Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the land of the ``not quite right'' has turned into the land of the ever more dangerous and difficult. I returned to Iraq last week on a Congressional fact-finding mission after less than a year since my previous visit. The trip gave me an opportunity to hear from our troops in the field, meet with military commanders and visit with some Iraqi citizens.

Unquestionably, the mission in Iraq has become more dangerous and difficult. The insurgents have expanded their support. They are more sophisticated, coordinated and lethal in their tactics. They enjoy sanctuaries in some major cities and they are exploiting the lack of progress in rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure to their advantage.

Our troops are doing a terrific job under difficult and dangerous circumstances. We can all be proud of our men and women in the military who are following their orders, carrying out their missions and sacrificing so much to give the Iraqi people a chance for a more peaceful and prosperous future. But they

seem tired and stretched very thin. I had lunch and dinner with many of our soldiers from Wisconsin during my trip. Nothing makes you more proud to be an American than the chance to see our soldiers performing their duties under trying conditions. They are all well-trained, well- motivated and represent the best America has to offer.

Fortunately, the conditions for most of our soldiers have improved from a year ago. The supplies have caught up to them. They have a good selection of food and beverages. Most have air-conditioned places in which to sleep. Communications back home have gotten much better and on-line education courses are offered to those interested in continuing their education.

But when they go out on patrol, they don't know who the enemy is, where the next ambush is going to come, and whether they are going to get back to camp in one piece. Many have to go out on patrols seven days a week. They return to get some sleep before they go out again the next day. They would gladly welcome a cold beer when they do finish their shift (alcohol is prohibited in Iraq) and they hate the ``stop- loss'' orders that prevent them from being rotated out of Iraq at the end of their tours.

Forty percent of our troops in Iraq are Guard and Reserve Units. They are there for 1 year once their boots hit the ground. With training and preparation before deployment, our Guard and Reserve are away from their families and jobs for up to 18 months. And many that have returned home are being put on notice for future activation and deployment. Clearly, such a sacrifice on so few for so long is unsustainable.

I was surprised by the lack of progress in rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure to meet the basic needs of the people, such as: running water, electricity, garbage pick-up and a good workable sewer system. Of the $19 billion appropriated to rebuild Iraq only $1 billion has been spent so far. I spoke to one Iraqi woman and asked if she felt her neighbors are growing impatient. She chuckled and said ``we're tired of being patient. We've been patient for 35 years, we want results now.''

The Iraqis are a people who believe that if the United States can put a person on the moon, then we are capable of helping them so much more. They see our impressive military with all the technology rolling through their communities and they are wondering why we can't get their water running or their electricity hooked up. And the insurgents are quick to pin the blame on us. But without security it will be difficult to make significant progress with reconstruction. It's hard to walk into a neighborhood with a hammer in one hand and a gun in the other.

Nor are the Iraqi Security Forces trained and equipped sufficiently to assume more of the security responsibility themselves. Many of the Iraqi forces and their families are being targeted themselves by the insurgents and there are numerous instances of insurgents penetrating these forces for their own advantage. But helping the Iraqis to develop the capability to provide for their own security is our ultimate exit strategy and it seems we've wasted a good year in doing that.

What then needs to be done? First and foremost, we need to make sure our troops are getting everything they need to do their job effectively and safely, which includes double reinforced steel vehicles to protect our troops against roadside bombs, the weapon of choice by the insurgents. We need to enhance security so there is a safe environment for the Iraqi people to participate in the national elections by January. That means trying to work with Iraqi Security forces to take away the insurgents' sanctuaries and diminish their capability. We need to step up our efforts in employing local Iraqis to rebuild their own country. There is a direct correlation between those areas with a high unemployment rate (70 percent in some places) and from where the insurgency is coming. We need to ask for more help from NATO and countries in the Arab League to provide training and equipment for a new Iraqi Security Force so we can begin to fade into the background and eventually bring our troops home.

