Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to pay tribute to William McGuire, upon his retirement as head of Western New York's Kaleida Health.

Mr. Speaker, when Bill McGuire arrived in Buffalo in 2002, morale among Kaleida's staff was at its nadir. The system had lost $125 million in its first 5 years of existence, physicians were fleeing, and the community was in an uproar over a proposal that would have moved its Women and Children's Hospital.

Just as doctors worked to heal Kaleida's patients, Bill McGuire's seemingly impossible mission was to heal the health system itself. And heal it he did.

As Ted Walsh, Chairman of the Kaleida Board of Directors once remarked, ``Bill McGuire arrived at a critical moment in Kaleida's history and brought the organization from fiscal chaos to financial health and stability.''

In addition to bringing stability to Kaleida Health, under Bill McGuire's leadership, the nationally-renowned Women and Children's Hospital remains open, providing vital health care services to the Western New York community.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan, Bill McGuire previously served as President and CEO for Catholic Medical Centers of Brooklyn and Queens. He has held similar positions at a number of hospitals across the United States.

Further, Bill McGuire has provided his time and leadership to such organizations as the Greater NY Hospital Association, the Hospital Association of New York State, the Western New York Healthcare Association, the Greater NY Healthcare Association, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Mr. Speaker, Bill McGuire once noted that ``people working together can make a real difference. They can influence the future, rather than being a victim of it.''

Bill McGuire's leadership, commitment and service has influenced our future, the Western New York community is the better for it.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected jurist, a dedicated public servant, a valued mentor and a trusted friend upon the occasion of his retirement from the New York State Court of Claims.

A native of Hamburg, New York, and a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, Judge Ronald H. Tills began a career in public service that spanned five decades when he joined the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1960. An Assistant Town Attorney and Town Justice, Ron Tills was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1968, where he served his community and his State with distinction, becoming Chairman of the Assembly's Select Committee for Revision of Corporation Law.

It was in his capacity as Member of the State Assembly that Judge Ron Tills took a chance on a young college student with little political experience to help run his re-election campaign in 1972. Joining his Assembly staff following that election, my own career in government and public service was launched, and I will be forever grateful for Ron's guidance, counsel and friendship.

Judge Tills' service to his community culminated when he was nominated by Governor George E. Pataki, and confirmed by the New York State Senate, to the New York State Court of Claims in July of 1995, where he has served as a Court of Claim Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice for the past decade.

Mr. Speaker, Ron Tills involvement in a variety of civic and community organizations, and the awards and recognitions he has received over the years are too numerous to list. Whether it was the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Hamburg Volunteer Fire Company, or so many others, Ron Tills involved himself as he did in each endeavor throughout his life and career, with passion, leadership, and commitment.

One of his great loves is the largest and oldest fraternal organization in the world. As a Mason, Ron Tills has held numerous responsibilities within the Masons and the organizations within it, including Proctor of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Potentate of the Ismalia Shrine Temple, Director and President of the Shrine Oasis and Director of the Buffalo Court 22 of Jesters.

In addition to the Masons, gardening and travel, Ron Tills' greatest love of all is the former Elizabeth Clarkson. Ron and Betty were married on May 6, 1960, and are parents of Thomas and Suzanne and grandparents of Dale Jr. and Diane Goodridge, and Timothy and Abigail Tills.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of and in gratitude for his service, leadership and patriotism, I ask that this Honorable Body join me in honoring Judge Ronald H. Tills upon the occasion of his retirement, and wish him great health and happiness in the days and years ahead.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4297, the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005, and in opposition to the Democrat substitute.

Mr. Speaker, the Ways and Means bill before us today addresses a number of important priorities that are broadly supported by Members on both sides of the aisle. These include tax savings for higher education expenses, small business tax relief, tax incentives for research and development by U.S. companies that create good jobs. The bill also includes an extension of the lower rates for capital gains and dividends, an important priority for the ever-growing investor class that will keep our economy strong and our domestic job base growing.

Mr. Speaker, as a lead sponsor of the Stealth Tax Relief Act of 2005, the legislation designed to prevent massive increases in the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, from sneaking up on millions of unsuspecting taxpayers next year, I want to take just a moment to comment on the Democrat substitute. Just 24 hours ago, the House passed my bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 414-4. Together we sent a strong, unmistakable signal to our colleagues across the Capitol that extending the temporary AMT relief that is scheduled to expire in just a matter of weeks is an important priority that must be addressed.

