Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a historic Minnesota and national treasure, the Old Log Theater.

The Old Log is a pioneering lighthouse in the history of theater in our Nation, located on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Greenwood, next to Excelsior, Minnesota.

Just as Lake Minnetonka for generations has been a powerful attraction for visitors from all over the world trying to escape the summer heat, the rich tradition of the Old Log Theater has been a magnet for theater fans around the globe.

On June 9th, the Old Log Theater will celebrate its 65th anniversary, a truly remarkable accomplishment that is most deserving of special recognition.

Mr. Speaker, the Old Log Theater, under the visionary guidance of Don Stolz, is the Nation's oldest, continuously running professional theater.

Don is largely responsible for the Old Log's legendary 65-year run.

He has worn every hat: producer, artistic director, company member, ticket seller, public address announcer, theater host and many more.

Don's distinguished presence, the great respect he enjoys in the community and the profession, and his wonderful sense of humor have as much to do with the success of the Old Log as any other factor.

The enduring legacy of this great theater is that, at its roots, the Old Log is a family affair. Don, his wife, Joan, and their sons, Tim, Tom, Dony, John and Peter, have acted as a team, filling every role.

And author and public relations manager Bob Williams is really a member of the Stolz family, too.

Originally opened in the spring of 1940 as a summer stock company in a log stable, the Old Log has entertained over 6 million patrons over the past six and a half decades.

In 1960, a new theater opened and the Old Log started running year- round its stable of the best in contemporary comedies from Broadway and London's West End.

Theater buffs can find some of the best comedic talent in the country in the Old Log's resident company of Equity actors.

Famous stars too numerous to mention have started their careers at the Old Log. Radio and TV personalities have graced its stage year after year.

But those of us who have been in the audience--and we come back time and again!--have been graced the most by the continuing excellence of the Old Log.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Don Stolz and the Stolz family on the 65th anniversary of the Old Log Theater.

Mr. Speaker, critics of embryonic stem cell research maintain that it is wrong to promote science which destroys life in order to save life. As the leading prolife legislator in Washington, Senator Orrin Hatch put it, since when does human life begin in a petri dish in a refrigerator?

To reduce this issue to an abortion issue is a horrible injustice to 100 million Americans suffering the ravages of diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, MS, Lou Gehrig's disease and other fatal and debilitating diseases.

I met with researchers from four of the main stem cell institutes in America. As one prominent researcher told me, and I am quoting, ``The real irony of the President's policy is that at least 100,000 surplus frozen embryos could be used to produce stem cells for research to save lives. But instead, these surplus embryos are being thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste, thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste.''

Only 22 of the 78 stem cell lines approved by the President remain today.

As another leading researcher said, ``This limit on research has stunted progress on finding cures for a number of fatal and debilitating diseases.''

Mr. Speaker, it is too late for my beloved mother who was totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease which killed her. It is too late for my cousin who died a tragic, cruel death from juvenile diabetes while still in his 20s; but it is not too late for the 100 million other American people counting on us to support funding for life-saving research on embryonic stem cells.

Let us not turn our backs on these people. Let us not take away their hope. Let us listen to respected pro-life colleagues and friends like Orrin Hatch, former Senator Connie Mack, former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson when they tell us this is not an abortion issue. We should support embryonic stem cell research.

Mr. Speaker, critics of embryonic stem cell research maintain it is wrong to ``promote science which destroys life in order to save life.''

As the leading pro-life legislator in Washington, Sen. Orrin Hatch put it, ``Since when does human life begin in a petri dish in a refrigerator?''

To reduce this issue to an abortion issue is a horrible injustice to 100 million Americans suffering the ravages of diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease and other fatal, debilitating diseases.

I have met with medical researchers from the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of

Health and Johns Hopkins University. As one prominent researcher told me, ``The real irony of the President's policy is that at least 100,000 surplus frozen embryos could be used to produce stem cells for research to save lives. Instead, these surplus embryos are being thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste.''

Only 22 of the 78 stem cell lines approved by the President in 2001 remain today. As another leading medical researcher said, ``This limit on research has stunted progress on finding cures for a number of debilitating and fatal diseases.''

Mr. Speaker, the scientific evidence is overwhelming that embryonic stem cells have great potential to regenerate specific types of human tissues, offering hope for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases.