Cutting and running is not an option. It would guarantee chaos, possible civil war, a sanctuary for international terrorism and a power vacuum that Iran would be more than happy to fill in the region. But our leaders in this country need to level with the American people. Our task in Iraq will not be easy. It has already become more difficult. More international support would alleviate the high cost we are now paying in both lives and money as well as add legitimacy to what we are trying to accomplish with the Iraqi people. It is not a lost cause, yet. But our window of opportunity is closing rapidly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the good works of first Lieutenant Ryan Casper, who has served both his country and the Iraq community in an astounding manner. Lt. Casper, an Army Reservist serving in the 477th Ambulance Company, has demonstrated unyielding dedication to improving the dire situation thousands of Iraqi students are experiencing.

Lt. Casper, a history teacher from Ellsworth High School, has extended his passion for education from his classroom in Wisconsin into the Iraq community. He has been instrumental in meeting the needs of the students by restoring educational structures in Iraq. The deteriorating infrastructure of the education facilities and the absence of essential school supplies generated Lt. Casper's inspiration to create a charity that ministered to the needs of school-aged children. Lt. Casper understands that a sanitary and well-equipped facility is necessary before a quality education can be achieved.

As an active member of the military for twenty years, Lt. Casper is executive officer of a ground ambulance company that transports patients and medical supplies from Baghdad to Southern Iraq. Casper's charity, the 477th Hearts and Minds Club, has provided numerous children with school supplies. Lt. Casper's operation was made successful by the donations he received from citizens in the United States. The largest contributor to his cause were Ellsworth High School students who collected over a thousand items to be used by students in Iraq. The supplies donated to the Hearts and Minds Club were delivered to various schools during ambulance runs performed by Lt. Casper's unit.

Lt. Casper's actions were successful in furnishing Iraqi schools with essential supplies, but more importantly, his actions altered the mindset of students in Iraq. The poor perception of American soldiers by Iraqi children wavered with the arrival of new materials. The once feared soldier was transformed into a heroic character overnight.

In October of 2003, and September of 2004, to personally lend my support to the troops engaged in this war, I had the great privilege of visiting Iraq. I met with troops and received a first-hand assessment of the reconstruction activities. After witnessing the poor conditions facing many citizens of Iraq, I felt great inspiration that one of my constituents had demonstrated such steadfast leadership in serving both his country and the citizens of Iraq. I would like to congratulate and thank Lt. Ryan Casper for his perseverance and unselfish desire to improve the world around him. Lt. Casper once said, ``A goodwill gesture can go a long way in this country and hopefully we can supply that gesture.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of this important bill, but with great disappointment in President Bush's failure to take affirmative action to support the two-year extension of the Milk Income Loss Compensation (MILL) program to help Wisconsin's dairy farmers survive when milk prices plummet.

Two days ago, President Bush came to Wisconsin to proclaim his support for extending the MILC program for our hardworking family dairy farmers. Today, that provision was stripped by the Republican leadership in Congress from the last bill the House will consider until after the November election.

The Milk Income Loss Contract Program, was established by the 2002 Farm bill, and is the first national dairy program to transcend the usual regional tension that have arisen over past safety net proposals. The MILC provides a basic level of direct support to all dairy operations, regardless of the end use of the farmers' milk, by providing assistance only on the first 2.4 million pounds of production annually roughly equivalent to production of a 130 cow operation.

As a result, nearly 86 percent of all dairy farms in the country, and nearly 90 percent in the Upper Midwest, are fully eligible for assistance under this limit. This counter-cyclical program has provided Wisconsin's struggling dairy farmers with $413 million in crucial assistance since its inception. Unfortunately, this national safety net for dairy farmers will expire in 2005 if we do not act quickly to extend it.

Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing to have the President say one thing while campaigning in Wisconsin and then do absolutely nothing to get the job done. All it would have required was a one-minute phone call with House Speaker Hastert asking him to extend this program for an additional 2 years and it would have been signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, the retaliatory tariffs that the European Union has issued over our delay in complying with World Trade Organizations are hurting manufacturers all over this country, and it is past time to address this issue. Legislators on both sides of the aisle and in both the House and Senate agree on this basic premise, and it is a shame that a bill to solve this problem has been burdened with unnecessary tax incentives to corporations. I, along with many other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have been pushing for congressional action to fix the international trade dispute over the extraterritorial income (ETI) and Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC) programs. We have a bipartisan, fully paid-for remedy that would reform these tax provisions, put the United States tax code in compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO), and reduce the tax burden on American manufacturers and farmers. Unfortunately, the Majority leadership ignored this bipartisan approach in favor of a budget- busting, controversial bill that does little for small manufacturers in Wisconsin and includes multiple provisions completely unrelated to the trade problem we need to fix immediately.

Because of the House majority's previous inaction on reforming the FSC-ETI trade dispute, the European Union (EU) continues to ratchet up tariffs on nearly 100 categories of U.S.-produced exports. This costs American businesses and workers by making our products less competitive in the major European market. Unless we reform the FSC-ETI tax provisions, EU tariffs on American products will continue to climb, potentially costing American exporters over $4 billion.

With over two million American manufacturing jobs lost since 2001, it is critical that we act to reverse this trend by eliminating incentives for American jobs to be sent overseas and working to end trade barriers that hurt American exports. Anticipating the EU tariffs, Congressmen Crane, Rangel, Manzullo and Levin introduced bipartisan legislation last year to address the FSC-ETI trade dispute. H.R. 1769, the Jobs Protection Act, would have eliminated the American tax breaks found in violation of WTO rules, and reinvested the savings back into American manufacturers by reducing their tax rates. I, along with 175 other members of Congress, cosponsored this legislation and have pushed for the House to consider this legislation.

Despite this bipartisan compromise, the conference agreement brought to the Floor today a fiscally irresponsible bill that is filled with special interest breaks and will increase already record budget deficits. H.R. 4520 provides over $42 billion in tax incentives for large multinational corporations while providing little to no tax relief to small and medium-sized manufacturers, farmers, and unincorporated businesses. The Republican chairman of the House Small Business Committee has expressed his opposition to this legislation because it fails to include smaller non-Chapter S corporations in its manufacturing benefit.

Furthermore, the House shamefully misses an opportunity to meaningfully reform the regulation of tobacco in this country. While I support the buyout for tobacco farmers, which will help hardworking farmers in Wisconsin, I am disappointed that the bill does not include a Senate provision giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco. This hard-won provision was supported by major tobacco manufacturers as well as health advocacy groups, and the conference committee, by eliminating it, has allowed an historic opportunity to improve the health of this country pass by.

Mr. Speaker, with 2.7 million American manufacturing jobs lost over the past years, including over 80,000 in my home state of Wisconsin, we should not be playing partisan games on the House floor. We should be considering legislation that will end European tariffs on American exports, helps domestic farmers and manufacturers be more competitive, closes abused corporate tax loopholes, and does not burden our children with huge amounts of debt that they will have to pay off in the future. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 4520 in its current form so that Congress can move forward on responsible ETI-FSC legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Menendez substitute to H.R. 10, legislation to reform our country's intelligence agencies. I support this substitute so that as a country we can move forward quickly to a short conference and then give the President a completed bill to sign. The security of the people of western Wisconsin is of an utmost priority, and I am supporting measures that will make changes necessary to protect our homeland.

On September 11, 2001, our Nation was brutally attacked and several thousand of our citizens were killed. Our country was shocked and dismayed, but we were far from defeated. The resolve of our Nation is strong, and we stood up to the challenge and struck back.

After the attacks on that fateful day in September, many questions about our homeland security were raised. I supported and worked for a comprehensive Homeland Security bill that created the Homeland Security Department and cabinet level secretary. The creation of the Homeland Security Department was an important first step for our country to ensure the security of its citizens. But there remained many unanswered questions about our Nation's intelligence failures before September 11, which is why I supported the creation of the independent bipartisan 9/ 11 Commission.

