Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 284) and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 284) and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 278) recognizing the contributions Lou Gehrig and his legacy have made in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from the Bronx, and a Yankee fan, for yielding to me.

``Today, I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth.'' That one Yankee phrase immortalizes and is synonymous with courage, and that is why I am proud to stand with my friend from the Bronx and rise in support of his resolution, House Resolution 278. It is brought to the floor on June 19, 2003, the 100th birthday of Lou Gehrig, baseball's original ``Iron Horse,'' and perhaps the greatest, or one of the greatest to ever play the game. As my friend from New York knows, I am a bit of a baseball fan myself, having named two of my children Noland and Ryan.

Now, more importantly, this resolution recognizes the contribution that Gehrig and his legacy have made in the fight against ALS, the disease that claimed Lou Gehrig's life at age 37, and the disease that is named after him.

So what is Lou Gehrig's disease? Quite simply, ALS is the slow but steady deterioration of nerve cells in the brain and in the spinal cord. When these motor neurons can no longer send impulses to the muscles, the muscles begin to waste away causing increased muscle weakness. As the disease reaches its advanced stages, its victims struggle to even breathe and swallow. There is no cure for ALS.

Every day, an average of 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS. Approximately one out of 800 male deaths and 1 out of 1,200 female deaths in the United States are due to ALS. More

people die every year of ALS than Huntington's Disease or multiple sclerosis.

One of the more frightening aspects of this disease is its unpredictability. It can arise in a family that has never had ALS throughout its generations. It is truly an equal opportunity disease, with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. All of us are threatened by this disease.

This country has devoted substantial resources to finding a cure for ALS. Last year alone, the National Institutes of Health spent nearly $35 million on ALS research. However, while this is a significant amount of money, it pales in comparison to the amount we spend on other diseases.

Recent advances in genetics and technology have created new opportunities for the study and treatment of this terrible disease, but more can be done. This resolution recognizes that fact while providing the House of Representatives an opportunity to pay tribute to one of America's greatest heroes and human beings, Lou Gehrig.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 703. I have very fond memories as a child of meeting our great Senator from the State of Nebraska, Carl Curtis. In Nebraska, of course, having served as long as he did, he was an icon; but he was known as a statesman who really fought for Nebraska, and agriculture specifically. He has an unparalleled record of service to Nebraska. He was elected to eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and four terms to the United States Senate. Those 40 years distinguished Senator Curtis as the Nebraskan with the longest time in service in the U.S. Congress.

Naming a National Park Service building after Senator Curtis is especially fitting. He was a tireless advocate for America's environment and natural resources. One of his greatest accomplishments was sponsoring the resolution that helped create the Pick-Sloan plan for the Missouri River, the Nation's first-ever authorized basin-wide project for flood control and irrigation. By the way, Mr. Speaker, the new National Park Service building is on the banks of the Missouri River. This Pick-Sloan plan has made funding possible for every Bureau of Reclamation project on the Missouri River since 1944. Senator Curtis also authorized legislation establishing Nebraska's third and latest national monument, the Agate Fossil Beds in the city of Harrison. Flood control for the Republican River Valley is another one of his valuable accomplishments.

As chairman of the Republican Conference from 1975 to 1979, Senator Curtis revamped the organization to be the research and information- based body that it is today. As ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, he was instrumental in enacting the Tax Reform Act of 1976. He had a passion for savings. He really understood how important it was for American citizens and American families to save for the future. Hence, his tireless work on what became known as the Roth IRAs. Our Senator Curtis from the State of Nebraska was the originator of the concept. He was considered, because of this tireless work on tax issues, to really be the Senator to go to on those type of issues. He had the honor to serve as Senator Barry Goldwater's floor manager at the 1964 Republican National Convention. Prior to his service, he was a dedicated school teacher and self-educated practicing attorney.