But what does today's Democratic substitute do? Yes, it provides relief from AMT. To pay for it, the Democratic substitute increases taxes on families and on small businesses that create so many jobs in our community.

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday all but four Members of the Democratic Party supported AMT relief in the House for our hardworking middle class without increasing taxes. But today, just 24 hours later, our friends on the other side of the aisle are back singing a familiar tax- raising tune, one that always leaves families with less money in their wallets on April 15, and small businesses with less money on their balance sheets. The Democratic substitute should be defeated.

Mr. Speaker, earlier in this debate, a colleague on the other side of the aisle claimed that the Republican majority has done little to fight the AMT since winning the House in 1994. To the contrary. Our Republican majority has repeatedly provided temporary AMT relief since we took control, an effort which we continued yesterday with the passage of the Stealth Tax Relief Act.

I would further remind my friends on the other side of the aisle that in 1999 the Republican Congress sent a bill to the President's desk that would have repealed the AMT entirely. Unfortunately, no Democrats in the House supported that bill, and President Clinton vetoed it.

Finally, I would remind Members that in 1993, as an era of the Democratic control was coming to an end, one of the last things that our friends on the other side of the aisle did was to provide a retroactive increase for the AMT without indexing the exemption levels.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of our bill and defeat of the Democratic substitute.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me this time and allowing me to speak on this legislation. I think that first we should salute the hard work of Chairman Oxley and Ranking Member Frank, as well as the hard work of Subcommittee Chairman Richard Baker, who just so eloquently explained why this legislation is so important not only to New York in the aftermath of 9/11 but to every city in the country that finds themselves in the plight of terrorism and the reinsurance markets.

This is an opportunity for us to continue where the free market will not be able to indemnify building owners as we look at this across the country. I think that the authors of this legislation, as the House passes this later today, give us a real opportunity to move forward with a 2-year opportunity to help the marketplace, the building owners who are affected by the need for coverage of this exposure, while also recognizing that the free marketplace is not able to absorb this without the governmental mechanism that has been outlined as the intent of the bill.

So I wholeheartedly support it. It is something that will affect the buildings and the marketplace throughout the country, and certainly my State is one where it is vitally needed in order to have coverage for the markets.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4096) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend to 2006 the alternative minimum tax relief available in 2005 and to index such relief for inflation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, it has been called the ``stealth tax,'' a ``ticking time bomb for the middle class,'' and even the ``Darth Vader of the Tax Code.'' It is the individual alternative minimum tax, the AMT, and it has middle class America squarely in its sights.

Today, as we consider the Stealth Tax Relief Act of 2005 on the floor of the House, this body has a chance to stand with America's middle class by preventing an enormous, unnecessary tax increase from sneaking up on millions of unsuspecting taxpayers next year.

As many of my colleagues know, the AMT was originally enacted in 1969 to prevent a small percentage of taxpayers with very high incomes from paying little or no Federal income tax. However, because this stealth tax was never adjusted for inflation, it is now sneaking up on more and more middle class taxpayers each year as they climb the income ladder. Let me repeat: The AMT was never intended to hit the middle class, but now it is threatening millions of our middle class constituents.

That threat is what prompted the President's Tax Reform Commission to recommit repealing the AMT entirely when it issued its report last month. And, certainly, any serious discussion of long-term tax reform and simplification must include a long, hard look at the AMT.

Mr. Speaker, but middle-class taxpayers cannot afford to wait for the enactment of a permanent AMT relief. As many in this Chamber will recall, the temporary AMT relief that Congress has repeatedly enacted over the last several years is, once again, set to expire at the end of this month, only weeks away. Unless Congress extends this AMT relief, the stealth tax will claim many more middle-class victims.

For perspective, here are some numbers so our viewers at home can follow along with the charts. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, if Congress fails to act, the number of middle class AMT victims will rise from 3.6 million in 2005 to over 19 million in 2006. In other words, if we fail to act, some 15.4 million more taxpayers will get hit with this stealth tax next year. And according to the U.S. Treasury Department, these taxpayers will pay $2,736 more in taxes just because of individual AMT.

