Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as an original sponsor of H.R. 1460, as amended, the ``Veterans Entrepreneurship and Benefits Improvement Act of 2003. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. I commend representative Renzi, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Evans of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Chairman Manzullo and Ranking Member Velazquez of the Small Business Committee for bringing this important legislation to the floor for consideration.

I especially want to comment on sections two and three of the bill.

Section two would allow veterans, disabled veterans, dependents of totally disabled or deceased veterans, and active-duty members of the Selected Reserve to use their VA benefits to pursue pre- entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship courses offered under the auspices of Small Business Development Centers and the National Veterans Business Development Corporation. Small businesses in the last decade accounted for about 70 percent of the new jobs created in our economy.

The men and women who have served in our military indeed are engaging and resourceful individuals. Indeed, the 1999 report of the bipartisan Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance found the following: ``a 5-year profile survey of veteran- owned businesses in Massachusetts conducted in the late 1980's and early 1990's showed that a pool of approximately 2,000 veterans engaged in micro businesses generated $74 million in taxable income for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.'' And that is just in one state. With the availability of training under this bill, more veterans will be able to obtain the skills they need to start and grow their own small businesses. As Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Leo S. Mackay, Jr. testified at our April 30th hearing, ``the potential for positive effects on the economy, with enhanced competition and creativity within the marketplace, is significant.''

Section three of the bill would place disabled veteran-owned and controlled small businesses on a par with socially and economically disadvantaged veterans in the 8(a) contracting program for procurement contracts offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the next four years. This authority would apply to ``setaside'' and restricted competition contracts to be applied by contracting officers on a discretionary basis. For all Federal agencies, disabled veteran-owned and controlled small businesses would rank ahead of HUBZone and women- owned businesses in procurement preferences, but behind the 8(a) program. I find these types of preference as a needed `first step' because of two additional findings of the Transition Commission: first, ``Disabled-veteran entrepreneurs require additional assistance because these business owners encounter costs and impediments that are not factors for their non-disabled competitors. Second, as a matter of fundamental fairness, Congress should accord veterans a full opportunity to participate in the economic system that their service sustains.''

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would note for the Record that the current independent Task Force for Veterans Entrepreneurship, the aforementioned Transition Commission, the 1981 expert report of the SBA Veterans Project, and the 1980 White House Conference on Small Business all recommended some type of federal ``setaside'' authority for disabled-veteran owned and controlled small businesses in the purchase of goods and services.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

I was unable to participate in the following vote because of a death in the family. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: June 5, 2003, rollcall vote 248, on agreeing to S. 273, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, in South Carolina, a new breed of heroes are saving the city of Charleston from a potentially catastrophic sewage explosion and subsequent environmental disaster. It will take years and millions of dollars to replace the aging Charleston sewage tunnels. Until then, the Commissioners of Public Works are calling upon divers to repair the existing pipes and tunnels. Already two sewage tunnels have suffered minor cave-ins, but these divers were able to prevent the dumping of millions of gallons of wastewater into the harbor. Sewage divers are crawling more than 120 feet underground into a mire which is so dark and filled with murky sludge that even the strongest light is unable to reveal what surrounds them.

Daily, these brave men risk their lives to protect the well being of other citizens in their community. Although their job has a high level of difficulty, the divers do not complain but fearlessly complete what they believe is ``just their job.''

On behalf of the residents of South Carolina and especially Charleston, I would like to commend the sewer divers for their bravery, selflessness, and dedication to the historic city and its overall welfare.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes because of a death in the family. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

June 4, 2003: Roll call vote 236, on agreeing to H. Res. 257, I would have voted ``yea''; Roll call vote 237, on motion to suspend the rules and agreeing to H. Con. Res. 177, I would have voted ``yea''; Roll call vote 238, on motion to suspend the rules and agreeing to H. Res. 201, I would have voted ``yea''; and also on June 4, 2003--Roll call vote 239, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1954, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in strong support of H.R. 100, the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor.

