E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 152 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2006 No. 41 House of Representatives The House met at 12:30 p.m. among us. It would reserve tax cuts so draws from Iraq, the Republican budg- f that we can extend the tax where peo- et, as honest as the day is long, says ple who own stock that pays dividends that we will spend $50 billion next year DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO would pay a much lower rate of tax on Iraq and Afghanistan. Of course, TEMPORE than an American who works for, say, that is quite a bit less than half of The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- $30,000 a year in wages and salary. what we spent this year. So maybe fore the House the following commu- It would extend the capital gains tax they know something the President nication from the Speaker: cuts which again primarily benefit peo- does not know and America does not WASHINGTON, DC, ple over $300,000 a year. For someone know about the withdrawal timetable, April 4, 2006. who earns, 50, $60,000 a year, the aver- or maybe it is more dishonest book- I hereby appoint the Honorable TIM MUR- age tax break in capital gains is $50 keeping where we will have yet another PHY to act as Speaker pro tempore on this since we exempt people’s principal resi- unanticipated expense for the war in day. dence. That is where most middle class J. DENNIS HASTERT, Iraq and the ongoing problems of paci- Speaker of the House of Representatives. people have their capital. They do not fying Afghanistan. have a whole lot of other investments. So this budget is rife with these sorts f They are kind of struggling to get by. of things. The total deficit this year MORNING HOUR DEBATES This budget is not going to help. will be $543 billion, including borrowing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- This budget would borrow every $192 billion of hard-earned money that ant to the order of the House of Janu- penny. We are taxing working people is going to pay for supposedly future ary 31, 2006, the Chair will now recog- more than we need to collect money for Social Security retirement. And over 5 nize Members from lists submitted by Social Security. The theory is that years they are going to raise the debt the majority and minority leaders for money is being set aside to pay for the of the United States of America. Again, morning hour debates. The Chair will retirement of the baby boom, the com- it has been raised. Four times in the alternate recognition between the par- ing change in the demographics of the last 5 years, the debt ceiling has been ties, with each party limited to not to society, the crisis the President talked raised. It is a 65 percent increase in the exceed 30 minutes, and each Member, about in funding Social Security. indebtedness of the United States of except the majority leader, the minor- Well, what are the President and Re- America. ity leader, or the minority whip, lim- publicans doing with the $192 billion This President has accumulated more ited to not to exceed 5 minutes. extra we will collect in Social Security foreign debt than the 42 Presidents The Chair recognizes the gentleman taxes this year only from people who that preceded him in office. Record from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) for 5 min- earn $94,000 a year or less? They are after record after record is falling to utes. going to spend it. They are going to the Republican leadership and the Re- f spend part of it on tax cuts for people publicans in the White House, some- who earn a heck of a lot more than thing that they can be proud of. All so ADMINISTRATION SHOVELS $94,000 a year. they can feed tax cuts for people who Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, well, it is This deficit-producing budget is earn over a million bucks a year. That budget week here in Washington and going to do an incredible disservice to is really a great way to run a country. on the Republican side of the aisle they our Nation. It will give us a new record They are anticipating with this budg- are issuing shovels. and, of course, there have been many et, again even with dishonest book- Now, the shovels here in Washington records under the Bush administration, keeping, that we will be up to $11.3 tril- have two purposes. One is to shovel and this will set the record of the five lion of debt by 2011. That would be certain substances to obscure what consecutive years of largest deficits in about $27,000 for every American. they are really doing, and the other is the history of the United States, from $27,000 of debt. That would have more to dig the debt hole of the United the small government folks down there than doubled the debt since George States of America, the indebtedness of at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Bush took office. Doubling the debt in the American people, yet deeper while Now, true, a lot of it is done in emer- that short period of time is, again, languishing programs that are impor- gency supplementals. They cannot an- quite an accomplishment. It took 42 tant to average folks while the wealthy ticipate. This budget, for instance, Presidents and more than 200 years to get more. says, unlike the President who says it accumulate a significant debt and the This budget would reserve substan- will be a future President who decides President is going to manage to double tial funding for tax cuts for the richest when and if the United States with- it in a mere 5 years.

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 Aug 31 2005 02:09 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.000 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 So hopefully we can take away the the fiscal 2006 funding. This is going to working people in America and for the shovels, we can pull aside the veils, we not even cover the additional elec- sanitation workers there. can reveal to America what is going on tricity costs that public television Mr. Speaker, it is difficult for me to and we can pass a budget that meets must bear to operate both a digital and find the right words to express my feel- the priorities of the American people, analogue transmitter. That transition ings about Martin Luther King, Jr. He not a privileged few. to digital technology is also important was a man, my friend. He was my inspi- f for Congress to focus on. It is not ration, my leader, my colleague, and cheap. my brother. PUBLIC BROADCASTING Public broadcasting has led the way. Martin Luther King, Jr., more than The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- They have raised more than $1.1 billion any other American of the 20th century ant to the order of the House of Janu- from all sources for this purpose. We had the power to bring people together ary 31, 2006, the gentleman from Or- are asking for a little additional to do good, black and white, rich and egon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) is recognized money, an increase of $10 million this poor, young and old, Protestant, during morning hour debates for 5 min- year. This can have a critical impact, Catholic and Jews. utes. not just on the clarity of the broadcast He could inspire with his words, with Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, that is received by people in their his vision, and his leadership. He could more than 87 million Americans tune homes, but there is also an opportunity fill ordinary people with the extraor- into public television each week and 30 to replace and update the television dinary vision that they had the power million listen to public radio. And they interconnection system, known as the to build a new, more fair, more just depend on this Congress to provide Next Generation Interconnection Sys- America. some of the economic resources so that tem, that the Department of Homeland His message was love. His weapon in every community across the country Security has been testing as a founda- was truth. His method was creative people can listen to those thousand tion for a new digital emergency alert nonviolence. And his goal, Mr. Speak- public radio and television stations for system. Not just better service for peo- er, was the Beloved Community, a com- programs that inform and inspire. ple at home, but an important poten- munity of justice, a Nation at peace For help with reading, job training, tial addition to our homeland security. with itself. In a sense he spoke a for the latest digital services, for local Last but by no means least deals strange language, a philosophy of pas- news and information, for dozens of with educational technology. In the No sive resistance to evil and the use of other reasons. These stations around Child Left Behind legislation passed in nonviolence in the struggle for good. the country determine their own pro- 2001, Congress authorized two pro- He was far too advanced in his con- gram schedules. They often produce grams, Ready to Learn and Ready to cepts of love and peace for the violent their own programming. We, in Oregon, Teach. Ready to Learn harnesses tele- times in which he lived, perhaps too are immensely proud of Oregon Public vision’s universal reach to improve advanced for us to understand even Broadcasting for its award winning early childhood learning, while Ready today. But, Mr. Speaker, the assassins programming. They respond to commu- to Teach uses technology to develop of Martin Luther King, Jr., did not kill nity needs and leverage local support more highly-qualified teachers to the dream of peace. They did not kill that is so important. measurably increase student standards. the dream of an open society. They did While the Corporation for Public It is important to make sure that we not kill the dream of a Beloved Com- Broadcasting distributes its annual ap- support Ready to Learn, which re- munity. propriations from Congress in accord- ceived a small increase last year, fo- The movement that Martin Luther ance to a statutory formula for which cused on literacy and teacher profes- King, Jr., led was too right. It was too almost 72 percent of the funds go di- sional development. Ready to Teach necessary to be buried with his body. rectly to local public radio and tele- last year actually sustained a cut. It is We know that his voice was stilled 38 vision stations, the Federal appropria- requested that funding for both pro- years ago today, but his message of tions while it only accounts for 15 per- grams be increased in fiscal 2007 to $32 love, of peace, and of the good society cent of the entire costs, it leverages million for Ready to Learn and $15 mil- continue to resonate all around the critical investments from State and lion for Ready to Teach. world. local governments, from universities, Last year we had to come to the floor Mr. Speaker, we here in the people’s businesses and foundations, and most with a strong bipartisan vote where 87 House, we know that Dr. King’s dream important, from millions of viewers Republicans joined with every single has not been fulfilled. But that is why and listeners of public television and Democrat to restore Draconian cuts to it must be our task to renew our com- radio. They add their dollars to this public broadcasting. This year it is mitment to the values of his vision, the core vital Federal support, writing more important than ever for edu- values of peace, love and justice. checks to allow the public broadcasting cation, for the Public Broadcasting If Dr. King were here today he would to continue. However, we have faced Service, and for national security that say we must find a way to support cou- issues of major reduction in this fund- we not have to go through that effort. rageous legislation, legislation that ing which would have immediate and I urge my colleagues to look care- will redirect the priorities and the tre- severe impacts on our community and fully at the requests that have been mendous resources of this Nation, not constituents. made for public broadcasting and join to oppress but to uplift, not to divide Last month, 126 bipartisan Members with us this year in assuring a strong but to bring together, not to enslave signed a letter in support for $430 mil- funding base that will leverage hun- but to set free. He would say we must lion in funding for the Corporation for dreds of millions of dollars across use the resources of this great Nation, Public Broadcasting. This is a modest America and provide the services our talents, our minds, and our votes amount by reckoning of the vast sums Americans deserve. to work for the good of all humankind. Through the life of Martin Luther that are thrown around here in Wash- f ington, DC, but it has a critical im- King, Jr., through his noble efforts, he pact. It is going to be essential that we REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER injected new meaning and new dignity provide the core funding for the Cor- KING, JR. into the very veins of our society. We poration For Public Broadcasting and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- are a better people. We are a better Na- hopefully retain the practice of ad- ant to the order of the House of Janu- tion because he lived. vanced funding which costs the Treas- ary 31, 2006, the gentleman from Geor- f ury nothing but gives public broad- gia (Mr. LEWIS) is recognized during b 1245 casting certainty over time so that morning hour debates for 5 minutes. they can plan on allowing for the Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, GLOBAL WARMING changes and development that they 38 years ago Martin Luther King, Jr., The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. need. was taken by from us by an assassin’s MURPHY). Pursuant to the order of the There has been a modest request that bullets. He had gone to Memphis, Ten- House of January 31, 2006, the gen- has been suggested, $30 million above nessee to call for economic justice for tleman from New Mexico (Mr. UDALL)

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:09 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.002 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1399 is recognized during morning hour de- works slowly yet surely rather than places to play, and safe routes to walk bates for 5 minutes. one that might prove economically un- or bike to school, smoke-free commu- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. workable. nities and homes, and toxin-free Speaker, I rise today to discuss the ur- Many companies, including the larg- schools. gent need for the House of Representa- est utility in my home State of New Health challenges include the quality tives to address global warming. As Mexico, have expressed the need for a of and access to schools and housing, you can see from last week’s cover of safety valve in any mandatory green- economic opportunities, social capital, Time magazine, both popular and sci- house gas emissions control legisla- air and water, and opportunities for entific consensus indicate that the tion. physical activity. United States must act now to miti- While the safety valve and a cap-and- As Chair of the Congressional Asian gate this problem. trade program are critical to the short- Pacific American Caucus, I am particu- In fact, a poll released yesterday by term success of curbing emissions, con- larly concerned about how the built en- Environmental Defense indicates that servation, research and technology are vironment affects communities of more than 70 percent of Americans some of the long-term solutions of color, native communities, and linguis- polled believe that global warming is global warming. Our bill creates an ad- tically isolated communities. real and a problem that they are will- vanced research projects agency inside Members of these communities are ing to do something about. the Department of Energy. The goal of more likely to live, work, and play in Mr. Speaker, it is time for a national the E-ARPA is to explore the truly environments which have detrimental policy on global warming. America out-of-the-box, high-risk, high-payoff health effects, often vastly dispropor- must lead the global effort. As I speak, research that will be necessary if we tionate to their percentage of the popu- our colleagues in the other chamber are to get to a low or no carbon dioxide lation. For example, asthma is one of the are holding a day-long conference on or greenhouse gas world. this issue. They have also debated leg- Mr. Speaker, we know that despite major causes of illness and disability islation and had several votes on bills our best efforts some will probably be in the United States. Although asthma designed to curb greenhouse gas emis- negatively impacted by this policy. is only slightly more prevalent among sions. It is time, in fact it is long over- That is why our legislation allocates minority children than among whites, due, for the United States House of allowances to those people, entities it accounts for three times the number Representatives to join the debate. and localities that may incur disloca- of deaths. Low socioeconomic status, exposure In my home State of New Mexico, we tions because of this legislation. to urban environmental contaminants, may already be seeing the dramatic ef- Finally, we also set aside allowances and lack of access to medical care con- fects of global warming. In the drought for auction that will be used to ensure tribute to the increase of deaths in mi- seasons of 2002 and 2003, we had major that the legislation is revenue neutral. die-offs of our State tree, the pinon. Mr. Speaker, this bill is modest, cer- nority communities. African Americans living in low-in- Scientists predict that this major die- tain and efficient. It commits America come neighborhoods have particularly off is only the prelude to life in a to reducing its greenhouse gas emis- high rates of asthma, as do Native Ha- warmer future. Also, as seen in this sions by having emitters internalize picture, dramatic melting has already waiians living in Hawaii. the costs associated with global warm- America must invest more resources been seen in icecaps, glaciers and sea ing. This monumental step of putting a and be more creative in order to elimi- ice on both poles and in high mountain price on all greenhouse gases will sta- nate racial and ethnic health dispari- regions across the globe. Scientists are bilize emissions and eventually reduce ties. in almost unanimous agreement that them and finally put the United States We need to provide access to health these events are directly related to the on the road towards curbing the effects care for the 45 million uninsured, more build-up of carbon dioxide in the at- of global warming. than half of whom are racial and ethnic mosphere from the burning of fossil I urge my colleagues in the House to populations. fuels. cosponsor this comprehensive and eco- We need to provide linguistically and Mr. Speaker, last week the Honorable nomically rational legislation and help culturally competent services, and we TOM PETRI and I introduced H.R. 5049, break the stalemate that exists on the need to stop gutting the health care the Keep America Competitive Global global warming issue. safety net. Warming Policy Act. Our bill will help f Neighborhoods and communities America curb our emissions and spur NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK across the United States are segregated innovation to keep us in the global by race and socioeconomic status, technological lead. The bill is an econ- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- which exacerbates the underlying so- omy-wide, upstream, cap-and-trade ant to the order of the House of Janu- cial and economic inequities that per- policy that covers all greenhouse gas ary 31, 2006, the gentleman from Cali- petuate health inequities. Without sig- emissions. fornia (Mr. HONDA) is recognized during nificant investment in the built envi- However, to provide some certainty morning hour debates for 5 minutes. ronment for children and underserved to the economy, the bill provides for an Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise communities, these health inequities unlimited number of additional safety today in honor of National Public will continue. valve allowances. These allowances Health Week. Since 1995, national, I am pleased to see that the Amer- will be sold by the Treasury Depart- State and local public health profes- ican Public Health Association, the ment at a fixed and reasonable price, sionals highlight an important public leading public health organization in which will escalate over time. The es- health issue every April to raise aware- the United States, has been able to dis- calation of the safety valve price is ness about leading health problems af- seminate the message about the inter- tied to the emissions-control activities fecting our Nation. connectedness between health and the of the five largest developing country This year, the theme of National built environment, and hope that this greenhouse gas emitters. This will en- Public Health Week focuses on what is reality is integrated into the public sure that the rest of the world joins us called the ‘‘built environment,’’ which health debate. in this effort. In that way, our policy refers to building healthy communities I look forward to working with all will not put America at a global dis- to protect and enhance our children’s those involved with National Public advantage. life. Health Week to ensure policies to pro- We know that there may be less The built environment is any infra- mote all children’s health. emissions reduction with a safety valve structure with which children come in f than without one. However, the cost contact on a daily basis including certainty and the modest starting up homes, schools, parks, roads, walkways RECESS cost of the safety valve allowances pro- and businesses. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- vide assurance this policy will not re- Enhancements to the built environ- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair sult in undue economic harm. We be- ment include access to primary health declares the House in recess until 2 lieve it is better to have a policy that services, regular physical activity, safe p.m. today.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:09 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.004 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1400 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 55 are quickly being corrected. The new impressive 26–1 season, including a minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- drug coverage offers more and better number three national ranking by USA cess until 2 p.m. choices at a lower cost. Premiums have Today and a unanimous number one f been lowered to an average of $25 a ranking in the final Ohio Associated month, down from the $37 that was pre- Press State poll. 1400 b viously estimated. Yet Democrats con- The Trojans made their road to Co- AFTER RECESS tinue their coordinated campaign of lumbus look easy, defeating their oppo- The recess having expired, the House confusion. On the one hand they are nents by an average of 33 points a game was called to order by the Speaker pro telling seniors that the prescription and knocking off the reigning Division tempore (Mrs. BIGGERT) at 2 p.m. drug program is a disaster, and then in I State champions from Ohio and Ken- the same breath they are urging them tucky. In fact, statistics like these f to sign up. Mr. Speaker, this reminds have already brought calls for a three- PRAYER me of someone turning to you and say- peat next year. The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. ing, ‘‘Hey, this milk tastes bad. Try It gives me great pleasure to con- Coughlin, offered the following prayer: it.’’ gratulate the North College Hill Tro- Lord God of the Jewish-Christian Seniors are hearing from Democrats jans, the players, coaches, parents, scriptures, You call forth Your people that the milk is bad, yet they are being fans, teachers, and administrators on to move out from blood-stained door- asked to taste it. It is no wonder some bringing the championship back to the ways into the wandering freedom of the seniors are confused. I would be, too. Cincinnati area. We are very proud of desert, until they found a promised f you, North College Hill. land. MAKING THE TAX CUTS f By the spirit You led Jesus into the PERMANENT AMERICAN FLAGS BANNED AT desert to discover Your living presence HIGH SCHOOL through fasting and prayer. (Mr. KELLER asked and was given Guide Your people in these days of permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. POE asked and was given per- grace in and through the political ways minute.) mission to address the House for 1 of Congress. May the trials of argumen- Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I rise minute.) tative discussions and the discipline of today to give the American people Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, students compromise lead Your people across some straight talk on why we need to at Skyline High School in Colorado are the barren land of uncertainty. Shape make the tax cuts permanent. As tax banned from waving the American flag. within them new resolves of faithful day rapidly approaches, President Bush The principal is reported as saying, service, and open for them paths of urged Congress to make the tax cuts ‘‘These flags were being used as a sym- greater justice and new-found peace. permanent, and with good reason. If bol of bigotry, a symbol of hostility. Help us, O Lord, to renew the cov- Congress does not make the tax cuts They were being used to inflame dif- enant of old which makes us Your own, permanent, a family of four in central ferent groups, and we’re not going to even now and forever. Amen. Florida making $50,000 would see their tolerate that.’’ taxes go up by nearly 50 percent. This principal is more concerned f It is no accident that we have a about hurting the feelings of people il- THE JOURNAL strong and vibrant economy today. legally in the U.S. than he is about The SPEAKER pro tempore. The During President Bush’s first term, Americans’ freedom of expression. This Chair has examined the Journal of the Congress acted to lower income tax principal is obviously unaware the flag last day’s proceedings and announces rates across the board, cut taxes on was offensive to the British who were to the House her approval thereof. capital gains and dividends, and elimi- also illegally in the U.S. When the Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- nate the marriage penalty. British reinvaded the United States in nal stands approved. Now, what have we seen as a result? 1814 and were illegally on American We have seen 5 million new jobs cre- soil, they marched on Washington wav- f ated in the last 21⁄2 years. We have seen ing the British flag, and they burned PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE an unemployment rate that is lower this very building. The British then The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the than the average unemployment rate sailed upriver to Fort McHenry and gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. We have were offended by this defiant American WILSON) come forward and lead the seen home ownership rise to 69 percent, flag that was flying. They tried to House in the Pledge of Allegiance. the largest record in history. So don’t shoot it down, but Old Glory flew, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina led believe the hype. Our government has we have it down the street in the Na- the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: received more revenue after the tax tional Archives, bullet holes and all. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the cuts than we received before the tax We got our National Anthem from the United States of America, and to the Repub- cuts. Let’s make these tax cuts perma- glory of the Star Spangled Banner at lic for which it stands, one nation under God, nent and keep our economy strong. Fort McHenry. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. f The American flag cannot be banned in America. How absurd. What flag do f CONGRATULATIONS TO NORTH you fly there at that high school, the DEMOCRATS AND CONFUSING COLLEGE HILL TROJANS white flag of surrender so as not to of- SENIORS ABOUT MEDICARE (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given fend anyone illegally in the United (Ms. FOXX asked and was given per- permission to address the House for 1 States? Good thing the commander at mission to address the House for 1 minute.) Fort McHenry didn’t care about what minute.) Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, at the British thought and was proud to Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise this time last year I predicted that I be an American. And that’s just the today to discuss the new Medicare pre- would be standing here once again to way it is. scription drug benefit. Under this his- congratulate Coach Jamie Mahaffey f toric program, seniors are receiving and his North College Hill Trojans. the drugs they need at reduced cost. So Well, they proved me right after win- RESPECTING CAPITOL POLICE far, more than 27 million Medicare ning back-to-back Division III Ohio (Mrs. MILLER of Michigan asked and beneficiaries are now getting coverage State high school basketball cham- was given permission to address the and saving money on their prescription pionships. House for 1 minute and to revise and drugs. Even more amazing is that Just this past weekend, North Col- extend her remarks.) 380,000 new beneficiaries are signing up lege Hill captured its second State Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam each week. championship with a convincing 90–73 Speaker, last week we finally saw the This is a program that is working for triumph over Cleveland Villa Angela- Democratic Party roll out their ideas most seniors, and any early problems St. Joseph. The victory topped off an about how we should secure America,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:09 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.005 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1401 and they put a very heavy emphasis on Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. House Joint Resolution 81 provides how important they thought it was to Madam Speaker, as supporters of free- for the appointment of Phillip Frost to support our first responders. dom confront terrorism worldwide, it is serve on the Board of Regents of the How ironic it was, then, on that very appropriate to recognize the Republic Smithsonian Institution. same day to hear allegations that a of Indonesia’s extraordinary efforts to This 17-member board, which governs Democrat Member of this House struck advance democracy. Newly appointed the Smithsonian Institution, is com- a Capitol Police officer, and how dis- Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadinin- prised of the Chief Justice and Vice heartening to hear the response of the grat recently made a convincing pres- President of the United States, three Democratic leader of this House. It entation in the Washington Diplomat Members each from the House and Sen- was, she said, no big deal. regarding the significance of his coun- ate, and nine citizens who are nomi- To those who might agree with the try, which is the world’s third largest nated by the Board and approved joint- Democrats that allegedly assaulting a democracy of over 220 million and the ly in a resolution of Congress. Capitol Hill Police officer is no big world’s largest Muslim population Our first regent nominee, Phillip deal, I would respectfully remind them which spreads across 17,000 islands. Frost, founded Ivax Corporation, and that just a few years back two mem- Despite al Qaeda terrorist attacks has served as the Chief Executive Offi- bers of the Capitol Police were shot and economic collapse, and the cata- cer and Chairman of the Board since and killed in the line of duty by a de- strophic tsunami, Indonesia has re- 1987; he also served as President of Ivax ranged man who was trying to attack bounded with fair and free elections from 1991 to 1995. Before founding Ivax, the majority whip, and that during mo- and an economic growth rate from 5.5 Dr. Frost chaired the Department of ments of danger and evacuation Cap- to 6 percent annually. America is for- Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Med- itol Police stand their posts while the tunate to be a friend and partner of In- ical Center of Greater Miami from 1972 rest of us seek to secure ourselves and donesia, a dynamic nation which joins to 1990. His other work involved joining the safety of others. us in working for regional peace and the University of Miami School of Med- This is only my second term here, so winning the war on terrorism. icine faculty in 1966. Among his many the Capitol Police don’t always recog- In conclusion, God bless our troops, accomplishments, Dr. Frost was named nize me and occasionally they do check and we will never forget September 11. the 2001 National Entrepreneur of the my identity. They stop me and check f Year by Ernst & Young. my identity. No problem. A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Frost Madam Speaker, I wish to go on ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER attended the University of Paris from record as supporting the jobs that the PRO TEMPORE 1955 to 1956. He received his Bachelor’s brave men and women in the Capitol The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Degree from the University of Pennsyl- Police do to protect all of us, and let ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair vania and his medical degree from the me just say to them thank you. will postpone further proceedings Albert Einstein College of Medicine in f today on motions to suspend the rules New York in 1961. on which a recorded vote or the yeas Dr. Frost and his wife Patricia, who MEDICARE PART D and nays are ordered, or on which the currently serves as Chair of the Smith- (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given vote is objected to under clause 6 of sonian National Board, have displayed permission to address the House for 1 rule XX. a genuine commitment to the arts minute and to revise and extend his re- Record votes on postponed questions through personal leadership and phi- marks.) will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. lanthropy. In 1986, they gave their en- Mr. GINGREY. Madam Speaker, I f tire 113-piece collection of American rise and share yet another story of suc- PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINT- abstract art to the Smithsonian Amer- cess regarding the Medicare part D pre- ican Art Museum. scription drug benefit. Today I would MENT OF PHILLIP FROST AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF THE BOARD Dr. Frost has experience serving on a like to tell you about Lola Squires of variety of boards and possesses signifi- Cedartown, Georgia. OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSO- NIAN INSTITUTION cant fiscal experience with matters of Lola is a widow and lives on a fixed government oversight. income. As you can imagine, every dol- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I lar of her monthly budget is precious move to suspend the rules and pass the b 1415 to her livelihood. Due to chronic ill- joint resolution (H.J. Res. 81) providing I believe the Smithsonian can benefit ness, Lola was paying $1,000 a month for the appointment of Phillip Frost as greatly from Phillip Frost’s financial, for her prescription drugs, which used a citizen regent of the Board of Re- educational, and leadership experience. up almost all of her income. gents of the Smithsonian Institution. And I urge my colleagues to support Lola is now enrolled in a Medicare The Clerk read as follows: House Joint Resolution 81. part D plan. As my office was assisting H.J. RES. 81 Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- her, we learned that she did qualify for Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- ance of my time. the extra help due to her limited re- resentatives of the United States of America in Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. sources, and I am happy to report, as of Congress assembled, That, in accordance with Madam Speaker, I yield myself such today, Lola is paying a mere $27 a section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the time as I may consume. month for her medication. $27 a month. United States (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on I too rise in support of House Joint That is a saving of more than $900 the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In- Resolution 81 to appoint Dr. Phillip stitution, in the class other than Members of Frost of Florida for a 6-year term as a every month for Lola. Congress, occurring by reason of the expira- Madam Speaker, the Medicare part D tion of the term of Manuel L. Ibanez of Texas citizen regent of the Smithsonian In- success stories are pouring in. Seniors on May 4, 2006, is filled by the appointment stitution. have until May 15 to enroll in a plan of Phillip Frost of Florida. The appointment Dr. Frost, who is a medical doctor, is without penalty; so in the next few is for a term of 6 years, beginning on the a noted collector of American abstract weeks, it is absolutely essential that later of May 5, 2006, or the date of the enact- art and a philanthropist, who, since Congress put real people over partisan ment of this joint resolution. 1987, as was mentioned, has served as politics and help our seniors get the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the chairman of the board and CEO of medicine they need to stay well. ant to the rule, the gentleman from the IVAX Corporation, which develops f Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) and the gentle- and markets pharmaceutical products. woman from Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN Dr. Frost and his wife, Patricia, gave INDONESIA IS A STRATEGIC SCHULTZ) each will control 20 minutes. their 113-piece collection of American FRIEND The Chair recognizes the gentleman abstract art to the Smithsonian Amer- (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina from Michigan. ican Art Museum in 1986. In another asked and was given permission to ad- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I major philanthropic donation, they dress the House for 1 minute and to re- yield myself such time as I may con- previously gave a $33 million gift to the vise and extend his remarks.) sume. University of Miami for its school of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.007 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1402 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 music. Subsequently, the school of The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. since 2000 and, by all accounts, has music was named after Dr. Frost and BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- done an excellent job. His diverse back- his wife, Patricia. tion offered by the gentleman from ground in finance, management, and Dr. Frost’s broad background in med- Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) that the House technology has served the institution icine, science, business, and culture suspend the rules and pass the joint very well. We would be privileged to will be a valuable asset to the Smithso- resolution, H.J. Res. 81. have him continue to serve as a mem- nian. The question was taken. ber. And, Madam Speaker, just as a per- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Spoon has a unique skill-set, sonal aside, I have a personal relation- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of stemming from his 25 years of service ship with Dr. Phil Frost. He is a re- those present have voted in the affirm- in various dynamic business nowned philanthropic contributor both ative. atmospheres. Mr. Spoon currently in the community in south Florida and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. serves as a managing partner of Polaris across this country. I have worked Madam Speaker, on that I demand the Venture Partners, which invests in with him on several projects and also yeas and nays. Internet-related businesses, net- would like to note his deep commit- The yeas and nays were ordered. working, biotechnology, and medical ment and involvement in the Jewish The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- technology. community in south Florida, and I am ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Prior to his position with Polaris, he privileged to be able to stand before Chair’s prior announcement, further served in a variety of capacities at The this House today and ask unanimous proceedings on this question will be Washington Post Company. These in- support for this resolution. postponed. cluded positions as president, chief fi- I urge my colleagues to support nancial officer, chief operating officer, f House Joint Resolution 81 so that this president of Newsweek, head of news- joint resolution can be signed into law GENERAL LEAVE paper marketing, and head of corporate before the May meeting of the Smith- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I ask business development. sonian regents. unanimous consent that all Members Prior to serving on the Board of Re- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I may have 5 legislative days in which to gents, Mr. Spoon served on the Na- rise in support of House Joint Resolution 81, revise and extend their remarks and in- tional Museum of Natural History’s which appoints Dr. Phillip Frost as a Citizen clude extraneous material on H.J. Res. Board of Directors. Mr. Spoon received Regent of the Board of Regents of the Smith- 81. his BA at M.I.T., his MS at M.I.T.’s sonian Institution. Dr. Frost and his wife Patri- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Sloan School of Management, and his cia have long been ardent supporters of the objection to the request of the gen- JD from Harvard Law School. arts, especially in my Congressional District of tleman from Michigan? In light of his distinguished service South Florida. There was no objection. with the Smithsonian Institution, I Dr. Frost grew up living above his father’s urge my colleagues to support House shoe store as a child in Philadelphia. While in f Joint Resolution 82 and reappoint Mr. college at the University of Pennsylvania, he PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPOINT- Spoon to an additional 6-year term. traveled to Paris for a year to study French MENT OF ALAN G. SPOON AS A Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Literature. While in Paris, his life long commit- CITIZEN REGENT OF THE BOARD ance of my time. ment to the arts began. OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSO- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Dr. Frost came to South Florida to complete NIAN INSTITUTION Madam Speaker, I yield myself such a one-year senior residency at Jackson Me- time as I may consume. morial Hospital in Miami. Fortunately for South Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I I too support H.J. Resolution 82 to re- Floridians, he has remained for over forty move to suspend the rules and pass the appoint Alan G. Spoon of Massachu- years, In 1966, he joined the faculty of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 82) providing setts for a new 6-year term as a citizen University of Miami School of Medicine. From for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon regent of the Smithsonian Institution. there he moved on to Mount Sinai Medical as a citizen regent of the Board of Re- I want to mention that my colleague, Center in 1972, chairing their Department of gents of the Smithsonian Institution. the Hon. Congressman BARNEY FRANK, Dermatology until 1990. The Clerk read as follows: joins me in the support of this resolu- Dr. Frost’s success in medicine translated H.J. RES. 82 tion as well. into business, and he has used his success to Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- Alan Spoon was previously appointed enhance the South Florida Community. Dr. resentatives of the United States of America in to the Board of Regents by Congress in Frost has distinguished himself nationally as a Congress assembled, That, in accordance with 2000. He is a member of the executive business leader. It came as no surprise that in section 5581 of the Revised Statutes of the committee of the board and chairman United States (20 U.S.C. 43), the vacancy on of the Finance and Investment Com- 2001; he received the National Ernst & Young the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In- Entrepreneur of the Year Award. stitution, in the class other than Members of mittee. As was mentioned, Mr. Spoon Dr. Frost’s contributions to our community in Congress, occurring by reason of the expira- is the managing partner of Polaris South Florida have been invaluable. Dr. Frost tion of the term of Alan G. Spoon of Massa- Venture Partners, an investment com- has been a huge supporter of the University of chusetts on May 4, 2006, is filled by the re- pany, and was previously president of Miami’s Music Department, which is now appointment of the incumbent for a term of The Washington Post Company. Prior named after he and his wife. 6 years. The reappointment shall take effect to that experience, Mr. Spoon also In 1993, Florida International University pre- on May 5, 2006. served as president of Newsweek maga- sented him with an honorary degree for his The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- zine, an impressive accomplishment. many contributions in medicine, business, and ant to the rule, the gentleman from He also brings previous experience to community service. He also has been a strong Michigan (Mr. EHLERS) and the gentle- the Smithsonian as a member of the advocate of the Miami Art Museum. woman from Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN National Museum of Natural History’s I would like to commend Dr. Frost for his SCHULTZ) each will control 20 minutes. advisory board. dedication to enriching the lives of South Flo- The Chair recognizes the gentleman I believe the Smithsonian will con- ridians through the arts. I urge my colleagues from Michigan. tinue to benefit from Alan Spoon’s fi- to support House Joint Resolution 81 and pro- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I nancial, marketing, and management mote Dr. Frost as a Citizen Regent of the yield myself such time as I may con- background and continuing experience Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- sume. on the Board of Regents. tion. House Joint Resolution 82 provides I urge my colleagues to support Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon House Joint Resolution 82 so that this Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- as a citizen regent of the Board of Re- joint resolution can be signed into law ance of my time. gents of the Smithsonian Institution. before the May meeting of the Smith- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I have Alan Spoon has served as a member sonian regents. no further requests for time, and I of the Smithsonian’s National Museum Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- yield back the balance of my time. of Natural History Board of Regents ance of my time.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:09 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.010 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1403 Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I community are committed to overcoming GALLEGLY, the chairman of the Sub- yield back the balance of my time. the extensive consequences of the Chernobyl committee on Europe and Emerging The SPEAKER pro tempore. The nuclear disaster; Threats of the House International Re- question is on the motion offered by Whereas the United States has sought to lations Committee. House Resolution help the people of the affected areas through the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. various forms of assistance; 703 recognizes the 20th anniversary of EHLERS) that the House suspend the Whereas humanitarian assistance and pub- the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. lic health research into the consequences of supports continued efforts to control Res. 82. the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will continue radiation and mitigate the adverse The question was taken; and (two- to be needed in the coming decades when a health consequences related to this ter- thirds having voted in favor thereof) large number of latent health effects are ex- rible accident. the rules were suspended and the joint pected to emerge; I would like to commend Mr. Whereas the United States strongly sup- resolution was passed. GALLEGLY for his hard work on this ports improving nuclear safety in Ukraine; resolution as well as that of Mr. A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas, in 1997, the United States, the the table. European Union, and Ukraine developed the WELDON of Pennsylvania; Ms. KAPTUR of Ohio; Mr. LEVIN of Michigan; as well f Shelter Implementation Plan for the purpose of protecting people and the environment as our distinguished ranking member, GENERAL LEAVE from the dangers of the large quantity of Mr. LANTOS of California, for their Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I ask highly radioactive material contained in the great interest in ensuring that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant; international community lives up to unanimous consent that all Members Whereas as the United States is the largest may have 5 legislative days in which to its obligations to assist Ukraine and single country donor to the Chernobyl Shel- other countries in the region to over- revise and extend their remarks and in- ter Fund, which was created with the pur- clude extraneous material on H.J. Res. pose of funding the Shelter Implementation come the continuing health, environ- 82. Plan, having pledged a total of $203,000,000; mental, and economic problems caused The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there and by the Chernobyl accident. objection to the request of the gen- Whereas the most critical component of In just a few weeks, on April 26, the tleman from Michigan? the Shelter Implementation Plan will be the world will mark the 20th anniversary construction of a new shelter designed to There was no objection. of the Chernobyl power plant accident, better protect people and the environment the most devastating civilian nuclear f from the radioactive remains of the disaster in human history. This dis- Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Now, there- RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVER- fore, be it aster caused serious radiological, SARY OF THE CHERNOBYL NU- Resolved, That the House of Representa- health, and socioeconomic con- CLEAR DISASTER tives— sequences for the people of Ukraine, (1) recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Belarus, and Russia. Millions of people, Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I move Chernobyl nuclear disaster and expresses children in particular, suffered severe to suspend the rules and agree to the sympathy for the ongoing effects of the dis- and debilitating health defects and resolution (H. Res. 703) recognizing the aster, including adverse health consequences were forced to flee from their homes. 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nu- and deaths; Although 20 years have passed, the clear disaster and supporting continued (2) calls upon national and international lives and health of individuals within efforts to control radiation and miti- health organizations to focus their research into the public health consequences of the the affected areas continue to be heav- gate the adverse health consequences ily burdened by the aftermath of the related to the Chernobyl nuclear power Chernobyl nuclear disaster into areas identi- fied by the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, so that nuclear disaster. Ukraine must not plant. the global community can benefit from the only provide care for those affected but The Clerk read as follows: findings of such research; also ensure that the radioactive waste H. RES. 703 (3) supports continued United States as- and environmental destruction from Whereas April 26, 2006, marks the 20th an- sistance to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, the the explosion do not pose a threat to niversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; Shelter Implementation Plan, construction the region. of a facility to store spent nuclear fuel, and Whereas serious radiological, health, and The sarcophagus currently encasing socioeconomic consequences for the popu- other efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; and the remnants of the destroyed reactor lations of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, as is in disrepair and may collapse at any well as for the populations of other affected (4) urges other countries and the European areas, have been identified since the dis- Union to continue to provide assistance to time. In response to this emergency, aster; the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, the Shelter Im- the United States, the European Union, Whereas the Chernobyl Forum, an initia- plementation Plan, construction of a facility and Ukraine developed the Shelter Im- tive launched by the International Atomic to store spent nuclear fuel, and other efforts plementation Plan for the purpose of Energy Agency and supported by the World to mitigate the consequences of the protecting people and the environment Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Health Organization, the United Nations De- from the large quantity of highly ra- velopment Program, and other United Na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- dioactive material contained in the re- tions agencies, as well as by the govern- ant to the rule, the gentleman from actor. ments of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, ex- Iowa (Mr. LEACH) and the gentleman amined the scientific evidence of the human The most critical component of the from California (Mr. LANTOS) each will health affects and the environmental impact Shelter Implementation Plan will be of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; control 20 minutes. the construction of a new shelter de- Whereas the findings of the Chernobyl The Chair recognizes the gentleman signed to better protect the sur- Forum, issued in September 2005, signifi- from Iowa. rounding area from leakage of radio- cantly added to the understanding of the GENERAL LEAVE active remains. The total cost of the health consequences and economic impact Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I ask shelter could well be in excess of $1 bil- caused by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; unanimous consent that all Members lion. In addition, Ukraine must still Whereas the Chernobyl Forum found that approximately 5,000,000 people live in areas may have 5 legislative days to revise deal with the health and economic im- of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia that were and extend their remarks and include pact of the Chernobyl disaster, includ- contaminated by radioactivity; extraneous material on the resolution ing the treatment of thousands of peo- Whereas the populations of the affected under consideration. ple who were exposed as children and areas who were exposed as children have ex- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there have experienced significant increases perienced significant increases in thyroid objection to the request of the gen- in thyroid cancer. cancer; tleman from Iowa? This legislation expresses the sym- Whereas the lives and health of people in There was no objection. pathy of the House for the ongoing ef- the affected areas continue to be heavily Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield fects of the disaster. In addition, H. burdened by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; myself such time as I may consume. Res. 703 calls upon the U.S. and other Whereas numerous charitable, humani- Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- countries to continue to provide assist- tarian, and environmental organizations port of H. Res. 703, a resolution intro- ance for the construction of a new shel- from the United States and the international duced by Congressman ELTON ter and a facility to store spent nuclear

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.014 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1404 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 fuel, and other efforts to mitigate the stead of covering up toxic chemical leasing over 100 tons of radioactive material in many adverse consequences of the slicks traveling silently down China’s what remains the world’s worst nuclear acci- Chernobyl disaster. waterways towards crowded cities, Bei- dent. We may never know the full extent of Madam Speaker, Ukraine is an im- jing should move towards openness and the damage this accident has done to the portant ally of the United States. transparency to save lives; and rather health of people living in the surrounding Since the Orange Revolution, our bilat- than pretending that the destruction of areas or to the environment. It is clear, eral relationship has been character- 700,000 homes in Zimbabwe was a clean- though, that the deaths attributable to the ized by closer cooperation on trade up operation, Zimbabwe’s totalitarian Chernobyl disaster number in the thousands issues, the strengthening of democratic leaders should be empowering the and that millions of people in Ukraine, Russia institutions, and the fight against the young people in these slums to become and Belarus have been exposed to radioactive proliferation of weapons of mass de- the next generation of democratic lead- contamination. struction. It is important that the ers in southern Africa. It is important as we remember the victims House go on record in support of the Madam Speaker, the Chernobyl dis- of Chernobyl that we also recognize the ongo- Ukrainian people in their effort to aster has many lessons for our age, and ing consequences of the disaster and the work overcome the negative economic and our resolution is an important re- that still needs to be done. We must continue social impact resulting from this trag- minder of the importance of freedom to help those people in the areas affected by ic accident. and democracy worldwide. I urge all of radioactive fallout. The populations exposed to Again, I would like to commend the my colleagues to support this resolu- this fallout have experienced significant in- work of Congressman GALLEGLY on this tion. creases in thyroid cancer, still births and birth issue and for the introduction of this Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- defects, as well as economic hardship result- important resolution. ance of my time. ing from the impact of the disaster on local Madam Speaker, I urge the support Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speak- economies. of House Resolution 703. er, I rise today in strong support of this resolu- The United States must also continue to Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- tion. It is important to not only remember support the Chernobyl Shelter Fund and the ance of my time. those that perished in this terrible tragedy, but Shelter Implementation Plan. A new shelter for Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I to keep in mind that individuals in the affected Reactor Number 4 is essential to mitigating yield myself such time as I may con- area are still suffering. further health and environmental con- sume. Although the world’s worst nuclear disaster sequences from the radioactive materials in- I rise in support of this resolution. occurred at Chernobyl nuclear power station in side the facility. To date, the U.S. has pledged April 2006, marks the 20th anniver- Northern Ukraine, the wind carried 70 percent over $200 million to the Shelter Fund, helping sary of the catastrophic accident at the of the radioactive material into the neighboring to ensure that this work will be completed. Chernobyl nuclear power plant in country of Belarus. This disaster has impacted The resolution before us supports these ef- Ukraine. At the time of this disaster, the region economically, socially, and medi- forts, and recognizes that although this dis- Ukraine was still under the iron domi- cally. aster occurred two decades ago, there is still nation of the Soviet Union. When the I would like to recognize the efforts of much more we must do to help the Govern- accident occurred, we saw the stock Chernobyl Children’s Project International, a ment of Ukraine and the affected populations Soviet response to all major disasters: not-for-profit organization that works with the cope with its consequences. I urge all of my cover it up, regardless of the con- people of Belarus to help them overcome the colleagues to support it. sequences to the innocent civilians liv- lingering effects of the Chernobyl nuclear dis- Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam ing in the region. It was not until ra- aster. This organization provides humanitarian Speaker, 20 years ago the world witnessed dioactive particles were being detected and medical aid to over three million children one of the last crimes of the Soviet communist in Finland that the Soviets were forced the United Nations recognizes as suffering regime against its own people. The biggest to admit that the Chernobyl reactor from the Chernobyl disaster. In addition, I nuclear catastrophe in human history was kept No. 4 was burning. would like to recognize Children of Chernobyl secret from Soviet civilians, who were ex- While the authorities were engaged which is an organization that works to provide posed to massive amounts of radiation that in a political coverup, scores of brave a respite from ongoing exposure to radiation exceeded the medically tolerable norm by 100 rescue and emergency workers were at- by bringing children to the United States to times. tempting to douse the burning reactor stay with host families for the summer. On April 25–26, 1986, many firefighters sac- and hastily construct a concrete cover In my district, Annandale United Methodist rificed their lives to put out the huge fire over the reactor, the so-called sarcoph- Church has worked with Children of Chernobyl caused by the explosion. Thirty-one died. agus that is now in danger of collapse. since 1993. Annandale area host families Their heroism prevented a European Hiro- According to a United Nations study, have opened their homes and hearts and al- shima. Madam Speaker, more than 200,000 lowed children from the effected region to stay In 1986, the Soviet Government let millions emergency workers were exposed to with them for the summer to get some much of people in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia con- high levels of radiation and some 2,200 needed rest. These children significantly ben- duct their daily lives as usual—completely un- will ultimately die from radiation- efit from the clean water, healthy food, fresh prepared, unwarned, and unprotected. On caused illness during their lifetimes. air, and love that Annandale area families pro- May 1, 4 days after the catastrophe, citizens The Chernobyl accident also caused vide. The children return to their homes with a of Kiev, Minsk, Gomel, and dozens of other some 4,000 cases of thyroid cancer, the new understanding of American culture as well cities went outdoors celebrating Labor Day, an majority of which have occurred in in- as new clothes, shoes and other necessities. official holiday in the Soviet Union. Only days dividuals who were children or adoles- During the children’s visit, Northern Virginia later the civilian population was gradually in- cents at the time of the accident. area doctors donate their time to provide the formed of the disaster’s extent. On December 15, 2000, with the en- children with medical care, dental checkups By that time, millions of people, including in- couragement of the United States and and vision and orthopedic care. fants and children, had received high doses of the international community, the It is important that here in America we con- radiation. Dozens were doomed to suffer pain- President of Ukraine decided to shut tinue to support the recovering from the ful deaths in the years to come. Thousands down the last functioning reactor at Chernobyl disaster. Twenty years after this are still coping with health problems caused Chernobyl, thus effectively closing the tragic accident, we are observing the dev- by exposure during those tragic days, includ- entire nuclear plant and putting an end astating affects of long term exposure to radi- ing thyroid and breast cancer, and tumors. to a shameful Soviet legacy. ation, and I urge my colleagues to support this The ultimate prognosis for millions remains important resolution. unclear. b 1430 Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong 20 years later, grave danger remains at The Soviet response to the Chernobyl support of this resolution marking the 20th An- Chernobyl. 200 tons of highly radioactive nu- disaster should serve as an important niversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I clear waste in Reactor #4 remains separated reminder to future generations of the am proud to be a co-sponsor of this important from the outside world by a ‘‘Shelter’’ that was folly of totalitarian regimes and the legislation. determined to be reliable only until 2006. need to ensure that democracy remains On April 26th, 1986 the Chernobyl Nuclear Today’s occasion is an opportunity for all at the core of our foreign policy. In- Facility’s Reactor Number Four exploded, re- people of goodwill to commemorate Chernobyl

