Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this Member voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), P.L. 104-199, which defines marriage as ``a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife'' and a spouse as ``a person of the opposite sex that is a husband or a wife.'' It allows each state to determine if it will recognize the same sex marriages sanctioned by other states. Also, it is this Member's view that the legal approval of same-sex marriages is not in the public interest--as contrasted with legislation authorizing civil unions between two people of the same sex. In short, that means this Member opposes same-sex marriages and believes that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision was both ill-advised and harmful.

However, I believe that attempting to strip the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court to possibly consider this issue is a rather extraordinary step that is an unfortunate and even dangerous precedent for future attempts to justify stripping the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court on other controversial societal issues. Therefore, this Member voted ``no'' on H.R. 3313. The rights of the minority must be protected from inappropriate use of power by a majority, and the Supreme Court sometimes is the final protector of the minority; stripping the court of jurisdiction gradually by legislative action will disturb the necessary checks and balances established in the U.S. Constitution.

This Member makes this statement fully acknowledging that judicial activists in both the Federal Government and state governments sometimes badly abuse their position as was the case with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in support of H. Res. 652, which calls on the government of Belarus to ensure that Parliamentary elections which will take place in Belarus in October of this year are democratic, transparent and fair.

Thirteen years after the fall of communism, Belarus remains one of the few nations in Europe where the transition to democracy has not taken sufficient root.

The current political leadership continues to rule in an authoritarian manner and its government continues to crack down on those individuals and organizations who are trying to help build support for democracy and democratic institutions.

Unlike the situation in Ukraine, the government in Belarus has thus far not given any clear indication that it is committed to free and fair elections. However, in a recent meeting with the Ambassador from Belarus, this Member was led to believe that the government's position on the elections could be positive. The Ambassador gave assurances that the government would enforce the election codes and would allow all political parties to have representatives on the electoral commissions which oversee the implementation of the elections. He also indicated that Belarus would cooperate with the OSCE and would allow international observers.

At a hearing the Europe Subcommittee held in March on Belarus, this Member mentioned that Speaker Dennis Hastert and this Member met with the leaders of the Belarus opposition, collectively known as the Coalition Five-Plus, to discuss the elections and their vision for a democratic future for Belarus. This group of political parties has united in a common platform in an attempt to bring democracy and respectability back to the Belarus Parliament. Unfortunately, members of the opposition political parties and participants in political demonstrations continue to be subjected to increased harassment, surveillance by government agents, arrests, and physical abuse.

For these reasons, it is important that the United States Government, including this Congress, continue to emphatically express our strong support for free, fair and transparent elections and more definitive progress toward establishing a functioning democracy in Belarus.

In Europe, the situation in Belarus understandably seems to be of equal concern. The OSCE, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have all expressed deep concerns over Belarus and its forthcoming elections. In fact, this Member is informed that the Chair of the Belarus Working Group of the OSCE PA recently visited Minsk for additional discussions on the elections.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 652 emphasizes that if Belarus is ever to become more integrated into the community of democratic nations, it must work toward the establishment of a genuinely democratic political system in which the freedom of association and assembly are guaranteed. It also must be a fact that political candidates from the opposition will be free from political harassment and intimidation as they campaign for office and in which the media is free to act independently, free from government control or intimidation. Finally there must be a system in which elections and the electoral process are open, transparent and fair if Belarus wishes to be included in the community of democratic nations.

The parliamentary elections this fall will be a litmus test for President Lukashenko's commitment to democracy and the direction he intends to take Belarus in the future.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 652 rather precisely explains the concerns and recommendations of the United States House of Representatives.

I urge the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

There are a number of economic reasons why this FTA is very much in the national interest of the United States, but I want to focus a few comments on the diplomatic or foreign policy reasons. The FTA with Morocco is in our Nation's interest because it will begin to implement the President's vision for a U.S.-Middle East free trade area. I also believe it is important to support the economic reform that is going on in Morocco, a nation where Islam has deep roots and which occupies a leadership position in the Arab world.

