tions. That is a step to freedom in I urge strong support for the gentle- (Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART). Cuba. woman from Florida’s (Ms. ROS- Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Flor- We overwhelmingly support this res- LEHTINEN) resolution, and I hope this is ida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- olution and want to make sure that the a wake-up call about what this regime woman for yielding the time to me, and world sees that everybody understands is all about. I also want to thank the gentleman that we will not tolerate, we will not Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve from Florida (Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ- tolerate this type of behavior; and we the balance of my time. BALART) for bringing this resolution to are not going to do business with that Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I the floor. kind of anti-American thug, criminal, yield 1 minute to my colleague, the We have heard about this horrible assassin and terrorist just 90 miles gentleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY). thing that is going on just 90 miles away from our shores. Mr. FEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to away from the United States coast, Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise thank all of the sponsors of this resolu- these people getting arrested. What are in strong support of this resolution. tion, especially my friends from Flor- they getting arrested for? What have The world has condemned Cuba’s recent ida. they gotten convicted for? Let me just crackdown on human rights and democracy Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying mention Raul Ramon Rivero, an inde- activists. What is most troubling is that this is that people do not miss fresh air until pendent journalist and leader of the nothing new. The recent crackdown is merely they live without it. My friends from Cuba press newspapers service who, by a continuation of the systematic human rights south Florida understand what it is the way, has been sentenced to 20 violations in Cuba committed by the Castro re- like to live without freedom and with- years, Mr. Speaker, 20 years in prison gime. out fresh air. for the following reasons: Today I was most discouraged to learn of While American men and women are Because he created an independent the prison sentences that have been handed halfway around the world fighting for press organization, 20 years for that. down to dozens of these dissidents, who have freedom and democracy, we are finding Because he is circulating materials been charged with ‘‘subversion’’ and collabo- out who our friends are. We are also published by human rights groups, 20 rating with American diplomats, among other finding out throughout the world who years for that, Mr. Speaker. Because he charges. Hector Palacious is but one I’ll men- the really bad actors are. You can is a member of the Cuban Society of tion. Along with Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, Mr. judge bad guys because while the cat is Independent Journalists, 20 years in Palacios has been a key organizer of the away, the rats are playing just 90 miles prison for that, Mr. Speaker. Because, Varela Project, an effort to win Cuban popular off the Florida border. And I will say the audacity, he has a Sony tape re- support for a referendum on open elections, that the roundup of these individual corder. Mr. Speaker, furthermore, he freedom of speech, freedom for political pris- freedom fighters, who remind me of the has the audacity of having a Samsung oners, and free enterprise. Yesterday he was original founders of our Republic, who computer; and if that was not enough sentenced to 25 years in prison for advocating pledged in the Declaration their lives, to deserve 20 years in prison, it is be- democratic reforms. their fortunes, and their sacred honor cause he has had meetings in his home Today I join my colleagues in condemning to stand up for what is right, the most with other independent journalists. Cuba’s crackdown on democracy, in calling for recent roundup by Castro and his evil That is the reason, Mr. Speaker, why the release of all Cuba’s political prisoners, in regime is nothing but a modern-day he is serving 20 years, why the tyranny supporting the right of the Cuban people to Stalinist purge. has sentenced him for 20 years in pris- exercise their political and civil liberties, and in I will say as we are fighting to free on. It is not a joke. It is not a cruel calling on the world to insist in the strongest the Iraqi people, so we should stay the joke. Those are the reasons, and like terms that the Government of Cuba adhere to course and fight to free the Cuban peo- reasons for why these people are being international human rights standards. ple. I urge a unanimous vote by this sentenced to 20 years or life imprison- I enclose for the record a letter to me from House of Representatives and, once ment just 90 miles away from our former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, again, I want to thank all of my col- coast. now Chairman of the National Democratic In- leagues who are sponsors of this resolu- Mr. Speaker, some still do business stitute for International Affairs. NDI has worked tion. with that tyrant, with Castro; and with organizers of the Varela Project to pro- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no some want to do business with Castro, mote the movement internationally, and last additional speakers, and I yield back with the Castro regime. Doing business year NDI honored Oswaldo Paya Sardinas for the balance of my time. with the Castro regime, Mr. Speaker, his courageous efforts to promote democracy. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I which is Castro’s will, that is what he Enclosed also is a statement from him calling yield myself 1 minute. After speaking, wants, he says it every single day, for the immediate release of the activists. Mr. I will yield to the gentleman from doing business with that tyrant, Mr. Paya calls this moment the ‘‘Spring of Cuba’’ Florida (Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART) to Speaker, and let us make it very clear, because for the first time, a peaceful move- close. is doing business with a criminal. It is ment is flourishing there. We must do all we Mr. Speaker, I started my remarks doing business with an international can to help it take root. quoting Eli Wiesel, and I would like to terrorist. It is doing business with a Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer end the remarks that I have on this thug, with a tyrant. Mr. Speaker, it is my strong support for H. Res. 179. The recent resolution by this same gentleman who doing business with a murderer; and crackdown by the Cuban government on polit- has meant so much for freedom and yes, just listen to him, what he says, it ical dissidents is without reason or measure. human rights and free expression of is doing business with a mortal enemy The Cuban government must recognize that if ideas throughout the world. of the United States of America and it wants to become a full member of the family Eli Wiesel said, ‘‘Just as despair can the American people. of democratic nations, and re-establish ties come to one only from other human Let us remember what Marta Beatriz with the United States, it must abide by the beings, hope too can be given to one Roque, who now has been sentenced to fundamental rules of a democracy. At the very only by other human beings.’’ prison for these same types of issues, top of that list is freedom of expression. Let us be that beacon of hope for the what she has been saying time and I believe that the United States can assist Cuban people. Let us support this reso- time again. One of the reasons that she Cuba in its move towards greater freedom and lution. Let us support those freedom is going to prison is because she has openness. The American Congress and the fighters, those valiant fighters for free said that we must keep the sanctions Administration can lead by example, by lifting thought who are actually given sen- on the tyranny; we must keep the pres- the travel ban, and lifting the trade embargo. tences for possession of typewriters, for sure on until finally there are free elec- How can we advocate for greater freedom possession of books, for possession of tions in Cuba. when we prevent American companies and computers, for giving interviews to for- That is the goal, Mr. Speaker. That consumers from benefiting from trade with eign journalists. Let us be that beacon is what we need to do. That is what we Cuba? How can we call for greater openness of hope that Eli Wiesel spoke about. need to succeed in achieving for the when we do not let American citizens exercise

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.082 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2895 their constitutional right to travel freely, to It is for these reasons I stand in strong sup- (1) Funds derived from the sale of rough Cuba if they so desire. America can also lead port of this resolution and ask my fellow col- diamonds are being used by rebels and state by example by avoiding needless leagues to join me to condemn the arrests of actors to finance military activities, over- antagonization of Cuba. Wherever they are, throw legitimate governments, subvert these individuals and insist the immediate re- international efforts to promote peace and our diplomatic community must always act dip- lease of all political prisoners in Cuba. stability, and commit horrifying atrocities lomatically. Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, on March 17th of against unarmed civilians. During the past Current U.S. policy towards Cuba has this year, Fidel Castro initiated his most draco- decade, more than 6,500,000 people from Si- proved a failure. It makes no sense to con- nian crack-down on political dissidents in re- erra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Re- tinue down the path of isolation. The recent cent years. public of the Congo have been driven from actions by the Cuban government, while rep- He has ordered the arrest of more than 80 their homes by wars waged in large part for rehensible, do not change that central fact. pro-democracy activists. He has tried them in control of diamond mining areas. A million U.S. policy should be based on U.S. national of these are refugees eking out a miserable proceedings the State Department called a existence in neighboring countries, and tens interests, not a system of rewards and punish- ‘‘kangaroo court.’’ And he has sentenced them of thousands have fled to the United States. ments for good or bad behavior. In this in- to decades in prison on illegitimate charges. Approximately 3,700,000 people have died dur- stance, the Cuban government has behaved Castro was wrong to think he could tighten ing these wars. badly and they should be properly sanctioned his choke-hold on the human rights of his peo- (2) The countries caught in this fighting for it, in America and in the world community. ple under the radar of the civilized world. are home to nearly 70,000,000 people whose This resolution is an appropriate measure. I do The United States may be engaged in societies have been torn apart not only by fighting but also by terrible human rights not think, however, that it should affect policy. armed conflict on the other side of the world, This should not lead to greater restrictions. To violations. but no fog of war can conceal Castro’s barba- (3) Human rights and humanitarian advo- the contrary, the response should be greater rism. cates, the diamond trade as represented by exchange between the U.S. and Cuba. Great- And no freedom-loving nation can reward the World Diamond Council, and the United er freedom and openness will lead to a more such behavior with trade policies that, how- States Government have been working to free and open Cuban society. As we call on ever well-intentioned, would enrich a terrorist block the trade in conflict diamonds. Their Cuba now to change its policy, we must also regime 90 miles off our shores. efforts have helped to build a consensus that action is urgently needed to end the trade in ask ourselves what we can do to have a more If Castro cared about the Cuban people, he free and open policy. Lifting the travel and conflict diamonds. would stop brutalizing members of the pro-de- (4) The United Nations Security Council trade ban on Cuba would be a good start. mocracy movement. He would release all his Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise has acted at various times under chapter VII political prisoners, and restore individual lib- of the Charter of the United Nations to ad- today in strong support of this resolution. I erties to his people. dress threats to international peace and se- also thank my South Florida colleagues, LIN- He would recognize the human rights of all curity posed by conflicts linked to diamonds. COLN DIAZ-BALART, ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN and Cubans, especially those with the courage to Through these actions, it has prohibited all MARIO DIAZ-BALART for bringing this resolution states from exporting weapons to certain speak the truth about his goon squad of a to the floor. I stand with them today to con- countries affected by such conflicts. It has government. demn the brutal and inhumane attacks by further required all states to prohibit the di- This resolution calls on the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro on innocent human rights activ- rect and indirect import of rough diamonds to do all of these things, and it puts the House ists, trade union leaders, journalists and ordi- from Sierra Leone unless the diamonds are of Representatives once again on the side of controlled under specified certificate of ori- nary citizens in Cuba. our oppressed neighbors and against their op- gin regimes and to prohibit absolutely the Fidel Castro has taken advantage of the direct and indirect import of rough diamonds power he has in his country and over his citi- pressor. I urge all Members to support it. from Liberia. zens for years. Today, he is taking advantage (5) In response, the United States imple- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- of the world’s focus on the war in Iraq to once mented sanctions restricting the importa- again suppress Cuban dissidents who are try- DER). The question is on the motion of- tion of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to ing to exercise basic rights of freedom of ex- fered by the gentlewoman from Florida those diamonds accompanied by specified pression, seeking a peaceful evolution towards (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House sus- certificates of origin and fully prohibiting the importation of rough diamonds from Li- a democracy he so obviously deplores. pend the rules and agree to the resolu- tion, H. Res. 179. beria. The United States is now taking fur- Mr. Speaker, here in the United States, pro- ther action against trade in conflict dia- testers are using their First Amendment rights The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the monds. to speak their minds on the war in Iraq. (6) Without effective action to eliminate Whether they support the Bush administration opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of trade in conflict diamonds, the trade in le- or not and whether we agree with them or not, those present have voted in the affirm- gitimate diamonds faces the threat of a con- people in this country rally to voice their con- ative. sumer backlash that could damage the cerns over the war, and other issues, without Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, economies of countries not involved in the the fear of being brutally attacked and impris- on that I demand the yeas and nays. trade in conflict diamonds and penalize members of the legitimate trade and the peo- oned for the rest of their lives. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ple they employ. To prevent that, South Af- In Cuba however, the freedom to express rica and more than 30 other countries are in- your mind is nonexistent. The imprisoned dis- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the volved in working, through the ‘‘Kimberley sidents in Cuba are part of a growing move- Chair’s prior announcement, further Process’’, toward devising a solution to this ment who are continuously followed, har- proceedings on this motion will be problem. As the consumer of a majority of assed, phone-tapped and detained. postponed. the world’s supply of diamonds, the United For merely stating their opinions, signing pe- f States has an obligation to help sever the titions and writing articles advocating the end link between diamonds and conflict and CLEAN DIAMOND TRADE ACT of the dictatorship in Cuba, these activists are press for implementation of an effective so- charged as criminals. They are threatened for Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I move to lution. (7) Failure to curtail the trade in conflict gathering in each other’s private homes to talk suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1584) to implement effective diamonds or to differentiate between the about the resurrection of a better life in Cuba trade in conflict diamonds and the trade in for themselves and for future generations to measures to stop trade in conflict dia- legitimate diamonds could have a severe come. monds, and for other purposes, as negative impact on the legitimate diamond Mr. Speaker, these callous and repressive amended. trade in countries such as Botswana, Na- acts by Castro’s regime are nothing new. They The Clerk read as follows: mibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. have been occurring long before my col- H.R. 1584 (8) Initiatives of the United States seek to resolve the regional conflicts in sub-Saharan leagues and I came to Congress. Many of the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Africa which facilitate the trade in conflict prisoners will probably face years of imprison- resentatives of the United States of America in diamonds. ment, joining several hundred political pris- Congress assembled, (9) The Interlaken Declaration on the Kim- oners who have been previously sentenced for SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. berley Process Certification Scheme for similar harmless acts. For decades now, Cas- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Clean Dia- Rough Diamonds of November 5, 2002, states tro has repeatedly used the repression of his mond Trade Act’’. that Participants will ensure that measures citizens as a means of retaining authority and SEC. 2. FINDINGS. taken to implement the Kimberley Process control over his country and over his people. Congress finds the following: Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.033 H08PT1 H2896 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 will be consistent with international trade (C) any person in the United States.–– or attempts to violate, any license, order, or rules. SEC. 4. MEASURES FOR THE IMPORTATION AND regulation issued under this Act; and SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. EXPORTATION OF ROUGH DIA- (2) whoever willfully violates, or willfully In this Act: MONDS. attempts to violate, any license, order, or (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT- (a) PROHIBITION.—The President shall pro- regulation issued under this Act shall, upon TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional hibit the importation into, or exportation conviction, be fined not more than $50,000, committees’’ means the Committee on Ways from, the United States of any rough dia- or, if a natural person, may be imprisoned and Means and the Committee on Inter- mond, from whatever source, that has not for not more than 10 years, or both; and any national Relations of the House of Rep- been controlled through the Kimberley Proc- officer, director, or agent of any corporation resentatives, and the Committee on Finance ess Certification Scheme. who willfully participates in such violation and the Committee on Foreign Relations of (b) WAIVER.—The President may waive the may be punished by a like fine, imprison- the Senate. requirements set forth in subsection (a) with ment, or both. (2) CONTROLLED THROUGH THE KIMBERLEY respect to a particular country for periods of (b) IMPORT VIOLATIONS.—Those customs PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME.—An impor- not more than 1 year each, if, with respect to laws of the United States, both civil and tation or exportation of rough diamonds is each such waiver— criminal, including those laws relating to ‘‘controlled through the Kimberley Process (1) the President determines and reports to seizure and forfeiture, that apply to articles Certification Scheme’’ if it is an importation the appropriate congressional committees imported in violation of such laws shall from the territory of a Participant or expor- that such country is taking effective steps to apply with respect to rough diamonds im- tation to the territory of a Participant of implement the Kimberley Process Certifi- ported in violation of this Act. rough diamonds that is— cation Scheme; or (c) AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE.—The United (A) carried out in accordance with the (2) the President determines that the waiv- States Bureau of Customs and Border Pro- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, as er is in the national interests of the United tection and the United States Bureau of Im- set forth in regulations promulgated by the States, and reports such determination to migration and Customs Enforcement are au- President; or the appropriate congressional committees, thorized, as appropriate, to enforce the pro- (B) controlled under a system determined together with the reasons therefor. visions of subsection (a) and to enforce the by the President to meet substantially the SEC. 5. REGULATORY AND OTHER AUTHORITY. laws and regulations governing exports of standards, practices, and procedures of the (a) IN GENERAL.—The President is author- rough diamonds, including with respect to Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. ized to and shall as necessary issue such the validation of the Kimberley Process Cer- (3) EXPORTING AUTHORITY.—The term ‘‘ex- proclamations, regulations, licenses, and or- tificate by the exporting authority. ders, and conduct such investigations, as porting authority’’ means 1 or more entities SEC. 9. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. may be necessary to carry out this Act. designated by a Participant from whose ter- The President may direct the appropriate ritory a shipment of rough diamonds is being (b) RECORDKEEPING.—Any United States person seeking to export from or import into agencies of the United States Government to exported as having the authority to validate make available technical assistance to coun- the Kimberley Process Certificate. the United States any rough diamonds shall keep a full record of, in the form of reports tries seeking to implement the Kimberley (4) IMPORTING AUTHORITY.—The term ‘‘im- Process Certification Scheme. porting authority’’ means 1 or more entities or otherwise, complete information relating designated by a Participant into whose terri- to any act or transaction to which any prohi- SEC. 10. SENSE OF CONGRESS. tory a shipment of rough diamonds is im- bition imposed under section 4(a) applies. (a) ONGOING PROCESS.—It is the sense of ported as having the authority to enforce the The President may require such person to the Congress that the Kimberley Process laws and regulations of the Participant regu- furnish such information under oath, includ- Certification Scheme, officially launched on lating imports, including the verification of ing the production of books of account, January 1, 2003, is an ongoing process. The the Kimberley Process Certificate accom- records, contracts, letters, memoranda, or President should work with Participants to panying the shipment. other papers, in the custody or control of strengthen the Kimberley Process Certifi- (5) KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATE.—The such person. cation Scheme through the adoption of term ‘‘Kimberley Process Certificate’’ means (c) OVERSIGHT.—The President shall re- measures for the sharing of statistics on the a forgery resistant document of a Partici- quire the appropriate Government agency to production of and trade in rough diamonds, pant that demonstrates that an importation conduct annual reviews of the standards, and for monitoring the effectiveness of the or exportation of rough diamonds has been practices, and procedures of any entity in Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in controlled through the Kimberley Process the United States that issues Kimberley stemming trade in diamonds the importation Certification Scheme and contains the min- Process Certificates for the exportation from or exportation of which is not controlled imum elements set forth in Annex I to the the United States of rough diamonds to de- through the Kimberley Process Certification Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. termine whether such standards, practices, Scheme. (6) KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATION and procedures are in accordance with the (b) STATISTICS AND REPORTING.—It is the SCHEME.—The term ‘‘Kimberley Process Cer- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. sense of the Congress that under Annex III to tification Scheme’ means those standards, The President shall transmit to the appro- the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, practices, and procedures of the inter- priate congressional committees a report on Participants recognized that reliable and national certification scheme for rough dia- each annual review under this subsection. comparable data on the international trade monds presented in the document entitled SEC. 6. IMPORTING AND EXPORTING AUTHORI- in rough diamonds are an essential tool for ‘‘Kimberley Process Certification Scheme’’ TIES. the effective implementation of the Kim- referred to in the Interlaken Declaration on (a) IN THE UNITED STATES.—For purposes of berley Process Certification Scheme. There- the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme this Act— fore, the executive branch should continue for Rough Diamonds of November 5, 2002. (1) the importing authority shall be the to— (7) PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘‘Participant’’ United States Bureau of Customs and Border (1) keep and publish statistics on imports means a state, customs territory, or regional Protection or, in the case of a territory or and exports of rough diamonds under sub- economic integration organization identified possession of the United States with its own headings 7102.10.00, 7102.21, and 7102.31.00 of by the Secretary of State. customs administration, analogous officials; the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the (8) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means an and United States; individual or entity. (2) the exporting authority shall be the Bu- (2) make these statistics available for anal- (9) ROUGH DIAMOND.—The term ‘‘rough dia- reau of the Census. ysis by interested parties and by Partici- mond’’ means any diamond that is unworked (b) OF OTHER COUNTRIES.—The President pants; and or simply sawn, cleaved, or bruted and clas- shall publish in the Federal Register a list of (3) take a leadership role in negotiating a sifiable under subheading 7102.10, 7102.21, or all Participants, and all exporting authori- standardized methodology among Partici- 7102.31 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of ties and importing authorities of Partici- pants for reporting statistics on imports and the United States. pants. The Secretary shall update the list as exports of rough diamonds. (10) UNITED STATES.—The term ‘‘United necessary. SEC. 11. KIMBERLEY PROCESS IMPLEMENTATION States’’, when used in the geographic sense, SEC. 7. STATEMENT OF POLICY. COORDINATING COMMITTEE. means the several States, the District of Co- The Congress supports the policy that the The President shall establish a Kimberley lumbia, and any commonwealth, territory, President shall take appropriate steps to Process Implementation Coordinating Com- or possession of the United States. promote and facilitate the adoption by the mittee to coordinate the implementation of (11) UNITED STATES PERSON.—The term international community of the Kimberley this Act. The Committee should be composed ‘‘United States person’’ means— Process Certification Scheme implemented of the following individuals or their des- (A) any United States citizen or any alien under this Act. ignees: admitted for permanent residence into the SEC. 8. ENFORCEMENT. (1) The Secretary of the Treasury and the United States; (a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the en- Secretary of State, to serve as co-chair- (B) any entity organized under the laws of forcement provisions set forth in subsection persons. the United States or any jurisdiction within (b)— (2) The Secretary of Commerce. the United States (including its foreign (1) a civil penalty of not to exceed $10,000 (3) The United States Trade Representa- branches); and may be imposed on any person who violates, tive.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.019 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2897 (4) The Secretary of Homeland Security. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- mate diamond trade that so many Afri- (5) A representative of any other agency ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- cans depend on for their livelihood. the President deems appropriate. linois (Mr. CRANE) and the gentleman This is an important step forward SEC. 12. REPORTS. from Michigan (Mr. LEVIN) each will and deserves strong support. (a) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 1 control 20 minutes. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- year after the date of the enactment of this self such time as I may consume, and I Act and every 12 months thereafter for such The Chair recognizes the gentleman period as this Act is in effect, the President from Illinois (Mr. CRANE). ask unanimous consent to yield the shall transmit to the Congress a report— Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 balance of the time, after I am done, to (1) describing actions taken by countries minutes to the gentleman from Cali- the gentleman from California (Mr. that have exported rough diamonds to the fornia (Mr. ROYCE). LANTOS), the ranking member of the United States during the preceding 12-month Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I would Committee on International Relations, period to control the exportation of the dia- like to begin by commending the gen- and also that he be allowed to allocate monds through the Kimberley Process Cer- tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGH- that time as he desires. tification Scheme; TON), the vice-chairman of the Sub- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (2) describing whether there is statistical objection to the request of the gen- information or other evidence that would in- committee on Africa, for working long and hard on this legislation. tleman from Michigan? dicate efforts to circumvent the Kimberley There was no objection. Process Certification Scheme, including cut- For several years now, the House has ting rough diamonds for the purpose of cir- been focused on the problem of conflict Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in cumventing the Kimberley Process Certifi- diamonds around the world. Three support of this legislation. H.R. 1584, cation Scheme; years ago, the Subcommittee on Africa the Clean Diamond Trade Act, imple- (3) identifying each country that, during that I chair held a hearing on these ments our obligations, the U.S. obliga- the preceding 12-month period, exported conflict diamonds; and we have had tions under the Kimberley Process Cer- rough diamonds to the United States and several hearings on Sierra Leone tification Scheme, an international was exporting rough diamonds not controlled system designed to ensure that rough through the Kimberley Process Certification where, again, these diamonds have fueled a conflict, frankly, a conflict diamonds entering the U.S. are legally Scheme, if the failure to do so has signifi- mined and traded. that has brutalized many children in cantly increased the likelihood that those Once in place, this system will be in- diamonds not so controlled are being im- that country, a conflict that has led to ported into the United States; and strumental in ensuring that conflict the forced amputations of the arms and diamonds, gems that have fueled dec- (4) identifying any problems or obstacles legs of little girls and little boys in Si- encountered in the implementation of this ades-long wars and atrocities in Africa, erra Leone. are not imported into the United Act or the Kimberly Process Certification Concerted international action, in- Scheme. States. (b) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—For each coun- cluding a U.N. curb on the diamond This legislation represents the cul- try identified in subsection (a)(3), the Presi- trade in Sierra Leone and neighboring mination of a 3-year effort led in sub- dent, during such period as this Act is in ef- Liberia, has helped give Sierra Leone a stantial part by the gentleman from fect, shall, every 6 months after the initial chance for peace. The legislation that Virginia (Mr. WOLF) and former Mem- report in which the country was identified, we are considering today builds on that transmit to the Congress a report that ex- ber, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. success. Hall), and the gentleman from New plains what actions have been taken by the We should note that the problem of United States or such country since the pre- York (Mr. HOUGHTON), who is here vious report to ensure that diamonds the ex- natural resources fueling conflicts in today, and I salute his efforts, and the portation of which was not controlled Africa is not limited to diamonds. Over gentleman from New York (Mr. RAN- through the Kimberley Process Certification the last several years, an estimated 2.5 GEL). Scheme are not being imported from that million people have died in the eastern Each of these Members has helped to country into the United States. The require- Congo due to a conflict being fueled by keep the spotlight focused on the ter- ment to issue a semiannual report with re- an illegal natural resource rush. The rible toll trade in conflict diamonds spect to a country under this subsection U.N. has documented what it calls has had on the people of sub-Saharan shall remain in effect until such time as the ‘‘elite networks,’’ government officials country is controlling the importation and Africa. They have worked diligently exportation of rough diamonds through the from Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and and responsibly to address the concerns Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. the Congo acting in collaboration with of the administration and of the gen- SEC. 13. GAO REPORT. international criminals and war lords. tleman from California (Mr. THOMAS). Not later than 24 months after the effec- What are they doing? They are gorging They have also worked to address con- tive date of this Act, the Comptroller Gen- on diamonds, but also other minerals cerns about the impact of rough dia- eral of the United States shall transmit a re- and on farm produce and land and tax mond regulations on legitimate dia- port to the Congress on the effectiveness of revenue, and these characters thrive in mond trade in countries such as Bot- the provisions of this Act in preventing the an environment of conflict. They swana, Namibia, South Africa, and importation or exportation of rough dia- thrive on death, and we need to combat monds that is prohibited under section 4. Tanzania. The Comptroller General shall include in the all of this exploitation. Let me just say briefly a word about report any recommendations on any modi- Today, though, we are focused on a the circumstances under which this bill fications to this Act that may be necessary. significant part of the problem, and is being considered. There is an urgent SEC. 14. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITIES. that is diamonds; and this legislation time factor. As a result, this legisla- The President may delegate the duties and is an important tool to fight this chaos tion was not considered in the Com- authorities under this Act to such officers, that is going on in eastern Congo and mittee on Ways and Means or the Com- officials, departments, or agencies of the elsewhere. Ending the trade in conflict mittee on International Relations; but United States Government as the President diamonds is all the more important this was not basically an effort to by- deems appropriate. given reports of terrorists using rough pass the committee process which, in SEC. 15. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act shall take effect on the date on diamonds to hide their funds and to my view, is essential to the develop- which the President certifies to the Congress transfer their funds. ment of sound legislation. Rather, we that— Again, I would like to commend the agreed, on a bipartisan basis, because (1) an applicable waiver that has been gentleman from New York and the of time constraints, to proceed in this granted by the World Trade Organization is other Members; and to name a few, I manner, in part in large measure be- in effect; or would like to commend the gentleman cause of the implications of continued (2) an applicable decision in a resolution from Virginia (Mr. WOLF); our former nonaction by the U.S. adopted by the United Nations Security Member, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Specifically, as I understand it, the Council pursuant to Chapter VII of the Char- Hall); the gentleman from New York entire international certification sys- ter of the United Nations is in effect. (Mr. RANGEL); and others who have tem was not going to go into effect be- This Act shall thereafter remain in effect during those periods in which, as certified by worked on this legislation, which has cause we here had not implemented our the President to the Congress, an applicable been several years in the making. It obligations. So I am glad we were able waiver or decision referred to in paragraph promises to curb the trade in conflict to work across the aisle, across com- (1) or (2) is in effect. diamonds while not harming the legiti- mittees and with the NGO community,

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.019 H08PT1 H2898 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 the diamond industry and the diamond degenerate into work; and the people civil conflicts. Our legislation pro- mining country representatives to put who did the great work, David hibits the importation to or expor- this bill together. Kavanaugh, Mike Walsh, Viji tation from the United States of any I believe it is a beneficial work prod- Rangaswami of the Subcommittee on rough diamonds, from whatever source, uct, one which I urge my colleagues to Trade, Frank Record of the Committee that are not controlled through the pass; and also I think it is an example on International Relations, Jay Bruns Kimberly Process. I urge all of my col- of how to proceed on a bipartisan basis. of the State Department, and many leagues to support H.R. 1584. It makes sense here, and it makes friends of the Campaign to Eliminate Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of sense on other important issues. Conflict Diamonds, world vision, Am- my time. Specific provisions I am pleased to nesty International, Oxfam, and Catho- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 see included are inclusion of record- lic Relief Services. All have added their minutes to the gentleman from Vir- keeping requirements for importers weight here to this very important ginia (Mr. WOLF). and exporters of rough diamonds, man- piece of legislation. Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the datory executive branch oversight of I urge my associates and my col- gentleman for yielding me this time, any entity that issues Kimberley proc- leagues to pass it. and I want to say thanks to the chair- ess certificates and provisions to co- man of the Committee on Ways and b 1545 ordinate activities of the various agen- Means, the gentleman from California cies and departments that will imple- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield (Mr. THOMAS), the chairman of the Sub- ment this bill and U.S. Kimberley proc- myself such time as I may consume, committee on Trade, the gentleman ess obligations. With these additions, and I rise in strong support of this res- from Illinois (Mr. CRANE), and their this bill sends an important signal to olution. First, Mr. Speaker, I would staff, Angela Ellard and Dave the international community that we like to commend my good friend and Kavanaugh, with the help of Viji here are engaged; that we here take colleague, the gentleman from New Rangaswami from the minority staff this issue seriously; and that we here York (Mr. HOUGHTON), who has done so for their efforts on the bill. In addition, expect other nations to take the nec- much to promote human rights and I want to thank the gentleman from essary steps to help eradicate this human dignity and fairness and justice New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) and his plight. in Africa, and indeed throughout the staff, Bob Van Wicklin for pulling this Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 globe. I also want to thank all of my bill together and staying very faithful minutes to the gentleman from New colleagues on both sides of the aisle for during this difficult time; also, Frank York (Mr. HOUGHTON). making a contribution to this legisla- Record and Joan Condon from the Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I tion. Committee on International Relations thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Mr. Speaker, our legislation requires for their important contributions. CRANE), the gentleman from Michigan the United States to participate in the The passage of this bill is really a (Mr. LEVIN), the gentleman from Cali- Kimberly Process certification scheme. tribute to a former Congressman, Tony fornia (Mr. ROYCE), the gentleman from This process is designed to prevent Hall, who brought this issue to the New York (Mr. RANGEL). I want to international trade in conflict dia- body and asked me to go with him sev- thank particularly the gentleman from monds while protecting legitimate eral years ago to Sierra Leone. So, Virginia (Mr. WOLF) here who has been trade. Tony, this is really because of your a leading light in this whole propo- One cannot speak of conflict dia- work. And who says one person cannot sition and also Tony Hall, who is the monds, Mr. Speaker, without recalling make a difference? ambassador to the Food and Agricul- in vivid detail the young children from Mr. Speaker, millions of people have tural Organization in Rome whose spir- Sierra Leone who came before this died in Africa because of the bloodshed it just pervades this whole Chamber on Congress as tiny witnesses to the hor- surrounding conflict diamonds. The bill this issue. ror of so-called resource wars in Africa. we consider today may finally bring A lot of this has already been talked Little boys and little girls with arms hope and justice to the millions of Afri- about. I will not go over it in detail, and legs missing sat quietly before the cans who have suffered. In addition, but let me just say a few things. This Committee on International Relations major media organizations, the Wash- really is a follow-up to last year’s bill. as we listened to the gruesome details ington Post and the BBC, have re- I will not give my colleagues the num- of the civil war in Sierra Leone. ported direct connections between ber, they know it, but this 1584 creates The civil war was not a just war. This blood diamonds and the al Qaeda ter- a system to monitor the blood dia- was a war of shameless greed and rorist network. Addressing the issue of monds coming from Africa. It is a very, shameless corruption, an uncivilized conflict diamonds is not only essential very important bill for a variety of rea- war that knew no mercy, that knew no for the millions dying and suffering in sons, not the least of which the human- limit to cruelty. This war, and the Africa but also for America’s national itarian aspect; and what it does, it at- wars in Angola and the so-called Demo- security. tacks the problem of the trade in Afri- cratic Republic of Congo, were fueled This version of the bill before the can diamonds by having the President in large part by the illicit trade in so- House is a good one, and I am confident implement the so-called Kimberley called conflict diamonds. While some the President has the tools to ban process. My colleagues know what that call these diamonds a curse on these trade of rough diamonds that fund ter- is. It is important. It is a vehicle for countries, it is the evil men who would rorists and other groups that commit making this bill possible. slaughter parents and maim children despicable actions against innocent What the bill mechanically does is who are the ultimate curse on these people. The al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and three things. First of all, it bans non- countries and on humanity as a whole. many other groups have been funded compliant rough diamonds. It severely Mr. Speaker, the wars in Sierra through this diamond trade. punishes the violators of this ban, and Leone and Angola have ended, and in This bill is an important improve- it also helps other countries to set up Sierra Leone many of the wrongdoers ment over other drafts we have seen similar systems. are being brought to justice. Sanctions this year. For example, the bill lan- Also, this bill will require various re- against conflict diamonds played a sig- guage has established the Kimberly ports by the administration and a 24- nificant part in helping to stop these Process Coordination Committee. The month study by the GAO to report on wars. While the immediate crisis has committee would coordinate the imple- the effectiveness of the system. It passed, the effects will linger far into mentation of the act. Both the Secre- urges the President to continue nego- the future. I trust we will be willing to taries of State and Treasury would be tiations to strengthen the system and step up to the plate when we are called chairs of the committee. With the as- protects the legitimate diamond trade upon to help. sistance of the Secretaries of Com- and also remains consistent with our Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1584 will make sure merce, Homeland Security, and the international trade obligations. that the United States and our jewelry U.S. Trade Rep, there would be greater Like so many other things we do industry are not complicit in any fur- pressure to be sure the process is im- around here, all great ideas ultimately ther exploitation of diamonds to fuel plemented as the Congress intends.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.077 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2899 Further, a former Ambassador to Si- way to incorporate more Africans into General Assembly resolution in 2000 erra Leone, Ambassador Melrose, has the diamond industry itself to promote have laid the groundwork for devising told us that the ability to maintain more entrepreneurship and sustainable an international regime to stop the statistical information is vital to make development. flow of these conflict diamonds. a determination as to whether or not In closing, I would like to thank sev- The first meeting, as I think Mem- the Kimberly Process is being success- eral organizations, including Amnesty bers know, to discuss this took place in ful or circumvented. This will take International, World Vision, Physi- Kimberly, South Africa, in May of 2000 care of that. cians for Human Rights, Oxfam Amer- at the initiative of the African pro- The bill prevents illicit conflict dia- ica, and World Relief for their contin- ducing countries. Many technical and monds from entering the United ued support of conflict diamond re- working group meetings took place States. This is a tribute not only to forms. Over 65 percent of these conflict subsequent to that throughout Africa former Congressman Hall, but also as a diamonds, Mr. Speaker, were sold to and Europe, culminating in the Novem- sign that we care deeply about the people in our own country. So I want to ber 2002 meeting in Interlaken, Swit- young men and women and children thank our constituents for pushing for zerland, finalizing the so-called Kim- who had their arms cut off and all reform instead of accepting this unjust berly Process. those activities that took place. And I trade. This historic meeting committed all just want to thank all the Members I urge all our colleagues to support 48 participants, including the United and the staff that have been involved this bipartisan bill and the passage of States, to the rapid implementation of in bringing this bill here. H.R. 1584, and I want to thank once its diamond certification scheme for Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very again the gentleman from California rough diamonds consistent with inter- pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gen- (Mr. LANTOS) again and the gentleman national trade rules. Fully consistent tlewoman from California (Ms. LEE), from New York (Mr. HOUGHTON). with the work of the diamond industry, my good friend and neighbor, who has Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 including the World Diamond Council, fought so hard for human rights in Af- minutes to the gentleman from New numerous civil society representatives rica and elsewhere. Jersey (Mr. SMITH). and key NGOs, the voluntary self-regu- Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. lating initiatives from many producing thank the gentleman for his leadership Speaker, I thank the distinguished importing countries have now been in advocating human rights through- chairman for yielding me this time and melded through the Kimberly Process out the world and also for making sure for his great work on behalf of this leg- into a global system of mutually recog- that this is a bipartisan bill. islation, and to the gentleman from nized certificates for legitimate dia- I rise today in support of the Clean New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) for his su- monds. Diamonds Trade Act. Finally, Con- perb leadership in crafting this bill. Our own Nation’s extensive partici- gress, the international community, I rise in strong support, Mr. Speaker, pation in this effort, under the auspices and the various grassroots organiza- of the Clean Diamond Trade Act, a long of the State Department’s special nego- tions’ efforts to sever the link between overdue measure that will restore the tiator for conflict diamonds, is re- diamonds and war has come to the U.S. in a leadership position in the flected in the measure before us today. floor for a vote. So I want to thank the fight against the trade in conflict dia- The bill implements our obligations to prohibit the import or export of rough gentleman from New York (Mr. HOUGH- monds. For too long, the international diamonds not controlled by the Kim- TON), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. community has looked the other way berly Process. HYDE), and again our ranking member, as rebel groups have trafficked in the The bill specifies that the exporting the gentleman from California (Mr. sale of lethal military weapons using authority under the bill will be the Bu- LANTOS), as well as the chair of the the profits from the sale of these dia- reau of the Census, and their role will Subcommittee on Africa, the gen- monds to finance efforts to overthrow be to issue the required regulations and tleman from California (Mr. ROYCE) legitimate governments. guidelines to ensure that any proposed and our ranking member, the gen- This bill will put in place the re- exports of rough diamonds be made quired laws and regulations designed to tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAYNE) through the automated export system. monitor and control the import and ex- for their continued commitment to Any efforts to fully evaluate and en- port of the trade in conflict diamonds this issue. I encourage all Members to force this system validating Kimberly so they can no longer be used to sup- support this bill. Process Certificates would be under- Some have argued that regulating port instability and armed conflict taken by the United States Bureau of the global diamond industry should not throughout much of Africa and other Customs and Border Protection and the be Congress’ responsibility, but I argue parts of the world. Bureau of Immigration and Customs By all accounts, they are aptly that promoting peace over conflict, Enforcement. supporting our international commu- named conflict diamonds. During the I would also point out to my col- nities’ efforts to clean up the global di- past decade, more than 6 million people leagues that the legislation gives the amond system, and introducing ways from Sierra Leone, Angola, and the State Department a lead role, together to support the people in Africa, who Democratic Republic of the Congo have with the Treasury, in implementing have not been able to benefit from been driven from their homes by wars the legislation. In this regard, the ex- their own resources, should be our waged in large part for control for dia- isting special negotiator for conflict goal. This legislation transforms dia- mond mining areas. diamonds in the Bureau for Economic monds into a commodity from which I have met on several occasions, Mr. and Business Affairs should continue to all communities can benefit, not just a Speaker, with David Crane, the Sierra play a key role in this effort. chosen few. Leone Special War Crimes Prosecutor, H.R. 1584, the Clean Diamonds Trade who told me about ghastly war crimes b 1600 Act, provides a long list of overdue reg- committed in the name of diamond Mr. Speaker, it is the expectation of ulation on conflict diamonds. The bill profits. Not only has the illegitimate the Committee on International Rela- requires United States compliance with trade of diamonds led to systematic tions that it will be fully consulted by the Kimberly Process certification. It and gross human rights violations and the Department to the extent it de- imposes costly, very costly, civil pen- civil unrest, so too it has hurt the cides to take any action to modify this alties and jail time, which is very im- trade in legitimate diamonds, which position in any way. It has been portant, jail time for those who will- makes a critical contribution to the brought to my attention that a number fully violate the act, and incorporates economies of many developing coun- of nongovernmental organizations who oversight from our Customs Service tries. are taking an active role in monitoring and other key agencies which oversee Numerous resolutions, Mr. Speaker, the implementation of the Kimberly international trade. of the United Nations Security Council Process have expressed concerns that I believe each component is essential under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, several countries, including the Repub- to ending the sale of conflict diamonds. including resolutions 1173, 1295, 1306, lic of the Congo, the Democratic Re- And, further, I hope that we will find a and 1343, as well as a United Nations public of the Congo, Zimbabwe and the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.079 H08PT1 H2900 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Central African Republic, have been gentleman from California (Mr. LAN- flict diamonds, blood diamonds, which admitted as participants in the certifi- TOS), and the gentleman from Illinois stimulated greed and provided pur- cation scheme despite evidence of con- (Chairman HYDE), and of course from chasing power for the weapons and tinued illegal trade in rough diamonds. the Committee on Ways and Means, the drugs that were used in this very, very I would ask the Department to exam- gentleman from California (Mr. THOM- brutal war. ine this evidence and take any and all AS) and the gentleman from New York As the international community re- appropriate actions necessary to miti- (Mr. RANGEL). sponded to the war in Sierra Leone, a gate and stop this illegal activity. I As a member of the Subcommittee on lot of Americans may ask themselves, urge support for the bill. Africa, we spend a great amount of What does that have to do with me? Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 time on exploring and understanding What is wrong with having a cheaper minutes to the gentleman from New conflicts in Africa and how devastating supply of diamonds? Sierra Leone is so York (Mr. RANGEL). the symptoms of the civil war and low- far away. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given intensity conflicts can be in terms of Mr. Speaker, drying up the cash that permission to revise and extend his re- loss of life and loss of development op- supports terrorism is a very important marks.) portunities. part of the war on terrorism; but we Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank However, we often do not spend suffi- can freeze all of the bank accounts we the ranking member of the Committee cient time on the underlying causes of want and stop the cash transfers, but on International Relations, and all of conflicts of the wars, including wars somebody can take a sock full of ille- the Members of the House that worked started and perpetuated over trying to gal diamonds, put it in their pocket, on this legislation, including the gen- control who gets to benefit from the walk onto a plane, and they have an tleman from New York (Mr. HOUGHTON) free trade of Africa’s vast natural re- ability to move wealth all over the and our past Member, Tony Hall, for sources like diamonds. Today’s bill world, to bribe and buy weaponry and the interest and support that he has makes a positive step in the right di- buy explosives. This bill is an impor- given. I would like to thank the non- rection to bring an end to those who tant part of our national security, not government organizations for the work would profit from conflict and war and just in Africa. that they have done to make the Kim- violence at the expense of socio- Rats have a way of finding a hole in berly Process available to us, and the economic development. It makes a step the house, and one of the things that I certificates, so we can move forward in the right direction to wage a war on like about this bill today is that it has with better trade with those who the international trade nexus of the vigilance that legislation needs. It produce raw diamonds. money, diamonds and weapons which has reporting requirements so we can Like other Members, I was motivated monitor the success and failures in this to get involved in this issue after see- help fuel conflicts in Africa. I want to thank Members on both bill, and I hope that we will respond in ing the horrific evidence of violence a rapid manner should we see we have wrought by rebel groups financing sides of the aisle for supporting this initiative. It represents a compromise some gaps. I encourage a strong vote of their civil war activities and human support for the Clean Diamond Trade rights abuses through the illegal dia- between doing more to help stop the trade of illegal conflict diamonds while Act. mond trade. Addressing this issue, it Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 also protecting the trade of diamonds seemed to me, was part and parcel of minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- from countries which produce and sell our responsibility to assist the nations fornia (Ms. WATSON), a former distin- diamonds in ways which support eco- of sub-Saharan African countries by guished ambassador, and a distin- bringing peace to the continent. nomic development. guished member of the Committee on Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1584 is a measure In addition, I understood if we did Ways and Means. not curtail trade in illegal diamonds, we can all support. We must not lose Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in our failure to act would have a chilling sight of the fact that for centuries Af- strong support of H.R. 1584, the Clean effect on the legitimate diamond trade rica’s vast resources have been used in Diamond Trade Act. Over the past dec- for countries such as Botswana where legal and illegal ways and provide lit- ade, many brutal civil wars throughout legitimately mined diamonds provide a tle benefits to African societies. Africa have been financed with the sale significant source of her income. The If we want to change these realities, of diamonds. These so-called conflict stain of conflict diamonds threatens to if we want the trade of Africa’s dia- diamonds have been especially useful have a tremendous adverse impact on monds, oil, and gold to support eco- to the brutal Sierra Leone rebel orga- her. nomic growth and development, we nization, the Revolutionary United I would like to say a few words about must devote as equal a level of atten- Front, which has been trading these the process by which this legislation is tion and financial resources as we diamonds to fund its war against the being considered. Normally, I have spend on trade liberalization and pri- government of Sierra Leone. been a strong advocate that all legisla- vatization efforts to assist African so- This bill implements the Kimberly tion go through the committee process cieties in building the necessary eco- Process Certification Scheme, which and be fully debated; but this par- nomic, regulatory, supervisory, and en- prohibits importing rough diamonds ticular bill did not go through the forcement institutions and laws that into the United States unless they Committee on Ways and Means or the every society must have to have a have been certified as not originating Committee on International Relations, transparent, competitive and free mar- from areas where the diamond trade fi- but I do believe in view of the time ket economy, an economy where both nances or generates violent conflict. In pressure to pass this very important the rights and obligations of the pri- essence, this bill prohibits the importa- legislation that this should be an ex- vate sector and consumers are pro- tion of any rough diamond that has not ception to the rule and there should tected, an economy which provides op- been controlled through the Kimberly not be any controversy. I am pleased to portunities and freedom for all. This Process. be working with the gentleman from Congress can start today with H.R. Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce a California and on the other side of the 1584. bill in the next few days that also sup- aisle with the gentleman from Illinois Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ports and endorses the Kimberly Proc- (Mr. CRANE) to give this support in con- minutes to the gentleman from Arkan- ess, but also encourages the global dia- nection with the urgency that it de- sas (Mr. SYNDER). mond industry, as represented by the serves. I ask all of my colleagues to Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Speaker, almost 20 World Diamond Council, to step up to support this bill. years ago I lived and worked in Sierra the plate and establish a fund to sup- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve Leone for 6 months. I was a doctor at a port a variety of programs that will aid the balance of my time. Catholic mission hospital. At that in the reconstruction and rehabilita- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 time, Sierra Leone was poor and tion of African nations traumatized by minutes to the gentleman from New unhealthy with a life expectancy of 42 civil wars financed through the dia- York (Mr. MEEKs). years. It was inefficient with a low mond trade. Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- level of corruption, but it was not dan- I believe the diamond industry, er, I thank the ranking member, the gerous. And then along came these con- which has reaped the financial rewards