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.039 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1405 victims—both civilians, and the brave individ- As scientists and researchers continue their ance to the countries stricken by Chernobyl uals who sacrificed their lives to save those pursuit of a greater understanding of disaster, and identify current priorities that re- exposed to radiation. Chernobyl’s long term consequences on quire continued commitment and financial sup- European nations and Japan should follow human health and environment, it is important port. the U.S. example and live up to their pledge that we avoid closing the page on Chernobyl Life in the Chernobyl affected regions of to contribute to creation of the Shelter–2. This by rushing to speedy conclusions. Instead, I Ukraine, Belarus and western Russia would barrier would be effective for another 100 join many of my constituents in urging caution have been a much more difficult challenge years, and has been approved by the Ukrain- in accepting as definitive and conclusive some were it was not for the tireless work of many ian government and international experts. The of the findings of the IAEA-led Chernobyl NGOs that go wherever they see human cost is estimated to be $1 billion, which is a Forum report, particularly in the area of health needs and opportunities to improve people’s small price to pay given the price-tag in dollars consequences. Our Ukrainian colleagues in lives. Many lives were not just improved, but and lives of another radiological disaster. particular, encourage long term commitment to saved, because of the work of such organiza- Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as the researching and analyzing Chernobyl’s legacy. tions as Children of Chernobyl Relief and De- world prepares to commemorate the 20th an- The whole world stands to benefit as together, niversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, I we advance our understanding of man-made velopment Fund and Chernobyl Children’s rise in support of the H. Res. 703 Recognizing environmental disasters of this scope. Project International. This month, these char- the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear Another important aspect of Chernobyl’s ities send multi-million dollar convoys and air- disaster and supporting continued efforts to legacy is its impact on energy policy choices lifts of valuable medical equipment and medi- control radiation and mitigate the adverse that are before the Government of Ukraine. It cine to Ukraine and Belarus, over the past health consequences related to the Chernobyl is my belief that Ukraine’s long term energy decade bringing more than $100 million worth nuclear power plant. I applaud the leadership security is not feasible without renewed em- of medical supplies to those in need. This ex- of Congressmen GALLEGLY, HYDE, LANTOS and phasis on renewable energy. We share the ample of human compassion and resilience in WEXLER on this important issue. same concerns in U.S., and both of our coun- the face of adversity is truly a hopeful sign for Twenty years ago this month, a human error tries share great potential for development of all survivors of the Chernobyl catastrophe. triggered an explosion at the Chernobyl Power bio-fuels, and other renewable energy tech- I am submitting for the RECORD the respec- Plant’s Reactor No. 4, causing the worst civil- nologies, such as fuel-cells, wind power. tive statements of Children of Chernobyl Relief ian nuclear catastrophe in the history of man- It is also critically important that we address and Development Fund and Chernobyl Chil- kind, one which transcended geographic the issue of completing the Shelter Implemen- dren’s Project International in connection with boundaries. Immediately after the explosion, tation Plan with the urgency and efficiency it H. Res. 703. increased levels of radiation were registered deserves. President Yuschenko has high- Finally, I would like to mention the political as far as Japan and the United States. The lighted this priority in his address to the Joint dimension of this catastrophe. When the nu- hardest hit were the people of Ukraine, Session of the U.S. House of Representatives clear reactor at Chernobyl blew up 20 years Belarus, and western Russia, collectively tak- and Senate. It is often said that the next ago, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and other coun- ing close to 70 percent of the radioactive fall- Chernobyl can be Chernobyl itself—the decay- tries were part of the closed Soviet society, out. ing concrete-and-steel sarcophagus, hastily The scope of devastation that followed was constructed after the accident to secure the one where secrecy prevailed and freedom was truly unprecedented. More than 600,000 emer- Reactor No. 4, has an estimated warranty of denied. In my view, there was a direct link be- gency workers, liquidators, risked their lives 20 years. That time is now, as the structural tween the inefficiencies of the Soviet system, putting out the reactor’s inferno that raged for integrity of the encasement causes great con- indeed its criminal disregard for the environ- 10 days while exposing themselves to ex- cern. It is not just an Ukrainian issue, but in- ment and for its citizens, and the disaster we tremely high and deadly doses of radiation. deed an issue of European security. As the commemorate today. In many ways, Hundreds of thousands of people were forced largest single country donor to the Chernobyl Chernobyl was a wake-up call for the Soviet to leave their homes because of radioactive Shelter Fund, the U.S. provides important Union, for the world. We dare not fall asleep contamination. More than 5 million people in leadership in this multi-national donor effort. I again. We must continue to support Ukraine’s Ukraine, Belarus and western Russia found urge the redoubling of efforts by all stake- democracy and ease her transition to the Eu- themselves coping with life in towns and vil- holders to the Shelter Implementation Plan to ropean Union; we must align ourselves with lages contaminated by iodine and cesium. ensure its timely completion. the brave people of Belarus who are trying to Thousands of square miles of agricultural land The Congressional Ukrainian Caucus is advance their own beleaguered country; and and forests had to be removed from use be- stepping up to the plate in commemorating the must build a strong relationship with Russia so cause of contamination. somber milestone of the 20th anniversary of that the authoritarian practices of the past that Twenty years after the initial fallout, Chernobyl. I am grateful to my colleagues and led to such disastrous results can be trans- Chernobyl has not been relegated to history our Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressmen formed to a more open, hopeful society, books. Twenty years later, it continues to WELDON, LEVIN and BARTLETT, for their strong whose future will be of unlimited potential. cause human suffering, environmental and leadership and support in organizing events The occasion of the Chernobyl’ s 20th anni- economic hardship. commemorating Chernobyl’s anniversary. versary offers a unique opportunity to step The disaster at Chernobyl has triggered a They include a special commemorative photo back in time and reflect on fragility of human well documented epidemic of thyroid cancer, exhibit Chernobyl: 20 which documents the life as we interact with powers of nature and particularly among those who were infants and human experience there over the past 20 technology. Let us be thoughtful and mindful teenagers at the time of the explosion. Long years, looking through the lenses of the of the lessons of Chernobyl in our everyday latency periods for other types of cancers and world’s top photographers. The exhibit is actions. ailments suggest that the toll on human health scheduled to open at the Rayburn Foyer on in the affected populations is a developing April 26, 2006 at 10 a.m.; an in-depth briefing, CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL RELIEF FUND story, and not a thing of the past. scheduled for April 27, 2006, 2 p.m–6 p.m, will The Children of Chornobyl Relief and De- The consequences to the environment, as explore a broad range of Chernobyl issues, in- velopment Fund wishes to add its support to well as agriculture are equally devastating. cluding impact on human health and agricul- House Resolution No. 703: ‘‘Recognizing the Shortly after the fallout, short-lived iodine de- tural/food systems, environmental, economic 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear posits onto vegetation entered into the food and social rehabilitation in the affected re- disaster and supporting continued efforts to supply, mainly through milk, delivering large gions, U.S. and international assistance, control radiation and mitigate the adverse doses of internal radiation to consuming pub- Chernobyl Shelter Implementation Plan health consequences related to the lic. As for long-lived long-lived cesium, that will progress; and finally, the Congressional recep- Chernobyl nuclear power plant’’. remain a problem for decades to come. tion honoring the tireless work of NGOs dedi- For the past sixteen years our organization The Chernobyl disaster has been causing cated to improving human condition in the ef- has been working to address the human leg- tremendous economic hardships as well, with fected regions, scheduled for the evening of acy of the world’s worst environmental acci- Ukraine and Belarus spending up to 5 percent April 27, 2006, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. dent. Relying almost exclusively on private of their respective GDP on mitigation of its The U.S. has provided assistance in remedi- contributions, CCRDF has delivered over $53 million dollars worth of medical supplies, consequences. Environmental and economic ation efforts in the aftermath of the catas- state-of-the-art technology and physician degradation in the affected regions, increased trophe, followed by technical, humanitarian training programs to help save the lives of health care costs, loss in productivity of and economic assistance in the subsequent children stricken with thyroid cancer, leu- human capital add to the heavy burdens of years that. One of the objectives of the brief- kemia, birth defects, and early childhood Chernobyl’s enduring legacy. ing on Chernobyl is to review past U.S. assist- diseases.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.008 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1406 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 The children who are undergoing treat- Unfortunately, Chornobyl’s legacy is likely programs have thus been able to minimize ment in our 20 partner hospitals offer painful to endure long after this 20th Anniversary. but not erase the human toll of thyroid can- but eloquent testimony to the critical need We have to remember that the 20-year la- cer. The first warnings were sounded by the for continuing medical aid to the Chornobyl tency period for many forms of cancer is just medical and NGO communities in Belarus survivors. It is now well established that the beginning to toll, and already, Chornobyl liq- and Ukraine well before the link between the nuclear disaster caused an epidemic in thy- uidators are dying of oncological illnesses at disease and the disaster were widely ac- roid cancer beginning in the 1990s. Children a rate almost triple the rate of working age knowledged, and in fact initial reports of in- and adults who were exposed to radioactive males in Ukraine. Of the 34,000 liquidators creases were dismissed. iodine were stricken at a rate of 80 times who have died in Ukraine to date, 25% died The latency period for the emergence of higher than normal. Over 9,000 additional of various forms of cancer as compared to a many cancers is 20+ years, and today re- children in Ukraine have been diagnosed rate of 9% for most Ukrainians. Our col- spected researchers and clinicians are voic- with precancerous conditions. But thyroid leagues at the National Institute of Pediat- ing concern over the emergence of birth de- cancer is just one of many health problems rics and Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kyiv fects, non thyroid cancers and blood and im- confronting the Chornobyl communities. have found evidence of cesium-137 and stron- mune disorders. Fully one-third of all children in some prov- tium-90 in placentas and breastmilk, show- The Chernobyl Forum report made an im- inces suffer from endocrine disorders or tu- ing that newborn infants are being directly portant contribution to the understanding of mors that require medical or surgical inter- exposed to highly dangerous radioactive ma- the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster vention. Children who live in contaminated terials at their most vulnerable stage. We by highlighting the complex interplay of fac- territories suffer from immune deficiencies need to remember that the half-life for these tors that impact the quality of life in and depleted levels of killer-T cells at a elements is 30 years, so they will be with us Chernobyl affected regions, and by encour- much higher rate than children from rel- for many years to come. atively clean zones. aging the international community to focus In the coming years, the United States on projects that address poverty, lack of eco- Recent studies by Ukrainian and Israeli Government should make significant efforts scientists have shown that the children born nomic opportunity, inadequate health care, to strengthen Ukraine’s medical infrastruc- to Chornobyl nuclear cleanup workers—the and environmental degradation. While we ture, and to invest in better maternal and so-called ‘‘liquidators’’ have a seven-fold in- support this holistic approach, it is far too children’s health. We must also provide fund- crease in chromosome damage as compared soon to say that we know all there is to ing for independent research studies that to their siblings born prior to the Chornobyl know about the long term health effects of will look at a wide range of other health accident. There is growing evidence that Chernobyl. We strongly submit that the U.S. problems such as the accumulation of radio- birth defects have doubled in the wake of Government and the international commu- Chornobyl, and the rate of some birth de- nuclides in the gastro-intestinal tract of nity must acknowledge the need for further fects, such as spina bifida and cataracts are youngsters who live in areas contaminated research and to continue to examine the even higher. The Ukrainian-American Asso- with radioactive materials. health effects of the Chernobyl disaster. For our part, we will do everything in our ciation for the Prevention of Birth Defects KATHY RYAN, power to reduce the impact of Chornobyl by under the direction of an eminent geneticist Executive Director/USA. giving Ukrainian children a fighting chance from Alabama—Dr. Wolodymyr Wertelecki to overcome even the most daunting ill- Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise in has been tracking birth defects among a very nesses. We thank you for your consideration. support of H. Res. 703, but I feel compelled to large population of newborns in the prov- LEXANDER B. KUZMA inces of Rivne and Volyn in northwestern A qualify my support to ensure the people of Ukraine. They have found an epidemic of Executive Director Ukraine continue to receive support in the spina bifida, and a wide range of other de- wake of this tragedy. CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S PROJECT formities that are ordinarily extremely rare. To understand the gravity of the worst nu- INTERNATIONAL, Although USAID has discontinued funding clear accident in history, let’s review what hap- for Dr. Wertelecki’s research centers, we be- New York, NY. Chernobyl Children’s Project International pened on April 26th, 1986. While testing the lieve that his program has proven its value. supports House Resolution No. 703: ‘‘Recog- reactor, a series of mishaps led to a large The next stage could be even more important nizing the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl as Dr. Wertelecki’s team is developing pro- chemical explosion that resulted in the 1,000- nuclear disaster and supporting continued ef- grams to reduce the incidence of birth de- ton cover blowing off the top of the reactor. forts to control radiation and mitigate the fects through prenatal programs and the in- Ultimately, fifty tons of uranium fuel from the adverse health consequences related to the troduction of folic acid into local foodstuffs. reactor core vaporized immediately, and were The United States could play a vital role Chernobyl nuclear power plant.’’ Chernobyl Children’s Project International blasted high into the atmosphere; a further 70 in creating a nationwide birth defects reg- has worked with health care institutions and tons of uranium and 900 tons of highly radio- istry in Ukraine and Belarus. Our govern- active graphite were dispersed into the area ment could also help to save the lives of communities in Belarus for fifteen years. A thousands of youngsters who are born each partnership between Ireland and the United around the reactor, starting more than 30 fires; year with congenital heart defects by pro- States, we have delivered over $70 million in the 800 tons of graphite that remained in the viding training and technology to diagnose humanitarian and medical aid. Working with reactor core caught fire at once, creating a ra- these life-threatening conditions at birth or citizens of Belarus, we provide a children’s diological inferno that would burn for 10 days, in early childhood, cardiac surgery program, community care programs for disabled children, nursing and sending a continuous plume of lethal radio- We have seen how even modest invest- nuclides roiling into the sky. ments can have a dramatic impact on infant therapeutic programs and training, foster survival and cancer remission rates at sev- homes and hospice services. The Soviet government would wait nearly eral of our partner hospitals. In Kharkiv In Belarus, 1.8 million people continue to three full days before acknowledging that an Children’s Hospital No. 16, for instance, the live in radiation-contaminated zones—over accident had taken place, and did so only recovery and remission rates for childhood 420,000 of them children. Our work keeps us after the drifting plume set off radiation alarms leukemia have improved from a dismal 5 per in close contact with scientists, researchers, in a nuclear plant in Sweden. Nine million peo- cent in 1991 (a virtual death sentence) to 75 NGOs and physicians in Belarus who have ple were exposed to radiation in Belarus, Rus- first hand knowledge of the social, economic, per cent in 2004 thanks to the installation of sia and Ukraine. modern equipment such as a blood cell sepa- and health needs of the communities they rator and a full protocol of serve. They observe and have documented in- The contaminants, which included plutonium chemotherapeutic agents. We have created creases in cancer, birth defects, and cardiac isotopes with a half-life of 24,360 years, even- model neonatal intensive care units in and immune disorders since the Chernobyl tually traveled around the globe, depositing ra- Poltava and Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk, where disaster. Data from experts and health pro- dioactive material as far away as the lakes of infant mortality has dropped by as much as fessionals in the affected regions is often Japan and the hill farms of north Wales. The 45 to 80 per cent, even as the hospitals began overlooked by their counterparts in the long-lived radioactivity released was more West. The Belarusian Academy of Sciences to take on a larger volume of infants with than 200 times that of the atomic bombs more difficult pathologies. By raising the reports that among children, morbidity, standard of care, we have also stimulated sicknesses have increased by almost one- dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. citizen initiatives, private philanthropy and third, new cancers by 1.5 times, and blood The economic consequences of the acci- indigenous government programs that were diseases by 1.5 times. Sixty to 70 percent of dent remain a massive burden on the coun- virtually unheard of during the Soviet era. Belarusians who live in contaminated zones tries most affected; Belarus and Ukraine con- Thanks to the generous support of the who have been checked at the Belarusian In- tinue to spend around 6% of their Gross Na- Ukrainian-American community, and thanks stitute of Radiation Medicine have critical tional Product on trying to deal with the con- to corporate donors such as John Deere, levels of radiation in their bodies. sequences of the accident. Monsanto, Philip Morris and UMC, we have Although the link between the Chernobyl been able to bring doctors the tools and disaster and thyroid cancer has by now been I have concerns with the following clause in training they needed to achieve quantum firmly established, it is important to note H. Res. 703 because it sanctions an attempt leaps in the kind of care they can provide that it took years for this epidemic to to downplay the health effects on millions of their patients. emerge. Screening and early intervention innocent people.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.011 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1407 ‘‘Whereas the findings of the Chernobyl in Northern Ireland and support for connection with the Troubles from 1968 to Forum, issued in September 2005, signifi- continued police reform in Northern 1989; cantly added to the understanding of the Ireland as a critical element in the (F) commends Nuala O’Loan and the Police Ombudsman’s Office for the work they have health consequences and economic impact peace process. The Clerk read as follows: done in promoting human rights in law en- caused by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster;’’ forcement and in fostering community con- The Chernobyl Forum study understates the H. RES. 744 fidence in the PSNI; and health consequences of Chernobyl. The au- Whereas the Good Friday Agreement, (G) commends the work of the Northern thors excluded more than 30,000 anticipated signed on April 10, 1998, in Belfast, was en- Irish Policing Board and its District Part- cancer deaths from the collective doses in all dorsed in a referendum by the overwhelming nerships for promoting genuine community other countries in the Northern Hemisphere. majority of people in Northern Ireland and policing in Northern Ireland; and the Republic of Ireland; (2) it is the sense of the House of Rep- Over 6,000 thyroid cancer cases have been Whereas the parties to the Good Friday diagnosed so far in Belarus, Russia and resentatives that— Agreement made a clear commitment to (A) all groups and organizations should end Ukraine, and more are anticipated. Recent sci- ‘‘partnership, equality, and mutual respect’’ their involvement in paramilitary activity; entific studies are revealing an increased inci- as the basis for moving forward in pursuit of (B) all political parties in Northern Ireland dence of solid cancers, including breast can- lasting peace in Northern Ireland; should— cer, as well as cardiovascular and ophthalmic Whereas the parties to the Good Friday (i) agree to share power with all parties ac- effects. These effects have long latency peri- Agreement also affirmed their ‘‘total and ab- cording to the democratic mandate of the solute commitment to exclusively demo- ods of more than 20 years. Good Friday Agreement; and cratic and peaceful means’’ in pursuit of (ii) commit to work in good faith with all In the Rivne region of Ukraine, 310 miles lasting peace in Northern Ireland; west of Chernobyl, doctors say they are com- the institutions of the Good Friday Agree- Whereas inclusive power-sharing based on ment, which established the Northern Ire- ing across an unusual rate of cancers and these defining qualities is essential to the vi- land Assembly and an inclusive Executive, mutations. There is a 30 percent incidence ability and advancement of the democratic the North-South Ministerial Council, and the rate amongst people in the highly radiated process in Northern Ireland; British-Irish Inter-Governmental Con- areas that have physical disorders, including Whereas paramilitary activity by both tra- ference, for the benefit of all the people of heart and blood diseases, cancers and res- ditions in a democratic society undermines Northern Ireland; the trust and confidence that are essential in (C) since policing reform is a significant piratory diseases. Nearly one in three of all a political system based on inclusive power- part of winning public confidence and ac- the newborn babies have deformities. sharing in Northern Ireland; ceptance in the new form of government in It took some 600,000 workers for recovery Whereas on September 26, 2005, the Inter- Northern Ireland, all political parties should national Independent Commission on Decom- and clean-up operations, all of them exposed cooperate fully with the PSNI in preventing missioning (IICD) confirmed the Irish Repub- to high levels of radiation. Studies show that and investigating crimes; and lican Army had destroyed its full arsenal of almost 35,000 people who took part in the (D) the Government of the United Kingdom weapons; cleanup of Chernobyl have died in the years and the Government of Ireland should work Whereas the Good Friday Agreement called to achieve full implementation of the Good since the catastrophe. The rate of death from for police reform and establishment of a Friday Agreement, including devolution of cancer was nearly three times as high as in ‘‘new beginning’’ in policing in Northern Ire- the rest of the population. land with an effective, accountable, and fair policing and justice, the normalization of The conflicting scientific studies suggest police service capable of attracting support the security presence, and of the Inde- from the entire community, maintaining law pendent Commission on Policing in Northern much more research needs to be done. But it Ireland reforms, including long-term senior- is essential that we do not minimize the ef- and order, and adhering to the principle of the protection of human rights; level exchanges between the Garda Siochana, fects of this disaster without cause. the police service of the Republic of Ireland, I am concerned that any effort to downplay Whereas the new Police Service of North- ern Ireland (PSNI) has made great strides in and the PSNI. the effects of this disaster may jeopardize the becoming an integrated, professional, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- U.S. financial commitment to Ukraine and the impartial police force under civilian control ant to the rule, the gentleman from innocent victims. I cannot support anything and responsive to all community concerns, Iowa (Mr. LEACH) and the gentleman that might permit the U.S. to abandon the and has worked to protect both communities from California (Mr. LANTOS) each will Belarus, Russia and Ukraine victims of from violence; control 20 minutes. Chernobyl. Whereas significant further work in police The Chair recognizes the gentleman Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield reform, and in fostering community accept- from Iowa. back the balance of my time. ance of the PSNI, must still be accom- plished; GENERAL LEAVE The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Whereas the Government of the United Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I ask BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- Kingdom and the Government of Ireland con- unanimous consent that all Members tion offered by the gentleman from tinue to strongly support the Good Friday may have 5 legislative days to revise Iowa (Mr. LEACH) that the House sus- Agreement as the way forward in the peace and extend their remarks and include pend the rules and agree to the resolu- process and have committed themselves to extraneous material on the resolution tion, H. Res. 703. its implementation; and under consideration. The question was taken. Whereas the Government of the United The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there States continues to strongly support the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the objection to the request of the gen- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of peace process in Northern Ireland: Now, therefore, be it tleman from Iowa? those present have voted in the affirm- Resolved, That— There was no objection. ative. (1) the House of Representatives— Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, on (A) reiterates its support for the Good Fri- myself such time as I may consume. that I demand the yeas and nays. day Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, in Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- The yeas and nays were ordered. Belfast, as the blueprint for a lasting peace port of H. Res. 744, a resolution intro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- in Northern Ireland; duced by International Relations Com- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the (B) commends the Prime Minister of the mittee Chairman HENRY HYDE. H. Res. United Kingdom Tony Blair and the Irish 744 expresses support by the House for Chair’s prior announcement, further Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for their leadership proceedings on this question will be and persistence in seeking a peaceful resolu- the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 as postponed. tion in Northern Ireland; the blueprint for lasting peace in f (C) commends the Sinn Fein leadership in Northern Ireland. In addition, it sup- successfully urging the Irish Republican ports continued police reform in North- EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOOD Army to end its armed struggle and ern Ireland, which is a critical element FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND CON- verifiably put its weapons beyond use; in the implementation of the Good Fri- TINUED POLICE REFORM IN (D) commends Sir Hugh S. Orde, Chief Con- day Accords. NORTHERN IRELAND stable of the Police Service of Northern Ire- At this time, I would like to com- land (PSNI), for his leadership and for work- Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I move mend Chairman HENRY HYDE, as well ing to protect both communities; to suspend the rules and agree to the (E) commends the PSNI for the institution as Representatives ELTON GALLEGLY resolution (H. Res. 744) expressing sup- of the Historical Enquiries Team, which will and CHRIS SMITH as well as our distin- port for the Good Friday Agreement of provide a thorough and independent exam- guished ranking members TOM LANTOS 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace ination of unresolved deaths that occurred in and JOE CROWLEY for their work on

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.022 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1408 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 this measure and more importantly Second, the legislation calls on all Our resolution addresses all of these their commitment to this singularly political parties to agree to share outstanding issues. It challenges all important peace process. I would like power and work in good faith with the the parties to renounce violence and to to also note the important role of Mr. power-sharing institutions established disarm, and it calls on all sides to fully WALSH of New York and Mr. NEAL of by the Good Friday Agreement. engage in police reform. Massachusetts as the Chair and Co- Third, since police reform is a signifi- Madam Speaker, after many set- chair of Ireland-related caucuses. H. cant part of winning public confidence backs, substantial pressure has finally Res. 744 also has broad-based support in the new government in Northern Ire- developed to fully implement the Good among those House Members who long land, all political parties should co- Friday Accord. Our resolution is de- have been concerned about finding a operate fully with the Police Service of signed to support this forward move- peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland. ment and to help pave the way to a Northern Ireland. Lastly, House Resolution 744 calls on time when the conflict in Northern Ire- Madam Speaker, since 1969, over 3,200 the governments of the United King- land is only a subject for the history have died as a result of terrorism and dom and Ireland to work together to books. political violence in Northern Ireland. achieve full implementation of the I strongly support this resolution, For years, the British and Irish govern- Good Friday Agreement. Madam Speaker. ments, assisted by the United States, The language of the resolution puts a Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- sought to facilitate a peaceful settle- shared onus on both sides, Nationalists ance of my time. ment to the conflict. Finally, in April and Unionists alike, to take the dif- Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield of 1998, the long-warring Catholic and ficult next steps that will move the 5 minutes to the distinguished gen- Protestant factions in Northern Ire- peace process forward and lead to the tleman from New York (Mr. WALSH), land signed the Good Friday Agree- implementation of the Good Friday who chairs the Friends of Ireland Com- ment. Just over a month later, strong Agreement. mittee and who has played such a cen- majorities in both the north and south Madam Speaker, this is an important tral role on Irish issues in this Con- of Ireland endorsed the agreement in a piece of legislation that provides sup- gress. referendum. port for the Northern Ireland peace Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, I The Good Friday Agreement calls for process at a critical time. thank the gentleman from Iowa for Again, I commend Chairman HYDE the transfer of power from London to yielding time to me and for his leader- for introducing this resolution and for Belfast and the establishment of the ship on all issues relating to the Inter- quickly bringing it to the floor for con- Northern Ireland Assembly and Execu- national Relations Committee. I would tive Committee, in which Unionists sideration. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- especially like to thank Chairman and Nationalists share power. It also HYDE and Ranking Member LANTOS for contains provisions on disarmament, ance of my time. Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I their leadership and the entire Inter- reformed policing, human rights, pris- national Relations Committee and oners, and demilitarization by British yield myself such time as I may con- sume. their staff for their hard work and ef- Armed Forces. fort in getting this important resolu- Madam Speaker, while the Good Fri- Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- port of this resolution. I would first tion to the floor at such a critical pe- day Agreement provides a blueprint for riod in the Northern Ireland peace achieving peace and justice in North- like to thank my good friends and col- leagues, Chairman HYDE and Congress- process. ern Ireland, its full implementation The timing of this resolution could has proved difficult. The devolved man CHRIS SMITH, for their tireless ad- vocacy of peace and justice in Northern not be more appropriate. We are fast Northern Ireland government has been approaching the eighth anniversary of suspended since October 2002 amid a Ireland. Madam Speaker, over the past sev- the Good Friday Agreement, and re- loss of trust on both sides of the con- eral years the peace process in North- cent media reporting suggests that the flict. British and Irish governments are Unionists remain skeptical about the ern Ireland has taken many twists and working to restore a devolved govern- IRA’s commitment to disarmament turns. The Good Friday Accord, de- and nonviolence. As a result, they have signed to bring an end to the conflict ment that has been under suspension so far refused to join the power-sharing in Northern Ireland, has been declared since the police raids and the Unionist institutions such as the Executive dead time and again. During the past walkout of October 2002. As one of 35 million Irish Americans Committee, which was created by the few months, however, we have wit- Good Friday Agreement for the pur- nessed very promising developments in in this country, I can’t tell you how pose of exercising executive authority our efforts to fully implement the Good pleased and encouraged I am with these in Northern Ireland. Friday Accord, which was signed al- developments. For far too long, the On the other hand, Nationalists most 8 years ago. people of Northern Ireland have been worry about the pace of police reforms. In July of last year, the Irish Repub- denied an equal voice and equal rep- They have refused to join the Policing lican Army announced that it would resentation in government. It is time Board, the independent oversight body forswear violence. The IRA followed up for the Assembly and Executive to be that ensures the Police Service of on that announcement by decommis- up and running and the people’s busi- Northern Ireland is effective, account- sioning a substantial portion of its ness to be addressed. able and impartial. weapons cache last fall. After these Her island’s citizens have spoken. That leaves us at a standstill in the dramatic events, we all hoped and ex- They expressed their views for a shared peace process. The Unionists do not pected that the Good Friday Accord future by overwhelmingly approving have confidence as to the IRA’s inten- would be fully implemented. the Good Friday Accords by a margin tions and commitment to nonviolence. It is becoming increasingly clear now of 95 percent in the Republic of Ireland The Nationalists still do not have con- that we have reached another impasse. and 71 percent in Northern Ireland. It fidence in the police service and they Sinn Fein has refused to support the is time for Northern Ireland’s political question the Unionists’ commitment to police in Northern Ireland or to en- leadership to acknowledge their wishes share power with Catholics. courage Catholic Republicans to join and fully carry them out. This legislation directly addresses the police service. The Democratic In the last few years, progress has these issues and clearly endorses the Unionist Party has refused to enter been spotty, but, nonetheless, there Good Friday Agreement as the exclu- local government with Sinn Fein or has been progress. That progress must sive framework for a lasting peace in even to talk with them. continue without any backward steps Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Madam Speaker, despite or delays. I believe recognizing a few Specifically, House Resolution 744 the positive moves on the part of Sinn key leaders that have nurtured this states that it is the sense of the House Fein, the Unionist paramilitary groups progress can help highlight and that all groups and both communities have yet to follow up with a no-vio- strengthen this initiative. should end their involvement and para- lence pledge and disarmament agree- First I would commend Prime Min- military activity. ment. ister Tony Blair of Great Britain and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.040 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1409 the Republic of Ireland’s Taoiseach, I would also like to recognize the ef- trust us. They appreciate us being with Bertie Ahern. Northern Ireland has no forts of all the Members of Congress, them during the good times and the better friend than these two men. They House and Senate, and Presidents of bad times. I would like to say thank have been understanding to all view- both parties for their commitment to you to my colleague, Mr. WALSH, for points and fair to all political denomi- this process. I commend the efforts of all the great work in bringing us over nations and respectful of all traditions. all past leaders who have put personal to Ireland to meet with all political They have been firm in conviction and and political ramifications aside for groups so we can try to see peace in our steadfast in their beliefs; and, most im- the greater good of Northern Ireland lifetime. portantly, they have been true leaders and urge all current leaders to con- The Policing Commission has always committed to a lasting peace. Both tinue to move forward. I urge adoption been a stumbling stone, and yet when men deserve recognition and praise for of this resolution. we have gone there and we have met their work. Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I and we have seen young Irish Catholic Second, the leadership of Sinn Fein yield 3 minutes to our distinguished men and women joining the police for their role in facilitating the com- colleague and my good friend, the gen- force and the same on the Protestant plete decommissioning of the IRA’s tlewoman from New York (Mrs. side and learning how to be together, weaponry. This was certainly no small MCCARTHY). there is great hope in the future for all task. Sinn Fein has never received the Mrs. MCCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I of us. But Northern Ireland and Ireland full credit it deserves for delivering thank my colleague from California for is going to win in the end, and the this historic moment. Sinn Fein made bringing this important legislation and United States, I am happy to say, had the commitment, the commitment was resolution to the floor and I thank my a lot to do with that. delivered in full, and that commitment colleagues that have been working on Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield has been verified by the International this for years. such time as he may consume to the I have been in Congress for 10 years Monitoring Commission and the Inter- gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. now and during that 10 years we have national Commission on Decommis- SMITH), who has been such a leader on been working on peace in Ireland. sioning led by General de Chastelain. so many issues, including those that Many of us that are Irish call it ‘‘the I have read reports of individuals relate to Ireland. troubles’’ which have continued over Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam being skeptical and wary of this dec- these years. And every time there Speaker, I thank my good friend, laration, but the facts speak for them- seemed to have been a little bit of sun- Chairman LEACH, for yielding me time selves. The IRA has abandoned its light and we actually thought that and for his leadership on this and on so armed struggle in pursuit of its goals peace would finally come to Northern many other resolutions and initiatives by political means. This must be fully Ireland, and we certainly fought and as well on behalf of human rights. acknowledged. Continued challenge worked for that. But the Good Friday Mr. LANTOS, it is great to see you does nothing but obstruct and inhibit Agreement is certainly an important again on the floor, not unexpected. You the peace process. piece of legislation and it gave the goal are always here fighting the good fight I would like to add also, Madam and certainly the hope to the people of on behalf of human rights. Speaker, that the members of the Ireland, and I think that is probably Madam Speaker, I especially want to Democratic Unionist Party, the DUP, the most important thing. commend Chairman HYDE for offering led by Dr. Ian Paisley, will be here There have been many bumps in the this resolution. I am very proud to be today meeting with Members of Con- road over the years with the Good Fri- one of the original cosponsors of it. It gress, and we welcome them. We are day Agreement, but it was the people is a collaborative effort that strongly delighted that they are here. We are of Northern Ireland, it was the people restates U.S. support for the Good Fri- excited about hearing their vision for that basically said, let’s go forward. So day Agreement signed 8 years ago this the future of Northern Ireland, and each time that we saw, as I call it, a month. they will be here to express that and bump in the road or a stop sign, it was Madam Speaker, the Hyde resolution develop personal relationships. Many of the people of Ireland that said let’s go also underscores our unyielding sup- them are members of Parliament, in forward. I happen to think we are at port for the establishment of peace, addition to being elected members of the crossroads now. And I happen to justice, reconciliation and prosperity the legislative assembly in Northern think that with all the people here in in Northern Ireland which we have all Ireland. Congress especially, I support the hoped for and we have all prayed for. Finally, the Policing Service in things that have been said from my While we are not there yet there has Northern Ireland, under the leadership colleagues that we are honestly going been some very encouraging signs. of Hugh Orde and Nuala O’Loan, de- to see hopefully peace come. On March 15, Madam Speaker, I serves recognition. Northern Ireland Ireland economically has done very chaired my eleventh hearing on the has experienced a dramatic improve- well and we will continue to support Northern Ireland peace process. All of ment in policing over the last 8 years, them to do that. But I have to say these hearings have been comprehen- with the current Catholic to Protes- when the IRA agreed to give up its sive and insightful but this one was the tant employment percentage up 18 per- weapons last February, I think that first since the IRA’s full renunciation cent since the restructuring, and the was certainly the biggest step that we of arms struggle and the decommis- police recruit ratio holding firm at 50– could have asked. The people remain sioning of its weapons. 50. cautious in Ireland, but I do believe the Our resolution today makes note of It is imperative that people in all IRA is showing good faith. that historic milestone, a remarkable communities recognize that the Polic- In February the Independent Moni- development in the path to peace. Of ing Service, while not perfect, is cer- toring Commission released a report. course, equally significant for the im- tainly not the Policing Service of old. The report found that security forces plementation of the Good Friday They must begin to develop a relation- believe that the IRA held on to weap- Agreement is true, durable and trans- ship of trust and confidence in their po- ons and is still intelligence gathering. parent police reform. Here, too, Madam lice. It is only through this type of re- In spite of that, the IMC stated that Speaker, there has been progress. lationship that the community will be the IRA seemed to be moving in the Today there is a vigorous and fierce- best served. right direction. ly independent Police Ombudsman’s It is important that the people in Ire- Office, whose chief, Nuala O’Loane, has b 1445 land who are working towards peace been a catalyst for reform. There is Madam Speaker, again it gives me know that they have the support of the now a Policing Board in Northern Ire- great pleasure to stand before you United States in these efforts. I en- land composed of independent and today in order to praise the Good Fri- courage the Irish people to continue party representatives to design and day Agreement as the framework for their work in the peace process, and I provide civilian control and fair non- peace in Northern Ireland and to recog- am proud to support this legislation. sectarian policing. The Chairman, Sir nize the remarkable progress that has We here in Congress carry a great Desmond Rea, and retiring Vice Chair- been achieved. deal of weight. The people of Ireland do man, Dennis Bradley, testified at our

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.020 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1410 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 most recent hearing. There is a new We have no further requests for time learn as a team and to create an environment Historical Enquiries Team established and I yield back the balance of my of mutual respect. The program aims to send by the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh time. students home with enhanced professional Orde, which will provide a thorough Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I have interpersonal skills and a new confidence in and independent examination of unre- no further requests for time, but I their own leadership abilities which they are solved deaths that occurred in connec- would like to conclude with just one expected to demonstrate through service to tion with the troubles from 1968 to 1989. reference to a distinguished American their own communities. H. Res. 744 rightly commends Nuala that is a member of your side, Senator To date, 300 young adults have graduated O’Loane, Sir Hugh, and the new polic- George Mitchell, who did so much to from the program. Many WIP graduatess ing institutions for the progress that work to achieve and develop the accord moved into important careers in politics, busi- they have made, often under very ad- that we are now referencing in this res- ness, media, and education. These include: a versarial conditions. Even with these olution. research officer to the NI First Minister in improvements, Madam Speaker, sig- Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise Westminster; television and radio news jour- nificant work further remains to be today in strong support of this legislation intro- nalists; reporters for major newspapers in Bel- done in order to ensure acceptance by duced by Chairman HYDE. fast and London; barristers and solicitors; uni- all the communities of the PSNI. A key Chairman HYDE, I would like to commend versity professors and primary school teach- stumbling block to that greater accept- you for your continued support of the Good ers; consultants with Accenture and Price ance has been the lack of resolution of Friday Agreement and a lasting peace in the WaterhouseCoopers; Dublin PR firm man- charges of official collusion in the mur- north of Ireland. agers; assistant to Members of the NI Assem- der of human rights lawyer Patrick A few weeks ago during the Saint Patrick’s bly and the Irish Parliament; political party Finucane. In 2001 the British and Irish Day festivities I had an opportunity to meet operatives in Northern Ireland and the Repub- governments jointly appointed Judge with many of the actors involved in creating a lic; and Executive Officer for the Home Office Peter Cory, a preeminent retired jus- lasting peace in the north of Ireland. in London. tice of the Supreme Court of Canada, When I met with the Taoiseach and Gerry This dynamic program should serve as a to determine whether independent Adams about the ongoing situation, I stressed model for many of the geographically and reli- commissions should investigate pos- the importance of bringing about representa- giously conflicted areas around the world. WIP sible state-sponsored collusion in six tional government to the people of the north. is helping to ensure a lasting peace through- notorious and horrific murders. They It has been over three years since free and out the Emerald Isle. I congratulate its offi- also pledge to abide by his rec- fair elections took place in the north. cials, staff, and volunteers, and hope that my ommendations. The people spoke and elected leaders to colleagues will join me in supporting its efforts Two years ago Judge Cory, and he represent them, but I am sad to say when in the years to come. too testified at one point before our they went to the voting booth in November of Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam committee, 2 years ago he issued his 2003, their vote was not respected. Speaker, I rise today in strong and enthusi- report; and it called for five of the six This issue needs to move forward so the astic favor of H. Res. 744, which expresses murderers to be investigated independ- people of the north can finally have demo- support for the Good Friday Agreement of ently. Yet, I am sorry to say, the Brit- cratic rule. 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in ish government has still not appointed If a true and lasting peace is ever to be Northern Ireland and support for continued po- an inquiry commission into the murder achieved the people must be able to feel they lice reform in Northern Ireland as a critical ele- of the human rights attorney, Pat are invested in the process. ment in the peace process. Finucane, who was gunned down in his All parties must begin to put aside their dif- Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have home in front of his wife and three ferences and work toward the common goal of been a strong supporter of reinforcing the small children in 1989. peace and reconciliation in the north. strong ties between Ireland and the United Every one of the 11 hearings that I This battle has been allowed to go on for States. As a member of the Ad-Hoc Com- have chaired on human rights and po- too long with seemingly both sides knowing mittee on Irish Affairs, one of my top goals is lice reform in Northern Ireland has what the other is doing. the achievement of peace, justice, human dealt with Pat Finucane’s murder in The IRA has lived up to its obligations and rights, and political stability in Northern Ire- whole or in part, yet still nothing has fully decommissioned and now it is time for land. been done. The U.K. government must Unionist paramilitary groups to for their exam- Since the completion of the Good Friday find a way to institute a credible in- ple. Agreement in 1998, the U.S. has worked with quiry which will be stepped by all, by I am proud to be an original cosponsor of all interested parties to help with its implemen- Judge Cory, the Irish Republic, by the this legislation and would urge all of my col- tation. With over 40 million Americans being of world community, but most of all, by leagues to send a strong message to the par- Irish heritage, it is vital that the United States the Finucane family. ties involved in the peace process. continue to play an active role in this process If the population of Northern Ireland The House of Representatives is engaged and contribute both the political and economic is to cease relying on paramilitaries for and would like to forward movement. support needed to ensure that peace con- protection, which they absolutely must Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of tinues in Northern Ireland. do, they must never rely on that, and the resolution. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize transfer its trust to the police, it must In doing so, I want to commend the tremen- the efforts of the involved parties who are have the confidence that the police and dous work of an organization known as the working daily to make the promise of the the authorities deserve trust. That is Washington Ireland Program, or ‘‘WIP.’’ Every Good Friday Agreement a reality. In recent the major reason why these inquiries year since I came to Congress in 1999, I have months, there has been a promising softening must be done and done right as soon as hosted a WIP student and I have found these of the Unionist position with relatively more fa- possible. students from both the North and the Republic vorable comments toward the Agreement. Again, I want to commend Chairman of Ireland to be exceptional future leaders. And, of course, the Sinn Fein has backed and HYDE, Chairman GALLEGLY, Mr. WIP is a six-month program of personal and overseen the IRA’s abandonment of its armed WALSH, Mr. KING, of course Mr. LANTOS professional development that brings out- campaign. again, and Chairman LEACH, and also standing Protestant and Catholic university These are exciting steps toward a sustained many of our staffs, including Mary students from Northern Ireland and the Re- and lasting peace in Northern Ireland. And, I Noonan, Richard Mereu and Dennis public of Ireland to Washington, DC, for sum- remain very hopeful that the parties can make Curry for their work in writing and mer internships and leadership training. The further progress toward a fully functioning gov- crafting this resolution which will put program begins and ends with practical serv- ernment that operates in regular order to meet us in a bipartisan way on record for ice in Northern Ireland and Ireland. In Wash- the needs of the Irish people. saying that the peace process must ington, participants get firsthand experience I commend the Irish people on all of its suc- continue and the Good Friday Agree- with U.S. government and politics and an im- cesses and hard work and encourage all of ment must be fully implemented. mersion in American culture by living with area my colleagues to support this important reso- Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I Host Families. Through an intense eight-week lution. want to commend all of my colleagues schedule, young people from different sides of Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I am very who have worked on this legislation. the political divide are challenged to work and pleased to offer H. Res. 744, which expresses

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.038 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1411 support for the Good Friday Agreement as the bate between the political parties. Con- that promotes human rights and fosters com- blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland sequently, problems have been directly and munity confidence. and support for continued police reform in civilly addressed through free and open de- Finally, I’d like to commend the leadership Northern Ireland as a critical element in the bate. Unfortunately, as my colleagues know, of Sinn Fein, specifically Gerry Adams and peace process. I compliment the work of Sub- due to disagreements between the political Martin McGuinness, for successfully urging the committee Chairmen ELTON GALLEGLY and parties—the Social Democrat and Labor Party, Irish Republican Army to end its armed cam- CHRISTOPHER SMITH for improving and making the Ulster Unionist Party, the Democratic paign and verifiably put all of its weapons be- the originally-introduced version even more Unionist Party, and Sinn Fein—the Northern yond use. This was a crucial step in the peace constructive and stronger on policing. The Ireland Assembly has been suspended since process to demonstrate the Republicans’ com- Good Friday Agreement needs U.S. support October of 2002. Ever since, the British gov- mitment to an exclusively democratic and and a push to fully implement all of its terms. ernment has taken direct control over the gov- peaceful process. There is no place for any On the important issue of policing reform, ernment to ensure stability. I would hope all paramilitaries in the North of Ireland and it is the resolution before us wisely reflects the sides can agree to terms in order to allow the my hope that the remaining private armies will overall view of the Independent Monitoring Assembly to be reestablished. follow the IRA’s lead by destroying their weap- Commission (IMC) for the north of Ireland, Madam Speaker, I have met with the lead- ons and signing up to the peace process. which has closely monitored paramilitary ac- ers of Sinn Fein, the DUP, the UUP and the Now is a critical time for the people and the tivities and made many critical suggestions for SDLP, both here in the U.S. and in Ireland. All political parties in the North of Ireland. This reform and change, especially in the area of a parties have conveyed to me that they agree Thursday the British and Irish governments in- new beginning on policing. it is vital for the future security of the North tend to publish their plans for a resumption of The IMC is made up of highly respected that new elections be held, an Executive put the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. representatives appointed by both the Irish in place, and the legislative assembly recon- It is long past due for this government to be and British Governments, and includes an vened. I agree with this view, and express the back up and running. But for this to happen, American as well. In its May 2005 report to support of the U.S. House of Representatives all parties must agree to share power and the two governments and interested parties, to facilitate the peace process. commit themselves to the full implementation the IMC stated some key findings on the re- I thank the distinguished Chairman of the of the Good Friday Agreement. sponsibilities of all of the political parties on International Relations Committee, Mr. HYDE, Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield criminal justice, and it has just reiterated these for authoring this resolution. back the balance of my time. again in its February 2006 report. Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. The IMC said that all the parties should, today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 744, BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- among other things: a resolution that expresses support for the tion offered by the gentleman from ‘‘Give credible vocal and practical support to Good Friday Agreement as the blueprint for Iowa (Mr. LEACH) that the House sus- all parts of the criminal justice system, includ- lasting peace in the North of Ireland. H. Res. pend the rules and agree to the resolu- ing policing . . .’’ 744 is an expanded version of a resolution tion, H. Res. 744. ‘‘Play a full and constructive role in the par- written by my colleagues JIM WALSH, RICHARD The question was taken. ticipative organs of the criminal justice system, NEAL, JOE CROWLEY, and I last November. I The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the such as the Policing Board and the District appreciate Chairman HYDE sponsoring this opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of Policing Partnerships.’’ new bill with its additional language which I those present have voted in the affirm- These are some wise and constructive sug- believe strengthens our initial endeavor and ative. gestions, which this resolution supports and moving it to the House floor promptly. I am Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I fully endorses. We would encourage Sinn Fein also grateful for the opportunity to work with demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. and all the parties in the north to honor and the Chairman and his staff on the drafting of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- live by these ideas for a better, more secure this resolution. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the and democratic north of Ireland. There is no H. Res. 744 expresses our strong commit- Chair’s prior announcement, further place for violence in the process. ment to the ideals of the Good Friday Agree- proceedings on this question will be Finally, my resolution also calls on both the ment, a referendum that was endorsed by an postponed. Irish and British governments to fully imple- overwhelmingly majority of the people living ment the important Patten Commission police both in the North and the Republic of Ireland f reform provision which calls for senior-level on April 10, 1998. As we approach the 8th an- COMMENDING THE PEOPLE OF police officer exchanges between the Republic niversary of this date, I think it is important to THE REPUBLIC OF THE MAR- of Ireland and the Police Service of Northern recognize those groups and individuals who SHALL ISLANDS FOR THE CON- Ireland (PSNI). These exchanges are clearly have committed themselves to peace, justice, TRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES needed so that some of the cultural, religious, and equality and worked to fully implement THEY MADE TO THE UNITED and other long-standing issues dividing com- this agreement. Much progress has been STATES NUCLEAR TESTING PRO- munities and the police in the north can fully made since 1998 but much still more needs to GRAM IN THE MARSHALL IS- benefit from senior-level understanding and di- be done. LANDS versity. First, I’d like to commend (UK) Prime Min- Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I move I urge adoption of the resolution. ister Tony Blair and the (Irish) Taoiseach to suspend the rules and agree to the Mr. MURPHY. Madam Speaker, I rise in Bertie Ahem for their leadership in securing a resolution (H. Res. 692) commending support of House Resolution 744, which hon- peaceful resolution in the North of Ireland. We the people of the Republic of the Mar- ors the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 for would certainly not be where we are today if shall Islands for the contributions and being what I believe is, as the resolution it were not for these two great statesmen. I’d sacrifices they made to the United states, ‘‘the blueprint for lasting peace in also like to thank our own government, includ- States nuclear testing program in the Northern Ireland.’’ ing both the Clinton and Bush Administrations, Marshall Islands, solemnly acknowl- Next Monday, April 10, 2006 will mark the for their dedication and efforts to move this edging the first detonation of a hydro- 8th anniversary of the Good Friday Agree- process forward. We have been lucky to have gen bomb by the United States on ment, which has helped to bring nearly a dec- fine diplomats such as George Mitchell, Tony March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in ade of peace to Northern Ireland. As a result Lake, Richard Haass, and Mitchell Reiss play the Marshall Islands, and remembering of the historic Good Friday Agreement, there vital roles during the past decade. that 60 years ago the United States is perhaps a greater potential for lasting peace One of the most significant changes in the began its nuclear testing program in in Northern Ireland now than perhaps ever, North recently related to the changes in polic- the Marshall Islands, as amended. since the establishment of the Irish Republic. ing. The new Police Service of Northern Ire- The Clerk read as follows: The Good Friday Agreement has outlined a land (PSNI) has adopted many of the Patten H. RES. 692 plan for peace and reconciliation in the 21st recommendations to become a much more in- Whereas between 1946 and 1958, the United century. tegrated, professional, and impartial police States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Mar- I believe the most significant result of the force. Under the leadership of its chief con- shall Islands, 66 of which resulted in atmos- Good Friday Agreement was the revival of the stable, Sir Hugh Orde, and its ombudsman, pheric fallout; Northern Ireland Assembly, a devolved gov- Nuala O’Loan, the PSNI is a much more effec- Whereas the most powerful of these tests ernment body that has facilitated important de- tive and accountable law enforcement agency was the hydrogen weapons test codenamed