Mr. Speaker, it's too late for my beloved mother who was totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease which led to her death. It's too late for my cousin who died a cruel, tragic death from diabetes in his 20's.

But it's not too late for 100 million other American people counting on us to support funding for life-saving research on stem cells derived from donated surplus embryos created through in vitro fertilization.

Let's not turn our backs on these people. Let's not take away their hope. Let's listen to respected pro-life colleagues and friends like Senator Orrin Hatch, former Senator Connie Mack and former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson when they tell us this is not an abortion issue.

Let's make it clear that abortion politics should not determine this critical vote.

Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life and give hope for life to millions of people.

I urge members to support funding for life-saving and life-enhancing embryonic stem cell research.

The American people deserve nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, critics of embryonic cell stem research maintain it is wrong to promote science which destroys life in order to save life. As the leading prolife legislator in Washington, Senator Orrin Hatch put it, ``Since when does life begin in a petri dish in a refrigerator?''

To reduce this issue to an abortion issue is a horrible insult to 100 million Americans suffering the ravages of diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig's disease.

I have met with medical researchers from the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins University. As one prominent researcher told me, ``The real irony of the President's policy is that at least 100,000 surplus frozen embryos could be used to produce stem cells for research to save lives. Instead, these surplus embryos are being thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste.''

Only 22 of the 78 stem cell lines approved by the President in 2001 remain today. This limit on research has stunted progress on finding cures for a number of debilitating and fatal diseases, according to scientists and patient advocacy groups across America.

Mr. Speaker, the scientific evidence is overwhelming that embryonic stem cells have great potential to regenerate specific types of human tissues, offering hope for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating, fatal and cruel diseases.

Mr. Speaker, it is too late for my beloved mother who was totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease, which led to her death. It is too late for President Reagan who suffered a similar fate. It is too late for my cousin, Joey, who died a cruel death in his 20s from diabetes, but it is not too late for the 100 million other American people counting on this House to support funding for life-saving research on stem cells derived from donated, surplus embryos created through in vitro fertilization.

Let us not turn our backs on these people and take away their hope. Let us listen to respected colleagues and friends like Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Connie Mack, and former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, all prolife people, all who tell us this is not an abortion issue. Let us make it clear that abortion politics should not determine this critical vote. Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life, and give hope for life to millions of people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support funding for life-saving and life-enhancing embryonic stem cell research. The American people deserve nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of all Minnesotans to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims of the school shootings at Red Lake High School and to the entire Red Lake community.

On March 21, 2005, tragedy struck Red Lake, Minnesota and left a community devastated and a Nation shocked.

Mr. Speaker, we are all deeply saddened by this horrific event, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and the entire Red Lake community.

We commend the Red Lake tribal leaders and members, local law enforcement officers, school officials and medical support staff for their heroism and courage in response to this tragedy.

Now, we must use this occasion to mourn the loss of loved ones and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The people of Minnesota will never forget this terrible loss of innocent lives. May those who died be remembered forever in our hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Lions Club, which has served the great City of Brooklyn Center and all of Minnesota for 50 years with extraordinary excellence.

The Brooklyn Center Lions Club rose from humble beginnings a half century ago, with early membership in the single digits, scrap drive projects and the purchase of a single pair of eyeglasses for a needy child. The Lions Club has now grown to over 70 members, who organize projects that shape the community and better the lives of thousands of people.

Membership has been strong and growing over the past 50 years, but only Lion Larry Roen remains as an original charter member. Congratulations Lion Roen!

Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center Lions Club also has the distinction of producing five District 5M5 Governors over the last 50 years: Frank Erwin, Bill Legler, Richard Risley, Thomas Shinnick and Orlander ``Ole'' Nelson, each of whom represented the finest Lions Club tradition of public service to help those in need.

The Lions gave generously 36 years ago when they built beautiful Lions Park in Brooklyn Center. Their generosity didn't stop there, as they later added a fantastic picnic shelter to the park.

Through the Quest Youth Outreach program, which emphasizes drug abuse prevention, community service, education, environment, health, recreation and service-learning, the Brooklyn Center Lions have reached out to three school districts with their important public service.

Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center Lions serve people through many important programs like Campaign Sight First, Hearing Dog and Leader Dog. The Brooklyn Center Lions are also active in the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank and the Children's Eye Clinic and Hearing Foundation. Additionally, the Lions sponsor the Earle Brown Days Parade, one of the largest parades in Minnesota, as well as numerous Halloween parties. The Brooklyn Center Lions are also active in Boy and Girl Scouts.

