September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1785 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

1996 NATIONAL PRAYER nation in prayer and in fellowship. And on course General Shalikashvili and other BREAKFAST every base, on every post and on every ship, members of the Joint Chiefs and the military we are joined as well by our men and women command. We have prime ministers and in uniform who have answered our nation’s heads of state, leaders of giant corporations HON. BILL BARRETT call to serve. and organizations from all over the world OF NEBRASKA Just across the Potomac on Ft. Myer, and we welcome all of you. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES across the Pacific at Misawa Air Base, Allow me to quickly introduce to you the aboard the USS America, in Haiti and Ku- people who are sitting at the head table, Wednesday, September 17, 1997 wait, in South Korea and Bosnia, in all of most of whom will participate and, there- Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, these places and hundreds more, America’s fore, will be introduced in their own right. earlier this year the transcript of the 1997 Na- sons and daughters are taking to their knees But for those who do not participate, so that tional Prayer Breakfast, held here in Washing- and solemnly asking God for strength. you know who is here, I will start with my They are rededicating themselves to free- colleague, Senator Akaka from Hawaii. Next ton, DC, was printed in the CONGRESSIONAL dom, to the freedom that can be found in a to him, Ariel Bybee, who will sing to us RECORD. It has come to my attention that the nation loosed from the chains of oppression. later. General Shalikashvili, whom you’ve transcript of the previous year's National Pray- They are rededicating themselves to peace, heard from in the opening prayer, and his er Breakfast was inadvertently not submitted the peace that can now be heard in the silent wife, Joan. in the RECORD. The Challenging and moving hills of a nation that for years knew only Senator Simpson, who will represent the message brought to us that morning by our war and destruction. And they are rededicat- Senate prayer group, and his wife Ann. Sen- former Senate colleague, Sam Nunn, should ing themselves to the love of God that you ator Carol Moseley-Braun, and I’ll tell you why she’s here at the appropriate time. be available for everyone. Therefore, I request see in the eyes of a cold and frightened child, held in the reassuring arm of an American Becky Geren, the wife of Congressman Pete that a copy of the program and of the tran- soldier in a faraway place called Tuzla. Geren, who heads the House prayer group. Of script of the 1996 proceeding be printed in the And so I ask you now to join them and to course you know the Vice President and his CONGRESSIONAL RECORD at this time. bow your heads in prayer. wife. You know this fellow with a full head Almighty God, our Creator and Sustainer, NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST of hair next to me and his wife. we do affirm here and now how wonderful it My wife, Joyce, next to Mrs. Clinton. Sen- CHAIRMAN: THE HONORABLE BOB BENNETT is to join together today in Your name, for ator Nunn and his wife, Colleen, and we of Pre-Breakfast Prayer: The Honorable DAN- today we bow in prayer as those who, as indi- course will hear from him. Dr. Dorothy IEL AKAKA, U.S. Senator, Hawaii. viduals and as a nation, have been magnifi- Height, we will hear from her. Van Cliburn, Opening Song: Pine Valley Choir. cently and prodigiously blessed. We are who will provide music. Annette Lantos and Opening Prayer: General John M. thankful for the opportunity we have been Congressman Tom Lantos from California, Shalikashvili, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of given to act as Your servants, and as serv- and then Sonny Montgomery from Mis- Staff. ants of the people. sissippi. So, those are the folks who are here BREAKFAST We are also grateful for this opportunity to before you. [Applause.] Welcome: The Honorable BOB BENNETT, pray as a nation for our sons and daughters In the New Testament it records an occa- U.S. Senator, Utah. in the United States Armed Forces here and sion where a lawyer came before Jesus in an Remarks—U.S. House of Representatives: around the world who represent our heritage attempt to tempt Him and trap Him in His The Honorable PETE GEREN, U.S. House of and continued resolve to ever uphold what is words. As I read that, I realize that the be- Representatives, Texas. right and to ever oppose what is wrong and havior of lawyers maybe hasn’t changed too Old Testament Reading: The Honorable would threaten liberty and justice, and of a much in the centuries from then until now, TOM LANTOS, U.S. House of Representatives, certainty to do Your will. but just some lawyers, I assure you. California. Our Father, we join in prayer breakfasts In an attempt to trip Him up, the lawyer Remarks—U.S. Senate: The Honorable AL throughout the world and we ask Your bless- asked Jesus a question that he was fairly SIMPSON, U.S. Senator, Wyoming. ing upon all who have united in a spirit of sure Jesus would have trouble with because Solo: Mr. Van Cliburn. genuine fellowship and kinship. We are it was the question that has been widely de- grateful for all Your blessings and for our bated, and certainly had been widely debated THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES liberty, and we ask that You strengthen our in that time: what is the greatest command- New Testament Reading: The Honorable hearts and give us a continued resolve to ment in the law, and perhaps with a bit of SONNY MONTGOMERY, U.S. House of Rep- work together in the cause of freedom and derision in his voice, he prefaced the ques- resentatives, Mississippi. peace throughout the globe. And in a world tion by saying, ‘‘Master, what is the greatest Prayer for National and International threatened by discord and fear, we ask that commandment?’’ Leaders: Dr. Billy Graham. You watch over our President and all of our Jesus was more than prepared and He Message: The Honorable SAM NUNN, U.S. nation’s leaders, that You continue to help quoted from Deuteronomy, ‘‘Thou shalt love Senator, Georgia. them cope with the crucial problems of our the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with Introduction of the President: The Honor- time. all thy soul and with all thy might’’ And able BOB BENNETT. Father, we ask now that You bless our na- then went further, quoting from Leviticus, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES tion, our nation’s leader and all leaders here said to the lawyer, ‘‘and to the second is like Closing Song: Ms. Ariel Bybee. today. We ask that You bless this breakfast unto it.’’ Quoting from the 19th chapter of Closing Prayer: Dr. Dorothy Height, Na- gathering of fellowship, and we ask that You Leviticus, he said, ‘‘Thou shalt love thy tional Council of Negro Women. bless this food for Your honor and for Your neighbor as thyself.’’ And then He gave the glory. lawyer this magnificent summary. He said, In Your name we pray, Amen. ‘‘On these two hang all the law and the NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST, FEBRUARY 1, Senator BENNETT. Thank you, General prophets.’’ 1996 Shalikashvili. We’ll now enjoy the breakfast I can think of nothing better than that Senator BENNETT. Good morning. My name and pick up the program when presumably summary as the theme of the prayer break- is Bob Bennett. I am the leader of the Senate you’re through eating. Thank you. fast. All of us have our own interpretation of Prayer Breakfast, and in the tradition of the [Breakfast.] who is the Lord our God. All of us strive to National Prayer Breakfast, this is the year Senator BENNETT. In the Senate prayer do the best we can to understand who that is of the Senate to conduct this activity so group we always bang the glass at the stroke and to love Him with all our hearts, souls that it becomes my happy lot to greet you of 8:30 and get started, whether you’re fin- and minds. But all of us, regardless of our re- here on behalf of both the Senate and the ished eating or not, so we will follow that ligious tradition, can recognize the impor- House to this special occasion. tradition here today. tance of learning to love our neighbor as our- General John Shalikashvili, Chairman of We welcome you all here today and you selves, and it is in that spirit that we gather the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will offer the open- should be aware of the fact that in addition here this morning and in countless groups ing prayer. to the President and his wife and the Vice around the world. General SHALIKASHVILI. Today as we gather President and his wife, there are in attend- We gather that way in the Senate of the here in Washington, we are joined by count- ance members of the Senate and the House, United States every week. We also do that in less and countless Americans all across our members of the President’s Cabinet. Of the House every week and it is my privilege

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E1786 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 to introduce to you the Honorable Pete at least the history according to Jake. Jake Long ago in public life I learned where to Geren, Congressman from Texas, who is the is now retired and we all miss him. turn when I didn’t know where to turn. leader of the House prayer breakfast, to Following the hymn, a House member tells There’s only one source for that. bring us their greetings. us about his or her life story, about the in- The Senate prayer breakfast group gathers Representative GEREN. Senator, thank fluences that changed his life, his values, his every Wednesday morning for a convivial you. I’m not sure your lawyer comment was philosophy, his faith, his politics. On these hour between 8 and 9. Our leaders, Bob Ben- in the spirit of the occasion but we’ll let that occasions members offer a window into their nett, Republican from Utah, Danny Akaka, one pass. [Laughter.] souls that I suspect few others ever see. Democrat from Hawaii, rare people, both of Mr. President, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Vice Through this sharing, each of us so often is them. The presenter of the day, after an President, Mrs. Gore, and distinguished surprised that beyond the accent, the geog- opening prayer, shares about themselves guests, one and all. I bring you greetings raphy, and the political label, surprised at with us for 15 or 20 minutes, followed by a from the prayer breakfast of the United how much we all have in common. time of discussion and fellowship. Promptly States House of Representatives. My charge After hearing Joe Moakley of Massachu- at the hour of nine we close with a prayer as today is to tell you about our prayer break- setts talk of his South Boston childhood, we stand with hands joined around the ta- fast, with the hope and prayer that perhaps Charlie Rangel, who grew up in Harlem, said, bles. you can build on our experience in your na- ‘‘Joe, we really grew up in the same neigh- Sometimes the theme is the Bible. Some- tion, your state, your place of work, or per- borhood. We just never knew it.’’ Regarding times it’s public life. Sometimes it’s about haps even in your neighborhood. our differences, and they are many, we grow family and our jobs, but always it’s about In the book of Matthew Jesus told us, to understand them and appreciate them. ourselves and the impact of that greater ‘‘Where two or three are gathered together We close with another prayer. We pray force in our lives, a higher being. All faiths in My name, there am I in the midst of that we may be salt and light in this world. there, all philosophies, all believers. them.’’ Today those gathered in His name Each of us truly is blessed by our participa- Those are always very moving times and number in the thousands and we thank Him tion and pray that somehow our Congress we share much with each other and we gain for His message. and our nation, one nation under God, could much from each other. It helps us endure in Every Thursday morning that the House is be blessed as well. Thank you very much. the partisan and political world in which we in session we gather, 40 to 50 members [Applause.] have chosen to labor. Kindness, civility, tol- strong, in His name. Our gathering is ex- Senator BENNETT. We will now hear an Old erance, and forgiveness are all part of the es- traordinary by Capitol Hill standards, for so Testament reading by the Honorable Tom sence of our gatherings. We try to put aside many reasons, and truly a blessing for those Lantos from California, after which Al Simp- harsh judgment and criticism. I remember who have chosen to make it a part of their son, retiring but not really very retiring, the words of a wonderful couplet that my lives. I say extraordinary by Capitol Hill Senator from Wyoming, will speak on behalf mother used to share: ‘‘There is so much standards. In a supercharged environment of the Senate prayer group. good in the worst of us and so much bad in where most all meetings are restricted by Representative LANTOS. President Clinton the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us party membership, or even more narrowly by and Mrs. Clinton, Vice President and Mrs. to find fault with the rest of us.’’ I like that philosophical subsets within the party, by Gore, ladies and gentlemen. We all know why race, by religion, by region, by state, by everybody is here at the head table. No one one. I knew you would. We also talk about our human frailties. We cause, our meetings are interfaith, ecumeni- knows why I am here. I am here as a re- talk about how easy it is to fall for the blan- cal, multiracial, nonpartisan, and about as minder that we are slow learners. Bob Ben- dishments of flattery and be overcome by diverse as this great land of ours. nett said, ‘‘Thou shall love thy neighbor.’’ I The Irish brogue of south Boston, the am the only survivor of the Holocaust ever ego. I’ve often said that those who travel the syrupy drawl of South Georgia, the sharp elected to the Congress of the United States, high road of humility in Washington, D.C. and clipped tongue of Brooklyn, the twang of which I take as the most poignant reminder are not troubled by heavy traffic. [Laugh- Texas, and the flat tones of the Midwest fill of how profoundly we have failed to learn ter.] the room every Thursday morning. Extraor- that central, profound, and powerful mes- It is always a very uplifting time. And yes, dinary. There are no guests, not even family sage. actually too a time of sharing our own members, no camera, no press, no record of This is my birthday and I didn’t expect it vulnerabilities. It was Will Rogers, our great the proceedings. It is as private as Capitol to be this elaborate. [Laughter, applause]. American humorist, who said, ‘‘It’s great to Hill can be and members share their hearts. But as always, I want to express my appre- be great but it’s greater to be human.’’ I said no guests. Well, there is one excep- ciation to my wife Annette, and I want to We are very privileged to be able to serve tion. Legislators or parliamentarians from tell all of you that as I blow out the candles in the United States Senate, a special obliga- around the world will join us to learn about tonight on my birthday cake, I will have a tion. People do observe us. We are scruti- our breakfast and on occasion return years simple wish, that all of our 17 grandchildren nized, and we hope to do more than just talk later to tell about the breakfasts that they and all the children all across the globe a good game. We need to live the things we have started in their land. should have an opportunity to grow up in learn and share. Today prayer breakfasts are held in over peace and dignity and friendship. Let me close with a poem that is some- 100 countries around the world, in countries I’d like to share with you a psalm you all thing we try to take from the weekly Senate as far-flung as India, Peru, Mongolia, Japan. know, Psalm 19. prayer breakfast group and something we So, in a way, our breakfast engages in out- ‘‘The Heavens declare the glory of God, the might hope to remember from this mar- reach to the world, but that’s not our main skies proclaim the work of His hand. Day velous convocation today. That little poem, purpose. Our focus is internal, on the lives after day, they pour forth speech, night after ‘‘We’d rather see a sermon than hear one any and hearts and souls of our colleagues. It is night they display knowledge. There is no day. We’d rather you would walk with us fellowship. It is an eye in the storm of the speech or language where their voice is not than merely show the way. The eye is a bet- swirling world of politics. heard. Their voice goes out into all the ter pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine There is a saying in Washington that if earth, their works to the end of the world. In counsel is confusing, but example always you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog. the heavens, He has pitched a tent for the clear. We can soon learn how to do it if you Our breakfast belies that expression. Break- sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth all let us see it done. We can watch you well fast begins at eight, and I think it’s the only from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing in action but your tongue too fast may run. three dollar breakfast left in Washington. It to run his course. It rises at one end of the And the lecture you deliver may be very wise probably violates the gifts ban, Mr. Speaker. heavens and makes its circuit to the other; and true, but we’d rather get our lessons by I’m not sure. nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of observing you.’’ We visit informally for most of the first the Lord is perfect.’’ There’s the word for the day. God bless you half hour. When we are called to order, we Senator SIMPSON. Mr. President and First all. begin our day’s program with a scripture Lady Hillary, and Vice President and Presi- Senator BENNETT. Senator Al Gore was a reading. Our very own general, Congressman dent of our Senate, Al and Tipper. Distin- regular attender at the Senate prayer break- Sonny Montgomery, then brings us to date guished guests, greetings to my fellow seek- fast. Vice President Al Gore gets there as on the lives, and too often of late, the deaths ers and discoverers and wanderers, not nec- often as he possibly can. We are poorer for of our friends and House members, past and essarily in that order. the fact that that is not as often as it used present. He shares with us celebrations such It is always a grand morning. One of the to be, but we’re always glad to see the Presi- as recent births and the trials and tribu- great honors of my life was to give the prin- dent of the Senate when he does show up at lations of others. cipal address at this National Prayer Break- our prayer breakfast and we’re honored and We than life up our colleagues and their fast in 1989. I was filled with trepidation that pleased to hear from him now. The Vice families in prayer with rejoiceful prayers of a seeker like me would be asked. The night President of the United States. thanksgiving, prayers for healing, for com- before, the Reverend Billy Graham, one of Vice President AL GORE. Thank you, Sen- fort, and for the blessing of our name and our the most loving, inspirational, caring men in ator Bennett and Mrs. Bennett, and Mr. leaders. We follow the prayer with a hymn, this world, called and said, ‘‘Alan, we are President, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Speaker, Con- long on enthusiasm and sometimes short on praying for you.’’ I said, ‘‘You’re praying for gressman Geren and Mrs. Geren, Senator harmony. me? I’m doing plenty of that for myself.’’ Nunn, who will deliver the message, and Mrs. Congressman Jake Pickle of Texas used to But that’s very typical of the Reverend Billy Nunn, other members of the House and Sen- regale us with the history of each hymn, or Graham. ate here at the dais, other distinguished September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1787 guests at the dais and in the audience and in Now, to do what I’m supposed to do, two ham. Our prayers go out to him for his the overflow room. Let me especially wel- readings from the New Testament. From the speedy recovery and full health. come the international dignitaries who are Living Bible, I Corinthians, chapter 13, Mr. President and Mrs. President, Mr. Vice with us this morning. verses 11 through 13. It is like this. ‘‘When I President and Mrs. Vice President, Senator As Tipper and I stood outside the hotel was a child,I spoke and thought and reasoned Bennett, honored guests, ladies and gentle- early this morning, it was so cold that those as a child does, but when I became a man, men, let us pray. who didn’t know me well thought I was fro- my thoughts grew far beyond those of my Oh Lord, You have always called forth zen stiff. [Laughter.] Three years ago at childhood, and now I have put away childish leaders in the world and we look to You to Christmastime I received from one of my things. In the same way we can see and un- lift up among us those who will lead in right- children a gift that almost drove me to dis- derstand only a little about God now, as if eous ways. Your servant Moses saw an op- traction. It was a book of graphic designs we were peering at His reflection in a poor pressed people and, though he first fled from generated by a computer technique that con- mirror. But some day we are going to see the path, led his people from oppression to tain a hidden pattern. How many of you have Him in His completeness, face to face. Right freedom, from slavery into nationhood. Your ever seen such designs? Those of you who now, all that I know is hazy and blurred, but servant David heard the taunting cry of an have not, what I’m about to say won’t mean then I will see everything clearly, just as evil-spirited giant whose tyranny threatened much to you, but ask your chiuldren. They clearly as God sees into my heart today. to crush the struggling forces for good. will tell you about these designs. There are three things that remain: faith, Against such seemingly impossible strength You’re supposed to hold them very close to hope, and love, and the greatest of these is but armed with your spirit, he brought jus- your face and focus your eyes on a distant love.’’ tice. point beyond the page. Then after a little Now from the King James version, II Timo- Your servant, Your son, the Lord Jesus time has passed, slowly take them away thy, chapter 4, verses 6 through 8. Paul is Christ, armed with only the truth of His from your eyes, and if you do it just right, a writing to his spiritual son Timothy. ‘‘I am teaching, showed His followers the light design will spring into view in three dimen- already being poured out as a drink offering which has been the salvation of and the sions. and the time of my departure is at hand. I model for self-sacrificing and humble leader- I don’t think I was doing it just right, and have fought the good fight, I have finished ship for countless generations. it took a number of tries before I finally re- the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there Lord, we seek Your face. Your world needs solved the technique. My children, by con- is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, leaders who see oppression and lead us away trast, would flip through the pages, yep, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will from it, who can cut tyrants down to size there’s that one, yep, there’s that one. I give to me on that day, and not to me only and place their taunts behind us, who will would still be on the first one, trying to but to all who have loved His appearing.’’ offer not only their wisdom and their words bring it into view. Amen, amen. [Applause.] but indeed, themselves in the service of peo- I think prayer is a little bit like that expe- Representative GEREN. On behalf of the ple everywhere. rience. We try to focus on a more distant re- House prayer breakfast we have a presen- Clothe those who gather under the mantle ality that has a deeper meaning, but it’s dif- tation to make to Sonny. Sonny is truly the of leadership in the world today with a prop- ficult to be still and be patient and avoid the heart and soul of the House prayer breakfast. er scorn for tyranny, a priestly reverence for distraction of the business in our lives. Sonny, I don’t know what we’re going to do the lives of those for whom they speak, and Men see on the surface. We’re taught God without you. [Presents a Bible and reads the the tender touch of the shepherd lifting up sees on the inside. Jesus taught the kingdom inscription] those who need him most. of God is within. In Ecclesiastes we find the ‘‘Sonny Montgomery, our wonderful friend Strengthen their eyes, make wise their passage, ‘‘I applied mine heart to know and and mentor for so many years. You help us minds, and fill their house with the resolve to search and to seek out wisdom and the with the things that count most in life. We to seek and find an act upon the truth as reason of things.’’ are forever in your debt. Presented to Sonny they are privileged to know it in the service In a world awash in information and busy- Montgomery on the occasion of the 1996 Na- of the world You have created, and of the ness, there is always so much more we can tional Prayer Breakfast by the House of Rep- people whom You love. know: the reason a child is suffering ten resentatives breakfast group.’’ Then shall the nations all rejoice in the re- blocks from this hotel, the dreams of a na- Sonny, thank you very much. [Applause.] ality of Your promise to heal this land and tion an ocean away, the condition of our Senator BENNETT. After the program was to grant peace on earth, good will to all. Fa- planet as it circles the sun. We seek wisdom printed, I received the following letter, ad- ther, we thank You for your grace and guid- wherever it may be. dressed to the National Prayer Breakfast. ‘‘I ance and for Your many blessings. Make Ecclesiastes also reminds us that, ‘‘wisdom deeply regret that my doctors, in spite of plain Your way and straighten our path, that strengthened the wise more than ten mighty great improvement and the promise that I our service and stewardship—that our stew- men.’’ With wisdom we may glimpse the fu- will be totally recovered within the next ardship of Your earth and our service of Your ture and shape its contours. We can fulfull month, have urged me not to attend the people may be pleasing in Your sight. responsibilities to neighbors and honor obli- meeting today. This will be one of the few Bless the leaders here assembled, Your gations to our children. With wisdom we can times I have ever missed the National Prayer clergy, our President and Vice President, the protect our earth and preserve its treasures. Breakfast since its inception, and I am going leadership and membership of the Congress, So we ask God to give us the wisdom and to greatly miss it.’’ the administration, the military, the inter- courage to act on that which we have ‘‘It is my prayer that uniting in the spir- national community all here assembled. May learned and give us too the strength to move itual atmosphere will bring us together as a our prayers this day create an atmosphere forward. Give us the grace to be still, to lift people, whatever our backgrounds, and for good all over your world, and the leaders up our eyes unto the hills, to take the time strengthen the moral and spiritual values of our time do honor to you. to ask, what would Jesus do, and to remem- that we are dangerously close to losing. May These things in Jesus’ name we pray, ber that He said, ‘‘Whatsoever you do to the God bless you all.’’ Amen. least of these, you do to me.’’ [Applause.] We assume, Dr. Graham, that you are Senator BENNETT. When the time came to Senator BENNETT. As Congressman Geren watching on television, and we miss you. But make the decision as to whom we would call indicated, Sonny Montgomery, Congressman we tell you you are in our prayers and upon for the principal address at this prayer from Mississippi, has been one of the pillars thoughts and that we pray your recovery is breakfast, we considered a number of names, around which the House prayer breakfast as complete as you indicate the doctors have and debated them and got excited about this group has been built over the years. Sonny promised you it will be. one and that one, and then, well, maybe, and has announced his retirement from the Con- Now faced with this kind of a hole to fill, back and forth. gress, so we asked him to give the New Tes- I did what you always do when you have a We would pray and then get back and talk tament reading here at the National Prayer real problem. You go to your friends. Carol again. Then in the midst of all of this con- Breakfast. Moseley-Braun, Senator from Illinois, after versation the name of Sam Nunn was men- Sonny, when you’re through, don’t leave her initial ‘‘whoo’’ at the suggestion that she tioned, at which point we knew we didn’t because we have something we’d like to give would be standing in for Billy Graham, have to pray about it any more. He did, but you as a memento. proved just how much of a friend she really we didn’t. We knew we had the right fellow. Representative MONTGOMERY. Mr. Presi- is when she said, ‘‘Yes, Bob, I will do it.’’ It took a few weeks for him to decide that dent, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Vice President, Mrs. In the tradition of the National Prayer that was the case. Gore, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Senator Ben- Breakfast, where we always have a prayer When I called the President to run the nett, for giving me the opportunity to read for national and international leaders, we name by him—as a courtesy we always do two passages from the New Testament. will now have the honor of having that pray- that, to make sure that we get somebody A few minutes ago Pete Geren talked er offered by the Senator from Illinois, Carol that the President would feel comfortable about the House prayer breakfast group, and Moseley-Braun. with—I caught the President on a perhaps Thursday is the best day of the week for me Senator MOSELEY-BRAUN. Thank you. Sen- bad day. I’m not sure he has too many of the because of the prayer breakfast. I could have ator Bennett assured me that the charity of other kind, but while the President is always not made it up here for 30 years without the the people at the prayer breakfast would courteous, I could tell from the edge in his House prayer breakfast being in the Con- keep me from being run out of town while voice a little bit that there had been a lot of gress. trying to substitute for the great Dr. Gra- people who had been having that day. He E1788 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 said after the pleasantries, ‘‘You called me,’’ eral other Senators in attending a meeting Well, upon hearing that, the reporter kind of a little bit defensive, like, what prob- with a number of newly elected members of scoffed, He said, ‘‘Don’t give me that soft, lem are we going to have now? that body. The second day, a few of us were sound bite stuff. What laws did you get I said, ‘‘Mr. President, I’m calling to get invited to a very small prayer breakfast with passed?’’ When he said that, I had several your reaction to the possibility that we’ll a group of Duma members who were just thoughts, only a couple of them I can share have Sam Nunn as the speaker for the Na- forming a fellowship. As in the larger meet- with you this morning. [General laughter.] tional Prayer Breakfast.’’ I could tell from ing the day before, the breakfast discussion Four years ago, my daughter Michelle and the response in the President’s voice that I started with a degree of coldness and ten- a few of her friends started an organization had made his day; immediately he relaxed sion. One of the Russians, in obvious sadness in Atlanta called Hands On Atlanta, making and said, ‘‘I think that’s wonderful. I think and a little embarrassment, remarked that it exciting and efficient and fun for young that’s remarkable.’’ Russia was in great economic distress and people to volunteer their time to help those So do all of the rest of us who know and that the United States was the only remain- in need. Now, about five years later, 10,000 love Sam Nunn. This is one of the outstand- ing super power. It was clear that this was a volunteers each month render about 20,000 ing public servants in America, and it is very sensitive point for them. It had been hours of personal one-on-one service. Now going to be our great privilege to hear from abundantly clear also the day before. Sen- what laws have I passed that would have this him now. [Applause.] ator Dirk Kempthorne and I then pointed out impact? Senator NUNN. Thank you very much, Bob. that in a real sense there was only one real I also thought about the difference be- President and Mrs. Clinton, Vice President Super Power in the world, our Heavenly Fa- tween being a Senator and being a father. and Mrs. Gore, fellow sinners—have I left ther who watches over us all. The tension When we in the Senate make a mistake, we anyone out? [Laughter.] immediately eased, and the spirit of fellow- have checks and balances, 99 other Senate I say to my good friend Alan Simpson, ship was built. And we prayed together to colleagues, plus the House of Representa- Billy Graham called me also, Alan, and he that Super Power, the God who loves us all. tives, plus the President, plus a final review said as he did in his message, he was praying Our world is a strange and tragic place. It’s by the Supreme Court. But when we as par- for us all but he felt particularly compelled very ironic in many ways. The Cold War is ents make a mistake, where are the checks to pray for Alan Simpson and for me. Alan, over, but in a tragic sense, the world has now and where are the balances? I don’t know what he meant by that, but you been made safe for ethnic, tribal and reli- Congress can pass laws cracking down on and I appreciate it. gious warfare and vengeance and savagery. those who refuse to support their children, A few years ago during the Brezhnev era, Such tragedy has come to the people of So- but we cannot force husbands to honor their Dr. Billy Graham returned from a highly malia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and wives, wives to love their husbands and both publicized trip to Moscow, and he was con- parents to nurture their children. Congress fronted when he returned by one of his crit- Haiti and others. At home, the pillar of our national can pass laws on civil rights and equal ics with these words, ‘‘Dr. Graham, you have strength, the American family, is crumbling. rights, but we cannot force people of dif- set the church back 50 years.’’ Billy Graham Television and movies saturate our children ferent races to love each other as brothers. lowered his head and replied, ‘‘I am deeply with sex and violence. We have watered down Congress can promote fairness and efficiency ashamed. I’ve been trying very hard to set our moral standards to the point where in our tax code, but we cannot force the rich the church back 2,000 years.’’ [Laughter, ap- many of our youth are confused, discour- to have compassion for the poor. We can join plause.] Today we represent different political par- aged, and in deep trouble. We are reaping our with our Nato allies to separate the warring ties, different religions, different nations, harvest of parental neglect, divorce, child factions in Bosnia, as we’re doing, and give but as your invitation states, we gather as abuse, teen pregnancy, school drop-outs, ille- them a breathing space as we’re doing; but brothers and sisters in the spirit of Jesus, gal drugs and streets full of violence. It’s as we cannot force Muslims, Croats and Serbs who lived 2,000 years ago and who lives in our if our house, having survived the great to live together as brothers in peace. hearts and minds even today. The first pray- earthquake we called the Cold War, is now I recently heard a story on the radio. It er breakfast was held in 1953, in a world of being eaten away by termites. happened in Bosnia, but I think it has mean- great danger. President Eisenhower was Where should we turn this morning and in ing for all of us. A reporter was covering that newly inaugurated and had just returned the days ahead? I believe that our problems tragic conflict in the middle of Sarajevo; and from Korea where our young soldiers were in America today are primarily problems of he saw a young, little girl shot by a sniper. fighting desperately. the heart. The soul of our nation is the sum The back of her head had literally been torn World communism was on the move. East- of our individual characters. Yes, we must away by the bullet. The reporter threw down ern Europe and the Baltics were locked be- balance the budget. And there are a lot of his pad and pencil and stopped being a re- hind the Iron Curtain. All across the globe other things we need to do at the federal porter for a few minutes. He rushed to the the lights of religion, freedom, and individ- level. But unless we change our hearts, we man who was holding the child. He helped ual right were going out, and the specter of will still have a deficit of the soul. The them both into his car. As the reporter nuclear destruction loomed over our planet. human inclination to seek political solutions stepped on the accelerator, racing to the hos- I wonder this morning how those who at- for problems of the heart is nothing new. It’s pital, the man holding the bleeding child tended that first National Prayer Breakfast natural. said, ‘‘Hurry, my friend. My child is still 43 years ago would have reacted if God had Two thousand years ago another society breathing.’’ A moment later, ‘‘Hurry, my given them a window to see the world of the found itself in deeper trouble than our own friend. My child is still warm.’’ Finally, 1980s and the 1990s. They would have seen today. An oppressive empire strangled lib- ‘‘Hurry. Oh my God, my child is getting truly amazing things. Catholic nuns kneel- erties. Violence and corruption were perva- cold.’’ ing to pray in the path of 50-ton tanks, the sive. Many of the people of the day hoped for When they got to the hospital, the little power of their faith bringing down the Phil- the triumphant coming of a political savior, girl had died. As the two men were in the ippine dictatorship. The Iron Curtain being a long expected king to establish a new, laboratory, washing the blood of their hands smashed, not by tanks of war but by the righteous government. Instead, God sent his and their clothes, the man turned to the re- hands of those who built it and those who son, a baby born in a stable. porter and said, ‘‘This is a terrible task for were oppressed by it. The Cold War ending Jesus grew up to become a peasant car- me. I must go tell her father that his child not in a nuclear inferno but in a blaze of can- penter in a backwater town called Nazareth. is dead. He will be heartbroken.’’ The re- dles in the churches of Eastern Europe, in He condemned sin, but he made it clear he porter looked up in amazement. He looked the singing of hymns and the opening of loved the sinner. He befriended beggars and up at the grieving man and said, ‘‘I thought long-closed synagogues. prostitutes and even tax collectors, while she was your child.’’ The man looked back I believe that God gave Joseph Stalin the condemning the hypocrisy of those in power. and said, ‘‘No, but aren’t they all our chil- answer to his question: How many divisions He treated every individual with love and dren?’’ does the Pope have? They would have also dignity and taught that we should do the Aren’t they all our children? Yes, they are seen a black man in South Africa emerge same. He died like a common criminal on a all our children. They are also God’s children from prison after 26 years and become Presi- cross and gave us the opportunity for re- as well, as He entrusts us with their care. In dent of his nation, personifying forgiveness demption and the hope of eternal life. He Sarajevo and Somalia, in New York City, in and reconciliation; the first hesitant but also put the role of government in proper Los Angeles and my home town of Perry, hopeful steps toward peace between Jews and perspective when he said, ‘‘Render unto Cae- Georgia, and right here in Washington, DC, Arabs in the Middle East and between Catho- sar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that they are all our children. lics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. which is God’s.’’ In the book of Micah, the prophet asked, They would see that in 1996, we are blessed to Shortly after I announced that I would not ‘‘Shall I give my firstborn for my trans- live in a world where more people enjoy reli- seek reelection last fall, a reporter asked gressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of gious freedom than at any other time in his- me, ‘‘You’ve been in this Congress for 24 my soul?’’ The cruelest aspects of our wars tory. Can we doubt this morning that a lov- years. What do you consider your greatest and our sins is what they do to our children. ing God has watched over us and guided us accomplishment?’’ I paused for a moment, Jesus said, ‘‘Suffer the little children to through this dangerous and challenging pe- and then I replied, ‘‘Keeping my family to- come unto me for of such is the kingdom of riod? gether and helping my wife Colleen raise two God.’’ Too often today we shorten that com- During the early days of the Russian Par- wonderful children, Michelle and Brian.’’ mandment to: Suffer, little children. Mrs. liament, known as the Duma, I joined sev- [Applause.] Clinton, thank you for the great emphasis September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1789 you have put on children and the spotlight Sermon on the Mount. And my prayer this Let me begin by saying that most of what you have shined on our challenges. We are morning for our leaders, and indeed for our I would like to have said on my best day was grateful. [Applause.] whole nation, is the spirit of His words then. said better today by Sam Nunn. [Applause.] And so the world is watching America May we who would be leaders always be All during his speech, I kept saying to my- today. People around the world are not just aware that we must first be servants. May self, I’m more glad today that I prayed for watching our President or our Congress or we who compete in the arena of government him not to leave the Congress than I was the our economy or even our military deploy- and politics remember that we are com- day I prayed for it, but I also know, with a ment. They are watching out cities and our manded to love our enemies and pray for heart and a mind and a spirit like that, there towns and our families to see how much we those who persecute us. And I can’t find any is a great, powerful service still awaiting value our children and whether we care exception for the news media or for our oppo- Senator Nunn in whatever he should decide enough to stop America’s moral and cultural nents. May we who seek to be admired by to do. erosion. others remember that when we practice our I thank Sam Nunn and Alan Simpson and Do we in America in 1996, love our neigh- piety before men in order to be seen by them, my neighbor, Sonny Montgomery, and all bors as ourselves, as explained by Bob Ben- we will have no reward in Heaven. May we those who are here retiring from the United nett as our theme for the morning and by who have large egos and great ambition re- States Congress this year for the service Tom Lantos and his personal example? Now, call that the kingdom of Heaven is promised that they have rendered to their constitu- I don’t have the answer to these questions to those who are humble and who are poor in ents and to the American people. [Applause.] this morning, and I don’t pretend to. These spirit. May we who depend on publicity as Hillary and I join all of you in praying for problems can only be solved in the hearts our daily bread recall that when we do a se- Billy Graham and for his wonderful wife, and minds of our people and one child at a cret kindness to others, and when we don’t Ruth, and for their family. time. I do have a few, however, observations. try to tell everyone, then our Father, who I’m still glad to be here even though I The Cold War provided us with the clarity knows all of our secrets, will reward us. May don’t think I need to say much now. I know of purpose and the sense of unity as a people. the citizens who we serve as stewards of gov- one thing. We’ve got a lot to pray about here Our survival as a nation was at stake. We ernment be sensitive to the fact that while in Washington. We’ve got a lot of conflicts, came together, often in fear. The challenges we need their critiques, we also desperately we’ve got an abundance of cynicism, we have that confront us today are different, far dif- need their prayers. May we never forget that to worry about a loss of trust in public insti- ferent; but the stakes are the same. I pray the final judgment of our tenure here on tutions all across the country. I disagree that our children, all of our children, will be earth will not be decided by majority votes with Pete Geren. I think it was Harry Tru- the bridge that brings us together as a na- and that an election is not required to bring man who said, ‘‘If you want a friend in Wash- tion, not in fear, but in love. us home. ington, you need to buy a dog.’’ I think it Each year millions of our children are God bless each of you. [Applause.] was Benjamin Franklin that said, ‘‘Our en- abused, abandoned, and aborted. Millions Senator BENNETT. We did all right, didn’t emies are our friends when they show us our more receive little care, little discipline, and we? [Applause.] faults.’’ Well, as someone who has had more almost no love. While we continue to debate Thank you Sam, You have left us all in of his faults shown, real and imagined, than our deeply held belief as to which of these your debt. anyone else—[laughter]—I think we all have sins should also be violations of our criminal Those who know me know that I am the a lot of friends here in Washington. [Laugh- code, I pray that we as parents, as extended son of a Senator. My father served for 24 ter and applause.] parents, and as communities, will come to- years, and I ran his last two campaigns. I was thinking last night about what we gether and find a way to provide love and When the time came for me to run for the really want out of this Prayer Breakfast, and spiritual care to every mother and to every Senate, I thought I understood what that I was up late reading, and I came across child, born or unborn. Government at every was all about. I’d been all over the state. I’d something that King David said in the 4th level must play a role. But I do not believe spoken in every little town. I had shaken all Psalm. You know, David knew something it will be the decisive role. the hands. And I’d done all of the things con- about leadership and courage and human What then are our duties as leaders, not nected with managing a senatorial cam- failing. He said in his psalm to God, ‘‘Thou just in the world of politics and government, paign. Well, one of the great discoveries that hast enlarged me when I was in distress.’’ but in every field represented here this came to me when I became a candidate is So I pray that when we leave here today, morning and through our land? Like basket- that there is no experience that can prepare by the words of Senator Nunn and the read- ball stars Charles Barkley and Dennis Rod- you for what happens when you are the can- ings of the Scripture, the remarks of others, man, we are role models whether we like it didate. It’s entirely different. The pressures we shall all be enlarged in spirit, not only for or not. I believe that the example we set, are different. The circumstances are dif- our public work, but for our private trials. I particularly for our young people, may be ferent. The hurts, perhaps, are deeper when look out here and I see friends of mine in the most important responsibility of public it’s your name on the ballot than when both parties whom I know today have trials service. We must demonstrate with our daily you’re campaigning for somebody else. in their own families and challenges of the lives that it is possible to be involved in poli- I have participated in a number of presi- heart they must face. And we leave here in tics and still retain intellectual honesty and dential campaigns. I think I know a little bit the prayer that we will be enlarged. moral and ethical behavior. We are all sin- about what it’s like to manage a presidential Sam Nunn talked about the family and ners, so we will slip. And, yes, we will fall. campaign. But from my own experience, I what government cannot do. I ask that when But I have felt God’s sustaining hand know that there can be only one person in we leave here, we say a prayer for our fami- through every phase of my life, growing up this room who understands what it’s like to lies, to lift up those who are working hard to in Perry, Georgia, raising a family, my rela- be the President of the United States. The stay together and overcome the problems tionship with my wife, Colleen, in Senate pressures, the challenges, the difficulties, they face, to lift up those who are helping floor debates, in committee meetings, visit- the rest of us can only guess. others to make and to build families. It is a ing our troops in war, or being a part of the And so, I share with you my memory of mission for peace. President Clinton at his first National Pray- rewarding thing to see the divorce rate level- In the years ahead, when I think back on er Breakfast, when I was sitting there as the ing off and the teen pregnancy rate going my public service, I am certain that the brand new Senator, wondering what this was down, and the first indications that America most cherished memories will be those mo- all about. He said something that I have may be coming back together around the ments spent with my colleagues in the Sen- hung onto ever since, and I think has great values that made this a great nation. But we ate Prayer Breakfast and in my meetings value for all of us. He referred to his oath of need to support those efforts. with leaders from around the world in the office, and then said when the oath was com- There may not be much we can do here as spirit of Jesus. pleted, he felt like saying, ‘‘So, help me, lawmakers. Hillary said in her book that, I’ve also been blessed by many friends in God.’’ ‘‘* * * till death do us part’’ has often be- the Senate and a small fellowship with a That is a legitimate reading of that par- come, ‘‘till the going gets tough.’’ It may be group of Senate brothers, like the late ticular phrase, that only the President can that it ought to be a little harder to get a di- Dewey Bartlett, Republican of Oklahoma; fully understand. It’s a great pleasure and vorce where children are involved. But what- Lawton Chiles, Democrat of Florida, Pete honor for me now to pronounce the appro- ever we do with the law, we know that ulti- Domenici, Republican of New Mexico; Harold priate words of introduction: Ladies and gen- mately this is an affair of the heart, an affair Hughes, Democrat of Iowa; and Mark Hat- tlemen, the President of the United States. of the heart that has enormous economic and field, Republican of Oregon. No one can ac- [Applause.] political and social implications for Amer- cuse that group of being of like minds, politi- President CLINTON. Thank you very much. ica, but most importantly, has moral impli- cally. But these brothers have listened to my Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank cations because families are ordained by God problems, they’ve shared in my joys, they’ve you. Thank you very much. Thank you. as a way of giving children and their parents held me accountable, and they’ve upheld me Thank you very much, Senator Bennett, the chance to live up to the fullest of their in their prayers. Fellowship in the spirit of Vice President and Mrs. Gore, Mr. Speaker, God-given capacities. And when we save Jesus does amazing things. It puts political Senator Nunn and the Members of Congress them and strengthen them, we overcome the and philosophical differences, even profound who are here, the Members of the Supreme notion that self-gratification is more impor- differences, in a totally different perspective. Court, the Joint Chiefs, the other public offi- tant than our obligations to others. We over- I believe that 2,000 years ago Jesus was cials, to our guests from around the world, come the notion that is so prevalent in our speaking of each of us when He delivered His and my fellow Americans. culture that life is just a series of responses E1790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 to impulses, and instead is a whole pattern and Senator Dole and Senator Daschle and practice every day that same love with one with a fabric that should be pleasing to our Mr. Gephardt and Mr. Armey, in some ways another across every line that for too long God. I wish all of you could have seen it because has separated and divided us. We need each I applaud what Senator Nunn said about they were remarkably free of cant and poli- other. Help us to know that we are of many our children, for with them it is more true tics. And I learned a lot; I owe them a lot. nations, languages, tribes, cultures, but one than in any other area of our life that it is Believe it or not, we’re not supposed to talk race, the human race, which You alone have in giving that we receive. about what happened, but there were two dif- created. I ask that we pray for those who are trying ferent occasions where I found myself in the Make us to see that if one of us is hungry, to make strong our communities and our na- minority, but in agreement with Mr. hurting, impoverished, malnourished, or the tion and our nation’s connection to people of Armey—on two issues. And I thought to my- victim of war and violence, then as one peo- like minds and real needs around the world, self, I can’t let this get out, he’ll lose his ple, that is where we all are. For as Martin for that, too, is a part of family life. We leadership position. [Laughter.] Luther King, Jr., once reminded us, ‘‘Injus- would be a better country if our commu- Our friend Sonny Montgomery read that tice anywhere is a threat to justice every- nities and our country acted more like the wonderful passage from Corinthians in his where.’’ best families, where we all played our part, first reading. I would ask you to remember, Instill in us this day, oh Lord, an even including the government, where we all did all of you, how that passage is worded in the greater commitment to love You, to love for ourselves and tried to help each other. King James Bible. ‘‘Now we see through a every neighbor as we love ourselves, and to Humanity’s impulse is to reach outward to glass darkly. Now I know in part.’’ Every one beat our plowshares into pruning hooks as the poor and homeless in need; to the striv- of us is subject to error in judgment as a part we study war no more. ing who seek a hand up, not a handout; to of the human condition, and that is why the And for this day and for this experience the stricken from here to the Middle East to last chapter of that magnificent verse says, and for this challenge, we give You all the Haiti to Bosnia; to the earth, which needs ‘‘Now abideth these three—faith, hope and glory, the honor and the praise, and shall we our help in preserving the temple God gave charity, and the greatest of these is char- all say Amen. us. ity.’’ We need a charitable outlook in our ALL. Amen. Sometimes I think we forget in America feelings and our dealings toward those with how privileged we are to be looked to to ex- whom we disagree because we do not know, f tend the bonds of family beyond our border. as we are known by God. When Hillary and I were served breakfast So let us pray that our families will be TRIBUTE TO JACK M. STACK, M.D. here today, the gentleman who was serving stronger. Let us pray that the impact of our us leaned over and he said, ‘‘Mr. President, I families and these values will help us as HON. DEBBIE STABENOW am so grateful for what the United States leaders to make our communities, our nation OF MICHIGAN did in Haiti. I came here 30 years ago from and our work in the world stronger. Let us Haiti, but it is still my country and now it’s pray for a stronger sense of humility in our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES free.’’ own efforts and a much stronger sense of Thursday, September 18, 1997 When I met the foreign dignitaries as I was charity toward the efforts of others. Let us going through the line, there standing before know always that the spirit of God is among Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, throughout me was the mayor of Tuzla. For every Amer- us when we permit it to be. his personal and professional life, Dr. Jack M. ican in uniform, he is now our mayor and we When Hillary and I went to Ireland a few Stack has made significant contributions to are a part of his family efforts to bring peace weeks ago and saw the yearning for peace promote the health and well-being of the peo- and freedom to all the people of Bosnia. there in the eyes of the Catholics and the ple of Michigan. Galatians say, ‘‘Let everyone bear his own Protestants, we had the honor to meet the Dr. Stack is board certified by both the burden,’’ and then just a couple of verses Irish Nobel-Prize winning poet, Seamus later says, ‘‘Bear one another’s burden.’’ Heaney, and I had the honor of quoting one American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Would God through St. Paul have given us of his wonderful lines in hoping that I really and the American Board of Family Practice. A such contradictory advice? No, I don’t think was there at a time when, to use his words, great deal of his practice in both specialities so. I think being personally responsible and ‘‘hope and history rhyme.’’ has been dedicated to caring for women, chil- reaching out to others are the two sides of This can be such a time, I am convinced, dren, and families. But in addition to providing humanity’s coin, and we cannot live full only —only—if we are charitable, if we are valuable primary health care for more than 30 lives—we cannot be enlarged—unless we do family and if we act according to the spirit years in Michigan's rural communities, Dr. both. of God. This is the day that the Lord has Stack has taken a leadership role on national So I ask all of you, beyond praying for our made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank families, to pray for us here in Washington you. [Applause.] and international committees dedicated to im- to make the right decisions about how we Senator BENNETT. Thank you, Mr. Presi- proving the lives of women and children. should enlarge and strengthen the family of dent, We are honored by your words as well As a member of the Michigan State Medical our communities, our nation and our ties to as your presence and your wisdom, and we Society, Dr. Stack has served on the Commit- the world. will try to live within the spirit of your tee on Child Abuse Prevention, Committee on Finally, I ask you to pray for us to have a counsel. Health Insurance for the Uninsured, and Com- more charitable attitude toward one an- Let me be sure I get this correct because other, leaders and citizens alike. I was this may be the person with the most creden- mittee on Governmental Legislative Affairs. He aghast and deeply saddened yesterday when I tials of any of us in the room. Dr. Dorothy has served as chairperson of Governor read in one of the newspapers all of us read Height is the president of the National Coun- Milliken's first statewide Health Consumer's around here, probably one we shouldn’t some cil of Negro Women. Some study history, Conference and was keynote speaker at the days, that a citizen of a state of this country others debate it, but few represent it with Governor's Child Abuse Prevention Con- had described one of his representatives in the dignity and grace and magnificence of ference. Among his many other notable Congress as a heathen, a representative who this living legend. She has been a close achievements, Dr. Stack has also served on is a genuine, true national hero. But I must friend of both Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin the board of directors for the Michigan Asso- say that the citizen would get a lot of ammu- Luther King, Jr. And she is unique in her nition for that just by watching the fights ability to work with the poor and the op- ciation for Infant Mental Health, is the past here. pressed while moving with grace and dignity treasurer for the International Michigan Mental What I want to say to all of you is that the among the leaders of our time. Health Advisory Council, and is the past vice disagreements we have had here in this last DOROTHY HEIGHT. Let us all join hands and president for the Mental Health Association in year have been very important and not just lift our hearts in prayer. Michigan. political and not just partisan. They have God of our weary years, God of our silent In addition to his many leadership roles, Dr. been part of the debate America must have tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on Stack has made significant contributions to the as we move into a new era. But we need to the way, Thou who has by Thy might led us conduct them with a great sense of humility. into the light, keep us forever in the path, study of pregnancy loss and its impact on We need to show the right attitude toward we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, women and families. He has published more those with whom we disagree, even when we our God, where we met Thee, lest our hearts, than two dozen articles relating to women's feel wronged. drunk with the wine of the world, we forget health and has shown great activism in sup- I received a letter a few days ago from a Thee. Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we porting the many causes of the family. very devout Jew who is a good friend of the forever stand true to our God, true to our na- Dr. Stack exemplifies the values and ethics Vice President’s and mine, and he was talk- tive land. we need within our medical profession. He is Lord God, we thank You, for as we have ing about injustice. He said, ‘‘In the matter a committed doctor and has demonstrated of injustice, as awful as it is, it is always, al- gathered this morning in the spirit of Jesus ways better to endure it than to inflict it.’’ Christ, our hearts have been touched, our outstanding leadership within the Michigan We have to reach across these divisions. In souls invigorated, our lives challenged, our community. Throughout his career Dr. Stack these 50 hours of budget discussions the minds renewed, and our vision made clearer has shown great courage and his work and Speaker and I had with the Vice President of Your great love for us all. Teach us to dedication has had a profound impact on September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1791 many people. I am proud to recognize his con- and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- are flexible enough to meet the needs of our tributions and work. ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- diverse population. poses: f The guidance the Federal Government has Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Chairman, I rise provided up to the present is adequate and DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, today in support of the amendment offered by fulfilling. As the States identify the needs of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, the chairman of the Education and the their local schools the Federal Government AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED Workforce Committee, BILL GOODLING, which needs to respond fully and quickly. AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS will prevent the Department of Education from f ACT, 1998 spending funds on its national testing pro- posal. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPEECH OF I can think of no other administration in re- FRESNO BEE HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD cent years that has demonstrated a stronger OF CALIFORNIA commitment to and advocacy for public edu- HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cation in this country than the Clinton adminis- OF CALIFORNIA tration. The leadership of President Clinton IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, September 17, 1997 and Secretary of Education Richard Riley has Thursday, September 18, 1997 The House in Committee of the Whole yielded positive results in the expansion and House on the State of the Union had under improvement of Federal education programs. Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- This is why I come to the House with some today to honor the Fresno Bee for receiving propriations for the Departments of Labor, reluctance today to respectfully disagree with the first-place General Excellence award from Health and Human Services, and Education, an initiative proposed by our administration to the Newspaper Publishers Association. The and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- establish national tests at the fourth and Fresno Bee has been instrumental in providing ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- eighth grade levels in reading and math. news and information to the Central San Joa- poses: The debate on national testing is not new. quin Valley. Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. Chair- It has been around for decades. Presidential The California Newspaper Publishers Asso- man, I rise to join my colleagues, Mr. BURTON administrations have come and gone, advo- ciation awarded the Fresno Bee with its high- of Indiana and Ms. DEGETTE, in celebrating cates and opponents of national testing have est honor on July 19, 1997. This General Ex- the democracy that makes this Nation so changed, but the issues and concerns remain cellence award was presented to newspapers unique. I join my colleagues in their efforts to the same. I have taken a strong stand against with a circulation of 75,000 to 200,000 recipi- strengthen the invaluable education that is national testing in the past and will do so ents. The Bee's coverage of a September provided by the We the People Program. again today. Presidential visit and a series on troubled mu- It is so critical that we raise our children to The implementation of national tests does nicipal bonds contributed to the winning of this understand the pillars upon which this Nation little to improve the education system of our highest honor. was founded and still stands today. Our chil- country, and indeed may actually harm the The Fresno Bee was also awarded first very children we seek to help. It is based on dren need to know the history and principles place awards in several individual categories an idea that improvement of our education of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. They by the association. Specifically, writer Jim system is dependent upon knowing where the need to understand how the American political Wasserman's story on child organ transplants problems are and who is doing poorly. Well, if traditions and institutions at the Federal, State, won first place for a feature story. Photog- this is the case, then we are already there, be- and local levels were created and function rapher Hector Amezcua's essay compliment- cause we already know which schools are both in the past and present. Our children ing Wasserman's story also took top honors doing poorly and we know which children are need to learn about the crucial steps our fore- for photography. Finally, Severiano Galvan having difficulty. fathers and mothers took to make this great Our teachers make this assessment on a was recognized for his illustration and graphic democracy. And with this knowledge, our chil- daily basis, and school districts and States al- art. dren will feel compelled to act with the civic ready have a myriad of tests to determine The Fresno Bee has a daily circulation of responsibility it takes to make this an even whether students are meeting high academic more than 150,000 and a Sunday circulation stronger, greater Nation. standards. We don't need the Federal Govern- of 190,000. The Bee is the paper of record Through simulated congressional hearings ment to tell teachers, parents and school ad- throughout the Fresno metropolitan area, and a national competition of such hearings ministrators who is achieving and who isn't. which includes all of Fresno County as well as for secondary school students, this Nation's We do need the Federal Government to the communities of Visalia, Hanford, Madera, children learn how this country ever became help school districts to provide the resources and Mariposa. As part of McClatchy News- such an envied democracy by so many other to assure that children who have difficulties papers, the Fresno Bee has diverse informa- countries. We must ensure that every school have the help they need. The Federal Govern- tion resources that both educate and inform is provided with the opportunity to educate ment can assist in eliminating the financial in- the people of Fresno. students on the history of our political system equities that continue to exist among school Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay and the need for active civic participation. I districts and in providing resources to improve tribute to the Fresno Bee. This publication ex- encourage my colleagues to join me in cele- teacher training, math and science education, emplifies leadership in reporting news and in- brating and enriching the democracy that de- to rebuild and renovate our crumbling edu- formation. I extend to the Bee my appreciation fines America by voting for the Burton- cation infrastructure, to expand early childhood for a job well done. DeGette amendment. education, and to assure that students have f f up-to-date text books, lab equipment, and HONORING LAWRENCE H. COOKE, A computer technology. DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, We have long held that issues of curriculum MAN OF JUSTICE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, and tests should be the responsibility of each AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED school district and State. In implementing tests HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS and the corresponding curriculum school dis- OF NEW YORK ACT, 1998 tricts can provide appropriate oversight, co- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ordination and safeguards. I fear that the Thursday, September 18, 1997 SPEECH OF temptation to use a national test established HON. PATSY T. MINK by the Federal Government, without appro- Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues from New York and around OF HAWAII priate safeguards could be misused for high- the country to join me in honoring the former IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stakes purposes beyond their criterion, to track children because of low test scores. In chief judge of the State of New York, Law- Tuesday, September 16, 1997 its inception the proposed national test for all rence H. Cooke. Judge Cooke is a man who The House in Committee of the Whole children would not test limited English pro- has served his State, his nation, and his com- House on the State of the Union had under ficient children and other special needs stu- munity with a passion and dedication to fair- consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- dents. ness and justice for all Americans. propriations for the Departments of Labor, The diversity of our country requires that we Lawrence Cooke went from being a country Health and Human Services, and Education, have locally driven education systems which lawyer in his beloved Sullivan County to the E1792 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 very pinnacle of the legal profession by be- Guided by Rev. Dr. Michael C. Murphy, the The I±68 Program was established in 1963 coming the chief judge of the New York Court congregation lives by the proverb, ``Where to facilitate convenience for boaters coming of Appeals. He is and remains one of those There Is No Vision, the People Perish.'' This from Canada to the United States. It allows most respected jurists of this century. While is evident in their passion to make a real dif- United States citizens, lawful permanent resi- he scaled the very loftiest of positions as a ference in the community. From their spiritual dents of the United States, and Canadian na- judge, he is also know for retaining his com- and community leadership to their involvement tionals to enter by boat along the northern bor- mon touch, his ability to relate to and con- in many local charitable projects, the St. Ste- der of the United States without reporting to a verse with ordinary people about their con- phen's Community Church is an important designated port of entry, so long as they have cerns. This is all too rare a gift. local institution dedicated to the Lansing com- obtained an I±68 permit. It applies only to Mr. Speaker, on September 21, 1997, munity. those traveling in boats of less than 5 net Judge Cooke will be honored by the people of We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniver- tons. Under this program, Canadian nationals Sullivan County by the naming of the Law- sary of the St. Stephen's Community Church may enter the United States for a period of not rence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse in and congratulate their 300 member congrega- more than 72 hours and must remain in areas Monticello. I hope that my colleagues will join tion. We thank them for their activism and we adjacent to the immediate shore. me in celebrating and applauding the life and thank them for their vision. For 32 years, the I±68 permit was issued work of this distinguished jurist, Lawrence H. f annually to eligible boaters without any fee. In Cooke. 1995, however, the Immigration and Natu- f A SPECIAL TRIBUTE ralization Service began requiring a fee of $16 for individuals, or $32 for a family. The INS NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK HON. JOHN L. MICA advises me that, although the I±68 was issued COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF FLORIDA gratis prior to 1995, they believe that a user WEEK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fee statute that has been in effect since 1952 requires the imposition of a fee absent con- HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN Thursday, September 18, 1997 Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take gressional direction to the contrary. OF SOUTH CAROLINA The INS regulations implementing the I±68 this opportunity to recognize James W. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Permit Program impose a costly and unneces- Almand, A. Russell Bobo, John S. Chaperon, sary burden for many recreational boaters. Thursday, September 18, 1997 Rick DeGraff, Robert C. Fobes, Frederick W. The regulations require each guest of a boat Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Leonhardt, William Pinto, Jerome Schechter, owner, who is not a member of his or her fam- recognition of September 21±27 as National William Crampton, and James D. Turk. It is ily, to travel to an immigration office during Historically Black Colleges and Universities my honor to pay tribute to these gentleman on business hours to complete the I±68 applica- Week. There are presently 104 historically the occasion of their visit with me in our Na- tion and pay the required fee. This require- black institutions of higher learning throughout tion's Capital today. It has been my privilege ment is virtually impossible to implement. the United States. These cornerstones of Afri- to know each of these individuals for the past As a consequence, United States busi- can-American education have played an inte- three decades. We all had the good fortune of nesses along the Great Lakes' borders, such gral role in the lives of African-Americans and attending the University of Florida together as Youngstown, NY, have seen a great reduc- in American history. and being part of Delta Chi Fraternity. tion in revenue due to the decline in tourism Historically black colleges and universities Though we have been separated by dis- caused by this regulation. Prior to imposition have set a precedent for providing quality in- tance and circumstance over the past years, of the fee in 1995, 10,002 I±68 permits were struction and valuable, lifelong experiences to we have always been together both in mem- issued, compared to only 1,091 permits issued students who are often underprivileged and ory, spirit, and fraternal bond. in 1996 after imposition of the fee. In other under-represented. These students are taught As a Member of Congress, I am pleased words, the permits in 1995 were about 1,000 to serve as successful, productive citizens and today to welcome Jim, Russ, Bill, John, Rick, Bob, Fred, Jerry, Bill, and Don. These gen- percent, or 10 times greater than in 1996. trained to compete in our global economy and My bill would address these problems in two tleman, who I am pleased to call by friends, work force. Though oftentimes faced with ad- ways. First, it would permit the Attorney Gen- are each outstanding family men and most versity, historically black colleges and institu- eral to exempt U.S. citizen passengers from valuable contributors to their respective com- tions provide students with the opportunity to obtaining an I±68 permit or submitting to in- broaden their horizons and to reach their full- munities. I welcome each of them to the U.S. Con- spection at a port or entry. Boat owners and est potential. operators, who are likely to make repeated So, Mr. Speaker, please join me in con- gress and the House of Representatives. It trips across the border, would still be required gratulating and celebrating a legacy and tradi- had been my great honor in life to know each to obtain an I±68 permit at the beginning of tion of the excellence, determination, strength, of these gentleman as my friend and fraternal the boating season. The permit holder would and perseverance of historically black colleges brother. be responsible for ensuring that all pas- and universities during September 21±27. f sengers on his or her vessel are U.S. citizens f BILL TO AMEND THE IMMIGRA- or have a valid I±68 permit. COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNI- TION AND NATIONALITY ACT RE- Second, my bill would permit the Attorney VERSARY OF ST. STEPHEN’S LATING TO TREATMENT OF CER- General to issue I±68 permits without impos- COMMUNITY CHURCH, UNITED TAIN RECREATIONAL BOATERS ing a fee, as they has been for the first 32 CHURCH OF CHRIST, LANSING, ENTERING FROM CANADA years of the program's existence. These fees MI act as a deterrent to boaters in obtaining the HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE permit, particularly in light of the fact that Can- ada does not require such a fee for entry. HON. DEBBIE STABENOW OF NEW YORK OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Moreover, the amount of revenue generated by such fees is negligibleÐonly $33,816 in all IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, September 18, 1997 of fiscal year 1996. In my judgment, after con- Thursday, September 18, 1997 Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, today I am in- sultation with western New York border busi- Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today troducing a bill that will simplify procedures for nesses, the amount of business lost in the to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of St. recreational boaters entering the United States U.S. border areas far transcends that meager Stephen's Community Church. from Canada. The purpose of the bill is to amount. Founded in the fall of 1987, St. Stephen's make it easier for boat owners and their This bill will allow the I±68 Program to began as an interdenominational church guests to cross between Canada and the Unit- achieve its intended purpose of affording whose doctrine focuses on spiritually rooted in ed States for recreation and tourism purposes. pleasure boaters a convenient means of enter- African-American religious tradition, with an Specifically, my bill would authorize the Attor- ing the United States while preserving the in- emphasis on community outreach and vol- ney General to permit United States citizens tegrity of our borders. It is my hope that the unteerism. In 1990, they became affiliated with traveling as passengers in small pleasure craft Attorney General will implement these provi- the United Church of Christ, a progressive de- to enter the United States from Canada with- sions by amending Immigration and Natu- nomination that embraces and celebrates mul- out obtaining a landing permit and would elimi- ralization Service Regulations governing the I± tiracial, cultural, and ethnic background. nate the fee for those permits known as I±68. 68 Program. September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1793 CONGRATULATING USUHS ON ITS other products and services provided by Commission on Organized Crime, concluded 25TH ANNIVERSARY USUHS. that the mob's influence of the Teamsters was The facts demonstrate that USUHS has both intrusive and pervasive and insisted that HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA more than met its mandated mission. There is President Reagan prosecute the Teamsters OF MARYLAND no doubt that the university is providing a and use of civil RICO statute to take over the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES corps of career-oriented, dedicated, military union. medical officers who will lead the military In 1989, the Bush administration entered Thursday, September 18, 1997 health care system into the 21st century. into a consent decree, the one I've mentioned Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, last year this In conclusion, I want to recognize and con- already, that permitted the Federal district House overwhelmingly endorsed and recog- gratulate the superb faculty and staff of court to take over the union, to appoint a mon- nized the important role of the Uniformed USUHS for a job well done. Happy Anniver- itor, and to appoint an election officer. This Services University of the Health Sciences in sary to our Nation's Uniformed Services Uni- consent decree also changed the Teamsters' maintaining the health and readiness of our versity of the Health Sciences. constitution, providing for the unprecedented Nation's Armed Forces. Today I am proud to f direct election of the Teamsters' top officers congratulate this fine institution, located in my by the rank and file members. congressional district in Bethesda, MD, on its DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HEALTH By 1989, we had learned some hard les- 25th anniversary. AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND sons when we had not been vigilant in the su- Public Law 92±426 established USUHS in EDUCATION AND RELATED pervision of union elections. The Permanent 1972 to ensure continuity and leadership for AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Subcommittee on Investigations was highly uniformed medicine. USUHS has graduated ACT, 1998 critical of one union election, after 20 months 2,470 military medical officers; 2,276 of them of a government trusteeship, that resulted in SPEECH OF continue in active duty today, constituting 17 the mob-dominated union officers being re- percent of Department of Defense's physician HON. PATSY T. MINK placed by a slate allegedly tied to these same officers. Thus, the scrutiny of the Teamsters' force. OF HAWAII USUHS has met every goal and mission en- election was intense. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Bush administration's consent decree visioned by the founders of the remarkable in- Tuesday, September 16, 1997 split the anticipated burden of the first two stitution, the West Point of military medicine. elections, requiring that the Teamsters pay the The overall USUHS retention rate is an incred- The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under $21 million necessary to run the first election ible 93 percent. Of those who have completed in 1991, and that the Government pay the cost their original obligation, 85 percent continue consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- propriations for the Departments of Labor, of second election. on active duty in service to their Nation. Health and Human Services, and Education, Therefore, I believe we are legally obligated The high level of performance and and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- by the consent decree, agreed to by the Bush deployability of USUHS graduates was vali- ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- administration. This House can not support the dated during congressional hearings in 1994. poses: Hoekstra amendment without being in con- The three Surgeons General and USUHS Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Chairman, the tempt of a court order. graduates who served in Operations Desert Hoekstra amendment, HA 356, bars the use of f Shield and Desert Storm testified that USUHS Federal funds to pay for an election officer to CONGRATULATIONS TO VAROUJAN physicians were immediately deployable to continue overseeing the election of any officer BALOTIAN, TAMAR KATAROYAN, combat areas and aptly utilized combat, field or trustee of the International Brotherhood of AND MANO HANDIAN sanitation, unconventional warfare, and pre- Teamsters. ventive medicine training. The Government has already spent about In addition, USUHS provides products and $17 million to oversee the Teamsters' 1996 HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH services to DOD that should be recognized election because the Bush administration's OF CALIFORNIA and factored in to the cost-effectiveness of the 1989 consent decree obligated the Govern- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES University: one, the newly accredited Graduate ment to do so. The consent decree, signed by Thursday, September 18, 1997 School of Nursing provides family nurse practi- the Government in 1989 said: Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise tioners and registered nurse anesthetists for ``The union defendants consent to the Elec- the Federal Nursing Chiefs; two, the Office of today to congratulate three outstanding indi- tion officer, at Government expense, to super- viduals from the Armenian General Athletic Graduate Medical Education provides con- vise the 1996 IBT elections.'' Union. These individuals exemplify leadership sultation on internship, residency, and fellow- The election officer concluded on August in their organization that has earned them the ship training programs for DOD and is the ad- 21, 1997 that the 1996 election had to be run Homenetmen Member of the Year Award, Ath- ministrative office for the National Capital Mili- again because the election protests filed with lete of the Year Award, and Scout of the Year tary Medical Education Consortium; three, the the officer uncovered campaign misconduct Award. Graduate Education Programs have granted that, she concluded, ``could have persuaded at The Armenian General Athletic Union over 444 graduate degrees; and four, in 1996, least a small percent'' of the voters and ``af- serves the sporting needs of Fresno's Arme- the Office of Continuing Education for Health fected the outcome.'' nian community with competitive tournaments Professionals [CHE] provided 107 accredited Given these facts, Mr. HOEKSTRA'S amend- that emphasize fraternity and shared accom- programs with an attendance of 3,500 physi- ment, if enacted, bars funding necessary to plishment. Fresno's chapter has nine competi- cians and 3,031 nurses. USUHS CHE gen- supervise the court ordered re-run of the 1996 tive teams that participate in events statewide, erated cost-avoidance for DOD by eliminating election. as well as a Boy Scout Troop. extensive travel expenses and time away from The election officer has explained why she This year's recipient of the Homenetmen the hospitals and clinics. In 1996, the Military thinks we need to proceed with this re-run Member of the Year was Varoujan Balotian. Training Network, part of CHE, developed and election: Balotian is one of the founding members of implemented policy guidance and ensured [t]he election of International officers is the the Fresno chapter and is also one of the first compliance with curriculum and administrative clearest expression of the control of the mem- members of the central executive committee. standards for resuscitative and trauma medi- bers over their Union; it is also the key to in- Balotian's guidance and dedication has cine training programs for 242,663 DOD per- suring that organized crime, employers, or any shaped the Armenian General Athletic Union sonnel. other outsiders do not use the Union for their into the fine organization that it is today. How- Those who say that the university is too ex- own purposes. To avoid a rerun because of ever, Balotian's success is not limited to the pensive are wrong. The cost-effectiveness of the disruption it brings could allow this union union, as he is a long-time manager at one of USUHS should be judged based on all of the to lose its most valuable resource: the sup- Fresno's finest mens stores. products and services it provides to the Na- port, participation, and confidence of its mem- Athlete of the Year was awarded to 18-year- tion. The General Accounting Office report of bership. Such a result cannot be allowed. old Tamar Kataroyan. This award is presented September 1995 substantiated that USUHS A study of the recent history of the Team- to only one athlete from a random selection costs are comparable to scholarship costs sters shows we have come a long way in out between the 16 chapters in the western re- based on expected years of service and all effort to rid this union of mob influence. gion. Kataroyan has been involved in all as- Federal costs. And, this conclusion was In 1986, former Chief Circuit Judge Irving R. pects of the organization including the coach- reached by GAO without considering all of the Kaufman, the chair of President Reagan's ing of youth and participation in tournaments. E1794 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 Kataroyan's excellence in basketball has taken since the 1960's. Jim serves as the president youth of her community, serving on the Wal- her all the way to the 5th Annual World Olym- and CEO, while Carol serves as the chief tham School Committee and on the board of pics in New York and has also secured her a buyer and merchandise manager. directors of the YMCA. Dot was also the first full basketball scholarship at UC Irvine. Both Baum's are extremely active in the woman member of her local Kiwanis Club, and Mano Handian was recognized as Scout of Morris community. Many people often wonder has dedicated her time to many civic activities, the Year. He is a scout for the Union's own how they have time to operate such a suc- including Waltham Community Access Tele- Troop No. 12. He has accomplished a great cessful business. Jim, a veteran, serves on vision, and the Waltham Senior High Scholar- deal for himself and the Armenian General the board of the Grundy County National ship Committee. Athletic Union. He was born in Lebanon and Bank, and is active in the chamber, many of Mr. Speaker, I ask that you, and the other currently attends Fresno City College. His fine the local community development organiza- Members, join with me in honoring Dot for her leadership over the organization's Boy Scouts, tions, the Morris Hospital, and our schools. many years of devotion to her community and Explorers, and Cub Scouts has earned him Carol is active in the Presbyterian Church of acknowledge her exemplary service as a role this high honor. Morris, the Daughters of the American Revolu- model and civic leader. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I tion, and the Morris Women's Club. f congratulate these three individuals. I com- I have had the pleasure of working with Jim mend Varoujan Balotian, Tamar Kataroyan, on many local issues and projects important to CONGRATULATIONS TO TIM AND and Mano Handian on their accomplishments the area. Jim has been recognized, and de- CHARLOTTE TRAVIS in the Armenian General Athletic Union and servedly so, for his strong commitment and ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating success in revitalizing the Morris riverfront HON. SCOTT McINNIS them. area. OF COLORADO f The Baum's have been generous in sharing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their wealth of experience as retailers on both Thursday, September 18, 1997 BILL REGARDING SALLIE MAE a national level and the local level. Jim has BOND REFINANCING served as a guest speaker and seminar pre- Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, on September senter on many occasions throughout the 23 of this month, Tim and Charlotte Travis of HON. DAVID E. SKAGGS country. Many of my colleagues may have run Brighton, CO, will receive the Colorado Sports OF COLORADO into Jim Baum within the halls of Congress Couple of the Year award from the downtown IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES during one of Jim's trips to Washington to Denver chapter of Ducks Unlimited. This is the lobby on behalf of his fellow retailers. Locally, very same chapter that Tim founded nearly 20 Thursday, September 18, 1997 Jim runs the local morning coffee hour in our years ago when he first became affiliated with Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, today I have in- hometown of Morris. This is where the who's the organization. troduced legislation to correct an unfair prac- who talks about what is really happening. In recent years, the Travis' have increased tice that is occurring as a result of the privat- It is truly fitting that this outstanding couple the amount of money they have been able to ization of Sallie Mae. is being honored by their peers as the Retail donate to Ducks Unlimited and the Denver While Sallie Mae was a Government-spon- Merchants of the Year. They are both true chapter has expressed their gratification by sored enterprise, it purchased tax-exempt mu- leaders who have given back more to their extending them this honor. The Denver chap- nicipal bonds issued by public colleges and community than could ever have been ex- ter will also be creating a wetlands project in private universities. Now that Sallie Mae is pected. I wish both Jim and Carol Baum con- eastern Colorado which will be dedicated in being privatized, it has adopted a policy of al- tinued success in all their endeavors. the Travis' name. lowing its clients to waive the redemption pre- f I too, would like to extend my gratification to miums for those bonds, but only if the clients the Travis' for their many years of giving to use Sallie Mae's private subsidiary as an in- CONGRATULATIONS TO DOROTHY this organization as well as to the sporting vestment banker for the transaction. I would (DOT) SLAMIN HILL way of life which we treasure in the great have no objection to this business practice if State of Colorado. the bonds in question were acquired after pri- HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II f vatization. However, having acquired the OF MASSACHUSETTS CONGRATULATIONS TO COL. bonds as a Government-sponsored enterprise, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sallie Mae has an advantage that private in- RONALD T. KELLY, USAF Thursday, September 18, 1997 vestment bankers cannot match. The tie-in re- quirement to qualify for this sweetheart ar- Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY rangement, which no private competitor can Speaker, one of the pleasures of serving in OF NEW YORK match, is simply unfair. this great body is the opportunity to recognize IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the exceptional individuals of our Nation. I rise The legislation I introduced today would pro- Thursday, September 18, 1997 hibit Sallie Mae from conditioning the waiver of today to pay tribute to such a person, Ms. redemption premiums related to pre-1997 Dorothy (Dot) Slamin Hill, for her many con- Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speak- bonds on the use of its subsidiary, so that all tributions to the City of Waltham, MA. This er, I rise to recognize the dedication, public broker-dealer firms can have the same oppor- evening there will be a dinner honoring Dot for service, and patriotism of Col. Ronald T. Kelly, tunity to compete for the business of handling her 50 years as leader of the American Legion U.S. Air Force, on the occasion of his retire- refinancing of Sallie Mae securities. Post 156 Marching Band, as well as her out- ment after a career of faithful service to our f standing public service to her neighbors. Nation. Col. Ron Kelly's strong commitment to I would like to add my congratulations to excellence will leave a lasting impact on the TRIBUTE TO JIM AND CAROL Dot on this special occasion and want to take vitality and capability of our Air Force war BAUM this time to briefly touch on her many achieve- fighters. This commitment and the manner in ments. In 1933, Dot became the first woman which he fulfilled it commands admiration and HON. JERRY WELLER to win the American Legion National Drum respect from his military and civilian col- OF ILLINOIS Major Competition. Over the years, she has leagues alike. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES led the American Legion Post 156 Marching Colonel Kelly, a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Band in many prestigious events, such as the Air Force Academy is serving his last assign- Thursday, September 18, 1997 Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland ment in the Air Force as Chief of the Air Force Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in 1984, and the Moscow May Day Parade in Special Operations Division, Directorate of Op- honor the hard work and dedication of Jim and 1990. She has served as Commander of the erations and Training, Deputy Chief of Staff Carol Baum, the owners and operators of American Legion Post 156 for 5 terms and is Air and Space Operations, in the Pentagon. Baum's, Inc. in Morris, IL. The Baum's have the permanent Massachusetts representative After he completed undergraduate navigator been named the 1997 Illinois Retail Merchants to the American Legion National Convention. training as a distinguished graduate in 1971, of the Year. In addition to her many accomplishments he flew as a C±130 squadron navigator at Baum's Department Store has been an insti- with the American Legion, Dot has compiled a Forbes AFB, KS, in the 48th Tactical Airlift tution in my hometown of Morris since 1874. very distinguished record of community activ- Squadron. In 1972 he was selected to up- Jim and Carol have been running the business ism. She has taken a great interest in the grade to an MC±130 combat Talon navigator September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1795 and served in the 1st Special Operations Giving Relief Act.'' This legislation will provide DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan until December a deduction for charitable contributions for HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 1973. From 1974 to 1976 he was an instructor those who do not itemize deductions on their AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED navigator at Mather AFB, CA, flying the T±29 tax returns. AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS and T±43 aircraft. ACT, 1998 He attended the School of Engineering at Specifically, the bill will allow nonitemizers, the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright whose cumulative annual charitable contribu- SPEECH OF Patterson AFB, OH, and received a master's tions exceed $500, to deduct 50 percent of HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD of science degree in astronautical engineering any charitable contributions made over that OF CALIFORNIA in 1977. He followed with a directed duty as- amount. Under current law, while nonitemizers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES signment to Sunnyvale AFS, CA where he be- receive the standard deduction, the only tax- came the Deputy Mission Director for Low Alti- payers who can specifically deduct the value Wednesday, September 17, 1997 tude Satellite Programs at the Air Force Sat- of their charitable contributions are those tax- The House in Committee of the Whole ellite Control Facility. payers who itemize deductions. The most re- House on the State of the Union had under He returned to flying duties in special oper- cent figures find that nonitemized returns num- consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- ations in 1981 and became operations officer propriations for the Departments of Labor, ber 84 million compared to 34 million itemized for the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Health and Human Services, and Education, Hurlburt Field, FL, flying the MC±130E. returns. Nonitemizers, by any measure, are and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- From 1985 to 1986 he attended the Indus- middle-and lower-middle-class taxpayers, who, ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- trial College of the Armed Forces at Fort despite the fact that they do not receive a de- poses: McNair and was subsequently assigned to the duction for such contributions, give generously Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Mr. Chair- Pentagon in 1986. to charitable causes. It is my understanding man, we must stop this trend of escalating He served as the special operations pro- that on average nonitemizers give roughly numbers of young girls becoming pregnant grammer on the Air Staff and was the primary $500 in charitable contributions, again, without and raising children when they have hardly es- implementer for major force program 11 for the benefit of tax deductions. caped childhood themselves. It is imperative the Air Force. In November 1987 he was se- that we as leaders address the Nation's prob- lected to be the first military assistant to the As we look to next year and the consider- lem of teenage pregnancy with the most prac- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Op- ation of additional tax relief legislation, I be- tical and effective strategies, the most impor- erations and Low-Intensity Conflict. While in lieve there is no group of taxpayers more de- tant of which is education. this office, he worked as the Assistant for Re- serving of tax relief than those who give of An accurate and informative education on sources and Assistant for Logistics. what little they have to help other worthy en- pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases In 1991 he returned to Hulburt Field, FL, as deavors and charitable causes. While those is not being provided to those who are the the Director of Acquisition Management for who itemize are directly rewarded for their ef- most vulnerable and are in the most need of Headquarters Air Force Special Operations forts, those that do not itemize are not re- this information. Parents, legal guardians, and other adults influencing children should em- Command where he supervised the acquisi- warded. The legislation I am introducing today tion of Air Force resources in support of spe- phasize healthy and responsible sexual devel- will ensure that those who make considerable cial operations. He was assigned to his opment and decisionmaking, yet study after present job as the Chief of the Special Oper- contributions to the nonprofit community are study of adolescent youth demonstrates that ations Division in August 1993. rewarded, at least to some extent, by the Tax this is lacking in the home. In addition to fam- Colonel Kelly is a master navigator with Code. ily, poverty, sexism, and economic disenfran- over 4,000 hours total flight time of which 380 For those who might suggest that non- chisement are critical factors shaping the abil- hours were in combat. His decorations include itemizers are rewarded by virtue of the fact ity of teenagers to make decisions and yet, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Le- that the standard deduction for nonitemizers is teenagers have little influence on any of these areas. What adolescents need, and are pro- gion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, intended to incorporate some degree of chari- the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak vided by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Pro- table contributions, I would respond by point- leaf cluster, the Air Medal with six oak leaf gram, are the knowledge and confidence to clusters, and the Air Force Commendation ing to the figures mentioned earlier. Indeed, make the best decisions despite, and in light Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He has also the standard deduction is, in effect, designed of, these factors. been awarded the Senior Missileman Badge. to take into account the average cumulative The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program is He is married to the former Pamela Stark of basket of those expenditures, including chari- designed to implement and evaluate a range Sacramento, CA. They have a daughter Erin table contributions, that might otherwise be of interventions that promote healthy sexual who is a freshman at James Madison Univer- considered as individually itemized deductions. development and reduce teen pregnancies sity and a son Sean who is a freshman at However, since my legislation is designed to and sexually transmitted diseases. The pro- Oakton High. provide a partial deductionÐ50 percentÐfor gram also focuses on decreasing the inci- Our Nation, the Department of Defense, the those nonitemizers who contribute more than dence of pregnancies to teenagers by increas- ing the proportion of teens who delay the initi- U.S. Air Force, and his family can truly be the average amount to charity, such a concern proud of the colonel's many accomplishments. ation of sexual activity, and who effectively would certainly appear to be something less He is a true gentleman of extraordinary talent use contraception. and integrity. While his honorable service will than compelling. We all know that teenage childbearing robs be genuinely missed in the Department of De- Finally, I would note that while in my view, not only the young parents of a better future, fense, it gives me great pleasure to recognize donations to charity are primarily motivated by but the baby as well. That is why we must Col. Ronald T. Kelly before my colleagues and altruistic concerns, those that give can be sen- work together to ensure that the Teenage wish him all of our best in his future endeav- sitive to tax considerations. Independent Sec- Pregnancy Prevention Program can continue ors. tor, the largest national association for non- its work to buck the current trend of increasing teen pregnancy. And that is why we must f profits, strongly believes this legislation will en- pass the Pelosi amendment. courage additional giving to the charitable- THE CHARITABLE GIVING RELIEF f ACT nonprofit sector. My colleagues, whether you believe that we need to reward those that LUZERNE COUNTY COMMUNITY HON. PHILIP M. CRANE give, or believe that this type proposal will en- COLLEGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF ILLINOIS courage more giving, this bill deserves your IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES consideration and support. Americans are the HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI Thursday, September 18, 1997 most generous people in the world, and I hope OF PENNSYLVANIA to reward and continue this tradition with to- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, today I am intro- day's introduction of the Charitable Giving Re- ducing legislation, along with my Ways and Thursday, September 18, 1997 lief Act. Means colleagues, Mr. COYNE, Mr. HERGER Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and Mrs. THURMAN, entitled the ``Charitable to pay tribute to Luzerne County Community E1796 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 College, which is celebrating the 30th anniver- 1982. During this time, he performed mar- speeches at night when the rest of this body sary of its founding this month. I am pleased riages for over 3,000 couples. has gone home. It is unfair and embarrassing and proud to have been asked to participate He was also well known as a fighter for low that we have to pay these games to be heard in this significant celebration. taxes and as one who tried to make sure that in the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker In 1965, the Luzerne County Board of Com- the citizens got their moneys' worth for their please allow this issue to come to the floor missioners took a very bold step. They adopt- tax dollars. and be given the kind of open, honest debate ed a resolution to sponsor a 2 year college Mr. Hudson has proudly operated a farm in that this institution deserves. which would be affordable to all Luzerne the Greenback community for the past 65 f County residents. A study was needed and years, raising beef cattle and working as a the board called upon the County Board of self-employed cattle broker. RECOGNIZING PEORIA, AZ, VFW School Directors to initiate planning of the He served with great distinction for 5 years POST 2135 FOR OUTSTANDING project. In less than a year, an application was as a member of the State Committee of Agri- SERVICE made to the Pennsylvania State Board of Edu- cultural Stabilization Conservation Service cation for permission to establish and operate from 1987 to 1992. HON. BOB STUMP a community college. The State board granted He began serving the Merchants and Farm- OF ARIZONA permission in September 1966. ers Bank in 1973 and presently serves as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Two months later, Luzerne County Commu- director of Union Planter Bank. Thursday, September 18, 1997 nity College was officially in operation. A He has been a member of Greenback Ma- board of trustees was formed and a president sonic Lodge for 49 years, and he is a master Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ex- was appointed to lead the college. On October mason. press my congratulations to Peoria VFW Post 2, 1967 the college opened its doors for the He has been a member of the Loudon 2135, in my home State of Arizona, for being first time in small quarters located next to the County Farm Bureau since 1944, and he has recognized again for their outstanding youth Hotel Sterling in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The been a member and director of the Loudon activities program. college's first class of 195 students graduated County Livestock Association since 1970. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce to my in May 1969. He also serves as a director of Tellico Area colleagues that Post 2135 was recognized last Mr. Speaker, the foresight of the County Services System, and he has been church month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Na- Commissioners; Ed Wideman, William G. treasurer, elder, and deacon at First Pres- tional Convention in Salt Lake City, as the Goss and James B. Post, 30 years ago has byterian Church of Greenback. winner of the VFW Youth Activities Award. made it possible for more than 13,000 young Shag Hudson's greatest pride and joy is not Post 2135 is the first VFW post in the Nation people to begin a college career or earn a 2 in his community service, however, as great to win this award for 3 consecutive years. year degree for professional advancement. as that has been. Rather, it is in his family. He Some of the many and varied youth activi- Over 200 area businesses employ Luzerne has been married to his wife, Willie Dixon, for ties undertaken by VFW posts nationwide are County Community College alumni. over 56 years. They are the proud parents of well known to many of us, and include Youth In 1974, the college moved to its present two children, a daughter, Brenda Powell and Essays, Voice of Democracy, and Patriotic Art impressive campus in Nanticoke, Pennsylva- son, Ronald Hudson. His son-in-law is John programs. nia. This modern campus includes an edu- Powell and daughter-in-law, Judy Hudson. The winning program must meet several cri- cational conference center, general academics He is even prouder of his grandchildren, teria. These include participation in a variety of building and two technical arts buildings with Scott and Eric Powell and Kelly, Kent, and youth activities offered within the local commu- state of the art labs and classrooms. The cam- Leigh Hudson. nity, and documenting any communitywide pus also includes medical and dental arts fa- I wanted to inform my colleagues and other youth activity with news clippings, photo- cilities and the newest addition, the advanced readers of the RECORD about the life and ca- graphs, testimonial letters. This collection technology center. reer of Shag Hudson. This country would be serves to outline the scope of a post's partici- Mr. Speaker, Luzerne County Community a far better place if we had more citizens like pation in the six major National Youth Pro- College has come a long way since its humble Jacob George Hudson, and on behalf of a gram categories. These categories are sports/ beginnings in downtown Wilkes-Barre 30 greatful nation, I want to wish him a very athletics, scouting/organizations, contests/spe- years ago. I am extremely proud to join with happy 80th birthday, and best wishes for cial events, educational/instructions, recogni- the community in commending the board of many more. tion and projects. trustees, management, and staff of the college f With nearly 10,000 VFW posts nationwide, in providing educational opportunity to thou- it's only a special post with a special member- sands of area residents. I would also like to CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ship that can win the coveted award for 3 con- recognize the Luzerne county commissioners secutive years. Peoria Post 2135 has that kind who have continued to play an active role in HON. RON KIND of membership. I can think of no finer embodi- supporting this important educational institu- OF WISCONSIN ment of the essence of the veteran's voluntary tion. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES spirit than that of Mr. Vincent Rigo, who was Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring the his- in Utah to accept the award on behalf of the Thursday, September 18, 1997 tory of this fine institution to the attention of 326 members of Post 2135. He's been de- my colleagues and send my sincere best Mr. KIND of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, we scribed as a ``renaissance man'' for the num- wishes for continued success. only have a few weeks left before we adjourn ber of post service positions that he has held. f this year. Now is the time to allow a vote on Certainly, without him, and the many others campaign finance reform legislation. TRIBUTE TO JACOB GEORGE like him in Post 2135, and in veterans organi- Today we are participating in a civil, biparti- HUDSON zations throughout the country, our Nation san discussion of reforming the House Ethics would be that much poorer. HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. Committee. It is refreshing to see respected I salute Peoria VFW Post 2135 for their Members of both parties engage in a dialog achievements, and wish them the best as they OF TENNESSEE about how to improve the ethics process and aim for a fourth consecutive award in 1998. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ultimately restore some respect and dignity to f Thursday, September 18, 1997 this great institution. I believe the same thing Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, this coming can happen with campaign finance reform. If A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH D. Sunday, September 21, will be the 80th birth- the Members of this House put aside partisan PETERSON day of a truly outstanding American, my con- rhetoric we can fix the current system with stituent, Jacob George Hudson. honest, bipartisan reforms that puts no party HON. DAVE CAMP Mr. Hudson is affectionately known by all of at a disadvantage and restores some faith in OF MICHIGAN his friends and neighbors as ``Shag.'' He has this institution. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES been one of the leaders in Loudon County and However, we cannot reach a compromise if Thursday, September 18, 1997 throughout the State of Tennessee for many we don't consider the bills in committee or on years. the floor. Those of us waging this war are re- Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay Shag Hudson served for 28 years on the duced to 1-minute speeches in the morning, tribute to a tremendous hero from Michigan's Loudon County Commission, from 1954 to parliamentary antics during the day, and floor Fourth Congressional District. This hero is a September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1797 high school student from Merrill, MI who has 1996–97 VFW VOICE OF DEMOCRACY terrorism, has been gained back a thousand served as a role model for many other stu- SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM fold by the millions of people who still de- dents. This outstanding young man is in line to mand their voices be heard. Democracy started as a small sparkler, be valedictorian of his graduating class and HON. JAY W. JOHNSON similar to the one as I held in my hand when has maintained a 4.1 grade point average on OF WISCONSIN I was a child, but grew to become the most a 4.0 scale while participating on the school's IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES glorious fireworks display the world has ever basketball and track teams. While these are Thursday, September 18, 1997 seen. Democracy is not propelled by gun striking accomplishments, they pale in com- powder as fireworks are, but by freedom, parison to another. On the evening of August Mr. JOHNSON of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I elections, and the belief that all men are 3, 1997, Joseph D. Peterson accomplished an rise today to bring to your attention an award- equal. This is the most powerful fuel in the extraordinary feat by rescuing the life of a winning broadcast script written by a constitu- world. Democracy has the ability to rise above and beyond the wildest imagination of mother of three on a desolate road. ent of mine on a subject which is important to all of usÐthe significance of democracy in men like Washington, Jefferson and Adams. Joseph was driving down a winding road in Governments powered merely by force and northern Michigan when the car in front of him America. oppression may glow with a blaring heat for Jessica V. Van Eperen of Appleton, WI, has went out of control and spun off the road into a short time, but will inevitably die out and received a very high honor from the Veterans a thicket of trees. With selfless disregard for fall to the ground soundlessly to be forgot- of Foreign Wars. She has been awarded with his personal safety, he swiftly pulled the driv- ten. Democracy alone will shoot over the a VFW 1997 Voice of Democracy Scholarship tree tops, becoming more beautiful with er, Marie S. Craig, from the car just moments for her script which will help her to finance her every passing year. before it burst into flames. Joseph then drove education. She is the daughter of Mr. Leonel Marie to safety and stayed with her until emer- f Van Eperen and Ms. Catherine Coffey and gency crews transported her to the hospital. plans a career in elementary education. She COMPUTER SECURITY Because of Joseph's valiant actions, Marie was sponsored by VFW Post 2778 and its la- ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1997 suffered only a broken leg and a gash on her dies auxiliary in Appleton, WI. I believe that head, rather than a possible fatal injury. SPEECH OF Jessica is an exceptional example of the fine On behalf of Ms. Craig, her family, and the students in northeast Wisconsin and I am con- HON. CURT WELDON people of the Fourth District I would like to ex- fident that she has a bright future ahead of OF PENNSYLVANIA tend my heartfelt thanks to Joseph Peterson her. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for his brave and heroic action. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit Jessica's award win- Tuesday, September 16, 1997 it takes a true champion to accept the chal- ning script for inclusion in the CONGRESSIONAL lenge which Joseph did in rescuing Marie. RECORD at this point. Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Please join me in commending his heroism. DEMOCRACY—ABOVE AND BEYOND I rise today to offer my support for H.R. 1903, (By Jessica Van Eperen) the Computer Security Enhancement Act of f 1997. As the information revolution continues Ever since I was a small child, I’ve at- to rage, the United States and specifically this IN HONOR OF JOSEPH TALERICO tended the fireworks celebration on the fourth of July. On that day, in 1776, fifty-six Congress, must begin to make wise and in- men signed the Declaration of Independence, formed policy for this fast-paced new era. HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH a document that would launch the United Sadly, we are somewhat behind business and States into the pages of every history book industry in our ability to comprehend the abili- OF OHIO in the world. Yet, that wasn’t on my mind as ties and ramifications of information tech- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a child. I simply knew that the fireworks lit nology. Worse still, we are behind the crimi- up the summer sky like a million glowing nals and rogue operatives who would use the Thursday, September 18, 1997 fire flies. They arched above the trees, above the clouds, and it seemed to me, above the technology of the information age against us. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to very stars themselves. The United States, more than any other honor the memory of Mr. Joseph Talerico, for As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize country in the world, is extremely susceptible his many years of distinguished service to the democracy is like those brilliant fireworks. to this new, frightening breed of terrorism and community of Parma. It changes colors, shapes, even sound, but crime. In March of this year, I chaired a hear- never changes in brilliance. Two-hundred ing on information warfare, the first such hear- Born in Italy, Mr. Talerico immigrated to and twenty years after the Declaration of ing ever held in Congress. What I learned at Cleveland at the age of 2. After attending Independence was signed, our democracy is the hearing was positively alarming. One wit- Cleveland's John Adams High School, Mr. still brilliant in the night sky while dicta- ness testified that with $1 billion and 20 peo- Talerico joined the Army and proudly served torships, monarchies, and anarchy’s have fiz- ple, he could shut down the Nation. Another America during World War II. In 1946, Mr. zled and died. witness said that he could accomplish the Talerico moved to Parma. He owned and op- I’ve known democracy to be red: red with the blood of young men who gave their lives same task for $100 million. While the United erated a string of grocery stores there and in so she might live. I think of my great-uncle States has done a good job to date in devel- nearby Broadview Heights. In addition to his who gave his life in World War II, and even oping secure information technology systems, business endeavors, Mr. Talerico distin- of two relatives who are as distant as their its implementation of those systems has been guished himself as a civic activist, receiving sketchy photograph hanging on the wall. desperately lacking. As a result we are left un- Parma's Outstanding Citizen award in 1955. These two men fought and died in the civil prepared for an information assault that could He served as a member of Parma's Charter war shortly after immigrating from the cripple the Nation. Board and as Parma's recreation director. Mr. Netherlands. I’ve known democracy to be a For this very reason, the Subcommittee on Talerico also belonged to such civic organiza- proud and stubborn blue as it fought the evils of communism during the cold war. Military Research and Development included tions as the Parma Exchange Club, the Long after communism is dead, democracy an increase in funding for information warfare Broadview Heights Rotary Club, and the Brian will still be shining brightly in he horizon. defense and associated programs. Protecting Club. I’ve even know democracy to be gold, the our defense backbone is simply not enough, Mr. Talerico also played an instrumental role brilliant gold of freedom of religion, freedom however, and we must begin to implement se- of speech, and freedom of the press. The Bill in the lives of Parma's youth. He actively sup- cure system strategies for our private sector ported Parma youth athletics, ensuring the of Rights has risen high above the fear that has tried to control the world for centuries. companies and civilian agencies to thwart the construction of Mottl Field. He founded and Men in heavy boots carrying heavy guns threat of information terrorism. I would like to served as president of the Parma Amateur have never been able to blind people to the applaud the Science Committee and Chairman Athletic Federation, and, earlier this year, the glow of democracy’s promise and freedom. SENSENBRENNER for their efforts to this end. Parma Amateur Athletic Federation inducted Democracy has been loud as a cannon, de- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1903 takes wise and Mr. Talerico into its hall of fame. fending those who could not defend them- measured steps in an effort to develop sound selves, and quiet as a whisper, comforting Joseph Talerico leaves behind a wife, three the people who fled to her shores to escape and lasting policy for the information age. As children, eight grandchildren, a brother, and injustice in foreign lands. Democracy has we legislate for this era, we must be primarily two sisters. His contributions to the community spread and shrunk, but never disappeared. concerned with the safety and security of our of Parma will be difficult to replace. Mr. What was lost during the forties to Hitler, Nation, both civilian and defense, both private Talerico will be greatly missed. the fifties to communism, and the eighties to sector and public sector. While I think that we E1798 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 all agree that Federal policy regarding the ex- came known as one of the most fertile regions not find another suitable placement—at- port of our best technology needs to be devel- in the country. tended two new independent schools set up oped in light of the public availability of com- I am honored to have the privilege of intro- by advocates of the voucher program, known as Hope schools. parable technology outside of the United ducing a resolution to recognize the historical The study found that those students, test- States, I believe that we are also resolute in contributions of the residents of Gonzales, CA. ed at the beginning and end of the school our pledge to defend our Nation in this frontier Since its establishment, Gonzales has main- year, made significant academic strides, age. Certainly we should not provide the tained the smalltown charm that people the gaining 15 percentage points in math and 5 means of our own destruction as some have world over envy. percentage points on reading tests, relative been so wont to do. f to the national norms. However, language H.R. 1903 will allow us to measure the qual- scores declined 5 percentage points overall, and 19 points among first graders. ity of foreign encryption technology, a central SCHOOL VOUCHER STUDY FINDS SATISFACTION The Cleveland schools have been troubled portion of any secure system. That measure- for years; in 1995, the system was put under ment with evaluations from the Department of state control when it ran out of money half- Defense will allow us to determine which do- HON. NEWT GINGRICH way through the year. Rick Ellis, a spokes- mestic products can be exported without pos- OF GEORGIA man for the Cleveland schools, said that be- cause the school system was now operated by ing an additional threat to national security. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Taken in light of global market competition, the state, and the state also runs the vouch- Thursday, September 18, 1997 er program, the Cleveland schools had taken this criteria will strike the delicate balance be- no position on the program, which has been tween national security requirements and busi- Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, the attached expanded to cover 3,000 students this year. ness needs for the information age, a balance article from the New York Times and op-ed But Cleveland’s voucher program—like the that should be paramount in our discussions from the Wall Street Journal clearly dem- nation’s only other large-scale voucher pro- about national security as we enter the next onstrate the effectiveness of and parental sat- gram, in Milwaukee—remains under the century. isfaction with Cleveland's school voucher pro- cloud of a continuing court challenge. In May, an Ohio appeals court ruled that be- As we continue our efforts to develop policy gram. Even more importantly, the survey men- tioned in each of these pieces points out that cause the vouchers could be used at religious in this frontier age, I would encourage my col- schools, the program was an unconstitu- leagues to examine these issues closely, to low-income parents are as concerned about tional mingling of church and state. The weigh the need for competitiveness against the quality of their children's schools as any State Supreme Court, however, ruled that the responsibility to defend our Nation from in- other income group. Schools should be an op- the program could continue this year, pend- formation terrorists. The issues here are as portunity magnet, not an underachieving trap. ing its review. With the Milwaukee voucher complex as the underlying technology, and our The evidence is in: Vouchers are one way to program pending in State Supreme Court, it willingness to take rhetoric and spin at face enhance parental choice and should be en- is likely that one or both of the cases will ul- couraged. timately wend their way to the United value without seriously researching the issue States Supreme Court. will ultimately lead to a dangerous imbalance. I submit both the New York Times and Wall Despite the legal uncertainties, vouchers The Science Committee has set a wise course Street Journal pieces into the CONGRESSIONAL remain a powerful political issue across the for this policy, and I would encourage others RECORD. country: In New Jersey in April, the Education to follow and support this measure. [From the New York Times, Sept. 18, 1997] Commission barred Lincoln Park, a suburban Again, I would like to thank Chairman SEN- SCHOOL VOUCHER STUDY FINDS SATISFACTION school board, from using tax money for SENBRENNER, Chairwoman MORELLA, and the (By Tamar Lewin) vouchers. Science Committee for their efforts and I In the first independent evaluation of In Vermont last year, the education office would yield back the balance of my time. Cleveland’s groundbreaking school voucher took away education funds of the Chittenden f program, a Harvard University study has Town School District when it tried to in- found that the program was very popular clude parochial schools in a voucher program FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF IN- with parents and raised the scores of those for high schools. In New York City and several other cities, CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF students tested at the end of the first year. small programs, privately financed by phi- GONZALES, CA ‘‘We found that parents who have a choice lanthropists, provide scholarships allowing of school are much happier, and these pri- some public school students to attend paro- vate schools seem to be able to create an chial schools. HON. SAM FARR educational environment that parents see as In Washington, House and Senate Repub- OF CALIFORNIA safer, more focused on academics and giving licans have proposed a Cleveland-style pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES more individual attention to the child,’’ said gram for the District of Columbia schools. Thursday, September 18, 1997 Paul E. Peterson, director of the Education The evaluation of the Cleveland program is Policy and Governance at Harvard’s John F. Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise based on a survey of 2,020 parents who ap- Kennedy School of Government, which is- plied for vouchers, including 1,014 parents of today to recognize the city of Gonzales, CA, sued the report. ‘‘This happens despite the voucher recipients, and 1,006 parents who ap- on the 50th anniversary of its incorporation. fact that these are very low-income stu- plied but did not used the vouchers. The residents of Gonzales have long been ac- dents.’’ Those who applied, but ultimately re- tive in the development of the community and The Cleveland experiment has been closely mained in public school, cited transpor- the Nation. watched as school vouchers emerge as a po- tation, financial considerations and admis- tent political issue across the country. sion to a desired public school or failure to In 1874, Mariano and Alfredo Gonzales laid The report found that two-thirds of the out a town of 50 blocks surrounding a recently be admitted to the desired private school. parents whose children received vouchers to The average income of families using erected railroad depot on property deeded by attend a private or parochial school were vouchers was lower than those whose chil- Mexico to their father. From this early date, ‘‘very satisfied’’ with the academic quality dren remained in public schools, but the two Gonzales established itself as a friendly town of the school, compared to fewer than 30 per- groups did not differ significantly with re- where a stranger could easily be persuaded to cent of the parents of students who applied spect to ethnicity, family size, religion, or stay a few extra days and enjoy the smalltown for vouchers but remained in public schools. mother’s education or employment. But charm. In addition, the parents using vouchers those staying in public schools were more were also more than twice as likely to be Within 20 years, the population of Gonzales likely to be in special education classes or happy with the school’s discipline, class size, classes for the gifted. had reached 500 residents of diverse ethnic condition and teaching of moral values than The vast majority of participants, 85 per- backgrounds and heritage. A number of Swiss those remaining in public school. cent, said their main reason for applying to immigrants established a soon to-be-thriving During the last school year, the Ohio De- the voucher program was to improve edu- dairy industry. Soon thereafter, a local resident partment of Education gave 1,996 Cleveland cation for their children. Other commonly discovered the process for producing con- students from low-income families vouchers cited reasons were greater safety, location, densed milk. Following this historic discovery, covering up to 90 percent of private or paro- religion and friends. the Alpine Condesary opened in Gonzales and chial school tuition, to a maximum of $2,250. ‘‘I like to emphasize that parents said The amount is slightly more than a third of what was really important to them was aca- began producing the world's first condensed what the public school system spends annu- demic quality of school,’’ said Professor Pe- milk. ally per pupil. terson, whose co-authors were Jay P. Greene Over the years, agriculture replaced dairy as Most students used the vouchers at Catho- of the University of Texas and William G. the region's most important industry and lic schools. But about a quarter of those who Howell of Stanford University. ‘‘A lot of peo- Gonzales, located in the Salinas Valley, be- received vouchers—mostly those who could ple say low-income families don’t care about September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1799 quality, that they choose schools based on port this as a reason they changed schools The fact that these parks cannot charge an other factors, but that’s not what the par- this fall. entrance fee hampers their ability to collect ents say.’’ Poor families pick their children’s schools funds for park improvements. Therefore, I on the basis of sports, friends, religion or lo- cation, not academic quality. Yet 85% of think it is only fair that all other fees collected [From the Wall Street Journal, Sept. 18, scholarship recipients from public schools in these parks remain there to help protect 1997] listed ‘‘academic quality’’ as a ‘‘very impor- and improve them. CLEVELAND SHATTERS MYTHS ABOUT SCHOOL tant reason’’ for their application to the pro- One such park, the Great Smoky Moun- CHOICE gram. Second in importance was the ‘‘great- tains, is the most visited park in the United (By Jay P. Greene, William G. Howell and er safety’’ to be found at a choice school, a States. However, since it cannot charge an Paul E. Peterson) reason given by 79% of the recipients. ‘‘Loca- entrance fee, it does not get to keep as much As delays in repairs keep the doors to tion’’ was ranked third. ‘‘Religion’’ was money as other parks do for improvements to Washington D.C.’s public schools closed, ranked fourth, said to be very important by campgrounds, trails, buildings, and other facili- Congress is debating whether to approve the 37%. Friends were said to be very important ties there. District of Columbia Student Opportunity by less than 20%. I believe that we need to do everything we Scholarship Act, which could help restruc- Private schools engage in ‘‘creaming,’’ ad- mitting only the best, easiest-to-educate stu- can to help our Nation's parks. Currently, the ture this dreary, patronage-ridden system National Park System has a maintenance and and give at least a couple of thousand poor dents. But most applicants found schools students a chance to attend the private willing to accept them, even though a law- construction backlog estimated to be between school of their choice. True to his teacher- suit filed by the American Federation of 4 and 6 billion dollars. The bill I have intro- union allies. President Clinton remains ada- Teachers prevented the program from oper- duced is a step toward addressing this prob- mantly opposed to giving poor children the ating until two weeks before school started. lem. same chance at a private education that his When those who were offered but did not ac- Mr. Speaker, this is a very modest proposal daughter, Chelsea, had. cept a scholarship were asked why, inability in terms of the Federal budget. However, this In deciding whether to challenge the presi- to secure admission to their desired private money will go a long way in helping us pre- dent, Congress would do well to consider school was only the fourth most frequently given reason, mentioned by just 21% of the serve these parks for enjoyment of future gen- what’s been happening in Cleveland, site of erations. I urge my colleagues to support the the first-state-funded program to give low- parents remaining in public schools. Trans- income students a choice of both religious portation problems, financial considerations National Park Fee Equity Act. and secular schools. Of more than 6,200 appli- and admission to a desired public school f were all mentioned more frequently. (Cleve- cants, pupils entering grades K–3 last year, POW–MIA COMMEMORATION DAY nearly 2,000 received scholarships to attend land has magnet schools that may have one of 55 schools. The scholarships cover up opened their doors to some scholarship appli- to 90% of a school’s tuition, to a maximum cants.) HON. VIC FAZIO of $2,250, little more than a third the per- The data from Cleveland have some limita- OF CALIFORNIA tions, because the program was not set up as pupil cost of Cleveland public schools. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a randomized experiment. Yet the compari- This past summer we surveyed more than Thursday, September 18, 1997 2,000 parents, both scholarship recipients and sons between scholarship recipients new to those who applied but did not participate in choice schools and those remaining in public Mr. FAZIO. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, our Na- the program. We found that parents to schol- schools are meaningful. That’s because, with tion will commemorate the thousands of Amer- respect to most of their demographic charac- arship recipients new to choice schools were ican men and women who were lost in action much more satisfied with every aspect of teristics—such as mother’s education, moth- er’s employment, and family size—the fami- or who experienced the brutality of being a their school than parents of children still in prisoner of war. For every war that America public school. Sixty-three percent of choice lies of scholarship recipients did not differ parents report being ‘‘very satisfied’’ with from those remaining in public schools. In has engaged in since its formation 221 years the ‘‘academic quality’’ of their school, as fact, the voucher recipients actually had ago, these men and women fought to protect compared with less than 30% of public school lower incomes than the group to which they America's democratic principles and to ensure parents. Nearly 60% were ‘‘very satisfied’’ were compared. that future generations could enjoy these free- with school safety, as compared with just Cleveland’s success at school choice should doms. over a quarter of those in public school. With not remain an exception to public schools’ Our country joins the American families monopoly on education. If members of Con- respect to school discipline, 55% of new around the world whose sons and daughters, choice parents, but only 23% of public-school gress care at all about the education of poor children living in the inner-city, they should fathers, mothers, and spouses were lost in ac- parents, were very satisfied. tion or suffered brutality as a prisoner of war The differences in satisfaction rates were approve the voucher legislation for Washing- equally large when parents were asked about ton now before them. in mourning and bittersweet celebration. We the school’s individual attention to their f grieve for the soldiers whose lives were lost. child, parental involvement, class size and Our only consolation is that their families fi- school facilities. The most extreme dif- NATIONAL PARK FEE EQUITY ACT nally find a level of peace by knowing the fate ferences in satisfaction pertained to teach- of their loved ones. America can join them in ing moral values: 71% of choice parents were HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. putting closure to the restless years of uncer- ‘‘very satisfied,’’ but only 25% of those in OF TENNESSEE tainty regarding the destiny of these men and public schools were. women. Together we can find comfort in each Our other findings provide powerful an- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES other and begin to heal our painful wounds. swers to many of the arguments raised by Thursday, September 18, 1997 voucher opponents: Today, Americans around the world also Parents, especially poor parents, are not Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today I intro- join in rejoicing for those courageous men and competent to evaluate their child’s edu- duced the National Park Fee Equity Act. This women who have returned to us alive and are cational experience. But test scores from two legislation will allow those national parks reunited with their families. We welcome them of the newly established choice schools jus- which cannot charge an entrance fee to keep warmly. Although there are no words that can tify parental enthusiasm. Choice students all other fees which are collected for activities adequately express our deepest and sincerest attending these schools, approximately 25% within that park. gratitude, please know that your sacrifices and of the total coming from public schools, There are units of the park system which those of your families were not in vain. To gained, on average, five percentile points in reading and 15 points in mathematics during cannot collect fees because when these parks these soldiers, we thank you. Your years of the course of the school year. were created deed restricts were placed on physical torture, hunger, psychological abuse, Choice schools don’t retain their students. the land donated to the Federal Government. and forced labor will never be forgotten. Amer- In fact, even though low-income, inner-city Last Congress, this body recognized the ica will never allow it to be forgotten. families are a highly mobile population, only need to keep more of the money in the parks America continues to wait apprehensively 7% of all scholarship recipients reported that rather than sending it back to Washington. for the soldiers whose fate is still unknown. they did not attend the same school for the This was accomplished when we created the We pray together that soon we will learn more entire year. Among recipients new to choice Fee Demonstration Program. on the status of these men and women. schools the percentage was 10%. The com- parable percentages for central-city public This program allows parks to keep 80 per- Please be assured that America will not rest schools is twice as large. cent of the user fees, above what was taken until all of her sons and daughters are re- Private schools expel students who cannot in during 1994, in the park where they are col- turned to her soil. We anxiously await news of keep up. But only 0.4% of the parents of lected. Unfortunately, there are some parks them and hope for their safe return with open scholarship students new to school choice re- which cannot charge entrance fees. hearts and open doors. E1800 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 Families from my district have not gone un- involvement over the past 75 years, and I wish Bankruptcy will cost our Nation $40 billion in scathed by this tragedy. They suffer the pains the congregation continued success in the fu- 1997 alone. That translates into over $400 per of loss, and experience the anguish of uncer- ture. household in higher costs for goods, services, tainty. William Charles Shinn from Woodland f and credit. That $400 could buy every Amer- and Jerry M. Shriver from Sacramento are still ican family of four: 5 weeks of groceries, 20 unaccounted for. The status of the Hill family's HONORING THE ANNIVERSARY OF tanks of unleaded gasoline, 10 pairs of shoes father remains a mystery. We join in their fam- THE DRAFTING OF THE CON- for the average grade-school child or more ilies' anxiety of not knowing. STITUTION than 1 year's worth of disposable diapers. Today, my community also celebrates for Our Nation's bankruptcy laws play an impor- the men and women who have returned. Sol- HON. BART GORDON tant and necessary role in our society but we diers like Michael O'Conner who was flying a OF TENNESSEE must ensure that our bankruptcy system does UH±1 helicopter in February 1968, when he IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES not unintentionally encourage those who can was shot down north of Hue. His three other Thursday, September 18, 1997 take responsibility for their financial obligations not to do so. Such an abuse of our bankruptcy crew members were killed. After evading cap- Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laws is fundamentally unfair to those who play ture for nearly 2 days, he was captured and call special attention to the Constitution of the by the rules and take responsibility for their held in captivity for 5 years. United States of America. This treasured doc- Therefore, it is with this mix of sadness, joy, personal obligations. It has been estimated ument serves as the guardian of our liberties and apprehension, that our Nation's Capitol, that 15 responsible borrowers are needed to and is a product of reflection and choiceÐem- the White House, the Department of State, cover the cost of a single bankruptcy. bodying the principles of limited government in Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective The Responsible Borrower Protection Bank- a Republic dedicated to rule by law, and not System Headquarters, the Vietnam Veterans ruptcy Act fundamentally reforms the existing by men. bankruptcy system into a needs-based sys- Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Abraham Lincoln once called the Constitu- tem. Only those who truly cannot repay their and national cemeteries across the Nation will tion, ``The only safeguard of our liberties debts will be able to use the complete bank- raise the flag of the National League of Fami- * * *.'' I strongly concur. Therefore, it is im- ruptcy in chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. lies of American Prisoners of War and Missing portant to recognize that September 17, 1997, Those who can repay their debts will have to in Southeast Asia. May this black and white marks the 210th anniversary of the drafting of use chapter 13 and work out a payment plan. banner serve as a somber reminder of all this historic landmark by the 1787 Constitu- Those who make less than 75 percent of the those lost; a rejoicing reminder of those re- tional Convention. turned; and, a flicker of hope for the men and It is fitting and proper to accord official rec- national median family income for a family of women whom we await their homecoming. ognition to this magnificent document and its equal size will be presumed unable to repay f memorable anniversaryÐas well as to the pa- their debts and may file complete bankruptcy. But those who make more than 75 percent of IN RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH AN- triotic celebrations which will commemorate this grand occasion. Public law guarantees the the national median family income for a family NIVERSARY OF ST. LUKE of equal size and, under a formula, are deter- CHURCH issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of this great country designating mined to be able to pay $50 per month toward September 17 through 23 as Constitution debt reduction of at least 20 percent of their HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Week. unsecured, non-priority debt over 5 years may OF OHIO In observance of this important national oc- only file in chapter 13 and repay their debt IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES casion, I ask my fellow citizens to reaffirm the over time. This needs-based reform is intended to ad- Thursday, September 18, 1997 ideals put forth by the Framers of the Con- dress a flaw in the bankruptcy system that en- stitution over 200 years ago. Only through Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to courages people to file for bankruptcy and vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed announce the 75th anniversary of St. Luke walk away from debts, regardless of whether to us through the Constitution, can we offer fu- Church in Lakewood, OH. In 1922, Bishop Jo- they are able to repay any portion of what ture generations the same great inheritance of seph Schrembs established the parish of St. they owe. Bankruptcy was never meant to be freedom we currently possess. Luke, the Evangelist. used as a financial planning tool or for mere f Lacking suitable facilities in which to hold convenience but it no longer carries with it the mass, a large tent was erected on the grounds THE RESPONSIBLE BORROWER social stigma it did 20 years ago and these of a nearby convent where Sunday masses PROTECTION BANKRUPTCY ACT bankruptcies of convenience are driving the were held. The parishioners continued to have enormous increase in bankruptcies. Bank- services under the tent for 21¤2 months. Even HON. BILL McCOLLUM ruptcy is becoming a first stop rather than a though they had numerous weather problems, OF FLORIDA last resort. especially during the bitter cold winter, the de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Responsible Borrower Protection Bank- termination of Fr. Nolan, the parishioners, and ruptcy Act also makes reforms to reduce re- a group of Charity nuns was all that was Thursday, September 18, 1997 peat filings and to prevent the gaming of the needed to build the tent back up whenever it Mr. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I am bankruptcy system, such as running up credit fell. introducing the Responsible Borrower Protec- bills right before filing for bankruptcy or filing On August 24, 1922, a contract was signed tion Bankruptcy Act. I am pleased to be joined and dismissing a bankruptcy case as a stalling to build a frame church. Fr. Nolan's prayers by my colleague, Mr. BOUCHER. Attached to tactic. In addition, there are provisions to im- for a permanent church structure were an- my statement is a detailed section by section prove the efficient administration of bankruptcy swered. In 1928, it became not only a place explanation of the legislation. cases, to increase oversight and to provide for worship but also a place for education It has become clear that reform of the exist- debtors with information about alternatives to when a school was built around the church. ing bankruptcy system is sorely needed as our bankruptcy, such as credit counseling serv- By 1950, it was apparent that larger facilities Nation witnesses an unsustainable epidemic ices. were needed to accommodate the growing St. of personal bankruptcies. Bankruptcies have By ensuring that our bankruptcy laws are Luke community. A new church was con- increased over 400 percent since 1980. It is not abused, we also ensure that bankruptcy structed in 13 months with much of the mate- estimated that consumer bankruptcies will rise remains a viable last resort for those who rials coming from Ireland, Germany, France, by over 20 percent in 1997. Last year, for the have tried to pay their debts but were driven and Italy. The church was again remodeled in first time ever, there were more than 1 million by circumstances to ask for judicial interven- 1984. An addition was constructed on one filings. This year, that figure is expected to rise tion into their personal finances. If we do not side of the church enlarging the priests' sac- to 1.4 million filings, more than one bankruptcy reform the system and stem the explosion in risty. Improvements were made in the school in every 100 American households. This rate bankruptcy filings caused by bankruptcies of as well, where a library and media center of increase is occurring not in the midst of a convenience, the cost of credit will inevitably were added. recession, but during what are by all accounts increase while its availability will begin to de- The Church of St. Luke, the Evangelist has good economic times. From 1986 to 1996, crease. Such a tightening of credit will espe- come a long way from its humble beginnings real per capita annual disposable income grew cially impact the working poor. In addition, in a tent in a field. St. Luke has grown to be by over 13 percent but personal bankruptcies these reforms will protect those responsible a place for education, worship, and community more than doubled. borrowers who meet their financial obligations September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1801 but end up paying for those who abuse our ruptcy case on the 30th day after the filing § 116. Giving Debtors the Ability To Keep Lease bankruptcy laws. if, in the previous year, the same debtor filed Personal Property by Assumption Congress has a special responsibility to ad- a bankruptcy case that was dismissed. The The Bill would add new Code section 365(p) dress this issue and to ensure that our bank- Bill provides an exception to this provision to give debtors the ability to keep leased ruptcy laws operate fairly, efficiently and free in the event the subsequent filing is made in personal property by assuming the lease. good faith. It gives four situations in which This clarifies that if a Chapter 7 trustee re- of abuse. The Responsible Borrower Protec- there is a presumption that the subsequent ject a lease of personal property, the lessor tion Bankruptcy Act makes an important first filing was not made in good faith: (1) if there may notify the debtor that he or she has the step in fulfilling that responsibility and I urge was more than one previous case in the past option of assuming the lease. If the debtor all my colleagues to support these reforms. year; (2) if the previous case was dismissed then notifies the lessor that the debtor wants to assume, the debtor’s lease remains THE RESPONSIBLE BORROWER PROTECTION for the debtor’s failure to comply with re- enforceable according to its terms. It also BANKRUPTCY ACT quirements under the Bankruptcy Code or with orders of the court; (3) if there has been clarifies that in a Chapter 11 or 13 case, if the SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS no substantial change in the debtor’s finan- lease is not assumed in the plan, the lease is Title I—Consumer Bankruptcy Issues cial affairs; or (4) as to the application of the rejected as of the date of the confirmation of § 101. Needs Based Bankruptcy stay to a specific creditor, if that creditor the plan. The section also makes clear that This section of the Bill requires those who obtained relief from the stay in the previous once a lease is rejected, it and the leased have a current monthly total income of 75 case or applied for such relief (and that ap- property are no longer property of the es- percent of the national median family in- plication is still pending). tate, and no longer subject to stay. come for a family of equal size or, in the case § 117. Chapter 13 Plans To Have a Five Year § 110. Restraining Abusive Purchases on Secured of a household of one person, 75 percent of Duration Credit the national median household income for The Bill would amend Code sections 1322(d) one earner plus a monthly net income great- The Bill would amend Code section 506 by and 1329(c) to allow confirmation of plans er than $50 and the ability to pay at least adding a new subsection 506(e). The provision with a life span of five years if the debtor’s 20% of their unsecured, non-priority debts requires that the value of personal property current monthly income is 75 percent of the over five years to enter into a repayment collateral be at least equal to the outstand- national median family income for a family plan under Chapter 13. ing balance of the purchase price, including of equal size or 75 percent of the national § 102. Adequate Income Shall be Committed to a interest and charges, where the property was median household income for one earner or Plan That Pays Unsecured Creditors purchased within 180 days of the petition. more on the date of confirmation. In such This section amends the Code to substitute § 111. Fair Valuation of Collateral cases, it would also permit the court to ap- for ‘‘disposable income’’ a new concept, prove a plan longer than five years up to a The Bill would add a new sentence to the maximum of seven years. Otherwise, the ‘‘monthly net income’’, which is determined end of Code section 506(a). This amendment based on expenditure levels now set by the debtor would be restricted to the three year would set the value of personal property se- and five year periods of present law. Internal Revenue Service and used exten- curing an individual debtor’s personal prop- § 118. Apply the Co-Debtor Stay Only When It sively throughout the country to make simi- erty as the replacement value of the prop- Protects the Debtor lar determinations. Provision is also made in erty on the petition date (without deduc- a new section 111 for the adjustment of tions for marketing or sales costs). The Bill would amend section 1301 so that monthly net income in extraordinary cases, the co-debtor stay would continue to be for example when the debtor experiences loss § 112. Debtor Retention of Personal Property available when the debtor who borrowed the of income or when the debtor has unusual ex- Security money sought Chapter 13 relief, but if a penses. The Bill would add a new subsection to guarantor or other co-debtor who did not re- § 103. Notice of Alternatives Code section 521 to provide that a Chapter 7 ceive the consideration for the creditor’s claim filed for relief, the debtor who bor- Require each consumer debtor to receive a individual debtor may not retain possession of personal property securing an allowed rowed the money would not be protected by notice containing a brief description of a stay unless he or she also filed a bank- Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy claim for the purchase price unless the debt- or either (a) reaffirms the debt or (b) re- ruptcy protection. Also the stay would ter- Code and a brief description of available minate as to the debtor’s interest in personal independent non-profit debt counseling serv- deems the property within sixty (60) days of the order for relief. If the debtor takes nei- property if the debtor surrendered or aban- ices. The notice would also contain the doned that property. name, address and telephone number of each ther action within the sixty (60) day period, § 119. Definition of Household Goods such service that registers with the clerk in then the property no longer would be consid- that district. This provision assures that ered property of the estate for purposes of The Bill would add a new subparagraph to debtors receive information about debt coun- the automatic stay. Code section 522(f)(1) to define the phrase seling services. § 113. Bankruptcy Exemption Study Commission ‘‘household goods’’ as it now appears in sec- tion 522(f) of the Code. The Bill defines § 104. Fraudulent Debts Are Nondischargeable in The Bill creates an eight member Bank- ‘‘household goods’’ by using the definition Chapter 13 Cases ruptcy Exemption Study Commission with already used in similar context by the Fed- The Bill amends Code section 1328(a)(2) so members appointed by the President, the eral Trade Commission in the Trade Regula- as not to discharge debts fraudulently in- Majority Leader of the Senate and the tions Rule on Credit Practices, 16 CFR curred. Speaker of the House to study whether the § 444.1(I). § 105. Giving Secured Creditors Fair Treatment Code’s use of exemptions should be revised. § 120. Protection of Holders of Claims Secured by in Chapter 13 The Commission is directed to study and re- Debtor’s Principal Residence port on exemption issues under the code and The Bill amends section 1325(a)(5)(B)(I) to This section clarifies that the inclusion of on any proposals to revise the Code it may provide that the holder of an allowed secured incidental property in a mortgage on the recommend. The Commission may hold hear- claim shall retain the lien securing the debtor’s principal residence will not dis- claim until the debtor receives a discharge. ings, and is required to report to Congress, qualify that mortgage from protection under § 106. Debts Incurred to Pay Nondischargeable the Chief Justice and the President within section 1322(b)(2). It also makes clear that if Debts one year of enactment of the Bill. the debtor resided in the house during the The Bill amends current section 523(a)(14) § 114. Timely Filing and Confirmation of Plans six months previous to filing and still owns to make nondischargeable any new debt that in Chapter 13 it, or if the residence is a mobile home, con- is incurred to pay a prior debt that otherwise The Bill amends section 1321 to require dominium or cooperative apartment, tech- would be nondischargeable. that the debtor file a plan within 90 days of nically treated as personalty in a number of § 107. Credit Extensions on the Eve of the petition date. The Bill would also amend states, the protection of section 1322(2)(b) ap- Bankruptcy Presumed Nondischargeable Code section 1324 to require that the con- plies. The section also provides that the stay firmation hearing be held within 45 days of The Bill would amend Code section under section 362 will not be violated if a the filing of the plan. Either of these time 523(a)(2)(C) to create a presumption that prepetition foreclosure proceeding is post- periods could be extended by court order. consumer debts incurred within 90 days of poned during the pendency of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy are non-dischargeable. § 115. Definition of Substantial Abuse proceeding so long as any prepetition default § 108. Stopping Abusive Conversions from The Bill would clarify Code section 707(b) remains uncured by actual payment in full Chapter 13 to permit any party in interest to move to according to the plan. This section provides that when a debtor dismiss the bankruptcy case, and it further § 121. Extend Period Between Bankruptcy converts from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7, the defines ‘‘substantial abuse’’ to include a situ- Discharges cram down is not retained except for the lim- ation in which it becomes apparent during The Bill would expand the amount of time ited purpose of redemption under section 722. the case that the debtor is not eligible for that must pass before a debtor may receive § 109. Discouraging Bad Faith Repeat Filings Chapter 7 under the needs based bankruptcy another discharge. The time period would ex- The section provides that the automatic provisions or where the totality of cir- pand to ten for Chapter 7 individual cases stay will terminate in a consumer bank- cumstances demonstrate substantial abuse. and five years for Chapter 13 cases. E1802 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 Title II—Improved Bankruptcy for failure to file schedules within 45 days I hope the leadership will see to it that this Administration after filing the petition. legislation receives a fair hearing and is § 201. Improved Bankruptcy Statistics § 212. Adequate Protection of Lessors and brought to the floor with all due speed. The Bill would create a new 28 U.S.C. § 159 Purchase Money Secured Creditors. f that would require the clerks of the various This section adds a new section 1307 to the bankruptcy courts to compile statistics on Code to provide that adequate protection TRIBUTE TO MARK AND DIANE bankruptcy cases involving individual debt- payments be made during the ‘‘gap’’ that oc- KROEKER ors, and report these statistics annually to curs between the time the debtor files a Congress. Chapter 13 case and the stay goes into effect § 202. Audit Procedures and the time the debtor resumes making HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN This section amends title 28 to delegate to payments under the plan. OF CALIFORNIA the Attorney General the responsibility for § 213. Adequate Time to Prepare for Hearing on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES establishing random audits of individual Confirmation of the Plan. Thursday, September 18, 1997 bankruptcy cases under title 11. The Bill amends Code section 1324 to re- § 203. Docket of Individuals Who File Under quire that a Chapter 13 confirmation hearing Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to Title 11 cannot be held less than twenty days after pay tribute to Mark and Diane Kroeker, who This section amends title 28 to delegate to the first meeting of creditors if there is an this year are being saluted by Bridge Focus, the Administrative Office of the Courts the objection. a social service agency in the San Fernando responsibility for creating and maintaining a f Valley. The Kroekers are receiving an award central docket of those who have filed for bankruptcy relief. REVOKE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR for being exemplary parents and for a long tra- dition of helping their community. I cannot § 204. Adequate Preparation Time for Creditors MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Before the First Meeting of Creditors in Indi- think of two people who better fit this descrip- vidual Cases HON. MAX SANDLIN tion than Mark and Diane. This section amends the Bankruptcy Code I have had a warm personal and profes- OF TEXAS to specify that in an individual voluntary sional relationship with Mark for many years, case, the first meeting of creditors be con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES particularly during the time he served as com- vened between sixty (60) and ninety (90) days Thursday, September 18, 1997 mander of the San Fernando Valley Bureau of following the order for relief. Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the Los Angeles Police Department. § 205. Creditor Representation at First Meeting introduce legislation to revoke the COLA for Like many others, I have tremendous re- of Credits. Members of Congress should it become law. spect and admiration for Mark's work. The This section amends Code section 341(c) to LAPD could have not picked a more ideal rep- provide that non-attorney representatives The manner in which the COLA was approved can attend and participate in the first meet- by this body yesterday is appalling. Americans resentative in the valley. Mark was constantly ing of creditors. deserve to know if their Representative is vot- looking for ways to improve relations between § 206. Giving Creditors Fair Notice in Chapter 7 ing to increase his or her pay. It should not be the Department and community. He spent and Chapter 13 Cases. hidden in the parliamentary process. We must hundreds of hours meeting with local leaders. This section provides that the debtor in- be honest enough with ourselves and with the It was a sad day for all of us when Mark was clude in any notice to the creditor, the credi- American people to support openly or oppose transferred to another bureau. tor’s account number if it is reasonably openly this increase. My legislation will require Mark's reputation for compassion and con- available, and to send any notices to an ad- us to make an honest, forthright statement cern extends beyond the workplace. He is dress which the creditor has previously spec- about our pay. widely known as the founder and chairman of ified. I hope events of the next few days will the board of the World Children's Transplant § 207. Prompt Relief From Stay in Individual render my legislation unnecessary. I hope that Cases. Fund. He rarely misses an opportunity to tell once Members have had an opportunity to dis- people of the organization and its wonderful This section amends Code section 362(e) to provide that unless the court finally decides cuss with their constituents yesterday's at- work. the relief from stay request, the parties tempt to sneak in a pay raise they will join the Mark and Diane are active supporters of the agree to take a longer time, or the court or- efforts of Congresswoman LINDA SMITH, my- World Children's Transplant Fund, which in ders additional time, the stay shall auto- self, and others and support an amendment to 1994 presented Mark with its Man of the Year matically terminate sixty days after a re- prevent Members of Congress from receiving Award. There are children around the world quest for relief from it is made. a COLA. If such an amendment is ruled out of who literally owe their lives to Mark and Diane § 208. Relief From Stay When the Debtor Does order, Members should support a motion to Kroeker. Not Complete Intended Surrender of Consumer appeal the ruling of the chair. If our amend- I ask my colleagues to join me today in sa- Debt Collateral. ment prevails, and I sincerely hope it does, my luting Mark and Diane Kroeker, proud and lov- This section amends section 362 to provide that if individual debtors do not file a timely legislation will not be necessary. However, I ing parents of Kent, Kirk, and Katrina. Mark statement of intention with respect to prop- believe we must make every effort to overturn and Diane's dedication to their community and erty securing the creditor’s claim or to act yesterday's action and for that reason, I am in- their love for the children of the world inspires in accordance with that statement of inten- troducing this bill today. us all. tion, a secured creditor may seek relief from As Members of Congress, I strongly believe f the stay. that we should not talk about cutting important § 209. Filing of Proofs of Claim. programs like Medicare and Social Security SALUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVER- In Chapter 11 cases, if a creditor is listed in and then turn around and give ourselves a SARY OF THE AIR NATIONAL the schedules, no proof of claim need to be pay raise. During the appropriations process, GUARD filed unless it is listed as disputed, contin- we have forced many worthy programs to gent or unliquidated. This provision extends this Chapter 11 provision to cases under tighten their belts ``for the good of the country'' HON. ELTON GALLEGLY Chapters 7 and 13. so we can meet our goal of a balanced budget OF CALIFORNIA § 210. Debtor to Provide Tax Returns and Other by the year 2002. Why, then, not tighten our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES own belts? Information. Thursday, September 18, 1997 This section amends Code section 521 to re- As I have said on many other occasions, it quire that the debtor provide financial infor- is irresponsible for us to increase our own pay Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to mation about income and expenses, such as at a time when we have not met our obligation pay a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of copies of its tax returns for the three most to the American people to balance the Federal the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard, recent tax years, its current pay stubs, and budget. We cannot continue to tell our con- especially the 146th Airlift Wing based in my other proof of income. Also, a conformed stituents to tighten their belts while we loosen California congressional district. copy of the petition, schedules and state- ment of financial affairs and any correspond- our own. We must first make Medicare sol- The 146th is California's largest Air National ing amendments as well as of any Chapter 13 vent. We must first fully fund our veterans' Guard unit and has been recognized by both plan must be provided upon request. benefits. We must first ensure that every stu- the Air Force Association and the National § 211. Dismissal for Failure to File Schedules dent has an opportunity for a college edu- Guard Association of the United States as the Timely or Provide Required Information. cation. We must first rebuild our crumbling in- best flying unit in the Air National Guard. The Bill would amend Code section 707 to frastructure. We must first eliminate the estate These prestigious awards have not come eas- require the dismissal of the bankruptcy case tax. We must first take care of the people. ily. During World War II, as part of the 115th September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1803 Observation Squadron, the wing fought in var- capacity with new government-owned sealift gress and Gordon Spencer, the legislative di- ious combat theaters around the world, dis- vessels would be astronomical. rector for the American Maritime Officers. playing courage in battles in the Pacific, Eu- The number of private U.S. shipyards has f rope and China-Burma-India theaters. dropped by more than 50 percent over the The 146th distinguished itself during the past 15 years. The U.S.-flag fleet is very pro- IN HONOR OF THE 125TH ANNIVER- 1950's in the Korean war, and in the 1960's ductive today, but unfortunately, its capability SARY OF THE CONGREGATION Southeast Asia conflict flying a variety of com- to compete on the international stage has de- OF ST. JOSEPH bat air support missions. Since 1970, the clined. The American fleet of self-propelled wing's C±130 aircraft have traveled to all cor- vessels has decreased steadily in size since HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH ners of the world, airlifting troops, passengers, 1950 to a current low of approximately 300 OF OHIO and cargo during training missions, exercise vessels. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES deployments, and real-world military oper- The available work force has also declined Thursday, September 18, 1997 significantly and the modernization of the U.S. ations. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to In 1992, the wing received its third Air Force seaports is well behind their foreign competi- honor the Congregation of St. Joseph [CSJ] in Outstanding Unit Award. The 146th was tors. These factors are raising concerns Cleveland, OH as they celebrate their 125th praised for extraordinary service to the Nation, among my colleagues in the national security anniversary of serving the Cleveland commu- State, and local communities during hostilities caucus about handicaps on our Nation's econ- nity through their faith, service, and vision. omy and our capability to promote trade and in Panama and in the Persian Gulf, and in For the Sisters of St. Joseph, this anniver- our national security interests. peacetime humanitarian airlifts and aerial fire sary year has been one of reflection on their The participants were in agreement that the fighting. faith and a renewal of their spirituality. The U.S. policies and programs are in sharp con- Mr. Speaker, while the mission and accom- sisters recently spent a weekend exploring the trast with those of many leading maritime na- plishments of the 146th Airlift Wing are truly core principles and values of their faith and tions. These other nations have acted to pre- commendable, their true strength lies in the endeavored to find God and love in everyday serve a commercial presence in shipping. men and women who comprise the wing. I am life. They offer supportive tax and financing pack- pleased to pay tribute to them today and con- This year has also been a time to con- ages. And they invest heavily in the mod- gratulate them on 50 years of service to our template the areas of service in which CSJ is ernization of their shipyards and seaports. All Nation, State, and community. involved. Throughout their history, the sisters of these inequities discourage private invest- f have reached out to others in the Cleveland ment in key components of U.S. maritime in- community. The Sisters of St. Joseph have A NEW MARITIME STRATEGY dustries. I believe it is in the best interests of been involved in educating the youth of the all Americans to harness the leadership of community's parishes and in helping many government with the strength of the market- HON. RANDY ‘‘DUKE’’ CUNNINGHAM other service organizations such as the West place to level the international playing field so OF CALIFORNIA Side Catholic Center and Women's Shelter, that U.S. industries can compete globally. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Providence HouseÐ(a crisis nursery for chil- The challenges we face were eloquently Thursday, September 18, 1997 dren), transitional housing for women and fam- stated last year during the MSP debate by ilies, day care, and hospital visits. As part of Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, in my role chairman HERB BATEMAN of the Merchant Ma- the anniversary celebration, the Sisters of St. as an administrative cochairman of the biparti- rine Panel when he said, ``We are beyond the Joseph awarded a grant to fund a new service san national security caucus, I served as the point of talking about viability, resurgence of project in the community, ``Seeds of Literacy.'' cohost of a recent maritime policy briefing. even revitalization. We are now talking about This project, coordinated with three other par- The group my colleagues and I assembled the very survival of the American maritime in- ishes in the Cleveland area, will reach out to discussed a wide range of critical issues which dustry. As horrible and as catastrophic as it needy adults to increase their literacy skills have a significant impact on our national secu- may sound, if we do not develop and adopt a and sense of self worth, hopefully resulting in rity and the future of our maritime industry. new strategy, the U.S. fleet may not be in ex- new job opportunities for them so they will be This dinner briefing was an outstanding suc- istence a year from now.'' cess because of the insights and observations I am very pleased to report that the efforts able to support themselves and their children. The congregation has also spent this anni- we received from several of my fellow cochair- to develop, adopt, and implement a com- versary year focusing on the vision that has men in the national security caucus. The prehensive and bipartisan national maritime carried them through the past 125 years, and group included Chairman FLOYD SPENCE of strategy is receiving critical leadership from which will inspire them in the future. Just as the National Security Committee, IKE SKELTON, the nonprofit National Security Caucus Foun- many bridges span the Cuyahoga River in the ranking Democrat on the Military Procure- dation. I know all of the caucus cochairmen Cleveland, connecting the east side of the city ment Subcommittee and STENY HOYER, the are very grateful for the tremendous yeoman to the west, CSJ is always looking for ways to chairman of the Democratic Steering Commit- labor of the NSCF maritime team. This group build new bridges connecting themselves to tee. We were also joined by TILLIE FOWLER, includes Adm. Thomas Moorer USN (Ret.), their traditional spirituality, connecting their ac- the vice chairman of the Coast Guard and the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of complishments of the past to their vision of the Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. Staff, Rear Adm. Robert Spiro, the former future, and connecting the Congregation of St. Our guests of honor were Secretary of the Under Secretary of the Army, and Gregg Hil- Joseph to the Cleveland community. Navy John Dalton and Gen. Charles Krulak, ton, the NSCF's Executive Director. My fellow colleagues, please join me in hon- the commander of the Marine Corps. We were They have been working in cooperation with oring the devoted Sisters of the Congregation also joined by several key executives form the the Navy and the Maritime Administration on of St. Joseph. maritime industry and senior officials of lead- several strategy conferences, and they have f ing trade associations and maritime organiza- assembled an impressive list of retired flag of- tions. ficers who are emphasizing the arguments I TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS TOUCHETTE The topics we reviewed included the Mari- have outlined above. The NSC Foundation's time Security Program [MSP], the Jones Act, effort to develop a new strategy is essential to HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO the charter and build program, cargo pref- our national security and I will be providing OF ILLINOIS erence, and acquisition reform. All of our par- further information to my colleagues about this IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ticipants were in agreement that the dis- program in the weeks ahead. appearance of U.S. shipping companies would Finally, I want to express my appreciation to Thursday, September 18, 1997 have a serious impact on America's national several individuals who had a key role in orga- Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, 60 days ago security. nizing last night's policy discussion. They also today on July 18, 1997, the people of the St. During Operation Desert Storm, American provided us excellent advice and a wide vari- Louis metropolitan area and the people of shipping companies transported 95 percent of ety of background information. The group southwestern Illinois lost a great leader and I the sustainment cargo. It is definitely not clear which is responsible for the success of last lost a good friend. Francis Touchette passed how the Defense Department would replace night's event includes Jim Henry, the president away on July 18, 1997, at the age of 84 after crucial sealift capacity if, suddenly, no Amer- of the Transportation Institute, Jim Patti, the a long illness. ican container ship companies were available. president of MIRAID, Gloria Tosi, the execu- During this period, I have had time to reflect Certainly, the cost of replacing this commercial tive director of the American Maritime Con- on his legacy of service and on our friendship. E1804 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 Francis Touchette was both a dedicated public engineering, financial, computer consulting, Until the Air Force was born, servant and a humanitarian. computer programming, sales/marketing, And the Bird left its nest. Francis started his career when he was healthcare, publishing, distance learning, and A Bird with metal wings elected to the office of Democratic precinct A cockpit for an eye charitable professionals. Pilots gave it heart and soul committeeman when Franklin Roosevelt was By stepping out onto the cutting edge of With grace of a butterfly. elected President of the United States. In ad- telecommuting, the city of St. Peters is offering America’s fields grow barracks dition to serving as a Democratic precinct those in their community a tremendous oppor- And long, gray runways. committeeman for many years, Francis was tunity. I am sure WorkLink will serve as a Seas of blue uniforms elected Centreville Township supervisor and model for other communities, and I commend Blended with the amber waves. was elected to serve as a member of the Mayor Tom Brown and Helen Robert, Above the patterned clouds county board from Centreville Township. On WorkLink manager, for their vision and hard We watched fliers in formations, two separate occasions during his career on work. Vapor trails left behind Sent a message to all nations. the county board, his colleagues saw fit to f The large Bear of the U.S.S.R. elect Francis to serve as their chairman. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIR FORCE Shoot with disbelief, In addition to being one of the leading The Eagle soared above its head Democrats in southwestern and southern Illi- Bringing West Berlin relief. nois, Francis was one of the leaders in provid- HON. VAN HILLEARY Red Communism was no match ing health care and other services to the un- OF TENNESSEE For men and women in blue, derprivileged and the poor throughout the re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MIGs could not compete gion. Where the Sabre flew. Thursday, September 18, 1997 From Korea to Vietnam Francis was the founder of Centreville town- Mr. HILLEARY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as To Desert Storm of Iraq, ship HospitalÐlater renamed Touchette Re- The Air Force was there gional Hospital in Centreville, IL. As Centre- an Air Force veteran and a major in the Air Force Reserve to commemorate the 50th an- And brought the banner back. ville Township supervisor, he recognized that Yesterday a playful boy the underprivileged and the poor were not re- niversary of the U.S. Air Force. Spread his arms in flight, When we look at today's Air Force, with all ceiving adequate health care services and Dreamed one day he’d fly its cutting-edge technological advances and therefore called upon the people of the town- In his sleep at night. global superiority, it's amazing to think how far ship to construct a hospital for people in the The boy fulfilled his dream we have come in this century. It's certainly a High above the barren ground. Greater Centreville area. He was a charter far cry from the military's first airborne activi- And woke up a tired God member of the East Side Health District and tiesÐthe Army's use of balloons for reconnais- ‘‘When he broke the speed of sound’’ founded the Southern Illinois Health Care sance during the Civil War and Spanish Amer- Today boys and girls Foundation. Share that same dream. ican War, and the use of its first aircraft Very few people have touched and im- One day to take the oath against Pancho Villa in Mexico in 1916. proved the lives of so many as Francis Join the Air Force team. From these humble roots, military aviation Touchette. His service to the people of the St. A half century has come and gone grew and matured from being a part of the Louis region and of southwestern Illinois will Since Truman took the pen. Signal Corps in 1914, to becoming the Army Signed aboard his ‘‘Sacred Cow’’ live onÐand his friendship that he extended to Bureau of Aircraft Production and the Air Serv- Our Air Force to begin. me and many others will never be forgotten. ice in 1918, to the Army Air Forces and the For those who served our country My colleagues, I ask you to join me in pay- Army Air Corps in the 1920's. In peace and war time, ing tribute to a great friend and a great leader. As military aviators distinguished them- For those who gave their lives f So freedom bells could chime. selves in World War I and World War II, sup- For those who serve the Seal WORKLINK port for a full-fledged, independent Air Force Eagle, thunderbolt, stars and cloud grew. More and more people came to realize And wreath of six folds HON. JAMES M. TALENT that the Air Corps was more than just a part Make our country proud. of the Army: It was a highly specialized branch The symbol of the Eagle OF MISSOURI of the military which should stand on equal Facing the future without sorrow, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES footing with the Army and the Navy. The United States, Air Force Thursday, September 18, 1997 Finally, in 1947, the National Security Act, Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to which created an independent U.S. Air Force, f was passed by Congress and signed into law recognize the city of St. Peters for the suc- JOSEPHINE HINMAN’S GARDEN cessful implementation of WorkLink, the first by President Harry S Truman. Fifty years later, telecommunication center in the State of Mis- we celebrate the contributions the Air Force HON. RON PACKARD souri and the entire Midwest. Opening in July has made over the past five decades, and we OF CALIFORNIA 1996, WorkLink was designed as a commu- look forward to the many more contributions IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nity-based telecommunications center which the Air Force will make in the decades equipped to provide individuals, businesses, and centuries to come. Thursday, September 18, 1997 and organizations with a wide array of ad- I know Air Force veterans and members at Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recog- vanced telecommunications and related serv- installations around the world will mark this nize an outstanding citizen in my community. ices. WorkLink promotes telecommuting as an 50th anniversary with great pride and honor. Josephine Hinman, of Fallbrook, CA devotes efficient way of doing business and helping At Arnold Engineering and Development Cen- her life to attacking hunger. Josephine grows employees better balance their time between ter [AEDC] on Arnold Air Force Base in my and then donates some 12,000 bags of fruit work and family. congressional district, a celebration was re- and vegetables a year to feed the poor, all WorkLink offers an alternative to many com- cently held in observance of this milestone, from her own garden. For 64 years, Josephine panies and employees to maintain and en- and I'm sure similar events have been held at Hinman has selflessly given both her time and courage performance and productivity; assists many other bases. energy so that others may benefit. companies in cutting expenses by consolidat- Mr. Speaker, at this point, I would like to Growing up during the Depression, Jose- ing office and parking space; improves em- once again thank the U.S. Air Force for all it phine learned early on how hard it can be to ployee moral by accommodating work and has done for our great country, and I would keep food on the table in tough times. Helping family needs; and helps the community by re- like to insert into the RECORD a poem written her family maintain a large garden, they grew ducing traffic congestion and improving air by Tennessee's poet laureate Margaret Britton enough to get by and help others in the neigh- quality. Vaughn, in honor of this wonderful anniver- borhood. Today, Josephine is still taking care Currently, two-thirds of the available space sary. This poem was read publicly for the first of her garden, and still taking good care of the at WorkLink is equipped with offices and time by Maggie Vaughn at the AEDC 50th an- less fortunate in her community. workstations with the advanced technology niversary commemoration. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is beginning to re- and interconnectivity to handle most advanced AIR FORCE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY discover the power of local solutions. For far office telecommunications functions. The facil- Nineteen forty-seven, fifty years ago too long, the Washington bureaucrats have in- ity houses many businesse types, including The vision would not rest sisted that the only way to help those in need September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1805 is to create another Government program and Jim allows elected leaders like myself to ad- Ashburn was also a threat on the basepaths bankroll it with endless taxpayer dollars. Peo- dress the scores of people in attendance, and where he had 234 career stolen bases. ple like Josephine Hinman are showing Wash- there are few listeners who are shy about re- Following his outstanding 15 years in the ington that no matter how much taxpayer sponding with their own views, comments, and majors, Ashburn considered running for Con- money you throw at a problem, little is ever criticisms. In this age of big budget cam- gress, but settled instead on a career in accomplished without the warmth and com- paigns, spin doctors, and television attack ads, broadcasting. As a broadcaster for the Phila- passion of caring citizens. Jim reminds all of us that small-town, grass- delphia Phillies, Ashburn displayed remarkable Josephine Hinman's story is truly inspiring. roots democracy is alive and well in America. wit, knowledge, and love of the game. He was Her selfless work should encourage each and I am deeply grateful for Jim Bremer's work a familiar and comfortable voice for Phillies every one of us to reflect on how we may bet- to emphasize the importance of personal rela- fans for 35 years. ter serve others. Most of us learned very tionships between citizens and their govern- Ashburn's impressive statistics in the major young in life that we share a responsibility to ment. However, despite the vitality of our leagues demonstrate his greatness as a play- help our neighbors and care for our commu- grassroots, the success of Jim's efforts rests er, but they obviously don't reveal the remark- nity. As I visit with and learn about those who entirely on the strength of his character and able qualities he displayed as a person. do remarkable works throughout my district, I the personal respect he has earned from oth- Ashburn was a humble man with a marvelous continue to be convinced that volunteering is ers. His unshakableÐand sometimes bitingÐ sense of humor. He also maintained the val- much more than a responsibility. Having the honesty is without question and beyond re- ues he learned from his family in NebraskaÐ time, talents, and ability to brighten the lives of proach. In addition, he possesses that special honesty, loyalty, decency, and a caring atti- others is actually one of life's greatest privi- Hoosier brand of common sense that appeals tude. He truly had a genuine concern for all leges. The joy with which Josephine Hinman to independents and people of both major par- people which earned him numerous friends continues to keep her garden open to all is ties. But above all, Jim is a hard worker who and lasting affection. Richie Ashburn will cer- solid proof of that. is committed to helping his neighbors and his tainly be missed. f community. As a veteran of the Korean war, a This Member would like to commend to his deputy sheriff, and an electrician on the job, colleagues the following editorials from the IN HONOR OF JIM BREMER Jim has exhibited the best American values of Norfolk Daily News and the Philadelphia In- dedication, responsibility, and caring for oth- quirer. The editorials highlight Richie HON. TIM ROEMER ers. I consider myself fortunate to be associ- Ashburn's impressive accomplishments in Ne- OF INDIANA ated with him. braska and Philadelphia. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I hope Americans in the future will not stray [From the Norfolk Daily News, Sept. 10, 1997] Thursday, September 18, 1997 too far from Jim Bremer's example. If I did not LOSS MOURNED know that he is a one-of-a-kind, I would say ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF RICHIE ASHBURN WILL BE Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great we need many more of him. REMEMBERED BY MANY IN AREA pleasure that I rise today in recognition of Mr. f Just short of a half-century ago, Richie Jim Bremer of Wanatah, IN. Not only am I ex- Ashburn was named ‘‘rookie of the year’’ by tremely proud to call him a good friend, but I RICHIE ASHBURN: A BASEBALL the Sporting News. He had compiled a .333 am even prouder to call him a friend of his SUPERSTAR WITH STRONG NE- batting average in his first major league community and the entire State of Indiana. BRASKA ROOTS year; had stolen 32 bases to lead in that cat- I first met Jim when I ran for Congress back egory even though he missed a month of the in 1990. During the course of my campaign, season. He was chosen as a starter in center HON. DOUG BEREUTER field for the National League allstar team in people throughout his home county told me of OF NEBRASKA that year, 1948. his reputation for honesty, hard work, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES His reaction to the award was this: ‘‘I only common sense. Although he wasÐand re- hope I will merit the honor by better playing mainsÐa member of the opposite political Thursday, September 18, 1997 next year.’’ His career with the Philadelphia party, his neighbors strongly encouraged me Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, the Nation Phillies and finally with the Chicago Cubs to seek his advice and support. It was soon recently lost a true treasure with the passing and New York Mets, was marked by that de- after that I first sat with Jim Bremer in his fa- of Richie Ashburn on September 9. Ashburn termination and for continued high-level was a Hall of Fame baseball superstar and re- performance. A lifetime record of achieve- mous garage, discussing the national issues ment in baseball led to belated recognition of the day and gazing out at the beautiful ar- nowned broadcaster, but he never forgot his as a Hall of Fame member in 1995. rangement of flowers that surround his entire Nebraska roots. In addition to his annual visits Northeast Nebraskans followed this Tilden home. back home, Ashburn made frequent ref- native’s career closely, from his days with During the course of our meeting, I was erences to his hometown of Tilden and the the Antelopes in the early 1940s, a Legion elated when Jim pledged to support me in the valuable lessons he learned while growing up baseball team sponsored by the post in 1990 election. While the town of Wanatah is in Nebraska. Neligh, to his stellar performance as a bas- small, the people there are conscientious, Richie Ashburn began his extraordinary ath- ketball player in the off-season for Norfolk Junior College. hard working, driven by the right values, and letic career in Nebraska where he starred in He had the strong support of parents, Mr. very active politically. I knew that folks in baseball, basketball, and track. Ashburn com- and Mrs. Neil Ashburn, who made a home for Wanatah respected Jim and paid close atten- bined a natural athletic ability with determina- Richie and four of his young teammates in tion to his opinions, and I thought his endorse- tion and a strong work ethic. In the process, their first years in Philadelphia. His mother ment would mean a lot to my campaign. he set an enduring standard for athletes in still lives in Tilden. However, after Jim said he would support northeast Nebraska and served as an inspira- His talent was not limited to playing base- me, he solemnly proclaimed, ``As soon as you tion for athletes across the State. Indeed this ball, but also included column-writing for a Philadelphia newspaper and a long career as get elected, I bet we'll never see you again in Member used a Richie Asburn Louisville Slug- an announcer for the Phillies. Now his career Wanatah.'' This was probably the only time I ger when he played baseball for the Utica Le- is closed with his sudden, unexpected death was able to prove him wrong. Not only do I gion team and for Utica and Seward in the Sept. 9 at the age of 70. continue to stop by and sit in Jim's garage, Blue Valley League and the Cornhusker He has an extended family to mourn his but every year I attend the Labor Day picnic League. loss. It consists of supportive relatives, of he hosts in his backyard. And I do not exag- As a major league baseball player, Ashburn course, whom he came back to Nebraska to gerate when I claim that the renowned event amassed an impressive record which eventu- see regularly. But it also numbers thousands of aging baseball fans who still remember is equal to any picnic in the world. Jim roasts ally earned him enshrinement in the Hall of vividly his exploits on the field and are a hog, smokes three turkeys in metal garbage Fame. Outstanding from the beginning of his proud of his performance off of it. cans, and serves vine ripened tomatoes fresh career, Ashburn received Rookie-of-the-Year [From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 10, from his Olympic-size garden. If you manage honors in 1948. Year after year, he excelled at 1997] not to gorge yourself on this bounty, there the plate and in the field. He retired with an THE WHIZ KID then awaits an amazing assortment of Hoosier amazing .308 batting average and had more ON THE FIELD AND IN THE BROADCAST BOOTH, dessertsÐcourtesy of Wanatah's best kitchens hits than any other player in the 1950's. RICHIE ASHBURN WAS PHILADELPHIA TO THE and family recipes. Ashburn was a defensive standout in center- CORE After the meal, attentions invariably turn to field and led the league in putouts by an out- Try to name a Philadelphian more beloved politics and discussions of our Nation's future. fielder nine times, tying a major league record. than D. Richard Ashburn. E1806 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 Can’t be done, can it? County, CA, which will take place on Septem- to farmers faced with clean air requirements to Over half a century, Mr. Ashburn, the Phil- ber 24, 1997. reduce airborne dust. The center is also doing lies’ Hall of Fame outfielder and longtime This all-day event will include speakers, work on sophisticated means of monitoring broadcaster who died suddenly yesterday, be- came woven deep into the fabric of a tough workshops, and entertainment, as well as edu- crop health, means which could allow farmers but loyal town. The threads running through cational offerings. It will also incorporate the to reduce applications of pesticides and other his career were bedrock decency, consist- annual health fair. It will be the first event of chemicals. It is still a cooperative venture. ency, dry wit and, of course, dashing athletic its kind to address fully the issues and interest Under an agreement struck in 1991, the De- skill. of seniors throughout Solano County. Seniors partment of Agriculture, the University of Cali- When Mr. Ashburn had a heart attack in a and members of the Vacaville community fornia, Kern County and the cotton industry New York hotel after broadcasting a ball have come together to create this event, are cooperating to keep the research center in game between two teams for which he which will serve to benefit all the citizens of operation so that this unique facility will con- played, the Phils and Mets, Philadelphians lost someone who helped define their sense of Solano regardless of age. tinue to produce cutting-edge technology for their town. We should also make note of the positive the California cotton farmer of the 21st cen- He was, in the city’s high accolade, a ‘‘reg- effects that can occur when our citizens join tury. ular guy,’’ a man who knew how to win and with their elected leaders, be they local, re- The Shafter Cotton Research Center is a how to struggle, how to laugh and how to gional or national, and with shared visions, ac- landmark in California to the creative energies grieve, whom the rest of the nation never complish that which we all strive for: A com- of generations of farmers and scientists be- quite appreciated the way it should. munity spirit that thrives and makes us proud. cause of the way everyone has rolled up their As a player, the Nebraskan everyone called In closing, I would like to commend the dis- Whitey was one of his generation’s best, but 100 percent cotton sleeves to work together. often overlooked on the national stage. He tinguished members of the Tribute to Seniors We recognize that cooperation's key role in was an artist of the single in a game where Committee. The committee is comprised of the the center's historic and future importance. home-run hitters hog the spotlight. A Phila- following individuals, all of whom have dedi- delphian in an era when New York’s Golden cated their time and energy to the success of f Age of Sport featured three legends playing this special event: Chairman Charles Conti, THE GREATER MIAMI COMMITTEE his position: Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle Diana Barney, Kristen Delaplane, Lynn and Duke Snider. FOR UNICEF AWARDS LISSETTE Kessler, Dorothy Locke, and Jim Tooke. AND WILLY CHIRINO FOR THEIR He didn’t fret about that. He just kept Congratulations to everyone who is working doing with meticulous class all the little EXTENSIVE LABOR WITH DES- things—fielding his position, bunting run- to make this day a caring and sharing celebra- TITUTE CHILDREN ners along—that make winning possible. tion. Fitting it was that he saved the National f League pennant for the fabled 1950 Whiz Kids HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN with a defensive play in the season’s last SHAFTER COTTON RESEARCH STA- OF FLORIDA game. TION: A CALIFORNIA FARMING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fitting it was also that baseball finally LANDMARK came to its senses and put him into its Hall Thursday, September 18, 1997 of Fame in 1995—though sadly too late for HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it gives him to savor the moment with his dead fa- me great pleasure to pay tribute to one of Mi- ther, twin sister and daughter. At his induc- OF CALIFORNIA ami's most outstanding organizations. The tion, he shared the podium graciously with a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Greater Miami Committee for UNICEF has more talented but less lovable Phillie, Mike Thursday, September 18, 1997 Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt himself, scanning the saved the lives of scores of children in the sea of red caps and the record 200 chartered Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the Shafter Cot- south Florida area and throughout the world. buses invading Cooperstown that day, ob- ton Research Center, in Shafter, CA, is cele- Providing emergency assistance by equipping served that ’twas Whitey who’d lured most of brating 75 years of research for California cot- poor and starving children with primary and them. ton production and this month becomes a necessary healthcare by furnishing them with In the broadcast booth, as on the field, Mr. basic education are among the many ways in Ashburn’s work featured a Philadelphia- State registered landmark. The designation friendly mix: loyalty, warmth, honesty and recognizes the important research contribu- which this organization has come to the res- understated humor that refused to take him- tions this center has made to the California cue of these underprivileged children; the chil- self or anyone else too seriously. cotton industry. We also recognize the historic dren of our world. He was never the smoothest caller of a relationship between California cotton growers, The Greater Miami Committee for UNICEF game, but he knew how to share a micro- the University of California, Kern County and has always advocated and devoted itself to phone, how to sum up excellence or disaster the U.S. Department of Agriculture that has fighting for the adequate protection of children in one sage phrase, and how to put friendli- made the Shafter Cotton Research Center so and their inalienable rights. The members are ness into the ‘‘Welcome to Minnie from always eager to award opportunities to des- Royersford, celebrating her 90th today at the successful. Vet’’ messages it was his daily lot to read. This center got its start in 1922 and has titute children, with whatever means nec- A great ballplayer speaks to that piece in- been in the forefront of efforts to buck com- essary, to help them to develop and reach side people that yearns for heroes. A baseball mon wisdom ever since. At that time, many their full potential in life. broadcaster, more than any other sports an- people in the cotton industry thought California This year, this commendable organization nouncer, becomes a piece of a city’s daily was too far from the mills in the eastern Unit- has chosen to present its award to La conversation, a reliable bard whose word pic- ed States for California to ever become a cot- Fundacion Willy Chirino. Willy and Lissette tures fuel backyard debates and spice long ton powerhouse. The work done in coopera- Chirino, the founders and extensive laborers commutes. Philadelphia was graced to have Richie tion between Federal, State and local govern- of this organization, have unselfishly and lov- Ashburn in those two roles over five decades. ment and private industry that led to the ingly opened their hearts and their arms to the Whitey, you’ll be missed. ACALA cotton variety developed here proved afflicted children facing hardships. As a result, f the skeptics wrong. Since then, work on the this couple has eased heavy burdens of these 120-acre center grounds has produced inno- poor children and has embraced them with the RECOGNITION OF SOLANO COUN- vations in labor-saving mechanization, pest gifts of love and hope; gifts which these chil- TY’S FIRST ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO control and other farm practices. dren had never previously experienced. SENIORS COMMUNITY CELEBRA- The California industry made possible by These notable organizations will continue to TION the Shafter Cotton Research Center contrib- reach their hands out to these unfortunate utes over $1 billion to the California farm children, lift them up and light their paths for HON. VIC FAZIO economy and $340 million to Kern County. a much better and brighter road ahead. I am OF CALIFORNIA California cotton's quality is so well known confident that my colleagues will join me today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES around the world that 80 percent of the cotton in congratulating and celebrating the excep- grown here goes into export markets. tional work and effort that both The Greater Thursday, September 18, 1997 The Shafter Cotton Research Center contin- Miami Committee for UNICEF and La Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise ues to lead in cotton industry research. To- Fundacion Willy Chirino have done for the im- today to recognize the first annual tribute to day's research is looking into ways to reduce poverished children of south Florida and seniors community celebration in Solano tillage in cotton production, potentially valuable throughout the world. September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1807 IN HONOR OF THE RETIRED AND community is certainly warranted. However, I QVC has established itself as a nationally re- SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ask that you and all Members of the House spected company. I ask my colleagues to join OF ESSEX COUNTY join me at this time in paying our own tribute me today in applauding QVC for its past ac- to this proven, outstanding program. It defines complishments, while wishing the company HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON those uniquely American qualities of pride, pa- and its employees continued success in the OF NEW YORK triotism, and voluntarism that make this coun- years to come. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES try great. May it continue on throughout all of our lifetimes and beyond. Congratulations to f Thursday, September 18, 1997 all their volunteers for a job well done. Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I've always f TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DR. considered it a great privilege of this job to EPHRAIN KAHN learn about and recognize the tremendous WELDON RECOGNIZES ANOTHER achievements and service of various civic pro- MILESTONE FOR QVC grams that define our communities and what it HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS means to be an American. Well, Mr. Speaker, HON. CURT WELDON OF CALIFORNIA let me tell you about one such program in OF PENNSYLVANIA Essex County in the beautiful Adirondack IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mountains of my congressional district which Thursday, September 18, 1997 does so much for their communities and for Thursday, September 18, 1997 the older, retired residents of their towns. Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, I'm talking about the Retired and Senior Vol- I rise today to draw the attention of my col- with sadness and a powerful sense of loss, to unteer Program of Essex County which is leagues to a major company in southeastern pay tribute to Dr. Ephrain Kahn, a man who celebrating its 23d year of service. The RSVP Pennsylvania as it approaches an important program, as it's called for short, is a national milestone in its historyÐQVC, Inc. was well respected by many in our bay area program which has a dual purpose that makes In the 1890's, the Sears Roebuck & Co. community. Dr. Kahn's unwavering belief in it so unique. First, it offers a way for retired produced our Nation's first mail order catalog, justice, peace, and equality for all enabled him persons, age 55 and over, to stay active and revolutionizing the lives of millions of Ameri- to become an innovative leader during the contribute to the welfare of their community cans by allowing them to shop from home changing political climate from the 1960's to and neighbors. Mr. Speaker, we all know how through mail. Nearly 100 years later, QVC has the present. Although common place now, his important it is to remain active after we leave established itself as a pioneer in the home ideas of school integration, the dangers of the working world. There is nothing more trag- shopping industry, providing consumers with pesticides, and the need for protecting our en- ic than to see capable, enthusiastic people be- the luxury of shopping from the comfort of vironment were considered radical and caused come virtual shut-ins just because they no their own living room. him to clash with several agencies during the longer get to the workplace. All too often in Thanks to QVC, customers nationwide have governorship of Ronald Reagan. However, Dr. this day and age, we get caught up in the rat the luxury of shopping at home for items that Kahn did not allow social pressure to block race and become consumed by our job or ca- range from fashion and jewelry to home fur- him from what he believed to be true and just. reer. Well, this program makes sure that nishings and electronics. Not only can individ- Ephrain once said, in response to negative doesn't happen to those who upon retirement uals make purchases while watching products publicity, ``I have the hide of an armadillo may have the time to devote to helping others demonstrated live on television, but now con- when I know I am right.'' He was a strong ad- who really can't help themselves. And in areas sumers can make purchases through QVC's vocate for universal health care and was con- like Essex County, that is so important. You interactive shopping over the Internet. sistently active in national organizations con- know, this program really dates back to the Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segal, QVC cerned with issues of nuclear arms control, days of the pioneer spirit when Americans and quickly established a national name for itself, civil rights, and environmental hazards. His neighbors looked out for one another and for racking up $112 million in revenue in its first dedication inspired everyone with whom he the betterment of their community. full fiscal year of sales, a new American busi- came in contact. Now one might ask how much this program ness history record. In just 7 years, QVC be- Dr. Kahn received his medical degree from really accomplishes. Listen to this, Mr. Speak- came the No. 1 U.S. electronic retailer. New York University College of Medicine in er. Over the 23 years that RSVP has been ac- On Wednesday, September 24, QVC will 1940 in time to serve with the 77th Infantry Di- tive in Essex County, it has grown from 95 reach yet another milestone, as it celebrates vision in the Pacific during World War II. He volunteers who provided 6,000 volunteer the grand opening gala of its new state-of-the- returned to complete his residency in 1948 at hours of service, to 530 volunteers performing art broadcast facility, Studio Park. Located in Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, and with his a whopping 75,817 hours of service. Imagine West Chester, PA, Studio Park will usher in family moved to northern California. In addition that. Imagine what can be done with that the next century for QVC, allowing it to con- to his work as a physician, his interest in pub- many hours committed by capable, experi- tinue to both expand and improve the quality lic health led him to obtain a master's degree enced adults who volunteer because they real- service that it provides the American public. in public health from the University of Califor- ly want to help out. There's no limit really. And QVC is indeed expanding. In fact, nia, Berkeley, after which he served as an en- QVC's customers continue to grow by over And that's another great part. These volun- vironmental epidemiologist in the California 100,000 individuals per month. And where teers commit time when they can and they Department of Health. He was named by Gov. QVC shipped more than 51 million products to have proven to be reliable, dependable public Ronald Reagan to head a task force inves- customers throughout the country in 1996, the servants. In other words, these giving men tigating mercury levels among fish and fowl in company expects that number to increase to and women have seized the opportunity to the delta and the Sacramento and San Joa- 63 million by the end of this year. That's two help solve various community problems by quin Rivers. It was in that capacity that he ig- capitalizing on their wealth of lifetime experi- packages of every second of every day for an nited a controversy within the agencies regu- ences and wisdom. That's the true spirit of entire year. lating California waterways. public service and giving. And QVC's expansion has had a profound Mr. Speaker, I have one word that describes impact upon the region's local economy. First Ephrain Kahn was greatly valued as a giant all the blessed volunteers who have orches- established in West Chester, PA, QVC has re- of compassion by all who knew him. He will trated and participated in this program mained true to its founder's roots. As the stu- be missed by his patients, his family, his throughout its 23 year history, heroes. I have dio expanded from 20 people when it first friends, and by all of us who had the oppor- always judged people based on what they re- opened in 1986, to 197 employees 11 weeks tunity to work with him and to know him. He turn to their community and by that measure, later, to roughly 7,000 employees 11 years leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Barbara all who have given of their time during their later, it has been the residents of the Dela- Kahn; his two daughters, Kathleen and Geor- well-deserved retirement are not only heroes, ware Valley who have felt the benefits of in- gia; his son, Michael, and two grandsons, but great Americans. creased employment. David and Ethan. Dr. Kahn lived 81 years and Mr. Speaker, the Essex County RSVP will The expansion and success of QVC, I am in those years he spent most of it attempting hold their annual volunteer recognition cere- sure my colleagues in the House will agree, is to make this world in which we live a healthier, mony this coming Wednesday, September 24, simply amazing. Through close interaction be- safer, and more humane place. We will all 1997. The recognition of their peers and their tween the management and the work force, miss him profoundly. E1808 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 REGARDING SCHOOL OF VISUAL National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, ARTS falls on September 19, 1997. I urge my col- HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, leagues to participate in recognizing America's AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED HON. JERROLD NADLER heroes, those who are presumed missing in AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS OF NEW YORK action. ACT, 1998 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Our Nation has fought six major conflicts in its history. In those wars, over 500,000 Ameri- Thursday, September 18, 1997 SPEECH OF cans have been taken prisoner of war. Those Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to service men and women experienced numer- HON. LANE EVANS recognize the 50th anniversary of the School ous hardships and treatment which could often of Visual Arts, located in my district in New be described only as barbaric during the OF ILLINOIS York City. The School of Visual Arts was es- course of captivity. Those Americans impris- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tablished in 1947 by Silas Rhodes and has oned by the Japanese during World War II since grown to be the largest independent col- faced the worst possible conditions in captivity Wednesday, September 17, 1997 lege of the arts in the country. The school has and were firsthand witnesses to the utter de- a student population drawn from 44 States pravity of their fellow men. The House in Committee of the Whole and 53 countries, and a faculty comprised of I have been a strong advocate of an ac- House on the State of the Union had under full-time working professionals. consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- counting of our POW/MIA's since I first came propriations for the Departments of Labor, Mr. Rhodes, who has continued as director, to the Congress in 1973. I proudly supported founded the school on the idea of combining Health and Human Services, and Education, the creation of the Select Committee on Miss- and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- access to the professional world of art with su- ing Persons in Southeast Asia, the National ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- perior art education. He has accomplished this POW/MIA Recognition Days, and POW/MIA poses: by bringing working artists into the classroom. legislation because I believe the families of As instructors, these professional artists offer those who are missing in action deserve no Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, the House of the students a solid foundation in craft as well less. Hopefully 1996 will be the last year that Representatives passed the fiscal year 1998 as exposure to current art world expression. such an occasion will be necessary. My hope Labor-HHS Appropriations Act. Included in the Working toward this goal, the school also has is that by this time next year, our Government bill is a provision that deserves the support of four art galleries, including one in the heart of will have obtained a full accounting of those every Member of Congress who wants to as- SoHo, a visual arts museum, a radio station, brave American's whose fates, at this time, sist our Persian Gulf war veterans. and it offers students in the film and video de- are still unknown. The provision, authored by Representative partment more hands-on experience than any Permit me to focus special recognition on BERNARD SANDERS, would provide $7 million other comparable degree program. Addition- those POW/MIA's from Korea and Vietnam. over 5 years to the Department of Health and ally, with the rapid advancement in computer Despite the administration's best assurances Human Services to use both the expertise of technology and influence on the working to the contrary, many of us remain uncon- the National Institute of Environmental Health world, the School of Visual Arts has impres- vinced that the Governments of North Korea sively kept up to pace. The school became the Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control and Vietnam have been fully cooperating with and Prevention to study the possible connec- first college to offer both a bachelor degree the United States on this issue. Regrettably, and a master of fine arts degree in computer tion between chemical and biological expo- by normalizing relations with Vietnam, I be- art and maintains a 1-to-1 student to computer sures and the mysterious ailments being suf- lieve that we have withdrawn our leverage ratio. fered by our gulf war veterans. Representative The School of Visual Arts offers both under- over the Vietnamese Government on this SANDERS deserves much credit for his efforts graduate and graduate degrees in the tradi- issue. to ensure that we thoroughly investigate what In recent years, we have learned from testi- tional fine arts, but has expanded the study of is making our veterans sick. mony presented to congressional committees art to include advertising, graphic design, ani- that Soviet and Czech military doctors per- This provision comes at a time when more mation, art education, computer art, film and formed ghastly medical experiments on United and more people are becoming convinced that video, illustration and cartooning, interior de- States POW's in North Korea during the Ko- chemical weapons may have played a sub- sign, photography, and art therapy. In addition rean war. These experiments were used to stantial role in the illnesses that are afflicting to the full-time students, there are currently test the psychological endurance of American Persian Gulf veterans. Just recently, the Presi- more than 4,000 members of the community GI's, as well as their resistance to chemical, dential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Vet- taking advantage of the continuing education biological, and radioactive agents. Moreover, erans' Illnesses agreed to revise its final report classes that are offered. The art education de- Soviet and Czech intelligence agents helped to reflect that chemical weapons may have partment also provides art classes to public organize shipments of POW's to the U.S.S.R. played some role in veterans' ailments. In ad- school children from all five boroughs of New during the Vietnam war, and that 200 were dition, the final report will now say that re- York City. The school also participates in nu- sent between 1961 and 1968. search on the effect of chemical weapons ex- merous volunteer art projects, serving commu- It is my hope that this information will lead posure has been minimal and that it may take nities who otherwise have very little access to to a further clarification regarding the safe re- years of research to clarify the causes of the arts. turn of any living POW's who may still be in these problems. In celebration of the School of Visual Arts captivity in Korea or elsewhere. 50th anniversary, the school will present Art I believe that we cannot leave any stone Americans should bear in mind the love of Awareness Week, designed to inform the pub- unturned in trying to find answers. As DOD country that America's veterans have dem- lic about the importance of art in society and continues to revise upward the number of vet- onstrated as well as their personal sacrifices, about the different variations of art. In the erans who may have been exposed to chemi- convictions, and dedication to freedom that coming months the school will host 45 events cal weapons, it's obvious that we cannot allow they have courageously exhibited. our Government to do a minimal job of inves- throughout the city and has published a book In a portion of President Abraham Lincoln's entitled ``School of Visual Arts Gold: Fifty tigating what is becoming a compelling possi- letter to a mother who lost five sons on the bility. Years of Creative Graphic Design.'' I would battlefield, he stated: ``I cannot refrain from like to congratulate the school on 50 years of tendering to you the thanks of the Republic The provision could not have come at a bet- excellence in art education. I am proud to they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Fa- ter time. For too long, our Government has re- have this fine institution in my district. ther may assuage the anguish of your be- fused to fully investigate the possibility that f reavement, and leave you only the cherished low-level chemical weapons exposure or expo- sure to multiple chemical substances may POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly pose serious health consequences. We now a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' have a chance to reverse this and ensure that HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN May it be of some solace to the families and every possible avenue is investigated in trying OF NEW YORK loved ones of our missing and POW's that to help our sick Persian Gulf war veterans. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES there are many of us in the Congress commit- Again, I applaud Representative SANDERS Thursday, September 18, 1997 ted to a full and final accounting of our miss- for his work. I hope it finally signifies that we Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ing and will continue to seek such a resolu- have turned the corner in our efforts to get to remind my colleagues of the importance of tion. the bottom of this tragedy. September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1809 WE MUST BAN LANDMINES IN HONOR OF ANTONIO PELAEZ: Premium Co. Although he later founded his CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MAT- own frozen foods distribution company, he de- RIMONY AND 25 YEARS OF A cided in 1970 to join his brothers in the United HON. SAM FARR FAMILY BUSINESS States with the hope that America would offer even greater opportunities for an entrepreneur. OF CALIFORNIA HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ Mr. Pelaez has been distinguished as the only IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW JERSEY Hispanic member of Pennsylvania's Candy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hall of Fame. He has also received numerous Thursday, September 18, 1997 awards from confectionery companies all over Thursday, September 18, 1997 Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise the world, and domestic banking and financial Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today institutions. today to express my deep disappointment with to pay tribute to an outstanding gentleman, It is a great pleasure to honor and recognize President Clinton's decision not to join the Mr. Antonio Pelaez of the American Cuban international landmine treaty being negotiated Mr. Antonio Pelaez on the occasion of these Community. On September 20, 1997, Mr. two anniversaries. I ask that my colleagues in Oslo. Pelaez will be celebrating two very important join me in recognizing the outstanding commit- Antipersonnel landmines pose a deadly, in- milestones in his life. The first joyous event is ment and dedication made by Mr. Antonio discriminate threat to the lives of millions of Antonio and Olga Pelaez's 50th wedding anni- Pelaez and his company ANPESIL. people around the world. Each year, over versary. The second is the 25th anniversary of his company, ANPESIL Distributors, Inc. 20,000 people are killed or disabled by land- f mines left over from past conflicts. In many Fifty years ago Antonio and Olga Pelaez joined their love for each other in holy matri- former war-torn countries, the damage is all TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND mony. Over the years, their love and strength too visible: thousands of men, women, and GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPRO- has been handed down to their children, Anto- children with missing limbs, crippled by hidden PRIATIONS ACT, 1998 nio Jr., Luis, and Olga. landmines. A quarter of a century ago, this exceptional SPEECH OF Banning the production and deployment of family, led by Mr. Pelaez and his son Antonio antipersonnel landmines is a reasonable, com- Jr., founded ANPESIL, one of the largest HON. JIM KOLBE mon sense and necessary solution. Yet the candy distributors in New Jersey. In the OF ARIZONA decision to not sign the treaty means the Unit- Cuban community, family owned businesses IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are common, but in the United States few ed States has rejected that solution, and will Wednesday, September 17, 1997 instead continue to produce, sell, and deploy have grown to be as successful as ANPESIL. antipersonnel landmines. Achieving the American Dream can be attrib- The House in Committee of the Whole uted to Mr. Pelaez's hard work and vision, as House on the State of the Union had under Action must be taken to stop this insidious well as the strength of his family. Mr. Pelaez consideration the bill (H.R. 2378) making ap- and deadly weapon. I am proud to be an origi- and his family along with his nephew Emilio propriations for the Treasury Department, nal cosponsor of H.R. 2459, legislation intro- Jr. have worked hard toward this achievement. the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office duced by my colleague, LANE EVANS, to stop Emilio Jr. is now the company treasurer, a po- of the President, and certain independent the further deployment of antipersonnel land- sition he took over after his father Emilio Sr. agencies, for the fiscal year ending Septem- mines by the United States. We in Congress retired 5 years ago. ber 30, 1998, and for other purposes: must step forward, where our President has Mr. Pelaez left Cuba for Spain in 1961, Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, the chart below not, and do the right thing. where he worked as a salesman for the Swift reflects final House action on H.R. 2378. E1810 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1811 E1812 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 September 18, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1813 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OVER propriations for the Departments of Labor, At the present time, there is no current edu- THE DEATH OF INTERNATIONAL Health and Human Services, and Education, cation test that every pupil in every grade AID WORKERS IN BOSNIA and related agencies, for the fiscal year end- takes nationwide. One or more tests are ad- ing September 30, 1998, and for other pur- poses: ministered to virtually every pupil in many HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER grades in almost all States, but these tests Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today OF ILLINOIS vary from State to State. Some States develop in reluctant support of Representative GOOD- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their own tests, others are members of multi- LING's amendment to prohibit the use of funds State consortia that develop assessments, and Thursday, September 18, 1997 in the bill to develop and administer a national others administer tests developed by commer- Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to testing program in reading and mathematics. I cial publishers. The National Assessment of express my deep sadness over the loss of 12 believe that Congress and the President have Education Progress [NAEP] is the closest ex- aid workers in BosniaÐincluding 5 American still not committed themselves to a serious isting initiative to a national testing program. citizens who were working to rebuild civil soci- discussion of education policy or spending in However, the NAEP only determines mathe- ety in that troubled countryÐin a helicopter this country. Unfortunately this standard con- matics and reading proficiency in samples of crash earlier this week. tinues today as the parties on both sides of school children. These individuals represent the best of this issue have sought to hide behind this na- The present education testing system pre- America, and they have sacrificed their lives in tional testing initiative by labeling it as either a vents policymakers in many States from com- an effort to bring our ideals to a country which remedy for many of the problems this country paring their education statistics with other has been torn apart by hatred and intolerance. is having with elementary and secondary edu- States. If an effective education program is im- All of these individuals, and the others who cation or some nefarious effort on the part of plemented in one State and then copied in an- have lost their lives trying to bring lasting the Federal Government to become more in- other, for example, the two State governments peace to Bosnia and other countries, are he- volved in education curriculum. may not be able to compare the success of roes and we should mourn their deaths as we The national testing program included in this their efforts because of difficulties in correlat- would mourn the loss of our men and women legislation deserves neither of these classifica- ing the research statistics or even a lack of in uniform. Every day in the world's trouble tions. If implemented and carefully monitored, well-documented results. spots, there are countless people from many it has a number of provisions that will be of More importantly, the current system pre- nations who dedicate their lives to improving great assistance to both State and Federal vents a parent from being able to compare the future for others. They make tremendous policymakers as well as parents interested in their children's academic achievement with sacrifices, often leaving their families and their child's education. However, I oppose the other students on a local, State, or national homes behind to work in a hostile, dangerous national testing initiative included in this bill level. A parent whose child makes average environment to help strangers who do not al- because it does not ensure that this Govern- grades may be satisfied with their child's aca- ways fully appreciate the benefit they are re- ment will take any steps to address the dispar- demic progress. Unfortunately, these parents ceiving. ity in mathematics and reading proficiency that will not be aware that their child may have fall- Gerd Wagner, one of the most respected we all know this testing will demonstrate. The en behind the rest of their classmates until and accomplished diplomats in Bosnia, was local areas where there are concentrated they take their SAT's at the age of 18. among those who perished in this tragic acci- numbers of students that are dropping out of This proposal will provide every parent of dent. Mr. Wagner had been playing a key role high school, failing, and scoring low on the every child in a State or LEA that chooses to in bringing together Muslims and Croats in sporadic tests administered now desperately participate with comparisons of their child's re- central Bosnia. In addition, several members need direct injections of funding from the Fed- sults to other students at their school, in the of a team that was working to rebuild Bosnia's eral Government. We can all argue about State, and in the Nation. If every family re- civil police force died in the crash. This project what types of restrictions or demands should ceives that envelope in the mail, I believe is one of the most important elements of se- be tied to these funds at a later date. In the there will be a lot of parents who choose to curing peace in Bosnia. My wife, Kathryn, meantime, we should implement a national get more involved in their child's education, knew some of these individuals personally, testing program that includes a national for- which after all is what the majority of my col- and had a chance to see what they were ac- mula for focused education spending, and we leagues will agree is the most effective edu- complishing during a visit to Bosnia last should do it as quickly as possible. cation policy there can be. month. We have been deeply affected by this Let me discuss some reasons why I believe I am concerned that a national test may be tragedy, and it has served to remind us bothÐ this national testing initiative could produce a constructed in a manner that is biased against as it should all Members of this HouseÐthat number of benefits for parents and State gov- traditionally undereducated populations, such our foreign assistance program is not just an ernments interested in improving elementary as African-Americans and Hispanics. If Fed- abstraction. It is real people doing important and secondary education. However, I will first eral funding was tied to the improvement of work, often without recognition or thanks. address the concerns of the many parents that test scores in areas that score poorly, this bias I know that it is too late to thank those who educate their children at home who have con- could lead to underserved sanctions in regions died in the helicopter crash on Wednesday, tacted my office to express their opinions on that have high numbers of minorities. As a re- but I do want to take this opportunity to com- this amendment. I respect your decision to sult, if a national testing program is imple- mend all of those caring and committed peo- home-school your children very much. How- mented in the future, we will have to pay care- ple who put their lives on the line every day ever, the vast majority of children in the United ful attention to the design of the tests and re- to secure peace and democracy in places like States are educated at public schools, and it main skeptical of any effort to create a Federal Bosnia. Your work is a living memorial to is essential that elected officials and education enforcement procedure. However, national those 12 people who died on a mountain in planners on the Federal and local level have testing's benefits for these populations far out- central Bosnia. May your work continue to the resources needed to develop effective weigh these risks. By motivating parents to serve their memory well. public policy. National testing will fulfill that pay more attention to their child's academic f need without unduly intruding on your right to development and providing policymakers the practice home-schooling. empirical evidence needed to design effective DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, This national testing program would allow education policies targeted at minorities, this HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, States or local education agencies [LEA's] to initiative will produce the first real effort to ad- AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED voluntarily administer specific tests to every dress the failure of current education policies APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998 fourth grade pupil in reading and eighth grade in these areas. pupil in math. I do not believe enough empha- In the end, we are not interested in creating SPEECH OF sis can be placed on the fact that this program a uniform national education curriculum; we HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON would be voluntary, and participation in these are only demanding a uniform national edu- OF MISSISSIPPI tests would not affect a State or LEA's eligi- cation outcomeÐa system where every child IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bility for assistance under Federal aid pro- has the same opportunity to succeed through grams. Any effort to extend the Federal role in an advanced public education system. In my Tuesday, September 16, 1997 this process beyond the design and adminis- home State of Mississippi, sampled children The House in Committee of the Whole tration of these tests would require further already score well below the national average House on the State of the Union had under congressional action, and as we all know, that on the NAEP's fourth grade reading test and consideration the bill (H.R. 2264) making ap- is simply not going to happen. are ranked in the bottom fifth in eighth grade E1814 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 18, 1997 math proficiency. If a well-planned, voluntary support such an initiative. I hope that this Con- education policymaking and begin a legitimate national testing program could be coupled with gress and the administration will reconsider debate on the whole education policy a funding distribution system directed at those the design of a national testing program. How- areas most in need, then I would be happy to ever, above all, we must cease this piecemeal