Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce amendments to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. I am pleased to be joined in the co-sponsorship of this measure by both Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) became Public Law 94- 437 in the 94th Congress (September 30, 1976), and was amended by:

P.L. 96-537--December 17, 1980;

P.L. 100-579--October 31, 1988;

P.L. 100-690--November 18, 1988;

P.L. 100-713--November 23, 1988;

P.L. 101-630--November 28, 1990;

P.L. 102-573--October 29, 1992; and

P.L. 104-313--October 19, 1996.

The purpose of the Act is to implement the Federal responsibility for the care and education of the Indian people by improving the services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encouraging the maximum participation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in such programs, and other purposes.

The IHCIA provides for health care delivery to over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Congress enacted a one-year extension to extend the life of the Act through FY 2001 but efforts at further extensions were interrupted due to 9/11/01 events. Appropriations for Indian health have continued through authorization of the Snyder Act, a permanent law authorizing expenditures of funds for a variety of Indian programs, including health. For FY 2003, Congress appropriated $2.9 billion to help provide health care services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHCIA requires Reauthorization this year.

Since 1998, the Indian Health Service (IHS) started the reauthorization process under the IHS's Tribal Consultation Policy by conveying

a Roundtable to begin the discussion of the reauthorization and to give guidance to the consultation process which included all stakeholders, I/T/U (Indian Health Service/Tribes/Urban).

Coordinators from the 12 IHS areas formed workgroups of I/T/U and National Indian Health Board (NIHB) representatives. These meetings were to inform the I/T/U's about the reauthorization process, and provide opportunities to discuss and reach consensus on recommendations for the Act.

Four regional consultation meetings were held to provide further opportunities for I/T/U's to provide input, share recommendations from the 12 IHS Areas, and build consensus among participants for a unified position. The final report entitled ``Speaking with One Voice'' identified areas of consensus and differences.

The IHS Director convened a National Steering Committee (NSC) to be responsible for the final drafting of the report on the IHCIA recommendations. The NSC is composed of one elected and one alternative tribal representative from each of the 12 IHS Areas, a representative from the National Indian Health Board, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and the Self-Governance Advisory Committee. During the course of the 4 meetings, this group's responsibility evolved from compiling a final report of recommendations to the drafting of the actual IHCIA reauthorization bill language.

During the last year and a half, House Resources Committee, Office of Native American and Insular Affairs Committee staff, Cynthia A. Ahwinona, has traveled to ``American Indian and Alaska Natives country'' to observe the work of the NSC of the tribal leaders comprised to propose IHCIA reauthorization revisions to Congress. The draft bill was drafted by dozens of tribal attorneys and had technical, legal citation errors and, in some instances, was drafted very poorly and did not accomplish what was intended by the NSC.

As consensus was arrived, House Resources Committee and several members of the NSC met with House Legislative Counsel, Lisa Daly, Edward Grossman and Pierre Poisson in person and via teleconference to start the redrafting of the bill. Invited participants included both the Republican and Democratic health staff of the House Resources Committee and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, a representative from the National Indian Health Board, representatives of the IHS, and tribal attorneys from the NSC.

I want to personally thank Lisa Daly, Edward Grossman and Pierre Poisson of the House Legislative Counsel, Myra Munson of Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endrieson and Perry, LLP. and Carol Barbero of Hobbs, Straus, Dean and Walker for all their efforts in the drafting of this bill. Thank you all, you have done a wonderful job. Attached is brief summary of each Title of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization of FY 03.

Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization of FY 03

Section 1. Short Title.

Section 2. Findings. Sets forth the national goal of the

U.S. in providing the quantity and quality of health services

to bring the health status of Indians to the highest possible

level.

Section 3. Declaration of Health Objectives. Sets forth 6

Health Status Objectives to be reached by the year 2010.

