Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take note of the decision recently issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that upholds the intent of Congress in passing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. In the years since the Telecom Act was passed we have seen many important advances in the telecom sector, both technologically and in terms of lower prices for consumers. The Appeals Court found that the FCC did not comply with the Telecom Act when it voted 3-2 last year to adopt its Triennial Review Order. This marks the third time since 1996 that the FCC's rules have been rejected by U.S. Courts. The FCC's failure to get the rules right once again is damaging to consumers, the economy, and the industry. The seemingly never ending intra-industry legal and regulatory battles are resulting in continued uncertainty in the telecommunications and technology sectors. What is at stake is consumer choice, deployment of new and advanced technology, and the livelihood of tens of thousands of workers whose jobs have been lost in this telecommunications recession.

I urge not only the FCC but also the industry itself to end these battles and to devise rules that make sense and which will provide the certainty and incentives needed to free up major investment in the telecommunications sector. Consumers and workers will win only when this happens.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, when a baby is in the womb and someone violently attacks the mother and causes injuries or takes the life of that child, then the offender should be held responsible, and current law is unjust in that case. An individual who commits a Federal crime of violence against a pregnant woman receives no additional punishment for killing or injuring the woman's unborn child while committing the crime.

The Unborn Victims of Violence Act protects the unborn child from violent crime. Those who injure or kill the child will be charged with a separate offense. The legislation is being called merely symbolic by its opponents. But how many women in America would view the loss of their wanted unborn child through violent means as merely symbolic?

All we have to do is ask the woman who has just lost her child after a violent attack, it is not the same thing as a simple assault. Clearly it is more serious, and it is more emotionally jarring to that woman, and it should be treated accordingly.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this rule and to support the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize UNC Charlotte Chancellor Emeritus Dean Wallace Colvard. On February 24, 2004 he will receive an award that recognizes his lasting impact on our nation. Dr. Colvard, 90, is the 2004 recipient of The Echo Award Against Indifference, given by the Echo Foundation in honor of his lifelong commitment to equity and justice.

Dr. Colvard is best known for his courageous stand against racial discrimination in 1963 as president of Mississippi State University, when he challenged an unwritten state policy and allowed the basketball team to travel to Loyola of Chicago to compete in the NCAA tournament against African American players. Although his team lost, 61-51, Colvard and Mississippi State won national respect for their quest to end segregation--and opened doors of opportunity for future generations.

Forty years later, in 2003, Mississippi State made national news for earning its second trip to the NCAA, and Colvard's actions were chronicled in a Sports Illustrated story looking back on the historic event. To this day, Colvard downplays the significance of his decision, saying he only did what was right.

Dr. Colvard was born in the Appalachian Mountains in Grassy Creek, N.C. in 1913--in a home with no electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. He was the first member of his family to go to college, entering the work-study program at Berea College in Kentucky with $100 in his pocket. Those humble beginnings instilled in him a lifelong commitment to equity and justice.

He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in animal physiology from the University of Missouri and a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University. He has served as superintendent of North Carolina Agricultural Research Stations; professor and head of the animal science department and later, dean of agriculture at North Carolina State College; president of Mississippi State University; and first chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He played an instrumental role in shaping the new university by securing regional and national accreditation for its programs and building a campus to accommodate enrollment that swelled from 1,700 to 8,705 students during his chancellorship.

Dr. Colvard was also instrumental in creating University Research Park and Discovery Place Science Museum in Charlotte, and the North Carolina School for Math and Science in Durham--the nation's first public, residential high school that emphasizes a science and mathematics curriculum. Among Colvard's many honors are the United States Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Award (1966); the University of North Carolina University Award (1989); the North Carolina Public Service Award, presented by Gov. James Martin (1990); and honorary degrees from Purdue University, Belmont Abbey College, UNC Charlotte and Berea College.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize UNC Charlotte Chancellor Emeritus Dean Wallace Colvard. On February 24, 2004 he will receive an award that recognizes his lasting impact on our nation. Dr. Colvard, 90, is the 2004 recipient of The Echo Award Against Indifference, given by the Echo Foundation in honor of his lifelong commitment to equity and justice.

Dr. Colvard is best known for his courageous stand against racial discrimination in 1963 as president of Mississippi State University, when he challenged an unwritten state policy and allowed the basketball team to travel to Loyola of Chicago to compete in the NCAA tournament against African-American players. Although his team lost, 61-51, Colvard and Mississippi State won national respect for their quest to end segregation--and opened doors of opportunity for future generations.

Forty years later, in 2003, Mississippi State made national news for earning its second trip to the NCAA, and Colvard's actions were chronicled in a Sports Illustrated story looking back on the historic event. To this day, Colvard downplays the significance of his decision, saying he only did what was right.

