Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the grand opening of Exchange City--New Orleans, which took place on November 5th, 2003 at the City Park Campus of Delgado Community College. Through the partnership of Junior Achievement and the Learning Exchange, every fifth grade student in a 12-parish area of Southeast Louisiana will have the opportunity to experience first-hand how our American free enterprise system works and the effects of the economy on their everyday lives.

As the first Exchange City in Louisiana and the 18th Junior Achievement Exchange City in the United States, this 10,000 square foot indoor virtual city is equipped with sidewalks, a town square, a City Hall, and fourteen businesses. The Exchange City program includes a six-week curriculum covering English, Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Economics, Civics, and Data Analysis material. Fifth grade teachers will receive training on this curriculum and teach it to their students before their one-day visit to Exchange City.

During their one-day trip to Exchange City, students will elect a judge and a mayor to preside over their city. They will apply for jobs, receive pay checks, and take out loans to run their businesses. Students will operate a broadcast center with radio and television stations and learn about paying utility bills.

This innovative hands-on program is a wonderful opportunity for students in Southeast Louisiana to learn the importance of education. They will discover how the material they are learning in their classrooms directly applies to the real world. I commend Junior Achievement and all supporters of Exchange City--New Orleans for providing our children with such an outstanding and practical educational experience.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Timothy P. Ryan, the new Chancellor of the University of New Orleans. On Saturday, November 1, Dr. Ryan accepted the appointment of the Louisiana State University System's Board of Supervisors to serve as the fifth Chancellor of the Lakefront campus.

Dr. Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of New Orleans in 1971 and a Ph.D. in Economics from the Ohio State University. He has been a member of the UNO faculty since 1976 and served as Dean of the College of Business Administration until accepting his new post as Chancellor. During his brief tenure as Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at UNO, Dr. Ryan controlled the University's budget and demonstrated positive change.

Dr. Ryan has received overwhelming support from the University community and I look

forward to working closely with him on priorities for the University and New Orleans. I am confident that his experience and knowledge of Louisiana's higher education and its vital link to our economy will contribute to not only the University of New Orleans, but to our entire State.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor victims, survivors, volunteers, and professionals, who combat breast cancer each day.

The facts are grim, every 2\1/2\ minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer. An estimated 211,300 women and 1,300 men, in the United States will be diagnosed this year with breast cancer. An estimated 40,200 deaths are anticipated this year from breast cancer. In my home state of Louisiana, 3,800 new female breast cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, and 700 hundred women will lose their battle against the disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides a special opportunity to recognize these valiant fighters and to educate the public about the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. Early detection greatly increases victims' chances of survival.

There is hope. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 96 percent. Monthly breast self-examinations and mammograms are the key components of early detection. I join my House colleagues in saluting the breast cancer survivors alive today in the United States.

I salute the volunteers across the country, including the Louisiana Breast Cancer Task Force, for their work to help educate people about the important life-saving measures of early detection. Thank you for taking time today to honor all the victims, survivors, volunteers, and professionals, who combat breast cancer each day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a new organization on the Southern University campus. A new chapter of the College Republicans has been created at this Historically Black University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is a welcome event for all Louisiana Republicans.

My heartfelt congratulations are extended to all of the members of the Southern University College Republicans, and especially club president Gene Tinner, for their hard work in founding this new organization. I am confident that this chapter will earn respect on the Southern Campus and throughout Louisiana, and become a valuable addition to the state Republican Party. I am honored to share this affiliation with such a bright group of young Louisianians from one of our great educational institutions.

My best wishes go forth to this new group for their vision and leadership, and to the Southern University campus for their support.

Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives is set to vote on the conference report on S. 3, the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. After a number of years and several attempts, the best chance for success in finally outlawing this gruesome procedure is here before us today.

I believe abortion has no place in our society. Partial-birth abortion is a procedure clearly beyond the pale. Even the medical community has said that this procedure is, in fact, never medically necessary. For all of the rhetoric from the other side about doctors and health care, we should listen to that medical bottom line and today ban this horrific procedure. Those who have seen it firsthand, those who understand it and have researched it, know that we are talking about something so close to infanticide.

This conference report before us respects what the Supreme Court has told Congress about past bans, and we have worked to address their concerns in the best and most thorough manner. This conference report is constitutional, well-thought out, and has tremendous support nationwide.

