Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I would ask that the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) engage me in a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, I do not have an amendment to offer at this time, but since this bill has provisions dealing with mineral leasing and permits, I want to make an observation about the administration's budget request and the fact that the Office of Management and Budget is increasing the Federal maintenance fees for hardrock mining claims from $100 to $126 per claim based on a cost-of-living adjustment from 1993 to 2004.

While the provision allowing them to do this is in current law, neither the Forest Service nor the Bureau of Land Management, the Federal agencies that oversee and approve mining operations on Federal lands, maintain a tracking system capable of determining how long a mining permit has been pending. This simple data management tool is necessary to more accurately track these permits. These agencies need a system that does more than merely determine on a yearly basis the number of plans and notices that are submitted and approved each year. These agencies need a system that lets the department, Congress, and the public know how long these applications are pending. Such a system should alert these agencies to where additional attention or resources are needed.

Delays in processing mining permits have impacts far beyond any particular mining project. A ripple effect occurs. Delays impact investment, lack of investment results in less exploration, less exploration results in less development of domestic resources, less development of domestic resources leads to greater reliance on foreign sources, greater reliance on foreign sources impacts our economic and national security, not to mention loss of jobs and economic impact on local communities.

The U.S. mining industry is modern, high-tech and environmentally responsible and overall has a solid record of compliance with the world's more rigorous State, local, and Federal laws and regulations. It should not take 4 to 10 years to obtain the permits necessary to commence operations. The government needs to find ways to improve permitting and expediting mining permits before it increases fees for holding the land involved in these permits.

Mr. Chairman, I hope that this issue can be addressed in the near future.

I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Anthony Chung Yi Ho, Senior Officer with the Taipei Economic Council and Cultural Representative and Senior Assistant to the Honorable C.J. Chen, Taiwan's chief representative in the United States. Mr. Ho has been with the Washington, DC, office of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 6 years, and his presence will be sorely missed when he returns to Taiwan later this year. Mr. Ho is a true asset to the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His leadership and expertise have been invaluable in working with my Washington, DC, staff and many other congressional offices as well.

Traditionally, Idaho maintains a close relationship with the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Idaho State University has developed a strong partnership with the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in large part because of ISU's English and Professional Development Program. This unique program, the only program of its kind in the United States, provides a language and cultural education program for junior diplomatic officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 40 students have completed the program since its inception in the early 1990s, and many of these graduates now serve their country in diplomatic postings throughout the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Language and Culture Training Program at ISU is an excellent collaborative relationship that is strengthening our countries through a better understanding of each of our cultures.

While serving as a Senior Officer, Mr. Ho has worked closely with my office. Largely thanks to his efforts, I have been able to meet and work with many of Taiwan's junior diplomatic officers attending this program at Idaho State University. They are an intelligent, energetic group who are eager to serve their country. They are very interested in gaining as much knowledge and insight as possible during their stay in America and look forward to using what they have learned as they progress in their diplomatic careers.

Under Mr. Ho's guidance, our office has cultivated a valuable relationship with the Taiwan Foreign Ministry. He arranged a dinner among the junior diplomatic officers and myself in Pocatello, and he has also worked with our office to arrange the stay of a junior officer from ISU in our Washington, DC, office. For 2 years, I have had the privilege of hosting a junior officer from the ISU program in the Capitol.

Mr. Ho's excellent collaborative relationship with my office plays a critical role to strengthening relations between the United States and Taiwan through strong communication and a better understanding of each of our cultures. I commend Anthony Ho for his dedication and guidance. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with him, and we will greatly miss him when he leaves Washington, DC.

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

Charlie, we are certainly going to miss you. Sometimes that does not seem like enough, but all of the Members of the House and the fellow staff members here in the House are certainly going to miss you. Sometimes simple words are the best.

Parliamentary procedure, as has been stated here, the Rules of the House equally and uniformly applied to all, are what make this emotional and sometimes polarized place work. Charlie and I have sometimes disagreed about the interpretation of those rules and we have debated it a little bit.

Yielding to the superior wisdom of Charlie, I found out that you can end debate with a nondebatable motion here in the House, but if we were back in Idaho, you could not do that. We have had some very interesting debates.

