Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor Mr. David Chubb upon the conclusion of his career in education as an Elementary School Principal. Throughout his career in education, David has demonstrated a strong aptitude for and commitment to the field of school administration.

The conclusion of the 2002-2003 school year sees David retiring from his position as the Camelot Elementary School Principal after working as an educator in Fairfax County for more than twenty years. Always held in high regard by his colleagues, he has served as Principal at Fairhill Elementary School and Camelot Elementary School. In addition, David served as Assistant Principal at Newington Forest Elementary School and Bailey's Elementary School. Of course, he first logged many an hour in the classroom. In fact, he almost broke the two-decade mark as a teacher, spending 18 years at the front of the class.

In his 15 years as Assistant Principal and Principal, David developed into a consummate administrator. His relationship with his staff is excellent, fostered by an open-door policy and consistent fair treatment. He is also known for his skill in finances, which will certainly be missed by the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals.

Above all, David commits himself to the school with all of his energy. As his staff warmly noted, ``the school is like his home.'' At Camelot, he knows the names of every single student--all 500 of them! He personally greets the buses as they arrive at school every morning and says goodbye to them at night, thereby achieving a remarkable rapport with the students. David pitches in with any project in need of help, even the smallest jobs that are someone else's responsibility: he's been known to help the custodians with cleaning or painting. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues at Camelot Elementary and warmly remembered by all who were lucky enough to encounter him.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to David Chubb for his continuing commitment to making a difference in children's lives through education. From his very first students, to the staff who speak so warmly of their supervisor, everyone touched by David Chubb's energy and commitment recalls him fondly and has benefited from his help. Fairfax County is grateful for his service and can only hope that our education system will continue to attract teachers and principals of his caliber. I call upon all my colleagues to join me in applauding David Chubb's remarkable career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. James A. Wilding, an outstanding citizen of Northern Virginia who has served his community and country for almost half a century.

Mr. Wilding will retire from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority this month after 43 years of service. Revered as a leader in both the public and private sectors, Jim will leave behind a legacy of dedication and excellence beyond compare.

Jim graduated from the Catholic University of America as a Civil Engineer in 1959. He then joined the Federal Aviation Administration, where his key role in the transformation of the Washington region began. Jim was one of the original planners of the Washington Dulles International Airport. En route to his position as Chief Engineer, Jim advanced through the ranks of the FAA, working in many different engineering capacities on both Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. By 1979, Jim had successfully mastered the positions of Chief Engineer, Deputy Director, and finally Director of the FAA's Metropolitan Washington Airports.

Upon the 1987 transfer of the region's airports to the new Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Jim began his tenure as that organization's President. He continued to implement his vision of a globally connected Washington area, easily accessible by world-class air facilities. Of course, this vision was far removed from reality; the region's current economic prosperity may obscure the collective memory of the wholly government-centered Metropolitan area of 50 years ago. Mr. Wilding's involvement in the region's air service played a large role in changing that. He oversaw a capital development program of more than 3 billion dollars at the two federally owned airports in the region and led the modernization of Reagan National Airport. Dulles also underwent major growth in the 1990's. Under Jim's leadership, passenger activity at the two airports has almost doubled to 31 million passengers in 2002.

Widely acknowledged as an expert in the aviation industry, Jim has won numerous awards, including the highest award in the Transportation Department: the Secretary of Transportation's Gold Medal. He has served namely as Chairman of the Airports Council International--North America, as President of the Aero Club of Washington, and has served on the Board of Directors of the regional organization, and on the Board of its worldwide parent based in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, he serves on the Policy Review Committee of the American Association of Airport Executives.

The United Way Campaign of Arlington County, Virginia is only one of the many regional groups indebted to Jim for his support and active participation. Jim is a member of the Economic Development Commission of Arlington County and has served on the Board of Directors as well as the Executive Committee of the Arlington County Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Advisory Board of the Eno Transportation Foundation, and currently serves on the Board of the Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation, on both the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Dulles Area Transportation Association, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board.

