Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on May 4, 2003 the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, in conjunction with the Altoona Area School District and the Blair County Arts Foundation, will be dedicating a long-deserved historical marker commemorating Isaac Charles Mishler, the original owner of the Mishler Theater, located in downtown Altoona, Pennsylvania.

I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Mishler for his vision of bringing the arts to his fellow citizens. The theater and the community's dedication to the arts have stood the test of time. Indeed, since its opening in 1906, the Mishler Theater has hosted the cream of the entertainment crop for almost 100 years.

The hallowed halls of the Mishler have seen the likes of John Drew, the Barrymores, Houdini, the Zeigfeld Follies, Bernadette Peters and George Burns. With over $1.3 million in improvements over the years, the Mishler continues to provide the community with top-notch entertainment today.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have had the opportunity today to recognize the efforts of the Altoona community and the numerous organizations that have worked together to preserve the Mishler Theater. Their efforts are a fitting tribute to Isaac Mishler's vision of a theater that serves as a center of arts and entertainment for the entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate G. William Ward for earning the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Advocacy and the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award given by the Penns Woods Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Both awards will be presented to Mr. Ward at a dinner in his honor cosponsored by both award giving parties.

G. William Ward is a resident of Blair County, Pennsylvania and currently serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Ward Trucking Corporation. During his tenure with Ward Trucking, he has accumulated an impressive list of professional achievements and

has always demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. In 1967, when Mr. Ward became the newly-elected president of Ward Trucking, he quickly established a strong presence in Blair County by opening a new Altoona terminal and maintenance hub as well as two new local warehouses. Just two years later, Ward Trucking celebrated the opening of a new general office complex, which made Altoona the official headquarters of the company. Under Mr. Ward's leadership, the trucking company has experienced numerous successes. In 1997, the Ward Trucking Corporation was inducted into the Blair County Business Hall of Fame for being an outstanding corporate citizen and being a ``vital component of the continued thrust for the economic development and improved business climate in Blair County.'' Five years later, that sentiment still holds true today. Mr. Ward has been instrumental in the growth and strength of the Ward Trucking Corporation. During his tenure as President and Chairman of the Board, the company has more than doubled its workforce, grew revenue from $7 million to more than $96 million at the end of 2001, and expanded service from two to eleven states.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to being an excellent business advocate for the community of Blair County and surrounding areas, Mr. Ward is also a dedicated volunteer. He is especially involved with a nationally recognized community service organization, the Boy Scouts. He has served in numerous capacities, from a Den Leader to Vice-Chairman of the Camp Development Fund Campaign. Mr. Ward is an excellent role model and is always very generous with his time. Mr. Ward and his family are also very generous with financial contributions. They have a long history of donating, whether personally or through Ward Trucking, to a wide variety of worthy organizations in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating G. William Ward for receiving both the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Advocacy and the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. I encourage Mr. Ward to continue to strive to achieve new business goals and to also remain such an active and caring member of his community. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 143 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1166) to amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1166 is identical to legislation the House passed unanimously December 5, 2001. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass the Senate last year. We are here today to try again.

This bill simply establishes a 3-year pilot program providing grants to the Small Business Development Centers for assisting Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiian populations with their small business development needs.

Few people realize that 60 percent of our Native American population lives in or adjacent to Indian lands that suffer from an average unemployment rate of 45 percent. One-third of Native Americans live below the poverty level. However, the number of businesses owned by Native Americans grew by 84 percent between 1998 and 1997, as compared to all other businesses, which grew at only 7 percent over the same time period.

It is quite clear that the entrepreneurial spirit of Native American small business ownership is the key to economic growth and revitalization of these often forgotten communities. Instead of creating a new program, H.R. 1166 uses the existing Small Business Development Center network to develop culturally sensitive entrepreneurial counseling and technical assistance programs for Native Americans.

The SBDC network has a track record of success. Small businesses that use their service have a higher survival rate than the average small businesses not receiving such assistance. Any SBDC in a State whose Native American population is at least 1 percent of the State's total population can apply for a grant from the SBA. Such grants must be used to provide SBDC program assistance to Native Americans. The maximum grant size is $300,000 and the authorized level is capped at $7 million per year.

Already this fiscal year, the Small Business Administration received a $2 million appropriation to develop Native American entrepreneur education programs. I join many of my colleagues, including the chairman of the Committee on Small Business, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo), who is an original cosponsor of this bill, in supporting H.R. 1166.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. I reserve my right to close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would close by first commending and congratulating the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for his hard work on this legislation and his support for the small business men and women across America. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for her support on H.R. 1166. And I finally want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) for his leadership and his passion for defending the backbone of the American economy and that is small business.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize and congratulate an exceptional student from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. John Bradford has been named the male middle school student of the year by the Pennsylvania Middle School Association. John is currently a seventh- grader at Chambersburg Area Middle School, a member of the student council, and involved in numerous projects to help better his community.

