Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Timberline Lodge on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary under the management of the Kohnstamm Family and their business, RLK & Company, and to commemorate the important historical events that have contributed to the lodge's status as one of the great landmarks in Oregon. Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark and treasure of Oregon that provides abundant recreational activities on Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Forest, providing Oregonians and Americans alike with a special place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As I commute each week from my home in Hood River to our nation's capital city, I am warmly greeted by the sight of Mt. Hood and thus frequently reminded that Timberline Lodge is a very special place in our very special country.

100 years ago the U.S. Forest Service was established by President Teddy Roosevelt to maintain and sustain the diverse, healthy, and productive management of our national forests. Since its establishment in 1905, the U.S. Forest Service has been an integral part of the history of Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge.

Timberline Lodge sits 6,000 feet above sea level on Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon at 11,235 feet above sea level. Mr. Speaker, the lodge itself is a testament to the trials and tribulations that our nation faced during the Great Depression. It can be seen as a symbol of our strength and resolve, as well as a past generation's struggle to overcome adversity. President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned the construction of Timberline Lodge in 1936, a project many at the time called the ``American Experiment.'' Through the Works Progress Administration, Roosevelt employed numerous craftsmen throughout the country who had fallen onto hard times during the depression. Over 500 people worked diligently for 15 months while battling the cold of the Cascades as they worked to construct the lodge by hand, even through the heart of winter. They did so with remarkable skill, style, and substance, and they did so very quickly and efficiently. In September of 1937, President Roosevelt opened the lodge to great fanfare.

Today we see Timberline Lodge as a fantastic success story and a shining example of the self-determination that helped propel a nation and a generation from the hardship and difficulties we faced during the Great Depression. This was not always the case. There were times when it appeared that Timberline Lodge would not succeed. Soon after the dedication in 1937, it fell on hard times. Mismanagement and poor decisions by numerous operators left many wondering if the toils of the labor that went into the construction of Timberline Lodge would be left for future generations of Oregonians to enjoy. It was closed temporarily during World War II, and just 18 years after its inception the future of the lodge appeared bleak.

Then a remarkable young man named Richard Kohnstamm arrived on the scene from New York City and brought hope and enthusiasm to the region, albeit with little experience in the hotel and lodging business. During his travels, Richard had seen how great lodges and castles were woven into Europe's cultural fabric and envisioned that Timberline Lodge could one day mean the same for tourists from all over the world in our beautiful state of Oregon. Through his creativity, perseverance, and steadfast entrepreneurship, he fulfilled the promise of the lodge and the plentiful recreational opportunities that were previously untapped. Not only did the Kohnstamm family repair the damages that existed at the time they first assumed management of Timberline Lodge and create a sense of permanent stability for it, they also established a world class tourist attraction and state of the art ski lift and trail system.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Timberline Lodge's management under the Kohnstamm Family and RLK & Company, I would like to highlight the tremendous job that has been done to make the lodge one of the premier destinations in the Pacific Northwest that all walks of life enjoy year round. The Kohnstamms are great hosts and great neighbors to all of us in Oregon, and to outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Oregonians are fortunate to have them as our neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from Nebraska and around the country on a most important matter--Byrne Grant funding. I appreciate the leadership of Mr. Terry and Chairman Souder on this issue as well as the work done by my fellow members of the House Meth Caucus to ensure that the needs of state and local communities are being met.

Byrne grants provide necessary federal resources that make possible enforcement and treatment programs undertaken by state and local governments to combat the illegal drug epidemic that is rampant throughout the nation, a plague that I've seen firsthand in communities throughout eastern, central and southern Oregon. Nowhere is the need for federal anti-drug resources more pronounced than in rural areas like Oregon's Second Congressional District, where entire communities struggle to cope with the proliferation of illegal substances and their devastating effects on families and communities.

According to an assessment conducted earlier this year by the Oregon HIDTA office, reducing funding for these programs would reduce interagency cooperation and intelligence sharing between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The assessment also found that operations by local taskforces on the front lines in the fight against illegal drugs would decrease by 25 to 75 percent. Without the federal funds received many local drug taskforces in Oregon would have to severely curtail operations, reduce staffing levels or even cease operations completely. Given the threat posed to children, families and communities by illegal drugs, these efforts to control the drug problem must continue.

