Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4181, to making permanent the repeal of the Marriage Penalty Tax that has helped 30 million married Americans since 2001.

Married couples rely upon this tax relief for purchasing a new home, saving for their children's college education, and setting up retirement savings plans. Now, nor ever, do I see a reason why nearly 1.1 million married couples in New Jersey should be re-penalized and forced to pay higher taxes simply because they decided to get married and start a family. Allowing this tax benefit to expire would also be counterproductive to the strength our economy continues to show.

Americans scored a major victory in 2001 when Congress and President Bush addressed one of the most unjust provisions of the tax code by reducing the Marriage Penalty Tax. Congress furthered our commitment last year to reducing taxes under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, where Congress accelerated the seven year phase-in of the marriage penalty relief.

As a result, today, the standard deduction for married couples stands at $9,500--twice the value that it is for a single individual, and the upper limit on the 15 percent tax bracket for married filers is twice the income limit for single filers. Under current law, each of these tax benefits for married couples will be reduced next year and fully expire in 2010, if we do not act to make the repeal permanent.

If Congress does not act, beginning in 2011, the standard deduction for married couples will be reduced, forcing 30 million more couples to pay more taxes.

The Marriage Penalty tax is inherently unfair. The Federal Government should not force working couples, through an archaic tax code, to pay higher taxes.

The Marriage Penalty Tax weakens the foundation of one of society's most sacred institutions: marriage. We cannot turn back the clock after making such great strides in providing this sensible, meaningful tax relief. And quite frankly Mr. Speaker, families are counting on this relief.

So today, I urge my colleagues to build on our ongoing efforts to provide tax relief for all hard working Americans. Let's pass Marriage Penalty Tax relief for the millions of working couples.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 20 I was in my District in New Jersey attending services associated with the funeral of Lieutenant John Wroblewski (United States Marines) of Jefferson Township.

As a result, I was not in attendance in the House for several recorded votes.

On rollcall No. 118, designating the Richard Wilson Post Office, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 119, designating the John J. Pershing Post Office, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 120, designating the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, April 21, I was in my district in New Jersey attending services associated with the funeral of LT John Wroblewski (United States Marines) of Jefferson Township. On rollcall No. 121, H.R. 3970--Green Chemistry Research and Development, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 122, H.R. 4030-- Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 123 H.R. 3147--James V. Hansen Federal Building Designation, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 124 H.R. 4019--To address the participation of Taiwan in the WHO, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall No. 125--H.R. 1779, Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Stanhope, in Sussex County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On March 24, 2004 the good citizens of Stanhope are celebrating the Borough's Centennial Anniversary with a special re- enactment of the Incorporation Ceremony that took place over 100 years ago.

Stanhope is an old ``iron town,'' and as the industry grew, so did Stanhope, which until 1904 was part of neighboring Byram Township. The earliest records indicate that the first iron production at Stanhope occurred about 1794. Silas Dickerson, brother of the future state governor and U.S. Senator Mahlon Dickerson, erected a forge and nail factory on the Musconetcong River in Stanhope--one of the first such forges in New Jersey.

By the 19th century, Stanhope was a substantial iron-manufacturing community. The proximity of the Borough to the Morris Canal, which flows through its center, was pivotal to the early development of this rural town. In fact, the completion of the Morris Canal in the mid 1800s saved the iron industry and consequently the town. By 1830, the wood supply needed for charcoal to fire the forges was depleted and the industry shut down. But when the Morris Canal opened up a link to a new fuel, anthracite coal from northeastern Pennsylvania, the iron economy of New Jersey and Stanhope was revitalized. Stanhope also became a well-deserved rest stop along the 102-mile canal from Phillipsburg to Jersey City, with a busy General Store and hotel and a large coal transfer station.

The iron industry in Stanhope thrived for another 100 years, and by 1930, people discovered Stanhope for what it remains today: a beautiful, rural community in the New Jersey Highlands, bordered by the Musconetcong River and Lake. Between 1930 and 1980, Stanhope's population tripled in size and today the quaint community boasts more than 3,500 proud residents. In recent times, citizens have become more and more aware of the importance of protecting Stanhope's natural resources and efforts to balance development

with the preservation of open space, clean water and air have been a commendable priority for its municipal leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the residents of Stanhope on the celebration of 100 years of a rich history and the building of one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, on this very day 8 months ago, Prime Minister Tony Blair stood in this chamber and addressed a joint session of Congress. He said, ``The spread of freedom is the best security for the free. It is our last line of defense and our first line of attack.

