Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Douglas R. Jackson in celebration of his 25th anniversary with the Community Baptist Church.

Dr. Jackson founded the Community Baptist Church in Saginaw, Michigan in 1981, and has been the President of Michigan Association of Christian Schools since 1990. He is a board member of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Association of Michigan and the International Baptist Mission in Tempe, Arizona. He is also chairman of the board at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin, and treasurer of the board for Baptist World Mission in Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Jackson's further accomplishments include his legislative lobbying for Christian education, and national recognition for the Michigan Association of Christian Schools.

I am honored today to recognize Dr. Douglas R. Jackson for his many accomplishments, and to wish him the best on the celebration of his 25 years with the Community Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the chairman for putting together a balanced jobs bill. This legislation helps families, wage earners and employers by improving incentives for job creation, work and savings.

The child credit is doubled, strengthening families. For wage earners the marriage penalty relief and tax rate cuts are accelerated, particularly effective in small and medium businesses and family farms. These flow-through family businesses result for more than 40 percent of the net income in this country.

The legislation provides job creation incentives for all employers by increasing expensing for small business employers, by increasing the bonus depreciation element for other employers.

Michigan has the largest unemployment they have had in 9 years. By lowering the Federal tax burden, we will help expand the economy. Faster economic growth would create jobs and,

particularly in the small business area, will allow them to remain the engine of economic growth in this country.

Vote for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Myles Martel in celebration of his 60th birthday.

Dr. Martel has been involved with the United States political process for decades, leaving behind him a legacy of leadership. He came to prominence serving as former President Ronald Reagan's personal debate advisor, after which he moved on to become an advisor to the White House Office of Communications. Dr. Martel has also served as a speech advisor to ambassadors, congressmen, senators, governors and cabinet members. His expertise has awarded him many honors, including the George Washington Honor Medal, and the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Martel has published five books, and has been quoted by many nationally recognized newsmagazines and newspapers.

I am honored today to recognize Dr. Myles Martel for his many accomplishments, and to wish him the best on the celebration of his 60th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. William A. Sederburg for his faithful service as president of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. After eight years as president and one year as interim president at Ferris, Dr. Sederburg is retiring from his position.

He became the 16th president of the college in 1995 after a distinguished career as a professor, Michigan state senator, and successful businessman. Dr. Sederburg's experience in higher education is exemplary. He has held numerous leadership positions in higher education, including serving on the State Board of Education, chairing the Senate Select Committee on the Future of Higher Education, chairing the Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education and Technology, and chairing the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Throughout his career and efforts, Dr. Sederburg has positively affected the lives of thousands of students. He is seen as a leader by his peers, as well as an educator and trusted advisor to his students. Dr. Sederburg has worked tirelessly to improve the facilities and infrastructure on the Ferris State campus, and his dedication is an example to everyone.

I am honored today to recognize Dr. William A. Sederburg for his many complishments, and thank him for his work.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter for the Record:

Hon. Jack Kingston,

Chairman, Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Kingston: I am writing to ask your support

for including H.R. 921, a bill I introduced, as an amendment

into the base bill of the Legislative Branch Appropriations

bill.

My amendment requires that unused Congressional office

funds from Members' Representational Allowances be returned

directly to the Treasury at the end of the year for debt

reduction. For the last several years, I have introduced this

amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill

regarding the use of unspent office funds. Taxpayers for

Common Sense, Citizens Against Government Waste, the Concord

Coalition, and Citizens for a Sound Economy have all

supported this amendment in the past.

I believe that this amendment provides a good incentive for

Members to spend taxpayer funds responsibly and lead by

example in our efforts to reduce the national debt. Without

this amendment, unexpended Members' Representational

Allowances can be ``reprogrammed'' for other budget purposes,

frustrating the frugal efforts of many Members. Let's keep

practicing sound spending practices and keep us moving

towards reducing our enormous national debt.

