Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career and retirement of Carol Madison, Executive Director of the Illinois Center for Autism for 27 years.

The Illinois Center for Autism, ICA, is a non-profit, community-based mental health treatment, special education center, and vocational training site, dedicated to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of people with autism and help them achieve the highest level of independence possible in their home, school, and community. Students/Clients must be diagnosed as autistic and/or exhibit characteristics, such as severe communication disorders, severe behavioral disorders, uneven intellectual skills, and socially inappropriate behaviors.

Under Carol's direction and service as the ICA's first Executive Director, the Illinois Center for Autism was established in the fall of 1977 to provide a Special Day School Program. At that time, it was serving only eight children with autism.

In January 1978, the Illinois Center for Autism was incorporated as a 501c (3) not-for-profit corporation. The ICA's mission then was to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of children with autism. ICA received accreditation in 1992 from the North Central Association (NCA). To this day, ICA has maintained its accreditation and serves both adults and children throughout Southern Illinois.

In 1992, under Carol's leadership, the ICA began an innovative initiative. With Carol's careful hand guiding the program, the ICA opened a gourmet Italian take-out eatery called Pasta Fare. Pasta Fare provides an ideal site for food service training for the ICA's clients. They assist in all aspects of the business, learning to apply their functional academic, social and communications skills in a work setting. All clients at Pasta Fare are employees of the Illinois Center for Autism. Clients are transitioned into the community for further competitive employment opportunities and many are placed into food service and related occupations.

Not only has Carol and the ICA been able to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with autism, she and the Center have also helped them to become productive members of society.

Carol has devoted her life to serving the needs of the disabled community. She has served as a Site Visitor for the US Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools program and as a Hearing Officer with the Illinois State Board of Education from 1977-1987. She has consulted with the Madison County Association for Retarded Citizens and served on the Illinois State Board of Education Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities from 1992-1999. She has served as the Director of the National Association of Private Education Centers and was the Chairman of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.

The future holds great promise for the Illinois Center for Autism and the people it serves and we owe a great debt of gratitude to Carol for the work she has done on behalf of hundreds of young people in our area.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of Carol Madison and wish her and her family the very best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

I am, Mr. Speaker, in its present form.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit would send this legislation back to the Committee on Science with instructions to immediately report the bill back to the House with a provision requiring the Department of Commerce to complete an independent study on the short and long term effects of the outsourcing of jobs from the United States to other countries.

Mr. Speaker, since the year 2000 the United States has lost 2.7 million manufacturing jobs, of which 500,000 jobs were in high tech industries such as telecommunications and electronics. Since the year 2000, almost 650,000 jobs have disappeared in high tech service industries. In 48 of the 50 States, jobs in high-paying industries have been replaced with lower paying jobs.

A survey taken in March of this year of 216 CFOs found that 27 percent of those CFOs plan to send more jobs offshore this year. The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Business Week and others have recently published articles that point to the fact that we lack sufficient and accurate data and information in order to determine the short- and long-term effects of offshoring. There are some in the Bush administration who have said that offshoring is a good thing and it is good for the U.S. economy.

Others say that it is bad for our country. My motion would require an independent study to provide exactly the information and data that we now lack to lay out a plan to address this critical problem.

I offered this amendment in the Committee on Science at our markup. Unfortunately, it was voted down on a party-line vote. I was told at the time that the majority had a problem with jurisdiction issues, that other committees may, in fact, claim jurisdiction. I went to the Committee on Rules. The Committee on Rules refused to allow a vote on my amendment.

My amendment would simply require an independent study of the outsourcing problem which is a problem for each congressional district in every State in the United States. This

administration and future administrations, this Congress and future Congresses, and the American people deserve the facts about outsourcing so we can prepare to deal with the problems both short and long term.

I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee, the ranking member of the Committee on Science.

The gentleman is correct.

Again, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise in opposition to the rule on H.R. 3598, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act.

The Committee on Rules blocked consideration of several amendments offered by my colleagues on the House Committee on Science to this bill. This body should have the right to discuss and to debate every amendment offered, not only by the members of the Committee on Science but Members of this body.

One of the amendments that was blocked yesterday by the Committee on Rules was an amendment that I offered which would have required the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology to do a study on the effects that offshoring manufacturing and professional positions is having and will have on the U.S. economy both now and in the future.

Every day more Americans watch their jobs being shipped overseas. Jobs are disappearing from every sector of the economy, from engineering to health care workers, forcing hundreds of thousands of families into unemployment and low-paying jobs.

Since 2000, we have lost 2.7 million manufacturing jobs, of which 500,000 jobs were in high-tech industries such as telecommunications and electronics. Since 2000, 632,000 jobs have disappeared in high-tech service industries. In 48 of the 50 States, jobs in higher-paying industries have been replaced with jobs in lower-paying industries since November of 2001. Between 2000 and 2003, the number of unemployed college graduates grew at a rate of almost 300 percent compared to 155 percent for workers with a high school degree or lower.