Although he passed on 3 years ago, Senator Curtis remains an inspiration to Nebraskans and a cherished father, grandfather, and great grandfather in the hearts of his family and to his wife, Mildred.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 703 to honor Senator Curtis for his outstanding public service.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to introduce the Medicare Reform Act. Along with the original cosponsors of the bill, Representative Tom Tancredo, Representative Marilyn Musgrave, Representative Pete Sessions, Representative William Jenkins, and Representative Don Manzullo, I believe that this proposal can improve Medicare and preserve it for the future.

Our current system is a patchwork program governed by tens of thousands of pages of rigid rules, regulations, guidelines and administrative decisions and the current system is filled with inefficiencies and waste. While Medicare will cover medicine for a patient who receives an injection at a doctor's office, it will not provide the same coverage to a patient who chooses to save Medicare doctors' fees by administering the same injection at home.

Medicare will pay for a kidney transplant--but not for anti-rejection drugs for the new kidney. If you stop taking medication because of the cost, Medicare will pay for a second kidney transplant.

Medicare covers the costs of home visits by occupational therapists and physical therapists but not respiratory therapists. The patient must come to the hospital or doctor's office--more expensive options.

In 2002, improper payments in the Medicare program were estimated at $13.3 billion. Of that amount, $7 billion was for services the government later deemed medically unnecessary.

I have authored the Medicare Reform Act of 2003, legislation that would reshape Medicare to closely resemble the health care system for federal employees. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program provides high-quality health benefits to 8.6 million federal employees and retirees, including Members of Congress, in all 50 states. It is a typical employee health plan, except employees have a choice--they receive a guidebook describing their coverage options and choose the option that best meets their needs.

I want to give Medicare beneficiaries the same options.

By providing senior citizens and disabled individuals with the same health care benefits Members of Congress enjoy, my bill would improve preventive care and treatment of disease. It would provide modern insurance benefits, such as preventive and maintenance care for chronic conditions. And as in all private plans, a modern prescription drug benefit is an inherent part of this policy.

The health care plan for federal employees has demonstrated success in rural areas. 98 percent of rural counties offer at least three plans, and 87 percent offer six or more choices. My bill would create insurance parity through Medicare, by offering identical insurance options to beneficiaries in urban and rural areas on a state-by-state basis.

Finally, my bill would recognize the difference between poor and middle class seniors, and those in the highest income brackets, since premiums would be based on level of income. My proposal would pay the entire premium for senior citizens earning up to $17,952 for singles and $24,288 for couples (200 percent of the poverty level). Above that level, the premium paid would decrease by ten percent for each additional 100 percent over the poverty level. For senior citizens earning over $71,809 for singles and over $101,153 for couples (800 percent of the poverty level), the program would pay 30 percent of their premiums.

Income sensitive premiums, competitive plans, better cost control and preventative care will ensure that Medicare's price tag is kept low. In this way, we can assure Medicare will evolve with the times and be solvent for the future.

Government cannot prevent Americans from growing older. But we can help senior citizens enjoy higher quality of life, while providing the retirees of tomorrow with a sound Medicare program that will still exist for them, too.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this important bill. It continues the philosophy embraced in AIR 21, which accomplished two significant things. First of all, it recognized the importance of the infrastructure of our airports and the necessity to modernize and expand. I am proud that this bill embraces that philosophy. The Omaha Epplay Airport at one time was one of the fastest growing airports in the Midwest and certainly requires additional infrastructure.

Also in regard to safety, once you are in the air with the capacity that is necessary to move people back and forth in today's economy, it is necessary that we modernize in that area; and I am proud that this bill continues to modernize and make air travel even safer.

I do, however, have concerns about what I call the ``front end security'' in our airports. That is a variety of different issues that, I think while the gentleman is helping air travel with this bill, I worry that with the convoluted, confusing airport security in our airports today that we are not chasing passengers away. The number of airports that I have walked through since we have adopted airport security, I see the number of screeners and baggage handlers more than double, but what I see is longer lines. From my view, just as efficient, if not less efficient, airport screening. I see different rules from one airport to another in regard to how they handle baggage and requirement of IDs.