Section 4. Definitions. States the definitions of terms

used throughout the Act.

title i. indian health manpower

The purpose of this title is to increase, to the maximum

extent feasible, the number of American Indians and Alaska

natives entering the health professions. It also seeks to

assure an adequate supply of health professionals to the

Service, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban

Indian organizations involved in the delivery of health care

to American Indians and Alaska natives. This title covers

recruitment, scholarships, extern programs, continuing

education, community health representatives, loan repayment,

advanced training and research, nursing, tribal cultural and

history, inmed, health training, incentives, residency,

community health aide for Alaska, and a University of South

Dakota pilot project.

title ii. health services

The purpose of this title is to establish programs that

respond to the health needs of American Indians and Alaska

natives. For example, American Indians and Alaska natives

have a disproportionately high rate of diabetes (death rate

for this disease is more than 300% of the rate for the U.S.

population generally), so this title has a specific diabetes

provision. It also includes the Indian Health Care

Improvement Fund through which the Appropriation Acts supply

funds to eliminate health deficiencies and disparities in

resources made available to American Indians and Alaska

Native tribes and communities. This title contains

catastrophic health emergency fund; health promotion and

disease prevention services; diabetes prevention, treatment

and control; hospice feasibility; research; mental health;

managed care feasibility; Arizona, North Dakota, South

Dakota, Trenton and California contract health services

programs; mammography; patient travel; epidemiology; school

health education; Indian youth; psychology; tuberculosis;

environmental and nuclear health hazards and women's health.

title iii. facilities

The purpose of this title relates to the construction of

health facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and health

stations including necessary staff quarters, and of

sanitation facilities for Indian communities and homes. It

also would require the IHS to annually report on Indian

Health Service/Tribes/Urban (ITU's) needs for inpatient,

outpatient and specialized care facilities, including

renovation of existing facilities. It also would require

newly-constructed/renovated facilities, whenever practicable,

to meet the construction standards of any nationally

recognized accrediting bodies. There is also a provision to

waive the Davis-Bacon when a tribe has its own wage law and

performs the construction project instead of IHS.

title iv. access to health services

The purpose of this title is to address payments to the IHS

and tribes for services covered by Social Security Act Health

Care programs, and to enable Indian health programs to access

reimbursements from third party collections. This title

states that any payments received by a hospital or skilled

nursing facility of the IHS for services provided to American

Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for benefits under the

Social Security Act Health Care programs will not be

considered in determining appropriations for health care of

American Indians or Alaska Natives.

Requires the Secretary to enter into agreements with

tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations

to assist them in enrolling qualified Indians in Medicare,

Medicaid and SCHIP (State children's health insurance

program), and to enable tribes to pay premiums for coverage.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with I/T/

U's for receipt/processing of Medicaid/Medicare/SCHIP

applications. Condition continuing approval of State Medicaid

plan on taking steps to provide for Medicaid enrollment on

reservations, and to obtain input from tribes in the State on

matters relating to impact of changes in the State plan on

Indian health programs. If tribe/tribal organizations

performs outreach, the agreement may provide for 100%

reimbursement of costs and assures that 100% FMAP (Federal

Medical Assistance Payment) continues to apply to Medicaid

and SCHIP services provided by tribes/tribal organizations

who directly bill for the services they provide. Ensures that

insurance companies must reimburse I/T/U's for the services

they provide. Ensure that managed care plans must reimburse

I/T/U's for the services they provide.

Authorize IHS and tribal programs to receive reimbursement

for all Medicare Part B services and eliminates ambiguity

about Medicaid coverage. Authorizes Federal/State/tribal

agreements for tribal operation of Indian SCHIP programs;

places a Medicare-like rate ceiling on hospital services

purchased under the IHS's Contract Health Service program;

directs the Secretary of HHS to study the Medicare and

Medicaid payment methodology for Indian health programs and

report to Congress; and directs the Secretary to establish a

National Indian Technical Advisory Group to assist the

Secretary in identifying and addressing issues regarding the

health care programs under the Social Security Act (including

medicare, medicaid and SCHIP) that have implications for

Indian Health Programs or Urban Indian Organizations.