I always found, when I practiced dentistry, that when I was hiring a new chairside assistant, it was sometimes often easier to hire somebody that had no experience because then you did not have to untrain them before you retrained them. Sometimes I think Charlie's toughest job here is to take some of us who have been presiding officers in State legislatures and untrain us of the rules that we learned in our State legislatures before he retrained us about the Rules of the House.

I know that you have done a fantastic job. We have all enjoyed working with you. Sometimes the measure of an individual's performance is what those around him think about the job that he has done. As I have talked to other staff members here, I can tell you one of the things that was said yesterday, someone said, ``If I had to think of one word to describe Charlie, it would be `integrity.''' That is not a bad legacy to leave.

Thank you, Charlie. We are going to miss you.

Mr. Speaker, recently I had the honor of visiting with the Corps of Cadets, faculty, and staff at the United States Military Academy. I am very grateful to Lieutenant General William Lennox, Jr., Superintendent; Colonel Russell Howard, Social Sciences Department Head; Colonel Robert Gordon III, Director, American Politics Program; and, of course, to the Cadets for having me.

In addition to being able to visit with cadets and their world-class faculty, I had the opportunity to learn of West Point's Service America Program. Serving one's nation can take many forms. I found it especially inspiring that as the West Point cadets, America's sons and daughters, are preparing to defend our freedoms, they have created still another way to serve our great nation.

Under the leadership of Colonel Gordon and many others, since 1997, cadets have been serving young people during the summer months through the Academy's Service America Program in Bremerton and Spokane, Washington; Chicago, Illinois; and Austin, Texas. The cadets have partnered with state and local AmeriCorps programs, America's Promise, the National Civilian Community Corps, and private foundations.

In the past six years, 161 cadets have participated in West Point's Service America Program. The cadets have spent almost 8,000 hours teaching children in the classroom and have tutored or mentored over 1,000 youngsters. Their total community service exceeds 20,000 volunteer hours. Cadets say Service America helps prepare them to become better officers. Cadets are refining their leadership skills through positions of authority in community projects, are working cooperatively with AmeriCorps volunteers in solving problems, and are mentoring young persons from diverse backgrounds and ages.

Mr. Speaker, I commend West Point and the cadets for their selfless service to our country, both on and off the battlefield. I knew that West Point was a national treasure long before I visited there. Now more than ever, I know why.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate AMI Semiconductors on their initial public offering of common stock on the Nasdaq National Market. AMI Semiconductors began trading publicly on the Nasdaq on September 24, 2003, under the name AMIS.

AMIS is a leader in the design and manufacture of customer specific integrated mixed signal semiconductor products. The company focuses on the automotive, medical and industrial markets, which have significant analog interface requirements for real world applications.

Two years ago, AMI Semiconductors moved its headquarters from San Diego, California to Pocatello, Idaho, where it opened a new engineering and research center in the city. In 2001, the company appointed Christine King as its CEO and President. AMIS forged new territory by making Ms. King the first woman in the world to be named as the president of a semiconductor company.

While its headquarters are located in Idaho, AMIS maintains a global presence. It keeps sales offices and technical support centers throughout Asia, Europe and the USA. AMIS employs over 2,400 people worldwide, and about 1,100 of those employees work at their company headquarters in Pocatello. AMI Semiconductors has been a real asset to Idaho's local economy and business development. It is now the largest private employer in Pocatello, bringing new jobs and new economic growth to the area. In the past six months alone, they have created 130 new jobs in the region.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate AMI Semiconductors on their initial public offering. I look forward to following their accomplishments in the business world and working with them over the coming months and years.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer some perspective on the amendment offered by my colleague from California, Mr. Rohrabacher.

As all of us know and acknowledge, Mr. Rohrabacher's amendment seems like a no-brainer and something everyone would support. To suggest that our Nation's veterans who were held prisoner by the Japanese in World War II should be prevented from filing a lawsuit for compensation seems outside the realm of what any politician would argue. But if my colleagues will allow, I am here to do just that.

While I do acknowledge the difficulty of arguing my position, I believe it's a sound position and one any member of this body could support if only they were made aware of the history surrounding this matter and the facts behind our international obligations.

America is indeed indebted to our former POWs--whether they are World War II POWs or those, including Jessica Lynch, who were held captive by Saddam Hussein. That debt our Nation owes these men and women is not just one of gratitude, but one of compensation for their time in enemy hands.