Deeply involved in diabetes research, the Brooklyn Center Lions, with the help of other 5M5 District Clubs, have raised $20,000 for this important cause.

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the true spirit of the Lions' motto, ``We Serve,'' the Brooklyn Center Lions have served the people of Brooklyn Center very well for 50 years. We thank them for their service, which they have performed with pride and distinction. Congratulations, Brooklyn Center Lions, on your 50 years of service!

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to legendary sportswriter Sid Hartman on his 60th anniversary with the Star Tribune, Minnesota's largest newspaper.

For six decades Sid Hartman has been writing his celebrated column, and his WCCO radio show and daily sports reports are heard by hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners throughout the Upper Midwest.

Mr. Speaker, Sid Hartman personifies the American dream. Born and raised on the north side of Minneapolis, Sid started peddling newspapers as a fifth-grader in downtown Minneapolis and doing chores for the sports editor of the Star Tribune when he was in high school. In all, Sid Hartman has worked for the Star Tribune for 70 years, and to this day nobody, nobody, works harder or gets more scoops than Sid. As he puts it, ``I get out every day and make the rounds,'' and that is exactly what Sid does.

The Golden Gophers, Vikings, Timberwolves, Twins, Wild, Lynx, area colleges and high schools, Sid is there every day, as he puts it, ``talking to people in person every day, all the time.''

Mr. Speaker, Sid Hartman is a true Minnesota institution. He is the pivotal player and chief architect in making Minnesota major league in the world of big-time sports.

But Sid will tell you he is the lucky one to have lived such a remarkable life and career. Now in his eighties, Sid Hartman has not slowed down one bit. He is the consummate ``homer'' and Minnesota's biggest booster of our beloved sports teams.

Minnesotans can always count on turning to page 3 of the sports section of the Star Tribune and reading Sid's latest jottings on ``sports heroes,'' ``stiffs'' and ``geniuses,'' as only Sid can label them.

And, Mr. Speaker, nobody has more close personal friends than Sid Hartman. From Bud Grant and Lou Holtz to Bobby Knight and George Steinbrenner, Sid knows them all in the world of sports. I dare say there is not one major sports figure in the United States who is not a close, personal friend of Sid Hartman.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, it is a privilege to recognize and congratulate Sid Hartman on his 60th anniversary. The people of Minnesota, well, at least most of us, hope Sid continues his legendary sports writing for many years to come.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time, and I rise in opposition to the amendment by my colleague and friend from West Virginia.

Preventing the IRS from using the professional services of private collection agencies to help collect past-due income taxes is bad policy for taxpayers, and it is bad for IRS collection efforts. It is fundamentally unfair, Mr.

Chairman, to people who pay their taxes for those who do not pay their taxes, the deadbeats, to get off scot-free. And right now, we are losing millions and millions of dollars because of deadbeat taxpayers. In fact, the backlog for the IRS is at $280 billion; that is billion with a ``b'' and growing every year.

The concerns raised by my friend and colleague can be dispelled by objective study of the IRS proposal. The Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means has examined the issue extensively, and we have solid evidence of the success of private collection agencies in collecting other debts for the Federal Government and the more than 40 States that also use them to help collect State income taxes.

First, the security and privacy of sensitive taxpayer information is absolutely essential. Nobody doubts that. That is why IRS employees, anyone performing work under contract with the IRS, would be subject to heavy, heavy criminal penalties for violations of security and privacy.

In addition, a taxpayer could bring a civil suit under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act against private collection agency employees for any unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information. So there are protections to guarantee against the type of abuses that have been cited.

Second, private collection agencies would not be compensated solely based on dollars collected. The IRS has developed a set of criteria, including quality of service, taxpayer satisfaction and case resolution, in addition to collection results. These would all be components, elements in determining how PCAs would be paid for the work performed for the IRS.

Third, Mr. Chairman, more than 40 States already use private collection agencies to assist with their State tax collection efforts.

In the last fiscal year, total collections by these private collection agencies for the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services and Treasury were $546 million, up 23 percent from the previous year.