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.083 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2901 of trade with nations engulfed in civil after the name of the city in which fidence with respect to the purchase of dia- war, must also take responsibility in they were initiated. It creates a system monds by allowing American jewelers and assisting these nations to heal the of checks and balances for rough dia- jewelry store to tell their consumers the dia- wounds of war and creating a just and monds throughout the world. This sys- monds in their store are clean diamonds. Cur- lasting peace in those countries. While tem tracks through governmentally rently, no jeweler knows where their diamonds there have been a number of groups verifiable certificates that trade in dia- come from, and they cannot assure their cus- within the gemstone industry that monds between countries and individ- tomers their diamond purchases are not unwit- have been responsive, others have not uals. Since its January 1 implementa- tingly subsidizing a cruel and abusive rebel yet chosen to acknowledge the humani- tion date, over 40 countries are partici- force in one of these nations. Nonetheless, tarian emergency that the trade in pating in this system. The United once the ‘‘Clean Diamonds Act’’ is passed, conflict diamonds has produced. States requires this system to ensure jewelers will at last have a ‘‘clean stream’’ of Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no that its leadership position in this crit- diamonds to sell. They can be confident the further requests for time, and I yield ical matter continues. Finally, this bill United States government is evaluating every back the balance of my time. is consistent with our WTO obliga- diamond supplying country and excluding Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- tions. those that fail to conform to internal standards. self such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my col- In a statement by Ambassador Juan Larrain, Mr. Speaker, before I speak on the leagues to support this bipartisan bill Chairman of the Monitoring Mechanism on bill, I want to congratulate Members and to pass this important legislation. sanctions against UNITA, he stated ‘‘It has on both sides of the aisle, especially Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, been said that war is the price of peace. . . the gentleman from New York (Mr. I rise in support of H.R. 1584—To implement [These nations] have already paid too much. HOUGHTON) for the gentleman’s work effective measures to stop trade in conflict dia- Let them live a better life.’’ on behalf of getting this bill intro- monds, and for other purposes. The Clean Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in duced. I also thank the gentleman from Diamonds Act prohibits the import of dia- this momentous effort to end the devastation Virginia (Mr. WOLF) and the gentleman monds into the United States unless the ex- that is occurring as a result of these conflicts. from California (Mr. LANTOS) and the porting country is implementing a system of Now is the time to act on behalf of the many gentleman from New York (Mr. RAN- controls on the export or import of rough dia- lives being sacrificed and those that are call- GEL) on the other side of the aisle. monds that meets specified requirements, ing for our help and our immediate attention to This is a very important bill that has consistent with United Nations General As- their pain and suffering. for this reason, we nothing to do with partisan politics sembly Resolution 55/56 adopted on Decem- must remain vigilant and not allow ourselves whatsoever. When it was introduced in ber 1, 2000, or a future international agree- to ignore the blood of the blameless. 2001, it passed this body by a vote of 408 ment which implements such controls and to However, it is imperative that we not penal- to six. I think the six Members that which the United States is a signatory. Addi- ize African countries like Ghana, that have voted against it at the time are prob- tionally, this legislation sets forth both civil and been diligent in certifying their diamonds and ably reconsidering it because there is standing up against the rebel, terrorist, and no basis for anyone to find any objec- criminal penalties for violations of the bill’s re- quirements. It prohibits the Overseas Private violent use of such diamonds. This is an im- tions to it. portant economic resource of such countries I hope that the bill we have before us Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank from engaging in certain transactions in and the legislature must acknowledge that. this evening, based on H.R. 2722 from Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield connection with projects or exports to coun- the 107th Congress, which passed by back the balance of my time. that 408 to six vote, and since that time tries violating the requirements of this Act. If The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- the administration has worked with further expresses the sense of Congress that DER). The question is on the motion of- the international community to final- the President should take steps to negotiate fered by the gentleman from Illinois ize the structure of the Kimberly Proc- an international agreement to eliminate the (Mr. CRANE) that the House suspend ess Certification Scheme which con- trade in diamonds used to support conflict in the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1584, as trols the trade in rough diamonds, that the country or regions in which such diamonds amended. it is to all countries, and it prevents are mined. The question was taken. trade in conflict diamonds and the bill Mr. Speaker, to many people, diamonds The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the reflects the new structure. I thank the symbolize love, happiness, or wealth. But for opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of administration for its hard work and others, they mean conflict, misery and poverty. those present have voted in the affirm- dedication to the effort on this impor- In African countries such as Angola, Demo- ative. tant issue, too. cratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I The funds derived from the sale of the profits from unregulated diamond trade al- demand the yeas and nays. rough diamonds have been used by lows rebel forces to obtain weapons and fund The yeas and nays were ordered. rebels and state actors to finance mili- armed conflicts. Also, this practice spills over The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tary activities and to overthrow legiti- into neighboring countries that can be used as ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the mate governments, subvert inter- trading and transit grounds for illicit diamonds, Chair’s prior announcement, further national efforts to promote peace and and once the diamonds are brought to market, proceedings on this motion will be stability, and commit horrifying atroc- their origin is difficult to trace and once pol- postponed. ities against unarmed citizens. ished, they can no longer be identified. As a f During the past decade, more than 6.5 result of the complex nature of this process, 1615 million people from Sierra Leone, An- tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, b gola, and the Democratic Republic of raped, mutilated or abducted. GENERAL LEAVE the Congo have been driven from their In an amputee camp in the capital of Free- Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- homes by wars waged in large part for town, one will find a three-year-old girl whose imous consent that all Members may control of diamond mining areas. The right arm was chopped off with a machete. have 5 legislative days within which to United Nations Security Council has One might also not be shocked to find her or revise and extend their remarks and in- issued resolutions urging nations to himself opposite a 14-year-old girl, pregnant clude extraneous material on the sub- take actions against conflict diamonds. by rape, who will never be able to hold her ject of H.R. 1584, the bill just passed. In response, the United States has child because the rebels who raped her also The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- issued various Presidential executive hacked off both of her arms. Other amputees DER). Is there objection to the request orders to ban direct imports from na- describe the horror of being forced to select at of the gentleman from Illinois? tions subject to the United Nations res- random a piece of paper out of a bag, and There was no objection. olution. The United States has also led losing the body part written on the scrap— f international negotiations to reach an arm, leg, ear, or nose. agreement that set standards for dia- The enactment of this legislation will not POSTAL CIVIL SERVICE RETIRE- mond extracting and trading nations to only eliminate the degree to which human MENT SYSTEM FUNDING RE- meet. lives are negatively impacted by the brutal FORM ACT OF 2003 These international negotiations, the practices of these rebel forces, but also it Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Kimberly Process it is called, came would do much to increase consumer con- Speaker, pursuant to the order of the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.085 H08PT1 H2902 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 House of April 7, 2003, I call up the Sen- (2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section ‘‘(D) Amortization schedules established ate bill (S. 380) to amend chapter 83 of 8334(k) of title 5, United States Code, is under this paragraph shall be set in accord- title 5, United States Code, to reform amended— ance with generally accepted actuarial prac- tices and principles, with interest computed the funding of benefits under the Civil (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘the first sentence of subsection (a)(1) of this sec- at the rate used in the most recent dynamic Service Retirement System for em- tion’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(A)’’; actuarial valuation of the Civil Service Re- ployees of the United States Postal (B) in paragraph (1)(B)— tirement System. Service, and for other purposes, and (i) by striking ‘‘the second sentence of sub- ‘‘(E) The United States Postal Service ask for its immediate consideration. section (a)(1) of this section’’ and inserting shall pay the amounts so determined to the The Clerk read the title of the Senate ‘‘subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1)’’; and Office, with payments due not later than the (ii) by striking ‘‘such sentence’’ and insert- date scheduled by the Office. bill. ‘‘(F) An amortization schedule established The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ing ‘‘such subparagraph’’; and (C) in paragraph (2)(C)(iii), by striking under subparagraph (B) or (C) shall supersede ant to the order of the House of April any amortization schedule previously estab- ‘‘the first sentence of subsection (a)(1)’’ and 7, 2003, the bill is considered read for lished under this paragraph. inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(A)’’. ‘‘(3) Notwithstanding any other provision amendment. (c) POSTAL SUPPLEMENTAL LIABILITY.—Sub- of law, in computing the amount of any pay- The text of S. 380 is as follows: section (h) of section 8348 of title 5, United ment under any other subsection of this sec- S. 380 States Code, is amended to read as follows: tion that is based upon the amount of the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘(h)(1)(A) For purposes of this subsection, ‘Postal supplemental liability’ means the es- unfunded liability, such payment shall be resentatives of the United States of America in computed disregarding that portion of the Congress assembled, timated excess, as determined by the Office, of— unfunded liability that the Office determines SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘(i) the actuarial present value of all fu- will be liquidated by payments under this This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Postal Civil subsection. ture benefits payable from the Fund under Service Retirement System Funding Reform ‘‘(4) Notwithstanding any other provision this subchapter attributable to the service of Act of 2003’’. of this subsection, any determination or re- current or former employees of the United determination made by the Office under this SEC. 2. CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. States Postal Service, over (a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 8331 of title 5, subsection shall, upon request of the Postal ‘‘(ii) the sum of— Service, be subject to reconsideration and re- United States Code, is amended— ‘‘(I) the actuarial present value of deduc- (1) in paragraph (17)— view (including adjustment by the Board of tions to be withheld from the future basic Actuaries of the Civil Service Retirement (A) by striking ‘‘ ‘normal cost’ ’’ and insert- pay of employees of the United States Postal ing ‘‘ ‘normal-cost percentage’ ’’; and System) to the same extent and in the same Service currently subject to this subchapter manner as provided under section 8423(c).’’. (B) by inserting ‘‘and standards (using dy- pursuant to section 8334; (d) REPEALS.— namic assumptions)’’ after ‘‘practice’’; ‘‘(II) the actuarial present value of the fu- (1) IN GENERAL.—The following provisions (2) by amending paragraph (18) to read as ture contributions to be made pursuant to of law are repealed: follows: section 8334 with respect to employees of the (A) Subsection (m) of section 8348 of title 5, ‘‘(18) ‘Fund balance’ means the current net United States Postal Service currently sub- United States Code. assets of the Fund available for payment of ject to this subchapter; (B) Subsection (c) of section 7101 of the benefits, as determined by the Office in ac- ‘‘(III) that portion of the Fund balance, as Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (5 cordance with appropriate accounting stand- of the date the Postal supplemental liability U.S.C. 8348 note). ards, but does not include any amount at- is determined, attributable to payments to (2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this tributable to— the Fund by the United States Postal Serv- subsection shall be considered to affect any ‘‘(A) the Federal Employees’ Retirement ice and its employees, including earnings on payments made before the date of the enact- System; or those payments; and ment of this Act under either of the provi- ‘‘(B) contributions made under the Federal ‘‘(IV) any other appropriate amount, as de- sions of law repealed by paragraph (1). Employees’ Retirement Contribution Tem- termined by the Office in accordance with (e) MILITARY SERVICE PROPOSALS.— porary Adjustment Act of 1983 by or on be- generally accepted actuarial practices and (1) PROPOSALS.—The United States Postal half of any individual who became subject to principles. Service, the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Employees’ Retirement Sys- ‘‘(B)(i) In computing the actuarial present and the Office of Personnel Management tem;’’; and value of future benefits, the Office shall in- shall, by September 30, 2003, each prepare (3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para- clude the full value of benefits attributable and submit to the President, the Congress, graph (27), by striking the period at the end to military and volunteer service for United and the General Accounting Office proposals of paragraph (28) and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and States Postal Service employees first em- detailing whether and to what extent the De- by adding at the end the following: ployed after June 30, 1971, and a prorated partment of the Treasury or the Postal Serv- ‘‘(29) ‘dynamic assumptions’ means eco- share of the value of benefits attributable to ice should be responsible for the funding of nomic assumptions that are used in deter- military and volunteer service for United benefits attributable to the military service mining actuarial costs and liabilities of a re- States Postal Service employees first em- of current and former employees of the Post- tirement system and in anticipating the ef- ployed before July 1, 1971. al Service that, prior to the date of the en- fects of long-term future— ‘‘(ii) Military service so included shall not actment of this Act, were provided for under ‘‘(A) investment yields; be included in the computation of any section 8348(g)(2) of title 5, United States ‘‘(B) increases in rates of basic pay; and amount under subsection (g)(2). Code. ‘‘(2)(A) Not later than June 30, 2004, the Of- ‘‘(C) rates of price inflation.’’. (2) GAO REVIEW AND REPORT.—Not later fice shall determine the Postal supplemental (b) DEDUCTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS.— than 60 days after the Postal Service, the De- liability as of September 30, 2003. The Office (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8334(a)(1) of title partment of the Treasury, and the Office of shall establish an amortization schedule, in- 5, United States Code, is amended— Personnel Management have submitted their cluding a series of equal annual installments (A) by striking ‘‘(a)(1)’’ and inserting proposals under paragraph (1), the General ‘‘(a)(1)(A)’’; commencing September 30, 2004, which pro- vides for the liquidation of such liability by Accounting Office shall prepare and submit a (B) by designating the matter following written evaluation of each such proposal to the first sentence as subparagraph (B)(i) and September 30, 2043. ‘‘(B) The Office shall redetermine the Post- the Committee on Government Reform of aligning the text accordingly; al supplemental liability as of the close of the House of Representatives and the Com- (C) in subparagraph (B)(i) (as so designated the fiscal year, for each fiscal year beginning mittee on Governmental Affairs of the Sen- by subparagraph (B)), by striking ‘‘An equal’’ after September 30, 2003, through the fiscal ate. and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in clause year ending September 30, 2038, and shall es- SEC. 3. DISPOSITION OF SAVINGS ACCRUING TO (ii), an equal’’; and tablish a new amortization schedule, includ- THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERV- (D) by adding at the end the following: ing a series of equal annual installments ICE. ‘‘(ii) In the case of an employee of the commencing on September 30 of the subse- (a) IN GENERAL.—Savings accruing to the United States Postal Service, the amount to quent fiscal year, which provides for the liq- United States Postal Service as a result of be contributed under this subparagraph shall uidation of such liability by September 30, the enactment of this Act— (instead of the amount described in clause 2043. (1) shall, to the extent that such savings (i)) be equal to the product derived by multi- ‘‘(C) The Office shall redetermine the Post- are attributable to fiscal year 2003 or 2004, be plying the employee’s basic pay by the per- al supplemental liability as of the close of used to reduce the postal debt (in consulta- centage equal to— the fiscal year for each fiscal year beginning tion with the Secretary of the Treasury), and ‘‘(I) the normal-cost percentage for the ap- after September 30, 2038, and shall establish the Postal Service shall not incur additional plicable employee category listed in subpara- a new amortization schedule, including a se- debt to offset the use of the savings to re- graph (A), minus ries of equal annual installments com- duce the postal debt in fiscal years 2003 and ‘‘(II) the percentage deduction rate that mencing on September 30 of the subsequent 2004; applies with respect to such employee under fiscal year, which provides for the liquida- (2) shall, to the extent that such savings subparagraph (A).’’. tion of such liability over 5 years. are attributable to fiscal year 2005, be used

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.087 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2903 to continue holding postage rates unchanged (v) any other matter; and California (Mr. WAXMAN) each will con- and to reduce the postal debt, to such extent (B) the work of the President’s Commis- trol 30 minutes of debate on the bill. and in such manner as the Postal Service sion on the United States Postal Service The Chair recognizes the gentleman shall specify (in consultation with the Sec- under section 5 of Executive Order 13278 (67 from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS). retary of the Treasury); and Fed. Reg. 76672). GENERAL LEAVE (3) to the extent that such savings are at- (3) GAO REVIEW AND REPORT.—Not later tributable to any fiscal year after fiscal year than 60 days after the Postal Service submits Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. 2005, shall be considered to be operating ex- its proposal pursuant to paragraph (1), the Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that penses of the Postal Service and, until other- General Accounting Office shall prepare and all Members may have 5 legislative wise provided for by law, shall be held in es- submit a written evaluation of such proposal days within which to revise and extend crow and may not be obligated or expended. to the Committee on Government Reform of their remarks on the Senate bill under (b) AMOUNTS SAVED.— the House of Representatives and the Com- (1) IN GENERAL.—The amounts representing consideration. mittee on Governmental Affairs of the Sen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there any savings accruing to the Postal Service in ate. objection to the request of the gen- any fiscal year as a result of the enactment (4) LEGISLATIVE ACTION.—Not later than 180 of this Act shall be computed by the Office of days after it has received both the proposal tleman from Virginia? Personnel Management for each such fiscal of the Postal Service and the evaluation of There was no objection. year in accordance with paragraph (2). such proposal by the General Accounting Of- Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. (2) METHODOLOGY.—Not later than July 31, fice under this subsection, Congress shall re- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 2003, the Office of Personnel Management visit the question of how the savings accru- may consume. shall— ing to the Postal Service as a result of the Mr. Speaker, S. 380, the Postal Civil (A) formulate a plan specifically enumer- enactment of this Act should be used. Service Retirement System Funding ating the actuarial methods and assumptions (f) DETERMINATION AND DISPOSITION OF SUR- Reform Act of 2003, is a bipartisan bill by which the Office shall make its computa- PLUS.— tions under paragraph (1); and (1) IN GENERAL.—If, as of the date under in the Senate. Its House counterpart is (B) submit such plan to the Committee on paragraph (2), the Office of Personnel Man- sponsored by the gentleman from New Government Reform of the House of Rep- agement determines (after consultation with York (Mr. MCHUGH), the gentleman resentatives and the Committee on Govern- the Postmaster General) that the computa- from California (Mr. WAXMAN), the gen- mental Affairs of the Senate. tion under section 8348(h)(1)(A) of title 5, tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), my- (3) REQUIREMENTS.—The plan shall be for- United States Code, yields a negative self and others. It reforms the way the mulated in consultation with the Postal amount (hereinafter referred to as a ‘‘sur- Postal Service funds its obligations to Service and shall include the opportunity for plus’’)— the Civil Service Retirement System. the Postal Service to request reconsideration (A) the Office shall inform the Postmaster of computations under this subsection, and General of its determination, including the It prevents the Postal Service from for the Board of Actuaries of the Civil Serv- size of the surplus so determined; and overfunding its obligations to CSRS ice Retirement System to review and make (B) the Postmaster General shall submit to and postpones a rate increase for the adjustments to such computations, to the the Congress a report describing how the American people and postal ratepayers. same extent and in the same manner as pro- Postal Service proposes that such surplus be Last year the Office of Personnel vided under section 8423(c) of title 5, United used, including a draft of any legislation Management, at the request of GAO, States Code. that might be necessary. reviewed the status of the Postal Serv- (c) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—The Postal (2) DETERMINATION DATE.—The date to be ice’s funding of its CSRS benefits. OPM Service shall include in each report rendered used for purposes of paragraph (1) shall be under section 2402 of title 39, United States September 30, 2025, or such earlier date as, in found that based on payments cur- Code, the amount applied toward reducing the judgment of the Office, is the date by rently required by law, the Postal the postal debt, and the size of the postal which all postal employees under the Civil Service would overfund its CSRS bene- debt before and after the application of sub- Service Retirement System will have re- fits by more than $70 billion. OPM pro- section (a), during the period covered by tired. posed a legislative solution modeling such report. (g) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec- (d) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Postal Service’s payments to CSRS tion— after its payments to the current Fed- the Congress that— (1) the savings accruing to the Postal Serv- (1) the savings accruing to the Postal Serv- ice as a result of the enactment of this Act eral Employee Retirement System. ice as a result of the enactment of this Act shall, for any fiscal year, be equal to the This would result in a reduction in the will be sufficient to allow the Postal Service amount (if any) by which— Postal Service’s annual obligation to to fulfill its commitment to hold postage (A) the contributions that the Postal Serv- CSRS, allowing the Postal Service to rates unchanged until at least 2006; ice would otherwise have been required to delay its next rate increase beyond 2004 (2) because the Postal Service still faces make to the Civil Service Retirement and substantial obligations related to postretire- to at least fiscal year 2006. Disability Fund for such fiscal year if this The bill we are considering today, S. ment health benefits for its current and Act had not been enacted, exceed former employees, some portion of the sav- 380, differs from OPM’s proposal in that (B) the contributions made by the Postal it places tight restrictions on how the ings referred to in paragraph (1) should be Service to such Fund for such fiscal year; used to address those unfunded obligations; and Postal Service uses the savings. The and (2) the term ‘‘postal debt’’ means the out- bill requires the Postal Service to work (3) none of the savings referred to in para- standing obligations of the Postal Service, as with the Department of the Treasury graph (1) should be used in the computation determined under chapter 20 of title 39, to apply the funds saved to pay down of any bonuses for Postal Service executives. United States Code. (e) POSTAL SERVICE PROPOSAL.— its debt to Treasury in fiscal years 2003 SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. (1) IN GENERAL.—The United States Postal and 2004 and directs the Postal Service This Act and the amendments made by Service shall, by September 30, 2003, prepare to use the savings in 2005 to delay an this Act shall become effective on the date of and submit to the President, the Congress, anticipated rate increase. Subse- the enactment of this Act, except that the and the General Accounting Office its pro- amendments made by section 2(b) shall apply quently, the Postal Service and OPM posal detailing how any savings accruing to with respect to pay periods beginning on or are to calculate the difference between the Postal Service as a result of the enact- after such date. the cost to fund CSRS under the bill ment of this Act, which are attributable to and under the current law. any fiscal year after fiscal year 2005, should The SPEAKER pro tempore. After 1 be expended. hour of debate on the bill, it shall be in The Postal Service will develop a (2) MATTERS TO CONSIDER.—In preparing its order to consider the amendment print- proposal for the use of the funds. With- proposal under this subsection, the Postal ed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, if of- out congressional action on the Postal Service shall consider— fered by the gentleman from California Service proposal, the funds would be (A) whether, and to what extent, those fu- (Mr. WAXMAN), or his designee, which placed in escrow. ture savings should be used to address— shall be considered read, shall be de- This legislation will also require the (i) debt repayment; batable for 10 minutes, equally divided Postal Service to fund the portion of (ii) prefunding of postretirement and controlled by the proponent and an retirement benefits attributable to the healthcare benefits for current and former prior military service of postal employ- postal employees; opponent, and shall not be subject to (iii) productivity and cost saving capital amendment or to a demand for a divi- ees which, again, models the Postal investments; sion of the question. Service’s payments to CSRS after the (iv) delaying or moderating increases in The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. current Federal Employee Retirement postal rates; and TOM DAVIS) and the gentleman from System, or FERS.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.026 H08PT1 H2904 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 I think this is an issue that demands from New York (Mr. MCHUGH) for the The puns notwithstanding, I deeply further study because no other agency time and effort they have spent in re- appreciate his very kind comments, in the Federal Government that I am fining this proposal. The bill in S. 380, and, Mr. Speaker, I certainly welcome aware of funds its CSRS military obli- is identical to the version of the bill we this chance in the next 5 minutes to gations within the department. It may reported out of committee with the ex- add my words of great appreciation and ultimately be unfair to make postal ception of a provision requiring a new approval to I think a very important customers and ratepayers fund mili- study on military pensions that I piece of legislation and certainly one tary retirement benefits. worked out with the gentleman from that I hope bodes well for the future, Working with the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman TOM DAVIS). This is because we have before us here today a California (Mr. WAXMAN), my ranking a very positive bipartisan start for our bipartisan agreement, as the ranking member, I prepared an amendment to committee. member so correctly stated, one that the House version of the bill, H.R. 735, I would also like to commend our sets and bodes very well a brighter fu- requiring the Department of the Treas- Senate colleagues, Senators SUSAN ture for this full committee, and, I am ury, the Office of Personnel Manage- COLLINS and JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, for hopeful, as someone who has had the ment, and the Postal Service to de- their work on this issue. honor and opportunity to delve into velop proposals on this issue. So this is The bill we are considering today postal issues over the past several an issue that will be revisited. corrects the calculation of the Postal years, a fine start to continued bipar- The Committee on Government Re- Service’s contributions to its pension tisan cooperation in terms of our con- form and the Senate Committee on fund and provides immediate and need- tinuing efforts to modernize the Postal Government Affairs will look at those ed financial relief to the Postal Serv- Service in even broader measures. And proposals and revisit the issue. This ice. The legislation would credit the I, too, deeply appreciate the great lead- amendment was incorporated in S. 380, Postal Service for the real value of ership, the very hard work of the gen- so we do not need to offer it today. I Civil Service Retirement System con- tleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS), also understand the gentleman from tributions it made in the past and the chairman of the standing com- California (Mr. WAXMAN) will be offer- change how contributions will be com- mittee; the gentleman from California ing and withdrawing an amendment on puted in the future. Under S. 380, the (Mr. WAXMAN), the ranking member; this subject in a few moments in order Postal Service will save $9 billion over and my long partner in these postal to further highlight its importance, the next 3 years and $36 billion over the issues, the gentleman from Illinois and I thank and congratulate him for next 10 years. S. 380 divides the money (Mr. DAVIS) for their very concerted ef- his leadership in highlighting this issue saved by the Postal Service into two fort to bring this very necessary and, and pledge to him that we will con- parts. For the savings received in fiscal as the ranking member and the chair- tinue to work on this; and this is, in years 2003, 2004, and 2005, the bill pro- man both said, very timely piece of my judgment, not the end of the mat- vides that the Postal Service will use legislation to the floor at this moment. ter. the money to pay down the debt and Both the chairman and the ranking Many people do not know this, but hold postage rates stable. This will member, I think, have struck on the the Postal industry, including ancil- allow the Postmaster General to keep major points of importance her, very lary businesses, represents approxi- his commitment to hold off on any rate eloquently and very appropriately. But mately 9 percent of the gross domestic increases through the year 2006. let me just highlight for a moment the product, the GDP. The industry has For fiscal years beyond 2005, the bill very critical nature of what we are been hit hard in the last several years, requires the Postal Service to submit doing. Certainly to the Postal Service’s first by the economic slowdown and to Congress a plan for using the sav- future viability, its ability, as the gen- then by events of September 11, 2001 ings. This plan must then be reviewed tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN) and subsequent anthrax attacks. Dur- by the General Accounting Office and said, to dedicate these savings that will ing this same period, postal rates in- approved or modified by Congress. The accrue from what I hope the House is creased three times within 18 months. planning provisions contained in the about to do here today toward all of The Postal industry needs relief. bill provide an opportunity for Con- those issues to ensure even better mail The Postal Service will be able to gress to review how the Postal Service delivery service, to ensure their contin- hold off on a rate increase if this legis- will use the savings to address a num- ued viability, to say to those some lation passes. This gives money back to ber of long-term challenges facing the 800,000 dedicated Postal employees that the Postal customer and allows us all service such as its debt load, under- we understand the great challenges to hold on to our 37-cent stamps for 2 funded capital projects, and unfunded that they face, that where the opportu- more years. It also stabilizes the Post- liabilities for post-retirement health nities present themselves we are not al Service financially, securing the care. just willing, but here through this bill jobs of nearly 9 million people in the This legislation is being acted upon apparently able to assist in that very postal industry. quickly because without it, the Postal worthy effort. Postal consumers have implored us Service faces an increasing financial But this is an important piece of eco- to address this problem before it is too crises. In fact, the Postmaster General nomic development legislation as well, late. The United States Postal Service, and the Postal Board of Governors Mr. Speaker. Just as way of illustra- all four postal unions, the postal man- have indicated that in the absence of tion, the Postal Service, the entire agement associations, and a very broad such a change, the Postal Service will postal delivery sector today represents coalition of postal customers support be forced to apply for a rate increase some $635 billion annually in direct this bill. I hope that we can pass it ex- later this year. economic activity in the production of peditiously and put off the next rate S. 380 has broad support among the mail and delivery services. Mail adver- increase until at least 2006. postal community and it deserves our tising alone generates some $725 billion Mr. Speaker I urge adoption of S. 380. passage today. in economic activity each and every Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of year. And the parcels handled by the my time. my time. Postal industry, including all postal Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. and parcel carriers, have a value ex- myself such time that I may consume. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gen- ceeding $850 billion. I rise in support of the legislation be- tleman from New York (Mr. MCHUGH) A lot of us spend a lot of time, under- fore us. As the ranking member of the who has been the former chairman of standably and rightfully so, delving Committee on Government Reform, I the Subcommittee on the Postal Serv- into the issue of what we can do to support this bill, S. 380, and before I ice and one of the real experts on this stimulate this economy, and this bill begin my remarks on the bill, I would issue to address this issue and put his today in supporting those significant like to commend my colleagues, the stamp of approval. segments of our economic activity and gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I thank our economic sector certainly would go TOM DAVIS) and the gentleman from Il- the gentleman for yielding me this a long way towards boosting the eco- linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman time. nomic activities of this Nation as a

