Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate the services of the Consulate General of Japan at Kansas City to the six-state region of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota and to note, with sadness, the closing of the Consulate as of December 31, 2004.

Since the Japanese Pavilion at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair first intrigued and delighted tens of thousands of visitors, the links between Japan and the heart of the American Midwest have grown in strength and diversity. As investment, trade and educational exchanges have increased over the last 50 years, so too have the number and scope of contacts and contracts between these six states and Japan.

The Japanese government has been proud to host Governors from the six-state region as honored guests, along with United States Senators and Representatives, business leaders and leading scholars. In return, Ambassadors, Diet members, and even the Emperor and Empress of Japan have visited the heart of America. But there is much more to the relationship than VIP visits and official statements. The Consulate General of Japan at Kansas City has served the six-state region for 25 years in promoting economic development, fostering cultural exchange and understanding, and in providing consular services to the Japanese citizens and U.S. citizens in this region.

More than one hundred Japanese companies have operations within the region and the Consulate has been a significant factor in facilitating and encouraging such investments to the economic benefit of the region through increased employment and economic activity. These companies employ over six thousand Americans. Exports out of the region to Japan exceed $900 million per year.

The Consulate has actively promoted and sponsored cultural fairs and activities throughout the region to foster better cultural understanding and exchange. Examples of cultural activities are the Annual St. Louis Japanese Festival and the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival. The Consulate has assisted almost three hundred regional educators to experience Japan first hand through the Fulbright Memorial Teachers Program. Over eight hundred Americans have participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Nearly 100 university and graduate students have participated in scholarship programs provided by the Ministry of Education of Japan. Currently, almost 2,000 Japanese university students are enrolled in public and private universities throughout the 6-state region. In addition, the Consulate has coordinated cultural gifts in the form of gardens, gateways, and statuary to numerous local communities. The Consulate has supported and promoted 28 different sister cities and sister state relationships.

The Consulate has provided consular services to the 4,500 Japanese nationals living in the six-state region and, over the years, the Consulate has issued more than 30,000 visas to American citizens wishing to work, study, or live in Japan.

Over the last 25 years, the Consulate has been active in working to resolve trade issues specific to the region and, as an example, the current Consul General, Takao Shibata, has been actively involved in efforts to resolve beef trade limitations imposed out of concern for BSE exposure.

Since arriving in Kansas City in July 2002, Consul General Takao Shibata and his lovely wife Mieko Shibata have become a valuable part of our community. They will be missed by me and the citizens of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.

The people of Kansas City and the six-state region regret the closing of the Consulate, but we look forward to a continuation of our close relationship with Japan, and the provision of consular services by the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2845, the 9/11 Implementation Act. In the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks, Congress put partisan politics aside and came together to find answers and implement change in our way of life to protect our homeland from further terrorist attacks. The House and Senate convened in New York's Federal Hall for a Special Session of Congress one year after the terrorist attacks, sending a strong message of gratitude to the world that Americans stand together as one Nation unified with their allies in our fight against global terrorism. The same bipartisan spirit carried on through the extraordinary two years of work by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. On July 22 the Commission submitted to the President, Congress and the American people a comprehensive assessment of what went wrong leading up to September 11, and what needs to be done to prevent future terrorist attacks on our homeland. Following the release of the Commission's report I noted, ``Now that the members of the 9/11 Commission have done their work, we in Congress must do ours.'' Since that day I have fully supported reforms the Commission recommended, from budget authority for the National Intelligence Director to an overhaul of the Congressional oversight structure.

The U.S. Senate came together in a truly bipartisan fashion, in a 96- 2 vote, to pass legislation which implements all 41 of the recommendations laid out in the 9/11 Commission Report. I cosponsored the companion legislation in the House, but was disappointed when no hearings were held on the bill. Instead, this chamber adopted legislation that implements only 11 of the Commission's recommendations and goes further to impose restrictions on civil liberties not even mentioned in the Commission's report.