A March survey of 216 CFOs found that 27 percent plan to send more workers offshore in the coming year. Twenty-seven percent of 216 CFOs said that they intended to send more jobs offshore this year.

We currently are unable to assess the short- and long-term effects of the problem because we do not have sufficient or accurate data on the problem. As I testified yesterday before the Committee on Rules, I pointed to the fact that the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Business Week all have had recent articles pointing to the fact that we lack the data to determine the effects of outsourcing.

Some would have us believe that outsourcing is good for our economy. Others would say that it is negative, and they have drawn their conclusion based upon insufficient data. Mr. Speaker, I intend to offer a motion to recommit, instructing the Committee on Science to report the bill back to the House with a provision requiring the Commerce Department to complete a study on the effects that outsourcing is having and how we can address this issue both in the short and long term.

The administration, the Congress, and the American people deserve to know the facts so that we can work to make business more competitive and create better-paying jobs here at home. Mr. Speaker, I cannot understand why the majority, both on the Committee on Science, in the Committee on Rules, and the majority on the floor that will be voting on this legislation either today or tomorrow would not want additional information concerning the problem of outsourcing.

We simply are saying give us an independent study, assess the problem, tell us where these jobs are going and why they are going offshore, and also what effects it not only is having on our economy today and the future but also on young people who are trying to determine right now what fields to enter in and major in in college. Where are their jobs going to be tomorrow? Where will they be 10 years down the road?

So, Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule so that we can have an open debate on outsourcing and the other amendments that Members choose to offer.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, let me first say I was utterly amazed in the Committee on Science when I offered my amendment. I thought it would be noncontroversial. We had a number of amendments that there may have been some controversy and debate back and forth on, but I thought offering an amendment that would require an independent study of our government to address one of the major problems in the United States today, the loss of manufacturing and other high-tech jobs offshore, certainly would be acceptable to both sides of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, it was exactly that. It calls for a study. It would mandate a study. The Secretary of Commerce would be required within 60 days after the President signed this legislation, he would be required to enter into a contract either with the RAND Corporation or any other credible company to do an independent study, report back within a year, and at the conclusion of the year, the Secretary of Commerce would have 4 months to put together his recommendation based upon the results of that study and make recommendations to the Congress.

So that is why I was amazed and again amazed yesterday at the Committee on Rules. We are asking simply to study the problem, identify how many jobs have been lost in what sectors, what does the future look like as far as outsourcing is concerned, and then take action. Members are talking about the number of jobs we are losing overseas, but no one is taking action. With this study the administration would have a blueprint and a plan as to what needs to be done.

Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman, yes, they did. It was a partisan vote right down the line. The Democrats supported it, and the Republicans opposed it. I was told at the time the reason the Republicans opposed it was because of process; they were concerned about jurisdiction and that other committees would claim jurisdiction. And, of course, we have dealt with that problem before by exchanging letters.

Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would continue to yield, there is no jurisdictional problem on the House floor, and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) made that point very clearly to the Committee on Rules, that if they allowed this amendment in order today, there would be no jurisdictional problem.

I frankly believe if this amendment had been allowed in order and debated, I cannot see how any Member of this House would vote against an independent study addressing the major problem that we have in this country of outsourcing jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I would tell the gentleman that any Member who votes for this rule, in my opinion, is voting for the status quo, to take no action whatsoever to try to determine, to try to collect the data and determine what is going on with the offshoring of jobs and how to address the problem.

That is correct. If we defeat the rule, we can come back and debate the issue of outsourcing. I have to believe there are a number of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who will vote against this rule in order to move forward with the study so we can gather the data and come up with a blueprint to address this problem.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 460. The citizens of the U.S. and Israel maintain a deeply rooted friendship based upon common interests, a shared commitment to democracy, individual freedoms, and a rejection of extremism and terrorism.

Since 1948, the State of Israel has committed itself to living in harmony and mutual respect with its neighbors and to arriving at a peaceful solution to the conflict with the Palestinians. For most of the last four years, however, Israelis and Palestinians have found themselves in a violent and crippling deterioration of relations. Thousands have died in horrible violence that has torn through the hearts of both the Israeli and Palestinian communities.

With President Sharon's disengagement plan, I hope we are at a renewed moment of hope. I believe that the future security of Israel depends upon bringing an end to terrorism, bloodshed, and human suffering and to establishing a just, permanent peace with the Palestinians. The principles endorsed by President Bush and Prime Minister Sharon are a step towards peace.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that Prime Minister Sharon's disengagement plan represents an important opportunity to break the deadlock in

Israeli-Palestinian relations. I am further encouraged that the Palestinian Authority and Egypt seem to agree, and are working to ensure security in post-disengagement Gaza. For these reasons, I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tyler Tappendorf of Belleville, Illinois on winning the National Peace Essay Contest in Illinois.