Dr. Colvard was born in the Appalachian Mountains in Grassy Creek, N.C. in 1913--in a home with no electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. He was the first member of his family to go to college, entering the work-study program at Berea College in Kentucky with $100 in his pocket. Those humble beginnings instilled in him a lifelong commitment to equity and justice.

He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in animal physiology from the University of Missouri and a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University. He has served as superintendent of North Carolina Agricultural Research Stations; professor and head of the animal science department and later, dean of agriculture at North Carolina State College; president of Mississippi State University; and first chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He played an instrumental role in shaping the new university by securing regional and national accreditation for its programs and building a campus to accommodate enrollment that swelled from 1,700 to 8,705 students during his chancellorship.

Dr. Colvard was also instrumental in creating University Research Park and Discovery Place Science Museum in Charlotte, and the North Carolina School for Math and Science in Durham--the nation's first public, residential high school that emphasizes a science and mathematics curriculum. Among Colvard's many honors are the United States Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Award (1966); the University of North Carolina University Award (1989); the North Carolina Public Service Award, presented by Gov. James Martin (1990); and honorary degrees from Purdue University, Belmont Abbey College, UNC Charlotte and Berea College.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes on February 3, 2004. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote No. 12, on H. Res. 507, expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the anniversary of the accident that cost the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia their lives, and extending heartfelt sympathy to their families, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote No. 13, on H. Res. 157, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding several individuals who are being held as prisoners of conscience by the Chinese Government for their involvement in efforts to end the Chinese occupation of Tibet, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote No. 14, on H.J. Res. 84, recognizing the 93rd birthday of Ronald Reagan, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 513 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.

On Tuesday, the Rules Committee met and granted a modified open rule for H.R. 3030, the Improving the Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBG). This is a very fair rule and I believe that all Members of the House should be able to support it. This bipartisan bill extends the CSBG program through 2009 while strengthening its accountability provisions and preserving current law protections for faith-based service providers using CSBG funds.

In every State across the Nation, various communities combat the devastating effects of poverty using the Federal funds provided by the CSBG. This legislation preserves the CSBG as a true State block grant program, allowing States to establish and operate antipoverty programs that meet the unique needs of their low-income communities. Most importantly, H.R. 3030 fosters increased accountability by ensuring that States are monitoring local grantees to ensure services are being

provided in the most efficient manner and that quality services are reaching those who have the greatest need. As many of my colleagues know in communities across America, faith-based organizations play a central role in the battle against poverty. From food and clothing drives to shelters for the homeless and from youth mentoring to job training, faith-based service providers have proven to be among the most effective tools for helping the most vulnerable members of our society. I believe it is the faith-based character of these organizations that makes them so effective. By nature, many of them include helping those in need as a part of their founding mission and their purpose.

The provisions in H.R. 3030 ensure that these organizations can continue to operate antipoverty programs in their communities without losing their Civil Rights Act protection to staff on a basis consistent with their organizational nature. However, there will be amendments offered today that seek to repeal current law and remove this protection for faith-based organizations participating in CSBG.

I urge Members to vote against the Woolsey amendment because the federally funded faith-based programs under the CSBG program must include participants of all faiths, if they choose to participate. The issue at hand does not regard who is treated or helped with Federal money but merely if groups doing the helping or treating may consider in hiring decisions the faith of an employee who would work in their faith-based program.

CSBG has enjoyed a long tradition of bipartisan support. Helping communities to combat the harmful effects of poverty has been and will continue to be a bipartisan goal. 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, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

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

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and congratulate the Carolina Panthers. Last Sunday they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to become the 2003 National Football Conference Champions. This is the first NFC title since they began in 1995, but it will not be their last.

At the beginning of the season, no one outside the Carolinas gave the Panthers any chance of even going to the playoffs. However, the ``Cardiac Cats'' played hard every game and never gave up. As a result, the Panthers have defied the odds and will be playing in Super Bowl

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize the John Boy and Billy radio show. I have known John Boy, Billy, their producer Randy, their guest coordinator Marci, and their entire staff for many years. In fact, I knew them long before they became famous. They have been a great help to me by informing their listeners about important issues that face Congress.

Recently, the John Boy and Billy ``Big Show'' has been keeping their listeners informed about the War on Terror and the status of our troops overseas. As their listeners know, John Boy and Billy are the two funniest guys you will ever meet, but they are very serious when it comes to supporting our troops. The ``Big Show'' deserves to be recognized because they set up a United Service Organization (USO) care package drive to help support our troops during the 2003 holiday season.