I am heartened that a majority of my colleagues in both chambers have now come together in a bipartisan spirit to embrace the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and adopted a provision creating the Independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Board to protect our privacy and prevent government abuse. The Commission Report provides a roadmap for implementing progressive changes that will keep Americans safer. In the words of President Kennedy, ``There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long range risks and costs of inaction.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our ``Homegrown Hero,'' Robert J. Mann. As the founder and executive director of Bridging the Gap Inc., Bob is being honored by the organization on October 15, 2004, for his leadership and vision which transformed greater Kansas City into a collaborative and interconnected community of environmental awareness, advocacy and reformation.

Thirteen years ago, Bob created Bridging the Gap, an environmental movement of volunteers who created and maintain our first 15 local community recycling centers. It has since grown into a regional, multifaceted environmental movement involving businesses, governments, schools and thousands of volunteers. Under Bob's leadership all segments of the greater Kansas City community have become interconnected and established partnerships working together to make a difference and improve Kansas City's quality of life, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. During a decade of creating change for a healthier community, Bridging the Gap succeeded in educating the public through environmental publications and speakers bureaus, hosting special green events for environmental awareness and advocacy, and ballot initiatives that brought curbside recycling to Kansas City.

I have been an ardent supporter of Earth Day since the first one in 1970, when I showed my support by bicycling to my job as a schoolteacher and discussing with my students the responsibility each individual has to our global environment. Since 1997 my Earth Day celebration has come to include Bridging the Gap's Earth Day Walk, an eagerly anticipated annual celebration and fundraiser for more than 1,000 Kansas Citians. More than 5,000 area residents attend the Party for the Planet at the Kansas City Zoo, another Earth Day event sponsored by Bridging the Gap.

Bridging the Gap Inc. has grown dynamically and now includes: RecycleFirst, Kansas City's curbside recycling education program; Keep Kansas City beautiful, a beautification project involving more than 7,700 volunteers for 165 metro wide cleanups; Kansas City Wildlands, a natural and wild places restoration and conservation project; Environmental Excellence Business Network, an education

and mentoring program for businesses; Waste Reduction and Recycling Consultation, an advisory, assessment and action program for governments, businesses, educational and cultural institutions; Regional By-Product Synergy Initiative, a project to help business and government reduce waste and increase productivity; Shadowcliff Retreat Center, environmental education and retreat center in Grand Lake, Colorado; and Environmental Excellence Awards, an annual event to honor individuals, businesses and schools.

Bob's efforts have been recognized locally and nationally for Building the Gap's leadership. Awards include: National Recycling Coalition's Award for Environmental and Community Leadership, Kansas City Consensus Achiever Award, Missouri Governor Carnahan's Pollution Prevention Award, EPA Pollution Prevention Award, American Forest & Paper Association's Best Paper Recycling Award, Mid-America Regional Council Regional Leadership Award, Waste Reduction and Recycling Award for non-profits, Missouri Environmental Education Association Environmental Education Service Award, and Keep America Beautiful First Place National Litter Prevention Award.

Bob's leadership and vision of collaboration, his perseverance in environmental problem solving, and his service and commitment to a healthy earth have inspired thousands of individuals to make a difference. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Robert J. Mann, a bridge builder who has indeed made our community, our region and our planet a better place through his tireless efforts to honor our Earth and all who share its wonders.

Mr. Speaker, I commend members and staff of the Appropriations Committee for their hard work on the FY05 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Securing the resources we need for this country's long term war on terrorism is a formidable task, but one we must accomplish in a bipartisan manner. I support the appropriations bill before us today, yet I am concerned by the levels of funding for first responders, interoperability and port security. These are programs upon which the American people depend to protect our communities.

As the Ranking Member of the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Subcommittee of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, I support the funding needed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide accurate and timely intelligence assessments. Unfortunately, this bill cuts funds for the first responder programs.