``And just as the terrorist seeks to divide humanity in hate, so we have to unify around an idea. And that idea is liberty.

``We must find the strength to fight for this idea and the compassion to make it universal. Abraham Lincoln said, `Those that deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.' ''

Mr. Speaker, for over 2 decades Saddam Hussein denied freedom and liberty to the Iraqi people. He killed Kurds because of their ethnicity. He killed Shiites because of their religion. He killed Sunnis for their political views. And he even killed Egyptians, Kuwaitis, and Iranians because their lives meant nothing to him or his evil regime.

Today, Saddam's regime is no more. Overthrown in May and pulled from a spider hole in December, Saddam is now in jail.

America and its great military--made up of men and women from all branches of our Armed Forces including our resilient National Guard and reserves--recognized that our security and freedom was under direct threat from Saddam Hussein.

With the strength of an international coalition, America took decisive action and set out on a clear mission: to defend America. Nearly one year later we are seeing the fruits of our work take hold. Operation Iraqi Freedom has delivered hope and optimism to the well- educated people of Iraq. Today, 25 million Iraqis are free from the grip of Saddam's oppressive regime.

Our operation and responsibility in Iraq, however, did not end with a quick and decisive military victory. Finishing the fight and removing Saddam did not mean we finished the job.

We pledged to see a new Iraq government grow into a model for democracy and freedom in the Middle East. We must stay until the job is done because America's security still depends upon it.

Terrorism cannot be defeated unless we bring civility to Iraq. With assistance from our coalition, the Iraqi people have taken the first steps toward controlling their own destiny. Schools, medical clinics and hospitals have been reopened. An army and more effective police force have been rebuilt. A fair judicial system has been constituted. And a foundation has been laid for democratic elections.

An interim constitution has been signed. Every Iraqi--no matter their gender, religion or ethnic origin--today has the guarantee of basic freedoms, rights and protections under law.

I wish every member of this House could have taken the trip I took to Iraq last year. Led by Chairman Jerry Lewis, we traveled from Baghdad to Mosul to Al Hillah to witness the incredible work of our brave young men and women in uniform. We thanked them for their service to our country and let them know how grateful America was for job they were doing protecting our freedom and bringing democracy to Iraq.

To see our mission up-close and through the lens of our soldiers gave me great hope that one day Iraq will be a country of great promise and able to demonstrate strong leadership in the region.

On the first anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom let us honor every service man and woman who is making our country safer and more secure. And let us remember all those who have sacrificed and fallen while defending our freedom. We mourn the loss of very American soldier and pray for the early recovery of our wounded.

Today, America's courage remains firm and steadfast. Yet, we know that dangerous days still lie ahead. Terrorists who have previously sought weapons of mass destruction from Saddam ``like ants to honey'' continue to plot against America. The terrorists will not rest. When they're not attacking, terrorists are planning or strategizing about where and when to attack next. And remember, we were attacked without provocation on September 11, 2001.

For freedom and democracy to prevail over violence and terrorism, we must continue to take the fight to the terrorist before they again bring terrorism to our shores.

Mr. Speaker, let us commend the members of the United States Armed Forces and Coalition forces for liberating Iraq by passing this resolution.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 3717, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act and commend Representative Upton for this initiative to ``clean up'' our Nation's airwaves.

In response to a number of recently televised events, I have received a deluge of complaints and comments from my constituents in New Jersey who are fed up with the offensive and indecent programming invading their homes through television and radio. With their thoughts in mind I cosponsored this legislation to let it be known: broadcasters offering irresponsible and indecent material--especially at times when our children are likely watching or listening--should be held accountable for their actions.

H.R. 3717 would increase the penalty the FCC can assess for violations of broadcast indecency, obscenity and profanity laws from $27,500 to $500,000 per violation. The current fine has become a mere cost of business for many of the large broadcast companies. Today, Congress, on behalf of America's families, is sending a message to the industry that this kind of disregard is not going to be tolerated and hit them where it hurts--in their pockets.

It is time we act to ensure that every family may watch broadcast television programming free of indecency, obscenity and profanity. I believe this legislation takes the right approach. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important initiative and vote yes for H.R. 3717.