The numbers from my home State of New York tell a similar story. According to the Manhattan Institute For Policy Research if we do nothing, the number of AMT taxpayers in New York will balloon from 379,000 in 2005 to 1.6 million in 2006. That is unacceptable for the middle-class taxpayers I represent in western New York. It is unacceptable for taxpayers nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today will simply extend for 1 additional year the individual AMT relief that we most recently enacted just a year ago. Specifically, this legislation will ensure that the higher AMT exemptions amounts to $58,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses, and $40,250 for singles, that are applicable to tax year 2005, are extended to 2006 as well. This legislation also includes a modest inflation adjustment, which will ensure that the value of this much- needed tax relief is not eaten away by inflation.

If Congress fails to act on this legislation, these exemption amounts are scheduled to revert back to the 2000 levels next year, 45,000 for joint filers and 33,750 for singles, resulting in a massive tax increase on the middle class.

I would note that the other body recently voted to provide a very similar AMT relief as part of its Tax Relief Act of 2005. I would hope that with a strong bipartisan vote here today, we will be able to work out with our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol to keep the stealth tax from being a middle-class nightmare.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

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

I stand looking across the way at the ranking member, and not only is he the senior member on the Committee on Ways and Means, but also the senior Member of Congress from my State. I listen carefully when he speaks.

He does not want to see the AMT tax come onto the middle class. He does not really like the process. He is not really sure whether tax cuts are a good idea or not, but hopes that Members will support the legislation.

When we look at some of my brief experience here on both the Rules Committee and now on Ways and Means, I just want to remind the gentleman that as I introduced this legislation with cosponsors, I am pleased to know that we are actually taking up this legislation ahead of the other tax legislation that has been before the Ways and Means Committee on this floor which I hope will be tomorrow or the next day, and I also look back to see that this extension, which has been done in previous years, is not a new issue for Members in the House.

Everyone is familiar with the problem. It is essentially the same bill that passed overwhelmingly on May 5, 2004, with a vote of 333-89, unanimous on our side of the aisle, and 109 voted for it on the Democratic side of the aisle, and 89 against. I hoped there was not huge controversy with having the AMT legislation before us, and made sure there was ample time for debate on the floor by both sides of the aisle before we consider passage of the AMT.

The one thing I have learned in my time here, I cannot predict what the other body will do, but I hope they will do the right thing, and that would be to pass this legislation so the stealth tax does not become a middle-class tax, adding more people to the burden of having to pay this.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English) who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill that we have before us today will simply extend for one additional year the individual AMT relief that we most recently enacted just a year ago. Specifically, this legislation will ensure that higher AMT exemptions, now, hear these figures: they are not millionaires. They are not even people making over $100,000 a year. These are exemption amounts, $58,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses and $40,250 for singles that are applicable to the tax year 2005 and extended now to 2006 if we have the good fortune of passing it here today.

When I look at the aspect of this legislation, it is simply a stealth tax, raiding and invading middle-class America. This will have an opportunity to thwart that so that some 16.5 million Americans do not find themselves having to pay the stealth tax.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), who is also a distinguished member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly respect the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) and his contribution to both the Ways and Means Committee and this important legislation for a final fix, which I advocated that we do a final fix. Unfortunately, as I stand here today, with only weeks away, I have legislation to extend into next year the opportunity of having the AMT not move into taking almost 20 million Americans of middle-class tax. And I also will be interested in listening to the views of my colleague, Mr. Neal, on the floor of the Ways and Means Committee, and other aspects on his thoughts of the Mack-Breaux solution, if that is in fact a solution that he supports or would recommend to our body to look at in the future.

I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

I believe that solution that you had also contained tax increases that Members felt that they did not want to incur at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez), another distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), senior member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly), who is a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, and no one has spent more time in battling this terrible stealth tax than Sue Kelly.

(Mrs. KELLY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time.

Mr. Speaker, the year 1969 saw examples of the best and worst of what the Federal Government can do. On one hand, the Department of Defense reachers invented the Internet, which has opened up a world of knowledge to anyone with access to a computer.

On the other hand, in 1969, Congress controlled by the other side of the aisle, created the original version of the AMT. But while the Internet has continually evolved, the AMT structure has not.

It has now become a stealth tax, sneaking up on unsuspecting middle class taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, many of us here today on both sides of the aisle would likely support AMT relief that goes far beyond what is included in this bill.

But the legislation before us today is a crucial first step. I urge my colleagues to come together on a strong bipartisan basis to protect the middle class against stealth tax increases from the AMT.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I recently hosted roundtables with manufacturers in my district. Whether it is currency manipulation or unfair subsidies, it is clear that our local employers have long had enough of the way China cheats on trade.