Since this amendment has continuously passed with strong

support, I would like you to consider including it in the

base bill. I have enclosed a copy of the amendment for your

consideration. If you have any questions, please do not

hesitate to contact me or Brian Sutter on my staff at 5-3561.

I look forward to working with you on this issue.

Sincerely,

Dave Camp,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation for their outstanding service to the small businesses of the Traverse Bay area.

The Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation is highly dedicated to the small businesses and commerce of its region. This tremendous organization has greatly assisted to improve the quality of life in the community it serves. Its unwavering commitment has been rewarded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which has recognized them as America's top small town for business growth. This is not the first time TBEDC has been recognized for its efforts to attract and expand business in the Grand Traverse County area.

I am honored today to recognize the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation for their commitment to their region.

Mr. Speaker, as America moves forward with resolve to disarm Saddam Hussein, I rise in support of President Bush for his leadership and to honor our U.S. troops and their families for their dedication and sacrifice.

The time has come when the United States must again lead the world against those who threaten the freedom and stability of the free world. As our troops labor in military encampments at home and abroad, let us labor in prayer on their behalf and on behalf of all freedom loving people around the world.

After twelve years of Iraqi deception and non-compliance, an international coalition of over thirty countries is engaging in a military campaign to forcibly disarm Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi dictator has been given every possible opportunity to cooperate, to reveal his weapons of mass destruction programs, and to provide relief to the Iraqi people. He has failed to take advantage of multiple offers for a peaceful resolution. We do not enter into this campaign cheerfully, but with a somber resolve.

Our goal of liberating the Iraqi people from a tyrannical dictator will not be accomplished without the steely resolve and contributions of all Americans. Whether you are a soldier on the front line or a `soldier' in America's economy, each person can contribute to our objective of achieving total disarmament and establishing peace.

This resolution expresses the unequivocal support of the President as Commander-in-Chief for his firm leadership and decisive action, the members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom for their patriotism and bravery, and the families of the United States military personnel serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Together, with our allies around the globe and our Armed Forces overseas, we will stay focused on our mission and never waver from our objective--total disarmament, the end of Saddam Hussein, freedom for the Iraqi people, and peace in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 113, the Child Abuse and Neglect Bill of 2003. This bill will support efforts to enhance public awareness of child abuse and neglect.

In the state of Michigan, where I am proud to represent the 4th District, the number of child abuse and neglect related fatalities have been steadily increasing since 1998. Again, in my state, there are 2.4 identified victims of child abuse per 1,000 Michigan residents. I emphasize, that statistic encapsulates identified victims only. I implore my fellow members of the House to think of the number of unreported cases. This sad fact proves that the American public is not fully aware of the problem presented by child neglect and abuse. Thus, a challenge lies before us. This is a challenge of committing every possible effort towards the elimination of child neglect and abuse.

Behind every number is a person, a child. Some of these children die because of child neglect and abuse. Some of them simply never experience the love of a parent. Either situation is abominable and the American people need to be made aware of it.

The mission of this bill is to break the cycle of violence, especially with emphasis on the important first step of awareness. This bill intends to achieve a maximum awareness of child abuse and neglect.

Mr. Speaker, this is a worthy bill and an important step in the right direction. As a long time advocate for the oppressed children of our nation, I urge support for this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Pamela H. Smith-Beatty for her faithful service of 22 years to the United States Air Force.

Pamela began her career in the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Medical Service in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. She continued to serve in various locations, including North Dakota, Louisiana, Texas, California, Illinois, Maryland, Korea, and Florida. Throughout her career in these locations, Pamela devotedly performed her duties primarily as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, but also as a Deputy Flight Commander and a Deputy Chief Nurse. Pamela has been honored with several awards, including a Space Command Field Grade Nurse of the Year award, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Commendation Medal, and an Achievement Medal. Pamela will be greatly missed by her co-workers, and greatly appreciated by her country.