I have heard from many of my constituents complaints about the arrogance of those people now checking the bags and the difficulties that they have had. We did not hear those types of stories before. Maybe some of that comes from the fact that the Federal security directors in these airports are mostly retired military.

Mr. Chairman, are these issues going to be addressed by the committee?

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 760. The abomination of this procedure, the facts of it are undisputed. It is an inhumane practice. It cannot be tolerated in a civilized today society and it cannot be tolerated amongst people who value the sanctity of human life.

It is often overlooked that partial-birth abortion can cause physical and emotional harm. Women who undergo this procedure can have difficulty conceiving children in the future and can experience gut- wrenching guilt and regret.

In 1993, a nurse practitioner named Brenda Pratt Shafer described such an incident in her testimony before Congress. She was a pro-choice nurse in an abortion clinic, who quit her job the day that she witnessed the grief of a woman who received a partial-birth abortion. She told Members of Congress, ``What I saw is branded forever in my mind. The woman wanted to see her baby after the procedure, so they cleaned up the baby and put it in a blanket and handed the baby to her. She cried the whole time as she kept saying, `I am so sorry. Please forgive me.' I was crying too. I could not take it, a baby boy with the most perfect, angelic face I had ever seen.''

It amazes me that in the year 2003, the United States still permits this procedure, this act of death. Allowing partial-birth abortion to remain legal would be a tragedy for all. It would lower our standards of conscience and humanity. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 760 and bringing an end to this era of suffering in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 4 to allow Congress to ban the physical desecration of the flag.

During the War of 1812, American soldiers valiantly fought at Fort McHenry, Maryland to preserve the newly-formed United States. The story of the fort's battle flag, which continued to wave despite the barrage of bombs from British warships, was captured in the poetry of Francis Scott Key. He marveled at the resiliency of our flag, and the unfailing courage it brought to the men battling for freedom under its stars and stripes. His words are now our national anthem, sung in school rooms, at sporting events, and whenever our nation pays homage to its fallen heroes. The image of our flag is ingrained in the hearts of all freedom-loving Americans.

The flag represents our ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. It also symbolizes the sacrifice of 41 million Americans who have fought our wars dating back to the Revolution, and the one million Americans who have died to defend our freedoms. We live in liberty today because they did not shrink from duty. The least we can do to show our eternal gratitude is to protect our flag--our treasured symbol of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We are debating H.J. Res. 4 today because the Supreme Court has ruled that flag burning is ``protected expression'' under the First Amendment. Since this misguided decision was handed down, every state in the union has asked Congress to approve a Constitutional Amendment to protect Old Glory from physical desecration. Our First Amendment does not allow citizens to yell ``fire!'' in a crowded theater, nor does it protect intentionally outrageous acts of destruction. Desecrating our flag falls squarely into this category.

We are not debating free speech rights today. We are debating whether our sons and daughters will appreciate the sacrifices of their forefathers when they see the flag waving. The freedom, honor and sacrifice symbolized by Old Glory must never be taken for granted.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.J. Res. 4.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to introduce an important energy efficiency bill, along with Representatives Engel, Bilirakis, Graves, Kilpatrick, and others. The aim of this legislation is to bring real energy savings to homeowners and businesses, while increasing U.S. energy security.

Specifically, this legislation would provide a tax credit for the use of Energy Star-qualified heating and cooling systems and windows. As you know, the Department of Energy's Energy Star program endorses products and appliances that meet high energy efficiency standards. Last year alone, with the help of the Energy Star program, Americans saved enough energy to power 10 million homes--saving energy consumers approximately $6 billion. Obviously, the Energy Star program is worthy of our support.

My bill will encourage further growth of smart, energy-conserving technology by making it more affordable. This legislation comes at a time when America can no longer afford to ignore its looming national energy crisis. Since the energy crisis of the 1970s, the United States has increased its energy use by 30 percent, while domestic energy production has increased only 14 percent. Even more troubling is the Department of Energy's predictions that, by 2020, U.S. energy consumption will increase 50 percent for natural gas, 43 percent for electricity, 35 percent for petroleum, and 22 percent for coal. The course we are on is unsustainable.