I strongly support this conference report and urge my colleagues to do so as well. Furthermore, I am happy to say that for the first time since Roe v. Wade passed, some 30 years ago, a restriction on abortion is finally going to be put into place.

I would like to express my appreciation to the many grassroots organizations who worked so hard on this issue for years, to fellow members of Congress who diligently kept working on a resolution, and to President Bush for his support of this legislation and his promotion of life.

Mr. Speaker, this year the United States celebrates this very significant anniversary, the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.

In my home State of Louisiana in particular, but really all across the country, celebrations are taking place throughout this year in honor of the role this historic event played in our Nation's history. When President Jefferson designated Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase treaty with Napoleon Bonaparte, he hoped to secure for the country the Port of New Orleans and guarantee access to the important trade route along the Mississippi River. Of course, he did accomplish that; but he accomplished so much more than even that, doubling the size of the new country. The whole territory stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and included all or part of what are now 15 States; and, of course, it enabled further westward expansion by later settlers.

It is noteworthy of course that this largest land transaction in our country's history was accomplished without the use of force, which was certainly in stark contrast to similar land transactions of earlier countries and empires. The Louisiana Purchase has been call the greatest land deal in history, as was mentioned, 600 million acres for $15 million or about 4 cents an acre. Not only did the acquisition guarantee our navigation rights along the Mississippi and our ability to ship goods for foreign trade, but it was absolutely central to our rise as a world power.

So it is fitting that we take a little time today to formally recognize the significance these events played in shaping our country and the way it benefited generations of Americans.

The Louisiana Purchase shaped the United States's destiny. Our country will be forever grateful for the extraordinary work of the individuals involved and the noble vision exercised by President Jefferson. Robert Livingston who was a relative, by the way, of my predecessor, Bob Livingston. As he signed the treaty, he perhaps put it best: ``We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole lives . . . from this day the United States take their place among the powers of the first rank . . . the instruments which we have just signed . . . prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures.''

I would like to thank my colleagues from Louisiana, also the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross), the site of the initial surveying in our new territory; the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), home of President Jefferson; the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), Chair of the Committee on Resources, and all of the leadership for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and congratulate Ashley Ruckert. This week Ashley was unanimously selected as the Outstanding Player at the Louisiana High School All Star volleyball match in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She had 11 kills and eight digs to help the East team win the match.

Her volleyball career began at Sacred Heart Academy in New Orleans where she had four outstanding seasons on the Varsity team, all of which the Rosary took home the state title.

Ashley earned All-State, All-District, All-Metro and All-Orleans as a junior. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Louisiana State Championships twice and was a member of the Clarion Herald Elite Volleyball Team. A four-year letter winner and team captain, Ruckert was named Most Valuable Player at the recent State Championship.

Her athletic pursuits will continue at Elon University in North Carolina where she has received an athletic scholarship to play I-A volleyball for the Phoenix.

Ashley's athletic accomplishments are the result of her dedication, commitment and self discipline. Although known in the New Orleans area for her volleyball prowess--she is a very well rounded person. She balances well her extracurricular activities, academics and community service. Ashley is a wonderful example of the best and brightest in Louisiana. Her parents, John and Ellen Ruckert are to be commended.

Again, congratulations Ashley and best of luck in your future pursuits.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to highlight a section of the Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary bill that affects the citizens of LaSalle Parish, Louisiana. The bill contains provisions that separately direct the Office of Federal Detention Trustee and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to meet bed space needs using excess State and private prison capacity, if these facilities meet the agency's standards. In my home State of Louisiana, there is an empty private prison in Jena, that is located near the Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities at Oakdale and Pollock and near the U.S. Marshals Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System, which is commonly known as ``CON-AIR.''

I believe that Federal use of the Jena prison is a wise use of our government's resources. The folks in the LaSalle Parish are hard- working people that are committed to their community. Reopening this empty prison is of utmost importance to me, and I will continue to do everything within my power to see that it occurs.

Mr. speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and accomplishments achieved by Tensas Reunion, Incorporated, located in my home state of Louisiana.

Tensas Reunion, Incorporated, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and implement comprehensive and sustainable programs that improve the quality of life for residents of Tensas Parish and meet the educational needs of the Parish's underserved communities. As we strive to provide our children with brighter futures, organizations like Tensas Reunion are a shining example of how we can improve our educational system through community work.