As my colleagues may know, the essay contest is sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace, an independent, non-partisan federal institution that promotes research, education and training on the prevention, management and peaceful resolution of conflict. First conducted in 1987, the essay contest is the Institute's primary outreach program to high school students.

Contestants this year were asked to analyze the process of rebuilding societies after conflict. Tyler's essay, Rebuilding from Past Conflicts, was selected as the best from the state of Illinois. Tyler attends Belleville East High School and plans to attend Valparaiso University and study actuarial science and Spanish.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Tyler the best of luck in the future and again congratulate him on this great accomplishment, and I am entering his essay into the Record so it can be enjoyed by others.

Rebuilding From Past Conflicts

From the sheer numbers of a post-war death toll to the

immense destruction of buildings and infrastructure,

conflicts leave their mark on the world. The work that'

continues once the fighting has stopped determines whether

more problems will erupt or whether an ultimate peace will

triumph. This post-war reconstruction is often a complex and

difficult process. From the players in the rebuilding to the

system of governance, each aspect of reconstruction impacts

the final outcome. Though some attempts have failed and

others have succeeded, humankind can learn a great deal from

past reconstruction efforts. The analysis of the aftermath in

Japan after World War II and the reconciliation in Rwanda

following the 1994 genocide suggests that plans for

successful rebuilding must include a branching network of

peacekeepers, an effective system of justice, and an

impartial system of governance.

On August 15, 1945, the largest war in the history of the

world reached its end onboard the U.S.S. Missouri after the

United States unleashed on Japan the world's most powerful

bombs. According to W. G. Beasley, with the swipe of a pen,

the Japanese handed over power to the United States beginning

a seven-year occupation feared by many Japanese as the end to

their country, but ultimately recognized as ``a fresh

beginning'' (214).

Embarking on what political scientist Robert Ward calls

``the single most exhaustively planned operation of massive

and externally directed political change in world history,''

the United States commenced reconstruction with trials of war

criminals (Nardo 91). These trials quickly eliminated outside

cries for revenge. Concurrently, new officials removed old

leaders from the country, and the occupational government

forced Emperor Hirohito to resign his position and denounce

his supposed godliness (Dilts 294). This eradication of

opposition laid the cornerstone for a smooth

reconstruction.

Along with the United States' system of justice, the means

of governance also helped assure the success of the

reconciliation process. W.G. Beasley noted that though the

United States controlled the country, it chose to govern

indirectly through a modified body of Japanese leaders (215).

The government also avoided unpopular laws, therefore evading

much opposition (216). In conjunction with this, the U.S.

also reassured safety and the betterment of the people. This

not only initiated future friendliness, but also generated

cooperation by the Japanese people (Dilts 294). In ruling

through the country's own people and recognizing the

citizen's views, reconstruction planted democracy while still

maintaining support of the people.

Together with fair governance, a primary country

controlling the process eased the reconstruction. As noted in

Modern Japan, numerous countries such as Britain, China, and

the Soviet Union would have an influence in the

reconstruction, but the large majority of the power fell into

the hands of the United States and General Douglas MacArthur

(92). This separation between major and minor influences

resulted in easier governance along with fewer disputes over

insignificant details. By simply gathering the world's

suggestions and channeling them through one enforcer, the

reconstruction leaders simplified the process.

With a system of justice, a fair and respected government,

a purpose of overall improvement, and one major peacekepper

backed by other nations, the peacekeeping process reached it

ultimate goal on April 28, 1952. With over fifty nations

present, a treaty granted Japan freedom to pursue democracy

peacefully and prosperously. Over fifty years later, Japan

reigns as a world power while still remaining a peaceful,

democratic nation.

Similar to Japan, Rwanda faced a massive reconstruction

following its 1994 genocide. Unfortunately, its outcome

proved to be less successful. In April 1994, the murder of

Rwanda's Hutu president, coupled with an unsettled past,

instantly incited Rwanda's two tribes--the Hutu and Tutsi--to

violence. As reported by Bitala, the Hutu, with revenge in

mind, murdered nearly 800,000 Tutsi in a span of about three

months (6). Though the Tutsi also murdered many Hutu, the

numbers of their killing was significantly lower than the

genocide carried out by the Hutu (Santoro 11). The violence

only reached its end after the Tutsi-led government, the RPF,

gained control of the capital (11).