Mr. Speaker, every year, more high school seniors from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most other districts in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has repeatedly sent an above average portion of its sons and daughters to the Nation's military academies for decades.

This fact should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence of area schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes military academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many recruiters know our towns and schools by name.

Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking with, and nominating these superb young people to our military academies. But how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point was the sole academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and became directly involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. This was not an act of an imperial Congress bent on controlling every aspect of Government. Rather, the procedure still used today was, and is, a further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally designed to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer corps, provide geographical balance to our armed services, and to make the officer corps more resilient to unfettered nepotism and handicapped European armies.

In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th Congressional District.

The Academy Review Board is composed of six local citizens who have shown exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the continued excellence of education in our area--many are veterans. Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer panels, their service goes largely unnoticed.

I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Being on the board requires hard work and an objective mind. Members have the responsibility of interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding high school seniors every year in the academy review process.

The nomination process follows a general timetable. High school seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this time, they also inform my office of their desire to be nominated.

The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the applicants over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other talents that may be hidden on paper.

This year the board interviewed over 50 applicants. Nominations included 9 to the Naval Academy, 10 to the Military Academy, 5 to the Merchant Marine Academy and 8 to the Air Force Academy--the Coast Guard Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. The recommendations are then forwarded to the academies by January 31, where recruiters reviewed files and notified applicants and my office of their final decision on admission.

As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the war against terrorism. Whether it is in Afghanistan, Iraq, or other hot spots around the world, no doubt we are constantly reminded that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military missions are both important and dangerous, it is reassuring to know that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command.

Academy Nominees for 2003 11th Congressional District, New Jersey

Air Force Academy

Ryan M. Cortner, Scotland, International School

Michael P. Dickson, Flanders, Mt. Olive H.S.

Marc D. Honrath, Dover, Morris Knolls H.S.

Asha Padmanabhan, Raritan, Bridgewater--Raritan

Heather G. Pinsky, Morristown, Morristown H.S.

Edward J. Schmeltz, Chatham, Chatham H.S.

Anthony Stegman, Sparta, Sparta H.S.

Christopher A. Wolff, Mendham, West Morris Mendham H.S.

Merchant Marine

Steve R. Kline, Chatham, Chatham H.S.

Vincent J. Lusardi, Rockaway, Morris Hills H.S.

Jarrod M. Prill, Boonton, Boonton H.S.

Eric B. Warner, Morris Plains, Parsippany Hills H.S.

Richard W. White, Bloomingdale, Butler H.S.

Military Academy

Corey R. Belton, Brookside, West Morris Mendham HS

Assison T. Gaydosh, Bridgewater, Syracuse University

Sean P. Groome, Andover, Lenape Valley H.S.

Ross Kuskovsky, Livingston, Livingston H.S.

Anthony A. Margue, Randolph, Randolph H.S.

Michael A. Robinson, Brookside, West Morris Mendham H.S.

Allen J. Rooney, Madison, Madison H.S.

Stephane M. Slotten, Mendham, Newark Academy

Christopher M. Tarney, Chatham, Seton Hall Prep

Ernie Young, Whippany, Whippany Park H.S.

Naval Academy

Sean K. Bergstrom, Mendham, Delbarton

Bradley C. Fromm, Madison, Madison H.S.

Chris Lakhiani, Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes H.S.

Julie-Ann Latona, Madison, Madison H.S.

John S. Quick, Liberty Corner, Oratory Prep

Jonathan V. Salmon, Bridgewater, St. Joseph's H.S.

Brian M. Schenig, Pompton Plains, Pequannock H.S.

Sarah A. Shewmaker, Short Hills, Millburn H.S.

Michael R. Wooters, Morristown, Seton Hall Prep

Michael J. Zecca, Bridgewater, Bridgewater--Raritan H.S.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Township of West Caldwell, in Essex County, New Jersey a vibrant community I am proud to represent. Incorporated on February 16, 1904, the good citizens of West Caldwell are celebrating the Township's Centennial Anniversary with special events throughout the entire year.

