Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Don Richardson from Highland Park High School on the occasion of his upcoming retirement. I have the pleasure of representing Highland Park High School in Congress, and I am proud to have four alums from Highland Park High School on my staff and two of them that played football for Coach Richardson.

Coach Richardson retires as the defensive coordinator for the Highland Park Scots football team. Don Richardson has been a career educator for 34 years, including 31 distinguished years with the Highland Park Independent School District. In his capacity with the Highland Park football team, Coach Richardson has been a jack-of-all- trades. In his tenure, he has served as the head football coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and defensive coordinator.

I salute Coach Richardson for the positive influence that he has had on his players and students over the last 31 years. Off the playing field, he has been an outstanding government and history teacher for Highland Park High School. Coach Richardson was selected by his teaching peers as the Highland Park High School Teacher of the Year for 1998-1999. He is a role model of leadership and dependability, and he will be greatly missed by future Highland Park football teams and by his former players and fans in the stands on Friday nights. Highland Park's football team is a benchmark of success within Dallas County year in and year out. Coach Richardson's coaching abilities greatly contribute to the team's victories on the field, as he puts his players in the best positions to make game-changing plays.

Highland Park's football team has historically been one of the best programs in the State. Highland Park ranks fourth in the State for all- time victories with 637 and is fifth in all-time playoff victories with 62.

Coach Richardson's family has played a vital role in his success over the years. Don's loving wife, Carolyn, and children, Sharla Cassiano and Kyle Richardson, have brought him great warmth and support. Sharla was an All-Sun Belt Conference volleyball player at Louisiana Tech, and Kyle played linebacker for the University of Texas Longhorns.

I wish Coach Richardson and his family a pleasant start to his well- earned retirement, and I thank him for his years of dedicated service in education.

Mr. Speaker, in the last ninety years, Taiwan and the United States of America have been allies, partners, and friends. In times of need and turmoil, both countries have always come to each other's aid. In the aftermath of the tragedies of September 11th, 2001 Taiwan immediately offered condolences to the victims of those terrorist attacks, expressed shock over the attacks and condemned such violence. Moreover, to show solidarity with the American people, Taiwan's government ordered flags be flown at half-mast for two days, took every action to protect U.S. citizens on the island, including stepped-up security at the American Institute in Taiwan, and asked all Taiwan offices in the U.S. to cancel their National Day celebrations.

Today Taiwan is under pressure by China. China accuses Taiwan's planned peace referendum as a move toward Taiwanese independence and says it would push Taiwan to the ``abyss of war.'' Such rhetoric is a clear distortion of Taiwan's true intent. In the face of an overwhelming military threat against Taiwan, Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian in this referendum is asking his voters whether they should buy more anti-missile weapons if China refuses to withdraw missiles targeted at Taiwan and whether Taiwan should open up talks with China about issues of peace.

Taiwan has no intention to provoke China into conflict. It merely aims to avoid war and free its people from the fear that they now face on a daily basis. Taiwan, our ally and friend, is a democracy with a competitive party system and they should have the inherent right to self-determine their own policies and the future of the island without the prospect of fear. I sincerely urge a continuation of peace across the Taiwan straits as well as the good relations between the Taiwanese people and Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the anniversary of the founding of the Dallas Cowboys. On this day in 1960, Clint Murchison, Jr., and Bedford Wynne were awarded an expansion franchise by the NFL at the league's annual owners meeting in Miami Beach.

The Dallas Cowboys have been a pillar of strength in the NFL since their founding 44 years ago. Legendary Coach Tom Landry guided America's Team to five NFC championship titles and two Super Bowl victories. Jimmy Johnson then returned the team to glory with back-to- back Super Bowl championships in 1993 and 1994. Barry Switzer then capped off the Cowboy's claim to the title of ``Team of the Nineties'' with their win in Super Bowl XXX.

The Cowboys also lead the league in producing seven Super Bowl Most Valuable Players and hold the record for playoff victories with 32 wins in the postseason. During this past season, the Cowboys recorded their 400th career franchise victory, including regular season and playoffs, in the Monday night overtime thriller against the New York Giants.

I congratulate Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones, Head Coach Bill Parcells, current and former Cowboys players, and the team's loyal fan base in Texas and across the country on the occasion of this great anniversary.

With the arrival of Coach Parcells this season, the Cowboys were able to make an unexpected bid into the playoffs, a tremendous improvement for the team. I wish Mr. Jones, Coach Parcells and all of the Cowboys players all the best for continued improvement for next season and congratulate them on this anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 503 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman, my friend, from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today is a fair rule that provides 1 hour of general debate on the bill and on the amendments made in order under the rule to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. It provides that it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule a substitute amendment consisting of H.R. 975 as passed by the House, and it shall be considered as read.

The rule waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute and makes in order only the amendments preprinted in the Committee on Rules report. It provides that the amendments made in order may be offered only in the order printed in the report and may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, and shall be considered as read and debatable for the time specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent.

