Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am joined on the floor tonight by a group of Democrats who feel very strongly about the need to be sure that our Nation is prepared to defend against terrorist attacks and to respond in the event we have a terrorist attack on our soil.

As we speak tonight, we know that our young men and women in uniform are risking their lives fighting for our freedoms and liberty in and around Iraq. They make us very proud by the sacrifices they are making on behalf of our Nation, and we are proud of each of them and the commitment that they are making on our behalf.

None of us on this floor would dare suggest that we not provide them with the very best in equipment, the very best in training as they enter into that battle. We know that our men and women in uniform shall do the duties that we have asked them to do.

We know that we fight a war tonight in Iraq, but we also know that we are engaged in another battle here at home, the war against terrorism. We became acutely aware of that battle on September 11 of 2001, and in the 18 months since al Qaeda struck in the shadows, or from the shadows, and declared war on America, we know that we have a changed world.

Just as we prepare for battle in Iraq and arm our young men and women with the very best in equipment and training, we know that it is important for us as Americans to arm those who will fight the battle here at home against terrorism with the very best in equipment and the very best of training. Tonight we will address some of the issues that we think are pressing on our Nation in order to prevail in the battle against terror.

On this floor tomorrow we will debate a $78 billion appropriation supplemental bill to fund the war and to prepare America to fight the war against terror at home. Tonight we will hear several Members from the Democratic side of the aisle share what we believe to be deficiencies in the proposal that will be debated tomorrow, because we firmly believe that our Nation must be prepared not only to defend against terror, but to prevail against terror. The Democratic Members of the House have a plan, a plan to win the war on terror.

It is my pleasure, Madam Speaker, to yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), who serves on the Committee on Homeland Security, to speak to one of the issues that is so critically important, the issue of nuclear power plant security.

It is my understanding that there are no funds in the current proposed appropriation supplemental to assist the local governments in that purpose.

Well, I thank the gentleman for his leadership in this area.

Madam Speaker, I will now yield to another member of the Texas delegation, who also represents a significant port in the United States and the city of Houston, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bell).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his comments and for his leadership on a most critical issue, homeland security.

I now would like to now yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge), who serves as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, whose leadership on the committee has been invaluable, and whose experience in education brings a unique perspective to the issue of our homeland security.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 94, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) for his leadership. I commend him for taking on the task of restraining spending and making certain that we move back to fiscal responsibility.

With the war on terrorism and our struggling economy, our projected budget deficits are staggering. Throughout our country, State, local, community governments and businesses are cutting their budgets to respond to declining revenues. Americans expect us to do the same.

Only the Federal Government tries to put together a budget where it looks to see how much it is going to spend first and then looks to revenues, and to some Members of this body the Federal Government can never spend enough.

This budget asked certain Federal agencies to find 1 percent in savings in waste, fraud and abuse and efficiencies. It is amazing today that we would have a discussion over an argument over 1 penny in a dollar. There is not an agency in our government, there is not an organization that we have that cannot find 1 percent in waste and efficiency even in good times. In the times that we are in, it is certainly essential that we put forth the effort.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 122) recognizing the bicentennial of the admission of Ohio into the Union and the contributions of Ohio residents to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 122, the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 122 introduced by my distinguished colleague from my home State of Ohio (Mr. Regula) recognizes the bicentennial of Ohio into the Union and the contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.

The Iroquois Indians were the first to recognize the significance of the vast region of the Northwest Territory. Ohio is named after the Iroquois word meaning ``great river.''

The 2003 Ohio bicentennial celebration allows us the time to recognize the many contributions Ohioans have made to our country and the world. Because of its former canals, navigable rivers, railroads and roads, we are known as the Gateway State that provided for western migration. Our interstate transportation system is still one of the most used in the country, and Ohio is a powerhouse in the American economy.

We are proud of our native sons and daughters who have contributed to our great country. Ohio calls herself the mother of Presidents, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren Harding all native Ohioans.

As a native Daytonian I am most proud of Ohio's aviation heritage. Dayton's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest air force base in the world and is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright perfected flight. Annually, the Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base hosts a million visitors. In fact, Ohio boasts four significant aviation firsts: Orville and Wilbur Wright, first in powered flight; John Glenn, first man to orbit the Earth; Neil Armstrong, first man on the Moon; Judith Resnick, the first woman in space.

Ohio has been the home to 24 astronauts. In fact, Ohio's aviation history is recognized on the U.S. quarter for Ohio in the U.S. Mint series. But these memorable facts are only the beginning of the Ohio's story.

This year of 2003, the 200th birthday celebration of Ohio's statehood, allows us a full year to reflect on our heritage and to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to be proud Americans. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 122.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. Regula), the distinguished sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Ohio (Mr. Gillmor).

(Mr. GILLMOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson).

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I urge adoption of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 85) expressing the sense of the Congress with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

House Concurrent Resolution 85, introduced by the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), expresses the sense of the House with regard to the need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings in the aftermath of the tragic fire that struck on February 20, 2003, at a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Madam Speaker, last month a great tragedy befell this Nation. Ninety- eight people were killed and nearly 200 more were injured when a devastating fire engulfed The Station nightclub that was hosting a concert in the suburban Providence, Rhode Island, town of West Warwick.

Stage props that sprayed pyrotechnics set on fire the acoustic wall behind the stage, and the fire spread across the nightclub ceiling at a terribly rapid speed. Apparently, the entire club was fully aflame in just 3 minutes. Many of the victims never had a chance to escape.

This unimaginable catastrophe was one of the deadliest nightclub fires in our Nation's history; and sadly, this incident seems so avoidable. I sincerely hope this event serves a final wake-up call to owners and operators of entertainment venues across the country. I trust all those in responsible positions will take an even closer look at safety features in their facilities, in order that this tragedy may not be repeated.

I would like to express my sympathy to the grieving families and friends of the victims. I congratulate the local, State and Federal emergency responders that worked tirelessly to save victims from the fire and continue to treat patients that suffer from burns and other injuries. I hope and pray that those who remain injured will experience a full and very quick recovery.

Madam Speaker, I hope that the passage of this resolution will lead us to take steps toward improving the safety of nonresidential buildings. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 85.

I thank my colleague from Rhode Island for introducing this important measure.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I want to thank the gentleman from Rhode Island for introducing this important resolution, and I urge adoption of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.