I am honored today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Pamela H. Smith- Beatty for her auspicious dedication to serving her country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 399, the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2003. Simply stated, this bill will promote organ donation by removing existing barriers to living organ donation and educating the public.

Right now there is simply not enough organs to meet the needs of patients waiting for them on the transplant lists. The challenge before us is to maximize the number of available organs and to maximize the recovery of organs available for donation. When an organ becomes available for transplant, we must spare no resource to ensure that it is delivered to a patient in need and this bill is a work towards reaching that goal.

Behind every number is a person. Some are waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant. Others celebrate the gift of life they have received.

The mission of this bill is to change the numbers, by increasing the number of organ and tissue donors, ultimately saving more lives. It is my hope that this outreach will educate the public about organ and tissue donation, correct misconceptions about donation, and create a greater willingness to donate.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill and a step in the right direction. As a long time advocate for organ donation, I urge support for this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2003. I am particularly pleased about the inclusion of a provision which will help make the United States-Canada border significantly more secure.

In the aftermath of the attacks on our Nation, the level of security concerns along its 5,000 mile northern border have taken on an added urgency. Reverse inspections will safeguard international bridges and tunnels along the border. This process will ensure that potentially dangerous vehicles are inspected before crossing those bridges and tunnels.

Inspecting vehicles for dangerous contents such as bombs and explosives after they enter our tunnels or begin to cross our bridges is inadequate. The reverse customs provision in this legislation aims to enact a principle of the U.S.-Canada Smart Border Declaration negotiated by then Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs John Manley last year. In this Declaration, both countries agreed to create a new secure and smart border based on an action plan that includes a host of new security measures.

I agree with the principles of the U.S.-Canada Smart Border Declaration, and I believe that the inclusion of the reverse inspections component in this bill will greatly lower the risk of future attacks on our bridges and tunnels. Bridges and tunnels, particularly for Michigan, a border state, are vital to facilitating tourism and trade, two critical factors for Michigan's economy.

Mr. Speaker, The September 11th Victims' Compensation Fund was created under ``The Aviation and Transportation Security Act'' (P.L. 107-71). This unprecedented move will ensure that every citizen injured in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon or their surviving family members will receive at least $1.6 million in compensation.

It is estimated that this Compensation Fund could cost up to $6 billion of taxpayer money. While I fully support this initiative to help the families of those harmed or killed in the vicious attacks, I believe that we should minimize the cost to the taxpayer. That is why I am introducing the Terrorist Assets Liquidation Act again for the 108th Congress. The bill authorizes the President to use the funds from the liquidated assets of frozen terrorist accounts to refund the Treasury Department for funds used to compensate victims of terrorism.

Our nation has shown great and moving compassion to the victims of September 11th, with generous donations and support to charity groups providing aid and emergency assistance to victims. While it was important to show compassion and recognize our nation's need to help, we should punish those responsible, holding them accountable for their murderous crimes and limit their drain on our nation's taxpayer resources.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to correct an unfair restriction that is preventing some of our career military service members from using the Montgomery GI Bill.

Education assistance has been a cornerstone of military benefits for over 50 years. congress recognized that military service often prevented young people from attending school and attaining higher levels of education. In 1944, Congress passed the original education bill for service members, the Serviceman's Readjustment Act. This World War II era legislation provided billions of dollars in education and training incentives for veterans and active duty personnel. The nation has reaped many times that amount in return investment from a well- trained work force and a more productive society.

Building on the success of the original GI Bill, Congress has passed several other pieces of legislation expanding veterans' educational benefits. The Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) was enacted in 1976 as a recruitment and retention tool for the post- Vietnam era. This was the first program requiring payment contributions from military personnel while they were on active duty and was available to people who entered active duty between December 31, 1976 and July 1, 1985.

In 1984, Congress passed the All volunteer Force Educational Assistance program; more commonly call the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). This expanded program provided better benefits that offered under VEAP and last year Congress passed legislation to boost MGIB by a record 46 percent over two years. With the enactment of this legislation, an estimated 409,000 veterans and service members will receive assistance under MGIB for education and training in 2003.