On July 22, 2004, the 9/11 Commission provided a full and complete report to Congress and the American public. I praise the Commission for its excellent work, leadership, patriotism, and service to our country. We owe it to the families of the victims of 9/11 and to the citizens of our country to use this report to make certain this type of attack never happens again; I fully support the unanimous and bipartisan recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 5150, the Shays/Maloney bill to implement the Commission's recommendations. This legislation is the bipartisan companion bill to the Collins/Lieberman bill which just passed in the Senate on October 6, 2004, by a vote of 96-2. I am disappointed that House leadership has refused us the opportunity to debate this bill. Rather, today on the House floor we are debating a different 9/11 bill, which was drafted solely by the Republican leadership, which is not bipartisan, not supported by the 9/11 Commission members, or most of the families of the victims of September 11.

Regrettably, it is rare these days for Republicans and Democrats to come together and work toward the greater good of the country. But that is exactly what happened this summer when five Democrats and five Republicans on the 9/11 Commission voted unanimously on 41 key recommendations to make our country more secure. And, this October, it happened again when the Senate worked together to pass the Collins/ Lieberman bill endorsed by the 9/11 Commission.

Unfortunately, in the House, intelligence reform has taken a turn in the opposite direction and we are being forced to debate and vote on a bill that is not endorsed by the 9/11 Commission.

H.R. 10 would strip power from the National Intelligence Director and the National Counterterrorism Center; it does not create an office to oversee civil liberties; and, H.R. 10 does not increase congressional oversight of our intelligence agencies. Further, this bill includes several provisions not recommended by the 9/11 Commission, including increased removal of immigrants without a hearing or review, and easing rules of the U.N. Convention Against Torture. Essentially, H.R. 10 strips away the 9/11 Commission's recommendations and adds language not endorsed by the Commission.

When the security of our country is at hand, politics should not play a part. But, again, here we are debating a bill without support from both sides of the aisle, and the will of the few is being forced upon the many. This is not the right way to make important changes for a nation's security. The partisanship of H.R. 10 will only delay making our country safer. We need to pass H.R. 5150, so it can be brought to the President's desk immediately, instead of further delaying the process by passing H.R 10.

But if the substitute fails, I have decided that for the purpose of moving this process forward to conference quickly I am going to support H.R. 10. When the safety of our country is at hand we need to be able to cross the aisle and work with our colleagues to protect our country. After passage of H.R. 10, I plan to work closely with the members of the conference committee on the 9/11 Commission Recommendation Implementation Act to more closely align the conference report with the

9/11 Commission's 41 recommendations and the recently passed Senate bill.

Mr. Chairman, the 9/11 Commissioners' recommendations are thorough and complete, and I stand behind them. Let us make our country safer now, not later. I urge my colleagues to support the substitute and the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2363, legislation to further the support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. As a former participant of the Boys and Girls Clubs, I know first hand how successful it is in giving young people a sense of usefulness, belonging, and influence. Today, my two little boys, Johnny and Matthew, participate in this organization's flag football, baseball, and basketball leagues. I have seen that it provides young people with a safe place to learn, establish strong relationships, and build good character.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America has been ranked number one among youth organizations for the tenth straight year, and has been listed as 15th among all nonprofit organizations. It is the nation's fastest- growing youth development organization with a primary focus on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It serves more than 4 million boys and girls through 3,400 club locations, which are located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and both domestic and international military bases. Sixty-five percent of the children that participate in the Boys and Girls Clubs are from minority backgrounds. The wide reach of this organization helps all types of children develop creativity through the arts, a healthy lifestyle through fitness activities, and a career through educational, character, and leadership programs.

Having served on the Board of Directors for the La Crosse Boys and Girls Clubs, I know the amount of time and hard work that goes into operating this organization. I would like to thank Terry Erickson, the current director of the La Crosse Boys and Girls Clubs, who has served since I was a participant. Terry has taken the La Crosse Club to heights never before imaginable. He has become synonymous with the Club and a role model to everyone involved.