title v. health services for urban indians

The purpose of this title is to establish programs in urban

centers to make health services more accessible to Indians

who live in urban areas rather than on reservations or Alaska

Native villages. The Secretary through the IHS is authorized

to enter into contracts or grants to urban Indian

organizations to help these agencies with establishing and

administering health programs which meet the requirements of

the IHCIA and will require evaluations renewals. Authorizes

the establishment of an Office of Urban Indian Health which

shall be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this

title, providing central oversight of the programs and

services authorized under this title and, providing technical

assistance to Urban Indian Organizations. The bill would also

extend FTCA (Federal Tort Claims Act) coverage to urban

Indian organizations (Federal law already extends FTCA

coverage to tribally-operated health programs).

title vi. organizational improvements

This title addresses the establishment of the IHS as an

agency of the PHS(Public Health Service). It covers the

appointment of the Director of IHS by the President and

confirmed by the Senate. This title also authorizes the

Secretary through the Director of IHS to establish an

automated management information system as well as other

duties as assigned by the Secretary for the IHS. Authorizes

appropriations to carry out this title.

title vii. behavioral health programs

This title is revised from current law (which only

addresses substance abuse programs) in order to focus on

behavioral health. It combines all substance abuse, mental

health and social service programs in one title and

integrates these programs to enhance performance and

efficiency. The title addresses the responsibilities of the

IHS as outlined by the Memorandum of Agreement pursuant to

the section 402 of the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986. The IHS will

determine the scope of the alcohol and substance abuse among

Indian people; they must assess the existing and needed

resources for prevention of alcohol and substance abuse and

the treatment of Indians affected. Finally, IHS must estimate

the funding necessary to adequately support a program of

prevention of alcohol and substance abuse and treatment of

Indians affected. The IHS will also provide a comprehensive

alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment

programs, a rehabilitation and aftercare services, IHS youth

program, and training and community education. In this

section demonstration projects are outlined as well as grants

focusing of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol effect.

It also expands the authorization to establish inpatient

mental health facilities in each Area. Authorizes funding for

development of innovative community-based behavioral health

services. The requirement of matching funds has been

eliminated here. Allows the Fetal Alcohol Disorder programs

to be funded under the ISDEAA (Indian Self-Determination and

Education Assistance Act). Provides for a program to treat

both the victims and the perpetrator of child sexual abuse.

And, has been expanded to allow Indian Tribes and Tribal

Organizations to obtain funding for behavioral health

research.

title vii. miscellaneous

The purpose of this title is to address various topics

including the President's reporting of the progress made in

meeting the objectives of this Act to Congress at the time of

submitting the budget. It also applies the Negotiated

Rulemaking Act to the development of IHCIA regulations. Other

provisions require the Secretary to develop a plan of

implementation to submit to Congress; describe the

eligibility of California Indians for IHS services and sets

out the conditions for the issue of Indian health funding as

an entitlement.

amendments to the social security act

Amendments to the Social Security Act appear at the end of

the bill. These provisions are necessary to reflect a number

of the objectives described above in the Title IV summary.

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

Mr. Chairman, on the occasion of the 100 years of powered flight, I rise in support of H.R. 2115, Flight 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2003.

H.R. 2115 addresses the needs of the national aviation system today and in turn provides for its future. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees and ensures the safe and efficient use of our Nation's air space. The bill before us now supports this important work.

It reauthorizes FAA for 4 years and allows for modest increases in funding levels for fiscal years 2003 through 2007. H.R. 2115 also ensures that the Aviation Trust Fund is used to finance airport capacity and safety projects. It also continues to provide general funds to pay for FAA safety functions that are in the public interest.

Additionally, the bill makes a number of important legislative changes, such as:

Funding the Small Community Air Service Program and the Essential Air Service Program;

Increasing the number of slots at Reagan National Airport;

Streamlining airport project reviews as passed by the House twice last year; and

Prohibiting the privatization of functions performed by air traffic controllers.

It goes without saying that the aviation industry is vital to the U.S. economy. H.R. 2115 provides for its stability and, more importantly, for its continued growth.

