Richard Baker

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) and the Members of the Texas delegation for their efforts in recognizing the achievements of NASA with the introduction of H.R. 68. It is highly appropriate at the time we are soon to expect the space shuttle program to reenter demand exploration effort this week that we observe and appreciate the heroism, genius and sacrifices that the program has given us to this point in time. I think it is also appropriate that with NASA's Deep Impact Project of just a few days ago, impacting the surface of Comet Temple, as well as the very slow rolling wheels of Spirit and Opportunity cross and traverse the face of Mars, it seems stunningly impossible that these programs began only 50 years ago. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I think this legislation is important for the House to favorably consider as it seeks to commemorate the anniversary by issuing in 2008 into silver dollar coins and a single $50 coin representing the nine planets and the gold coin representing the sun. Fittingly, the first million dollars of surcharges resulting from this effort will go to a needs-based fund benefiting the next of kin of those heroes who died in the exploration of space. Further, the remainder of funds will go to the Smithsonian for help in preservation of important spacecraft and half of the fund to create a stand-alone Smithsonian museum here in the District dedicated specifically to coins, currency and other monetary forms of transaction. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) who has led the charge to see this goal through to its final conclusion.

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of correspondence between the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Ways and Means. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, July 11, 2005. Hon. Michael G. Oxley, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Oxley: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 68, the ``NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was reported to the House by the Committee on Financial Services on June 17, 2005. As you noted, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 68 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However, in order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation. I appreciate and agree to your offer to include this exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional Record during floor consideration. Best regards, Bill Thomas, Chairman.

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

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, today I am joined by House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member James Oberstar to introduce the Railroad Competition Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, a bill designed to restore a measure of competition to our Nation's freight rail marketplace. We are also joined by our colleagues Representatives Rodney Alexander, Charles Boustany, William Jefferson, Charlie Melancon, Denny Rehberg, Collin Peterson, Darlene Hooley, Marion Berry, and Ed Pastor. This bill, I believe, captures the true intentions of railroad deregulation. Like all Americans, Mr. Speaker, I want our national railroad industry to remain the most efficient in the world. Indeed, our railroad system is a model for other national systems. My home state of Louisiana in particular relies heavily on efficient railroads to deliver product to market and provide the feedstock for our manufacturing base. Without reliable rail service, Louisiana--and all of America--would be economically hamstrung. Congress deregulated the railroad industry in 1980 when it passed the Staggers Act. This law revitalized the industry, built efficiencies in the system, and bolstered the railroads as a critical component to America's transportation infrastructure. As Chairman of the Louisiana House Committee on Transportation and Highways, I observed closely the implementation and success of the Act. However, one lingering element of the Staggers Act provides for ``differential pricing,'' which in effect allows railroads to ``price gouge'' customers served by a single railroad in order to help make up for revenue that is lost to customers served by more than one railroad. In other words railroads can overcharge a customer where the railroad is a monopoly to help recover the revenue it loses in a competitive, multiple-railroad environment. Prior to the Staggers Act, the federal government administered the finances of railroads by imposing price controls. But by allowing railroads to institutionalize price gouging, are we not continuing the practice of price controls? Indeed, is differential pricing the thriving legacy of regulatory control? I believe it is. I assert that differential pricing is no more ``deregulation'' than the artificially imposed government price controls that existed before 1980. I do not believe Congress intended to institutionalize price gouging when it passed the Staggers Act in 1980. Rather, the Staggers Act was an attempt to revive an important industry in America's economy. It was not enacted to allow the industry to thrive at its customers' expense. When the 109th Congress reflects back on the success of the Staggers Act, we can indeed take pride in ``getting it right.'' Congress achieved its goal of resuscitating the ailing railroad industry, but Congress did not intend to sustain the life of this industry at the growing, unfair expense of other industries. When Congress passed the Staggers Act in 1980 there were over 40 Class I railroads competing for business. Today, after over 50 mergers and consolidations there are only 7 Class I railroads in North America and four of them control over 95 percent of the railroad business. This unprecedented consolidation has led to whole states, regions and entire industries becoming captive to a single railroad. This level of concentration and the lack of competition it has brought were never envisioned by Congress in the 1980 Act. Over this same period the agency that administers rail law, the Surface Transportation Board, has produced rulings, which have skewed the freight rail market place to the point that it is now a Federally protected monopoly. Railroads are operating within the law... but that law is outdated given the current number of railroads and market conditions of the new century. Mr. Speaker, as you may know, Louisiana industry is in dire straits. Every month companies announce closures, lay offs, and moves--depriving our economically struggling state of hundreds of important jobs. When these jobs are lost, so are the workers' pensions, salaries, and health benefits. When hundreds of jobs are lost, it affects other small businesses that rely on workers to keep them viable. Though Louisiana industry faces many financial challenges, premier among them is the cost to do business--and aside from energy supply, the most expensive cost of business is the artificially inflated rates imposed on Louisiana companies that, through no fault of their own, exist under a railroad monopoly. Mr. Speaker, this situation is not exclusive to Louisiana. It exists in West Virginia, North Dakota, Idaho, Georgia, Florida, Montana, Minnesota--in fact, Mr. Speaker, there is not a state in the Union free from this blemish on the free enterprise system. The bill we are introducing today will truly match the deregulation goals of the Staggers Act with the tried and true American tradition of a competitive free market. Our bill takes deregulation to a higher level by fortifying healthy market competition. The bill would remove artificial protections maintained by an outdated policy that allows freight railroads to operate in an atmosphere, which no other business in the country enjoys--including exemption from anti-trust law. Mr. Speaker, I urge all pro-market, pro-consumer, pro-deregulation, pro-fairness, projobs, pro-economy, pro-transportation, and pro- railroad Members to join me in completing the deregulation goals of the Staggers Act of 1980 by cosponsoring the Railroad Competition Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2003.