I want to again state my belief that Byrne Grant funding should be maintained at its current level as the House Appropriations Committee prepares to allocate funds to this and other critical anti-drug programs in the coming year.

The state of Oregon has historically received over $6 million in Byrne grants, a significant portion of which has been allocated to programs and projects in the Second District. Local task forces like the Klamath Interagency Narcotics Team, the Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team, the Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Blue Mountain Narcotics Enforcement Team, which receives about one-third of its budget from Byrne Grants, would be devastated without continued support from federal anti-drug programs.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I conducted a series of seven town hall forums focused on production, distribution and abuse of illegal drugs, particularly the runaway problem of methamphetamine. While traveling throughout the Second District I heard again and again about the importance of federal resources to the outstanding efforts being conducted by state and local enforcement agencies and treatment and prevention providers. While I realize that we are in a time of strict budget constraint I strongly support these efforts and I will continue to do all I can to ensure that the federal government honors its commitment to fight the scourge of illegal drugs in our communities.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment proposed by my colleague from Oregon. I only wish I had known in advance the gentleman was going to offer this amendment because it is specifically targeted toward my district, a tribe in my district, that is seeking to gain approval of a compact and take land into trust.

Warm Springs Tribe is not a family of five that has gone out shopping somewhere in some other State for land. There are 4,400 tribal members who are suffering on the reservation. They have worked diligently with the communities involved. They have land in the Scenic Columbia River Gorge that is in trust and was in trust prior to the passage of IGRA, and it is on a hillside where they have plans where they could build, and they could do that today.

But that land would scar the beauty of the Scenic Columbia River Gorge, which is my home and has been my home all of my life. This tribe, instead, looked to another area, and my colleague from Oregon suggests that the area they looked at is the crown jewel of the gorge.

Mr. Chairman, this is port property zoned for industrial use, leveled out with dredge tailings from the construction of the second lock at Bonneville Dam, all right, as opposed to an area up on a side hill that is timbered and beautiful where they already have land. So they worked with the local community which supports them locating there. They reached a compact with the Democratic Governor in a long and protracted discussion. That compact is now before the Secretary.

My colleague has on more than one occasion mentioned an acid rain study. We have looked at that, and he should know because we know it was done over a 4-month period one with readings at a little town in Wishram, Washington, during the winter when it is foggy in the gorge. So there is much more to that story that I will not get into today, but I suggest the gentleman take another look at that study.

I grew up in the gorge. We are the wind-surfing, kite-boarding capital of the world. And in the summer, if you want to come and find where the wind blows, come to the gorge and enjoy the great recreational opportunities, and it blows from the west. The west is where the great urban center of our wonderful State is, where there are traffic problems and industrial problems; and I tell Members that because if there is a problem with pollution in the gorge, it is not coming from the east, it is coming from the west.

So I urge Members to oppose this amendment. I think the chairman of our Committee on Resources has a much more prudent approach, to look at this issue on a broader scale, to see what is the best policy for this Nation to follow when it comes to dealing with these issues of tribal casinos on or off reservation.

But to move an amendment like this with very little notice, if any, on an appropriations bill, I would dare say, is not appropriate.

Point of Order

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment, and I certainly am one who is not in favor of the slaughtering of wild horses, but I am also as a fiscal conservative who is concerned about what happens along the way, because we are looking at a price of somewhere on the

order of $20 million a year to take care of the horses that nobody wants to adopt right now.

There are some 37,000 wild horses and burros roaming on BLM managed lands in 10 western States. That is 9,000 more than the carrying capacity of the land. In the few seconds I have left, I want to show my colleagues this photo. This is from Nevada. This cage was put over this grass, and this is what the wild horses have done all around it, in terms of what happens in a fairly wet area. You get into the dry areas, and they completely overrun the rangeland.

What we need to do is, if there is a problem with someone violating the law, we need to put the criminal penalties back in so they can be prosecuted, but the BLM have said they will not issue any contracts that will allow for any slaughter. Taking away their ability to sell the wild horses, however, will create a huge fiscal burden to the Federal Government and the taxpayer and not allow us to properly manage these herds.

So I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I rise today to convey my deepest appreciation to Sgt. Don Malarkey, Lt. Lynn ``Buck'' Compton and Vance Day, on the occasion of their trip to our Nation's Capital to share their stories, talents and leadership qualities with the Congress this evening.