The rule also provides that these amendments shall not be subject to amendment and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. It waives all points of order against the amendments preprinted in the report, provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions, and provides that if the Senate bill, as amended, is passed, then it shall be in order to move that the House insist on its amendment to S. 1920 and to request a conference thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today that this House will have the opportunity to once again during the 108th Congress consider and send to the Senate much-needed bankruptcy reform legislation under this fair rule. I am proud of the tireless efforts on behalf of many Members and their staffs, who have put in countless hours towards the passage of this legislation over the last four Congresses.

Their efforts allow us today to again urge Senate action to ensure that our Nation's bankruptcy laws operate fairly, efficiently, and free of abuse. Congress has the opportunity to once again end, once and for all, the loophole to debtors who are able to repay some portion of their debts to game the system and increase the cost of credit, goods and services for other law-abiding citizens. Between 2002 and 2003, the Federal court system reported that there was a 9.6 percent increase in bankruptcy filings to over 1.650 million filings, and these filings have a real cost not only to every consumer but also to simple, everyday Americans.

In 1998, debtors who filed for bankruptcy relief discharged more than $44 billion of debt. When amortizing on a daily basis, this amounts to a loss of at least $110 million every day; or put more simply, bankruptcies cost each American family that pays their bills on time $450 a year in the form of higher costs for credit, goods and services. As the other body continues to stall on this legislation to protect the system from further abuse, these numbers and totals only continue to mount.

It has been estimated that if current practices continue, one out of every seven households will have filed for bankruptcy by the end of this decade, with many of these losses as a result of the misuse of the law by irresponsible, high-income filers. The Credit Union National Association, known as CUNA, reported last year that credit unions have lost nearly $3 billion from bankruptcies since Congress began considering bankruptcy reform legislation in 1998.

We should not forget the other indirect costs associated with bankruptcy fraud. Because the law currently allows people to game the system for their own benefit, the number of Federal bankruptcy filings per judgeship has increased from 71.1 percent, from 2,998 per Federal judge in 1992 to 5,130 in 2003, the largest caseload in our Federal court system. This backlog in this workflow slows down the progress for a countless number of legitimate bankruptcy filings and increases disrespect for the entire judicial system.

This bill is crafted to ensure the debtor's right to a fresh start while protecting the system from flagrant abusers by those who can, should, and, we believe, will be paying their own bills. Bankruptcy should not be a convenience or just another financial planning tool, and this legislation will ensure that it will remain a safety net for those who genuinely need it while trying to prevent bad actors from imposing their costs on everyone else.

Congress has spoken on this issue many times before. As is widely known, Mr. Speaker, the 105th, 106th and 107th Congresses passed legislation addressing bankruptcy reform. In the 105th Congress, the conference passed the House, but time expired before the Senate voted on final passage. In the 106th Congress, a conference report received overwhelming bipartisan support in both Chambers. However, President Clinton chose to pocket veto the bill. In the 107th Congress, and again earlier this last year, we came extremely close again to the final passage of a conference report; but in the end, it was not accomplished.

Today, due to the outstanding work and leadership of our Committee on the Judiciary chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), we have the historic opportunity to make modern bankruptcy reform a reality.

As we debate and vote today, we should keep in mind the two important tenets fulfilled by this version of bankruptcy reform. First, the bankruptcy system should provide the amount of debt relief that an individual needs, no more and no less; and that bankruptcy should be a last resort and not a convenient response to a financial crisis.

One important part of this legislation that I would like to highlight is also known as the ``homestead provision.'' Protection of one's homestead is something that is very important to me and many people in Texas and other States across this great Nation. The homestead provision in this legislation maintains the long-held standard that allows States to decide if a homestead should be protected, yet prohibits those who would purchase a home before filing a bankruptcy as a means to

evade creditors. By tightening our current laws and making it more difficult to escape fraud by declaring bankruptcy, we are expressing no tolerance for those who would game the system to make up for their own wrongdoing.

Modern bankruptcy reform has taken a long and somewhat arduous journey, which makes the much-anticipated result of our work today even more rewarding. It has required not only hard work but also some difficult decisions on the part of this Congress. The result is what I believe to be a carefully balanced package that protects women, children, family farmers, low-income individuals, and provides access to bankruptcy for all Americans who have a legitimate need.

I believe that today's vote will finally make modern bankruptcy reform a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote with me in supporting this rule and the important underlying legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that we are intensely interested in passing this piece of legislation today, moving it to the Senate, believing that our colleagues on the other side of the building will see the wisdom of this bill and move this very expeditiously. This is to make permanent relief for farmers. I believe that the wisdom of the entire bill will be seen by that body, and then we will be able to have it on the President's desk very quickly for signature.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, time after time after time sitting in the Committee on Rules, we hear about all of the pieces of legislation that will never go anywhere and will never move. We have heard this about bankruptcies many times, about our budgets; and we have heard this about bills that are related to welfare reform and tax bills. It is amazing how often the

other body and whoever sits as our great President, whether it be President Clinton or President Bush, have found the ability and a way to work with the leadership of both bodies. That is part of what this experiment is about.

We have great confidence that the American people, who are the special interests to each and every one of us, the special interests and the needs of farmers and the needs of Americans, will be heard by our President, by each Member of the Senate and this body; and that is why we are moving this legislation forward.