In the very early history of our country, well before the American Revolution, the towns known today as Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Verona, Essex Fells, Roseland, Fairfield, Cedar Grove and Livingston were inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Indians. As Europeans emigrated to the New World, however, property ownership changed hands; and soon the entire region was purchased by the newcomers and renamed Horseneck. A century after Puritans settled the ``metropolis'' of the area known as Newark in 1666, steadily growing populations spurred settlers to move slightly westward to occupy what would be the Caldwells in the early 1700s. Almost 50 years of peace followed, until disputes over property rights with the Royal Proprietors of the colony led to jailbreaks and protests led down the narrow, dusty road called Bloomfield Avenue, which today remains a major business corridor through Essex County.

At the time of the Horseneck Riots in 1745, James Caldwell, after whom the Caldwells are named, was a young boy of about 11 years. By the time of the Revolution, though, he was an adult, a minister, in fact, who had endeared himself to the people of Horseneck by journeying over the mountains to preach to them. During the War for Independence not long afterwards, Caldwell earned the nickname ``the Fighting Parson'' because of his aid to Washington's men as they battled in various parts of Horseneck. Following the Revolution, a local chapel was finally erected and in memory of the Fighting Parson who had stood with them since colonial times, the citizens of Horseneck in 1798 renamed their home ``Caldwell.''

Caldwell Township flourished throughout the 1800's. Prescribed by physicians as a ``pure air'' retreat for patients with all kinds of ailments, the quiet region was home to about 485 people (1800 census). Franklin and Westville, what would eventually become known as West Caldwell, began to grow as well. Westville, owned predominantly by the Crane and Harrison families, whose historical homes still exist, was the site of farming lands and the local sawmill. Franklin, on the other hand, was the principal business center of Caldwell Township and had an economy supported by firms, a store, two factories, a cider mill and distillery.

By 1904, the population of Caldwell Township had grown and become so spread out that public renovations could never be approved by residents on both sides of town. To alleviate the problem, on February 16, 1904, West Caldwell was incorporated as an individual borough comprised of 3,175 acres and 410 people. Like every suburb of the metropolitan New York and Newark, New Jersey area, the 20th Century brought with it incredible growth and today West Caldwell boasts more than 11,000 proud residents who treasure the Township's legacy of patriotism, its small town flavor and its strong sense of community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the residents of West Caldwell on the celebration of 100 years of a rich history and the building of one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of the Township of Jefferson, County of Morris, in my home state of New Jersey.

Beautiful Jefferson Township encompasses 42 square miles of mostly pristine forests and lakes. It is home to New Jersey's largest freshwater lake, Lake Hopatcong, among many others, and the idyllic Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in the protected New Jersey Highlands watershed region.

When Jefferson Township was founded in 1804 by separating itself from the Townships of Roxbury and Pequannock, there were quiet farms and noisy mines linked by dirt roads. In time, the railroads came and by the turn of the century, they brought ``summer escapees'' from the cities who treasured Jefferson's scenic beauty, many lakes and its clean, cool, country surroundings. Summer resorts and campsites flourished in the area. After World War I, automobiles appeared on Jefferson's newly paved roads bringing with it scores of summer residents. And after the second World War, young families were looking to leave the metropolitan areas and began moving westward in New Jersey to inviting municipalities like Jefferson Township.

Today, Jefferson Township is still a blossoming community with a population approaching 20,000. While the once-thriving summer resorts are gone and most summer cottages have been converted to year-round residences, many tourists still make the trek to Jefferson Township to enjoy the vast open space of the Morris County Park System, protected watersheds and recreation activities on the region's numerous lakes. Indeed, lake communities still prosper throughout the Township bringing a unique sense of community to all of those who live in them.

Jefferson Township's municipal leaders have carried on a tradition of being good stewards of the area's natural resources. Through determined efforts to preserve some of New Jersey's most precious open space, Jefferson Township has been able to balance development by being an active partner in the acquisition of hundreds of acres of parkland, woodlands and watersheds.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 200 years, Jefferson Township has been a community which has brought Morris County and New Jersey great pride. No doubt the municipality will certainly continue to do so in the years to come. I congratulate the citizens of Jefferson Township on their special anniversary year, and urge all my colleagues to join me in wishing them well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Morris Center YMCA, of Morris County, New Jersey.

