Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2559, making appropriations for military construction for fiscal 2004. This legislation is a strong product for tough times and I want to commend the Subcommittee Chairman, the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Knollenberg, and the Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Edwards.

This legislation provides $9.2 billion in funding for military construction and family housing projects across the country.

While no one is satisfied with the bottom line on this bill and we all wish that we could not do more, this is a solid product. It satisfies our obligation to ensure that our men and women in uniform live in, train at, and deploy from adequate facilities. This bill shows our commitment to our service members by constructing and upgrading military installations, and military family housing in the United States and overseas.

Improving the quality of life for our men and women in uniform throughout the world is critically important. If we are asking these brave men and women to protect our national security, then we must ensure that they have the tools and the facilities to protect themselves.

America's armed forces have been charged with developing the capabilities to fight jointly and with coalition partners to secure victory across the full spectrum of warfare while continuing the transition to a more flexible, more agile, lighter and more lethal force.

In this context, I am pleased the Committee has included funding for a state-of-the-art explosives loading facility at the Army's ``Home of Lethality''--Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.

In Afghanistan and Iraq, the achievements of our young men and women in uniform are due in part to the incredible technological advances employed by our military, much of which has been researched and developed by Picatinny Arsenal--the only Army-owned, Army-operated facilities for the research and development of energetics materials (mines, armor, warheads, artillery, etc.) in the nation. The new facility will mark a substantial upgrade in safety, environmental protection and process controls that will benefit the other branches of the military that rely on Army research and development expertise.

Mr. Chairman, once again I commend Mr. Knollenberg and Mr. Young and I urge support for this bill.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2004 Homeland Security appropriations bill. This bill is a first of its kind but, more important, in the history that is being created with this first-ever homeland bill is the fact that this bill, simply put, makes America and my home State of New Jersey a safer place.

We in New Jersey and New York and the New York metropolitan area know better than most how vulnerable an open and free society can be. We put a very human face on the homeland security issue, as 700 New Jersey citizens went into Lower Manhattan that terrible morning on September 11, 2001, and never came home again, and many more people in New York City as well and residents from over 80 countries. This is all very personal.

These appropriations if spent and managed wisely may well prevent another catastrophic attack on American soil. While we can never really totally eliminate our vulnerabilities, this bill takes important steps to better protect our people and the infrastructure that carries them into and around New York City and over and under the Hudson River each and every day and protects people in other communities and cities around the Nation as well.

Notably, this historic bill recognizes that, while the Department of Homeland Security has the lead in developing our national homeland security strategy, implementation of the strategy requires the active collaboration

and contributions of all States and municipal governments, and the private sector as well. It also recognizes that many of the agencies merged into the Department of Homeland Security in March have traditional missions.

For these and other reasons, Mr. Chairman, I support the passage of this appropriations bill.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local school systems working with dedicated parents and teachers in raising young men and women. I rise today to congratulate and honor 43 outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students participated in the Annual Congressional Arts Competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works are exceptional!

Mr. Speaker, I would like to list each of them, their high school, and their contest entries for the official Record.

We had 43 students participate. That is a tremendous response and I would very much like to build on that for next year's competition.

This year, Mr. Speaker, the winner of ``An Artistic Discovery'' was Lauren Radebaugh from West Morris Mendham High School for the work entitled ``Of Mom's Kitchen.'' Second place went to Devin O'Connor from Ridge High School for ``Self-Portrait.'' Third place went to Melissa Aquino for the work titled ``Another Man's Treasure.'' The Viewer's Choice Award was given to Robert Dougalas Fritz, III for the work titled ``Rachael.''

Honorable mentions were awarded to Ashley Eckhardt of Morris Knolls High School for ``Virtuoso,'' Chris Felber of West Morris Mendham High School for ``Twelve Bar Blues,'' Stacey Hulbert of Mount Saint Dominic Academy for ``Beach Eruption,'' Alexandra Kuziw of Montville Township High School for ``Celtic James,'' Ulvid Osis of West Essex Regional High School for his untitled work, and Mary Pratt of Ridge High School for ``Within the Hour Glass.''