I do not think that we would ask someone ahead of time what they are going to do with that, but rather to allow them the chance to debate and work through the changes. Compromise happens all of the time.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

The American people will have a lot to say about that as they talk with Members of the other body; and based upon that wisdom and as a result of what the leadership does, we will catch a good signal. We believe it will be on their agenda, and we are proud of what we are doing.

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

I appreciate what the gentleman is saying. I appreciate that he wants to know what the agreements are between the bodies as they work together. I respect that, but I would say to the gentleman that I respect more the 315 votes from this body that chose to speak on the subject the last time we voted.

Perhaps it is true there are some frustrations that come about as a result of the business which we engage in. Certainly there are frustrations that 315 people, time after time after time that vote for this important bill, are thwarted in the process; but I believe rather than becoming frustrated, it is up to us to think through how we will accomplish those things that are necessary, to retry, to renegotiate, to do those things that are dealing with negativism of, oh, it will never happen, to keep searching, and that is what the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, has done. He looked at a piece of legislation with 315 vote, and knew how important it was. Rather than accepting a defeatist mentality, he took the attitude he would be proactive and work on behalf of our special constituencies that all of us as Members of Congress have, the American people.

Mr. Speaker, 315 votes is a clear and simple overwhelming majority of this body. I am proud of what we are doing. Obviously, what we are trying to do here is to make sure that we pass this bill. Since 1986, this ad hoc approach which has talked about reauthorizing chapter 12 relief has allowed this relief for small farms to lapse six times. Today we are going to make it permanent. Today we are providing an answer. Today it is a change. I am proud of what we are doing. Our great chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), has not only worked diligently on behalf of farmers but also on behalf of consumers of this country. I think we will pass this bill. I think it is the right thing, and I welcome the opportunity to join the chairman down at the White House when our great President signs this legislation into law.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 456 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, this rule provides for suspensions that will be in order at any time on the legislative day of Friday, November 21, 2003. It also provides that the Speaker or his designee will consult with the minority leader or her designee on any suspension considered under the rule.

Mr. Speaker, as I noted yesterday, the Republican leadership of this House has set out on an aggressive legislative plan for this week on behalf of the American people. The goal of this plan is to pass a number of bills over the next few days which will dramatically improve the quality of life for all Americans.

This week we have already succeeded in passing an energy conference report that will bring our Nation's outdated energy policy into the 21st century through comprehensive legislation that promotes conservation, reduces America's growing dependence on foreign oil, and creates new jobs and cleaner skies.

Today we will consider legislation to make sure that America uses best practices technology and procedures to prevent tragic wildfires, like the ones that California just suffered through, from ravaging our Nation's forests. This important bipartisan legislation takes a healthy step forward in providing a better approach to addressing the problems that have to date prevented the proper management of forest health on private forest land.

This bill creates new programs to detect and suppress dangerous forest pests. It also creates two new programs which help family forest owners to manage their forests, protect watersheds, and help to protect wildlife on private lands. Both of these programs use a nonregulatory, incentive-based approach to promote conservation, rather than a top- down, one-size-fits-all regulatory approach.

For the balance of the week, we are slated to consider legislation to, among other things:

Number one, to authorize spending levels for the intelligence activities we need to win the war.

Number two, to reform Medicare to make sure that more of our seniors have the prescription drug coverage that they need while giving them much more and more choices for their health

care coverage, and also to allow all Americans to begin planning for their health needs through savings accounts that can be purchased, can grow, and can be used on a tax free basis.

Number three, and to provide for a uniform national credit reporting system that ensures that consumers are protected from identity theft while giving them access to the fast and reliable credit that makes our economy the envy of the world.

I understand that Members on either side of the aisle may have different views about how to address each of these issues that I have talked about, but we will have an opportunity to hear a great deal of debate from both sides over the next few days on each one of these issues, and so many other things. However, a great deal of the legislation that the Republican House leadership has also scheduled on behalf of all Americans has broad support from both the majority and the minority, and in an attempt to make sure that this important work is finished by the end of this legislative week as well, we are here today to pass a rule to provide for the consideration of those bills.

Mr. Speaker, this balanced rule provides the minority with the ability to consult with the Speaker on any suspension that is offered, ensuring that their input and views are duly considered before any legislation considered under this rule is brought to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this uncontroversial and balanced rule which passed yesterday by a voice vote.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) is exactly correct. We are going to this morning, in about 35 minutes, walk upstairs here in the Capitol. We are going to go to the Committee on Rules. Our young chairman, the gentleman from California (David Dreier), will open up the meeting where we will be open for debate and I am sure controversy. But most of all, it will be part of the process that has been something that the Committee on Rules in this House has done for a long time, and that is follow through with the process to make sure that people at 10 o'clock Eastern time in Washington, D.C., and Members of Congress have a chance to walk upstairs and to talk about this bill and to present their ideas and to talk about what this conference report is all about.