As mentioned frequently here, American friendship in Morocco extends back to the beginning of our Republic. We have the longest-standing friendship treaty with that country of any in the world. The enactment of the FTA legislation with Morocco is a vitally important part of the process of boosting economic reform inside the Kingdom of Morocco. In addition, this FTA helps further link the Middle East into the global economic system and spur economic growth and investment. These closer commercial links with our key allies such as Morocco are critically important to the region of the world. And hear this: this legislation makes it less likely, less likely that jobs and businesses will move to Morocco, not more likely.

It is also vital to point out that Morocco has recently undertaken a diplomatic offensive designed to improve its relations with its neighbors to settle a 3-decade-old Saharan conflict. It is also stepping up its antiterrorism cooperation with the U.S. and with Algeria. And recently, it was designated as a major non-NATO ally. That should enable it to get the requisite assistance and cooperation to strengthen our regional and bilateral relationship.

Mr. Speaker, for economic or export reasons, there are three primary reasons why this is a good step for us. This FTA is in the best agriculture interest of the United States. Number two, the FTA will give us market access for businesses. And, three, it meets the labor and environmental standards set out in the Trade Promotion Act.

In the area of agriculture, it means, for example, that we are going to have an estimated triple increase in our exports to Morocco. In the area of industrial products, it is suggested that our greater market access will be very important. More than 95 percent of the bilateral trade industrial products will become duty-free immediately upon entry into force of this agreement. And in the third area, as I mentioned, it does meet the labor and environmental standards.

Moreover, Morocco recently passed a comprehensive new labor law that meets international labor organizational core labor standards, including right of workers to strike.

In conclusion, this is a very good step for the United States. It is very good for our bilateral relations, and I would say finally that the Mediterranean Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I happen to be the president, recently visited Morocco, and as a result of that visit, by unanimous action in the standing committee, we decided to upgrade Morocco from observer status to an associate member status because of the significant progress they are making in democracy in their parliament.

For all of these reasons, I urge strong support of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today in support of the conference agreement on H.R. 4613, the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for FY2005. This Member would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), Chairman of the Subcommittee and the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for their fine work on this important measure.

This Member is very pleased that several projects important to Nebraska and our nation are included in the conference report. First, the final agreement includes $3.5 million for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) for the Fibrinogen Bandages for Battlefield Wounds Project. This is a very innovative research and development initiative which shows great promise.

These funds will be used for biomedical tissue engineering research to develop inexpensive, safe and effective fibrinogen for use in bandages, foam and other medical devices. This source of fibrinogen, developed from recombinant proteins instead of human plasma, will remove the major obstacle to the development of an affordable fibrinogen bandage. This research will build on the Department of Defense's (DoD) $20 million investment to produce fibrinogen from transgenic animals rather than human plasma and will create a safer, less expensive and abundant supply for bandages and medical devices. A cost-effective abundant fibrinogen supply will enable development of state-of-the-art bandages and medical devices, saving the lives of wounded soldiers and other trauma victims.

Second, this Member is pleased that $2.5 million is included for another UNL research initiative on Advanced Materials for Mine Detection and Blast Mitigation. These funds will be used to support research on advanced materials for mine detection and blast mitigation that will help protect U.S. soldiers in all environments. This research, which focuses on remote mine detection and the development of materials for advanced composite armor and lightweight body armor and hardened structures, contributes to programs currently underway or envisioned at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Using nanotechnology research will improve remote mine detection, biological threat detection, and body armor. This effort will increase protection and save lives of our soldiers fighting the war on terrorism. UNL researchers have recently produced some of the most advanced nanofibers in the world, opening the possibility for the development of materials with entirely new characteristics. The University will work closely with the scientific staff at the Army Research Laboratory as they proceed with this research.

Third, this Member is encouraged that $3 million was added for the Satellite Communications for Learning Act (SCOLA)/Defense Language Institute (DLI) Foreign Language Center. Furthermore, this Member very pleased by the successful establishment of a congressionally mandated research and development line within the Army's R&D aggregation. This change is critical for language skills development, maintenance and language learning throughout the DoD.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, this Member urges his colleagues to support

Mr. Chairman, this Member certainly is pleased that H.R. 4837 provides appropriations for a very important project in Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. The bill includes $614,000 for a national guard and reserve center headquarters building at Lincoln Airbase, Nebraska. This is the second year that this Member has requested this funding for this necessary project. This Member would like to thank the distinguished Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction (Mr. Knollenberg) and the distinguished Ranking Member (Mr. Edwards) for their assistance in this important matter.

