Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 346 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 346 is a structured rule that allows for debate on H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. The rule makes in order seven amendments to the bill, five offered by Democrats, one offered by a Republican, and one bipartisan amendment.

The underlying bill is a solidly bipartisan piece of legislation introduced by the chairman and ranking member of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment.

I want to begin by thanking the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan); and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), for working together to produce an outstanding piece of legislation.

The Water Resources Development Act renews the commitment of this Congress to dealing with our Nation's water infrastructure. From clean drinking water and wastewater treatment to transportation on our rivers, it is crucial to invest in our water infrastructure.

H.R. 2864 authorizes or modifies 102 projects and studies related to navigation, improving our country's ability to ship goods and improve our economy.

The bill includes 225 flood disaster reduction projects and studies. West Virginia, my home State, has been hit by several devastating floods in the past few years. I appreciate that this bill includes authorization for a watershed drainage assessment of the lower Kanawha River Basin in Kanawha, Putnam, Mason, Jackson, and Roane counties in my district.

H.R. 2864 also reauthorizes important corps projects across the country to bring water and sewer lines to rural communities. These water and sewer projects bring jobs and economic development to areas that need business investment. This legislation is a jobs bill because it provides for the infrastructure needs of our communities and allows for better movement of goods across our waterways.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reported the Water Resources Development Act in a bipartisan manner, and I trust that the full House will adopt the bill today in the same manner. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings), my colleague on the Committee on Rules.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I urge all of my colleagues to support this fair rule and the bipartisan underlying legislation which provides critical funding to improve our Nation's water infrastructure. From clean drinking water and wastewater treatment to transportation on our rivers, it is crucial to invest in our water infrastructure.

This is a jobs bill that will spur economic growth and development in communities across our Nation. I believe all Members should be able to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules has announced that it may meet this week to grant a rule which could limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the bill reported on June 22, 2005 and filed its report with the House on June 24, 2005.

Any Member wishing to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment to the Committee on Rules in Room H-312 of the Capitol by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Members are reminded that earlier in the year the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure set forth a specific process regarding the submission of projects for inclusion in the Water Resources Development Act. The Rules Committee does not intend to accord priority to amendments that have not gone through the aforementioned process.

Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. Speaker, due to my attendance at a meeting with BRAC Commissioner Chairman Anthony Principi at the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard in my district, I missed roll call votes 308 through 321 on June 24.

Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall 308, no; rollcall 309, yes; rollcall 310, no; rollcall 311, yes; rollcall 312, yes; rollcall 313, no; rollcall 314, no; rollcall 315, yes; rollcall 316, yes; rollcall 317, no; rollcall 318, no; rollcall 319, no; rollcall 320, no; rollcall 321, yes.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 337 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 337 is a fair, open rule that provides for the consideration of the Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006.

I want to commend my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Regula) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Ranking Member Obey) for their efforts in moving this important piece of legislation to the floor.

This appropriation bill funds health and education programs that are vitally important to our children and families. The Committee on Appropriations has met the need for these programs, while living within the parameters set by the House and the budget resolution.

The bill provides an $118 million increase to the Department of Education, including a $100 million increase for Title I State grants. My colleagues across the aisle decry what they call a lack of funding for education, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Since Republicans took control of Congress, funding for the Department of Education has more than doubled. In the last 5 years alone, total education expenditures have increased by nearly 50 percent.

I am particularly pleased that the committee provided resources to key college prep programs. The TRIO program is funded at last year's level of $837 million, and GEAR-UP will receive $306 million, also equal to last year's allocation. These two programs are very successful in helping low-income students in making the transition to college. Many TRIO and GEAR-UP participants from high schools and colleges across West Virginia took the

time to write me about their successes in the programs. I appreciate these students' efforts and wish them every success as they continue their education.

The bill also provides money for the Perkins Vocational Education and Tech Prep programs at last year's level. These programs provide job skills to students, some of whom will go to college, and many others will have the necessary training to enter the work force. Many West Virginia students take advantage of vocational education, so I appreciate that funding for those programs was maintained.

The maximum Pell grant award is increased to $4,100, the highest level in the program's history. This increase is the beginning of a series of proposed increases in Pell grants that will help more students across the country afford the growing cost of a college education.

