Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Monday, September 13, 2004, the House had votes on H. Con. Res. 363, H. Res. 667, H. Res. 760. On House rollcall votes Nos. 441, 442, 443, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three.

I rise today to pay tribute to Janet Trautwein for receiving the Gordon Memorial Award presented by the National Association of Health Underwriters. Since 1949, The National Association of Health Underwriters have been recognizing individuals that have generously and selflessly given their time and effort to the health insurance industry and the financial protection they provide to millions of Americans.

Janet Trautwein is well deserving of this award. She has served the association well as a staffer, but more notably in her years of uncompensated service as a former agent and active volunteer NAHU member in the state of Texas. Ms. Trautwein has exemplified the character of the Gordon Memorial Award by working hard to better the insurance industry without expecting anything in return.

Mr. Speaker, today, more than ever, volunteers are coveted members of our communities, selflessly giving their precious time and effort for the greater good. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Janet Trautwein for her service and for receiving the Gordon Memorial Award from the National Association of Health Underwriters.

Mr. Speaker, today in America, nearly 1 in 5 adult Americans functions at the lowest literacy level. I rise today to recognize an outstanding organization in Southeast Michigan that is making tremendous strides in the fight against adult illiteracy. The Oakland Literacy Council delivers quality individualized basic reading and English language instruction to Oakland County, Michigan adults, many of whom are English as a second language students.

Since its inception in 1984, the Oakland Literacy Council has contributed more than 527,000 hours of instruction to 7,000 adults. The Literacy Councils' free service has been valued at over $13.2 million. In 2003 alone, 400 volunteers donated 43,920 hours of their time to give 450 Oakland County residents the literacy skills necessary for a new job, a high school diploma, or just to read a bedtime story to their children.

Mr. Speaker, the Oakland Literacy Council showcases the very best of America's generosity. Besides the thousands of hours of donated time, the Literacy Council is entirely supported by public and private donations to offer free tutoring to all of its students. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding service the Oakland Literacy Council, and its gracious donors and volunteers, have provided to Southeastern Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishment of Stephen Warner, a constituent of Michigan's eighth congressional district and a member of the United States Olympic Team. Stephen competed in the Men's Lightweight Four division for the United States rowing team in Athens. Prior to his first Olympics in Athens, Stephen won gold at the 2000 World Championships and a silver medal at the 2004 World Cup in Munich.

It gives me great pleasure to be able to stand here today and recognize the accomplishments of Stephen and all of our Olympic athletes. The Olympic games stand for more than athletic competition, they also showcase to the world that the similarities that unite us are far greater than the differences that divide us. Through sportsmanship and competition, the athletes of the XXVIII Olympiad are able to build bridges where politics and policy have faltered.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Stephen Warner as an athlete and competitor but also as a good will ambassador to our great nation. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in saluting their achievements in Athens and wish them all the best in future competition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to General Richard A. Cody, a true American Patriot, who has dedicated his career to the service and defense of America. On June 24, 2004 General Cody was named the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

General Cody's impressive military career began upon graduation from the United States Military Academy on June 6, 1972 with his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. General Cody is an Air Assault graduate and Master Aviator with over 5000 hours of flight time. During his thirty-two years of service, General Cody has participated in a variety of command and staff assignments. General Cody served as Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division, as well as 101st Aviation Regiment during Operation Desert Storm and most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army. General Cody has shown brilliant leadership throughout his career having been awarded with decorations such as the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

Mr. Speaker, for the last thirty-two years, General Cody has selflessly served the American people, keeping our country safe and free. I cannot think of a better soldier to lead our armed forces as they continue to protect America.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing General Cody's service to America and to offer my best personal regards on his appointment as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Friday, July 9, 2004, the House had a vote on an amendment to H.R. 3578, that would have established a Manufacturing & Technology Administration within the Commerce Department. On House rollcall vote No. 357, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the House-Senate negotiated substitute amendment and final passage of the Project BioShield Act of 2004. This legislation will greatly strengthen our nation's capabilities to protect our military, first responders and U.S. citizens from the threat of biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

I am extremely pleased that the final language that recently passed the Senate incorporates the expanded definition of eligible countermeasures for which BioShield funds can be designated. This expanded definition would permit BioShield funding and procurement for certain FDA-licensed vaccines and other medical countermeasures in addition to experimental products for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile.