These funds will be used to complete the design process associated with the construction of a new headquarters and emergency operating center for the Nebraska Army National Guard. This existing headquarters facility must be relocated due to the new Antelope Valley highway/flood control infrastructure project in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska.

While this project was included in the Department of Defense's (DoD) FY2009 future Year Defense Plan (FYDP), it needs to be accelerated due to the unanticipatedly expeditious progress on the Antelope Valley Freeway and Flood Control project, which will very soon necessitate the abandonment of the current headquarters. It appears that the National Guard Bureau agrees, since initial design funding was allocated last year from existing funds, even though it was not authorized or appropriated.

The new facility will house the Joint Forces Headquarters, the Army National Guard Emergency Operating Center, the 24th Medical Company, the 105th Personnel Service Detachment, the Nebraska State Patrol dispatch and communications systems and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Building a multipurpose facility on an existing military installation increases security for all of the components. Furthermore, housing several Federal, State and local agencies in one facility allows the Department of Defense to save scarce military construction funds. Also, bringing those various components within close proximity will facilitate better coordination among the agencies on issues of national and homeland security. Indeed, it is critically important to enhance these relationships in the current post-September 11th environment. This appropriation will allow this important project to move forward.

In addition, this Member is pleased that $497,000 in design funds is appropriated in H.R. 4837 for a critically important runway repair at Offutt Air Force Base, which is immediately contiguous to the 1st Congressional District of Nebraska. This repair project has been championed by the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), who represents Offutt, with this Member, and the two U.S. Senators from Nebraska.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, this Member urges his colleagues to support

Mr. Speaker, this Member congratulates Valmont Industries as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of center pivot irrigation.

The introduction of center pivot irrigation in 1954 proved to be a crucial development in agricultural production across the U.S. and around the world. Although these irrigation systems are now a common sight on farms throughout the globe, it is important to remember the vision and determination that led to this innovation half a century ago.

The wide use of center pivot irrigation systems has resulted in increased agricultural yields and greater water conservation. The growing emphasis on water quality and quantity issues have resulted in even greater demand for center pivot irrigation systems, which can now be found throughout the U.S. as well as Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, China, Australia and elsewhere. Valmont can certainly take great pride in the role it has played in facilitating crop production in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Although now a worldwide operation, Valmont's Nebraska roots remain firmly in place. Valmont Industries, which is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and has its primary manufacturing facility in Valley, Nebraska, now operates 34 facilities located in 14 countries. The company's name is a combination of the two Nebraska communities on either side of the first Valmont plant--Valley and Fremont. Valmont has more 5,200 employees worldwide, with about 1,500 located in Nebraska. This Member is pleased to note that Valmont operates two plants in his congressional district--one in West Point and another in Waverly.

The success of Valmont has truly been a company-wide team effort. However, this Member would like to specifically commend and congratulate Mogens Bay, Valmont's Chairman and CEO; Terry McClain, Senior Vice President and CFO; Bob Meaney, Senior Vice President; and Tom Spears, President of the Irrigation Division. Certainly, this Member would also like to extend his thanks and congratulations to Bob Daugherty, Valmont's founder.

Mr. Speaker, this Member unavoidably was off the Hill and missed the final series of votes on H.R. 4766, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2005. If this Member had been present, he would have voted as follows:

Rollcall No. 366, the Baca amendment--``no''; rollcall No. 367, the Tancredo amendment--``aye''; rollcall No. 368, the Chabot amendment-- ``no''; rollcall No. 369, the Kaptur amendment--``yes''; and rollcall No. 370, final passage on H.R. 4766--``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today to express his support for the United States-Australia Free Trade Implementation Act (H.R. 4759). This Member would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives (Mr. DeLay) for introducing this legislation. Additional appreciation is expressed to both the distinguished gentleman from California, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (Mr. Thomas) and the distinguished gentleman from California, the Chairman of the House Rules Committee (Mr. Dreier) for their successful efforts in helping move this legislation to the House Floor.