In 1996, Congress passed Public Law 104-275, allowing VEAP participants to transfer their education accounts to MGIB and 41,041 veterans and servicepersons took advantage of the opportunity. The opportunity to convert to MGIB is very important because the benefits available are much greater. Unfortunately, those individuals who were on active duty before 1985 and did not participate in VEAP were not eligible to sign-up for MGIB, leaving a gap in available coverage for certain career military personnel. Congress has voted several times in the last decade to allow VEAP participants opportunities to transfer to MGIB, but there has not been an opportunity for those who did not have VEAP accounts to sign up for the new program, excluding them from taking advantage of great educational benefits.

This unjust situation can easily be remedied. My legislation provides a one-year open enrollment period for individuals falling into the gap to attain the benefits that they deserve. This is a matter of equity. We cannot neglect our career military personnel; they have served bravely and honorably for decades and their experiences are crucial to the security of our nation. Now is the opportunity to ensure that they are provided for and have the same benefits that are available to other members of the Armed Forces.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise today in support of H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2003.

Mr. Chairman, we have the opportunity and responsibility to build on the 1996 law, which many here helped write. The law we crafted has seen unparalleled success by almost every measure, yet our work is not done. I am proud that the main focus of this legislation has been on self- empowerment, work, and most importantly, strengthening family.

If we look at the fact that more parents are working today, we have a responsibility to ensure that parents have child care. This bill adds $2 billion over the next 5 years to the current record amounts for this purpose. In addition, this bill also provides the States new flexibility so that unused funds can be transferred over and used for child care needs of working families.

In total, the funds available today per family on welfare, as the chairman said, represent $16,000. That is double the $7,000 available for those purposes in 1996.

Many of us are not new to this issue. In addition to being one of the authors of the landmark 1996 welfare reform law, along with our current chairman, as well as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the chairman in 1996, I have held field hearings, sat with advisory panels, and spoken with constituents. The one common theme was proper access to child care, that that was an impediment on the road from welfare to work.

This bill meets the needs of the parents who have told me time and again that child care is one of the greatest challenges they face. Let us give support to these families who desperately want the choice to work.

Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill. It strengthens the landmark welfare reform bill Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law in 1996. Let us give our families the tools they need to ensure that parents can enter the workforce with peace of mind, knowing their children will be in a safe and constructive environment.

I urge support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Firefighting Research and Coordination Act. I am proud of this legislation for what it seeks to accomplish on behalf of our Nation's firefighters. This bill has three primary objectives: support the development of voluntary consensus standards for firefighting equipment and technology, establish nationwide and State mutual aid systems for dealing with national emergencies, and authorize the National Fire Academy to train firefighters to respond to acts of terrorism and other national emergencies.

In large part, the genesis of the Firefighting Research and Coordination Act came after the September 11th attacks. After the tragic events of that day, fire departments throughout America began to grapple with new concerns over how to best train for and respond to terrorist acts. The needs of the fire service continue to grow as new threats emerge. As a result, Congress has a responsibility to assist and protect our firefighters. That is the goal of the Firefighting Research and Coordination Act.

The first objective of the bill focuses on equipment and technology standards. The bill would allow the U.S. Fire Administrator, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Inter-Agency Board for Equipment Standardization and Inter- Operability, national voluntary consensus standards development organizations, interested Federal, State, and local agencies, and other interested parties to develop measurement techniques and testing methodologies, and support development of voluntary consensus standards through national standards development organizations, for evaluating the performance and compatibility of new fire fighting technology. Examples of new technologies include: personal protection equipment, devices for advance warning of extreme hazard, equipment for enhanced vision, and robotics and other remote-controlled devices, among others. Equipment purchased under the Assistance to Firefighters grant program must meet or exceed voluntary consensus standards.