In a 2001 issue of World Press Review, Michael Bitala also

noted that almost immediately the remaining Tutsi pleaded for

the RPF to implement a system of justice (6). These requests

forced Rwanda's minister of justice to lock up over 100,000

suspects, and, consequently, Rwanda's prisons immediately

became overcrowded and unsanitary (6). In order to achieve

actual justice, leaders derived a new system called

``gacaca'' in which small village courts would hear cases.

Discussed in The New Republic, here at the gacacas the

killers would face a panel of village leaders who would

decide their fate (11). Though the plan began over three

years ago, Rwanda has since made little progress (11). Many

killers refuse to admit their crimes, many villages simply do

not use gacacas, and many RPF leaders discourage the

tribunals (11-12). Though the new system of justice in Rwanda

can accommodate the masses, it unfavorably plots killers

versus victims therefore destroying any hope of fair trials.

Together with a poor justice system, the govemment, led by

the RPF plays unfairly to the Hutu, disrupting hopes of

reconciliation. From its beginnings in 1994, the RPF-led

government quieted nearly all resistance to its policies.

According to Santoro, the totalitarian regime even hindered

the planned gacacas (12). In mid-2003 the first election with

more than one political party was held in Rwanda, yet despite

this apparent improvement, election fraud in all forms belied

the progress proving once again the authoritarianism of the

government (Coleman n. pag.). Without a government willing to

benefit all people of the reconstruction, little progress can

be made.

The division of authority among participants in Rwanda's

reconciliation also has hindered its success. As written by

Fedarko, immediately following the genocide, French troops

served as protectors to the survivors (56). Following this

the German government agreed to lead the process for gacacas

(Santoro 11). Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

played a similar role throughout the peace process as well

(11). All these forces coupled with the Tutsi-led government

created an overload of influence without one primary

overseer. No government--besides the RPF--was in complete

control. Without one dominating mediator, the process was

delayed and complicated.

Rwanda, despite its many efforts, has not reconciled

completely. Although no formal fighting has since broken out,

the Hutu and Tutsi tribes still stand divided inside the

country's borders. Until Rwanda can establish an effective

system of justice along with an unbiased government, little

progress will occur.

Though the reconstruction efforts in Japan and Rwanda

contrasted in many aspects, society can learn many of the

same lessons from them. First, both wars present evidence

that reconstruction must include an effective system of

justice. An international group, such as the United Nations,

must establish a permanent world court that reviews major

war crimes. This court should consist of judges from

numerous nations and serve as the authority over post-war

justice. Impartiality must be maintained. Along with this,

the reconstruction government must establish lesser courts

within the damaged country to deal with lesser criminals.

Only justice can suppress victims calling for revenge and

remove insurgents opposing peace. Hence, a system of

justice allows for a smoother rebuilding process.

Along with a system of justice, one major authority should

control reconstruction, although numerous others should have

an input on large decisions. Through this branching system,

reconstruction becomes more effective and efficient. When one

government enforces policies and bears the final authority

decisions avoid delays in arguments. The other players,

however, must choose the country or NGO to become the primary

force. This chosen group must seek to benefit the war-torn

country and its people. Similarly, the ultimate goal of the

main regulator must focus on plans for a peaceful future as

well as reconstruction of structures and government.

Finally, the players must institute a reasonable and

impartial government. Though the major authority should

assist the new government, the ruling body should consist

only of natives. This prevents opposition to outside

governments and eventually encourages self-rule. In

conjunction with this, the new or revised government must

recognize the needs and wants of the citizens. Governments

must also establish fair laws as well as democratic elections

and processes. If at any time the reconstruction leaders feel

that the new government is failing, then they should have

authority to revise or remove it. Through an evenhanded

government, a country can reestablish itself while protecting

the rights of its citizens.

With the implementation of a primary reconstruction leader,

an operative system of justice, and an impartial government,

post-war countries can begin to rebuild more effectively.

Though numerous others aspects will also dictate the ultimate

success of the process, these three areas will only benefit

the reconciliation. Assuredly reconstructions will remain a

part of society in the future because countries will continue

to fight numerous wars and battles for years to come. Though

conflicts will continue to arise, mankind can learn from the

past in order to protect peace for the future.

Mr. Speaker, today I'd like my colleagues to join me in honoring the sesquicentennial of one of the oldest communities in southern Illinois, Anna.

The city of Anna, Illinois, was platted as a community in 1853 by Winstead Davie. Anna was named for Mr. Davie's wife, who was one of the children of Mrs. Nancy Willard, an early settler of Jonesboro, Illinois. Anna was planned with the coming Illinois Central Railroad line in the area.