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:03 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.013 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 Bravo, a 15-megaton device detonated on cluding the 15 megaton blast powerful of our nuclear tests and the March 1, 1954, at Bikini atoll; codenamed ‘‘Bravo,’’ a detonation one which caused the greatest impact Whereas the Bravo detonation alone was equivalent to a thousand Hiroshima- on the long-term health of Marshallese the equivalent to 1,000 Hiroshima-sized sized bombs, which occurred above Bi- citizens. bombs; Whereas 17 other tests in the Marshall Is- kini Atoll on March 1, 1954. Despite the enormous after-effects of lands were in the megaton range, and the The last nuclear test occurred in Au- the U.S. nuclear testing program, the total yield of the 67 tests was 108 megatons, gust of 1958. These massive detonations relationship between the Marshallese the equivalent yield of more than 7,000 Hiro- were considered critical at the time to and the American people has only shima bombs and 93 times the total of Ne- the development of our nuclear deter- grown stronger over the past six dec- vada atmospheric tests; rent during the Cold War and represent ades. Through the Compact of Free As- Whereas in July 1998, the Centers for Dis- the most vivid examples of a strategic sociation, the United States provided ease Control and Prevention estimated that partnership that stretches back to the substantial financial assistance to the 6.3 billion curies of radioactive iodine-131 were released to the atmosphere as a result Pacific campaign of the Second World Marshall Islands and medical aid to of the testing in the Marshall Islands; War. those directly impacted by the nuclear Whereas the 12-year nuclear testing pro- They also symbolize the dangers of tests. gram has been the defining experience of the nuclear weapons and the unintended In return, the government of the modern era for the people of the Marshall Is- consequences of weapons development. Marshall Islands has been a steadfast lands, and these momentous events created a Tragically, for instance, as this resolu- ally of the United States since it ob- common bond between the people of the Mar- tion points out, the Centers for Disease tained its independence in 1986. Young shall Islands and the United States military Control and Prevention estimated that Marshallese citizens proudly serve in and civilian personnel who shared hardships the United States military, and they and suffering with the people of the Marshall 6.3 billion curies of radioactive iodine- Islands during the testing program; 131 were released in the atmosphere as have died alongside their American Whereas as a Member State of the United a result of the testing in the Marshall comrades in defense of liberty in Iraq. Nations, the world body that once had over- Islands. The government of the Marshall Is- sight of United States stewardship of the Recently, the United States re- lands has stood with us on vote after trusteeship for the people of the Marshall Is- affirmed and extended aspects of its vote in the United Nations, when many lands and their island homelands, the Repub- unique relationship with the Republic of our other allies were more than lic of the Marshall Islands has an unmatched of the Marshall Islands in the amended happy to sideline their commitment to record of working in conjunction with the freedom and democracy, particularly leadership of the United States in the pur- Compact of Free Association which the suit of international peace and security, the Congress considered and approved dur- in cases when the defense of the demo- rights and well-being of the peoples of the ing the 108th Congress. As we approach cratic State of Israel was at stake. world, and in the War on Terrorism: Now, the anniversary of the commencement Mr. Speaker, over the past six dec- therefore, be it of the U.S. nuclear testing program in ades, the people of the Marshall Islands Resolved, That the House of Representa- the Marshall Islands, it is fitting to re- and the United States have been on a tives— call the mutual sacrifices that our peo- long, but important, journey together, (1) commends the people of the Republic of ple shared during the last century and beginning with the liberation by Amer- the Marshall Islands for the contributions ican GIs of the Marshall Islands from and sacrifices they made to the United commit ourselves to maintaining our States nuclear testing program in the Mar- special friendship in the decades ahead. Japanese occupation, continuing shall Islands; I urge support of this resolution. through 12 years of post-war atmos- (2) solemnly acknowledges the first deto- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- pheric nuclear testing and resulting in nation of a hydrogen bomb by the United ance of my time. a strong and mutually beneficial rela- States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I tionship between these two Pacific na- in the Marshall Islands; and yield myself such time as I may con- tions. (3) remembers that 60 years ago the United sume. The 60th anniversary of the Bravo States began its nuclear testing program in Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- test is an important time to remember the Marshall Islands. port of this resolution. First, I would our shared history and to appreciate The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- like to commend my very good friend better the future positive relations we ant to the rule, the gentleman from and distinguished colleague, Mr. can surely expect between our two na- EACH Iowa (Mr. L ) and the gentleman FALEOMAVAEGA, for introducing this tions. from California (Mr. LANTOS) each will important measure concerning nuclear Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this control 20 minutes. testing in the Marshall Islands. resolution and urge all of my col- The Chair recognizes the gentleman His tireless leadership to strengthen leagues to do as well. from Iowa. the bonds between the United States Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield GENERAL LEAVE and all the nations of the Pacific is as much time as he might consume to Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I ask deeply appreciated by all of us who the gentleman from American Samoa unanimous consent that all Members have the privilege of serving with him (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA), my distinguished may have 5 legislative days to revise on the International Relations Com- colleague and good friend, author of and extend their remarks and include mittee. this resolution and the ranking Demo- extraneous material on the resolution cratic member of the Subcommittee on under consideration. b 1500 Asia and the Pacific of the Inter- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Madam Speaker, 60 years ago, the national Relations Committee. objection to the request of the gen- history of the Marshall Islands and its Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, tleman from Iowa? people was fundamentally altered. The I thank my good friend and colleague There was no objection. residents of isolated Bikini Atoll were for yielding. Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield loaded aboard American military ships Mr. Speaker, I also would like to myself such time as I may consume. and sent to live on a distant atoll. The offer my commendation to the chair- Madam Speaker, first I would like to goal of this relocation was simple: to man of our House International Rela- commend the gentleman from Amer- enable the testing of a hydrogen bomb tions Committee, Mr. HYDE, for his ican Samoa (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA) for equivalent to 1,000 Hiroshima-sized leadership and for his support of this introducing this timely resolution weapons. Bikini Atoll had drawn the resolution. I would also like to thank which commemorates the six decades short straw, and it would become our senior Democratic ranking member of friendship and strategic solidarity ground zero for the famous Bravo deto- on the committee, Mr. LANTOS from that the United States have shared nation. California, and especially also my good with the people of the Marshall Islands. This blast in 1954 was not the first friend and chairman of the House Sub- June 30 marks the 60th anniversary nor the last nuclear test in the Mar- committee on Asia and the Pacific, the of the U.S. nuclear testing program in shall Islands. Between 1946 and 1958, we gentleman from Iowa, Chairman the Marshall Islands. The program en- conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Mar- LEACH, for his support as well of this compassed 67 atmospheric tests, in- shall Islands, but Bravo was the most resolution.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.014 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1413 Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. detonated on March 1, 1954, in the Mar- the State Department’s position. While Res. 692, commending the people of the shall Islands and its equivalent yield the State Department denies that Republic of the Marshall Islands for was 1,000 Hiroshima-sized nuclear there is no legal basis for Congress to the contributions and sacrifices they bombs. Acknowledged as the greatest hear this petition, the fact remains made to the United States nuclear nuclear explosion ever at that time that we in Congress should decide this testing program in the Marshall Is- detonated, the Bravo test vaporized six for ourselves. lands. islands and created a mushroom cloud Mr. Speaker, the State Department I want to especially thank the gen- 25 miles in diameter. issued a report in November of 2004 tleman from Arizona (Mr. FLAKE), my Because people were living in these evaluating the Marshall Islands’ peti- good friend and colleague. He and I also South Pacific islands during the time tion, concluding that the Marshall Is- had the privilege of visiting the Mar- of the U.S. nuclear testing program, lands’ request does not qualify as shall Islands a year ago, and is an the people of the Republic of the Mar- changed circumstances within the original cosponsor with me on this leg- shall Islands were exposed to severe ra- meaning of the agreement, so there is islation, as well as my dear friends and diation poisoning. Even today, 60 years no legal basis for considering addi- colleagues who have also. In the spirit after the U.S. nuclear testing program tional payments. of bipartisanship, I want to submit for began, the people of the Rongelap Mr. Speaker, the State Department the RECORD the list of the Members Atoll, as well as other atolls, are still fails to explain how the declassified who have also signed on as cosponsors exiled from their own land due to the documents released 10 years after the of this resolution. radioactive fallout. agreement was reached, indicating a H. RES. 692 Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member wider expanded radioactive fallout Title: Commending the people of the Re- of the House International Relations than previously disclosed, or that the public of the Marshall Islands for the con- Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific National Cancer Institute study indi- tributions and sacrifices they made to the and as a Pacific Islander myself, I feel cating that more cancers will surface United States nuclear testing program in the I have a special responsibility to look do not constitute a legal basis for Con- Marshall Islands, solemnly acknowledging after the interests of our Pacific Island gress to consider their circumstances. the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb by community, especially from the Mar- Mr. Speaker, I submit this is much the United States on March 1, 1954, on the shall Islands which have sacrificed larger than a legal issue. This is a Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and re- moral issue. The fact is the people of membering that 60 years ago the United greatly for our common good. States began its nuclear testing program in From 1946 to 1958, the United States the Marshall Islands are still suffering the Marshall Islands. detonated 67 nuclear weapons in the severe, adverse health effects directly Sponsor: Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [AS] Marshall Islands, representing nearly related to our nuclear testing program, (introduced 2/16/2006) Cosponsors (36). 80 percent of all atmospheric tests ever and they are still unable to use their Latest Major Action: 2/16/2006 Referred to conducted by the United States. If one own lands because of the radiation poi- House committee. Status: Referred to the were to calculate the net yield of these soning. We have a moral obligation to House Committee on International Rela- tests, it would be equivalent to the det- provide for health care, environmental tions. monitoring, personal injury claims, Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [HI–1]—3/30/2006 onation of 1.7 Hiroshima bombs every Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [NY–5]—3/30/2006 day for 12 years. These tests exposed and the land and property damage in Rep. Baca, Joe [CA–43]—3/30/2006 the people of the Marshall Islands to the Marshall Islands. This is the least Rep. Berman, Howard L. [CA–28]—3/30/2006 severe health problems and genetic we can do, Mr. Speaker, considering Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [OR–3]—3/30/2006 anomalies for generations to come. the historic contribution the people of Rep. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU]—3/30/2006 The U.S. nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands have made in the Rep. Brown, Corrine [FL–3]—3/30/2006 the Marshall Islands continues to dev- Cold War struggle to preserve inter- Rep. Brown, Sherrod [OH–13]—3/30/2006 Rep. Burton, Dan [IN–5]—3/30/2006 astate the Marshall Islands, and the national peace and promote nuclear Rep. Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA–18]—3/30/2006 funds provided by the United States disarmament. Rep. Castle, Michael N. [DE]—3/30/2006 under the Compact of Free Association Mr. Speaker, the people of the Mar- Rep. Delahunt, William D. [MA–10]—3/30/ I submit, Mr. Speaker, are grossly in- shall Islands do not want handouts. 2006 adequate to provide for the health care, They have brought these ongoing Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [NY–17]—3/30/2006 environmental monitoring, personal health environmental and loss of land Rep. Flake, Jeff [AZ–6]—2/16/2006 injury claims, or land and property issues to Congress for our consider- Rep. Gallegly, Elton [CA–24]—3/30/2006 Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL–4]—3/30/2006 damages. ation. While we may find that we can- Rep. Honda, Michael M. [CA–15]—3/30/2006 Pursuant to the compact and the ac- not provide the amount of money re- Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX–18]—3/30/2006 companying section 177 agreement, the quested, I believe we do have an obliga- Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI–1]—3/30/2006 United States accepted responsibility tion to examine carefully the applica- Rep. Kind, Ron [WI–3]—3/30/2006 for the damage to the property and en- tion they have submitted to ensure Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH–10]—3/30/2006 vironment of the Marshall Islands and that we live up to the responsibility we Rep. Lantos, Tom [CA–12]—3/30/2006 the health of its people. This agree- embraced over 50 years ago when we Rep. Leach, James A. [IA–2]—3/30/2006 Rep. Lee, Barbara [CA–9]—3/30/2006 ment did not constitute a final agree- began nuclear testing in the Pacific. Rep. Lewis, John [GA–5]—3/30/2006 ment, as evidenced by the inclusion of We should not be looking for ways to Rep. Miller, George [CA–7]—3/30/2006 article IX authorizing the government sidestep this responsibility. We should Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [CA–38]—3/30/2006 of the Marshall Islands to petition the ask ourselves if we have done every- Rep. Payne, Donald M. [NJ–10]—3/30/2006 U.S. Congress in the event of ‘‘changed thing we can possibly do to make Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL–18]—3/30/ circumstances that render the provi- things right for the people of the Mar- 2006 sions of this agreement manifestly in- shall Islands who have sacrificed their Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [CA–29]—3/30/2006 Rep. Spratt, John M., Jr. {SC–5]—3/30/2006 adequate.’’ lives, their health and their lands for Rep. Udall, Tom [NM–3]—3/30/2006 The government of the Republic of the benefit of the United States. Rep. Waters, Maxine [CA–35]—3/30/2006 the Marshall Islands has submitted a I have reviewed the petition. I have Rep. Watson, Diane E. [CA–33]—3/30/2006 request to Congress based on a changed researched this issue extensively, and I Rep. Watt, Melvin L. [NC–12]—3/30/2006 circumstances claim. The administra- believe enough evidence exists to jus- Rep. Wexler, Robert [FL–19]—3/30/2006 tion, however, as represented by the tify a thorough review of the changed Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago in 1946, the State Department in its report evalu- circumstances in the petition. United States began testing nuclear ating the Marshall Islands’ request, re- Mr. Speaker, I do not know if my col- weapons in the Marshall Islands. Over jected the argument made in the Mar- leagues can see this picture. These are a 12-year period until 1958, the United shall Islands’ petition, contending that some of the children who were born to States conducted 67 nuclear tests with the claims did not constitute changed mothers this day last year, deformed the equivalent yield of more than 7,000 circumstances as defined in the agree- children, still as a result of nuclear Hiroshima nuclear bombs. In fact, the ment. testing that we conducted in the Mar- nuclear test code-named Bravo was a For the record, Mr. Speaker, I want shall Islands, and how dare that our 15-megaton hydrogen bomb that was to make it clear that I take issue with government say that we do not have

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.029 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1414 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 any further responsibility to the people our Asia Pacific Subcommittee, Mr. bomb. It was detonated on March 1, 1954, on of the Marshall Islands. It is still there, LEACH, and my good friend, senior Bikini Atoll, and caused dangerous levels of and we should pay attention to this. Democratic member, Mr. LANTOS, for radioactive fallout to be released over 7,000 Mr. Speaker, I am probably one of their support and management of this square miles, including the populated atolls of the few Members who has ever been to bill. Rongelap and Utrik. the Marshall Islands and have seen the Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- It is vital that our country remember the con- results of our nuclear testing program. self such time as I may consume. tributions of the Marshallese to our national Some of our colleagues may ask how I would just like to conclude briefly security and to world peace. come we stopped our nuclear testing in with three thoughts. One, I think it is While recognizing such contributions, our the Marshall Islands. I will tell you absolutely imperative that this body country over the years has sought to address why: because of the radiation, a nu- emphasize its friendship to the people the legacy of our nuclear testing in the Mar- clear cloud that floated all over to the of the Marshall Islands and affirm, as shall Islands in our initial Compact with the United States and we found strontin-90 Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA has suggested, our Republic of the Marshall Islands in 1986 and on milk products coming out of Min- obligation to take care of those whose in our ongoing bilateral relations with the RMI nesota and Wisconsin. That is why we health we are responsible for affecting. government. Just recently, our governments stopped our nuclear testing there in b 1515 renegotiated the compact agreement. the Marshall Islands. I am aware that the RMI government has I am probably one of the few Mem- Secondly, I want to express my deep filed a ‘‘changed circumstances’’ petition with bers who also visited the French nu- regard and friendship for the two Mem- the U.S. government, which still must be ne- clear testing in the South Pacific in bers who have spoken, Mr. LANTOS, our gotiated. It is time our country come to closure French Polynesia where the French ranking member, and Mr. on the changed circumstances petition and Government detonated over 220 nuclear FALEOMAVAEGA. address our country’s long-standing nuclear bombs in the atmosphere, on the sur- And, thirdly, I want to make a con- legacy in the Marshall Islands and its ramifica- face, under the ocean; and guess what, stitutional point. People listening to tions on the lives of its residents, particularly those atolls are beginning to leak now. the debate maybe do not understand those of the affected atolls. I also believe that The French Government refuses to that this is a body of 435 voting Mem- we must ensure that the U.S. Department of allow international scientific teams to bers plus five delegates, and the impor- Energy’s medical assistance program is ful- go down there and find out exactly the tance of delegates is often not noted in filling its obligation to its beneficiaries in the extent of the nuclear damage that the the American constitutional system. Marshall Islands. French Government has done to those But this is a classic example of an indi- I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 692 people in the Pacific. vidual leader, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, who and to work on addressing these crucial re- Last year, Mr. Speaker, I was invited comes from American Samoa, who is maining issues. by the President of Kazakhstan to visit bringing a resolution that would other- Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise that country; and to my surprise, I did wise not have been brought to this today in support of H. Res. 692, a resolution not realize that this is where the So- House except for his leadership. It is to commend the people of the Republic of the viet Union conducted their nuclear resolution of seminal importance and Marshall Islands for the contributions and testing program. They detonated 500 one that intriguingly looks to the grave sacrifices they made to the United nuclear devices in Afghanistan before problems of our times and also to the States nuclear testing program in the Marshall Afghanistan became independent; and history of the 20th century in a unique Islands. as a result of the Soviet Union nuclear and profound way. In 1947, the Republic of the Marshall Is- testing, 1.5 million Kazakhs were ex- So I want to express my deepest re- lands (RMI) became one of six entities in the posed to nuclear radioactivity, very gard for this initiative, and I thank the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands estab- similar to the problems that we have gentleman from American Samoa. lished by the United Nations with the U.S. as just had a resolution on on Chernobyl. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of It is madness. It is madness, Mr. the Trustee. This began a decades-long rela- my time. Speaker, and I submit this is some- tionship between the U.S. and RMI that has Mr. LANTOS. Before yielding back thing we should at least do for the peo- proven to be resilient and enduring. the balance of our time, I want to ex- ple of the Marshall Islands. They are In particular, I’d like to highlight the U.S. nu- press my appreciation to the chairman not asking for handouts, Mr. Speaker. clear testing program in RMI which began in of our Pacific and Asian Subcommittee They are just simply asking for fair- 1946. Over the years, the U.S. detonated 67 for his extraordinary work on this and ness. If we were so deliberate in our ef- nuclear weapons on the islands of Bikini and forts to fund the Cold War, let us give all other issues, and I want to identify Enewetak. These tests comprise 80 percent of the Marshall Islands people at least myself with the powerful and persua- all atmospheric tests conducted by the United what they deserve, a good medical sive statements of my friend and col- States. On March 1, 1954, the hydrogen treatment for the mothers that still league, ENI FALEOMAVAEGA. weapons test code-named ‘‘Bravo’’ yielded ex- continue to have cancers in thyroid Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of plosive power approximately 1,000 times glands, cancers all over, several hun- H. Res. 692, a resolution introduced by my es- greater than the weapon used in the 1945 dred, and their descendants still con- teemed colleague from American Samoa and wartime nuclear attack on Hiroshima, Japan. tinue to be exposed because of what we Ranking Member of the House International The Bravo test created a mushroom cloud 25 had done to these people 60 years ago. Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pa- miles in diameter, produced a crater 6,000 Mr. Speaker, I submit and I ask my cific—Congressman ENI FALEOMAVAEGA—com- feet in diameter, and vaporized 6 islands at colleagues, I request with all due re- mending the people of the Republic of the the Bikini Atoll. Radiation from the test forced spect that the least we could do is to Marshall Islands for their incalculable contribu- the evacuation of Marshallese and U.S. mili- pass this resolution. With this resolu- tions and sacrifices they made to the United tary personnel on Rongelap, Rongerik, Utirik tion, Mr. Speaker, we want to acknowl- States nuclear testing program throughout the and Ailinginae. This responsibility shouldered edge the historic contribution the peo- 1940s and 1950s in the Marshall Islands. by the Marshallese people allowed a majority ple of the Marshall Islands have made This year will mark the 60th anniversary of of all tests to be conducted as far from dense- in the Cold War struggle to preserve the United States’ commencement of nuclear ly populated areas as possible and helped the peace that we are seeking through- testing in the Marshall Islands. Over a period bring about a peaceful end to the Cold War. out the world. We commend the people of twelve years, from 1946 to 1958, the United Over the years, the Marshallese have faced of the Marshall Islands for the con- States of America conducted sixty-seven at- very serious consequences as a result of the tributions and sacrifices they made, mospheric nuclear weapons tests in the Mar- nuclear testing. The health and property ef- and we hope and I hope, sincerely hope, shall Islands. The tests resulted in a combined fects have proved to be extensive and in that my colleagues will join me in pro- yield of 108 megatons, roughly the destructive many cases, immeasurable. The U.S. has rec- viding for appropriate legislation so force of over 7,000 times that of the bomb ognized this and set up a fund to compensate that we can give these people the prop- used on Hiroshima. The worst of these tests, those affected by the testing. However, the er medical care that they deserve. the Bravo shot, was a l5-megaton thermo- consequences of this testing, especially the With that, Mr. Speaker, again, I nuclear device, which in itself carried 1,000 health of the Marshallese people, continue to thank my good friend, the chairman of times the destructive power of the Hiroshima be impacted.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.030 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1415 In particular, the Section 177 Health Care significant damage to the health of the people During the period of June 20, 1946 to Au- Program is in urgent need of increased fund- of the Marshall Islands, as well as, to the gust 18, 1958, the United States conducted 67 ing. Intended to provide comprehensive med- lands, vegetation, lagoons and surrounding nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. The vast ical care, including cancer care, for the four ecosystems. In addition to rendering all of Bi- majority of the tests were atmospheric. The communities most affected by the nuclear kini and most of Enewetak uninhabitable, ra- most powerful of these tests was the ‘‘Bravo’’ weapons testing program, this healthcare pro- dioactive fallout from nuclear testing on Bikini shot, a 15 megaton device detonated on gram has fallen woefully short of its intended and Enewetak accidentally spread to other March 1, 1954, at Bikini atoll. The test was goals. Spending approximately $12 per patient populated areas of the RMI. equivalent to 1,000 Hiroshima bombs. per month, the needs of this program are im- It is believed that these tests on Bikini and While the Bravo test is the probably the best mediate and urgent. Enewetak caused high rates of thyroid, cer- known, it should also be acknowledged that Mr. Speaker, I am sure that our countries vical and breast cancer throughout the Mar- 17 other tests in the Marshall islands were in will continue to work on this issue and find a shall Islands, with more than a dozen Marshall the megaton range with a combined yield esti- resolution. I also have no doubt that the rela- Islands atolls seriously affected. In 1998, the mated to be 174 megatons. Approximately tionship between our governments will con- U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimated 137 megatons of the that total was detonated tinue to be productive and mutually beneficial. that 6,300,000,000 billion curies of radioactive in the atmosphere. This represents nearly 80 As our alliance continues in the coming dec- iodine-131 were released to the atmosphere percent of the atmospheric nuclear tests deto- ades, I urge the United States to step up and as a result of the testing in the Marshall Is- nated by the U.S. meet its obligations to the people of the RMI. lands. Mr. Speaker, we must also acknowledge With all the sacrifices they have made for the Mr. Speaker, the U.S. government accepted that the people of the Marshall Islands paid a United States and continue to make each day, responsibility for the injuries to the people of steep price for the nuclear testing program. it is the very least the United States can do. the Marshall Islands and provided financial Many Marshalese who lived through the pe- I urge my colleagues to join me in com- and other assistance to the RMI as com- riod of nuclear testing have been relocated to mending the people of the Marshall Islands pensation for the harm done as a result of our other areas and have been waiting for dec- and acknowledge their profound sacrifices. We nuclear testing. ades to return to their homes. Residents of the must continue our efforts to restore the health Six years ago, the Republic of the Marshall Rongelop Atoll, the island closest to ground and lands of the people of the Marshall Is- Islands government submitted a Changed Cir- zero, still remain in exile. Other Marshalese, lands. cumstances Petition to the United States Con- including their offspring, have suffered from Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today gress related to U.S. nuclear testing on the medical conditions associated with increased in support of House Resolution 692 which Marshall Islands atolls of Bikini and Enewetak levels of radioactivity. commends the people of the Republic of the during the 1940s and 1950s. The Petition re- Despite the hardships endured by the peo- Marshall Islands for their contributions and quests additional compensation for personal ple of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of the sacrifices associated with the United States injuries and property damages and restoration Marshall Islands has an exemplary record of nuclear testing program. The first nuclear det- costs, medical care programs, health services working with the United States and supporting onation was made on the Bikini Atoll in the infrastructure and training, and radiological U.S. security concerns, including efforts to Marshall Islands on March 1, 1954. This test, monitoring. stamp out terrorism around the world. and the subsequent testing program, estab- The Petition bases its claims for compensa- H. Res. 692 acknowledges the debt that all lished the nuclear deterrent that has served to tion upon ‘‘changed circumstances’’ pursuant Americans owe for the sacrifice as well as loy- ensure the security of our Nation and our al- to Section 177 of the Compact of Free Asso- alty of the people of the Marshall Islands. lies throughout the Cold War. The people of ciation. The Compact of Free Association, en- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no the Marshall Islands sacrificed in a particularly acted in 1986, governs the economic and stra- further requests for time, and I yield unique way for our security, one that is both tegic relationships between the United States back the balance of my time. immense and somber. Today we continue to and the RMI. The Section 177 Agreement Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move honor their contribution. granted $150 million as part of a ‘‘full and final adoption of the resolution, and I yield Further, Mr. Speaker, the contributions of settlement’’ of legal claims against the U.S. back the balance of my time. the people of the Republic of the Marshall Is- government, and provided for possible addi- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. lands have continued to this very day. Today tional compensation, if loss or damages to CAMPBELL of California). The question we can find Marshallese serving in the United is on the motion offered by the gen- States Armed Forces around the world. Some persons or property arose or were discovered that could not reasonably have been identified tleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) that the are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as we House suspend the rules and agree to speak and many others are contributing to the as of the effective date of the agreement, and if such injuries rendered the provisions of the the resolution, H. Res. 692, as amended. well being of the United States in other new The question was taken. and unique ways throughout the Global War Compact ‘‘manifestly inadequate.’’ The Petition The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the on Terror. argues that ‘‘new and additional’’ information opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of The Republic of the Marshall Islands stands since the enactment of the Compact—such as those present have voted in the affirm- today with America as one of the Freely Asso- a wider extent of radioactive fallout than pre- ative. ciated States in the Pacific, and our strong viously known or disclosed and more recent Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I bonds of friendship are a testament to our mu- radiation protection standards—constitute demand the yeas and nays. tual commitment to freedom and democracy. ‘‘changed circumstances.’’ The yeas and nays were ordered. To my friends and neighbors, the Mr. Speaker, we should support the petition The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Marshallese, I extend the thanks of a grateful of the RMI calling for recognition of a ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Nation. To borrow from your beautiful lan- ‘‘changed circumstances’’. Our country owes a Chair’s prior announcement, further guage, ‘‘kommol tata,’’ or thank you very great debt to the people of the RMI for the proceedings on this question will be much. sacrifices they made on our behalf and we postponed. Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in must, as called for by H. Res. 692, assist f support of H. Res. 692, commending the peo- them in extricating themselves from the legacy ple of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for of the nuclear age and the burden of providing RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS AND their contributions and sacrifices to the United testing grounds for nuclear weapons. IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED States nuclear testing program. Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to con- MUSIC EDUCATION Mr. Speaker, as fellow islander, I feel a kin- gratulate Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA for sponsoring H. Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to ship to the people of the Marshall Islands and Res. 692, which commends the people of the suspend the rules and agree to the con- sympathize with them for the suffering they Republic of the Marshall Islands for the con- current resolution (H. Con. Res. 355) endured for our benefit. Between June 30, tributions and sacrifices they made to the recognizing the benefits and impor- 1946 and August 18, 1958, our government, United States nuclear testing program in the tance of school-based music education, after evacuating the residents, conducted an Marshall Islands 60 years ago. and for other purposes, as amended. intensive program of nuclear testing on Bikini When I served as the Ambassador to the The Clerk read as follows: and Enewetak atolls in the Republic of the Federated States of Micronesia, I had the op- H. CON. RES. 355 Marshall Islands. portunity to visit the Marshall Islands on sev- Whereas school music programs enhance These tests, which were the equivalent of eral occasions and to get to know the people, intellectual development and enrich the aca- more that 7,200 Hiroshima bombs, caused their land, and their history. demic environment for students of all ages;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.018 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1416 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 Whereas students who participate in school ently high levels of involvement in learning, many schools are struggling music programs are less likely to be involved music over middle school and high to keep art and music in the classroom. with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better school years show significantly higher Mr. Speaker, music education is facing attendance in school; levels of mathematics proficiency by severe cuts in thousands of school dis- Whereas the skills gained through sequen- tial music instruction, including discipline grade 12 regardless of a student’s socio- tricts throughout the Nation due to and the ability to analyze, solve problems, economic status. budget cuts. Instead of being able to communicate, and work cooperatively, are For these reasons, I support House fund programs to support music in the vital for success in the 21st century work- Concurrent Resolution 355 that recog- classroom, student choirs, and high place; nizes the benefits and importance of school bands, local school districts find Whereas the majority of students attend- school-based music education. The res- themselves struggling to find money ing public schools in inner city neighbor- olution before the House today is sim- for teachers’ salaries. hoods have virtually no access to music edu- ple and straightforward. It states that Mr. Speaker, we must do better if we cation, which places them at a disadvantage it is the sense of Congress that music are committed to seeing to it that all compared to their peers in other commu- education, grounded in rigorous in- nities; children succeed. And for those who Whereas local budget cuts are predicted to struction, is an important component say that the three R’s of reading, writ- lead to significant curtailment of school of a well-rounded academic curriculum ing, and arithmetic should outweigh music programs, thereby depriving millions and should be available to every stu- the arts and music in priority, I dis- of students of an education that includes dent in every school. agree. Music is a complementary aca- music; As retired General Norman demic subject and belongs right along- Whereas the arts are a core academic sub- Schwarzkopf said, ‘‘What a tragedy it side math and reading. ject, and music is an essential element of the would be if we lived in a world where In fact, the arts are considered a core arts; and music was not taught to children.’’ Whereas every student in the United academic subject under No Child Left Music education is important to our Behind. This reflects an understanding States should have an opportunity to reap children. It can broaden and strengthen the benefits of music education: Now, there- by Congress and the President that the fore, be it their education and improve their arts are critical to a well-rounded edu- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the lives. I commend music educators and cation. Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the organizations across the country for Again, I would like to thank Mr. COO- Congress that music education grounded in the key roles they play in helping our PER for bringing this resolution to the rigorous instruction is an important compo- children succeed in school and through- floor today and join with him in calling nent of a well-rounded academic curriculum out life. for more resources to our schools and and should be available to every student in For every ‘‘School of Rock’’ or ‘‘Mr. every school. to make sure that all children have ac- Holland’s Opus,’’ there are thousands cess to music in the classroom. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- of real-life music teachers inspiring Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ant to the rule, the gentleman from our young people every day. They may my time. Florida (Mr. KELLER) and the gen- not have major movies made about Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I con- tleman from New York (Mr. BISHOP) them, but they are heroes nonetheless. tinue to reserve the balance of my each will control 20 minutes. I urge my colleagues to support music time. The Chair recognizes the gentleman education in our schools and House Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speak- from Florida. Concurrent Resolution 355, which high- er, I would like to yield such time as he GENERAL LEAVE lights the benefits and importance of may consume to the author of this res- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask school-based music education. olution, my friend from Tennessee (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of unanimous consent that all Members COOPER). may have 5 legislative days in which to my time. Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speak- revise and extend their remarks on my friend, Mr. BISHOP; my friend, Mr. er, I yield myself such time as I may House Concurrent Resolution 355. KELLER; and also Mr. PORTER. This is a consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to join The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there truly bipartisan resolution. As has my colleagues in thanking Congress- objection to the request of the gen- been explained, it expresses the sense man COOPER for introducing House tleman from Florida? Concurrent Resolution 355, which rec- of the Congress of the United States There was no objection. ognizes the benefits and importance of that music should be a key part of the Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield school-based music education. He has curriculum of every public school for myself such time as I may consume, been steadfast in his support of music every child. Music is vitally important and I rise today in support of House as a learning tool in the classroom, and for the education of our young people, Concurrent Resolution 355, which high- we appreciate his work on this issue. and this expresses the sense of this lights the benefits and importance of Mr. Speaker, every year schools great body, this institution, that it school-based music education. throughout the country highlight the must be a part of our school systems. Anyone who has seen the movie, Mr. importance of music education. It is Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of Holland’s Opus, can appreciate the time to celebrate music and to use representing Nashville, Tennessee. value of school-based music education music as a means for enhancing the That is also known as Music City USA, and the importance of music teachers academic experience of students. While so you would know that I would be for who inspire our young people. I would there has been much debate on how to a resolution like this, but all of us like to thank my colleague from Ten- teach students to read and to perform should be, in both parties. In the other nessee (Mr. COOPER) for his leadership math, there is little debate that music body, Senator HATCH and Senator FEIN- on this issue and for introducing the contributes to overall learning ability. STEIN are likely to be the leads on the resolution we are considering today. We know that students who partici- legislation, but I hope that every Research has shown that students’ pate consistently in music activities school district across this country, involvement in their school music pro- over middle and high school show sig- every parent will realize the impor- gram is crucial to a complete edu- nificantly higher levels of math pro- tance of music as a key part of the cur- cation. Musical studies develop critical ficiency by the 12th grade. Additional riculum, not a luxury add-on, but a key thinking and self-discipline skills and data shows correlations between music part of their child’s education. improve a child’s early cognitive devel- and higher SAT scores and a decrease All of us love sports, and most all our opment, basic math and reading abili- in disciplinary problems and risky be- schools have pretty good athletic pro- ties, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to havior. Students who are involved in grams. A lot of focus is put on that. work in teams, abstract reasoning music classes in school have higher But the chance of a child actually be- skills, and school attendance. self-esteem and self-confidence than coming a successful pro athlete is In an analysis of U.S. Department of their counterparts who do not partici- sometimes pretty small, whereas the Education data on more than 25,000 pate in music class. chance of a child who has the ability to secondary school students, researchers Unfortunately, even with all the data learn music, of whatever type, it might found that students who report consist- to support the importance of music in be band, it might be piano, or chorus or

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.016 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1417 voice, there are a variety of opportuni- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to the Booker T. Washington High School for the ties, the chance is probably far greater support this resolution, H. Con. Res. 355, rec- Performing and Visual Arts. More than 700 di- that that child will be able to go on ognizing the benefits and importance of verse students attend Booker T. Washington, and develop some sort of career in the school-based music education programs. where talent and drive are the most important musical field; or perhaps music will be I have long been a strong advocate for components for admission. Booker T. Wash- a hobby, an add-on to their career. music education programs, both in my home ington has an outstanding success rate, grad- Some of the most successful people State of Maryland and nationally. I believe that uating 99 percent of its students to higher in the world, such as software engi- music education should be available to stu- education. The program has graduated 17 neers and mathematicians, other folks dents of all ages and a part of every student’s Grammy winners, including Nora Jones, like that, have music as a hobby, so it academic experience. Erykah Badu, and Roy Hargrove. is a vitally important part of our cur- Music education programs enrich the whole Booker T. Washington is so successful due riculum. I think it is also an emotional student, and are a critical component of a to the presence of outstanding teachers and need that so many of us have. well-rounded academic curriculum. In my rigorous curriculum that provides students with If anyone has seen the great movie, home State of Maryland, educators and ad- a well rounded education. In addition, Booker Mr. Holland’s Opus, it helps show how ministrators have worked to integrate music T. Washington has brought technology to the young people, sometimes unlikely and arts programs into academic curriculums forefront of music education and development. young people, can benefit from a musi- in order to provide students with these impor- These students use computers for everything cal education. tant benefits. At a time when education pro- from ear training to recording and sound pro- So I appreciate my friends across the grams are struggling for adequate funding and duction. Dedication, enthusiasm, and proper aisle and my friend Mr. BISHOP from State and local governments across the coun- resources has made Booker T. Washington Long Island championing this measure try face tremendous budget pressures, it is one of the most successful arts schools in the to make sure that music is a part of more important than ever to highlight and em- country. our curriculum in all of our schools for phasize the importance of music education Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I con- all of our students. programs. tinue to reserve the balance of my Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise I frequently meet with artists, songwriters, time. today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 355, musicians and other creators who are actively Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speak- recognizing the importance of school based engaged in ensuring that schools and commu- er, I yield back the balance of my time. music education. In today’s climate of high nities continue to work music and arts into the Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no stakes testing, it’s important to recognize that school curriculum. These artists know that further requests for time, and I yield skills learned through studying music translate music education can enhance intellectual de- back the balance of my time. to skills that help students succeed in life. velopment and skills integral to improved The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Empirical data suggest that music students learning. Skills learned through the study of question is on the motion offered by music help children become better students. perform higher than their counterparts on the the gentleman from Florida (Mr. KEL- Skills learned through music transfer to im- Scholastic Aptitude Test, and also dem- LER) that the House suspend the rules onstrate higher math skills. Studies also show prove study skills, communication skills, and and agree to the concurrent resolution, that students who participate in a band or or- cognitive skills. Also, studies have shown that H. Con. Res. 355, as amended. chestra show the lowest lifetime use of alco- students involved in music classes are less The question was taken; and (two- hol, tobacco and illicit drugs. Students that likely to be disruptive, have better attendance, thirds having voted in favor thereof) participate in music classes are less likely to and are more likely to receive academic hon- the rules were suspended and the con- be disruptive students in class. Among minor- ors and awards. current resolution, as amended, was Studies have also shown that participation ity students, more identify their music teachers agreed to. in school-based music education can increase as role models than any other subject area. A motion to reconsider was laid on student success. For example, in 2001 the These students demonstrate higher self-es- the table. College-Bound Seniors National Report teem and thinking skills than their counter- showed that students with coursework in f parts. As a parent, I know that students who learn music performance and music appreciation RECESS to think critically, perform analysis, and ex- scored notably higher on the SATs than stu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- dents with no arts participation. Studies have press themselves through written and verbal ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair shown that participation in music class cor- communication have a greater chance at suc- declares the House in recess until ap- relates with increased proficiency in mathe- cess in life. Within a larger context, music is proximately 6:30 p.m. today. matics and success in science. Accordingly (at 3 o’clock and 27 min- an essential cultural thread. How many peo- We must place a high value on music edu- utes p.m.), the House stood in recess ple, whether listening to the O’Jay’s, Bon Jovi, cation. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this until approximately 6:30 p.m. or Jill Scott, know that the term ‘‘Rock and resolution supporting the importance of music Roll’’ is African American slang dating back to education programs and urging that the bene- f the early 20th Century? But music, whether fits of music education should be available to b 1830 rock and roll, classical, or jazz has come to every student. mean much more. Within my district, the Rock Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. AFTER RECESS and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of The recess having expired, the House Cleveland Institute of Music provide music his- H. Con. Res. 355, recognizing the benefits was called to order by the Speaker pro tory and distance learning programs for many and importance of school-based music edu- tempore (Mr. PRICE of Georgia) at 6 schools that haven’t been able to afford their cation. o’clock and 30 minutes p.m. own music education teachers. The useful- Providing students with the opportunity to f ness of these music programs underscores learn music is an essential component of a the importance of filling student needs at a well-rounded education. Often times music ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER time when our society needs better teaching programs are considered to be extracurricular PRO TEMPORE methods and a greater understanding of diver- activities, whose value and funding are dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sity, not less. puted. The benefits and opportunities that ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Educators with whom I meet, often express music programs provide for students greatly will resume on motions to suspend the frustration that compressed school schedules outweigh the financial costs. Music classes rules previously postponed. and the focus on high stakes testing are failing enhance students’ self esteem and social Votes will be taken in the following to help our children develop the critical think- skills. In addition, several studies have shown order: ing skills needed to compete in an increasingly that learning music increases students’ abili- H.J. Res. 81, by the yeas and nays; complex world. Music education aids critical ties at reading and math. Learning music re- H. Res. 703, by the yeas and nays; thinking and more. I believe it imperative that quires discipline and responsibility. This train- H. Res. 744, by the yeas and nays. we recognize its importance in the lives of our ing persists throughout music students’ aca- Proceedings on H. Res. 692 will be children, and strive to make school based demic careers. postponed until tomorrow. music education available to all of America’s I am fortunate enough to have one of the The first and third electronic votes youth. Nation’s eminent arts schools in my district, will be conducted as 15-minute votes.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.035 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1418 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 The second vote in this series will be a Keller Moore (WI) Saxton Stated for: 5-minute vote. Kelly Moran (KS) Schiff Kennedy (MN) Moran (VA) Schmidt Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall f Kennedy (RI) Murphy Schwartz (PA) No. 82 I was unavoidably detained. Had I Kildee Murtha Schwarz (MI) been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINT- Kilpatrick (MI) Musgrave Scott (GA) f MENT OF PHILLIP FROST AS A Kind Myrick Scott (VA) King (IA) Nadler Sensenbrenner CITIZEN REGENT OF THE BOARD King (NY) Napolitano Serrano RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVER- OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSO- Kingston Neal (MA) Sessions SARY OF THE CHERNOBYL NU- NIAN INSTITUTION Kirk Neugebauer Shadegg CLEAR DISASTER Kline Ney Shaw The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Knollenberg Northup Shays The SPEAKER pro tempore. The pending business is the question of sus- Kolbe Norwood Sherman pending business is the question of sus- Kucinich Nunes Sherwood pending the rules and passing the joint Kuhl (NY) Nussle pending the rules and agreeing to the Shimkus LaHood Oberstar resolution, H.J. Res. 81. Shuster resolution, H. Res. 703. Langevin Obey The Clerk read the title of the joint Simmons The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Lantos Olver Simpson resolution. Larsen (WA) Ortiz tion. Skelton The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Larson (CT) Osborne The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Latham Otter Smith (NJ) question is on the motion offered by Smith (TX) question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. LaTourette Owens the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) Leach Oxley Smith (WA) EHLERS) that the House suspend the Lee Pallone Snyder that the House suspend the rules and rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Levin Pascrell Sodrel agree to the resolution, H. Res. 703, on Res. 81, on which the yeas and nays are Lewis (CA) Pastor Solis which the yeas and nays are ordered. Lewis (GA) Paul Spratt ordered. Lewis (KY) Pearce Stark This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic de- Linder Pelosi Stearns The vote was taken by electronic de- vice, and there were—yeas 406, nays 0, Lipinski Pence Strickland vice, and there were—yeas 402, nays 1, not voting 26, as follows: LoBiondo Peterson (MN) Stupak not voting 29, as follows: Lofgren, Zoe Peterson (PA) Sullivan [Roll No. 82] Lowey Petri Tancredo [Roll No. 83] YEAS—406 Lucas Pickering Tauscher YEAS—402 Lungren, Daniel Pitts Taylor (NC) Abercrombie Case Frank (MA) E. Platts Terry Abercrombie Castle Franks (AZ) Ackerman Castle Franks (AZ) Lynch Poe Thomas Ackerman Chabot Frelinghuysen Aderholt Chabot Frelinghuysen Mack Pombo Thompson (CA) Aderholt Chandler Gallegly Akin Chandler Gallegly Maloney Pomeroy Thompson (MS) Akin Chocola Garrett (NJ) Alexander Chocola Garrett (NJ) Manzullo Porter Thornberry Alexander Clay Gerlach Allen Clay Gerlach Allen Cleaver Gibbons Marchant Price (GA) Tiahrt Andrews Cleaver Gibbons Andrews Clyburn Gillmor Markey Price (NC) Tiberi Baca Clyburn Gillmor Baca Coble Gingrey Marshall Pryce (OH) Tierney Bachus Coble Gingrey Bachus Cole (OK) Gohmert Matheson Putnam Towns Baird Cole (OK) Gohmert Baird Conaway Gonzalez Matsui Radanovich Turner Baker Conaway Gonzalez McCarthy Rahall Baker Conyers Goode Baldwin Conyers Goode Udall (NM) Baldwin Cooper Goodlatte McCaul (TX) Ramstad Upton Barrett (SC) Cooper Goodlatte McCollum (MN) Rangel Barrett (SC) Costa Gordon Barrow Costa Gordon Van Hollen Barrow Cramer Graves McCotter Regula ´ Bartlett (MD) Cramer Graves Velazquez Bartlett (MD) Crenshaw Green (WI) McCrery Rehberg Visclosky Barton (TX) Crenshaw Green (WI) McDermott Reichert Barton (TX) Crowley Green, Al Walden (OR) Bass Crowley Green, Al McHenry Renzi Bass Cubin Green, Gene Walsh Bean Cubin Green, Gene McHugh Reyes Bean Cuellar Grijalva Wamp Beauprez Cuellar Grijalva McIntyre Reynolds Beauprez Cummings Gutierrez Wasserman Becerra Cummings Gutierrez McKeon Rogers (AL) Becerra Davis (AL) Gutknecht Schultz Berkley Davis (AL) Gutknecht McKinney Rogers (KY) Berkley Davis (CA) Hall Waters Berman Davis (CA) Hall McMorris Rogers (MI) Berman Davis (FL) Harman Berry Davis (FL) Harman McNulty Rohrabacher Watt Berry Davis (IL) Harris Biggert Davis (IL) Harris Meehan Ros-Lehtinen Waxman Biggert Davis (KY) Hart Bilirakis Davis (KY) Hart Meek (FL) Ross Weiner Bilirakis Davis (TN) Hastings (FL) Bishop (NY) Davis (TN) Hastings (FL) Meeks (NY) Rothman Weldon (FL) Bishop (NY) Davis, Jo Ann Hastings (WA) Bishop (UT) Davis, Jo Ann Hastings (WA) Melancon Roybal-Allard Weldon (PA) Bishop (UT) Davis, Tom Hayes Blackburn Davis, Tom Hayes Mica Royce Weller Blackburn Deal (GA) Hayworth Blumenauer Deal (GA) Hayworth Michaud Ruppersberger Westmoreland Blumenauer DeFazio Hefley Blunt DeFazio Hefley Millender- Rush Wexler Blunt DeGette Hensarling Boehlert DeGette Hensarling McDonald Ryan (OH) Whitfield Boehlert Delahunt Herger Boehner Delahunt Herger Miller (FL) Ryan (WI) Wicker Boehner DeLauro Herseth Bonilla DeLauro Herseth Miller (MI) Ryun (KS) Wilson (NM) Bonilla Dent Higgins Bonner Dent Higgins Miller (NC) Sabo Wilson (SC) Bonner Diaz-Balart, L. Hinchey Bono Diaz-Balart, L. Hinchey Miller, Gary Salazar Woolsey Bono Diaz-Balart, M. Hinojosa Boozman Diaz-Balart, M. Hinojosa Miller, George Sa´ nchez, Linda Wu Boozman Dicks Hobson Boren Dicks Hobson Mollohan T. Wynn Boren Dingell Holden Boswell Dingell Holden Moore (KS) Sanchez, Loretta Young (FL) Boswell Doggett Holt Boucher Doggett Holt Boucher Doolittle Honda Boustany Doolittle Honda NOT VOTING—26 Boustany Doyle Hooley Boyd Doyle Hooley Bishop (GA) Gilchrest Souder Boyd Drake Hostettler Bradley (NH) Drake Hostettler Calvert Granger Sweeney Bradley (NH) Dreier Hoyer Brady (PA) Dreier Hoyer Brady (PA) Duncan Hulshof Carson Hoekstra Tanner Brady (TX) Duncan Hulshof Brady (TX) Edwards Hunter Costello Jenkins Taylor (MS) Brown (OH) Edwards Hunter Brown (OH) Ehlers Hyde Culberson McGovern Udall (CO) Brown (SC) Ehlers Hyde Brown (SC) Emanuel Inglis (SC) DeLay Payne Watson Brown, Corrine Emanuel Inglis (SC) Emerson Sanders Brown, Corrine Engel Inslee Brown-Waite, Engel Inslee Wolf Brown-Waite, English (PA) Israel Evans Schakowsky Young (AK) Ginny English (PA) Israel Fossella Slaughter Ginny Eshoo Issa Burgess Eshoo Issa Burgess Etheridge Istook Burton (IN) Etheridge Istook b 1853 Burton (IN) Everett Jackson (IL) Butterfield Everett Jackson (IL) Butterfield Farr Jackson-Lee Buyer Farr Jackson-Lee Mr. MOORE of Kansas changed his Camp (MI) Fattah (TX) Camp (MI) Fattah (TX) vote from ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Campbell (CA) Feeney Jefferson Campbell (CA) Feeney Jefferson So (two-thirds of those voting having Cannon Ferguson Jindal Cannon Ferguson Jindal responded in the affirmative) the rules Cantor Filner Johnson (CT) Cantor Filner Johnson (CT) Capito Fitzpatrick (PA) Johnson (IL) Capito Fitzpatrick (PA) Johnson (IL) were suspended and the joint resolu- Capps Flake Johnson, E. B. Capps Flake Johnson, E. B. tion was passed. Capuano Foley Johnson, Sam Capuano Foley Johnson, Sam The result of the vote was announced Cardin Forbes Jones (NC) Cardin Forbes Jones (NC) as above recorded. Cardoza Ford Jones (OH) Cardoza Ford Jones (OH) Carnahan Fortenberry Kanjorski Carnahan Fortenberry Kanjorski A motion to reconsider was laid on Carter Foxx Kaptur Carter Foxx Kaptur the table. Case Frank (MA) Keller

