Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 563, 564, and 565, I was unavoidably absent, due to a delay in my flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, there is not one Member of Congress who would ever jeopardize the safety of their constituents. We all agree, no matter what the costs of prescription drugs are, safety is the first, most important thing, but the wildly exaggerated claims that this bill would jeopardize safety is typical of the type of rhetoric we have heard from pharmaceutical companies.

The truth is, the Americans know the truth. Over one million Americans get their drugs right now from Canada and places around the world. They reimport. We see articles like the one on the front page of my paper that talks about how to get drugs from the Internet or from overseas, and the truth is, we know that our friends, our families, none of them have been harmed by this.

Why is that? Because developed countries around the world share all the same production facilities, all the same license distribution facilities, all the same licensed pharmacies so that our drugs are as safe as any in the other developed countries.

This may be the wrong rule. It is the toughest bill. It is the latest hour, but I have faith that Congress will do the right thing and pass this rule and this bill tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, despite the histrionics we have seen tonight, there is not one Member of Congress that would vote for a bill that would endanger the people in this country, not the seniors, not our children, and no one in between.

The false arguments, the scare tactics, the unrelated examples should not surprise anybody because we hear them every day, and these tactics have worked in the past. But Americans know the truth. Over 1 million have imported drugs every single year into this country safely. They buy drugs that are manufactured and regulated on how they are distributed the same way we regulate them in the United States. In fact, they are the same plants, and they are the same distribution systems.

Our unions and our businesses are telling us that drugs are costing them a fortune, and without relief our taxpayers are going to foot the bill for our seniors who are going to have to pay extraordinary prices for their drugs. Tonight is historic. We are going to, without the money, without the staff, and without the army of lobbyists take back the House and pass this bill to reduce the cost of drugs for our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today on rollcall vote No. 370, I intended to vote ``nay.'' I would like the Record to reflect that I was opposed to the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees. I inadvertently cast a vote in favor of the motion and reiterate my opposition to this effort.

Mr. Chairman, I want to enter into a colloquy with the chairman of the subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, UPS's primary hub is located in my district. The United Parcel Service, known as UPS around the world, employs 22,000 people in my district. It just completed a $1 billion expansion and is the largest taxpayer in the State of Kentucky. In 2001, UPS supported approximately 7.1 million packages from overseas and exported 11.4 million packages going overseas. A significant portion of this volume is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Considering the volume of products under their jurisdiction, it is only logical to designate Louisville, Kentucky, as the port of entry for international trade in Fish and Wildlife resources in the coming year. That designation only

reflects the fact that in modern day Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction has to be not only at our ports but also at the primary designations at our airports.

Mr. Chairman, I know that right now there is $700,000 in the budget that is for Atlanta; but I am eager to see that moved, as the Senate has done, to Louisville.

I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ford Motor Company's 100th anniversary. Throughout 2003, Ford Motor Company will celebrate 100 years of manufacturing automobiles. Ford's history is an integral part of America's rise to global economic prominence. I am very pleased that my hometown of Louisville, KY has played a key and long-standing role in that history.

In 1913, Ford began manufacturing Model T's in a small shop on South Third Street in Louisville. As our nation grew and met new challenges, Ford's Louisville operation also expanded. In 1942, Ford's Louisville operation began production of 44,000 trucks for the U.S. Army. During the fifties and sixties, Ford's Louisville presence expanded significantly with the construction and operation of two major manufacturing facilities. These facilities continue to produce high- quality trucks and sport utility vehicles which remain in great demand by the American public. In September of 2002, the Louisville Assembly Plant reached a historic milestone by producing the 5 millionth Ford Explorer.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to recognize the hard work of Ford's 10,000 employees in Louisville. This hard-working team of professionals is a vital part of our community's economy. In addition to producing great products, they have set an example of generosity. In 2002, Ford Motor Company and its employees donated more than $2.5 million to Louisville community organizations.

I am very pleased that the House of Representatives has honored Ford Motor Company with Passage of H. Res. 100--a resolution recognizing the company's 100th anniversary. As a supporter of this legislation, I applaud its passage and commend the House for honoring Ford's contribution to American life.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 195, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 70 I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''