Last year, John was instrumental in a campaign to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. He organized an effort to raise $360 by collecting aluminum can tabs at his school. Through his involvement in student government, John has also been involved in other charity related projects such as Coats for Kids, raising money for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and a food drive that sent 4,000 canned goods to the Salvation Army. He is most recently working on gathering other middle school students to join him in participating in a walk-a-thon for the March of Dimes.

John has already accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments and has demonstrated a true desire to help better his community. I encourage him to continue volunteering and helping so many worthy charities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating John Bradford for earning recognition as an exceptional individual by being named the male middle school student of the year in Pennsylvania. I am very proud to have such a tremendous individual in my district, and I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Penn State Mont Alto for its 100th Anniversary as a well respected institution of learning. When this institution was first established, in May 1903 by the governor of Pennsylvania, it was known as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy in Mont Alto. The academy was only the third forestry school in the entire nation, behind Yale and Biltmore respectively. The school was founded by Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock to train men for service in the state forests. To this day, the Forest Academy still educates America's foresters in addition to students in many other academic programs.

The earliest goal of the academy was to reforest much of the surrounding land, especially in areas made barren by forest fires and charcoal production. On Arbor Day in 1905, the academy's first administrator, George Wirt assigned students to search for native tree species not found on campus. These students returned with over 400 specimens reflecting 30 different varieties of species. These collected specimens were the beginning of the Mont Alto arboretum. An arboretum that to this day continues to provide a training ground for students, as well as a research site for the development of new hybrids.

The Pennsylvania State Forest Academy in Mont Alto has been constantly evolving throughout its history. In 1929, the academy merged with the Pennsylvania State College (now University) becoming one of the Commonwealth campuses. At that time, the campus was used only for the first year of training for Penn State forestry students. The students would then complete their three remaining years at the main campus in University Park. The campus continued to grow and by 1963 the first one or two years of most Penn State majors were being offered at the Mont Alto campus. The school completed its evolution in 1997, when students were able to earn their baccalaureate degrees at the Penn State Mont Alto campus.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Penn State Mont Alto for its 100 years of commitment and dedication to providing a quality education to so many young people.

Mr. Speaker, on March 19, 2003, 1 was unavoidably detained in a meeting with my constituents, and was unable to vote in rollcall vote No. 71. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of H. Con. Res. 104. It is very fitting that we honor those men and women who tonight are making the world a safer place. Their mission is legal and, more importantly, just. I am certain they will succeed in changing an evil regime, they will succeed in eliminating dangerous chemical and biological weapons, and they will succeed in liberating the people of Iraq.

Our thoughts and prayers must also go out to the families of our troops. Their sacrifice is great and must be acknowledged.

There is no greater love than the love of a family, so as a nation, as family America, we must send our love to families whose members are in harm's way defending our freedom.

And finally recognizing our President for his leadership, his strength, his decency and his commitment to the American people.

I hope and pray for a swift and safe return for all of our troops. May God bless our military and their families. And may God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues that on April 26, 2003, more than 1,200 students from across the United States will visit Washington, DC, to compete in the national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. This educational program is developed specifically to teach young people more about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and is administered by the Center for Civic Education. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by an act of Congress.

I am proud to announce that the class from Indiana Area High School from Indiana will represent the state of Pennsylvania in this national event. These young scholars have worked conscientiously to reach the national finals by participating at local and statewide competitions. As a result of their experience they have gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy.

The 3-day We the People national competition is modeled after hearings in the United States Congress. The hearings consist of oral presentations by high school students before a panel of adult judges on constitutional topics. The students are given an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge while they evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. Their testimony is followed by a period of questioning by the judges who probe the students' depth of understanding and ability to apply their constitutional knowledge.

The We the People program provides curricular materials at upper elementary, middle, and high school levels. The curriculum not only enhances students' understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy, it also helps them identify the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Critical thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning techniques help develop participatory skills necessary for students to become active, responsible citizens.

The class from Indiana Area High School is currently preparing for their participation in the national competition in Washington, DC. It is inspiring to see these young people advocate the fundamental ideals and principles of our government, ideas that identify us as a people and bind us together as a nation. It is important for future generations to understand these values and principles which we hold as standards in our endeavor to preserve and realize the promise of our constitutional democracy. I wish these young ``constitutional experts'' the best of luck as they participate in the We the People national finals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Chambersburg into a Borough. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Franklin County, is a town rich in history. Chambersburg was settled by Benjamin Chambers in 1730. He chose the area because of the promising demographic features of the land, where the Conocoheaque Creek and the Falling Spring merged to provide him with the necessary water power to operate a gristmill and a sawmill.