As John Hoskins of Curtis Screw in Buffalo told me, they have ``never been afraid to compete globally.'' But this century-old manufacturer can only compete globally if they can compete fairly, and they note that some of their Chinese competitors have much of the cost subsidized by the government.

``To put this in perspective,'' he said, ``the only way . . . U.S. manufacturers can compete . . . is if the United States Government begins to pay for our building, our labor, and employee benefits and . . . other costs of doing business.'' That is exactly what the Chinese are doing today.

The United States Trade Rights Enforcement Act will help combat illegal subsidies, provide additional funding for enforcement of trade laws, and make certain that our products and services have fair access to Chinese markets, all critical aspects of our fight to ensure fair trade.

I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English) and the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas) for their hard work on this issue, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.

As a long-time champion of fair trade and a lead cosponsor of this legislation, I rise in strong support of the U.S. Trade Rights Enforcement Act.

When China was permitted to join the World Trade Organization in 2001, there was an implicit promise made to American businesses, workers, and consumers--that we would get a fair deal in our trade relations with the Chinese. Yet, in so many areas--intellectual property rights, currency valuation, subsidies, trade barriers, you name it--we see China failing to uphold its end of the bargain by ignoring international trade norms.

The bill includes a variety of measures that will help bring an end to unfair trade practices abroad, and level the playing field for American companies and workers. The countervailing duties provision is especially important for local manufacturers.

It's an important instrument for U.S. businesses trying to successfully combat illegal subsidies; and it is a big reason why the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has expressed its strong support for this measure.

I recently hosted roundtables with manufacturers in my district; and whether it's currency manipulation or unfair subsidies, it's clear that our local employers have long had enough of the way China cheats on trade. As John Hoskins of Curtis Screw in Buffalo told me, they've ``never been afraid to compete globally.'' But this century-old manufacturer can only compete globally if they can compete fairly, and they note their Chinese competitors have much of their costs subsidized by the government. ``To put this in perspective,'' he said, ``the only way * * * U.S. manufacturers can compete * * * is if the US government begins to pay for our building * * * our labor, our employee benefits and * * * other costs of doing business.'' ``That's exactly what the Chinese are doing today.''

I have always maintained that our products and our workers can compete anywhere, with anyone in the world, as long as that competition is fair.

This bill will help combat illegal subsidies, provide additional funding for enforcement of trade laws, and make certain that our products and services have fair access to Chinese markets--all critical aspects of our fight to ensure fair trade.

I commend Congressman English and Chairman Thomas for their hard work on this issue; and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 361, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to the late Warren ``Clip'' Smith, a veteran broadcast personality and civic leader who touched the lives of thousands through his career and work in the Western New York community. The life-long Lockport resident is fondly remembered by thousands following his unexpected passing on August 21, 2004.

From the 1960s on, the ``Clipper,'' as he was commonly referred, was a respected name in the radio and television industry, earning a reputation for his strong opinions, as well as his quick wit and one- liner quips. His career began as Operations Manager and Director of News and Sports for WUSJ Radio, now known as WLVL in Lockport. He went on to serve as anchor, reporter and sports play-by-play announcer with WKBW-TV Channel 7 in Buffalo, New York, from 1971 to 1989, later working as a reporter and talk show host with WGR Radio in Buffalo from 1991 to 1995. Clip was also a widely recognized commentator and reporter with WBEN Radio in Buffalo. Finally, from 1990 until the time of his death, Clip served as anchor, reporter and in public relations for the Empire Sports Network in Buffalo.

The multi-talented Clipper also was a musician. He was a member of the Lockport Federation of Musicians and a professional member of the American Federation of Musicians; Clip was a concert soloist on the trombone, euphonium, tuba and string bass.

But above all else, Clip will be remembered for the active civic role he played, always ready to take up the citizens' cause on a variety of issues. Clip served on a local board of education from 2003-2004, was active with Lockport Rotary Club, Literacy Volunteers, Buffalo City Mission, New York State Recycling Congress, and the Niagara County Republican Committee. He also was a member of several local unions.

Western New Yorkers will always remember Clip as a respected community leader and a dear friend.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in honoring the late Warren ``Clip'' Smith, and recognize his years of service to the community and broadcast industry.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to 11-year-old Katie Brownell, of Genesee County, New York, for pitching a perfect Little League game on May 14th. This is a terrific accomplishment and Katie has much to be proud of, as do her family and her community.