The committee provides $569.6 million, the same as fiscal year 2005, for the Adult Education State Grant program. This money will be used to help fund literacy programs for adults and enable them to complete a secondary education. Reading skills are a necessity for our adults as well as our youth, and for adults in the employment market and in everyday life, so I am pleased this bill restores adult education to last year's level.

The legislation before us also addresses the many health care needs of our Nation. The bill contains a $145 million increase for the National Institutes of Health, demonstrating our commitment to finding cures for deadly diseases. Funds for community health centers that provide primary care for many patients in counties across my district and others across the country are increased by $100 million to $1.8 billion. These health centers are important, because they offer health care to people in rural communities who have few other options for quality care. Health centers are cost effective because they cut down on unnecessary emergency room visits and expensive, serious ailments that come when minor illnesses go untreated.

I am also glad that the bill provides $890 million to begin the implementation of Medicare Part D, the long-awaited prescription drug benefit that will be especially helpful for our Nation's poorest seniors.

Job training activities, especially the successful Job Corps program, are also well provided for in this legislation. The Job Corps Centers in Charleston and Harper's Ferry in my district do an outstanding job of training students not only to be productive workers, but to be active members of their community as well. I am pleased that Job Corps will see an increase to $1.44 billion this year.

As with any appropriation legislation, we had to make tough choices in this legislation. These choices are particularly difficult when dealing with the sensitive health and education issues like the ones in this bill. The Committee on Appropriations allocated the available resources in this bill in a manner that emphasizes those programs most important to our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in support for the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill contains quite a bit on education. I think the wonderful thing about America is that every child in America is afforded a public education through our public schools. I am very proud to say that I have three children who are very fine graduates of West Virginia public schools. And there are tough choices to be made in this bill. I acknowledged that in my opening statement. And I acknowledge that as well.

But I would like to go through some of the things, the public education things, in this bill that will help every child in America no matter what channel they turn to on the television. There is a $118 million increase to the Department of Education. Increases in Pell grants to the highest ever, $4,100 availability. Special Ed grants are funded at $10.7 billion, $150 million above last year's funding.

Title 1 grants, which help the underprivileged and our lower-economic students, $100 million over last year's funding. Reading programs. Reading is an essential art; I hope it never becomes a lost art. It is an essential art for our future, not only to bring much joy into people's lives but also to see that they are able to secure fruitful employment and raise a family and have the best things in America. Reading is absolutely essential.

Reading programs are funded at $1.2 billion. The Reading First program is funded at over $1 billion. The Even Start program is funded at $200 million. Math and science. We have heard a lot about the loss of math and science abilities in our students coming out of high school. We recognize that in this bill, and we have increased by over $11 million for a total of $190 million to enhance the number of teachers trained to teach in the fields of math and science.

I think there is much to be proud of in this bill in terms of the way we have addressed problems in our public education, and the way we have addressed something that is near and dear to every American's heart, that is, a good solid quality education for our children.

We have also worked to improve teacher quality. This provides $2.94 billion to help teachers with professional development programs. So I think that this year's bill, while the tough decisions were made, and as I said, I congratulate the chairman and ranking member for making those tough choices, there is a lot in here that will help enhance the education, enrich the lives of our children, and help improve the quality of our public education.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to talk a little bit about community health centers. I visited all of the community health centers in my district of West Virginia. They go a long way towards enhancing access and quality in the rural areas. It has been a great initiative that has worked very successfully in a State that sometimes has difficult areas to get to.

And I am pleased that this bill enhances that funding by $100,000 million.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to note in this bill another program that is very important to every State across the Nation, and that is the Head Start program. The Head Start program has been funded $56 million over last year's level, and this will help towards the readiness of our preschoolers to be able to be ready to handle the challenges of school.

Another program highlighted in this bill is funding of $100 million for a new pilot program to develop and implement innovative ways to provide financial incentives for teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gap.

And back to community health centers, I think this is one of the best ways to cover children's health care. Many young families cannot travel far to access hospitals for preventative care. This will go towards managing health care for children with another $100 million for that program.

My colleague talked about senior programs. I note in this bill there are several senior programs. There is the National Senior Volunteer Corps and the Foster Grandparents program. Foster Grandparents always come to visit me in Washington and tell me about their program. I am in awe at their dedication to not only seniors but to the youth of America. The Senior Companion Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer program, these programs are funded at the highest levels ever, and I think it will go a long way towards giving our seniors a way to volunteer and give back to the Nation, to the young people and families. I am pleased that the chairman recognized the value of these programs in his bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the chairman of the subcommittee.

(Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

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

I would like to comment on Pell grants because this bill contains the largest amount for Pell grants ever in the history of the United States, $4,100 per student. That is a lot of opportunity for a lot of different students.

I would also like to say that the TRIO program, the GEAR-UP program, the Job Corps program, these are all programs designed to help students who might not have an opportunity get an opportunity through those programs. They are well-funded, successful programs; and they are recognized in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), a champion of education.

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

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

I would like to point out in this bill in terms of America's seniors that there is implementation funding in here for the very historic prescription drug plan that will help many, many, many seniors across this country and particularly those lower-income seniors who really are making those tough choices. I am proud to say that is a bill I was proud to have voted for. I cannot wait for the implementation. This bill provides for the good education materials and the implementation materials that our seniors are going to need to move forward with this program.

I would like to dispute also in terms of cutting education, that is inherently false. There are 118 million more dollars in this bill for public education than there was last year. I think that looks at the programs that are successful and enhances them. Tough choices have been made, no question about it.

There are other things in here. I talked about Job Corps, but there is also a dislocated workers program which is a rapid response for layoffs and plant closures or natural disasters, something, unfortunately, a State like West Virginia, we seem to have our share of natural disasters in flooding. This gives us the ability to have that rapid response. I think there is much to be proud of in this bill. There is lots in here for education, for our families, for our seniors, for our workers and for the health of our Nation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).

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

I would like to close this debate by again thanking the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Regula), the chairman of the subcommittee, and the ranking member and for their efforts on this important piece of legislation.

The debate on this rule has shown some of the difficulties that we have faced when appropriating funds for areas as important as education and health care. From community health centers to TRIO and title I, this bill addresses our Nation's critical health and education funding needs.

I ask my colleagues to join me in support for the rule and underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me the time, and I rise in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation.

The Agriculture appropriations bill is being considered under an open rule that allows all Members to offer their amendments to this important piece of legislation, and I believe that all Members should be able to support this rule.

I commend the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Bonilla) and the other members of his committee for their work on this very important legislation. I would like to highlight a few of the provisions of particular importance to my district of West Virginia.

Resource conservation and development councils across the country, including the Potomac Headwaters and Little Kanawha councils in my district, leverage very successfully Federal, State and local money with private sector dollars to support conservation and economic development activities in our rural communities. I think it is important to note that anytime a successful collaboration between all of the different governmental entities and private sector dollars is able to achieve results that we should recognize that, and I am pleased that this bill does so.

These local councils have years of experience with development and conservation issues and understand the needs of our home areas. The heartfelt letters and phone calls that I receive from constituents and community leaders across West Virginia demonstrate the good work that RC&D councils are doing. I thank the Committee on Appropriations for rejecting the plan to end the Resource Conservation and Development program and instead fully fund the local councils at last year's level.

Also, I want to thank the committee for restoring formula funds for the Hatch Act, the McIntire-Stennis program, and the Animal Health Disease program and rejecting proposals to turn these funds into competitive grants.

West Virginia University has a very successful extension service that does an outstanding job of researching problems facing farmers in my State and across the Nation. Every State has an extension service devoted to solving agriculture programs in their local areas.

Switching to a competitive grant system would have jeopardized the ability of local extension services to deal with local plant disease or animal health problems.

This appropriations bill also provides a $630 million increase for the Child Nutrition program. In West Virginia, my home State, 145,000 children received free or reduced school lunches this past year. That is more than half of our State's K through 12 total enrollment. It is important that we maintain this funding for this important program.

For these reasons and many others, I think it is extremely important that not only do we pass the rule but we also pass the good hard work of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and their efforts to preserve and enrich the programs that are feeding not only our country but other countries and developing the research to find other ways to maximize our resources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable West Virginia couple, Lawson and Jeanne Hamilton, who are being honored by The Education Alliance as Graduates of Distinction.

``Graduates of Distinction'' was established by The Education Alliance to recognize and honor graduates of West Virginia public schools who have attained national or international acclaim in their professions and for their loyalty to West Virginia.