In 1857, business and commerce came to Anna with the Anna Quarry, which has produced crushed rock, lime and building stone ever since. The stone produced in the quarry was used to build the Stinson Memorial Library and the First Presbyterian Church in Anna. The library was designed by Walter Burley Griffin who was a student of famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. During the Civil War, Anna hosted Camp Dubois and was a major staging point for union activities in the western theatre of the war. During the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates held in the fall of

1858 in Jonesboro at the Union County Fairgrounds, Abraham Lincoln stayed in a house on Main Street in Anna, Illinois

In 1873, the Anna Mental Health Center opened providing employment for many residents throughout the region. The business section of Anna, which had been building up for two decades since the city's founding, suffered two major fires, one in 1876 and the other in 1879.

The Anna Fair was organized in December of 1879 and has come to be known as one of the top county fairs in Illinois. Held in August, the fair features horse racing, produce exhibits, livestock shows and other events.

Walter Willard and Rev. William Faris were responsible for opening the Union Academy, a private school, in 1883. For nearly 35 years the Union Academy served as an educational institution for many leaders in the area. In 1916, the Academy closed and the property came into the ownership of the high school.

Early Anna industries include Anna Pottery, known for its high quality work and the Flora Temple Mills, where flour was produced. Anna Pottery started operations in 1859 by C & W. W. Kirkpatrick, two Ohio brothers who migrated to the area. Clay found in area soils, together with the skill of the potters, brought fame and prestige to Anna Pottery. The brothers produced crocks, jugs and sewer tiles.

While the pottery facility closed in 1900, the one-of-a-kind items that were produced are considered folk art and fetch very high prices at auctions. Anna or Kirkpatrick Brothers pottery is one of the most sought after ceramics today.

Tobacco was processed in Anna from 1862 to 1870. Fruit and vegetables have also been important to the Anna economy since 1860. Apples and peaches are the chief commodities of the region and these fruits are marketed and sold to major metropolitan area markets. Anna was also home to a large Farmer's Market, built in 1934 to accommodate these products, the Anna City Hall now sits where the market once stood.

Anna is only a mile away from its sister city, Jonesboro, the seat of Union County, Illinois. Anna is a community rich in tradition and continues to serve as a major agricultural center for southern Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the founding of the community and the people of Anna, Illinois on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today I'd like my colleagues to join me in honoring the sesquicentennial of one of the oldest communities in southern Illinois, Mound City.

In its earliest days, Mound City was known as the ``Mounds'' because of prehistoric Indian mounds found there. Mound City already had a small settlement located there because of its strategic location as a river trading center and was also well known for its safe harbor and steep river banks.

The original Mound City was platted in 1854. In 1855, the Emporium Real Estate and Manufacturing Company, based in Cincinnati, OH, was organized solely for the purpose of building a community in Southern Illinois on the banks of the Ohio River. The company received $1.5 million from stock sales and secretly purchased a large section of land adjacent to the newly platted Mound City. The company named the development Emporium City.

The financial backers of the Emporium Real Estate Company had big hopes for Emporium City. At one time, plans even called for a new U.S. Capitol to be located in the new town. The company built a hotel, several warehouses, a foundry, homes and a shipyard, but went bankrupt in 1857 and the two communities merged into Mound City.

The shipyard or the Marine Ways played a key role in the further development of Mound City. The wheels and machinery for the boats

constructed at the facility were molded at the Mound City Foundry. At the outset of the Civil War in 1861, the U.S. Government leased the Marine Ways facility for $40,000 a year. This facility in Mound City was used by the government to build and repair ships and to convert steamships into armored vessels. It was at the Marine Ways site that the USS Cairo, the USS Mound City and USS Cincinnati were constructed under the direction of James Eads. These gunboats or ``ironclads'' were used by the Federal Government during the decisive river conflicts of the Civil War, particularly the capture of the confederate facility at Fort Donelson in Stewart County, TN. In fact, Andrew Foote's flagship, the USS Benton was serviced at the Marine Ways complex.

In 1863, the Federal Government took possession of additional property fronting the river to be used for a naval station together with the adjacent rail depot. One of the warehouses built by the Emporium Company was converted into a naval hospital.

The hospital treated thousands of Union soldiers and was the largest hospital facility in the Union's western campaign. After the Civil war, the hospital served many uses but was eventually destroyed by fire. Many of the soldiers who had died being treated at the hospital were buried nearby and the government created the Mound City National Cemetery there in 1862 where over 5000 soldiers are buried.

Also affiliated with Mound City during the Civil War is the story of the USS Red Rover, the first hospital ship of the U.S. Navy. Originally a confederate side-wheel steamer, the Rover was captured by the crew of the USS Mound City in 1862 when it was hit by another Union ship. It was then refitted as a hospital ship. The Red Rover Hospital Ship entered service and during a battle in Arkansas in July 1862, the USS Mound City was struck and many crewmembers were injured, the Red Rover came to their aid and transported them to the Mound City Naval Hospital. Some of the Red Rover's female personnel were the first to serve on a naval vessel. Though not in operation today, the boatyard is still present in Mound City.