The community of Chambersburg was formally spread out in 1764, extending the land south and east of a fort that was built to provide protection against Indian raids. The epicenter of the town, which served as the crossroads for many travelers, began to grow in size and importance. Due to the number of people that traversed through the area, many businesses began to settle and expand in the valley. These businesses were the start of the promising entrepreneurial, agricultural, and residential area that Chambersburg is today.

In March 1803, the municipal government was established through a state granted charter as a borough. In May of the same year, the town elected the first mayor, the Town Council, a High Constable, and a flour and wood inspector were appointed. A tax duplicate of $550.97 was issued in order to begin providing government services, which at that time were mainly limited to those provided by the courts.

The Borough of Chambersburg is now home to over 17,000 people, many small and medium industrial enterprises, and continues to have strong ties to agricultural endeavors. I am very proud to represent the individuals that make up this vibrant community and would like to again commend the Borough of Chambersburg for its 200th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to my colleagues' attention an editorial written by Lieutenant Colonel Craig Mayer (ret.) of Bedford, Pennsylvania. Lt. Col. Mayer is a former U.S. Department of Defense attache and served as a member of the United States Marines during the Vietnam War. On March 7, 2003 Colonel Mayer wrote an eloquent editorial that describes not only his reflections of war, but also made a compelling case in support of military action against Saddam Hussein. I urge my colleagues to keep the following article in mind as the debate concerning Iraq continues;

When I think of America going to war with Iraq, what comes

to mind first is the distinct, sickeningly sweet smell and

the fell of dark, sticky blood as I helped drag a horribly

wounded young Marine to a medevac helicopter. And the memory

of picking up the

young Marine's boot--most of his lower leg still in it--and

tossing it into the helicopter. It's the odor of gunpowder

and sweat, screams of agony, a green jungle haze, the

confusing noise of whirling helicopter blades, Viet Cong

machine gun fire, and gasping, wide-eyed men.

I suffer no illusions about the real costs of war and have

no impulse to go fight again or send others into the hellish

experience I survived in Vietnam.

Why then should we indulge this obscenity again with Iraq?

What is at stake? And is it worth the sacrifice?

The debate on the impending war is more, much more, about

power and competing worldviews--within America and within the

community of nations--than it is or ever was about Saddam's

threats and misadventures. The issue is not really about

inspections, adequate justification, sham cooperation, or any

sincere belief that Saddam Hussein will ever willingly

disarm, the debate is about the constraint of American power.

Iraq is the stage for a test of those worldviews.

One view seeks to avoid the use of military power to bring

about the rule of law and instead relies on persuasion,

negotiation, cooperation, and international institutions. It

rationalizes and tolerates threats because its proponents

really can't do anything about them. This view is borne of

decades of global security and prosperity provided by the

United States. It is a view grounded in strategic weakness.

The competing view, the American power view, looks to

military power along with the means and willingness to use it

as essential for a state of security to create peaceful

solutions and the rule of law to govern and grow. It sees

international forums and processes as less than reliable. It

perceives risks differently and is less willing to tolerate

threats because it can do something about them. It is a

position grounded in strategic strength.

These opposing views are now colliding. Both views desire

the rule of law and peaceful solutions to international

problems, but their means are at odds.

Those nations and people of the power adverse view will

encounter and confront us simply because we are the only

power on the world stage with the means to shape and effect

global security. Only by constraining American power can they

gain a relative advantage and advance or validate their view.

Since the end of World War II, Europe and much of the rest of

the world has depended on and has been responsive to American

power and our ability to globally project that power--be it

in economic or military terms. Our power is now enormous and

unprecedented in world history.

Adherents of the power adverse view, most notably France,

Germany, and less so Russia, have chosen the Iraq crisis and

the forums of the U.N. Security Council and NATO to confront

us. We should not be misled by their public assertions or how

they or their supporters would like to frame the

international debate in the important days ahead. Behind all

their coming challenges to intelligence information, appeals

for peace, attempts at redefining compliance, pleas for

delays, excuses for Iraqi resistance, and bleats about

smoking guns is the objective of constraining American

power--irrespective of any concerns about Iraq. This is the

central and fundamental objective.

There is overwhelming justification for the coerced

disarmament of Iraq--the justification threshold was passed

years ago.

No greater damage could be done to the maintenance of a

stable world order and global security than to succumb to the

instincts and wants of those confronting us. The stakes in

this encounter are quite high--perhaps more so than at

anytime in the past half century. If the power adverse

proponents prevail, it will weaken their security and

severely undermine the effectiveness of the U.N. Security

Council and NATO--paradoxically, the very institutions they

hope to rely on. If they prevail, global security decisions

will be thrown into forums and processes that promise little

more than delay, equivocation, indecision, and paralysis.