Obviously, this conference report is debatable. It is nonamendable. It will be an up-or-down vote. This is part of a process that has taken place where Members of this great body, with our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol, the Senate, got together, worked through problems. But I think that if we were trying to wait until today, as my colleague from Massachusetts would suggest, to find out what people want back home, I think we have made a terrible mistake. I think Members on this side of the aisle have already gone home and listened to people. That is what this is about, to be a body that has heard people. And we have passed not only this legislation as a result also of consultation back home, but even last January when we handled the budget we talked about what we thought this bill would look like. And, of course, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, said there is no way that we could do that. We just would never pull that off.

Well, Mr. Speaker, today it looks like we have. And I would like to describe a little of what we pulled off. We will hear the details at 10 o'clock upstairs, but those details essentially include competition in the area of health care. This competition that we are talking about, which will be debated up in the Committee on Rules, is about allowing families back home, including people who may not be in Medicare yet, to begin saving for their future. We are going to have something that is called health savings accounts that were previously known as MSAs. These health savings accounts are going to allow people to save on a pre-tax basis and then save this money on a tax-free basis and then spend it in health care on a tax-free basis.

Why is this important? This is important because over the lifetime of a person and their family they will be able to prepare with this money for what their needs are going to be for health care. Why is that important? That is important to our Nation because a consumer that has money in their pockets can make wiser decisions, rather than showing up in a system like Medicare where many times they cannot even find where their doctor accepts Medicare.

This will change health care for this country as we continue on a moving-forward basis. It empowers people. We think it is the right thing. We think that is what people are asking for back home.

Mr. Speaker, on the prescription drug angle, no question in my mind, the Washington Post is probably right. Oh, my gosh, this is an expensive bill. But you know what? We did it in a way that will help people who need the most help and I am proud of that.

So, Mr. Speaker, I know that my friends want to talk about all the things that are going on up in the Committee on Rules here in just a few minutes. I can assure them and the American public that what we are all about is about process and doing the right thing for people back home.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this competition angle is an important part of what this Medicare bill will be. You see, we Members of Congress that occasionally go home who are aware of the things that happen at home in the real marketplace, some of those things that are very exciting in the world of competition are happening in health care. They are happening all across this country.

Sometimes when you go home and you open up a newspaper, or you watch on TV and they talk about LASIK eye surgery. LASIK eye surgery used to be $1,200 an eye. Due to competition, due to machines, due to procedures now becoming available, they are $299 an eye. That means that as a result of competition, as a result of physicians, medical doctors, learning how to do these procedures, we have sent these teachers all across the country, and they have perfected this technique. That is an example of where competition does work. Over 1 year these surgeries have gone from over $1,200 to $299 an eye. We think competition will be a huge part of the success of this Medicare bill.

But let us go back to the process. The process is that this has been debated not only in the public and in newspapers and TV and on this House floor since January, or before, when many of our colleagues on the other side were saying, where is that prescription drug bill? Where is that prescription drug bill?

Mr. Speaker, we now have it on the floor of the House of Representatives. It will be in the Committee on Rules today and on this floor very quickly. It will be something that has, by popular demand, been asked for, and it comes as a result of these two bodies, the House and the Senate, working through very difficult negotiations.

It is a process that has been followed, it is a process that works, it is a process that I think has allowed people for a long time to know the answer as to what is in this bill, so much so that the Democrat leadership has already blasted the AARP a week ago for supporting the bill because they knew what was in the bill.

So I think it is a misnomer to think that we just do not know or do not understand. People who wish to know, people who wish to be a part of this bill could gain the information. I am proud of what we are doing today. The gentleman from California (Chairman Dreier) will open up the Committee on Rules in about 20 minutes, and the debate there will start.

But, let us not forget, this is not about amending a bill. This is a conference report. This is not like one Member in this body can change one word that is in this document, because that is not our process or procedure. It will be an up-or-down vote. It will be based upon what a Member thinks is the right thing to do. I trust their judgment.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honor and privilege to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), a young man who serves on the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

Mr. Speaker, there was a statement that was made that I think we just need to set the record straight on, and that is that this bill does not talk about reimportation from Canada, where Congress makes a decision on that issue. We allow the FDA to make that decision. It is not the Congress that makes that decision.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Committee on Rules begins testimony in 2 minutes. We came down to the floor this morning to make sure that we were going to have the ability to have a same-day rule. I am satisfied that we have broken into a lot of other things to talk about this morning.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the time that the Speaker has given us this morning to debate this rule. I believe it is a fair rule. I have not heard much debate about it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) for yielding me this time.

There is a lot of talk today about what is occurring with procedures and whether it is right or wrong, but I want to stand up today and talk about the bill. I want to talk about the bill and the things that it does for not only families like mine, but also for millions of other families across this great Nation.

What this bill does is it modernizes Medicare and so much more because it

then gets into health care for families. It talks about the opportunity for families to be able to save money on a pretax and tax-free basis. Why is that important to my family? That is important to me because I have got a beautiful wife of 19 years, I have got a son who is 14 years old, who plays football and wrestles, and he sometimes gets hurt, and I have a 9-year-old Down's syndrome son who spends an extensive amount of time needing help with physicians and health care professionals. Not always do we get an answer back from the insurance company that they want to cover the needs of my family. Sometimes the needs of my family go well beyond those needs of what insurance pays for. But my family, like millions of other families, will now be helped because of the extreme generosity of the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) who have written a bill that will allow families to save up to $5,000 a year. Even if it is just $2,000 a year, if that is what we have got left over, then we can put that money in there, and it means that this money can grow, tax free, and then be used, tax free, on health care. It means that my family and myself will now be able to supplement those things that may not be covered under our health care. It means that we will be able to be decision-makers to get the right things if we need something that goes beyond what insurance pays for.