Lawson Hamilton graduated from Charleston High School and went on to become the owner of Ford Coal Company, a major producer which provided good jobs for West Virginians for decades.

Jeanne Hamilton graduated from Elkview High School and has been a leader in many civic and community programs in addition to being named ``Mrs. West Virginia Mother of the Year.''

As testament to the value they have placed on their educations, Lawson and Jeanne have sponsored wonderful reunions for graduates of Charleston High School, keeping traditions and relationships strong and vibrant even as the student body now enjoys grandchildren and great- grandchildren. They are true believers in education and the arts.

Lawson and Jeanne Hamilton could have taken the skills they gained in public school and launched successful careers anywhere, but chose to put them to work putting West Virginians to work. Our State is sincerely appreciative. Their bountiful nature and giving spirits are unmatched.

We are taught always to leave a place better than we have found it. Lawson and Jeanne have transformed our community in many ways throughout their lives, and all West Virginians and Americans should honor them today.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Hampshire for yielding me this time, and I appreciate his efforts on this important issue.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Bradley amendment to delay the 2005 round of base closings and realignment because of questions involving these decisions, the timing, and also the way it is affecting my State.

The BRAC recommendations released by the Secretary of Defense include the removal of eight C-130 aircraft from the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston, West Virginia. That means taking all the aircraft out. Do you have an air base without aircraft? I do not believe so. This removal will cost hundreds of jobs in the Kanawha Valley. The loss of the C-130s will strip the 130th of its primary mission, and it will hurt the West Virginia National Guard that responds to natural disasters in our State quite frequently and also inhibits their important mission in training and readiness.

The 130th Airlift Wing has a long reputation as one of the Nation's elite National Guard units. They have served in the first Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and are currently in Iraq. They have demonstrated a commitment to service and sacrifice made by thousands of West Virginians and their families.

Despite adding four new units, the 130th is at 104 percent strength. The unit has a retention rate of nearly 97 percent, fifth best in the Nation. The National Guard Association has consistently ranked the 130th as one of the best units in the country. These are not the rankings of a unit that should be realigned.

The Bradley amendment to delay BRAC is the correct approach because the additional time will allow the Department of Defense and the BRAC Commission to gather accurate information about the bases they are closing and realigning.

In West Virginia's case, the Department of Defense makes the incorrect assertion that Yeager Airport is only large enough for eight C-130s, when it can already accommodate 14 C-130s, and they are making accommodations to accommodate up to 26 C-130s.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Bradley amendment to allow a comprehensive look at our defense needs prior to the closing of these important facilities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to pay tribute to a woman who has made an incredible difference in the lives of my fellow West Virginians. Jenny Phillips has served honorably as the West Virginia USDA Rural Development Director, and is retiring with a record of accomplishment that deserves our thanks and praise. Our State has many assets, as well as many needs. Jenny has a unique ability to bring people together for a common cause, to bring the resources of the Federal Government to partner with communities to solve problems and build for the future. Whether it was basic necessities such as water and sewer lines and affordable housing, or visionary projects such as high-speed internet access to bring health care, education and high-tech jobs to rural areas, Jenny delivered for West Virginia. We are taught to always leave a place better than we found it. Jenny Phillips has been the embodiment of those values in her life and career. All West Virginians and Americans thank her for her exemplary service and send our sincere best wishes for her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Reach Out and Read program. The Reach Out and Read Program is a program that promotes early literacy by making reading a standard part of pediatric primary care by encouraging doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading to children. Reach Out and Read programs are located in over 2,000 hospitals and health centers around the country. Annually, more than two million children participate in Reach Out and Read. My district is proud to have 14 Reach Out and Read programs that provide over 15,000 books to nearly 11,000 West Virginia children annually. I have participated three times in Reach Out and Read Programs in Kanawha and Roane Counties in my district.

By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading.

President Bush included Reach Out and Read in his fiscal year 2006 budget request, continuing a multi-year effort to support this vital reading program. Reach Out and Read has a strong track record of raising non-federal dollars and is capable of more than double the impact of its 2006 appropriation. In January Reach Out and Read undertook a major 2-year initiative to increase the number of children reached by 50 percent through mid-2007. This bold step will greatly increase the number of West Virginia children who grow up in a household where early reading is encouraged.