The people of Northern Virginia join these organizations in their debt of gratitude to Jim Wilding, and extend him heartfelt thanks for his continuing role in advancing the prosperity of the Washington region. Mr. Chairman, the life and service of this Virginian serve as a shining example to all who wish to improve the well-being of their community through dynamic public and private activity.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor Ms. Elizabeth Ann Krabill upon her selection as the 2003 United States Cherry Blossom Queen.

Elizabeth, a sophomore Economics major at Cornell University, was selected as the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen on April 4, 2003. The tradition of crowning a national Cherry Blossom Queen is a long one, started by the National Conference of State Societies in 1948. Elizabeth joins her 53 predecessors in representing America as a Goodwill Ambassador. In fact, she will depart for a goodwill visit to Japan on May 1, 2003--less than a month after her coronation. In Japan, Elizabeth will participate in a series of celebrations and conferences over two weeks.

Before her ascent to the national crown, Elizabeth was chosen as Virginia's 2003 Cherry Blossom Princess. Elizabeth finds herself in familiar company: Elizabeth's mother, aunt and sister all preceded her as Cherry Blossom Princesses at one time. Elizabeth grew up in McLean, Virginia and graduated from National Cathedral School. She excelled at competitive swimming in high school and was twice chosen as captain of her swim team. She has spent two summers sharing her swimming talents with children as a swimming lesson instructor at Beauvoir Summer Camp. At Cornell, Elizabeth is active in her sorority, Alpha Phi, as the Vice President of Marketing.

Virginia is proud to send one of her native daughters into the international arena to represent the United States. A well-rounded and gifted individual, Elizabeth Krabill will represent her country with dignity and poise, and I applaud her initiative in seeking this great honor.

Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and reports were delivered to the Clerk for printing, and bills referred as follows:

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia: Committee on Government Reform.

H.R. 1346. A bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement

Policy Act to provide an additional function of the

Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy relating to

encouraging Federal procurement policies that enhance energy

efficiency, with an amendment; referred to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure for a period ending not

later than June 2, 2003, for consideration of such provisions

of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of

that committee pursuant to clause 1(q), rule X (Rept. 108-78,

Pt. 1).

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

(Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, on March 20, the Committee on Government Reform reported out the Federal Government Energy Management Improvement Act, establishing energy efficiency standards and policies for Federal buildings and the Federal fleet of automobiles. The committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Federal procurement policy, Federal property management, including the management of buildings and vehicles and the Federal civil service, marked up this legislation dealing with these issues with the intention that it would be made a part of the comprehensive energy bill.

This amendment being offered by me and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), my ranking member on the Committee on Government Reform, improves the comprehensive energy bill by harmonizing the provisions regarding Federal energy efficiency in H.R. 6 with the provisions reported out by the committee.

First of all, our amendment would add a study of the energy conservation implications of the widespread adoption of telecommuting by Federal employees in the United States as a way for the Federal Government to be a leader in energy conservation.

The second thing that our amendment would do is direct the General Services Administration, in cooperation with the Department of Energy, to consider the merits of establishing performance measures to guide the reduction of petroleum consumption by the Federal fleet.

Congress' role should be to decide where the Federal Government should be in terms of energy consumption in any given year. Then we should give Federal managers as much flexibility as possible to achieve these expectations.

Unfortunately, Congress is too often in the business of dictating how agency managers should accomplish certain performance goals and how they should manage these operations. It is time for Congress to move away from micromanaging the executive branch, and this amendment is an attempt to do just that.

I urge adoption of this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I share my friend's regret that his amendment was not made in order. I testified for it at the Committee on Rules. But somewhere in that speech I think was endorsement of the pending amendment; am I correct?

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I did not want the merits of the amendment to be lost.

I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I ask for adoption of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Fairfax County's Healthy Families program on their recognition by the National Association of Counties as a 2003 Counties Care for Kids Award recipient.

Healthy Families Fairfax was launched in 1992 under the parent organization Healthy Families America, and has now been working to improve childcare in Fairfax for over a decade. This Counties Care for Kids Award recognizes the program as an innovative and model county government effort that has demonstrated measurable outcomes for children and their families. Healthy Families Fairfax works directly with first-time parents to promote child health. A public-health nurse and family support worker provide educational and therapeutic support to the family at home, from prenatal through age four of the child.