First Responders must have the resources they need to do their jobs. I represent the Kansas City, Missouri area, and my firefighters, police and emergency workers tell me that they have trouble communicating with each other because of incompatible equipment. This problem affects first responders throughout the country and is unacceptable.

Missouri has the seventh largest highway system in the nation and the second and third largest railroad terminals in the nation. Port and transportation security is crucial to our Nation's economy. Six million cargo containers enter U.S. ports every year, but only about 5 percent of these containers are ever screened. This appropriations bill fails to adequately fund port security.

Appropriations Committee Ranking Member David Obey attempted to counter these shortfalls with an amendment to H.R. 4567 that would have created a $3 billion contingent emergency fund for homeland security. Even

though this emergency funding would be contingent upon the President requesting it, the amendment was rejected by Republicans on the House Rules Committee. We owe it to the American people to make sure that our nation is secure.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 512, I was unavoidable detained at a doctor's appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Chairman, the 9/11 Commission in July presented its report to the Congress and to the American people. The five Republicans and five Democrats on the panel put aside their partisan differences and made 41 recommendations, which if made law, would make this country safer. The Senate on Wednesday embraced these recommendations with the 96-2 passage of the Collins/Lieberman National Intelligence Reform Act.

I encourage the House to act in the same bipartisan manner as the Senate. H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act, was written behind closed doors and fails to fully implement 30 of the 41 Commission recommendations.

The job of Congress is to work with the Executive Branch to keep America safe, and work with our allies to make the world safe. H.R. 10 fails to do this, and places the House on a collision course with the Senate.

Upon passage of the Senate bill, 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton praised the outstanding leadership of Senators Susan Collins and Joseph Lieberman for their progress

in implementing the Commission's recommendations. They, along with families of 9/11 victims, expressed their desire for the House to pass a counterpart measure.

It is disappointing that the House failed to do its job today. I urge the Conferees to adopt the 9/11 Commission recommendations. We owe it to the American people and the families of victims of 9/11.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 34, a sense of the Congress encouraging health insurance companies to take a more proactive role in promoting physical activity that prevents stroke, high blood pressure, and other life-threatening diseases.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acknowledges that $270 billion in health care costs are caused by preventable diseases, including $180 billion for heart disease alone. Research by the Harvard School of Public Health noted that the closest thing to a magic bullet for treating this epidemic is exercise. It is estimated that if the more than 88 million inactive adults in the United States began regular exercise, national medical costs would decrease by more than $76 billion each year.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, two-thirds of all deaths in the United States are caused by obesity, a disease that increases the risk of illness for more than 30 medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes.

Sixty-one percent of American adults are above their target weight, and 9 million school children are overweight, a figure that has tripled since 1980. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that walking and bicycling among children age 5 to 15 dropped 40 percent between 1977 and 1995, and school budget constraints have led to the suspension of physical education classes across America.

In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared obesity the most important public health issue facing the United States. As Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted in a recent report on childhood obesity, ``Obesity is a personal issue, but at the same time, families, communities and corporations all are adversely affected by obesity, and all bear responsibility for changing social norms to better promote healthier lifestyles.'' Children and teenagers are contracting diabetes at a rapidly increasing pace. Dr. Kenneth Cooper, one of the Nation's foremost experts on physical activity, noted, ``We may have the first generation in which parents will outlive their kids,'' referring to the reduced life expectancy of children who develop diabetes before age 14.

The measure before us today expresses the sense of Congress that health insurance companies can do more to encourage healthier, more active lifestyles and urges them to consider incentives for those who choose to exercise regularly. I applaud the insurance providers and companies who already recognize the benefits of a healthy public, as does this resolution. These insurers offer incentives for getting active. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, for example, offers a free Walking Works program to employees and policyholders. In addition to helping plan a daily walking routine, Walking Works provides discounts on walking shoes and pedometers. Cigna offers discounts on subscriptions to health-related magazines, and Aetna provides discounts for home exercise equipment. Kaiser Permanente and Aetna here in Washington offer dues reductions of up to 60 percent at more than 90 area gyms. Obese Americans who take drastic, expensive action to lose weight under a doctor's orders are currently able to lighten their Federal tax load.