Mr. Chairman, let us get real. Disturbing allegations raised regarding the practices of one contractor should not taint the quality work done by many other collection contractors who are serving the States and Federal Government well. It is important to remember these collection contracts would only involve cases in which the tax liability is not in dispute because taxpayers have admitted to the liability. They have admitted they owe the tax. The more complex cases where liability is disputed would remain with the professional employees at IRS. I urge my colleagues to support taxpayer equity and vote no on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

This amendment would fully fund the President's request for the Access to Recovery grant program, which helps people who need chemical dependency treatment get the help they need from the treatment provider of their choice.

Mr. Chairman, it is time for Congress to get serious about the problem of alcohol and other drug addiction and treat it like the number 1 public health crisis it is. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans today is suffering the ravages of chemical addiction. Twenty-six million Americans are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, and 156,000 Americans died last year from this fatal disease.

The public costs of untreated addiction are also staggering. A Brandeis University study found that addiction costs the American economy $400 billion a year. That is billion with a B, Mr. Chairman. These criminal justice costs, health care costs, lost productivity in the workplace, and so on are a huge drain on our economy, and there are countless other human costs we cannot even begin to quantify.

At the same time, Mr. Chairman, there is real hope for Americans struggling with the disease, hope through treatment and recovery. We have all the empirical evidence in the world to show that treatment works, and expanding access to treatment, as the President wants us to do, is not only the right thing to do, but it is also the cost- effective thing to do.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse did an exhaustive study and found that every dollar spent on treatment saves $7 in criminal justice costs alone. If savings in health care are factored in, we save $12 for each dollar spent on treatment. A California study found that statewide emergency room admissions dropped by one-third after treatment, and crime declined by two-thirds following treatment.

So the question, Mr. Chairman, is not whether we can afford to provide treatment; the question is whether we can afford not to provide treatment.

Mr. Chairman, I stand here today as a grateful recovering alcoholic of 23 years, 1 month, and 9 days, and I am alive today only because I had access to the treatment that I needed. If fully funded, the Access to Recovery program could extend the same lifeline to 100,000 other Americans who desperately need help, who desperately need treatment.

President Bush proposed the Access to Recovery program last year, and we funded just half of his $200 million request. As a result, 45 States applied for funding; because of the lack of funds, only 14 States and 1 tribal government received any grants. It is clear, Mr. Chairman, the demand far outstrips the supply of these critical funds. The bill before us, once again, contains only one-half the funding that the President requested.

Mr. Chairman, this is a life-or-death issue, and we cannot afford to be half-hearted about it. This amendment would fully fund the President's request by adding $100 million to the Access to Recovery program. It is fully offset with cost-savings for administrative accounts.

Mr. Chairman, President Nixon, when he first declared the war on drugs in the 1970s, directed 60 percent of funding, of Federal funding, to treatment. Today we are down to 18 percent, 18 percent. That is why over half the treatment beds available just 10 years ago are gone. That is why 3.5 million Americans were denied treatment last year alone.

This program, the Access to Recovery program, will not only enable addicted Americans to receive treatment, it will also help increase the number of providers, and the rigorous peer review process at SAMHSA for obtaining the grants and its strong program evaluation requirements will lead us to better performance-based treatment in this country.

I urge my colleagues to support this critical program and provide hope to thousands of Americans who need

treatment for the fatal disease of alcohol and other addiction, alcohol and other drug addiction.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Point of Order

I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I understand this amendment is subject to a point of order because it seeks to add funding to an account administered by SAMHSA. Unfortunately, the authorization for SAMHSA did expire at the end of last year.

At the very least, Mr. Chairman, this should be a wake-up call for Congress to reauthorize SAMHSA without further delay. SAMHSA is a critical source of treatment funding for the 45 million Americans suffering from mental illness and the 26 million Americans suffering from chemical addiction.

It is unfortunate this amendment will most likely be ruled out of order because Congress has not acted to reauthorize SAMHSA. However, I look forward to working with the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Regula) and my other colleagues on the critical mission of expanding access to treatment for people suffering the ravages of chemical addition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a legendary Minnesota institution, WCCO Radio, which is celebrating its 80th Anniversary.

WCCO officially went on the air on October 2, 1924, broadcasting from a tower in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, now in the Third Congressional District. WCCO was the largest radio station west of the Mississippi. Named for the Washburn Crosby Company, WCCO was the second radio station (and first for-profit commercial broadcaster) in the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been a ``Good Neighbor'' to all Minnesotans and the entire Upper Midwest, and this historic milestone is truly deserving of special recognition.