Don Malarkey and Buck Compton are highly decorated veterans of World War II. They served with the 101st Airborne Division's Easy Company throughout the Allied advance toward victory. Their distinguished service and that of their company were memorialized in Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers and the riveting Band of Brothers mini- series in which they were featured prominently.

From their dramatic parachute drop behind enemy lines to secure German positions and reduce resistance to the amphibious D-Day invasion, to action in Holland, Bastogne, Germany, Austria and eventually Hitler's Eagle's Nest, they showed courage under fire, perseverance, personal sacrifice and compassion in the heat of battle. Both Don and Buck served with distinction during the war, and have lived extraordinary lives out of the service as well.

I'm proud to claim Don Malarkey as a born and bred Oregonian. Born in Astoria in 1921, he volunteered for the ``Parachute Troops'' after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was an original member of Easy Company and served more consecutive days of combat than any other member of his unit. During his service he received a number of decorations including the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the service, Don went on to become one of the youngest elected county commissioners in Oregon's history. He later worked as a real estate consultant and broker and became a renowned lecturer who has spoken at the United States Military Academy at West Point and numerous locations in North America and Europe. He now resides in Salem, Oregon, with his wife Irene.

Buck Compton was born in Los Angeles and attended UCLA where he played catcher on the baseball team with Jackie Robinson and was a starting guard in the 1943 Rose Bowl game. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant out of UCLA's ROTC program and went on to jump school at Ft. Benning, GA. He earned a Silver Star for bravery on D-Day for his role in the successful destruction of four 105 mm cannons, a Purple Heart after sustaining an injury in Holland, the America Defense Medal and World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Buck completed his law degree at UCLA then went to work in the Los Angeles County prosecutor's office where he convicted Robert Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan. In 1970, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the California Court of Appeals where he served until his retirement in 1990. He now lives in Mt. Vernon, Washington near his two daughters and their families where he provides weekly policy and political commentary on local radio.

In addition to the decorations already mentioned, both Don and Buck were awarded the Combat Infantry Badge; Presidential Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster; European, African, Mid-Eastern Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Citation.

Mr. Speaker, Don and Buck forged a fast and enduring friendship that helped them through day after day of combat and has kept them in close contact ever since. In fact, when Buck was injured by a German round, Don led the effort to drag him to the back of a tank and off the battlefield. Their continuing friendship is a testament to the adventures they shared and I'm pleased to welcome them today.

I am also pleased to welcome their friend and mine, Vance Day, from my home state of Oregon. Vance has long been a friend with whom I've worked on many political issues of importance in the State. He is a former news reporter and historian who now is a partner at a law firm in Salem. It was Vance who first approached me about sponsoring this event, and I thank him for moderating the presentation today as he has at similar events around the country. In fact, due to his diligence, similar presentations are being held at the Heritage Foundation, Family Resource Council, and the White House during their trip to Washington,

Mr. Speaker, due to the short notice provided to Members with respect to rollcall 90, S. 686, relating to relief for the parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo, I was unable to return to Washington, DC from the West Coast in time for today's vote. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary commitment to service, community, and humanitarianism displayed by the members of Rotary International as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this month.

One hundred years ago, a lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, embarked on an effort to create a professional club that captured the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth; a club that would make service a priority, generosity a regular occurrence, and hard work a way of life. This idea was welcomed throughout the United States with clubs sprouting coast to coast within the first decade, and throughout the rest of the world with clubs forming on six continents by 1921.

Today, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders--individuals committed to humanitarianism, high ethical standards, and civic involvement.

I have been a proud member of Rotary since October 1987, and while my work here in Washington, D.C. keeps me from attending all the meetings of my Hood River, Oregon club, I make every attempt to go when I am home. And as I commute home to Oregon each week from our nation's capital, I am able to attend many meetings at clubs in the twenty counties throughout my sprawling district.

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians in over 31,000 clubs located in 166 countries. And in the United States, there are nearly 400,000 Rotarians in more than 7,500 clubs.

The Bend Rotary, found in the heart of Oregon, is one such club. Founded in 1947, Bend Rotary is the longest running club in Bend and its members have helped establish the three other Rotary clubs that currently exist in the city--High Desert, Bend-Mt. Bachelor, and Greater Bend.

