Marion Berry

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has been a great leader and statesman for the State of Arkansas and for this country, United States Senator Dale Bumpers. Senator Bumpers will retire this year after 24 years in the U.S. Senate. A native of Arkansas, Senator Bumpers has been active in community affairs most of his life, serving as city attorney, school board president, and president of the Chamber of Commerce. His service defines the term, public servant. Senator Bumpers served the people of Arkansas from 1970 to 1974 as our governor. He trimmed the number of State agencies, doubled the number of State parks, launched an initiative to double the number of doctors trained at Arkansas' only medical school. He helped to build more and better State highways and improved our educational system. There are so many good things in the State of Arkansas that would not be there if it were not for Senator Dale Bumpers. The world is a better place because Senator Bumpers has served. Arkansas and America are better places. With Senator Bumpers' retirement comes the loss of one of Arkansas' finest public servants and a good friend to all those who have had the pleasure of work with him. I wish Senator Bumpers and his wife, Betty, much health, happiness and success in the years to come.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, this has been called the do-nothing Congress. In the lower Mississippi River Valley, where I come from, they have got a term called gray mule. I call it the gray mule Congress. What that term means is, in the frontier days, they had a lot of poker games. And if a fellow was not doing well in the poker game, he would jump up about the time he thought the game was going to end, knock the lantern over, turn the lights out, try to steal all the money he could, and take off and run. That is what the Republican Congress is trying to do to the American people. We come up here at the last minute, no budget, no appropriations, let us cram all this unscrupulous stuff into one bill and try to trick the American people into thinking we are doing their job and taking care of their business when we have not saved Social Security. We have not protected them in the health care area, and the list goes on and on of things we have not done. Let us recognize this gray mule Congress for what it is.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American. Mark Berry is the kind of man that has made this country the great Nation it is today. He works hard, plays by the rules, and asks only to be given a chance. Mark is a man who started literally from scratch, with little more than the great heritage we share, and built a nice farm and agribusiness. He is a leader in his Church, community, and his profession that he loves so. His accomplishments also include bringing three wonderful children into the world and raising them to be successful adults and productive citizens. Their heritage will be his good name. He is the kind of man that always does much more than his share when there is a need. He never asks, ``Do I owe it to them?'' only ``Do they need my help?'' His generosity knows no bounds. He follows the tradition of his father in teaching generations of young people how to hunt and fish and is much beloved because of this. His skills in this area are considerable partly because he assigns a high priority to pursuing this avocation. He is the kind of man that a mother and father will look upon and say ``He is my son and I am so proud of him.'' Lloyd and Eleanor Berry, I am sure, absolutely burst with pride today. His community of Bayou Meto has benefited from his service for all of his years and this world is a better place because he is here. Mark and I have been associated in business for all our adult lives and have never had a cross word. It is my good fortune for him to be my brother whom I love dearly.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the formation of the Prescription Drug Task Force. I have enjoyed working with Representatives Allen and Turner to form the task force. The task force will work to bring attention to issues involving the costs and availability of prescription drugs. The task force will serve as a clearinghouse for information on these issues and will host educational forums, briefings, and hearings. One of the things we will focus on is continuing to hold forums like the one we hosted last week, where members will be given an opportunity to participate in discussions and learn how consumers are being affected by the pricing decisions of pharmaceutical companies. One thing I would like to talk about tonight is how the most profitable industry in existence (that is legal) and why that industry's practice of making excessive profits from the elderly and uninsured Americans is bad news. According to industry ratings of Fortune 500 companies-- pharmaceutical companies are the most profitable businesses in existence. They made $24.5 billion in profits last year. Pharmaceutical companies had a 17.2 percent return on revenues. That compares to telecommunication companies who had an 8.1 percent, computers and office equipment manufacturers who had 7.3 percent, food and drug stores that made 1.7 percent. One might think the successful pharmaceutical companies would be of tremendous benefit to American consumers. This couldn't be more wrong. And unfortunately, while the pharmaceutical companies are making tremendous profits, the American people are being gouged. Thousands of consumers, especially seniors, have found themselves affected by the price of prescription drugs in this country. Studies that have been conducted by the minority staff of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee for several Members of Congress, including myself, over the last several months. These studies have shown the prices seniors and other consumers are charged are significantly higher than what pharmaceutical companies charge their favored customers such as HMOs, insurance companies and the Federal Government. Because of this price gouging, seniors across the country are gathering their friends and traveling to other countries such as Mexico and Canada to purchase prescription drugs because to buy them in our own country, is just too expensive. Why not go somewhere else when you can pay a lower price somewhere else? Here's the reality--prescription drug prices are higher in the United States than they are in neighboring countries. According to the General Accounting Office (GAO), prescription drugs in the U.S. were priced about 34 percent higher than the same products in Canada. The average price for products sold in the U.S. was $45.17, ranging from $2.35 (for Deltasone, 5 mg. tablets) to $304.32 (for PCE, 333 mg. tablets). The average price for the same products sold in Canada was $33.78, ranging from $1.29 (for Deltasone) to $211.98 (for PCE). The comparisons were based on data collected from both countries for 121 prescription drugs in the same quantities for each product. Also, the group Public Citizen conducted a study of eight newly developed antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. They found that the prices for each of these eight drugs were higher in the U.S. than they were in 17 other European and North American countries. That's every country looked at in the study. The study showed that on average, American prices were twice as high as other countries', and for individual comparisons with other countries, the American price was as much as six times higher. The consequences are that many individuals who need these new drugs, for financial reasons, are not getting the treatment they need. GAO says the reason for this differential in the drug prices in the two countries is because Canadian law controls prices of both new drugs entering its market and any increases in prices of pharmaceuticals already on the market. If the manufacturers see profits in