I want to thank the full committee ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for working with me to draft H.R. 2115. As a result of this cooperative effort, we have bipartisan legislation that everyone in this House can fully support.

I especially want to thank the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio). H.R. 2115 clearly represents the hard work and the long hours they and their staff put into this effort. I appreciate their dedication in ensuring that the United States continues to have the safest and most efficient aviation system in the world.

For that reason, I join with the full committee ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica); and the ranking member, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), in urging the immediate passage of this bipartisan bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield further, I would say that that is correct. I am well aware of the proposal the gentleman has suggested. Frankly, I support it myself. But as the gentleman knows, we were threatened with a veto if it was amended in the committee, so the gentleman and I had a lot of work to do in conference, and, of course, the administration.

I do think that we have to have the safest air system. I believe, Mr. Chairman, we do have the safest air system in the world. Some of the other countries have changed their systems, but I actually think we are doing a better job. It does not mean we cannot improve upon it, but we are doing a better job.

The way we do a better job is keep the professional people in line and by making sure they are doing the job correctly, as they have been doing, and as the control tower people have done so far. I am well aware of it and I will be working with the gentleman.

As the gentleman knows, this bill will pass today overwhelmingly, I believe, and we will have an opportunity to address this issue as time goes by.

I thank the gentleman. I must say for the record, I don't believe anybody knows the air business better than the gentleman does. The gentleman has been a long time as subcommittee chairman when he was in the majority, and he knows this issue. We appreciate working with the gentleman, because this is a great value to our country, this transportation system we have. I do thank the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my debate time to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman be permitted to control that time.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

I think his amendment has merit, but I am going to talk about just the bill itself for a few moments. I want to thank again the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), especially my good chairman the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) for doing the work on what I think of as a very good bill.

Air travel is coming back, as the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) has mentioned before. It is important that we look at where we were before 9/11 and recognize that those challenges are raising their heads again: the on-time provisions, the utilization of our airstrips, technology which is now available which was not available before, before AIR 21 was there, and I think we can use our airports more effectively.

It is our goal through this legislation and as the authorization for 4 years that we will see the time when we go beyond those numbers that we had prior to 9/11. But nothing happens in this body without the cooperation from one another. I think this is an example of how committees should work together in a bipartisan effort to achieve what is best for the Nation as a whole.

This bill does that and I want to compliment again both sides, and I am very, very confident this bill will pass overwhelmingly, and I thank everybody that has been involved.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1527, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003. The NTSB is a small, but extremely, important part of the Federal Government. Its dedicated staff investigates a broad range of transportation accidents each year.

The bill before us now supports this important work by authorizing increased funding levels for the NTSB for fiscal years 2003 through 2006.

The bill also requires the NTSB to notify aircraft operators of their right to appeal a board employee's decision that an event constituted an ``accident,'' whether an event is classified as an incident or an accident can have serious implications for an airline's license to fly and the insurance premiums the operator will pay. This problem was first brought to my attention by Coyote Air, a small airline in Alaska.

In addition, the bill addresses the problem of delays in implementing important NTSB recommendations. While the NTSB has a good track record of working with agencies to ensure that its recommendations are implemented, some important NTSB recommendations remain open for years.

For example, the NTSB's recommendations to improve runway safety have been on the NTSB's Most Wanted list of safety improvements since the year 1990. Also on the Most Wanted list is the board's recommendation to reduce fuel tank flammability. This recommendation was issued in December of 1996 after the crash of TWA Flight 800. Over 5 years later, this recommendation is still open.

While we cannot expect instant results on complicated issues such as these, neither can we afford to wait 5, 10 years or more to address important aviation safety problems.

To address this problem, H.R. 1527 requires that the Secretary of Transportation submit an annual report to Congress and the NTSB on the status of each recommendation that is included in the NTSB's Most Wanted list of safety improvements.

The Most Wanted list represents the board's best judgment regarding which of these recommendations should be expedited. H.R. 1527 will bring needed attention to these recommendations.