I cannot tell the Members how important that is because there are millions of other families that are less fortunate than mine who many times go without the ability to have the services that are necessary for their children.

This is a way that people can help. They can help their children. They can help their families. They can make sure that they supplement those things that insurance provides, and that is good.

We have heard today that all this is about is about rich people or about rich organizations. Let me tell my colleagues, when you have someone who is sick or hurt in your family and you find out that insurance does not cover everything you need, and then you look at the tab that is out there, you will look and say, thank goodness for what Republicans have done.

I am proud of what this bill does. It modernizes health care today the way it ought to be, where we can participate, where we can do the right things. So I am proud of what the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) is standing up for today, to stand for this House to confirm this rule, to make sure that this Republican body can deliver to Americans and their families and senior citizens not only the health care that they need, but as a result of listening to what people need, we will deliver prescription drugs and those things that America has been asking for.

And then we will have a President who will sign this bill and do the right thing. And in the scheme of things, us doing the right things to help people today and to make sure families can be prepared for tomorrow is part of the oath and obligation that I took when I said I will support and defend this Constitution and make sure that the people I represent get the best from what we can come up with.

Mr. Speaker, I support this rule. I support this bill. I encourage every single Member to think about what this is about. It is not about politics. It is not about ourselves. It is about our families, our children, and our future.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the great chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), and also the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for working with me on an important aspect of this Fair Credit Reporting Act.

I learned, Mr. Speaker, from one of my constituents, Bill Asher back in Dallas, Texas, during a town hall meeting about how the Federal Trade Commission had applied privacy rules to workplace misconduct which meant that in a workplace misconduct circumstance, a person who violated another person or who broke the law would actually have to be given information about any investigation that might take place against that individual under privacy rules and regulations passed by and supported by the Federal Trade Commission.

This Federal Trade Commission now will be reversed; their ruling will be reversed by this Fair Credit Reporting Act to make sure that misconduct in a workplace, privacy rules do not apply.

I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for his work on this, to ensure this became law, and also our great chairman, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), and our great chairman, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley).

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 449 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

This rule provides that suspensions will be in order at any time on the legislative day of Thursday, November 20, 2003. It also provides that the Speaker, or his designee, will consult with the minority leader, or her designee, on any suspension considered under the rule.

Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership of this House has set out an aggressive legislative plan for this week on behalf of the American people. The goal of this plan is to pass a number of bills over the next few days that will dramatically improve the quality of life for all Americans. This week we have already succeeded in passing an energy conference report that will bring our Nation's outdated energy policy into the 21st century through comprehensive legislation that promotes conservation, reduces America's growing dependence on foreign oil, and creates new jobs.

For the balance of the week we are slated to consider legislation among the following things: number one, to authorize spending levels for intelligence activities needed to win the war on terrorism; number two, to reform Medicare to make sure that more of our seniors have prescription drug coverage that they need while also giving them more and better choices for their health care coverage, also to allow all Americans to begin planning for their health needs through savings accounts that can be purchased, can grow, and can be used on a tax-free basis; and, number three, to provide for a uniform national credit recording system that ensures that consumers are protected from identity theft while giving them access to the fast and reliable credit that makes our economy the envy of the rest of the world.

I understand that Members on both sides of the aisle may have different views about how to address these issues, and we will have the opportunity to hear a great deal of debate from both sides over the next few days on each of these issues and many others. However, a great deal of legislation that the Republican House leadership has also scheduled for consideration on behalf of all Americans has broad support from both the majority and the minority. And in an attempt to make sure that this important work is finished by the end of this legislative week as well, we are here to pass a rule to provide for consideration of these bills.

This balanced rule provides the minority with an ability to consult with the Speaker on any suspension that is offered, ensuring that their input and views are duly considered before any legislation is considered under this rule brought to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this noncontroversial, balanced rule.

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

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

It is early in the morning in Washington, and we are back at it again talking about this wonderful opportunity that we have to come down to the floor of the House of Representatives and speak our minds. And it is no surprise to the American public that the Democrat Party and its Members oppose reform in Medicare. It is no surprise to the American public that we recognize that the Democrat Party is not only opposed to reform but also to competition, which is what is in this bill; and it is no surprise to the American public that what will happen in the next day or two as the debate gets closer is that the American public will hear and find out about how the market reforms and things and ideas that will come from this bill will make life better for millions of Americans.

What is surprising is to hear the Democrat Party lambast AARP. The AARP is that organization for senior citizens all across this country who I think has made a very wise and careful decision to look at this prescription drug plan, and they have very clearly said that the Republican Party is right on the policy and they are right on what will give long-term success to this great Nation.

But we have heard very clearly this morning what the Democrat Party intends to do. They intend to keep Medicare exactly the way it is, in trouble financially and will very soon go bankrupt.