Katie, the only female player in the league, displayed tremendous ability as she pitched the perfect game, striking out every single batter she faced, allowing not even a single baserunner.

This is not the first time Katie has dominated a baseball game however. In her first appearance on the mound this season, Katie allowed only one hit, striking out 14 batters through five innings. Katie also has a batting average of .714 through the first three games of the season.

Furthermore, Katie has shown tremendous sportsmanship, taking this accomplishment humbly and in stride. Katie has never gloated and has never bragged. She simply loves the game and enjoys playing it-- characteristics equally as impressive as her abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in honoring Katie Brownell, and recognize her tremendous athletic abilities and sportsmanship after pitching a perfect game for her Little League team.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the Springville-Griffith Institute and Springville-Griffith Institute Central School District on the occasion of its 175th Anniversary. As a proud graduate of Springville-Griffith Institute, I know firsthand the dedication that the teachers, administrators and staff bring to providing a top-notch education for their students.

Springville Academy was organized in 1825. After Dewitt Clinton penned the school's incorporation in 1827, it opened its doors in 1830, making it the first high school in Erie County. The original school building was a modest one, with most of the funds used to build the school coming from community donations.

From the time of its inception, Springville Academy became an educational cornerstone of both Springville and Western New York, drawing students from all across the region. By 1849, there were 110 boys and 100 girls attending the school. In 1867, the school became known as the Griffith Institute in recognition of a scholarship gift from Archibald Griffith. As the years passed, the school and its student population grew, as did its reputation for providing a quality education. Today, the district boasts an enrollment of over 2,300 students.

Over the past 175 years, the Springville-Griffith Institute has touched the lives of thousands of students, their families, our community and our nation. Notable graduates of the school include: author and statesmen Clark E. Carr, who suggested that his close friend, President Abraham Lincoln, be invited to speak at Gettysburg; Ralph B. Waite, who brought the world ``painless dentistry'' through the introduction of Novocain; and Glen S. ``Pop'' Warner, the man who introduced protective padding, numbered plays and jerseys, and who pioneered the forward pass, spiral, forever changing the game of football.

Schools are cornerstones of our communities, and nowhere is that more true than in Springville, New York. Throughout its history, the Griffith Institute's staff--past and present--have helped shape and positively influence thousands of local students, and continue to do so today. We in Western New York appreciate all that the Springville- Griffith Institute has done to educate generations of children, and we hope for many more successful years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in celebrating the 175h Anniversary of the Springville Academy, Griffith Institute, and Springville-Griffith Institute Central School District.

Mr. Speaker, the issue before us today is certainly not a new on new one. During the past three Congresses, the House has voted repeatedly in a bipartisan fashion to eliminate the death tax. And today, once again, we have the opportunity to bury the death tax once and for all.

The death tax punishes savings, thrift, and hard work among American families. Small businesses and farmers, in particular, are unfairly penalized for their blood, sweat and tears--paying taxes on already- taxed assets. Instead of investing money on productive measures such as creating new jobs or purchasing new equipment, businesses and farms are forced to divert their earnings to tax accountants and lawyers just to prepare their estates. All too often, those families are literally forced to sell the family farm or business just to payoff their death taxes.

Equally disturbing is the fact that the death tax actually raises relatively little revenue for the federal government. In fact, some studies have found that it may actually cost the government and taxpayers more in administrative and compliance costs than it raises in revenue.

Mr. Speaker, my rural and suburban district in western New York is home to countless small businesses and family farms. They're owned by hard-working families who pay their taxes, create jobs and contribute not only to the quality of life in their communities, but to this nation's rich heritage.

Is it so much to ask that they be able to pass on the fruits of their labor--their small business or their family farm--to their children? Must Uncle Sam continue to play the Grim Reaper? The fact is that they paid their taxes in life--on every acre sown, on every product sold, and on every dollar earned. They shouldn't be taxed in death, too.

Mr. Speaker, it's time to bury the death tax once and for all. I commend Congressman Hulshof for introducing this crucial legislation and Chairman Thomas for his continued leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the Tonawanda News, based in North Tonawanda, New York, on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary. Over the past 125 years, the Tonawanda News has become the written record for the Tonawandas, a trusted source of information and a cornerstone of the community that it serves.