In 1861, Pulaski County moved its county seat from Caledonia to Mound City as recognition of the growth and development of the town and its strategic importance during the Civil War. Fire in 1879 destroyed the courthouse and flooding was a constant problem for the community. It was during this time that the city strengthened its levee system and flood waters never entered the city from 1868 to 1936. In January, 1937 a record flood on the Ohio breached its levees and inflicted much damage to the community. As a result of that flood, the community strengthened its levees.

Mound City today is a community of over 600 and remains a vital part of the economy of Pulaski County and southernmost Illinois. The community serves as a key tourist attraction for southern Illinois with a restored historic courthouse, national cemetery, and Civil War attractions. Pulaski County continues to promote economic development by creating a business environment conducive to further development. Mound City is part of the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, an Illinois Enterprise Zone and the Delta Regional Economic Development Authority.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the founding of the community and the people of Mound City, IL, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to President Ronald Reagan, an Illinois native, as the nation celebrates his many contributions to the United States and the world. While I did not always agree with him, he always had my admiration and respect for his strong leadership and his dedication to the American people. His relationship with the citizens of this great country may be his ultimate legacy. President Reagan spoke directly to their hopes and fears and was embraced for his role as the ``Great Communicator.'' Above all else, he made us feel good about America again.

From humble beginnings, President Reagan went on to play a pivotal role in some of the great events of the 20th Century, most notably the Cold War and eventual fall of the Soviet Union. While never afraid to take a hard line, he was a pragmatic leader who acted without malice, which was evident in the support he received from Democrats. It was this aspect of his leadership that we should all try to replicate. President Reagan's impact on American politics was profound, inspiring legions of young people to public service, not unlike what President Kennedy accomplished years before.

Mr. Speaker, Ronald Reagan loved the United States of America, and he was a stalwart leader in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. President Reagan had a personal vision for the country that was undeniable and unshakeable, and the lines of people waiting to view his casket are a testimony to the fact that he had a tremendous emotional impact on this nation. I would like to extend my condolences to his wife Nancy and the rest of their family, and I join the rest of America in honoring his dedicated service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the true heroes--our law enforcement officers--who have made the supreme sacrifice in service to their community so that all of us can live in peace and safety.

Supporting law enforcement is very important to me because of my service as a law enforcement officer before coming to Congress in 1988. I am also a member of the House Law Enforcement Caucus.

As we reflect on our fallen heroes, it is important to focus on providing the necessary funding and support to these individuals to combat the growing challenges they face. It is the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line every day.

Since September 11, 2001, many in this nation and this Congress have a deeper appreciation for the importance of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers. Every day, hundreds of thousands of men and women protect and serve, often putting their own lives at risk. In honor of these dedicated law enforcement officers who have given their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and paying respect to our fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the rule that refuses to allow for an open debate or the ability to offer amendments to the medical malpractice legislation brought to the floor today by the Republican leadership.

We have a medical malpractice crisis in downstate Illinois. Doctors are leaving the area at an alarming rate.

There is not a simple solution to this complex problem. Some believe that restricting or capping damages that victims of malpractice receive alone will solve the problem. Others believe that placing restrictions on the insurance industry is the answer. There have been many studies on the issue reaching conflicting conclusions on the cause of the problem or the solution.

However, one thing is clear. If we do not have the ability to put all of the issues on the table for consideration, and if we do not have the ability to debate each issue and offer amendments on medical malpractice legislation, we will not be able to solve the problem.

The bill before us today is identical to the bill passed by the House that has been tied up in the Senate for months. The bill restricts or caps damages that a victim of malpractice can receive. However, the bill does nothing to restrict premiums that insurance companies can charge doctors or health care providers. It does nothing to stop or restrict the frivolous lawsuits that clog our court system and the bill does nothing to establish an alternative arbitration system to settle claims outside of the court system.

If we are serious about finding real solutions to the crisis rather than scoring political points, the Republican leadership should allow for open debate on all points of view and allow members to offer amendments to the bill to be considered and vote them up or down.

Unfortunately, they have restricted debate on the bill and have refused to allow any amendments to be offered, debated or considered. It is--take it or leave it as is with little debate and no amendments-- no room to compromise.

I will vote no on the closed rule prohibiting amendments and restricting debate, and I will vote to recommit the bill so that we can come back to the floor with a bill that fully addresses all issues putting everything on the table for consideration and adoption.

I urge my colleagues to join me.

Mr. Speaker, today I'd like my colleagues to join me in honoring the centennial of one of the oldest communities in my congressional district, Sesser, Illinois.

