Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my vigorous support for the Water Resources and Development Act, particularly in view of the essential reforms it contains. In my home State of Florida and across America, coastal communities rely upon effective flood control and the maintenance of navigable channels as their economic lifeblood. For example, Port Manatee, which is served by a federally maintained channel, is an essential economic engine for southwest Florida. According to a study conducted by Economic Research Associates, the port supported more than 22,000 jobs in 2002, while contributing in excess of $2.3 billion to the local economy. A successful partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the port's local leadership in dredging and expansion of the harbor helped produce these stunning economic achievements.

Nevertheless, the protection of sensitive ecosystems remains essential to preserving our quality of life in Florida. Additionally, our achievement of this goal has become indispensable to the health of our number one industry, tourism. Thus we simply cannot afford to neglect our infrastructure nor our environment. Fortunately, the Water Resources and Development Act strikes an effective balance between these purposes. The act mandates additional project development reform, while imposing more requirements that directly mitigate the impact of projects upon fish and wildlife.

Further, the act removes several impediments to the creation of partnerships between the Army Corps of Engineers and non-Federal sponsors. This reform will not only expedite project execution, it will engage the expertise of our local communities, which know

best how to protect our sensitive ecological areas.

An outstanding partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Bradenton received the Hammer Award from former Vice President Al Gore, due to their outstanding efforts in connection with flood control projects on Wares Creek in Manatee County. Working together, the Gore and the city of Bradenton saved taxpayers more than $600,000 by accelerating the start date of this project by 2\1/2\ years.

This reauthorization measure reaffirms the Federal Government's commitment to shoreline protection. Regrettably, the argument persists that the Army Corps of Engineers should not engage in beach nourishment projects. This perspective appears rooted in the erroneous assumption that such projects constitute a taxpayer-funded tourist entitlement.

Quite to the contrary, beach nourishment provides an economical solution to storm damage, while protecting shorefront structures and critical wildlife habitats from the punishing effects of future hurricanes and tropical storms. As we assess the effect of storms like Isabel, we must consider every possible means of reducing their costs. In my district, beaches such as Lido Key in the city of Sarasota routinely endure the effects of the storms that batter our region.

Mr. Chairman, the Army Corps of Engineers is prepared to apply the valuable lessons we have learned from the mistakes committed in the Everglades and other areas. The Corps has adopted environmental operating principles, while expanding its professional development programs that focus upon environmental protection. We must provide them the tools they need to secure the future of our coastal communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifetime of courage and selflessness. Brigadier General John H. McClain, who passed away early this morning, valiantly served our Nation for nearly 4 decades, both on active duty and as a Reservist.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, General McClain enlisted in the United States Army in 1940. He fought in the Second World War's European Theater, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and in the Relief of Bastogne as a member of General George Patton's Third Army. He also served in the Korean War as senior adviser with the Korean Military Advisory Group.

His induction into the Field Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1976 capped a heavily decorated career that included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Europe Theater of Operations Medal with three campaign stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three campaign stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Mr. Speaker, as we offer our prayers and condolences to his beloved wife of 49 years, Patricia Ann, may this American hero's devotion to his country continue to animate our dreams and aspirations as public servants.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable partnership between the City of Sarasota, Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory that continues to thrive in its third decade. On October 27, 2003, this extraordinary institution will celebrate its 25th anniversary at its current site on Sarasota's City Island. I am proud to have served as a volunteer and advisory council member for this remarkable organization for the last seventeen years.

Founded in 1955 as the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory, Mote Marine Laboratory began as a two-room field station located in Placida, Florida. Under the direction of Dr. Eugenie Clark, the Laboratory developed a strong reputation in shark research over its first decade, during which it moved to Sarasota's Siesta Key. In 1967, the Laboratory assumed its current name to honor the major contributions of William R. Mote and his sister Elizabeth Mote Rose.

Despite its growing prominence as a center for marine research, the emerging inadequacy of Mote Marine Laboratory's Siesta Key location brought its future in Sarasota into doubt. The vision and determination of Sarasota's leaders, however, forged a dynamic public-private relationship that enabled the laboratory to remain in Sarasota, while fueling its dramatic evolution into the powerhouse of education and exploration that we celebrate today.