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.044 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1419 Kelly Moran (VA) Schmidt The result of the vote was announced Kanjorski Moore (KS) Saxton Kennedy (MN) Murphy Schwartz (PA) as above recorded. Kaptur Moore (WI) Schiff Kennedy (RI) Murtha Schwarz (MI) Keller Moran (KS) Schmidt Kildee Musgrave Scott (GA) A motion to reconsider was laid on Kelly Moran (VA) Schwartz (PA) Kilpatrick (MI) Myrick Scott (VA) the table. Kennedy (MN) Murphy Schwarz (MI) Kind Nadler Sensenbrenner Kennedy (RI) Murtha Scott (GA) King (IA) Napolitano Serrano f Kildee Musgrave Scott (VA) King (NY) Neal (MA) Sessions Kilpatrick (MI) Myrick Sensenbrenner Kingston Neugebauer Shadegg EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOOD King (IA) Nadler Serrano Kirk Ney Shaw King (NY) Napolitano Sessions Kline Northup Shays FRIDAY AGREEMENT AND CON- Kingston Neal (MA) Shadegg Knollenberg Norwood Sherman TINUED POLICE REFORM IN Kirk Neugebauer Shaw Kolbe Nunes Sherwood NORTHERN IRELAND Kline Ney Shays Kucinich Nussle Shimkus Knollenberg Northup Sherman Kuhl (NY) Oberstar Shuster The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Kolbe Norwood Sherwood LaHood Obey Simmons pending business is the question of sus- Kucinich Nunes Shimkus Langevin Olver Kuhl (NY) Nussle Shuster Simpson pending the rules and agreeing to the Lantos Ortiz Skelton LaHood Oberstar Simmons Larsen (WA) Osborne Slaughter resolution, H. Res. 744. Langevin Obey Simpson Larson (CT) Otter Smith (NJ) The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Lantos Olver Skelton Latham Owens Smith (TX) Larsen (WA) Ortiz Slaughter LaTourette Oxley tion. Larson (CT) Osborne Smith (NJ) Smith (WA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Leach Pallone Snyder Latham Otter Smith (TX) Lee Pascrell Sodrel question is on the motion offered by LaTourette Owens Smith (WA) Levin Pastor Solis the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. LEACH) Leach Oxley Snyder Lewis (CA) Pearce Lee Pallone Sodrel Spratt that the House suspend the rules and Lewis (GA) Pelosi Stark Levin Pascrell Solis Lewis (KY) Pence Stearns agree to the resolution, H. Res. 744, on Lewis (CA) Pastor Spratt Linder Peterson (MN) Strickland which the yeas and nays are ordered. Lewis (GA) Paul Stark Lipinski Peterson (PA) Stupak Lewis (KY) Pearce Stearns LoBiondo Petri The vote was taken by electronic de- Linder Pelosi Strickland Sullivan Lofgren, Zoe Pickering vice, and there were—yeas 399, nays 1, Lipinski Pence Stupak Tancredo Lowey Pitts LoBiondo Peterson (MN) Sullivan Tauscher answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 31, as Lucas Platts Lofgren, Zoe Peterson (PA) Tancredo Taylor (NC) follows: Lungren, Daniel Poe Lowey Petri Tauscher Terry E. Pombo [Roll No. 84] Lucas Pickering Taylor (NC) Thomas Lynch Pomeroy Lungren, Daniel Pitts Terry Thompson (CA) YEAS—399 Mack Porter E. Platts Thomas Thompson (MS) Maloney Price (GA) Abercrombie Carnahan Ford Lynch Poe Thompson (CA) Thornberry Manzullo Price (NC) Ackerman Carter Fortenberry Mack Pombo Thompson (MS) Tiahrt Marchant Pryce (OH) Aderholt Case Foxx Maloney Pomeroy Thornberry Markey Putnam Tiberi Akin Castle Frank (MA) Marchant Porter Tiahrt Marshall Radanovich Tierney Alexander Chabot Franks (AZ) Markey Price (GA) Tiberi Matheson Rahall Towns Allen Chandler Frelinghuysen Marshall Price (NC) Tierney Matsui Ramstad Turner Andrews Chocola Gallegly Matheson Pryce (OH) Towns McCarthy Regula Udall (NM) Baca Clay Garrett (NJ) Matsui Putnam Turner McCaul (TX) Rehberg Upton Bachus Cleaver Gerlach McCarthy Rahall Udall (NM) McCollum (MN) Reichert Van Hollen Baird Clyburn Gibbons McCaul (TX) Ramstad Upton ´ McCotter Renzi Velazquez Baker Coble Gillmor McCollum (MN) Rangel Van Hollen McCrery Reyes Visclosky Baldwin Cole (OK) Gingrey McCotter Regula Vela´ zquez McDermott Reynolds Walden (OR) Barrett (SC) Conaway Gonzalez McCrery Rehberg Visclosky McHenry Rogers (AL) Walsh Barrow Conyers Goode McDermott Reichert Walden (OR) McIntyre Rogers (KY) Wamp Bartlett (MD) Cooper Goodlatte McHenry Renzi Walsh McKeon Rogers (MI) Wasserman Barton (TX) Costa Gordon McHugh Reyes Wamp McKinney Rohrabacher Schultz Bass Cramer Graves McIntyre Reynolds Wasserman McMorris Ros-Lehtinen Waters Bean Crenshaw Green (WI) McKeon Rogers (AL) Schultz McNulty Ross Watt Beauprez Cubin Green, Al McKinney Rogers (KY) Waters Meehan Rothman Waxman Becerra Cuellar Green, Gene McMorris Rogers (MI) Watt Meek (FL) Roybal-Allard Weiner Berkley Cummings Grijalva McNulty Rohrabacher Waxman Meeks (NY) Royce Weldon (FL) Berman Davis (AL) Gutierrez Meehan Ros-Lehtinen Weiner Melancon Ruppersberger Weldon (PA) Berry Davis (CA) Gutknecht Meek (FL) Ross Weldon (FL) Mica Rush Weller Biggert Davis (FL) Hall Meeks (NY) Rothman Weldon (PA) Michaud Ryan (OH) Westmoreland Bilirakis Davis (IL) Harman Melancon Roybal-Allard Weller Miller (FL) Ryan (WI) Wexler Bishop (NY) Davis (KY) Harris Mica Royce Westmoreland Miller (MI) Ryun (KS) Whitfield Bishop (UT) Davis (TN) Hart Michaud Ruppersberger Wexler Miller (NC) Sabo Wicker Blackburn Davis, Jo Ann Hastings (FL) Millender- Ryan (OH) Whitfield Miller, Gary Salazar Wilson (NM) Blumenauer Davis, Tom Hastings (WA) McDonald Ryan (WI) Wicker Miller, George Sa´ nchez, Linda Wilson (SC) Blunt Deal (GA) Hayes Miller (FL) Ryun (KS) Wilson (NM) Mollohan T. Woolsey Boehlert DeFazio Hayworth Miller (MI) Sabo Wilson (SC) Moore (KS) Sanchez, Loretta Wu Boehner DeGette Hefley Miller (NC) Salazar Woolsey Moore (WI) Saxton Wynn Bonilla Delahunt Hensarling Miller, Gary Sa´ nchez, Linda Wu Moran (KS) Schiff Young (FL) Bonner DeLauro Herger Miller, George T. Wynn Bono Dent Herseth Mollohan Sanchez, Loretta Young (FL) NAYS—1 Boozman Diaz-Balart, L. Higgins Paul Boren Diaz-Balart, M. Hinchey NAYS—1 Boswell Dicks Hinojosa Manzullo NOT VOTING—29 Boucher Dingell Hobson Bishop (GA) Gilchrest Sanders Boustany Doggett Holden ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Boyd Doolittle Holt Buyer Granger Schakowsky Gohmert Calvert Hoekstra Souder Bradley (NH) Doyle Honda Carson Jenkins Sweeney Brady (PA) Drake Hooley NOT VOTING—31 Costello McGovern Tanner Brady (TX) Dreier Hostettler Bishop (GA) Granger Schakowsky Culberson McHugh Taylor (MS) Brown (OH) Duncan Hoyer Calvert Hoekstra DeLay Millender- Udall (CO) Brown (SC) Edwards Hulshof Souder Carson Hunter Emerson McDonald Watson Brown, Corrine Ehlers Hyde Sweeney Costello Jenkins Evans Payne Wolf Brown-Waite, Emanuel Inglis (SC) Tanner Crowley Jones (OH) Fossella Rangel Young (AK) Ginny Engel Inslee Taylor (MS) Burgess English (PA) Israel Culberson Kind Udall (CO) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Burton (IN) Eshoo Issa DeLay McGovern Watson The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Butterfield Etheridge Istook Emerson Payne Wolf Evans Radanovich the vote). Members are advised there Buyer Everett Jackson (IL) Young (AK) Camp (MI) Farr Jackson-Lee Fossella Rush are 2 minutes remaining. Campbell (CA) Fattah (TX) Gilchrest Sanders Cannon Feeney Jefferson b 1903 Cantor Ferguson Jindal ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE So (two-thirds of those voting having Capito Filner Johnson (CT) The SPEAKER pro tempore (during responded in the affirmative) the rules Capps Fitzpatrick (PA) Johnson (IL) the vote). Members are advised that Capuano Flake Johnson, E. B. were suspended and the resolution was Cardin Foley Johnson, Sam there are 2 minutes remaining in this agreed to. Cardoza Forbes Jones (NC) vote.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A04AP7.031 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 b 1919 sion and increase in minimum tax relief to present on the following rollcall votes. individuals), Rollcall vote No. 75, the rule, if So (two-thirds of those voting having (3) to recede from the provisions of the responded in the affirmative) the rules present, I would have voted ‘‘no,’’ H. House bill that extend the lower tax rate on Res. 742. were suspended and the resolution was dividends and capital gains that would other- agreed to. wise terminate at the close of 2008, and Rollcall vote No. 76, the Pelosi reso- The result of the vote was announced (4) to the maximum extent possible within lution, if present, I would have voted as above recorded. the scope of conference, to insist on a con- ‘‘no’’ on the motion to table. A motion to reconsider was laid on ference report which will neither increase Rollcall vote No. 77, on the Gohmert the table. the Federal budget deficit nor increase the amendment, if present, I would have amount of the debt subject to the public debt voted ‘‘yes.’’ f limit. Rollcall vote No. 78, the Kennedy of PERSONAL EXPLANATION f Rhode Island amendment, if present, I Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, because of a pre- ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ Rollcall vote No. 79, the King of Iowa viously scheduled event which required my at- COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE amendment, if present, I would have tendance at a high school in my congressional Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I offer a voted ‘‘no.’’ district this evening, I missed the three rollcall resolution (H. Res. 754) and I ask unan- Rollcall vote No. 80, the Miller sub- votes under suspension of the rules today. In imous consent for its immediate con- stitute, if present, I would have voted conjunction with the Loudoun County Public sideration. ‘‘yes.’’ Schools’ Academy of Science, I had invited The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- And on final passage, rollcall vote Dr. Robert Ballard, founder of the JASON lows: No. 81, if present, I would have voted project, to speak to students and parents at H. RES. 754 ‘‘no.’’ Dominion High School in Loudoun County Resolved, That the following Members be f about the importance of science education in and are hereby elected to the following our Nation’s schools. JASON is funded standing committee of the House of Rep- CONGRATULATING NCAA BASKET- through the Science-State-Justice-Commerce resentatives: BALL CHAMPION FLORIDA appropriations subcommittee which I chair. Dr. Committee on Science: Mr. Neugebauer to GATORS Ballard also is the explorer-in residence at the rank after Mr. Feeney, and Mr. Mario Diaz- (Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida Balart of Florida. National Geographic Society and discoverer of asked and was given permission to ad- the RMS Titanic shipwreck. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there dress the House for 1 minute and to re- Had I been present and voting, I would have objection to the request of the gen- vise and extend her remarks.) voted ‘‘yes’’ on H.J. Res. 81, providing for the tleman from Iowa? Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. appointment of Phillip Frost as a citizen regent There was no objection. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratu- of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In- The resolution was agreed to. late my University of Florida basket- stitution; H. Res. 703, recognizing the 20th an- A motion to reconsider was laid on ball team for winning the first NCAA niversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster the table. basketball championship for any col- and supporting continued efforts to control ra- f lege or university in the State of Flor- diation and mitigate the adverse health con- ida. Go Gators. sequences related to the Chernobyl nuclear SADDAM HUSSEIN CHARGED WITH GENOCIDE Last night the Gators finished their power plant, and H. Res. 744, expression sup- run of winning six games in the tour- port for the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was nament, winning by an average of 16 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern given permission to address the House point per game. Ireland and support for continued police re- for 1 minute and to revise and extend The waltz was all blue and orange. form in Northern Ireland as a critical element her remarks.) The Final Four’s most outstanding in the peace process. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, player, Joakim Noah, certainly de- f the Iraqi tribunal recently announced serves the praise. He broke the title additional charges against Iraq’s PERSONAL EXPLANATION record with six blocked shots, in addi- former dictator. These include geno- tion to 16 points, nine rebounds and Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, due to in- cide, crimes against humanity, and the three assists. He also owns the tour- creased traffic resulting from the 2006 NCAA use of chemical weapons on thousands nament record of 29 blocks. Final Four in Indianapolis, I was unavoidably of innocent civilians. Coach Billy Donovan deserves credit detained in my home district and unable to The new case involves Saddam’s role for building this team from scratch and record my vote for rollcall votes 82–84. Had I in ‘‘Operation Anfal,’’ which resulted teaching the players how to win and been present I would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ in 5,000 men, women and children being act like champions. On behalf of all of f murdered through a gas attack on the people of Florida, I want to say, their village. ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION TO ‘‘Go Gators.’’ One of the pieces of evidence to be f OFFER MOTION TO INSTRUCT presented at the trial is a government CONFEREES ON H.R. 4297, TAX decree signed by Saddam in 1987 in TRIBUTE TO NORMAN BORLAUG RELIEF EXTENSION RECONCILI- which he ordered special artillery (Mr. LEACH asked and was given per- ATION ACT OF 2005 bombs to kill as many people as pos- mission to address the House for 1 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, under rule sible in the Kurdish area. minute and to revise and extend his re- XXII, clause 7(c), I hereby announce This new case clearly shows that the marks.) my intention to offer a motion to in- world is indeed a safer place without Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, when all is struct on H.R. 4297, the tax reconcili- Saddam Hussein, and it shows the said and done, what defines our coun- ation conference report. progress being made in Iraq as the try is the people who are the American The form of the motion is as follows: Iraqi people are finally able to seek family. I move that the managers on the part of justice through their legal system. In a world which today is rife with the House at the conference on the dis- f conflict, it is particularly appropriate agreeing votes of the two Houses on the Sen- to pause and give recognition to an in- ate amendment to the bill H.R. 4297 be in- PERSONAL EXPLANATION dividual who has dedicated his life to structed— Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. bringing hope and sustenance to the (1) to agree to the provisions of section 102 Speaker, on March 30 I was detained on family of man. No one symbolizes a (relating to credit for elective deferrals and official business at the installation and sense of common purpose and commu- IRA contributions), and section 108 (relating to extension and modification of research inauguration of the Prime Minister of nity more than a native son of Iowa, credit), of the Senate amendment, Jamaica as part of the congressional Norman Borlaug. (2) to agree to the provisions of section 106 delegation that was authorized by the In the spring of 1941, the newly elect- of the Senate amendment (relating to exten- Speaker and therefore I was not ed Vice President of the United States,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.050 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1421 another son of the Iowa soil, Henry sparked the Green Revolution that lit- In 1994 he was given the task of re- Wallace, attended his first Cabinet erally saved millions, hundreds of mil- searching high-yield and disease-resist- meeting and suggested that the great- lions of lives. ant cereal grains. Through trial and est challenge of the era involved the In recognition for these efforts, Dr. error, Dr. Borlaug’s successful efforts need to develop higher yielding crops Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace led to the development of varieties of in the developing world. Franklin Roo- Prize in 1970, the only person to have wheat that completely altered produc- sevelt’s preoccupation at the time was received the award in either the agri- tion agriculture as it was known then presumably on the war in Europe and culture or food production fields. in places like Pakistan and India and the possibility that the United States On behalf of all Minnesotans I would Mexico. would soon become engaged. Accord- like to congratulate Dr. Borlaug on his The dwarf wheat variety he devel- ingly, he suggested that Wallace, an distinguished career and remarkable oped allowed farmers to produce far agronomist credited with the develop- contributions, and thank my good more grain per acre than anyone could ment of hybrid corn, contact principals friend, TOM LATHAM of Iowa, for his have predicted. This newfound bounty of the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation leadership on this matter. gave the world’s poorest people access in New York to see if they would be in- f to food, ensuring that children, who terested in advancing such a project, would have been victims of malnutri- initially in Mexico. They were and they b 1930 tion, could thrive. His landmark dis- did. The individual they selected to THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR coveries in agriculture led to what is lead the initiative was Norman DISASTER called today the ‘‘Green Revolution.’’ Borlaug, who three decades later re- Dr. Borlaug is a legendary figure (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given ceived the Nobel Peace Prize for pio- within the agricultural community, permission to address the House for 1 neering leadership of the Green Revolu- and his name is held in high regard minute.) tion, the astonishing biogenetic ad- around the world. However, this Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as the vancement which saved the lives of Cresco, Iowa, native is a very modest world prepares to commemorate the millions on the planet. man who once said that his accom- 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nu- The Congress and the American peo- plishments were ‘‘a temporary success clear disaster, I rise in support of ple have reason to suggest with pride in man’s war against hunger and depri- House Resolution 703 recognizing the that part of the American family is vation.’’ 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nu- this gentle scientist from Cresco, Iowa. Almost 40 years since receiving the clear disaster and supporting continued We honor him tonight and thank him Nobel Peace Prize, he continues at age efforts to control radiation and miti- for his service to humanity. 92 to work for improvement of man- gate the adverse health consequences f kind. related to the Chernobyl nuclear power For this reason I introduced H.R. GATORS WIN IT ALL plant. 4924, which is a bill to award Dr. Nor- (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked The scope of the devastation that fol- man Borlaug the Congressional Gold and was given permission to address lowed that explosion was truly unprec- Medal for his lifetime of service to the the House for 1 minute and to revise edented. More than 600,000 emergency world. and extend her remarks.) workers, liquidators, risked their lives Dr. Borlaug’s leadership has inspired Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. putting out the reactor’s inferno that so many of our best and brightest stu- Speaker, as a proud University of Flor- raged for 10 days while exposing them- dents to pursue careers in agricultural ida alumnus who bleeds orange and selves to extremely high and deadly sciences. His work and the work of fu- blue, I too want to add my congratula- doses of radiation. Hundreds of thou- ture innovators will live on in the lives tions to the Gator men’s basketball sands of people were forced to leave of those who have been spared the mis- team on winning their first national their homes because of radioactive con- ery of starvation. championship last night. The Univer- tamination. More than 5 million people I ask my colleagues to consider add- sity of Florida is renowned and has al- in Ukraine, Belarus, and Western Rus- ing their names to H.R. 4924 so that we ways excelled in academics, and has sia found themselves coping with life can officially recognize this great hu- been noted for their accomplishments in towns and villages contaminated by manitarian. iodine and cesium. on the football field. Now we can add f basketball to the list of accomplish- In the RECORD I will place a full CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS ments. statement regarding this resolution as INCOMPLETE The Gator nation continues to make well as support from the Children of its mark and make her alumni and the Chernobyl Relief Fund and the (Mr. MCHENRY asked and was given Gator family proud. Chernobyl Children’s Project Inter- permission to address the House for 1 Mr. Speaker, I have only one addi- national for the incredible work that minute.) tional thing to say and that is, 2 bits, they continue to do two decades later Mr. MCHENRY. Mr. Speaker, cam- 4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar, all for the in dealing with the devastation that paign finance reform is incomplete. So Gators, stand up and holler. Go Gators. still lives. many years ago this House and the f f Senate passed what was called BCRA, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, HONORING NORMAN BORLAUG HONORING DR. NORMAN BORLAUG and you know what? It created a glar- (Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota asked (Mr. LATHAM asked and was given ing loophole that led to the rise in the and was given permission to address permission to address the House for 1 527 groups where a half billion dollars the House for 1 minute and to revise minute and to revise and extend his re- flowed through these groups that are and extend his remarks.) marks.) not subjected to the Federal Elections Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Nor- Commission laws, rules, and regula- Speaker, I rise today also to honor Dr. man Borlaug is an American superhero tions. Norman Borlaug, whose contributions that few people have ever heard of. So this week this House is going to have unquestionably made the world a Dr. Borlaug’s campaign to save the take on the need for clamping down on better place. lives of the world’s neediest people these rogue groups that funnel cam- Dr. Borlaug grew up in Iowa, but through agricultural science deserves paign money in noncampaign entities. earned his Ph.D. in 1942 at the Univer- special recognition. It is important for us, as leaders of this sity of Minnesota in my home State. How many lives has he saved? Dr. country, to have full disclosure of peo- Go Gophers. Borlaug’s innovative leadership in ple that participate in politics. So I am In 1944 Dr. Borlaug participated in a plant breeding and agricultural produc- proud that this House is going to do project to boost wheat production that tion is credited with saving the lives of what is right and reform 527s and apply began in Mexico and spread to India, nearly 1 billion people from starvation. the Federal elections law to them. And Pakistan and Africa. The project That is right: one billion souls. that is what this House is going to do.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.053 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 I ask my colleagues on the left, I ask So all you do is you get all the ter- publican administration are admitting my Democrat colleagues, to join with rorists with the AK–47s and the kafias that there are potential threats in us and complete the reforms of cam- to get off the property for a day and these containers. They have put in paign finance reform. you say, look, good place, security place a faith-based honor system, but plan, legitimate business, you get the f they are working hard to see that we stamp of approval. Now you are no will check those containers after they GATOR NATION longer considered a high risk in terms have arrived at an American port be- (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given of what you might put in a container. fore they go to another American city. permission to address the House for 1 What you then have to do is when you Those of us who live a little bit inland minute and to revise and extend his re- want to ship a container to the United will be thankful for that, but I really marks.) States, you have to send the shipping do not agree with the philosophy that Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise invoice a day in advance before it is turns our ports into sacrifice zones. today to celebrate the University of put on the ship. So what you do is you No. We need to check 100 percent of Florida’s first-ever men’s basketball say this container contains 200 bird- these containers for threats meaning- national championship. Coach Billy baths, because, of course, you would fully with high technology equipment not say 199 birdbaths and one small Donovan and his young, explosive team overseas before they come to the tactical nuclear weapon. You would beat UCLA, one of the most storied col- United States of America. not do that. But we do not check those lege basketball programs ever, 73–57. f containers until they get to the United The Gators took the lead in the very The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a States of America, and then we check a beginning and never looked back. previous order of the House, the gen- very small percentage of them here Truly a testament to the power of tleman from North Carolina (Mr. using high technology. youth, the Gators were led by four Now, today we have the Assistant JONES) is recognized for 5 minutes. sophomores and one junior. Coach (Mr. JONES of North Carolina ad- Secretary, Mr. JACKSON, in, who told us Donovan himself became the second what their future plans are. Now, re- dressed the House. His remarks will ap- youngest coach to win a national title. member we have this threat. Things pear hereafter in the Extensions of Re- In addition, he is now one of three peo- are coming to the United States of marks.) ple to coach a national champion and America. We do not really know what f play in a Final Four. they are, on this honor system. We REMEMBERING ALICIA BONURA Florida is now one of only seven have not inspected those facilities. AND ASHLEY BROWN schools to win a national championship Even if they had been inspected, they Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- in football and basketball. While the were only inspected one day every mous consent to claim the time of the University of Florida has had a reputa- three years. They have set a goal here, tion as a football school, this cham- and he said that their goal is 100 per- gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. pionship proves that Gator basketball cent inspection of all containers as JONES). has arrived. they depart a U.S. port headed into our The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I congratulate the University of Flor- country. objection to the request of the gen- ida on their victory. It is great to be a First I thought that was a misprint. tleman from Texas? Florida Gator. I thought his staff screwed up his testi- There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a f mony here. No, he meant it. He is say- ing we know that these containers, previous order of the House, the gen- SPECIAL ORDERS when they come to the United States, tleman from Texas (Mr. POE) is recog- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. might have a nuclear bomb inside; so nized for 5 minutes. Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, every day par- CAMPBELL of California). Under the their goal is that they will check all Speaker’s announced policy of January those containers with our technology ents send their children to school with 4, 2005, and under a previous order of within a very few years before they the faith that they will return after the House, the following Members will leave the port to an interior city. He their classes, their sports practice, or be recognized for 5 minutes each. did not really respond when I asked if even clubs after school. As a father of that meant our ports have become sac- four, I know the feeling. I did the same f rifice zones. for many years on different occasions. PORT SECURITY They are so uncertain of the faith- We as parents send our kids off, and we based honor system, the C–TPAT sys- trust that we will see them that night The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tem, and what is going on overseas for supper. previous order of the House, the gen- that they want to put in place tech- But for two Beaumont, Texas, fami- tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is nology at taxpayer expense, technology lies last Thursday morning, it did not recognized for 5 minutes. to check 100 percent of those con- occur that way. West Brook High Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, members tainers for nuclear weapons before they School students Alicia Bonura and of the public might be surprised to go from U.S. ports to inland U.S. cities. Ashley Brown were playing in the soc- learn that we are defending United When I asked him if maybe we might cer playoffs after school that day. That States ports against the threat of nu- extend that perimeter overseas and re- morning their parents wished them clear weapons for the most part with a quire that all containers be inspected good luck and sent them on their way, faith-based honor system. overseas for nuclear weapons, he was anticipating news of a win upon their Here is how it works: there is some- saying that would be very difficult, but return. When they sent their daughters thing called the C-TPAT program. he actually admitted it might be pos- to school, they had no idea of the Now, foreign interests, so far 10,000, sible given the technology recently nightmare that would unfold that have indicated interest, file paperwork modeled in Hong Kong. afternoon. Tragically, their star soccer with the Department of Homeland Se- But the Republican majority on the players never came home. curity. Now the Department of Home- committee said no way, we are not It was supposed to be an exciting land Security is a little understaffed. going to allow the inspection of those day. Mr. Speaker, Beaumont, Texas, We have to have tax cuts for the rich containers overseas. It would slow has suffered through a rough year with people. So they do not have enough down those Chinese goods flooding into many families still feeling the effects people to process these things. But the United States of America and other of Hurricane Rita. The West Brook once you file that form with them, you things manufactured overseas. It would High School girls soccer team and their are considered to not be a threat be- hurt commerce. There would be trucks successes were good news to this cause you filled out the paperwork. So lined up for miles back into mainland storm-torn city. far 5,800 have filed. About a third of China with goods on them waiting to them have been visited once. One site come to Wal-Mart here. b 1945 visit and then you are certified for 3 This is fairly extraordinary to me. The Bruins were coming off a 14–5–2 years. One site visit. The Republican majority and the Re- record, and they were traveling to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.054 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1423 Humble, Texas, to take on the Houston Mr. Speaker, I would like to take tab for uninsured victims of gun vio- Lamar Redskins in the Class 5A play- this moment to extend prayers and lence? American taxpayers, that’s who. offs. The game had already been post- condolences to Alicia’s and Ashley’s So even if you don’t think about gun poned once and it was raining again, parents, relatives, friends, and the violence as an important issue, you are but the game was set to take place at community of Beaumont, Texas, the paying for it. 5 p.m. in Humble. Unfortunately, the students and teachers and the coaches It is obvious something must be team never made it to the game. at West Brook High School and the done, and it is also obvious that this Around 2 p.m., about 28 miles from Bruins girls soccer team. We hope that body has no plans to intervene in this home in Devers, Texas, the chartered they find happiness in their fond public health crisis. So it is up to our bus carrying the team, the coach and memories of these special girls. local communities and neighborhoods. one parent chaperone swerved to miss Alicia and Ashley truly led remark- Across the country people are fed up, debris that had fallen off a truck in able lives. They clearly touched so but they are trying to make a dif- front of them. The bus rolled onto its many people in their short time on ference in their own area. I have been side into a muddy ditch. Earth. Heaven is certainly brighter to many events that have had politi- Sadly, senior Alicia Bonura and soph- with Alicia and Ashley there, and the cians, school officials, law enforcement omore Ashley Brown lost their lives in community of Beaumont Texas should officers and others telling young people this tragedy. Six other girls were hos- take comfort. They now have two extra about the dangers of guns. But not pitalized in serious condition. Goalie guardian angels looking down on them. once has anybody turned the micro- Devin Martindale lost her arm in this Mr. Speaker, that’s just the way it is. phone around and asked the kids what accident. The other five girls were f do they think. Lauree Thibaut, Allison Forman, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Sarah Beach, Courtney Garrod, and So many young people live on the previous order of the House, the gen- Sarah Babin. Two of those girls have front lines of the gun violence epi- tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) been released from the hospital and are demic. The rhetoric on both sides of is recognized for 5 minutes. back home. this issue must stop, and we must start News of the accident quickly spread (Mr. PALLONE addressed the House. to learn to listen. back to the town and West Brook stu- His remarks will appear hereafter in This isn’t about the second amend- dents set up a vigil in the high school the Extensions of Remarks.) ment; this isn’t about kids dying. gymnasium where friends and faculty f Many of the people who disagree with my views on the gun issue will say, prayed and hoped for the best. Soon the COSTS OF GUN VIOLENCE students were hit with the horrendous Guns don’t kill people; people do. news that two of their own had been Mrs. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask But what that doesn’t mean is we killed in this catastrophe. permission to take the time of the gen- can’t take steps to make sure guns According to the Beaumont Enter- tleman from New Jersey. don’t fall into the hands of the wrong prise, the girls are remembered for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without people. This isn’t about taking away ‘‘loving soccer, loving their school and objection, the gentlewoman is recog- guns from law-abiding citizens who loving everyone they came in touch nized for 5 minutes. hunt or shoot skeet, nor is it about de- with.’’ There was no objection. priving law-abiding citizens from de- Alicia Bonura, in addition to playing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a fending themselves and their families. soccer, had played basketball, she ran previous order of the House, the gentle- In fact, we can save so many lives cross-country, and was a trainer for the woman from New York (Mrs. MCCAR- without affecting a single lawful gun West Brook football team. She played THY) is recognized for 5 minutes. owner in this country. Mrs. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, every the drums in the band and sometimes This is about keeping guns away week I stand here and talk about com- she sang vocals as well. She is remem- from felons and gang members. This is monsense approaches to reducing gun bered for her wonderful laugh and a about making sure our police depart- violence in this country. And yet this smile that would light up a room. She ments have the tools they need to body sees fit to chip away at existing was ranked number five in her class of track down illegal guns. This isn’t gun laws. So tonight I want to talk 535, and she recently decided to attend about running honest gun dealers out about the effects of gun violence in Texas A&M University to study me- of business. It is about cracking down terms that everybody in this body can chanical engineering. on the 1 percent of corrupt gun dealers understand, dollars and cents. On her MySpace Web page she wrote: who sell 57 percent of the guns used in Throughout America, our States are ‘‘I love to smile and love life in general crimes. and I love God. He is such a fantastic experiencing extraordinary budget Gun rights advocates have as much guy.’’ Under people she would like to problems, forcing them to cut spending stake in this as anybody else. Many see meet, she writes, ‘‘I can’t wait to meet on many important initiatives. A great gun violence as an inner-city problem. God.’’ Moving words from one of God’s deal of these budget woes are caused by But let’s not forget that gang violence children. skyrocketing health care costs, and the Ashley Brown was a freckle-faced girl continued cuts to Medicaid aren’t and drug crime also started out as an with long red hair. Her friends said she going to help the situation. inner-city problem. We acted too late, always made people laugh and was a Of course, Congress will not allow and now gangs and drugs are common- free spirit and had a smile that would funding for the Centers for Disease place in suburbs and rural commu- light up a room. Her teachers said that Control to study the true economic nities. her fellow students gravitated to her. cost of gun violence, so we have to use So as we head home for the spring re- She was an active member in her youth data from independent sources. cess, I ask my colleagues to do some- ministry at her church, Calvary Bap- Independent sources have shown gun thing we don’t do very often or very tist. Besides soccer, she loved singing, violence costs our economy over $100 well: listen. It is time to listen to the playing volleyball, skiing and playing billion every year. In fact, each gun people being affected by gun violence. the electric guitar. death costs our economy $2.8 million. Listen to our young people in under- Ashley had a bulletin board in her Gun violence increases law enforce- served communities. Listen to our po- home covered in photos and memora- ment spending. Gun violence costs the lice departments who are losing offi- bilia. In the middle of the board there economy billions in lost productivity. cers to illegal guns every week. And was a handwritten note stating the fol- And while Congress won’t let us learn listen to the families who have lost lowing: ‘‘You can’t choose how you are the exact amount, gun violence costs loved ones due to gun violence. going to die, but you can choose how our health care system more than $2 The answers to this epidemic of gun you are going to live.’’ billion every single year. violence do not reside in this Chamber Mr. Speaker, in her 16 years on Since gun violence plagues so many or on K Street, but in the hearts and Earth, Ashley Brown lived life to the low-income communities, victims are minds of the people that we represent. fullest, and she is going to be missed. often uninsured. And who picks up the It is time that they are heard.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.058 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1424 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 The vast majority of legal gun own- As Members of Congress, we must say Where can you get a return like that? ers understand the need to stop gun vi- thank you: thank you for your sac- The Republican Congress, of course. olence. We must all work together, re- rifice, thank you for your commit- But that is not limited. In fact, that is gardless of our interpretation of the ment, thank you for your dedication to prevalent. second amendment, or whether we live our country, because after all, they are Let’s take the health care industry. in an urban, suburban, or rural area. here to protect and save lives; and as They spent about $173 million on lob- Let us make a commitment to re- Members of Congress, we should re- bying and campaign contributions. Yet place our rhetoric with action. Let us spect them for their dedication and the pharmaceutical interests, $139 bil- make our communities a better and their training; and we must honor lion in additional profits over 8 years. safer place for all young people of all them each and every day that we are The prescription drug bill here, which backgrounds. here, because they are our colleagues was supposed to cost $394 billion, ended Together, we can stop this public as well here in the Capitol complex. up costing close to $790 billion to the health care crisis and save lives. I came Mr. Speaker, I rise, as I said, to com- American people. to Congress to save lives. I will not mend and honor the Capitol Police. It b 2000 give up on this fight. We can reduce is the right thing to do. I think my col- gun violence in this country. We just leagues should join with me in sup- Private insurers will make $130 bil- have to find common ground on how we porting the resolution that Congress- lion in extra profits in Medicare over- are going to do that. man MARIO DIAZ-BALART and I filed payments, HMOs given a $10 billion f just this evening to honor them for slush fund, all for $173 million in lob- bying expenses and contributions COMMENDING AND HONORING THE their work and their service. mainly to the Republican Party. UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE So I urge my colleagues to join with me on this resolution; and I urge you, Take business interests, spent $500 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mr. Speaker, to schedule a vote for us, million on lobbying. We had a cor- previous order of the House, the gen- porate tax bill to fix a $5 billion dis- tleman from North Carolina (Mr. so that we can honor these men and women who work with us each and agreement with Europe. By the time it MCHENRY) is recognized for 5 minutes. every day. was done, it cost $150 billion, not $5 bil- Mr. MCHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise lion, and it never fixed the problem. today to honor and commend the men Thank you to the Capitol Police offi- cers. $150 billion in corporate giveaways to and women of the Capitol Hill Police special interests on the corporate tax f Force. I think it is important at this bill, $139 billion in additional profits time that Members of Congress step THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT for the pharmaceutical interests, $130 forward to say thank you: thank you billion in additional profits to the for your service, thank you for your The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gen- HMOs, and in lost revenue to oil and sacrifice, thank you for putting so gas companies close to about $22 billion much emphasis on training, and thank tleman from Illinois (Mr. EMANUEL) is recognized for 5 minutes. while oil and gas interests are trading you for putting the emphasis on keep- and oil is trading at $66 a barrel, all in ing this Capitol building and all the Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, we live in quite interesting times. Where else The House That Jack Built. Members and staff and visitors who This is the operative philosophy of come here on a frequent basis to be could you invest about $1 billion and the Republican Congress. They have safe, to be secure. get $100 billion in return? A Republican turned the Capitol upside down to fig- I think it is important, with so much Congress, but of course. attention right now on the Capitol Po- As the New York Times recently ure out how much change they can lice Force, that all Members of Con- pointed out, the people’s House has take over from the American people gress, Republican and Democrat, unite turned into the House that Jack built. and pass it off to the special interests. to say that we support you; we think Here is what the Times says in an op- When the gavel for the Speaker you are doing an honorable and good ed: comes down, it is intended to open the job. These are the men people’s House, not the auction house. Mr. Speaker, the statistics show that That fleeced the tribes For the last 6 years that gavel has been there are over 1,500 Capitol Police offi- That paid the money turned over to the auction house, cers, men and women of diverse back- That made the bribes whether it is the oil and gas interests, grounds from all over the country, and That purchased the Congress whether it is private insurers, whether That Jack built. some from around the world. They it is the HMO industry, whether it is in come here to save lives, to protect Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- fact the pharmaceutical industry, or lives. leagues to read the rest of this poem, whether it came to the corporate tax There are over 3 million visitors that written and published last Friday, be- bill. come to this historic place that we call cause it nails right on the head this is Oil is approaching about $70 a barrel, our Nation’s Capital, both Washington, the House that Jack built. now nearly $3 at the pump. Gas home D.C. and this Capitol building and this Let’s look at the $1.2 billion that heating costs, up 38 percent. Health complex where we work, where some of Jack Abramoff bought. Let’s look at care costs are up 58 percent for the av- us live. the house he built. The energy indus- erage family, $3,600 in the last 4 years. But I want to tell you, Mr. Speaker, try, oil and gas interests, they spent College costs and tuition, up 38 percent that with so much attention on the about $87 million. What did they get? for the American people, yet median Capitol Police, it is necessary that we $14.5 billion in tax breaks, given and incomes are down 2.3 percent, and yet look at what they do on a daily basis. paid for by the United States tax- what does this Congress continue to It is not always easy, Mr. Speaker, to payers; given access to $65 billion in oil do? It continues to turn itself into an deal with the public, to see them on a and gas from the Gulf of Mexico, cost- auction house for the special interests. daily basis; for visitors to come in, ing the taxpayers $7 billion in royalties When college costs were up 38 percent, tourists, staff, Members of Congress; to they should be paying back to the the Republican Congress cut student see them on a daily basis. People aren’t Treasury that they did not get; given loans by $13 billion. Yet, we have con- always courteous. $2 billion to the ultra-deepwater drill- tinued to pass on over the last 4 years But what I found out about the Cap- ing fund. They were given that money, $3 trillion in additional debt that was itol Police officers, these men and all for $87 million in contributions and borrowed, more than all the prede- women, is that they always will greet expenses paid on lobbying. $14 billion cessors of the last 42 Presidents com- you with a smiling face, even when in tax breaks, $7 billion in lost revenue bined. they are having a bad day; that their for royalties in the Gulf of Mexico, $2 One thing you can say about the Re- training is shown through by the way billion in tax subsidies there to the publican Congress and President Bush that they have acted over the years ultra-deepwater drilling fund. when it comes to the economy: We will that they have been in service here on You can’t get a return on your in- be forever in your debt, because that is Capitol Hill. vestment like that on Wall Street. all you have left is a sea of red ink, and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.060 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1425 you have turned the American people and they say these parcels are not tleman from New York (Mr. RANGEL) is and the treasures that this country has crown jewels of our national forests. recognized for 5 minutes. over to the special interests when it Well, a picture is worth a thousand (Mr. RANGEL addressed the House. did not need to be this way. words, so let me show you a photo- His remarks will appear hereafter in Mr. Speaker, the special interests graph of a specific piece of land in the the Extensions of Remarks.) may have bought the Capitol, but the Ocala National Forest which is marked f American people are paying for it. for sale by the administration. This looks like a crown jewel to me. Does MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG Jack is gone, but others are leaving. PROGRAM This place will remain The House That anyone really believe that this piece of Jack Built until we get serious and un- land would look better as a shopping Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I ask dertake real lobby and ethics reform center, strip mall, or as a condominium unanimous consent to claim the time and return to the work of the Amer- development? of the gentleman from New York (Mr. ican people. They are struggling under While our budget shortfall is tem- RANGEL). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the interests of higher energy costs, porary, ruining pristine national lands objection to the request of the gentle- higher health care costs, higher edu- is permanent. We cannot sell national forest land every time there is a budget woman from Ohio? cational costs. They have not had a There was no objection. raise in over 5 years, and the politics as shortfall. This is a dangerous precedent for Congress to set. Our financial prob- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a usual, business as usual continues with lems need to be addressed over the long previous order of the House, the gentle- the policies and making sure that the terms, not through the shortsighted woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- special interests get heard first. sale of national forest treasures to the ognized for 5 minutes. This House is the time and this elec- highest bidder. Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to- tion will be about returning the peo- Mr. Speaker, our national forest night to address the confusing new ple’s House back to the American peo- lands are worth protecting. Millions of Medicare Prescription Drug Program, ple and ensuring that that gavel does Americans each year use our national in light of yesterday’s visit to my Ohio not open up the auction house but the forests to go hiking, fishing, hunting, congressional district by Bush adminis- people’s House. camping, swimming, horseback riding, tration Health and Human Services Di- f and canoeing. The Ocala National For- rector Michael Leavitt. Yesterday, est also provides a habitat for thou- Monday, April 3, Secretary Leavitt ar- PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION sands of animal species such as rare rived hours late in a blue bus after peo- OF H.R. 513, 527 REFORM ACT OF birds and black bears. ple had waited and waited in very cold 2005 Mr. Speaker, to sum it all up, I be- weather. He spent only a few minutes, Mr. DREIER, from the Committee on lieve the idea of selling off our national shook the hands of a couple of staff Rules, submitted a privileged report forest lands is environmentally reck- people, and spoke briefly with only two (Rept. No. 109–404) on the resolution (H. less and financially shortsighted, and I hand-picked seniors, and, by the way, Res. 755) providing for consideration of am not alone. On March 7, I submitted spoke to them in front of the news the bill (H.R. 513) to amend the Federal a Florida delegation letter to the U.S. cameras, before making his prepared Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clar- Department of Agriculture. It was remarks to the press. ify when organizations described in signed by both of our U.S. Senators, To the one senior that had a chance section 527 of the Internal Revenue Republican Senator Mel Martinez and to ask the Secretary a question, ex- Code of 1986 must register as political Democrat Senator BILL NELSON. It was plaining that they could not afford committees, and for other purposes, also signed by an overwhelming bipar- their medicines, he towed the adminis- which was referred to the House Cal- tisan majority of our U.S. House Mem- tration line saying, ‘‘This is a good endar and ordered to be printed. bers. This letter specifically opposes program that helps a lot of people.’’ the sale of 1,000 acres of the Ocala Na- When asked by one senior about the f tional Forest, and, in general, also op- program not covering his wife’s medi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a poses the sale of 300,000 acres of forest cation needs, incredibly, the Secretary previous order of the House, the gen- lands all across the country in 41 dif- answered in the same way, and this was tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is ferent States. to the one person, ‘‘This is a good pro- recognized for 5 minutes. On March 13, all four of the living gram that helps a lot of people.’’ (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed former Chiefs of the U.S. Forest Serv- Now, the Secretary had his picture the House. His remarks will appear ice sent a letter to Congress also taken. It was on the front page of our hereafter in the Extensions of Re- strongly opposing the auctioning off of newspaper, but of the 79 people in the marks.) 300,000 acres of national forest lands. room, he shook hands with only two, f On March 28, I submitted a bipartisan spoke to only one and left. I guess he is letter with Congressman BEN CHAN- OCALA NATIONAL FOREST doing this all over the country. DLER, the Democrat from Kentucky, to The Secretary says, yeah, this pro- Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House Budget Committee, signed gram has had a few bumps in the road. unanimous consent to claim the time by 54 Congressmen opposing the sale of It is a new program but we fixed them. of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 300,000 acres of national forest lands. No, Mr. Secretary, you have not fixed BURTON). Well, where do we go from here? The them and they are more than bumps in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there U.S. Department of Agriculture will the road. The one thing that is guaran- objection to the request of the gen- continue to receive comments on this teed is that the pharmaceutical compa- tleman from Florida? proposed sale until May 1. It is our nies are making billions. There was no objection. hope and request that the administra- Here are a couple of comments that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tion withdraw this proposal. have come from consumers and seniors previous order of the House, the gen- Fortunately, the House budget which in my district. A husband and wife tleman from Florida (Mr. KELLER) is we will be voting on this week does not team says they take five prescriptions recognized for 5 minutes. contain any language endorsing the ad- each. Under their old plan they had a Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise ministration’s proposal to sell these 20 percent co-pay, but by this summer today in opposition to the proposed forest lands. If the administration does they will have reached the $2,250 cap. sale of 300,000 acres of national forest not withdraw their proposal, I am con- And the new drug plan is a farce and an lands, which includes almost 1,000 acres fident and optimistic that this House insult to seniors of this country be- of the Ocala National Forest in my will vote down this proposal with a cause now they are going to have to congressional district. very large bipartisan vote. Our chil- pay the amounts beyond that and they The administration’s 2007 budget pro- dren and grandchildren deserve no less. ask, ‘‘Is there anyone that cares or is poses this sale. Their rationale for sell- f listening in Washington?’’ ing our national forest lands is to raise The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Another husband wrote, ‘‘It is cost- $800 million for rural roads and schools; previous order of the House, the gen- ing my wife and me more per month for