Studies have shown the immense impact of early childhood care on child development, but unfortunately many children are neglected and even abused during their pivotal formative years. By assisting parents with parenting, health, nutrition, problem-solving, and stress management, Healthy Families Fairfax gives children and families the opportunity to grow up together in a healthy environment. While similar programs do exist, most do not approach the comprehensive approach of Healthy Families Fairfax, whose support teams not only address parenting issues, but also assist families with family problems not directly related to the new baby. This inclusive method affords homes a viable chance to succeed in raising their baby and building a life together.

This worthy project is a voluntary prevention program of the Department of Family Services, in partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Health, Northern Virginia Family Service, UCM Community Solutions, and Reston Interfaith. Only eight programs nationwide have been chosen as 2003 Counties

Care for Kids Award recipients, and Healthy Families Fairfax certainly exemplifies the positive impact that county-wide programs hope to achieve.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is an honor to extend my warm congratulations to Healthy Families Fairfax for all of their achievements. The recognition by the National Association of Counties is well deserved. I call upon my colleagues to join me in wishing the Healthy Families Fairfax future success.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the

House of April 7, 2003, I call up the Senate bill (S. 380) to amend chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, to reform the funding of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System for employees of the United States Postal Service, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 380, the Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003, is a bipartisan bill in the Senate. Its House counterpart is sponsored by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), myself and others. It reforms the way the Postal Service funds its obligations to the Civil Service Retirement System. It prevents the Postal Service from overfunding its obligations to CSRS and postpones a rate increase for the American people and postal ratepayers.

Last year the Office of Personnel Management, at the request of GAO, reviewed the status of the Postal Service's funding of its CSRS benefits. OPM found that based on payments currently required by law, the Postal Service would overfund its CSRS benefits by more than $70 billion. OPM proposed a legislative solution modeling the Postal Service's payments to CSRS after its payments to the current Federal Employee Retirement System. This would result in a reduction in the Postal Service's annual obligation to CSRS, allowing the Postal Service to delay its next rate increase beyond 2004 to at least fiscal year 2006.

The bill we are considering today, S. 380, differs from OPM's proposal in that it places tight restrictions on how the Postal Service uses the savings. The bill requires the Postal Service to work with the Department of the Treasury to apply the funds saved to pay down its debt to Treasury in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 and directs the Postal Service to use the savings in 2005 to delay an anticipated rate increase. Subsequently, the Postal Service and OPM are to calculate the difference between the cost to fund CSRS under the bill and under the current law.

The Postal Service will develop a proposal for the use of the funds. Without congressional action on the Postal Service proposal, the funds would be placed in escrow.

This legislation will also require the Postal Service to fund the portion of retirement benefits attributable to the prior military service of postal employees which, again, models the Postal Service's payments to CSRS after the current Federal Employee Retirement System, or FERS.

I think this is an issue that demands further study because no other agency in the Federal Government that I am aware of funds its CSRS military obligations within the department. It may ultimately be unfair to make postal customers and ratepayers fund military retirement benefits.

Working with the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), my ranking member, I prepared an amendment to the House version of the bill, H.R. 735, requiring the Department of the Treasury, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Postal Service to develop proposals on this issue. So this is an issue that will be revisited.

The Committee on Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Government Affairs will look at those proposals and revisit the issue. This amendment was incorporated in S. 380, so we do not need to offer it today. I also understand the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) will be offering and withdrawing an amendment on this subject in a few moments in order to further highlight its importance, and I thank and congratulate him for his leadership in highlighting this issue and pledge to him that we will continue to work on this; and this is, in my judgment, not the end of the matter.

Many people do not know this, but the Postal industry, including ancillary businesses, represents approximately 9 percent of the gross domestic product, the GDP. The industry has been hit hard in the last several years, first by the economic slowdown and then by events of September 11, 2001 and subsequent anthrax attacks. During this same period, postal rates increased three times within 18 months. The Postal industry needs relief.

The Postal Service will be able to hold off on a rate increase if this legislation passes. This gives money back to the Postal customer and allows us all to hold on to our 37-cent stamps for 2 more years. It also stabilizes the Postal Service financially, securing the jobs of nearly 9 million people in the postal industry.

