January 31, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 263 That is my belief, and I know it is The story of Kurt Warner is one that The article referred to is as follows: my colleagues’, as well. I ask that we every American should be proud of. He [From the Post-Bulletin, January 29, 2000] live up to our commitment to uphold went to college and was red-shirted his WARNER HAS STORY TO TELL: QUARTERBACK’S and protect the rights endowed to all first year, spent 3 years on the bench, TALE IS MEMORABLE human beings, and that we search our and finally got his chance to play at The story of this Super Bowl is Kurt War- consciences before making a summary the University of Northern Iowa. He ner. judgment to send Elian back to Cas- led his team to the midconference What the St. Louis Rams’ quarterback has gone through to become the National Foot- tro’s Cuba. championship. He was not drafted by We have an opportunity to make a ball League’s Most Valuable Player this sea- anybody in the NFL, but he was al- son and to lead his team to the Super Bowl difference in this little boy’s life; to lowed to come to the Packers’ training is amazing, utterly amazing. demonstrate, through our actions, our camp. He was cut. After he was cut by Here are some things about Warner you adherence to the principles that are the Packers he returned to Cedar Falls might want to keep in mind as you watch the rubric of our democratic society; to and worked at that Hy-Vee grocery him play in Super Bowl XXXIV Sunday send a message from our resolve on be- store I talked about earlier. against the Tennessee Titans. half of oppressed men, women, and He went to high school and college just The great thing about Kurt Warner is down Highway 63 from us. Born in Bur- children everywhere. Let us not squan- that he never lost his faith. Like the lington, Iowa, he attended Cedar Rapids der it. parable of the talents in the Bible, he Regis High School, lettering in football, bas- f understood that almighty God had ketball and baseball. He played college foot- ball at Northern Iowa University in Cedar TRIBUTE TO KURT WARNER, A given him special talents, and he was expected to make the most of them, so Falls. REAL AMERICAN HERO He was redshirted his first year at North- he stuck with those talents long after ern Iowa, sat the bench for the next three The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a some of the experts would probably previous order of the House, the gen- years and started only as a fifth-year senior. have encouraged him to give up. Warner wasn’t even on full scholarship until tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- But the story of Kurt Warner goes his last year in college. He did pass for 2,747 KNECHT) is recognized for 5 minutes. on. Not only did he go on to lead the yards and led Northern Iowa to a Gateway Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise Rams this year to the NFL champion- Conference championship in 1993. tonight to talk about a tribute to a ship in the Super Bowl and to the MVP Warner wasn’t drafted by any NFL teams. very special person. President Reagan He went to the green Bay Packers’ training award, but I think the story is much once observed that those who say there camp in 1994. He was cut before camp was more powerful. After the game was are no more American heroes, well, over, but he was there long enough for Pack- over, he gave tribute and paid honor to they just do not know where to look. er quarterback Brett Favre to tag him with Paul Simon asked a haunting ques- where the real honor belonged, and he the nick-name ‘‘Pop’’ Warner. gave all of the glory to his savior, After he was cut by the Packers he re- tion in his song many years ago, turned to Cedar Falls and worked for six ‘‘Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? Jesus Christ. I just want to say, it took a special kind of courage for him to do months stocking shelves at the Hy-Vee gro- A Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.’’ cery store there. America has always wanted heroes, and that. Warner went on to play with the Des too often in sports we have found The story, as I say, goes on. Not only Moines-based Iowa Barnstormers in the counterheroes. has Warner battled obstructions on the Arena Football League for the next three I want to pay tribute tonight to a field to get where he is, but he has also seasons. He holds virtually all the Barn- real American hero, a gentleman by had his share of off-the-field struggles, stormers’ passing records, including 79 the name of Kurt Warner. The Warner as well. His in-laws were killed in a touchdown passes in one season (1997). He tornado in Mountain View, Arkansas. passed for 10,164 yards and 183 touchdowns in story has been documented in the last three seasons in Iowa. week or so by many sports scribes, and Kurt and his wife Brenda’s oldest son Warner signed as a free agent with the I do want to ultimately submit for the Zachary has been blind since suffering Rams on Dec. 26, 1997 and then spent the RECORD an article which was written a head injury in an accident when he summer of 1998 playing in NFL Europe for by the sports editor of our local news- was a baby. Zachary is only able to see the Amsterdam Admirals and led the league paper, Bob Brown in the Rochester objects that are held very close to his in passing and touchdowns. Post Bulletin. face. He has been that way since he was Warner, a devout Christian, spent time in I guess I have a special feeling for an infant, when his father, Brenda’s Amsterdam, a city known for its red light district, leading a bible study class. Kurt Warner for a lot of reasons. First first husband, accidentally dropped the Warner rejoined the Rams for the 1998 NFL of all, his grandparents are from child during a bath. season, and spent the