Doug Bereuter

Mr. BEREUTER

Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), the chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and I appreciate the willingness of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the chairman of the committee, to reach common ground on the issue of responsibility for contracts on defense space launches. We are particularly grateful that he has agreed with our amendment to remove section 121 from the bill. As the gentleman knows, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence included a provision in the fiscal year 2001 intelligence authorization bill that would encourage the National Reconnaissance Office to have greater input with respect to contracting related to the launch of national reconnaissance payloads. There have been positive developments from the introduction of this language in last year's intelligence bill, even though that language was removed by the other body prior to final passage. Since the beginning of 2001, the U.S. Air Force has been more forthcoming with the NRO on contracting matters, and this trend needs to be encouraged.

Mr. BEREUTER

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of H.R. 1583, a bill designating the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in New Albany, Indiana, as the ``Lee H. Hamilton Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Our colleague, former Congressman Lee Hamilton possessed all attributes that a very distinguished public servant should possess-- sound and well-reasoned judgment, unswerving integrity, unfailing courtesy, and intellect. Throughout his 34-year congressional career, while a strong legislative leader, he also consistently sought constructive ways to forge a bipartisan consensus where possible. Also, he certainly knew and represented his Indiana constituents very well. The people of Indiana's 9th Congressional District were exceedingly well-served by Representative Lee Hamilton during his service not only by his close attention to domestic issues and District concerns, but as Americans through his vast and respected foreign policy expertise and his leadership by his service as Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and as Chairman and later as Ranking Minority Member of the House International Relations Committee. Indeed, Lee represented all Americans by rationally and insistently approaching foreign policy with U.S. national interests in mind, not simply those of special interest groups. Additionally, people world-wide have benefitted from his dedication to food aid projects, to democracy- building projects in Russia and the former Soviet Union, and to many other international projects too numerous to mention. Mr. Speaker, this Member served with Lee on the House International Relations Committee from 1983 through 1996 and remains particularly grateful for the informed, insightful assistance and counsel that Lee provided when this Member was a junior member of the Committee's minority. Regrettably, this Member did not have the opportunity to serve with Lee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence but, as current Vice-Chairman of the Committee and having served earlier for six years, this Member certainly does appreciate Representative Hamilton's contributions to the Intelligence Committee. We would all be well-advised to follow his example of setting aside emotion and irrationality from intricate, complex challenges and inserting common sense and careful analysis. Mr. Sepaker, this Member has served in this body for 23 years and without any hyperbole would say that Lee Hamilton is one of the three or four most distinguished legislators with whom this Member has had the privilege to serve. Naming the New Albany, Indiana, Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse after Representative Hamilton is an appropriate tribute to a man who served Indiana and his country so extraordinarily well. This Member urges his colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1583.

Mr. BEREUTER

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member was returning to his district for official business purposes the evening of September 21, 2001, and unfortunately missed several roll call votes on H.R. 2926, the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. Had this Member been present, this Member would have voted in the following ways: 1. Rollcall Number 345--``aye'' on the Rule (H. Res. 242) to allow same day consideration of legislation to preserve the continued viability of the United States air transportation system; 2. Rollcall Number 346--``aye'' on the Rule (H. Res. 244) for H.R. 2926; 3. Rollcall Number 347--``no'' on the motion to recommit with instructions; and 4. Rollcall Number 348--``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 2926.

Mr. BEREUTER

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Chairman, this Member rises in strong support of the bipartisan amendment which he is offering with the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Langevin. The Bereuter-Langevin Amendment would authorize the use of appropriated funds for members and units of the National Guard to conduct and participate in athletic competitions and small arms competitions in conjunction with required training. Mr. Speaker, the National Guard provides the men and women serving their country with the opportunity to hone their service-related skills in competitive events as the National Guard Bureau Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska; a biathlon in Vermont; the Leapfest in Rhode Island; and marksmanship competitions in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Indeed, the opportunity to participate in these competitions provides incentives for National Guard recruitment and retention programs. Additionally, the competitions bring National Guard members together with Active Duty military personnel which builds better appreciation among the various components and overall force cohesiveness. However, the playing field for the National Guard is not level with that for Active Duty military members. Currently, state National Guard units can use only non-appropriated funds to cover operating expenses for the events and for health, pay, and personal expenses for participating unit members. Because the non-appropriated funds are very limited, National Guard members must often pay out of their own pockets for expenses, including medical coverage. For Active Duty military participants, appropriated funds cover all expenses participants incur. By authorizing the use of appropriated funds in addition to the non- appropriated funds, National Guard members participating in competitions could receive full coverage for health, pay, and personal expenses. This is particularly important for National Guard members who cannot afford medical expenses stemming from possible injuries. Additionally, the National Guard units would face fewer budget constraints when continuing to host these valuable competitions and when sending teams and individuals into competition. Finally, it is important to note that H.R. 1705 does not recommend appropriation levels nor does the legislation create participation incentives for National Guard members which are greater than those incentives for Active Duty military. Mr. Speaker, this Member urges his colleagues to vote for the Bereuter-Langevin amendment as an important way to show support for the men and women serving their country in our National Guard.

Mr. BEREUTER

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), a member of our elected leadership.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Largent). (Mr. LARGENT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English.) (Mr. ENGLISH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf). (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the distinguished vice chairman of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Sununu), a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas). (Mr. GEKAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), a member of the Committee.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman can be assured that all of us in this House share in his concern, his grief, and his pride in the courage and relentless efforts of New Yorkers and others who have come to their aid. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg). (Mr. SHADEGG asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), a member of the Committee on Armed Services. (Mr. HAYES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) with whom I share pride in having been an officer in the United States Army in the past. (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Riley), a distinguished member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune).

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), a member of the Committee on Armed Services and chairman of the Committee on Resources. (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)