I would also like to thank Natalie Carlise for providing the enthusiasm at the relatively new Boys and Girls Clubs of Sparta. Terry, Natalie, and their staff provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere for the children of western Wisconsin. Their commitment to the Boys and Girls Clubs is greatly appreciated by volunteers, parents, and especially the children at the Clubs. I cannot thank them enough for their selfless giving of time, and love for our children.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation on the floor today, to extend the authorization of this important program for our children who represent the future of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment that this body has brought the Federal Marriage Protection to the Floor at a time when only one of the thirteen appropriations bills has been passed into law and other important legislation, such as the transportation reauthorization bill and intelligence reform have not yet become law.

This is not to say that I believe the issue of gay marriage to be unworthy of discussion. I understand that some people firmly regard gay marriage as a civil right while others find it antithetical to their religious or moral beliefs. Reasonable people can disagree on this issue, and it is a subject which our country must continue to discuss. In America, however, the authority to grant legal status to a marriage has been a function reserved for the states, and different states have different laws regarding issues ranging from blood-testing to waiting periods before marriage.

Some, including the proponents of this bill, will argue that an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is necessary to keep one state from forcing another to accept same-sex marriages. In fact, this is not necessary because of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Law, which provides that states, U.S. territories, or Indian tribes do not have to recognize same-sex marriages granted by other states. Further, the Act defines marriage, for the purpose of federal benefits and rules, as the legal union between one man and one woman. Therefore, the Wisconsin law which recognizes marriage as a relationship between a husband and wife is protected.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to amending the United States Constitution, I am very conservative. Like Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, conservative columnist George F. Will, and the Republican author of the Defense of Marriage Act, Bob Barr, I am opposed to amending the Constitution for the purpose of outlawing gay marriage. In its 215-year history, the Constitution has been amended only 27 times, and we must not add amendments limiting rights rather than expanding them.

Dick Cheney has stated ``With respect to my views on the issue, I stated those during the course of the 2000 campaign, that I thought when it came to the question of whether or not some sort of legal status or legal sanction were granted to a same-sex relationship that that was a matter best left to the states. That was my view then. That's my view now.'' (Scripps Howard New Service, January 9, 2004). As recently as August, 2004, Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking of gay marriage, affirmed that, ``marriage has historically been a relationship that has been handled by the states.'' Like Vice President Cheney, I do not believe the U.S. Congress needs to intrude on this state issue. Because of my great respect for the Constitution, and for the federal nature of the government which the document dictates, I will vote against this resolution, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud member of the House Native American Caucus, to celebrate the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian.

I also extend a warm welcome to the members from Wisconsin's seven tribes: the Oneida, Ojibwe, Ho Chunk, Stockbridge-Munsee, Menominee, Brothertown, and Potawatomi who have traveled to Washington, D.C. this week. They join the nearly twenty-thousand Native Americans, representing the nearly five-hundred state and federally recognized tribes, who have gathered here to celebrate the opening of the museum in the largest tribal gathering in our nation's history.

After 15 years of planning and five years of construction, the National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the traditions, diversity and vitality of America's first people. Located within reach of the Capitol dome on

the National Mall, the museum focuses on the art, history and culture of Native Americans.

The museum's impressive design and extensive exhibits were developed in close consultation with nearly 150 communities from Central and South America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States.

The pieces in the collection of eight-hundred and fifty thousand items represent a `living history' that will take visitors on a journey from past to present, and show that Native Americans continue to make vital contributions to contemporary American culture and art.

The National Museum of the American Indian, with its graceful architecture and soaring atrium sited on the country's most ceremonial ground is a long-overdue recognition of the many contributions made by tribe members. I encourage all Americans to join me in honoring them by experiencing the museum and learning more about their heritage.

Mr. Chairman, I am a strong supporter of the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe ``under God'' should be in the Pledge of Allegiance. But what I cannot support today is legislation that basically tells the third branch of our government, go home, no thanks, we do not need you any more.

