Cass Ballenger

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Chairman, the Raleigh News & Observer headline this past Sunday said, ``North Carolina's Trade Deficit Soars: Manufacturing Slide Continues Despite Decline in Dollar.'' One in four North Carolinians employed in manufacturing have lost their jobs during the past 5 years. Plants across the State are closing their doors entirely, and other firms are moving jobs offshore, truthfully mostly to China. North Carolina's 10th Congressional District has a disproportionately large percentage of local economies built on manufacturing. So the communities I represent are struggling even more due to this manufacturing recession. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that job losses will continue as long as U.S. imports from China are six times as large as exports to China. These statistics highlight why I have become a strong proponent of the newly formed Defense Industrial Base Caucus. The U.S. cannot be reliant on foreign manufacturers of military or homeland security systems and equipment. We have got to invest in critical industries where we do not have the capacity for self- sufficiency and purchase goods from those United States sectors that are the best in the world. A recent admission from the Pentagon underscores the need for the U.S. to regain its manufacturing self- sufficiency. The Swiss Government's refusal to provide crucial bomb components during Operation Iraqi Freedom could have hampered our efforts in the fight effectively if the war had lasted a little longer. We cannot afford to be hamstrung by countries that disagree with our intentions and our goals as we defend the homeland. The U.S. makes the best products in the world. We have got to provide jobs for the American people. There is no better place to demonstrate that commitment than providing our first responders with American-made products, procured with taxpayers' dollars.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, today we are going to hear a lot of discussion, important discussion, about over 40 million Americans who are uninsured. Very few people in Congress have actually had the experience of dealing with employees and their health insurance. Well, I have, with them and their dependents. H.R. 660 will allow small business to pool their resources in Associated Health Plans, giving them healthcare purchasing power that they do not have today. As one Member who is a small business owner, I know firsthand that ballooning costs are a major reason why so many Americans are uninsured. When the company I founded employed only 5 or 10 workers, I was at the mercy of the insurance companies. Small companies lack the bargaining power that is necessary to find the best deal, and the smaller the company, the worse it gets. Like me, most employers care deeply about their employees and want to give them access to quality care. Unfortunately, skyrocketing costs have forced many of us to distribute health insurance costs to our employees, to drop health coverage or to close up shop altogether. And this is nothing short of a tragedy, not only for millions of uninsured or underinsured workers and their families, but also for employers who can no longer afford the high cost of health insurance. Mr. Speaker, the problem is not going away. While AHPs may not cover every uninsured American, I know that it will help many Americans gain access to quality care. Some Members of this Congress will only be satisfied with universal healthcare coverage. Let me just ask you, does small business want the U.S. Government as a partner? Well, not where I come from. These Members argue that we are somehow misguided when we want to take a common sense approach toward any American access to quality healthcare insurance. Associated Health Plans will allow small businesses to pool their resources and increase their bargaining power with insurance companies. This will allow them to negotiate better rates and purchase quality healthcare at a lower cost. In essence, AHPs will put small business on equal footing with the large, self-insured companies and unions. Mr. Speaker, it is good to talk about the plight of the uninsured, but let us do something to help them. Let us support AHPs.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I just want to speak and say a few positive things about the tax bill that was so heavily attacked a moment ago. I had the opportunity in North Carolina over the past weekend to speak to a group concerning the positive aspects of this thing, the job-creation part of it. As many of my colleagues in this body recognize, I own a small manufacturing company in Hickory, North Carolina; and the tax benefits in this program, with the increased appreciation, makes decisions much more likely to be made, at least as far as my own little company is concerned. With that 50 percent tax break and depreciation allowance the first year, we have made a decision that we made today, before I left home, that we will purchase a machine that costs $150,000. That machine, the moment it is delivered to our company, will create six jobs. I do not know what else anybody else knows about this tax bill, I know there is a whole bunch of discussion about taxes for the rich and taxes for the poor, but this idea of creating new jobs by our tax bill is first class, and I want to say I greatly appreciate it.