Postal consumers have implored us to address this problem before it is too late. The United States Postal Service, all four postal unions, the postal management associations, and a very broad coalition of postal customers support this bill. I hope that we can pass it expeditiously and put off the next rate increase until at least 2006.

Mr. Speaker I urge adoption of S. 380.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) who has been the former chairman of the Subcommittee on the Postal Service and one of the real experts on this issue to address this issue and put his stamp of approval.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the former chairman of the full committee and a leader in postal reform.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Putnam), a member on the Committee on Government Reform.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Macomb County, Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Janklow), former Governor.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other requests at this time. I would urge adoption of this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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

Mr. Speaker, as I stated before, I agree in principle with the concept behind the gentleman's amendment. This bill, which adopts the administration's approach on the treatment of military funding, would make the postal service the only agency responsible for the military costs of the CSRS retirees. I do not think it is right. I do not think it is fair to postal rate payers. Unlike other agencies in government, this is an enterprise fund that is paid for by the rate payers who should not have to bear this burden. I think it puts strains on the post office that should not be there.

The postal service's mandate is to charge rate payers for its operating and overhead expenses and to break even over time. While the postal service does pay for military benefits for its FERS employees, it has never been required to for its CSRS employees, and neither is any other agency in government.

However, the administration is categorically opposed to any treatment of military funding other than the FERS model that they propose. The bill's principle sponsor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), is going to speak on this more fully in just a moment. But with so much at stake in this legislation, I think we have to move forward on what we can agree on and follow the administration's approach at this time.

We will carefully consider the results of the studies that we have mandated in this bill. But still, I want to thank my colleague from California (Mr. Waxman) for highlighting this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jerry A. Stanphill, the recipient of the 2002 GEICO Public Service Award for Physical Rehabilitation.

The GEICO Public Service Awards were established 23 years ago to honor active and retired federal employees for their selfless and generous contributions in the fields of substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation, and traffic safety and accident prevention. Mr. Stanphill was chosen as the absolute best from an outstanding field of federal employees nominated in the field of Physical Rehabilitation.

Jerry Stanphill is a physical security specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), where he provides leadership and guidance to the DLA field activities on law enforcement and security issues. One of his many duties is to conduct antiterrorism vulnerability assessments for many DLA activities in order to safeguard DLA personnel, equipment and facilities. In the post 9/11 world, there is no more vital responsibility.

Not only has Mr. Stanphill achieved many career accomplishments, he has also dedicated much of his time and energy to the Special Olympics. He has served as a volunteer coach, program coordinator, referee, and chaperone with the Special Olympics in communities all over America. Fortunately, Northern Virginia is now the recipient of this man's service. Over the past 11 years he has helped coach over 400 Special Olympic athletes with the emphasis on their motto: ``Let me win, but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt.''

Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Stanphill on his 2002 GEICO Public Service Award. Northern Virginia is proud to have such a distinguished citizen in the community. Mr. Speaker, I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding this remarkable citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 20th Anniversary of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc.

The Foundation's mission is pure and simple--to give children facing illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, and heart disease something positive to think about instead of doctors visits, medicines, or hospitals, by granting them their greatest wish. Whether a wish is to meet a sports hero or movie star, or to receive a home computer, the Foundation dedicates itself to making each child feel special.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. has served more than 3,800 children that reside in the D.C. Metropolitan Area and Delaware. The organization is one of seventy-seven chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Thanks to the work of thousands of Northern Virginia residents, the Foundation has been able to make these children's wishes come true.

I would like to take a moment to recognize several Northern Virginia residents who serve the Foundation as Board Members. They include John Elmes, Jeffrey Gabardi, Patty Gioia, David Joubran, Nancy Kfoury, Dr. Damon Moore, Norma Ramsey, Elizabeth Reinhardt, Jay Tompkins, and Foundation President and C.E.O. Ralph Nappi, Jr. It is the dedication of these people, along with numerous other D.C. Metropolitan residents who help to make wishes come true for these special children.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage my colleagues and others to learn more about this wonderful organization. The joy and hope that the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic has brought to children for the past 20 years is a shining example of the American spirit. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the Foundation continued success and in applauding their accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1055) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1901 West Evans Street in Florence, South Carolina, as the ``Dr. Roswell N. Beck Post Office Building''.