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.088 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2905 whole into the future, and they cer- I also want to thank the gentleman bill through this legislative body at tainly speak of the absolutely essential from New York (Mr. MCHUGH), who has this time. nature of this bill, S. 380. And my com- provided leadership on postal issues for It is very important that we have a pliments to Ms. COLLINS and to Mr. a number of years, and all of their strong and viable postal service, and LIEBERMAN, our colleagues in the Sen- staffs, as well as my staff, for the enor- that is why during the last Congress I ate, for their leadership and their great mous time and effort spent in crafting was disappointed when we did not pass work. H.R. 735. the Postal Accountability and En- The gentleman from California (Mr. I am particularly proud of the fact hancement Act. The gentleman from WAXMAN) said it, and he is absolutely that we have worked together in a pro- New York (Mr. MCHUGH) and others right. Time is of the essence. Without ductive, constructive, and bipartisan worked very hard on that legislation, this initiative it is likely, in fact abso- manner. We have begun the 108th Con- and it would have helped a great deal. lutely certain, the Postal Service gress on a very positive note, and we As the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. would be forced to impose a potential look forward to the continuation of TOM DAVIS) just said a few minutes rate increase in postage rates within a that in our committee. ago, there are a lot of problems with matter of weeks, and through this ac- I would also like to thank the Senate the postal service that need to be ad- tion we can forestall that, as has been for striking their language and sub- dressed, but this is a very important said here repeatedly on the floor, until stituting the language from our bill, one; and that is why I am happy to see at least the fiscal year 2006 to help the H.R. 735, and including the military this bill before us today. Postal Service expand its declining study language of the gentleman from Why is immediate action needed? Be- mail volumes, to help it become even Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS). cause, if we do not do anything, that more viable into the future. Since the introduction of the House simply is not an option. If Congress And as the gentleman from Cali- postal pension bill and throughout the does not correct the retirement benefit fornia (Mr. WAXMAN) and others have committee’s markup process, I re- formula in current law, postal rates said, rarely do we have a chance on ceived hundreds of letters from mem- will probably increase in the not-too- this floor to support a piece of legisla- bers of the business mailing commu- distant future, and everybody who tion so uniformly supported by all the nity expressing support of the legisla- deals with the postal service and has affected parties. The Postal Service, tion and urging quick action. I was businesses understands how important the administration, the postal unions, pleased to have been contacted by so that is. Such an increase in postal the very vital mail industry through- many businesses in the Chicago area rates in the current economic environ- out this Nation all see this as the prop- and within the State of Illinois. ment threatens the postal service, its er thing to do. In the face of a depressing economy employees and the entire country, as and a swift and steady decline in mail well as the mailing industry. b 1630 volume, businesses and consumers are Congress has a duty to ensure that I want to just say for the record, I in no mood for postage rate increases. the U.S. Postal Service is on a sound understand and in large measure sup- To that end, I am pleased that the bill fiscal footing and to protect the Amer- port what both the ranking member before us not only corrects the calcula- ican postal customers from unstable and the chairman have said with re- tion of the postal service’s contribu- rates. Changing the way the U.S. Post- spect to the treatment of military pay. tions to the CSRS fund, it will also al Service retirement payments are I think we do have to take a look at allow the postal service to hold off on made is going to go a long way toward that. rate increases for at least 2 years, accomplishing that goal. Without this I commend the gentleman from Cali- while allowing the postal service to re- change, businesses throughout the fornia (Mr. WAXMAN) for not clouding duce its $11.9 billion debt. country will continue to be unfairly the issue at this particular moment, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the oppor- taxed by having postal rate increases. but there are others who have differing tunity to express my support for this This bill is very, very needed and will opinions, and I think we need to have a important legislation. Although this is ensure stable postal rates into the fore- full discussion on that. So I urge the a good bill, it is not a perfect bill. At seeable future, and I think will help fa- full support of the House on this bill. the appropriate time, I certainly ex- cilitate an economic recovery in many Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pect to express support for the military sectors of the economy. pleased to yield such time as he may amendment of the gentleman from Once again I want to thank the gen- consume to the gentleman from Illi- California (Mr. WAXMAN), an amend- tleman from Virginia (Chairman TOM nois (Mr. DAVIS), the ranking Demo- ment which would retain current law DAVIS) for his hard work on this. He is crat on the Postal Task Force of the with respect to Treasury paying the doing a great job as a new chairman, Committee on Government Reform. costs related to the military service of and I appreciate that. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I employees in the Civil Service Retire- Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am thank the gentleman from California ment System. pleased to yield such time as he may for yielding me time. Practically all of the postal service’s consume to the gentleman from Mary- Mr. Speaker, as the ranking minority stakeholders are in support of this leg- land (Mr. CUMMINGS), a very important member of the Committee on Govern- islation: printers, mailers, the unions, member of our committee. ment Reform’s Special Panel on Postal and the consuming public. It is a good Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I Reform and Oversight, I rise in support bill. I urge its passage. thank the gentleman for yielding me of S. 380, the Postal Civil Service Re- Again, I commend the chairman and time. tirement System Funding Reform Act ranking member for their leadership. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recog- of 2003. As an original cosponsor of the Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. nize the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. House version, H.R. 735, I am pleased to Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- TOM DAVIS) and certainly the gen- join my colleagues in the consideration tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON), the tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN), of S. 380, legislation which will correct former chairman of the full committee the gentleman from New York (Mr. the way payments are made to the and a leader in postal reform. MCHUGH) and the gentleman from Illi- Civil Service Retirement System. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- nois (Mr. DAVIS) for their fine work on At this time, Mr. Speaker, I want to er, I thank the gentleman for yielding this bill. thank especially the chairman of this me time. The gentleman from New York (Mr. committee, the gentleman from Vir- I agree with what my colleague with MCHUGH) has worked tirelessly on post- ginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS), and the ranking the great voice, the gentleman from Il- al issues for several years. S. 380 con- member, the gentleman from Cali- linois (Mr. DAVIS), just said; and I rise tains the same language as H.R. 735. As fornia (Mr. WAXMAN), for their ability in support of the Postal Civil Service such, I am pleased to support S. 380, a to come together in a unified, bipar- Retirement System Funding Reform bill that goes a long way to ensure the tisan way, to reach agreement and Act of 2003. I commend the gentleman viability of the postal service. bring to the floor this legislation in a from Virginia (Chairman TOM DAVIS) This bill provides financial relief to very timely manner. on our side of the aisle for guiding this the postal service by reducing the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.090 H08PT1 H2906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 amount that the postal service has to while avoiding the temptation to al, labor unions, management groups, pay into the Civil Service Retirement micromanage post offices. business and industry and other postal System. The postal service will save Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank consumers, all of whom support this $9.1 billion over the next 3 years and my good friend, the gentleman from legislation. $35.6 billion over the next 10 years. New York (Mr. MCHUGH), a congres- The mailing industry is tremen- I am also pleased that S. 380 contains sional leader on postal issues, and my dously important to the economy of language that calls on the postal serv- chairman, the gentleman from Virginia our Nation. The United States Postal ice and other Federal agencies to study (Mr. TOM DAVIS), for his hard work Service is the second largest civilian the military pensions and report back bringing the bill so swiftly to the floor. employer in the Nation, employing to the Congress. Currently, the postal The gentleman from Virginia (Chair- over 770,000 talented and dedicated service is paying billions of dollars man TOM DAVIS) has demonstrated his workers, workers who lately have had more into CSRS each year than is leadership in legislative capabilities as to do their job under tremendous pres- needed to fully fund its pension obliga- chairman of the Committee on Govern- sure with the threat of anthrax attacks tions. The Office of Personnel and Man- ment Reform in a very short period of and terrorist attacks. agement determined that by changing time, and I appreciate his work on this b 1645 the funding formula the postal service issue. could reduce the amount of money Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to The mail industry is 8 percent of our needed to pay into the fund. The fund- support this bill. GNP, a $900 billion industry that in- ing formula would be more like the one Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 cludes not only the Postal Service, but used in the Federal Employees Retire- minutes to the gentlewoman from New also 9 million Americans in the private ment System. York (Mrs. MALONEY). sector who work in this industry. I rep- This bill requires the postal service Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I resent many businesses that rely great- to work with the Treasury Depart- thank the gentleman for yielding me ly on the Postal Service, and this bill ment, applying the saved funding to time, and I thank him for his leader- will not only benefit the Postal Service pay down its debt in the first 2 years. ship on this issue and so many others, directly, but because this will stabilize In fiscal year 2005, the bill allows for and, of course, thank the gentleman the rates, and this is very important, the money saved to be used to keep from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS) and sub- because it will help struggling and ail- postal rates stable through 2006. committee minority member, the gen- ing businesses like the magazine indus- Mr. Speaker, this bill enjoys broad tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), for try, which happens to be headquartered support from the postal service, postal their work on this important bill. in the district that I represent. And labor unions, mailing industry rep- I rise in strong support of S. 380, the they have seen many longtime popular resentatives, and postal consumers. Postal Civil Service Retirement Sys- magazines fail, like Mademoiselle, Passage of this legislation will ensure tem Funding Program. As a member of Mode, and Brill’s Content shut down that the postal service pays down its the Committee on Government Re- operations because of the tough econ- debts and will forestall the need for an- form’s Special Panel on Postal Reform omy and also because of the escalating other postage rate increase until 2006. and Oversight and a cosponsor of H.R. postal rates. All USPS customers need This legislation strengthens the postal 735, the House companion, I am very the best service possible from the Post- service, lowers the postal service’s pleased that the House is taking up al Service, and certainly a healthy debts, and protects postal consumers. I this very important legislation today Postal Service is vital to a healthy urge all of my friends in the Congress that is important to the postal service economy. to vote in favor of S. 380. and important to the American con- Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. sumer. the House is taking action today to Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 min- With the postal service facing $11 bil- help strengthen the Postal Service. utes to the gentleman from Florida lion in debt over the next few years and Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. (Mr. PUTNAM), a member on the Com- the General Accounting Office listing Speaker, I am happy to yield 4 minutes mittee on Government Reform. the postal service on their high-risk to the gentlewoman from Macomb Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise list, S. 380 and its stabilizing effects on County, Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). today in strong support of S. 380, which the postal service is very good news for Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. contains the same language as H.R. 735. our country. Speaker, I certainly thank the gen- This legislation, as has been said ear- S. 380 corrects the formula used to tleman for yielding me this time. lier, is critically important to our Na- determine the amount of annual lump- The Postal Civil Service Retirement tion’s economy, especially in these un- sum payments the postal service System Funding Reform Act of 2003 is certain times. makes to the Civil Service Retirement a very, very long name, but appro- S. 380 is good for the American con- System. If current law remains un- priately so, because it addresses reform sumers because it means that we will changed, the postal service-required that is certainly very long overdue. be able to hold the line on postal rate share of this Federal Government re- The Postal Service, in fact, has not increases for at least 2 more years. It tirement fund will result in a very sig- seen any real reform since 1971 when also relieves pressure on those who rely nificant long-term overpayment of the Congress passed the Postal Reorga- heavily on the postal service to deliver more than $70 billion. nization Act. Since then, of course, the their products, allowing them to rein- S. 380 will credit the postal service Postal Service has dramatically ex- vest that savings into their local com- for its past payments, which is only panded. munities and provide more jobs. Most fair, to seed SRS, and change how con- Consider some rather startling num- importantly, by freezing rates for 2 tributions will be made in the future. bers. Today, the mailing industry ac- years, the postal service and its cus- The bottom line is that the postal serv- counts for 9 million jobs, $900 billion in tomers are afforded great stability in ice will get some very needed fiscal re- commerce, and 9 percent of the United their mailing and long-term planning lief, a cash inflow of money, and the States gross domestic product. S. 380, budgets. American people get a promise of sta- as approved by the Senate, is really As has been said earlier, this in- ble postal rates until 2006. The Amer- nearly identical to H.R. 735 which was volved the support of all of the postal ican public and all postal customers passed by the Committee on Govern- service customers, the unions, the ad- will enjoy a 3-year rate freeze on the ment Reform under the extraordinary ministration; and it involved a great cost of postage because of this fix. leadership of our great chairman, the deal of compromise for those folks to I would like to thank my colleague, gentleman from Virginia (Mr. DAVIS). come on board, setting the tone for the gentleman from New York (Mr. The purpose of this legislation is to long-term structural reform of the MCHUGH), along with others, the gen- change the manner in which the Postal postal service. tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) and, Service pays into the Civil Service Re- The bill buys everyone valuable time of course, the chairman and ranking tirement System. to develop a comprehensive long-term member, as well as the postal service This legislation is so very necessary solution to the post office’s solvency, and the very diverse coalition of post- because under current law, the Postal

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.092 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2907 Service will overpay its obligations to the gentleman from New York (Mr. and its economic power. It can also be the Civil Service Retirement System MCHUGH) for taking the leadership to an economic drag, because this Nation by more than $70 billion. In effect, the move forward on this. cannot run without that service. Postal Service would be forced to sub- Mr. Speaker, it is an unusual day in So to the extent that we are able to sidize the retirement obligations of America when people can look to the find billions of dollars and move them other Federal agencies. Congress and understand that we may into the operational side, move them The net result is that the Postal really solve a problem. If we can agree into the side to reduce the capital ex- Service has to continually implement on something being a problem, it penditure demands for increased fund- rate increases which would otherwise should not be hard to fix it. The debate ing, there is no question but what that be unnecessary. ought to be around what does it take to does is give us the ability to be able to S. 380 does not affect the payment of bring about a solution, but we have to more effectively deal with the economy retiree benefits. It has no negative im- agree there is a problem. of this country. pact on retirees. It simply addresses There is no question but that when This is a couple billion dollars a year, how those benefits are funded. one charges more for a monopoly like but the cumulative effect would have The anticipated savings from this bill the Postal Service, when one charges been $70 billion, 7 followed by 0, 0, 0, 0, would be utilized in two ways: first of more money for something than one is 0, 0, 0, 0, 0. As Senator Dirksen once all, to pay down the total debt that the supposed to, then that is an unfair tax said, If you take a billion here and a Postal Service currently has with the on the people, just as if the Congress billion there, pretty soon it adds up to Department of the Treasury; and sec- had passed the tax. Two, it has a sti- real money. ondly, to delay any rate increases on fling effect on the economy and all of So what we are doing today is taking consumer and commercial mailings those businesses, but just as impor- the first giant step towards solving a until fiscal year 2006. tantly, all of those individual human real money problem for the American Certainly, for most of us if one has a beings that use the Postal Service for people. What we are doing today is postal rate increase, it might just be a everything from mailing their monthly starting the long-range fix of the prob- nuisance, just 1 cent or 2 cents. That bills to mailing out anniversary and lem in the Postal Service to the benefit kind of an increase might not mean too Christmas cards. Three, they have not of the employees, to the benefit of the much if you send only a few letters per been able to figure out in the past how consumers, to the benefit of the users, month. However, if you are a business to take care of funding the Civil Serv- and to the benefit of the economy of who is sending literally millions of ice Retirement System adequately. America. I say to the gentleman from Virginia pieces of mail, this is a tremendous in- It is a red letter day when the Repub- (Mr. DAVIS), I sincerely applaud you as crease in your costs, and we can just licans and Democrats can come to- the chairman of the committee that think about the impact that a postal gether on a bill that they agree solves has drafted this in the first couple of rate increase has on the mail order a problem. months in the Congress. The gen- catalog businesses or on magazine busi- Mr. Speaker, that is what we have tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN) nesses or so many businesses that rely here today. We have had anthrax in the has done the same thing. They have on the United States Postal Service to Postal Service, we have had the situa- come together in a committee that had conduct their business. tion of rate increases in the Postal historically a lot of contention. They If the 108th Congress does not act on Service, we have had the situation in have come together to move forward on this legislation, it will necessitate a the Postal Service where we are deal- something that is for the good of all of postal rate increase, and we will, in ef- ing with a down economy, but this is a the people of this great country, and so fect, be levying an unfair tax increase real shot in the arm for this organiza- I thank the gentleman from New York on the American consumer. tion. One, we are going to be able to (Mr. MCHUGH) for having planted the Passage of this bill would be very use the excess monies to go into fund- seed and kept the tree nurtured until much the first stage of substantial ing the operational aspects for fiscal the others could seize upon it. postal reform that will bring the serv- years 03, 04 and 05. The second thing we This is a red letter day for the people ice into the 21st century. I think it is are going to be able to do is to fix the of America, and I urge my colleagues important that this Congress dem- Civil Service Retirement System. And to support it unanimously. onstrate to the citizens of our Nation the third thing we are going to be able Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank that it will be committed to improving to do is to move the Postal Service the gentleman for his comments. I the cost-effectiveness and the effi- more towards a sound financial setting. thank everybody involved with this ciency certainly of government, and I have heard from the mail carriers, I legislation for their efforts. I think this legislation is an excellent first have heard from the postmasters, I this is a bill that we can all look at step in that direction. have heard from the newspaper organi- with pride. No other governmental entity serves zations and the magazine organiza- Mr. Speaker, we have no further re- its customers more directly than the tions. The one group that I have not quests for time on our side, so I yield Postal Service. Almost every citizen of heard from are the consumers of Amer- back the balance of my time. our Nation is impacted at varying de- ica, the individual people, because they Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. grees by the Postal Service. Customer have not been aware that this problem Speaker, I have no other requests at service should not be a novel concept has been going forward. this time. I would urge adoption of this within the Federal Government. It So, Mr. Speaker, it is really an excit- measure. should be an operative phrase for us. ing day, truly an exciting day when Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I S. 380 will allow post offices to better people can come together in this Con- rise today in support of S. 380, the Postal Civil serve their customers and, by voting in gress, in this House, and solve prob- Service Retirement System Funding Reform favor of this legislation, Congress will lems. Act of 2003. This legislation provides financial be voting to fix a wrong that has ham- Now, having said that, I think we all relief to the Postal Service in a time of great pered the Postal Service for years. I have to recognize that this gives the need. By enacting this legislation, we will help certainly urge my colleagues to vote in Postal Service a couple additional the Postal Service carry out its stated mission favor of S. 380. years of opportunity to look at their of providing universal service—the idea that Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve organization, to look at the things mail service in our rural areas should be as the balance of my time. they have to do, to make this a more speedy, efficient, and inexpensive as mail Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. efficient, more effective service. It is service in our largest cities. In my district in Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gen- the largest single business in this coun- New Mexico where there are numerous rural tleman from South Dakota (Mr. try. There is no business bigger. We al- communities, this mission is especially impor- JANKLOW), former Governor. ways talk about the Fortune 500 or the tant. Additionally, by providing relief for the Mr. JANKLOW. Mr. Speaker, I thank top 100 or whatever. There is no busi- Postal Service, we can keep postal rates sta- the gentleman for yielding me this ness in this Nation that is as large as ble until 2006. time, and I thank the gentleman from the U.S. Postal Service in terms of its Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the steps California (Mr. WAXMAN) and clearly economic impact, its economic might, this Congress has taken toward helping the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.094 H08PT1 H2908 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Postal Service to carry out their vital services. Civil Service Retirement System that this legislation, I think we have to I thank my colleagues for showing their sup- has to pay for military benefits. move forward on what we can agree on port not only for the Postal Service and its I will not seek a vote on this amend- and follow the administration’s ap- many employees, but for all communities ment because, for reasons that I do not proach at this time. throughout the country. understand, the White House has sig- We will carefully consider the results Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. naled that it would oppose this legisla- of the studies that we have mandated Speaker, I yield back the balance of tion if my amendment were included. in this bill. But still, I want to thank my time. Thus, the result of adopting the my colleague from California (Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- amendment would be to bring down a WAXMAN) for highlighting this impor- DER). All time having been yielded, it bill that has many other worthwhile tant issue. is now in order to consider Amendment components. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the No. 1 printed in the CONGRESSIONAL Instead of pursuing this amendment, gentleman from New York (Mr. RECORD by the gentleman from Cali- S. 380 contains language that we MCHUGH). fornia (Mr. WAXMAN). worked out with the gentleman from Mr. MCHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I thank AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERED BY MR. WAXMAN Virginia (Chairman DAVIS) that calls the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer for a study of whether the Department Let me express my appreciation, as an amendment. of the Treasury or the Postal Service well, to the ranking member, the gen- The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will des- should be responsible for pension costs tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN), ignate the amendment. associated with military service with for raising this issue. I think it is a The text of the amendment is as fol- reports to the Congress. I do not be- very appropriate question, and it needs lows: lieve this study language is as good as full and total debate, and also for hav- ing the diplomatic position of with- Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. WAXMAN: my amendment, yet at least it pre- In section 8348(h)(1)(B)(i) of title 5, United serves this issue for further consider- drawing it because of the problems. States Code (as proposed to be amended by ation. And I am certainly one who would section 2(c) of the bill), strike ‘‘include’’ and Under the language of the study pro- support any measure that brings an insert ‘‘exclude’’. vision, the submission and evaluation added $18 billion or even more to the In section 8348(h)(1)(B)(ii) of title 5, United of the proposals regarding military postal service and all the good that States Code (as proposed to be amended by pension are timed to coincide with our that could accrue. But I think it is im- section 2(c) of the bill), strike ‘‘included review of the Postal Service’s proposed portant for the House to know as we shall not’’ and insert ‘‘excluded shall’’. use of the savings resulting from this set the stage here for future debate The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- legislation. I hope that at that point in that, as the chairman said, the admin- ant to the order of the House of April time, we will reconsider our approach istration has serious concerns about 7, 2003, the gentleman from California toward military costs. this. And their argument is simply (Mr. WAXMAN) and a Member opposed that if we are going to use the FERS 1700 each will control 5 minutes. b model, which is indeed what applies The Chair recognizes the gentleman At the appropriate time, Mr. Speak- here and accrues the nearly over-$70 from California (Mr. WAXMAN). er, I will seek to withdraw this amend- billion in savings, that the FERS mod- Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield ment. eling should indeed be applied across myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of the board, which under FERS does re- Mr. Speaker, I support S. 380. The bill my time. quire military retirement to be paid by strengthens the Postal Service, lowers Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. the agency instead of by the Federal their debt, and protects postal con- Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Treasury. sumers. The legislation, however, is amendment. I should note as well, whether or not not perfect. In particular, I do not be- Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time we agree with them, the OPM has, in lieve that requiring the Postal Service as I may consume. meetings that all of us sat in on, our to pay the pension costs associated Mr. Speaker, as I stated before, I staffs, that if this provision were to be with the military service, the previous agree in principle with the concept be- included, they would strongly rec- military service of their employees, is hind the gentleman’s amendment. This ommend a veto which I think under- a good idea. bill, which adopts the administration’s scores again the gentleman from Cali- Under current law, the Department approach on the treatment of military fornia’s (Mr. WAXMAN) willingness to of the Treasury pays the costs of re- funding, would make the postal service deal with this particular issue of the tirement benefits related to military the only agency responsible for the funding question and then get on to the service for employees who are part of military costs of the CSRS retirees. I equally important debate with respect the Civil Service Retirement System. do not think it is right. I do not think to the military obligation. My amendment would maintain the it is fair to postal rate payers. Unlike Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again status quo, keeping the responsibility other agencies in government, this is the chairman and the ranking member for paying these costs with the Federal an enterprise fund that is paid for by for working this out. And certainly I Treasury where they have always been, the rate payers who should not have to am hopeful we can work with the ad- and where they belong. bear this burden. I think it puts strains ministration to try to bring about an In contrast, S. 380 shifts the burden on the post office that should not be agreement that accrues to the most of paying these costs from Treasury to there. possible good for the postal service and the Postal Service. The legislation The postal service’s mandate is to its customers. even has the effect of requiring the charge rate payers for its operating Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Postal Service to reimburse the Treas- and overhead expenses and to break minutes to the gentleman from Illinois ury for payments that have already even over time. While the postal serv- (Mr. DAVIS). been made. This shift will require the ice does pay for military benefits for Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I Postal Service to pay billions more its FERS employees, it has never been simply rise in support of the Waxman than it otherwise would have to pay. required to for its CSRS employees, amendment. But I also rise in support I believe it is wrong and unfair to re- and neither is any other agency in gov- of the agreement that the gentleman quire the Postal Service to shoulder ernment. from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS) and the this burden. However, the administration is cat- gentleman from California (Mr. WAX- Many believe that the Postal Service egorically opposed to any treatment of MAN) have been able to arrive at. should run more like a private busi- military funding other than the FERS I think once again this is an indica- ness, yet no private business, including model that they propose. The bill’s tion of the manner in which the chair- the Postal Service’s competitors, is re- principle sponsor, the gentleman from man and ranking member of the Com- quired to pay benefits for military New York (Mr. MCHUGH), is going to mittee on Government Reform have service. S. 380 would also make the speak on this more fully in just a mo- been able to provide leadership that Postal Service the only entity in the ment. But with so much at stake in moves us from the discussion point to

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.030 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2909 the position of being able to actually Costello Honda Murtha Stark Tiberi Watt do something. And so I commend both Cox Hooley (OR) Musgrave Stearns Tierney Waxman Cramer Hostettler Myrick Stenholm Toomey Weiner of the gentlemen for their diplomacy, Crane Houghton Nadler Strickland Towns Weldon (FL) for their leadership, and for their legis- Crenshaw Hoyer Napolitano Sullivan Turner (OH) Weldon (PA) lative skill. Crowley Hulshof Neal (MA) Sweeney Turner (TX) Weller Tancredo Udall (CO) Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Cubin Hunter Nethercutt Wexler Culberson Inslee Ney Tanner Udall (NM) Whitfield Tauscher Upton myself such time as I may consume. Cummings Isakson Northup Wicker Tauzin Van Hollen Mr. Speaker, I think we have made Cunningham Israel Norwood Wilson (NM) Davis (AL) Issa Nunes Taylor (MS) Velazquez our point on this amendment. We will Wilson (SC) Davis (CA) Istook Nussle Taylor (NC) Visclosky Wolf have this issue out there for further Davis (FL) Jackson (IL) Oberstar Terry Vitter Woolsey consideration at another time; but in Davis (IL) Jackson-Lee Obey Thomas Walden (OR) Wu the interest of moving this legislation Davis (TN) (TX) Olver Thompson (CA) Walsh Davis, Jo Ann Janklow Ortiz Thompson (MS) Wamp Wynn forward and getting a good bill enacted Davis, Tom Jefferson Osborne Thornberry Waters Young (AK) into law, I will withdraw my amend- Deal (GA) John Ose Tiahrt Watson Young (FL) ment. DeFazio Johnson (CT) Otter NOT VOTING—10 Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my amend- DeGette Johnson (IL) Owens Delahunt Johnson, E. B. Oxley Combest Jenkins Smith (MI) ment. DeLauro Johnson, Sam Pallone Gephardt Lucas (OK) Stupak The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- DeLay Jones (NC) Pascrell Gordon McCarthy (MO) DER). The amendment is withdrawn. DeMint Jones (OH) Pastor Hyde Payne Deutsch Kanjorski Paul ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Pursuant to the order of the House of Diaz-Balart, L. Kaptur Pearce April 7, 2003, the previous question is Diaz-Balart, M. Keller Pelosi The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- ordered on the Senate bill. Dicks Kelly Pence DER) (during the vote). There are 2 min- The question is on the third reading Dingell Kennedy (MN) Peterson (MN) utes left in this vote. Doggett Kennedy (RI) Peterson (PA) of the Senate bill. Dooley (CA) Kildee Petri The Senate bill was ordered to be Doolittle Kilpatrick Pickering b 1724 read a third time and was read the Doyle Kind Pitts So the Senate bill was passed. third time. Dreier King (IA) Platts Duncan King (NY) Pombo The result of the vote was announced The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Dunn Kingston Pomeroy as above recorded. question on the passage of the Senate Edwards Kirk Porter A motion to reconsider was laid on bill. Ehlers Kleczka Portman the table. Emanuel Kline Price (NC) The question was taken; and the Emerson Knollenberg Pryce (OH) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Speaker pro tempore announced that Engel Kolbe Putnam ant to the order of the House of April the ayes appeared to have it. English Kucinich Quinn 7, H.R. 735 is laid on the table. Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Eshoo LaHood Radanovich Etheridge Lampson Rahall f Speaker, on that I demand the yeas Evans Langevin Ramstad and nays. Everett Lantos Rangel ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER The yeas and nays were ordered. Farr Larsen (WA) Regula PRO TEMPORE Fattah Larson (CT) Rehberg ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Feeney Latham Renzi The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The Chair announces that further Ferguson LaTourette Reyes ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Filner Leach Reynolds proceedings on motions to suspend the Flake Lee Rodriguez will resume on motions to suspend the rules and agree to House Resolution 170 Fletcher Levin Rogers (AL) rules previously postponed. Votes will and House Resolution 149, postponed Foley Lewis (CA) Rogers (KY) be taken in the following order: earlier today, will resume tomorrow. Forbes Lewis (GA) Rogers (MI) H.R. 205, by the yeas and nays; Ford Lewis (KY) Rohrabacher The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Fossella Linder Ros-Lehtinen H. Res. 179, by the yeas and nays; Chair announces that this vote will be Frank (MA) Lipinski Ross H.R. 1584, as amended, by the yeas followed by three 5-minute votes on the Franks (AZ) LoBiondo Rothman and nays. motion to suspend the rules related to Frelinghuysen Lofgren Roybal-Allard Frost Lowey Royce f H.R. 205, House Resolution 179, and Gallegly Lucas (KY) Ruppersberger H.R. 1584, as amended. Garrett (NJ) Lynch Rush NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS REG- This is a 15-minute vote on passage of Gerlach Majette Ryan (OH) Gibbons Maloney Ryan (WI) ULATORY ASSISTANCE ACT OF S. 380. Gilchrest Manzullo Ryun (KS) 2003 The vote was taken by electronic de- Gillmor Markey Sabo The SPEAKER pro tempore. The vice, and there were—yeas 424, nays 0, Gingrey Marshall Sanchez, Linda Gonzalez Matheson T. pending business is the question of sus- not voting 10, as follows: Goode Matsui Sanchez, Loretta pending the rules and passing the bill, [Roll No. 115] Goodlatte McCarthy (NY) Sanders Goss McCollum Sandlin H.R. 205. YEAS—424 Granger McCotter Saxton The Clerk read the title of the bill. Abercrombie Bilirakis Burr Graves McCrery Schakowsky The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Ackerman Bishop (GA) Burton (IN) Green (TX) McDermott Schiff question is on the motion offered by Aderholt Bishop (NY) Buyer Green (WI) McGovern Schrock Akin Bishop (UT) Calvert Greenwood McHugh Scott (GA) the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. MAN- Alexander Blackburn Camp Grijalva McInnis Scott (VA) ZULLO) that the House suspend the Allen Blumenauer Cannon Gutierrez McIntyre Sensenbrenner rules and pass the bill, H.R. 205, on Andrews Blunt Cantor Gutknecht McKeon Serrano Baca Boehlert Capito Hall McNulty Sessions which the yeas and nays are ordered. Bachus Boehner Capps Harman Meehan Shadegg This will be a 5-minute vote. Baird Bonilla Capuano Harris Meek (FL) Shaw The vote was taken by electronic de- Baker Bonner Cardin Hart Meeks (NY) Shays vice, and there were—yeas 417, nays 4, Baldwin Bono Cardoza Hastings (FL) Menendez Sherman Ballance Boozman Carson (IN) Hastings (WA) Mica Sherwood not voting 13, as follows: Ballenger Boswell Carson (OK) Hayes Michaud Shimkus [Roll No. 116] Barrett (SC) Boucher Carter Hayworth Millender- Shuster Bartlett (MD) Boyd Case Hefley McDonald Simmons YEAS—417 Barton (TX) Bradley (NH) Castle Hensarling Miller (FL) Simpson Abercrombie Baker Bell Bass Brady (PA) Chabot Herger Miller (MI) Skelton Ackerman Baldwin Bereuter Beauprez Brady (TX) Chocola Hill Miller (NC) Slaughter Aderholt Ballance Berkley Becerra Brown (OH) Clay Hinchey Miller, Gary Smith (NJ) Akin Ballenger Berman Bell Brown (SC) Clyburn Hinojosa Miller, George Smith (TX) Alexander Barrett (SC) Berry Bereuter Brown, Corrine Coble Hobson Mollohan Smith (WA) Allen Bartlett (MD) Biggert Berkley Brown-Waite, Cole Hoeffel Moore Snyder Andrews Barton (TX) Bilirakis Berman Ginny Collins Hoekstra Moran (KS) Solis Baca Bass Bishop (GA) Berry Burgess Conyers Holden Moran (VA) Souder Bachus Beauprez Bishop (NY) Biggert Burns Cooper Holt Murphy Spratt Baird Becerra Bishop (UT)

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.100 H08PT1 H2910 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Blackburn Foley Lewis (KY) Roybal-Allard Slaughter Turner (TX) [Roll No. 117] Blumenauer Forbes Linder Royce Smith (MI) Udall (CO) Blunt Ford Lipinski Ruppersberger Smith (NJ) Udall (NM) YEAS—414 Boehlert Fossella LoBiondo Rush Smith (TX) Upton Abercrombie Delahunt Johnson (IL) Boehner Frank (MA) Lofgren Ryan (OH) Smith (WA) Van Hollen Ackerman DeLauro Johnson, Sam Bonilla Franks (AZ) Lowey Ryan (WI) Snyder Velazquez Aderholt DeLay Jones (NC) Bonner Frelinghuysen Lucas (KY) Ryun (KS) Solis Visclosky Akin DeMint Jones (OH) Bono Frost Lynch Sabo Souder Vitter Alexander Deutsch Kanjorski Boozman Gallegly Maloney Sanchez, Linda Spratt Walden (OR) Allen Diaz-Balart, L. Kaptur Boswell Garrett (NJ) Manzullo T. Stark Walsh Andrews Diaz-Balart, M. Keller Boucher Gephardt Markey Sanchez, Loretta Stearns Wamp Baca Dicks Kelly Boyd Gerlach Marshall Sanders Stenholm Waters Bachus Dingell Kennedy (MN) Bradley (NH) Gibbons Matheson Sandlin Strickland Watson Baird Doggett Kennedy (RI) Brady (PA) Gilchrest Matsui Saxton Sullivan Watt Baker Dooley (CA) Kildee Brady (TX) Gillmor McCarthy (NY) Schakowsky Sweeney Baldwin Doolittle Kind Brown (OH) Gingrey McCollum Schiff Tancredo Waxman Ballenger Doyle King (IA) Brown (SC) Gonzalez McCotter Schrock Tanner Weiner Barrett (SC) Dreier King (NY) Brown, Corrine Goode McCrery Scott (GA) Tauscher Weldon (FL) Bartlett (MD) Duncan Kingston Brown-Waite, Goodlatte McDermott Scott (VA) Tauzin Weldon (PA) Barton (TX) Dunn Kirk Ginny Goss McGovern Sensenbrenner Taylor (MS) Weller Bass Edwards Kleczka Burgess Granger McHugh Serrano Taylor (NC) Wexler Beauprez Ehlers Kline Burns Sessions Terry Whitfield Graves McInnis Becerra Emanuel Knollenberg Shadegg Thomas Wicker Burr Green (TX) McIntyre Bell Emerson Kolbe Burton (IN) Green (WI) McKeon Shaw Thompson (CA) Wilson (NM) Shays Thompson (MS) Bereuter Engel Kucinich Buyer Greenwood McNulty Wilson (SC) Berkley English LaHood Calvert Grijalva Meehan Sherman Thornberry Wolf Sherwood Berman Eshoo Lampson Camp Gutierrez Meek (FL) Tiahrt Woolsey Shimkus Tiberi Berry Etheridge Langevin Cannon Gutknecht Meeks (NY) Wu Shuster Tierney Biggert Evans Lantos Cantor Hall Menendez Wynn Simmons Toomey Bilirakis Everett Larsen (WA) Capito Harman Mica Young (AK) Bishop (GA) Farr Larson (CT) Capps Harris Michaud Simpson Towns Skelton Turner (OH) Young (FL) Bishop (NY) Fattah Latham Capuano Hastings (FL) Millender- Bishop (UT) Feeney LaTourette Cardin Hastings (WA) McDonald NAYS—4 Blackburn Ferguson Leach Cardoza Hayes Miller (FL) Blumenauer Filner Levin Carson (IN) Hayworth Miller (MI) Culberson Hostettler Flake Paul Blunt Flake Lewis (CA) Carson (OK) Hefley Miller (NC) Boehlert Fletcher Lewis (GA) Carter Hensarling Miller, Gary NOT VOTING—13 Boehner Foley Lewis (KY) Case Herger Miller, George Bonilla Forbes Linder Combest Johnson (CT) Payne Castle Hill Mollohan Bonner Ford Lipinski Gordon Lucas (OK) Chabot Hinchey Moore Radanovich Bono Fossella LoBiondo Hart Majette Chocola Hinojosa Moran (KS) Stupak Boozman Frank (MA) Lofgren Hyde McCarthy (MO) Clay Hobson Moran (VA) Boswell Franks (AZ) Lowey Jenkins Musgrave Clyburn Hoeffel Murphy Boucher Frelinghuysen Lucas (KY) Coble Hoekstra Murtha ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Boyd Frost Lynch Cole Holden Myrick Bradley (NH) Gallegly Majette Collins Holt Nadler The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LIN- Brady (PA) Garrett (NJ) Maloney Conyers Honda Napolitano DER) (during the reading). There are 2 Brady (TX) Gephardt Manzullo Cooper Hooley (OR) Neal (MA) minutes remaining in this vote. Brown (OH) Gerlach Markey Costello Houghton Nethercutt Brown (SC) Gibbons Marshall Cox Hoyer Ney b 1732 Brown, Corrine Gilchrest Matheson Cramer Hulshof Northup Brown-Waite, Gillmor Matsui Crane Hunter Norwood So (two-thirds having voted in favor Ginny Gingrey McCarthy (NY) Crenshaw Inslee Nunes thereof) the rules were suspended and Burgess Gonzalez McCollum Crowley Isakson Nussle the bill was passed. Burns Goode McCotter Cubin Israel Oberstar Burr Goodlatte McCrery Cummings Issa Obey The result of the vote was announced Burton (IN) Goss McDermott Cunningham Istook Olver as above recorded. Buyer Granger McGovern Davis (AL) Jackson (IL) Ortiz A motion to reconsider was laid on Calvert Graves McHugh Davis (CA) Jackson-Lee Osborne the table. Camp Green (TX) McInnis Davis (FL) (TX) Ose Cannon Green (WI) McIntyre Davis (IL) Janklow Otter Stated for: Cantor Greenwood McKeon Davis (TN) Jefferson Owens Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 116 Capito Grijalva McNulty Davis, Jo Ann John Oxley I was unavoidably detained. Had I been Capps Gutierrez Meehan Davis, Tom Johnson (IL) Pallone Capuano Gutknecht Meek (FL) Deal (GA) Johnson, E. B. Pascrell present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Cardin Hall Meeks (NY) DeFazio Johnson, Sam Pastor Ms. MAJETTE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. Cardoza Harman Menendez DeGette Jones (NC) Pearce 116 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been Carson (IN) Harris Mica Delahunt Jones (OH) Pelosi present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Carson (OK) Hart Michaud DeLauro Kanjorski Pence Carter Hastings (FL) Millender- DeLay Kaptur Peterson (MN) f Case Hastings (WA) McDonald DeMint Keller Peterson (PA) Castle Hayes Miller (FL) Deutsch Kelly Petri SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING Chabot Hayworth Miller (MI) Diaz-Balart, L. Kennedy (MN) Pickering SYSTEMATIC HUMAN RIGHTS Chocola Hefley Miller (NC) Diaz-Balart, M. Kennedy (RI) Pitts VIOLATIONS IN CUBA COM- Clay Hensarling Miller, Gary Dicks Kildee Platts MITTED BY CASTRO REGIME Clyburn Herger Miller, George Dingell Kilpatrick Pombo Coble Hill Mollohan Doggett Kind Pomeroy The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Cole Hinchey Moore Dooley (CA) King (IA) Porter pending business is the question of sus- Collins Hinojosa Moran (KS) Doolittle King (NY) Portman Cooper Hobson Moran (VA) Doyle Kingston Price (NC) pending the rules and agreeing to the Costello Hoeffel Murphy Dreier Kirk Pryce (OH) resolution, H. Res. 179. Cox Hoekstra Murtha Duncan Kleczka Putnam The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Cramer Holden Musgrave Dunn Kline Quinn Crane Holt Myrick Edwards Knollenberg Rahall tion. Crenshaw Honda Nadler Ehlers Kolbe Ramstad The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Crowley Hooley (OR) Napolitano Emanuel Kucinich Rangel question is on the motion offered by Cubin Hostettler Neal (MA) Emerson LaHood Regula the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Culberson Houghton Nethercutt Engel Lampson Rehberg Cummings Hoyer Ney English Langevin Renzi ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend Cunningham Hulshof Northup Eshoo Lantos Reyes the rules and agree to the resolution, Davis (AL) Hunter Norwood Etheridge Larsen (WA) Reynolds H. Res. 179, on which the yeas and nays Davis (CA) Inslee Nunes Evans Larson (CT) Rodriguez Davis (FL) Isakson Nussle Everett Latham Rogers (AL) are ordered. Davis (IL) Israel Oberstar Farr LaTourette Rogers (KY) This will be a 5-minute vote. Davis (TN) Issa Obey Fattah Leach Rogers (MI) The vote was taken by electronic de- Davis, Jo Ann Istook Olver Feeney Lee Rohrabacher vice, and there were—yeas 414, nays 0, Davis, Tom Janklow Ortiz Ferguson Levin Ros-Lehtinen Deal (GA) Jefferson Osborne Filner Lewis (CA) Ross answered ‘‘present’’ 11, not voting 9, as DeFazio John Ose Fletcher Lewis (GA) Rothman follows: DeGette Johnson (CT) Otter