This amendment, however, is neither the best nor a wise approach to ensuring we meet our Nation's obligations to our former POWs and I would like to explain why.

If passed by the House of Representatives and adopted in conference in its current form, this amendment would almost certainly invite a veto by the White House. I firmly believe that the President would be using sound judgment in vetoing the amendment because it would violate our treaty obligations under the treaty we signed with the Japanese at the end of World War II.

Some of us in this chamber may take those treaty obligations lightly or might suggest that we should ignore commitments made over 50 years ago. I say we must abide by those treaty obligations because that treaty is what set the foundation for the 50 years of friendship and cooperation our Nation has had with Japan. Great nations do not violate their treaty obligations nor do they go back on their commitments to their friends. Great nations abide by their commitments and stand with their friends in easy situations and in difficult situations.

I believe there is another compelling reason why this amendment should be rejected and why we should choose another course. The amendment offered by my colleague from California only addresses those POWs who were taken captive during World War II. What about the POWs from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the Persian Gulf War, or our most recent war with Iraq? These POWs have suffered extraordinary hardships and, due to the inequity in this amendment, would be left without any long-term compensation for their sacrifices.

I think it's important to point out that our Nation is currently home to an estimated 42,781 surviving ex-POWS: more than 39,700 from World War II, 2,400 from the Korean War, 601 from the Vietnam War, one from Somalia and three from Kosovo--and these numbers don't include the POWS from our actions against Iraq.

That is why I have offered an alternative--one that would accomplish everything this amendment does not. My legislation, H.R. 850, would create a new compensation system for former POWs delivered through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the new system, POWs detained 30 to 120 days would receive $150 per month, those detained 121 to 540 days would receive $300 per month, and those detained for 540 or more days would receive $450 per month. Payment would be made without regard to any other compensation under the laws of the United States. In addition, the bill contains a provision to provide outpatient dental care for all POWs. Current law requires a period of internment of not less than 90 days in order to qualify. Further, I have already agreed to eliminate the 30 day requirement to be eligible for benefits under the bill to ensure POWs who were held for a shorter period of time, including those who have returned from Iraq, would in fact be eligible for monthly compensation.

Mr. Chairman, my legislation offers this body an alternative to breaking our treaty obligations and failing to meet our commitments to 50-year-old friends and allies. World War II ended nearly 60 years ago and throughout the last half of the twentieth century, Japan proved time and again that it is one of our most trusted allies and a nation upon whom we could count for lasting friendship. If anything, the last year has shown this Nation the value of trusted friends and our need for close allies around the globe.

We have the chance today to do something noble. We can both be a good friend to Japan and meet our commitments to the men and women who have worn our Nation's uniform and been held captive during foreign wars. We can do this by rejecting the path chosen by my colleague from California and by, instead, choosing an approach such as that offered in H.R. 850.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I urge my colleagues to oppose this roadless amendment because it is also a mindless amendment.

The gentleman from New York suggests roadless areas are only in remote areas. Let me show my colleagues. This is an inventoried roadless area in Idaho. Below the line these red dots are structures which will, if this catches on fire, burn, and we will spend millions and millions of dollars trying to save them. These are not simply remote areas.

Without this roadless rule, these communities in these areas are helpless to protect themselves. As a judge in Idaho said, ``Such restrictions will prevent local officials from accessing the vital tools necessary to prevent the spread of disease, insect infestation, and catastrophic wildfires.''

While the proponents of this amendment claim they care about species habitat, the reality is this will damage species habitat. I was at the Clear Creek fires in Idaho in the year 2000 that burned 1.8 million acres, and we destroyed more salmon habitat with that fire than all the logging in the history of this country.

Vote against this mindless amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time and the great work he has done on this, the most difficult, I believe, of the appropriation bills.

We have continually heard today during this debate that 302(b) allocations were insufficient or inadequate, and, consequently, we do not have enough money to spend on this appropriation, and it is all due to the tax cuts.

If I remember correctly, during the debate on tax cuts, we could not do those tax cuts because of the increase that they would cause in the deficit. And now we see the truth. They were never concerned about the increase in the deficit. They were concerned that there would not be enough money to spend on the variety of programs that they want to spend money on.