This Member is very supportive of this free trade agreement, FTA, with Australia. To illustrate the importance of trade with Australia, this Member believes it is necessary to cite relevant statistics. Trade between the U.S. and Australia was over $28 billion in 2003. The U.S. currently enjoys a trade surplus in goods and services with Australia of $9 billion, which is the second largest with any U.S. trading partner. Moreover, in 2003, Australia ranked 14th among all foreign markets for U.S. If this FTA is enacted into law, our level of trade with Australia will significantly increase.

This legislation is very important to Nebraska since our state's economy is very export dependent. For instance, Australia is the eighth largest market for Nebraska exports, with a total of over $62 million in 2003. Specifically, Nebraska exports to Australia include combine harvesters, agricultural spraying equipment, agricultural motor vehicles and motor boats. This legislation is critical to help remove existing trade barriers to exports of Nebraska goods and services to Australia. If this FTA would have been in place in 2003, nearly 95 percent of Nebraska's exports would have been able to come into Australia duty free.

This Member is supportive of this FTA with Australia for the following three reasons, among others: 1. this FTA will create jobs in

the U.S.; 2. this FTA will give greater market access for U.S. businesses and farmers; and 3. Through the twentieth century and in this one, Australia has been a consistent and highly valued and dependable ally of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, in advancing the support of this Member for this FTA with Australia it should be noted that this FTA will create jobs in the U.S. It is estimated that currently 270,000 jobs are either directly or indirectly supported by U.S. trade with Australia. This number will increase significantly if this FTA is enacted into law. Specifically, the following industries nationwide will particularly benefit because of the FTA with Australia: aircraft and parts; telecommunications equipment, computers, and machine engines.

With respect to Nebraska, it is estimated that exports to Australia already support approximately 300 jobs in Nebraska. It is important to note also that Australian-owned companies in Nebraska employ approximately 500 people. If this FTA is enacted into law, it is expected that trade with Australia will continue to support high-paying jobs in Nebraska in areas such as transportation, finance and advertising.

Second, this FTA will give greater market access to Australian markets for U.S. businesses and farmers. To illustrate this point, it should be noted that almost 99 percent of U.S. manufactured exports to Australia immediately become duty free, which is estimated to result in an annual $2 billion increase in U.S. goods exports to Australia. Under this FTA, all Australian agricultural tariffs are to be eliminated immediately, which is to result in a projected $400 million benefit to U.S. farmers. Currently, Australia maintains tariffs as high as 30 percent on certain dairy products and has tariffs of 4 to 5 percent on fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, processed foods, grains, oilseeds and other products. This FTA also contains important safeguard measures to protect against surges on Australian beef imports into the

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I wanted to comment briefly at least on the previous amendment offered by the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). I was unaware it was up at this time. I am very grateful to the chairman, Mr. Hyde, to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), and to the ranking minority member, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur). I happened to see the gentlewoman from Missouri commenting with my name, and that is the only reason that I noticed what was being considered on the floor.

In any case, I thank them and apparently other Members, for their kind comments. Mr. Chairman, just a word of history because it involves the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). I was on a four-member CODEL to El Salvador and Guatemala with the former distinguished Member from California Mr. Lagormarsino, the gentleman from New York, the late Jerry Solomon, and the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).

War-torn El Salvador at the time was in the middle of a land reform program. Unfortunately; it was not working, and one element that was a part of the program was called the ``Land For the Tiller Program.'' I came back convinced that if I could take 40 farmers from my district in to the area during the middle of the winter for about 6 weeks and they could turn around some of those efforts and make them successful, because there was for example, very little knowledge of poultry or swine husbandry.