The Tonawanda Daily News was founded on April 1, 1880, by Dr. George S. Hobbie, when the newspaper's first edition rolled off the presses with just four pages of newsprint. It was the Tonawandas' first and only daily newspaper dedicated to reporting news in the cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. Even in its humble beginnings, Dr. Hobbie knew the importance of building the newspaper's reputation and credibility among readers, and saw that it promptly appeared at noon each day. The Tonawanda News went on to be run by the first female publisher in New York state, Mrs. Ruby Hewitt, who played an important role in the growth and prosperity of the paper.

Over the last 125 years, the paper's circulation and reputation have grown tremendously; and all the while, the Tonawanda News and its staff have strived continually to provide the residents of the Twin Cities with accurate and timely news and information. Today, the Tonawanda News is known as one of the most reliable and accurate newspapers in Western New York. The journalistic standards that Dr. Hobbie, Mrs. Hewitt, and others instilled in the paper's staff over the years have not been forgotten; the paper remains committed to the values upon which it was founded, and the rich tradition that it has built.

I would like to offer my congratulations to the publishers, editors, and staff of the Tonawanda News, past and present, for all their hard work. I hope and expect that our ``Hometown Newspaper'' will be around for another 125 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Tonawanda News.

Mr. Speaker, when former U.S. Representative Tillie Fowler passed away last week, we lost an inspiration, a mentor, a patriot, and a friend. From the time she first came to Congress, Tillie Fowler was committed above all else to serving the American people. Her warm manner, unmistakable intelligence, clear understanding of defense policy, and obvious love for her country helped her quickly rise to a position of influence within the party. Despite her great responsibilities, Congresswoman Fowler remained deeply rooted in her community, and committed to those individuals she was elected to represent.

Tillie Fowler demonstrated to us all what a noble calling public service can be; and she still serves as an inspiration to many of us today, myself included. With the passing of Tillie Fowler, we truly lost one of the brightest stars the Sunshine State ever had to offer. Her legacy and influence will not be forgotten, for we are forever indebted to her for all that she was able to accomplish.

Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Edward Fauth, Jr., of Corfu, New York, for his fifty years of active service as a volunteer firefighter.

For the past fifty years, Edward Fauth, Jr., has served the Corfu community as a member of the Corfu Rescue Hook & Ladder Company. During that time with the company, he has played a vital role in community safety, holding a number of different positions including Chief, Assistant Chief, Second Assistant Chief, Trustee and Vice President.

Anytime a citizen volunteers his or her time for the betterment of the community, it is commendable. For one man to have given fifty years as a volunteer firefighter is nothing short of remarkable. His commitment to his fellow citizens and dedication to his community truly exemplify the ideals of public service. Through his dedication, Edward has made a considerable and lasting contribution to our community, and for that he deserves our deepest gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in honoring Mr. Edward Fauth, Jr., of Corfu, New York, and thank him for his fifty years of active service as a volunteer firefighter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask to address the House for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the Democratic leader mentioned the bipartisan support led by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from (Mr. Hoyer). The committee on which I sit, the Committee on House Administration, did bipartisan work on the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and it took a step in the right direction.

For the record, the chairman has also scheduled hearings to evaluate where we are and where we are going in the future so we can work in a bipartisan fashion on the Help America Vote Act and its future considerations.

Mr. Speaker, in 1974, Captain Hiroo Onada formally surrendered to the U.S. military forces. What made his surrender particularly unique is Captain Onada, who had already been declared legally dead for 15 years, was a member of the Imperial Army, still fighting a war whose outcome had been decided 29 years earlier.

Thirty years later, another contest whose results have been firmly decided is being waged not on some remote island, but in the halls of the United States Congress.

It is a sad day.

Mr. Speaker, President Bush won more votes than any candidate in America's history. His opponent conceded that victory long ago. The Ohio results have been certified, and one of that State's newspapers, the Dayton Daily News, reported last month that those advancing the wild-eyed conspiracy theories surrounding Ohio's electorate votes are ``speaking nonsense.''

Mr. Speaker, it is amazing to me that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle cannot accept the words of their very own candidate who said, ``We cannot win this election.''

The American people have spoken. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to open their ears and hear their voices; to join us in facing the challenges of the future rather than trying to change the past.

President Bush has been duly elected by the people of this great country, and

it is time for those who refuse to accept the American people's decision, if you will pardon the expression, to move on.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).

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