For eight decades, Minnesotans have tuned to 830 on the dial to keep up on the news, sports, school closings, blizzards, heat waves, tornadoes, floods, election results, community celebrations, farm prices, health tips, market updates and world events.

WCCO gives us what we need, when we need it.

WCCO has always nurtured our better instincts, raising money and volunteers to help countless charities, veterans groups, churches, synagogues, civic efforts, storm cleanups and people in need. WCCO has always embodied public service of the highest order!

Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been Minnesota's bulletin board for generations. Our grandparents and parents and children have counted on WCCO to deliver us what we need to know. And the family of WCCO employees who have provided this tremendous public service need to know how much we appreciate their hard work through the years.

The voices heard on WCCO Radio over the years are legendary to all Minnesotans, good neighbors to us all. They have been like members of the family: Cedric Adams, Halsey Hall, Bob De Haven, Joyce Lamont, Howard Viken, Dick Chapman, Jim Bormann, Ron Handberg, Clayton Kaufman, Ray Christensen, Steve Cannon, Charley Boone, Roger Erickson, Jergen Nash, Sid Hartman, Randy Merriman, Paul Giel, Maynard Speece, Chuck Lilligren, Roger Strom, Dave Lee, Eric Eskola, Mike Lynch, Sue Zelickson, Ruth Koscielak, Bruce Hagevik, Rich Holter, Telly Mamayek, Jeff McKinney, Steve Enck, Adam Carter, Angela Babb, Rita Maloney, Russ Knuth, Steve Murphy, Susie Jones, Tim Russell, Denny Long, Bill Diehl, Pat Miles, Dave Mona, Dark Star, Don Shelby, John Gordon, Patty Peterson, Mike Max, Al Malmberg, Kim Jeffries, Dan Gladden, Dan Terhaar and so many others.

What friends they have been to all Minnesotans, as we have truly been blessed with their enduring talents and commitment to excellence in broadcasting.

WCCO's tradition of excellence and service to the community have been truly remarkable. From recognizing public service with its ``Good Neighbor Award'' to offering accurate, comprehensive news and information, WCCO Radio has achieved an unparalleled level of trust with its loyal listening audience. WCCO truly connects with its listeners in a special, personal way.

Mr. Speaker, the trust that exists between WCCO and its listeners is all the more outstanding because of the large geographical area WCCO serves. As one of the 12 original ``clear channel'' stations, WCCO is the only operator allowed on the 830AM setting. With its powerful transmitters, WCCO Radio can be heard not only in Minnesota, but in Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas and far beyond.

Mr. Speaker, the people of WCCO Radio have been the consummate ``Good Neighbors'' for 80 years, and we salute them for their legendary public service.

Happy 80th birthday, WCCO Radio!

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Tax Simplification for Americans Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Tax Simplification for Americans Act.

As American taxpayers know too well, the tax code is incredibly complex and compliance is all to expensive. Americans spend 3 billion hours per year filling out tax forms and keeping tax records. The cost of complying with the code is a whopping $85 billion per year. That's 3 billion hours and $85 billion that could be put to much productive uses in America.

This bill will offer taxpayers some meaningful relief from complexity. about 1.6 million people will be able to fill out simpler tax forms--1040A and 1040EZ--rather than filling out the 1040 form with all its schedules, which takes about 28.5 hours to complete.

The bill would also end the confusing use of definitions regarding a taxpayer's age. It also clarifies the ``head of household'' definition, which will help taxpayers prevent errors in filing status. In addition, the bill gets rid of a number of outdated and unnecessary provisions in the tax code.

Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of work to do in the area of simplification, but this bill is an excellent start. It will mean real help to real people.

I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly pay tribute to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Police Chief Wade Setter, who has been named ``2004 D.A.R.E. Law Enforcement Executive of the Year.''

Nobody is more deserving of this prestigious award than Chief Setter. Nobody has done more to keep kids off drugs, which is what D.A.R.E.-- Drug Abuse Resistance Education--is all about.

Chief Setter has been a very special friend of D.A.R.E., and he has done so much to keep our young people on course and away from the destructive influence of drugs. His strong, effective leadership in promoting drug abuse prevention and education initiatives has truly been exemplary.

Chief Setter has been with the Brooklyn Park Police Department his entire professional career. He started as an officer in 1979 and has been Chief since 1996. During his career, Wade has served as a patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, director of investigations and commander of the Hennepin-Anoka Suburban Drug Task Force.