The Surgeon General recommends daily exercise consisting of 30 minutes of walking or the equivalent, but 75 percent of Americans fail to meet this standard. A recent Harvard study found that, among healthy people, exercise can raise levels of HDL, known as good cholesterol, which improves clotting factors, lowers blood pressure and decreases inflammation. The study found that there is nothing else that has stronger and quicker effects than physical activity for preventing diabetes. Exercise can change virtually every tissue in the body. A German study comparing exercise and Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction found that an exercise regimen consisting of

squatting exercises and pelvic and leg lifts is more effective in treating the condition than medication.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has called the current policies of insurance companies ``wrongheaded'' for not doing more to encourage people to stay healthy to prevent expensive illnesses. H. Con. Res. 34 commends Secretary Thompson for his efforts to promote incentives for Americans to lead an active life. Just two weekends ago, Secretary Thompson, along with Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Education Secretary Rod Paige and Surgeon General Richard Carmona, fanned out across our country announcing healthier U.S. grants. The Federal funds will aid in disease prevention or management programs, many aimed at promoting exercise, like an afterschool health club pilot program for children at risk for asthma, diabetes and obesity, and that is going to Philadelphia.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) of the Committee on Energy and Commerce for his kind remarks and help in this effort along with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), my cosponsors from both sides of the aisle like the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun) who spoke on behalf of this measure earlier in the day, and more than 20 organizations including the American Heart Association and the YMCA that support H. Con. Res. 34. I urge the House to adopt this measure and continue fiscally responsible policies to reduce the billions in health care costs currently spent on preventable diseases.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kansas City's own ``Prescription for Success,'' Ewing Marion Kauffman. Ewing Kauffman, one of Kansas City's greatest entrepreneurial leaders and philanthropists, is being honored on September 30, 2004 for the continuing gift and proud legacy he left to the community and nation through his Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Ewing Kauffman's humble boyhood and successful adulthood are a classic Horatio Alger story. He was born September 21, 1916 near Garden City, in Cass County Missouri. Growing up in rural Missouri and later in Kansas City, Ewing's background of hard work and perseverance through adversity instilled the discipline, entrepeneurial principles and philanthropic sympathies that resulted in his extraordinary achievements and remarkable success later in life.

As a boy he sold fish and eggs door-to-door. While bedridden for an entire year with a heart ailment at the age of 11, Ewing read as many as 40 books a month. He worked through high school and junior college driving a laundry truck and earned an associate degree in business in 1936 from Kansas City Junior College. He entered the Navy in World War II and was discharged as Navigator and Ensign.

Upon returning from the war, Ewing began his phenomenal career in pharmaceutics. He started out as a salesman and became the best one in the business. With a $5,000 investment, he founded Marion Laboratories in 1950. He operated initially out of the basement of his home. He reportedly chose to use his middle name for his company rather than his last name in order to not reveal his one-man operation: Ewing Kauffman, salesman by day and Marion Labs Manufacturer by night.

Ewing Kauffman attributed his success as a direct result of one fundamental philosophy: Treat others as you would like to be treated. ``It is the happiest principle by which to live and the most intelligent principle by which to do business and make money,'' he said. His entreprenurial success enabled him to help others. He was beloved by his associates in the pharmaceutical firm through which he provided jobs and economic self-sufficiency to thousands.

He also shared his success with all of Kansas City by bringing back Major League Baseball to the region with his purchase of the Kansas City Royals in 1968, boosting the cities economic base, community profile and civic pride. Ewing's beloved wife, the late Muriel McBrien Kauffman, a philanthropist in her own right with her gifts and perpetual bequests to Kansas City Arts organizations, is also credited with encouraging her husband to invest in the Royals. Their daughter, Julia Irene Kauffman, continues their loving tradition of philanthropy in Kansas City today.