Since January 2, 1874, the Morris Center YMCA has provided programs essential to the people of Morris County. The 172 Founding male members first gathered in four rented rooms located in the Old Post Office in Morristown. In 1889, the Board of Directors dedicated a new building that included a gymnasium, classrooms, bowling alleys and a game room. A third building was dedicated in 1913 in Morristown that included a wing exclusively for women. But by 1968, however, it became clear that a new building was needed and plans were made to begin construction.

On March 1, 1981, the grand opening of the newly completed fourth home of the Morris Center YMCA took place in Cedar Knolls. The Center featured a 25 meter swimming pool, gymnasium, track, racquetball courts, weight rooms and a fitness center. Over the years, renovations have been made to the building, bringing more programs to people of all ages in Morris County. In 2002, renovations were completed to update and expand the Y to include a larger fitness room, youth classrooms, and much more.

Caring for children has always been an important specialty of the Morris Center YMCA. In 1985, the YMCA added an in-house After-School Care program. Later in 1988, the Center opened the Y's Owl's Child Care Center which provided care to approximately 130 children each day. September 2003 celebrated the new home of the Y's Owls, now the Richard F. Blake Children's Center, which is located in a newly renovated building next to the YMCA creating a 13 acre campus. The Children's Center now accommodates over 215 preschoolers.

The Owl program received national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Building on the reputation of the Y's Owl Child Care Center, the Morris Center YMCA was selected to create and manage the childcare center of the Morristown Memorial Hospital and opened the Children's Corner in the Fall of 1996.

The Morris Center YMCA currently has over 400 volunteer members comprising the Board of Directors, all of its committees and program leaders. These volunteers are the heart of the Morris Center YMCA, working in all aspects of the organization. In short, the Center is people caring for people, not just buildings and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 130 years, the Morris Center YMCA has provided the citizens of Morris County with programs that benefit all those who participate. I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating all past and present members of the Morris Center YMCA on this special anniversary year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Chilton Memorial Hospital of Pequannock Township, Morris County, New Jersey, in my congressional district. Chilton Memorial Hospital is celebrating 50 years of providing excellence in community health care.

Despite its humble beginnings, Chilton's history is a proud one. This 256-bed hospital arose from the dream of Dr. Forrest Chilton II and his registered nurse wife, Betty. During World War II, when gasoline was being rationed and people in the area did not have enough for the drive to the hospital in the city of Paterson, Dr. and Mrs. Chilton set up a small maternity hospital above his office in Pompton Plains. Soon, as more and more of his thankful patients availed themselves of his services, it became clear that a full service hospital was desperately needed in this fast-growing area in northern New Jersey.

In 1947, the good doctor and his wife donated 8 acres of land to build a hospital in memory of their son, Forrest Chilton III, and other heroes who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for American's in World War II. That same year, Dr. Chilton formed a board of directors to help prepare a building plan. Seven years later, in 1954, thanks to the efforts of Dr. and Mrs. Chilton, the Board of Trustees, the 20 women who were the original members of the Chilton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and 20,000 community volunteers who gave of their time and financial resources, the Chilton Memorial Hospital, with 31 employees and 50 beds, opened its doors for the first time in Pompton Plains.

Within 2 months the hospital was operating near capacity and expansion plans were already underway. In that first year, Chilton Memorial admitted 2,536 patients, delivered 787 babies and treated 3,317 people in its emergency room.

Fifty years later, Chilton Memorial's 1,400 employees and 575 associated physicians admit more than 11,000 patients each year, deliver 1,200 newborn babies, perform nearly 6,000 same day surgeries, treat 36,000 people in its state-of-the-art emergency department, and treat an additional 81,000 citizens on an outpatient basis.

Indeed, Chilton Memorial Hospital's tradition of caring and its commitment to the surrounding communities has made it one of New Jersey's best hospitals. Today, Mr. Speaker, Chilton Memorial Hospital is credited with being the first hospital in the State of New Jersey to be awarded a perfect score by the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, whose surveyors evaluate facilities and procedures at 18,000 healthcare facilities worldwide. Chilton's nursing staff has also won national acclaim for consistently receiving the highest ratings for their competence, compassion, response time, and teamwork.