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

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

H.R. 1055, introduced by my distinguished colleague from the State of South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1901 West Evans Street in Florence, South Carolina, as the Dr. Roswell N. Beck Post Office Building.

Mr. Speaker, the great State of South Carolina and indeed all of America lost a wonderful humanitarian when Dr. Roswell Nathaniel Beck, Sr., sadly passed away in January. Dr. Beck, who was not only a caring man, but in fact, a practicing physician, was probably best known as an ambitious community organizer and political activist in the Florence area. I understand he was one of the most influential and beloved personalities in South Carolina's 6th District, which the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) represents. More importantly, Dr. Beck was a wonderful family man, as well as a friend to countless South Carolina residents, who looked up to him.

I assure Dr. Beck's family, especially his wife, Barbara and their children, Janice, Celeste, and Dr. Roswell Beck, Jr., and friends that the thoughts and prayers of all Members in this House are with them.

Mr. Speaker, it is very appropriate that this House recognize Dr. Roswell N. Beck by naming a post office building after him in his hometown of Florence, South Carolina. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1055.

I thank my colleague from South Carolina for introducing this important measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and while I have no further requests for time, I would like to ensure that the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) has the opportunity to place his statement, when it comes in, at the appropriate point in the Record. It is he and his office that have called this bill to our attention, and we are very happy to move it very quickly to honor the memory of this very great South Carolinian.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the gentleman from South Carolina for introducing this. It is an important recognition, and I think he very lucidly laid out for the House his reasons for doing it.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 127) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as ``Financial Literacy for Youth Month,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration, House Resolution 127, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 127, introduced by my distinguished colleague, chairman of the Committee on Rules from the State of California (Mr. Dreier), recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of a Financial Literacy for Youth Month.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the distinguished chairman for introducing this measure. Personal financial management is one of the most important skills for any American citizen to acquire, yet not enough emphasis seems to be put in our society on teaching these abilities to our Nation's young people. Establishing a personal budget, managing credit and debt, tracking purchases, and balancing checking, savings, and retirement accounts are tasks as difficult as they are essential. But the individual security that comes with being financially literate and responsible is invaluable for everyone. That is why it should be a goal of all Americans to work to teach our Nation's youth the basic financial literacy skills they will need to live a life of financial security.

That is why I am pleased that this House is considering this important

resolution at a time when economic confidence is such a relevant value. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 127, as amended; and again I congratulate my colleague from California for introducing this important measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the State of California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished sponsor of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) has put it very eloquently. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1368) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7554 Pacific Avenue in Stockton, California, as the ``Norman Shumway Post Office Building,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

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

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

I thank my colleague from California for adding to the legacy of Norm Shumway.

He was known for effectively representing the business community in the House where he rose as ranking member of the Committee on Banking Finance and Urban Affairs' Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization. He was a soft-spoken Member who often communicated to his constituents and the public by writing articles for selected journals, newspapers, and other publications.

He has continued, as has been noted, to altruistically work for public interests even leaving this body, serving on the Public Utilities Commission for the State of California as a commissioner for 4 years. Subsequently, the Governor appointed him to the Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority where he worked for another year.

He now lives with his wife in Bountiful, Utah, where he valiantly tries to keep tabs on his 30 grandchildren. I know I speak for all Members when I say the House wishes him well.

We honor him today, and I urge all Members to honor him by supporting the passage of H.R. 1368. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) for introducing this important measure. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) for being here and carrying on his legacy.

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

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

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

I think adopting this amendment would be a huge mistake for this House; so I rise in strong opposition to this amendment which proposes cutting vitally needed assistance to Colombia and the Andean region. Quite simply, now is not the time to turn our backs on the progress we are making against narcoterrorism in Colombia.