Today, as one of the preeminent marine research facilities in the world, Mote Marine Laboratory encompasses seven research centers that conduct a diverse variety of studies, which range from sharks and marine mammal behavior to biomedicine and aquaculture, as well as from manatee and dolphin conservation to coral reefs, red tide, fisheries, and coastal ecology. Moreover, the laboratory has expanded its scope to include year-round marine science educational programs. Through its traditional on-campus offerings and student internships as well as through its interactive teleconferencing SeaTrek program and its participation as a Primary Interactive Network Site for National Geographic Explorer-in-residence Dr. Robert Ballard's JASON Project, Mote Marine Laboratory reaches more than 30,000 students in 22 Florida school districts. SeaTrek and JASON have enabled students to climb Hawaiian volcanoes, explore the wilds of Alaska, walk on rainforest treetop canopies in rainforests, and encounter underwater marine sanctuaries--often without leaving their classroom or the laboratory's campus.

Mote Marine Laboratory has also become a resource of discovery and imagination for persons of all ages from Southwest Florida and around the globe. In 1980, the laboratory opened the Mote Marine Science Center. Now known as the Mote Aquarium, the original one-room visitor center has evolved into a world-class facility that has received accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the American Association of Museums. Now hosting 400,000 visitors every year, Mote Aquarium has become the top tourist attraction in Sarasota.

Mr. Speaker, this amazing institution could not have developed without the commitment and foresight of several outstanding public servants, businesses, and private individuals, including the local officials who saved the laboratory for Sarasota: Mayor Elmer Berkel, Vice-Mayor Tony Saprito, and Commissioners Ron Norman, Fred Soto, and Ted Sperling, who in 1976 provided 4.5 acres of land on City Island for the laboratory's new location; the Arvida Corporation, which generously donated 2.2 acres of waterfront property for that facility; William R. Mote, the Honorable Bob Johnson, Dr. Perry Gilbert, then City Manager Ken Thompson, and then Arvida Vice-President John Siegel, who spurred the creation of the unique public-private partnership between the City of Sarasota and Mote Marine Laboratory; the members of the 1992 City Commission (Mayor Jack Gurney, Vice-Mayor Gene Pillot, Commissioners Fredd Atkins, David Merrill, Nora Patterson, and then City Manager David Sollenberger) who arranged for the addition of 3.5 acres of land to the laboratory's complex for the construction of the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Center for Research and Rehabilitation; and the current leaders of Sarasota's city government (Mayor Lou Ann Palmer, Vice Mayor Richard Martin, Commissioners Fredd Atkins, Danny Bilyeu, Mary Anne Servian, and City Manager Michael McNees).

We venerate their indispensable contributions, together with the incredible leadership that Mote Marine Laboratory continues to receive from the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Monfort Runyan, and its Executive Director, Dr. Kumar Mahadevan. We also honor the sterling scientists and other professionals who comprise the laboratory's staff, as well as the dedicated corps of 8,000 members and 1,600 volunteers who serve as aquarium guides, turtle patrols, dolphin and whale hospital volunteers.

Mr. Speaker, the world reflects this morning upon an act of barbarism that remains too horrific for words. Two years ago, a gang of murderers shattered our complacency regarding the reach and resolve of the international merchants of hate.

Nevertheless, we also learned about the resiliency of our Nation on that awful day. When terrorists attacked the heart of America's financial and military centers, they forgot about the heart of the American people. Our country's strength lies not in its institutions, but in the courage, character and the determination of the people who built them.

On this somber anniversary, we honor the memory of the husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who lost their lives in this heinous attack, as well as the heroes who sacrificed everything to save them.

As we remember the trauma and grief of September 11, 2001, may we continue to discover the seeds of hope and the endurance of the unconquerable American spirit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding public servant from Florida's Thirteenth Congressional District who demonstrated unparalleled integrity, commitment, and skill throughout her tenure as an employee of the Manatee County, Florida, Veteran Services office.