To my surprise, the Farmer-to-Farmer program had been authorized some years earlier, but never funded. So with a long effort, working with Peter McPherson, the former administrator of USAID, I convinced them, finally, that they did not have to pay volunteers, and the program could be started. So with a relatively small amount of money, initially just one-tenth of 1 percent of the CCC program, those volunteers' transportation was paid; they had a sponsoring organization in the foreign country that either made it successful or less than successful, depending on the local effort.

Mr. Chairman, I was recently over at USAID about a month ago, and they have just sent their 10,000th volunteer on the Farmer-to-Farmer program. These are active or retired farmers--and I am also including the farm wife, because in many cases she is the person that goes overseas. These volunteers also are people who are at our land grant institutions as professors or retired professors. They have worked now on every continent.

Then, when the Soviet Union disintegrated, the Reagan administration sent a Cabinet team to Russia, to see if assistance could be offered to Russia and the other CIS countries. They discovered the Farmer-to- Farmer program, and it was accelerated dramatically.

So we have had many Americans who have now gone on volunteer missions in four different continents. They have come through my office from time to time, and for them, in many cases, they told me it was the best experience of their lifetime. America is a wealthy country, but the area where we have our greatest riches probably is in talented people who are willing to volunteer their time.

So I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his amendment and trace the reason for it back to our visit there. It was also the time when I first became interested in something called FINCA, which was a microenterprise experiment in the Andean countries. And I later brought them to the Hill so the other Members could be exposed to it.

But many people, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and also Members of the Committee on Appropriations also know about the microenterprise program; and they have been very good to it. Mr. Chairman, the Farmer-to-Farmer is a program that I think will be quite successful in the years to come because it relies on American volunteerism.

Mr. Speaker, this Member commends to his colleagues the following article from the June 13, 2004, Omaha World-Herald. The article highlights the activities related to Nebraska City, Nebraska's 150th birthday celebration as well as the community's role in the commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. July will certainly be a special month for this historic and energetic city.

This Member looks forward to participating in the grand opening of the Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitors Center.

[From the Sunday World-Herald, June 13, 2004]

Nebraska City to Revel in History

The town will mark its 150th birthday and the Lewis and Clark

bicentennial in July

(By Paul Hammel)

Nebraska City will be ``celebration central'' this July.

The Missouri River town not only is planning a 150th

birthday celebration for itself but also has several events

scheduled in conjunction with the bicentennial of the Lewis

and Clark expedition.

``We're going to be very tired when its over'' said Jessica

Jones, tourism director for Nebraska City.

The sesquicentennial celebration, scheduled July 9 through

11, will include a vintage parade, a style show of pioneer

petticoats and a re-enactment of staking out the town on July

10, 1854.

A traveling tent show for the Lewis and Clark bicentennial

will visit Nebraska City from July 16 through 19.

The town's annual ``Bagel Days'' celebration--in

conjunction, with a local bagel plant--is scheduled July 17

through 18, as is the Table Creek Art Festival.

Then, on July 23 through 25, the St. Charles Keelboat

Expedition--a re-creation of Lewis and Clark's trek upriver--

will dock in town and present programs.

The month of events closes July 30 with the grand opening

of the city's new Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark

Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center on a bluff overlooking

the river.

``We hope to attract some people who have never been to

Nebraska City before,'' Jones said.

Sesquicentennial events include a celebration of the 135th

anniversary of the founding of the Nebraska City public

schools, demonstrations of pioneer crafts, and special

cancellation of mail.

On July 9, a dance featuring the band Average Joe is

scheduled at the Eagles Club.

A ``vintage'' parade is scheduled at 10 a.m. July 10,

ending at Nuckolls Park, where there will be a re-enactment

of the driving of the stakes declaring the boundaries of

Nebraska City.

On July 10 and 11, the Mayhew Cabin will host a unique

style show, ``Petticoats for a Prairie Wedding,'' featuring a

pioneer lingerie and a double wedding involving Civil War

bridegrooms.

For more information, contact the Nebraska City Chamber of

Commerce at (402) 873-3000, or visit www.nebraskacity.com.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the fact you are attempting to close general debate here. I did want to come over and compliment you and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) on the excellent legislation here. I particularly appreciate the kind of support we Nebraskans have received from the subcommittee in the past in dealing with the very real methamphetamine problem, we have, but secondly, I also wanted to compliment the subcommittee on providing funding above the administration's request for the Judiciary.