Rotary International has the motto ``Service Above Self'' and they adhere to ``The Four Way Test'' of business ethics, a philosophy that encourages truth, fairness, goodwill and mutual benefit in all professional actions. These traits are evident in the projects Bend Rotary has supported over the years: the Alice Hatch Pre-School Playground, the Drake Park Pavilion, the Juniper Park Skating Rink and Pat's Park in Juniper Park, the Central Oregon Welcome Center Sign, the ``Tree of Joy,'' and the Barrance Honda Mexico Water Project. In the past, Bend Rotary has donated over 280 wheel chairs to a small town in Lithuania and has also raised over $100,000 to help refurnish a school kitchen in that country.

Currently, Bend Rotary is working in conjunction with the other Bend area clubs on the completion of Rotary Centennial Playground to be located adjacent to Bend Senior Center in Bend. In the true Rotary spirit of service for all, this park has been designed with access and amenities suitable for kids and parents with special physical needs and is compliant with ADA standards. The 350 members of the

four Bend area Rotary clubs have pledged both time and money, including 16 hours of volunteer labor per Rotarian and funds in excess of $150,000 to launch this worthwhile endeavor.

A major focus of Rotary International is the global eradication of polio, a goal that the organization hopes to meet this year. In 1985 they launched the PolioPlus program to protect children against the disease. Rotary, along with groups such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children Fund, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various governments throughout the world, has achieved a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide.

Their work and generosity has benefited youth, seniors, the impoverished, the disabled, the disheartened, and those devastated by disease, tragedy and natural disaster. I am proud to be a Rotarian and proud of the work that Rotary clubs throughout my district do on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to share with my colleagues the generosity and spirit of service that is exemplified by the members of Bend Rotary. May those of us in the Congress pay special attention to the motto of this organization and conduct ourselves here in a manner of ``Service Before Self.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary commitment to service, community, and humanitarianism displayed by the members of Rotary International as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this month.

One hundred years ago, a lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, embarked on an effort to create a professional club that captured the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth; a club that would make service a priority, generosity a regular occurrence, and hard work a way of life. This idea was welcomed throughout the United States with clubs sprouting coast to coast within the first decade, and throughout the rest of the world with clubs forming on six continents by 1921.

Today, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders--individuals committed to humanitarianism, high ethical standards, and civic involvement.

I have been a proud member of Rotary since October 1987, and while my work here in Washington, DC, keeps me from attending all the meetings of my Hood River, Oregon club, I make every attempt to go when I am home. And as I commute home to Oregon each week from our nation's capital, I am able to attend many meetings at clubs in the twenty counties throughout my sprawling district.

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians in over 31,000 clubs located in 166 countries. And in the United States, there are nearly 400,000 Rotarians in more than 7,500 clubs.

Rotary International has the motto ``Service Above Self'' and they adhere to ``The Four Way Test'' of business ethics, a philosophy that encourages truth, fairness, goodwill and mutual benefit in all professional actions. These traits are evident in the projects that Rotary clubs through Oregon's Second District, the United States and the world have supported over the years: eradication of polio, tsunami and hurricane relief, aid to famine victims in Zimbabwe, international youth exchange, training for teachers of students with disabilities, humanitarian and educational grants, vocational service and local community projects such as building playgrounds and developing parks. These are just a few examples of the depth in service given by Rotarians around the world.

A major focus of Rotary International is the global eradication of polio, a goal that the organization hopes to meet this year. In 1985, Rotarians launched the PolioPlus program to protect children against the disease. Rotary, along with groups such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various governments throughout the world, has achieved a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide.

Their work and generosity has benefited youth, seniors, the impoverished, the disabled, the disheartened, and those devastated by disease, tragedy and natural disaster. I am proud to be a Rotarian and proud of the work that Rotary clubs throughout my district do on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to share with my colleagues the generosity and spirit of service that is exemplified by the members of Rotary. May those of us in the Congress pay special attention to the motto of this organization and conduct ourselves here in a manner of ``Service Before Self.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary commitment to service, community, and humanitarianism displayed by the members of Rotary International as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this month.