There is no single silver bullet to solving our energy challenge. We need a three-pronged approach, which includes increasing domestic production; urging sensible conservation; and encouraging more energy efficiency. Unfortunately, energy efficiency is often the least emphasized and most overlooked approach to increasing U.S. energy independence.

Innovations by private industry have greatly increased our energy efficiency over the past 20 or 30 years. Homes, offices and manufacturing plants now use about 25 percent less energy compared to 20 years ago, due to more efficient appliances, equipment and construction. Today's best air conditioners use 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners built in the mid-1970s. This directly benefits our energy security and the environment.

Last month, the House passed a comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6) to help America meet its energy challenges. Included in the House energy bill is an $18 billion tax-incentive package that will boost energy efficiency for homes and businesses, encourage more generation from renewable energy, and further the development alternative energy sources. However, H.R. 6 does not address the Energy Star products in my legislation. Including the provisions of my bill in a comprehensive energy plan would help strengthen our nation's energy policy.

The bottom line is that America can no longer afford to ignore its looming national energy crisis. My legislation can play a small but significant role in a balanced, realistic policy that produces more energy, protects the environment and expands our economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart. I am here to express the sadness and loss all Nebraskans feel at the passing of a selfless leader and volunteer, Dr. Liz Karnes.

Dr. Karnes embodied the best values of our State. Her good deeds and commitment to public service are greatly admired. She is well known for her 17 years of service on the District 66 School Board in Omaha and her work as a member of the Omaha Airport Authority, and her national policy work on behalf of children and schools.

But she is most known and committed to her finest work, raising her four daughters.

A 1967 graduate of Westside herself, Karnes went on to earn her doctoral degree in education administration. Along the way she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska, where she met her future husband, Dave Karnes. When Senator Karnes was appointed a U.S. Senator, Dr. Karnes accompanied her husband to Washington and worked as a volunteer assistant to First Lady Barbara Bush to advocate literacy.

In March 1991, Dr. Karnes was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She began a courageous battle against the disease and she would survive. But in 2001 she developed kidney cancer which led to the complications that claimed her life late last week.

Dr. Karnes heroically fought cancer and its complications for 12 years. Her faith in God and the loving support of her family, friends, and colleagues kept her spirits strong, but Dr. Karnes was the real fighter. She continued to attend meetings and family events throughout her ordeal. She did not let her cancer come between her and her family, her work or her advocacy for the issues she believed in. Today we must redefine our definition of the word ``hero.'' Our heros are closer to us. They are visible. They are walking among us. Dr. Karnes is such a hero.

Mr. Speaker, perhaps more than ever in our Nation's history, at least since the Revolutionary War, our citizens are rising up to their responsibilities to be on guard and report suspicious behavior and activities. Often these patriotic deeds go unnoticed and unheralded. This is true of one such person in my district.

Harvey Rothman, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, in 1987 was working as a trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce. During that time, he received a phone call from a businessman who believed that some of his product was being delivered illegally to the country of Libya.

Based on that information, Mr. Rothman brought the businessmen together with the Commerce's Department of Export Administration. That led to an investigation revealing that $275,000 in steel pipe was being diverted from Hanover, Germany, to the terrorist country Libya. As a result, an additional quarter million dollars' worth of product destined to this same terrorist country was canceled.

Mr. Speaker, I bring this story to the attention of the House now not to give Harvey Rothman a pat on the back, which he has deserved over these past many years, but because it is a wonderful example to all our citizens that their watchfulness and vigilance could save lives and stop our enemies from terrorist acts.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me time.

When I heard our ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) talk about our rural co-ops, first of all, I heard from him a great deal when we passed this 2 years ago; but I have not heard from him, so it came as a surprise to me. But also I have in my hand a letter from the North American Electric Reliability Council, or NERC. Let me read a portion of that letter.