Something the world cannot afford in the face of immediate

threats and mounting dangers. At the same time, France,

Germany, and Russia are not our enemies--they are simply

wrong. It is not time for their view to prevail and if

history is a teacher that time will probably never come.

The young Marine that I helped drag to a helicopter 34

years ago died a few hours after he was wounded. Our company

commander wrote a letter to his parents. The family was

presented a purple heart and their son's name was chiseled

into the marble monument in Washington.

In the impending war dying is at stake, suffering is at

stake, and misery for loved ones left behind is at stake. It

is obscene. But the harsh reality is that we live in an

anarchic world of walls and the security and defense of a

progressive, stable world order depends on military might and

this is one of the roles we play. I know that these words

provide little solace for the parents of a young Marine we

lost years ago. I know that they will not fill the voids in

our lives we now feel and that might be created in the days

and weeks ahead. I only hope that they might help.

If I thought the impending War with Iraq was a contemporary

Vietnam, an ill-conceived and misunderstood venture, I would

be one of the first to object. It isn't, and I do not object.

Mr. Speaker, the rising costs of medical liability insurance in Pennsylvania are among the worst in the country. In fact, Pennsylvania physicians faced a 50 percent increase in insurance costs in 2002, with

an additional 50 percent hike expected this year. Physicians have moved from my district to other States to continue practicing medicine. Recently, one of the most efficient hospitals in my district was literally within an hour of closing its doors when its pathology department could not secure medical liability insurance the 11th hour. The threat of rising medical liability costs to quality patient care in central Pennsylvania is beyond a crisis situation. The time for the House to act is now.

H.R. 5 is common-sense legislation aimed at reducing the skyrocketing medical liability costs that are threatening the availability of quality patient care in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. In addition, H.R. 5 protects the rights of patients with legitimate claims to receive compensation for economic losses, medicals costs, and lost wages.

Mr. Speaker, the threat of frivolous medical liability litigation is endangering the ability of physicians in my district to provide quality patient care. Congress must do its part to ensure access to care is not jeopardized at the expense of lining the pockets of trial lawyers.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Mr. Dalton Paul, a very special individual from my district. Mr. Paul has been a resident of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for more than 37 years. During that time he has dedicated himself to the noble pursuit of educating others. Mr. Paul has recently retired from his position as executive director of the Franklin County Career and Technology Center from which he has served since July of 1975. For four years prior to that, he also served as the school's assistant director. Upon his retirement, he has earned the distinction of being the longest-tenured executive director of a vocational school in the state of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Paul earned a very impressive record during his time as executive director. Under his leadership, 96 percent of the students from the Franklin County Career and Technology Center went on to be part of the local work force. This impressive statistic is just one of the many reasons why Mr. Paul's school has been named the best vocational- technical school in the state of Pennsylvania for a number of years. In addition to his work at the career center, Mr. Paul is also affiliated with at least 30 different community clubs and organizations. A few examples of these organizations are: Boy Scout Troop 128 Committee, Greene Township Lions Club, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania Vocational Association, and the Pennsylvania District Governor's Council for

the Lions Club. Mr. Paul will continue many of his memberships and serve his community in numerous capacities.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Dalton Paul for his noteworthy career and his impressive accomplishments at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center. His students, colleagues, and community will greatly miss his experience and leadership in the areas of vocational education. I wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. William E. Snell, Jr., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for being named Business Person of the Year by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. As the president and chief executive officer of F&M Trust in Chambersburg since 1995, he has demonstrated a willingness to support his local community through both financial giving as well as through giving of himself and his own time. Mr. Snell, in his role at the F&M Trust and as leader of several civic groups, has shown great vision and leadership in the area of community service. Through his service he has contributed greatly to the betterment of the community.

In addition to running the largest locally owned bank in Chambersburg, Mr. Snell also serves on a number of boards in his community. Capitol Theatre Center Foundation, Chambersburg Hospital, Summit Health, and Chambersburg Area Development Corporation are just a few examples of boards and organizations on which he serves in a leadership capacity. By giving so generously of his time, he has helped to positively shape the vision and direction of the Chambersburg community. During Mr. Snell's tenure as president and CEO of the bank, F&M Trust has generously given approximately $80,000 to help fund several educational and artistic initiatives in the community. Donations such as these benefit everyone in the community, not just those that directly receive the funds. Mr. Snell is a wonderful example of a business person who not only cares deeply about his business but also about the community in which it is located. His continuous efforts and community service are a true testament to his affection and commitment to the people and organizations located in Chambersburg.

I would like to congratulate Mr. Snell once again for this tremendous award he has received and thank him for all his contributions to the Chambersburg community. I wish him the very best of luck in all of his future endeavors.