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, as the Federal Government seeks to provide better healthcare to more Americans while reducing healthcare expenses, we must look at the benefits of preventive care programs. Education, screening and preventive treatments can save patients and government significant heartache and expense. One area where preventive care shows tremendous promise is the treatment of diabetic foot complications. Approximately 18 million Americans have diabetes, an increase of 61 percent since 1990. As diabetes rates continue to rise, the cost of treating diabetes, already estimated at $132 billion, will certainly rise. One of the most serious complications diabetes patients face is poor circulation and infections in their lower extremities. In fact, diabetic foot infections are the most common reason for hospital admissions among persons with diabetes, accounting for 25 percent of all diabetic admissions in the United States. Loss of circulation and feeling present real challenges to people with diabetes and 15 percent of people with diabetes will experience a foot ulcer, and between 14 and 24 percent of those with a foot ulcer will require amputation. Each year approximately 86,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations are performed each year among people with diabetes. Lower extremity amputations cost Americans $2 billion a year, with each procedure totaling approximately $60,000. Although private insurance bears some of this expense, Medicare is saddled with many of these costs since these complications disproportionately affect the elderly. For example, analysis of the 1995 Medicare claims revealed that lower-extremity ulcer care accounted for $1.45 billion in Medicare costs and contributed substantially to the high cost of care for diabetics, compared with Medicare costs for the general population. In fact, the Medicare costs for diabetes patients with foot ulcers is 3 times higher than for diabetes patients in general, and inpatient care accounts for 74 percent of diabetic ulcer-related costs. Fortunately, cost effective ulcer prevention and treatment interventions have proven effective at reducing foot complications and lower extremity amputations at only a fraction of the cost. Studies show that a multidisciplinary approach, including preventive strategies, patient and staff education, and treatment of foot ulcers, can reduce amputation rates up to 85 percent. Nationwide reductions of this size would save Americans as much as $1.7 billion a year. The American Diabetes Association estimates that comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates up to 85 percent. Furthermore, the LSU Health Sciences Center Diabetes Foot Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana enrolled over 2,300 diabetes patients with published research demonstrating their prevention and treatment program resulted in an 89 percent reduction in foot related hospitalizations, an 81 percent reduction in emergency room visits, and a 79 percent reduction in foot amputations at a cost of about 50 percent of standard care. Unfortunately, a 2002 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study shows that less than 2 percent of adult diabetics receive the level of care recommended by the American Diabetes Association. With sound research showing the benefits of preventive care for people with diabetes, now is the time to commission a large, authoritative study on the issue. The results of this study will serve as solid evidence to public and private organizations of the need for preventive care to aid in the reduction of diabetes foot complications and will help foster technical and policy changes to healthcare programs. In addition, thousands of Americans who participate in this study will benefit from the education and treatment provided by this grant program. Mr. Speaker, I hope members will consider these facts and cosponsor the ``Diabetic Foot Complication and Lower Extremity Amputation Reduction Act of 2005.''