Reach Out and Read assists families and communities in encouraging early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. The continued support of this program is critical to the success of the Reach Out and Read program.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 235 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 22 calls for a commonsense Small Business Bill of Rights that spells out urgent actions that Congress should take to allow small businesses to thrive.

Ninety percent of all employers in our country are small businesses, and 70 percent of all new jobs created in America are created by these small locally owned businesses. Small businesses, stores, manufacturers, and farms drive the economic engine of many communities across the country. They truly are the backbone of America.

Many obstacles confront a small business owner looking to expand his or her company to provide more jobs and investment.

Frivolous lawsuits are a constant and a costly threat to small businesses across the country. The rising cost of health care has made it difficult and, in many cases, impossible for small business owners to offer health care to their employees. Today, over 60 percent of small business employees do not have health insurance.

Soaring energy costs make it difficult for small manufacturers to produce goods at a competitive price. The cost of natural gas and other feedstocks is taking up a larger and ever-growing share of the budget of manufacturers.

In the 109th Congress, the People's house has already acted on several of the items called for in this resolution. Two weeks ago, we passed legislation to permanently repeal the death tax, a tax that puts a huge burden on small business owners and takes away resources that are vital to families seeking to keep farms and businesses in their family.

Last week, we passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to help reduce the cost of energy. The legislation provides money for clean coal technology that will help coal continue to provide low-cost energy while protecting our environment. Provisions will also open new refineries and new oil reserves into the market. All of these measures will help lower the cost of energy for small businesses.

In February, President Bush signed the Class Action Fairness Act into law. This law is a strong first step in limiting frivolous lawsuits that burden our economy and destroy job growth.

There is still much more to be done. In the past two Congresses, we passed legislation allowing for Association Health Plans. These plans would permit small businesses to join together through trade associations across State lines to gain purchasing power in the health insurance market.

Health insurance is the biggest challenge facing small business today, hands down. Many small business owners want nothing more than to offer affordable health care to all of their workers. These owners know their employees personally and know their employees' spouses and children, making that decision not to offer health coverage an agonizing one. Yet many small business owners make this choice because of the rising cost of health care.

We must pass legislation to allow small businesses to have the same purchasing power as large corporations in the health insurance market.

With millions of small business employees among the uninsured, association health plans are one of the most important things Congress can do for our Nation's workers.

In order for small business to grow and produce more jobs in local economies, we must have pro-growth policies. A national energy policy, association health plans, and legal reform are some of the important steps that will benefit small business owners and their employees alike.

This resolution is an opportunity for Members to show their support of small business to continue moving forward on crucial issues to protect existing jobs and spur economic development. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the rule and the underlying resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller), the author of the resolution and a champion of small business.

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

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

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

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

This resolution outlines the areas that the 109th Congress needs to highlight for all small businesses.

In previous Congresses we have initiated many areas of small business in terms of trying to help them grow and flourish where they are employing so many Americans. They are the very engine of our Nation's economy and it is time that we start acting on legislation to help them continue to do so.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for bringing the measure to the floor. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 8 and thank the gentleman from Missouri for his leadership in offering this bill.

I was proud to be in this Chamber 4 years ago on the day Congress began phasing out the death tax. As a result, thousands of jobs were saved and second and third generations were able to take charge of their family's business. We knew when we passed that law the phaseout was not a permanent fix. Today we have the opportunity to complete unfinished business. If we do not act now to permanently eliminate the death tax, it will be revived at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2011. Bringing back the death tax will drive the final nail in the coffin for America's next generation of small business owners.

The Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act represents the changes to our Tax Code called for by our Nation's farmers and small business owners who want to pass their family business on to the next generation. Small business owners and farmers devote their time, energy and money into building a business so it can be passed on to their sons or daughters. In the absence of the death tax, these small businesses become a legacy for one generation to pass on to the next. With the death tax, families face a whopping tax bill on the property and assets even though taxes have already been paid annually by the owners.

The death tax is an overwhelming burden, forcing many families to sell their businesses just to pay the 37 to 55 percent tax. As a result, jobs are lost and generations of family toil are plundered by the government.

Permanently repealing the death tax will help small businesses create new jobs. A 2002 study showed that an extra 100,000 jobs a year would be created if the death tax were permanently repealed. The Wall Street Journal wrote in 1999 that 60 percent of small businesses would add jobs if death taxes were not on the books.