With our active duty servicemembers and members of the Selected Reserve mobilized abroad, it is especially important to update the Soldiers' and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940. H.R. 100 strengthens and clarifies the existing law for today's military by securing for them financial, legal, and civil protections, indeed as our troops have secured freedom for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am especially pleased that this measure maintains the 6 percent interest cap for loans such as mortgages and credit cards, while clarifying that any excess interest is forgiven and does not accrue. I applaud the banking community for forgiving the excess interest in the past; I believe it is important to document the intent of Congress in this respect for the future. Many of our reserve component members take a major pay cut when we as a nation call them up for service. It is crucial that our troops not worry about financial issues at home when they are in harm's way abroad.

I thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Evans for their leadership on this important legislation and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 100.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the tremendous contribution landscape architects make to the scenic beauty of the United States. Last week marked National Landscape Architecture Week. I would like to thank the industry and the American Society of Landscape Architects for all they do to improve our beautiful country.

Landscape architects play a special role in creating the places in which we live, work, and play. They are dedicated to promoting the careful stewardship, planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. The work of landscape architects reflects the variety and breadth of the profession, from the design of residential and commercial developments, office building sites, and public parks, to public sector comprehensive planning, environmental planning, and town planning.

Though National Landscape Architects Week has passed, I urge all Americans to consider and recognize the many contributions made by landscape architects.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Aynor High School, of Aynor, South Carolina, for earning the prestigious Palmetto's Finest Award, recognizing it as the best high school in the state.

The Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Award is sponsored through a partnership between Carolina First Bank and SCASA. The award is based on extensive evaluations by colleagues and educators, and the school and community share the honor. This is the 25th anniversary of the award. The award was announced by Governor Mark Sanford on March 11, 2003.

Last fall, 38 schools submitted 17-page applications. The application process included elements on student achievement, faculty training, program goals and delivery systems, office practices and community involvement. Each nominee received an on-site visit by a peer review committee, and the 13 finalists received a second visit. From this process the four most outstanding schools are selected: two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

Dr. Darrell W. Ricketts, Principal of Aynor High School, as well as the teachers, staff, and students, have all worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone. Through their hard work and dedication, they serve as a great example to other schools in the First District and the state.

I wish Aynor High School further successes and achievements in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the late Congressman Floyd Spence and to commend his extraordinary career as a servant to the nation and to the people of South Carolina. Floyd was a true leader dedicated to preserving the American way of life, and he did so for over forty years in both the South Carolina state delegation and the United States House of Representatives. Serving as the chairman for the House National Security Committee from 1995-1999 and for the Armed Services Committee from 1991-2001, he was an advocate for heightened national security and for increased military funding. He drew his passion for the military from his own personal experiences of serving in the navy reserves for more than forty years. It was no secret that defending the nation was his top political priority. Congressman Spence was also an ardent voice against big government, which kept his platform focused on the needs of his fellow South Carolinians and away from that of sweeping federal legislation.

It is well fitting that the facility of the United States Post Office in Lexington, SC, honors Congressman Spence's memory by bearing his name. He was deeply committed to public service, a leader of our nation, and a passionate supporter of national defense. We all mourned his loss when he passed away and can still feel his absence during this time of national crisis. I am proud to say that his diligent efforts as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee have helped prepare the nation for the present war and we all owe Congressman Spence a debt of gratitude for his work in shaping the military into what it is today. Seldom will you ever find a truer American than Floyd Spence, and I am proud to have served with him in Congress and to call myself a fellow South Carolinian.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and praise the actions of the North Myrtle Beach Republican Club. Their efforts to raise community support and money to erect billboards around their city to show support for President Bush and the American soldiers stationed in the Middle East have been outstanding. The diverse group of community members, comprised of business owners, attorneys, doctors, retirees, and elected officials, have come together under the direction of Ms. Cleo Steele to respond to the numerous anti-American protests held world wide, nationally, and even in the community of

Myrtle Beach. Believing that the media gives a one-sided and distraught view, Ms. Steele gave birth to the idea after hearing of a similar program in Louisville, Kentucky. The group focuses on the ideas that the anti-Bush, anti-war mentality is currently in the minority, and that regardless of the circumstances, American troops need all the support that can be mustered during this crucial time. Within an hour of making her first phone call, Ms. Steele already had the backing of ten people, and the total force has increased since then. I am proud of the efforts of the North Myrtle Beach Republican Club and wish to applaud their actions. In my opinion, they are the epitome of American patriotism, and their zeal should give hope to all who call themselves Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his hard work on this budget this year. I know it was a difficult time to have to face the budget restraints at this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the budget on veterans affairs for fiscal year 2004. As a member of both the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on the Budget, I am pleased to lend my support to a budget resolution that fulfills America's promise to her veterans. There are currently 26 million veterans living in this country. This budget clearly reflects our solid commitment to them.