Gail French began her career in the Manatee County Veteran Services office as a receptionist over 22 years ago. She received steady promotions due to her professionalism and her selfless initiative in assuming responsibility for the most challenging of tasks. Due to Ms. French's diligence and compassion in coordinating their transportation to Bay Pines, Tampa, and MacDill Air Force Base, thousands of veterans received critical medical attention and prescription drugs. Moreover, she expertly provided additional support for our nation's heroes, such as referrals to community assistance programs, mail and copy services, and mail-outs for medical and claim support.

Throughout the years, Ms. French treated every veteran with honor, appreciation, and dignity. At the time of her retirement earlier this summer, she had truly established the gold standard for all who follow her. As a well-deserved commemoration of her years of service, she received an honorary plaque jointly from the Veterans Council and from the Manatee County Veterans Services office on June 27, 2003.

Gail French and her husband, Ronald French, enjoy the blessing of three children, four stepchildren, thirteen grand children, and one great grand child. During her retirement, Ms. French plans to devote her time to her golf game and to her family.

Mr. Speaker, as we venerate Gail French's contributions to her community, her state, and her nation, may the light of her passionate commitment to our veterans and to the public at large continue to animate our dreams and aspirations as public servants.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a landmark civil rights anniversary in American history, which passed after we had adjourned for the District Work Period in July. Thirteen years ago, the first President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, launching a new era in our nation's everlasting journey towards equal opportunity for all.

This long-overdue legislation finally breathed life into the principle that every American has the right to be a full and equal participant in our society.

As Florida's Secretary of State, I was blessed to have the opportunity to apply the mission of the ADA to the cause of election reform. Beginning with my appointment of a Select Task Force in 2001, we worked to remove the obstacles that prevented persons with disabilities in Florida from enjoying the sanctity of the secret ballot and the civic majesty of going to the polls on Election Day.

Thanks to powerful advocates from Florida's disabilities community like Pam Dorwarth, Doug Towne, and Richard LaBelle as well as the skilled leadership of Colonel Charley Price in mobilizing our veterans with disabilities, Florida became the first state in the nation to pass wide-ranging legislation vindicating the voting rights of persons with disabilities.

As we celebrate how far we have come, we must not forget how many miles we still must travel to truly secure for every American the rights and privileges that most of us take for granted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a landmark civil rights anniversary in American history, which passed after we had adjourned for the District Work Period in July. Thirteen years ago, the first President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, launching a new era in our nation's everlasting journey towards equal opportunity for all.

This long-overdue legislation finally breathed life into the principal that every American has the right to be a full and equal participant in our society.

As Florida's Secretary of State, I was blessed to have the opportunity to apply the mission of the ADA to the cause of election reform. Beginning with my appointment of a Select Task Force in 2001, we worked to remove the obstacles that prevented persons with disabilities in Florida from enjoying the sanctity of the secret ballot and the civic majesty of going to the polls on Election Day.

Thanks to powerful advocates from Florida's disabilities community like Pam Dorwarth, Doug Towne, and Richard LaBelle as well as the skilled leadership of Colonel Charley Price in mobilizing our veterans with disabilities, Florida became the first state in the nation to pass wide-ranging legislation vindicating the voting rights of persons with disabilities.

As we celebrate how far we have come, we must not forget how many miles we still must travel to truly secure for every American the rights and privileges that most of us take for granted.

Mr. Speaker, this nation lost one of its greatest lawyers, leaders, and statesmen last week. Chesterfield Smith was not only my neighbor and friend; he was a role model and an icon of probity, integrity, and decency.

Chesterfield Smith set the bar for anyone who aspires to a legal or public service career. His model of leadership, vision, and strength of character had an enormous impact upon my family. He sought the truth, regardless of the political consequences. His dedication to our nation's justice system rightly earned him

recognition as ``America's Lawyer'' and as ``the conscience of the legal profession.''

Reared in the Southwest Florida town of Arcadia, Chesterfield Smith served his country heroically in World War II, earning the Bronze Star while fighting with General George S. Patton's 3rd Army in Europe. Following his discharge with the rank of major in 1945, he returned to his native Florida to attend law school at the University of Florida.