Judicial review has been a part of our democracy in this constitutional government for over 200 years. And now with the fancy language embodied in this legislation and other pieces of legislation that have been pending, they are trying to disrupt that delicate balance of power, the checks and balances that exist that allows the Federal courts from time to time to take a look at the work that we are doing in this Congress to see whether or not we are complying with the highest law of the land, the United States Constitution. That is what judicial review is all about.

What is so ironic about today's debate is that the courts have already weighed in and said that the Pledge is okay, ``under God'' is okay. So what are we doing here when we have anemic economic job growth in the country, rising health care costs and tuition that is placing college out of the reach of students. We can do better by the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the good works of Marilyn Hurt, who has served as supervisor of the School Nutrition Program for the school district of La Crosse, Wisconsin for 27 years. Mrs. Hurt has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and child nutrition, and I would like to thank her for all her hard work upon her retirement.

Over the years, Marilyn has been an active member on numerous community boards, including the American School Food Service Association and the Wisconsin School Food Service Association. Marilyn has found good public policy to be her passion, which she has illustrated by serving as a legislative chair on Wisconsin's executive board, six times, and, in 1984, she was appointed as regional Representative on ASFSA's public policy and legislative committee. Further, in July of 2000, Marilyn was installed as president of ASFSA. To better serve her community, she was mayor of Dakota, Minnesota for two terms, participates in rotary international, and is part of the La Crosse area hunger task force.

Her relentless commitment to improving the lives of those around her has earned Marilyn several honors. In 1994, she was the first recipient of the WSFSA Director of the year award. The Massachusetts school food service association selected Marilyn to receive the Thomas O'Hearn award, and most recently, she was the recipient of the prestigious silver plate award, bestowed by the International Food Service Manufactorers Association in 2000.

Marilyn has nourished the lives of countless children, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to have worked with such a committed and devoted person. Marilyn's dedication has satisfied more than the grumbling stomachs of young children. Her efforts have improved the food service program in numerous schools across Wisconsin.

Marilyn has played an instrumental role in the lives of children and their families and her selfless desire to improve the nutrition of children will be remembered not only by the children who walked through the lunch line everyday, but by the entire La Crosse community. She will be missed, and we are grateful for the work she has done over the past 27 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 757, ``expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001.''

The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11th were monstrous and cowardly acts that will be forever etched in our national memory. In remembrance of that tragic day, I wish to express my condolences, and the condolences of a mournful Nation, to all those who suffered losses. Today, America again honors the courage and bravery of those who willingly risked their lives to save others, and recognizes those dedicated men and women in service now, defending worldwide peace and security.

In the 3 years since the terrible acts of September 11th, the United States has taken various steps toward preventing another attack on our country. Immediately following September 11th, our country began fighting a global war on terrorism to protect America and our friends and allies. In addition, Congress has created a Department of Homeland Security and reorganized several intelligence departments. All of these steps were taken to make America safer.

As a member of Congress, one of my top priorities is protecting the citizens I represent, and if there is any issue that should lead to crossing party lines, it is protecting our Nation.

Recently, the bipartisan September 11th Commission finalized its report with 41 recommendations that they feel would not only make America safer, but would make the world safer. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Report Implementation Act. This bill would enact into law the 9/11 Commission's 41 recommendations.

On this solemn day, I again stand up to recognize our brave men and women that tragically lost their lives on that fateful day in September of 2001. I wish to show my deepest appreciation to our military men and women fighting terrorism around the world. The opportunity is upon us to make serious and thoughtful change and to ensure that another tragedy does not befall our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3313, the so- called Marriage Protection Act. I believe Congress should be focused on supporting American troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, helping the eight million Americans who are looking for jobs, and passing a budget laying out our priorities for fiscal year 2005. Instead, we are debating a bill that fails to address the issues that are of the most importance to our citizens and that is blatantly unconstitutional.

H.R. 3313 would strip the Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, of jurisdiction over any cases dealing with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This would lead to a patch-work of different decisions from various States which would prove to be unmanageable. Furthermore, it would establish a ridiculous precedent. Whenever Congress passes a law, it could merely insert comparable language prohibiting Federal courts from ever reviewing that legislation to ensure it complies with the United States Constitution. In effect, this bill places the actions of Congress above the law. Clearly, this is not what our Founders intended when they established the separation of powers that has worked well for over 200 years.