Reform is necessary if we are going to save this system, but reform is also necessary for the millions of Americans who today are without the ability to purchase health care solely because of money. What we are going to do is make it easier for Americans, not just people who go to work but some of them who are just now entering the marketplace, to be able to save money for health care on a pretax and tax-free basis, an opportunity for them to save this money and, when they are younger, to put that money away and to grow it tax free to be able to use it for health care, to make sure that they will be able to make wiser decisions in their future, that they will be able to make the wise decisions for their family at a time when they need that money most of all.

So what Republicans really stand for once again is reform and making sure that the most critical systems that are in place in our country are not only strengthened, but we make sure that they will survive the onslaught as times change and we have so many people retiring, but we need to make sure that our children and grandchildren have that same opportunity that we have had to have a system, an underpinning in this country that takes care of people.

So I am very pleased today, as we begin our work and debate in Washington. It is no surprise that here we are on this beautiful day in Washington, D.C., we begin with the debate on the floor to talk about the activities for the week, and I am so proud that not only what the Republican majority stands for but that the reform and the things we are going to bring to the American public will include opportunities for them to save for their own health care, because the most important part is, just like my family, I have a chance then to make a decision, to be a decision-maker in the health care needs of my family.

I have a beautiful wife of 19 years. I have a son who is 14 years old and a Down's Syndrome son who is 9. If there is one thing that I am passionate about, it is that I want a system in this country where families have an opportunity to make their decisions about health care, and we can do that when we have money in our own pockets. And that is what this reform is about, to make sure not just my family, but millions of other families across this great Nation have that same opportunity. That is what this health care savings account is going to be about. That is what Medicare reform is all about. I am proud of what we are doing.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to thank the gentlewoman from New York for engaging us this morning on this very important rule which will allow us to continue our work. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this rule as I am sure they do.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Edward J. Drake, a son of Dallas, Texas, and a good servant to his family, his faith, and his community.

In the Bible, Timothy describes charity as, ``out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.'' Over the years, Ed Drake has served those around him, not only with charity, but also with dedication and humility. The breadth of his service to the Dallas community and to our Nation is wide, and includes activities such as representing human health needs, developing positive environments for business, and fighting for the democracy that he cherishes.

Through his leadership in organizations such as the National Easter Seal Society, the American Cancer Society, and the Science Place, Ed Drake has helped our Nation address critical health needs. In his professional life, his integrity and loyalty have carried him to the top of the Dallas business community and earned him honors such as his appointment as Commissioner of the Texas Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, among many others. Finally, Mr. Drake's love of democracy and work defending freedom as a B-17 pilot in World War II has made him an example for future generations of citizens.

This noble leader of the Dallas community personifies service to his country through the light of charity. As steadfast a patriot and compassionate a humanitarian as I have ever known, Ed Drake shines to those in his community as he does to his wife Donda and their family. I am proud to be his Representative in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2003 Dallas Veterans Day Parade and the Parade Grand Marshall, our friend and colleague Congressman Sam Johnson (Texas-3rd). We are honored to be here alongside our proud veterans and their caring supportive families who have made their country proud time and time again. It is important to recognize our veterans today. However, veterans should be honored everyday for their selfless sacrifices, not just simply only on Veterans Day.

The 2003 parade will pay special tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the return of Prisoners of War from Vietnam. Dallas CAN! Academy has prepared a special float in honor of these Vietnam POWs. In addition to the return of the Vietnam POWs, the 100th Year of Flight and the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War are also given special recognition in the parade.

The 2003 Dallas Veterans Day Parade is also proud to welcome home and honor our nation's latest veterans. Today we pay tribute to many of the fine men and women that served in combat during military Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and that have safely returned home. During this critical and turbulent time for our world, we continue to pray and ask for the blessings of our servicemen and woman who are currently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout the rest of the world in service to our beloved nation.

We would like to congratulate our colleague Congressman Sam Johnson for serving as the Parade Grand Marshall for this outstanding annual Dallas tradition. Honoring a great American hero like Congressman Sam Johnson is especially appropriate with the Parade's special tribute to the 30th Anniversary of the return of our POWs from Vietnam. Congressman Johnson, after graduating from Southern Methodist University, began his 29 year career with the United States Air Force. Our colleague flew 62 combat missions during the war in Korea and was shot down on his 25th sortie during Vietnam. Sam was captured and held as a prisoner of war for over 7 years, with half of this time being spent in solitary confinement. His courage and strength serves as an inspiration to our veterans and current servicemen and woman, and we are proud to serve with him today in the House.

The Parade's military keynote speaker, Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford is a veteran astronaut and we are delighted to hear his remarks. General Stafford went into space on two Gemini missions and later commanded Apollo Ten. General Stafford served as the U.S. Commander for the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous in 1975.

We would like to thank one of our favorite native sons for being with us here today for the Parade, General T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley, Vice Chief of Staff for the United States Air Force. General Moseley is a loyal Aggie alum, having served in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. He is a distinguished officer and aviator, and is a true leader for the Air Force.