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act,'' legislation to establish a five-year pilot program that allows our Nation's servicemembers, veterans, national guardsman, reservists, and qualified others to use part of their VA educational assistance programs to defray legitimate training costs associated with obtaining a business franchise. Mr. Speaker, franchising is an enormous component of the United States economy. According to a study conducted by International Franchise Association Educational Foundation, nearly 760,000 franchised businesses generate jobs for more than 18 million Americans annually, comprising nearly 14 percent of the Nation's private-sector employment and accounting for $1.53 trillion in economic output. Over 75 industries utilize the franchise model for distribution of products and services, ranging from familiar restaurants and hotels to home movers, tax preparers, personnel providers and so on. Clearly, franchising is a critical engine of America's economic growth. When an individual acquires a franchise, the individual must first undergo various types of training, depending on the specific franchise he or she wishes to acquire. Training can include education on specialized knowledge of goods, services, policies and practices of the individual franchise system. Training may also include customer service, daily operational management, business computer systems, inventory control, costing and pricing as well as regulatory obligations. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, American military members, whether as active duty servicemembers or veterans, possess a wealth of experience and abilities. Their training in the armed forces has provided them with high-end skill sets that employers are looking for in the future workforce. Yet outside of what has been provided during their tenure with the military, statistics show that many of our young military men and women have had no formal education or training beyond their high school years. Mr. Speaker, the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act'' will allow more veterans to take advantage of the opportunities in franchising by allowing servicemembers, veterans, national guardsman, reservists, and eligible dependent spouses or children to apply a portion of his or her educational benefit to defray the portion of a franchise purchase cost attributable to training. Specifically, in a one-time lump sum payment, beneficiaries will be able to use the lesser of \1/3\ of the remaining Montgomery GI Benefit entitlement or \1/2\ the franchise fee. In addition, the bill provides the Secretary of Veterans Affairs proper authority to oversee and avoid any possible abuse of this program; submit to the Secretary a detailed description of the training program; two year operating rule for franchise businesses; and provide individual progress reports regarding successful completion of individual training, among other things. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's veterans and thus urge floor consideration for the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act.''

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act,'' legislation to establish a five-year pilot program that allows our Nation's servicemembers, veterans, national guardsman, reservists, and qualified others to use part of their VA educational assistance programs to defray legitimate training costs associated with obtaining a business franchise. Mr. Speaker, franchising is an enormous component of the United States economy. According to a study conducted by International Franchise Association Educational Foundation, nearly 760,000 franchised businesses generate jobs for more than 18 million Americans annually, comprising nearly 14 percent of the Nation's private-sector employment and accounting for $1.53 trillion in economic output. Over 75 industries utilize the franchise model for distribution of products and services, ranging from familiar restaurants and hotels to home movers, tax preparers, personnel providers and so on. Clearly, franchising is a critical engine of America's economic growth. When an individual acquires a franchise, the individual must first undergo various types of training, depending on the specific franchise he or she wishes to acquire. Training can include education on specialized knowledge of goods, services, policies and practices of the individual franchise system. Training may also include customer service, daily operational management, business computer systems, inventory control, costing and pricing as well as regulatory obligations. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, American military members, whether as active duty servicemembers or veterans, possess a wealth of experience and abilities. Their training in the armed forces has provided them with high-end skill sets that employers are looking for in the future workforce. Yet outside of what has been provided during their tenure with the military, statistics show that many of our young military men and women have had no formal education or training beyond their high school years. Mr. Speaker, the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act'' will allow more veterans to take advantage of the opportunities in franchising by allowing servicemembers, veterans, national guardsman, reservists, and eligible dependent spouses or children to apply a portion of his or her educational benefit to defray the portion of a franchise purchase cost attributable to training. Specifically, in a one-time lump sum payment, beneficiaries will be able to use the lesser of 1/3 of the remaining Montgomery GI Benefit entitlement or 1/2 the franchise fee. In addition, the bill provides the Secretary of Veterans Affairs proper authority to oversee and avoid any possible abuse of this program; submit to the Secretary a detailed description of the training program; two year operating rule for franchise businesses; and provide individual progress reports regarding successful completion of individual training, among other things. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's veterans and thus urge floor consideration for the ``Veterans Self-Employment Act.''