Finally, the bill authorizes the NTSB's family assistance responsibilities to be transferred to another Federal agency under certain circumstances. Under the bill, this transfer would occur when the accident investigation is transferred because it is determined the crash was caused by a criminal act.

I join with the full committee ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); the Subcommittee on Aviation chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica); and the ranking member of that subcommittee, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), with whom I introduced H.R. 1527, in urging the immediate passage of this bill.

I commend the NTSB for its tireless efforts to improve transportation safety; and I do urge the passage of this bipartisan bill, with the least amendments necessary.

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

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, be allowed to manage the remaining time on this side.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 517, introduced by Mrs. Miller of Michigan, would direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, upon its scheduled decommissioning, to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History located in Port Huron, Michigan for use for education and historical display.

As amended, H.R. 517 would also direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey the Coast Guard Cutter Planetree, decommissioned on March 19, 1999, to Jewish Life, a nonprofit corporation that promotes the understanding of Jewish history and culture. The vessel will serve as a symbolic ship honoring the original 66 Exodus ships, their crewmembers, and the 77,000 Holocaust survivors they brought to Israel.

Before the vessels are conveyed, the recipients of the vessels must agree to (1) use the designated vessel for education and historical display; (2) not use the vessel for commercial transportation; (3) make the vessel available in time of war or national emergency; and (4) hold the government harmless for any claims arising from exposure to hazardous materials. The recipients must also show their financial viability.

I urge the House to pass this legislation. Returning these decommissioned Coast Guard cutters to missions of public service benefits the public by providing important education and outreach activities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 281, designating the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, located at 200 West 2nd Street, in Dayton, OH, the ``Tony Hall Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''

Born and raised in Dayton, OH, Congressman Hall attended the public schools of Dayton, graduating from Fairmont High School in 1960. He went on to attend Denison University in Granville, OH.

While most Members know that Congressman Hall earned success in the classroom, what many don't know is that he also earned high honors for his work on the gridiron, being named a Little All American as a running back at Denison University.

After graduation, he served in the Peace Corps in Thailand, upon his return he served in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the State Senate before being elected to honorably serve for 12 terms in this body.

While in this body, and as the founder and chairman of the Congressional Hunger Caucus, Congressman Hall aggressively fought to ensure that no person, anywhere, went hungry.

In 2002, Tony Hall accepted a Presidential appointment to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Programs, a post from which he can continue this important work. I join my colleagues in wishing Tony Hall the best of luck in his new position.

I support the legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my full support for House Concurrent Resolution 128, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 2003 DC Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

This event occurs in over 35 countries, but was founded by the Chief of Police in Wichita, Kansas, who saw a unique opportunity to raise funds and increase awareness about the Special Olympics. The event was then adopted by the International Association of Police Chiefs.

This is the 18th year the event has been held on the Capitol Grounds, and each year it is the largest single grass-roots fundraising event for the Special Olympics.

Every two years, law enforcement officers representing their State or Nation's Torch Run program comprise a final leg team which carries the ``Flame of Hope'' into the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games.

I am proud to support this resolution, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my full support for House Concurrent Resolution 96, authorizing the use of the Capital Grounds for the 22nd Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

My own State of Alaska lost a peace officer during 2002 who will be remembered at this ceremony.

On November 19, 2002, while transporting prisoners to Spring Creek Correctional Center, Correctional Officer James Hesterberg was killed when the vehicle he was driving was struck head-on by a tractor trailer on the Seward Highway about 20 miles north of Seward, Alaska. A correctional officer for 19 years, he is survived by his wife and three children.

This service, honoring the 152 men and women who lost their lives while protecting our Nation, is a part of police week, which features events including a ``Blue Mass'' at St. Patrick's Catholic Church; Law Ride Motorcycle Procession; and a candlelight vigil, which will be held at 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday May 13.

I encourage my colleagues to support these important events, which honor not only the men and women who gave their lives while protecting our country, but the thousands of others that continue to do so.