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.040 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2911 Owens Ryun (KS) Tauscher The vote was taken by electronic de- Myrick Rogers (KY) Strickland Oxley Sabo Tauzin vice, and there were—yeas 419, nays 2, Nadler Rogers (MI) Sullivan Pallone Sanchez, Linda Taylor (MS) Napolitano Rohrabacher Sweeney Pascrell T. Taylor (NC) answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 12, as Neal (MA) Ros-Lehtinen Tancredo Pastor Sanchez, Loretta Terry follows: Nethercutt Ross Tanner Pearce Sanders Thomas Ney Rothman Tauscher [Roll No. 118] Pelosi Sandlin Thompson (CA) Northup Roybal-Allard Tauzin Pence Saxton Thompson (MS) YEAS—419 Norwood Royce Taylor (MS) Peterson (MN) Schakowsky Thornberry Nunes Ruppersberger Taylor (NC) Abercrombie Davis, Jo Ann Isakson Peterson (PA) Schiff Tiahrt Nussle Rush Terry Ackerman Davis, Tom Israel Petri Schrock Tiberi Oberstar Ryan (OH) Thomas Pickering Scott (GA) Tierney Aderholt Deal (GA) Issa Obey Ryan (WI) Akin DeFazio Istook Thompson (CA) Pitts Scott (VA) Toomey Olver Ryun (KS) Thompson (MS) Platts Sensenbrenner Towns Alexander DeGette Jackson (IL) Ortiz Sabo Allen Delahunt Jackson-Lee Thornberry Pombo Serrano Turner (OH) Osborne Sanchez, Linda Tiahrt Pomeroy Sessions Turner (TX) Andrews DeLauro (TX) Ose T. Tiberi Porter Shadegg Udall (CO) Baca DeMint Janklow Otter Sanchez, Loretta Tierney Portman Shaw Udall (NM) Bachus Deutsch Jefferson Owens Sanders Toomey Price (NC) Shays Upton Baird Diaz-Balart, L. John Oxley Sandlin Towns Pryce (OH) Sherman Van Hollen Baker Diaz-Balart, M. Johnson (CT) Pallone Saxton Turner (OH) Putnam Sherwood Velazquez Baldwin Dicks Johnson (IL) Pascrell Schakowsky Quinn Shimkus Visclosky Ballance Dingell Johnson, E. B. Pastor Schiff Turner (TX) Radanovich Shuster Vitter Ballenger Doggett Johnson, Sam Pearce Schrock Udall (CO) Rahall Simmons Walden (OR) Barrett (SC) Dooley (CA) Jones (NC) Pelosi Scott (GA) Udall (NM) Ramstad Simpson Walsh Bartlett (MD) Doolittle Jones (OH) Pence Scott (VA) Upton Rangel Skelton Wamp Barton (TX) Doyle Kanjorski Peterson (MN) Sensenbrenner Van Hollen Regula Slaughter Watson Bass Dreier Kaptur Peterson (PA) Serrano Velazquez Rehberg Smith (MI) Watt Beauprez Duncan Keller Petri Sessions Visclosky Renzi Smith (NJ) Waxman Becerra Dunn Kelly Pickering Shadegg Vitter Reyes Smith (TX) Weiner Bell Edwards Kennedy (MN) Pitts Shaw Walden (OR) Reynolds Smith (WA) Weldon (FL) Bereuter Ehlers Kennedy (RI) Platts Shays Walsh Rodriguez Snyder Weldon (PA) Berkley Emanuel Kildee Pombo Sherman Wamp Rogers (AL) Solis Weller Berman Emerson Kilpatrick Pomeroy Sherwood Watson Rogers (KY) Souder Wexler Berry Engel Kind Porter Shimkus Watt Rogers (MI) Spratt Whitfield Biggert English King (IA) Portman Shuster Waxman Rohrabacher Stark Wicker Bilirakis Eshoo King (NY) Price (NC) Simmons Weiner Ros-Lehtinen Stearns Wilson (NM) Bishop (GA) Etheridge Kingston Pryce (OH) Simpson Weldon (FL) Ross Stenholm Wilson (SC) Bishop (NY) Evans Kirk Putnam Skelton Weldon (PA) Roybal-Allard Strickland Wolf Bishop (UT) Everett Kleczka Quinn Slaughter Weller Royce Sullivan Woolsey Blackburn Farr Kline Radanovich Smith (MI) Wexler Ruppersberger Sweeney Wu Blumenauer Fattah Knollenberg Rahall Smith (NJ) Whitfield Ryan (OH) Tancredo Young (AK) Blunt Feeney Kolbe Ramstad Smith (TX) Wicker Ryan (WI) Tanner Young (FL) Boehlert Ferguson Kucinich Rangel Smith (WA) Wilson (NM) Boehner Filner LaHood Regula Snyder Wilson (SC) ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—11 Bonilla Fletcher Lampson Rehberg Solis Wolf Ballance Johnson, E. B. Waters Bonner Foley Langevin Renzi Souder Woolsey Bono Forbes Lantos Conyers Kilpatrick Wynn Reyes Spratt Wu Jackson (IL) Lee Boozman Ford Larsen (WA) Reynolds Stark Wynn Jackson-Lee Paul Boswell Fossella Larson (CT) Rodriguez Stearns Young (AK) (TX) Rush Boucher Frank (MA) Latham Rogers (AL) Stenholm Young (FL) Boyd Franks (AZ) LaTourette NOT VOTING—9 Bradley (NH) Frelinghuysen Leach NAYS—2 Brady (PA) Frost Lee Combest Jenkins Payne Flake Paul Brady (TX) Gallegly Levin Gordon Lucas (OK) Rothman Brown (OH) Garrett (NJ) Lewis (GA) Hyde McCarthy (MO) Stupak ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Brown (SC) Gephardt Lewis (KY) Waters ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Brown, Corrine Gerlach Linder Burgess Gibbons Lipinski NOT VOTING—12 The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Burns Gilchrest LoBiondo the vote). There are 2 minutes remain- Burr Gillmor Lofgren Brown-Waite, Hyde Meehan ing in this vote. Burton (IN) Gingrey Lowey Ginny Jenkins Payne Buyer Gonzalez Lucas (KY) Combest Lewis (CA) Stupak b 1740 Calvert Goode Lynch DeLay Lucas (OK) Camp Goodlatte Majette Gordon McCarthy (MO) MITH Cannon Goss Maloney Mr. S of Michigan changed his ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Cantor Granger Manzullo Capito Graves Markey The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mr. JACKSON of Illinois and Mr. RUSH Capps Green (TX) Marshall QUINN) (during the vote). Members changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to Capuano Green (WI) Matheson have 2 minutes to cast their votes. ‘‘present.’’ Cardin Greenwood Matsui So (two-thirds having voted in favor Cardoza Grijalva McCarthy (NY) Carson (IN) Gutierrez McCollum b 1749 thereof) the rules were suspended and Carson (OK) Gutknecht McCotter So (two-thirds having voted in favor the resolution was agreed to. Carter Hall McCrery The result of the vote was announced Case Harman McDermott thereof) the rules were suspended and Castle Harris McGovern the bill, as amended, was passed. as above recorded. Chabot Hart McHugh A motion to reconsider was laid on The result of the vote was announced Chocola Hastings (FL) McInnis as above recorded. the table. Clay Hastings (WA) McIntyre Clyburn Hayes McKeon A motion to reconsider was laid on f Coble Hayworth McNulty the table. Cole Hefley Meek (FL) CLEAN DIAMOND TRADE ACT Collins Hensarling Meeks (NY) f The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Conyers Herger Menendez Cooper Hill Mica REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO pending business is the question of sus- Costello Hinchey Michaud pending the rules and passing the bill, Cox Hinojosa Millender- COORDINATING COUNCIL ON JU- H.R. 1584, as amended. Cramer Hobson McDonald VENILE JUSTICE AND DELIN- Crane Hoeffel Miller (FL) QUENCY PREVENTION The Clerk read the title of the bill. Crenshaw Hoekstra Miller (MI) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Crowley Holden Miller (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. question is on the motion offered by Cubin Holt Miller, Gary QUINN). Pursuant to section 206 of the Culberson Honda Miller, George the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Cummings Hooley (OR) Mollohan Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Pre- CRANE) that the House suspend the Cunningham Hostettler Moore vention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5616), and rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1584, as Davis (AL) Houghton Moran (KS) the order of the House of January 8, amended, on which the yeas and nays Davis (CA) Hoyer Moran (VA) 2003, the Chair announces the Speak- Davis (FL) Hulshof Murphy are ordered. Davis (IL) Hunter Murtha er’s reappointment of the following This is a 5-minute vote. Davis (TN) Inslee Musgrave member on the part of the House to the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08AP7.037 H08PT1 H2912 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Coordinating Council on Juvenile Jus- tation Company. The 319th, part of the around the globe. Because of them and tice and Delinquency Prevention for a larger 375th Transportation Group out others serving in the war today, loy- 3-year term: of Mobile, Alabama, is an Army Re- alty, duty, honor, and personal courage Mr. Michael J. Mahoney of Chicago, serve unit based in my hometown of are not words relegated to the history Illinois. Augusta, Georgia. books, but instead living and shining The 319th has a proud history. During f examples for all of us on the battle- the Vietnam War, the 319th Transpor- fields of Iraq. HAITIAN TELEVISION NETWORK tation Company logged over a million Lastly, Mr. Speaker, it is because of DEBUTS miles, delivered over 92,000 tons to the them that the battle cry in our Na- (Mr. MEEK of Florida asked and was battlefield, and was ambushed by the tion’s war against terrorism is particu- given permission to address the House enemy on seven separate occasions. larly meaningful today in the deserts for 1 minute and to revise and extend Today, for the Reservists serving in of Iraq. So finally I say to the 319th, his remarks.) the 319th, the voyage from Wrightsboro keep up the good work and ‘‘Let’s Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I Road Reserve Center in Augusta to the roll.’’ war zone of Iraq began this past Janu- rise today to bring attention to Mem- f bers and to our Nation of an important ary with a short trip to nearby Ft. point in television history that took Stewart for specialized training. Then b 1800 place on Friday, March 28, 2003. The in mid-February, the 319th Transpor- NATIONAL RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE Haitian Television Network of America tation Company, along with the unit PROGRAM commander, Captain Mohandas Martin, went on the air in Miami, Florida. The The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Haitian Television Network is the first deployed to northern Kuwait where they received their assignment, to sup- BURGESS). Under a previous order of Creole and French language 24-hour-a- the House, the gentleman from Illinois day station in the Nation. We were port the more than 50,000 Marines in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. (Mr. LIPINSKI) is recognized for 5 min- very proud, based on the fact that it is utes. in Miami. When Saddam Hussein thumbed his nose for the last time and the war Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, freight After years of programming on public transportation is a vital and growing access stations on cable, the president began in Iraq roughly 3 weeks ago now, the 319th began the next phase of their industry in the United States. Rail is of the station, Claude Mancuso, has the most prudent way of expanding the succeeded in his vision of reaching a voyage, going into the deserts of Iraq, delivering by truck the critically im- capacity to accommodate growth in broader audience. Mr. Mancuso has freight traffic, allowing for congestion also worked within the Haitian com- portant fuel to the Marines advancing to Baghdad and Saddam Hussein’s final relief on our roadways, cost benefits to munity in providing Haitian program- shippers, and improving our air qual- ming. This is very important to our day of reckoning. Their mission is an unheralded one; ity. However, our Nation’s aging and Haitian-Americans, that their Haitian but as we have all realized on the congested infrastructure does not ade- culture, religion and history is daily round-the-clock cable news broadcasts, quately support the rail needs of today. programmed throughout south Florida it is the success of the supply units Across the country from Los Angeles and throughout the Nation. News, traveling the roads of Iraq, like the to Chicago to New York City, the sports, movies, sitcoms and documen- 319th, that have been vital in the early movement of freight is being stalled tary programs for children are going to success of our coalition forces and will and delayed by a variety of bottle- be able to help our Nation grow and un- ensure our ultimate victory. necks. For example, every day 37,500 derstand one another. The Haitian- As I said, Mr. Speaker, theirs is an freight cars travel through Chicago at American population is estimated na- unheralded mission, but also one that a snail’s pace of 7 to 12 miles per hour. tionally at over 2 million, with over puts the members of the 319th at great Added on top of that, 700 commuter 700,000 Haitian-Americans residing in risk and peril. In their first week oper- and Amtrak trains. Today it takes 2 the State of Florida, with 500,000 in ating in Iraq, the 319th headed out days to move rail shipments through south Florida. I commend the Haitian from their base of Camp Viper in Iraq Chicago. Television Network for achieving its for a multiday mission to deliver fuel It is clear that capacity constraints goal of being able to be a 24-hour sta- near the front lines. According to the and congestion thrive within our rail tion and look forward to many years of reports, while on their journey, vehi- system and the situation is quickly programming. cles of the company came under heavy worsening. The Chicago Area Transpor- f enemy fire more than once in their am- tation Study predicts that freight car traffic through the Chicagoland area SPECIAL ORDERS bush attempts. Thanks in large part to the efforts of the Marines, the 319th will increase nearly 79 percent in less The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under continues to supply, the attacks were than two decades. But this is not just the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- thwarted, and all members of the 319th the Chicago problem. A recent report uary 7, 2003, and under a previous order Transportation Company returned from the American Association of of the House, the following Members safely to regroup and prepare for the State Highway and Transportation Of- will be recognized for 5 minutes each. next mission and the next journey to ficials states that growth in domestic f the front lines of war. and international freight tonnage is ex- Mr. Speaker, to the people of the pected to grow 67 percent by the year COMMENDING ARMY RESERVE’S Ninth Congressional District of Geor- 2020. The result will mean a shift of 900 319TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY gia, my constituents, the soldiers of million tons of freight onto our inter- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the 319th Transportation Company rep- state system, adding a $21 billion need previous order of the House, the gen- resent different things: a good neighbor to highway costs in the next 17 years. tleman from Georgia (Mr. NORWOOD) is who lives down the street, a close rel- In an economy where just-in-time de- recognized for 5 minutes. ative or spouse that is sorely missed at livery demands are the norm, slow Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, our Na- home, or even a mother or father to a cross-country freight movement re- tion is at war. Thousands of the fight- child that misses a parent and needs sults in economic losses that are felt ing men and women of our Armed them back. It is true the soldiers of the throughout the United States of Amer- Forces are serving on the battlefields 319th Transportation Company are all ica. Our communities also suffer. Traf- of Iraq, defending freedom, liberating different, but they are all the same in fic tie-ups and idling trains affect the the Iraqi people, and making our world one simple and very important way, quality of life of many of our constitu- a safer place to live. Today I rise to they are all heroes. ents. recognize and commend all of these Because of them, these same Marines The status quo must not continue. As courageous service personnel, but wish moved closer to finally ending Saddam Daniel Burnham, the famous Chicago- to pay particular tribute to the brave Hussein’s horrific reign of terror and based architect and city planner, en- soldiers serving in the 319th Transpor- ability to aid and assist terrorists couraged us to ‘‘make no small plans,’’

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.111 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2913 we need to make big plans to address It is time that we recognize the serv- ference committee because the White these tremendous capital needs. In ice of these people to our country and House is objecting that there is too order to sufficiently fund our country’s the fact that they need a little bit of much money in the bill to help the air- freight rail infrastructure needs, the help in their time of need. The Con- lines now that we have added a little Federal Government should create a gress rushed through a $15 billion air- bit of money to directly help the work- new significant and dedicated stream line bailout shortly after 9/11 to try to ers. We will all be watching to see what of funds for rail projects. Just as we help keep the industry in the air when comes in that final conference report, have a Highway Trust Fund and an people were afraid to fly. And that bail- and we will know who killed the assist- Aviation Trust Fund, the legislation I out provided more funds in one day ance to workers if it is stripped out of introduced last week, H.R. 1617, would than the entire deregulated industry the bill. create a National Rail Infrastructure has made in its entire history. Its en- After this overwhelming vote here Program. tire 26-year history was eclipsed, their and the overwhelming vote in the Sen- As in all things here in Washington, profits, by that one bill. ate, let the majority work its will and the big question on everyone’s mind is But the bill glaringly omitted any as- let us help these workers and their where can we get the funds to support sistance directly to workers and it families. these needs? H.R. 1617 would fund these meaninglessly pretended to limit the f improvements through various funding salaries of CEOs. I have seen the re- AUTISM AND VACCINATIONS streams including a reallocation of the sults of the meaningless limits adopted The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a 4.3 cents per gallon diesel-fuel tax that by that legislation 2 years ago, or 18 previous order of the House, the gen- railroads currently pay into the gen- months ago, in bailing out the airlines tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is eral revenue fund. I believe that put- with the huge compensation packages and salaries and specially protected re- recognized for 5 minutes. ting these funds into a rail infrastruc- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- tirement that is being made available ture program that would benefit the er, on a regular basis I come down here to the executives. It is defended. They public is the only logical thing to do. and talk about children who are autis- said how could we get execs to work The total revenue stream in my legis- tic and the reasons for it. We have been here if we did not pay them these out- lation would amount to about $3 billion receiving letters from across the coun- per year. rageous salaries and if we did not to- try from literally hundreds and prob- There are some who may disagree tally protect their retirement? Guess ably thousands of parents who have au- with such a proposal; however, it would what? All of the line workers, all the tistic children, and they do not know be a serious mistake to ignore our flight attendants, all the pilots, all the what to do about it, and all of them be- country’s growing rail infrastructure mechanics, all the gate agents, all the lieve their children were damaged by needs and the gridlock that will result ticket agents, none of those people the mercury that is in vaccines. It has if we fail to expand our freight rail ca- have specially protected pensions, and been in children’s vaccines for a long, pacity. So let us heed Daniel yet there has not been support from long time. Burnham’s remarks. Let us think big the industry or from this administra- Children get between 25 and 30 vac- and make some big plans to address the tion or from the majority in this House cinations before they go to school, and growing national problem facing our of Representatives to help those dis- up until just recently almost all of rail system. I hope my colleagues will tressed workers. them contained thimerosal which was join the 25 bipartisan co-sponsors and And finally today, in one of those op- 50 percent mercury. We all know mer- me and support H.R. 1617, the National portunities that rarely comes, a week cury is toxic to the brain, and yet they Rail Infrastructure Program. ago when we were taking up the sup- had it as a preservative in vaccines. Remember, this Nation is great be- plemental bill I tried to offer an And our children, in my opinion, and cause we dare to dream great dreams. amendment to help the workers; in scientists and doctors from across the Please support this bill because this fact, a Republican Member had gone globe and here in the States believe bill can do what we need to be done for earlier to a press conference with me that mercury in the vaccines was one freight movement in this Nation. and others to announce the legislation, of the major causes. and I asked him if he would go to the f Here on this easel I have pictures of Committee on Rules and ask to have it The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a probably 50 or 60 or 70 kids who were made in order during the bill, and he damaged by the mercury in the vac- previous order of the House, the gen- said absolutely. Guess what? He did not cines, and I have letters that I read tleman from North Carolina (Mr. show up. He did not show up because he every night. We have a system here JONES) is recognized for 5 minutes. was intimidated by the Republican called the Vaccine Injury Compensa- (Mr. JONES of North Carolina ad- leadership. tion Fund that is supposed to take care dressed the House. His remarks will ap- I came to the floor and offered that of these children if they are damaged pear hereafter in the Extensions of Re- amendment, but the Republicans by vaccines. It has $1.8 billion in it. It marks.) struck it down on a procedural techni- is supposed to protect the pharma- f cality. They said we cannot take up a ceutical companies from lawsuits, and bill here to help the workers. We will FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO yet these parents of these kids have get to it soon. Just like the 18 months AIRLINE WORKERS had a very difficult time getting satis- we had promised previously, soon. Soon faction and restitution from that fund, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a when? and many of them, because there was a previous order of the House, the gen- Today, because we had one oppor- 3-year statute of limitations, could not tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is tunity, which was a motion to instruct, even get in the fund. recognized for 5 minutes. usually a technical sort of thing in the The reason I bring this up right now Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, today, fi- House of Representative, we focused in is because we are in the process of nally, 18 months after it was promised, on assistance to workers that has been working on legislation that would deal the United States House of Representa- long overdue; and when forced to vote, with this problem, that would help tives voted overwhelmingly, almost 2 we find that nearly two-thirds of the these kids who missed the opportunity to 1 when finally forced, to provide United States House of Representatives by getting in that 3-year window of op- some financial assistance to the 150,000 supports that, but their leadership and portunity to be put in the program so airline workers who have lost their the White House leadership has been that their case could be reviewed on a jobs as a result of 9/11 and the horren- preventing us from taking that step. case-by-case basis by the special mas- dous recession in the United States. It Congratulations to the House for ter. These families are spending hun- is expected that as many as another that vote today and shame on the lead- dreds of thousands of dollars, they are 70,000 will lose their jobs because of the ership and shame on the leadership going bankrupt, selling their homes, slowdown in travel due to the war in downtown that did not allow that vote, borrowing money, doing everything to Iraq and even more probably with the and shame on them if they find some help their children, and there is no- threat of SARS and other problems. way to try to kill this in the con- where for them to turn. We need to

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.113 H08PT1 H2914 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 make sure that they have access to terest. I commend him for the work antagonistic diplomacy that makes de- this fund for which it was created and that he is doing on it. mands of our allies, but does not listen not have to go to courts to have class I came in close contact with children to them. We could fail if we embrace action lawsuits. And that is what we who were autistic when I started in the unilateralism and abandon our tradi- are working on with the other body and Head Start program. tional reliance on multinational ac- the majority leader in the other body tion. We could fail if we allow the re- b 1815 to get done. ality or even the appearance of an I want to read just a couple of letters Prior to the Head Start program, we American military colonial govern- that come from these people who have had children who were autistic and had ment in Iraq. no place to turn. Here is a letter that other kinds of deficiencies that never To meet these challenges and best came from a Marcy Kelly from Mullica got discovered, and that is one reason I serve American national interests, as Hill, New Jersey, and she writes: love the Head Start program so very, well as the best interests of the citi- ‘‘My son turned 4 in October, 2002, very much. But the most interesting zens of Iraq, I suggest eight steps: and was diagnosed with autism after a and the most challenging and the most First, the State Department, not the long history of medical problems that undertold story was the story of chil- Defense Department, must be in charge began at 2 months, within 1 week of his dren with autism. of American policy after the military first series of thimerosal-containing I join the gentleman in his efforts victory. vaccines. His immune system, weak- and will do everything that I can to Second, whenever and wherever pos- ened to where he couldn’t handle vi- bring attention and resources to help sible, we must internationalize the sta- ruses (resulting in recurring ear infec- these families of children who have au- bilization and reconstruction oper- tions and RSV), he had reflux, terrible tism. ations and not try to do it all our- allergies and eczema, and a reaction to Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- selves. his MMR shot that is documented to er, reclaiming my time, we will con- Third, American troops in the field have caused vomiting nightly for 6 tact the gentlewoman on that legisla- will be needed to keep the peace, but months post vaccination and 2 years of tion. We will be down here every night we should move quickly to spread the diarrhea. Medical tests show toxic lev- that is available to talk about this burden of peacekeeping by giving els of metals, reduced glutathione, issue. I thank the gentlewoman. NATO the task. NATO is a robust mili- malabsorption, maldigestion, severe al- f tary alliance that defeated one tyrant lergies, and liver problems, all common in Kosovo and surely could keep order COMMUNICATION FROM THE HON- in those poisoned by mercury. He re- in a post-Saddam Iraq. ORABLE NANCY PELOSI, DEMO- gressed into autism between 18 and 24 Fourth, emergency relief authority CRATIC LEADER months.’’ As a father and grandfather, must begin with the State Department you understand the heartbreak that I The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and USAID, but there is no better chief felt. BURGESS) laid before the House the fol- administrator for the humanitarian This is a picture of him. lowing communication from NANCY challenges than the United Nations. Its ‘‘We have spent well over $100,000 in PELOSI, Democratic Leader: vast resources, experience and exper- the last 2 years, mostly on medical vis- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, tise are unparalleled. its, tests, and therapies. Our insurance OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, Fifth, we must engage expert multi- company, Aetna US Healthcare, April 8, 2003. lateral organizations like the United stopped paying for these funds.’’ So Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT, Nations, the International Monetary they have noplace to go. Speaker, House of Representatives, Fund, and the World Bank in the re- And she ends up by saying, ‘‘I under- Washington, DC. construction of Iraq’s infrastructure. A DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to (40 U.S.C. debt restructuring is needed to deal stand that you intend to take our sto- 188a), I hereby appoint Rep. Chaka Fattah as ries before Congress, not individually a member of the United States Capitol Pres- with Iraq’s financial burden of $383 bil- but as a group. If you could take a sin- ervation Commission for the 108th Congress. lion including foreign debt, compensa- gle child (or family with more than one Best Regards, tion claims, and pending contracts. child on the spectrum) and pile up all NANCY PELOSI. Sixth, we should convene a donor’s of the medical and therapy bills, ADA f conference soon after the military vic- drill books and materials, and supple- tory. Funds will be needed right away WILL WE WIN THE PEACE? ments used to help them heal from the for quick start reconstruction projects. effects of vaccines, it would be quite The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a This could provide a funding oppor- mountainous and tell a story as well. previous order of the House, the gen- tunity for the Arab League. God be with you and with other politi- tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Seven, Iraqis must establish corrup- cians as they vote on matters relating HOEFFEL) is recognized for 5 minutes. tion-free control over their own oil. We to autism. In the quiet of night, if poli- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, due to should advocate for a transparent and ticians would ask themselves the ques- the bravery and the magnificent per- reformed industry that accounts for oil tion ‘what is right?’ the answer in their formance of American troops, our revenues and devotes profits to rebuild- hearts would be to help their children Armed Forces will soon win a resound- ing the country. and their families.’’ ing victory over Saddam Hussein, dis- Eight, we should urge the United Na- We have the ability to do that, and arming him and eliminating the threat tions to sponsor a conference on the we must do something and we must do of his regime. Now that we are on the formation and direction of a transi- it very soon, because these families are verge of winning the war, we must now tional Iraqi-based government. Iraqi suffering; and we have to be very dili- turn our attention to winning the provisional leaders, internal Saddam gent to make sure the other body does peace. opponents, exiles and the international not put some language in the bill that The morning after our military vic- community should be brought together would be like what was in the home- tory over Saddam, we will wake up to to establish a stable representative land security bill which protected four challenges in Iraq: peacekeeping, government of Iraqis. pharmaceutical companies but not the humanitarian relief, reconstruction, We must seize this opportunity to children. and governance. How we face those stabilize and unify Iraq and dem- I yield to the gentlewoman from challenges will determine whether we onstrate to the entire world our com- California. win the peace, win the battle for the mitment to democratic values, per- Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank hearts and minds of the people of Iraq, sonal liberties, and social justice. That the gentleman so very much. I caught enhance our status in the Muslim is how we win the peace in Iraq. his presentation on the screen as I was world, and maintain our credibility as f going through the cloakroom, and I the leader of free and democratic na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a cannot tell him how proud I am of him tions. previous order of the House, the gen- for dealing with this issue of autism I fear we could fail to meet those tleman from Indiana (Mr. PENCE) is and children. I commend him for his in- challenges if we pursue an aggressive, recognized for 5 minutes.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.116 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2915 (Mr. PENCE addressed the House. His fect is that Americans pay that much England, are going into Canada and remarks will appear hereafter in the more for the same drug. saying if you sell pharmaceutical drugs Extensions of Remarks.) Look at another drug, a drug made in the United States for the price that f by a German company called Bayer. We you are paying in Canada, which is usually call it Bayer, Bayer Aspirin. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a about one-fourth or one-half of what Cipro became real popular last year previous order of the House, the gentle- they are here, we are going to cut you when we had anthrax here in these woman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. off. They are doing that in a bullying buildings, because it is one of the most way. CHRISTENSEN) is recognized for 5 min- effective drugs for things like anthrax. utes. I do not think pharmaceutical com- But Cipro in the United States sells for (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN addressed the panies should say to a country, you an average of $87.99 for a month’s sup- House. Her remarks will appear here- cannot sell those drugs in the United ply. In Canada it sells for $55.53 cents, after in the Extensions of Remarks.) States because it is the same product and in Europe, in Germany, where they that in America we are paying two or f make it, they sell it for $40.75. three times for it. It makes no sense to REDUCING THE COST OF The list goes on. Let me talk about a me. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS drug called Coumadin. My 85-year-old Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, re- father takes Coumadin. Fortunately, claiming my time, the gentleman is ab- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a because he worked for a union all of his solutely right. What is being done by previous order of the House, the gen- life, worked as a union worker all of some of the big pharmaceutical compa- tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- his life, under his contract he has pre- nies is nothing short of shameful. I also KNECHT) is recognized for 5 minutes. scription drug coverage, so it does not say shame on us. Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, a cost him $64.88, which is what it costs I said the other day that Teddy Roo- couple of weeks ago I came to the well the average American consumer in the sevelt must be rolling in his grave, the of the House, and I said that the FDA United States if they do not have pre- Republican President who believed in had declared war on American con- scription drug coverage; $64.88 in the breaking up the trusts, in enforcing sumers. Now the battle is joined. United States, $24.94 in Canada, and competition, because he understood, as Mr. Speaker, I want to share a bro- only $15.80 in Europe. President Reagan understood, that chure, a little brochure that my staff The list goes on. This is reflective, markets are more powerful than ar- and I have put together. On the cover and it goes on and on and on. mies. it says, ‘‘If we want to allow Americans Down here, I put a famous quote by Mr. Speaker, it is time for this Con- to keep and spend over $600 billion dur- one of my favorite Presidents, Presi- gress to live up to its responsibilities. ing the next 10 years, here is a good dent Ronald Reagan. He said, ‘‘Markets It is time for Congress to allow Ameri- place to start.’’ Then at the bottom are more powerful than armies.’’ At cans to have access to world-class you have a picture of some pharma- the end of the day, you cannot hold drugs at world-market prices. ceutical capsules. markets back; but unfortunately, that f Then if you open the brochure, the is what is happening in the United second page says, ‘‘That is right. Ac- States. REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER cording to the CBO,’’ that is congres- Now, I have no qualms with the big AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 1036 sional language for the Congressional pharmaceutical industry in the sense Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- Budget Office, they are our official that they ought to be able to sell their imous consent to have my name re- bean counters, ‘‘According to the CBO, drugs for what they want to sell them moved as a cosponsor of H.R. 1036. American seniors will spend over $1.8 for. But they should not be allowed to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there trillion.’’ By ‘‘seniors’’ they mean only hide behind the FDA to do it. So I do objection to the request of the gen- those people who are 65 years of age or not say shame on them as much as I tleman from Arizona? older. So over the next 10 years, the say shame on us. It is we the Congress, There was no objection. CBO tells us that seniors alone will we the policymakers here in the United f spend over $1.8 trillion on prescription States that have allowed these dispari- WINNING THE ECONOMIC WAR AT drugs. ties to happen. HOME Now, a conservative estimate, not Finally, we are having a big debate done by me, but by experts who are a right now about tax cuts, how much The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a whole lot smarter than I am, a conserv- should we give in tax cuts. Is it going previous order of the House, the gentle- ative estimate would be that we can to be $625 billion or $535 billion or $375 woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- save 35 percent by allowing free mar- billion? ognized for 5 minutes. kets to work. Again, I am not particu- Tax cuts are great, particularly at a Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, there are larly good at math, but 35 percent time when the economy is soft. But if two major stories in the news. There is times $1.8 trillion works out to $630 bil- we really want to help seniors, if we one that we see daily, and that is the lion. want to lower prescription drug prices story of the war in Iraq. The other Here we have a chart. This is the lat- and allow Americans to keep and spend story we hear little about, and that is est chart. I have actually had in the $630 billion of their money over the the economic war right here at home. last 4 years four different charts. I do next 10 years, let us open markets now. Last month the Pentagon announced not use my own numbers, although we Finally, it just says simply Ameri- we will be sending another 100,000 have actually done our own research to cans deserve world-class drugs at troops to Iraq, and our hearts are with confirm that these are very accurate in world-class prices. All we are asking them. They are putting their lives at terms of the average prices that Ameri- for is open markets. All we want is risk for us. They deserve our support. cans pay, and these are some of the what German pharmacists have the But last week the Associated Press re- most commonly prescribed drugs in the right to do, and that is buy drugs ported that an even greater number of United States. where they can get them the cheapest. people, 108,000, lost their jobs, as U.S. Let us start right at the top, a drug Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to companies dealt with the battered called Augmentin. Here in the United one of my heroes. The gentleman from economy right here at home. These States, according to the Life Extension Indiana (Mr. BURTON) held a hearing Americans also work every day to sup- Foundation that has been doing re- last week, and it was one of the best port the ideals of our Nation and the search on this for more than a decade, hearings I have ever participated in. work ethic. They deserve our support. the average price for a 30-day supply in Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- It is also ironic to note that prior to the United States is $55.50. That same er, I think the gentleman covered the the Pentagon’s recent deployment, drug sells in Canada for about $12, and issue very well. there were already 300,000 troops in the it sells in Europe for an average price I just wanted to make one comment, vicinity of Iraq. In February, according of only $8.75. There are differences in and that is that some of the pharma- to the Associated Press, businesses the value of currency, but the net ef- ceutical companies, like SmithKline of here at home shed almost as many

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.119 H08PT1 H2916 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 jobs, 357,000 more than previously re- communities that are suffering here at Mr. Speaker, where is the help of the ported; and yet this morning, President home. Our State is over $4 billion in Federal Government for Edmonds to Bush announced his opposition to the debt. Our mayor, he is broke. It just deal with terrorism training, for unemployment extension that we at- seems to me that our news ought to Bothell to deal with gas masks, for tempted to get here today in the budg- talk a little bit about what is hap- Mountlake Terrace to deal with over- et resolution, calling it ‘‘objection- pening here at home. time, for Edmonds for their HAZMAT able’’ in the statement of administra- Mr. Speaker, it is time the second training? Where is the help for our cit- tion policy. war that we are in on our home soil ies that the Federal Government We are hearing lots of plans about gets equal attention in the media. should be giving to these local commu- aid to flow to the Iraqi people, includ- f nities? It is not getting done. The rea- ing food and medicine. This is aid that son it is not getting done is that this FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS FAIL- must be provided. But while the United Chamber and the other Chamber are ING IN ITS DUTIES TO LOCAL States Army also takes on the role of not passing the appropriations that COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE humanitarian assistance in a military should be passed to help these local FUNDING FOR HOMELAND SECU- zone, the Salvation Army here at home communities. RITY is facing a swelling need for services Now, on this floor last week, we in and a downturn in donations that have The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. the minority party made an effort to led to an unprecedented lack of food for BURGESS). Under a previous order of increase the appropriation and supple- people in our own economic war zone. the House, the gentleman from Wash- mental budget to get help to Edmonds, The Salvation Army in my own ington (Mr. INSLEE) is recognized for 5 to Mountlake Terrace, to Bothell so hometown has seen a 42 percent in- minutes. that they can prepare an adequate crease in requests for assistance just Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, the United homeland security response. And we this year. At the start of the fiscal States Government is still not doing wanted to boost, by $2.5 billion, help year last October, our Women, Infants its job on homeland security. It is fail- for our first responders, for our police and Children food program reported the ing in a very, very elementary manner. and fire departments. But unfortu- highest level of participants ever; and The way it is failing is that it is failing nately, the majority party stymied nationally we have the highest number to give the tools that our local commu- that and would not support these in- of participants in the last 5 years. nities need to prepare an adequate creases in our plans to deal with home- Just since January 2001, America has homeland security plan and procedures land security. lost nearly 2 million more jobs. In To- in our towns and in our cities. I think it is important to point out ledo, my hometown, military spouses It is very sad to say that where the the reason for that. The reason that are showing up at the Women, Infants rubber meets the road on homeland se- this bill did not pass to help these local and Children feeding offices because curity, and that is in our cities and communities is that the majority their husbands have been called up for towns, this administration and the ma- party thought it was more important active duty, cutting the income of fam- jority party in this Congress are not to give the folks at Enron tax breaks in ilies by drastic amounts. giving our cities and towns the tools their multibillion-dollar tax package they need to do the job. The sad fact is, b 1830 than it was to give the city of Edmonds the Federal Government is not cutting help for gas masks, the city of Bothell The Cleveland Plain Dealer last the mustard when it comes to helping help for overtime for their police de- month told us, at a pantry in Colum- our cities and towns prepare their po- partments. bus’s west side, a 67-year-old retiree lice departments for terrorism, prepare We believe in the Democratic Party gets groceries to help feed a daughter their fire departments for terrorism, it is more important to help these local and a granddaughter who moved in prepare their emergency response plans communities deal with the threat of with him last year. He remembers rel- for terrorism. The job is simply not terrorism as a first job before giving atives telling of bread lines during the getting done. these tax cuts, a predominant amount Great Depression. He never imagined Now, we had a little bit of good news of which goes to the wealthiest Ameri- he would see himself in one, let alone today out in the State of Washington. cans in the country. We believe that, wait in one. The city of Seattle will be receiving because the city of Edmonds has a job There is no doubt that the United about $11 million to help with some of to do for the people they represent, and States is the freest and most bountiful their plans. But unfortunately, all of that is to do an adequate job to get Nation on earth. That is why people the cities and towns around Seattle are ready for potential terrorism. The city want to come here. But do we not owe not getting help from the Federal Gov- of Bothell has that responsibility. The as much to hardworking Americans as ernment, and they need it. city of Mountlake Terrace has that re- we do to war-torn Iraqis? Do we not I will give an example. The town of sponsibility. We are going to continue need to build our economic might here Bothell, Washington has and will spend working on this until we get this job at home as much as our military might over $200,000 this year on their home- done, because Americans are entitled abroad? Do we not need to plan as land security plans to deal with ter- to know their local communities have much for our economic-torn economy rorism, from buying gas masks to responded with as much vigor as we are as much as we do the Iraqi war-torn training for their personnel. Over seeing in Iraq from our very, very economy? Do we not need a coalition of $200,000, Mr. Speaker, and no help from proud, honest, and effective military allies with labor and management for the Federal Government. The city of personnel today serving in Iraq. job creation and economic improve- Monroe will spend over $45,000. The Mr. Speaker, I hope that folks will ment as much as we need a coalition of city of Monroe is not the largest city join us in this effort, because our local military forces in the Gulf? If we can in the whole country. They are not get- communities need the help of the Fed- provide money to airlines who are ting help from the Federal Govern- eral Government. claiming they are being hurt by the ment. Mountlake Terrace, a small war, should we not also provide an ad- town in my district, they are spending f ditional 26 weeks of unemployment $2,400 on gas masks, just one little tiny IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR benefits to airline workers who are the element for their expenditures, to- DISCUSSION real victims of the slowdown? gether with overtime for their officers, Military war, of necessity, is receiv- no help from the Federal Government. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ing most of our attention of late, but The city of Edmonds is spending previous order of the House, the gentle- how about the enemy within? The eco- $145,000 for homeland security, a sig- woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) nomic war here at home? It seems to nificant figure for overtime, for train- is recognized for 5 minutes. me that the weapons of war may be ing of their personnel, and over $30,000 HONORING OFFICER CHARLES CLARK, A more visible when they are used, but of training of their fire department for DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT the damage of an economic war is just hazardous materials training, no help Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. as real for individuals and families and from the Federal Government. Speaker, many times we come, sadly,