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.063 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 the new Medicare coverage premium. There are many other ways to fix turing more widgets, but by improving The only way we have any coverage is this program, Mr. Speaker, but we the widgets’ design, by making the to purchase an insurance policy from a surely should not put that burden on global distribution of widgets more ef- private insurance company. On top of our seniors. ficient, by marketing, financing and that there are the ridiculous amounts f servicing widgets. that Medicare has set that won’t cover The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a b 2015 any meds until we reach some huge previous order of the House, the gen- amount in the thousands of dollars. My The full value of innovation, knowl- wife informed me today she is going off tleman from Minnesota (Mr. KENNEDY) edge and best practices can be difficult her psychiatric medicine. We used to is recognized for 5 minutes. to ascertain, but they have replaced receive patient assistance directly (Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota ad- mere goods as the bedrock of our Na- from the drug manufacturers through a dressed the House. His remarks will ap- tion’s economy. clinic and we can no longer receive the pear hereafter in the Extensions of Re- Michael Mandel at Business Week drug samples or any patient assistance. marks.) demonstrates how Wal-Mart is an ex- We cannot afford to purchase our meds, f cellent example of this. Few companies Congresswoman. Isn’t it wonderful how have revolutionized their industries 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY the Bush government has helped us?’’ the way that Wal-Mart has revolution- Another senior writes they find that Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask ized the retail world. Its operational their medical costs increase at every unanimous consent to take my special and managerial innovations have made turn in the road. They currently pay order in the place of the gentleman it a global leader that its competitors nearly $6,000 annually for prescriptions from Minnesota (Mr. KENNEDY). fail to emulate at their peril: the big- of which insurance pays $600. ‘‘For the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there box format; the everyday low prices; first four months of the year,’’ this objection to the request of the gen- the electronic data interchange with senior says, ‘‘I have to pay $5 for ge- tleman from California? suppliers; the highly sophisticated data neric drugs, $18 for preferred drugs, There was no objection. analysis, done to such detail that in- with a cap of $35 for the brand name The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ventory managers know to order extra drugs. But under this new plan that previous order of the House, the gen- strawberry Pop-tarts when the weather will increase to $10, $25 and $50. And be- tleman from California (Mr. DREIER) is gets bad, because the data crunchers lieve it or not, of the eight prescription recognized for 5 minutes. have discovered that customers stock drugs I need, only two are on the pre- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, every day up on them just before a storm. ferred list for $25 each and the rest will Americans are living the 21st century Mr. Speaker, these innovations and each cost $50 each. Congresswoman, economy. We use BlackBerries and cell best practices, developed by Wal-Mart please do your part in righting this phones to stay in touch and stay in and copied by its competitors, have led wrong.’’ business. We order birthday presents to enormous productivity gains Health professionals have been writ- online. We buy German cars made by throughout the retail industry and our ing to us. Another senior wrote us, American workers in South Carolina. economy at large. ‘‘When I went to the pharmacy to pick We use Google to find restaurant rec- A study conducted by the McKinsey up my prescription I brought $20 with ommendations. We treat previously de- Global Institute in 2002 found that 25 me because that is what I always paid. bilitating illnesses with innovative percent of the major jump in produc- I couldn’t believe it when the phar- pharmaceutical products, non-invasive tivity that came during the second half macist said I had to pay $260. I had to surgery techniques and cutting-edge of the 1990s was due to gains in the re- leave the pharmacy without medicine. medical devices. tail sector, of which Wal-Mart is clear- It was embarrassing. How am I going Nearly every aspect of our daily lives ly a major contributor. to afford $260 a month? I just don’t is impacted by our high-tech, innova- According to the study: ‘‘More than have it. I guess the people who are for tion-driven, globally engaged economy. half of the productivity acceleration in this plan want us to die.’’ It has so thoroughly revolutionized our the retailing of general merchandise Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight not just lives that it almost seems absurd to can be explained by only two syllables: to outline problems with the program, point out that the modern economy is Wal-Mart.’’ By innovating its oper- because they are significant, but also vastly different than the economy of ational structure, Mr. Speaker, Wal- to place in the RECORD what we can do the 1930s and 1940s. And yet our meth- Mart became one of the single greatest to fix it. First of all, to let the govern- ods for measuring this economy remain contributors to American productivity ment negotiate the prices that seniors much the same as they did during the at the height of the tech stock bubble. have to pay with these pharmaceutical Great Depression and the era that fol- This is an instructive and remark- companies. They can’t stand up to lowed. able fact, that a single company made these big companies. We need to extend Gross domestic product is still cal- a major contribution to the produc- the deadline this year so that they can culated by tallying industrial invest- tivity of the world’s largest economy, try to get qualified for the program, ments like heavy machinery and tak- but there is so much confusion out not by building new factories or buying ing an old-economy view of exports and there. Why should there be a May dead- new equipment, but by developing new line? We ought to cushion that. imports. Mr. Speaker, under this sys- ideas and applying them so success- We ought to standardize plans like tem new factory equipment counts as a fully that they transformed their com- we did for Medicare part B so there is long-term investment, but R&D does pany and their entire sector. only 10 standard plans and people know not. And an iPOD which became a glob- And yet, as Mandel points out, these what is in them. We ought to ban the al powerhouse band on the strength of operational innovations, less tangible gifts that these pharmaceutical compa- its superior design and savvy mar- than a widget but far more valuable, do nies are giving to people as lures in keting strategies, developed by Apple not get counted in our gross domestic order to try to sign them up for these in my State of California, is simply product calculation. They are not tal- inadequate programs. counted as another good imported from lied as an investment, nor are they We ought to disclose coverage gaps. China, where the final product is as- counted as an export when Wal-Mart Companies which do not offer gap cov- sembled. Clearly, these products do not buys stores overseas and applies their erage should be required to make that fully account for the essential role that innovations and best practices abroad fact known in writing. knowledge and innovation play in our to other countries. We ought to disclose plan changes. It global economic leadership role. Recent GDP numbers have certainly should be stated clearly that a com- Our economic strength here in the demonstrated tremendous economic pany might drop a drug from coverage. United States is no longer based solely strength, with 17 straight quarters of We ought to create uniform ID num- on the goods we produce but on the growth, 3.5 percent of GDP growth last bers, simplify the application, expand ideas that we as innovative, creative year, and projections of nearly 5 per- extra help eligibility, and require Americans create. We add value and in- cent growth for the first quarter this broad formularies. crease productivity, not by manufac- year. Mr. Speaker, when knowledge-

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.067 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1427 economy intangibles are included, the When the majority of Democrats and the poor, not be left out of the political dialog positive economic outlook becomes all a handful of Republicans voted for this merely because of the perceived notion that a the brighter for us as a Nation. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of few millionaires are funding all 527’s. Ameri- f 2002, we sought to sever the connec- cans are playing an ever-increasing role in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tions between Federal office holders holding public officials accountable for their previous order of the House, the gen- and the raising of non-Federal money, actions through 1st Amendment protections, tleman from Washington (Mr. which is so-called soft money. BCRA, public policy debate, and the shaping of Amer- which is the campaign bill, was nec- MCDERMOTT) is recognized for 5 min- ican democracy. utes. essary, Mr. Speaker, to cut the per- The proponents of this bill like to argue that ceived corrupting link between office by passing this bill, it will be impossible for (Mr. MCDERMOTT addressed the House. His remarks will appear here- holders, the formation and adoption of wealthy individuals to ‘‘unfairly’’ impact elec- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) Federal policies, and soft money; and tions. Wrong again. Ending 527’s will not end yet the majority is bringing us a bill the ability of wealthy donors and wealthy cor- f that is so broad in its application that porations to impact elections. They still have a CAMPAIGN REFORM LEGISLATION it stands to severely hamper voter reg- multitude of ways to do so by donating to istration and get-out-the-vote activi- trade associations like 501(c)(6)’s, many of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ties for civic-minded, nonpartisan or- which have less stringent, not more stringent, previous order of the House, the gentle- ganizations. It casts such a wide net reporting requirements than 527’s. The major- woman from California (Ms. that it will ensnare groups whose ac- ity seems incredibly troubled by the inde- MILLENDER-MCDONALD) is recognized tivities Congress should be promoting, pendent voices of concerned citizens, but for 5 minutes. not impeding. This is America. We there is nothing in the law that could stop any Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. should be promoting democracy, not individual from financing TV ads on her own. Speaker, I come tonight because I am impeding it. Nevertheless, the real truth is that many 527’s concerned over this Republican Con- By failing to distinguish between are predominantly financed by small donor gress that is now speaking about hav- groups whose activities are designed to contributions from individuals who are con- ing further campaign reform legisla- influence the election of clearly identi- cerned about holding their elected leaders ac- tion put before us tomorrow, and I rise fied Federal candidates and those countable for failing to address the very issues tonight to clarify the myths and to whose sole purpose it is to enhance par- important to them. speak the truth about the reforms that ticipation, this legislation imposes too The majority’s priorities are misplaced. With- we have done, the reforms that are not high of a price on election activities. out our assistance, few victims of Hurricanes needed, and the reforms that this Re- Now we have heard that the 527s do Katrina and Rita will be able to vote in the up- publican House is about to undertake. not have to report. So wrong, Mr. coming elections, wounded war veterans still You would think, Mr. Speaker, that Speaker. struggle to obtain adequate health care, and the scandals that are permeating the The Internal Revenue Service sug- gas prices continue to soar skyward. Congress would be a wake-up call for gests that during an election year the The majority should not be in the business the majority not to continue their political organizations have the option of legislating for partisan gain at the expense business as usual in terms of running of filing on either a quarterly or a of the American people. the people’s House. Yet, they have in- monthly schedule, and these organiza- f troduced H.R. 4975 as a feeble answer to tions must continue on this same filing The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a their ethics problems. schedule for the entire calendar year. previous order of the House, the gen- Unfortunately, the bill that is going So it is absurd for them to say that tleman from Iowa (Mr. LATHAM) is rec- to come before us, called a reform cam- these organizations do not have disclo- ognized for 5 minutes. paign bill, will not only be a bogus bill, sure and do not file. In the last 6 years, (Mr. LATHAM addressed the House. but it includes language that restricts Congress has increased the regulations His remarks will appear hereafter in the first amendment rights of Ameri- of independent political committees or- the Extensions of Remarks.) cans. ganized under the section of 527s of the f Instead, the majority reveals their Internal Revenue Code. ongoing and reckless infatuation by Mr. Speaker, we must not allow this IMMIGRATION REFORM thwarting the constitutional freedom legislation to pass this floor. We must Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask of speech and association rights of con- continue to allow the American people unanimous consent to assume the time cerned citizen groups. Now, we know to have a voice in this democracy. We of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. these groups were under the BCRA law must continue to have American voices LATHAM). that are called 527s, and these groups, heard. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, were groups that had When the majority of Democrats and a objection to the request of the gen- never really had a voice in the political handful of Republicans voted for the Bipar- tleman from Tennessee? process. tisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, they There was no objection. In this last election, they came out sought to sever the connection between Fed- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and they were a very strong force in eral officeholders and the raising of non-fed- previous order of the House, the gen- providing an increasing voter partici- eral money, so called ‘‘soft money.’’ BCRA tleman from Tennessee (Mr. DUNCAN) is pation, giving voice to the voiceless was necessary to cut the perceived corrupting recognized for 5 minutes. and becoming more involved in this de- link between officer holders, the formation and Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, people mocracy of ours. adoption of federal policies, and soft money. sometimes resort to scurrilous per- When I hear the Republicans talk The majority’s legislation is so broad in its sonal abuse or childish sarcasm when about gaping loopholes that they must application that it stands to severely hamper their case is weak. Let me repeat: peo- close, how do you close gaping loop- voter registration and get-out-the-vote activi- ple sometimes resort to scurrilous per- holes when we have a chart that speaks ties of civic minded non-partisan organiza- sonal abuse or childish sarcasm when about total U.S. voter turnout? This is tions. It casts such a wide net that it will en- their case is weak. not gaping loopholes, for heaven’s snare groups whose activities Congress For instance, on foreign policy, you sake. This is democracy. should be promoting, not impeding. By failing know instantly when someone uses the In 1990, we had a 105.1 million voter to distinguish between groups whose activities word ‘‘isolationist,’’ they are resorting turnout. In the 2000 election year, we are designed to influence the election of clear- to name calling, rather than a serious had a 110.8 million turnout. In 2004, we ly identified Federal candidates and those discussion on the merits or the lack had a record-breaking 125.7 million whose sole purpose is to enhance participa- thereof. people become involved in this polit- tion, this legislation imposes too high a price On the issue of immigration, the ical process. So why are we now trying on election activity. scurrilous, personal abuse is when peo- to pass legislation that merely muffles My particular concern is that the funda- ple imply or say that someone is a rac- the mouths and the voices of those who mental rights and needs of all Americans, in- ist or a bigot if they want our immi- want to take part in this democracy? cluding the voices of women, the elderly, and gration laws enforced.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.070 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 The childish sarcasm is when a col- often trotted out in immigration de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there umnist or someone else says we would bates: it is not possible to either keep objection to the request of the gen- have to line up 200,000 buses to remove out illegal immigrants or to expel the tleman from Ohio? 12 million immigrants. ones already here. There was no objection. No one thinks you can enforce all our ‘‘If you mean stopping every single The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a immigration laws overnight or in- illegal immigrant from getting in or previous order of the House, the gen- stantly solve this problem, but just be- expelling every single illegal immi- tleman from Ohio (Mr. BROWN) is rec- cause we cannot solve this problem all grant who is already here, that may ognized for 5 minutes. at once does not mean we should just well be true.’’ Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I give up and open up our borders. Mr. Sowell said, ‘‘But does the fact join my colleague and friend, Rep- Our government estimated several that we cannot prevent every single resentative MARCY KAPTUR, in talking years ago that half the people of the murder cause us to stop enforcing the about the trip to Ohio this week of Mi- world would come here very quickly if laws against murder?’’ chael Leavitt, who oversees Medicare allowed to do so. Our schools, hos- Mr. Speaker, with the Simpson-Maz- and Medicaid and our Nation’s various pitals, roads, jails, sewers, our entire zoli Act 20 years ago, we tried the same health agencies as America’s Secretary infrastructure simply could not handle type of law that some who want to be of the Department of Health and such a rapid, massive influx of people. soft on immigration are advocating Human Services. A couple of years ago, Newsweek today, but that law led to a quad- Michael Leavitt is a decent man, but magazine said half the people of the rupling of illegal immigrants. We sim- he is manning a ship weighed down by world have to get by on $2 or less a day. ply cannot afford to let that happen wrongheaded laws and misplaced prior- Consistent with this was a column I again. ities. Take the so-called Medicare Mod- read a few months later that said half President Theodore Roosevelt said ernization Act, the legislation written the people in the world do not even many years ago, in fact in 1919, ‘‘In the by the drug industry, written by the have a second pair of shoes. first place we should insist that if the HMOs in this Congress, pushed through We are blessed beyond belief to live immigrant who comes here in good Congress in the middle of the night by in this country. We all have great sym- faith becomes an American and assimi- literally one vote. The Federal Govern- pathy for those who have to live under lates himself to us, he shall be treated ment, through that bill, the Federal difficult circumstances in other coun- on an exact equality with everyone Government is hand-feeding the pre- tries. scription drug and HMO industries lit- God has blessed every nation with else, for it is an outrage to discrimi- erally hundreds of billions of dollars of natural beauty and/or natural sources nate against any such man because of our tax dollars to manufacture or to that can make those countries rich. creed, or birthplace, or origin.’’ make up and to build a new private in- However, in most countries, people b 2030 surance market for seniors’ drug cov- have fallen for the myth that govern- But this is predicated upon the man’s erage, and not to provide the coverage ment could solve all problems, and becoming in very fact an American and directly through Medicare the way peo- they have voted in liberal or left-wing nothing but an American. governments or they have had dic- ple choose their doctor in Medicare, And Theodore Roosevelt continued. the way people choose their hospital. tators who forced big governments on He said, ‘‘There can be no divided alle- them, and the economies have been ru- This is done through 30, 40, or 50 dif- giance here. Any man who says he is an ferent private insurance companies in- ined. American but something else also isn’t You cannot blame so many people for stead of being done the way that his- an American at all. We have room for wanting to come here, and we all ad- tory shows works best. but one flag, the American flag, and mire the work ethic of many who come Why? Because the drug and insurance this excludes the red flag, which sym- here from other countries; but we can- industry want it that way. This new bolizes all wars against liberty and civ- not take in half the people of the drug law, this new Medicare law, as I ilization, just as much as it excludes world, especially in a short time. We said, written by the drug industry and any foreign flag of a nation to which have to have a legal, orderly system of written by the HMOs, with seniors we are hostile.’’ barely given a second thought, pro- immigration, and it has to be enforced. And Theodore Roosevelt concluded Rush Limbaugh said a few months hibits the Medicare program from ne- this statement by saying, ‘‘We have ago that if you do not have borders, gotiating bulk discounts on prescrip- room for but one language here, and you do not have a country. tion drugs. And according to the Con- Thomas Sowell, writing about this a that is the English language. And we gressional Budget Office, it overpays few days ago, said, ‘‘We could solve the have room but for one sole loyalty, and insurers, the HMOs, by tens of billions problem of all illegal activity any- that is the loyalty to the American of dollars. So much for fiscal responsi- where by legalizing it. Why use this ap- people.’’ bility. proach only with immigration? Why Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would say The new drug law also undercuts the should any of us pay a speeding ticket that if people want the rights, privi- core Medicare program. If you want if immigration scofflaws are legalized leges, and opportunities of American Medicare to wither on the vine, as after the fact for committing a Federal citizens, they should wave the Amer- former Speaker Gingrich said, wall it crime? ican flag. If they want to be Mexicans off and force seniors into the private ‘‘Most of the arguments for not en- and wave the Mexican flag, and there is market, force them out of Medicare, forcing our immigration laws are exer- nothing wrong with that, but they put them into the private market to cises in frivolous rhetoric and slippery should go home to Mexico to do that. give them additional benefits. It is in- sophistry, rather than serious argu- f genious. It is also underhanded and it ments that will stand up under scru- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a is fiscal suicide. tiny.’’ previous order of the House, the gentle- Do my Republican colleagues really Mr. Sowell continues, ‘‘How often woman from California (Ms. SOLIS) is believe that when the private insur- have we heard that illegal immigrants recognized for 5 minutes. ance market controls Medicare that ‘take jobs that Americans will not do’? (Ms. SOLIS addressed the House. Her they will give the government and they What is missing in this argument is remarks will appear hereafter in the will give seniors a good deal on cov- what is crucial in any economic argu- Extensions of Remarks.) erage? Do they really believe the drug ment: price. f industry will voluntarily charge lower ‘‘Americans will not take many jobs prices for prescription drugs? at their current pay levels, and those LEGISLATION TO FIX THE The new Medicare drug law isn’t pay levels will not rise so long as pov- MEDICARE MODERNIZATION ACT about seniors, it isn’t about moderniza- erty-stricken immigrants are willing Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I tion, it isn’t about fiscal responsibility. to take those jobs.’’ ask unanimous consent to take the It is about a Republican-run Congress And he went on in this column to time of the gentlewoman from Cali- that is a little too cozy with the drug say, ‘‘The old inevitability ploy is fornia (Ms. SOLIS). industry and the HMOs.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.074 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1429 I am a cosponsor of legislation that ership is listening, they have changed As members of the Blue Dog Coali- would begin to fix this bill. It would their minds, and they want to see a tion, we believe it is time to get our enable seniors and disabled Medicare better law. Maybe. Nation’s fiscal house in order. Now, the enrollees to bypass the private insur- f Republicans in this year’s budget they ance market, to say, no, I don’t want The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a will present this week on the floor of to compare 30 or 40 different insurance previous order of the House, the gen- the United States House of Representa- plans and 30 or 40 different insurance tleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS) tives indicates that their priorities do company brochures, and talk to 30 or 40 is recognized for 5 minutes. not reflect our priorities or our values. different insurance agents. I want to (Mr. CUMMINGS addressed the We are going to spend a lot of the time bypass the private insurance market, House. His remarks will appear here- this evening talking about that. check a box, and simply add a prescrip- after in the Extensions of Remarks.) They will say, well, we are trying to tion drug benefit to my Medicare. I get f balance the budget, which they do not to choose my doctor as a Medicare ben- do. They will say that, well, we are eficiary, I get to choose the hospital, I MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE cutting this program or that program ought to be able to choose my drug for- A message from the Senate by Ms. to try and reduce the deficit. But what mulary. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced they do not tell you is that their budg- It would also authorize Medicare to that the Senate has passed a Joint Res- et includes $1.7 trillion over the next 10 negotiate bulk discounts on prescrip- olution and a Concurrent Resolution of years in tax cuts that primarily benefit tion drugs. That is the way the Vet- the following titles in which the con- those earning over $400,000 a year. erans’ Administration does it. That is currence of the House is requested: So when they talk about cutting pro- the way most countries in the world do S.J. Res. 28. Joint resolution approving the grams, they will tell you that they are it. That is why drug prices are a third location of the commemorative work in the trying to cut programs to reduce these or a fourth or a fifth in every other District of Columbia honoring former Presi- numbers. Not so. Because you don’t cut country in the world, much, much dent Dwight D. Eisenhower. taxes for folks earning over $400,000 a S. Con. Res. 60. Concurrent resolution des- year at a time when you are in a na- lower prices than there are in the ignating the Negro Leagues Baseball Mu- United States. seum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America’s tion that is borrowing a billion dollars In other words, this legislation, this National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. a day; at a time when you are in a na- new law as we propose the changes, f tion that is spending half a billion a would give seniors and taxpayers a day simply paying interest on the debt break. Perhaps Secretary Leavitt will BLUE DOG COALITION you already have. make use of his Ohio trip to announce The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under So it is about priorities. And the Re- the administration’s support for these the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- publican priorities in this year’s budg- bills. Perhaps. uary 4, 2005, the gentleman from Ar- et include cuts to the Dale Bumpers May 15 is the cutoff for Medicare kansas (Mr. ROSS) is recognized for 60 Small Farms Research Center in my beneficiaries to enroll in the new pre- minutes as the designee of the minor- Congressional District. In fact, there scription drug program. If they enroll ity leader. are 25 or 26 agricultural research cen- after that date, believe it or not, they Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, this evening, ters all over America that are being have to pay a penalty for late enroll- as every Tuesday evening, the members cut. They create good paying jobs in ment. Let’s think about that. My Re- of the 37-Member strong fiscally con- these rural communities that invest in publican colleagues in Congress and servative Democratic Blue Dog Coali- the kind of agricultural research that the Bush administration have finally tion come to the floor of the United our farm families so desperately need. acknowledged that the drug program States House of Representatives, here The development of the Dale Bump- got off to a rocky start and is very con- at our Nation’s Capitol, to address the ers Small Farms Research Center fusing to seniors. Seniors have sat on debt, the deficit, and tonight also the began back in 1977 with their initial the phone for up to 2 hours waiting for budget. work starting in 1980. It is a partner- someone from the Medicare hotline to And for those of you who have ship among three agencies, Agricul- help with enrollment questions. walked the halls of Congress, it is easy tural Research Service, Natural Re- I talked to seniors in Vandalia, Ohio, to spot when you are walking by a sources Conservation Service, and the in Cincinnati, in Norton, and in Lon- Member’s office that is a member of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Serv- don, Ohio. All of them say this Medi- the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coa- ice. care drug benefit is way too confusing. lition because you will see one of these Their mission, the mission at the Ag- Not just prospective enrollees are con- posters, one of these posters that dis- ricultural Research Service unit at the fused, but State agencies, local service plays the current national debt. And Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research agencies, Federal bureaucrats, even the every American citizen shares the Na- Center, is to develop scientific prin- insurers who offer the new coverage. tional debt. ciples and technologies to enhance the Finding the right answer to an enroll- As you can see, at the moment, the profitability and sustainability of ment question is almost as difficult as U.S. national debt is $8,378,143,406,405 small-scale farms, because they are choosing which of the 30 or 40 plans to and some change. And for every man, threatened by a lack of profitability. enroll in. woman, and child in America, includ- Yet in this year’s budget, in this year’s And when seniors did enroll in a plan, ing those being born this hour, your budget that the President submitted to there were paperwork problems, there share of the national debt is $28,000. this Congress and that this Republican were systems problems, there were We raise these issues for a number of Congress may very well pass this week, transition problems, there were for- reasons, Mr. Speaker. It is hard now to it includes zeroing out, eliminating 25 mulary problems, and there were prob- remember, but from 1998 to 2001, our or 26 of these agricultural research cen- lems in the drugstores where one phar- Nation enjoyed a balanced budget. We ters all across America. macist at least, one pharmacy in Lon- had a surplus. We could meet many of Again, this budget is about priorities, don, Ohio, had to close because of the America’s priorities. But today, for the and this budget that we are going to additional cost imposed on these small sixth year in a row, we have the largest vote on this week does not reflect my businesses by this bureaucracy created budget deficit ever in our Nation’s his- priorities or my values. It certainly by a Congress that listened to the drug tory. Our Nation is borrowing a billion does not represent the kind of conserv- industry and the HMOs more than it dollars a day. We are sending $279 mil- ative small-town values that I was listened to drugstores, to pharmacists lion a day to Iraq, $57 million a day to raised on, where I was raised to value or to seniors. Afghanistan, a billion a day we are bor- our farm families who simply try to do The various failings of this drug pro- rowing, and on top of that we are their best to provide us with a safe and gram made the news virtually every spending half a billion dollars a day reliable source for food and fiber. day for 4 months. Maybe Secretary simply paying interest, not principal We can get into a debate about how Leavitt will make use of his trip to but just interest on the debt that we we have become too dependent on for- Ohio to announce the Republican lead- already have. eign oil. If we are not too careful, we

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.077 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1430 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 are going to become too dependent on and I believe almost every State in the ink ever since. It is time for Congress other countries for our food and fiber. country has to do that, but here in to bring back PAYGO and bring back And I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that Washington, in our Nation’s Capital, some fiscal sanity for our country. that is a dangerous road to go down, we cannot find the fiscal responsibility Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. ROSS for and one in which America has no busi- to balance our Nation’s budget and get having us here tonight and thank him ness going down. our fiscal house in order. for his leadership. This is just one example of many of Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the b 2045 what is wrong with this budget. There co-chair, Mr. CARDOZA, and for commu- are ways to balance the budget, and we The Blue Dog Coalition has made re- nications within the 37-Member strong, are going to talk tonight about an al- peated calls for responsible budget re- fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coali- ternative that I believe makes sense, forms that will put our country back tion for his insightful information and that reinstates a thing called PAYGO. on this path of fiscal responsibility and knowledge about the process and what Pay as you go rules mean if you want fiscal sanity that I have discussed. we are trying to accomplish. We have to fund a new program, you have to cut As moderates and as fiscal hawks, we Members here from Georgia and Illi- something else. If you want to pass a have tried to reach across the aisle to nois and Oklahoma and from all over tax cut, you have to cut a program. engage in real debate on fiscal respon- the Nation that have come to speak You just don’t go borrow more money sibility. For years now, our appeals for the truth, to hold this Republican Con- from China to fund it. It also balances commonsense, bipartisan reforms have gress accountable and demand some the budget within, I believe, 10 years. been brushed aside by both the White commonsense and fiscal discipline be Yes, in 10 years we would have a bal- House and this Republican leadership. restored to our Nation’s government. anced budget again, and that is an al- Instead, this Republican Congress We are going to hear from people ternative that will be presented on the and the White House have pursued poli- other than California, but it just so floor this week that many of us will be cies that have resulted in exploding happens our first two presenters are supporting. deficits and over $8 trillion in debt. both from California. The other is a We will be talking a lot tonight Rather than taking this fiscal mess se- gentleman who has not been here long, about the debt, the budget, and the def- riously and putting forward a plan to but has been quite effective within our icit and these things, and I am very change course, we are being fed more of coalition and a real leader within our honored to be joined tonight by a num- the same in this year’s budget. The Re- coalition, and that is the gentleman ber of my Blue Dog friends, and DENNIS publican budget resolution is a re- from California (Mr. COSTA). CARDOZA is the co-chair of the Blue hashed version of misguided policies Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Dog Coalition. He is the co-chair for that have gotten us into this mess in add my voice to my fellow Blue Dog communications. He is a Member of the first place. It is said that the defi- Coalition members who are here this Congress from California. A lot of peo- nition of insanity is doing the same evening to have a dose of fiscal sanity, ple, when they think of fiscally con- thing over and over and over yet ex- to allow the American people to under- servative Democrats, they think we are pecting different results. That is ex- stand that there is indeed a another just in the South, but we are spread actly how I feel about the Republican choice. Therefore, tonight we hope to from California to Long Island. This is leadership’s fiscal policies. No matter give an accurate picture on the budget a national movement. This is a na- how deep they dig this fiscal hole, they process that we are about to embark on tional movement of 37 fiscally conserv- want to keep shoveling, they want to this week and the lack of fiscal integ- atives Democrats that believe it is keep digging; and we have to make it rity that this budget process unfortu- time to restore some common sense stop. nately has, because it lacks a bipar- and fiscal discipline to our Nation’s The administration has requested tisan effort to provide the sort of finan- government. and Congress has provided for four in- cial support that the American public So, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to turn creases in the debt ceiling since 2001. demands. this thing over to one of the leaders of This budget resolution does not fix the I too want to commend Mr. ROSS and our group, DENNIS CARDOZA from Cali- broken budget; it actually makes it Mr. CARDOZA for allowing me to join fornia. worse. The Budget Committee passed a with them in this effort. I think that Mr. CARDOZA. Well, I want to thank budget resolution that includes a def- Blue Dogs who are fiscally conserv- the gentleman from Arkansas both for icit of $372 billion for the fiscal year ative really reflect the mainstream of relinquishing of some time and also for 2006 and a deficit of $348 for 2007. This what America is all about. the leadership that he has shown by means that under this Congress and The fact of the matter is that this hosting this hour for the Blue Dog this White House, Republicans totally, budget resolution that we will debate Democrats each Tuesday night this we will have seen the five biggest budg- this week has in its very basic year. et deficits in American history in 5 underpinnings a lack of fiscal integ- Before I get started in my prepared consecutive years. Under this budget, rity. Let me talk about a dirty little remarks, I wanted to just acknowledge the statutory debt by 2011 will go up secret contained in this budget resolu- something that came to mind. The pre- another $2.3 trillion, leaving the statu- tion that all Members ought to be vious presiding officer, the gentleman tory debt at a record level of $11.3 tril- aware of. The secret is the offloading of that was acting as Speaker a few mo- lion. Ladies and gentlemen, this is un- our Federal financial problems onto ments ago, is my former colleague acceptable. our States as a strategy to reduce our from the legislature in California, a The Blue Dog Coalition has put forth Nation’s budget deficit. wonderful man, JOHN CAMPBELL. And it a comprehensive 12-step plan that is The hypocrisy is clear, through the struck me that when we were in the designed to cure our Nation’s addiction preemption of State laws, and in spite legislature together in California, to deficit spending. Our proposal will of a little-used Federal law that pre- every year we had to balance the budg- include commonsense measures such as vents unfunded mandates on States, et. We could not leave Sacramento, we reinstating the pay-as-you-go rules Congress has arrogantly chosen to do had to stay in session until we had a such as what you use to balance your just that, and that is to offload on our balanced budget. It is so unfortunate own budget at home. Every American States. that here in Washington, as we have understands that they need to balance Do the States have the ability to fill both graduated up the ladder, that we their own checkbook; so does America. that gap? Well, the National Council of don’t have that same kind of fiscal ac- These pay-as-you-go rules are the first State Legislatures has identified the countability and the same responsi- step. minimum gap in Federal funding to bility. In the 1990s with PAYGO rules on the States caused by unfunded mandates in And sitting here with my colleague, books, we saw deficits disappear. We 2004 fiscal year as being approximately JIM COSTA, who used to be one of the had record surpluses and rapid eco- $25.6 billion. In the fiscal year 2005, the leaders in the California State Senate, nomic growth. In 2001, the Republican- amount rose to $26.2 billion. we took it very seriously. In fact, it controlled Congress abandoned Evidence by the National Council of was mandated in law that every year, PAYGO, and we have been awash in red State Legislatures shows that this gap

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.079 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1431 will continue over the next decade and years in football. And when there is no And in times of deficit, in times when could grow as high as $50 billion annu- time left on the clock, if we are not we are borrowing a billion a day, what ally, and we offload our financial re- ahead, if we could just not sound the does that mean? That means we are sponsibilities to States and let them be buzzer until we are ahead, we would be borrowing money from places like on their own. the State champions every year. That China. This administration has bor- The evidence is clear. It does not is, unfortunately, how many votes run rowed more money from foreigners in take into account inflation and other on this House floor. When they are the past 5 years than the previous 42 changes in discretionary spending over close votes, votes are no longer 5 or 15 Presidents combined. Let me repeat the next decade. minutes; they last until the Republican that: this administration has borrowed I ask my colleagues to recall recent leadership prevails; and then the horn, more money from foreign central history. In the 1980s and in the 1990s, the bell, the gavel is sounded. That will banks and foreign investors in the past President Reagan, a former State Gov- likely happen late Thursday night or 5 years than the previous 42 Presidents ernor, understood the necessity of a bi- early Friday morning during the vote combined; and yet we are now going to partisan effort to protect the States. on this budget because this budget does borrow more money from China and President Clinton, another State Gov- not reflect America’s priorities, and Hong Kong and, God forbid, OPEC na- ernor, codified that recognition of they are going to have a very difficult tions, to give a tax cut to those earn- States by signing the Unfunded Man- time passing it. ing over $400,000 a year. dates Reform Act in which the Con- In fact, I predict it will be on a strict Over 5 years, the Republican-pro- gress pledged to no longer continue party-line vote, and they will lose some posed resolution cuts nondefense dis- this practice of passing laws and then votes. It is unbelievable the fiscal turn- cretionary spending by $162 billion, telling the States it is your job to fig- around from a budget surplus in fiscal below the amount simply needed to ure out how to pay for it. year 2001 to the five largest deficits in maintain services at current levels. But this White House, also currently history, and they have occurred in the Our next speaker will talk more occupied by another former State Gov- last 5 consecutive years with the 2006 about these funding cuts, these cuts ernor and many of my colleagues who deficit being $372 billion. And the pro- that not only cut programs that mat- serve in Congress, over half who come jected deficit for fiscal year 2007 is $348 ter to people but undercut our values, from State legislatures, I believe, have billion; but not really. That is counting that undercut America’s priorities. forgotten where they come from. the money that the politicians are bor- Do you think we are solving prob- b 2100 rowing from the Social Security trust lems when we are just passing them on And to talk more about this is the to our States? I will continue to ques- fund. If you do not count the money that is gentleman from Oklahoma, who has tion the sincerity of those who lead being borrowed from the Social Secu- quickly become a real leader and a real this budget effort to actually achieve rity trust fund, the deficit last year voice within the fiscally conservative responsible fiscal management. The was really $605 billion and for fiscal Blue Dog Coalition, my friend, DAN most recent example of that reluctance year 2007, it is $448 billion. I am begin- BOREN. to embrace sound fiscal management ning to understand why the Republican Mr. BOREN. Thank you, Congress- principles was demonstrated last week man ROSS. Mr. Speaker, you know it is in the Budget Committee’s rejection of leadership refused to give me a hearing or a vote on the first vote I filed as a not very often that I come to this floor an amendment that would reinstitute to speak on an issue. As a freshman pay-as-you-go, which my colleagues, Member of Congress, a bill to tell the politicians in Washington to keep their Member, sometimes we don’t come Mr. ROSS and Mr. CARDOZA, have spo- down and talk about issues on this ken to. Pay-as-you-go is a concept that hands off the Social Security trust fund. floor. But I think it is very important all of our households employ, which tonight that we talk about this budget means in your family’s budget, you do When this administration took office, it inherited a projected 10-year surplus because budgets are a statement of our not spend money that you do not have. priorities. As Members may recall, PAYGO was of $5.6 trillion. This surplus has become I am going to talk tonight a little bit agreed to in the 1990s by then-Speaker a $3.3 trillion deficit, an embarrassing about rural America. I also want to Newt Gingrich and signed into law by reversal of $8.9 trillion. talk a little bit about our Nation’s vet- President Clinton. In the mid-1990s, Since 2001, there have been four in- erans. that led to the first budget surpluses creases in the debt ceiling to a stag- For those of you all who have never we had in over 40 years. Ladies and gering total of $3 trillion. This Repub- been to Oklahoma, I am going to tell gentlemen, let me remind you, over the lican-proposed budget increases the last 5 years, we have gone from sur- statutory debt ceiling by another $2.3 you a little bit about my district. My pluses to massive deficits. trillion, almost doubling the debt ceil- district is in eastern Oklahoma. I rep- I remember as a young kid watching ing in 5 years to $11.3 trillion. And if resent 25 counties of a very rural part television on ‘‘Dragnet.’’ Remember that is not enough, with regards to the of the United States. The largest com- Sergeant Friday? He used to say ‘‘Just conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, this munity in my district is Muskogee, the facts, ma’am.’’ These are the facts, budget only includes $50 billion, less Oklahoma, population 38,000 people, and I think Americans are coming to than half of what was appropriated for where my wife, Andrea, and I reside. realize these facts do not hold up to the 2006, and goes so far as to actually as- There are towns like Broken Bow and principles of sound fiscal management. sume we will be out of Iraq and Af- Idabel and Miami and Sallisaw, We can do better. We should do better. ghanistan after 2007. This is not a Wapanucka, Bromide, Bluejacket, Americans deserve it. truthful budget. The budget includes some of the best people in the world. Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. no funding, absolutely no funding for And let me tell you, this budget does COSTA for joining us this evening to the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan not help my folks back home. I think it discuss these issues that are so impor- beyond 2007. is very important that we reduce the tant to not only today’s generation but This Republican Congress is telling national debt and we balance our budg- to our children and grandchildren. us in this budget that the conflicts in et, but we can’t do it on the backs of This week on the floor of the House Iraq and Afghanistan will be over by rural America. there is going to be a very close vote. the end of fiscal year 2007. We know Once again, this year the President’s Most votes on the House floor last better. This is not a truthful budget. budget slashes rural development pro- somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes. The budget resolution calls for $39 grams. It freezes funding for rural edu- Every once in a while we have a vote billion in 2007 and $228 billion in new cation and phases out our rural health that goes for an hour or 2 hours, some- tax cuts over the next 5 years; $39 bil- care grants. times even 3 hours, while enough arms lion in tax cuts in 2007, $228 billion in In my district, it abolishes the COPS are twisted to be able to get enough new tax cuts over the next 5 years, and grant program which is responsible for votes for a vote to pass. $1.7 trillion in new tax cuts over the putting over 200 officers on the street I have always said the Prescott Curly next 10 years that primarily benefit in eastern Oklahoma. We have a real Wolves, they have some pretty good only those earning over $400,000 a year. meth problem in eastern Oklahoma.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.080 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1432 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 We have a terrible meth problem. We homa, that I wanted to come to this have now moved it, it is already up to had a lot of meth labs that were pop- floor and talk about these priorities. $28,000. So we went from $8.2 trillion to ping up and actually we are doing a lot And with that I yield back to my $8.3 trillion in just a couple of weeks. about that. But we need more cops on friend, Congressman ROSS. And it is frightening how rampant this the street. This budget cuts 200 police Mr. ROSS. I thank the gentleman irresponsible spending has been and officers. from Oklahoma for being a part of this how out of control our Congress has My good friend, my colleague from special order on the budget, the debt been. Arkansas, Mr. ROSS, mentioned cuts in and the deficit. And I appreciate the And it is sad that when I spoke to our ag research centers. Folks, 2 weeks work he is doing with me to try and these seventh graders about their fam- ago I was in Lane, Oklahoma. There is save all these agricultural research ily budgets or their parents who a research center, the Wes Watkins centers from closure that are so impor- worked in the business communities, Lane Ag Research Center, employs a tant, not only to rural America and to how did they avoid getting themselves lot of folks in my district, has a $3 mil- the communities where they are lo- into debt, that those seventh graders lion impact on the local economy. We cated like Booneville, Arkansas, but could better articulate fiscal common are talking about salaries, 70, $80,000 also so important to our farm families, sense by saying, don’t spend what you salaries. These are big salaries in my all over this great country. don’t have, than this Congress has been district. In the President’s budget that Mr. Speaker, if you have any com- able to demonstrate. facility is set to close. And I know I am ments, questions for the Blue Dog Coa- And I also serve on a caucus that ad- going to be working with my colleague lition, there are 37 of us. We are a dresses financial literacy for young from Arkansas to help stop that. group of fiscally conservative Demo- people in this country. And it is so Here is another couple of statistics. crats that come together here on Cap- hypocritical that we want to talk to It cuts assistance to rural manufactur- itol Hill to try and restore some com- these kids about how to better manage ers and small businesses by nearly 60 mon sense and fiscal discipline to our their money when we are not doing a percent. In the State of Oklahoma we Nation’s government. And Mr. Speak- good job with our Nation’s resources. lost over 80,000 manufacturing jobs er, if you have any comments or con- Mr. ROSS. The gentlewoman is so over the past 2 years. And we are talk- cerns of our group, I would encourage right, and I appreciate her sharing her ing about taking those investments you to e-mail us at experiences. away from small businesses. We need [email protected]. That is I was at Pine Bluff High School on help in rural Oklahoma. [email protected]. Monday, speaking to a couple of class- It also cuts rural health care by 83 At this time I am pleased to turn this es, history classes, and that is one of percent, and not just in rural America, over to MELISSA BEAN, Congresswoman the things we talked about was the not just in rural Oklahoma. It also af- from Illinois, a member of the Blue debt, the deficit and what it means to fects all of our veterans. I have got a Dog Coalition, who many Tuesday eve- their generation, because, you know, it big Veterans Hospital in my district in nings comes down and joins us for this, is what I call the debt tax. It is one tax Muskogee, Oklahoma. And I get a what I believe is a very healthy debate that, debt as in D-E-B-T, not to be con- chance to visit with our veterans all and healthy discussion about how we fused with the death tax. It is what in the time. And they talk to me about need to get our Nation’s fiscal house in the Blue Dog Coalition we have coined the TRICARE program. order and restore some of the conserv- as the debt tax, because as long as we One example in this budget is an in- ative values that many of us were have got a debt, as long as we are crease in co-pays and enrollment fees raised on and still believe in. And with spending a half a billion a day paying for military retirees in the TRICARE that I yield. interest on the debt, then that is a half program. So this country is saying to And we are also joined tonight by, as a billion we don’t have to meet Amer- you, you go, you enlist in the service, we are almost every Tuesday night, ica’s priorities. And that debt tax has you spend 20 years supporting the flag, and I am so proud of that, DAVID got to be paid back by future genera- going overseas, fighting for our free- SCOTT, Congressman from Georgia, a tions, our children and grandchildren, doms, and we are going to cut your real leader, a real voice for common because I can assure you all these for- benefits. That is a wrong priority, and sense and conservative values within eign investors and foreign central we won’t stand for it. the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coa- banks that are now funding our deficit, Another thing we have got to think lition. And I welcome both of you. And they are not going to forgive our debt about when we are talking about cut- we can have a colloquy or do whatever the way that oftentimes in the past we ting these programs like TRICARE. y’all want to do. I will yield right now have forgiven others debts. Folks, we are facing a recruitment to the gentlewoman from Illinois. And I yield to the gentleman from problem right now. We are trying to Ms. BEAN. I am honored to join my Georgia. Glad to have you with us this get more and more young people to colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition evening, Mr. SCOTT. join the military. How can we tell and, again, want to commend your Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Always a those young people to join the Army, leadership, Congressman ROSS, of our pleasure to be with you, Mr. ROSS, and Navy, Air Force and Marines, how can Blue Dog Coalition, because fiscal re- with you, Ms. BEAN. It is always a we tell them to join when we are going sponsibility has to be our top priority pleasure. to cut their benefits? There is a direct in this Congress. You were talking about the young correlation to what we are doing in So many of us came to this body to kids, and you have got to think about this budget to our Nation’s Armed address issues of importance and pri- those young kids. You have got to Forces. ority to the families in the districts think about the generations coming be- And I stand as a Blue Dog, someone that we represent. And yet, if we don’t, hind us. Some of those are watching C– that believes in fiscal accountability. first and foremost, act responsibly with SPAN tonight as we speak, and hope- But, at the same time, we have got to the national tax dollars that we have, fully all across America they are begin- make sure that we defend those prior- we can’t properly address those re- ning to pay attention to what is hap- ities. And I stand with my colleague gional priorities that we would like to. pening here on the floor of this Con- from Arkansas. I know we are going to I was here on the floor with you just gress. have a few other speakers here in a several weeks ago, and I mentioned And as I stand here, I am reminded of minute. And with that I am going to that I had been with some seventh what happened on the floor of a Con- yield back to my colleague from Ar- graders in my district. One of the fun gress and a Senate a few centuries back kansas. And I thank him for allowing parts of our job is when we can go have and is captured really greatly in a play me to be a part of this program. civics classes with the kids. And they by the great William Shakespeare. Wil- As I mentioned before, I came down were pretty mortified just a few weeks liam Shakespeare wrote a brilliant as part of the 30-something and gave a ago when I shared with them that their play called Julius Caesar. And in that few talks, and I rarely come down. But share of our national debt, each indi- play, a very important part was as Cae- this budget got me so upset, thinking vidual one of them, was $27,000. And I sar was on the floor as the senators about the people back home in Okla- am sad to see from your last chart, you were surrounding him and knives going