He began his law practice with the firm of Treadwell & Treadwell in Arcadia, joining the firm of Holland, Bevis, & McCrae in the neighboring community of Bartow one year and one-half later. Achieving the status of partner in record time, Chesterfield Smith began to build what would become the nation's eighth largest law firm upon a foundation of skilled professionalism, unassailable ethics, and dedicated public service.

In 1964, the Florida Bar recognized Chesterfield Smith's extraordinary leadership abilities by electing him its President. He was appointed Chairman of the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission in 1965, where he challenged and defeated the grip on power of the ``Pork Chop Gang,'' a group of rural Florida legislators who had dominated Florida's state government through the repugnant device of malapportionment.

The entire nation became familiar with Chesterfield Smith's courage and unwavering commitment to principle during his presidency of the American Bar Association in 1973 and 1974. Stating his reasoning simply but powerfully through the words ``no man is above the law,'' he issued the first public call for an investigation of President Nixon's role in the Watergate break-in.

While his potent sense of justice helped steer our nation through a period of great peril to our Constitution, Chesterfield Smith's fundamental sense of right and wrong helped guide his beloved Florida through the turmoil of the civil rights movement. He served as an outspoken opponent of segregation, while transforming his law firm into a model of diversity.

In 1997, Governor Lawton Chiles formally recognized Chesterfield Smith as a Great Floridian. In 2002, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg presented Smith with the Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award, describing him as ``among the brightest, boldest, bravest, all-around most effective lawyers ever bred in Florida and the USA.''

Mr. Speaker, as we mourn the passing of this great American, may the light of his passionate commitment to the legal profession, to our nation, and to humanity at large continue to animate our dreams and aspirations as public servants.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize and congratulate an outstanding Naval Officer, Rear Admiral Gary Roughead, upon his completion of more than two years of distinguished service as the Department of the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs for the United States Congress. I am honored as Admiral Roughead's United States Representative to commend his extraordinary achievements on the Navy's behalf from May 2001 thru August 2003 as well as his unparalleled devotion to our great Nation.

A 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Roughead became one of the Navy's finest Surface Warfare Officers. Through his tremendous leadership and vision, he navigated the Navy's legislative agenda through the tumultuous events following September 11, 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This accomplishment alone has established Admiral Roughead's place in history.

Due to his incredible mastery of military issues and the legislative process, however, he also ensured favorable Congressional consideration of several high profile matters, such as Readiness and Range Preservation Initiatives (RRPI), DD (X)/ LCS, Vieques, and the Navy/ Marine Corps Intranet. Additionally, Admiral Roughead nurtured strong personal bonds with many Members of Congress and their staff members, while positively impacting the Navy's current and future size, readiness and capabilities through the outstanding counsel and strategic insight that he provided to the Secretary of the Navy and to the Chief of Naval Operations.

Rear Admiral Roughead was recently nominated for an appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral. In connection with this promotion, he will be assigned as Commander, Second Fleet and Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic, in Norfolk, VA.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Admiral Roughead continued success and fulfillment as he undertakes this new challenge. I know that my colleagues in the House join me in saluting this fine Naval Officer, who embodies the integrity, skill, and professionalism for which we venerate our brave men and women in uniform.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, by opposing this amendment, I do not wish to minimize our constitutional duty to establish our Nation's spending priorities. Even when a President invokes national security as the basis for a funding request, we have the responsibility to scrutinize the underlying justification, disagreeing where we must.

The fiscal year 2004 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act carefully balances the foreign policies of Congress and the President. Regrettably, this amendment alters that equilibrium without sufficient cause. President Bush has proposed two historic initiatives that will help win the war on terror through the power of America's compassion and the strength of America's convictions. By virtue of his plan to aggressively fight AIDS in the developing world and his Millennium Challenge Account proposal, the President has presented a comprehensive vision for a safer, freer, healthier and more prosperous world, a goal that we all share.