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce legislation that is not only important for Louisiana, but for the Nation as well. The ripple effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction remain as our country continues to wrestle with its legacy of race relations and Federal, State and civil rights. In order to properly commemorate this event, I believe it is imperative to create a Sesquicentennial, or 150th, Commission for the Commemoration of the Civil War. I am grateful the House of Representatives agrees that the 150th anniversary of the Civil War should receive attention. In the 108th Congress the House of Representatives adopted by unanimous vote the exact legislation I offer today. In 1996, Congress designated the United States Civil War Center, USCWC, at Louisiana State University, LSU, and the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College as future co-facilitators of the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Civil War to be held between 2011 and 2015. Legislation establishing the Sesquicentennial Commission was to be passed in the 107th Congress. Today I again offer this aforementioned legislation. The American Civil War, 1861-1865, was one of the most violent times in the history of the United States, touching not only every State and territory, but claiming more than 600,000 lives, bringing freedom to over 4 million slaves and destroying property valued at $5 billion. In 1993, the USCWC was created to promote the study of the American Civil War from the perspectives of all professions, occupations, and academic disciplines in order to facilitate a deeper, more thorough understanding of one of the most important events in our nation's history. This mission is fulfilled through a variety of projects, including an official web site featuring over 9000 links to Civil War- related sites, the Michael Shaara Award for Civil War Fiction, Civil War Book Review, the Michael Lehman Williamson Collection of Civil War Books for Young People, the David Madden Collection of Civil War Fiction, and the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Civil War. The commission will include members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, directors of the Library of Congress and National Archives, and academics in history, anthropology, sociology, political science, art history and law. Mr. Speaker, I fully support the objectives and services the USCWC provides and hope they are fully utilized by its inclusion in the commission. I believe the USCWC will strengthen the commission, and aid to it's goal of providing the direction and resources needed for the proper Sesquicentennial Commemorations of the Civil War throughout this Nation.

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, Atchafalaya refers to both a river and a large wetlands region of Louisiana; the name derives from the Choctaw hacha falaia, meaning ``Long River.'' The river itself serves as a major tributary of the Mississippi and Red rivers, and runs through a swampy wetlands called the Atchafalaya Basin, which is about 20 miles in width and 150 in length. The Atchafalaya Basin is rich with wildlife, including three hundred bird species, as well as crawfish, shrimp, crabs, frogs, snakes, nutrias, beavers, raccoons, foxes, alligators, and black bears. Since the 18th century, Cajun fishermen and trappers have depended on the basin and river for their livelihoods and culture. Today, I rise with all my colleagues from Louisiana to offer legislation to preserve this unique area of natural, cultural, historic and recreational resource as a National Heritage Area. This legislation will designate the Atchafalaya Trace Commission as the local coordinating entity of the Heritage Area. In 1997, the Atchafalaya Trace Commission was created by the Louisiana Legislature and was charged with planning and managing the Atchafalaya Heritage Area to help our communities save important cultural and natural resources. I support their mission to enhance the positive benefits of tourism and create a sustainable, healthy economy. I commend the Atchafalaya Trace Commission in their leadership in preservation and advocacy on behalf of the Atchafalaya Heritage Area. Mr. Speaker, the legislation that I submit today also establishes a procedure for the voluntary inclusion of private property in the Heritage Area. I believe this is important in balancing both public and private interests in such a diverse natural and cultural area. In conclusion, I believe the establishment of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area will provide the direction and resources needed to maintain what the area has to offer for generations to come. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation.

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5011) to prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel, as amended.

Mr. BAKER. 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 H.R. 5011.

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the members of the House Committee on Financial Services and I assume many Members of the Congress were shocked to learn of practices on military installations of this Nation wherein the practice of bringing in retired military officers to meet with young enlisted men and women to represent to them that financial investment opportunities were being made available which, in fact, were not financial investments but financial misfortune. Young men and women, often headed to a theater of war, thinking they were buying life insurance for their dependents and their spouses, would return finding that the premiums paid yielded very little benefit at high cost. Mutual fund investments, which often required half of the first year's investment, went into the pockets of the broker. It would be years in some cases before these young men or women would find a financial return on what they thought would be an investment for their family's future. Upon learning of these revelations, the committee began its work and made serious inquiries into the manner in which these actions were permitted. The bill before the House today, the result of work by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel) and other Members, takes an important stride forward in that it would preclude the sale of contractual mutual fund products period on military installations and, secondly, would require the establishment of rules and regulations by State insurance commissioners to ensure that types of activities previously engaged in here would heretofore be prohibited. This measure is one with which I believe both sides of the aisle can strongly agree. I find it highly appropriate that, as young men and women are preparing to stand in defense of this country, that this Congress at least stand in defense of their financial security. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) who introduced legislation early in this Congress and encouraged the committee to act in a timely manner.

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun).