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, North Carolina has been the home of many brave men and women who have served their country to the utmost of their ability. Today I would like to honor retired General Charles A. Gabriel, who served as chief of staff of the United States Air Force from July 1982 to July 1986 by naming the United States Post Office in Iron Station, North Carolina, in his honor. I have chosen the Iron Station post office because General Gabriel's father worked in the same facility for 44 years. General Charles Gabriel was born in 1928 in Lincolnton, North Carolina, as one of five children to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gabriel. He graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1944 at the age of 16 and entered Catawba College as a star member of the football program. In recognition of his outstanding academic and athletic ability, he was recruited to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at the age of 18 where he was named quarterback for the military academy's football team, the Black Knights. He earned his commission and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. While on active duty, he continued his education and in 1963 received a Master of Science degree in engineering management from George Washington University. General Gabriel served a long and commendable career as a combat fighter pilot and later in various staff positions. He was first assigned to South Korea where he flew over 100 combat missions in the Korean War. He then flew 150 combat missions after being stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base from 1970 to 1972 during the Vietnam conflict. In 1979 he became the deputy chief of staff of operations, plans and readiness. In 1980 he was appointed commander in chief, United States Air Forces in Europe, and commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe until his appointment in 1982 as chief of staff of the Air Force. General Gabriel has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. He also has attended both the command and staff school at the Naval War College and the Industrial College of Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. I ask my fellow colleagues to please join me in tribute to this great North Carolinian by naming the U.S. post office in Iron Station, North Carolina, in his honor.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, North Carolina unemployment is as bad as it is anywhere. Broyhill Industries just announced it is laying off 500 people from their furniture factory. My little company has been operating wide open in North Carolina, lots of overtime, and that does not cost anything in additional expenditures and investment, but it reduces our efficiency. The jobs part of the tax bill increasing depreciation writeoffs make it sensible to buy machinery and to cut down on overtime by creating four new jobs by investing $170,000. We would not do this if it were not a plus in the tax bill. The jobs will be created in the same county where Broyhill laid off 500 people. Mr. Speaker, I think people who have never been involved in employing people and working together do not recognize what an advantage this new tax bill is for creating jobs.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the President's leadership on the Job and Growth Tax Act. There are too many Americans still looking for work. As its first order of business, this Congress helped by extending unemployment benefits in January. Now it is time to help American businesses create the jobs that these Americans need and want. Displaced workers have looked for employment for too long. We need a plan to encourage small business owners to expand and hire new people. North Carolina's 10th district has been struck hard by the economic downturn. Our Unifour area's unemployment rate almost quadrupled in 2 years' time. Tax relief and fiscal restraint can help turn the tide and restore our economic vitality. It is wrong for this Congress to play partisan politics with the future of employment of millions of Americans. Relief to American businesses will allow them to grow, providing new job opportunities. Americans need paychecks, not handouts. The Jobs and Growth Tax Act will get us there.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Chairman, not since Congress first passed legislation to help children with disabilities to receive a free and appropriate public education has a bill done so much for disabled students, parents, and their teachers. That is why I am proud to support the Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act. One important aspect of this legislation is that it helps to reduce the over-identification and mis-identification of non-disabled students. For far too long, students that were not disabled were classified as being disabled--stigmatizing these children for the rest of their education even though they were fully capable students. H.R. 1350 encourages the use of early intervention strategies, which we all know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By reducing the number of non-disabled students receiving services, students who truly need assistance will have more resources available to them. I would also like to point out that our litigious society has fostered an atmosphere of mistrust and apprehension between parents and teachers. H.R. 1350 gives parents and schools increased flexibility in resoling disputes. Through mediation and voluntary binding arbitration, the trust between parents and teachers can be restored. While I understand the fears and concerns of some regarding changes to IDEA, I believe that H.R. 1350 goes a long way towards increasing accountability and flexibility for both teachers and parents. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate North Carolina's 2A high school basketball champions, the Mitchell High School Lady Mountaineers. Led by Coach Bruce Woody, the Lady Mountaineers blazed victory's trail by winning their final 19 games of the season, knocking off the top three ranked teams in the State. In spite of their winning streak going into the March 15 championship game in Chapel Hill, the Lady Mountaineers were considered underdogs against the previously undefeated and formidable Lady Red Devils of Red Springs High School, but the Lady Mountaineers knew they could win, and cheered on by over 1,100 loyal fans in purple, the Lady Mountaineers fought hard through five lead changes and three ties. Defense was the name of the game, and every athlete in purple did her part. Coach Woody could not believe his eyes when the final buzzer rang and the score read 61 to 50, with the Lady Mountaineers winning. North Carolina's 10th District salutes our Lady Mountaineers. We are all inspired by the team's tenacity and winning spirit. Congratulations, Mitchell High School Lady Mountaineers.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) that would cut $34 million in Colombian assistance provided by the Defense Department and $27 million earmarked for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative to be added to the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Mr. Chairman, it really makes no sense at this time to direct additional funds to the Office of Domestic Preparedness when $331 million remains unspent from a previous allocation of $494 million. President Uribe of Colombia is showing real leadership in the face of drug-financed terrorism. His life is always in danger. Our drug czar, John Walters, recently testified before my subcommittee about Colombia's record progress in eliminating illegal drugs. The governor of a leading drug-producing area in Colombia, Putamayo, was in my office just this week telling me of additional successful efforts in his Putamayo district. In fact, drug production in Putamayo has already been reduced from 66 million hectares to 13 million hectares. That is a reduction of 80 percent over 2 years. Cutting aid to Colombia would also remove search and rescue funding, even as we work to return three Americans who are being held by the FARC. Mr. Chairman, the drug war continues. Our homeland security compels every effort to fight the drug scourge that continues to kill our children, up to 30,000 a year. Compare that to Iraq. We have an ally in Colombia who is fighting this war for us. Let us not reduce our efforts when we are finally winning. I urge a ``no'' vote on the McGovern amendment.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the members of our armed forces serving overseas, but I do not wish to use words of my own. I want to use those of my constituent, Miss Lisa Seviers. Miss Seviers is only ten years old, but her words are of an understanding far greater than her age. Miss Seviers wrote a poem which I would like to share with you now: ``These Troubled Times'' In this time of 2003, a troubled year ahead we see, But lose no confidence for we are strong, bounded by our Nation's thoughts of liberty, justice and freedom for all. We are the ones who will stand tall, When and if the economy falls. We will not lose hope--we will hope even more. Stand at the thought we are free, No matter what happens in other countries. We will stand strong, we will not give in. For the people of our land, we sent soldiers out to fight. So fearless, bold and courageous. They are being sent to a new land, Yet they show not signs of being afraid. We will pray to God to keep them safe. If he will, we will praise the Lord. If they don't come back safe, most will say ``Why did you take my loved one away?'' The answer hides on a coin: ``In God We Trust'' Your answer is--we trust in God to keep them safe For God is wise, and what you say is-- ``The best way to die is dying free.'' I want to thank Miss Seviers for sending me her poem. I want to join with her and express my faith in our troops and my hope for their safe and speedy return.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the attached statement of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe supporting U.S. action in Iraq. Excerpts of a Televised Address to the Colombian Nation by His Excellency Alvaro Uribe, President of the Republic of Colombia on Iraq The Government has openly supported the use of force in Iraq in order to disarm its regime and prevent its weapons of mass destruction from continuing to threaten mankind and the Iraqi people, who have been a victim of horrid crimes perpetrated by Iraqi authorities. The world still remembers images of the mothers of Halabja, dying while embracing their children in a last effort to protect them from the deadly effects of Saddam Hussein's poisonous gas. This international action should protect civilians and respect the legitimate rights of the population of Iraq. We belong to a coalition formed of countries like the United