Establishing standards for firefighting equipment and technologies will help safeguard the

lives of firefighters. At present, manufacturers of emergency equipment can sell their products with no government testing or certification requirements to ensure their product meets the needs of firefighters. A January 2003 Consumer Reports article, ``Safeguards Lacking for Emergency Equipment,'' highlights the lack of standards problem. The article reports ``Firefighter organizations, which also represent most of the Nation's emergency medical technicians, say they worry that no law requires fire departments to buy equipment certified for use against chemical or biological agents.'' In a September 10, 2002 story in The, Washington Post Arlington County, Virginia Chief raised concerns about the lack of equipment standards, as well as the lack of guidelines for training the workers charged with responding to future terrorist attacks. Plaugher stated, ``Without clear goals, we risk undermining ourselves while wasting precious resources.''

The second objective of the bill addresses mutual aid systems. The Firefighting Research and Coordination Act directs the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director, to provide technical assistance and training to State and local fire service officials to establish nationwide and State mutual aid systems for responding to national emergencies. The Administrator, in consultation with the FEMA Director, will also, develop model mutual aid plans for both intrastate and interstate assistance. An important example of why model mutual aid systems are important to establish comes in part, as a response to the September 11th attacks and to wildfires that have raged in the west.

On July 23, 2002, Titan Systems Corporation issued a report on behalf of the Arlington County, Virginia fire department. The report found that self-dispatching fire and emergency crews were favorable in some respects, but were also detrimental. For example, the report states that the Arlington County fire department ``faced the monumental challenge of gaining control of the resources already onsite and those arriving minute-by-minute.'' The report goes on to say that, ``firefighters and other personnel came and went from other Pentagon entrances with little or no control. Thus, had there been a second attack, as occurred at the World Trade Center, it would have been virtually impossible for the Incident Commander to determine quickly who might have been lost.''

The third objective of the legislation permits the Superintendent of the National Fire Academy to coordinate with other Federal, State, and local officials in developing curricula for classes offered by the Academy. This section of the bill illustrates what new classes and training opportunities the Academy is authorized to offer its students. For example, the Academy will now be able to train fire personnel in: strategies for building collapse rescue, the use of technology in response to fires; including terrorist incidents and other national emergencies; response, tactics, and strategies for dealing with terrorist-caused national catastrophes; applying new technology and developing strategies and tactics for fighting forest fires, and other important response strategies.

Over one million students have received training at the National Fire Academy. Since its inception in 1975, the Academy has helped firefighters gain vital education and training to the benefit of the American public. The Academy's courses are taught at a facility in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Its online courses and cooperation with local colleges and universities expand the reach of the Academy to thousands of firefighters across the Nation.

With the Nation recovering from acts of terrorism, mammoth wildfires, and the possibility that other national emergencies may arise in the future, America's firefighters deserve nothing less than quality educational opportunities and training to prepare for these, and other types of disasters. We saw with the World Trade Center that building collapse rescue is a critical component of a firefighters job. In a December 1, 2001 article that appeared in Fire Chief magazine, a member of the Michigan Urban Search and Rescue team stated that while the Federal government has spent millions of dollars to train local first responders with weapons of mass destruction, little if any focus has been placed on building collapse rescue. ``For some time now, I have advocated that every State should have a structural-collapse response that includes an Urban Search and Rescue (US &R) task force system,'' stated the Michigan firefighter. The firefighter went on to say that, ``The FEMA US&R system does little to help with the initial response to structural collapse incidents.'' This example offers another reason why the curricula at the National Fire Academy should be expanded to include courses on building-collapse rescue and other strategies.

Mr. Speaker, my legislation enjoys wide support among many of this Nation's fire groups and bipartisan support here in the House of Representatives. My colleague in the Senate, Senator McCain will introduce companion legislation today in the United States Senate. I am hopeful that this important bill will be swiftly enacted in the 108th Congress.