One hundred years ago, a lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, embarked on an effort to create a professional club that captured the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth; a club that would make service a priority, generosity a regular occurrence, and hard work a way of life. This idea was welcomed throughout the United States with clubs sprouting coast to coast within the first decade, and throughout the rest of the world with clubs forming on six continents by 1921.

Today, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders--individuals committed to humanitarianism, high ethical standards, and civic involvement.

I have been a proud member of Rotary since October 1987, and while my work here in Washington, D.C. keeps me from attending all the meetings of my Hood River, Oregon club, I make every attempt to go when I am home. And as I commute home to Oregon each week from our Nation's capital, I am able to attend many meetings at clubs in the twenty counties throughout my sprawling district.

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians in over 31,000 clubs located in 166 countries. And in the United States, there are nearly 400,000 Rotarians in more than 7,500 clubs.

The Grants Pass Rotary, located in Oregon's beautiful Rogue Valley, is one such club. Founded in 1924, Grants Pass Rotary has celebrated over 80 years of dedication and service to the local community as well as the world abroad. Under the recent leadership of Georgette Brown, and her predecessors before her, the club has done a great deal for the area.

Throughout the years, Grants Pass Rotarians have conducted projects with their dedication, time, energy, and resources. These projects have covered a variety of areas: recognition of students in middle and elementary school excelling in their academic endeavors; the initial funding and continued support of The Riverside West All Sports Park, a fabulous facility for all Grants Pass citizens and visitors to enjoy; the development of Morrison Centennial Park; the Grants Pass Rotary Invitational Track Meet held at Grants Pass High School, an event for students throughout the state and northern California; and events for foreign exchange students visiting America.

Internationally, the commitment of Rotarians is as strong. With humanitarian and educational programs for communities in all parts of the globe, Rotary Clubs have made a difference in everything from disaster relief to the advancement of democracy. A major focus of Rotary International is the global eradication of polio, a goal that the organization hopes to meet this year. In 1985 they launched the PolioPlus program to protect children against the disease. Rotary, along with groups such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various governments throughout the world, has achieved a 99 percent reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide.

Their work and generosity has benefited youth, seniors, the impoverished, the disabled, the disheartened, and those devastated by disease, tragedy and natural disaster. I am proud to be a Rotarian and proud of the work that Rotary clubs throughout my district do on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to share with my colleagues the generosity and spirit of service that is exemplified by the members of Grants Pass Rotary. May those of us in the Congress pay special attention to the motto of this organization and conduct ourselves here in a manner of ``Service Before Self.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw my colleagues' attention to the ``Flight of Friendship--A Journey To Save Jobs'', which is a heart-warming effort underway in the great state of Oregon. The Flight of Friendship is a people-to-people effort by individuals in Oregon who are coming together to provide an economic lifeline to people in Thailand who work in or are dependent upon the tourism industry for their livelihood. Tourism is recognized as one of the key industries in the tsunami-affected area that provides sustainable jobs and the one that can be jump-started by the return of tourists as in this Flight of Friendship.

The Flight of Friendship's formal mission is an admirable one: In the aftermath of the catastrophic tsunami that struck South Asia on December 26, the natural reaction for us was to do something, anything, that would bring some measure of relief to those in the affected areas. We wanted to do something NOW because we have such a feeling of urgency.

Many of us may not have the skills to rebuild communities or repair broken bones or care for orphaned children, but we do know that our humanity has a purpose. When we can take our time and provide a conduit for information and give face-to face support by traveling to those areas and help those who need to stay working, we know we are giving something that matters. We can help tell the world that these restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues are open and ready to receive visitors.

Flight of Friendship will focus on cities and regions that depend on the tourist trade for economic survival. We hope that Oregon's lead and example will challenge others from around the U.S.--private citizens and the travel industry as well, to follow. We encourage people to visit these beautiful, intriguing places and extend an economic lifeline. Flight of Friendship is a journey to save jobs.

Under the leadership of Oregonians Sho Dozono, Joe D'Alessandro and Elaine Franklin, over 100 business and political leaders from the state of Oregon will travel to Thailand this month in a significant effort to help re-establish that country's tourism industry and keep vital jobs in place. I would like to commend every person associated with the Flight of Friendship for his or her dedication to making a real difference.