States, Spain, England, Italy, Denmark, Holland, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Bolivia. As in the case of Colombia, the people in many of these countries have suffered from terrorism and have learned, as we have, that this scourge has to be defeated by force in order for citizens to be able to live in peace. Colombia has been requesting the world's support in its fight against terrorism and we cannot refuse to support actions aimed at defeating terror wherever it takes place. We have demanded global solidarity to avoid the suffering brought about by terrorism and we must fight together to stop terrorism from causing havoc here and there--in the Twin Towers of New York, in the streets of Great Britain, in Spanish cities, in Bogota's Club El Nogal, in Cuouta and Neiva, in the humble town of Ricaurte just last night, or in Arauca, nearly on a daily basis. Neither state terrorism nor terrorism by armed groups of any kind can be tolerated. Our Government is committed to the fight against terrorism until terrorist networks are dismantled. Only then will we see full compliance with human rights. The dignity of our open democracy requires this and only when it is realized will we be able to maintain international credibility, which is our defense against unilateral intervention of any kind. We will overcome the terrorist's deceit: Terrorists in Colombia advance their agenda through illegal drugs, kidnappings, arms and technology while misleading well- intentioned analysts and seeking sinister alliances. We cannot remain in doubt, lacking determination and mistaking weakness for legality, which has prevented us from gaining effective allies against terrorism. By participating in this alliance against terrorism, Colombia strengthens its ability to gain international allies who can help us defeat terrorism internally. We have also learned that international cooperation cannot remain solely in the realm of words, but must translate into concrete support, good offices and effective military action. We feel for the victims of terrorism in Colombia and other countries. To demand solidarity, we must show solidarity.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 868) to amend section 527 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to require that certain claims for expropriation by the Government of Nicaragua meet certain requirements for purposes of the prohibition on foreign assistance to that government.

Mr. BALLENGER. 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 bill under consideration.

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, section 527 of the ``Foreign Relations Authorization Act, fiscal years 1994 and 1995,'' sanctions or stops certain U.S. bilateral assistance and U.S. support for assistance from International Financial Institutions for a government of a country that has confiscated a U.S. citizen's property. Nicaragua sadly falls amongst these rules of section 527, but has received Presidential waivers of the sanctions every year since the legislation was enacted. American citizens have had nearly 12 years to come forward to file property claims with the American embassy. This bill amends section 527 to afford American citizens a reasonable opportunity to file a claim with the American embassy in Managua. Any American citizen who has not yet filed a property claim with the American embassy will have 120 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register to do so. Any claims already on file or that are filed within the 120-day period can continue to be considered by the State Department in making its annual determination as to whether to apply the waiver or the sanctions authorized under section 527. This bill would not, however, prevent American citizens from filing property claims after the 120-day period and seeking help from the American embassy in Managua to engage on their behalf with the Government of Nicaragua regarding their claim. At the same time, the bill sets a date certain that the Nicaraguan government can look to as an end date for registering new property cases for the purpose of the prohibition on assistance currently in law. This will provide important encouragement for the government of President Enrique Bolanos, who is an ally of the United States. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and continued American assistance to Nicaragua is vitally important. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nicaragua has incurred $236 million in debt to pay these claims. The Bush administration supports the bill. I also want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), for cosponsoring this bill with me. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, to most Americans coffee is nothing more than a morning pick-me-up, a drink over which to socialize, or an excuse to reacquaint ourselves with old friends or even to make new ones. But to Latin America, our neighbors down there, coffee is a way of life, a key to survival, and a hope for the future. As many of my colleagues may know, coffee prices are at a record low. Latin American families who once made a good living at farming coffee are now being forced to leave the farm to find other work. Oftentimes, that means risking life and limb to emigrate to the United States or to engage in the illegal production and trafficking of narcotics just to survive. As a businessman, I fully comprehend the ebbs and flows of commodity trading and the effects that oversupply can have on a market. But there is much more to the current coffee situation than profit margins. Latin Americans produce the highest-quality coffee anywhere in the world, but they cannot make a living from it. Without immediate action, the consequences will be felt well beyond the coffee fields. It is important to remember that democracy is still young and fragile in Latin America. Growing poverty and an increasing lack of real economic opportunities are now threatening the very democracy that thousands of Latin Americans have risked, and sometimes lost, their lives to establish. Over the years, I have worked with Latin leaders to promote economic opportunities that would strengthen new democracies and improve the lives of their citizens. The production of real quality coffee, for instance, once brought unheard of prosperity to many of the communities in Central and South America. But with the price of quality coffee falling to historic lows, the flood of lesser- and cheaper- quality coffee entering the global market, these very communities are now left destitute and questioning the benefits of democracy. Last July, the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, which I chair, held a hearing on what some have termed the ``coffee crisis.'' Some may refute the premise that there is such a crisis. The abandoned coffee plantations of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, and elsewhere, coupled with the thousands of people who are now out of work, tell a different story. There is a crisis. During the hearing, witnesses testified that the trade in coffee is negatively affecting the local, national, and regional economies of our hemisphere. The overproduction of coffee is the result of unrestricted imports from places like Vietnam, where coffee is not a traditional crop and the farmers are heavily subsidized by the communist government. In a span of just a few years, Vietnam has emerged as the second leading exporter of coffee in the world. This oversupply has driven coffee prices to their lowest level in 30 years, to just a fraction of what they were a few years ago. As a result of this hearing, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) and I cosponsored House Resolution 604, along with eight other Members of Congress. The resolution simply expresses the sense of the House that the United States should adopt a global strategy with coordinated activities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to address the short-term humanitarian needs and long-term rural development needs of countries affected by the collapse of coffee prices. It encourages the President to explore measures to support and complement multilateral efforts to respond to the global coffee crisis. But more importantly, it urges the private sector coffee buyers and roasters to work with the United States to seek their own solution to the crisis which is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. Numerous foreign firms are already helping farmers move away from drug production and improve the local economies. A French grocery company, CarreFour, entered into a contract with the Colombian organic and specialty coffee farmers to buy their coffee at slightly higher prices to be marketed in CarreFour stores. While I am not prone to say anything really nice about the French, especially recently, this is the type of corporate citizenship that should be emulated. This simple act of corporate citizenship is providing coffee consumers the best coffee available while giving the farmers and their families a way to earn a living without having to produce drugs. I also understand that Starbucks and Green Mountain engage in outreach programs for the Latin coffee farmers that allow them to purchase quality coffees for their shops. In conclusion, if we stand by and allow the crisis to worsen, we are committing ourselves to more drastic action in the medium to long term when the crisis will have spiraled to our further detriment. As the crisis deepens, so do the problems at the U.S. border, such as massive migration and the inflow of more illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin. Although there are efforts under way to address this problem, more action must be taken. I encourage my colleagues to join me in solving this crisis.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to speak today in honor of my friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson). The gentleman is one of the kindest, most thoughtful human beings I know, a principled and unwaivering man. He fights like a lion for what he holds dear. He is truly a man of mettle and conviction. Sam is also a war hero if ever there was one. I cringe when I think of the incredible price he paid for the freedom of this great Nation, 7 years as a prisoner of war. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. Today Congress recognizes Sam Johnson's sacrifice and his service to America. In so doing, we again acknowledge freedom at its high cost and remember those soldiers who did not return home. Fortunately for us, Sam did. I thank the Chair for the chance to honor Sam.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 21, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 19, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, could we ask for regular order on this?