Sesser's beginnings have a close relationship to the coal mining industry in southern Illinois. T. C. Keller came to Sesser from Indiana

and began sinking a large mine shaft 647 feet deep, one and one-half miles southeast of town. Because of the sinking of the Keller mine and the extension of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad into the rich coal fields of the region, Sesser was born. After it was discovered that a deep vein of coal lay under this area, the news traveled fast and people of many nationalities came to Sesser to work.

Two railroad officials, John C. Elliot and John Sesser, a surveyor from whom Sesser received its name, laid out the original plat which contained a square of sixteen blocks. This original plat ran from the railroad to the City Hall and two blocks north and two blocks south of Main Street (Franklin Ave). Sesser was later appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as a member of the Railway Labor Board in Washington D.C. in 1920. Later he served as a Vice-President of the Cuban Railway.

Homes and businesses sprang up fast. Most of the businesses were two story buildings with rooms above to handle the people coming to work in the mines in Sesser. In 1912, the Sesser City Board made contact with the Egyptian Light Company to furnish power and electric lights for the City. Sesser's first sidewalks were made from railroad ties with hitching racks along both sides of the street. In 1912, concrete sidewalks covered eight miles within Sesser.

Sesser's first high school began in 1919, the opera house, drug stores, hotel and restaurants were soon opened. Water and sewer systems were completed in 1914 and a dial system was installed in 1954. Sesser's City Hall was completed in 1967 and the Franklin County Housing Authority approved 30 rental units in Sesser in 1968. Two factories serviced the Sesser area, Sesser Concrete was built in 1946, making concrete blocks and other products and Lyn Gai Garment Company manufactured ladies apparel.

Sesser Sheltercare Home, a 60 bed health care facility, was opened in 1970. This facility is located on farm property previously owned by my mother and father-in-law, George and Eloise Cockrum. This facility was purchased and renamed Redwood Manor. Several rural county schools were in session at one time and now they are housed in one location.

Sesser today is a community of over 2000 and boasts hotels, restaurants and community churches. It remains a vital part of the economy of Franklin County and southern Illinois.

This year, Sesser celebrates its centennial and also commemorates the 49th year of the annual Sesser Homecoming, an event which draws people from throughout the region.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the founding of the community and the people of the City of Sesser, Illinois on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today I'd like my colleagues to join me in honoring the Sesquicentennial of one of the oldest communities in my congressional district, O'Fallon, Illinois.

The City of O'Fallon, Illinois was named in honor of Colonel John O'Fallon. Colonel O'Fallon was a soldier, businessman, real estate owner and public minded citizen. His father, James O'Fallon was a physician who came to this country shortly before the Revolutionary War and served as a surgeon in George Washington's Army. After the war, he went to Louisville, Kentucky where he met and married Frances Clark, a sister of George Rogers Clark and William Clark, army officers, who became famous during the Corps of Discovery exploration of the Louisiana Territory in 1804 and for later development of the Mississippi Valley.

Colonel John O'Fallon's father died when he was a child and he was reared and educated by his mother and uncles. With his army background, he became a soldier. He fought in the War of 1812, where he rose to the rank of Captain. After the war ended, O'Fallon became assistant Indian Agent to his Uncle William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Later he became a contractor, buying and selling Army supplies. He invested his money and became involved with the expanding railroad industry across the nation. He promoted the Missouri Pacific railroad, as well as the Wabash and B&O railroads. His involvement with railroads and the purchase of lands led him to become the namesake of both O'Fallon, Illinois and O'Fallon, Missouri.

Colonel O'Fallon purchased lands in an area north of St. Louis which lead to the development of the community of O'Fallon Park, Missouri. Always civic-minded, Colonel O'Fallon gave generously to St. Louis University and Washington University and also formed an institute which became the forerunner of today's St. Louis High Schools and the City of St. Louis' public library.

O'Fallon, Illinois was originally platted from lands surrounding the train depot and water tank built for the operation of the B&O railroad. Town lots were platted by Ernest Tiedemann under the direction of Frederick A. Carpenter and Hugh O. Sheerbarth. On May 18, 1854 these lots were sold at a public auction. John and Sarah Distler had erected a log cabin on the site in 1851, but the first house in O'Fallon was built by Anderson Umbarger in 1855. The first post office was established in 1855. O'Fallon was incorporated as a village on January 27, 1874.

A newly replicated depot stands near the site of the beginnings of this community. O'Fallon's early growth was due to the large coal mining industry in the region.

O'Fallon was also home to major businesses like Willard Stove, Tiedeman Milling and the Independent Engineering Company. O'Fallon also had abundant agricultural land which supported large farming operations.