They, NERC, stand in strong opposition to the Dingell amendment which would strike several provisions. Because of several reasons that they state in this letter, they urge support for the electricity title of H.R. 6 and oppose the Dingell amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this is an important provision to support the bill, H.R. 6, as it stands; and I just want to give a quick story about a company that used to be located in Omaha called Enron.

Enron was originally an Omaha company, and they defied and lied to everybody and then left town. But it is amazing when they defrauded their shareholders and consumers, what happened when that company was dissolved, a company called MidAmerica Energy was able to buy back the northern natural gas component of that. They were able to because PUHCA was not involved in the natural gas part of it, and they could buy it and bring those jobs back to Omaha. The same company, that would like to build power plants around, cannot because of PUHCA.

If we want to resolve this Nation's energy crisis, Mr. Chairman, we need to adopt the provisions in H.R. 6 and vote against the Dingell amendment.

Mr. Chairman, the letter from the North American Electric Reliability Council is as follows:

North American Electric

Reliability Council,

Princeton, NJ, April 10, 2003.

Hon. W.J. Tauzin,

Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn

House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Tauzin: On behalf of the North American

Electric Reliability Council (NERC), I would like to express

NERC's strong support for the reliability provisions in the

electricity title of H.R. 6, and our strong opposition to the

Dingell amendment, which would strike these provisions.

As you well know, the bulk power system is increasingly

stressed. Today, there are no mandatory reliability rules

enforceable against all users and operators of the bulk power

grid. The reliability provisions in the electricity title of

H.R. 6 would correct this situation. It is critical that this

legislation be enacted as soon as possible to help ensure the

reliability and security of the North American bulk power

system. For this

reason, we urge support for the electricity title of H.R. 6

and oppose the Dingell amendment to strike the reliability

language from H.R. 6.

Sincerely,

Michehl R. Gent,

President and CEO.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing, along with Mr. Doyle of Pennsylvania, the ``Homeland Infrastructure Power Security and Assurance Act of 2003.'' This legislation will encourage the deployment and increased use of advanced technologies for the production of secure, reliable, efficient, and clean electric power needed to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to protect our energy infrastructure from terrorist threats. In a radio address to the nation President Bush stated:

As our economy continues to grow, U.S. oil consumption is

projected to increase by about one-third during the next 20

years. Our demand for electricity is expected to rise by 45

percent. America is already using more energy than our

domestic resources can provide, and unless we act to increase

our energy independence, our reliance on foreign sources of

energy will only increase. (February 23, 2002 Radio Address

to Nation)

Reducing dependence on foreign oil is a significant aspect of America's homeland security strategy, and this will require better utilization of our nation's domestic natural resource fuels. Another critical goal is to minimize risk of terrorist attacks on the nation's critical power supplies, especially at military installations and major financial centers. In my own congressional district, First National Bank has installed fuel cells in its new building in downtown Omaha that can each produce 200 kilowatts of electricity using natural gas. The electricity produced by these fuel cells powers the bank's data center in a secure and reliable manner. The ultra-clean power plant located securely inside the First National's Data Technology Center assures that the facility has less than one second of power downtime a year.

At another popular attraction in Omaha, the Henry Doorly Zoo, a fuel cell has been installed at the Lied Jungle that is a 200 kW unit that serves 50 percent of its power needs. It operates at a 75 percent capacity factor and generates more than 1.3 million kilowatt-hours annually.

This use of distributed stationary power generation is a prime example of what we can do to protect our critical infrastructure facilities like military installations, financial entities, utilities, first responder facilities like firehouses and police stations, and information technology systems from potential terrorist threats. Dispersed networks of decentralized, distributed generation power modules are less vulnerable to attack, and there is a wide range of advanced distributed technology options that can be deployed by U.S. electricity generators in order to fortify America's energy infrastructure.

Improving the reliability of our electric power infrastructure will also help our economy grow. It is estimated that power outages, brownouts, and other voltage disturbances cost U.S. industry up to $150 billion per year. On the other hand, it is estimated that energy efficient and renewable energy markets account for a $500 billion annual global market to U.S. companies and could lead to a net increase of 1.3 million jobs over the next 20 years. We need to use new, advanced turbines, fuel cells, and storage technologies to reduce these costly outages. We also need to export these technologies. This will improve both our energy security and our economic security.