Mr. Speaker, I would respectfully request that today's Record reflect that I was in my home State of Oregon attending a longstanding official event

when I learned of the vote relating to Mrs. Jones of Ohio's objection to the certified results of the Electoral College balloting in the State of Ohio and was unable to return to Washington, DC in time for today's vote. I would like the Record to reflect that had I been present I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize November as National Homecare and Hospice Month. National Homecare and Hospice Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of homecare as an essential component of healthcare in the United States. While most of us formally recognize homecare and Hospice one month out of the year, individuals and families across our Nation that utilize these services realize the importance of homecare and Hospice each and every day.

Homecare provides a family-friendly, clinically proven way of providing quality healthcare for millions of Americans and homecare has become an increasingly important part of our health care system. The highly skilled services that these caregivers provide have enabled millions of our most frail, older and disabled citizens to avoid hospitals and nursing homes and stay just where they want to be--in the comfort and security of their own homes.

In a rural district, such as Oregon's Second Congressional District, which encompasses over 70,000 square miles, including two counties with no physicians, accessing healthcare service can be challenging. There are 23 homecare agencies serving the 20 counties of Oregon's Second Congressional District. In some parts of Oregon, homecare professionals are the only source of healthcare services. The tremendous dedication and compassion of these professionals truly deserves the recognition of November being named National Homecare and Hospice Month. The care they provide is truly invaluable and allowing individuals to remain in their homes and close to loved ones is priceless.

Because homecare is so crucial to rural areas, I introduced the Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act (HR 4902). This bill would ensure that homecare providers that serve patients in rural areas will continue to receive a 5 percent add-on payment through 2007. This measure recognizes that the delivery of homecare services in rural areas is more costly because of the extra travel time required to cover long distances between patients. Longer travel times mean that rural caregivers have to devote more time to each patient and are also unable to make as many visits in a day as their urban counterparts. If the extra rural payment is not extended, agencies may be forced to turn away rural patients with the greatest care needs.

Nationwide, homecare represents a family value and a value for families. It's about quality healthcare and quality of life for at least 8 million households across the United States.

According to reports issued by the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee and other independent observers:

Homecare for selected conditions can shorten inpatient hospital stays.

Homecare can reduce the overall costs of care without compromising outcomes.

Homecare can improve clinical outcomes including mortality. This improvement can be striking in degree.

Homecare can improve functional independence and reduce the risk of institutional placement.

For Medicare beneficiaries with selected conditions, formal homecare is the most cost effective strategy for achieving functional improvement compared to in-patient rehabilitation, nursing-home-based rehabilitation, and discharge to home without formal homecare services.

Homecare is expected to grow in the years ahead because of several large-scale trends:

The American population is rapidly aging. The 85-and-older group is the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population.

In the near future, advances in technology will allow virtually every service short of surgery to be delivered at home.

Homecare does not require brick-and-mortar investments since it's provided at home.

Homecare is a critical component of our healthcare delivery system; so today I join homecare patients and caregivers throughout the United States in celebrating National Homecare and Hospice Month.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this amendment. The Ninth Circuit represents 56 million people, or roughly one-fifth of our Nation's population. This is 25 million more people than the next largest circuit; 56 million people in one circuit. It encompasses 40 percent of the geographic area of the United States. Traveling across this much land mass wastes both time and money.

The Ninth Circuit also has the most number of appeals filed and the highest percentage increase in appeals filed, the most number of appeals still pending, and the longest median time until disposition. This is an overworked, overstretched court.

In addition, since the size of the circuit inhibits greater en banc participation by the entire circuit, the Ninth has adopted a practice that allows it to sit en banc with only 11 judges. This means the plurality of those 11, six judges, can effectively determine the case law for the circuit and the remaining 20 judges who serve. All of this leads to inconsistency in case law development and uncertainty among litigants. The outcome of cases in the Ninth are frequently determined more by the composition of a given three-judge panel, not by the law of the circuit as it has evolved. This is detrimental to the law-declaring role, one of a circuit's two primary functions, the other being to correct errors on appeal.

Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from Idaho who has worked tenaciously on this issue to try and bring about fairness in the distribution of the workload in the Ninth Circuit and to bring about fairness in terms of where these cases are heard. We heard from the gentleman from Montana about the need at least to have a judge come there and hear a case once in a while. I think the gentleman from California, if I heard right from the gentleman from Montana, the judge he cited moved to California in 1960 and never held a hearing in Montana. In effect, he became a Californian.

Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member of the committee and the committee chairman and subcommittee chairman for their work on this legislation. I want to thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) for joining me as cosponsors of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I represent pear country in the northwest, at least in the State of Oregon. In the great Hood River Valley and down in the Jackson Road Valley, Jackson County and elsewhere across my district, they grow tremendous, tasty pears, many of which find their way into special packages from Harry and David, among other companies.

Our pear growers are trying to be innovative in terms of how they market their products. Many individual growers now are growing organic fruit, and many are taking it upon themselves to market their own products to the public, as opposed to necessarily going through big processors, although, obviously, the bulk of the fruit still is dealt with that way. But they are looking for new ways to bring value added to their products.

The industry, therefore, is seeking to consolidate their promotional activity under a single Federal marketing order, and the current statute requires that any marketing order that assesses processing pears must have equal representation from producers and processors on its governing board, and yet the processors pay nothing into this process.

So, as a result, they have come to us, the processors and the growers, and said, ``You know, why don't you change this law and let us go ahead and streamline how we operate.''

So this legislation does that. It removes the existing processor membership requirement, and the processors all support that. The change will pave the way for consolidation and allow producers alone to dictate how their funds will be used in pear promotional activities.

The pear industry is united behind this. Each of the Pacific Northwest pear processors have expressed support for the changes. The Oregon, Washington and California State marketing commissions support it. Both Federal marketing orders are in support. The Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service, the nonprofit voluntary marketing board of the Northwest canned pear industry, supports it. And the Washington-Oregon Canning Pear Association, the nonprofit bargaining association, all support H.R. 2984.

So, Mr. Speaker, I encourage the approval of this legislation. I look forward to having this written into law and having our pear industry be able to be more competitive in its promotional activities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. I extend sincere condolences to my colleague, friend, constituent and fellow Oregonian, Senator Gordon Smith, sponsor of this act, and his family.

It was exactly 1 year ago today that the Smith family was changed forever when Garrett Lee Smith took his life. As the father of a son myself, my heart aches for Gordon and Sharon, and the Smith family remains in our prayers. After Garrett's death, the Smith family's selfless dedication to shining the public spotlight on the tragedy of youth suicide and saving other families from the devastation of suicide is truly inspiring.

Upon realizing that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, Senator Smith identified gaps in our public health infrastructure and crafted a bill to assist States, localities, tribal communities and college campuses in establishing youth suicide prevention programs. These programs will include prevention screening, early intervention, management and education activities.

Suicide is an unspeakable tragedy. However, the provisions of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act encourage young people to speak up about suicide, importantly to seek assistance when they are feeling hopeless or depressed, and to make sure they have access to trained specialists to help them make sense of the emotions that are overwhelming them. It also provides families and friends of at-risk youth with information and resources to support these very fragile people.

There may be a misconception about this useful bill by some of my colleagues here in the House. Under no circumstances will this bill force parents to medicate their children as a condition of attending public school. In fact, it explicitly prohibits funds to be spent in such a way. Additionally, it does not allow schools to force children to attend school assemblies, undergo screenings for depression or receive treatment for depression without the written consent of a parent or guardian. It requires parental consent and involvement.

The bill requires that States and entities receiving funding under this grant program shall obtain prior written informed consent from the child's parent or legal guardian for assessment services, school- sponsored programs, and treatment involving medication related to the youth suicide conducted in elementary and secondary schools. So there is a very important provision for parents to be involved. Prior requirements do not apply if it is an emergency, as the chairman talked about.

This bill comes to the House floor as a result of delicate negotiation at the Member level and hard work at the staff level. I want to thank especially the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Barton) and the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and others for facilitating this bill's swift movement to the floor. All of these gentlemen were gracious and worked closely with Senator Smith to ensure that the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act would be considered by the House on this very day.

I encourage my colleagues to support the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. In closing, I echo the words of Senator Smith, my constituent. ``Suicide and attempts do not simply leave an impression on the individual's life, it leaves a deep impact on everyone who knows the person or a family member of that person. No family should experience the pain we have suffered and no

child should suffer the challenges of mental illness alone.''