first 14 games on the Faribault, Minnesota, which is in my Zachary has head injuries, but Kurt inactive list. He saw his first NFL action of district. Second, he went to the same went on to adopt the child. He says his career in the fourth quarter of Rams’ college that I did, the University of later in this interview, ‘‘To go home final game against San Francisco and com- Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. and see how he struggles with every- pleted four of 11 passes for 39 yards. Third, he worked for the Hy-Vee gro- thing he does helps keep things in per- Warner was back with the Rams this sea- son, only because the Cleveland Browns cery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and so spective,’’ Warner said. ‘‘I have realized passed him over in the expansion draft. The did I. Fourth, I guess I would have to how special a child he must be to go line on Warner as he entered this season was: say, his wife, Brenda, spent several of through life with the excitement and Has potential to develop into a solid quarter- her formative years living in a home on the joy he has, even though he has to back in the league . . . raw talent with out- West Ninth Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa, struggle doing everything he does.’’ standing arm strength and accuracy. right next to my parents. The story of Kurt Warner is a power- The Rams had signed Trent Green who So I guess I have had a fairly special ful story, and we in America I think played at Washington last season, to be their relationship, even though Kurt Warner owe him a big thank you, because for quarterback, but he suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was out for the year. In and I have never met. But I have fol- one brief, shining moment, we were all stepped Warner and the rest is history. He lowed his career from the time he was privileged to watch a real hero perform led the NFL in passing and with his 41 touch- at UNI, and I have come to appreciate his art and perfect our lives. down passes became only the second player not only his talents on the field, but On behalf of a grateful Nation, I in NFL history to throw for more than 40 the kind of human being that he really would like to say a special thank you touchdowns in a season. is. We saw that yesterday, and we have to Kurt Warner. Good luck to he and Not only has Warner battled obstacles on seen it as his career has developed. his wife Brenda. We wish them only the the field to get to where he is, but he has had He has kept his head on straight. He his share of of-the-field hurdles, too. His in- best. As Paul Harvey would say, lead laws were killed in a tornado in Mountain has kept his focus on the things that on. View, Ark., in 1996. Kurt and wife Brenda’s were important in his life. The story is Mr. Speaker, I include for the oldest Zachary, has been blind since suf- just such a powerful story. It could not RECORD the article of January 29, 2000, fering a head injury in an accident when he have happened to a nicer individual. from the Post-Bulletin. was a baby.

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Zachary, is only able to see objects that The explosion of June 10 caused mil- CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE— are held close to his face. He’s been that way lions of dollars in property damage and H.R. 1838, TAIWAN SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT since he was an infant, when his father, did immeasurable harm to the families H.R. 1838 would emphasize the security re- Brenda’s first husband, accidentally dropped and friends of Wade King, Stephen lationship between the United States and the child during a bath. Zachary’s head hit Tsiorvas, and Liam Wood. Taiwan. Specifically, the bill would author- the side of the tub, which damaged his brain ize an increase in the technical staff at the and ruptured his retinas. I have long held reservations about our system of pipeline safety regula- American Institute in Taiwan, and would re- The accident almost killed the child, and quire the Administration to report on Tai- doctors warned Brenda that if Zachary lived tions. In 1996, I voted against the pipe- wan’s defense needs, its security situation, he’d never be able to see or walk or talk. He line deregulation bill because I felt it and the United States’ ability to respond to survived, despite seizures in the hospital, removed too many essential safe- contingencies in the Asia-Pacific region. and when the Warners got married, Kurt guards. Since the tragedy, I have re- Also, the bill would require the Administra- adopted the boy, and his sister, Jesse, 8. ‘‘To go home and see how he struggles with doubled my efforts to improve the reg- tion to enhance the opportunities for train- everything he does helps me keep things in ulatory climate. ing and exchanges of Taiwanese officers at perspective,’’ Warner said. ‘‘I have realized I have been in close contact with in- U.S. military schools and academies. CBO es- how special a child he must be to go through dustry, public interest groups, local of- timates that enacting the bill would have no life with the excitement and joy he has even ficials, Federal regulators, and con- significant budgetary effect. According to the Department of Defense though he has to struggle doing everything stituents. he does.’’ (DoD), implementing H.R. 1838 would not re- So that is the Kurt Warner story. It’s dif- b 1900 quire any additional staff because DoD has ficult not to pull for a guy like him. The bill that I have introduced today already increased the number of technical staff at the American Institute in Taiwan Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- addresses several concerns. Under my during the last year. CBO estimates that pre- tleman will yield, I begin by congratu- legislation, number one, pipelines will paring the required reports would not in- lating my very good friend, the gen- be required to be inspected both inter- crease costs significantly, and any additional tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- nally and with hydrostatic tests. Pipe- officer training and exchanges would be paid KNECHT) for his very thoughtful special lines with a history of leaks will be in full by Taiwan. The funds for training and order. Representing Los Angeles, the specifically targeted for more stren- exchanges would flow through the foreign former home of the Rams, I would like uous testing. All pipeline operators military sales trust fund—a direct spending to extend hearty congratulations to will be tested for qualifications and account. Because the bill could affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures would Kurt Warner and Dick Vermeil and all certified by the Department of Trans- apply; however, CBO estimates that the net associated with the Rams organization portation. effect of any increase in collections and out- for their very impressive and exciting The results of pipeline tests and in- lays would not be significant. victory towards the end yesterday. spections will be made available to the H.R. 1838 contains no intergovernmental or f public and a nationwide map of all private-sector mandates as defined in the pipeline locations will be placed on the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- Internet where ordinary citizens can not affect the budgets of state, local, or trib- VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF easily access it. All pipeline ruptures al governments. H.R. 1838, TAIWAN SECURITY EN- and spills of more than 40 gallons will The estimate was prepared by Joseph C. HANCEMENT ACT Whitehill. The estimate was approved by be reported to the Federal Office of Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Direc- Mr. DREIER, from the Committee on Pipeline Safety. And States will be tor for Budget Analysis. Rules, submitted a privileged report able to set up their own pipeline safety (Rept. No. 106–490) on the resolution (H. programs for interstate pipelines. f Res. 408) providing for consideration of In addition, the bill requires studies PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES the bill (H.R. 1838) to assist in the en- on various technologies that may im- SHOULD RAISE CAMPAIGNS TO hancement of the security of Taiwan, prove safety such as external leak de- HIGHER LEVEL OF TRUTHFUL- and for other purposes, which was re- tection systems and double-walled NESS ferred to the House Calendar and or- pipelines. dered to be printed. The bill has already bipartisan sup- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gen- f port. My distinguished colleagues, the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. tleman from Florida (Mr. SCAR- INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION BOROUGH) is recognized for 5 minutes. DUNN), the gentleman from Washington TO PROMOTE PIPELINE SAFETY Mr. SCARBOROUGH. Mr. Speaker, I (Mr. INSLEE), and the gentleman from know many Americans and also an The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Washington (Mr. SMITH) have agreed to previous order of the House, the gen- cosponsor; and I thank them very awful lot of people in Washington, D.C., tleman from Washington (Mr. much for that. are focusing intently on what is going METCALF) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. Speaker, we hope to move this on in New Hampshire, not only tonight Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, on June legislation through Congress and I but over the past several weeks. We are 10, 1999, a liquid gasoline pipeline hope the rest of my colleagues can join obviously in the midst of a presidential owned by the Olympic Pipeline Com- with me in support of this bipartisan primary season. It is very exciting to pany ruptured and spilled over 200,000 proposal. watch the democratic process playing gallons of gasoline at Whatcom Falls itself out seeing who is going to be f Park, a 241-acre park in my district in elected the next President of this great the city of Bellingham. Gasoline was CBO COST ESTIMATE ON H.R. 1838, republic. carried into Whatcom Creek, where it TAIWAN SECURITY ENHANCE- It has not been too surprising to see reportedly filled the creek at depths of MENT ACT the differences between the Republican up to 10 feet. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and the Democratic Party. The Repub- The spilled fuel was inadvertently ig- GREEN of Wisconsin). Under a previous licans obviously have five or six con- nited by two 10-year-old boys, Wade order of the House, the gentleman from servative candidates whose fight main- King and Stephen Tsiorvas, who were New York (Mr. GILMAN) is recognized ly centers around who wants to cut playing with bottle rockets at the for 5 minutes. taxes more, who wants to cut the size creek. The resulting fireball raced Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, set forth below is and scope of this mammoth bureauc- down the length of the creek for a mile the cost estimate of the Congressional Budget racy, who wants to spend less and pro- and a half, killing King, Tsiorvas, and Office on H.R. 1838, the ‘‘Taiwan Security En- mote greater freedoms for individuals an 18-year-old fly fisherman named hancement Act.’’ This estimate was not avail- across the country. Liam Wood. Swaths as wide as 200 feet able on October 28, 1999, when the Com- Likewise, it is not a surprise that the along the creek were burned within mittee on International Relations filed its report Democratic primary has been con- minutes. on H.R. 1838. sumed by battles, a left-wing battle for

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