Kauffman's most enduring gift and greatest legacy was the establishment of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in the mid 1960s. The Kauffman Foundation places special emphasis on improving the academic achievement of our youth, and in stimulating the growth of entrepreneurship in America. For over 40 years the Kauffman Foundation has successfully helped other to help others to live self-sufficiently and has benefited communities through out the country.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating this most gifted, successful, inspirational, and generous man whose loving legacy has made a difference in countless lives and whose love of the entrepreneurial spirit lives on in the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3193, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, a bill that interferes with the District's gun registration law and puts semiautomatic weapons back in the hands of terrorists and criminals. Just two weeks ago the majority of this chamber allowed the national assault weapons ban to expire. Now the District of Columbia's gun regulations are in danger of repeal. As D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams noted in today's Washington Post, ``The District knows what firearms regulations work best for its residents.'' As such, in 1975 District residents enacted the Firearms Control Regulations Act to protect residents of and visitors to our nation's capital. As a result the District is on pace to post its lowest homicide rate in 20 years.

The passage of this legislation would mean that as parts of this city remain under a code orange terrorism alert, it would become legal for an AK-47 or AR-15 to be carried down the street in the name of personal safety, making it more difficult for our federal and local law enforcement officers to do their jobs.

The current D.C. law works. The District's gun law does not prevent citizens in good standing from owning guns for legitimate needs. Since 1976, more than 100,000 firearms have been registered with District Police--most of these as rifles and shotguns for hunting purposes. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this unnecessary legislation that not only does nothing to keep the streets of our nation's capital safer, but also would make it easier for terrorists to strike at the seat of our government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 778, a resolution to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of William ``Count'' Basie, one of America's premier swing musicians who rose to national prominence as a jazz pioneer while playing at the Club Reno in Kansas City.

Born an only child on August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey, Basie moved to Harlem in 1920 to pursue a career in jazz music. An aspiring pianist, he soon met Thomas ``Fats'' Waller and developed a style of piano

improvisation called ``comping,'' where he would play a standard chord progression with his left hand, but improvise a melody with his right hand. He soon began touring the country with a variety show, ``Gonzel White and the Big Jamboree.''

In 1927, Basie was stranded in Kansas City when the tour went bust. After playing silent theatres, he joined Walter Paige's ``Blue Devils,'' a well-known performance ensemble in the city. In 1929, he used his reputation and contacts to secure a spot as arranger and backup pianist with the Bennie Moten band, a local mainstay. During an internal dispute about an engagement at the Cherry Blossom club, the band voted to kick out Moten and install Basie as its new leader.

The new band called themselves ``Count Basie and his Cherry Blossom Orchestra,'' marking the first time with Basie was billed as ``Count.'' After a few months with his new orchestra, Basie reunited with Moten's new band, which he then took over in 1935 following Moten's death. Basie and saxophonist Buster Smith brought in former members of the Blue Devils and created a nine piece orchestra called ``Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm.''

Under Basie, the band perfected a sound based on syncopated rhythms and simple musical themes. These arrangements produced light, straightforward and uncomplicated music that was a marked contrast to the style of many other jazz groups of the time, who tended to employ complicated melodies and layers of improvisation. That style of music became known as the ``Kansas City Sound.''

On the popularity of their new sound, Basie's band played a long engagement at the Club Reno in Kansas City, which turned out to be a critical turning point in Basie's career. Basie performed nightly from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. The Club Reno performances were broadcast nationally over radio WXBY from 11:15 p.m. until midnight, offering exposure far beyond that of the nascent Kansas City jazz scene.

In Chicago, a young music writer and promoter named John Hammond heard the broadcast on shortwave radio and took an immediate interest in the Basie band. After writing several articles about the band, he traveled to Kansas City to meet Basie and a life long friendship was formed.