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.122 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2917 to the floor of the House to acknowl- debt, but that does not deal with the sulting from the misuse of their prod- edge a valiant citizen of our commu- human failure or the human need, and ucts by others, which was referred to nity. All of us have been giving our that is those who are not working be- the House Calendar and ordered to be praise and our commitment to the val- cause of where we find ourselves. printed. iant troops who are now representing So to the appropriators who may be f us, and we wish them well, we wish listening to the sound of our voices: We them a safe return, we wish for them have been trying to do this since 9/11, HONORING STUDENT the resources that they need to finish and it has gotten worse. Let us do DEMONSTRATORS the job and to return to their families. something that is gratifying in helping The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a But in our own communities we have our fellow Americans. previous order of the House, the gen- valiant individuals who offer their THE AFTERMATH OF WAR tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) is rec- lives so that we might be safe. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me ognized for 5 minutes. Today in Houston, Texas we laid to simply close by saying that as we wish Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, rest Charles Clark, Officer Charles well for our troops, we have something democracy is the cornerstone of our Clark, an individual who was selfless in to deal with: the aftermath of war, Mr. government. True democracy allows his commitment to our community, a Speaker. I intend to engage in a vig- room for dissent, discussion, and dem- onstration. member of the Houston Police Depart- orous discussion so that we as Ameri- ment who lost his life tragically in a cans can pull together, so that the b 1845 brutal robbery that also saw the loss of aftermath of this war can be one of rec- Last week, students from around the Alfredia Jones, the mother of two chil- onciliation, working with our world al- country arrived in our Nation’s capital dren. lies. to demonstrate in support of affirma- Officer Clark was born and raised in I will be dropping legislation that tive action in higher education. They the community which he served: South deals with the putting back together of actively participated in a peaceful way Park, Texas. Married for 24 years, with this Nation, but also putting back to- in our democracy. And I am sure that a lovely wife by the name of Hilda, and gether the world feelings, relation- the founders of this Nation must have he was almost about to see 20 years of ships. I hope that we will work with been as proud of them as I am of the service with the Houston Police depart- NATO and the United Nations in a students who participated. ment. He was known as the consum- working group, if you will, scenario Students marched, sang songs, mate police officer. He loved his job. where we work together with the prayed, and urged the Supreme Court We are told that he wanted to serve in United States involved and all of those to allow schools like the University of the South Park community, where he who are with us or against us, because, Michigan to continue the practice of did not live, because he had been born Mr. Speaker, that is the right thing to allowing diversity in higher education. and raised there. The tragedy of his do. We must ensure that we reignite The students realize that in spite of death is that he was rushing to the the war against terrorism where all of the progress made over the last 40 scene to help this young mother, a us were working together. We must re- years, minorities, women and people young mother who was working to sup- insure that we work on the Mideast with disabilities, still face major bar- port her children at a cash-checking peace process, giving humanitarian aid, riers in education, business, and em- place, when three or more brutal indi- rebuilding families, helping schools ployment. They also realize that the viduals who could find nothing in their and hospitals being built, as well as prerequisite for change is struggle, and life to do but to kill two innocent recognizing the needs in this Nation. that without struggle there is indeed human beings on that day. We cannot do it unless we do it to- no progress. Mr. Speaker, we ask the question: gether. Many people dismiss students be- Can we do better as Americans? I will be looking forward to dropping cause they are generally perceived as I believe this valiant soul should be that legislation and having my col- not actively engaged in the political laid to rest with our respect and admi- leagues go forward and not go back- process. In addition, others suggest ration, Mr. Speaker. So I come to the wards. that they are unwilling to sacrifice and floor today to pay tribute to Officer Mr. Speaker, also, we will be looking do the things necessary for group lib- Charles Clark, to tell him that may he to give a briefing or to present a brief- eration. The enlightened students I en- rest in peace and may he be considered ing with several of the caucuses in this countered at the Supreme Court rep- forever and ever in the annals of the Congress to deal with the aftermath of resented America at its best. They rep- history of the Houston Police Depart- war, the plight of the children. We have resented America and its great diver- ment, our dear friend. I thank him for not looked to the damage and the dan- sity. his service. May he rest with the an- ger of children, not only of those in Their message was clear, strong, and gels. Iraq, but the children of our soldiers. compelling. It was a message that af- HELPING FELLOW AMERICANS What has been the damage? What can firmative action is a powerful, proven, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. we do to assist or to help their lives be and effective tool for removing the Speaker, I would like to turn to an- better? remnants of prejudice and bias. It was other subject, and that is a cry that So I hope this Congress will join to- a message that affirmative action cap- has been amongst us for a long time, gether in a bipartisan manner, Mr. italizes on the strength of our diversity and that is helping fellow Americans. Speaker, to address the questions of and opens the doors for opportunities. I Just recently we provided a bailout for the aftermath of war. Peace still is a am proud of the students who sac- our airlines. I am gratified that today possibility, that we may live in peace rificed their sleep, their classroom we enthusiastically, although I wish it in this world. work, to brave the cold weather and had been unanimous, voted to instruct f proclaim that affirmative action is rel- the conferees to assist the airline em- evant and needed in higher education. ployees. These are our neighbors, hard- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- They realized that education is the working neighbors who have been laid VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF great equalizer. It is the ladder to suc- off because of the tragedy of 9/11 and H.R. 1036, PROTECTION OF LAW- cess. the war. I hope that the conferees will FUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT The thousands of students who dem- not ignore helping fellow Americans by Mr. SESSIONS, from the Committee on onstrated came by train, car, bus and providing them with the 26 weeks of ex- Rules, submitted a privileged report many on foot. The impressive gath- tended pay. These are mothers and fa- (Rept. No. 108–64) on the resolution (H. ering of college and high school stu- thers, sisters and brothers, some of Res. 181) providing for consideration of dents was reminiscent of some of the them single parents who are supporting the bill (H.R. 1036) to prohibit civil li- activities done to achieve fairness and their children, some of them going to ability actions from being brought or equalities throughout the 1960’s. Of school and, frankly, they are suffering. continued against manufacturers, dis- course, the challenge for all of us now We can bail out the airlines, we can tributors, dealers, or importers of fire- is to keep the momentum and the pres- cause them to pay off some of their arms or ammunition for damages re- sure on.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.124 H08PT1 H2918 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Again, I commend the students for may be measured in feet. Really, few the millions. Once they start these standing for something as important as areas of the North American continent trails, they will use them for a couple equal opportunity to higher education. boast such natural beauty and such a of weeks, and then they think that we I commend them for their efforts and great amount of diversity. Yet, cutting put sensors on them, and sometimes we remind them that the struggle must across that landscape is one huge prob- do, the Border Patrol puts a sensor on continue. lem. there, so therefore what will happen is f The entire region is getting ham- they will move over a little bit. mered by wave after wave after wave of When you fly over this area, you look STRENGTHENING AMERICAN BOR- illegal border crossers, by horse, by down and it looks like cobwebs that DERS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMI- foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, all-ter- spread out from a particular area com- GRATION rain vehicles, cars, trucks, even ing across the border, but it is really The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. utralight gliders. They stream across just the number of people that have PORTER). Under the Speaker’s an- the border every day and every night. come across by foot, by horse, even, as nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the They dump tons of trash and human I say, bicycles sometimes, and often gentleman from Colorado (Mr. feces in places that are set aside for times by cars. Vehicles will be driving TANCREDO) is recognized for 60 minutes their scenic beauty. They blaze hun- along a highway that is adjacent to a as the designee of the majority leader. dreds of new roads and trails through national park or some sort of protected Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I come fragile desert soils. They ruin habitats site, we will say a national forest, and to the floor tonight to discuss the issue for endangered species and they start at some point in time they just decide of immigration and immigration re- forest fires that consume hundreds of this is it, and they will peel right off of form. It is a topic that I often take this thousands of acres of forest and brush. the highway and start right through floor in order to advance, and I have When I was visiting the Coronado Na- the forest. And so as you drive along over the last several weeks chosen to tional Forest not too long ago, I left that road, it may be a blacktop road, separate the topic up into various com- there on a Sunday morning and a fire as you drive along you can see on both ponent parts. And we talked about im- started by an illegal alien campsite had sides where people have simply driven migration reform and how much it was been left unattended after starting a off the road into the desert and, of needed because of the dangerous situa- warming fire in the evening, and then course, are trying to take people into tions that exist on our borders. That they walk on, and they leave the fire this country and drugs into this coun- was the first week. often times burning, it caught the rest try illegally, and they have caused We talked about, the next week, I of the brush on fire, and before I got enormous damage to that environment. tried to address the issue of immigra- back to Denver on the plane, before I They leave cars. Again, once they tion and open borders and what that got back to Denver, it had consumed abandon the vehicle, once they take meant to the importation of drugs into 35,000 acres in the Coronado National the drugs that they were carrying in or the country and the impact that that is Forest. We did not hear much about the people that they are carrying in having on our land. that. Even if we did, we probably only and move them to a driven form of Today I am going to talk about an- heard about the fire, but no one wanted transportation, they usually abandon other aspect of this subject that is sel- to talk about how it started because the vehicle. So if you fly over this area dom discussed. It is one that a lot of this is a delicate subject. This is be- you will see literally hundreds and people do not want to really focus on cause people get very antsy, even here hundreds of abandoned vehicles in the because they are not sure how to deal in this body, when we start talking desert rotting away. They leave with it. I think specifically of the peo- about immigration and the impact of clothes. They leave trash, water bot- ple in, say, the Sierra Club, Friends of illegal immigration especially on the tles like this in areas sometimes that the Earth, and a variety of other envi- Nation. encompass 50 or 60 acres and are knee- ronmental organizations that are out The reason why I have divided this deep in trash. These are called pick-up there and that focus in on matters that subject up into various component sites. These sites are areas where peo- harm the environment; and they have parts is because it is an enormous sub- ple will come to on foot. They will constantly come to us, come to this ject. It has enormous, massive implica- come across the border on foot into the body in the form of lobbying activity tions, immigration, that is, for our Na- United States, and then they have been to tell us that we have to do more to tion. I have often said that it will de- told where they should gather. And it protect the land and the environment, termine not just what kind of a Nation is often on private land. It is often, the water, the air, because of what man we will be in the future, that is divided however, in the middle of a national is doing to it. And yet there is almost and balkanized, it will determine park or a national forest area. They a deafening silence, if you will, from whether or not we will be a Nation at gather and they wait to be picked up to the same people, the same organiza- all. And there are, as I say, implica- be taken into the interior of the United tions, when it comes to the degrada- tions of massive immigration into this States. tion of the land that is as a result of country which are absolutely incred- Sometimes these groups will be as the massive numbers of people coming ible and need to be talked about, need large as several hundred. And over the across our borders illegally, the mil- to be debated, even if it makes people course of about a month, many thou- lions of people that are crossing these uncomfortable. And certainly this is sands will have gathered in one place, borders. one part of it. This is just one part. waiting for their transportation into There is a great quote from a gen- That is the environment. the United States. And they are told by tleman who is the program manager of Mr. Speaker, I have been down to the the people who bring them here, and something called the National Parks border several times. I have been both often times we refer to these people as Conservation Association. His name is to the northern and southern borders of ‘‘coyotes,’’ these are people paid by Randall Rasmussen. Mr. Rasmussen the country. And the sites that I see Mexican immigrants, primarily Mexi- said, ‘‘Organ Pipe National Monument are sites I wish many of my colleagues cans, but certainly not entirely by is becoming Organ Pipe National Ca- here on the floor would also see. Sites Mexicans, paid by the immigrant com- tastrophe.’’ I call it the Organ Pipe like this on Department of Interior ing into the country, the illegal, some- Cactus National Dump. wildland where new trails, abandoned times $1,500, sometimes if the case is I have been down there several times vehicles, trash, and human waste are more difficult it gets more expensive, in Arizona. Of course, that part of the strewn. These are trails that you see where in fact we have cases today country is beautiful. Arizona has a 372- all over that particular part of coun- where we are looking very carefully at mile border with Mexico and it ranges try. Trails like this. When you look on people coming into the country from from very sandy deserts and lava flows a trail map, by the way, there is no places like Iraq and Iran and all over in the West, where you get about 3 or trail there on the map, because these the Middle East. These folks have to 4 inches of rainfall in a wet year, to are not official trails. These are all pay upwards of $30,000 to have to be oak-dotted grasslands and mountain- made by people walking through by the smuggled into the United States. So it top forests in the East, where snowfall hundreds, by the thousands; in fact, by has become a very big business.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.126 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2919 Once they get them into these pick- sphere reserve El Pinacate and Arizo- This particular site, this is a meth up sites they tell them you have to dis- na’s adjoining Organ Pipe Cactus Na- lab that is being cleaned up in a na- card everything you have got, every- tional Monument. tional park. People have to come in thing you have been carrying, all the Last year, officials caught 200,000 mi- there with hazmat suits. It is a very, water bottles, all the trash, the food, grants coming through Organ Pipe. Re- very dangerous area; and for every the clothes, discard everything because member, we get one in five. That is a pound of methamphetamine, there are we have to pack you into, well, they do conservative estimate. I think it is 6 or 7 pounds of this material that is not tell them why, they just tell them closer to one in 10 we actually will try left, and it is a very dangerous sub- that they have to discard everything. to interdict; 200,000 were caught in stance. It has to be treated like this, as Then they pack them so tight into the Organ Pipe last year; 700,000 pounds of I say, hazmat suits and very, very care- backs of cars and trucks and trailers drugs were confiscated in Organ Pipe fully. and vans that many suffocate on the last year. The drug smugglers will use natural way up. But what they do, of course, is The drug runners use every imag- caverns and/or tunnels, caves to de- to make room for more people. That is inable form of transportation: cars, posit this stuff. So we have got kids, why they tell them everything has to trucks, ATVs. When they are chased, we have got hikers, bikers, we have got be abandoned here. they throw these spikes out behind people coming in walking through the When you walk through these pick- them, so that the border patrol, who- national parks, legitimately walking up sites you will see literally tons and ever may be chasing them, have their through, legitimately trying to enjoy tons and tons of trash. You will be own tires blown out. This is something, the scenery and will go down into these overcome sometimes by the smell be- of course, that our border police and caverns and into these various caves cause, of course, this is also a place law enforcement agencies use them- and come in contact with this material where people deposit their own human selves, the spikes to stop people who and become quite ill. waste. And so the feces by thousands of are chasing. In this case, the tres- The fact is that the animal life in people in this area, this is certainly passers, the people carrying either in- most of our national parks have been not a pleasant topic, I assure you, but dividuals or drugs, throw out these damaged by so many people coming it also is not just unpleasant from an spikes to stop the people from chasing through. This is a pristine environment olfactory sense, it does not just smell them. with a lot of people coming across the Again, cars that are abandoned all bad; when it does get a little bit of rain deserts. We find that some of the mi- over the forest, these kinds of roads into this area, that is washed into gration patterns for some of these ani- that have been cut into the forest. Ruts some of the water supplies. We have mals are disrupted. They are kept of- that have been created by so many cars had ranches down there where farm tentimes away from water because that coming across this area; this will not animals and ranch animals have is where these pick-up sites are. So stopped drinking in the wells. They go away for hundreds of years. They cut down some of the cactus some, like the Sonoran pronged horn, have essentially been ruined by this which is an endangered species, is be- kind of activity. It does seep, of course, that actually grows in this area, I mean, actually Organ Pipe Cactus Na- coming even more endangered as a re- into the ground, then, after it has been sult of this kind of activity in their en- washed down into this arroyos. This is tional Monument, that is why they call it that, that is why the park is there vironment. Take this cactus. As I said not the kind of area, this is not the earlier, these are unique in the world, kind of land where that kind of waste because it does not grow anywhere else. This is a unique form of cactus. this kind of cactus, organ pipes. We can can be disposed of easily. see here the graffiti that they have The rest of this stays in place. The They are cut down and saguaro cactus are cut down and laid across the roads carved into it. Border Patrol is not going to pick it This goes on and on, and yet nothing up. The ranchers try to pick it up be- as obstacles so people when they will be driving along the road they stop, is really said about this. Nothing is cause it becomes very dangerous, but done about this part of it. It is fas- they can spend their entire day, week, their cars are carjacked. They are taken and used to transport drugs and/ cinating to me, we actually send bil- month, year, picking up trash on their lions of dollars around the world to land. Their cattle eat this trash, espe- or illegals and then abandoned all over the area. Third World countries, Mr. Speaker. cially that black plastic that most of We hear the discussion on the floor of us have seen and we certainly use our- Meth labs, this is another interesting one. This is mostly on the northern the House. I hear it in the Committee selves. It is strewn all over the desert on Resources. and the cattle will eat that and die. We border, but not exclusive to the north- ern border. We spend billions of taxpayers dollars have had thousands of head of cattle in Third World countries because we here that eat this trash and that die as In Canada, there is a group in Cal- gary, about 25,000 actually; about 25,000 say in these countries we have to do a result of it. These are just, as I say, something to help them create an eco- some of the environmental problems Muslims reside in the Calgary, Canada area. Strange as that may sound to nomic environment where they will that you have when you have got lit- stop degrading their own environment, erally hundreds of thousands, in fact, some, that is the case. There are really several hundred thousand Muslims in where they will stop destroying the millions of people coming across this forests, where they will stop cutting land. Canada. They have been immigrating down old-growth forests, where they We have had archeological areas, to Canada for the last several years. will stop polluting because they are areas of great archeological value de- This one group in Calgary, according to doing it because they are a Third World stroyed. In Pinacate, which is also a the folks I talked to that work security country, they are very poor; and so we national park, the Mexican soldiers de- for the national parks and the national have to come in there and try to help stroyed some of the archeological forests, are telling me that this group them. areas, including one with a 100,000- is the one that is primarily responsible We go to Africa. We spend billions of year-old drawing on the wall. This was for the importation into the United dollars in Africa and in Latin America according to the Pinacate Park Direc- States of millions and millions and trying to get them to change their tor, Carlos Castillo. millions of tabs that are the compo- economy, trying to do something to In addition, the Mexican Army has nent parts for methamphetamine. They get them to stop doing what they are dug deep trenches to destroy 19 clan- are shipped from Calgary into the doing to their land, and we do this with destine airstrips which mar hundreds United States. They are cooked at great relish, and we do it in this way of acres of volcanic desert that took 4 these meth labs that are out there in that makes us think and feel good that million years to form. the national parks and then the pro- ceeds from the sale of these meth- we have taken care of our land. We b 1900 amphetamine go back up to the organi- know how to deal with our problems. These soldiers’ markings could last zation in Canada, the Muslim group in We know how to deal with the environ- for another 100 years. Canada; and they use that money to ment in the United States. We have Few parks really have taken a great- support the terrorist activities all over passed law after law after law. We have er toll than the U.N.-designated bio- the world. slapped people into chains and sent

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.128 H08PT1 H2920 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 them off to jail. We have fined compa- The crossers, the horses and their vehi- Just considering the environmental nies billions of dollars. We will pick a cles, have also gone right through that damage alone, we can wonder why person up in certain States and arrest same plot. those dedicated to the protection of the them for littering. I mean, we have got The tiny cacti ‘‘don’t have any legs. land and its resources have never inter- signs along the highway that says no They can’t get up and move,’’ Coronado vened forcefully in any way. For exam- littering. We do a lot of stuff in the national forest spokesman Gail ple, the County of Santa Barbara, Cali- United States, but we completely ig- Aschenbrenner said. At Leslie Canyon fornia, where lawyers representing en- nore these particular phenomena in our Wildlife Refuge near Douglas, areas vironmental groups are ever ready to own country. thick with a particular kind of water go to court on behalf of possible dam- We have National Geographic spe- umbel, an endangered plant, had been age to oaks, endangered species, habi- cials, we see them all the time on tele- trampled to death by illegal immi- tat or wetlands, if they are disturbed in vision. They are documentaries talking grants waiting to be picked up, accord- any way by the action of California about how we need to do things in ing to a congressional study. The plant ranchers or farmers on their own prop- countries around the world to address has adapted to flood, draught and erty. If there are similar organizations the problem of the degradation of our water fluctuation, said refuge manager in Arizona, the vast environmental environment on a worldwide basis, but Bill Radke, but not adapted to people damage being done by hundreds of no one will talk about this. squashing it. thousands of illegal immigrants does No one will talk about the smugglers So much of this has been documented not seem to disturb them. that have left 95 percent of their gar- by the kind of information that even Evidently, political correctness de- bage and junk vehicles in our borders. the Congress has had at its disposal by mands that one first consider who is At Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Ref- hearings, by the CRS, the Congres- destroying the environment, not the uge, smugglers have made a 26-mile sional Research Service, and again, extent of the destruction itself or road into the Growler Valley that nothing, absolutely nothing, done. whether it should be stopped. With en- slices into protected wilderness. I saw Let us talk about fires for a moment. vironmental groups these days, social that road. I have been down to Cabeza Illegal border crossers are suspected of justice is in the form of immigrant Prieta. Along the refuges is famed Ca- causing eight major wild fires in south- rights; and it trumps concerns about mino del Diablo where crosses mark ern Arizona in 2002 sticking taxpayers overpopulation, damage to plants, land places where 19th century travelers with $5.1 million in fire fighting costs. and wildlife; and those are the quality paid for their ignorance of the area These eight fires that charred 68,000 of life issues in the United States. with their lives. acres are nearly 108 square miles near These priorities mirror those of the The dirt is now a dirt road. It fea- the border according to the Arizona Ford and associated major charitable tures big pits of nearly impassable Daily Star. Only the fires bigger than foundations from both the National moon dust. Smugglers just drive 100 acres were included in that anal- Council of La Raza and the Sierra Club around these areas, widening these pits ysis, but officials say border crossers where they give their financial sup- a quarter mile into the wilderness. It is cause many smaller blazes that were port. estimated to fix the dirt road up to $30 quickly controlled. Food containers, b 1915 million. That is if we can get down juice cans, water bottles from Mexico there to fix it, but they are probably were found at many of the fires’ start- Interestingly, the Sierra Club does not going to get appropriations for ing points. have one part of its organization, that purpose because why? Because The Ryan fire, a 38,000 acre fire that maybe 30 or 40 percent of their mem- that particular part of our environ- raced across grasslands toward Fort bership, that have decided to start sort ment, that particular problem was Huachuca in late April and early May. of a splinter group, I guess I would say, caused by illegal immigration, and we The Oversight fire burned 2,189 acres in in the Sierra Club. And they in fact do not want to talk about that so we the Huachuca Mountains. The Walker have actually done a pretty good job of are going to ignore it. Community fire burned 17,000 acres trying to bring to the attention of the As I mentioned earlier, there are cars west of Nogales in June. These were all rest of the members of the Sierra Club all over. Officials estimate smugglers started by illegal aliens. the problems that are endemic with drove 5,000 cars through protected wil- When we were down there, it was fas- our national grasslands, our national derness last year alone. Once that road cinating to talk to the people, the for- parks, and our national forests as a re- is there, it will be there for 60 to 70 est service. They will tell you, they sult of our completely and totally years, says Vergial Harper, the refuge’s now have changed the way that they abandoned borders. outdoor recreation planner. Seventeen actually try to fight the fires because This is from a report to the House of abandoned vehicles now sit in the it has gotten so dangerous to go in Representatives Committee on Appro- Growler Valley area. They probably there. There are so many people com- priations on impacts caused by undocu- have to be removed by helicopters to ing through those forests with guns mented aliens crossing Federal lands in minimize further damage to the soil protecting drug trafficking activities southeastern Arizona. It was a joint that serves as the skin of the desert, as that they do not go into the forests at project by the Immigration and Natu- they put it. night even to fight the fire. So the fires ralization Service, the Department of Do my colleagues know how much it are allowed to burn because we are the Interior and the Environmental costs to try and get one vehicle out of afraid to send people in there. We are Protection Agency. It was completed there by helicopter? It is a very expen- also afraid to dump the retardant on on April 29, 2002. It has only recently sive undertaking. There are thousands there because we are dumping it on a been released. It constitutes an exten- of vehicles all over the desert. lot of people who are out there. These sive and official documentation of the On a recent afternoon in Organ Pipe, are illegal aliens, but there are so harm that migrant smuggling has done discarded water bottles, backpacks, hot many in the forests that we cannot to the fragile ecosystems and natural sauce containers, and Spanish-lan- fight fires appropriately. resources in southeastern Arizona, and, guage comic books littered the ground The whole area is susceptible to this one might reasonably conclude, other around a sprawling ironwood tree esti- kind of thing, and yet again, where are frequently traveled areas along the mated to be 1,000 years old. the environmental groups? I hear from southern border. Another endangered species’ affected them. I am sure every Member of this Sometimes our environmentally growth in Tucson, the Pima pineapple body hears from people in the Sierra based arguments fall on deaf ears be- cactus, is also in the way of Club and everybody else that are de- cause environmental effects are indi- crossborder traffic. Just northeast of manding that we do more to protect rect or long term. I am reading from a Nogales, fences meant to protect a the environment. Where are the groups report that was issued by FAIR, an or- patch of these cacti from being demanding that we do something to ganization devoted to immigration re- knocked down and allowing cattle to stop illegal immigration and the deg- form. Here are some of the quotes from enter and possibly trample them, well, radation to the land that occurs as a the report to the House of Representa- anyway, the fence is being destroyed. result of this policy of open borders? tives Committee on Appropriations on

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.130 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2921 impacts caused by undocumented and it is about this phenomena. And it some animosity there. They break the aliens. Here are some of the quotes. is absolutely accurate. It is an inva- pipeline, they pollute the well, and Page 2: Undocumented aliens cross- sion, but we do not intend to address it. move on. ing Federal lands in southeast Arizona We are fearful of actually trying to Recreational, cultural, and adminis- not only cause damage to natural and stop it for fear that there will be a po- trative sites are repeatedly vandalized cultural resources, they impact Fed- litical backlash here; for fear that and damaged, 1,000-year-old carvings eral land visitors, public services, Fed- some of the business interests that sup- destroyed. eral employees working in the area, port our side of the aisle will say we Would that not have made the front and residents and businesses located on need the cheap labor; for fear some of page in most papers around the coun- Federal and reservation lands. the immigrant and lawyer groups that try if that had happened by a bunch of Impact visitors: Let me tell my col- support the other side of the aisle will vandals destroying some pristine area, leagues what happens. Here is mom and say, look, these are all going to be vot- some prehistoric site, for instance, like dad out there in their Winnebago, ers sometime and they comprise a big that? That certainly would have made camped out in any one of these dif- chunk of our voter base, so let us not the news somewhere. But you did not ferent types of campgrounds in our na- talk about illegal immigration. These see a word here. Why? Because it was tional parks, and all of a sudden, and are the reasons why we do not face the done by illegals. In one case it was this has happened, all of a sudden they issue of invasion. done by the Mexican Army coming look out the window of the camper and Going back to the report: Breaking across the border. Why were they in there, coming across the camping and entering and burglaries along the the United States? They were pro- ground, is a group being led by a guy border are common and include his- tecting a drug load; protecting drug with an M–16, a bunch of people car- toric and government structures, em- traffickers coming into the United rying 60-pound backpacks carrying ployees, and private residences and States. drugs, and a guy following them with businesses. Believe me, the Mexican Army, another M–16. And I am sure they Another quote: Federal law enforce- which is on the border to a large ex- thought to themselves, this is a na- ment officers assigned to land manage- tent, is not there to protect the border. tional park? This is a campground? Am ment agencies and tribal police often They are there essentially to provide I in the right place? face situations where they are at per- cover for illegal drug activity on that Well, yes, they are in the right place. sonal risk and must deal with over- border. They have been confronted, their vehi- whelming odds. Going back to the report: Tons of cles have been vandalized and stolen by In Arizona, on the reservation land trash and concentrations of human these people, and they have been that we refer to as the Tohono waste are left behind by undocumented threatened by folks smuggling drugs O’odham Indian Reservation, they have aliens. This impacts wildlife, vegeta- across that border and through our na- about 1,500 people a day coming in to tion, and water quality in the uplands, tional parks. Yet nobody really seems their land, 1,500 a day coming in to in washes and along the rivers and to care. that tribe’s lands, coming across it and streams. It also detracts from scenic Another quote: Certain Federal lands destroying the land and the life-style qualities and can affect human and ani- in southeast Arizona can no longer be of the people who live there. Go down mal health from the spread of bacteria used safely by the public. These are our and talk to the Tohono O’odham Indi- and disease. public lands. This is where we want to ans yourself. Talk to the people who We have not even gotten into the go when we want to take the kids out try their best to maintain some degree issue of disease tonight. We will talk hiking, camping, and fishing. Certainly of order on that reservation and they about that more at a later time. Federal lands in southeast Arizona can will tell you it is a madhouse. Life State, county, and local governments no longer be used safely by the public there is a nightmare for them. I have and private property owners experience or Federal employees due to the sig- seen little children, 5 years old, walk- most of the same problems caused by nificance of smuggling of undocu- ing around stoned. The drug smugglers undocumented aliens crossing their mented aliens and controlled sub- have turned several small villages lands as mentioned herein. Addition- stances into the United States. The there into their encampments essen- ally, there is a significant increased mere number of undocumented aliens tially, because they have been able to, workload on Federal and local court traveling in the border area intimi- both with drugs and money, entice peo- systems and increased costs to medical dates legitimate visitors and creates a ple into participating in this activity. providers caring for the sick and in- reluctance by some in the public to use Going back to the report: The char- jured. Health care providers especially the public lands. acter of congressionally designated are heavily impacted. Twenty-six per- I guarantee that is true. There are wilderness areas have been reduced by cent of all the people in Federal prisons people who are afraid to actually go the creation of unwanted trails and are illegal aliens, 26 percent in Federal into our own public lands. roads, damage to existing trails, and prisons. We do not know how much it is Another quote: Ranchers, farmers, large amounts of trash. Encounters in State and local prisons all over the miners, and other legitimate users of with large groups of undocumented Nation. Hospitals, especially their neo- Federal lands are heavily impacted fi- aliens reduces the quality of the wil- natal care units, are closing up all nancially by smuggling operations that derness experience for many visitors. over. Douglas Hospital is going cut fences, break down or leave gates I assure my colleagues that that is through bankruptcy. If it goes under, it open, damage water supplies, steal or true. When someone comes across a is going under because of the care they damage equipment, and disrupt grazing bunch of people carrying drugs in and provide to illegal immigrants, without and irrigation schedules. guns on their backs, it does have a of course reimbursement. If it goes Every week I come on the floor with tendency to, as they put it here, to de- under, there will not be a hospital a picture of another person we are in- crease the quality of the wilderness ex- around for 100 miles. ducting into the Homeland Heroes Hall perience. Back to the report: Literally hun- of Fame. These are primarily ranchers Gates are rammed, security locks are dreds, if not a thousand or more, of down along the Arizona border that are cut, signs are driven over and heavy new trails have been created on Fed- having their entire lives turned upside damage or destruction of water devel- eral lands in southeastern Arizona by down. Their ranches are being de- opments and other improvements by undocumented alien crossings. And stroyed, and their government does not undocumented aliens traveling through more and more trails are being created seem to care one iota. They are not the Federal lands and seeking drinking by the hundreds of thousands that coming to help them, but they are fac- water in remote locations occur regu- cross Federal lands in southeastern Ar- ing the brunt of the invasion. And it is larly. Some ranchers actually put out izona each year. This proliferation of just that. It is an invasion. That is the cups for these folks and say, look, do trails damages and destroys cactus and appropriate word. Michelle Malkin, au- not destroy the well, do not break the other sensitive vegetation, disrupts thor, uses that word to describe her pipeline, here is a cup, here is water. and prohibits revegetation, disturbs book. In fact, it is title of her book, But they have disregarded it. There is wildlife and their cover and travel

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.132 H08PT1 H2922 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 routes, causes soil compaction and ero- not have the right kind of pollution were. And they cut him down with an sion, impacts stream bank stability, control device and/or we have not come AK–47. We went to where he was killed, and oftentimes confuses legitimate up with the correct mix for gasoline to and Bob said the following: ‘‘If they do uses of trails on Federal lands. remove some of the pollutants. not get the crime situation under con- There are so many trails on lands b 1930 trol, they are not going to have any re- that people that are out there legiti- sources left to protect.’’ That was mately are looking for a way to get We cannot say that is why this pollu- quoted in Outside Magazine February around the land, and they take these tion is occurring in our national for- 2003. His son lies dead. The environ- trails that the drug users have created ests. We can say it is occurring because ment is being destroyed. Hundreds of and, of course, go off into never-never we do not have the will to stop it. We illegals are dead in the desert, all be- land. are destroying this land. It will be cause we do not have the guts in this The impacts of such fragmentation gone. Our children will never be able to body to take this issue on. are perhaps most severe to breeding enjoy it. Certainly their grandchildren Americans do, I assure Members of birds, many of which nest directly on will not be able to, and how will we ex- that. Poll after poll after poll will tell the ground in short shrubs and trees on plain this to them. us that Americans believe we have to or adjacent to the network of undocu- Will we say it was because we just do something to control our borders, mented alien routes. The continual dis- did not have the technology, but there something to reduce immigration to a turbance to nesting birds during day was an argument about whether or not manageable level. I have a bill that and night typically leads to direct nest it was really caused by man’s inter- would reduce immigration, annual failure or abandonment of breeding ference or whether it is natural. No, legal immigration into the United birds. That leads to increased preda- that is not an argument that we can States to 300,000 a year. That is far tion on active nests and keeps birds use in this situation. We know what more than came into the United States from maintaining egg temperatures has created this. It is millions and mil- during the heyday of immigration of and adequately feeding any young that lions and millions of feet across this the early 1900s. I am accused of trying do hatch. land every year. It is hundreds of thou- to build a Berlin Wall. Again, let me suggest that if this sands of vehicles coming across this And how can we create a bill for were happening anywhere else in the land every year. And for what purpose? guest workers to come into this coun- world, especially anywhere else in our To enter this country, to do so ille- try legally, how can we say we have country, there would be an outcry on gally, to bring human beings or drugs some sort of legal immigration number this floor. There would be an outcry into the Nation. That is the purpose. by say 300,000 or 3 million, how can we heard by every news outlet in the Na- Because we find that so sensitive, so off say that if the borders are porous? It tion. They would interrupt the report the charts when we are talking about does not matter how many the govern- about the war to talk about the fact issues, we refuse to deal with it. It is ment says we will allow in or how that some bird has been removed from amazing. We cannot get an argument many workers we will take in as a tem- its nest, or its nesting area has been about what the cause is. Not a single porary basis. As long as the borders are destroyed by some sort of action taken soul will stand up and argue about the porous, they will come at their will, by man. In this case, however, because cause here for this pollution. We know not according to what our needs are. it is an illegal immigrant, we will not exactly what creates it; but we cat- And they will pollute. hear a word about it. egorically refuse to deal with it be- The only way to defend this Nation There are high concentrations of cause the subject is difficult to deal against the danger that exists as a re- human fecal material in heavily used with because it is not politically cor- sult of terrorist activity, the only way undocumented alien pickup points in rect to talk about it as a result of to defend this Nation in terms of the and adjacent to washes, rivers, and human traffic, illegal traffic into this drugs that are imported across this streams and in other heavily traveled country. border every single day, the only way routes. This also impacts wildlife, There are huge, huge economic bene- to defend the environment in this Na- vegetation, and water quality in the fits that accrue to certain groups, to tion is to put the military on the bor- uplands, in washes, and along rivers certain businesses, to certain individ- der to augment our border patrol and and streams. The human waste pre- uals to have lots and lots of cheap our Forest Service personnel and stop sents a health risk to all people. labor. There are political advantages this degradation of the land and stop Now, this is in a report that is pro- that accrue to others to have lots and the invasion. That is the only solution vided to this body and to the United lots of immigration into the country. to the problem. The only one. Nothing States of America, to the people in this These two things, the political advan- else will work. Nation. We provide this particular in- tage, the economic benefit of cheap We must use the military to defend formation. And what happens as a re- labor and illegal immigration, stop our borders against the invasion until sult of it? I wonder if any of my col- this from being addressed. It is a shame the Department of Homeland Security leagues have ever read it. I wonder if at least. It needs to be addressed. It can effectively control this problem. any of the news media that so quickly needs at least to be debated. Until then, the invasion goes on. Our uses this kind of thing to pick up on Maybe I am wrong, maybe I am 100 homes are threatened, our lives are when they say a report delivered today percent wrong about what is hap- threatened, our environment is being to Congress talks about environmental pening. Maybe this report is just fab- destroyed. Let us not shy away from damage, talks about global warming, ricated, just a bunch of lies that some- that on the House floor. It is our duty, talks about how the world is changing body wrote down because they have it it is our sworn duty to take on these as a result of man’s interference with in for immigrants. Go there yourself if kinds of issues, and I urge Members to nature. Usually, that just gets snapped you think I am exaggerating this prob- do just that. lem. I encourage Members to go there up like that if there is one sentence in f any Federal report, scientifically sup- themselves and observe it, observe the ported, that draws attention to some Organ Pipe National dump and see CONCENTRATED ASSAULT ON problem with the environment, espe- whether Mr. Eggle, Mr. Robert Eggle ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS cially some problem that we can at- whose son was killed at Organ Pipe a The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tribute to mankind. Well, we certainly year ago August, his son was killed PORTER). Under the Speaker’s an- cannot attribute this to anything else. there by two people who had come nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the There is no way to say that what I through after killing four other people gentleman from Oregon (Mr. have talked about here tonight is not a in Mexico, part of a drug deal. They BLUMENAUER) is recognized for 60 min- problem created by human beings. came into the United States and they utes as the designee of the minority What we can say, however, is that this came up against Kris Eggle. He was a leader. problem is not being solved. It is not park ranger, and he was not trained Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I being solved because there is not some and he did not have the equipment to come to the floor this evening while technical solution, or maybe we just do deal with terrorists. That is who they there is a battle raging in Iraq, one