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.082 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1433 into him, he looked out at all of the b 2115 from the Department of Education. senators and saw them, Cicero and And I will tell you an experience that The President’s budget fully elimi- Cassius, and then he leaned over and he I had that I will never forget. When I nates, fully eliminates, 41 Department looked over caught the eye of Brutus was in Iraq, I went into Camp Victory, of Education programs. and grabbed him as Brutus stuck the standing in the middle of Camp Vic- I had folks in my office this week, knife into his ribs. And he said ‘‘Et tu, tory, and I met and was hugged by a today, from my district. They are in- Brutus. Yours is the meanest cut of soldier. And both of us in the middle of volved in the HIPPI program, programs all.’’ Camp Victory hugging, tears coming that are helping young people get ready for kindergarten. They reach Well, I am here to tell you and tell down my eyes and down his, and he America, Mr. Speaker, Mr. ROSS, Ms. those young people at ages 3, 4, and 5. says to me, ‘‘Congressman SCOTT, when And they also go into the homes and BEAN, that the meanest cut of all in I am hugging you, it’s like I am hug- this budget is the cut to those law en- teach the parents how to teach the ging a piece of home.’’ forcement folks, those people that are I vowed in Iraq on that spot that children. It is a wonderful program. And I had a meeting yesterday in on the front lines at home, who have night, having dinner with those sol- Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with the chan- our security in their hands, our police diers in Iraq, that I would fight tooth cellor at the University of Arkansas at officers, our firemen, our first respond- and nail on this floor to treat our vet- Pine Bluff, which is an historically ers and the military, our veterans, our erans and to treat our military right. black college, Chancellor Lawrence Air Force, our Navy, our Marines, who And, Mr. ROSS, as I told it to you, Davis, and he was telling me that we are being cut unmercifully, Brutus- what is in this budget, it refuses to end have a crisis in America with African like, in this budget. the disabled veterans tax. This Repub- I just want to highlight for the American males because 60 percent of lican budget fails to repeal the vet- American people so they can actually African American males who do not erans tax, which forces disabled mili- see and hear how this budget is dev- finish high school end up in prison. And tary retirees to give up $1 of their pen- astating those that we place our secu- his concern and my concern is that sion for every dollar of disability pay rity in their hands. Just think that America does not seem to be nearly as they receive. Added to that it fails to this budget includes a cut in the fund- alarmed about it as they should be. end the military family tax, the sur- ing of first responders by 25 percent at The way we address this is by investing vivor benefit plan, penalizes survivors, a time when we are in such great need. in education. If we will get to these Police Departments nationwide do mostly widows, of those soldiers who young people at age 3, 4, and 5, we can not have the protective gear to safely are killed as a result of combat. That is spend pennies on the dollar compared secure a site after a detonation of a what this budget does. That is why I to what we are spending warehousing weapon of mass destruction in this say that the meanest cut in this budget them in their adult life in prison. It is country. Fire Departments have only is to our military, to our veterans, to about priorities. enough radios for half the firefighters our law enforcement people who put Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Will the gen- on a shift. their lives on the line for little or no tleman yield? And yet, this budget, this Republican pay. And the only reason to do it is to Mr. ROSS. I yield to the gentleman budget that they are asking us to vote offset this tax cut for the 1 percent from Georgia. on in the next day or two, includes a wealthiest people in this country and Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Excellent cut in first responder funding within then have to go borrow the money to point. And there is no greater emer- the Department of Homeland Security pay for that at the sacrifice of our first gency in this country than addressing of $573 million, 25 percent. And within responders. the plight of African American males. this total, the budget slashes the Fire- This is why I am praying with every No group in this country has paid the fighters Grant Program by $355 million ounce of strength in me that this body price, has made the contributions, has and eliminates all funding for the law will stand up to this Republican budget gone through the struggles, and has enforcement terrorism prevention, re- and vote it down because it is not in faced the vicissitudes of racism as the duction of $385 million. the best interests of our Nation’s secu- African American community. Struc- When we look at our veterans, we are rity, our national security, or our ture, discipline, sanctioned by law. And treating them so badly under this homeland security. yet if there was just one tenth of the budget. It increases the health care Mr. ROSS. I thank the gentleman effort to correct that imbalance, but on costs for one million veterans. from Georgia (Mr. SCOTT) for his input every score, you go down the line, and America, we need to pay attention to and would encourage him to stay for you mentioned them, education, the what this Republican budget is doing. what I hope will be a meaningful dis- college grant. They say No Child Left For the fourth year in a row, the budg- cussion with the time remaining this Behind. An excellent idea but under- et raises health care costs for 1 million evening as we talk about the budget funded by 3 or $400 billion, not putting veterans by imposing new fees on vet- and the debt and deficit. And I want to the money in. Black college Presidents erans, costing them more than $2.6 bil- thank the gentlewoman from Illinois have come up to this Congress hat in lion over 5 years and driving at least (Ms. BEAN) for staying with us as well. hand, begging, pleading for money for 200 veterans out of the system. Some of this has been mentioned to- scholarships, and have not gotten a re- It doubles the copayment for pre- night; some has not. But let us just sponse. scription drugs from $8 to $15, America, take a look at some of the cuts that In this budget itself, do you know and imposes an enrollment fee of $250 a will be included in the budget this that the fastest growing part of this year for Category 7 and 8 veterans who week. Education, the Republican budg- budget is the interest we are paying? make as little as $26,000 a year. et resolution that will be voted on on And the interest we are paying is more This is the truth. This is what they the floor of this Chamber this week is than all that we are spending totally are asking us to vote on. And I pray identical to the administration’s pro- on primary education, secondary edu- and I hope that we will have enough posed budget cuts to education, train- cation, college education, everything Republicans to stand with us Demo- ing, and social services, including $2.2 education, as well as the environment crats and reject this as not in the best billion in cuts to the Department of and veterans. This is dastardly wrong. interest of the American people. Education. Mr. ROSS. The gentleman is so right. It fails to address the strain on our Let us begin by putting this thing in And I was sitting there in a meeting in troops. Now, Mr. ROSS, I have been perspective. We spend more money my office today listening to a group over to Iraq, just came back in Janu- paying interest on the national debt in pleading with me to vote against this ary; went over to Afghanistan. I have 100 days than we spend funding edu- budget, which I am, pleading with me been in the hot spots. I have seen our cation in 365 days. What does that say to vote against this budget because it military, and they are doing a fan- about our commitment to our chil- cuts programs that give 3- and 4-year- tastic job in extraordinary cir- dren? olds a fighting chance to be ready when cumstances. We are talking about 19- Ms. BEAN. To future generations. they enter kindergarten that can help and 20- and 21-year-old kids out there Mr. ROSS. To future generations. us be able to give them a chance at handling extraordinary pressures. And yet they propose to cut $2.2 billion success in life.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.083 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1434 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 We live in a free country. We get to do them for ourselves and our pos- before about the need, especially in choose what we eat and where we wor- terity. And they understood that that some of our hard cases, this Republican ship and whom we marry. Some people meant we as adults should be making budget completely eliminates several do that several times. And one of the decisions not only for them as well as important education programs, includ- few things in life we do not get to ourselves but for their children. And so ing vocational education State grants, choose is who our parents are. Some they are very concerned that we are educational technology State grants. children, both black and white, get not making the right decisions. So We are talking about those institutions really lucky. Some do not. And I think they expressed a lot of those issues. that are actually taking our young- as a Nation we have a duty and obliga- And to go back to the fiscal responsi- sters and training them with jobs that tion to be there for all young people. bility theme that we have been talking are being cut. Americans are worried And if we can get to these young people about tonight, they were able to under- about that. at age 3 and 4 and get them ready for stand the analogy of what we have Veterans are worried. Down the kindergarten, then we can have an im- been doing with this debt, and driving street another one says he is standing pact on their lives and turn them into ourselves into debt essentially would in line, not being able to get his treat- a productive citizen instead of spending be if I got a credit card and went out ment at a VA hospital. We are calling $20,000 a year paying for them to sit on a spending spree, but I put the cred- and he says if it was not for this con- idly and wastefully behind bars. it card in my daughters’ names and gressional office calling, what would Yet these programs, these preschool said to them, When you are 18 and you happen? But there are literally thou- programs, are being cut in this budget. get a job, you get to pay it off. And sands of Americans out there, veterans, And one of the women that was in my that is what we are doing to these kids, who are facing these dilemmas every office today talking to me about it, she and that is not justice. That is not single day. And they are upset about said, I was one of those in one of these making good decisions for our pos- these unwise, foolish, mean, and unnec- programs. They came to my home and terity. We can do a better job than we essary cuts to vital programs not be- they taught me how to teach my child, have been doing for them. cause we cannot afford it, not because and I started teaching my child, and Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. The American we are not wise to do it, but we are my child started making the honor people are expecting us to. doing it just to offset costs for a tax roll. And this woman today, she is from I just share with you my own experi- cut for the wealthiest 1 percent in this my district, she said, Mike, I want you ence. Every weekend I get home, by the country. to know I am now going back to col- time I get off the airplane, I get in my b 2130 lege to become a school teacher. She tee-shirt and my jeans and I get out Even them, even Bill Gates and oth- went and got her high school degree. and walk door to door in my district, ers at that level, are saying, ‘‘We don’t She is now going to college to become about 50 percent of which is new out in need it.’’ But our veterans need it. Our a school teacher because of one of these Cobb and Douglas Counties. And there teachers need it. Our children who are programs that not only has had an im- is a certain experience that you get in these trailers, they need it. pact on her daughter’s life but has now when you go knock on doors and you Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming had an impact on her life. Yet these talk to your constituents and they say, my time, I know I feel confident that programs are either cut or eliminated Oh, the Congressman is here. And, Mr. the Republican leadership will send in this year’s budget. ROSS, let me tell you America is wor- down a group to follow us. They do Ms. BEAN. Will the gentleman yield? ried. The people in America are worried that every Tuesday evening. I am hon- Mr. ROSS. I yield to the gentle- about the direction of this country. ored that they feel a need to do that. I woman from Illinois. At one stop a lady comes out and she think our message is getting through Ms. BEAN. So much of what we have says, Yes, put a yard sign in, and I give about trying to restore fiscal discipline been talking about, whether it is edu- her a tee-shirt. And she says, Congress- and common sense to our Nation’s gov- cation, whether it is the environment, man SCOTT, what are we going to do ernment. it is all about future generations and about our education? I am not just They are going to talk about how we our commitment to them. talking about the money, but I am didn’t vote for this so-called Deficit And to go back to the seventh grad- talking about the fact that my kid is Reduction Act. What they are not ers that I mentioned that I spoke with, sitting in a hallway because there is no going to tell you was it was $40 billion they are all studying the Constitution room, there is no classroom. And in to cuts in Medicaid, student loans and right now. Some of them probably in many of our counties across this coun- the orphan program, and also it was your districts as well as mine are tak- try, they are meeting in trailers be- followed by $90 billion in tax cuts for ing their Constitution tests. I was so cause we have not put the money in those earning over $400,000 a year. impressed with their knowledge and the budget in order to deal with it. I wasn’t real good in math back in their youthful idealism as we talked Now, I got the latest figures because high school or college, but $90 billion in about the Constitution and what it I think it is very important that the new tax cuts and $40 billion in cuts to meant to them. American people know why we must the poorest among us equals what, $50 And we had an open discussion, and vote down this budget come tomorrow billion of new debt. Only in Washington we took the preamble of the Constitu- or Thursday. The budget provides $15.4 would they call that the Deficit Reduc- tion apart, and we talked about what million less, a cut in funding for edu- tion Act. That was the name of it. does it mean in order to form a more cation, than promised by the No Child Then they are going to say this budg- perfect union. And they understood Left Behind. No Child Left Behind. No et we are opposing is making the hard that that meant that we have a com- Child Left Behind, but we are leaving choices and the hard cuts and elimi- mitment to make our country better. them behind and not only leaving them nating important programs in the We talked about providing for the com- behind but we are leaving them on the name of trying to restore some fiscal mon defense. And they understood that floor, in the hallways to study, over- discipline and balance the budget. that meant not just national defense crowded classrooms, teachers without What they fail to tell you is it is really but also protecting Americans from adequate pay to do all the paperwork about priorities, because their budget natural disaster like we have experi- and not paying them for it. They are includes $1.7 trillion in new tax cuts enced in the gulf region and then, meeting in fire stations. They are over 10 years. sadly, just this week from the torna- meeting down the road in an old Look, I voted for the biggest tax cut does. They talked about establish jus- church basement. They are meeting in in 20 years back in 2001, and a lot of my tice and what did justice mean. And trailers. Damp, unsafe, unsanitary Democratic colleagues are still mad at they understood that that meant there trailers. This is what this budget is me about it. We had a surplus, it was should be basic fairness in our laws. doing to our American children. before 9/11, before Iraq and before Af- But the part that really resonated Under this Republican budget, the ghanistan. We really were giving peo- with the kids was when we talked cumulative funding shortfall for No ple some of their money back. about that as we preserve these lib- Child Left Behind is $55 billion. This Yet now, every time since then that erties and these American values, we Republican budget, as we talked about we have passed a tax cut, because we

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.084 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1435 no longer have a surplus, we have a def- debt or whether they are going to sell became more self-absorbed, apathetic icit, every tax cut we have passed since U.S. dollars or reinvest in other coun- and unwilling to sacrifice for the com- that time has been funded with money tries or do things that will drive down mon good. that we are borrowing from places like our financial security, look at the bad Secondly, we might look at Great China. position that places us in. And when Britain itself. Certainly Great Britain In 2000, we had borrowed a total of $62 you combine that with the fact that has not fallen from preeminence, but it billion from China. From 1976 up until India and China have taken over our certainly is not the power it once was 2000 we owed $62 billion to China, and manufacturing capabilities, it shows during the 1600s up through much of at the end of 2005 we owed $257 billion the seriousness of the situation. the 1800s, when it really dominated the to China. Japan, $668.3 billion. Our gov- Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming entire world. ernment, we are borrowing $1 billion a my time, I thank the gentleman from b 2140 day and spending half a billion a day Georgia and the gentlewoman from Il- paying interest on the debt we have al- linois for joining me this evening. That empire slowly crumbled, and ready got. That is half a billion that At the beginning of this special the reasons given again by historians can’t go to fund our agricultural re- order, this was the national debt, were these: It lost the national resolve search centers or build I–49 or I–69 or $8,378,143,406,405 and some change. Just to maintain its territory, values that many other opportunities and prior- in the hour that we have spent here on led to its ascendency were eroded, and ities and needs we have in Arkansas’ the floor in this special order dis- spiritual underpinnings shifted dra- Fourth Congressional District, because cussing the Nation’s debt and the def- matically. our Nation is in debt and running icit, the debt has gone up approxi- Thirdly, we might just take a look record deficits and borrowing money mately $41,666,000. So the new number quickly at a more recent superpower, from all these foreign investors and is $8,378,185,072,405 and some change. Russia, which was one of two great su- foreign central banks. Just in the hour we have been here, we perpowers as recently as 20 years ago. Put it this way: Foreign lenders cur- have seen the national debt go up that In a matter of months Russia disinte- rently hold a total $2.174 trillion of our much, $41,666,000, approximately. grated before our very eyes, and I public debt. Compare that to only $23 So, until our government gets its fis- think I along with many other people billion in foreign holdings back in 1993. cal house in order, as Members of the were amazed at how quickly this hap- Here is the top 10 list. Here is who is fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coali- pened. Alexander Solzhenitzyn re- funding your tax cuts. Here is who is tion, we are going to continue to come flected on this fall when he observed funding our government. We have bor- this to this floor every Tuesday night this. He said, ‘‘Over a half century ago rowed $668.3 billion from Japan; we owe and talk about restoring some common when I was still a child, I recall a num- now $262.6 billion, and it goes up every sense and fiscal discipline to our Na- ber of older people offering the fol- week, to China; the United Kingdom, tion’s government. We will be talking lowing explanation for the great disas- $244.8 billion, Caribbean banking cen- more about the Blue Dog 12 point plan ters that had befallen Russia,’’ and he ters, have you ever heard of that? I for curing our Nation’s addiction to quotes. ‘‘Men have forgotten God. That never heard of a Caribbean banking deficit spending and will be talking is why all of this has happened.’’ Marx center before, but we have borrowed about our plan, our vision for a better and Lenin had dismantled Russia’s reli- $97.9 billion from them; Taiwan, $71.6 America, a vision that includes a bal- gious heritage and values, and Russia’s billion; OPEC, you wonder why gas is anced budget and so many other provi- foundation was broken and it collapsed $2.50 a gallon? We have now borrowed sions that just make good old-fash- like a house of cards with nothing to $77.6 billion from OPEC; Korea, $68.3 ioned sense. sustain it. There are some common themes in billion; Germany, $65.2 billion; Canada, f $54.9 billion; and Hong Kong, $48.3 bil- all of these historic national collapses. lion. Those are the top 10 countries THE FALL OF GREAT NATIONS First of all, the citizens became less that we are borrowing money from to The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. willing to sacrifice for others and for help fund tax cuts in our country to REICHERT). Under the Speaker’s an- their country; citizens became more pay for tax cuts for those earning over nounced policy of January 4, 2005, the self-absorbed, had a greater desire for $400,000 a year. gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. the state to provide instead of pro- I yield to the gentleman from Geor- OSBORNE) is recognized for 60 minutes viding for themselves; a weakening of gia. as the designee of the majority leader. commonly held values, and a decline of Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. And here is Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, in 2003, spiritual commitment. the danger. Here is the danger when I was privileged to hear British Prime You may say, well, what does all of you put your financial security in the Minister Tony Blair speak in this this have to do with the United States, hands of foreign nations at the rate Chamber, and one comment he made and why are you talking about this that we are doing it. Now we have to that particularly caught my attention this evening? We obviously have the worry that some of these nations could was this: He said, ‘‘As Britain knows, most powerful military, the strongest very well sell their U.S. dollars in their all predominant power seems for a time economy, the most stable government reserves and then they could switch invincible, but in fact it is transient.’’ of any nation in the world today. their currency into other nations. They What he was referring to, I believe, It is very easy to think that we are could do a lot of things when they have was that all great nations, when things invincible and that this may last for- our debt. are going well, assume that they are ever. But as Tony Blair stated so clear- What happens if they lose patience going to go on forever. But history ly, as Britain knows, all predominant here? By having so much of our debt in shows us with example after example power for a time seems invincible, but the hands of foreign interests, we place that this is really fallacious reasoning. in fact it is truly transient. our whole financial security in great So we might examine three such in- This statement of Prime Minister peril. stances. Blair’s rang a bell with me as I sat and China now has $250 billion of our First of all, going clear back to listened to him, because over 36 years debt, Japan has $687 billion of our debt, Rome, which ruled nearly the entire of coaching and working with young Taiwan has $117 billion of our debt and civilized world 2,000 years ago, Rome people I witnessed some trends that Hong Kong has $67 billion of our debt. appeared to be invincible, but eventu- were concerning to me. The young men I mention these because these are ally it fell. The reasons given generally that I worked with were more talented countries in the Asian Basin. If collec- by historians are these: There was a physically and more gifted each year, tively they came together, for surely general decline in morality; there was yet they showed more signs of stress, geography puts their direct interests an increasing corruption and insta- more personal struggles, less moral more at stake than it does us over here bility in leadership; an increasing pub- clarity as time passed. in the Western Hemisphere, if they lic addiction to every more violent This chart illustrates some of the dif- came together with a pact and just public spectacles; an increase in crime ficulty that we are currently experi- made a decision on what to do with our and prostitution; and a population that encing with some of our young people

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.086 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 that shows the juvenile court delin- are experiencing in our families, the from the west coast and the Southwest quency caseload. It starts in 1960 with environment in which our young people all across the country, and the pre- really not very many cases, and it currently exist has certainly changed diction is that certainly those North- more than quadrupled by 1995 and 2000, as well. One thing I am going to talk eastern States will also be hit very and that trend has continued upward about here for the next 3 or 4 minutes hard by methamphetamine within a even today. is underage drinking, alcohol abuse, be- relatively short period of time. Several factors I think have contrib- cause this has become a huge problem Many people have seen the following uted to these changes. First of all, the in our culture. The National Academy pictures, but I think it shows rather family structure has certainly eroded of Science study showed that alcohol graphically what methamphetamine in our country. In 1960, when I first kills six and a half times more young does. This was a young lady who was started coaching, the out-of-wedlock people than all other drugs combined. arrested in November of 1979, and was birth rate was 5 percent. Today it is 34 So it kind of flies under the radar arrested each succeeding year for the percent; in parts of our country, the screen, where we think about cocaine, next 10 years for methamphetamine. out-of-wedlock birth rate is 60 and 70 we think about heroin, we think about She was picked up by authorities, and percent. So we have at least one-third methamphetamine, we think about each year they took her picture, a mug of our young people entering the world marijuana, and yet six and a half times shot. You can see the first 5 years that with two strikes against them. It does more young people are killed by alco- she certainly deteriorates somewhat, not mean they cannot live a successful hol than all of these other substances and then in May of 1986 there is a more life, but it is certainly going to be combined. It costs the U.S. $53 billion dramatic change; in January of 1988, a much more difficult. annually, alcohol abuse, underage significant change, and this is where In 1960, the great majority of chil- drinking. There are roughly 3 million dren lived with both parents. Today, some people begin to believe that she teenage alcoholics, which is by far the nearly 40 percent of our young people started to inject methamphetamine, grow up without both biological par- largest number of those who are ad- and then you see further deterioration ents. Again, this makes life more dif- dicted to some kind of substance. The in the bottom right picture was taken ficult. Less than one quarter of fami- average first drink in our country in January of 1989, 10 years later, after lies with children under 6 have a parent today is at 12.8 years of age, and that the first picture. age is declining. staying home with them full time. Of b 2150 One of the problems we have with un- course, that again is a tremendous This was taken in the morgue when shift from the way it was 40, 50 years derage drinking is that so often young people binge drink. On average, they she had eventually succumbed to her ago. One-third of all school-aged kids addiction, and so the interesting thing come home to an empty house for at will consume twice as much alcohol per occasion of drinking than an adult is that she did survive for 10 years. least part of the week, and the hours Many people on meth do not do this, between 3 and 6 p.m. are the largest at- will. Of course, this leads to some very difficult situations. Twenty percent of but you can see that the aging process risk time for children in our culture at was tremendous and it probably took the present time; it is those 3 hours eighth graders drink regularly. Chil- the toll that normally a person would after school, before parents begin to dren who drink before age 15 are five age 50 years in that 10-year period of come home. times more likely to become an alco- Twenty-four million children in our holic than those who wait until they time, and she did it in 10 with the as- culture live without their real father. are 21 years of age to start drinking. sistance of methamphetamine. Fatherless children are two to three Youth are 96 times more likely to see A report released by Voices For Chil- times more likely to be abused, have an ad promoting alcohol than to see an dren found that meth is one of the rea- emotional and behavioral problems, ad discouraging underage drinking. So, sons for a 38 percent increase in child abuse drugs, alcohol, or to commit a obviously, in the advertising world, abuse and neglect in the State of Ne- crime. There is a greeting card com- you can see where the emphasis is. We braska. This is true all across the pany that contacted the inmates in a spend hundreds of millions of dollars to country. As we see meth increase, we prison just before Mother’s Day, and on fight drug production in Afghanistan, see child abuse, child neglect goes up, a whim they decided that they would Colombia, and around the world, and a and we see many cases of serious injury provide Mother’s Day cards for any in- fraction of that money spent on curb- and death on the part of young people mate that wanted to send a card to his ing underage drinking might be more simply because their parents no longer mother. The reception was very good. cost effective in our own country. are able to care for them or care about Almost 100 percent of the inmates ac- The National Advertising and Edu- them. The meth addiction has taken cepted cards, sent it to their mother. cation Campaign has been effective in over and occupies all of their time, So they decided that they would try combating teen tobacco use, and the their attention and their devotion, and the same thing on Father’s Day, and same thing is needed to combat under- children suffer greatly. yet they had almost zero response. age drinking and yet we seem to ignore According to a recent report to the Practically no inmate would write a the problem. legislature by the University of Ne- card to his father. I would assume the Another substance abuse epidemic braska at Omaha, an estimated 22,396 reason is that so many of the people that is sweeping the Nation and has Nebraskans are methamphetamine de- there were people who had been aban- really gotten most of our attention is pendent or abusers. This is in a rel- doned by their fathers, did not have fa- the methamphetamine epidemic. In my atively sparsely populated State with thers, and as a result you could see a State of Nebraska, the problem has be- 1.7 million people. So it constitutes the tremendous dichotomy between those come tremendously pernicious and has population of a pretty good-sized town who were still attached in some way to been somewhat overwhelming. I would in the State of Nebraska. a mother as compared to those who like to illustrate this by showing a few A study done by the University of Ar- were attached to their father. charts at this time. kansas found that methamphetamine The foundation in our culture, the This was the incidence of meth- users cost their employers about $47,500 family, is certainly under assault. It amphetamine labs in 1990. California annually due to increased absenteeism does not mean that we do not have and Texas were the only two States and loss of productivity. If you took good families, we have many good fam- that reported more than 20 meth labs $47,500 costs, and that is fairly conserv- ilies; but there has been some sign of out in the countryside; of course, that ative, times 22,000 individuals addicted, erosion, some things that are certainly changed rather rapidly. We see here in you have got over $1 billion in costs in very concerning. Of course, the family 2004, all but maybe seven or eight the State of Nebraska. Of course, I am unit is the basic element of our social States in the Northeast were reporting extrapolating those figures from Ar- structure. When that begins to fall large numbers of meth labs, and of kansas, but I believe that they are apart, then things begin to get very course in many cases they are report- probably fairly accurate. difficult indeed. ing as many as 300 or 400 or 500 meth Judge John Icenogle, a drug court Also, we might mention that in addi- labs that we know about in a given judge in Buffalo County, Nebraska, tes- tion to some of the difficulties that we year. So methamphetamine has swept tified at a hearing here in Washington

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.088 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1437 before the Education and Workforce penalty, which should get cooperation. rently the third leading cause of death Committee, and I would like to read This is part of the bill that I think will for young people. The violence has cer- you a little bit of what he said: ‘‘In really help us get a handle on the crys- tainly escalated. April of 2005, approximately 6,000 chil- tal meth that is currently coming in Pornography has also exploded. dren were living in out-of-home foster from those superlabs. There are currently 260 million Inter- care placements within the State of It is critical that we have a balanced net porn sites cataloged as recently as Nebraska. More than half of the par- approach to this problem of meth- 2003. Let me repeat that number: 260 ents from whom children are removed amphetamine. There is not just one million Internet porn sites. Our Inter- have problems due to use of meth- thing you have to do. You have to start net is simply inundated with this type amphetamine.’’ out first with education, and probably of activity. Nine out of 10 children be- So we have 6,000 people in foster care start with young people in third, tween the ages of 9 and 16 have viewed living in out-of-home placements. fourth, fifth grade and their parents, porn on the Internet, mostly uninten- Roughly 3,000 of those kids are there and of course, photos like I have just tional. This was according to a study because their parents are addicted to shown are very graphic. Sometimes done by the London School of Econom- methamphetamine. they are rather disturbing, but it shows ics. During a recent 2-week period in people exactly what methamphetamine Many of us are dismayed by the way Lancaster County in Nebraska, the does. We think education is critical be- the FCC is regulating obscenity on our county attorney filed juvenile petitions cause for every one dollar you spend on Nation’s airwaves. We do not feel they on behalf of nine newborns because of education and prevention, you are usu- are doing enough, and a poll in 2004 methamphetamine use by the mothers. ally going to get anywhere from $10 to found that 82 percent of adult Ameri- This is the interesting part: additional $15 from the back end in reduced crime cans surveyed say that the Federal birthing expenses for a meth mother and not having to lock people up and laws against Internet obscenity should include as much as $1,500 to $25,000 per reduced assaults, foster care and so on. be vigorously enforced, and most peo- day for the care of her child. Some So this is important. ple do not believe they are being en- children require nearly a quarter of a The second thing that you have to do forced to the degree that they should million dollars of care to ensure the is you have to have interdiction. You be. child attains the age of 1. This is sim- have to have people on the ground who Video games, something also impact- ply because of reduced birthrate, dam- are attacking the meth problem on a ing our young people. More than 90 per- age that methamphetamine causes; and daily basis, and in many parts of the cent of American children play video this does not say anything about the country, drug task forces are critical. games every day, and one-half of the horrible suffering that these children This is why the Byrne grants that Con- top sellers contain extreme violence. go through. gress provides, which fund these drug Some teach stalking and killing of vic- The developmentally delayed chil- task forces, is critical. Last year, we tims, similar to military training and dren can require up to three-quarters were zeroed out in the President’s video games; and pornography is some- of a million dollars in special care dur- budget on Byrne grants, and we re- times a reward for hitting a target in ing the child’s first 18 years of life. So stored as much as we could, about two- one of the video games. to get one of these meth babies from thirds of what we probably needed. The young man who was a school birth to age 18 in some cases will cost This year again we are zeroed out, and shooter in Kentucky had never fired a $700,000, $750,000, not in all cases. again we will have to fight to get that gun before the day that he went to the Congress has taken some steps to ad- funding back; but this is critical to school and started picking off his class- dress meth production by making it have the Federal money to be able to mates, but he had been trained and more difficult for meth cooks to be attack the meth problem in terms of trained on video games, shooting life- able to obtain pseudoephedrine, which law enforcement. like people, and he became remarkably is one of the primary ingredients, the Then, lastly, the third leg of the accurate. only ingredient which you absolutely stool is the issue of treatment. Right have to have. That regulation has been now, we have a lot of people who do not b 2200 helpful, along with some laws from var- manufacture methamphetamine, peo- So we think that some things should ious States. ple who have not committed crimes on be done in this regard as well. Much One thing that I think we did in that methamphetamine; but these are sim- music, some television, and many mov- bill, which I think is very important ply people who are addicted to meth. ies are very graphic, and that content for us in Congress to realize, is that at The question is what are you going to would have been impossible to present the present time, somewhere in the vi- do with them. So often what we are for public consumption 30 years ago. I cinity of 70 to 80 percent of the meth- doing is we are sending them to prison have some grandchildren, ages 6 amphetamine coming into the United for 12 months or 18 months. They get through 13, and I know many people in States today is not made in meth labs. no treatment. Their family usually Congress are concerned about grand- Those are kind of on the way down. falls apart, and as a result, they come children, children, and the effects that Meth is coming, in most cases, from out as bad off or worse off than when some of the things we have just men- Mexico from superlabs; and in order to they went in. On the other hand, if you tioned are having on those young peo- have a superlab, you have to purchase put them in a drug court, they get test- ple. huge amounts of precursor chemicals, ed twice a week. So you know that Lastly, let me just mention that the and chief among these are the they are clean. You know that they are value system in our country has cer- pseudoephedrine. There are only six or off the drug. They get treatment. They tainly shifted. We mentioned that the seven places in the world that manu- get to go to group therapy. They can family has been eroded to some degree, facture large quantities of pseudo- usually hold down a job and pay taxes. the environment is more threatening, ephedrine, and so in the bill that we They can usually hold their family to- and the value system that we have held did, we said we want the five leading gether. So this is critical, and it is the dear for so many years seems to be exporters of pseudoephedrine and the most cost-effective, efficient way to changing to some degree also. five leading importing countries of treat the problem. Again, we need to Many folks may have read a book by pseudoephedrine to report, to give have substantial amounts of money for Steven Covey called ‘‘The Seven Habits their invoices to the United States, to those drug courts. of Highly Successful People.’’ Covey report to us, and that way we would be So, anyway, we feel that the meth points out in his book that over the able to track where the pseudo- issue is becoming huge, and it is really first 150 years of our Nation’s history ephedrine is going and where those impacting our culture. success was defined primarily in terms superlabs are. The United States is also one of the of character traits. And so a successful We think much of it will be in Mex- most violent nations in the world for person was honest, a successful person ico; and if they do not comply, we are young people. We have the highest was hard working, faithful, loyal, and entitled to remove up to 50 percent of youth homicide and assault rates in compassionate. And that was what suc- their foreign aid, which is a significant the developed world, and suicide is cur- cess was all about. Then he noticed

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.090 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1438 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 that over the last 50, 60 years that the ple. So he was referring to the inherent are now being mentored who would not definition of success has changed re- decency of the American people. He otherwise have had a chance to have a markably. He said, success now is was referring to the strong moral and mentor in their life. viewed as acquiring material posses- spiritual underpinning of the Nation, Currently, the National Mentoring sions, acquiring power, and prestige. and he was referring to the basic Amer- Partnership estimates that there are And so success is no longer a link to ican ethic, which is essentially do unto roughly 18 million young people in our character traits, rather it is linked to others as you would have them do unto country today who badly need a men- those things which are powerful, im- you. tor, and yet we are only mentoring pressive, and have to do with monetary Of course, de Tocqueville wrote 200 somewhere between 2 and 3 million of advantage. years ago. So the question is, are his those 18 million. So there is a lot of So the value system, obviously, has observations true today? Some are. work to be done. But if we could begin shifted significantly over the last 50, 60 However, as we have pointed out, there to fill that gap and get somewhere years. We have seen certainly a dis- are some disturbing signs of change. close to providing an adequate mentor couraging lack of integrity, sometimes But what can be done about this? We in the lives of those 18 million young in government, sometimes in athletics, don’t want to leave the subject, Mr. people, it would make a huge difference sometimes in the business world. We Speaker, without at least talking in this country and make a huge dif- have seen extreme political partisan- about some possible solutions. ference in the future of this country. ship. Ofttimes on this floor you hear One thing that I have been very in- Sometimes legislation can help, and one side attacking the other. I think terested in through the last 10 or 15 there have been a number of bills intro- that has eroded public confidence to years and during my time here in Con- duced. I have introduced H.R. 1422, the some degree in the political sector. gress has been the issue of mentoring. Student Athlete Protection Act, to Presently, Mr. Speaker, the predomi- Mentoring, of course, is providing an close a Nevada gambling loophole. nant world view is something called adult in the life of a young person who Some people say that is really not that post-modernism. Post-modernism is cares, number one. And it is amazing relevant, but it is interesting in that certainly very alive and well in our how many young people really don’t the State of Nevada is the only State culture, especially on our college cam- have an adult in their life that they that legalizes betting, gambling on puses. What post-modernism says, es- can absolutely count on; that they can amateur sports. It seems that this is sentially, is this: It says that there are depend on; someone who cares about something that we ought to think no such things as moral absolutes. them unconditionally. about a little bit. Currently, thousands There is nothing absolutely right or So a mentor is someone who does of people go to Nevada during the nothing that is absolutely wrong. Ev- that. It is not a preacher, not a teach- NCAA basketball tournament, also erything is relative. In the case of er, not a parent, and not a grandparent. during the football bowl games, be- theft, maybe even murder, maybe even It is not somebody who has an obliga- cause they can bet on game after game incest, adultery, or treason, it depends tion. It is somebody who simply cares after game. on the circumstance. So as a result, we enough to show up. And that is very Having been a coach, and the reason have a whole generation of folks grow- powerful in the life of a young person. this is important, so often you had to ing up with the idea that there really Secondly, a mentor is someone who win twice. You had to win on the score- is nothing that is truly wrong and that affirms, who says, I believe in you. board and you also were expected to everything can be explained away de- Again, there are so many young people beat the point spread. And that puts a pending upon the circumstance. today who don’t hear a positive mes- lot of pressure on young people. It cer- In view of all that I have been dis- sage. They do not hear a kind word; tainly puts pressure on coaches. But we cussing, this is an extremely difficult that somebody believes that they can are older and we are expected to be time for our children. We are asking be successful; that they can do what able to perform. But I think that that them to weave their way through a they need to do; that they see some influence has not been healthy on the mine field littered with alcohol, drug strength. world of sports and certainly has been abuse in some cases, harmful video Then the third thing a mentor does is difficult for young people. games, and sometimes music, tele- provide a vision of what is possible. The Software Accuracy and Fraud vision, and movies that are not very Again, so often young people are really Evaluation Rating Act, or SAFE Rat- healthy. And we are asking them to limited by their experience. Maybe ing Act, sponsored by JOE BACA and weave their way through with less pa- they have never seen a parent who has myself, is one that would require the rental guidance and an ever shifting completed high school. Maybe they Federal Trade Commission to study the value system. So we have to be aware have never seen anyone in their imme- voluntary rating system for video of what is happening to the next gen- diate family who has accomplished games to determine if its practices are eration. We need to pay close atten- anything or maybe even has held down unfair or deceptive. tion. There is no culture that is more a steady job. So their idea of growing than one generation away from dissolu- up is to drop out of school at age 16 and b 2210 tion. get a job in a fast food place and maybe This is important because right now I am not one who is a doom and buy an old car, and the rest of the fu- in the video game industry, you cannot gloom individual. Much of what I have ture is maybe not very promising. So really tell much about the content by talked about this evening is certainly providing a vision, again, is something looking at the rating. It is not quite not very cheery or terribly optimistic. that certainly a mentor can do. like movies and some other rating But I think unless we begin to look at Mentoring programs have been prov- schemes we have. So the bill holds the things in a realistic way we will not be en to reduce dropout rates, drug and al- video game industry accountable for able to do much to correct the prob- cohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, vio- their products and ensures that parents lem, maybe before it is too late. lence, they increase attendance, grad- have accurate information in making A Frenchman by the name of de uation, grades, and even peer relation- purchasing decisions for their children. Tocqueville made an astute observa- ships. So it is one of the best things we I think there are an awful lot of par- tion early in our Nation’s history. He have going. And in view of the fact so ents who have kids playing video said this about America. He said, many young people do not have tre- games every day who have no idea ‘‘America is great because America is mendous parental support, mentoring what is going on in those games. They good.’’ And he was referring to the is one thing that we can provide. simply are not aware of the content. large number of churches and civic A few years ago, the President pro- We certainly could use a fundamental clubs and youth groups and individuals posed $150 million annually for men- shift in some of the court decisions re- who reach out to help those who are toring programs, and Congress has garding the first amendment. Legisla- less fortunate. To some degree, that is come through pretty well, I think. We tion passed by Congress will not help if still very true of our country. We are a provided $184 million over the last 5 it is overturned by the courts on a reg- generous people. We are really basi- years, and this really has reached hun- ular basis. The court has ruled in some cally at heart, I think, a very good peo- dreds of thousands of young people who cases to protect pornography. In 1996

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.092 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1439 Congress passed the Communications insistence and urging, the House of great decisions they have made, but I Decency Act, which made it illegal to Representatives and the Senate open am saying that the general drift of the send indecent material to children via every day with prayer. court has been one which has led us the Internet. But in June of 1997, the I am not suggesting that the same down a path that is certainly quite a Supreme Court overturned portions of thing needs to happen in our schools, distance from where we started out in the law stating ‘‘indecent material is but it does appear that the intent of the founding of our Nation. protected by the first amendment.’’ Of the framers of the Constitution was So the makeup of the courts and the course that ruling, that decision, set maybe a little different than what we will of Congress will greatly influence the tone for many other decisions. have seen played out in the courts. whether we continue to drift further In 1996, the Child Pornography Pre- George Washington said, ‘‘The pro- from our spiritual heritage or draw vent Act outlawed child pornography. pitious smiles of Heaven can never be close to those values upon which our In April 2002 the Supreme Court de- expected on a Nation that disregards Nation was founded, the willingness of clared the act unconstitutional. Again the internal rules of order and right Congress to focus upon the pernicious a precedent was set. which Heaven itself has ordained.’’ influences impacting our children. And In October 1998, the Children Online We have seen that the warnings of sometimes I am concerned because I Protection Act was signed into law to Franklin and Washington to some de- see people who are here in Congress prohibit the communication of harmful gree have come full circle. As we have who fought the fight over the Internet material of children on publicly acces- moved further and further away from battles and pornography and some of sible Web sites. The Supreme Court’s our spiritual underpinnings, we begin these things, and have simply started refusal to rule on the 1998 law prevent to see some of the fruits of that wan- to back off because they realize that the law from being enacted. dering. So despite the fact that the they have passed laws and they have There are many, many cases like Constitution does not contain a separa- passed laws and because of various this. What we see is sometimes under tion of church and State clause, in 1992 court rulings they have not gotten the guise of free speech, and certainly the Supreme Court decision declared anywhere and so they have almost quit everyone in Congress believes in the an invocation and a benediction at a trying. That is unfortunate. principle of the first amendment. How- graduation ceremony unconstitutional. And also the willingness of the Amer- ever, we find that some people’s rights The court held a minute of silence in a ican people to demand that those prof- are being trampled because 80 to 90 per- school was unconstitutional. So if you iteering at the expense of our culture cent of rapists and pedophiles use por- started the school day with a minute of and our young people be reined in will nography on a regular basis, often be- silence in which students may pray si- largely shape the future of our Nation. fore or sometimes during the commis- lently, they may think about their his- Terrorism is an ever-present threat. sion of their crimes. Therefore, we tory test, that minute of silence was The economy is of great concern. How- think that it is time that we rethink held to be unconstitutional. That ever, terrorism and economic distress some of these rulings. seems a little bit strange. will not prevail as long as our national Some people say pornography is The court ruled a student-led prayer character is silent. So we are engaged harmless. However, what we read and at a football game was unconstitu- in a cultural and a spiritual struggle of see and think about certainly affects tional. And of course many of us know huge proportion, and I can only hope behavior. If this was not the case, I am the words ‘‘under God’’ was struck that the principles upon which this Na- sure that people would not spend bil- from the Pledge of Allegiance by the tion was founded remain preeminent. lions of dollars on advertising because Ninth Circuit Court. The Supreme As Congress addresses important issues advertising does change behavior. Court restored the phrase, but it threw such as national defense, the economy There is no question to that effect. the case out on a technicality. I am and health care, it is critical that we The court has often ruled against sure that challenge will resurface not lose sight of the fact that our Na- school prayer, and I certainly would sometime soon. tion’s survival is directly linked to the not advocate that a teacher or super- So we have seen many examples of character of our people. intendent or principle or somebody in different rulings that have certainly af- Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this oppor- the school should be allowed to pros- fected our culture. A partial-birth tunity to address the House this elytize or say a prayer in class that abortion ban was recently struck down evening. would be offensive; but in 1962 the Su- by the courts. And many in this body f preme Court ruled the following prayer who favor abortion voted for this ban. b 2220 unconstitutional: ‘‘Almighty God, we More than 70 percent of the public now acknowledge our dependence on thee, oppose partial-birth abortion. I am not 30-SOMETHING WORKING GROUP and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our going to go further into the abortion The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. parents, our teachers, and our coun- issue, but it seems rather strange that FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania). Under try.’’ something that is disapproved of by so the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- So it would appear that many court many people in the United States uary 4, 2005, the gentleman from Flor- rulings regarding separation of church would be struck down. ida (Mr. MEEK) is recognized for half and State have ranged far afield from The Constitution is increasingly in- the time remaining before midnight, the intent of the framers of the Con- terpreted as a living document. So the approximately 50 minutes. stitution. Benjamin Franklin said, ‘‘We Constitution is often not interpreted as Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it have been assured, sir, in the sacred it was written, but rather as justices is an honor once again to address the writings that except the Lord build the believe it should be or maybe how it House of Representatives, and we house, they labor in vain that build it. should have been written. Legal deci- would like to thank the Democratic I firmly believe this. I also believe that sions increasingly come down based leadership for allowing us to have this without His concurring aid, we shall not upon what the law states, but rath- time, Democratic leader NANCY PELOSI, succeed in the political building no er based upon the personal ideology of Mr. STENY HOYER, and also our chair better than builders of Babel; we shall the jurist. and vice chair of our caucus. be divided by our little, partial local The Constitution is not based upon I think it is important for us to come interests; our projects will be con- absolute principles, but rather the to the floor once again in this 30-some- founded; and we ourselves will become shifting sands of relativism. The philo- thing Working Group to talk about the a reproach and a byword down to fu- sophical bent of the Supreme Court issues that are facing America and how ture ages.’’ Justices and district court justices de- the Republican majority is falling He continues, ‘‘I therefore beg leave termines the course of the Nation. short of its responsibility, Mr. Speaker, to move that, henceforth, prayers im- And so it will be interesting to see to fulfill not only the hopes, but aspi- ploring the assistance of Heaven and now that we have had some change on rations of Americans as we come to its blessing on our deliberation be held the court, and I do not mean to say Washington, D.C. to represent them in in this assembly every morning before that the court over a number of years a way that we should, need it be edu- we proceed to business.’’ On Franklin’s has been totally errant, there are many cation, health care, what have you.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.094 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 We have so much to share, Mr. some of the targeted media campaigns it is not just that the culture of cor- Speaker, tonight, 50 minutes will not that are out there. When I say mar- ruption and cronyism and incom- even give us justice for what we have keting campaigns, Mr. DELAHUNT, and petence that hangs over this building is to share. I must say that the 30-some- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, that some- there by itself. It is that, as a result of thing Working Group is very, very, times mislead the American people and that corruption and cronyism, the pol- very excited and enthusiastic for being having them believe one thing when icy that results from the corruption here tonight to hopefully drive home the reality is so evident. that is so deeply disturbing. the point even better than we have Like I said before in the past, this is Let me just go through with you done before of why it is important that an unprecedented time, Mr. Speaker, of some of the things that we have been we need a new Congress here in Wash- the fiscal situation here in this coun- able to pull together just related to the ington, D.C. that is going to represent try, unprecedented as it relates to un- economy. This is as of March 2006, just the American people. usual things happening here in this last month. 7.2 million Americans re- And we are not just talking about House and in this Congress that are mained unemployed. We have an addi- Democrats. We are not just talking unexplainable. But every day, we need tional 4.2 million who want a job but about Independents. We are not just to be picking up the Washington Post are not counted among the unem- talking about Republicans. We are or local papers. We are finding that the ployed. talking about the American people. We reason why strange things are taking Since this President took office, the want to move in a comprehensive way, place here in this country is the fact economy has posted only 15 months of making sure that we can have true bi- that strange things are taking place job gains of 150,000 or more. That is the partisanship in this chamber. I think here in this House and in the Senate number of jobs that is just needed to we have expressed that in the past. I and in the White House. And I think keep up with population growth. So all think that we have shown that in the that it is important that we bring this this talk about an explosion in job past when we were in the majority, and not only to the attention of the Amer- growth and how we are really on the it is nothing like third-party validators ican people, but we call the American rise in terms of job growth is just balo- that we have here tonight, Mr. Speak- people to action on behalf of their ney. er, that even drives home the point country, not on behalf of party, not on Mr. DELAHUNT. If my colleague even better. behalf of age or gender, but on behalf of would yield. I don’t want to skip past We have talked in the past about holding our country together. that, because I think it is important to issues that are facing the American With that I would like to yield to analyze what kind of jobs are being people and this Congress. We talked Congresswoman DEBBIE WASSERMAN created. And I think we all concur that about the K Street Project back when SCHULTZ. And I would just like to say the number of jobs are insufficient to no one really wanted to talk about the congratulations to your Florida move American society ahead to real- K Street Project, which is a project to Gators. ize the American dream, if you will. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank encourage lobbyists here in Wash- But the reality is it is not the kind of you very much. We were thrilled and I ington, D.C. to contribute to one side, jobs that carry with them the ability had an opportunity to attend the game to the Republican Party to help not to have a living standard that most last night and it was an incredible ex- only gain the majority, but to also be Americans enjoyed 5 years ago, 10 perience, and congratulations to the a part of supporting Republican can- years ago and 15 years ago. These Florida Gators. didates, to have access to this House. Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Can I interrupt aren’t good jobs at good wages. These We talked about that. We got some here? It’s tough to tell that she is a are menial jobs, in many cases, at low dirty looks from some Members of the Gators fan tonight, isn’t it? wages. There is a difference. majority side about exposing that. Mr. DELAHUNT. What are the colors The truth is that the median income And then later, after Abramoff plead- of the Gators, could you tell us? Do for an American family has declined. It ing guilty without a trial, without a they happen to be blue and orange? hasn’t grown. So that while there may jury selection or anything, the Repub- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Orange be jobs out there, Americans are falling lican majority said we will no longer and blue. And each and every Gator fan behind. They are losing their health carry out that project because it was that I know, Mr. DELAHUNT, bleeds or- care. They are losing their pension. wrong. It was the 30-something Work- ange and blue. And what is really tragic is that they ing Group that moved boldly in that di- Mr. DELAHUNT. Well, congratula- are losing the hope that all Americans rection to expose that practice here in tions once more. have for their children and grand- Washington, D.C. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank children. That is what I am experi- Even when it comes down to our you so much. But, all lightheartedness encing. troops as it relates to equipment and aside, I am struck, in following what Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Will the gen- supplies that they needed, even though the gentleman from Florida touched tleman yield? you have some folks on the majority on, I am struck by a collection of facts Mr. DELAHUNT. I yield. side that said we did it in a way that that really are staring us in the face Mr. RYAN of Ohio. You know, before the American people should be proud that are the direct result of Republican I yield to the gentlewoman from Flor- of, it was on this side of the aisle that policies; today, this moment, not 5 ida, you can’t convince me that we we did so. years ago, not 4 years from now, but can’t do something about this. I can’t So it is not all about who made it to the direct result of Republican leader- be convinced of this. Proper invest- the front of the classroom first, Mr. ship or, I should say, lack of Repub- ment. We can go back, GI Bill, space Speaker. It is about those of us that lican leadership, because they are obvi- race, you know, we, as a country, understand the responsibility of gov- ously in charge. transcontinental railroad, we had a ernance, those of us that understand Let me just go through with you program, we had a plan that we would the responsibility of leadership and some of the things that we have pulled invest back into the United States of those of us that cherish the oppor- together and that are the economic America. And now we know it is not tunity to be here as part of this elected facts facing this country and that the transcontinental railroad. Now we House of Representatives. clearly show why, when I go home and know it is not the space program, at Like I said, Mr. Speaker, it is so talk to my constituents and have done least to the extent it was. much to share tonight, there is not so recently, I did kind of a run through But what is it now? Is it business in- enough time to share it. But I would my district and spoke to many dif- cubators? Is it math and science grad- like to yield to some of my colleagues ferent kinds of organizations, many uates? Let’s figure this out. Is it high at this time so that we can start the different kinds of groups, Mr. speed rail? kind of discourse that is going to head DELAHUNT, and I am sure that you are Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I know us in the right direction here in Wash- hearing the same kinds of things that I what it is not. ington, and hopefully the American am. Mr. RYAN of Ohio. What isn’t it? people will start looking through some Americans’ confidence in their gov- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. It is of the 30-second ads, looking through ernment has been so badly shaken. And not just words in the State of the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.095 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1441 Union, because it was very nice to hear runs up and says, We want to govern. fries, can you imagine that the min- the President talk about how he wants We are going to stop the President imum wage just barely pays for one Big to make sure that we can have this. from doing X, Y, and Z. Why does it Mac meal? I mean are the American Mr. RYAN of Ohio. We have got to take that, Mr. DELAHUNT? people not worth more than a Big Mac get past the rhetoric. Let’s get past the I mean the bottom line is it is about meal? That is really what it boils down words. Words, words, words, no sub- leadership, not how Republicans feel or to. stance. how Democrats feel or how independ- I think they are. I want to make sure Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. What I ents feel. It should be everyday busi- that my constituents can afford to feed hear from most people today is it is ness here in Washington, D.C. But they more than just themselves or more very nice, you can give a whole lot, it are so busy trying to cater to the than just one kid. Which kid are they is nice to hear the speeches. They want President of the United States or try- going to pick? Which kid do they pick? the action to back up the words. ing to cater to the special interests, we Okay, who wants to eat today? b 2230 forget about that individual who Mr. RYAN of Ohio. That is about showed up on a Tuesday on election $16,000 a year even if it was adjusted And let us just go a little bit deeper day in a given community early for accordingly; right? Eight bucks is into this whole issue of job growth. So representation. Not us on this side, but about $16,000 a year. go beyond the 7.2 million Americans the majority does. And I think it is im- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Yes. I that remain unemployed. Since the portant that we share with the other mean who can live on that? President took office, only 15 months Members that are watching us in their In our community, Mr. MEEK, look at of job growth, just keeping up with offices or whatever the case may be what housing costs. population growth. The Bush adminis- that they need to get back to the days Mr. MEEK of Florida. Ms. tration has the slowest job growth of of the morning when they woke up the WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, we are with you any administration in over 70 years. next day, when they were newly elect- 110 percent because this is information Since January of 2001, 2.9 million man- ed as a Member of Congress, how they that needs to be shared and third-party ufacturing jobs have been lost. There felt about representation, how they felt validators can validate this. are now more than 1.3 million more un- about being a part of the United States Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. We are employed private sector workers than Congress, how they felt about rep- talking about the reality. in January of 2001. resenting their local community. And I Mr. MEEK of Florida. This is the re- And who has been in charge this think that kind of gets lost between ality of the situation. This is not fic- whole time, Mr. MEEK? Have Demo- the wine and cheese receptions that tion; it is fact. crats been in charge during these years take place, Mr. Speaker, here in Wash- But if you can, I want you to get that talk about the lackluster job per- ington, D.C. I am a Member of Con- through that list because I know that formance? gress. I am offended sometimes when I Mr. DELAHUNT and Mr. RYAN are so Mr. MEEK of Florida. No, ma’am. see Members taking votes against the fired up right now as it relates to shar- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Who will of their own constituency. ing this information. has been in charge? Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I am offended Mr. Speaker, this is almost not fair. Mr. MEEK of Florida. The Repub- that they are not offended. That of- I mean this is just so unfair that we lican majority. fends me that they are not offended of- have this much information to share Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Oh, fended. with the Members about what they the Republicans. Okay. That is what I Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I am have done and what they have not done thought. Congressional Republicans. dying to make this comparison. and how we are so ready to get in the They talk about how they want to Mr. MEEK of Florida. Do not die just game, to lead this House in the direc- grow jobs, that making sure people can yet because you have to share some in- tion that every American can appre- go to work and earn a decent living is formation. ciate. Every American does not work what is important. Then why is it that Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I at McDonald’s, but guess what. There congressional Republicans defeated a know. We have 6 more months, and I are a lot of Americans there and family Democratic amendment to increase the am not through my list yet. members of Americans that punch in minimum wage, which has not been in- The minimum wage being $5.15 and and punch out every day and know creased since 1997, the longest period of the Members that you are talking what it means to make the minimum time we have gone without increasing about that were so fresh faced and exu- wage. the minimum wage? From $5.15, which berant the morning after the election Mr. DELAHUNT. My friend, before is what it is now, we proposed to in- and they were going to come to Wash- we let DEBBIE go through that litany, crease it to $7.25. ington and do the right thing and not and it is a long litany, let us also un- Mr. DELAHUNT. They prefer jobs at be the rubber stamp Republicans, all of derstand it is not just those of us here low wages. In essence, it is really that them voted against increasing that that recognize that. It is not just simple. Low-wage jobs are being pro- minimum wage. And if the minimum Democrats. It is Republicans. duced by the policies of this adminis- wage had kept pace with inflation, I will tell you I find it particularly tration and this Congress that is today it would be $8.88. ironic that the leader of the Gingrich complicit. Complicit. And we know I am certain that none of our Repub- revolution that brought a Republican there has not been a single veto by this lican colleagues have done this re- majority to this House in 1994 recog- President because this is a Congress cently because, otherwise, they would nizes what has happened to the major- that goes along with this administra- have voted for the amendment, but ity in this particular body. tion. have you driven through a McDonald’s This is what Newt Gingrich had to Mr. RYAN of Ohio. This is Bush’s recently and ordered a number one, say about them: ‘‘They are seen by the Congress. This is President Bush’s Con- which is a Big Mac meal? country as being in charge of a govern- gress. Mr. DELAHUNT. I am on a diet my- ment that cannot function.’’ Mr. MEEK of Florida. The bottom self. Mr. MEEK of Florida. Will the gen- line is this: We have a bobble head ma- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I am tleman suspend. jority. We have a rubber stamp major- kind of a McDonald’s fanatic. And Mr. RYAN, would you take that chart ity that is willing to do anything and since it is quick and easy and when you over to Mr. DELAHUNT. You all are everything the President has asked. have got your kids in the back of the going to share in this information Now, Mr. DELAHUNT, we talked about minivan, believe me, the quickest sharing because Mr. DELAHUNT actually this last week, Ms. WASSERMAN thing sometimes is to go through the served when Mr. Gingrich was around SCHULTZ, Mr. RYAN, about the fact that drive-through. The number one is just and I think it is important that we like 90 percent of the American people about $5.15 at this point. By the time share that factual information with understand what is going on here under you get the meal and whatever else you the Members. the Capitol dome, and then the major- need, to make sure that you have got And, Mr. DELAHUNT, if you would ity runs from the back of the class and your soda and your drink and your share that because I know we have a