I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to give it their full support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 866, ``The Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2003.'' Our nation's wastewater infrastructure consists of: 16,000 publicly owned wastewater treatment plants, 100,000 major pumping stations, 600,000 miles of sanitary sewers, and 200,000 miles of storm sewers. Taken together, our wastewater infrastructure has a total value of more than $2 trillion.

Significant damage to our nation's wastewater facilities could result in loss of life, catastrophic environmental damage, contamination of drinking water supplies, long term public health impacts, destruction of fish and shellfish production, and disruption to commerce, the economy, and our nation's way of life.

We need to protect our investment in our wastewater infrastructure and be sure it is not used to harm our people, property, or the environment.

H.R. 866 is aimed at filling a remaining major security gap involving our nation's critical infrastructure:

H.R. 866 provides for assistance to wastewater utilities by authorizing critical resources they need to conduct vulnerability assessments and implement security enhancements at their facilities.

H.R. 866 also provides for technical assistance directed to small communities on enhancing security at their wastewater plants.

For these reasons, I urge all members to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this well crafted bipartisan bill. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure produced the current aviation law, and subsequent updates, that protects survivors and families of accident victims against ill-treatment after major airline accidents. Today, we are considering a closely parallel measure that would offer the same protections in the wake of any major railroad passenger train accident.

The successful record of the Aviation Family Assistance Law since its enactment in 1996, and the strong track record of the National Transportation Safety Board in administering that law, make me highly confident that this bill, once enacted, will be just as successful.

Fortunately, there have been only a handful of rail passenger accidents involving fatalities in the last several years. Just as with aviation, we hope there are none. But it is only prudent to have in place common sense procedures that can be put into play by the NTSB and the other organizations with which it works, if a major accident happens.

This measure is a completely bipartisan product. With the exception of some technical updates, it is essentially the same legislation that the House has overwhelmingly approved in two previous Congress'. This time, we hope the other body will act, which it has failed to do in the past. But we need to get the process moving now, to get these much needed procedures in place.

I strongly urge approval of this well crafted bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the more than 1200 students from across the United States that traveled to Washington, D.C. this past weekend to compete in the national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program. Administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, We the People is the most extensive educational program in the country developed specifically to educate young people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I am proud to announce that students from West Anchorage High School in Anchorage represented the state of Alaska 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. For the first time in the competition's history, a team from Alaska participated in the events' final round and finished the competition in 4th Place.

The three-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.

Independent studies by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) revealed that students enrolled in the We the People program at upper elementary, middle, and high school levels ``significantly outperformed comparison students on every topic of the tests taken.'' Another study by Richard Brody at Stanford University discovered that students involved in the We the People program develop greater commitment to democratic principles and values than do students using traditional textbooks and approaches.

I am proud to have the class from West Anchorage High School represent my home state of Alaska and I applaud their historic 4th Place finish. 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 in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. The gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) is a great committee chairman.

One thing that bothers me the most, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) has never been to ANWR, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) has never been to ANWR, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) has never been to ANWR. They do not know what they are talking about, period. They are literally taking scripted messages from certain interest groups, that is all they are doing, and mimicking their words.

My people, my people the Kaktovik, they want this drilling. The Eskimos that live there want this drilling. They have seen what has happened in Prudhoe Bay, which has in fact increased the population of the caribou, increased the game population overall.

We can do this safely. To have people sit on this floor, because it is supposed to be the hall of the people, the Representatives of the people, to speak about something they know nothing about is, frankly, very disturbing to me.

I am one of these few people who understand one thing: this is a form of representative government. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) did not go. He had an opportunity to go up and listen to the people, my people, many people who were guaranteed 92,000 acres by this body, and they had it for their social and economic well-being; and you are telling them they cannot in fact drill on their own land. Shame on you.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 135 I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote by one minute. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Announcement by the Chairman Pro Tempore

Madam Speaker, I would like to enter the following letter into the Record.

March 24, 2003.