Hammond arranged for a national booking deal with MCA and a record deal with Decca Records, and by 1937 an enlarged thirteen piece band known as the Count Basie Orchestra had become one of the country's leading big bands. Over the next 13 years the band toured and recorded relentlessly, delivering the Kansas City jazz sound to all corners of the country. During this period, Basie and his orchestra were featured in five movies and headlined the famous ``Spirituals to Swing'' series from 1938 to 1939, one of the first Carnegie Hall productions to present African American performers to a predominantly white audience.

Later in his career, Basie performed with a number of famous performers, from saxophone player Lester Young to trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie to crooner Frank Sinatra. He received nine Grammy awards, the Grammy Trustee's Award and the American Jazz Masters Award in 1983 from the National Endowment for the Arts. His songs ``One O'Clock Jump'' and ``Everyday I have the Blues'' are included in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Though Count Basie died from cancer on April 26, 1984, he is still considered one of the premier jazz greats. The Count Basie band was featured in famous Kansas City Filmmaker Robert Altman's movie ``Jazz '34.'' Just 2 years ago in 2002, 18 years after his death, a tribute album entitled ``Homage to Basie'' won the Grammy award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

Over the course of a career that spanned seven decades, Basie's style of Kansas City swing became a prominent fixture in jazz repertoire. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of jazz musicians and remind new performers of the important role Kansas City played in American musical history.

This past August 21st, I had the honor of hearing two Kansas City jazz greats and former members of Basie's famous group, pianist Jay McShann and trumpeter Clark Terry. They joined Bobby Watson and the ``18th and Vine Big Band'' to perform a tribute that was broadcast worldwide on National Public Radio. Sponsored by Kansas City's American Jazz Museum, the live performance sold out Kansas City's historic Gem Theatre. For his contributions to American music, and his role in bringing the Kansas City jazz sound to the wider world, I join my colleagues in commemorating Count Basie's enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

I rise in support of passage of H.R. 4579, the Truman Farm Home Expansion Act. My Missouri colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in urging support of this bill.

Harry Truman is one of our Nation's greatest presidents. President Truman was instrumental in the signing of the United Nations charter, negotiating the creation of a NATO military alliance, carrying out the Marshall Plan to rebuild a war-torn Europe, conducting a massive airlift to aid the western sectors of Berlin following the Russian blockade in 1948, and he laid the foundation for an unprecedented level of American prosperity. During Truman's tenure, the United States was widely respected as a beacon of freedom and a nation willing to work with anyone across the globe to promote peaceful democratic governments.

One of the many ways we honor his life is to preserve his farm that instilled in him the values of hard work, commitment and teamwork that guided him throughout his life and inspired others who followed.

The farm has a very rich history. The Truman family purchased the land in 1840, and a young Harry Truman farmed the land from 1906 until 1917 when he left to fight as an artillery captain in the First World War. While working the farm, Truman courted the love of his life, Bess Wallace, who later became Mrs. Truman. His early experience as a farmer formed the core of his values. His mother once said that life on the farm is where Harry got his famous common sense, and Truman himself said that the best 10 years of his life were spent trying to run the 600-acre farm successfully.

This past July, the House Committee on Resources heard from Grandview Mayor Harry Wilson that historians believe the years Truman spent living

and working on his farm were the most formative, developing the character of the future President. Truman himself stated, ``Riding one of those plows all day, day after day, gives one time to think. I have settled all of the ill of mankind in one way or another while riding along, seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load.'' The late publisher of the Jackson County Advocate, Jim Turnbaugh, recounted for readers a story when, after leaving the farm, Truman attended a function where he was asked to sign the guest register. Then former President Truman, he signed in as ``Harry S Truman, retired farmer.''