Through their efforts they helped the USO collect more than $75,000 from more than 1400 of their great listeners. I commend both the John Boy and Billy radio show, and the ``Big Show'' listeners, for supporting the troops and providing for them during the 2003 holiday season. Due to their efforts, our troops will receive care packages to let them know that they are supported back home, and that we appreciate what they are doing to protect us.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes due to a personal matter that kept me at home. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 620, on S.J. Res. 22, recognizing the Agriculture Research Service of the Department of Agriculture, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote 621, on S.J. Res. 18, commending the Inspectors General, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote 622, on H. Con. Res. 299, honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote 623, on the motion to change the convening time, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 437 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

This morning, the Committee on Rules met and granted a normal conference report rule for H.R. 1588, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration.

In addition, the rule provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking minority member of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, this should not be a controversial rule. It is the type of rule we grant for every conference report we consider in the House. And I want to especially give my thanks to the chairman and ranking member of this committee, because they have done a phenomenal job with this bill. It is a bill that sets an example for the rest of the committees in the House as far as working together and doing what is right for the country and what is right for our servicemen.

This legislation firmly shows our commitment to restoring the strength of our Nation's military. The conferees authorize $400.5 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, which matches the President's request.

The legislation authorizes the funding necessary to defend the Nation and our interests around the globe. It contains important provisions, such as concurrent receipt pay for the Nation's veterans, commonsense environmental reforms allowing our troops to properly train, and important new benefits for military personnel and their families.

The Iraqi conflict and our continuing war on terrorism have brought a renewed and proper focus on national defense. We owe much to our men and women in uniform; and their success in Iraq and Afghanistan is a testament to their bravery, training and equipment, and their commitment to defend our freedoms. It is the means by which we meet our commitment to provide them a decent quality of life with an across-the- board 4.15 percent increase for military personnel, so as to sustain the commitment and professionalism of America's all-volunteer armed services and the families that support them.

The pay raise will cut the pay gap between military and civilian jobs from 6.4 to 5.5 percent. This will be the fifth consecutive year that pay raises have exceeded that of the private sector.

For our active soldiers, the conferees increased the rates of special pay for those subject to hostile fire and imminent danger worldwide from $150 a month to $225 per month for the period beginning October 1 of 2003, through December 31 of 2004.

We also want to acknowledge where these active soldiers get the source of their strength. It is from their families here at home. And we are increasing the family separation allowance for servicemembers with dependents from $100 a month to $250 a month for the period October 1 this year through December 31 of 2004.

I also want to take a moment to personally thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) for tirelessly fighting for the solid ``Buy American Provisions'' that are included in this conference report. That is extremely important to my State of North Carolina.

The ongoing war on terrorism dictates the need to have reliable domestic sources of weapons and equipment. Unfortunately, fewer American companies are designing and manufacturing the components and materials used in our military systems, as the U.S. industrial base is becoming more dependent on foreign sources. And this is a disturbing factor to me, as I know it is to the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter). We have got to be able to produce these equipment needs here in the United States so we are not at the mercy of some other country if they decide for some reason to cut us off.

However, I am very disappointed, and I know the chairman is too, that the conference report did not include a key provision that was passed by the House that would ensure that all the components of the Department of Defense uniforms come from American companies. The language specifically worked to more adequately cover domestic textiles and leather industries.

I would also like to congratulate my good friend and colleague on the Committee on Rules, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings), for authoring the 1-year citizenship provision for our valiant servicemen and women. It reduces the length of service requirement for naturalization to 1 year. And I would also like to note that the ranking member on the Committee on Rules, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), worked hard on this issue as well.

On a positive note, I am extremely pleased and proud that H.R. 1588 establishes a payment program to simultaneously compensate disabled military retirees who were injured in combat for their full retirement pay from DOD and disability compensation from the Veterans Administration beginning January 1, 2004. Over the next 10 years, this bill will provide concurrent receipt to more veterans than have ever been covered by current law. Our veterans have given deeply and heroically, and it is only fair we recognize their service.

So let us pass this rule and pass the underlying defense authorization conference report. At the end of the day, we will be making our homeland safer, and we will be supporting our sons and daughters serving in our military. We are also preparing for war, thereby ensuring victory. At this crucial time in our history, this bill is most important.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), our distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

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

I want to again thank the chairman and ranking member of this committee for the good work they have done in bringing this bill forward. It is a good bill at the right time in history to help our men and women and to be sure that we are doing all we can in this war on terrorism.

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 17 minutes a.m.), the House adjourned until today, Friday, November 7, 2003, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 429 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

The rule waives all points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 2559, Military Construction Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004, and against its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report shall be considered as read.

This conference report provides funds for all types of construction projects on military installations here in the U.S. and abroad. The projects range from barracks and housing to training ranges and runways.

Mr. Speaker, we are asking a lot of our military today, and our military personnel on active duty know they will be deployed overseas and perhaps on dangerous missions. So we want to provide them a quality of life for themselves and for their families that will allow them to serve, knowing their families will be taken care of with good health care and good housing.