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.096 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 plethora of information to share to- tract with America. A balanced budget am going in there and I am voting this night. was allegedly his goal, along with a way.’’ Then you watch it, the board, Mr. DELAHUNT. Again, let me re- number of other issues. the light next to their name goes from peat it. This is a quote of Mr. Gingrich Certainly, this whole question of a red to green or green to red, and you that appeared in the Knight Ridder misdirected war or an undeclared war I watch their arm being wrenched behind newspaper this past Friday. And this is don’t think would have been the kind their back, and out comes the rubber his observation about what is occur- of effective and efficient government, stamp. ring in this body over which he pre- and, of course, I am not in any way Mr. RYAN of Ohio. We have seen sided: ‘‘They are seen by the country as characterizing the work of our soldiers, tears shed on this floor. being in charge of a government that but that he would have argued. I want- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Out cannot function.’’ That cannot func- ed to raise this point so you can get to comes the rubber stamps. We need to tion. that bottom line, Mr. DELAHUNT, throw away the rubber stamps. It is Mr. RYAN of Ohio. ‘‘They.’’ which, if I read it correctly, talks time to be done with the rubber Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. DELAHUNT, about the mismanagement of the Iraq stamps. I notice Mr. RYAN and Ms. WASSERMAN war. Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I think the whole SCHULTZ and we are so glad to be joined Many people will condemn the words thing is that is missing here, I think by Ms. JACKSON-LEE, who is one of my that we have offered about the Iraq time and time again, there is one little sheroes in this process. ‘‘They.’’ war, saying there is a question of patri- general theme, and I think the former otism. But this former Speaker says Speaker sums it all up for us in that b 2040 mismanagement of the war in Iraq, and same article. He noted that a Congres- Mr. Speaker, this is the man who that the government has squandered sional watchdog agency recently smug- gave the Republican majority birth. billions of dollars in Iraq. gled a truck carrying nuclear material, ‘‘Them.’’ ‘‘They.’’ He is saying he is no Let me just cite this point from the and we talked about this last week a longer a part of what is going on here. International Relations Committee. few nights, into the country, smuggled ‘‘They.’’ Not ‘‘my colleagues,’’ not ‘‘my The Special Inspector General for Iraq a truck carrying nuclear material into Republican brethren and sisters.’’ It is has cast grave doubts on the results the country to test security. This is a ‘‘they.’’ and effectiveness of the United States direct quote from the former Speaker. ‘‘Why isn’t the President pounding This goes far beyond the 30-some- reconstruction plan, including the fail- the table? Why isn’t he sending up 16 thing working group. This goes far be- ure to complete three-quarters of oil reform bills?’’ Now, nuclear materials yond Democrats and Republicans. Here and gas reconstruction projects, half of snuck into the country, and there is no is a man who was at the front of the all the electricity projects and about 40 one really even talking about it in the line saying charge, that is now calling percent of water and sanitation Republican House, the Republican Sen- the Republican majority ‘‘they.’’ projects financed by the U.S. So Mr. ate or the White House right now. Mr. DELAHUNT. It is us versus Gingrich is, like you said, Mr. them, and he ain’t part of ‘‘them’’ any- All we are saying is, and we come DELAHUNT, telling it is like it is. here every night, sometimes two or more. I simply leave you with this ques- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Who is with three times a week, to basically say tion: If we are in the business of gov- there is no leadership in Washington them? ernance, balancing the budget, why do Mr. DELAHUNT. As he said in this D.C., Mr. Speaker. Democrats have to beg for hearings so The Democrats in this House want to particular interview, if I can compose that the American people can find out step up and take the lead, because, for a moment, here is an additional the truth? Not to question the valid, quite frankly, not only us, you couldn’t quote by the former Speaker of the Re- courageous efforts of our soldiers, but do any worse than this outfit does. We publican Congress. The reporter writes why we have money that is wasted, so have plans for security, comprehensive that he cited a series of blunders under soldiers, for example, have no equip- plans. We have plans for innovation, Republican rule, from failures in the ment? This is what Democrats are try- plans for job creation, plans for health aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to mis- ing to do, clear up the mess. care. We have an agenda ready to im- management of the war in Iraq. He said Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Do you plement for this country, including the government has squandered bil- know why? Because this is a rubber balancing the budget. But, time and lions of dollars in Iraq, Mr. MEEK. stamp Republican Congress. We had an time again, everything is rubber Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Who is amazing thing happen today, and my stamped. The bobblehead Congress. the third party validator in the facts good friend from Florida, Mr. MEEK, he ‘‘Yes, Mr. President. Yes, Mr. Presi- that you are citing now? has a much bigger rubber stamp that dent. Yes, Mr. President.’’ At some Mr. DELAHUNT. That is Newt Ging- we use to show what is going on in this point you have to stop and say, hey, rich, who I know because when I first place. wait a minute. The country is going in came to Congress, he was the presiding Mr. MEEK of Florida. You can hold the wrong direction. officer of this branch. it. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. What My colleague, SHEILA JACKSON-LEE, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I feel we have been asking, what Democrats who preceded me in terms of service privileged to hold it, although I don’t have been asking, is where is the out- here in this branch, would also know want to hold it too long, lest it rub off. rage? What is their limit? Where do and clearly could articulate that Newt But we got today more than 100 of they reach the breaking point, indi- Gingrich is someone who, whether you these ‘‘Rubber Stamp Republican Con- vidual Republican Members? When do agreed with him or not, said it like he gress’’ stamps from bloggers and people they say ‘‘that is it? There is a point at saw it. And this is what he sees today: in the communities all over the coun- which I cannot support the direction A Republican Party in disarray, a Re- try who are fed up and frustrated and that my leadership is taking this coun- publican Party that can’t govern. That who want us to continue to talk about try anymore,’’ meaning theirs. When is the bottom line. what is going on here. Because it ap- do they say, ‘‘I have got to stand up Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. If the pears as though, and I mean this re- and do the right thing?’’ Members could indulge me as well just spectfully, that when people on the It appears that their tolerance level for a moment, because by my good other side of the aisle come in this for being pushed to do exactly as they friend Mr. DELAHUNT calling up those room, that they are checking, and I are instructed is unbelievably high, far memories, Mr. DELAHUNT, you remem- don’t know whether they are checking higher than my constituents, and I ber in essence Newt Gingrich rode in on their brains at the door or their opin- know your constituents, are com- a revolution, a revolution of change, a ions at the door or their convictions at fortable with. We have got to make revolution of a government that would the door, but we have watched, all of sure that we start moving the country be smaller and allegedly more efficient. us, the board light up here with yesses back in the right direction and change His first act was, of course, many of and noes, and I know I have had con- some of these facts on the ground here. us claim it to be a Contract on Amer- versations with Republican Members Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I think what we ica, but he called it at that time a Con- on the other side who say, ‘‘I know I need to do here the last 15 minutes or

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.098 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1443 so that we have, I think we need to tell is important. This $1.05 trillion that Mr. RYAN of Ohio. What we have the Speaker of the House and the other the President has accumulated with been trying to do over the past so Members what we are going to do when the Republican Congress in just 4 years many years consistently and con- we get in. versus the 42 presidents before this stantly, amendment after amendment Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I think president and this Congress was only after amendment, the Democratic that is a good point. May I just give able to accumulate $1.01 trillion, and Party has offered and we have it all some history for a moment, because that is World War I, World War II, the here, you will be able to go to our Web you set the tone or you set sort of the Great Depression, you name it. You site and see these charts: In 2006 budget parameters for an indictable offense. talk about the Democratic plan, Mr. resolution, we offered to put pay as you When the Clinton administration was DELAHUNT, Ms. JACKSON-LEE, Ms. go, that you are not going to spend any ending its tenure, as many of you are WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, and Mr. RYAN, money unless you get it somewhere aware, it was one of the most maligned the bottom line is that we have coun- else or cut it out of a program and pay and accused 8 years by this majority- tries that are owning America right for it. Democrat, Mr. SPRATT, offered controlled House, even though there now, not because Americans went out that amendment. Zero Republicans was a high degree of success. But I and made bad decisions; because this voted for that. Rollcall vote number 87 think the most striking success was administration has made bad decisions, March 17, 2005. 30-Something’s aren’t the Balanced Budget Amendment in and this Congress, the rubber stamp making this up. 1997, which generated an enormous Congress has allowed it to happen and Mr. DELAHUNT. But they raised the amount of surplus, putting us in the has been doing this all along. All they debt limit. Didn’t they? black, which created the Children’s have to do is be invited to a breakfast Mr. RYAN of Ohio. They found the Health Insurance Program that went at the White House and it is like, ‘‘Yes, votes to raise the debt limit. Mr. all over America, except for the State sir, Mr. President. We will do exactly SPRATT again offered the 2005 budget what we have to do. Not only will we of Texas, which returned back money resolution, H. Con. Res. 393, rollcall do it, we will defend your wrong ac- because with our Republican leadership vote number 91, March 25, 2004, right tions.’’ we couldn’t find children to insure. here in black and white. Republicans, Mr. DELAHUNT. You are saying we how many voted to put spending under b 2250 have an ownership society, Mr. MEEK. control, reign in this Republican Con- But we had at that time billions of Mr. MEEK of Florida. So, in closing, gress? Zero. dollars of surplus. Now we have this you want to know the Democratic Mr. DELAHUNT. It is a lot easier to gift given to the American people: Re- plan? The Democratic plan is paying as raise that debt limit, Mr. RYAN. we go. Paying as we go. Because when publicans increased the debt limit by $3 Mr. RYAN of Ohio. We are tired of you are in debt, you do not continue to trillion. And we get to $3 trillion. And the rhetoric, Uncle Bill. use a credit card. So if Americans want if you want to calculate what that Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. to do away with the $882.8 billion that means for each child, each grandchild, RYAN, how many Americans, do you Japan owns, we will pull this off the each mother and father, each grand- think, think it is okay to just put all chart. China, if you want to do away parent, you can see the enormity of their debt on their credit card and with the $249.8 billion that China owns never mind how much money they have this amount. So it is crucial for Demo- right now of our debt, and pay as we crats to come and to make and select coming in? go, and we have evidence and third- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. You cannot do it and to emphasize priorities. party validators that will be explained at home, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Will the gentle- to the American people and the Mem- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. But I woman yield? bers, have a Democratic Congress. The guess the Republican leadership think Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I would U.K., you want to get rid of the $223.2 here it is fine. be happy to yield. billion in foreign debt that they own of Mr. RYAN of Ohio. They are taking Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Because time and our country? I am destroying this advantage of their power, and it is time again, how many debates have we chart here. But get a Democratic Con- hurting the country. June 17 of 2003, had on the floor over the past several gress, because we have shown, we bal- Mr. OBEY tried to increase port secu- years? No one on the majority side, Mr. anced the budget, and we are com- rity, which is another huge issue we Speaker, has been able to explain to mitted to doing this because we believe have been trying to do here. $500 mil- this House or the American people how in the way we believe when we were lion. And we will go through all this. this is somehow good. Somebody ex- elected that we are here to represent All these charts will be on our Web plain to the Speaker of the House and the people. Caribbean nations, many of site, Mr. Speaker, for other Members to somebody explain to the Congress how our folks are going and traveling to the access and find out. We have tried con- increasing the debt limit by $3 trillion Caribbean and saying, oh, how great sistently to increase funding for port is good. Is it good for the economy? Is America is. Well, when you land there, security, and we will pay for it. We it good for the next generation? Who is they are owning a piece of the Amer- have tried to rein in spending. Repub- benefiting from this? Nobody, except ican pie, so you need to respect them. lican Congress will not let us. foreign countries. This is bad. This is We will be able to do away with that Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. If I may bad for the American economy, this is $115.3 billion that we owe them. Tai- add to your question, if you would. I do bad for job creation, this ends up rais- wan, $71.3 billion they own of our debt, not think most Americans know that ing the burden for the next generation. thanks to the Republican Congress and 70 percent of the Nation’s ports are This is terrible. Since the President to the President of the United States. owned by foreign operators. Of course, has been in, June of 2002 raised the Also, Canada, $53.8 billion. Korea, $66.5 to hear this administration tell the debt limit $450 billion. May of 2003, $984 billion. Germany, $65.7 billion. OPEC story, they tell you of course that does billion. November of 2004, $800 billion. nations and, you know, Mr. DELAHUNT, not interfere with security, the Coast And get that poster ready, Mr. MEEK. I know that is your specialty, I do not Guard handles it. What they do not tell March of 2006, $781 billion. $3 trillion really want to talk about that, but you is the Coast Guard makes checks debt limit increase. those are nations that we are very con- on compliance; they do not handle the Mr. MEEK of Florida. Really quick, cerned about at this time that they security operation of our ports. So this because we are going to rapid fire here own $67.8 billion. is an important issue that was rejected because we only have a few minutes So if you want to get the reverse fac- by the Republican Congress time after left. I just want to quickly again, you tor of what the Republicans have done time, every time we try to rebuild have seen this, this will be in the Na- in putting us in unprecedented debt, no America, put America on the right tional Archives one day because we other time, Mr. Speaker, in the history track, eliminate a $3 trillion debt talk about this time and time again. of the republic, no other time. You can- limit, Republicans turn the clock back. Let me, Mr. Speaker, move this edu- not say, well, the Democratic Congress I think the Democrats have a better cation plan that Democrats have and was once at this level. That was not story to tell for the American people. this prescription drug plan so the Mem- ever the case. In 4 years, this has hap- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. No bers can see this chart here. I think it pened, the mismanagement. question about it. I want to follow up

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.100 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 on something that the gentlewoman What I find extraordinary is, and What is happening in Iraq and other from Texas focused on, because a lot of SHEILA JACKSON-LEE alluded to it ear- places, where Americans go and make people in America, even I have a hard lier, every Democrat on the Inter- commitments, we are going to build time getting my mind around what a national Relations Committee re- schools, we are going to reconstruct, billion and a trillion is. It is hard to cently, in fact yesterday, signed a let- we give these contracts to no-bid com- think about it in everyday terms. So ter requesting an oversight hearing in petitor, huge contracts. They sit in we had it boiled down in very conven- terms of what is going on in Iraq, why their offices. They give it to another ient chart form to help illustrate what the rampant fraud, abuse and corrup- contractor, another contractor, an- a billion is. tion. We have been requesting that for other contractor, who takes a piece of For example, a billion hours ago, hu- 2 years, and you know what, we have the pie. By the time you get down to mans were making their first tools in never received an answer, not a single the reconstruct in Mosul or Baghdad, the Stone Age. A billion minutes ago, hearing. nothing happens. What do the Iraqi it was 104 AD, and the Chinese first in- If I were a Republican Member of this people say? Americans have made a vented paper. A billion seconds ago, it House, Mr. Speaker, and I read the op- promise. What do the taxpayers say? was 1975, and the last American troops ed piece by Retired Army Major Gen- You want to pay all this money for for- had just pulled out of Vietnam. All of eral Paul Eaton, who was responsible eign aid and defense and you give us those things, a very long time ago. A for the training of Iraqi security forces, nothing. Then we get bad diplomacy billion is a big, big number, clearly, and received hardly anything in terms because our allies or who we are trying measured in terms of time. of support from the civilian leadership to help looks and says we are But a billion dollars ago, under this of this Defense Department, if I read masquerading. administration and this Republican what he said, I would insist that we lis- Let me just finish by saying I have Congressional leadership, was only 3 ten to this individual, someone who spoken to contractors and to the inde- hours and 32 minutes ago at the rate served his country well, and you know pendent contractors who say they are that our government currently spends what, they just want to ignore it. But living large in Iraq, while sadly our sol- money. That is astonishing. That is I have to read what General Paul diers are looking for water, are looking what it means when you think about Eaton had to say because I think it is for body armor, and some of the con- what a billion means under this Repub- remarkable. tractors are living large. lican leadership. Secretary of Defense Donald Rums- Let me say this, there are many who Mr. RYAN of Ohio. We need the feld is not competent to lead our are over there sacrificing in danger. I American people to give us a chance to Armed Forces. In sum, he has shown am not condemning the workers who lead this country. We want it. Put us himself incompetent strategically, are on the front lines, who are civil- in, Coach. We will put the PAYGO back operationally and tactically, and is far ians, who are in those places where our into effect. We will rein in the spending more than anyone else responsible for soldiers are. We thank them. But some that the Republican Congress that they what has happened to our important of those who they work for are layering think they can cut taxes, borrow mission in Iraq. Mr. Rumsfeld must the contracts, and therefore, by money, and spend at levels unprece- step down. layering the contracts, American peo- dented. And I am sure many of you saw That is from an individual who has ple are expending dollars, and no one is the USA Today yesterday. I am sure served this country in Iraq with valor turning on the light like the Inter- you made it past the sports section and distinction and his recommenda- with the recap of the games and every- national Relations Committee has tion to this Congress is this: ‘‘Congress thing. The Federal Government spend- asked for, to have oversight to answer must assert itself. Too much power has ing is outstripping economic growth at the question of what is going on. I be- shifted to the executive branch, not a rate unseen in more than half a cen- lieve we owe the American people more just in terms of waging war but also in tury. The Federal Government, quote, than this. is currently spending 20.8 cents of planning the military of the future. Shame on this House, shame on this every dollar the economy generates, up Congress should remember it still has leadership. Mr. DELAHUNT. Amen. from 18.5 cents as one White House the power of the purse; it should call Mr. RYAN of Ohio. That is the job. budget document shows. It is not our our generals, colonels, captains and That is the job. That is the responsi- documents, it is White House docu- sergeants to testify frequently, so that bility that we have here of oversight. ments. That is the most rapid growth their opinions and needs are known to Mr. DELAHUNT. There is no over- during one administration since Frank- the men they lead. sight. lin Roosevelt. ‘‘Our most important, and sometimes most severe, judges are our subordi- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. And it is because b 2300 nates. That is a fact I discovered early the President does not want any over- Now, what happened to this outfit on in my military career. It is, unfor- sight, and the Republican Congress that came in in 1994 that said they tunately, a lesson Donald Rumsfeld says, yes, Mr. President. wanted a balanced budget amendment, seems incapable of learning.’’ Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. There they wanted to make government What a damning indictment, and yet is no oversight. There is no outrage. smaller, spending it like drunken sail- not a sound from the majority in Con- There is no conscience. There is no ors, get this government under control, gress. If I had read that, I would have heart. There is no ability of the leader- make it nimble and efficient and ad- asked him to come and testify before ship on the other side to recognize that dress the needs? the committee of jurisdiction the next the country has to move in a new di- With all the technology and ability day. rection and that we have to do some- to communicate in the 21st century, we Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Gingrich is saying thing to restore the American people’s cannot even respond to a storm we send up reform, lead, do something; confidence in their government. When know 5 days in advance is coming. It is this government cannot function. This will that happen? ridiculous, and this country deserves is not just us. This is Mr. Gingrich say- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. As we wrap up, I better. We should not expect this com- ing the same thing. would suggest that over the course of edy of errors that we get from FEMA Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. It says the next few months, Mr. Speaker, the and Halliburton and everybody in Iraq. shame on them, shame on them that American people will not get an answer It is a comedy of errors, and we need to they would tolerate this kind of abuse. from the leadership on the Republican get things straightened up here. Let me just quickly say, Democrats side about what why the debt limit was Mr. DELAHUNT. But it is a tragic have been saying this over and over increased by $3 trillion, why we are comedy because the lives of young men again. Democrats have been asking in borrowing billions upon billions upon and women in Iraq are constantly at the most polite way for Mr. Rumsfeld billions and even trillions of dollars risk. We all know what we have lost in to step aside, to resign. TOM LANTOS from foreign countries, selling off. You terms of our youth, and we all know says that Americans will not tolerate will not hear a good answer, reining in what the cost has been in terms of the this waste of tax dollars, but let me spending, the most rapid spending taxpayers’ dollars. give an anecdotal story. growth during one administration

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.102 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1445 since Franklin Roosevelt. This is the these questions that you have been ad- of Fame would be one that comes to outfit that wanted to have a revolu- vised you will never hear the answers mind, they would simply bring an tion. to. I didn’t come prepared to answer amendment that would be added to the Mr. Speaker, www.housedemocrats these questions, but I actually think I rescissions bill, put it up, debate the .gov/30something for those Members. am prepared to answer them. amendment, and we would vote that All the charts that were up tonight are The remarks with regard to the need amendment up or down. If the amend- on the Web site, www.housedemocrats to balance the budget. I agree, and I ment succeeds and it is to strike the .gov/30something. have a plan to balance this budget. I funding for the Cowgirls Hall of Fame, Enjoyed it. Go Gators. don’t want to balance it by raising then that would become part of the re- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, taxes. I want to balance this budget by scissions bill that would come off this with that, we would not only like to controlling our spending. That is the floor, presumably pass and go over to say thanks to Mr. DELAHUNT but Ms. issue. That is what the American peo- the Senate for them to act on it. Now, JACKSON-LEE who joined us tonight ple want. That is what I want. That is whether they do or not is an open ques- from the great State of Texas, also Mr. what we would do if we were a family tion as well, Mr. Speaker. But cer- RYAN and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ for balancing our budget or a small busi- tainly the public would put some pres- being here tonight. ness balancing our budget or a large sure on the Senate to do the right We would also in the 30 Something business balancing our budget. We thing and do the responsible thing. Working Group recognize the great would take a look at our spending. That is one way to control earmarks. Of course, we would work on the rev- contribution of Dr. Martin Luther King It would allow Congress to address enue side. Our revenue side has been who was assassinated on this date and every single earmark and rescind, if growing. It grew 14.5 percent more than Mr. Ron Brown who was our Secretary they chose, those earmarks that are anticipated last year because we kept of Commerce that went down in a plane not appropriate spending. So the pork the taxes down. So I would suggest my and the fat that is in the bill, particu- crash yesterday, the day before, on colleagues on the other side of the aisle larly the appropriations that come in Monday. We want to let both families join with me. I will be introducing a in conference that don’t have a vote on know we appreciate the contributions piece of legislation. It is called the the House or the Senate, unless they of these two great Americans to our CUT legislation, which means cut un- are part of the overall conference re- country. We will be forever better be- necessary tab. Cut the unnecessary tab port, those kinds of appropriations cause of their contributions. of this Federal Government. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, the It is going to be a new process that then could be singled out in our rescis- evidence that was just overwhelming has never been offered to this Congress sions bill and we could strike the un- tonight from the Members of not only before, Mr. Speaker. It is a process that necessary spending. what we are saying, because we are will allow for a privileged motion to It would be something that would concerned as Americans, not just as come to the floor under an open rule empower the rank-and-file members of Democrats, we are saying that we are that would be a rescissions bill once this Congress and help them offset willing to lead. We are also saying, Mr. every quarter. Once every quarter, some of the powerful tactics of the ap- Speaker, that when you have the past leadership will have the first 10 days of propriations people when they sit down Speaker of this House, the first Repub- each quarter to offer a recissions bill. in conference and put these appropria- lican Speaker in 40-something years If they do not do that, any Member can tions in the bill. It is appropriate. It is coming before this body and make the offer a rescissions bill under a privi- something I believe our Founding Fa- statements that he believes the major- leged motion. And if the Speaker rec- thers would agree with. It is something ity will lose the majority this time ognizes them, they can bring forward a that will control, to some degree, the around because of what he identified shell bill or a bill that has a thousand overspending of our budget. this time of the evidence of why it will cuts in it, for that matter, but it will Now, one can argue that it is entitle- happen is just powerful and hard to de- allow every single line item that has ments that are the big part of this, and fend on the majority side. been appropriated by this Congress to I will agree. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and interest, those four items, b 2310 be brought back before this Congress and removed from the budget under re- are swallowing up more than half of We are not asking for the majority scissions. our budget. Our discretionary portion side to defend what the past Speaker When an appropriation bills leaves of the budget is getting smaller and has said, but I think it is important to the House and goes to the Senate, and smaller. But we can still address the take note and that the American peo- the Senate works their will on the ap- overspending in our discretionary ple take note of what is happening propriation bill and it comes back to budget. And this doesn’t mean we can’t right now. So I think the American conference and we agree and do final address our entitlements. I am for spirit will rise up over partisan politics passage on an appropriation bill, it going down that path of addressing the and allow us to lead. then goes to the President for his sig- entitlements too, Mr. Speaker. With that, I want to thank our vice nature. From the instant that that bill Now, my CUT bill will be introduced chair, Mr. LARSON, of the Democratic is enacted, and generally from the in- sometime in the next 2 weeks, and that Caucus; Mr. CLYBURN, our chairman; stant that the President’s signature means Cut the Unnecessary Tab of STENY HOYER, our Democratic whip; and ink goes on that bill, it will be sub- Congress. It is new. I think it is unique. and Ms. PELOSI, who is the Democratic ject then to rescissions that will hap- I do not think anything has ever been leader, for allowing us to have this pen four times a year in this Congress. offered like this in Congress before. I time. We look forward to coming back Four times a year Congress will take don’t want to go so far as to say that to the floor to address not only the up a rescissions bill, and it will allow it is revolutionary, but I will go so far Members but the American people. any Member to bring an amendment as to say that I believe it is necessary. f that will be ruled in order, provided it It is necessary for us to shine some is in the proper sequence in the struc- sunshine on the things we do here in CUT UNNECESSARY TAB ACT ture of the rescissions bill, which will this Congress and let the people see The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. allow actually for rescissions of all ap- how we do business, and put people up FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania). Under propriations that have gone out that in this Congress for a vote so we can the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- haven’t been expended. So every Mem- read their voting record and determine uary 4, 2005, the gentleman from Iowa ber then will have that opportunity to where they really stand. (Mr. KING) is recognized until mid- have their attempt at a line item veto. So these kind of nights when you night. And when that budget is done and when hear this rhetoric go on over and over Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I the expenditures are spent, then a ma- and over again, that we are spending thank you for the privilege of being jority of this Congress will have had too much money and we are irrespon- recognized to address this House this their say on every single line item. sible and the national debt is going up evening, and I would start out with If they object to a particular issue, and up and up and up, I would say to some responses and some answers to like say, for example the Cowgirls Hall the people that have been making

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:45 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.103 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 those statements night after night fair tax is a national consumption tax. over from Japan every year do not down here, what is your plan? What And what it does is it recognizes that come in any where as near as great of plan do you propose, other than raising what you tax, you get less of. Well, numbers any more, and some of those taxes? we’re taxing all productivity in Amer- Chevies and Fords go to Japan to be You are talking like we don’t respond ica under this policy that we have sold. And over there, they are priced at to you. We respond to you. I am re- today under the Internal Revenue 22 percent less because we have taken sponding to you right now and asking Code: The corporate income tax and the Federal tax out of the pricing com- you to join me in my CUT bill. We will the individual income tax and all of the ponent and put it on the sales size. do something responsible. We will slow taxes we have that roll around that. That is how we fix this minus $725 down Federal spending and make ev- billion imbalance of trade. And when b 2320 erybody in this Congress accountable, we have revenue coming into the Fed- to have a vote on potentially every sin- I propose under the FAIR Tax, H.R. eral Government, we also have repaired gle line item in the entire $2.7 trillion 25, to take all tax off productivity in the problem with regard to balancing budget. America. Ronald Reagan said what you our budget. We will be able to do this. That is a responsible thing for us to tax you get less of. So I want to take What we need, though, 44 percent of do, and I am asking for support on both all tax off of all productivity. We will Americans are not paying taxes at all. sides of the aisle. I actually think more than double the economy in this They are not filing their returns. They there will be some significant Demo- country in 10 to 15 years. If we do that do not have a tax liability. crat support on the other side of the and put the tax on consumption, then It was Alexander Tyler who said that aisle, and I am confident there will be we are providing the incentive for sav- when Americans understand that a ma- significant support here on the Repub- ings and investment. To take the earn- jority of them can vote themselves lican side of the aisle. That is one ings, put it in savings and investment. benefits from the public treasury, on thing we can do. People will decide when they will pay that day democracy ceases to exist. We Now, this foreign debt issue. Well, the taxes. But the important part is to are closing in on that 51 percent num- foreign debt just comes two ways. One untax productivity so we get more pro- ber that Alexander Tyler was so con- is if we have deficit spending and then ductivity. When that happens, gross cerned about. It is 44 percent today, we are borrowing to keep this govern- domestic product jumps and doubles. and perhaps the number is larger. We ment going. All of that debt isn’t for- People have 56 percent more money in need to turn that around. We need to eign debt. A percentage of it is, and I their pockets because we are not with- make taxpayers out of every American. have seen the numbers. It isn’t a holding from their paycheck and they Get them vested in this. We can untax shocking piece that is foreign debt. But go out into the retail businesses and the poor in America at the same time. we have foreign countries that invest spend money. The tax is collected But I want to point out an anecdote in U.S. Treasury bills because they be- there, and it comes into the national that I think illustrates how the face of lieve in our currency. So you can de- treasury and that is a wash. We do not America gradually would be changed. clare that to be foreign debt, and I collect any more or less taxes than we That is I have often said that little won’t deny it. And I am not com- do under the income tax system, but Johnny would have to put a couple fortable with an ever-growing foreign what we have done is taken this burden dimes up on the counter when he debt. of our taxes off. We have gotten rid of bought his baseball cards or little Sally Another way we can get foreign debt a trillion dollars in anchor that we are on her Barbie doll clothes, and they is to have a negative balance of trade. dragging every year to fund our IRS would understand that they had to A year ago it was a minus $617.7 billion and force our IRS, and then the dis- fund the expensive Federal Govern- in a negative balance of trade. A lot of incentives when people will no longer ment. That would change the politics that is because of oil and another big work that overtime or invest that of America one transaction at a time, chunk of it is because of China. Those money in their production line. one child at a time, growing to adult- two things added together, I believe, The FAIR tax is the solution to this hood. Every time they make a trans- are nearing about $400 billion between economy. It fixes the balance of trade. action, they would realize they had to those two categories all together. That The way it does that, for example, if pay for this expensive Federal Govern- was a year ago, minus $617.7 billion. you had a Mazda on a dealer’s lot with ment. That has been the story I have This last year, it was just reported out a $30,000 price tag and you had a Chevy used and created because it illustrated a month or a little more ago, a minus or a Ford sitting on a dealer’s lot with something I wanted to express. $725 billion imbalance in trade deficit. a $30,000 price tag. Competitively they Well, last Friday night I was at a din- So whenever we come with a trade have matched their prices so the vehi- ner in Iowa. A young candidate for deficit, that means that there are com- cles are built with competitive value Congress stepped forward and he told panies and countries, foreign compa- and competitive prices; $30,000 is an ex- about his son, Michael, who was buying nies and foreign countries that will ample. a package of Skittles for 85 cents. I be- hold collateral of the United States. Then we pass the FAIR tax, and it lieve Michael is 8 years old. He put the We buy more than we sell, so that def- will remove 22 percent out of that Skittles on the counter and the check- icit becomes collateralized in collat- automobile because that is the embed- out lady said that will be 91 cents. And eral here in the United States. I know ded Federal tax that has to be built Michael said the Skittles are 85 cents, at one point the Japanese owned into that price so that the corporations why do you want 91 cents? Rockefeller Plaza. So that would be an can pay taxes: Their corporate income You have to pay the tax. example. They have since sold it, but tax, their payroll tax, and a series of I have to pay tax on Skittles, he said. that kind of collateral is held here in other taxes that are built into the bur- Yes. The answer is you have to pay this country and it grows: $725 billion. den of running a company. Passing the tax on the Skittles, the baseball cards, This kind of growth rate of our trade FAIR tax takes the income tax pricing the automobile, the Barbie doll deficit, we are approaching that point component out of that automobile, the clothes, the prom dress, the pampers where it will be $1 trillion a year. And $30,000 Ford or Chevy or American- and the limousine service if it is for if you do $1 trillion a year for 10 years, made vehicle goes down to $23,400. And personal service, all of those things. you have got, miraculously, $10 trillion the Mazda made in Japan stays at And every time we dug into our pocket in debt. These numbers continue to $30,000. and put that cash out for Uncle Sam, grow. It can’t go on forever. We need to Then we add the embedded tax back all of us would be reminded we have an reverse that. in, the 23 percent tax and you write the expensive Federal Government and we Unlike my colleagues on the other check for the Chevy or the Ford for would ask, can we get along without side of the aisle, I have a plan to ad- $30,420. You write the check for the some of these services. Can we be a lit- dress that as well. And it is not a dif- Mazda for $39,000. That is a 28 percent tle more personally responsible? Could ficult plan to understand. It is one that marketing advantage for the Amer- we get a little more efficiency out of serious economists will not disagree ican-made vehicle. That means those our churches because we do not get with, and it is called the fair tax. The $800 million worth of Mazdas coming much efficiency out of our Federal

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.105 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1447 Government? Those kinds of questions icy that would be a reform. That fixes with a request that we accept them un- would go on one at a time by the tens our balance of trade and our deficit derneath the American flag. If they and hundreds of millions over the gen- spending and it fixes the borrowing were, they would be marching under an erations, and the face of America and from foreign governments and lets us American flag. I think that is a simple attitude of America toward govern- pay all of that back. It makes the piece of logic. ment would change. United States of America the destina- The questions that are not asked on So two things, fix the problems tion Nation of choice for the capital in this immigration issue, it is much which have been laid out here tonight the world. It brings back $11 trillion in rhetoric. It has been an intense effort by the people on the other side of the stranded American capital that is in to repeat over and over again certain aisle, and one of those things is the foreign economies. fallacies, and those fallacies seem to CUT bill, the Cut the Unnecessary Tab be, they seem to believe if they repeat b 2330 that America has so we can do a rescis- them enough, soon or later people will sions bill under an open rule so we can All of those things happened good out accept them and regard them to be cut the earmarks that are unnecessary, of this. These are solutions, Mr. Speak- true. the pork that is unnecessary, and put a er, to the problems that were raised For example, we can’t deport 12 mil- final stamp of approval on a budget and over here on the other side of the aisle lion people. Yes, we can. We could do all of us be proud that we voted our tonight. I ask again, what is your plan? that if we mobilized our Nation. We conscience and our needs. I have laid out my plan and there are could deport 12 million people. It would The other side is let us reform our clear solutions. There are well thought be the largest human deportation ever taxes. Serious economists will not out solutions, and I present them to in the history of the world. We don’t argue with the position I have taken this Congress, Mr. Speaker, and ask for have the will to do that. I don’t pro- here tonight. But what I do recognize endorsement and support of those clear pose that we do that, but I don’t accept is we have had a long, strong economy. and logical and rational and, in fact, the idea that we could not deport 12 This long, strong economy, we had ten with regard to the FAIR tax, irref- million people if we chose to do so. quarters in a row where we had 3 per- utably solid economic plan, one that But I will submit instead, Mr. Speak- cent or more growth in our gross do- serious economists will not challenge. er, that we set policies in place that mestic product. Unemployment has Now, Mr. Speaker, I didn’t come here shut off the jobs magnet. The 12 mil- been ratcheting down. It is about 4.7 to the floor to talk about taxes. I came lion people and, in fact, I believe that percent right now. When you get that here and listened to the statements number is significantly larger than 12 kind of smooth sailing for 10 quarters, made by my colleagues and that, Mr. million people. But the 12 million num- and now the 11th quarter was the last Speaker, is my rebuttal for their re- ber that the Pew Foundation has put one and I think that settled in around marks. out within the last couple of weeks, 1.6 or 1.7. You cannot carry that run on I came here to talk about immigra- and now we have adjusted our 11 mil- forever, but no one can find a better tion because I think it is important for lion to 12 million, they came here on run in this economy at least going us to look ahead to the future of this their own. They got here on their own back to the early Reagan years and Nation. And I have watched people dime, so to speak and maybe on $1,500 perhaps well before that because even marching in the streets across this or so to a coyote to get them across before a similar kind of 3 percent run country. It sounds to me as though the border and up into the United of growth for 10 consecutive quarters they have a series of marches that are States. But they came here on their did exist in the early 1980s, it existed in planned in the near future. own. They found their own resources to an environment of 22 percent interest I recall in my mind’s eye the tele- get here on their own, and we can set and high unemployment and high infla- vision shots of a half a million people up policies that shut off this jobs mag- tion rates. We had to get that under in the streets of Los Angeles, a half a net and they can find a way to go back control. million pouring into the streets to home on their own. That’s the right A strong growth and economy was march and march under the Mexican kind of policy to have. not doing as much as the strong growth flag in a big way. And as I looked We don’t want to go out and pull peo- we have had over the last 11 quarters across there and tried to do my count, ple out of houses and load them up in here in the United States of America. my judgment was that perhaps there buses and haul them back down to So this solid economy that we have were 10 Mexican flags for every Amer- south of the border. We want to set a really works against us in a way be- ican flag in the streets of Los Angeles. policy that we should have had in place cause I do not believe we will find the These protests went on in other cit- a long time ago, and we want to en- political will to reform our taxes under ies around the country as well. Stu- force the policy that we should have this kind of an economic environment. dents walked out of school in places had in place a long time ago. So I will say there are only two ways like Marshalltown, Iowa, for example, I sit on the Immigration Sub- we can pass H.R. 25, the FAIR tax bill, and marched with Mexican flags. I committee of the House Judiciary and one of those ways is if we had an don’t know how many of them actually Committee. I sit on immigration hear- economic collapse or a dramatic eco- knew what they were doing or under- ings, sometimes two, three, perhaps nomic downturn. That would cause us stood the issue at all. Part of it might even more per week. I have done that to look for solutions to bring our econ- have just been a reason to get out of for more than 3 years, listening in omy out of the potential doldrums. school. And I don’t know how many of these hearings, and you get educated That is not something I anticipate them salute our American flag, put about immigration policy if you are nor do I desire. I do not want to do their hand over their heart and pledge listening in that fashion and asking business and get tax reform under that allegiance to the flag. Perhaps most of questions and reading and probing. kind of an environment, although I them do. And I will say the part that is miss- think it would be better for us to go But I also saw anger in the streets of ing is this: Employer sanctions. I can- through that kind of pain and come out Los Angeles, and it reminds me that not determine that the Federal Gov- the other side with the FAIR tax as a was the place where the American soc- ernment has sanctioned a single em- policy. cer team some years ago played the ployer in the last 2 years. I did get a re- I want to avoid an economic collapse Mexican soccer team, and the Amer- port that they have sanctioned three or a downturn, so the other alternative ican soccer team, when they came employers in the last year. But then I is if we had a Presidential candidate through the tunnel, were pummeled got a report that there were none in who runs for the candidacy on the with garbage and trash and food wrap- the year before. And when I drill down FAIR tax and wins the Presidency and pers and anything that the people in into that information I tend to find out receives a mandate from the American the stands in Los Angeles could throw they were civil actions that were people. That kind of mandate from the at our American soccer team. brought, not other actions from our American people would bring it to this There is a friction there, Mr. Speak- Department of Justice. And so I would Congress, good economy or not, and we er. And the people that are marching ask the Department of Justice dem- could hammer out a good fair tax pol- under Mexican flags aren’t marching onstrate what employers have been