This legislation would preserve the historical integrity of Harry Truman's home by adding 5 acres to the current site for educational purposes. The farm originally sat on 600 acres, but because of commercial development, the farm now encompasses only 5.2 acres. The Park Service has secured the support of two local landowners who own 5 acres bordering the farm and are interested in selling. The Park Service needs authorization from Congress to acquire the land and protect the ``viewshed'' and the character of the farm as Truman knew it.

The National Park Service and the Office of Management and Budget support this proposal. In fact, it is the only presidential-related bill endorsed by the National Park Service this session.

The Truman Farm Home and Expansion Act will help America preserve and enhance the legacy of one of our favorite sons and most revered leaders. I ask the House to support this legislation.

I would like to thank the Committee on Resources chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman from West Virginia (Ranking Member Rahall), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands, the gentleman from California (Chairman Radanovich), the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ranking Member Christensen) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for their support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4579, the Truman Farm Home Expansion Act. My Missouri colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in urging passage of this bill.

Harry S Truman is one of our Nation's greatest Presidents. As President, Truman pledged to secure the free world from the spread of communism. President Truman was instrumental in the signing of the United Nations charter, negotiated the creation of the NATO military alliance, carried out the Marshall Plan to rebuild a war torn Europe, conducted a massive airlift to aid the western sectors of Berlin following the Russian blockade in 1948, and laid the foundation for an unprecedented level of American prosperity. During Truman's tenure the United States was widely respected as a beacon for freedom and a Nation willing to work with anyone across the globe to promote peaceful democratic governments. One of the many ways we honor his life is to preserve the farm that instilled in him the values of hard work, commitment, and teamwork that guided him throughout his life, and inspired others who followed.

The farm has a very rich history. The Truman family purchased the land in 1840, and a young Harry Truman farmed the land from 1906 until 1917, when he left to fight as an artillery captain in the First World War. While working the farm, Truman courted the love of his life, Bess Wallace, who later became Mrs. Truman. His early experiences as a farmer formed the core of his values. His mother once said that life on the farm is where Harry got his famous common sense and Truman himself said that the best 10 years of his life were spent trying to run the 600-ace farm successfully.

This past July, the House Resource Committee heard from Grandview Mayor, Harry Wilson, that historians believe the years Truman spent living and working on his farm were the most formative in developing the character of the future President. Truman himself stated: ``Riding one of these plows all day, day after day, gives one time to think. I've settled all the ills of mankind in one way and another while riding along seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load.'' The late publisher of the Jackson County Advocate, James D. Turnbaugh Jr., recounted for readers the story of former President Truman attending a function where he was asked to sign a guest register. He signed in as ``Harry S Truman, retired farmer.''

Truman's mother, Martha Truman, and sister, Mary Jones Truman, lived at the farm until 1940. The farm home remained in the Truman family until 1980. The speculation that the Truman's would be forced to sell the remaining house and five acres to commercial interests compelled a group of concerned citizens to form the Harry S Truman Farm Foundation in an effort to save the farm. Their efforts proved successful and Jackson County assumed control of the farm. In 1994, the county transferred the farm to the US Park Service.

H.R. 4579 will preserve the historical integrity of Harry Truman's home by adding five acres to the current site for educational purposes. Today the farm only encompasses 5.2 acres due to commercial development. The Park Service has secured the support of local landowners who are interested in selling the five acres bordering the farm. The Park Service needs authorization from Congress to acquire the land, and protect the ``viewshed'' and the character of the farm as Truman knew it.

H.R. 4579 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expand the park boundary to appropriately preserve the site. It does not specifically request an additional appropriation of funds to acquire the land, however it does give the Secretary the flexibility to use donated and private funds to meet this objective. The National Park Service and the Office of Management and Budget support this proposal. In fact, it is the only Presidential related bill endorsed by the National Park Service this session.