I know the Nebraska Federal District Court was concerned that the so- called ``hard freeze'' initially proposed would cause layoffs and furloughs, and the Federal court has already taken a big hit in Nebraska with the loss of a temporary judgeship in May of 2004, when one of the judges took senior status.

So it is my opportunity today not only to compliment you but to send a message to the two authorizing judiciary committees that this judgeship and the failure to fill it is creating real hardships for the people of Nebraska, for the judges, for the law enforcement personnel and, I think, for justice. There is a saying that ``justice delayed is justice denied,'' and I am afraid that is just about to be the case in Nebraska.

So you have done your job as an Appropriations subcommittee, and I thank you for the things that I have mentioned and for the other things that relate to the State, Commerce, and Justice departments.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, this Member rises to express his support for H.R. 4754, a bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary for FY2005. In particular, this Member would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), chairman of the Subcommittee and the distinguished gentlemen from New York (Mr. Serrano) for their hard work under difficult budget circumstances.

As a member of the House Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, this Member strongly supports the inclusion of $60 million for methamphetamine enforcement and clean-up, otherwise known as the ``hot spots'' program. These funds are critical in State and local efforts to combat the scourge of methamphetamine that is sweeping across our country.

This Member also appreciates the subcommittee's commitment to Nebraska's efforts to fight a growing plague in Nebraska--the manufacture, trafficking, and abuse of methamphetamine. The Nebraska State Patrol will continue the work began with the $1.8 million appropriated over the past 2 years, with an emphasis on funding for the cleanup of clandestine labs. Federal dollars are critical to the success of Nebraska's anti-meth efforts.

Of additional concern is the strong link between methamphetamine abuse and crime. Methamphetamine manufacture, use and trafficking has completely changed the face of crime in Nebraska--especially nonmetropolitan Nebraska. Crime resulting from methamphetamine abuse is soaring, which places great demands on law enforcement. Certainly, methamphetamine use and related crime is the top law enforcement problem in Nebraska. In fact, a study entitled, ``The Rebirth of Rehabilitation: Promises and Perils of Drug Courts, 2000,'' noted that ``an individual who has a severe addiction, to methamphetamine, commits nearly 63 crimes a year.''

In closing, Mr. Chairman, this Member urges his colleagues to support

Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today to express his support for S. 2238, a bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This legislation, the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 15, 2004. The Senate bill will extend the authorization of the NFIP through September 30, 2008, and create a temporary pilot program to address severe repetitive loss properties. The authorization of the NFIP is set to expire on June 30, 2004. This legislation, S. 2238, represents a continuation of this Member's past efforts to reform the

Mr. Chairman, this Member wishes to express his support for the Roybal-Allard Amendment to prevent the A-76 privatization attempt of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Department of Homeland Security mission statement reads as follows: ``We will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.''

The outsourcing of the positions of Immigration Information Officers (IIO), Contact Representatives (CR), and Investigative Assistants (IA) is harmful to the DHS mission because these jobs and their functions are inherently governmental and vital to national security. Any job that requires the officer's knowledge and application of U.S. immigration laws and regulations is inherently governmental and crucial in determining who is eligible for immigration benefits, as well as identifying potential terrorists and national security threats. Therefore, these jobs should not be offered to contract providers outside of the Federal Government.

One of my constituents recently wrote to this Member, voicing his opposition to the outsourcing plan. This constituent is an Investigative Assistant within the BCIS. He writes, ``Given the current political climate of heightened security among all federal law enforcement agencies, any decision to outsource CIS positions would be detrimental to the country. It is imperative for Americans to have faith in our government's ability to protect our country. Having government workers doing a job of such significance gives the people of this nation the confidence and sense of security that is needed in these volatile times.''

He is absolutely right, and this constituent certainly is not alone in his views. In the state of Nebraska, the jobs of 115 full-time employees within the BCIS are at risk. This number is only behind those projected statistics in California and New York. In this Member's district alone, 112 jobs are inappropriately at risk due to the A-76 proposal.

