H8800 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 1996 $5,100 this year to $7,000 in the year with health care in America but not with talking about reducing Medicare 2002. So how could spending, which in- the Medicare Program. and veterans benefits when actually, in creases from $5,200 a year in 1996 to In fact, this is so true that 19 tele- fact, the Republican majority has in- $7,200 a year in 2002, be a cut? Nowhere vision stations have pulled or refused creased in both cases the amount of also but in Washington. to air the AFL–CIO ads that deal with money spent on these two programs. Perhaps more than any other issue, this quote. So I think we should realize f President Clinton has hammered away that now the media, both the television at the GOP’s reform proposal by falsely and radio media, has decided to pull THE OLYMPIC CHALLENGE FOR accusing us of cutting Medicare. these ads because they are false and to- AMERICA: TO DRAW TOGETHER It is interesting to think about it tally misleading. AGAINST HATRED that the President, when he was talk- Mr. Speaker, when we look at what The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ing about his health care bill back in the Clinton administration said back previous order of the House, the gentle- 1993, this is what he said? ‘‘Today, Med- when they were running for the Presi- woman from Texas [Ms. JACKSON-LEE] icare and Medicaid are going up at dency, let us look at their book, ‘‘Put- is recognized for 5 minutes. three times the rate of inflation. We ting People First.’’ Remember that Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. propose to let it go up at two times the book? In that book, President Clinton Speaker, I think that it is time, as we rate of inflation. This is not a Medicare and Vice President GORE said in 1992, near the end of the 100-year anniver- or Medicaid cut. We are going to have ‘‘We will scrap the Health Care Financ- sary of the modern Olympic games, increases in Medicare and Medicaid, ing Administration and replace it with that we rise to the floor of the House to but a reduction in the rate of growth.’’ a health standards board made up of provide perspective. This weekend On April 3, 1995, the Medicare Board consumers, providers, business, labor, should have brought Americans to- of Trustees, which includes three of and government.’’ That is interesting. gether. Many in different cities around President Clinton’s Cabinet Secretar- Somehow the press seemed to neglect the Nation may have initially thought ies, concluded that the Medicare hos- to report that fact in the book, ‘‘Put- of the Olympic games as Atlanta’s pital insurance fund will be running ting People First.’’ The Clinton and games. But I think as we have watched out of money in 1996 and will be bank- GORE team said the same thing which the indomitable spirit of all of those rupt in the year 2002. the Speaker said about the Health Care who have participated, we must first In its 1996 report released on June 5, Financing Administration, that ulti- acknowledge that these are world it showed a $4.2 billion shortfall in this mately we would like to scrap it. So I games, and that this is an honor be- trust fund. This means that the pro- do not see how they can actually criti- stowed upon America, our Nation, to gram will be bankrupt in the year 2001 cize the Speaker when they said the be able to host this year’s event. instead of 2002, so that should be a con- same thing in their book, ‘‘Putting The first recorded Olympics were cern for all Americans. People First.’’ held every 4 years at the ancient sanc- Congress and the President are very There is another program in the tuary in Greece from 1776 B.C. until close now on the level of increased budget which they have attempted to they were abolished in 394 A.D. They spending on Medicare. In fact, the Re- politicize and misrepresent. I might were revived in the late 19th century publican proposal and the Democrat add, some of the colleagues on this side by French baron Pierre de Coubertin proposal are practically the same. So of the aisle have indicated that we are with the first modern games held in for the President to talk about cuts is cutting veterans benefits. This is also Athens in 1896. This year, of course, incorrect, when he and I and the Re- false. We have increased veterans bene- marks the 100th anniversary. publican Party have proposed prac- fits. I am a former veteran, my father As we have watched the games pro- tically the same thing in the amount it was a veteran, and I believe that it is ceed, and the challenge to America and increases. important to represent veterans. That to the athletes, it stands in sharp con- Not only have our efforts to preserve, is why I am on the Committee on Vet- trast to the tragedy of this past week- protect, and strengthen Medicare been erans’ Affairs. end. It saddened me that the games totally misrepresented, but the Speak- There is some talk about cutting vet- were marred by one tragic incident of a er has been vilified for a statement erans back in the district, but I have sick and criminal act. It sickens me which was falsely attributed to him. pointed out to them that we have actu- and saddens me that we lost a very We hear this repeated on the House ally increased the funding for the vet- lovely lady who had a 14-year-old floor over and over again. They said he erans, and in fact, the VA budget that daughter who loved her, and a family. said, ‘‘Now we don’t get rid of it round the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Now she is gone from them and from one because we don’t think that’s po- submitted was higher than the admin- the contributions that she has made litically smart. We don’t think that’s istration’s budget. That was brought and would have made; and then to have the way to do it through a transition, out in a hearing, during the hearing in lost the life of a Turkish photographer but we believe it’s going to wither on which I talked to Secretary Brown because of this tragedy, and the 111 the vine.’’ about the veterans budget. I said to who were victims of this tragedy. He was not talking about Medicare, him, ‘‘What do you think about your But most of all, I think we should be he was talking about the Health Care VA budget compared to our VA budg- challenged by this Olympic challenge, Financing Administration. This is et?’’ And he said, ‘‘I just want to be put if you will, to recognize that we as more precisely what he said: ‘‘Okay, on the record, Mr. Chairman, that this Americans must draw together against what do you think the Health Care Fi- committee,’’ the Committee on Veter- hatred, hateful talk, and those who nancing Administration is? It’s a cen- ans’ Affairs, ‘‘is proposing more than would claim that they stand for what tralized government bureaucracy. It’s the VA is offering.’’ I think the Com- America believes in, but yet want to everything we’re telling Boris Yeltsin mittee on Veterans’ Affairs has shown undermine and bring down the govern- to get rid of. Now, we don’t get rid of its integrity even beyond what the Sec- ment of this country. it in round one.’’ retary has proposed. Over the last 2 years we have heard ‘‘We don’t think that’s politically I think it is admirable that he would too much about what this government smart. We don’t think that’s the way go on record pointing out that the has not done. We have heard too much to do it through a transition, but we Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has about those who want to carry guns on believe it’s going to wither on the proposed and ultimately passed more street corners, who want to hole up in vine.’’ money than the administration pro- places like Montana or bomb buildings So you see, they took the statement posed. in places like Oklahoma. I think the of the Speaker out of context. He was I think that is a credit to the Sec- Olympic challenge for America is to not referring, of course, to the Medi- retary for being so honest. I thought it develop the Olympic spirit. That spirit care Program. He was talking to Big was important, Mr. Speaker, to bring is one of a Carl Lewis, a native Government, a Big Government bu- these words to the House floor and to Houstonian from the community which reaucratic machine that processes the present the truth to clear up the mis- I represent; someone who said, as he re- laws around here that deals ultimately representation on this side of the aisle flected that many said to him, having July 30, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8801 won several medals, eight, to be exact, rights to pursue happiness, and that we puter registers 2000, it will only reg- before this last one, ‘‘Go out in a flare. must stand for equality and the first ister 00 based on the two spaces for the Do not do this to yourself.’’ Carl Lewis, amendment. year software. Thirty years ago it was a great humanitarian, a friend to Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the wonder- difficult to find space in a computer young people, had first of all deter- ful work done by several of the athletes who and somebody had the bright idea: mination. are from my State of Texas who have brought Let’s save at least a few bits of spaces Second of all, he was a good sports home the gold. when we put dates in by inputting only person. He knew and understood what The news of violence at the Olympics over the last part of the date, not the cen- sportsmanship was all about. He had this weekend could not detract from the Olym- tury part of the date. pride in himself and in his Nation. He pic Spirit displayed by the fans and the won- Mr. Speaker, this will be a major believed, as well, in the fact that if he derful collection of talented athletes from problem. It is estimated by Gartner As- just simply went one more step he around the world, nor should it have. sociates, a major consulting firm, that might be successful; 27 feet 10 inches Each of them are heroes in their resolve not it will take $600 billion worldwide to and three-quarters. And he had a can- to allow terrorists or hatemongers to take solve this problem. America is respon- do attitude. away the unity of purpose that has led us to sible for half of the computing usage on That is the Olympic challenge for this point in world history. this planet, and it will take about $300 America, to rise to the occasion of the The first recorded Olympics were held every billion for both private and public enti- U.S. women’s gymnast team, some- 4 years at the ancient sanctuary in Greece ties to make the needed conversions. thing accomplished that none of us from 776 B.C. until they were abolished in 394 Gartner Associates believes that con- would have ever expected; or to have B.C. They were revived in the late 19th cen- version by the Federal Government the strength of personality to accept tury by French Baron Pierre de Coubertin with might well cost $30 billion to deal with the pain of a Kerri Strug from Hous- the first modern games held in Athens in this matter. ton, TX; or Michael Johnson, from 1896. On April 29, I had the staff of the sub- Baylor University in Texas, who will This year marks the 100th-year-anniversary committee send an extensive survey to cast his lot to historically do the 200 of the modern olympic games. This is also the 24 Cabinet departments and agen- meters and then 500 meters; and yes, only the fourth time in modern olympic history cies. We now have the results. In es- the U.S. women’s basketball team, that that the United States has been the host of sence, these are some of the results: 1. Major departments are only in the recognizes that it is valuable to have the Summer Olympic Games. initial planning stages of the Year 2000 men and women understand what The Olympic games are about challenges to the height and breadth of human physical, effort. sportsmanship is all about; and the 2. Even the most advanced agencies mental, and emotional endurance. gold that was won by Shannon Miller. have not reached the final stages of the We as Americans have so much to be Today, I would like to recognize the wonder- solution. proud of; not to point the finger at At- ful contributions that Kerri Strug of Houston, 3. Only six agencies have any cost es- lanta, a city that has done a very able TX, one of the members of the U.S. Gym- timates. and wonderful job, a job where it has nastics Team dubbed Mag 7 by fans of the 4. The Department of Defense has not opened its doors to all citizens around sport, who showed real team spirit in assisting yet completed its inventory of com- the world, representing over 197 coun- her teammates win the team gold medal. puter software code which needs to be tries. It was not that it had a tragic Carl Lewis, who upon the completion of his converted. and terrible act, it was a tragic act of 27 feet 10 and 3¤4 inches in the long jump, has 5. The National Aeronautics and a human being gone wrong. We should achieved a record 9 gold medals. He is one of Space Administration does not antici- embrace our sister city and congratu- Houston's best known athletic personalities, pate having a plan completed until late them, for on behalf of Americans, but he is also a great humanitarian and com- March 1997. they have done us proud. munity supporter of youth athletics. 6. The Department of Transportation I will not leave out those who are not from b 1745 simply did not respond to the questions Houston, TX. Michael Johnson of Dallas, TX as of this date. Some departments But more importantly from the has also made us all proud as Texans with his started in on this effort the day after Olympic challenge, we should be able gold medal performance in the 400-meter our survey arrived. Little attention to both admire and to accept the chal- race. I would like to join many well-wishers in has been paid to this coming crunch by lenge given to us by these young ath- extending my hope for a second gold in the many in the executive branch. letes from whatever country they have 200-meter race to be held later in the games. 7. The Department of Energy did not come, that they have shown determina- I wish all of these fine athletes and their begin to address the Year 2000 issue tion, that they have rejected hatred, families my warmest congratulations and wish until a week after they received the that they have embraced each other as them a speedy and safe return home to subcommittee’s survey. brothers and sisters, that they have a Texas. Most of the departments that are in can-do attitude, that they worked as a f the initial planning stages need to have team and, yes, most of all that they HOW LONG WILL WE CONTINUE TO their systems inventoried and fixed by have shown the kind of affinity for the 1998. If they do not do so by that time, law of rules and order that they would WAIT TO SOLVE THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM? expert resources will be increasingly respect human life and human dignity. scarce because the private sector, Sadly, someone in this country pos- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. State and local government will be sibly did not. LATOURETTE). Under a previous order using those resources to solve their And so it behooves this Congress to of the House, the gentleman from Cali- own computer conversion problems. respond by leadership and recognizing fornia [Mr. HORN] is recognized for 5 Various internal codes of our com- that we disrespect and that we do not minutes. puting equipment need to be changed. hold to violent talk or violent acts and Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, a few Some of it is just reentering the 4-digit that we join together as a Nation, not months ago our Subcommittee on Gov- year into new software: You would put dividing, not castigating names but yet ernment Management, Information and in 1996, not just 96, so when you hit the recognizing that we stand as one and Technology held an extensive hearing year 2000, it is not just 00, but it is 2000 fall divided. Be proud of Atlanta and on what is known as the year 2000 prob- and you can subtract 1996 from 2000. what it has done, appreciate the Jus- lem. That is a problem for those who These Federal departments and agen- tice Department, Director Freeh and have inputted month-day-year in most cies must ‘‘get with it’’ over the next the FBI for what they have done, know computers over the last 30 years. Three year and a half. They need to complete that swift justice and fair justice will decades ago, most computers had little their plans. They need to inventory be brought to the perpetrator of this capacity for storage. Thus, a 2-digit and fix millions of lines of internal terrible act, but the Olympic challenge figure represented the year instead of 4 computer code while simultaneously for America is for us to stand unified digits. In other words, instead of 1966, meeting agency goals. behind the Constitution that we all are the year was entered 66. So when it Basically, we asked these agencies if created equal, that we have inalienable comes to the year 2000 and the com- they had a plan, was there a program