This bill is unconstitutional in three ways: it violates the principle of equal protection by depriving a group of people of their right to their day in court; it is inconsistent with the due process clause which demands an independent judicial forum capable of determining Federal constitutional rights; and it violates the concept of separation of powers, so crucial to our system of governance.

Grammar school students in my home state of Wisconsin could tell you that the American system of government finds its strength from our system of checks and balances, a concept that was bold and revolutionary when the Constitution was written over 200 years ago and is now embraced by countries around the world. It is this system that keeps the presidency from becoming a dictatorship, the court from becoming an oligarchy, and members of Congress from becoming despots. If we strip the Federal courts of their seminal role in our process of law, we will have rejected the work of James Madison and the other Founding Fathers who wrote the document that is the oldest written constitution in the world still in effect. Furthermore, it jeopardizes all the rights guaranteed in our Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights. It would also allow a future Congress, that may not like gun ownership in our country, to prohibit gun ownership and then strip Federal courts from the ability to review the law to see if it complies with the Second Amendment.

I cannot vote for a bill that would blatantly reject the Constitution, a document which I swore to uphold upon entering Congress. Regardless of our views on particular issues, I believe that each of us in the House of Representatives should respect the Federal courts as an equal branch of government, and I urge my colleagues to reject this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3574, the Stock Option Accounting Reform Act. I believe it is extremely important to the nearly 15 million Americans who hold stock options that we pass this legislation.

As a member of the New Democrat Coalition, I have always supported protecting stock options. The promotion of stock options is an important tool for businesses seeking to recruit and keep employees. Innovative, creative companies have recognized that a key component to keeping the brightest and most talented workers is giving employees a stake in their company. The increasing accumulation of stock options by American workers has proved a financial success for employees and an important tool in helping the economy.

Another mark of the success of stock options is that employees at all ranks of companies hold them. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only corporate executives who hold stock options; rather, 85 percent of stock options are held by non-management workers. H.R. 3574 simply assures that these rank-and-file workers will have continued access to an important benefit. At a time when Americans are increasingly worried about losing jobs overseas and many small businesses are struggling, the protection of stock options is crucial to helping this country's economy.

Employee stock options are threatened, however, by a Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) proposed standard that would require companies to expense all employee stock options. This decision was made over the objection of numerous businesses and despite the likely negative economic consequences of the proposed standard. If Congress does not react, we run the risk of allowing millions of hard-working Americans to lose the financial benefit they have enjoyed from stock options as well as hurting small and large businesses throughout the country.

Cleary, there is a great need for the Stock Option Accounting Reform Act, which would require that stock options given to the top five executives of a company be expensed and require a study to review the possible implications of the FASB proposal on workers, businesses, and the American economy. The FASB ruling has the potential to do great harm to our country's economy and its workers. To prevent such harm, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that is so important to American workers.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of H.R. 4766. While I intend to vote for this bill, I support my friend and colleague, John Peterson's request that conferees work to increase the producer value added grants program and the rural broadband loans program. These two programs are extremely important to the future of rural areas like those found in my district of western Wisconsin.

Furthermore, I strongly urge conferees to do more to meet the funding needs of voluntary conservation programs that serve farmers and ranchers while also helping to improve soil, water and air quality, and provide critical wildlife and fish habitat.

Farmers and ranchers, especially those from regions who may not benefit from the estimated $130 billion in crop subsidies, rely on U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation assistance to provide much- needed financial support as well as meet critical environmental challenges.

Unfortunately, this bill would set a $1.01 billion limit on the environmental quality incentives program--compared to a FY2005 level of $1.2 billion set in the farm bill. Likewise, the farmland protection program is set at $112 million, $13 million less than the budget request. Lastly, the wetlands reserve program will enroll 175,000 acres, which are 25,000 less than prescribed in the farm bill.