The future will be no different for Chilton as it continues following in the footsteps of its founder and provides state-of-the-art healthcare to a grateful community. Services like Chilton's family- centered obstetrics program that features home-like labor, delivery and recovery rooms, its renowned pediatric care, free standing same day surgery center, and centers for pain management, endoscopy, cardiac care, sleeping disorders, sports medicine and cancer care, among others, and its strong commitment to health and wellness for older men and women, have helped build Chilton's lasting legacy as a premier quality healthcare provider.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues in the House of Representatives join with me in congratulating Chilton Memorial Hospital, and all of the hospital's outstanding staff, employees, and volunteers, upon celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation, a New Jersey philanthropic organization which is highly esteemed nationally and especially in the Northeast, and that will celebrate fifty years of grant making on December 11, 2003.

During the past five decades the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation has awarded grants amounting to more than $113 million and has demonstrated its continuing commitment to improving health care in our state and nation.

The Rippel Foundation, established under the will of Julius S. Rippel, provides funds to aid the aged and women of all ages, to aid hospitals and to support institutions involved in heart disease or cancer treatment and research.

In the past, for example, the Foundation has provided and furnished funds for the construction of or to aid in the erection of hospitals and provided funds for their equipment as well as hospital maintenance.

The Foundation has also supported humanitarian programs, emphasizing ethical issues in medicine, pastoral education, programs in rural health, better case and disease management. In particular, the Foundation has supported most generously women's health programs for elderly women with chronic conditions, academic and educational programs for women, and programs that promote better advocacy of women's health. The Foundation also stresses what is known as ``humanistic medicine,'' and advances the importance of belief, support, communications and relationships in the healing process.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that each and every dollar the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation gives to a hospital or a medical research facility is much appreciated. And, we can all be grateful for the Foundation's efforts because of its dedication to helping under-served rural and urban populations, and its interest in changing the wellness behavior of people through research and preventive care.

Throughout the years, the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation has earned an incredibly positive reputation for the many generous acts of its Board of Trustees, Officers and Staff.

Mr. Speaker, I know that you join me and my colleagues in recognizing and honoring the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation for its outstanding services to humankind for fifty years, and I ask that you and all our colleagues extend sincere best wishes for a successful Rippel Foundation Reception on December 11, 2003.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, the consolidated appropriations conference report before us this afternoon also contains the fiscal year 2004 District of Columbia appropriations bill. This portion of the conference report totals $8 billion, including $545 million for Federal payments to various District programs and projects, $1.8 billion in Federal grants to District agencies, and $5.7 billion in local funds for operating expenses and capital outlays of the District government.

There is much to be proud of in this bill. I believe it reflects Congress' commitment to helping our Nation's capital. This is where we all work and where many of us live. Of the $545 million in Federal payments to various programs and projects, 68 percent of these funds, or $368 million, is for funding of the D.C. courts, public defender services, and the court services and offender supervision agency. These are District functions which we took over as a Federal responsibility in 1997.

The remaining 32 percent, or $177 million, are for programs and projects that directly benefit the District. These include the very popular tuition assistance program for District college-bound students, $17 million; $11 million to reimburse the District for added emergency planning and security costs related to the presence of the Federal Government in the District; $40 million for a three-prong school choice program, promises we delivered upon; $42 million for capital development projects in the District; $5 million for the Anacostia waterfront; $4.5 million for public school facility improvements; and $14 million to improve foster care in the District. These are all initiatives we can be proud of as we vote in favor of this bill this afternoon. I ask that Members support the overall omnibus.

In particular, I want to highlight the funding level for school choice.

When the District of Columbia appropriations bill was on the House floor back in September, there was much criticism that the bill was walking away from the District's request of additional funding for public schools and public charter schools.

While that was true at the time due to the fiscal constraints of the bill, I stated then and at every opportunity after that it was not my intention that that be the case when we come out of conference with the Senate. I fully supported the Mayor's approach and worked with Chairman Young towards a conference allocation that was sufficient to address all three sectors of education in the city. The conference agreement reflects this commitment and provides $13 million for each of the three sectors of education the District leaders requested--scholarships, public schools, and charter schools. We need to provide parents greater choices for parents and their children.

In summary, the fiscal year 2004 District of Columbia Appropriations division is fiscally responsible and balanced and deserves bipartisan support.

I thank Chairman Young for his leadership through a difficult conference.