Mr. BALLENGER. Yes, I am, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, the threats posed by Saddam Hussein are real. As President Bush forcefully said last night, we refuse to live in fear. Only a few of us can remember the threat posed by an evil man a few generations back, a man by the name of Adolph Hitler. A lot of us in those days were discussing whether Hitler was a real threat. No, he is not very dangerous, they said. We do not need to worry about him. All of a sudden, he wanted Alsace-Lorraine, and he took it. The world said, They are mostly Germans, so it is really not a big deal. A little while later he took Austria. Everyone said, you know, They are Germans, too. Then he took Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. Again, the world said, They are mostly Germans, as well. We should not worry a great deal about that. Then Hitler took Czechoslovakia. A fellow named Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, joined the world leaders and created a settlement which Chamberlain declared would bring peace in our time. Not long afterwards, Hitler decided that he wanted Poland, so he and Stalin cut up Poland. As a result, 51 million people died throughout the war, and some of them were my classmates. I do not know how many people could have been saved if Britain and France had shown the leadership that it was necessary to stop Hitler at the Alsace-Lorraine, but I am sure it would be a lot less than 51 million. I do know this: we are in a similar position today, and we need to show the leadership that was lacking in World War II. I hope we are assisted by the United Nations in these actions. I hope that this resolution will give the U.N. a backbone to step up and speak out. While I will vote for this resolution, I also have a personal problem and a great deal to worry about. I have grandchildren who are young men, bringing forth the possibility that they could become involved in this potential conflict; so I have not arrived at this decision without a great deal of thought. Many times, because we have been lacking in leadership in this world, millions of people have been killed before someone decided to take preemptive action. We must and we will support President Bush in his request of this Congress to give him the authorization to use force.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, over the last year thousands of Americans employed by Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia and others have watched helplessly as their companies collapsed and their retirement savings evaporated. In response, President Bush called on Congress to act in a bipartisan fashion to restore confidence in our Nation's pension and retirement security system, and I am not ashamed to say more than 150 days ago the House did its part by passing a comprehensive pension protection bill that protects workers from losing their retirement savings in Enron- style corporate meltdowns. The House passed the Pension Security Act to protect workers' retirements by stopping harmful inside trader moves. It gives workers new freedoms to diversify their retirement savings in 3 years and allows workers to receive sound investment advice about their retirement plans. American workers deserve no less than this from Congress. And also we need to support a 401(k) continuation and permanent renewal of the marriage penalty. The Senate has not passed any protection bill; and by supporting this bill rule, you are standing up for American workers.

Mr. BALLENGER

Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, let me just say, nestled halfway between Raleigh and Asheville in North Carolina is a little town called Connelly Springs. It is a small town built around an old stagecoach stop which now serves railroad passengers. Named for its healthful spring waters, Connelly Springs was incorporated in 1920; but due to taxes, licenses, fines, and other onerous government impositions, residents decided to repeal the town charter in 1933. As time passed, residents needed a water supply system as local wells became less productive. Residential roads needed paving, and the State only paved highways. To address these community needs, a group of citizens petitioned the State legislative bodies to allow a vote on reincorporation; and in 1989, 266 out of the 400 town voters approved the effort. Amazingly, the first government decided a nickel per hundred dollar property tax would cover the cost of government. City offices were established in the old filling station with a volunteer clerk to handle the details. In addition, six volunteer council members would set town policy. The council did an outstanding job meeting the community's needs. When two larger towns on either side of Connelly Springs decided to run a large water line connecting those two, the town of Connelly Springs' council realized the lines would pass near the northern boundary of the new town. They decided to go into the deal for $200,000 paid over 20 years. The plan worked beautifully. With several backhoes and other equipment to aid in the installation, Connelly Springs installed the water lines and became the first North Carolina self-help program member whose local residents provided the time and the resources to install their own water lines. With the aid from their Rensselaerville Institute and the Appalachian Regional Commission, a $60,000 loan from the Ford Foundation, and local funds, the town reached the necessary projected cost of $282,000. Three years ago, I shoveled a little dirt to prepare the land for a new town hall. This September 7, I helped cut the ribbon to open the finished town hall. The upper floors contain offices and the council chamber, and the lower floor will be a community center for all local groups to use whenever they need it. We ate hot dogs and hamburgers to celebrate the grand opening. It is all paid for, and they have money in the bank. In all my life, I have never seen a more dedicated group of citizens who manage their efforts and money so carefully. I only wish I had some of that dedication in Raleigh, North Carolina, and also in Washington, D.C.