I am pleased, however, that this bill rejects the Bush administration's proposed sharp cuts in natural resources conservation service programs. It will provide $993 million for the five NRCS conservation programs, $176 million more than the administration's request.

Secondly, I appreciate that the Appropriations Committee acted on the request made by myself and other members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Chronic Wasting Disease taskforce in providing $18.589 million in aid to states' fight against CWD--a fatal neurological disease found amongst our Nation's populations of wild and captive cervids. I'm particularly pleased to note $1.75 million will go directly to Wisconsin, which has been especially hard hit by this devastating disease. These federal funds are crucial to help authorities continue to monitor this deadly disease in order to avoid future outbreaks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as national cochair to honor the outstanding work of the National Youth Sports Program in my home State of Wisconsin and the 200 programs throughout the Nation and to recognize the essential role NYSP plays in children's lives during those crucial weeks during the summertime.

For 35 years, NYSP has brought organized athletics and academic courses in math and science into the summer routines of low-income children aged 10 to 16. For 5 weeks, children learn leadership skills and work to develop strong moral character through sports. Furthermore, NYSP provides students with education in substance abuse prevention, career instruction and perhaps their first comprehensive physical. In addition, students receive a hot, well-balanced USDA-approved meal each day.

As a former college quarterback and a father of two little boys, I know the opportunity that sports can have on positively impacting the lives of our children. Thanks to NYSP, a soccer field, a basketball court, a swimming pool turns into classrooms. The lessons in these innovative classrooms are civility, teamwork and responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, it is our duty as policymakers to preserve these vital opportunities. It is in the interest of our children and our country to do so.

For proof of the importance of the National Youth Sports Program, I invite the Members to look at two participating institutions that I had the opportunity to visit recently from my home district in western Wisconsin.

At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, over 300 children participate in NYSP each summer. In addition to excellent athletic and academic instruction from a dedicated staff, these children have participated in a ropes course to foster higher self-esteem, have been treated by local physicians and dentists free of charge, participated in the DARE and GREAT programs with local police officers, and have painted over graffiti found on public property. The NYSP at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is enriching the lives of low-income children while simultaneously enriching the community as a whole. I would like to take this opportunity to thank program director Mary Beth Vahala and the many community volunteers, including Dr. Richard Foss and Dr. Holly Grimslid for their integral role in the success of NYSP at La Crosse.

The NYSP at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, directed by Dr. Bill Harms and Mr. Tom Pratt, has been consistently ranked as one of the top summer programs in the entire Nation. Every summer, over 500 children learn to live the NYSP creed, ``to walk tall, talk tall and stand tall.'' In addition to a wonderful selection of standard athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, students spend time each day studying math and science in an effort to teach the importance of these

subjects at a young age. Under the excellent tutelage of coordinators Ms. Sunshine McFaul and Mr. Jayson Leslie, students discover the value of math and science in their lives. I also want to thank and commend NYSP's national director Dr. Gale Wiedow for his terrific leadership of these 200 programs throughout our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, these two fine programs in my home district in western Wisconsin are indicative of the quality of NYSP as a whole; and I am thankful for the dedicated staff and volunteers that make it happen. Unfortunately, the President proposed to eliminate NYSP program funding in the next fiscal year's budget. Fortunately, however, NYSP has enjoyed wide bipartisan support in Congress.

I also want to thank my good friend and colleague from Buffalo, New York (Mr. Quinn) for cochairing the National Youth Sports Program with me in recent years. He has been a terrific advocate of youth generally and of NYSP specifically. I appreciate his hard work in going to bat for this program. He will be sorely missed in this Chamber, and we all wish him a happy retirement.

Tonight I stand with thousands of children to thank the Committee on Appropriations for fully funding NYSP, and I urge my colleagues to remember the value of athletics and academics in our children's lives and the important role NYSP plays in delivering both during the summer months.

Mr. Speaker, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, once famously said, ``Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.'' The National Youth Sports Program teaches children not to quit, and it is our responsibility not to quit on them.