This resolution on the budget accepts the President's increase in funding providing an increase of $1.6 billion or 6.1 percent over last year. This represents the largest annual increase ever proposed by a President.

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates the largest direct health care delivery system in the country. Managing the large increase in the demands for veterans' health care services has consistently been the Department of Veterans Affairs greatest challenge. This budget meets the challenge as it accepts the President's request of $25.2 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion, or an increase of 5.6 percent in funding for veterans health care benefits.

Mr. Chairman, we should not let the other side of the aisle lead us to believe that we are leaving our veterans out. The number one commitment for my service in Congress is to look after the veterans and their families.

To achieve primary care access standards that compliment the quality standards of veterans health care, this budget allows for a sharper focus in the veterans health care system. Waiting times for an appointment at a VA medical clinic are as long as 1 year in some areas. Secretary Principi has pledged that this backlog for medical care will be eliminated by 2004.

Mr. Chairman, let us give the Secretary an opportunity to bring accountability to this organization.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Benefits of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am introducing H.R. 1048, the Disabled Veterans Adaptive Benefits Improvement Act of 2003. Mr. Ciro Rodriguez, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Benefits, as well as Chairman Chris Smith and Ranking Member Lane Evans join me as original sponsors.

The Disabled Veterans Adaptive Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 would increase the one-time reimbursement VA may provide to certain severely disabled veterans to assist their purchase of an automobile from $9,000 to $11,000. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the average cost of a new automobile in 2001 was estimated to be $21,605.

The bill would also increase the grant to help eligible veterans make adaptations to their homes, which are necessary because of the nature of their disability. The bill would raise the Specially Adapted Housing Grant from $48,000 to $50,000 for the most severely disabled veterans and from $9,250 to $10,000 for other severely disabled veterans.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation is the right thing to do for our severely disabled veterans so that they may live their lives in the most independent manner possible. I look forward to our colleagues' support of our efforts.

Mr. Speaker, today on behalf of Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Evans, I am introducing H.R. 966, the Disabled Veterans' Return-to-Work Act of 2003. This bill reinstates a VA pilot program which expired on December 31, 1995.

H.R. 966 would ensure the availability of vocational training to newly eligible VA nonservice-connected pension recipients. The program, open to those veterans age 45 years or younger, would provide disabled pension recipients the opportunity to receive training in order to return to the job market. There are many ways our veterans can and do contribute to the economy. Those veterans receiving nonservice- connected pension are in effect discouraged from seeking employment because of the needs-based structure of VA's Pension Program, whereby every dollar they earn is offset from the amount of monthly pension they receive.

Mr. Speaker, I expect the Veterans' Affairs Committee to consider this bill during the 1st Session of the 108th Congress. It is time to reinstate the pilot providing vocational training to certain pension recipients rather than requiring these veterans to rely solely on the VA pension program and health care system for the remainder of their lives. I believe the pilot program indeed will furnish data showing that many of these veterans desire independence from, not dependence on, the current nonservice-connected pension program.

Mr. Speaker, each day we ask the members of our armed services to perform their jobs with bravery and courage. Air Force Staff Sergeant Stephen M. Achey of Summerville, South Carolina is a shining example of an airman who rose above and beyond the call of duty.

Sergeant Achey, a command and control specialist with the 20th Air Operations Support Squadron, earned a Silver Star for his heroism in Afghanistan last March.

While surviving a mortar round explosion and crippled with a disabled radio, Sergeant Achey endured heavy enemy fire while coordinating and directing an air strike that saved the lives of many American soldiers. Pinned down for 18 hours, he managed to divert American aircraft, saving them from destruction and sparing many lives. He also provided cover fire for the rescue of all wounded soldiers.

This man exhibited the virtues of a true Lowcountry hero. If it were not for the courageous actions of Sergeant Achey, many of his comrades may not have survived and returned home. His gallantry is truly amazing and I am proud that he calls the First District of South Carolina his home.