Chief Wade Setter's commitment to serving his community, to children and to prevention education has been inspiring. Chief Setter has served as President of the Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association and was awarded the 2002 Community Leadership Award by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.

In addition, Chief Setter has been a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police since 1996. He is also a member and past president of the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Setter is a board member of Minnesota D.A.R.E., and he has served on the National Law Enforcement Advisory Committee of D.A.R.E. America since 1999. Chief Setter has been a member of the Advisory Board of Minnesota D.A.R.E. since 2000, and a member of my Law Enforcement Advisory Committee since 1996.

Chief Setter is a tireless advocate for the D.A.R.E. program in Brooklyn Park and throughout Minnesota. Since D.A.R.E. began in our state, Chief Setter has encouraged countless officers to participate in the program. Chief Setter truly represents the best in public service!

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the people of Minnesota and our nation, I want to thank Chief Wade Setter for his steadfast vigilance to keep kids off drugs and teach them to make smart choices. Clearly, Chief Wade Setter was the smart choice for ``2004 D.A.R.E. Law Enforcement Executive of the Year''!

Mr. Speaker, we salute Chief Wade Setter for his outstanding public service and congratulate him on this important national honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and strong supporter of this important legislation. Today's passage of the Customs Border Security and Trade Agencies Authorization Act is absolutely vital because it authorizes funding for four agencies that play critical roles in formulating and implementing American trade policy:

The U.S. Trade Representative, the International Trade Commission, and the newly formed agencies of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

I want to especially thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Crane) of our Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade for including a provision I offered in the bill to allow, but not mandate, customs officials to work overtime if smaller air carriers arrive at an airport after normal customs hours.

This legislation is necessary because charter air carriers often use smaller feeder airports, providing needed relief to air traffic at larger international airports; and, unfortunately, this means that chartered carriers are often unfairly restricted in the hours in which they can land, as smaller airports do not have extended hours for customs officials like larger international airports.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4418 will change current law by allowing customs officials to work overtime, with the overtime costs paid for by the arriving carrier. This is good policy for the carrier, as they have more flexibility in their flight schedules. It is good policy for the taxpayer, as there is no additional cost to them. And it is good policy for customs employees, as they have the option to work overtime if they so desire.

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, international trade is absolutely critical to our economy; and we must do all we can to open foreign markets and increase the efficiency of our ports. No issues are more important to the American people today than homeland security and economic security, and I am pleased this legislation helps improve both by securing our borders and improving the flow of goods across our borders.

I urge my colleagues to continue to support H.R. 4418, and I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on the Committee on Ways and Means for their unanimous vote to approve this important legislation. And I hope that spirit of bipartisan pragmatism continues here in the House vote today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the University of Minnesota women's hockey team, which has added new and indisputable evidence to boost Minnesota's reputation as the State of Hockey.

The Golden Gophers women's hockey team won the NCAA championship in March, beating Harvard 6-2 in the NCAA Frozen Four in Providence, RI.

Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is truly the State of Hockey, and the members of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team are true national champions.

This was the Gophers' first NCAA championship but its second national title in 5 years, as the Gophers won the AWCHA title in 2000 before the NCAA started holding a tournament.

Mr. Speaker, I salute Coach Laura Halldorson, her staff and her great team--including all-tournament players Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Jody Horak, Allie Sanchez, and Kelly Stephens--on their national championship and the impressive way the Golden Gophers handled themselves on and off the ice.

Krissy Wendell, of Brooklyn Park in the Third Congressional District, led the Gophers to a 30-4-2 record in this remarkable championship season. She had a goal and 3 assists in the championship game and 8 points during the Frozen Four. Krissy Wendell was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, and the people of our area are very proud of her and her teammates.

The greatness of the University of Minnesota's 2003-2004 Golden Gopher women's hockey team is now a part of NCAA women's athletics history.

Mr. Speaker, that greatness was recognized at the White House on May 19 when the Golden Gophers women's hockey team was honored by President Bush. As the President said that day: ``I was pleased to know the University of Minnesota women's hockey team's slogan this year was `Get it done, and meet George.' It's my pleasure to meet you.''