General James Hill, the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, said recently that the so-called narcoterrorists operating in Colombia and throughout Latin America fuel and fund worldwide terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Our counternarcotics and counterterror initiatives in Colombia are finally beginning to bear fruit. For example, last month John Walters, the director of the Office of National Drug Policy, announced promising new estimates of coca eradication in Colombia, and these numbers do not account for the intensified spraying that has occurred since President Uribe took office in 2002. It would be foolish for us to send this message to the Colombian Government now and for us to derail this program just as it is beginning to succeed.

The administration has requested the allocation of supplemental funding to support the Uribe administration's commitment to stamp out terrorists, reduce the level of narcotics trafficking, and eventually eliminate his nation's supply of drugs. President Uribe's aggressive approach to counternarcotics and antiterrorist programs has seen significant results in a very short period of time.

Our 2003 funding was developed prior to President Uribe's taking office, and it is not sufficient to appropriately and effectively fund the current pace of our counternarcotics operations. Supplemental funding would provide Colombia with several essential tools and resources, including intelligence equipment to detect threats against U.S. and Colombian officials and increase capabilities to enhance existing eradication efforts.

After a recent visit with President Uribe in Bogota, I can tell the Members that the Colombian Government's commitment is strong. President Uribe's administration is working to enhance state presence in vast areas of the country that have lacked it for decades. They have the popular support of a vast majority of Colombians to beef up and spray eradication efforts, impose new taxes, to strengthen their police and military, and reform their beleaguered criminal justice system.

Of course, significant hurdles remain. The FARC, ELN, and AUC continue to hold sway over large portions of the countryside where there is little, if any, state presence. The narcotics terrorists have also shown no respect for human rights and do not value human rights. They have murdered and kidnapped innocent men and women and children including American citizens. As we prepare to reaffirm our commitment to the demand side of the war on drugs by reauthorizing drug policy legislation in this Congress, it is imperative that we continue to closely monitor both progress and setbacks on the supply side in Colombia.

With military intervention in Iraq under way and concerns about homeland security here at an all-time high, it is important we do not overlook the battle against narcoterrorism going on in Colombia. It is part and parcel of our international antiterrorist efforts.

The killing and kidnapping of Americans and the murderous bombing of a Colombia club frequented by families are the acts of a desperate band of outlaws.

Mr. Chairman, the Uribe administration has made more progress in 7 months than we have seen in many years. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Offered By: Mr. Tom Davis of Virginia

Amendment No. 2: Page 9, after line 15, insert the

following:

(e) Military Service Proposals.--

(1) Proposals.--The United States Postal Service, the

Department of the Treasury, and the Office of Personnel

Management shall, by September 30, 2003, each prepare and

submit to the President, the Congress, and the General

Accounting Office proposals detailing whether and to what

extent the Department of the Treasury or the Postal Service

should be responsible for the funding of benefits

attributable to the military service of current and former

employees of the Postal Service that, prior to the date of

the enactment of this Act, were provided for under section

8348(g)(2) of title 5, United States Code.

(2) GAO review and report.--Not later than 60 days after

the Postal Service, the Department of the Treasury, and the

Office of Personnel Management have submitted their proposals

under paragraph (1), the General Accounting Office shall

prepare and submit a written evaluation of each such proposal

to the Committee on Government Reform of the House of

Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of

the Senate.

Page 12, line 15, strike ``the President and the Congress''

and insert ``the President, the Congress, and the General

Accounting Office''.

Mr. Speaker, every year, the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an important role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several citizens of Prince William County the highest honor bestowed upon county public safety officials--The Bronze Medal Valor Award.

The Bronze Medal is awarded to emergency service officers who demonstrate extraordinary judgment, ingenuity, or performance of their duties during an emergency. This may also include the saving of a life threatened by physical or medical reasons.

It is with great honor that I recognize Police Officer Second Class H. Booth III of the Prince William County Police Department, Firefighter Christine Connally of the OWL Volunteer Fire Department, and Firefighter Lawrence Kearnes of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department as the recipients of the 2003 Bronze Medal Valor Award. The service they provide to the community is tremendous and is deserving of such acclaim.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us every day. Their constant efforts on behalf of Prince William County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our neighborhoods; and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals.