November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11713 Ten years later, the world can still minder that America will remain the So let us give teachers the oppor- hear the echoes of the cheers that land of the free only so long as it re- tunity to be the best teachers they can erupted at the Brandenburg Gate when mains the home of the brave. be, and let us give America’s children President Reagan called upon Soviet As we approach the final Veterans the best hope for a bright future. leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down Day of the 20th century, let us remem- f this wall. ber Sergeant Busby and our countless Today we commemorate freedom and veterans who served their country so AMERICA WANTS A CONGRESS democracy throughout most of the faithfully for our freedoms. THAT WORKS FOR THEM world, and we also celebrate President f (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given Reagan’s bold vision and courageous permission to address the House for 1 TRIBUTE TO JANE SMALL, FOUND- minute and to revise and extend his re- quest for freedom. ER OF NATIONAL WOMEN’S PO- Mr. Speaker, as we continue our marks.) LITICAL CAUCUS work in Congress, I urge all my col- Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, this Re- leagues to help celebrate the freedom (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given publican-led Congress is a Congress of and democracy that helps keep Amer- permission to address the House for 1 catchy slogans and gimmicks in trying ica strong. minute and to revise and extend her re- to pass the appropriation bills, gim- f marks.) micks like trying to create a 13th Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to month for budget purposes, gimmicks CRIMINALS HAVE MORE RIGHTS pay tribute to Jane Small, one of the like trying to declare everything an THAN LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS founding mothers of the National emergency, like the 2000 census, even (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was Women’s Political Caucus. Jane re- though it has been in the Constitution given permission to address the House cently passed away. for over 200 years. for 1 minute and to revise and extend In 1971, Jane worked to found the Now their latest gimmick is a button his remarks.) NWPC to recruit and support women to tell themselves to stop raiding the Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, a seeking elected office regardless of Social Security Trust Fund. Instead of Minnesota factory worker said, enough party affiliation. gimmicks in raiding the Social Secu- is enough. His cabin was ripped off During Jane’s history, she guided the rity Trust Fund to pay for the emer- three times. His neighbors’ cabins con- caucus through the ERA movement gency spending, American people ask tinue to be ripped off. The police said and the struggle to secure a woman’s for things that cost very little and they could do nothing. right for reproductive choice. As an in- would improve their lives, like a pa- So Lenny Miller booby-trapped his spired feminist and activist, Jane was a tients’ bill of rights so they and their cabin and busted the burglar red-hand- key player in electing numerous can- doctors can make their medical deci- ed. And guess what? Some bust. Lenny didates across the Nation. sions and not the HMO; like an in- I know Jane particularly for her Miller is going to jail with a $12,000 crease in the minimum wage so every- leadership in California politics. She fine. And the burglar is getting free one can enjoy our strong economy; like served on both Governor Jerry Brown’s health care. 100,000 more teachers so we can have and Governor Gray Davis’ advisory Beam me up. Something is wrong, smaller class sizes; and prescription committees on women’s issues. Mr. Speaker, when Americans cannot Jane was an activist. She was a lead- drug coverage for seniors. protect their own property and when Mr. Speaker, let us work for the er. Women in the political arena live in criminals have more rights than law- American people. Unfortunately, under her legacy. She will be forever missed. abiding citizens. the Republican-led Congress, it is al- f There is one bright side. I yield back ways the same old story. Tax breaks the fact that in Wisconsin there will PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS— for the rich and a tax on Government. not be many cabins ripped off this year AMERICA’S UNSUNG HEROES America wants a Congress that works thanks to Lenny Miller. (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked for them, like Democrats are fighting f and was given permission to address for. TRIBUTE TO SERVICE OF the House for 1 minute and to revise f SERGEANT RONALD D. BUSBY and extend his remarks.) CONGRATULATING CESAR ‘‘EDDY’’ Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. BLASS (Ms. PRYCE of Ohio asked and was Speaker, public school teachers are given permission to address the House America’s unsung heroes. Day in and (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was for 1 minute and to revise and extend day out, they dedicate themselves to given permission to address the House her remarks.) helping prepare our children for the fu- for 1 minute and to revise and extend Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ture. her