Both of these initiatives deserve our enthusiastic support. Individually, neither of these proposals can achieve our critical humanitarian and strategic objectives. By cutting funding to the Millennium Challenge Account, we would seriously hobble this comprehensive reform of United States assistance to developing nations in this critical first year. In particular, we would risk losing this opportunity to demand action and accountability from recipient governments rather than mere promises. Nevertheless, this amendment inexplicably deprives the Millennium Challenge Account of its necessary funding. The amendment's sponsors have failed to provide us with a compelling rationale for this approach other than the general vital importance of fighting AIDS in the developing world. I do not dispute this basic contention. Yet we must not become so single minded about this objective that we sacrifice the most revolutionary foreign aid proposal since the Marshall Plan.

America's ability to win the war on terror depends on how well we use our economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian tools at our disposal to relieve suffering, build stability, and promote freedom and prosperity around the globe. Congress, in agreement with the administration, has painstakingly allocated the resources necessary to achieve these objectives. The stakes are simply too high to sacrifice the reward of sound economic practices and good governance policies in recipient nations that the MCA would encourage.

I urge my colleagues to preserve the efficacy of the President's visionary initiative by defeating this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 2441, the Millennium Challenge Account Authorization Act of 2003 implements President Bush's historic initiative to comprehensively reform how the United States designs, implements, and monitors its financial assistance to the developing world.

The President proposed the Millennium Challenge Account, or MCA, as the vehicle for realizing, in his words, ``a new compact for global development defined by a new accountability for both rich and poor nations alike.'' The testimony that this committee heard on March 6 confirmed that many U.S. financial assistance programs have fallen short of their objective in past years. Basing aid allocations upon recipient governments' pledges of future reform, these programs have often funded corruption and waste.

Instead of lifting countries out of poverty, the American taxpayer money has lined the pockets of corrupt leaders, consultants and middlemen while perpetuating inefficient and counterproductive government policies. Particularly in the post 9-11 environment, these concerns must not deter us from attempting to foster freedom and prosperity throughout the world. Quite to the contrary, our national security and defense from terrorism depends upon how well we promote these national precursors of peace and stability.

Through the MCA, the United States will gradually increase its annual aid to developing nations. Unlike the current economic assistance programs, however, the MCA will distribute this additional assistance based upon the existing record and achievements of eligible nations rather than upon the promises of their governments.

Mr. Chairman, this legislation is not perfect, and in particular I remain concerned that the provisions in the current bill limiting the participation of middle income nations will exclude many of our Latin American neighbors that still wrestle with large intractable pockets of poverty. For moral, strategic, and economic reasons, the challenges that confront Latin America must remain at the top of our priorities of our foreign aid and strategy.

As the legislative process continues, I will persist in drawing attention to this critical issue. Many Latin American nations can serve as strategic models for the reforms that this legislation tries to encourage.

Notwithstanding this one concern, I believe we stand at the cusp of a remarkable achievement. I commend President Bush and our honorable chairman for their extraordinary vision and foresight in proposing this aptly named initiative. They have truly posed a challenge to the nations we seek to assist and a challenge to us all as well.

Mr. Chairman, I vigorously support the amendment of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe). We share one central concern, and that is by limiting the MCA's authority to assist lower middle income countries to a 20 percent cap in the final year of authorization, we undermine the very foundation of President Bush's visionary initiative. Further, basing a country's eligibility for assistance on per capita national income ignores the key reality that in Latin America large subregions labor under tremendous disparity in income. The income of many of these subregions remains far below the income of many of the nations targeted for assistance under the MCA.

Chairman Hyde's original draft of this bill included a provision that permitted MCA to consider subregions in determining eligibility. Further, by giving per capita national income levels disproportionate weight, the proponents of this amendment unintentionally penalize the nations that are pursuing the very reforms MCA seeks to promote. We will not find more eager, receptive partners for MCA than our friends and neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. We must stand with them side by side particularly as they confront the poisonous rhetoric that entices them to jettison the extraordinary democratic progress that they have made during this last decade.