President Truman remains a hero and an inspiration for all Americans and visitors from around the world. The Truman farm offers a deeply personal connection to his legacy. Currently, Park Service employees are housed in a screened porch on the side of the house because there is no permanent area for them to be located. On average, over 5,000 vehicles drive through the farm annually and the National Park Service estimates that visitation levels will increase with the development of a new visitor center. A visitor center could be constructed with restrooms, a parking lot, drinking fountains, and facilities that the farm currently lacks. School groups, bus tours, and families from around the country and world would benefit greatly from the improved facilities.

The Truman Farm Home Expansion Act will help America preserve and enhance the legacy of one of our favorite sons and most revered leaders. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I would like to thank Resources Committee Chairman Pombo, Ranking Member Rahall, National Parks Recreation and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Radanovich, Ranking Member Christensen, and Representative Bordallo for their support.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 470, the previous question, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

(Mr. HASTERT asked and was given permission to speak out of order and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Congratulating Porter Goss

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 471, on agreeing to H. Res. 794, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 472, H.R. 1308, Extension of Tax Cuts Conference Report, Final Passage, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a new addition to Metropolitan Community Colleges. On Friday September 10, 2004, the Metropolitan Community Colleges will officially open the Campus Center Building at Blue River Community College. The new two story Campus Center Building is adjacent to the Education Center and the Western Missouri Public Safety Training Institute. The addition houses a lecture hall, student activities offices, food services along with the Academic Resource Center that includes library and tutoring facilities. The second floor features hi tech classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices.

Since 1969, the Kansas City Metropolitan Community Colleges have been governed by an elected Board of Trustees. The six member Board serves for six years with jurisdiction over four community colleges and the Business and Technology Center encompassing the county of Jackson and parts of Cass, Clay

and Platte County. In 1997 the Board of Trustees deemed that Blue River would be designated a Community College with locations in Blue Springs and Independence, Missouri.

I have been a strong supporter of the Metropolitan Community Colleges and the educational opportunities they provide. As Ranking Member of the Intelligence Subcommittee for the Homeland Security Committee, I previously secured $400,000 in federal funding for first responder training at the Western Missouri Regional Police Academy at Blue River Community College. Since 9/11 we have become cognizant of the importance of well trained first responders for natural disasters and threats of terror.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Metropolitan Community Colleges for their continued growth with the addition of the Campus Center Building at Blue River Community College. The college provides a resource that impacts economic growth by educating a work force equipped to solve future problems.

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the nearly 3,000 heroic Americans who perished on September 11, 2001. We can honor their memory by ensuring every effort is taken to prevent such atrocities from occurring again on our soil.

Since September 11, 2001, we have learned much, and Congress has much to do to defend our democratic way of life and protect our homeland. We have committed our military might to combat terrorism in our world: More than 1,000 of our troops have now given their lives in Iraq for this cause.

In the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks, Congress put partisan politics aside and came together to find answers and implement change. In an event reminiscent of the first Congress, the House and Senate convened in New York's Federal Hall for a Special Session of Congress one year after the terrorist attacks, sending a strong message to the world that as Americans we stand together in our fight against terrorism. That bipartisan spirit carried on through the extraordinary work of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. The commissioners submitted to the American people a comprehensive assessment of what went wrong leading up to September 11, and what we can do to prevent future terrorist attacks on our homeland. Now that the 9/11 Commission has done its work, we in Congress must do ours. I support the Commission's recommendations, and am a cosponsor of the bipartisan ``9/11 Commission Report Implementation Act,'' H.R. 5040.

I have listened and learned from meetings with first responders in Missouri's Fifth District, and have worked on the Homeland Security Committee in Congress to secure the resources they need to do their jobs. Our everyday heroes, our police, fire, ambulance and medical personnel must have the training, supplies, materials and equipment necessary to protect our communities. They are the main line of defense against terrorism at home. Because of their commitment we are more secure and better prepared than we were 3 years ago.

I urge my colleagues to maintain our bipartisan spirit and embrace the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The 9/11 Commission Report is an excellent roadmap for implementing these changes--we must act and pass H.R. 5040. In the words of President Kennedy, ``There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long range risks and costs of inaction.''