We appreciate the assistance of current military units that will be participating in the parade all of the local business and community leaders for their financial support. Thank you Congressman Johnson for your service to America, and God Bless our current men and women in uniform and all those that have preceded them in service to the country.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank the gentleman from California, who has had personal relationships in his life where he dealt with people who might well be impacted very directly by this bill, and his kindness and his insight is not only appreciated, but also respected.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), has given us time to recognize H. Con. Res. 94, the Direct Support Professional Recognition Resolution which highlights a growing national crisis affecting community integration for individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I will include for the Record one piece of supportive data.

Mr. Speaker, in one of his first acts as President of the United States on February 1, 2001, our great President, George W. Bush, announced his groundbreaking New Freedom Initiative, a nationwide effort to remove barriers to community living for people with disabilities.

This New Freedom Initiative represents an important step in working to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, and choose to work and live in a participatory and a productive community life.

The goals of this initiative include increasing access to newly developed assistive technologies, expanding educational opportunities, promoting home ownership, integrating Americans with disabilities into the workforce, expanding transportation options, and promoting full access to community living.

If the President's New Freedom Initiative is to be successful over the long term, it is critical for there to be an adequate qualified, skilled workforce in place to help people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities to help them live a self-directed life within their community. Indeed, in September of 2002, in a speech to private providers of community supporters and supports of services, the United States Labor Secretary, Elaine Chao, observed the following: ``The paraprofessional long-term care workforce is the cornerstone of America's long-term care system. Direct support workers are critical to the success of the New Freedom Initiative.''

In recognition of this reality, H. Con. Res. 94 calls on the Federal Government and States to make it a priority to promote a stable quality direct support workforce for individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities that advances this Nation's commitment to community integration for such individuals and to personal security for them and their families. Direct support professionals are critical to fulfilling the national promises of community living made to people with mental retardation as articulated in the President's administration policy as outlined in the New Freedom Initiative.

These valuable front line workers provide a wide range of supportive services on a day-to-day basis to people with disabilities, including habitation, health needs, personal care, hygiene, employment, transportation, recreation, housekeeping, and other home management- related assistance. Without them, these people with mental retardation would not be able to live their lives in communities where they could enjoy the mainstream of the American life.

Unfortunately, today there is a national crisis in securing an adequate supply of qualified direct support professionals. Severe staffing shortages and turnover rates in the direct support workforce is now threatening the quality and continuity of community-based supports and services for these people who they serve, all this at a time when demand for community support and services is growing rapidly as States move more and more individuals from institutions into a community-based setting and aging parents find it necessary to seek outside support for the care of the children whom they love.

Tough work, increased demand for services, and aging population, all of this is threatening the quality and continuation of community support for

services for people with mental retardation and leaving parents extremely fearful that there will be no one there for their children.

It is my hope that each of our colleagues will join me in expressing sincere appreciation for the very important work performed by our Nation's direct support workers, and let us vow to put our heads together to develop a national strategy to address the recruitment and retention of this crisis that is affecting community support for people with developmental disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that each of my colleagues will join in not only the vote that they make here today, but by going back home and giving a pat on the back to those health care professionals and others who are engaged in the services for each of these people who are important to each and every one of us.

Tonya Simmons' Remarks to the American Association of the Mentally Retarded (AAMR) Region 9 Service Award for Contributions for Improving

Services for People with Developmental Disabilities Living in a

Community Setting

I am very grateful and thankful for this award. It is an

honor. I was new to the human services field 2 years after

graduating from the Baltimore County Community College and

the AmeriCorps Program. I began working at Spectrum Support

without the knowledge of what it was and without the required

training: but it was okay because of the training I received

and the knowledge that would come from hands-on experience. I

was ready and excited about a new challenge. I was successful

because I was committed, passionate, strong, and caring. I

have a heart. I have feelings, I am concerned, but most of

all, this job made me realize that I am a leader. My only

brother died this year and what I found from the individuals

that I support was that they were now supporting me. Many

people do not believe or understand that when you love people

they will love back. I received phone calls, they had the

staff bring them to visit and they were at the services. I

will always remember an individual saying to me, ``If you

need anything, Tonya, I'll be here for you. It's going to be

all right.'' At that moment I realized that my job was

appreciated, that I was appreciated, respected and loved.

This is all because this is what they receive from me.

I am working in an underpaid position, working 140 hours

bi-weekly between jobs that support adults with disabilities,

attending Coppin State College all to support my family. It's

okay. I enjoy what I do and look forward to going to work

each and every day. Why? Disabilities do not mean inability

and I believe in what we do where I work. The individuals

that I support and the program are not just my friends but

family as well. It's because of them that recently I have

learned so much more about myself. I am afraid of public

speaking but because of being able to work in the wage

campaign, I am overcoming that fear. Thank you for giving me

an opportunity to advocate for Direct Support Staff in the

Campaign for Increased Wages. At Spectrum Support I am in

training everyday where I am encouraged and allowed to grow.