My legislation is directed at promoting and encouraging faster deployment of advanced technologies, primarily to protect the homeland, but with the added environmental benefits that come from clean and efficient power equipment. The legislation empowers the Secretary of Energy to administer an Advanced Technology Incentives Program. In order to receive incentive payments eligible owners and operators must submit an application to the Secretary that documents the use of qualifying technologies that reduce system costs, and improve performance and reliability of advanced distributed power generation and energy storage systems. This is a voluntary, not a mandatory program.

The bill establishes two qualifying requirements for eligibility. First it must qualify as a ``qualifying advanced technology facility.'' Facilities meeting this requirement are eligible for payments based on 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour generated during a fiscal year. If an owner or operator provides power that qualifies as a ``qualifying security and assurance power facility'' a bonus of 0.7 cents per kilowatt-hour may be earned. The maximum number of kilowatt-hours a single owner or operator may accrue for each year is 10 million kilowatt-hours. There is authorized $250 million for the first four years of the program and separate appropriations will be required.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is timely. America is engaged in a war with Iraq that may disrupt our access to world oil supplies. Weather in the United States this winter has been unusually cold--raising home heating fuel prices to millions of consumers. Recently, President Bush elevated the threat of terrorist acts to Level Orange--the secondhighest level. Our national critical infrastructure, including power plants, electric transmission lines, and the nation's information technology system, are all potential targets. Secure, protected, reliable power must be a priority of any homeland security measures undertaken by the new Department of Homeland Security.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I look forward to participating in the Committee's early consideration of this year's version of the ``Securing America's Future Energy Act.'' I also urge my colleagues to consider including provisions that will encourage increased use of advanced technologies like fuel cells and other low emission, high efficiency energy technologies. These innovative advanced technologies must be a part of both our national energy and homeland security plans.

Mr. Speaker, the reviews are in on the February 20 FCC decision on the rules governing the Nation's telecommunications companies, and they are not good. Specifically, the reviews state that the requirements to make the RBOCs networks and systems available on an unbundled and subsidized basis are unsound.

For many Members of this Chamber, economists, and industry observers, the FCC's proceeding was an opportunity to provide clear rules and regulatory rationality to an industry sector that has tumbled in recent years with job losses and reduced capital investments, which has affected a manufacturer in my district.

Unfortunately, from these reviews on this decision, the FCC has failed miserably in their attempt to revitalize this necessary industry.

Has this industry not suffered enough? Two trillion dollars of market cap, half a million telecommunications jobs lost, and $800 billion in debt have gone away. Hardware equipment and software manufacturers are stumbling.

The FCC has taken a mess and made it harder to clean up. Somebody has to fix this: Congress, the courts, maybe even a miracle itself from the

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1104, the Child Abduction Prevention Act.

Our nation rejoiced with the family of Elizabeth Smart when she was recovered safely after spending nine months at the mercy of her kidnapper. We will always remember her courage in the face of terror, the steadfastness of her family, the determination of law enforcement officers, and the life-saving help of the two couples who alerted police to her abductor. The remarkable conclusion to this kidnapping has inspired our nation and drawn further attention to the plight of missing children and their families.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there were 58,200 children abducted by non-family members in 1999. Nearly half of these children were sexually assaulted, and about 100 were murdered. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that ``74 percent of abducted children who are murdered are dead within three hours of the abduction.''

H.R. 1104 will help recover children in these first crucial hours by aiding more states with setting up AMBER alert systems to utilize the eyes and ears of the public. This legislation will also help to keep career child rapists and killers off our streets by establishing a mandatory lifetime prison sentence for twice-convicted child molesters, and a 20-year sentence for non-family child abductors. These critical steps will help more families with missing children experience the joy of having their child come back home.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to help save the lives of kidnapped children and prevent future abductions. I yield back the balance of my time.