The very threat of a revived death tax has a negative impact on small business. Even with the temporary

phaseout, business owners must continue to plan for paying that tax. To help owners hire new workers and continue to invest in their business, they need to know that the death tax is gone for good.

We must not allow this small business killer to rise from the dead. The House today has an opportunity to rid the Nation of this tax that kicks families when they are down, takes away a lifetime of hard work, and stifles job growth. I hope that my colleagues will join me today in supporting the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. James W. Lane.

Last month, he lost his battle to a long-term illness. Dr. Lane was a Charleston urologist, former U.S. Army captain, and civic leader.

As Chief of Staff of the Charleston Memorial Hospital, he eased a hospital merger that resulted in the creation of Charleston Area Medical Center, which is the premier medical facility in the Kanawha Valley.

Dr. Lane was also a teacher of his trade. As the chairman of the Department of Urology at CAMC and a clinical professor of urology at the Charleston Division of the West Virginia University School of Medicine he trained hundreds of young doctors.

Dr. Lane was a member of several local service and community organizations including the Kanawha Medical Society, the Mid-Atlantic section of the American Urology Association, and the West Virginia Health Right, where he was named volunteer of the year in 2002.

Dr. Lane was instrumental in improving the availability of health care in West Virginia. His legacy of humility and compassion for others was attributed to how he lived every day of his life.

Dr. Lane was a pillar of the community and his memory will resonate in the minds of those fortunate enough to have known him and his countless accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida, for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the budget resolution. The rule allows for debate, along with three substitutes, two of which were offered by the minority. I think it is a good rule.

I commend the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Nussle) and members of the Committee on the Budget on a good product that addresses several of the concerns that I have had with President Bush's budget.

I am pleased that the budget provides for extension of tax cuts that have brought 20 months of job growth to our Nation's economy. I also agree with the increases for our national defense and homeland security to provide for our troops fighting the war on terror and to keep our communities safe.

One source of concern for me was the Community Development Block Grant program. It is crucial to city and rural areas across my district. The President's budget proposed reducing funds to the CDBG and 17 other economic development programs from $5.31 billion to $3.71 billion. I am pleased that the Committee on the Budget added an additional $1.1 billion to the President's request for the functional category encompassing these programs. This budget resolution makes no assumption on the President's proposed Communities Initiative.

Our veterans deserve the very best health care and services our Nation can offer them. Funding for veterans have increased by 47 percent over the past 4 years, and I am pleased that the committee added $297 million this year to the President's budget proposal for veterans, and I will continue to seek further and additional funding for our veterans and their health care.

I continue to have some concerns with the budget. I am a strong supporter of vocational education and TRIO programs. The President's budget proposal would combine these into a high school intervention initiative and reduce funding. TRIO programs are very successful. I actually worked in one in helping low income students with their transition to college.

Vocational ed programs offer many high school students the motivation to work hard in all of their classes and provide job skills who do not go on to college. I look forward to working with appropriators to ensure adequate funding levels for both TRIO and vocational ed.

Medicaid funds are very important also to all West Virginians, particularly low income West Virginians, and I urge my colleagues to avoid cuts to Medicaid as the reconciliation instructions found in this resolution are implemented.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these priorities like veterans education, economic development and Medicaid are adequately funded as the process continues.

I support the rule and the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 144 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I

may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, the Committee on Rules met and granted a structured rule for further consideration of H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, more commonly referred to as TEA-LU. This rule provides for no further general debate, except for the final period of 10 minutes contemplated in the House Resolution 140. Finally, the rule makes in order the 12 amendments printed in the Committee on Rules report and provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the rule we have before us is a fair rule, and I believe all Members should be able to support it.

Mr. Speaker, since October 1, 2003, Federal surface transportation programs have been forced to operate on a basis of a short-term extension. We are approaching the end of the most recent extension, which will expire on May 31, 2005. Our Nation's highways desperately need the assurance and stability of a 5-year reauthorization provided by H.R. 3.

As a former member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I can appreciate the incredible bipartisan effort that has gone into writing this legislation. I would like to applaud the efforts of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Ranking Member Oberstar) for bringing this legislation to the floor in an expedient and bipartisan manner.

I look forward to the passage of this bill and hope that our colleagues in the other body will take swift action.