Excellent art work was also submitted by Boonton High School's Melissa Becker for ``Self-Portrait,'' Sheila Marcello for ``Despair,'' Jocely Szczepanski for ``Portrait of My Mother;'' Livingston High School's Irina Itriyeva for ``Secret,'' Jessie Kent for ``My Life,'' Sara Lewis for ``Handicapped Parking;'' Madison High School's Lorraine Ewan for ``Hope,'' Ashley Kaye for ``Lenape Wood,'' Kate Lavinio for ``The Woods,'' Graham Sharts for ``Chris;'' Montville Township High School's Joyce Chen for ``The Mannequin,'' Melissa Choi for ``Still in the Wind,'' Heather Condurso for ``Poppy's Plow;'' Morris Knolls High School's Jennifer Devine for ``A Tear of Pain,'' Lindsey A. Dicks for ``Peek-A-Boo (Self-Portrait),'' Elizabeth Foerster for her untitled work; Mount Olive High School's Amanda Giansanti for her untitled work, Janel Sabella for ``Janet Fish,'' Windy Walintukan for her untitled work; Mount Saint Dominic Academy's Alexandra Arndt for ``This Passion,'' Arden Beesley for ``Hoy Cantamos (Today We Sing),'' Christine Ryan for ``Mother Earth Goddess;'' Randolph High School's Gina LaManna for ``Self-Portrait,'' Olga Levitskiy for ``Creative Space,'' Carrie Lindgren for ``Aftermath,'' Matt Palimeri for ``The Shovel;'' Ridge High School's Rosanna DiNardo for her untitled work, Bo Gu for ``The Convergence;'' West Essex Regional High School's Pamela Motyka for ``Glue,'' Emily Peterson for her untitled work, Michael Weed for ``Mind Candy;'' and West Morris Mendham High School's Chris Wolff for ``Red Gourd.''

Each year the winner of the competition will have an opportunity to travel to our nation's capital to meet Congressional leaders and to mount his or her art work in a special corridor here at the U.S. Capitol with other winners from across the country. Every time a vote is called, I get a chance to walk through that corridor and am reminded of the vast talents of our young men and women.

Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be proud of their achievements so early in life.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 1000, the Pension Security Act of 2003. I believe the time to update Federal pension law is now! I also believe this legislation could have prevented the tragic financial consequences of the Enron collapse, which is why I strongly support H.R. 1000.

This legislation will help ensure the safety of the American workers' pension fund savings through the following ways:

First, this legislation holds businesses to a higher standard of accountability. Specifically, it clarifies that company pension officials who do not act in the best interests of pension beneficiaries, can be held liable for breaching their fiduciary duty. Thus, this legislation ensures that America's CEOs, do not get rich at the expense of the American workers' pension fund savings.

Second, this legislation empowers the American worker by protecting employees against future abuses by giving them more control over their investments. Specifically, the American worker is empowered with the right to diversify employer stock contributions and the option to sell company stock three years after receiving it.

Third, this legislation also empowers the American worker by increasing their access to quality investment advice and by providing them with more information about their pensions. Specifically, it encourages employers to make investment advice available to their employees; it allows workers to use a tax-free payroll deduction to purchase investment advice on their own; and it requires companies to give quarterly reports that include account information, as well as their rights to diversify.

Notably, the Democrat's alternative for pension reform does not address the current shortcomings in the pension system. Instead, the Democratic alternative increases mandates and regulations that will result in increased costs, which will ultimately discourage employers from offering retirement plans altogether.

Finally, this legislation will help restore confidence in America's pension fund system. A generation of American workers have enjoyed a safe and secure retirement. By passing H.R. 1000 today, we will ensure future generations enjoy the same safe and secure retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to honor William Mecklenburg Polk, Headmaster of the Groton School in Groton, Massachusetts for twenty five years of dedicated service as Headmaster.

Like his illustrious predecessors John Crocker and Endicott Peabody, Bill Polk has left a remarkable legacy at the school and has touched the lives of thousands of young men and women who attended Groton over that span of time.

In his own words, ``everyone who has attended Groton or entrusted their children to its care knows that Groton is a small, singular school. Today, in a society that seems increasingly to prize celebrity over character and self over service, Groton puts character, intellectual rigor, values, and service first.''

Mr. Speaker, from his days as a Groton student, Bill Polk has epitomized Groton School values in all his academic, athletic, religious and pedagogic pursuits.

Appointed Headmaster in 1978, Bill Polk has made it his business, in his own words, to see that ``Groton creates opportunities to cultivate individually students' minds and characters (and) as a church school, it inevitably challenges students to discover their own moral and spiritual values. Groton's insistence on the highest academic standards would matter little if its graduates, to borrow Walker Percy's line, `earned straight A's in school but flunked life.' ''

Mr. Speaker, and colleagues, please join me in saluting Headmaster Polk's stewardship and that of LuAnn Polk, his better half, for all of their years of service and love of the young, education and life.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2, the Jobs and Growth Tax Act. It is clear our Nation's economy needs a spark, and I believe H.R. 2 will provide that needed spark.

The President said that we need more demand for goods and services so more Americans can find work, and I agree. The best way to encourage demand for goods and services is to let taxpayers keep their hard- earned money.

Our economic growth plan calls for speeding up the historic tax relief we passed in 2001 so individuals and families get the benefits of those tax cuts today, when we need it most. Under the House plan, nearly every American who pays income taxes will get much needed tax relief.