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.133 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2923 that is well known to the American put off our energy problems into the b 1945 public, and I want to spend a few min- future for the next generation or It would not allow the country to re- utes this evening dealing with another maybe even the generation that follows cede from Mideast policies. It will have battle that is taking place, a battle them to deal with. There is a refusal to no impact on current gas prices or any that is raging in this country that has deal with global climate change. shortage that is caused by the war in potential risks that are every bit as In committee, I am sorry that the Iraq, and it will take 7 to 10 years even great as that of international terror for Republicans rejected both the bipar- to get the first drop of oil from the ref- the safety, health, and well-being of tisan language that had been passed uge.’’ our citizens and, indeed, the citizens of unanimously in the Senate as well as And I could not agree with my home- the planet. even the President’s woefully inad- town newspaper more. The irony is I am talking about a concentrated equate voluntary climate change ini- that having visited the wildlife refuge, assault on environmental protections tiative. We will not find these in the Mr. Speaker, having looked at that in this country. I am deeply troubled energy bill. fragile Arctic environment and weigh- by the gap between what we have seen ing the costs and consequences, it is growing in terms of the political proc- We will find that the critical area of clear to me that this ought to be the ess with some of my Republican Mem- transportation, which consumes 70 per- last place in America that we drill for bers and people in the administration cent of the United States oil consump- oil, not the first. And I note that the in terms of what environmental protec- tion, indeed just to provide fuel for our American public in survey after survey tion means, where we are, and where automobiles, takes for the United has sided unequivocally with the pro- we should go. States just our cars, and we represent Now, I come from the perspective as less than 5 percent of the world’s popu- tection of the wildlife refuge. somebody who was part of an Oregon lation, that consumes 10 percent of the It is important, Mr. Speaker, that we tradition of politics that was decidedly world’s oil production. But amazingly, spend a little time focusing on that en- nonpartisan or, in fact, aggressively bi- the bill that is coming before us does ergy bill, because I am afraid as it partisan when it came to environ- not act on efficiency standards. Indeed, comes rushing to the floor it is un- mental protection. My first assignment they are giving additional tax breaks, likely that we are going to have ade- as a college student from a government and it seems that my Republican quate time and energy to devote to it. official was from the legendary Repub- friends in committee have yet to find a But I would reference one other in lican Governor of Oregon, Tom McCall, problem in this country that is so these times of very difficult problems who appointed me to his Livable Or- great that it cannot be solved by an- that are radiating out from our mili- egon committee. Throughout the years other tax break, tax deduction, or tax tary action in Iraq. When people are that I worked in Oregon politics on the benefit. looking at the tremendous stresses on State and local level, I was pleased to But these tax breaks do not go to the our military, they are thinking about work hand in glove with a wide variety 99 percent of the American public that ways that we ought to protect the abil- of people who put environmental pro- arguably if we can afford tax reduc- ity of our military to be able to main- tection first, and partisanship and spe- tions, and this will be the first time in tain its position as the mightiest fight- cial interests came later. war that we are proposing not sacrifice ing force in the world. We are seeing On the floor this evening, I must, I but tax deductions for those that need that there has been under the guise of guess, acknowledge my dismay about it the least, these tax breaks and roy- military exigency an attempt by the the growing gap between the parties alty relief are to the interest of oil, administration to exempt the Depart- when it comes to environmental pro- gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Indeed, ment of Defense from protection of the tection. I think this was crystallized some of the provisions incredibly at environment, using the rhetoric of de- for me when I received a copy of a this time would take away the pay- fense to cover up environmentally de- widely circulated memorandum from ments that are due to the American structive actions, to exempt the De- the famous Republican pollster and po- public, royalties for energy sources partment of Defense from some of the litical consultant, Frank Luntz, that that are extracted from public lands at most environmental protections. These was distributed to Republicans in Con- a time of skyrocketing energy prices. exemptions seek to address theoretical gress earlier this year. It was iron- Well, the proposal there is to reduce encroachments to military readiness. ically entitled ‘‘Straight Talk.’’ the royalties that would otherwise be There is no evidence, no sound science, Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I do not think paid to the American taxpayers. showing that our environmental laws this memorandum has been given have hampered our troops’ ability to enough attention, and I hope to do a When we speak of the environment, prepare for war. Instead, these laws ac- little bit of that this evening because I one of the strategies that is being sug- tually protect the health of families think it is very important to under- gested by Mr. Luntz is to hug a tree, to living on or near military bases and ac- stand the differences between the two support open space and parks. Well, by tually support readiness by sustaining parties as they relate to environmental reducing the money that otherwise and extending the life of training protection; and this memorandum is would go to the Federal Treasury to ranges. revealing strategy where some of my provide support for our public prior- I would hope, Mr. Speaker, at a time Republican friends, people in the ad- ities, one of the most important when the Members of Congress are ministration and Congress, are advised sources of the revenue that comes from spending more time thinking about the do not use your ingenuity to develop the royalties would go to the Land and condition of our military and how to more environmental protection, do not Water Conservation Fund, which has maintain its effectiveness, that instead use your creativity and political mus- been eviscerated under the President’s of attempting to eliminate these fun- cle to put the money behind enforcing budget. damental environmental protections our environmental laws to try to ex- Also in this legislation, there are that put our soldiers, their families, tend the boundaries. Instead, the ap- proposals to again open the pristine and surrounding communities at risk, proach of this memorandum is to put lands in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, a we would think about being aggressive the time and the energy into how you land that was set aside for all time by in terms of protecting the environment describe what you are doing, try and Republican pro-business President so that we actually coax more out of feather the impact, try and obscure the Teddy Roosevelt. Instead, it is pro- these resources. real record. I think there is no place it posed that we open up this area even I will be speaking more about that, is going to be more telling for the though, and here I will show a little bit Mr. Speaker, in the course of this hour. American public this week than to of hometown favoritism, I quote from But I wanted, if I could, to take a mo- look at the energy bill that is on its the Portland Oregonian from earlier ment to acknowledge that I have been way to the floor. this month which I think says it as joined by the gentlewoman from south- There we see instance after instance well as anybody: ‘‘The oil beneath the ern California (Ms. SOLIS), a woman I where the bill that has been passed by refuge would not lead America to en- have known during her tenure in Con- the Republican majority is going to ergy independence. gress to care passionately about the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.135 H08PT1 H2924 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 environment, to work with her commu- claim that the bill is a fair balance be- 2002, falling from $29.6 billion to $28 bil- nity at home dealing with issues of en- tween the environment and the econ- lion. vironmental integrity and environ- omy, but the bill encourages our con- Projects on the chopping block, for mental justice, working to try to make tinued dependence on fossil fuels; drill- example, are dealing with environ- sure that the big picture is made. And, ing in the Arctic, the National Wildlife mental education like lead-poisoning Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague to Refuge, and other ecologically sen- prevention, a serious concern in our speak to these issues with me this sitive areas; and it fails to create a district where many young children are evening. comprehensive plan for renewable al- affected by this particular additive Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ternatives. My goodness. that is very harmful to the develop- gentleman from Oregon (Mr. And last year, as my colleagues ment and puts many children, millions BLUMENAUER) for the opportunity to be know, California faced blackouts and of children younger than 6 years of age, here tonight to join him in helping the price gouging. My constituents faced at risk for intelligence, behavior, and public better understand the decoding energy bills that rose upwards of 300 of the environmental rhetoric that we percent in a short 4-year span. physical disparities that they will be keep hearing from the other side. And This bill that is being proposed will affected by if they are exposed to lead. for some time we suspected that the provide very little relief for the con- And we all know that but we are not Republicans were speaking from the stituents that I represent, and I do not doing enough to help address this. We same talking points as we have on en- think it is a fair and balanced ap- are actually cutting back in that area. vironmental policy issues. Now we proach, and I believe that the Repub- And I say that it is time to do a bet- have confirmation. The Republicans licans claim that they are supporting ter job. It is time to look at why water have been trained to use so-called development and advancement of tech- quality investments are also falling straight talk; false language, distract nology. At least that is what they are short. For example, in this budget, $2.7 people with personal stories, and representing. Yet the bill is loaded, billion in FY 2002 to only $1.8 billion in muddy the issues with claims that the loaded, with subsidies to the oil and 2004, a loss of $861 million, or more environment and the economy cannot gas industry, subsidies that do not nec- than a 32 percent cut. What in the coexist without measures that will essarily require research and develop- world are the Republicans really say- cause dirtier water, fewer parks and ment, subsidies that reward pollution ing? We want to protect the environ- polluted air. instead of innovation and technology ment, we want to protect families and In a memo that I saw recently cir- and efficiency. These industries that consumers, but at the same time they culated by the Luntz Research Compa- the Republicans are subsidizing often keep chopping, chopping, chopping. nies, Republicans are told that the en- put their plants in the center of dis- So that is what the message, I think, vironment is one of the most impor- tricts like mine, in low-income, eco- tonight has to be, Mr. Speaker; that we tant issues that they are in fact very nomically underprivileged commu- clarify what our agenda is and whom vulnerable on, and we know that. Some nities. And I know that, because they we are standing up for. And I am very of us here in the House know that, and believe that our community is not pay- out there in our communities, and in ing attention and that they can get proud to represent the district that I order to combat this vulnerability, the away with planning and siting projects come from, the San Gabriel Valley, Luntz memo, to use buzz words in their that are harmful to our water, to our where now people are having hardships. arguments, words like, for example, air, to the environment, and to the We have unemployment rates upwards ‘‘safer,’’ ‘‘cleaner,’’ and ‘‘healthier.’’ people that we represent. of 11 percent, and this has gone on for They are told to avoid the economic ar- This is the case in the San Gabriel more than 2 years. guments first so that personal stories Valley, and I say that because many of People want clean drinking water. can be shared. The Luntz memo notes these folks come into our district They do not want to be notified in the that Republicans should stay away promising jobs, redevelopment, clean- mail that their drinking wells have to from big words and provide examples ing up the blight, giving jobs to poor be closed because they found rocket about how Federal agencies are not people, and then they leave us with a fuel in their water. We need to have protecting our natural resources. And blank check, nothing there, no jobs, more tools to do the cleanup. We need we can see this rhetoric being used pollution, and, in my district, four to go after the responsible parties, and every day in policies that the GOP is Superfund sites and little enforcement we cannot afford to let people off the offering. by EPA at this point to really do a bet- hook who are the polluters. That is In fact, I brought a copy of the memo ter job of cleaning up the environment. what the Superfund law was all about, that was outlined. It was circulated by So I have a lot of questions about the and that is what we should be here to the Luntz Research Group, and if I message that the other side is using to enforce tonight and every single day start reading from it, my colleagues say that they are now on the side of that we are here fighting for our com- would be amazed by what they would the consumer and the population about munities. cleaning up the environment. see. I would just say, lastly, that it is a And if I could maybe share of some of One last item I would like to talk privilege to be here as a Member of the that, on page 132, Overview: The envi- about also is on the budget. Another House advocating for environmental ronment is probably the single issue on example of effective messaging and lax issues, in particular environmental jus- which Republicans in general and policy is the Bush budget. The Presi- tice activities that affect not just my President Bush in particular are most dent and his supporters claim that the area but many corners of our country. vulnerable. budget will create a ‘‘safer’’ and Secondly, indeed it can be helpful to ‘‘cleaner’’ and ‘‘healthier’’ Nation. And people need to better understand think of the environment and other However, the budget uses creative ac- that environmental justice issues are issues in terms of a story, a compelling counting to raid the Land and Water issues of better health care, better edu- story, even if factually inaccurate, and Conservation Fund, a fund that has im- cation, and an opportunity to begin to I underscore that, factually inaccurate, pacted hundreds of communities as clean up their communities and en- can be more emotionally compelling they try to protect their natural re- hance economic development in a posi- than a dry recitation of the truth. So sources through restoration and clean- tive way so that everybody can grow here we are talking about falsehoods. up projects, projects that are directly and prosper, and children, whether Let me go on, Mr. Speaker. This linked to the health of our families, be- they are rich or poor, can live in a week we are going to be debating the cause we are talking about the very clean environment. energy bill, and this is a good example water that they drink. I thank the gentleman from Oregon of how using rhetoric can be made pub- And President Bush claims that he (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for the opportunity licly available to folks, but it is a bad ‘‘preserves and protects’’ the environ- to speak tonight on this very impor- policy for people and consumers and es- ment; however, his budget request for tant message regarding the truth about pecially those that I represent in the the environment is slated for a $1.6 bil- the environment and who is sticking State of California. The Republicans lion reduction compared to fiscal year up for environmental justice.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.136 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2925 Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I The gentleman from Oregon (Mr. open to oil production, and just a little thank the gentlewoman from Cali- BLUMENAUER) has also been a key envi- part of it we are trying to preserve as fornia (Ms. SOLIS). I appreciate her ze- ronmental leader on many, many a wildlife refuge. roing in on the notion of how to inter- issues here in the Congress, including It has been a wildlife refuge, it was pret, read between the lines. We have energy, which we are talking about to- put in many years ago under a Repub- joked a little bit about having a de- night. The gentleman has pushed for lican President, and we do not see that coder ring so that people can under- livable communities. The gentleman bipartisanship today on the environ- stand what is being offered, and her has tried to make sure that the Federal ment, by the way. So I think the gen- points about the disconnect between Government does everything it can to tleman’s remarks are right on point the budget, which really is a tangible be a good partner in communities. when it comes to the Arctic National expression of priorities; that is, a budg- One of the things we see is the Fed- Wildlife Refuge. et submission that is antienviron- eral Government owns a lot of the I also would like to say a few words mental and has actually been made landscape; and because of one of the about the energy bill that we are going worse by the Republican budget resolu- gentleman’s pieces of legislation, we to start debating this week, the Energy tion; the simple notion accepted by the are trying to make sure that the Fed- Policy Act of 2003. During the last Con- American public to aid environmental eral Government in fact is a good gress, the House spent countless hours cleanup by having the polluter pay neighbor, and when they locate build- debating a similar bill. that has been suspended, and aban- ings or relocate buildings, that they Unfortunately, one of the major pro- doning the Superfund, making it very visit with the locals in addition to visions in the last energy bill on which Members could not agree was renew- difficult to be able to continue the no- going through the normal planning able energy. As my colleague, the gen- tion of environmental justice where we processes. tleman from Oregon, has said earlier, have put such a burden on people who The gentleman has been to my com- the Republicans are putting off dealing often have no alternatives, who are un- munity. I know many of the people with our Nation’s energy dependence aware of what is happening, and how very much appreciate the gentleman’s problem and leaving it to legislators of the administration is suggesting that efforts in terms of transportation and a future generation. Their theme seems we not initiate new activities but, in trying to make sure that we develop to be, ‘‘Why do today what we can fact, we pull back from what we are sensible transportation alternatives in leave for the next generation to deal doing now that is, in fact, inadequate. our communities: allow people to bike to work, have mass transit, have alter- with in the future?’’ I appreciate her forthright expression Last month I introduced legislation natives that make sense from the per- of that. that establishes a Federal renewable spective of energy, which is one of our I think it is important that we work energy portfolio and establishes stand- big topics tonight. together to have that decoder ring to ards in that area for certain retail elec- I know that the gentleman men- understand. I hope that we are able to tric utilities. There are some who say tioned earlier the Arctic National deal with the advice that Mr. Luntz that a long-term sustainable energy Wildlife Refuge. Rather than go di- has given to the Republicans. I think it plan is impossible, or that renewable rectly into my comments, I wanted to is important that he points out that energy and energy efficiency are just say a few things about what the gen- scientific consensus is against them, dreams and that the U.S. will never be tleman was talking about, because the that the public is suspicious, but we able to break its reliance on tradi- gentleman said he has been there. hope that instead of trying to deal with tional energy sources, like oil and coal. semantics, rhetorical cover-up, that we I have also been there. I just wanted I disagree, and I know the gentleman can encourage people to go back to to talk a little bit about how that is a from Oregon disagrees; and now, in the what we started with in terms of the very special place, and I think anybody post-September 11 world, as we are in Clean Water Act, which was actually that is going to vote in this body on the midst of a war with Iraq, the re- from the Nixon Administration, to this issue ought to take the oppor- newed conflict in the Middle East have an opportunity where people are tunity to try to go up and visit it. shows us that we cannot continue to embracing environmental values. When I say go up and visit it, I do not rely on imported oil from that region. mean go to Kaktovik, the little village b 2000 When my father, Stewart Udall, was up on the very upper end, which is a Secretary of the Interior, and this We have been joined this evening by community that has a lot of problems shows the dramatic change in our soci- the distinguished gentleman from New but does not represent at all the envi- ety, what happened in the last genera- Mexico (Mr. UDALL). I have been ronment in the Arctic National Wild- tion, the U.S. imported when he was pleased to work with the gentleman on life Refuge. Secretary of the Interior in the 60s 20 the floor of this House. I have been What I did was I spent a week in this percent of its oil. My father argued very impressed in my visits to his dis- whole area, floating on a river by the that we should not import more than 20 trict, as the gentleman reflects the name of the Hula Hula River, named percent because this was a national se- strong environmental values of the after the whalers that came in the area curity issue if we were relying too people of New Mexico, and we are hon- hunting down whales, Hawaiian much on one area of the world. ored the gentleman will join us this whalers; and they called the river the Our people may not know it, but evening to join in this discussion. Hula Hula. In the course of floating out today we import 53 percent of our oil, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. of this river, it floats out of the Brooks 47 percent which comes from the OPEC Speaker, I thank the gentleman very Range. It is probably one of the clear- countries; and by 2020, the United much and thank the gentleman from est, most pristine streams you have States will import 62 percent of its oil Oregon for that very kind introduction. ever seen. We took the opportunity to unless we change the way we are doing Let me also say about our colleague, stop and fish in the Hula Hula River for business here in the United States. the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Arctic char. We saw a variety of wild- Even more concerning, world oil pro- SOLIS), who has been a real champion life. We saw grizzly bears, musk oxen, duction is expected to peak sometime on environmental issues in California, herds of caribou. in the next few decades, even some say she served in the California legislature Coming back from that trip, and as early as 2007. That means as energy and I think has been at one point writ- after experiencing that and camping in demand increases more and more rap- ten up as a Profile in Courage on envi- this area, I cannot think of any area idly, the world’s oil supply will be pro- ronmental issues because she took on that is more deserving of being a wil- portionately diminished. an environmental racism issue in her derness area than the Arctic National Energy production has brought tre- community and fought it for a number Wildlife Refuge. mendous prosperity and allowed us to of years and passed a significant piece The argument is that we need to raid grow our economy at unprecedented of environmental legislation. So what the oil that is there. In fact, what the rates. However, nonrenewable forms of the gentlewoman says about these situation is on the whole coastal area energy are responsible for many of the issues, I think she has lived and walked in Alaska is that 97 percent, 97 percent greatest environmental threats to the walk. of that coast is open to exploration, is America’s well-being.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.138 H08PT1 H2926 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 For these reasons, I am particularly I appreciate the gentleman focusing I hope that we will have an oppor- interested in a renewable portfolio on the opportunity to truly make us tunity to offer a new approach to en- standard. I believe that an RPS paves energy independent, dealing with re- ergy in this year’s debate that is akin the road for development and invest- newable energy sources, particularly to a new Apollo energy project for ment in clean energy technologies and the nontraditional: the fuel cells, wind, America that will be as bold as the local economic development. RPS, in geothermal. As we look at how these Apollo project that John F. Kennedy my mind, clearly serves as a model for will be treated in the energy bill that stood in this Chamber in 1961 and chal- tomorrow’s small and medium busi- will find its way to the floor, we will lenged America to go to the Moon in 10 nesses to draw a profit from their own find that there is but a tiny fraction of years. We think the U.S. Congress environmental responsibility. the attention, the resources, to be able ought to be challenging America to go As a Nation of what I call to accelerate those developments. to a future of self-reliance in energy to ‘‘petroholics,’’ we claim only 2 percent Again, it is a disconnect between the break our addiction on Middle Eastern of our electricity is generated by non- ‘‘green’’ rhetoric that is being couched oil, to adopt and embrace a goal of re- traditional sources of power, such as by the Republican pollsters and pun- ducing our global warming gas emis- wind, solar and geothermal energy. In- dits and what could have been actual sions and, in fact, grow jobs in Amer- stead of pushing for the exploration of accomplishment. ica. oil development and contributing to The bill will fall terribly short, as That is what we need, a visionary, this country’s addiction to oil, we the gentleman mentions, in terms of bold, creative energy policy; not one should be pushing for the exploration environmental stewardship. It will fall that relies just on the technologies of of renewable energy development. I be- short in terms of our meeting our the past, but one that will, in fact, en- lieve this bill goes a long way to de- international obligations and opportu- gage the American talent and that can- nities, and it will be a fiscal disaster. It velop a strategy for putting renewable do spirit. is interesting, the Taxpayers for Com- energy into place. We know that Americans have the With that, let me just say to the gen- mon Sense and others in the Green most creative talent in the world. We tleman from Oregon that I think we Scissors Coalition are going to come have created most of the technologies forward to point out how this is a lost need to focus as a country on renew- of the last century. Now it is time for opportunity that is going to cost the able energy. We obviously need a us to create the energy technologies of American taxpayers billions and bil- strong domestic industry, the produc- the next century. We know the world lions of dollars. tion of oil. But as many of us know, It is sad that a country with less will beat a path to the door of the that peaked in the 1970s; and we are than 3 percent of the recoverable sup- country that does this. We do not think headed down. The rest of the country ply of the world’s oil, and as we have we should give these markets of wind and the rest of the world, in particular talked about, much of it in eco- turbines to Denmark, or the market the rest of the world, are going to be logically important areas, we are going for fuel-efficient vehicles to Japan, or going after more and more limited sup- to be focusing on trying to extract the market of solar power to Germany. plies of oil. So the further we can get every last drop and avoiding things We believe those jobs should be right ahead of that curve, the better off we that will put us in a positive position. here in the United States. are going to be. I would like to acknowledge that we So we hope to offer, and in fact, we Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman have one of our other colleagues who is will be going to the Committee on from Oregon for providing leadership with us here this evening. Time is Rules tomorrow, to offer America a on this, for being on the floor and winding down, but we could not not ac- new Apollo energy project which will, fighting for these issues; and I hope knowledge the leadership and advocacy in fact, attempt to use all of our sec- that on some of these battles we can be of our colleague, the gentleman from tors in a creative way; to do research victorious in the coming weeks. the Puget Sound area of Washington on coal to see if we can find a way to Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I (Mr. INSLEE), from the Seattle area, a sequester the climate-changing gases thank the gentleman for his comments. gentleman with whom I was pleased to of coal emissions; to help both con- I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the take a tour of the Arctic, as we saw sumers in the auto industry to get gentleman’s, I think, really far-seeing what was on the line. more fuel-efficient cars; to help our bill on renewable energy; and I am I say to the gentleman, welcome. I local domestic auto manufacturers hopeful that the leadership in this Con- would yield to the gentleman for some with tax breaks for the retooling ex- gress will have the foresight to allow it comments about this critical area that penses they are going to need to make to come to the floor and to allow a I know the gentleman has spent so fuel-efficient vehicles; to help improve spirited debate. I am convinced that if much time and effort to provide better some of the productivity of some of our we put it to the Congress and to the alternatives for the people on this oil wells in our domestic facilities now. American public that that legislation floor. Because we believe that America ought will pass. Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I appre- to adopt the can-do spirit of a new vi- As I was listening to the gentleman ciate the opportunity to briefly talk sion of energy, rather than simply rely- describe the experience we both have about the Arctic, because we were on ing on the old, the old types of tech- shared in the Arctic wilderness, I had the banks of the Ivishak a couple sum- nologies that we have used. in the back of my mind, I think I said mers ago. I have been to Yellowstone, I So I appreciate the opportunity to Teddy Roosevelt designated it. It was have been to Glacier, I have been to the talk with the gentleman. In fact, we another Republican President, Presi- Grand Canyon; and this area is the may be back tonight or tomorrow to dent Eisenhower, who made the des- most biologically dynamic place I have talk some more about that. ignation. ever been, one of the most beautiful Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I If I said Roosevelt, I was there deal- places I have ever been in my life, and hope we are able to. I appreciate the ing with the pristine jewel, Yellow- certainly it will not solve our energy gentleman focusing on the fact that we stone, which was the creation of then- needs. have had a tremendous technological People sort of feel about the Arctic President Teddy Roosevelt, which we series of advances in this country, and the way they feel about the Mona Lisa. are now seeing under assault, where it is time, first of all, to make sure They may not get to see the Mona the administration is proposing that that we do not lose control of some of Lisa. The advocates of drilling are say- the place in America with the worst those, and that we blaze a trail for the ing it is going to be a small footprint, air, not L.A., not Houston, it is in Yel- just a relatively small oil production future. It is stunning to me that we lowstone Park, where we see park facility. I think that is a little bit like have an opportunity to give a little rangers forced to wear gas masks be- putting a small mustache on the Mona nudge to some of the promising tech- cause of the pollution, and we see the Lisa. nologies, some of the fledgling enter- rule on restricting the use of snowmo- prises, all across the country. And I biles being rescinded. I guess I got a b 2015 know the gentleman has been visited little ahead of myself. I apologize if I It is small, but it is still disfiguring, by people from our own Pacific North- said that. and Americans do not want it. west who are on the cutting edge of

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.140 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2927 being able to give a little bit of a push, building a green building, whether it is missing in action. At the rate we are a little bit of incentive, to have the solving an environmentally difficult going right now, it is going to take po- government step up and lead by exam- problem, if we give them the order, the tentially 500 to 1,000 years or more to ple. resources, the clearance, I am stunned clean up from the problems of the past. Our Department of Defense, for in- at the progress that can be made. We have some signature areas. The stance. I had been talking earlier about I am likewise troubled, and the gen- Massachusetts Military Reservation, my personal dismay that this adminis- tleman comes from the State that there is water pollution that threatens tration is bent on somehow exempting probably more than any in the country all of the water for the Martha’s Vine- the Department of Defense, the largest bears the scars of past shortcuts envi- yard area, but it is almost every dis- manager of infrastructure in the world, ronmentally. We could talk about an trict, every single State. Right now, we and, sadly, the source of some of the area the gentleman is well aware of in do not even know how many million most serious pollution. Rather than en- terms of the Hanford Nuclear Reserva- acres are polluted, for instance, with couraging, rather than giving the re- tion where we were in a rush to develop unexploded ordnance. sources to clean up after themselves, nuclear weapons before the Nazis, but I think the gentleman’s point is well they are talking about exempting from now we are spending billions of dollars taken. I am hopeful that we do not sus- the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water a year to clean it up. pend these five critical environmental Act. I know the gentleman from Wash- Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- laws. Not only will it put the health of ington has given thought to the notion tleman will yield, that is true. And the the American public at risk, but it also of what will happen if we gave a little Hanford site, this is going to be a 50- threatens the men and women in the bit of the money we are giving now to year recovery effort. military who are around these areas. the Department of Defense, almost $1 But some of the problems in the And, last but not least, we face a sit- million a minute, if a little of that State of Washington, perhaps less uation now where there are some prob- were devoted to making sure that we known, but every bit as concerning, are lems of military readiness. There are had the most energy-efficient military water quality issues now, of some of fewer and fewer areas that the military in the world. the toxic chemicals that have been, by can train by going in, treating them Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- necessity, associated with the Depart- right, cleaning them up, solving envi- tleman will yield for a minute, I am ment of Defense sites. And I can say ronmental problems. It is going to save glad he brought this point up, because without hesitation that the people of the military problems in the long run, we out in Washington State think the Tacoma and Federal Way and and it is going to extend the life of administration’s effort to essentially Paulsville, Washington do not believe these scarce areas where important gut, and it really is gutting, five major it is necessary to allow a degradation training takes place that is critical to environmental bills for the Department of their drinking water standards in military readiness. of Defense activities is seriously mis- their kids’ drinking water in order to Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- guided. The reason I say that is out in have the most secure Nation we have. tleman will yield, he just prompted a Washington, we have a whole host of And the reason they are confident of thought. military establishments. We have the that is they have seen the dedicated One of the problems on this sort of Akamai Firing Center in eastern Wash- men and women of the Army and Navy assault on environmental protection by ington. In my district we have the Ban- work with these communities to solve this administration is that it is not gor Nuclear Submarine Facility. We these problems. just one front, it is a multifront as- have the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. So they cannot understand why this sault on environmental protection. One And at every single one of those sites, administration would come in for what that the gentleman just alerted me to we have had the Department of Defense appears to be simply idealogical rea- is the attempt to weaken our ability to work with our local communities and sons and gut the protections that have successfully prosecute Superfund toxic we have solved some of the environ- assured citizens that their Federal waste dump cleanups, and the gen- mental challenges without any great Government is not going to let tetra- tleman may have talked about this failure of training or security. chloride or some of these other heavy this evening, I do not know. But in my The Department of Defense has metals get into their drinking water. It district, I live right across the harbor worked with these local communities just does not make any sense to them from a site called the Waco Creosote to solve a problem with the sage grouse when we have been able to solve these Plant. It was an old creosote plant, at the Akamai, to solve the problem of problems because of the flexibility that where a lot of the lumber they brought water quality in the Puget Sound the gentleman alluded to. in, in fact some I think may have gone Naval Shipyard, to solve a salmon So we hope that this effort will be to the Panama Canal construction habitat issue at the Bangor facility. beaten back and that the common project, was created there. Creosote is And this proposal to gut these environ- sense that has been used, both by the really effective at killing little bugs mental protections is really a solution Department of Defense and our local that might get into your pilings, but it looking for a problem, because the De- towns around this country, will pre- is very, very toxic. It has some very, partment of Defense in the State of vail. very nasty chemicals in it. Washington, one of the most heavily Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, That stuff is on a point at a harbor defense-oriented places in the country, the gentleman raises very important right across the bay from where I live has not experienced any particular points from his own experience. on a little island just west of Seattle. qualm or difficulty in solving this I had been working on areas of mili- That Superfund site now, to clean it problem. tary toxins and unexploded ordnance, up, is costing tens of millions of dollars Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I and have been frankly amazed at the to successfully clean up that creosote, think that is telling. There is already, breadth of the problem, in every State because it is leaking into Puget Sound as the gentleman well knows but unfor- in the Union, coast to coast, areas now, and that stuff is a carcinogen and tunately the public is not aware, there right here in the District of Columbia. we believe it has caused some pretty are opportunities in the case of na- Eighty-five years after the conclusion awful things to happen to the fish that tional defense exigency for the suspen- of World War I, there are still cleanup a lot of people like to eat. In fact, the sion of this legislation. But the gentle- operations taking place on the Amer- shell beds, the shell beds are closed men raises a point that mirrors my ex- ican University campus, which was the around this area. You cannot eat the perience time and time again. The site of American chemical weapons clams and oysters and the like. characteristics, the leadership, the production and testing during World But the administration, despite the training, the commitment, that makes War I. We have yet to clean that up, ongoing demand to clean up not this our men and women in the Armed not because the men and women in the one, but thousands of toxic waste Forces the finest fighting force in the military do not know how to do it, but dumps around the country, has decided world also makes them uniquely quali- it has been a failure of commitment on not to fund those by canceling the tax fied to solve problems. And when they behalf of several administrations, in- that would pay for this cleanup. That are given an opportunity, whether it is cluding this one. Congress has been are now paid by the polluters. Before

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.141 H08PT1 H2928 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 we have had a policy that the polluters mental protections since the President tion announced last November a pro- will pay to clean up this pollution, assumed office. But not through out- posal to increase the number of snow- rather than John Q. Citizen. This ad- right legislation, not putting it before mobiles in both Yellowstone and Grand ministration wants to take the cost of the American public and having a dis- Teton National parks by 35 percent. the cleanup of this creosote toxic waste cussion about what our values are, Now, against the wishes of the Amer- dump, and there are thousands arose what we are trying to protect and how ican public, the EPA, the National the country, and take it off of the pol- best to encourage more environmental Park Service, the administration has luters who put the creosote in the protection. decided to jeopardize the health of the ground, who should be morally, ethi- We have been having a series of late park’s ecosystem and employees in cally, and legally responsible for that, Friday afternoon rule changes and areas that President Bush in the cam- and put it over on the taxpayers, so the clarifications at a time when asthma paign referred to as ‘‘silent places un- taxpayers have to pay for this cleanup. and cancer rates are on the rise. When worn by man.’’ Well, I can tell the gentleman that people in Alaska are seeing tropical in- Finally, I want to mention, Mr. my neighbors do not think it should be sects, when we are having roadways Speaker, the environmental rollback their job to clean up the creosote that buckle, permafrost is disappearing, the that will have a significant impact in these companies put in the ground, be- public knows that we should be my community in the Pacific North- west, the national roadless policy. Near cause they were not following the law strengthening, not weakening, environ- the end of his term, President Clinton for decades. And we believe the admin- mental laws. We are not just seeing a restricted logging and road building in istration is flat wrong in trying to take broad depth and breadth of changes, almost 60 million acres of national for- care of these special interests by put- but we are seeing them done under the est. This was after the most extensive ting that enormous cost of these clean- radar screen. For example, we have seen a series of rollbacks occurring on public input process in the history of up efforts on to people who are playing our national park system. There were by the rules, earning a paycheck, pay- Friday afternoons, during the holiday season, when Congress is not in session over a million and a half public com- ing their house payment, and they are ments. Over 600 public hearings. Well, a and when the public’s attention is di- now having to pay their taxes for that district judge in Idaho placed an in- verted. For example, the EPA an- Superfund cleanup. junction on the rule. The Bush admin- nounced its biggest rollback of the Mr. Speaker, it is one manifestation istration did not choose to contest it. Clean Air Act since its inception on the of how special interests here in this Luckily, in one of the few victories afternoon before Thanksgiving and an- Chamber have got their way when they that those of us who care about the en- other on New Year’s Eve calculated to should not get their way. These clean- vironment have had recently, the 9th try and shield the action from the pub- ups ought to be borne by the polluters. Circuit Court has upheld the roadless Not only is it an equity issue, but the lic. Three of the most egregious rule, which will effectively protect it clear fact of the matter is that because for the time being. But this reckless of the costs associated, these are bil- rollbacks occurred first earlier this year when we had proposed changes to degradation of our Nation’s air, water, lions and billions of dollars, one little forest, and soil protection will have a cleanup on my little island, it is about the Clear Water Act that will have sweeping impacts on 20 million acres of severe and long-term impact on the 16 acres, is going to cost something planet, leave a far greater legacy of en- like $20 million or $30 million, and we wetlands across the country. Now, these rules changes were in response to vironmental problems that our chil- need to repeat that across the country dren, not us, our children will be left to to keep this stuff out of our water. If a Supreme Court decision that very narrowly interpreted the Clean Water manage. we do not keep that polluter-pays con- And I hope that the American public Act and brought attention to what bod- cept, these jobs are not going to get will focus on what Republican consult- ies of water the act should apply to. done. ants like Frank Luntz are suggesting, Now, instead of advancing clarifying So this is related to the issue, and I understand the significant impacts of legislation that would make clear we just want to point out that it is not the environmental rollbacks proposed, and want to protect these precious wet- only assault that we suffer. understand that there are significant lands, half of which are gone already, opportunities, not just for the Amer- b 2030 some communities have lost 90 percent ican public and the environmental Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I of their wetlands, deteriorating the community, but significant environ- appreciate the gentleman’s comments. quality of water, increasing threats to mental opportunities like I mentioned I appreciate his leadership and look flood, instead they have proposed leav- this evening in terms of environmental forward to working with him on en- ing out lots of, these appear to be de clean up with the Department of De- ergy, on defense, and on the areas gen- minimis efforts, they want to talk fense that will save tax dollars, that erally of making sure that we are about creeks, small streams, natural will protect the environment for gen- strengthening, not weakening, our en- ponds, types of wetlands like bogs, erations to come, that will improve vironmental protections. marshes, prairie potholes. These will military readiness, and not be at the In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I know all be waterways no longer protected expense of the health of our commu- the time is about up, I know you will by the Clean Water Act. They sound de nities or our men and women in the be disappointed, but I want to summa- minimis, but they are part of the crit- fighting forces. rize because it is important for us to be ical green infrastructure that has pro- I hope that instead of greenwash, in- working with friends like the gen- tected our communication for genera- stead of rhetorical flourishes, instead tleman from Washington (Mr. INSLEE) tions. Now they will all be vulnerable of dodging the issues and obscuring the and others to focus on actions, not just to dredging, filling, and waste dump- record, I hope that the administration rhetoric. ing. will join with people on both sides of And one of the things that I have I mentioned earlier the confusion the aisle who care about the environ- found most disconcerting as I have surrounding the snowmobiles in some ment and give the American public watched what this administration has of our country’s most beautiful na- what they request in terms of livable done is taking Mr. Luntz’s advice to tional parks. During his Presidential communities, protected open space, not be rolling back regulations but, as campaign, candidate Bush spoke of pro- clean air, and clean water. It is within they call it, updating Washington’s tecting national parks as an ongoing our grasp. It is within our budget. I rules on the environment. Now, he has responsibility and a shared commit- hope that it is within our will before been encouraging Republicans not to ment of the American people and their we adjourn. attack the principles behind environ- government. The budgets, I will men- f mental protections, but to try and tion, cut funding to this ongoing re- shift things around in terms of the reg- sponsibility. And even though the pub- WHY WE NEED AFFIRMATIVE ulatory configuration. Well, the Bush lic has spoken out again and again in ACTION administration has made significant favor of banning snowmobiles from The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and far-reaching changes to environ- areas like Yellowstone, the administra- KLINE). Under the Speaker’s announced