The highway bill is a vitally important investment in our Nation's surface transportation system and fosters job growth across the country. In fact, it is estimated that for every $1 trillion in highway funding, 47,500 jobs are created. The highway bill provides $284 billion in funding for vital programs that will impact citizens across the States, improving safety and accessibility.

In my district, the highway bill represents the strongest step forward ever to replace U.S. Route 35, a 2-lane death trap through West Virginia's Mason and Putnam counties. U.S. Route 35 is dominated by tractor trailers and tanker trucks traveling south from Ohio and north from Interstate 64 in Charleston. Far too often, the high volume of traffic swallows up local commuters, resulting in tragic motorist fatalities.

With the passage of the highway bill, construction of a new 4-lane appropriate to meet the demand will be built, diverting traffic around dozens of residential neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, this is just one example from my home district, and there are countless others from across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of this legislation, which provides for countless improvements in the Nation's surface transportation system. The numerous projects and programs authorized by this bill will improve our highway systems and the ability of our constituents to travel from State to State. To that end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

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

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

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

I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, and I would like to reiterate as well that this legislation is crucial to the continued growth of our economy. We are creating jobs and improving the ability of current workers to commute to their places of employment, among a myriad of other transportation issues.

I look forward to the strong bipartisan support of this legislation. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

The previous question was ordered.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 140 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, the Committee on Rules met and granted a structured rule for H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, commonly referred to as TEA-LU. This rule provides for 2 hours and 20 minutes of general debate. The rule incorporates title VIII, the Transportation Discretionary Spending Guarantee, into H.R. 3, and makes in order 10 amendments printed in part B of the Committee on Rules report.

Madam Speaker, I would like to note that this rule is the first of two rules that the Committee on Rules will be granting for H.R. 3. Several Members submitted amendments yesterday, and it is the intention of the Committee on Rules to continue its consideration of these amendments later this afternoon and provide for additional amendment debate.

Madam Speaker, the rule we have before us is a fair rule that I believe all Members should be able to support.

Madam Speaker, by its own deadline, Congress must act to reauthorize federally funded surface transportation programs before the current extension runs out on May 31, 2005. As a former member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I can appreciate the incredible bipartisan effort that goes into writing this legislation. I would like to applaud the efforts of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for bringing this legislation to the floor in an expedient and bipartisan manner. I look forward to the passage of this bill and hope that our colleagues in the other body will take swift action.

Madam Speaker, the highway bill is a vitally important investment in our Nation's surface transportation system and fosters job growth across the country.

In fact, it is estimated that for every $1 billion spent in highway funding, 47,500 jobs are created, quite an amount.

This is very much a jobs bill for America, containing various new projects and improvements. The highway bill provides $284 billion in funding for vital programs that would impact citizens across the States, improving safety and accessibility. The legislation reauthorizes highway and motor carrier safety programs, it authorizes $3.2 billion for the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, which carries out highway safety programs. It authorizes $2.9 billion for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates truck safety.

The highway bill authorizes $6 billion for a new competitive grant program to fund projects of regional or national significance aiming to improve the movement of goods and people to designations beyond that immediate area.

In my district, the highway bill represents the strongest step forward ever made to replace U.S. Route 35, a two-lane basic death trap through West Virginia's Mason and Putnam Counties. U.S. Route 35 is dominated by tractor trailer and tanker trucks traveling south from Ohio or north from Interstate 64 in Charleston.

Far too often, the high volume of traffic swallows up local commuters, resulting in tragic motorist fatalities. With the passage of the highway bill, construction of a new four-lane highway appropriate to meet the demands will be built diverting traffic around dozens of residential neighborhoods.

Mr. Speaker, this is just one example from my home district. There are countless others from across the country. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of this legislation that provides for countless improvements to our Nation's surface transportation system. The numerous projects and programs authorized by this bill will improve our highway systems and the ability of our constituents to travel from State to State.

To this end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor at this time to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of our committee.

(Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate that this is the first rule for this bill. There will be further consideration of amendments later this afternoon and will continue into tomorrow with further consideration of additional amendments.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate the importance and congratulate not only my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), but the chairman of this committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for their terrific efforts in seeing this bill brought to the floor; and I look forward to its swift passage.

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

The previous question was ordered.