This tax relief will help small business men and women expand their businesses. The job growth measures contained in this bill means an average of nearly 20,000 jobs will be created in New Jersey, each year for the next 4 years--with 25,000 jobs created in 2004 alone.

It will also mean for nearly 800,000 parents in New Jersey, a check-- this year, within weeks of the bill's signing--for up to $400 for each eligible child who qualifies for the increased child tax credit, which under current law stands at $600 per child, but under the bill we passed today would be increased to $1,000.

Ninety-two million American taxpayers would receive, on average, a tax cut of $1,083 in 2003--putting nearly $100 billion back into the economy over the next 12 months.

Three million moderate-income families would see their income tax burden eliminated entirely.

The marriage tax penalty would be reduced for working couples this year, instead of waiting until 2009. In New Jersey, this means relief for nearly 1.2 million married couples.

America has made tremendous strides in the strengthening of our national security, and now we must take steps that are just as bold to protect our economic security. Tax relief that will help create jobs, let taxpayers keep more of the hard-earned money and immediately inject millions into our market-based economy is the answer.

For those reasons and more, H.R. 2 is an important step on the path toward renewed economic growth and job security for all Americans. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2.

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

I rise in strong support of this supplemental appropriations to pay for Operation Iraqi Freedom and to advance and expand homeland security.

As those of us who have seen war know, freedom is not free. It is paid by the sacrifices of those who serve literally on the ground now in Iraq and Afghanistan as we speak and debate here on the floor today. Their courage is our inspiration. We wish them Godspeed, swift victory, and a safe return.

Now that we are liberating the Iraqi people and better protecting the safety of the American people, Congress is acting decisively today to ensure that our soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women, that they have the resources they need to win the war against the regime of Saddam Hussein.

This bill essentially contains over $62 million to support our military, to pay for the troop deployment that they are

presently in, to replenish essential munitions and smart munitions and supplies. And this bill provides critical humanitarian needs on the ground in this war-torn nation. And most importantly, this bill also recognizes the ongoing war on terror by strengthening America's first line of defense, our first responders, our local police and firefighters. This supplemental deserves our strong support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 104.

The security of our Nation and the freedoms we enjoy will not be held hostage by a brutal dictator or terrorists whose only aim is to destroy our way of life. We will not live in fear.

The very real threat of an attack on America by terrorists who would use weapons of mass destruction cannot be left to chance. This risk is too great.

In the face of such threats, our current military action in Iraq, with our allies, is warranted.

As many of my colleagues have said before me this evening: Saddam Hussein must be stopped. His arsenal of terror must be eliminated. The terrorist networks with whom he allies himself must be destroyed. America must and will lead the free world to disarm Saddam Hussein and stop terrorism.

We have a duty to protect our people, and this we will do with courage and conviction.

This is the call to action our young men and women in uniform have heard, and for their sacrifices, we owe them our gratitude, our prayers and all of America's support.

Our Commander in Chief has given our brave, young soldiers their orders. They are following those orders with precision, professionalism, compassion and courage. At the end of this battle, the world will be a safer place without Hussein, his anthrax, toxins and nerve gas, or the terrorists he aids and abets.

Our troops now go into battle to defend our Nation and protect our children's future.

As those of us who have seen war know, the price of freedom is paid for by the sacrifices of those who serve. Their courage is our inspiration.

We wish them Godspeed, swift victory, and safe return.

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 proportion 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 our area 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 the 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 that 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 is true for most volunteer panels, their service goes largely unnoticed.

I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and to 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 19 to the Naval Academy, 15 to the Military Academy, 2 to the Merchant Marine Academy and 7 to the Air Force Academy--the Coast Guard Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. Congressman Frelinghuysen then forwarded the recommendations 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 be in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf 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 2002 11th Congressional District New Jersey

Air Force Academy

Mark C. Domogola, Short Hills, Millburn H.S.; Mark

Cavanaugh, Flanders, Mt. Olive H.S.; Michael D. Fitzsimmons,

Andover, Lenape Valley H.S., Hannah Minchew, Mountain Lakes,

Mountain Lakes H.S.; Andrew J. Moreno, Chester, West Morris

Mendham H.S.; Don N. Smith, Sparta, Sparta H.S., Joseph E.

Ziega, Sparta, Sparta H.S.

Merchant Marine

Matthew J. Pulitano, Randolph, Morris Catholic H.S. Donald

G. Maye, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan H.S.

Military Academy

Lee W. Barnes, Mendham, Rutgers; Duane W. Clark,

Bloomingdale, Butler H.S.; Robert Connelly, Brookside, West

Morris Mendham H.S.; Phillip A. Durkin, Sparta, Pope John

XXIII H.S.; John R. Fiddes, III, Long Valley, Delbarton

Andrew D. Filauro, Denville, Morris Knolls H.S.; Allison T.