I am learning from the best because we are the best. We

believe that people can achieve their life goals. We

recognize, respect and celebrate each person's contribution

to his or her community and believe that each person has

unexplored talents that when discovered lead to amazing

outcomes. Co-workers we are growing, changing all while

moving forward. We will continue to do our best.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the upcoming introduction of the book, ``Medal of Honor,'' at the National Boy Scout Museum in Irving, Texas. The book honors the more than 3,400 Medal of Honor recipients that have served our Nation so valiantly in time of war or crisis and will be introduced on November 8, 2003. Mr. Speaker, this event is being coordinated by the North Trail District of the Boy Scouts of America under the direction of Chairman Gary V. Hill and Mr. Rob Kyker, the Friends of Scouting Chairman and host of this event.

Mr. Speaker, during the introduction of the book, seven (7) of the living 138 Medal of Honor recipients will be presented and honored along with Mr. Michael E. Thorton, U.S. Navy--retired, who is the spokesman for all Medal of Honor recipients. These individuals embody the virtues of sacrifice, courage, and leadership, which the Boy Scouts work to instill. Since 1861, the Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to our Nation's bravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. This book, by Mr. Peter Collier, honors them for their courage, character, and leadership and will serve as a wonderful example to future generations, especially the Boy Scouts of the future.

The introduction of this book, affords a new generation the opportunity to once again learn of the leadership and courage of those service men and women who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. This presentation at the Boy Scout National Museum is a great moment to honor and remember all the Medal of Honor recipients and I count it an honor to be involved and to be present at this wonderful ceremony.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in wishing the Republic of China a happy day for tomorrow. It is National Day.

A strong economic system, a strong educational system, and its people's grasp of the free market system of economics have made Taiwan an economic powerhouse. It is the world's 17th largest economy. This economic performance has contributed to both regional and global prosperity. At a time of economic independence among nations, Taiwan has a lot to offer the world.

On Taiwan's National Day, I would like to see Taiwan continue to play a major economic role in the world and to further strengthen its economic ties with the United States. A hearty congratulations to President Chen. We wish him and his people the best of luck as he seeks readmission to the World Health Organization. He deserves his place on the world's stage.

We appreciate Taiwan's support of America and honor their National Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 10th Anniversary of the Dallas Stars first regular season NHL hockey game in Dallas. The Dallas Stars had a successful start to their career in Big D, as the Stars defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-4 at Reunion Arena on October 5, 1993.

In the ten years since the Stars moved to Dallas from their previous home in Minnesota, The Stars have advanced to the playoffs eight years, with playoff berths in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003. The Stars won Lord Stanley's Cup in 1999 in a six-game series against the Buffalo Sabres. The championship Stars team was captained by defenseman Derian Hatcher, the very first American born Captain of a Stanley Cup championship team in the history of the NHL. The Stars then repeated as Western Conference Champions the following year.

In addition to the exceptional record of the Dallas Stars over the past ten years, the moving of the Stars to Dallas has created a huge expansion of hockey throughout our schools and communities in North Texas. Before the Stars came to Dallas, it was almost unheard of for schools to have interscholastic hockey teams. The North Texas community has not only fully embraced the Stars, but has taken a heart to the sport of hockey. Without the Stars, none of this expansion of hockey throughout North Texas would have occurred in such a rapid fashion.

Under the leadership of head coach Dave Tippett, general manager Doug Armstrong, and owner Thomas O. Hicks, the Dallas Stars are poised to start another great season. I wish the Dallas Stars all the best for their season opener against the Mighty Ducks on October 8th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and for the rest of the upcoming season. Congratulations to the Stars franchise on their 10th year anniversary of their move to the Lone Star State of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my heartfelt congratulations to Colonel Michael A. Shupp, USMC on the occasion of his promotion to Colonel. Many of my fellow colleagues and I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Colonel Shupp for the last couple of years in his capacity as the Marine Corps Liaison to the House of Representatives.

Colonel Shupp was raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History. He completed the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1979, and the Marine Officer's Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia, in 1980. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon his graduation from VMI and entered the Marine Corps in May 1981.

In the more than twenty years since his original commissioning, Colonel Shupp has led a distinguished career in service to the Marine Corps and the country. In 1985, he reported to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland for duty as Southeast Regional Director of Candidate Affairs, Leadership Instructor, Brigade Drill and Ceremonies Officer, and as the Commanding Officer of the Ninth Company of the Brigade of Midshipmen. He was recognized for his performance by President Bush, Secretary of the Navy Webb, and selected by the Brigade of Midshipmen as an Honorary Graduate of the Naval Academy Class of 1989. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat ``V'' Distinguished Device, Meritorious Service Medal with gold stars in lieu of third award, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Colonel Shupp has been an outstanding representative of the Marine Corps to the Members and Staff of the House of Representatives. Colonel Shupp regularly accompanies Members on their official delegation trips abroad, and I often call on him for information and analysis of Defense issues.

I am exceptionally proud of Colonel Shupp's career accomplishments, however, I and many of my fellow Members are saddened that he will be leaving the Hill next spring to assume command of one of the most illustrious regiments in the Marine Corps, the 1st Marine Regiment based out of Camp Pendleton, California.

I sincerely wish Colonel Shupp, his wife Sherrye, and daughter Jessica all the best for a nice rest of their stay here in the nation's capital, and salute Colonel Shupp for his proud record of service to the Marine Corps and the country.