Now, this Member does not in concept or principle oppose A-76 privatization. Indeed, this Member has accepted the legitimacy of applying A-76 for various other Federal employment positions in his District. But obviously this process is badly flawed with suggested applications of this procedure in the kind of job positions addressed by the Amendment of the distinguished gentlewoman from California, Mrs. Roybal-Allard. Its application to described positions in DHS jeopardize national security and the proper accomplishments of the mission of the agency.

In closing, Mr. Chairman this Member encourages his colleagues to support this Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, this Member commends to his colleagues the following editorial from the May 27, 2004, Lincoln Journal Star. The editorial highlights some of the shortcomings of the Transportation Security Administration and its baggage screening system. Clearly, the creation of a large, new Federal force is not necessarily the best way to address legitimate security concerns.

[From the Lincoln Journal Star, May 27, 2004]

Nuclear Plant Special Force Questionable

An alarmed Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham wants more and

tighter security at government facilities that have

radioactive material that could be fashioned into nuclear

devices.

No argument here. The dangers of lax security at such sites

are too awful to contemplate and too real to dismiss.

According to an account from The Associated Press, Abraham,

in calling earlier this month for reforms, cited poor

performance in mock security exercises and other failings--

cheating on readiness tests, lost keys--by guards from

private contractors.

Chief among Abraham's solutions to the problems he found: a

federal police force to guard the facilities and an elite

force to protect areas with the most sensitive nuclear

weapons material.

Sounds impressive, until you consider how the last special

force set up for national security has done.

That force--the hardworking men and women of the

Transportation Security Administration--still hasn't proved

that it can reliably protect the nation's commercial

airports.

To be sure, they're trying.

Since the agency started work Nov. 19, 2002, it geared up

with some 60,000 people to screen passengers and their

luggage. Congress has since limited that number to 45,000, so

the agency has raised and lowered staffing at airports here

and there to meet demand.

The agency professionals have confiscated thousands of

banned objects from often bewildered, sometimes bemused

travelers; guns and garrotes; straight razors and knitting

needles; tin snips and butter knives.

There is also little doubt the agency has thwarted

dangerous incidents long before they reached any newspaper's

front page and for that it should be honored and thanked.

But the Transportation Security Administration's still

young and still learning some hard lessons. Among them that

shake public faith;

In November, a college student secreted box cutters through

airport checkpoints and onto at least two planes. He sent an

e-mail to federal authorities saying he had put the items

aboard two specific Southwest Airlines flights. The objects

were not found until five weeks later.

In November, an Eppley Airfield baggage screener was

charged with dealing cocaine after 8 ounces of cocaine, 7

grams of crack cocaine and manufacturing equipment were found

in his Omaha home. According to the AP, between 1993 and 1997

the man was convicted of six misdemeanors including

obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.

In October, it was reported that written tests given

potential baggage screeners never

asked applicants to show they could identify dangerous

objects inside luggage. In addition, the investigation by the

Homeland Security Department--overseer of the Transportation

Security Administration--showed that some screeners hired by

the government to check baggage for bombs were given most of

the answers to tests.

Also in October, the head of the Transportation Security

Administration acknowledged that box cutters can get through

airport checkpoints. But the chief, James Loy, blamed the

lack and sophistication of technology, not his screeners.

There may be no way to prove that creating Loy's agency was

necessary. But it is easy to prove that it has been costly.

The question is: Can Energy Secretary Abraham prove that a

new, specialized force to protect nuclear facilities will be

any more successful than the contractors already overseen by

his department's specialized bureaucracy, the National

Nuclear Security Administration?

And if that agency is incapable, will a new expensive

bureaucracy do any better?

Other federal agencies have elite forces available--the

Secret Service and FBI are but two. Could their highly

trained men and women be given another mission, supported by

their bureaucracy?

Surely the money saved could be spent on creating and

providing the technology that Abraham says is lacking for

airport screeners, technology that might well benefit the

forces protecting the nation's nuclear weapons and power

plants.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record.