I would like to commend Tensas Reunion, Incorporated, and I am confident that they will continue their outstanding service that has helped so many children in Louisiana.

Thanks to their tireless dedication Northern Louisiana has grown and continues to grow into stronger community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1472.

Mr. Speaker, today the City of Kenner crowns its celebration of June as Hispanic Heritage Month with the grand opening of its Hispanic Resource Center, the first of its kind in Louisiana. I am honored to recognize this landmark event in my district.

The Hispanic Resource Center will provide valuable services ranging from citizenship courses and homebuyers' training to computer tutorials and classes in English as a Second Language. In addition to offering specific programs that address real needs, the Center will serve as a facilitator to put Hispanic residents in touch with local agencies and organizations that can help with legal advice, health care, and other concerns.

I would like to congratulate Mayor Louis Congemi and the members of the Kenner City Council for their role in creating this important institution. Mayor Congemi is to be commended for his leadership in guiding the development of the Resource Center from initial idea to grand opening.

The Hispanic Resource Center proclaims and symbolizes the vitality of the Hispanic community in Kenner. I am confident that the Center will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many who hope in America's promise and pursue the American dream. I am pleased to extend my best wishes to all of those involved in the work of the Hispanic Resource Center upon this happy occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) for all of their work on this issue; and that work, of course, must continue.

I rise in strong support of this resolution. I was honored and privileged to work on the working group with the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) and so many others.

I think that working group did some very valuable work, laid an important foundation, and in fact suggested and helped make very real and important and fundamental changes in both our rules and some statutes. We are continuing that work I believe today, and in the very near future the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) will put into the hopper another bill aimed at changing statutes to again fine tune some of these issues with regard to presidential succession and related matters. I am happy to coauthor that bill, and that is further progress.

But just as clearly as we have met and gained consensus on some issues and made important progress, big questions remain; and clearly the biggest question which I believe must be tackled more adequately is the possibility of mass deaths among House Members and how our democratic institution of the House, our most democratic institution, would continue to function under that circumstance of national emergency. So that is why I think this resolution and the new joint work between the House and the Senate led by the gentleman from California (Chairman Dreier) and others is so very important.

I also want to join in the concerns that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul) raised. They are very legitimate concerns that I and many other people hold, but clearly there are ways to address those concerns. Clearly, this new group is not headed in any specific direction that the rules addressing those concerns adequately deal with.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work on this issue with others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the underlying bill and to strongly oppose the substitute amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that this substitute amendment is built on two myths. The first is the myth that this specific procedure we are talking about is somehow medically necessary in certain circumstances. It is not.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, ``There are no circumstances under which the procedure would be the only option to save the life of the mother and preserve the health of the woman.''

In 1995, a panel of 12 doctors with the AMA voted unanimously to ban the procedure, calling it ``basically repulsive.''

As one of my colleagues mentioned, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop says that this procedure is ``never medically necessary to protect a mother's life or her future fertility. On the contrary, this procedure can pose a significant threat to both.''

So if we want to follow medical advice, let us do that and admit this procedure is never medically necessary.

The second big myth is that somehow this exception in the substitute amendment will in fact allow a real ban, and it will not. The health exception, you can drive a truck through it. That is clear in 41 states, and it will be no ban whatsoever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Joint Resolution 4 to ban the desecration of the United States flag. Following the horrific events of September 11th, our nation responded with an overwhelming show of patriotism. Across our land Americans proudly flew their flags from their homes, cars and workplaces as a demonstration of their love for the United States, our values, and their support for the war against terrorism.

These actions clearly illustrate that the American people see the flag as a symbol of hope, strength, and freedom. It is the one national symbol that we can all unify behind. In the flag is at one time our history, our aspirations, and our identity. Therefore, we should act today as reaffirmation of what our country stands for.

I would be the first person to stand up in defense of freedom of speech; however, there are some actions that are not free political speech but behaviors gauged to anger. Defacing the United States flag is one of these actions. Those who wish to protest against the actions of our country can do it through our media, hold rallies, give speeches, and march in demonstrations. Those same people can contact elected officials, sign petitions, and express their views in many ways.

To burn the flag not only suggests disgust for our great country, it also shows a lack of respect for the men and women who are currently fighting overseas, and even more so for those who have fought and died to make the United States of America what it is today.

I urge my colleagues to support the Resolution and vote in favor of final passage.