Hon. Richard W. Pombo,

Chairman, Committee on Resources, Longworth House Office

Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Pombo: Thank you for your letter with regard

to H.R. 961, the Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act

which provides for sediment and nutrient monitoring of the

watershed.

I recognize your desire to bring this bill before the House

in an expeditious manner and will not exercise my Committee's

right to a sequential referral of the legislation. By

agreeing to waive its consideration of the bill, however, the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure does not waive

its jurisdiction over H.R. 961. In addition, the

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reserves its

authority to seek conferees on provisions of the bill that

are within its jurisdiction during any House-Senate

conference that may be convened on this legislation. I thank

you for your commitment in advance to support any request by

the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for conferees

on H.R. 961.

Your cooperation in this matter is very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Don Young,

Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 95, the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year of 2004. First, I would like to thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) for his willingness to work in partnership with me to ensure that this budget resolution lays the groundwork for a successful reauthorization of highway and transit programs. I am pleased that this resolution includes a contingency procedure for surface transportation, which will provide the flexibility we need to reauthorize our highway and transit programs. Under this contingency procedure, spending from the Highway Trust Fund for highway and transit programs will be increased above baseline levels to the extent that Highway Trust Fund receipts are increased. For every dollar increase in Highway Trust Fund receipts, a dollar increase in budget authority for highway and transit programs will be permitted. This contingency procedure is a necessary first step in our efforts to meet the infrastructure investment needs of our Nation's highways, bridges, and transit systems.

I have three concerns with the resolution I hope can be worked out in conference. First, the baseline level assumed in the resolution for the trust fund share of transit programs is frozen at the fiscal year 2003- enacted level. The reason that has been given for this assumption is uncertainty over the solvency of the transit account of the Highway Trust Fund. I want to assure the chairman that my committee intends to restructure transit programs such that the solvency of the transit account will be ensured. This restructuring, which is also proposed in the President's budget, will allow the transit account of the Highway Trust Fund to support increased spending levels.

Second, I am concerned that the resolution allocates just $3.378 billion each year for the airport improvement program. This is below the President's request and significantly below what

will be needed to meet our airport capital needs when we reauthorize aviation programs later this year.

Finally, I believe the reconciliation instructions for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are based on unrealistic assumptions. Most of the mandatory spending under my committee's jurisdiction results from Coast Guard and railroad industry retirement programs. I do not agree with the assumption in the resolution that these programs can be cut.

I hope to continue working cooperatively with the chairman on these concerns as the resolution goes to conference with the Senate. I would like to ask the chairman of the Committee on the Budget if he will continue to work with me to address these concerns.

Mr. Chairman, again I thank the chairman for his work and working with me and trying to work through these important issues. I do believe we need a budget, and he has a tremendous task in front of him. He has done all he could for my area of transportation, and I urge support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I am again introducing a bill to expand the Alaska Native contracting of Federal land management functions and activities and to promote hiring of Alaska Natives by the Federal government within the State of Alaska.

Many rural Alaska native communities are located within close proximity of refuges that play an important role in the culture of Alaska natives and other residents in rural Alaska. Congress, through Sections 1307 and 1308 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 directed the Secretary of the Interior to establish programs whereby Native lands were given preference for siting of conservation service unit facilities and for native hiring. These provisions also recognized that the Natives whose front and back yards were now part of the federal parks and preserves systems should be involved in the administering of the lands because of their special knowledge and expertise concerning the natural or cultural resources of such areas.

P.L. 106-488 authorized two pilot projects in the Bering Straits and NANA Region in northwest Alaska. These include the following preserves: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve; Cape Krusentern National Monument; Kobuk Valley National Park; and Noatak National Preserve. Neither of these projects have been implemented.

Twenty-three years have passed since the 1980 ANILCA amendments were enacted, and the contracting and native hire provisions remain unfulfilled by the Department of the Interior. My bill would remedy this by directing the Department of the Interior to implement sections 1307 and 1308 of the 1980 ANILCA amendments and enter into demonstration projects.