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

My thanks to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), and particular thanks to the chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the chair of the House Committee on Resources, for all of his work and the work of his staff that have helped improve this bill and make it possible for us to discuss it and vote on it today. I also thank the ranking member for her assistance and recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), who is going to speak later, as well as the gentlewoman New York (Mrs. Kelly) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach) and over 30 Members of Congress that are sponsoring this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Highlands is one of the last open treasures in the most densely populated area of the United States. In New Jersey alone, my home State, it includes more than a million acres of forests, farms, streams, wetlands, lakes, reservoirs and historic sites. We need to preserve these assets.

The Highlands Conservation Act represents a major commitment to protect them. While remaining mindful of property rights, this bill complements ongoing State, private and local partnerships that are actively working to protect open space. Our bill does not ask the Federal Government to become the landowner or steward to these lands; rather, the people of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania would retain ownership and responsibility for caretaking of these lands. Indeed, the government will not be taking any land. Participants would all be willing sellers.

Mr. Speaker, the President recognized the national significance of the Highlands in his 2004 budget message in January and designated the Highlands as one of nine national priorities areas threatened by development.

These lands, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) has said, have been identified by the U.S. Forest Service in virtually all other Federal, State and local entities as critical lands in need of preservation.

This bill represents an opportunity for the Federal Government to work with the State government and local groups to preserve the Highlands. It is a unique opportunity, an historic opportunity, and it is a symbolic opportunity of the Federal Government to work with so many partners.

This legislation also represents a landmark commitment of the Federal Government to the Highlands. It is a genuine partnership. It is important to preserving open space. I am proud to support the bill and to have so many partners in that regard.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2754, the Energy and Water Appropriations conference report for fiscal year 2004. Let me first thank Chairman Hobson for his strong leadership of our subcommittee's work and to Ranking Member Pete Visclosky for his bipartisan approach to this conference report. And my thanks to the subcommittee staff for their tireless efforts to put this conference report together.

While public attention is rightly focused on the war on terrorism abroad, our committee continues to do its part to protect our nation's security at home. The issue of energy security is now clearly before us--our energy facilities and networks must be safe and secure. And we must also continue the critical work of the Department of Energy to do the research and development on domestic sources of energy, reducing the demand of foreign oil imports and to find better ways to protect our nuclear stockpile.

I applaud the chairman for providing $82 million for the new Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution (OETD), which is $5 million over the requested amount. The Office of Electric Transmission & Distribution is a new DOE program office formed to help ensure a robust and reliable U.S. transmission grid for the 21st century. I am pleased our subcommittee has provided DOE with the funding needed to lead a national effort to help modernize and expand America's electric delivery system to better ensure economic and national security.

Further, it is important to note the conferees added the $5 million over the requested amount to allow the Department of Energy to complete its investigation into the causes of the August 14th, 2003 blackout, which highly affected thousands of people in my region of the country. It is important DOE conduct an extensive investigation to get to the bottom of what caused or contributed to the outage so we can take proper steps to ensure such failures are never repeated in the future.

Chairman Hobson has produced a conference report that continues the Federal commitment to work in partnership with our states and local communities to address such vital needs as flood control, shore protection, environmental restoration and improving our Nation's waterways. By doing so, we are helping to meet critical economic, environmental and public safety needs in virtually every state in the country.

I want to especially thank Chairman Hobson for his support of top priorities in my home state of New Jersey. Keeping our port open for business is critical to our regional economy and the 229,000 thousand jobs related to port activity in New Jersey and New York. Protecting and restoring our 127 miles of shoreline is vital $30 billion dollar tourism industry. And, this bill continues to work to protect New Jersey's communities from natural disasters such as flooding and continues New Jersey's special role to provide for a future energy source that is clean and unlimited: that is the work of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Finally, I want to take a moment of my time to thank the Army Corps of Engineers for their efforts to improve the quality of life that the American people have at home as well as for the Iraqi people abroad. Today, well over 300 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers military and civilian employees are in Iraq assisting the people in many areas. The Corps also provides daily assistance to the reconstruction effort with technical advice for the International Aid Developments program of reconstructing water and sanitation facilities; public facilities, such as hospitals and schools; roads, bridges and

railroads; and airport and seaport rehabilitation. Of vital importance is the Corp's work with the Coalition Provisional Authority, the U.S. State Department, and U.S. engineering societies that help Iraqi engineers gain knowledge lost during the last 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this conference report and urge my colleagues to do the same.