Mr. Speaker, It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to our national champions, the University of Minnesota women's hockey team. Congratulations on your great accomplishment, and many thanks for making the State of Hockey proud.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise to proudly pay tribute to the greatest President of the 20th century, Ronald Wilson Reagan, whose suffering has ended and heavenly life begun.

My fellow Minnesotans join me in mourning the loss of America's 40th President and celebrating the life of a man who personified both the greatness and goodness of America. All Americans and freedom-loving people around the world owe President Reagan our deepest gratitude for his strong, principled leadership that ended the Cold War and brought freedom to millions of people.

As we celebrate President Reagan's remarkable career and historic legacy, we also celebrate a man of strong character, deep conviction, unforgettable charm, and wonderful wit. No Minnesotan will ever forget President Reagan braving the below-zero windchill to ride in a convertible in St. Paul's Winter Carnival Parade and proclaim, ``I thought my ears would fall off.'' It was that cold.

Madam Speaker, as America honors our beloved 40th President, we also thank God for a leader who restored pride and made the American people believe in themselves again. Always the eternal optimist, President Reagan instilled confidence and optimism at a time both were in short supply in our country.

Thanks to President Reagan's strong leadership and undying belief in free-market capitalism, the great entrepreneurial spirit of the American people was unleashed, and prosperity was restored here at home.

Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family on their great loss. Mrs. Reagan has showed the whole world the true meaning of love and loyalty these past 10 very painful years as her beloved husband suffered from cruel Alzheimer's disease, the same deadly, debilitating disease that took the life of my own mother just months ago.

So today, Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Ronald Reagan, let us honor this great President by keeping his legacy alive, a legacy of love for his faith, family,

friends, and country; a legacy of freedom, liberty, and opportunity for all people; a legacy of public service deeply rooted in faith, principle, character, and conviction. And let us always remember President Reagan's warm, infectious, kind smile that lit up every audience, inspired us and gave us hope, just as we remember our ``rendezvous with destiny.''

Rest in peace, Mr. President, in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time, and I rise as a strong supporter and cosponsor of this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it only makes common sense to allow workers to carry forward unspent funds in their flexible spending accounts to the following year or to allow workers to roll the funds into a new health savings account.

This change is really long overdue. Flexible spending accounts are an important vehicle to help workers and their families save pretax dollars for medical expenses. Because of the tax savings, families can actually save up to 30 percent of the cost of out-of-pocket health care expenses by setting aside a portion of their income in a flexible spending account.

American families, families back home in Minnesota, know only too well that out-of-pocket expenses for health care have been rising at an astonishing rate. In fact, the cost for the average worker and their family has spiked over 100 percent since 1998, with no end in sight.

In spite of the skyrocketing health care costs and the significant tax savings associated with the FSAs, relatively few workers choose to take advantage of this vehicle to save for health care costs. The reason for that is simple: This stupid, arcane, absurd use-it-or-lose- it rule. This rule, this use-it-or-lose-it rule, makes absolutely no sense at all.

As absurd as it is, Mr. Speaker, workers are required to forfeit all unspent funds remaining in their FSA accounts at the end of the plan year. This use-it-or-lose-it rule is totally counterproductive, and it is a huge gamble to families, especially low- and middle-income families who can least afford to guess wrong and lose the unspent funds.

So what is happening is rather than facing that loss, many families with these FSAs rush to spend money at the end of the year, as my colleague previously expressed, often on high-cost medical items. How can we tolerate such a bizarre rule that actually discourages prudent spending on health care? It is time to end the use-it-or-lose-it rule.

Mr. Speaker, Ceridian Corporation, which is the leading administrator of FSAs for employers and is based in my district in Bloomington, Minnesota, estimates that while some 25 million, listen to this, 25 million American workers and their families are eligible to participate in health care FSAs, fewer than 20 percent actually choose to participate. It is obvious why. People do not want to take this gamble, and they are not impressed; in fact, they are discouraged by the use- it-or-lose-it rule.

This bill, which I applaud the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman McCrery) for bringing to the floor today, is very similar to legislation I introduced over 3 years ago, and thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery), it is finally here today.

So it is high time, Mr. Speaker, that we address this important, unfinished business. It is time to help millions of workers and their families better afford rising medical costs. It is also time to prevent the wasteful end-of-year spending the use-it-or-lose-it rule now promotes.

I urge my colleagues to support this sensible and balanced reform. We have got to pass this legislation here today, and encourage the other body to follow suit.

Again, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman McCrery).