Well, the distinguished minority whip said that we cannot wash our hands, like Pontius Pilate, of the debate on the deficit and the tax cuts and on the budgets because they are all interrelated, and he is absolutely right.

There is one thing that should be clear from the past decade. We cannot raise taxes enough to eliminate the deficit that has occurred. Another thing should be clear is that we cannot cut spending enough to eliminate the deficit that has occurred.

The only way to eliminate the deficit is to have a growing economy. We learned that in the 1990s. The only way to have the resources to spend on the programs that today you complain about as being inadequately funded is to have a growing economy. And we on this side of the aisle believe that one way to help that economy is to stimulate it by reducing taxes to put more money into people's pockets to grow the economy. That is why we supported the tax cuts, not because we care more about millionaires than we care about children or anything else. It is so in the future, in the long term, we have the resources for these programs that we all believe are vitally important.

Yet, in spite of the economy, we have produced a bill which continues the improvements we have made in education and health funding over the past 8 years.

Now, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) continually says, and quite emphatically, that the only reason we have been able to increase the funding for education or double it over the last 8 years is because he brought us across the line kicking and screaming. And I guess that may be true. I do not know. I have not been here 8 years. All I want to know is who was he bringing across the line kicking and screaming when his party controlled the House, the Senate and the White House? I am not sure who was doing the kicking and screaming, but you have been much more successful with our party than you were with your own party.

The distinguished minority leader last year on the debate on the rule went through a litany of programs in education and health that were cut. What the distinguished minority leader did not say is that in each and every one of those programs that she mentioned, I believe every one of them, there is actually an increase in spending. She was talking about a decrease from the authorized level, and I do not know of hardly any program in the Federal Government that is actually funded at the authorized level. Yet we have continued to improve funding for these programs.

As an example, in special education grants, $1 billion more than last year. That is not a cut. In Title I, $660 million above last year. That is not a cut. Improved teacher quality, $49.4 million. For transition to teaching to assist eligible members of the Armed Forces and midcareer professionals to obtain certification of teachers, $2.93 billion, an $81 million increase above the budget request for professional development. Math and science partnerships are funded at $150 million, an increase of $50 million. That is not a cut. In Impact Aid, $1.238 billion, $50 million over last year's level. That is not a cut. In Head Start, $148 million over last year's level. That is not a cut.

The list goes on and on. Only in Washington, D.C., can an increase in spending be considered a cut. This is a good bill, and I compliment the chairman for his work on it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. David Guzman, who recently concluded his tenure as President of the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators (NAVPA) after holding this position from October of 1998 to October of 2002.

Mr. Guzman also recently retired as the University Registrar at Washington State University and now moves to the position of NAVPA Legislative Director. I am grateful that we will retain his leadership abilities in this small way.

Long before Mr. Guzman served this nation's veterans, he had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. He served at assignments throughout the world for 30 years before retiring in 1987, with his last assignment at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where he was Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General of the Pacific Air Forces. He served two tours in the Republic of Vietnam.

Mr. Guzman has testified before the Veterans' Affairs Committee frequently on Montgomery GI Bill enhancements. He brought first-hand knowledge on veterans' education policy to his testimony from working with veterans at Washington State University.

Thank you, Mr. Guzman, for your dedication to America's servicemembers and veterans. You are leaving a lasting legacy of dedicated service to America and those who protect our freedoms.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of Idaho's finest. With a zip code of 83422, Driggs, Idaho was recently featured in National Geographic Magazine ZIPUSA section entitled, ``Billionaires, Mormon potato farmers and skateboarders share an uncommon home in 83422.'' The town was featured in the publication because of its pristine location, nestled at the foot of one of the most photographed mountains in the world--the Grand Tetons.

Driggs, Idaho is also one of the fastest growing towns per capita in the U.S. It's easy to see why. With friendly folks and beautiful scenery, Driggs is becoming a destination town. From Internet start up companies to third generation farmers, people flock and stay in Driggs. My wife Kathy and I are among them. We enjoy spending our weekends and holidays at our home with an incredible view of the Grand Tetons.

Driggs is reminiscent of small-town, USA. The town's idea of a traffic jam is waiting for a tractor to go by. It's well known that in Driggs, the drivers you pass will wave at you, with one hand still on the steering wheel. It's like feeling you're home, even if you've never been there. There are no strangers in Driggs, Idaho.