Today, O'Fallon is a community of over 20,000 people. It continues to grow because of its proximity to Scott Air Force Base and St. Louis. It sits astride I-64 and boasts three interchange exits where large commercial and retail developments are clustered. O'Fallon also is home to the O'Fallon Township High School, which is recognized as one of the top high schools in the region and the state of Illinois. The high school is also home to the Marching Panthers Band, which has won several national awards and is a regular participant in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

The City of O'Fallon continues the growth and development envisioned by Captain O'Fallon. The rail line he developed continues to run through the community delivering vital commerce and supplies to areas to the west.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the founding of the community and the people of the City of O'Fallon on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel and to pay tribute to those who have given their lives for the achievement of the country's independence and its continued existence.

Israel's Independence Day comes just 8 days after the Holocaust Remembrance Day which is the day that has been set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for contemplating what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign. Lost 2 thousand years earlier, Jewish independence was restored in 1948 with the establishment of the State of Israel. Independence Day is a celebration of the renewal of the Jewish state and allows the Jewish people to continue development of their distinctive religion and culture.

However, their independence has come at a price. The State of Israel has faced obstacles and challenges to its very survival, with conventional military attacks leading the way to suicide bombers who have killed innocent Israeli men, women, and children. Through these adversities, Israel has endured with continued strength, conviction, and faith. As the only democracy in the region, it serves as a model for its neighbors and provides hope for the future. As the United States had to face the harsh realities of terrorism following the unthinkable attacks on our country on September 11, 2001, the bond between our nations has never been stronger.

Mr. Speaker, the commemoration of the independence of Israel is an important reminder of the contributions of Israel to democracy worldwide. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Israel's independence and to pay tribute to the fallen men, women, and children that have died in Israel's continued struggle for independence and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims of one of history's most terrible tragedies, the Armenian Genocide.

April 24, 1915 is remembered and solemnly commemorated each year by the Armenian community and others throughout the world. On that day, Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were arrested in Constantinople, taken to the interior of Turkey and murdered. In the years that followed, Armenians living under Ottoman rule were systematically deprived of their homes, property, freedom, dignity, and ultimately their lives. By 1923, 1.5 million Armenians had been massacred and 500,000 more had been deported.

The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact, despite the efforts of some to minimize its scope and deny its occurrence. Many of the survivors of the genocide came to the United States, where they and their descendants have contributed to our society in countless ways. In my district, there is a significant population of Armenian survivors and their families that showed heroic courage and a will to survive. With faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion and have told the story of the genocide to an often indifferent world. As Members of Congress and people of conscience, we must work to overcome the indifference and distortions of history, and ensure that future generations know what happened.

Mr. Speaker, genocide is the most potent of all crimes against humanity because it is an effort to systematically wipe out a people and a culture as well as individual lives. Denying that genocide took place when there are recorded accounts of barbarity and ethnic violence is an injustice. This was a tragic event in human history, but by paying tribute to the Armenian community we ensure the lessons of the Armenian genocide are properly understood and acknowledged. I am pleased my colleagues and I have this opportunity to ensure this tragedy is remembered.

Mr. Speaker, today the United States commemorates the 34th Earth Day. In celebration of the Nation's commitment to a healthy environment, I urge my colleagues to devote sufficient resources and attention to providing safe and clean water for all Americans. The Congress must expand its efforts to provide communities with the resources and tools necessary to meet our enormous clean water challenges. I ask Members to join me in making an Earth Day commitment to support significant, long-term, sustainable funding for our Nation's water and wastewater infrastructure.

This Nation has realized significant environmental improvements over the last three decades. Yet, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that some 40 percent of our Nation's assessed lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries are still too impaired for their designated uses such as fishing, swimming, or as a drinking water supply source. Discharges from aging and failing sewage systems, urban storm water and other sources continue to pose serious threats to our Nation's waters, endangering not only public health, but also the fishing and recreation industries.

Population growth and development place additional stress on the Nation's water infrastructure and its ability to sustain hard-won water quality gains. EPA itself stated that without significant new investment in wastewater infrastructure, the gains of the past 30 years will be lost. Maintaining clean, safe water remains one of our greatest national and global challenges and responsibilities.

EPA's Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis found that there is a gap in excess of $400 billion between current spending and projected needs for water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years. It is critical that the Federal government do its part in partnership with state and local governments in order to avert the pending water infrastructure crisis. That is why the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure supports expanded funding for addressing water quality needs.

Unfortunately, the current Administration seeks to reduce the Federal commitment to water and wastewater infrastructure. The President's budget for fiscal year 2005 cuts funding by $815 million, even as the need for funding increases. The cuts are indefensible, and imperil the Nation's ability to maintain water quality, let alone improve it.

In celebration of this Earth Day, I encourage all Members of the House to support legislation aimed at investing in the improvement of water quality in our Nation's lakes, rivers, streams and estuaries.