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I simply wish to acknowledge the good work of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel) and his colleagues on this matter and to express appreciation for the bipartisan manner in which it was considered, passed and, I think this afternoon, passed on the floor of this House. Clearly, when we identify a problem of such pressing urgency to the young men and women of our national defense, it is highly appropriate this Congress should be timely and responsive in meeting their need. I think H.R. 5011 achieves that goal, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to have worked with my colleague and echo the observations of the gentleman from Illinois. I hope this bipartisan approach continues with issues yet to come.

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

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

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his courtesy in yielding me time. I rise here today to speak to my appreciation for his good work in bringing this matter to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker, the American Civil War was perhaps the most dramatic forging event in our Nation's history. In a brief period of time, over 600,000 lives were lost. The struggle was immense. But from this incredible event and the huge loss of life, a new nation was forged, with its eye on principle and in practice to afford equal rights to all. In the course of our history, this Congress has acted with regard to this matter in years past. In fact, there are two institutions. The United States Civil War Center at Louisiana State University and the Civil War Institute at the Gettysburg College have been the only two institutions nationally recognized as Civil War centers. It is my hope and expectation that as the commission itself is appointed and work is commenced, that they will become significant partners with the center at LSU and at the Gettysburg College in coming to the appropriate decisions for the sesquicentennial celebrations of this event. It is truly an important, formative event in our Nation's history. It is a time when no one should be without education and understanding, for from it we learn much about ourselves and what makes our Nation as great as it is today.

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, as many in this chamber now know, Coach Gayle Hatch of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will be the coach of the U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team at the 2004 Summer Olympiad in Athens, Greece. I can think of no one associated with coaching, even at the highest levels, more deserving of Olympic recognition. The Olympics is the venue where the best of our world's athletes compete and pursue the ideals of sportsmanship. Hard work, hard work, and hard work are three of the most important elements of preparation. Talent is certainly important, but commitment to principle is essential. There is no other challenge to an athlete that holds out the highest standards of conduct, as the minimum standard for admission. This makes participation in the Olympics a rare honor. To be selected as a coach of such competitors is even more special. It is likely that most in the House who listen to this text would assume it is written as a casual political statement to acknowledge Coach Hatch's recent success. Few would know of our long-standing friendship. It was well over 20 years ago when I first brought my son Brandon to Coach Hatch's training facility. I thought well enough of him then to trust his guidance with my own son. To the exclusion of all other sports, Brandon trained with a commitment I have not seen before. Today my son is a hard working and disciplined person, in large measure due to the principles instilled in Coach Hatch's gym. I also know the same is true for many men and women who have been part of the ``Hatch'' family. Whether in sports or other endeavors, graduates of the ``Hatch School of Hard Work'' always found ways to succeed in life. This is why I rise today to speak to my colleagues in the House. Coach Hatch's contribution to the Baton Rouge and sporting community goes far beyond helping a talented young athlete finish in first place. Coach Hatch's work, by instilling principles of decency into young people, is of immeasurable value. The Olympic Committee has selected Coach Hatch to lead young Americans in the most difficult athletic challenge they will likely ever face. This is a big deal. But I know that our team members will bring honor to America, because of their principled conduct which Coach Hatch will require. Their athletic success will only be an additional reward. Long after Coach Hatch returns home from Athens, returning I hope, to coach more young people, the awards and acknowledgments will continue to come. Some may be from an Olympic Committee, or an Olympian here or there, but hundreds will come from dads like me. We know, Coach Hatch, what you have given of yourself to help mold our children into principled and committed young adults. Although it can't be found or put on a shelf, I hope you take pride in hearing all us dads say, ``Thanks Coach''. For those who don't know Coach Hatch, it is worth noting that he has been active as a weightlifting and strength coach for more than 30 years, and the Gayle Hatch Weightlifting Team has won more than 40 men's Junior, Senior, and Masters national championships. Coach Hatch is a member of the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame, the National Master Weightlifting Hall of Fame and the USA Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame. He holds USA Weightlifting's highest certificate ranking, Senior U.S. International Coach, and is the director of USA Weightlifting's Southern Regional Training Center.

Mr. BAKER

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I wish to acknowledge at this time the leadership of the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley) on this most important and difficult matter. Over the course of the past months, the committee has engaged in numerous hearings and roundtables to discuss the advisability of FASB's recommendation and to craft the appropriate remedy given the committee's concerns. The chairman at all times has been insistent on a balanced analytical process to afford all stakeholders the ability to be heard. I certainly would also wish to extend my appreciation to the leader on the Democratic side, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi); and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo), who have been at the forefront of leading the charge from their perspective on what they both believe to be an important economic tool for job creation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg), a member of the committee and an interested party in this most important issue.