It is important to note that while BioShield was intended to stimulate and accelerate the development of new countermeasures, existing safe and effective FDA-licensed vaccines and medicines may have new unlicensed applications that may also contribute to our nation's preparedness. These new product applications must be tested and licensed by the FDA and made available for the stockpile. For example, the only FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine is manufactured in my home state by BioPort Corporation. BioThraxTM vaccine is licensed for pre-exposure vaccination of the military and other civilians at risk of exposure to anthrax. Though it is recommended by the CDC for post-exposure use in conjunction with antibiotics for protecting those who may have been exposed to this deadly biological agent, it is not yet licensed for this use.

These existing products, like BioThraxTM vaccine, will provide our nation with an insurance policy to strengthen its immediate bioterrorism preparedness capability, while supplementing other experimental vaccines and medicines currently in development, though many years away from FDA-approval.

I am especially pleased that during the Senate debate, the Senate managers of the BioShield legislation also clarified their understanding of discussions with the Administration regarding the use of BioShield funds under new section 319F-2(c)(9) of the Public Health Service Act. The bill's managers agreed that BioShield allows for the future procurement of vaccines already being purchased under government contract at the time of enactment of BioShield. Further, clarification in the Senate allows for their procurement under new or existing contracts. Under this interpretation, the President and BioShield procuring agencies will have the flexibility to use BioShield funds for the purchase of additional doses of FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine for inclusion in the stockpile for post-exposure use with antibiotics. This would be in addition to those previously contracted doses currently funded from discretionary appropriations and available to the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services.

The consensus panel published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have already recommended the FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine for post- exposure use in combination with antibiotics. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences agreed with the FDA that the FDA- licensed anthrax vaccine is safe and effective for the prevention of anthrax in those at-risk of exposure to anthrax, including against inhalation anthrax. Since 1998, more than 1.1 million military and civilian personnel have been safely vaccinated with more than 4 million doses of the vaccine. Indeed, these statistics also include both the pre- and post-exposure vaccinations of many of our own Congressional colleagues, staff members and decontamination workers before and following the October 2001 anthrax attacks.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to consider the immediate procurement of millions of additional doses of the FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine, as well as additional doses of antibiotics for the Strategic National Stockpile. These doses are essential to improving our capability to respond to another potential anthrax attack. This is the same method used by these agencies for the stockpiling of both licensed and experimental smallpox vaccines.

Mr. Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to follow the lead of the Senate by unanimously clearing this legislation for signature by the President. This will send a strong message to the world that our nation is serious about protecting our citizens and first responders from deadly terrorist threats with tested and proven medical countermeasures.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time; and I want to also thank Members on both sides of the aisle on this very, very important issue.

This legislation will greatly strengthen our Nation's capability to protect our military, first responders, and U.S. citizens from the real threat of biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

I am very pleased that this expands the definition of eligible countermeasures and would permit funding and procurement for certain FDA-licensed vaccines as well as experimental products for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile. I cannot say how important that is.

We find heroes and patriots both abroad and at home risking their lives in defense of freedom in this war on terror, but there are patriots and unsung heroes in my community who, under withering criticism, toiled to make their product better and get it into the hands of those who needed it most. Thanks to the employees of Bioport in Lansing, Michigan, since 1998, more than 1.1 million military and civilian personnel have been safely vaccinated with more than 4 million doses of the vaccine, including both pre- and post-exposure vaccinations of many of our own congressional colleagues and staff members after the October, 2001, anthrax attacks.

These existing products, like BioThrax vaccine, will provide our Nation with the insurance policy to strengthen its immediate bioterrorism preparedness capability in conjunction with working on new experimental vaccines.

Mr. Speaker, I would even go further and urge the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to consider the immediate procurement of millions of additional doses of the FDA- licensed anthrax vaccines, as well as additional doses of antibiotics for the Strategic National Stockpile. These doses are essential to improving our capability and responding to another potential anthrax attack.

I want to again thank the President of the United States for making this a priority and sending a very clear and strong message that our Nation is serious about protecting the citizens and first responders from deadly terrorist threats with proven countermeasures.

Mr. Speaker, over the years, the safety of vehicles and passengers in a funeral procession have been of significant concern to both funeral directors and law enforcement officials. Various means have been utilized to alert the public to a funeral procession and to protect its integrity.

However, these methods are haphazard, lack uniformity and rely on local and state rules and regulations, if any, for enforcement. With the advent of private vehicles with daytime running lights as a standard feature, increased traffic congestion in urban areas, road rage and an increase in the number and variety of law enforcement and emergency vehicles, funeral processions have become more and more vulnerable to accidents and other hazardous conditions. Furthermore, with this increased risk comes increased liability exposure for the funeral home and funeral director resulting in increased financial strain. Therefore, the use of Mobile Infrared Transmitters by authorized personnel only as well as increased use of law enforcement personnel as funeral procession escorts would go a long way in addressing this very real problem. My bill would protect the authorized user and impose penalties and jail time for an unauthorized user or seller.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

I rise today, and I am not one that normally comes to the floor; but given my time as a special agent with the FBI and watching the intelligence community get really abused in the 1990s and to see this very partisan debate engaged in this Intelligence authorization, I felt compelled to come to the floor, at least to try to interject some common sense and some plea that we could get back to the serious work of protecting the United States of America. One way we do that is we stand tall and we stand together and we commend those who are risking their lives every day in what is an art, a skill, to some degree a science, of collecting intelligence around the world.

The 1990s was brutal to intelligence collection. Funding was reduced. As a matter of fact, the number of intelligence operatives declined by 27 percent from 1992 to 1999. From 1991 to 1997, the number of stations declined by 30 percent. The number of assets declined by 40 percent. The intelligence reporting declined by approximately 50 percent. As a matter of fact, George Tenet said in front of the commission, When I became DCI, I found a community and a CIA whose dollars were declining and whose expertise was ebbing.

There was a feeling in the community of intelligence that they were the stepchild; they were the sinister folks who we did not need to spend money on anymore, who had passed their prime after the close of the Cold War. They became the great awful folks that we wanted to blame for a lot of things.

As a matter of fact, in the Deutch guidelines of 1995, they basically said that CIA operatives around the world could not associate with unsavory characters. I have to tell my colleagues that as an agent of the FBI, if you were not dealing with some unsavory characters, you were not catching bad guys. That is exactly what we needed to do. My colleagues can imagine the morale and the confusing message that we send to somebody who is risking their life in some remote corner of the world, dealing with somebody who would just as soon slit your throat as to say hi, and say to them, boy, you cannot deal with unsavory characters to save and defend the United States of America; it might embarrass us somewhere along the way.

Well, if we are going to defeat terrorism, we need to deal exactly with those unsavory characters. The gentlemanly days of Ivy League spies are over. The threat today are those who behead their hostages. The threat today are those who use illegal operations and criminal enterprise to conduct horrible acts against the United States, including flying airplanes into buildings.

So what we do by this amendment is say, yes, we have made some mistakes; yes, we did not hold you in high regard in the last decade, but we do today and we appreciate your work. You will not be on TV. You probably will not write a book. You probably will not be famous, but you are risking your life every single day for the defense of the United States.

I talked to a CIA station chief just this weekend who said our business is really to steal secrets, and all we want is the appreciation of what we do, the art of getting to them before they get to us.

These are great Americans, and when we tell them not to do something, they will not do it. When we tell them that we care and believe in them, they are going to do it. So this amendment is exactly that. It is us standing together, trying to set aside our partisan differences on what should never be a partisan issue, the safety and security of the United States of America.

So, to every FBI agent who gets up in the morning and worries that on their watch something bad is going to happen, to every CIA agent, to every other intelligence operative that we have employed by the United States of America who stands tall as a patriot for their Nation, we ought to say today, we recognize we did not treat you well, but we understand how valuable you are today, and we will stand with you. We will stand with you all the way. We are going to give you the resources you need, and we are going to give you the respect that you should command.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), whose service in the CIA has been unparalleled, and his service to his country is unmatched.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to clarify and point out that in fiscal year 1993, President Bush requested a 4 percent increase, and the Democrat Congress that year cut the request by 10 percent, effectively reducing the funding by 5 percent from the 1992 appropriation.

I understand the politics of being a convert to intelligence. Thank you. Let us stand together and say, okay, that time has gone, we are going to move forward, we are going to stand with the intelligence community.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), the chairman of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. Chairman, facts are very stubborn things. Given the sense of where the intelligence community is today, they are beleaguered at every corner. For years, their hands were tied behind their back. And now you have commissions coming out and say, gee, we tied your hands and now we are faulting you for not being super heroes and doing super work without the funding and resources.

I think it is accurate, and I think we should make that statement that we all recognize those shortcomings of 1990s, but we will stand with you today. It is an important commitment for the morale of the intelligence officers in the field.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, on the legislative day of Monday, June 21, 2004, the House had votes on H. Res. 591, H.R. 4363, H. Res. 660. On House rollcall votes Nos. 276, 277 and 278, I was out of the country. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on each.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Shirley Grieve who is described as ``a one-woman champion of causes'' in Ingham County, MI. Shirley Grieve's contributions are best described in an article in the Ingham County Community News, written by Editor Rachel Taylor:

Mason, MI.--Shirley Grieve is a one-woman champion of

causes.

To find out which one she's campaigning for on any given

day, just take a look around her Mason home, where the 67-

year-old resident spends time raising money for worthwhile

efforts.

Addresses, letters, leaflets and various ``thank you''

notes litter Grieve's dining room table. The mother of six

takes volunteering seriously, committing to fundraising goals

and these days, surpassing most of them.

This June, Grieve will be recognized for her commitment, as

the Ingham County Community News' 2004 Agnes Corner Volunteer

of the Year recipient. The award, now in its fifth year, is

given to a member of the community that has made significant

volunteer contributions locally.

Grieve fits the bill perfectly. This year alone the list of

her efforts includes: Raising $6,000 for the Capital Area

Community Services' (CACS) Walk for Warmth in February, which

helps pay heating and electric bills for people in dire need

of financial assistance; collecting hundreds of items to send

to U.S. troops stationed overseas; organizing a spaghetti

dinner to benefit the Mason Kiwanis Golden K Club; and

raising over $7,000 to help fund Angel House in a matter of

weeks. The project is headed up by Capital Area Child &

Family Services to build mid-Michigan's first emergency

shelter and advocacy center for abused children.

I always said, ``I'm going to get out and make something of

myself,'' explained Grieve, who grew up in West Virginia as

the daughter of a coal miner. ``Now, I didn't make something

of myself by working but I made something of myself by

volunteering.''

Grieve said her volunteer efforts started 32 years ago

after moving to Mason from Lansing with her husband Richard.

She said the rural life style was a shock in many ways and

made her desperate to make friends in the community.

``The only thing I had was a dog in the back yard,''

remembered Grieve. ``Then the kids would go to school and I

would just have the baby.''

In an effort to meet people, Grieve said she started

volunteering in the schools, where her children were

attending. Through Girl Scouts and the PTO Grieve said she

began feeling more at home.

Soon Grieve began volunteering at St. James Catholic

Church, where her family still attends services. Other

projects followed. Throughout all of it, Grieve said she

remembered to follow in her mother's footsteps--a woman who

made her own mark with church fundraisers and bake sales in

West Virginia.

The most important rule her mother taught her? ``You always

send a thank you note and people will respond with your next

fundraiser,'' she said.

CACS Center Coordinator Deb Biehler said Grieve, who has

been volunteering with the agency for five years, is a force

of positive energy.

``She can work circles around people,'' said Biehler.

Grieve raises at least three-quarters of the funds raised

during Walk for Warmth each year. ``We wouldn't have raised

the money without her,'' said Biehler. ``She's helped

hundreds of people.''

And then there are the little things, said Biehler, like

volunteering to collect food bank donations every Sunday at

St. James and picking up bread for the food bank at local

stores when no one else can go.

Members of the Mason Kiwanis Golden K Club say Grieve is an

asset to the community. The club's president-elect, Jim Day

stated, ``She has that rare gift for causing other people to

share their time and funds with a minimum of resistance and a

maximum of positive results. I am in awe at hearing about her

achievements and of the wonderful good that she generates.

People who possess her awesome ability and dynamic energy in

motivating people in supporting worthwhile causes are very

rare individuals.''

Mason resident Don Jacot said Grieve's volunteer efforts

are felt throughout the Mason community. ``She is a trustee

for the Fair City Golden K Kiwanis Club. She volunteers for

the Signal Corps Operation Up Link for service men and women.

She volunteers for the Book Buddies and Head Start. What

energy.''

Grieve said she is happy to help further good causes. ``I

know in my heart it makes me feel good,'' she said. ``I get

so much out of it. I think if people did it once they'd do it

again too.''

The staff of the Ingham County Community News is planning a

luncheon ceremony in Grieve's honor on Tuesday, June 29 in

Mason.

Mr. Speaker, we wish to extend congratulations to Shirley Grieve for her commitment to serving her community. We are honored to support her efforts and ask that our colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives join us in recognizing their very worthy achievements.

Mr. Speaker, over the last 15 years, the Archery products industry has seen a tremendous growth in its sport due to increased deer populations and expanded hunting seasons. Unfortunately, that expansion has reached a plateau and we are seeing decreasing numbers of bow hunters and sportsmen nationwide.

This problem threatens not only our industry but the future of our sport as well. The archery industry tax adopted in the early 1970's has accomplished many of its original goals, but has shown a limitation that keeps the sport from growing in the future.

I believe that it is once again time for the leaders in the archery industry to step forward and reform the archery excise tax to meet the demands of the next century. This reform must protect the archery industry by benefiting the next generation of sportsmen and enhancing our heritage.

The current tax represents an unfair burden shared by only a few manufacturers in the larger archery industry. While you cannot fault the leaders who drafted this legislation in the early 1970's, since then, the sport has created dozens of new industries and products. Unfortunately, the tax has not changed to keep up with the changing market in archery products. Today, only a few of the manufacturers of archery products pay the tax, most products used in archery hunting today have never paid the tax, and with the legislation passing today, that failed legacy will continue. It is time to create a program that will accomplish the goal of expanding the sport and sharing the tax among the broad variety of archery product industries.

When the legislation to tax the archery industry was enacted in the 1970's, one-half of the revenue was to be used for purposes of the regular Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program and one-half could be used for the acquisition and development of public archery ranges and for courses. Unfortunately, budget constraints have limited the amount of money state agencies had been able to expend on development of ranges.

Reform should mandate that 20 percent of the funding be directed to ``wildlife heritage, skills and education programs.'' This would include tremendous programs like ``Becoming an Outdoors Woman'' and ``Archery in Schools.''

The current system taxes domestically made arrows, bows and equipment leaving much of the current industry untaxed and making the current structure a heavy burden on the consumers and a few manufacturers.

Reform should clarify the definition of arrows and make several additional changes to the bow and arrow excise tax provisions in current law. Under current law, imported arrows are not taxed. To remedy this, a 3-5 percent excise tax would be imposed on the first sale of a shaft suitable for making an arrow. Since many arrow shaft manufacturers also sell arrows, a 3-5 percent excise tax would be imposed on the first sale of an arrow unless the excise tax has already been collected on the arrow shaft used in making the arrow. In addition, a 3-5 percent tax will be levied on other industry items including: tree stands, releases, quivers, hunting blinds, archery targets, scents and sprays. The list of taxable items, among others, already includes bow handles, bow levels, bow stabilizers, camouflaged bow covers, kisser buttons, and string peeps.

This proposal never received serious consideration from Congress and was dismissed by the proponents of the current proposal as too complicated and too troublesome to consider. Unfortunately, the proposal in H.R. 4520 is a half step that will force the State agencies, wildlife groups, and the archery industry to come back to the Congress for a real reform that will promote the sport of archery, enhance our nation's wildlife resources and protect the archery industry.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Bohn Musgrave, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on July 31, 2004.

Mr. Musgrave was born in 1904 in a log cabin in Michigan's rural Upper Peninsula. After graduating from high school and attending Central Michigan University, he taught in a two-room country school and then worked as a principal in the Sebawing School District. Following his marriage to wife Doris in 1926 and the birth of his two children, Bohn earned a degree in Agriculture from Michigan State University and worked as an Agricultural Agent for Kalkaska and Mecosta Counties. In 1954, Mr. Musgrove relocated to the Lansing area and worked as a supervisor in the Michigan State University Extension Service until his retirement in 1969.

Even after leaving the workforce and surviving a bout with bone cancer in his right leg, Bohn stayed active, traveling the world with Doris, visiting all 50 states and 41 countries. After his wife's death in 1988, Bohn took on the role of family historian, compiling and self- publishing five books of poems, personal anecdotes, and memories for his family and close friends. His fondness of history and love of Michigan led him to contribute heavily to A History of Columbus Township, published in 2000, and to an oral history compiled by Michigan State University about the logging industry. Ever eager to impress upon young minds the significance of days past, he has visited elementary schools in the Lansing area to share his knowledge of the history of the Upper Peninsula. Mr. Musgrave is also a charter member of Haslett Community Church, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Mr. Speaker, Bohn Musgrave has been a devoted father and dedicated worker. He is a master storyteller, poet, and artist. Today, he still resides in Haslett, Michigan. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Bohn Musgrave's 100th birthday.