Gaydosh, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan H.S.; Edward

Gibbons, Chatham, Chatham H.S.; Timothy Kuppler, Basking

Ridge, Ridge H.S.; Jason C. McKay, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-

Raritan H.S.; Timothy Nagle, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan

H.S.; William C. Nordlund, Mendham, St. Georges School; John

R. Rashap, Randolph, Randolph H.S.; Todd R. Stawicki,

Bridgewater, Rutgers; Paul R. Wistermayer, Denville,

Morristown Beard School.

Naval Academy

David S. Bellomo, Whippany, Whippany Park H.S.; Gregory D.

Butler, Bloomingdale, Bulter H.S. Joseph L. Caprio, Denville,

Morris Knolls H.S.; Shannon E. Clancy, Califon, West Morris

Central H.S.; Michael J. Coffey, Succasunna, Roxbury H.S.;

Benjamin B. DeWitt, Mendharm, Hill School; Christopher T.

Dibble, Somerville, Somerville H.S.; Thomas K. Gallant, West

Caldwell, James Caldwell H.S.; Joshua Haba, North Caldwell,

West Essex H.S. Bryce C. Holden, Sparta, Sparta H.S.; Richard

L. Kilcoyne, III, Essex Fells, West Essex H.S.; Paul S. Kim,

Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S.; Emily A. Laraway, Long Valley, West

Morris Central H.S.; Daniel M. Leahey, Morris Plains,

Morristown H.S.; Matthew F. Minor, Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S.;

Gregory A. Pappianou, Chester, West Morris Mendham H.S.; Erin

C. Reeve, Madison, Madison H.S.; Christopher C. Smith,

Succasunna, Roxbury H.S.; Craig G. Wilson, Sparta, Sparta

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this House Joint Resolution 2, the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal 2003.

At the outset, I'd like to recognize the valiant efforts of the Chairman of our full Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Young. The Chairman has provided energetic and stalwart leadership throughout this unusually long appropriations cycle and this House owes him a debt of gratitude. The Conference Report before us is a better piece of legislation today for his efforts and those of the rest of the Subcommittee Chairmen. I want to thank our House Conferees and thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I will support this Conference Report. In doing so, I echo the comments of many of my Colleagues. There is much to be proud of in this bill.

We provide:

Another $10 billion for intelligence and defense activities, the immediate need of which is self-evident;

$825 million for our first-responders--those on the homefront we task to help our citizens in time of need;

An additional $3.1 billion over the President's request for education--to keep our commitment to the No Child Left Behind Act;

And the single largest program increase in the bill goes to NIH--the agency on the cutting edge of medical research and thus better support he collaborative efforts for basic research with our colleges and universities;.

No, this bill is not perfect. Given sole responsibility to draft this $397 billion package, we all would have rearranged priorities a bit, taken out some of the legislative riders and redrafted others.

But, my colleagues, we cannot let ``the perfect'' be the enemy of ``the good.''

We have a responsibility to govern. We have a responsibility to lead.

And at a time when this nation is waging a war on terror, defending our homeland and possibly preparing to send our young soldiers into harm's way, we should pass this bill and get on with the business of governing and reviewing the President's new proposal for FY 2004.

Once again, I thank Chairman Young for his leadership. I urge adoption of the Conference Report.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. I would first like to commend the chairman from Louisiana and the ranking member from Michigan, as well as the gentleman from Massachusetts, for bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. As we have heard, this bill will give the Federal Trade Commission the authority to collect fees from telemarketers, long overdue, to implement and run the national do-not-call list which was created by the amendment to the telemarketing sales rule effective December 18.

The FTC has got it right. Something has to be done to protect consumers from the many annoying calls telemarketers place at all hours of the day and night, 7 days a week. These calls are indeed an invasion of privacy, not to mention that many of these callers are unscrupulous and prey on older Americans.

The Federal Trade Commission's national do-not-call list is a one- stop shop for consumers who are fed up with annoying and often intrusive telemarketing calls. Consumers by registering their telephone number with the FTC's list will eliminate, we hope, about 80 percent of all telemarketing calls.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the FTC for working closely with me to include provisions of my ``Know Your Caller'' legislation which makes it illegal for telemarketers to block their numbers on caller ID devices. Consumers pay a monthly fee to subscribe to the caller ID service because they want to protect their personal privacy and their pocketbooks; but until now they have had little recourse to protest intrusions on their privacy because most telemarketers intentionally block their identity from being transmitted to caller ID devices.

Madam Speaker, as a Member of Congress and, more importantly, as a consumer, I applaud the FTC's amendment to the telemarketing sales rule; and I applaud and thank the committee for sponsoring this bill.