Absent this amendment, few nations in the Americas may qualify for MCA. Congress must not sacrifice the MCA's desperately needed reforms upon the altar of political expediency. We must find a more balanced approach.

Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representative stands at the threshold of passing landmark legislation that protects and improves Medicare while providing our seniors with a real prescription drug benefit. While the debate remains properly focused upon this moral obligation to our seniors, I wish to highlight another exciting component of health care reform that we will address today.

H.R. 2596, the Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2003, authorizes the creation of health savings accounts which will enable every American to pay their basic medical expenses from tax-free money. In almost every purchase of goods and services except health care, individuals bargain directly with vendors and providers.

Assuming an adequately competitive market, suppliers will not charge more than buyers are willing and able to pay for very long.

The structure of our current health care system pushes consumers to the sidelines. Big insurance companies negotiate prices with big health care conglomerates, producing a distorted market and more expensive health care, prescription drugs, and health insurance premiums for the uninsured and self-employed.

H.R. 2596 allows Americans, particularly Medicare-eligible seniors, to use health care savings accounts to pay for medical expenses, prescription drug costs, retiree health insurance expenses, long-term care service, and COBRA coverage. It permits family members and employers to make tax-free contributions to these accounts.

The nature and uncertainty of health care expenses will always require critical programs such as Medicare and an efficiently-operating insurance industry. That is why the reforms that we will adopt in H.R. 1 are so vital.

Nevertheless, through the magic of the free market, H.R. 2596 will reduce costs that many Americans pay for the most basic health care needs, while forcing our entire health care system to become more efficient.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary group of high school students, who have set the gold standard for leadership, compassion, and selflessness in my hometown of Sarasota, FL.

In September of 2002, Zak Tanjeloff, a student attending Sarasota High School, founded the Why Me? Club to implement his vision of providing relief to the poverty-stricken children of South America.

Demonstrating amazing dedication and skill, Zak and his fellow students have organized and managed major relief efforts entirely on their own.

Motivated by a soul-searching question--``Why am I lucky enough to live the life I live when so many suffer so greatly throughout the world?''--they have collected and delivered medical supplies, school supplies, sporting goods, dental supplies, toiletries, toys, and other items that most children and adults take for granted to impoverished locations in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Surinam.

While their fellow students vacationed on Florida's beaches during Spring Break 2003, the Why Me? Club, in partnership with Operation Serving Children, delivered over $100,000 worth of much-needed medical supplies to the people of Chisec, Guatemala. Moreover, a second group of Why Me? members recently traveled once again to Chisec with yet another $100,000 in medical supplies.

Mr. Speaker, these exceptional young men and women deserve our thanks and our acclaim. Their generosity, their global awareness, and their commitment to the most vulnerable members of the human family demonstrate that the greatest virtues of our Nation still illuminate the hopes and dreams of our children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8, which will finally free America's hardworking farmers, small business owners and their families from the specter of the death tax. Benjamin Franklin said, ``In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.'' This observation notwithstanding, I doubt that even the imaginative Mr. Franklin foresaw the taxation of death itself.

Americans are taxed when they earn money. They are taxed once again when they spend what is left. And at last, not even the cold head of death can stay the grasping hands of the tax collector. By pursuing taxpayers beyond the grave, government visits devastating consequences upon their grieving relatives, forcing some to sell the family business or the family farm just to pay the taxes. The National Federation of Independent Businesses has estimated that the death tax will compel one-third of small business owners today to sell some or all of their business. Moreover, according to the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, simply planning for the death tax costs small businesses an average of $125,000 over 5 years. Worse yet, mainstream economists of all political stripes have concluded that the death tax stifles the creation of jobs and opportunity.

Economist Allen Sinai, a consultant for presidential administrations of both parties, has concluded that the permanent repeal of the death tax could create 160,000 new jobs and an increase in GDP of over $10 billion.

Mr. Speaker, the opponents of H.R. 8 cannot provide any economic justification for the continued existence of this useless relic. It may even cost more in compliance and to collect this onerous tax than it generates in revenue while it punishes thrift, deters investment and diverts capital to unproductive activities such as tax avoidance.