remarks.) rise today to commemorate the heroic It is important to make sure our Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, service of Sergeant Ronald D. Busby. children’s teachers have access to the this morning I am delighted to con- From his hometown of Columbus, training and tools they need to meet gratulate Mr. Cesar ‘‘Eddy’’ Blass, who Ohio, Ronald answered the Vietnam their commitment to students and par- will celebrate 15 years as president of War’s call to arms by enlisting in the ents. the American Peruvian Action Com- U.S. Army in 1967 at the age of 20. He But the Clinton-Gore administration mittee, APAC–USA. quickly earned the rank of sergeant disagrees. It wants the Federal Govern- Eddy has won the attention of his and began to distinguish himself for his ment to hire 100,000 teachers; but it community with his service which has acts of courage and leadership. puts hardly any emphasis on quality. enabled him to contribute to our South On the evening of August 8, 1968, Ser- That just does not cut it. Florida community. He is a dedicated, geant Busby led a night ambush patrol. America’s children do not just need tireless advocate for the plight of the For his actions that evening, he was teachers. They need good teachers. Peruvian Americans in their long- awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Many of the teachers out there are sought goals of residency and eventual and Purple Heart. good, but many could be better and U.S. citizenship. Tragically, like so many of his fellow they deserve the chance to make them- Through his actions, Eddy has be- soldiers, Sergeant Busby was killed in selves better. come a leader in the fight to unify Pe- action that fateful evening. He was Where new teachers are needed, new ruvian Americans throughout the three days shy of his 21st birthday. teachers should be hired. Where teach- United States; and, as a result of his I have heard the phrase ‘‘All gave er quality is a greater concern, State extensive community service, he has some, some gave all.’’ For veterans like and local initiatives like merit pay, received a host of awards, certificates, Sergeant Busby, those six words rep- teacher testing, tenure reform, and and recognition. resent more than a phrase; they rep- new opportunities for teacher develop- This Saturday APAC will commemo- resent a legacy larger than the tallest ment might be better uses of that rate its 15th anniversary and honor its mountain. His example lives on as a re- money. president and founder, Cesar ‘‘Eddy’’

VerDate 29-OCT-99 00:17 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.078 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11714 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 Blass. He has been an inspiration to In some States, hiring more teachers this despite the fact that we need to the lives of his fellow countrymen, as makes sense. In other States, it might strengthen and protect Social Security well as for our entire South Florida not. But here is the President’s answer and Medicare. Their current plan fails community. to the question put by a reporter: ‘‘Mr. to extend the life of Social Security by In honor of his 15th anniversary as President, on the issue of funding for even one day. It neglects the need for a president of the American Peruvian teachers, sir, you resent it when Con- Medicare prescription drug benefit and Action Committee, I ask my colleagues gress tells you to spend money in ways hurts every American family in some to join me today in paying tribute to which you do not deem appropriate. way. Cesar ‘‘Eddy’’ Blass. Why should a state governor who The Republican leadership stifles f would like to spend that money dif- common sense gun safety measures ferently feel any differently?’’ like child safety locks and background AMERICANS DESERVE TO HAVE The President’s answer: ‘‘Well, be- checks at gun shows, despite the fact ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT MOST cause it’s not their money.’’ that 13 children are killed every single ADDRESSED When you have an attitude like that day by guns. The Republican leadership (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given in Washington that the taxpayers’ is siding with the gun lobby and letting permission to address the House for 1 money belongs to Washington and not gaping loopholes remain open. This Congress should not leave town minute and to revise and extend his re- the taxpayers, it explains how the marks.) before its work is done. White House is willing to squander the The Republican leadership should lis- Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise American tax dollars in a way that ne- today because this Republican Con- ten to the public, enact sensible gun glects children and abandons our safety laws, strengthen Social Security gress is failing American families. schools. The gentleman from Illinois (Speaker and Medicare, pass a prescription drug f benefit bill and a minimum wage bill. HASTERT) originally promised that the Our families deserve better. Republican-controlled Congress would SAY YES TO AGENDA FOR finish work on the budget nearly 2 AMERICAN FAMILIES f months ago. Yet, they continue to sit (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION here and waste our time with political permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was stunts. minute and to revise and extend his re- given permission to address the House The American people have become marks.) for 1 minute and to revise and extend used to a Republican Congress that is Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, in response his remarks.) no longer just a ‘‘do nothing’’ Congress, to the previous speaker, I sat yesterday Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, we but a ‘‘do the wrong thing’’ Congress. with the superintendent of schools in have all heard of the three Rs when it Americans deserve a budget; they de- the city of Portland and members of comes to education. Let me add a serve to have the issues they care the school committee in Portland, fourth R: responsibility, because re- about most addressed. There is positive Maine; and they do not want block sponsibility is the key. Yesterday, Mr. legislation that our constituents are grants. They want class size reduction Speaker, the President of the United asking us to bring to the House floor. above all else. States, responding to the press when it We could be saving Social Security, Mr. Speaker, this session is winding comes to judicious spending of edu- building new schools, reducing class- down and the Republican Congress has cational dollars said, and I quote, room size. We could be increasing the a sorry record. We have not done very ‘‘Well, because it is not their money.’’ minimum wage so that workers can much this session, and much of what Mr. Speaker, the President of the provide for their families. We could be we have done has been done wrong. United States and my colleagues on ensuring patients’ rights and putting Many Democrats worked hard to pass the other side of the aisle ought to un- the care back into health care. Instead, campaign finance reform with the help derstand both the arithmetic and the we are mired down in partisan rhetoric of some Republicans here, but the lead- responsibility. My liberal friends want and debate. ership has killed it. Democrats tried to the money to be controlled by the edu- Mr. Speaker, the people of southeast make our schools safer by passing mod- cational bureaucrats in Washington. Texas and I have been waiting for over est gun safety laws, but Republicans We in the common sense, conservative 5 weeks for the Republicans to finish said no. Democrats have worked to majority say the money should be the budget, but we cannot wait much make health care safer for patients by spent at home, first and foremost by longer. They need to quit stalling and passing a patients’ bill of rights, but teachers in the classrooms, by super- together let us get the people’s busi- Republicans said no. intendents in the districts, and yes, by ness done. Democrats in this administration governors in the States, along with the respective superintendents of public f tried to make the world safer by ratify- ing the Comprehensive Test Ban Trea- education. Because while education is a EDUCATION SPENDING BILL ty. Republicans said no. Democrats national priority, it ultimately is a local concern. (Mr. SCHAFFER asked and was given have been working hard to get pre- Mr. Speaker, the President and my permission to address the House for 1 scription drug legislation passed, but minute and to revise and extend his re- liberal friends should join with us to Republicans in the Committee on Ways make sure that local control and re- marks.) and Means the other day said no. sponsibility is paramount. Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, there Next year let us say yes to an agenda f are few issues in America more impor- for American families. Let us say yes tant than education. And in fact, the and get this agenda enacted. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD White House and Congress really do f ALLOW MICROSOFT TO CON- not disagree on the amount of money TINUE TO INNOVATE FOR AMER- that we ought to spend on schools in AMERICAN FAMILIES DESERVE ICANS BETTER this year’s appropriations process. But (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given what is holding up the debate is the (Ms. DELAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 question of how to spend those dollars. permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his re- The Republican party clearly be- minute and to revise and extend her re- marks.) lieves that governors and State legisla- marks.) Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I am call- tors, school board members, and prin- Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, the Re- ing on the United States Justice De- cipals and superintendents ought to be publican majority has failed to act on partment to put away any dream of free to spend the dollars that we are the basic issues facing hard-working breaking up Microsoft. Microsoft and appropriating as they see fit. But the Americans. The Republican leadership its employees should not be punished President has a different idea. He started the year by trying to spend the for being one of the most creative, dy- wants to tell States specifically how surplus on an $800 billion tax break for namic teams of people in American they must spend the money. the wealthiest Americans, and they did economic history.

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