We must honor the most basic commitments we have made to the men and women of our Armed Services. We must ensure a reasonable quality of life to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to America's fighting forces. Most importantly, we must do all in our power to ensure a strong, able, dedicated American military so that this Nation will be ever vigilant and ever prepared.

I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the key areas of the bill. First, $1.2 billion is provided for troop barracks. This is a $58 million increase from last year's level. This sends a positive message to our unaccompanied personnel stationed all around the world that their quality of life is a priority. It also provides $2.7 billion to operate and maintain existing housing units and $1.1 billion for new housing units. Military families also have a tremendous need for quality child care, especially single parents and families in which one or both parents may face lengthy deployments. To help meet this need, the bill provides $16.5 million for child development centers.

In conclusion, we have focused our efforts on programs that directly support the men and women in our Armed Forces. We would like to do more, of course. We always have and we will always try to do that. The bottom line is this: With this conference report, we meet the military's critical infrastructure needs and their efforts to improve the quality of life for our men and women in the Armed Forces.

To that end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and support the conference report.

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

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 428 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), 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, yesterday the Committee on Rules met and granted an open rule for H.R. 1829, the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act. Coming from a district that is facing many challenges in the manufacturing sector, I am very pleased to see this bill on the floor today. Federal Prison Industries, FPI, is a depression-era Federal agency that has a special status in the Federal procurement process that forces government agencies to buy from FPI without competition. Over 300 products and services are produced by Federal prisoners that totaled nearly $680 million in sales to the Federal Government in 2002. Federal agencies are forced to buy these products and services from FPI even though the private sector has proven they can better address the needs of Federal agencies by providing higher quality products, cheaper and faster. I understand that there is concern about prisoners having jobs, et cetera. I have no problem with that. I have always supported that. But we are living in an era where the Federal Government needs to also save as much money as possible when we are looking at procurement, and this is an area we can do that.

This will simply allow the private sector to compete for contracts that are paid for with their own tax dollars. The bill will end the monopoly that FPI holds over all government purchases, including office furniture and textiles. In my own district in North Carolina, I hear from many small business owners who are growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing challenges of dealing with government procurement when FPI is involved. If this monopoly was ended, these companies could compete on a level playing field. That is all we have ever asked for, is just a level playing field to provide the government with their products. This bill would help stop the bleeding of jobs from the textile and furniture industries. H.R. 1829 will provide protections for businesses of all sizes, and also the hardworking, law-abiding workers they employ, from FPI's unfair practice.

As a cosponsor of this bill, I would like to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) for sponsoring this fine piece of legislation. As many of you know, this legislation enjoys broad support from a somewhat unusual coalition, including majority and minority leadership, conservatives and liberals, and business and labor groups. To that end, I look forward to a fair, open, and thorough debate on this bill. It is a good bill. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), the sponsor of this bill.

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

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize Charlotte City Councilman John Tabor. On October 28, 2003, John will be receiving the Leadership Charlotte Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award. This award recognizes a Leadership Charlotte graduate who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, and whose ideals are in line with that of Leadership Charlotte.

The award John is to receive is truly deserved. For over a decade he has served the Charlotte community as a long-standing member and Chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission, on the Leadership Charlotte and Chamber of Commerce Leadership board, and as a member of the American Institute of Architects. He also sits on different committees for the North Carolina and Charlotte American Institute(s), and he is involved in many regional and local architectural projects, most notably the Blumenthal Arts Center. Currently, he serves as a Charlotte City Councilman and represents District 6.

I commend John for his service to the Charlotte community, and congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award. His wife, Lee, and his children, Allie and John Paul, are also to be commended on their great sacrifices so that John can work to make Charlotte a better place to live and work.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay respect to one of the most distinguished athletes in North Carolina's history. Last Friday morning, October 17, 2003, North Carolina bid farewell to Charlie ``Choo-Choo'' Justice, who passed away at the age of 79.

The people of North Carolina remember Charlie from his days of playing football at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1946-1949. In his four seasons Charlie scored 234 points, accounted for 64 touchdowns, and rushed for 2,634 yards. In 1948, and 1949, Justice was runner up for the Heisman Trophy, which recognizes the best college football player in America. Many people who saw Charlie play say that he was the most exciting football player they have ever seen.

After college, Charlie went on to play professional football from 1950-1954 with the

Washington Redskins. Although he only played for a short time, his retirement from football brought him many honors. In 2002, he was selected as one of the Redskins 70 greatest players of all time. He was also bestowed with the great honor of being the first athlete inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame where greats such as Michael Jordan are now honored.

Charlie ``Choo-Choo'' Justice will be remembered long after his death for his talents and skills on the football field. However, the people who knew him in his hometown of Cherryville, NC will remember him for his commitment to improving the community, helping others, and his love for his family.