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.143 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2929 policy of January 7, 2003, the gen- Tonight you will be hearing from sis by the level of their inconvenience. tleman from Florida (Mr. MEEK) is rec- members of the Congressional Black In other words, if they are going to be ognized for 60 minutes. Caucus commending these students and inconvenienced, they do not do any- GENERAL LEAVE other Americans for participating in thing. And it is so pleasing to see these Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I this democracy, standing on behalf of young people know that they were ask unanimous consent that all Mem- equal opportunity, standing on behalf going to be inconvenienced but still bers may have 5 legislative days within of fair play for all that makes America stand up. which to revise and extend their re- great. Mr. Speaker, those who cite Dr. marks and include extraneous material We want to make sure that orga- King’s dream to support their assertion on the subject of the Special Order nizers and those individuals that came that this Nation must be color blind to today. to march here on Washington know the racial exclusion that continues to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there that not only are Members of the Con- plague America should take the time objection to the request of the gen- gress but members of the military are to read what Dr. King actually had to tleman from Florida? supporting them 110 percent for stand- say. I recall for you and for this House There was no objection. ing for what they believe in. And to- that Dr. King once wrote a book enti- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, night, Mr. Speaker, I would like to rec- tled ‘‘Why We Can’t Wait.’’ every week the Congressional Black ognize some Members to be able to Anyone who reads his words will un- Caucus comes together here for an speak before us and share some com- derstand that the unwaivering focus of hour on the floor to not only speak of ments as we go to not only commend Dr. King’s life was his unrelenting events that took place in the Congress but also talk a little bit about the im- struggle for universal justice and inclu- but also in our Nation. And this week portance of affirmative action. sion in every important area of Amer- we are coming together as a caucus and Our chairman, the distinguished ican life. to be able to share with Americans and Member from Maryland (Mr. Mr. Speaker, the peaceful demonstra- those that came to Washington, DC, on CUMMINGS), Mr. Speaker, I would like tors out there on the Capital’s streets April 1 of this month to march in front to recognize at this points. last week were advancing a simple, elo- of the Supreme Court on the march on Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I quent, and peaceful demand for more Washington. thank the distinguished gentleman for justice and opportunities in their lives We rise today to commend the cour- yielding, and I also will take a moment and, yes, for generations yet unborn. age of these college students and young to thank him for organizing this Spe- They were marching in the footsteps of adults that participated in the march, cial Order on behalf of the Congres- heroes like our good friend and col- held forums and also held workshops sional Black Caucus. league, the gentleman from Georgia on affirmative action and the positive Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud the (Mr. LEWIS), and the recently departed benefits of it. young Americans of our time who by Reverend Josiah Williams. While the marchers were assembled the tens of thousands are standing up b 2045 in front of the Supreme Court, men and for what Dr. King dreamed about. They women of every color, every nation- JOHN LEWIS’ contribution to America stood on the streets of our Nation’s ality stood together in front of the Su- reminds us that the men and women capital as my colleague, the gentleman preme Court, whether it be in front of who led that 1965 ‘‘Bloody Sunday’’ from Florida (Mr. MEEK) said, many of the bench as proponents or opponents march for voting rights across Selma, them sleeping in the cold of night, try- of affirmative action or behind the Alabama’s Edmund Pettus Bridge were ing simply to make a difference. bench with the responsibility to uphold also young and brave. Last week, lawyers argued in the Su- the Constitution. So I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to de- Students came from far and wide, preme Court debating the merits of the clare that the young Americans of from as far as California, as close as University of Michigan admissions today are determined to change our fu- here, right here in Washington, DC, to case. As the justices pondered the con- ture for the better. They have the seed be able to speak on behalf of those who stitutionality of policies of inclusion in of greatness within them. They believe did not have the opportunity to speak America’s great public universities, that they too can change the course of for themselves on that day. 250 col- young Americans of every racial back- history and change the course of des- leges, universities, high schools, mid- ground marched for justice on the tiny. They are justified in this faith. dle schools, and other community orga- streets of Washington, D.C. These Principled acts of citizenship con- nizations mobilized themselves for this young people filled my heart with hope vinced Virginia Tech’s Board of Re- national march on Washington with and pride, Mr. Speaker. They fully un- gents just last week to restore that thousands attending. derstand, as Dr. King often declared, university’s policy of inclusion. Today we commend them, today we that to change America for the better Mr. Speaker, from their college dor- commend them for fighting for our we must be prepared to exercise the mitories and homes throughout the children. I commend them personally full measure of our citizenship. And United States, the young people of for standing for my 5-year-old and 8- they also understand that their acts of America are watching what we say and year-old son and daughter. These stu- citizenship are inextricably inter- do in this great chamber of democracy dents participated for equal justice. twined with universal educational op- tonight. They have sent us a powerful They marched for equal opportunities. portunities. message and they are waiting to see They stood for equal protections side I should also note, Mr. Speaker, that how we respond. Their message is the by side, men and women alike. So they last week America marked the anni- same challenge Dr. King delivered in have come without any reservations. versary of that tragic moment in 1968 the years of my youth when he said, Some stayed out overnight in front of when Dr. King was killed while stand- ‘‘Now is the time for all of us to move the Supreme Court just to hear, just ing up for what is simply right. A grow- forward, not retreat, on the road to- for a moment or two the arguments ing number of young Americans are ward a more just society.’’ Dr. King de- that were argued on that day. honoring that sacrifice in our time. clared, ‘‘Now is our time. We cannot Some did not get an opportunity to They are determined, as members of wait.’’ go in. Some traveled all night. Some the Congressional Black Caucus are, to Today, our young people are remind- students missed class and had to go realize Dr. King’s dream for America ing us that their lives are moving for- back and make those classes up or now, not in some distant time. They ward in time. They are telling us that exams. Some had to ask their loved understand that a dream deferred is in- they deserve justice and opportunity ones to take other loved ones to the deed a dream denied. They care about now. And we who hold national posi- doctor, to feed their children, to be somebody other than themselves. But tions of trust should be listening to able to do things that they would ordi- more than caring, they were willing to what these young Americans are say- narily be doing if they did not have to share their time, their convenience, ing, Mr. Speaker. We must listen and come to Washington. But that is all and their efforts to speak out. we must act accordingly and we must part of our democracy that we cherish It has often been said that so many synchronize our conscience with our and that we love. people measure their responses to a cri- conduct.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.146 H08PT1 H2930 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 As I bring these brief remarks to a up our young people and salute them So the young people who came, my close, permit me to recall for you what for all that they are. colleagues, and I know we all saw them Dr. King declared during a freedom Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I from all walks of life, from universities rally in St. Louis back in 1957. He said, am going to yield now to a distin- all over this country, they came to say ‘‘The destiny of our Nation is involved. guished gentlewoman who is a member to this Supreme Court, please do not We can’t afford to slow up. The motor of the Committee on Appropriations, shut the door of opportunity now. We is now cranked up,’’ Dr. King went on the gentlewoman from the 13th Con- are ready. We have been raised, we to say, ‘‘we are moving up the highway gressional District of Michigan (Ms. have excelled, and we need you to keep of freedom toward the city of equality. KILPATRICK). the doors of our public universities We can’t afford to slow up because our Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, to open. Nation has a date with destiny.’’ our fine colleague, the former State Now, this case at the University of I was a small child when Dr. King Senator and now Congressman from Michigan not only affects that univer- spoke in St. Louis about our national Florida, for coming in and taking the sity, as my colleagues know, but edu- date with destiny, Mr. Speaker. Now mantle of leadership by the hand and cational institutions all over America. our own children’s shared destiny is at helping to move our country forward, I Over 100 businesses have filed amicus stake, whatever the color of their skin want him to know he is to be admired. briefs with the court. General Motors, may be. And we are the ones to whom He is certainly a fine symbol for young headquartered in my district; Micro- they are looking for a renewed America people all over this world to know that soft, and many other corporations in of universal opportunity. when we speak up and have a con- this country have filed briefs to say We must do what is required, Mr. science about what we believe, our that a diverse workforce not only Speaker. America’s young people can- families are better, our people are bet- strengthens our companies and helps to not wait, and we thank them for being ter, and our countries are better. So I increase the bottom line, but allows impatient. thank the gentleman for coming here. our workers to have the mix and expe- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I He really had big shoes to fill, but I riences of not only their own ethnicity just want to, number one, commend want Mrs. Carrie Meek to know that he but those of others. So this is not the the gentleman from Maryland as not is doing a wonderful job and we are time, the corporations are saying, to only chairman of the Congressional very proud of him. turn the clocks back. Black Caucus, but being a part of this, I am honored and privileged to be As my colleague mentioned earlier, how should I say, coalition of not only here with my colleagues tonight for General Schwarzkopf and others, the Members of Congress, not only black what I consider to be one of the most highest elements in our military com- Members of Congress or women of Con- important issues we will ever consider mands, have supported the university’s gress, but Members of Congress that during my stay here in this United admission policy. They are saying do commend the organizers for bringing States Congress. The young people of not go back. The beauty of our Armed forth a march to be in support of af- America and the citizens across this Forces, yes, as we fight today in two firmative action. Even though it was country by the tens of thousands came foreign lands, in Afghanistan and also being argued in the courts, as we know, to Washington, D.C. last Tuesday, in Iraq, keep the doors of opportunity and as I mentioned that the retired April 1, to speak out and to dem- open. These are generals, former gen- military generals filed a brief in this onstrate, to assemble, as our Constitu- erals in our armed services, who know case, I am looking forward to talking a tion allows, to say to the world that we that a diverse military is what best little more about this tonight and also do not want our country to go back. We serves our country and they are sup- about the U.S. corporations as it re- want to go forward. We are the sons porting the University of Michigan’s lates to the diversity of what Dr. King and daughters of this civilization, and policy. talked about so long ago which has we believe that if we can go to war, we We all need to be aware, too, that not made America what it is. can also go to the universities, and only the young people who were here But I just want to congratulate the that the doors of the American univer- from all over the country, but the gentleman on behalf of myself, this sities funded by public dollars must young students at the University of Member from the 17th Congressional stay open. Michigan raised $50,000 themselves, District in Florida, with regard to It was wonderful to see all the people sent 12 buses of their children, young what the Congressional Black Caucus there. And I want to particularly talk people, to this Capitol of our United is doing in relation to sticking with about the young people, the young States. After the march, at noon, they this issue in the halls of Congress and faces that were there last week. I am a had another rally where thousands of also encouraging those to do what they graduate of the University of Michigan, young people came and said, Congress- are doing now. Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was born and woman, we are here because we want Mr. CUMMINGS. Well, I thank the raised in Michigan all my life. I think the court to hear us. We want the court gentleman for his comments, Mr. it is not coincidental that this case to know that we will do whatever is Speaker. As we engage in this dialogue being heard is from the University of necessary to be the best that we can this evening, I cannot help but think Michigan. This university of over 35,000 be, and we want the court to keep the about the mayor of Detroit. I shall students for many years has produced opportunity for doors to be open so never forget when he won, a young man leaders for this country, and has pro- that we can raise our children to have who had been prepared for that. He had duced fine scientists and teachers and the best opportunities in life, so they had an opportunity to get the kind of engineers and other kinds of people, can be the best citizens they can be, education that he needed to run a city, like so many other universities around and we believe an education is the key and a major city. It is just amazing to this country. to that. me that so often our young people are This is not the time to wipe out op- As was mentioned, I am a graduate of at the point of taking and grabbing portunity. It is a time to expand oppor- the University of Michigan. The two ahold of opportunity, but they have to tunity so that all God’s children can cases before the Supreme Court, one be equipped to do it. have a higher education experience. I for the undergraduate school, talks So this is what this is all about. believe that education is the key to a about a point system. There is a base These young people were not out there person’s life. The more of it that one of 150 points that can be had. A student partying, they were out there trying to gets, the more interaction one has with needs 100 points to be considered for cut a path and say, look, we are going people like oneself, but also people who admission. At least 80 of those points to make sure in our time and in our are different than we are, who come they get from scholastic ability, from space we make a difference for those from different backgrounds, this pre- middle school right through high future mayors of Detroit, so that peo- pares us to be the kind of citizen who school, with the SAT scores. So 80 ple so often overlooked will have op- can lead anything, who can make this points of that 150 can come from the portunities to lead and inspire others. country move forward, and can even, academic achievements from middle So I think this is one of the greatest yes, serve in this United States Con- school right through the high school things that our caucus could do to lift gress. experience. Then there are about 15

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.148 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2931 other categories, my colleagues, where preme Court to ask our Court, our jus- State of Michigan, the Motor City for other points can be had. For instance, tices, to keep justice in America. Keep what they did, and the corporations for if someone had a father or a grand- the doors open. I am very proud of the standing for what is right in this coun- father go to the university, they get young people. I want them to know try. what is called legacy points. If a stu- that many years ago, during the 1960s Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, let dent is from Michigan and they live in civil rights movement, I was one of me add that the mayor of the city of the upper peninsula, they get a certain those students. Detroit was here representing the young people. He is 32 years old and at- number of points. If they are from a so- b 2100 cioeconomic background that is low tended a historically black college; he and they need help, they get points. If Speak out against injustice. Our Con- is now a lawyer. It just demonstrates they are an athlete, they can also get stitution allows us to demonstrate and we can be anything that we want to be points to add to that. If they are from to assemble when we think something if we just rise up and speak out and be a minority class, African American, is wrong. Some countries do not have the very best that God asked us to be. Asian American, Latino American, or that opportunity. The University of Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I Native American, they can get points. Michigan is a fine university, as are yield to the gentlewoman from the Dis- It is amazing to me, with those few universities all over the country. What trict of Columbia (Ms. NORTON), who that I mentioned and at least 10 others, happens with this decision in the Su- has appeared before the Supreme Court why are we singling out the ethnicity preme Court will determine what kind as a lawyer many times. of that category? Why not the legacy of country we live in in the next 10, 20, Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank points? Why not if a student lives in an 30 years of this country. Stand up the gentleman for his leadership this underrepresented county, like the America. I thank the young people, and evening. I want to say to the gen- upper peninsula? This is not the time continue the struggle because it is tleman that his leadership is especially now to put the race card in American young people who must keep America appropriate because this Special Order society. We have our hands full just strong, and it is you who must have the is devoted to actions inspired by young keeping the doors of opportunity open opportunity to raise, defend, and build people, many of the age or close to the for all our institutions of higher learn- your families. God bless you. We are so age of the gentleman who leads this ing. This is not a time to confuse our proud of you. Special Order. He well may be the young people by telling them, yes, you Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor and privi- youngest member of the Congressional can go fight on the front line, but, no, lege to address the floor this evening and ac- Black Caucus, one of the youngest you cannot go to the university. Some- knowledge the efforts of the young people Members of Congress; and what we are thing is inherently wrong with that. from throughout our Nation who mobilized to here to talk about tonight has every- And what those beautiful students travel to Washington, DC to demonstrate in thing to do with young people and what and young people said last Tuesday support of the ideals associated with affirma- they themselves initiated on April 1, was, no, America, no, Supreme Court, tive action and the historic cases being con- first by some of them staying up all do not take our country back. Let us sidered by the Supreme Court regarding the night in order to prepare for the rally move forward in the greatness that University of Michigan admission policies for and to get into the Court, others com- this country is. the law school and the undergraduate pro- ing to go to a town meeting at Howard I had an opportunity to sit in the gram. University convened by the Chair of Court last Tuesday. It was a wonderful I am especially pleased to commend the ef- the Congressional Black Caucus at a experience. The young people were also forts of the students who traveled from Michi- wind-up rally. there in the Court, those who could get gan to demonstrate their support for, and com- Now April 1 is April Fool’s Day. That in, and we heard the arguments on both mitment to the University’s affirmative action is not why we are going to remember it sides. We know now that the Supreme policies. The efforts of U of M were particularly this year. We are not even going to re- Court will be deliberating, some say gratifying to me. I am an alumnus of the Uni- member it first and foremost because June, some say right through the end versity. I am a witness to the virtues of affirm- the University of Michigan case was ar- of this session, which will be later on ative action policies enacted by U of M. gued on that day. The University of in October-November when the Court is On April 1, on the steps of the Supreme Michigan case is largely to be remem- finished before we get our decision. Court, I was also a witness to the assemblage bered by the date it is decided, not the What we need people to do now, who of people from around the country, but espe- date it is argued. That is how we re- believe that America should be open cially from the great State of Michigan who member Supreme Court cases; but even for its citizens, for all citizens, that the braved the elements and other obstacles to that is not how we are going to remem- public universities of this country form a coalition believers and supports of af- ber April 1, 2003. should not be closed, that the military firmative action. I think we are going to remember opportunities should not be shut down, I am personally aware of the sacrifices the April 1, 2003, as the day that gave birth that corporate America continues to students made to come to Washington, DC. to a new American civil rights move- grow and expand and create work envi- The students were responsible for raising over ment, a second American civil rights ronments that all people from all back- $50,000 and bringing 12 buses of students. movement. This is not my character- grounds can participate in, if they be- The shining faces and fervent voices of the ization. This is how these young people lieve in a just and open America, we students were a sight to behold. Their efforts title themselves, and if I may say what need them to fax, to e-mail, to write were a testament to the importance of pre- their long title is, Coalition to Defend and to call the nine justices of the Su- serving affirmative action, and a message to Affirmative Action, Integration and preme Court. the Supreme Court Justices to do the right Fight for Equality by Any Means Nec- Those nine justices will be deter- thing. I salute the students and pledge to them essary, which they have boiled down to mining in the next several months I will continue to fight on behalf of affirmative the acronym BAMN. They came from whether the admissions policy should action. Finally, I offer my heartfelt thanks to everywhere. They came from every col- be upheld or if it should not be. So each and everyone of them for joining the co- lege and university in the District of those who are listening tonight, and we alition of black, brown, yellow, red and white Columbia, and they came from as far are happy that we are able as the Con- supporters of affirmative action. west and as far north as we can go. It gressional Black Caucus to bring the Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I is amazing that these students poured information to them, they should let thank the gentlewoman for assisting in in from all over the country. Why were their voices be heard. They need to the organizing and assisting young peo- the students here? speak out through fax, e-mail, writing ple coming to Washington, and also the There is the stereotype the courts or calling and let the justices know. pride and energy that I hear in her read the newspapers, and the courts This is the greatest country in the voice of this generation and genera- read the election returns. We all know world. We want to maintain that. Edu- tions after this particular generation that courts are independent and that cation is the key to that. to be stimulated and motivated to con- even rallies cannot and must not de- Young people have stood up to say tinue to struggle in the fight for equal cide how courts rule. Black people that we are here on the steps of the Su- opportunity. We appreciate the entire know that most of all because if rallies

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.149 H08PT1 H2932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 or public opinion could have decided Rights Act, and it was my great privi- carry us back to where most higher how courts rule, we would never have lege to enforce title 7 and a number of education in the United States of gotten Brown v. Board of Education in other statutes under that act. Then America was for whites only, and that 1954 when the majority of American there was the 1965 Voting Rights Act, is what it was for when I went to col- people in the South were not for inte- the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Here is the lege. gration of public schools. Courts are work of one generation, the so-called Mr. Speaker, these students from col- independent branches of government civil rights generation. Over. Done. leges and universities around the which must rule by the rule of law. Even we were not naive enough to be- United States simply put America on So why were the students here? The lieve that, but we did think that we notice. They say, Court, do what you students are very sophisticated. That would continue to move forward and will and we hope you do the right is why they did not call themselves the would not be pushed back. But the only thing; but whether you do or not, students to influence the University of way not to be pushed back is to America be on notice there is a new Michigan case before the Supreme produce a new generation of freedom civil rights movement in this country, Court of the United States. They have fighters, to produce what these young and we are determined to finish the job called themselves the second civil people tell us they are, a new civil that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. rights movement. They knew they rights movement; and that is who came LEWIS) and his colleagues in the civil were bigger than this case, and they to Washington on April 1. rights movement began. We are deter- knew that the Court when it raises its These folks came to Washington. mined to finish the work begun with hand must rule on the law as they see They did not go to where the gen- the march on Washington, and we are the law. I think this Court has been tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS) went determined to finish the work still un- real wrong on the law, but they knew to Alabama or Selma, or to where I finished. And as long as we need affirm- that they were not going to essentially went, to the delta in Mississippi. They ative action and affirmative action is a affect this Court, even those who ar- came to Washington. We went South remedy, it is temporary, it goes away gued the Court are trying to affect one because that is where we saw the when the job is done, the numbers are justice in a closely divided Court where threat to be. They came to Washington built in the system, they are there so frankly we have lost most of these because they know that it is here that long as it takes to get and keep a crit- cases 5–4, not won them. They knew by the threat is now. They know it be- ical mass of the excluded coming in. what they called themselves, which did cause they see a President of the They say we are there as long as we not even have ‘‘Supreme Court’’ in the United States who has filed on the see other indications of inroads into title that what they were doing on wrong side of a civil rights case, and the work of the last generation, such April 1 was much bigger and more im- that has not happened in a very long as the judges that this President has portant than any single case in 25 years time. That has not happened in my continuously put forward. As long as since the Bakke case was decided. They lifetime. That President has placed he puts forward a Priscilla Owens, this knew that they could be in worse shape himself on the wrong side of history, generation says we will be there. Or as than their parents were because many long as he puts forward a Charles Pick- and they saw it and saw what kind of of their parents were like the Member, ering, we will be there because the the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. act it was. They saw the threat at the Supreme courts are the last great hope of any KILPATRICK), who went to the Univer- Court which has already taken down excluded people, or of any people treat- sity of Michigan, and here she is with affirmative action as far as it could go. ed unjustly. grandchildren who may not be able to They say, look, we see a whole new Interestingly, and I want to praise and enter the University of Michigan on species of intentional segregation with thank my colleagues, my colleagues that same basis. racial profiling which largely affects have not passed a single bill that has It took 100 years after the Civil War the younger generation, young black taken down affirmative action. All of to get to the enforcement of the Civil people on the streets subject to being the problems have come from the Su- War amendment, so the notion of get- stopped because of their race, color, or ting as far as we have gotten, which is preme Court, the 5–4 Supreme Court ethnicity. As long as that is there, this not even halfway home, is not what with us on the 4 end and they on the 5 generation has stepped up and said I do this generation is about. This genera- end, and a lot of it has been in areas not know where my parents are, but I tion has been touched finally by this like contracting with implications for have not gone away. We are still here. issue, affirmative action, as they have affirmative action and every other area We come to simply thank these not been touched by any other issue. as well. young people tonight and to encourage I am not critical that they have not These students from every college them to continue to take up the man- been touched by any other issue be- and university in the metropolitan re- tle and to say that we are going to do cause these are the beneficiaries of the gion and in the country saw that the whatever we can to be with them and civil rights movement. They mean to threat could well be in this Congress if behind them. We have asked only one see that they continue to be bene- the Congressional Black Caucus and its thing of this generation. We noted that ficiaries of the civil rights movement allies on both sides of the aisle did not they are underregistered, and we know and that they are not the generation continue to stand fast and say look, do if you are underregistered and if you do that lost the benefit of the civil rights not even go there. My colleagues know not vote, the powers that be will walk movement. that we have had to say that. In the all over you because people pay atten- My generation, and I see the gen- 1990s, we had to say do not even go to tion to people who vote. We have asked tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS), who the floor with an amendment to take them to make sure that their move- I know from the Nonviolent Coordi- back affirmative action. We are going ment begins by getting every young nating Committee, and back then the to close down this House if that is what person at their university registered to entire spectrum of discrimination and you are going to do. vote and out to the polls. segregation was here. I went to seg- I will not say that is the reason that regated schools in the District of Co- it did not happen; there were Members b 2115 lumbia. Black people in the South on the other side of the aisle who be- We recognize that the incentives that could not vote, equal opportunity and lieved that was the wrong thing to do. their parents had to vote, the New Deal employment was not available north, I want to go on record right now pay- generation, the World War II genera- south, east or west, and housing dis- ing tribute to my colleagues on the tion, the civil rights generation, the crimination was the order of the day. other side of the aisle that have kept Vietnam War generation, are not there Inside of 15 years, a combination of that from happening. for this generation, but they have court suits and Federal laws changed Nevertheless, the threat is here. It is found their incentive in the University that, at least as a matter of law. As we not where it was for the last civil of Michigan’s case. We applaud them know today, not entirely as a matter of rights generation. The threat is here for using that case as the catalyst to practice, but as a matter of law. that can carry us back to Brown v. move forward with a new civil rights Brown v. Board of Education began it Board of Education. Yes, they say that movement. We applaud them for mak- all, and then there was the 1964 Civil because that is the effect and could ing April 1 a memorable and historic

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:27 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.151 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2933 date for the people of the United States Vietnam War. We began to see changes tunities to small and minority busi- of America. when Thurgood Marshall argued before nesses and women-owned businesses I thank the gentleman for yielding to the Supreme Court. Then we moved and opportunities for education will be me. with Rosa Parks who refused to stand null and void, and we will be back in Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I up on a crowded bus in Montgomery, the history of the beginning of the 20th thank the gentlewoman from the Dis- Alabama, and a young man named century when the ugly head of Jim trict of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) for her Martin Luther King took her cause. We Crowism raised its head. What a trag- outstanding comments, and I want to came through that era, Mr. Speaker, edy to be here in the 21st century when thank those institutions of higher and we had the Voting Rights Act of the ugly head of Jim Crowism will learning in the D.C. area that took just 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. raise its head again. such a vital part in playing host to so We might be able to call that the sec- Allow me to close, Mr. Speaker, with many of these marchers. ond reconstruction. And it continued, a slight bit of history. Right now the Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- Mr. Speaker, to the executive signing State of Texas is making noises about woman from Texas, Ms. SHEILA JACK- by Richard Nixon, bipartisan, a Repub- redrawing these voter rights districts. SON-LEE. lican, of affirmative action. Here I go again. I believe I have run Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. As we moved through the second re- about six or eight times in the course Speaker, I thank the distinguished gen- construction, many of us, the doors of being elected to this Congress, be- tleman for his kindness for yielding, being opened, going into white institu- cause someone believes that the oppor- and I likewise, Mr. Speaker, want to tions, thought for a moment that we tunity for many of us to select the per- thank you for your leadership because would be able to lay our burdens down, son of our choosing is discriminatory, you are presiding over, I believe, one of that we would be able to find a resting protected by the Voter Rights Act of the more instructive hours that we place in this Nation where all of us 1965. It was in our State that the Solic- have engaged in in terms of speaking could be treated equally. The Declara- itor General first came, not as a Solic- to our colleagues and providing a his- tion of Independence says with certain itor General, to argue the Hopwood tory for this House, a history that has inalienable rights of life and liberty case and slashed the coattails of equal been painful, but I would admit a his- and the pursuit of happiness. opportunity in the State of Texas. For tory that has seen bipartisan collabo- But lo and behold, Mr. Speaker, we the last 5 years or so, we have seen ration and recognition that this Nation come to the 21st century, the age of droves of our young people leave the is a much better place for correcting technology, the age of promoting State because of the inability to get its ills. young people for all that they can be, into State institutions that they have Mr. Speaker, I serve on the House and find ourselves in the Supreme paid taxes for. Committee on the Judiciary, and the Court. And might I just say today that The tragedy is, to the distinguished experience has been both good and bad. all might hear, Mr. Speaker, I want all gentleman from Florida, who I join in I view it as one of the nobler commit- or nothing. I do not want a bifurcated his courageous effort to turn back the tees in this House because it is a com- hybrid decision. I will not accept it. I Jim Crowism in the State of Florida mittee that cherishes the Constitution. will not recognize it. My pronounce- when 25,000 people marched against But we have had our moments, and we ment will be, whatever the Supreme eliminating affirmative action, and we have even had a moment when discus- Court says in a hybrid decision, that can claim victory in their presence, but sions of eliminating the desegregation this United States of America has de- the Solicitor General was the lawyer orders to remove orders from districts nied me and the young people of Amer- who argued Hopwood. Gratefully, that that were engaged in busing was dis- ica their civil rights. Frankly, Mr. case went only to the Fifth Circuit, but cussed prematurely. We even had Speaker, I believe that we have a it destroyed the institutions of higher amendments proposed to eliminate af- unique chance in the world to show learning in Texas for a number of years firmative action. It was the wisdom of that America is better than that. when they sent Hispanics and African this House and the other body that saw So let me thank the wonderful thou- Americans fleeing from the State. The fit to join with those of us to recognize sands of bright stars, by any means tragedy is that this same gentleman that the time was not yet that we then necessary, who I had the pleasure of became the Solicitor General, and were able to turn those amendments speaking before them at the Lincoln rather than recusing himself because of back. monument. What an enormously pow- the potential of bias, engaged in the Mr. Speaker, I think it is important erful scene. I did not organize it. discussion at the White House, cre- to chronicle the history of African School presidents did not organize it. ating, I think, a bias to go and have Americans in this Nation. Obviously Congress people, Senators did not orga- the United States of America, my tax slavery is well known, but out of slav- nize it. They organized it. And I want dollars, the young men and women of ery came emancipation. Those of us in to thank them, and they will go down years past, who served in wars past, Texas heard of it 2 years later, recon- in history. who never reached their full promise struction that was short-lived in this I would like to acknowledge, likewise because they came back to a seg- Nation, and then the ugly head of Jim from Houston, Texas, the Shrine of the regated America, never reaching their Crowism raised its head in the early Black Madonna and Reverend Fana; dream, this United States of America 1900s. In fact, Mr. Speaker, George the NAACP, local chapter, the regional went into the courthouse, Supreme White stood in the well of the House chapter; the Houston Area Urban Court on April 1, 2003, and argued after he was drawn out of this august League. I would like to acknowledge against our interests. The first time, I body by segregationist legislators who Reverend James Dixon, Community of think, in the last 50 years of civil drew out the last African American Faith Church, as well as Carmen Wat- rights litigation that the United States and said that the Negro would rise like kins with Sunday Morning Live. All of did that. the phoenix. I can see him right now, this in Houston, by the way; 95.7 Power So, Mr. Speaker, as I close let me with a little suitcase and rope tied Radio and the Box 97.9, Ada Edwards. say, because I see such warriors on the around it, in his eloquent voice sug- All of these were local people who were floor like the gentleman from Georgia gesting that it may not be now but promoting the idea that we are Ameri- (Mr. LEWIS) and the gentleman from that the Negro would rise as a phoenix. cans, too. Texas Southern University, Louisiana (Mr. JEFFERSON), my good We went through the 1900s experi- holding a very unique Sunday town friend who was with me in Texas, many encing the tragedies of the deep South, hall meeting, very difficult to do that, of us had the pleasure of being in some the hanging trees as known to many of Mr. Speaker. way affiliated with these civil rights us. We saw our young men go off to But what I would say is that our movements, obviously some more at both World War I and World War II but work is not done. For if the Supreme the forefront, but our histories are come back to a segregated America. Court rules that affirmative action is intertwined with the visions of these Members of my family fought in World unconstitutional, Mr. Speaker, all of outstanding individuals and their lead- War II but, Mr. Speaker, came back to what we built up in openness of con- ership and their power. I simply say a segregated America. Korean War. tracting, in openness of creating oppor- that I stand here broken-hearted but

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:23 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.153 H08PT1 H2934 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 not without strength, broken-hearted colored men, white women, colored the present, and that of the present and because my Nation failed me on April women. There was so much violence, so the future, in JOHN LEWIS and in 1. much fear, so much hate, and it was KENDRICK MEEK, a young Congressman And so that is why, Mr. Speaker, in the students following in the tradition who envisioned this hour for America. saying to these young people and en- of Martin Luther King, Jr., in the tra- Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the couraging them for providing this kind dition of Gandhi. So sitting in, going many students that traveled all over of leadership, applauding them and on the Freedom Ride, marching all the country to rally in support of af- joining with them and suggesting that over the country, and by marching, by firmative action. Particularly I would we will never go back, never turn the sitting in or sitting down, really they like to acknowledge the many students clock back, it is my pronouncement have created the climate, the environ- from my own State, Louisiana, who today that I will accept nothing but a ment, to get the Civil Rights Act of made the journey. Students from Xa- full vindication of affirmative action in 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965. vier, Southern, Grambling, Dillard, and this Nation to the Supreme Court. throughout Louisiana, let me say I am b 2130 Whatever hybrid they decide to give very proud of you. would be unacceptable and we will Nothing but nothing, I tell you, noth- Martin Luther King, Jr., said, ‘‘Ev- march on to victory and we shall over- ing moved me more in the last 50 years, eryone can be great because everyone come. or maybe in the last 40 years, than to can serve.’’ It is in this spirit that I Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I see these hundreds and thousands of have dedicated much of my life to pub- thank the gentlewoman from Texas students really marching, protesting, lic service, and I found it very encour- (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), and I want to com- exercising their constitutional right. aging that on April 1, 3 days before the mend her not only on behalf of Ameri- In America we have a right to protest, anniversary of Dr. King’s death, thou- cans but also on behalf of myself and as Dr. King would say, protest for what sands of students honored him and all members of the Congressional Black is right. This type of protest helped that he fought for by actively getting Caucus for the workshop that she had move our country to the point to get involved and actively serving as well. in her district dealing with affirmative people to say yes, when they may have Mr. Speaker, it is shocking to ob- action prior to the Supreme Court a desire to say no. serve that 141 years ago, virtually hearing and commitment of those uni- These young people believe in the every African American in this country versities and individuals that she men- Constitution. They believe in America. would be somebody else’s property. tioned and those that went yet They, like many of us, believe in af- Just think about that: unable to earn, unmentioned, their contributions. So firmative action. It is the affirmed in- unable to learn, unable to hold wealth. we thank her. clusion, the participation of people, It is this legacy of subjugation, of dis- Mr. Speaker, at this time I can say where they are left out and left behind. crimination, of denial, over 400 years of that this is one of these moments that I like to think these young people were segregation, that justifies affirmative I am glad that God allowed me to live touched by the spirit of history. Some- action today. long enough for this moment to be able times there comes a time when you If the government, and it did, took to have such a soldier on behalf of fair have to be moved by the spirit of his- race into account to create this legacy opportunity, equal treatment for all, tory. of disabilities, then it is the govern- someone that had marks on his body In 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963 we did not ment’s responsibility today to take on behalf of this country, with many have a fax machine, we did not have a race into account to obliterate them. other patriots that are here and that Web site, we did not have a cellular So it is particularly disappointing that have gone on. telephone. We had the Constitution. We 40 years later, after Dr. King’s historic I yield to the gentleman from Geor- had our bodies. And that is what these march to Washington, that we as a gia (Mr. LEWIS), Member from the Fifth young people had. They had ideas; they democratic Nation are still struggling District, distinguished member of the had the Constitution. to realize his dream; and 140 years after Committee on the Budget and the Com- I think when historians pick up their the emancipation of slavery, there still mittee on Ways and Means. pens and write about this period, Mr. exists two Americas, separate and un- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Speaker, they will have to say that equal, one black and one white. As one I want to thank the gentleman from these young people that came to Wash- student’s sign read: ‘‘Surely 400 years Florida (Mr. MEEK), my friend and col- ington on April 1, not just college stu- of slavery is worth 20 points.’’ league, for holding this Special Order, dents, high school students, elemen- Without affirmative action, these and I want to thank all of the members tary school students, by the hundreds disparities will likely widen, not only of the Congressional Black Caucus for and thousands, they started, as the in education, but also in employment participating in this order tonight. gentlewoman from the District of Co- and property ownership and income I want to be very brief. I had gone lumbia (Ms. NORTON) said, a new civil levels. Yet, as Dr. King noted, ‘‘When- home and I turn on C-SPAN, and sup- rights movement. ever the issue of compensatory treat- per was happening, and I was deeply I say to them tonight, and to young ment for the Negro is raised, some of moved to come to the House floor and people and students all over our coun- our friends recoil in horror, because to say something. So I want to thank try, we will not go back, we will not while they agree that the Negro,’’ as he him again for doing what he is doing stand still. We will go forward. We will said, ‘‘should be granted equality, they because I think it is important that we create a truly interracial democracy in believe that he should ask for nothing take time to salute and pay tribute to America. We will create a beloved com- more.’’ the young people who came here on munity in America. For we are one I cannot tell you how proud I am of April 1. By coming here and standing people, we are one Nation. I say to all all our young men and women who at the steps of the Supreme Court, they of these young people, keep the faith; have worked tirelessly in participating were standing up for what is right, for do not give up, do not give in, do not in efforts to demonstrate supports of what is fair, for what is just. They were give out, keep your eyes on the prize. the University of Michigan. Students standing up for the very best in Amer- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I of all races around the country have ica. thank the distinguished gentleman worked in some capacity to protest I remember when I first came to from Georgia for his contributions, not this attack on equal opportunity, real- Washington many, many years ago in only in the past but in the present. We izing that any successful attempt 1961, I was 21 years old, had all of my commend you. would be a major setback for our soci- hair, and I was a few pounds lighter, to Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman ety as a whole. go on something called the Freedom from Louisiana (Mr. JEFFERSON). Numerous other students took action Ride during those days in Washington, Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I and demonstrated and spoke out on but throughout the American South, thank the gentleman for yielding. their respective college campuses, such segregation was the order of the day. Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing today as my daughter Akilah and other We saw those signs that said white the best of the leadership of the civil young people at her college who did not waiting, colored waiting, white men, rights movement, that of the past and travel to Washington.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:44 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.154 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2935 I was especially pleased to join the the founding of this country. Affirmative action Another myth is ‘‘Affirmative action may Black Law Students Association from programs have helped to desegregate Amer- have been necessary 30 years ago, but the my alma mater, Harvard Law School, ica. Racial and societal discrimination is not playing field is fairly level today.’’ Not true, de- as one of several counsel on an amicus just limited to higher education. It also exists spite the progress that has been made, the brief. This brief was submitted on be- in voting, housing, employment, and many playing field is far from level. half of the Harvard Black Law Stu- other sectors of modern day society. Women continue to earn 76 cents for every dents Association, as well as those Equal rights in higher education must start male dollar. African Americans continue to from Yale and Stanford. somewhere. I agree that the University of have twice the unemployment rate, twice the As I stated then, I believe that we Michigan’s policy is clearly and rightfully de- rate of infant mortality, and make up just over live in a country that affords us great signed to attempt to make up for discrep- half the population of people who attend four liberties. However, for some Ameri- ancies that do not afford minorities and the years or more of college. In fact, without af- cans, the pursuit of these freedoms is economically deprived access to quality edu- firmative action the percentage of African hindered by tremendous barriers. Op- cation. American and Hispanic students at many se- portunities for some are limited be- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the lective schools would drop to minuscule per- cause of America’s sins of the past. House of Representatives to join me in ex- centages of the student body. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to tending my appreciation to all the students That decline would effectively choke off Afri- make conscious attempts to right who participated in last week’s demonstration can American and Hispanic access to top uni- these wrongs. Hence, initiatives like in support of equality and justice at America’s versities and severely restrict progress toward affirmative action. institutions of higher learning. racial equality. Affirmative action in education pro- Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. Speaker, this is America and we can do grams, such as the one at the Univer- to pay tribute to the thousands of Americans better than that. So I commend the advocacy sity of Michigan, looks beyond stu- who voiced their support for affirmative action and passion of those who marched last week. dents’ limitations and sees their poten- admissions policies at colleges and univer- I have no doubt that they understand what tial, potential that may be realized if sities on April 1, here in Washington, DC. could be lost if this precious opportunity is presented the opportunity. More im- For twenty five years the affirmative action eliminated. portantly, affirmative actions, like the policies at our nation’s colleges and univer- f one at the University of Michigan, ben- sities have produced a stronger and better efits not just African American stu- educated America. We must not turn the clock IN SUPPORT OF AFFIRMATIVE dents, but all students. back now when so much is at stake for the fu- ACTION Mr. Speaker, it promotes a diverse ture of America. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. student body, which provides an edu- Mr. Speaker, I am proud that 25 Indiana BURGESS). Under a previous order of cation that equips our future leaders, University School of Law-Indianapolis students the House, the gentleman from Georgia both black and white, with the capa- journeyed to Washington last week to say that (Mr. LEWIS) is recognized for 5 minutes. bilities to successfully function in a di- affirmative action policies strengthen not Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, verse society. weaken this nation. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas Mr. Speaker, it was our hope during Vanessa Villegas-Densford was one of (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). the civil rights movement many years those law students. Vanessa, the daughter of Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. ago that we were fighting this battle Puerto Rican immigrants, arrived in this coun- Speaker, I thank the gentleman very now so that our sons and daughters try when she was 8 years old. She didn’t much. I will not take all the time. I would not have to fight it later. And would like to be able to yield to the though I am dismayed that still this speak English and was placed in classes for learning-disabled students. She worked hard gentleman and to a number of our col- fight goes on, even today, I am heart- leagues on the floor, but I note that we ened by the tremendous number of to overcome so many obstacles and her are blessed by the presence of some of fresh soldiers for civil rights, eager, ac- dream is to practice law and serve the His- the warriors that were engaged in the tive and capable of engaging in the bat- panic American community. Her dreams, de- heroic and historic day on April 1, 2003. tle and winning the struggle. I com- termination and drive to serve, balanced an What I wanted to encourage with the mend them all. average law school test score and won her chairman of our august body here is to I thank the gentleman from Florida acceptance at 9 of the 12 law schools to restate I believe the willingness of (Mr. MEEK) for yielding to me. which she applied. She attends Indiana Uni- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I versity School of Law-Indianapolis. members of this caucus and Members thank the gentleman. His comments Without affirmative action, the Hispanic of this House to be able to be on the were very appropriate for the moment community, Indiana and America may well campuses of these outstanding stu- and the time. have missed the bright promise that Vanessa dents who have taken up the challenge, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. offers in spite of her average law school test the bloodstained banner, if you will, to Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend all score. be able to be on their campuses, pro- those who participated in last week’s protest Gerald Bepko, interim President of Indiana nouncing our commitment that we will of the University of Michigan’s admission’s University School of Law-Indianapolis is never go back, and to restate what has policies. quoted in a recent Indianapolis Star article been stated by all of you, that affirma- Many students from institutions across this saying, ‘‘You cannot rely on numbers (test tive action is not a handout, it is a great nation traveled to the nation’s capitol to scores and grades) alone. You need to know hand up, and to clearly indicate that have their voices heard on this issue. Thou- the person.’’ what we have occurring to us, meaning sands of students from Howard University to I’m proud that Indiana University supports opportunities, is not to deny others. Harvard University, walked from the Supreme an affirmative action admissions program. So I hope that we will be able to, if Court to the Lincoln Memorial chanting, ‘‘Sav- It’s sad, Mr. Speaker, when our young peo- you will, make it very clear tonight ing Affirmative Action.’’ ple can see this nation embroiled in conflict in that this is not the last time that we Affirmative action ensures that all people the highest court of the land, not about the will be engaged in this discussion, de- have all equal rights. Affirmative action is one athletic factor or the alumni factor or the leg- bate, but that we will be out at the of the most effective solutions to diversifying a acy factor in college admissions, but race. campuses surrounded by or hand in historically unfair society. The case against affirmative action is weak, hand with these outstanding new civil Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment resting, as it does so heavily, on myth and rights activists of the 21st century. to say ‘‘thank you’’ to the countless students, misunderstanding. I want to thank the distinguished volunteers, and workers who believe in this One myth, ‘‘The only way to create a color- gentleman and thank the distinguished historically significant effort. It is vital that blind society is to adopt color-blind policies.’’ gentleman from Georgia and would be America’s higher education system continue The facts show that a so-called color-blind happy to yield to the distinguished the critical role in preparing our students to be system tends to favor White students because gentleman or yield to the gentleman leaders in business, law, medicine, education, of their earlier educational advantages. Unless from Florida to comment. and other pursuits that affect public interest. preexisting inequities are corrected or other- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Societal discrimination has adversely af- wise taken into account, color-blind policies do reclaiming my time, I thank the gen- fected institutions of higher education since not correct racial injustice—they reinforce it. tlewoman for her comments.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:44 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.155 H08PT1 H2936 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003 Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED tion of a hydroelectric project in the State of Illinois from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS). By unanimous consent, permission to Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want H.R. 672. An act to rename the Guam address the House, following the legis- to thank the gentleman for yielding. South Elementary/Middle School of the De- Mr. Speaker, let me just say in re- lative program and any special orders partment of Defense Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools System gards to what the gentlewoman from heretofore entered, was granted to: (The following Members (at the re- in honor of Navy Commander William Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) just said, just ‘‘Willie’’ McCool, who was the pilot of the this evening, Mr. Speaker, we held a quest of Mr. HOEFFEL) to revise and ex- tend their remarks and include extra- Space Shuttle Columbia when it was trag- conference, a teleconference, with stu- ically lost on February 1, 2003. neous material:) dent leaders from all over the country. f And it was such an exciting event. We Mr. LIPINSKI, for 5 minutes, today. have already come to an agreement Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. ADJOURNMENT that we are going to take all of that Mr. HOEFFEL, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, energy that they had back here on Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, for 5 minutes, I move that the House do now adjourn. April 1 and we are going forward. today. The motion was agreed to; accord- As our first Vice Chair has said, we Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. ingly (at 9 o’clock and 44 minutes will be traveling from campus to cam- Mr. INSLEE, for 5 minutes, today. p.m.), the House adjourned until to- pus and organizing here in Washington Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, for 5 min- morrow, Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 10 and across the country, because we re- utes, today. a.m. (The following Members (at the re- alize that all of our young people, that f one day it should not end there, but it quest of Mr. NORWOOD) to revise and ex- must go forward. So we will be doing tend their remarks and include extra- EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, that. neous material:) ETC. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Mr. PENCE, for 5 minutes, today. Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive reclaiming my time, I would say to the Mr. GUTKNECHT, for 5 minutes, today. communications were taken from the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mr. MCCOTTER, for 5 minutes, April 9. Speaker’s table and referred as follows: CUMMINGS), Mr. Chairman, I want to Mr. JONES of North Carolina, for 5 1702. A letter from the Acting Principal thank you for what you are suggesting, minutes, April 9. Deputy Associate Administrator, Environ- your recommendation and your plan of The following Members (at their own mental Protection Agency, transmitting the action. It reminds me of another period request) to revise and extend their re- Agency’s final rule — Lactic acid, ethyl ester in our history when we just got out marks and include extraneous mate- and Lactic acid, n-butyl ester; Exemptions from the Requirement of a Tolerance; Tech- there and did what we had to do. rial: Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, if the nical Correction [OPP-2002-0-217; FRL-7298-4] Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, for 5 minutes, received April 1, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. gentleman will allow me, there is a today. saying I love. It says, ‘‘In our time, in 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agri- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, for 5 minutes, culture. our space, we will make a difference, today. 1703. A letter from the Acting Principal with God’s grace.’’ Deputy Associate Administrator, Environ- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, f mental Protection Agency, transmitting the I thank the gentleman. SENATE BILLS REFERRED Agency’s final rule — Modified Acrylic Poly- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman mers; Revision of Tolerance Exemption from Florida (Mr. MEEK). Bills of the Senate of the following [OPP-2003-0079; FRL-7297-8] received April 1, Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I titles were taken from the Speaker’s 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the just wanted to say that not only all of table and, under the rule, referred as Committee on Agriculture. the Members here, but the Members follows: 1704. A letter from the Under Secretary, who could not be here that did place in- S. 164. An act to authorize the Secretary of Department of Defense, transmitting the De- partment’s report for purchases from foreign formation in the RECORD, it is such an the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of entities for Fiscal Year 2002, pursuant to honor to be here, coming from Florida. Public Law 104—201, section 827 (110 Stat. So many of you were involved in that Ce´sar Estrada Cha´ vez and the farm labor movement; to the Committee on Resources. 2611); to the Committee on Armed Services. effort there to save and work towards a 1705. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, S. 212. An act to authorize the Secretary of better affirmative action in Florida Department of Defense, transmitting the De- the Interior to cooperate with the High and this country. partment’s report regarding assured access Plans Aquifer States in conducting a to space for the United States; to the Com- Words are inadequate to even de- Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, mittee on Armed Services. scribe the kind of work that is going to and Modeling Program for the High Plans 1706. A letter from the Under Secretary, have to be done for the understanding Aquifer, and for other purposes; to the Com- Department of Defense, transmitting a re- of this country of how important af- mittee on Resources. port entitled, ‘‘Development of Research, De- S. 278. An act to make certain adjustments firmative action is. I tell every Amer- velopment, Test, and Evaluation Programs to the boundaries of the Mount Naomi Wil- ican, if you have a daughter and a and Activities Beginning in FY 2004’’; to the derness Area, and for other purposes; to the mother, and obviously we all do, you Committee on Armed Services. are for affirmative action. Committee on Resources. 1707. A letter from the Director, Defense I commend those individuals that S. 328. An act to designate Catoctin Moun- Procurement and Acquisition Policy, De- came before us, and the NAACP and tain Park in the State of Maryland as the partment of Defense, transmitting the De- ‘‘Catoctin Mountain National Recreation other organizations that organized to partment’s final rule — Defense Federal Ac- Area’’, and for other purposes; to the Com- quisition Regulation Supplement; Extension get them here. I look forward to work- mittee on Resources. ing with the gentleman and the mem- of Contract Goal for Small Disadvantaged S. 347. An act to direct the Secretary of the Businesses and Certain Institutions of High- bers of the Congressional Black Caucus Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to er Education [DFARS Case 2002-D038] re- as we continue to work with these conduct a joint resource study to evaluate ceived April 3, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. young people and younger people that the suitability and feasibility of establishing 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Armed have done so well for us. the Rim of the Valley Corridor as a unit of Services. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the Santa Monica Mountains National 1708. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- reclaiming my time, we will work to- Recreation Area, and for other purposes; to ment of Defense, transmitting notification gether and pull together and push to- the Committee on Resources. that the President approved changes to the gether to make it all happen. f 2002 Unified Command Plan; to the Com- mittee on Armed Services. f ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED 1709. A letter from the Director, Defense LEAVE OF ABSENCE Mr. Trandahl, Clerk of the House, re- Procurement and Acquisition Policy, De- ported and found truly enrolled bills of partment of Defense, transmitting the De- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- partment’s final rule — Defense Federal Ac- sence was granted to: the House of the following titles, which quisition Regulation Supplement; Foreign Mr. EVERETT (at the request of Mr. were thereupon signed by the Speaker: Acquisition [DFARS Case 2002-D009] received DELAY) for April 7 on account of at- H.R. 397. An act to reinstate and extend April 3, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); tending to district business. the deadline for commencement of construc- to the Committee on Armed Services.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:44 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08AP7.158 H08PT1 April 8, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2937 1710. A letter from the Acting Principal 1722. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- TIME LIMITATION OF REFERRED Deputy Associate Administrator, Environ- ment of Health and Human Services, trans- BILL mental Protection Agency, transmitting the mitting the Department’s Annual Report On Agency’s final rule — Approval and Promul- Child Welfare Outcomes 2000, pursuant to Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII the gation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Public Law 105—89, section 203(a) (111 Stat. following action was taken by the Rhode Island; One-hour Ozone Attainment 2127); to the Committee on Ways and Means. Speaker: Demonstration for the Rhode Island Ozone 1723. A letter from the Acting Principal H.R. 658. Referral to the Committee on Nonattainment Area [A-1-FRL-7476-7] re- Deputy Associate Administrator, Environ- Government Reform extended for a period ceived April 1, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. mental Protection Agency, transmitting the ending not later than June 2, 2003. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Agency’s final rule — Fellowships [FRL-7476- H.R. 1297. Referral to the Committee on Commerce. 2] (RIN: 2030-AA77) received April 1, 2002, pur- Science extended for a period ending not 1711. A letter from the Acting Principal suant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to the later than April 8, 2003. Deputy Associate Administrator, Environ- Committees on Education and the Work- H.R. 1644. Referral to the Committees on mental Protection Agency, transmitting the force, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Resources, Education and the Work- Agency’s final rule — Standards of Perform- and Agriculture. force, and Transportation and Infrastructure ance for Stationary Gas Turbines [OAR-2002- for a period ending not later than April 9, 0053, FRL-7476-5] (RIN: 2060-AK35) received f 2003. April 1, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); f to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS 1712. A letter from the Assistant Secretary PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Under clause 2 of rule XII, public transmitting the Department’s report on nu- Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of bills and resolutions were introduced clear nonproliferation in South Asia for the committees were delivered to the Clerk and severally referred, as follows: period October 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003, pur- for printing and reference to the proper By Mr. NUNES: suant to 22 U.S.C. 2376(c); to the Committee calendar, as follows: on International Relations. H.R. 1659. A bill to ensure regulatory eq- 1713. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mr. THOMAS: Committee on Ways and uity between and among all dairy farmers for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Means. H.R. 1528. A bill to amend the Inter- and handlers, including producers also acting transmitting certification of a proposed nal Revenue Code of 1986 to protect tax- as handlers, for sales of packaged fluid milk Manufacturing License Agreement with Jor- payers and ensure accountability of the In- into certain non-federally regulated milk dan [Transmittal No. DTC 005-03], pursuant ternal Revenue Service; with an amendment marketing areas from federally regulated to 22 U.S.C. 2776(d); to the Committee on (Rept. 108–61). Referred to the Committee of areas; to the Committee on Agriculture. International Relations. the Whole House on the State of the Union. By Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. 1714. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mr. SMITH of New Jersey: Committee on HINOJOSA, and Mr. MCKEON): for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 1297. A bill to require H.R. 1660. A bill to amend the National Ap- transmitting certification of a proposed the construction at Arlington National Cem- prenticeship Act to provide that applications Manufacturing License Agreement with Ger- etery of a memorial to the crew of the Co- relating to apprenticeship programs are many [Transmittal No. DTC 011-03], pursuant lumbia Orbiter (Rept. 108–62 Pt. 1). Referred processed in a fair and timely manner, and to 22 U.S.C. 2776(d); to the Committee on to the Committee of the Whole House on the for other purposes; to the Committee on International Relations. State of the Union. Education and the Workforce. 1715. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Mr. OXLEY: Committee on Financial Serv- By Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, ices. H.R. 658. A bill to provide for the pro- STARK, Mr. MATSUI, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. transmitting a report required by Section 301 tection of investors, increase confidence in CARDIN, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. KLECZ- of the United States Macau Policy Act, cov- the capital markets system, and fully imple- KA, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. NEAL ering the period from April 2, 2001, to April ment the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by of Massachusetts, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. 1, 2002; to the Committee on International streamlining the hiring process for certain JEFFERSON, Mr. BECERRA, Mr. Relations. employment positions in the Securities and DOGGETT, Mr. SANDLIN, and Mrs. 1716. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Exchange Commission; with an amendment JONES of Ohio): for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, (Rept. 108–63 Pt. 1). Ordered to be printed. H.R. 1661. A bill to provide balanced tax- transmitting a report required by Section 301 Mr. SESSIONS: Committee on Rules. payer protections in tax administrations, in- of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act House Resolution 181. Resolution providing cluding elimination of abusive tax strate- gies, simplification of the earned income tax of 1992, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 5731; to the for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1036) to credit, and taxpayer protections; to the Com- Committee on International Relations. prohibit civil liability actions from being mittee on Ways and Means. 1717. A letter from the Chief Financial Offi- brought or continued against manufacturers, By Mr. WALDEN of Oregon (for him- cer and Assistant Secretary for Administra- distributors, dealers, or importers of fire- self, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. GIBBONS, Mr. tion, Department of Commerce, transmitting arms or ammunition for damages resulting HERGER, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. HASTINGS the Department’s inventory of functions pur- from the misuse of their products by others suant to the Federal Activities Inventory of Washington, Mr. OTTER, Mr. (Rept. 108–64). Referred to the House Cal- Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on PEARCE, Mr. PAUL, Mr. CANNON, Mr. endar. Government Reform. MCINNIS, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. STENHOLM, 1718. A letter from the Attorney-Advisor, DISCHARGE OF COMMITTEE Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. Department of Transportation, transmitting Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII the DOOLITTLE, Mr. RENZI, and Mr. BRADY a report pursuant to the Federal Vacancies Committee on Science discharged from of Texas): Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on further consideration. H.R. 1297 re- H.R. 1662. A bill to amend the Endangered Government Reform. ferred to the Committee of the Whole Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary 1719. A letter from the Attorney/Advisor, of the Interior to give greater weight to sci- Department of Transportation, transmitting House on the State of the Union and entific or commercial data that is empirical a report pursuant to the Federal Vacancies ordered to be printed. or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed, and Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on for other purposes; to the Committee on Re- Government Reform. f sources. 1720. A letter from the Assistant Secretary By Mrs. JONES of Ohio (for herself, for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of REPORTED BILLS SEQUENTIALLY Ms. NORTON, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. the Interior, transmitting the Department’s REFERRED CLAY, Mr. PAYNE, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, final rule — Endangered and Threatened Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status and reports were delivered to the Clerk for DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. Designation of Critical Habitat for printing, and bills referred as follows: JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. Polygonum hickmanii (Scotts Valley CLYBURN, Ms. LEE, Ms. KILPATRICK, polygonum) (RIN: 1018-AH76) received April Mr. TAUZIN: Committee on Energy and Mr. GUTIERREZ, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. 2, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to Commerce. H.R. 1644. A bill to enhance en- SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. the Committee on Resources. ergy conservation and research and develop- BERKLEY, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. JEF- 1721. A letter from the Assistant Secretary ment, to provide for security and diversity in FERSON, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Departmernt of the energy supply for the American people, CONYERS, and Ms. JACKSON-LEE of the Interior, transmitting the Department’s and for other purposes, with an amendment; Texas): final rule — Endangered and Threatened Rept. 108–65, Part I; referred to the Com- H.R. 1663. A bill to protect home buyers Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical mittee on Judiciary for a period ending not from predatory lending practices; to the Habitat for the Kauai Cave Wolf Spider and later than April 9, 2003, for consideration of Committee on Financial Services. Kauai Cave Amphipod (RIN: 1018-AH01) re- such provisions of the bill and amendment as By Mr. THOMAS: ceived April 2, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. fall within the jurisdiction of that com- H.R. 1664. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Resources. mittee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X. enue Code of 1986 to provide a special rule for

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members of the uniformed services in deter- HINCHEY, Mr. HONDA, Mr. JACKSON of setts, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. mining the exclusion of gain from the sale of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, RODRIGUEZ, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of a principal residence and to restore the tax Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Texas, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. exempt status of death gratuity payments to Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. LEE, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. FILNER, Mr. members of the uniformed services, and for LEWIS of Georgia, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. LYNCH, other purposes; to the Committee on Ways MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. SCOTT and Means. MEEKS of New York, Mr. GEORGE MIL- of Georgia, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. BISHOP By Mr. BOYD: LER of California, Mr. NADLER, Mr. of New York, Mr. DINGELL, Ms. H.R. 1665. A bill to modify certain water re- OLVER, Mr. OWENS, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. MCCOLLUM, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. KEN- sources projects for the Apalachicola, Chat- RAHALL, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. RYAN of NEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. RUSH, Mr. tahoochee, and Flint Rivers, Georgia, Flor- Ohio, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, SPRATT, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. BERRY, Mr. ida, and Alabama; to the Committee on Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. SERRANO, LAMPSON, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. Transportation and Infrastructure. Ms. SOLIS, Mr. STARK, Mr. TOWNS, KAPTUR, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. ESHOO, By Mr. BOYD: Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Ms. WATERS, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. UDALL of Colo- H.R. 1666. A bill to amend title 38, United and Ms. WATSON): rado, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, States Code, to provide that discontinuance H.R. 1673. A bill to establish a Department Mr. INSLEE, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. LAN- of veterans’ disability compensation upon of Peace; to the Committee on Government TOS, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. HOLT, Mr. the death of a veteran shall be effective as of Reform, and in addition to the Committees BLUMENAUER, Mr. MEEK of Florida, the date of death of the veteran rather than on International Relations, the Judiciary, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. FARR, Mr. the last day of the month preceding the vet- and Education and the Workforce, for a pe- HOLDEN, Mr. ACKERMAN, Ms. LINDA T. eran’s death; to the Committee on Veterans’ riod to be subsequently determined by the SANCHEZ of California, Mrs. Affairs. Speaker, in each case for consideration of CHRISTENSEN, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. By Mr. BURNS: such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- MURTHA, Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri, H.R. 1667. A bill to provide an additional tion of the committee concerned. Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. VELAZ- opportunity for administrative or judicial By Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky: QUEZ, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. relief for socially disadvantaged farmers and H.R. 1674. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- MENENDEZ, Mr. CASE, Mr. ALLEN, and ranchers who were discriminated against by enue Code of 1986 to provide that the vaccine Mr. BERMAN): the Department of Agriculture in farm credit excise tax shall apply to any vaccine against H.R. 1677. A bill to amend the Employee and benefit programs; to the Committee on hepatitis A; to the Committee on Ways and Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Agriculture, and in addition to the Com- Means. the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to protect mittee on the Judiciary, for a period to be By Mr. MORAN of Kansas (for himself, pension benefits of employees in defined ben- subsequently determined by the Speaker, in Mr. POMEROY, Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, efit plans and to direct the Secretary of the each case for consideration of such provi- Mr. STENHOLM, Mr. PETERSON of Treasury to enforce the age discrimination sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania, Mr. BERRY, Mr. KIND, requirements of the Internal Revenue Code committee concerned. Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. of 1986; to the Committee on Education and By Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma: EVANS, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, and the Workforce, and in addition to the Com- H.R. 1668. A bill to designate the United Mr. CASE): mittee on Ways and Means, for a period to be States courthouse located at 101 North Fifth H.R. 1675. A bill to amend title XVIII of the subsequently determined by the Speaker, in Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as the ‘‘Ed Social Security Act to protect and preserve each case for consideration of such provi- Edmondson United States Courthouse‘‘; to access of Medicare beneficiaries to health sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the the Committee on Transportation and Infra- care provided by hospitals in rural areas, and committee concerned. structure. for other purposes; to the Committee on By Mr. SMITH of Texas (for himself, By Mr. CRANE (for himself, Mr. Ways and Means, and in addition to the Com- Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. mittee on Energy and Commerce, for a pe- RAMSTAD, Ms. DUNN, and Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Mr. KELLER, Mr. riod to be subsequently determined by the SOUDER): OXLEY, Mr. WOLF, and Mr. FER- Speaker, in each case for consideration of H.R. 1669. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- GUSON): enue Code of 1986 to provide tax treatment such provisions as fall within the jurisdic- H.R. 1678. A bill to amend title 18, United for foreign investment through a United tion of the committee concerned. States Code, with respect to false commu- States regulated investment company com- By Mr. ROGERS of Michigan (for him- nications about certain criminal violations, parable to the tax treatment for direct for- self, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia, and for other purposes; to the Committee on eign investment and investment through a and Mrs. EMERSON): the Judiciary. foreign mutual fund; to the Committee on H.R. 1676. A bill to amend chapter 55 of By Mr. TANCREDO: Ways and Means. title 5, United States Code, to exclude avail- H.R. 1679. A bill to repeal the so-called For- By Mr. GUTKNECHT (for himself, Mr. ability pay for Federal criminal investiga- est Service Appeals Reform Act and to au- SABO, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, tors from the limitation on premium pay; to thorize the Secretary of Agriculture to de- Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. KENNEDY of Min- modify levels of special pay adjustments for velop an administrative appeals process for nesota, Ms. MCCOLLUM, and Mr. Federal law enforcement officers in certain the Forest Service in the same manner as KLINE): areas, and for other purposes; to the Com- other Federal land management agencies; to H.R. 1670. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- mittee on Government Reform. the Committee on Agriculture. enue Code of 1986 to establish a pilot pro- By Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Mr. By Ms. WATSON (for herself and Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. gram to encourage the use of medical sav- BURTON of Indiana): ings accounts by public employees of the VISCLOSKY, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. H.R. 1680. A bill to prohibit after 2007 the State of Minnesota and political jurisdic- SERRANO, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. GRIJALVA, introduction into interstate commerce of tions thereof; to the Committee on Ways and Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. mercury intended for use in a dental filling, Means. PETRI, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. TAYLOR of and for other purposes; to the Committee on By Mr. HERGER (for himself, Mr. POM- Mississippi, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. TOWNS, Energy and Commerce. EROY, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. GRAVES, Mr. Mr. ROSS, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. OLVER, By Mr. KINGSTON: HULSHOF, Mr. RAMSTAD, and Mr. Mr. PAYNE, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. WYNN, H. Con. Res. 141. Concurrent resolution ex- MCCRERY): Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. STRICKLAND, pressing the sense of the Congress that the H.R. 1671. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Mr. GUTIERREZ, Ms. NORTON, Ms. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 should be fun- enue Code of 1986 to permit cooperatives to SOLIS, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. damentally reformed to be fairer, simpler, pay dividends on preferred stock without re- SLAUGHTER, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. NAD- and less costly and to encourage economic ducing patronage dividends; to the Com- LER, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. GOODE, Mr. growth, individual liberty, and investment in mittee on Ways and Means. BACA, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. COSTELLO, American jobs; to the Committee on Ways By Mr. KOLBE (for himself and Mr. Mr. MARKEY, Ms. KILPATRICK, Ms. and Means. KNOLLENBERG): LEE, Mr. OBEY, Mr. GREEN of Texas, By Mr. WALSH (for himself, Mr. QUINN, H.R. 1672. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Mr. DEUTSCH, Mr. MICHAUD, Mrs. Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. MCHUGH, and Mr. enue Code of 1986 to provide a credit for char- JONES of Ohio, Mr. UDALL of New HINCHEY): itable contributions to fight poverty; to the Mexico, Mr. WEINER, Mr. DEFAZIO, H. Con. Res. 142. Concurrent resolution Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mrs. congratulating the Syracuse University By Mr. KUCINICH (for himself, Ms. NAPOLITANO, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis- men’s basketball team for winning the 2003 WOOLSEY, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. OBER- sissippi, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. REYES, NCAA Division I men’s basketball national STAR, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Ms. BALD- Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. OWENS, Ms. championship; to the Committee on Edu- WIN, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. CARSON HOOLEY of Oregon, Ms. MILLENDER- cation and the Workforce. of Indiana, Mr. CLAY, Mr. CUMMINGS, MCDONALD, Mr. DOGGETT, Ms. WOOL- By Mrs. CAPITO: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. DEFAZIO, SEY, Mr. PASCRELL, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. H. Res. 182. A resolution commending Pri- Mr. EVANS, Mr. FARR, Mr. FILNER, BORDALLO, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. vate First Class Jessica Lynch, United Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. DELAURO, Mr. FRANK of Massachu- States Army, the special operations forces

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who on April 1, 2003, rescued her from cap- Huron Museum of Arts and History pro- H.R. 584: Mr. OWENS. tivity by Iraqi forces, and all United States grams; to the Committee on Transportation H.R. 594: Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BARTLETT of and coalition forces in Iraq; to the Com- and Infrastructure. Maryland, Mr. NEY, Mr. DICKS, Mr. FOLEY, mittee on Armed Services, and in addition to 17. Also,a memorial of the Senate of the Mr. CASE and Mr. BURNS. the Committee on International Relations, State of Michigan, relative to Senate Reso- H.R. 660: Mr. BURNS. for a period to be subsequently determined lution No. 6 memorializing the United States H.R. 687: Mr. WILSON of South Carolina and by the Speaker, in each case for consider- Congress to establish a minimum rate of re- Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- turn of 95 percent of Michigan’s federal H.R. 715: Ms. MCCOLLUM. risdiction of the committee concerned. transportation funding for highway and H.R. 727: Mr. KUCINICH. By Mr. FLAKE: transit programs; to the Committee on H.R. 728: Mr. SOUDER and Mr. STEARNS. H. Res. 183. A resolution commending Mo- Transportation and Infrastructure. H.R. 734: Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. hammed, an Iraqi lawyer, for his fearless and 18. Also,a memorial of the Senate of the H.R. 756: Mr. MILLER of Florida. courageous actions in helping to save the life State of New Jersey, relative to Senate Res- H.R. 776: Mr. ABERCROMBIE of an American solider; to the Committee on olution No. 71 memorializing the United H.R. 784: Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. International Relations. States Congress to direct FAA to include H.R. 785: Mr. GRIJALVA. By Mr. WYNN: noise reduction as major goal of redesign of H.R. 806: Mr. LEACH. H. Res. 184. A resolution expressing the aircraft traffic patterns over New Jersey; to H.R. 813: Mr. STRICKLAND. sense of the House of Representatives that a the Committee on Transportation and Infra- H.R. 818: Mr. KUCINICH and Ms. HART. postage stamp should be issued in commemo- structure. H.R. 833: Mr. BROWN of South Carolina and ration of Diwali, a festival celebrated by peo- 19. Also,a memorial of the House of Rep- Mr. WELLER. ple of Indian origin; to the Committee on resentatives of the State of Kansas, relative H.R. 847: Mr. GUTKNECHT. Government Reform. to House Resolution No. 6005 memorializing H.R. 850: Mr. GILLMOR. H.R. 854: Mr. HOLT f the United States Congress to enact finan- cially sustainable, voluntary, universal and H.R. 876: Mr. SOUDER, Ms. HART, and Mr. MEMORIALS privately administered out-patient prescrip- WALDEN of Oregon. Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials tion drug coverage as part of the federal H.R. 879: Mr. SMITH of Michigan, Mr. MCIN- TYRE, and Mr. ROSS. were presented and referred as follows: Medicare program; jointly to the Commit- tees on Ways and Means and Energy and H.R. 898: Mr. HINOJOSA. 10. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of Commerce. H.R. 930: Mr. MCINTYRE. the Senate of the State of Wisconsin, rel- H.R. 934: Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. ative to Senate Resolution No. 4 memori- f H.R. 935: Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. alizing the United States Congress to urge KUCINICH, and Mr. ACKERMAN. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS the President and the Wisconsin congres- H.R. 953: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. sional delegation to support the reauthoriza- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 955: Mr. LAMPSON, Mr. HOLT, Mr. tion of the existing Community Services were added to the public bills and reso- GREENWOOD, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. DAVIS of Ten- Block Grant and its funding to community lutions as follows: nessee, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. action agencies; to the Committee on Edu- SHAYS, Mr. LEACH, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. DIN- H.R. 20: Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. cation and the Workforce. GELL, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. GAR- KUCINICH, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. LARSON of Con- 11. Also,a memorial of the House of Rep- RETT of New Jersey, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. necticut, Mr. DICKS, and Mr. UDALL of Colo- resentatives of the State of Michigan, rel- BLUMENAUER, and Mr. SNYDER. rado. ative to House Resolution No. 10 memori- H.R. 973: Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. QUINN, and Mr. H.R. 25: Mr. KINGSTON. alizing the United States Congress to enact HOEKSTRA. H.R. 44: Mr. BLUNT. legislation to give states the authority to H.R. 977: Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. RADANO- H.R. 49: Mr. BURNS. ban importation of out-of-state solid waste; VICH, and Mr. GILCHREST. H.R. 83: Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of Cali- to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 983: Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. BOEHLERT, fornia. 12. Also,a memorial of the House of Rep- Mr. ENGEL, and Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. INDA ANCHEZ resentatives of the State of New Hampshire, H.R. 84: Ms. L T. S of H.R. 1008: Mr. PLATTS. relative to House Concurrent Resolution No. Califorinia., H.R. 1033: Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. 16 memorializing the United States Congress H.R. 85: Ms. LINDA T. SANDHEZ of Cali- H.R. 1043: Mr. THOMPSON of California. to urge increased diplomacy to achieve a fornia. H.R. 1056: Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. BISHOP of New just, peaceful, and rapid resolution of the H.R. 100: Ms. HEFLEY, Ms. CARSON of Indi- York, and Mr. PUTNAM. conflict between India and Pakistan relative ana, and Mr. KILDEE. H.R. 1068: Mr. RUSH, Mr. MORAN of Vir- to the state of Jammu and Kashmir; to the H.R. 111: Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, ginia, Mr. PORTER, Mr. COLE, Mr. CANTOR, Committee on International Relations. Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. THOMPSON of Mr. FROST, and Mr. KLINE. 13. Also,a memorial of the House of Rep- Mississippi, and Mr. PAYNE. H.R. 1070: Mr. ACKERMAN. resentatives of the State of Michigan, rel- H.R. 205: Mr. MANZULLO. H.R. 1075: Mr. TIBERI. ative to House Concurrent Resolution No. 5 H.R. 218: Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. H.R. 1077: Mr. KUCINICH. memorializing the United States Congress to YOUNG of Alaska, and Mr. DEAL of Georgia. H.R. 1093: Mr. BOEHLERT. enact legislation to provide that all states H.R. 240: Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. H.R. 1098: Ms. HART. receive a minimum of 95 percent of transpor- H.R. 245: Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. H.R. 1102: Mrs. TAUSCHER. tation funds sent to the federal government; H.R. 273: Mr. VITTER. H.R. 1105: Mr. ENGEL and Mr. LEWIS of to the Committee on Transportation and In- H.R. 284: Mr. ENGEL, Mr. WEINER, Ms. LEE, Georgia. frastructure. Mr. SOUDER, and Mr. BURR. H.R. 1114: Mr. BEAUPREZ. 14. Also,a memorial of the House of Rep- H.R. 292: Mr. SIMMONS. H.R. 1146: Mr. MILLER of Florida. resentatives of the State of Michigan, rel- H.R. 307: Mr. PLATTS. H.R. 1154: Mr. CALVERT. ative to House Resolution No. 9 memori- H.R. 315: Ms. GRANGER. H.R. 1163: Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. alizing the United States Congress to enact H.R. 340: Ms. HART. H.R. 1169: Mr. RAMSTAD. legislation to provide that all states receive H.R. 344: Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. H.R. 1170: Mr. PAUL. a minimum of 95 percent of transportation H.R. 359: Mr. HINOJOSA. H.R. 1179: Mr. MCHUGH and Mr. MILLER of funds sent to the federal government; to the H.R. 384: Mr. MILLER of Florida and Mr. Florida. Committee on Transportation and Infra- PAUL. H.R. 1191: Mr. MOORE and Mr. ALLEN. structure. H.R. 401: Mr. ROTHMAN and Mr. ENGEL. H.R. 1214: Mr. KING of New York, Mr. 15. Also,a memorial of the Senate of the H.R. 419: Mr. GONZALEZ. OSBORNE, Mr. INSLEE, and Mr. WATT. State of Michigan, relative to Senate Con- H.R. 440: Mr. BACA. H.R. 1222: Mr. CANTOR and Mr. DUNCAN. current Resolution No. 1 memorializing the H.R. 463: Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA, Mr. UDALL of H.R. 1235: Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. HAYWORTH, United States Congress to establish a min- Colorado, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mrs. Mr. CALVERT, and Mr. SOUDER. imum rate of return of 95 percent of Michi- JONES of Ohio, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, H.R. 1244: Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. MARKEY, gan’s federal transportation funding for Mr. OWENS, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. GORDON. Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, and Ms. NORTON. highway and transit programs; to the Com- H.R. 466: Mr. MILLER of North Carolina, H.R. 1245: Ms. LEE, Mrs. LOWEY, and Ms. mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc- Mr. HALL, and Mr. ORTIZ. LOFGREN. ture. H.R. 490: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. H.R. 1252: Mr. MILLER of Florida. 16. Also,a memorial of the Senate of the H.R. 501: Ms. SLAUGHTER. H.R. 1272: Ms. WATSON. State of Michigan, relative to Senate Reso- H.R. 502: Mr. SULLIVAN. H.R. 1294: Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. SABO, Ms. WAT- lution No. 21 memorializing the United H.R. 527: Mr. MCHUGH. SON, and Mr. FILNER. States Congress to enact legislation to pro- H.R. 528: Mrs. MALONEY. H.R. 1297: Mr. BOOZMAN, Mrs. DAVIS of Cali- vide for the United States Coast Guard to H.R. 571: Mr. UPTON, Mr. RYAN of Wis- fornia, and Mr. SNYDER. transfer ownership of the decommissioned consin, Mr. WICKER, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, H.R. 1301: Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky, Mr. Coast Guard Cutter Bramble to the Port and Mr. STEARNS. HAYWORTH, and Mr. SOUDER.

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:44 Apr 09, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\L08AP7.100 H08PT1 H2940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 8, 2003

H.R. 1309: Mr. KILDEE. H.R. 1472: Mr. BERMAN, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. H. Con. Res. 130: Mr. CUMMINGS and Mr. H.R. 1342: Mr. FROST. TIBERI, Ms. DELAURO, and Mr. GEORGE MIL- ABERCROMBIE. H.R. 1345: Mr. OWENS. LER of California, Mr. INSLEE, Ms. LEE, Mr. H. Con. Res. 136: Mr. HOEFFEL and Mr. BER- H.R. 1349: Mr. WEXLER and Mr. LIPINSKI. DICKS, and Mr. BACA. MAN. H.R. 1350: Mr. EHLERS, Mr. LATOURETTE, H.R. 1480: Mr. CASE and Mr. ALLEN. H. Res. 60: Mr. TURNER of Ohio, Mrs. JO Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota, Mr. H.R. 1483: Mr. FILNER and Mr. FARR. ANN DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. GILLMOR, and Mr. BURGESS. H.R. 1508: Mr. KUCINICH. RAMSTAD, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. HAYWORTH, H.R. 1355: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. H.R. 1510: Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. JOHN, Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. DOGGETT, and BISHOP of New York, Mr. ALLEN, and Mr. H.R. 1511: Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. BARRETT of Mr. MCCRERY. LEVIN. South Carolina, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. SKELTON, H. Res. 140: Mr. DEUTSCH and Mr. SOUDER. H.R. 1359: Mr. ALLEN. and Mr. GILCHREST. H. Res. 157: Mr. CAPUANO and Ms. LORETTA H.R. 1372: Mr. HERGER, Mr. MOORE, Mr. H.R. 1519: Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. SANCHEZ of California. KIND, and Mr. SIMPSON. H.R. 1534: Mr. ALLEN, Mr. OWENS, and Mr. H. Res. 173: Mr. KIND and Ms. DELAURO. H.R. 1374: Mr. MILLER of Florida. KLECZKA. H. Res. 179: Mr. FEENEY, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. H.R. 1377: Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Mr. H.R. 1536: Mr. ENGLISH and Mr. LEVIN. ANDREWS, Mr. FOLEY, and Mr. BLUNT. CUMMINGS, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. H.R. 1565: Mr. KILDEE. HOEFFEL, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. OWENS, and Mr. H.R. 1568: Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. DAVIS of Ten- f MCHUGH. nessee, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, H.R. 1388: Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. MCNULTY, and Mr. SABO, and Mr. MURTHA. DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM Mr. HOEFFEL. H.R. 1576: Mr. KUCINICH. H.R. 1392: Mr. OWENS. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS H.R. 1584: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. H.R. 1408: Mr. BURR. H.R. 1605: Mr. SHAYS. Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 1415: Mr. SOUDER and Mr. SMITH of were deleted from public bills and reso- New Jersey. H.R. 1634: Mr. BLUNT, Mr. RENZI, and Mr. H.R. 1421: Mr. REHBERG. DOYLE. lution as follows: H.R. 1422: Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. H.J. Res. 44: Mr. SHAW and Mr. HAYWORTH. H.R. 1036: Mr. FLAKE. BRADLEY of New Hampshire, Mr. CAPUANO, H. Con. Res. 50: Mr. GRAVES. H.R. 1119: Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. JENKINS, Ms. CARSON of H. Con. Res. 56: Mr. MILLER of Florida and Indiana, Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. ACKER- Mr. FILNER. f MAN, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. FORD, Mr. DUNCAN, H. Con. Res. 99: Mr. WEINER, Mr. OWENS, Mr. LEACH, and Mr. POMEROY. Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. LATOURETTE, PETITIONS, ETC. H.R. 1442: Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. WEXLER, Under clause 3 of rule XII, JOHN, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. RENZI, and Mr. Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Ms. BALDWIN, PEARCE. Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. HOEFFEL, 8. The SPEAKER presented a petition of H.R. 1451: Mr. LEACH and Mr. COLE. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. the Council of the County of Maui, Hawaii, H.R. 1462: Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. relative to Resolution No. 03–14 petitioning GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. WAXMAN, LANGEVIN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HIN- the United States Congress to designate the and Mr. KUCINICH. CHEY, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, and Ms. Paia Post Office Building in honor of the late H.R. 1470: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. WAXMAN, JACKSON-LEE of Texas. United States Representative Patsy Mr. CLAY, Mr. BISHOP of New York, and Ms. H. Con. Res. 111: Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. Takemoto Mink; which was referred to the KAPTUR. STARK, and Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Committee on Government Reform.

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