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.106 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1448 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 sanctioned, how many and for how working season. They can just simply that they were establishing, I believe, much and what are the violations, Mr. work them when they need them, cut near Nacogdoches, Texas. Speaker. them loose when they don’t need them. So as these years unfolded and there I am going to live with the belief And I won’t say that is necessarily was a contest and a battle for who though that there are no effective em- abuse because these people are willing could be the leader of Mexico, in 1825, ployer sanctions. That is probably the to accept that wage. They are glad to. Texas still being a territory of Mexico, most accurate way to state at least the It is the opportunity that they have. they issued an offer out to the rest of last 2 years, and the years prior to that But it puts the worker who is working the continent, and the offer was this: If there have been a few sanctions but legally at a disadvantage. It puts the you are married and you will come to they get less and less as the years go employer who wants to hire legal em- Texas and promise to pay $30 over the on, and it demonstrates the adminis- ployees at a disadvantage. And we are next 6 years to the government of Mex- tration has no will to enforce these doing a tremendous disservice against ico, we will give you a league of land. laws in the workplace. So I submit that the people who are complying with our A league of land being 4,428 acres. Well, we need to enforce employer sanctions laws. And I don’t hear anything coming that is a pretty good offer even back in to the fullest extent the law. I support out of the United States Senate these those days when $30 was really $30. enhancing those employer sanctions. days that would change that, Mr. So that started a vast land stampede, I do not know how to get the admin- Speaker. I don’t hear a word that and people came from the United States, all over the United States, but, istration to do their job and enforce would change that with regard to the the law. And so since Americans know of course, we always think of Davy guest worker/ temporary worker poli- that there is no enforcement of em- Crockett from Tennessee and Colonel cies that are coming. Travis and Jim Bowie. Those folks ployer sanctions, employers know that There are those who stand with me they can hire illegals with impunity. poured into Texas. They came in to on this issue certainly. And those I ap- They are not accountable. seek their fortune. They came in to plaud for standing for American sov- Now if you are an employer and you claim that league of land. I do not ereignty. are competing against other busi- know how many of those guys were ac- Borders. If there is any institution nesses, perhaps in foreign countries or tually married so they could do that, that has survived and thrived in the maybe across town, and those other but a lot of Anglos poured into Texas. 20th century, it is the nation state. The businesses have a cheaper labor supply That was 1825 when that offer came, nation state has come through all of than you have, if they are across town and Texas was well on its way to inde- the chaos of two world wars and a Cold they might be hiring illegal labor. pendence by 1836, 11 years later. Only 11 War and numerous other battles and Say, perhaps you are a landscape years after an open borders plan that economic collapse that we saw in 1929 company and you go out and cut grass was offered by the territory of Texas, and spray lawns and fertilize them and and other blips in our economic bubble which was a territory of Mexico, they trim trees and lay sod and do yards for that we have had, and throughout all of said, Come down here. We will give you new houses and those kind of things that and through all the strife and the some land. We need some folks to set- where it takes a lot of labor, labor that stress that goes on, the nation state tle here. It will be good for our econ- can go out and be effective in their survives. omy. We cannot get along in Texas un- work. If you do that, Mr. Speaker, and A nation state must have borders. less we have some settlers down here; you are competing against someone And you can’t call them borders if you so we are going to take them from who is paying half the price for labor don’t enforce them. If you simply draw wherever we can get them, and it does that you are, you have got to get twice a line on a map but people cross that not matter if they do not culturally the work out of your employees in border at will, if they haul goods and match the people that are there. Well, order to be able to compete with that. services across the border at will, if it was clear that that was the clash And you can only push people so hard. they haul contraband across the border that came at Goliad, the clash that And I have spent my life in the con- at will, you don’t have a border, and came at the Alamo, the clash that cul- struction business and hired a lot of pretty soon you don’t have a nation. minated down at San Jacinto. men and we have done a lot of work. I made a point before a group in So I posed that question in Dallas And I met payroll for over 28 years, Texas last weekend on Saturday night Saturday night. Texas is not part of over 1,400 some consecutive weeks, down in Dallas, and I asked them to Mexico anymore, is it? Or is it yet, Mr. signed pay checks, met the cash flow, forgive me if my precision on Texas Speaker? That is the question that is hired people, took on all the liability, history wasn’t exactly right. But I am before this Congress. That is the ques- the Worker’s Comp, the Unemploy- going to make another attempt here tion that is before the Senate today. It ment, the health insurance, the retire- tonight on the floor of the Congress, makes a difference when you open bor- ment fund and the liability insurance Mr. Speaker, and it is going to be close, ders up. It makes a difference when you that goes with that, the H.R. issues if not precisely correct. allow in perhaps 4 million people a that go with hiring personnel when you I would take us all back to 1821 in year that have contempt for our laws. know you want to keep them there. I Texas. Texas was a territory of Mexico Their very first act upon setting foot put my people in a seasonal business, at the time. And one of the earliest in the United States of America is to giving them 12 months out of the year Anglo settlers in Texas was the father violate our laws, and we think they are work with vacation pay and benefits of the famous Steven F. Austin. His going to respect our laws if we grant because I wanted to keep those employ- name was Moses Austin. them a free pass? Thomas Sowell wrote some words. He ees and have them on hand when I b 2340 needed them. said, What if bank robbers who were Now, some of my competition looked He negotiated with the king of Spain caught were simply told to give the at it the other way and decided, well, if for a permit to establish an Anglo col- money back and not to do it again? STEVE KING has to pay $17 an hour to ony in Texas, the first nonHispanic, I What if murderers who were caught start out an unskilled employee, we guess we could call it, or they all called were turned loose and warned not to can go out here and get ourselves one it the Anglo colony in Texas. In 1821 he kill again? Would that be proof that it for 7 or $8 an hour, and we will put negotiated to establish that settle- is futile to take action when no action them on the job and we can have twice ment. He began to establish that set- was taken? Could it be that it is impos- as many. Actually they could have tlement, and then there was a revolu- sible to enforce our border laws when three times as many because the tion in Mexico. Spain lost control of no one has tried? That is Thomas illegals don’t carry with them those Mexico later that same year, in 1821, Sowell, Mr. Speaker. burdens of health insurance, unemploy- and the successor then to the king of And I think I have quite a lot of ma- ment benefits, you know, I gave you Spain was the new king of Mexico, terial here, but I am not so unique in the list. So smart money will go for the King Augustin de Iturbide. And that my presentation that I would not love cheap help. new king of Mexico honored the agree- to concede some of this time to the And they don’t have to maintain that ment with Moses Austin and allowed gentleman from Texas, my good friend help throughout the winter, the non them to continue with their colony Mr. GOHMERT.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.107 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1449 I yield to the gentleman. would continue to yield, I would like to was a European immigrant, in around Mr. GOHMERT. Well, I appreciate go through that. 1870, came to South Texas and settled very much my friend from Iowa for Mr. Speaker, I think it is important there. He didn’t speak English and he sharing this Special Order. And I ap- for people to be reminded. This is the had about $20. preciate the things that you have been oath. You want to assimilate in this Within 25 years, he built one of the pointing out. country? You want to be a citizen of nicest homes that is still there, it has Of course, as you talk about Texas this country? Take this oath. And you a historical marker, State of Texas and history, you are talking about my have got to mean it. It is under oath. national historical marker, because he State. It is where I was born, reared, ‘‘I hereby declare, on oath, that I ab- learned English and he worked his tail grew up. Except for my 4 years in the solutely and entirely renounce and ab- off and he assimilated and he made the service and the summer I spent in the jure,’’ and, of course, in Texas we do community better, the State better Soviet Union on an exchange program, not abjure a lot, but we know what ‘‘re- and the country better. And that has it has been home. And when you talk nounce’’ means, ‘‘renounce and abjure been the legacy of immigrants. about Nacogdoches and San Augustine, all allegiance and fidelity to any for- But it goes on. That is not enough. right in that area where the first set- eign prince, potentate, state, or sov- That means I am going to wave my tlement in Texas occurred, that is my ereignty of whom or which I have here- American flag. That American flag is district. That is my home. That is my tofore been a subject or citizen.’’ That what is going to be the most important flag to me in my heart and soul. That district. So it is interesting. And I love is pretty strong language. is what in that oath means, American history. I was a history major in col- And if you have any comments on lege. flag. that first part of this oath. Mr. KING of Iowa. I might point out And one of the things we were taught Mr. KING of Iowa. Well, thank you, in elementary school, one of the things that in one of my travels around Iowa, Mr. GOHMERT. I have got to speak to I pulled down around in Keokuk, and we were taught in junior high; high naturalized citizens in the courthouse. there used to be an old Federal hospital school; and college; Texas A&M, where Sioux City is a location where we have there that was built and put in place I attended, we got the same thing all the most activity there in my district, during the Civil War. They would bring the way through schooling: What two and I look forward to those events and the wounded up the river and then off- words in common language are the take that very seriously. load them there at the hospital in Keo- basis for America’s strength? ‘‘Melting In fact, I bring a Constitution to kuk and take care of them. pot.’’ We are a melting pot. People every one of those new students, and So one of the monuments there, down came from all over the world to Amer- this will be an example of it. And I will in the river bottom near the Mis- ica. They assimilated. They came to- sign that and date that and present sissippi River, is a big stone, a great gether through heat and difficulties that to them as a cherished document. big heavy stone, and there is a big and problems of the day. And the heat And in the Constitution, of course, brass plate in there, and it is mounted that tests people and makes them pure we have also the Declaration of Inde- in there by the daughters of the Amer- and stronger, that heat brought us to- pendence as part of that. And I talk to ican Revolution. And it says ‘‘One Na- gether and melted us together into one them about the immigrant heritage of tion, One Flag, One Language.’’ That Nation under God, indivisible, and, yes, my family and how we had opportuni- was established just after the Civil there was liberty and eventually jus- ties here and how my ancestors and War. tice for all. myself and my children and then my They understood how important and But I thought about it as you men- grandchildren, hopefully, will remain powerful it was to have a common, uni- tioned earlier, Mr. KING, the discussion grateful for the privilege that this fying language. That is something that about immigration. Immigration has country has offered. has been recognized by all nations in been a lifeblood to this country, and And I know that my grandmother the world. They all have established an that does not need to stop. But as we came from Germany, and she reared six official language, except here in the have gotten wise in our own eyes, as sons. She sent one to the South Pa- United States. It becomes more and you can find reference in the old Testa- cific. That was my father. And one was more important for us to bond each ment, ‘‘wise in our own eyes,’’ we quit physically unable to serve in the mili- other together by having that common using the melting pot metaphor and tary, and the other four went back to form of communications currency. gone to using something that some Europe to fight against the old coun- ‘‘One Nation, One Flag, One Lan- people today like to say is even better: try. guage.’’ That was the creed in 1865, and We are now a tossed salad, where each it should be the creed today. ingredient retains its individuality and b 2350 I yield to the gentleman. just mixes together. They put their roots down in this Mr. GOHMERT. I thank the gen- A tossed salad. That was never the country solid and hard from the begin- tleman, my good friend. I would con- strength of America. The America that ning. And my father went his first day tinue on with the oath. That I will sup- became strong, the America that we to kindergarten speaking only German. port and defend the Constitution, not studied, the America that made it And when he came home from school just the Constitution, it goes on, I will through world wars, the America that that day, he said ‘‘hello’’ to his mother support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of is responsible for France not speaking in German. And she turned to him and America. All laws. The Constitution anything but French now and Germany said ‘‘Speaking German in this house- and the laws of the United States of speaking German, the great America hold is for you from now on verboten. I America. that has allowed England to speak the came here to become an American, and Gee, that would seem to include im- language that it was accustomed to, you will go to school and learn English, migration laws, wouldn’t it? the America that has not been impe- and you will bring it home and you will It goes on, against all enemies, for- rialist, as some French people would teach it to me. That is the only way eign and domestic; that I will bear true say. Some French people say, You are that I can learn.’’ faith and allegiance to the same; that I imperialist. I say, Then why are you She never really came away from her will bear arms on behalf of the United not speaking English instead of German accent, but she spoke English States when required by law. French? That is because it was never well, and I could always understand It is not enough simply to pledge al- our intention. Why do Iraqis not speak her. legiance. You have to be willing to risk English? Because that is not our inten- I yield back to you, Mr. GOHMERT, if your life for the American flag and all tion. We are a great country and have you have other comments. that it stands for. You have to be will- always been. Mr. GOHMERT. The gentleman from ing to pledge allegiance to the United And if you would allow me and in- Iowa understands what it means then States, the Constitution and the laws dulge me, the thing that I would like through his heritage to absolutely, en- of the United States. to share further is the oath of alle- tirely renounce fidelity to any foreign It goes on, and I know your time is giance that is taken when someone be- state or sovereignty. That is critical. running short and I don’t want to in- comes a citizen, and if the gentleman And my great grandfather came over, trude on the gentleman’s time. I guess

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:47 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.109 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H1450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 4, 2006 we have got about 7 minutes, but I did skills necessary and you can develop LEAVE OF ABSENCE want to point this out, at least this some skills in them, but there would be By unanimous consent, leave of ab- point of the oath of citizenship. 7.5 million there in that category. sence was granted to: If this Nation is going to continue to Then of those who have exhausted Mr. MCGOVERN (at the request of Ms. be stronger, I would only submit to you their unemployment benefits, that is PELOSI) for today. the Hispanics that have settled in my another 5.2 million that are looking for Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (at the request of district from Central America, from work but they are not on the unem- Ms. PELOSI) for today. Mexico and assimilated, have made ployment roles. So we are at 12.7 mil- Mr. TANNER (at the request of Ms. East Texas a better place in which to lion. PELOSI) for today and the balance of live. Another 9.3 million teenagers be- the week on account of a death in the I have some dear friends. As a judge tween the ages of 16 and 19 are not in family. I presided over the wedding of some the workforce, even on a part-time Ms. WATSON (at the request of Ms. dear Hispanic friends that had come in basis. We would go to them to help PELOSI) for today and the balance of and assimilated. I am telling you, they work in our fields, for example, and flip the week on account of a death in the have made Tyler, Texas, and East some burgers. Add to that 4.5 million family. Texas a better place. They have assimi- who are the young seniors, ages 65 to Mr. CULBERSON (at the request of Mr. lated. They are wonderful people. They 69. Some of those people would go to BOEHNER) for today on account of offi- bring family values, and they are work if they didn’t have a disincentive, cial business. strong in their faith and love and joy Mr. Speaker. Mrs. EMERSON (at the request of Mr. and mirth. It has just been wonderful. Then of those between the ages of 20 BOEHNER) for today on account of in- But they assimilated. specting tornado damage in her dis- That would be the one thing I just and 64, the really prime work age, trict. wanted to add. Melting pot is the there is another 51 million in America strength, and that is what we need to that are simply not in the workforce. f They could be retired, they could be get back to. SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Mr. KING of Iowa. Thank you, Mr. working on the black market, they GOHMERT. I appreciate the gentleman maybe are doing some kind of dis- By unanimous consent, permission to coming to the floor at this hour of the honest enterprise, but they are not in address the House, following the legis- evening to add to the dialogue here. the workforce in any meaningful way. lative program and any special orders Mr. Speaker, I want to pick up with They would also become part of that heretofore entered, was granted to: that. Certainly assimilation, we are force that we could hire from. (The following Members (at the re- the nation that has been successful in Added up altogether, 77.5 million quest of Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD) to assimilation. The Israelis established non-working Americans between the revise and extend their remarks and in- their country in 1948, and in 1954 they ages of 16 and 69. We could surely tap clude extraneous material:) established Hebrew as their official one out of every 12.3 of those to fill the Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. language. They did that because they gap for the 6.3 million illegals that are Mr. PALLONE, for 5 minutes, today. needed a common language to tie them working in this country. That is before Mrs. MCCARTHY, for 5 minutes, today. together. we bring technology to bear. That is Mr. EMANUEL, for 5 minutes, today. I asked them, why did you do that? before we find other solutions for any Mr. RANGEL, for 5 minutes, today. Where did you get that inspiration? kind of gaps we might have in our hir- Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. They said, well, we saw the success the ing practices. So there are solutions Mr. MCDERMOTT, for 5 minutes, United States had with assimilation, so out here, Mr. Speaker. today. Ms. SOLIS, for 5 minutes, today. we wanted to adopt a similar policy. And it is not true that there are jobs Mr. BROWN of Ohio, for 5 minutes, They resurrected a language that that Americans won’t do. Americans today. wasn’t used functionally other than in are doing all of these jobs right now Mr. CUMMINGS, for 5 minutes, today. prayer for 2,000 years and put it in the today. For example, in the construc- Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, for 5 min- workplace, and everyone that comes to tion business, 12 percent in the con- utes, today. Israel learns Hebrew, and that is how struction industry are illegal workers. (The following Members (at the re- they tie themselves together as a na- Thirteen percent is the unemployment quest of Mr. MCHENRY) to revise and tion. rate in the construction industry. But I would like to point out another extend their remarks and include ex- There are the other comparable statement that gets repeated that is traneous material:) rates. In those kind of sectors where not challenged often, and that is we Mr. DREIER, for 5 minutes, today and there is a high concentration of can’t replace all these workers, the April 5 and 6. illegals, there is also a high unemploy- ones that are here illegally. If we shut Mr. MCHENRY, for 5 minutes, today ment that corresponds with that. The off the jobs magnet and they go home, and April 5, 6, and 7. reason is because those American we can’t replace them. Mr. POE, for 5 minutes, today and Here are some numbers that one workers have been displaced by cheaper April 5, 6, and 7. might work with to give us an idea on labor and they can’t afford to go do Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, whether we can replace them or not. that work for that kind of money. today, and April 5, 6, and 7. The Pew Foundation put out some So, Mr. Speaker, there is piece after Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, for 5 numbers, this is a year ago, so they piece of this immigration issue that minutes, April 7. have raised them a little bit, but at needs to be discussed. It is a very, very Mr. KELLER, for 5 minutes, today. that time they were working with 11 complicated issue. It is a very emo- Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota, for 5 min- million illegals in America. 6.3 million tional issue. I stand on enforcement utes, today. of them were working. About the same first. Let’s establish that we can defend Mr. LATHAM, for 5 minutes, today. proportion if you want to go to 12 mil- and protect our borders. Let’s build a Mr. DUNCAN, for 5 minutes, today. fence. Let’s eliminate birthright for lion, but I don’t have that factor fig- f ured in. citizenship. Let’s shut off the jobs mag- If you are were going to replace the net. Let’s pass my New Idea bill, which SENATE CONCURRENT 6.3 million working illegals in the removes the Federal deductibility for RESOLUTION REFERRED United States, the first place we would wages and benefits paid to illegals. A concurrent resolution of the Sen- go would be the unemployment rolls. If we can do those things and estab- ate of the following title was taken That is 17.5 million on unemployment. lish that we can enforce the law in this from the Speaker’s table and, under We are paying them not to work. One country and respect for the law, then the rule, referred as follows: would think we could just simply pay we can have a legitimate debate on S. Con. Res. 60. Concurrent resolution des- them to work and replace the 6.3 mil- what kind of workforce we need and ignating the Negro Leagues Baseball Mu- lion. Maybe they continue to have the where they need to come from. seum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America’s

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:33 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K04AP7.111 H04APPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1451 National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; ment of the United Kingdom (Transmittal to the Committees on House Administration, to the Committee on Resources. No. DDTC 055-05); to the Committee on Inter- Appropriations, and Government Reform. f national Relations. f 6874. A letter from the Director, Office of ADJOURNMENT Management, Department of Energy, trans- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I mitting the Department’s Year 2005 Inven- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS tory of Commercial Activities, as required move that the House do now adjourn. by the Federal Activities Reform Act of 1997, Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of The motion was agreed to; accord- Pub. L. 105-270; to the Committee on Govern- committees were delivered to the Clerk ingly (at 11 o’clock and 59 minutes ment Reform. for printing and reference to the proper p.m.), the House adjourned until to- 6875. A letter from the General Counsel, calendar, as follows: morrow, Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at 10 Department of Housing and Urban Develop- Mr. OXLEY: Committee on Financial Serv- a.m. ment, transmitting a report pursuant to the ices. H.R. 4916. A bill to authorize United Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the f States participation in, and appropriations Committee on Government Reform. for, the United States contribution to the EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, 6876. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, first replenishment of the resources of the ETC. Department of Transportation, transmitting Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral In- a report pursuant to the Federal Vacancies Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive vestment Fund (Rept. 109–403). Referred to Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on the Committee of the Whole House on the communications were taken from the Government Reform. State of the Union. 6877. A letter from the Board Members, Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Mr. DREIER: Committee on Rules. House Railroad Retirement Board, transmitting a 6865. A letter from the Comptroller, De- Resolution 755. Resolution providing for con- copy of the annual report for Calendar Year partment of Defense, transmitting a report sideration of the bill (H.R. 513) to amend the 2005, in compliance with the Government in of a violation of the Antideficiency Act by Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to the Sunshine Act, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. the Department of the Army, Case Number clarify when organizations described in sec- 552b(j); to the Committee on Government Re- 05-02, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1517(b); to the tion 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 form. Committee on Appropriations. must register as political committees, and 6878. A letter from the Chief Administra- 6866. A letter from the Under Secretary for for other purposes (Rept. 109–404). Referred tive Officer, United States Capitol Police, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, De- to the House Calendar. transmitting the semiannual report of re- partment of Defense, transmitting the De- ceipts and expenditures of appropriations f partment’s report on the amount of pur- and other funds for the period October 1, 2005 chases from foreign entities for Fiscal Year through March 31, 2006 as compiled by the PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS 2005, pursuant to Public Law 104–201, section Chief Administrative Officer, pursuant to Under clause 2 of rule XII, public 827 (110 Stat. 2611); to the Committee on Public Law 109–55, section 1005; (H. Doc. No. Armed Services. bills and resolutions were introduced 109–96); to the Committee on House Adminis- 6867. A letter from the Under Secretary for and severally referred, as follows: tration and ordered to be printed. Personnel and Readiness, Department of De- 6879. A letter from the Chief Scout Execu- By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself, fense, transmitting a letter on the approved tive and President, Boy Scouts of America, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. LATOURETTE, and retirement of General Charles F. Wald, transmitting the Boy Scouts of America’s Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida): United States Air Force, and his advance- 2005 Report to the Nation, pursuant to 36 H.R. 5074. A bill to amend the Railroad Re- ment to the grade of general on the retired U.S.C. 28; to the Committee on the Judici- tirement Act of 1974 to provide for continued list; to the Committee on Armed Services. ary. payment of railroad retirement annuities by 6868. A letter from the Under Secretary for 6880. A letter from the Assistant Secretary the Department of the Treasury, and for Personnel and Readiness, Department of De- for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, other purposes; to the Committee on Trans- fense, transmitting authorization of the en- transmitting As required by Section 417(b) of portation and Infrastructure. closed list of officers to wear the insignia of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (Public Law 107- By Mr. STARK (for himself, Mr. the grade of major general accordance with 56), the fourth annual report on the status of MCDERMOTT, Ms. BEAN, and Mr. INS- title 10, United States Code, section 777; to the implementation of machine-readable LEE): the Committee on Armed Services. passports (MRPs) in countries participating H.R. 5075. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- 6869. A letter from the Assistant Attorney in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP); to the enue Code of 1986 to clarify the restriction on General, Civil Rights Division, Department Committee on the Judiciary. disclosures and use of information by tax re- of Justice, transmitting the 2005 Annual Re- 6881. A letter from the United States Trade turn preparers; to the Committee on Ways port regarding the Department’s enforce- Representative, Executive Office of the and Means. ment activities under the Equal Credit Op- President, transmitting a report on the in- By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself, portunity Act, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1691f; to tent to initiate negotiations for a free trade Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. MICA, and Mr. the Committee on Financial Services. agreement between the United States and COSTELLO): 6870. A letter from the Assistant Legal Ad- Malaysia, pursuant to Section 2104(a)(1) of H.R. 5076. A bill to amend title 49, United viser for Treaty Affairs, Department of the Trade Act of 2002; to the Committee on States Code, to authorize appropriations for State, transmitting Copies of international Ways and Means. fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, and for other agreements, other than treaties, entered into 6882. A letter from the Assistant Secretary purposes; to the Committee on Transpor- by the United States, pursuant to 1 U.S.C. for Legislative Affairs, Department of Home- tation and Infrastructure. 112b(a); to the Committee on International land Security, transmitting the Depart- By Mr. LUCAS: Relations. ment’s report to Congress on Critical Infra- H.R. 5077. A bill to amend title 31, United 6871. A letter from the Deputy Director, structure Risk Assessment and Readiness, States Code, to provide a clear line of demar- Defense Security Cooperation Agency, trans- pursuant to Public Law 108–458, section 7306; cation with regard to private ownership of mitting pursuant to Section 62(a) of the to the Committee on Homeland Security. any coin, medal, or numismatic item made Arms Export Control Act (AECA), notifica- 6883. A letter from the Under Secretary for or issued by the United States Government tion concerning the Department of the Air Personnel and Readiness, Department of De- before January 1, 1933, that is not in the pos- Force’s proposed lease of defense articles to fense, transmitting the Department’s annual session of the United States Government, to the Government of the Federal Republic of report on entitlement transfers of basic edu- establish certain guidelines and require- Germany (Transmittal No. 05-05); to the cational assistance to eligible dependents ments with respect to the inventory, preser- Committee on International Relations. under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB); joint- vation, public display, and disposition of cer- 6872. A letter from the Deputy Director, ly to the Committees on Armed Services and tain United States coins, medals, and numis- Defense Security Cooperation Agency, trans- Veterans’ Affairs. matic items that were struck or made after mitting pursuant to Section 62(a) of the 6884. A letter from the Acting Chairman, December 31, 1932, and for other purposes; to Arms Export Control Act (AECA), notifica- National Transportation Safety Board, the Committee on Financial Services. tion concerning the Defense Information transmitting a legislative proposal and jus- By Mr. BOEHLERT (for himself and Services Agency’s proposed lease of defense tification to amend the Independent Safety Mr. MICHAUD): articles to the Government of Argentina Board Act of 1974 to provide authorization H.R. 5078. A bill to elevate the Environ- (Transmittal No. 02-06); to the Committee on for the National Transportation Safety mental Protection Agency to Cabinet-level International Relations. Board; jointly to the Committees on Trans- status and redesignate such agency as the 6873. A letter from the Assistant Secretary portation and Infrastructure and Appropria- Department of Environmental Protection; to for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, tions. the Committee on Government Reform. transmitting pursuant to section 36(c) of the 6885. A letter from the Chairman, Federal By Mr. WALDEN of Oregon: Arms Export Control Act, certification re- Election Commission, transmitting the Com- H.R. 5079. A bill to provide for the modi- garding the proposed license for the export of mission’s FY 2007 Budget Request Justifica- fication of an amendatory repayment con- defense articles and services to the Govern- tion, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 437d(d)(1); jointly tract between the Secretary of the Interior

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By Mr. INSLEE (for himself, Mrs. gan, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. REYES, By Mr. CARTER (for himself, Mr. BLACKBURN, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. HOLT, Mr. SCHIFF, REYES, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, GILLMOR, and Mr. BOUCHER): Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, and Ms. Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. HAYES, H.R. 5085. A bill to amend the Communica- SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania): Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. tions Act of 1934 to promote and expedite H. Res. 758. A resolution welcoming the EVANS, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. GOODE, Mr. wireless broadband deployment in rural and members and staff of the parliaments of East WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. other areas, and for other purposes; to the Timor, Georgia, Indonesia, and Macedonia to STRICKLAND, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. Committee on Energy and Commerce. the House of Representatives as the first MCCAUL of Texas, Mr. KLINE, Mr. By Mr. LAHOOD (for himself, Mr. partner parliaments of the House Democracy LUCAS, Mr. POMBO, Mr. MCKEON, Mr. HASTERT, Mr. RUSH, Mr. JACKSON of Assistance Commission; to the Committee REHBERG, Mr. PORTER, Mr. Illinois, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. GUTIERREZ, on International Relations. CULBERSON, Mr. DELAY, Mr. BURTON Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. HYDE, Mr. DAVIS of By Mr. EVANS (for himself and Mr. of Indiana, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. JEN- Illinois, Ms. BEAN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, SMITH of New Jersey): KINS, Mr. COBLE, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Mr. KIRK, Mr. WELLER, Mr. COSTELLO, H. Res. 759. A resolution expressing the Texas, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. WALSH, Mr. Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. JOHNSON of Illi- sense of the House of Representatives that SMITH of Texas, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. nois, Mr. MANZULLO, and Mr. the Government of Japan should formally KINGSTON, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. BUR- SHIMKUS): acknowledge and accept responsibility for its GESS, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. RENZI, Mr. H.R. 5086. A bill to designate the facility of sexual enslavement of young women, known WAMP, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. SESSIONS, the United States Postal Service located at to the world as ‘‘comfort women’’, during its Mr. MCHENRY, Mr. BRADY of Texas, 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as colonial occupation of Asia and the Pacific Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. the ‘‘Lane Evans Post Office Building’’; to Islands from the 1930s through the duration DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. LINCOLN the Committee on Government Reform. of World War II, and for other purposes; to DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. MARIO By Mr. PALLONE (for himself and Mr. the Committee on International Relations. DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California): By Mr. PALLONE (for himself and Mr. HAYWORTH, Mr. SHAW, Mr. BONILLA, H.R. 5087. A bill to amend title 5, United SHAW): Mr. GERLACH, Mr. KELLER, Mr. BAR- States Code, to increase the maximum age H. Res. 760. A resolution supporting the RETT of South Carolina, Mr. up to which an individual may be afforded goals and ideals of National Clean Beaches NEUGEBAUER, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. health coverage under chapter 89 of such Week and recognizing the considerable value GOHMERT, Mr. MICA, Mr. GINGREY, title as a dependent child; to the Committee of American beaches and their role in Amer- Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. ORTIZ, on Government Reform. ican culture; to the Committee on Re- Mr. EDWARDS, Ms. GINNY BROWN- By Ms. SOLIS: sources. WAITE of Florida, Mr. OTTER, Mr. H.R. 5088. A bill to require Federal agen- By Mr. STEARNS (for himself, Mr. TERRY, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. cies to support health impact assessments ROGERS of Michigan, Mr. LINDER, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Ms. GINNY BROWN- and take other actions to improve health WAITE of Florida, Mr. MEEK of Flor- COLE of Oklahoma, Mr. SIMMONS, Mr. and the environmental quality of commu- OXLEY, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. HASTINGS ida, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. MACK, Mr. nities, and for other purposes; to the Com- CRENSHAW, Mr. BOYD, Mr. LINCOLN of Washington, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. mittee on Energy and Commerce. AKIN, Mr. POE, Mr. EHLERS, Mrs. DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. By Mr. STUPAK: HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. DAVIS of MYRICK, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. H.R. 5089. A bill to enable the Great Lakes Florida, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, PETRI, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. SULLIVAN, Fishery Commission to investigate effects of Mr. FOLEY, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. migratory birds on sustained productivity of Florida, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Ms. ROS- PAUL, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. KING of New stocks of fish of common concern in the LEHTINEN, Mr. SHAW, Mr. MICA, Mr. York, Mr. BONNER, Mr. COOPER, Mr. Great Lakes; to the Committee on Re- WELDON of Florida, Mr. YOUNG of LAHOOD, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. ENGLISH of sources. Florida, Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. KELLER, Pennsylvania, Mrs. CAPITO, Mrs. By Mr. POMBO: Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, MUSGRAVE, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. H.J. Res. 83. A joint resolution to memori- and Ms. HARRIS): DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, Mr. alize and honor the contribution of Chief WICKER, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BOEHNER, H. Res. 761. A resolution to commend the Justice William H. Rehnquist; to the Com- University of Florida Gators for their his- Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. GARRETT of New mittee on Resources. Jersey, Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsyl- toric win in the 2006 National Collegiate Ath- By Mr. FATTAH: letic Association Division I Men’s Basketball vania, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. MARKEY, H. Con. Res. 377. Concurrent resolution Tournament; to the Committee on Education Mr. CAMP of Michigan, Mr. BISHOP of honoring the Educational Commission for and the Workforce. Georgia, Mr. RYUN of Kansas, Mr. Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for LOBIONDO, and Mr. OSBORNE): fifty years of distinguished service; to the H.R. 5081. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- f Committee on Education and the Workforce. enue Code of 1986 to make employers of By Mr. BOEHLERT (for himself and spouses of military personnel eligible for the PRIVATE BILLS AND work opportunity credit; to the Committee Mr. DEFAZIO): RESOLUTIONS H. Res. 753. A resolution commending on Ways and Means. American craft brewers; to the Committee Under clause 3 of rule XII, By Mr. DAVIS of Alabama: H.R. 5082. A bill to amend the Consolidated on Government Reform. Mr. GILLMOR introduced a bill (H.R. 5090) Farm and Rural Development Act to provide By Mr. LATHAM: for the relief of Manuel Bartsch; which was for comprehensive community and economic H. Res. 754. A resolution electing Members referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. development in the distressed Southern to certain standing Committees of the House Black Belt and Mississippi Delta region of Representatives; considered and agreed to. f while leveraging existing efforts, entities, By Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Flor- and resources; to the Committee on Agri- ida (for himself, Mr. MCHENRY, Mr. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS culture, and in addition to the Committees MILLER of Florida, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors on Transportation and Infrastructure, and BALART of Florida, and Mrs. MILLER were added to public bills and resolu- of Michigan): Financial Services, for a period to be subse- tions as follows: quently determined by the Speaker, in each H. Res. 756. A resolution expressing the case for consideration of such provisions as gratitude and appreciation of the House of H.R. 23: Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. fall within the jurisdiction of the committee Representatives to the professionalism and H.R. 94: Mrs. JONES of Ohio. concerned. dedication of the United States Capitol Po- H.R. 202: Mr. MOORE of Kansas. By Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky (for him- lice; to the Committee on House Administra- H.R. 294: Mr. JONES of North Carolina. self, Mr. BOUSTANY, and Mr. ISRAEL): tion. H.R. 389: Mrs. KELLY. H.R. 5083. A bill to amend title 10, United By Mrs. DRAKE: H.R. 450: Mr. SOUDER and Mr. PRICE of States Code, to provide equity between ac- H. Res. 757. A resolution commending the North Carolina. tive and reserve component members of the Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins men’s H.R. 503: Mrs. DAVIS of California. Armed Forces in the computation of dis- basketball team for winning the 2006 Na- H.R. 517: Mr. GALLEGLY. ability retired pay for members wounded in tional Collegiate Athletic Association Divi- H.R. 559: Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of action; to the Committee on Armed Services. sion III National Basketball Championship; Texas and Mr. RANGEL.

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H.R. 583: Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. H.R. 3579: Mr. HIGGINS and Ms. BERKLEY. H.R. 4953: Mr. STUPAK, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. CAPUANO, and Mr. H.R. 3628: Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan and BROWN of Ohio, Mr. KIND, and Mr. LIPINSKI. DOGGETT. Mr. CONYERS. H.R. 4992: Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota and H.R. 697: Mrs. MCCARTHY. H.R. 3658: Ms. LINDA T. SA´ NCHEZ of Cali- Mr. GOODE. H.R. 699: Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. fornia, Ms. CARSON, and Ms. EDDIE BERNICE H.R. 5007: Mr. MICHAUD. EHLERS, and Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. JOHNSON of Texas. H.R. 5013: Mr. POE, Mrs. MILLER of Michi- H.R. 713: Mr. DOOLITTLE. H.R. 3685: Mr. WAMP. gan, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. ROG- H.R. 717: Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. H.R. 3717: Mr. BOUSTANY. ERS of Alabama, and Mr. BISHOP of Utah. H.R. 809: Mrs. NORTHUP. H.R. 3753: Mr. EHLERS, Mr. PICKERING, Mr. H.R. 5014: Mr. DELAHUNT. H.R. 865: Mr. FILNER and Mr. AL GREEN of LATHAM, and Mrs. CUBIN. H.R. 5017: Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Texas. H.R. 3779: Mr. SANDERS. H.R. 5022: Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. SMITH of H.R. 874: Mr. CAMPBELL of California. H.R. 3883: Mr. MARCHANT and Mr. BONILLA. Washington, Mr. STARK, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of H.R. 886: Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. MEEKS of New H.R. 3997: Mr. WOLF, Mr. MCCOTTER, and California, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. DINGELL. York, and Mr. BERMAN. Mr. FOLEY. H.R. 5023: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. MAT- H.R. 910: Mr. DOYLE. H.R. 4005: Mr. SANDERS. SUI, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, and Mrs. H.R. 986: Mr. MARSHALL. H.R. 4025: Ms. MATSUI. NAPOLITANO. H.R. 998: Ms. CARSON. H.R. 4183: Mr. SANDERS. H.R. 5032: Mr. BISHOP of Georgia and Mr. H.R. 1002: Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of H.R. 4184: Ms. HERSETH and Mr. MOORE of MCCOTTER. Florida. Kansas. H.R. 5039: Mr. CLAY. H.R. 1016: Ms. HERSETH. H.R. 4190: Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. WAXMAN, and H.R. 5043: Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. H.R. 5063: Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. FARR, Mr. H.R. 1105: Mr. KUHL of New York. Ms. HERSETH. ASE ANDERS ISHOP H.R. 1227: Mr. GUTKNECHT, Mr. MEEHAN, H.R. 4229: Mr. C . S , and Mr. B of New York. H.R. 4259: Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. H.R. 5065: Mr. PALLONE and Ms. CARSON. Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. REICHERT, Ms. MICHAUD, and Mr. PUTNAM. H. J. Res. 81: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. WOOLSEY, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Mr. CONYERS. H.R. 4282: Mr. GOODE. H. Con. Res. 100: Mr. MORAN of Virginia, H.R. 1249: Mr. EVANS. H.R. 4398: Mr. FORD. Mr. PICKERING, Mr. BLUMENAUER, and Mr. H.R. 1288: Mr. GALLEGLY. H.R. 4399: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. SNYDER. H.R. 1356: Ms. MATSUI, Ms. MILLENDER- H.R. 4421: Mr. HAYWORTH. H. Con. Res. 179: Mr. GRIJALVA. MCDONALD, Mr. ACKERMAN, and Mr. ABER- H.R. 4423: Ms. WATSON. H. Con. Res. 197: Mr. SMITH of Washington. CROMBIE. H.R. 4452: Mr. PASCRELL. H. Con. Res. 231: Mrs. KELLY. H.R. 1357: Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. H.R. 4542: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. H. Con. Res. 235: Mr. MILLER of Florida. REHBERG, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. HYDE, and SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Ms. H. Con. Res. 302: Mr. POE. Mr. MCCRERY. HARMAN, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. CARSON, and Mr. H. Con. Res. 306: Mr. ANDREWS. H.R. 1393: Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. MARKEY. H. Con. Res. 340: Mr. OXLEY and Mrs. DAVIS CHWARZ ILLER S of Michigan, Mr. M of North H.R. 4547: Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. KINGSTON, of California. ERSETH Carolina, and Ms. H . and Mr. NORWOOD. H. Con. Res. 346: Mr. FEENEY, Ms. H.R. 1402: Mr. POMEROY. H.R. 4624: Mr. MICHAUD. BORDALLO, and Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. H.R. 1425: Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsyl- H.R. 4681: Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. SCHWARZ H. Con. Res. 348: Mr. OBERSTAR. vania. of Michigan, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. H. Con. Res. 355: Mr. SPRATT, Mr. PAUL, H.R. 1426: Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. OWENS, Mr. and Mr. LATHAM. DAVIS of Alabama, Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, Mr. FORTUN˜ O, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. H.R. 1548: Mr. CHABOT and Mr. CAMPBELL of SALAZAR, Mr. PASTOR, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis- KUHL of New York, and Ms. EDDIE BERNICE California. sissippi, Mr. HOYER, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. H.R. 1578: Mr. KANJORSKI and Mr. LAHOOD. GRANGER, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. OTTER, H. Con. Res. 363: Mr. ENGEL and Mr. JEF- APUANO H.R. 1582: Mr. C . Mr. WU, and Mr. SHIMKUS. FERSON. H.R. 1639: Mr. MCGOVERN. H.R. 4736: Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, H. Con. Res. 365: Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. WOLF, H.R. 1687: Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. PAYNE, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. HONDA, Mrs. and Mr. RYAN of Ohio. COTT H.R. 1709: Mr. S of Georgia and Mr. MCCARTHY, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. ISRAEL, H. Con. Res. 366: Mr. DOYLE, Mr. INSLEE, ISHOP B of New York. Mr. ROTHMAN, Ms. MATSUI, and Mr. WEXLER. Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. CARTER, Mr. H.R. 1798: Mr. ANDREWS. H.R. 4740: Ms. BEAN, Mr. JINDAL, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. GALLEGLY, H.R. 1951: Mr. RANGEL, Mr. KING of New LYNCH, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, and Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of York, Mr. NADLER, and Mrs. MALONEY. H.R. 4746: Mr. SANDERS. California, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mrs. WILSON of H.R. 2037: Mr. BROWN of Ohio. H.R. 4751: Mr. BOEHLERT and Mr. EMANUEL. New Mexico, Ms. WATSON, Mr. THOMAS, Mr. H.R. 2071: Mr. LEVIN. H.R. 4755: Mr. DENT, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. WU, BARTON of Texas, and Mr. HOLT. H.R. 2121: Mr. DENT and Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. PORTER, Ms. WATSON, Ms. H. Con. Res. 368: Mr. BROWN of Ohio and H.R. 2134: Mr. MCCOTTER. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. PORTER. H.R. 2206: Mr. FORD, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. Mr. GIBBONS, Mr. LANTOS, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, H. Con. Res. 370: Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. MCNUL- FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. BONNER, Mr. Mr. LYNCH, Mr. BACA, and Mr. INSLEE. TY, and Mr. MILLER of Florida. CARDIN, Mr. BAIRD, and Mr. POMEROY. H.R. 4761: Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. BOREN, and Mr. H. Con. Res. 371: Mr. PETERSON of Min- H.R. 2230: Ms. BALDWIN. PRICE of Georgia. nesota. H.R. 2250: Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. H.R. 4790: Mr. FRANKs of Arizona and Mr. H. Res. 123: Mr. SIMMONS. H.R. 2328: Mr. BISHOP of New York. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. H. Res. 222: Mr. WOLF and Mr. POE. H.R. 2357: Mr. JEFFERSON. H.R. 4798: Mr. CALVERT. H. Res. 335: Mr. ORTIZ. H.R. 2369: Mr. BACA and Mr. DANIEL E. LUN- H.R. 4799: Mr. SANDERS and Mr. SCHWARZ of H. Res. 518: Mr. GORDON, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. GREN of California. Michigan. SOUDER, and Mr. MILLER of Florida. H.R. 2421: Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. UPTON, and Mr. H.R. 4824: Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. PRICE of North H. Res. 526: Mr. FRANKs of Arizona. DAVIS of Illinois. Carolina, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, and Ms. H. Res. 556: Mr. COSTELLO, Miss MCMORRIS, H.R. 2429: Mr. MURTHA. HERSETH. and Mr. CALVERT. H.R. 2458: Mr. PETRI and Mr. POE. H.R. 4843: Mr. KOLBE. H. Res. 600: Mr. MILLER of North Carolina, H.R. 2629: Mr. CUMMINGS. H.R. 4844: Mr. FEENEY. Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. H.R. 2669: Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. H.R. 4865: Mr. ORTIZ. LEVIN, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. H.R. 2730: Mr. HONDA. H.R. 4873: Ms. HERSETH. MCNULTY, Ms. Schwartz of Pennsylvania, H.R. 2793: Mr. LATHAM. H.R. 4890: Mr. HOEKSTRA and Mr. DEAL of Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. PAYNE, H.R. 2861: Mr. FOLEY. Georgia. and Mr. LARSEN of Washington. H.R. 3098: Mr. BLUNT and Mr. NORWOOD. H.R. 4898: Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. MOORE of H. Res. 608: Miss MCMORRIS and Mr. BISHOP H.R. 3131: Mr. BURGESS. Wisconsin, and Mrs. MALONEY. of Georgia. H.R. 3142: Mr. LEACH. H.R. 4903: Mrs. MCCARTHY. H. Res. 697: Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. H.R. 3144: Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. H.R. 4917: Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. OBERSTAR, Ms. WATSON, Mr. SWEENEY, Mr. H.R. 3151: Mr. WYNN. H.R. 4922: Mr. FOLEY, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of BISHOP of Utah, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. CAS- H.R. 3183: Mr. FEENEY and Ms. HERSETH. Texas, and Mr. GALLEGLY. TLE, Mr. BASS, Mr. GILCHREST, Mrs. MYRICK, H.R. 3185: Mr. CONYERS. H.R. 4924: Mr. CANTOR. Mr. SALAZAR, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. CANNON, H.R. 3318: Mr. ALEXANDER. H.R. 4949: Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. Mr. INSLEE, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. H.R. 3323: Ms. HERSETH. SERRANO, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. GIBBONS, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. H.R. 3361: Mr. WELLER and Mr. KENNEDY of MCNULTY, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. Minnesota. MCDERMOTT, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. BACHUS, Mr. BACA, Mr. POE, Mr. GALLEGLY, H.R. 3385: Mr. LATHAM and Mr. VAN SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. HOLLEN. DOYLE, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mrs. CAPITO, FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. SMITH of Washington, H.R. 3436: Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. EMANUEL, Ms. KAPTUR, and Ms. Mr. RAMSTAD, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, and Mr. H.R. 3476: Mrs. LOWEY. DELAURO. RADANOVICH.

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H. Res. 699: Mr. BOYD. Mr. WICKER, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Ms. SCHWARTZ H. CON. RES. 376 H. Res. 703: Mr. MCNULTY. of Pennsylvania, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, Mr. OFFERED BY: MR. FILNER H. Res. 721: Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. SANDERS, MILLER of North Carolina, Mr. SHIMKUS, and AMENDMENT NO. 1: Paragraph (2) of section and Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. GERLACH. H. Res. 723: Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. ANDREWS, 101 (the appropriate levels of new budget au- Ms. PELOSI, Mr. SOUDER, and Mr. CLEAVER. H. Res. 744: Mr. ENGEL. thority) is amended by increasing new budg- et authority for fiscal year 2007 by H. Res. 729: Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. H. Res. 750: Ms. LINDA T. SA´ NCHEZ of Cali- $1,300,000,000. H. Res. 730: Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. SESSIONS, fornia. and Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Paragraph (3) of section 101 (the appro- H. Res. 731: Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of H. Res. 752: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. priate levels of total budget outlays) is Florida, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. MILLER of Flor- amended by increasing total budget outlays ida, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. BISHOP f for fiscal year 2007 by $1,300,000,000. of Georgia, Mr. KUHL of New York, and Mr. Paragraph (4) of section 101 (deficits (on- GALLEGLY. budget)) is amended by increasing the deficit H. Res. 737: Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Ms. AMENDMENTS for fiscal year 2007 by $1,300,000,000. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. PAYNE, Paragraph (15) of section 102 (Veterans Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. Under clause 8 of rule XVIII, pro- Benefits and Services (700)) is amended by in- COOPER, Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Ms. MCCOL- posed amendments were submitted as creasing new budget authority and outlays LUM of Minnesota, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. KIRK, follows: for fiscal year 2007 by $1,300,000,000.

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