Main Street resembles the ideals of the past. You'll see the neighborhood malt shop, locally owned grocery store and the town bookstore, ``Dark Horse Books.'' The town is surrounded by fields of seed potatoes and gently sloping hills that roll to the foot of the mammoth Grand Teton Mountains. Perhaps Driggs' most famous attraction, other than the Grand Tetons, is the Spud Drive-in Theater. Locals like the old-time atmosphere of a drive in movie theater and the businesses' mascot, a giant cement potato in the back of a flat bed truck.

I'm proud to represent and live in Driggs, Idaho. It's a place worthy of National Geographic praise and attention.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the success of the Idaho State University English and Professional Development Program in partnership with the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This unique program, the only program of its kind in the United States, provides a language and cultural education program for junior diplomatic officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 40 students have completed the program since its inception in the early 1990's, and many of these graduates now serve their country in diplomatic postings throughout the world.

The program enables these junior officials to increase their knowledge of the American political system, enhance their language skills, and gain a greater understanding of U.S. culture. Instead of just learning about America in textbooks they have the unique opportunity to experience and participate in the American system by way of local internships and interactions with elected officials. Additionally, they can experience Idaho's natural beauty and participate in numerous outdoor activities. Not only does this program benefit these officials, but it also benefits the students of Idaho State University who are exposed to a different culture and perspective, broadening their world view and understanding.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet the current group of junior diplomats studying at Idaho State University. They are an intelligent, energetic group who are eager to serve their country. We had a healthy exchange of ideas and a good discussion regarding the American political system and current events in Taiwan. They are very interested in gaining as much knowledge and insight as possible during their stay in America and look forward to using what they have learned as they progress in their diplomatic careers.

I congratulate the 2002-2003 participants of this very worthwhile program. Chen Sy-yun, Fu Yu-min, Huang Chien-tsai, Chin Tsung-kai, and Hsiao Kuang-wei are very able representatives of their country and I am sure that like their predecessors they will serve their country with honor and distinction. I wish them success in all their future endeavors.

This exchange of ideas serves both countries well and reinforces the democratic bond between the United States and Taiwan. Positive associations such as this strengthen the tie between our two countries and further reinforce the importance of Taiwan as a trusted ally.

I am honored to have this program in my congressional district and look forward to a continued successful relationship with Taiwan.

I would like to thank the Honorable C. J. Chen, Taiwan's chief representative in the United States, for his contribution to the close and friendly relationship between our two countries. I would also like to thank Mr. Anthony Chung Yi Ho, Senior Assistant to the Honorable C. J. Chen, for his expertise and leadership in working with my staff, and Michelle Lewis, Director of the Idaho State University English and Professional Development Program, for her dedication and commitment to this unique program.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize and congratulate Albertsons Corporation for receiving the State Chairman Award from the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve.

Who puts their lives on the line for us? Who provides the combat ready forces that will help protect our national security interests? With the support of their employers, members of the National Guard and Reserve are there when we need them.

The National Guard and Reserve provide half of our nation's uniformed military forces. In fact, some military skills are found only in the Reserve components. The Secretary of Defense will call Reserve forces to serve along side their Active duty counterparts anytime the United States is conducting a significant military operation.

Now, more than ever, we as a nation are relying on our Reserve Members. Because they are Reserve and this is not their regular, full- time job, it is essential that employers support them. That's why I am so proud of Albertsons.

Albertsons has gone beyond the letter and the spirit of the law. After September 11th terrorist attacks, Albertsons implemented an enhanced military leave policy. Albertsons now provides wage differentials; continued health care coverage and retirement plan participation. Albertsons even set up a ``hot line'' to support impacted employees and their families. The company is a leader in reinforcing and enhancing its corporate policies in support of National Guard activities.

Because of this voluntary, proactive action that Albertsons took to assist our Reserve, they are receiving the State Chairman Award. This award is presented on behalf of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs in recognizing ``outstanding'' contributions in support of Reserve Forces made by individuals, organizations or employers. Each award signifies extraordinary endowments that materially affect the Reserves.

Albertsons deserves this award and I'm proud to acknowledge them for receiving it. Thank you, Albertsons, for supporting your country in such a patriotic manner.