countries with price controls and/or government purchasing plans, why do they charge higher prices elsewhere? When consumers in one area cannot buy in another, the seller may be able to increase its profits by engaging in what economists call price discrimination. That is what is going on in our country, pure and simple, price discrimination. And what this price discrimination amounts to is our seniors are being ripped off. Mr. Speaker, if someone were going around stealing from seniors in your town or city, stealing right out of their homes and their pockets, people would be outraged. The police would be called and those thieves would be arrested. Then why are we allowing the pharmaceutical companies to rob our seniors? Isn't price discrimination the same thing? We try to allow people to live longer, but then when a doctor prescribes a drug, the senior can't take it because they can't afford it. We live in the richest country in the world but we allow people to starve, go without heat, and only take half of their medicine because they can't afford to take the prescribed amount. It is also wrong that seniors have to travel hundreds of miles for medication, they need, often just to stay alive.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a member of my staff who has decided to pursue a new career. Steve Watkins has been a part of my team since I came to Congress in 1997. Indeed our association goes further than that as he was the Press Secretary for my first campaign for Congress. Steve was critical in managing my transition from candidate to Member and establishing a healthy relationship with members of the press in Arkansas. Within a short time I named him District Director in recognition of the vital role he was playing in the 1st District. As a native of the 1st District and a resident of Jonesboro, Steve has given his time, talent, and dedication to the people of Arkansas for the last two years. He has helped them with their interactions with the federal government, with vital water and sewer projects, and responded to their concerns. Steve has decided to pursue a career with Arkansas State University, his alma mater, and although their gain is our loss, Steve will always be a part of our team wherever he is. Steve I wish you the best of success in your new career and continued happiness for you, Audrey, Adam and Emma. On behalf of the people of the 1st District, of my wife Carolyn, and of all your colleagues in Jonesboro and Washington, I thank you for a job well done and wish you continued happiness and success.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Arkansas' dedicated citizens, on the event of his retirement. It is my privilege to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of Representative John Miller, as he is retiring from the Arkansas State House of Representatives. State Representative John Miller has served the people of Izard County and portions of Independence and Sharp Counties in the Arkansas General Assembly for 36 years and is retiring this year. As former speaker of the House, John ranks third in seniority in the 100-member House of Representatives. Before becoming a member of the Legislature, John served as county and circuit clerk in Izard County, chairman of the state Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, as a member of the Melbourne Lions Club and of the chambers of commerce in Melbourne, Batesville, Calico Rock and Horseshoe Bend. He also served on the boards of directors for the Calico Rock Medical Center, the Arkansas Easter Seals Society, North Arkansas Human Services Systems, Inc., Lions World Services for the Blind, the White River Planning and Development District, and Advocacy Services, Inc. In the 1st District of Arkansas, we say ``he is a good man.'' When you get to Izard County, the roads get wider, the people are happier, life is better and the future is brighter because of John Miller. He is a credit to public service and humanity and the world is better because he is here. I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great friend, great Arkansan, and great American. I speak of Mr. George Wimberly, who has served his community as a member of the City Manager Board for the City of Little Rock; Mayor of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and as a member of the Arkansas General Assembly. All of these positions are significant, but they are completely overshadowed by his accomplishments as a friend and servant to his fellow man. George has owned and operated a neighborhood pharmacy, Buice Drug Store, in the Stiff Station area of Little Rock for over forty years. He is personally involved in the day to day care of each and every one of his customers. George provides not only medicine, advice and counsel, love, attention and service, but he also has a genuine concern for the well being of everyone he knows. Every person that comes in contact with George gets the same consideration. When George Wimberly is your friend you know that there is one person in the world that you can count on. He has been my dear friend since childhood and has befriended generations of my family members. He is a wealth of knowledge about our heritage and when he reads this he will say, ``What would Wimpy say about this?'' He has provided free medical advice, service, and products for anyone in need. He continues to check on shut-ins and the disabled in the community and is the only link to the outside world for many of them. He is from the school that thinks character and honesty are premier qualities and practices these beliefs. Because he has lived and served among us for 78 years we are better for it and the world is a better place to live. As they say in the place I come from, the One Horse Store, he is a ``good man'' and I am proud to call him my friend.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pat Peacock, a lady who means a lot to my family and the community she lives in. Ms. Peacock is from Stuttgart, AR, the ``Duck and Rice Capital of the World.'' It is partly because of Ms. Peacock and her ambassadorial role that Stuttgart and the Grand Prairie are known far and wide as the only place to be, for a least a few days, during duck hunting season. She has worked tirelessly to promote her community and Stuttgart has reaped the rewards of all her hard work. Ms. Peacock was instilled with a sense of service to others. Her love of the outdoors and appreciation for the need to preserve the precious heritage where she grew up, has defined her lifetime involvement to conservation and wildlife organizations. She has given countless hours to ensure that our children will inherit and appreciate what our generation has been privileged to enjoy. Her many awards include: Arkansas Conservationist of the Year, inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, member of the Game and Fish Commission, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for Arkansas and Women's Champion Duck Caller. Pat Peacock for many years owned and operated a small business in Stuttgart called Majestic Inc. She began as a salesperson while in high school. From that time, Ms. Peacock helped build the business into one with a fine reputation throughout the state. The competition from chain department stores in nearby cities and discount stores that hurt Main Street were tough on her small business but Pat worked hard and fine tuned her business successfully. Pat has turned another page now. She has moved on to new challenges and opportunities. I wish her well and want to express my thanks for what she has done for the community of Stuttgart, Arkansas and Arkansas County.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the steel crisis that is escalating out of control and is having a devastating effect on the people of the First Congressional District of Arkansas as well as people around the country. I am a free trader so long as the rules of free trade are rigorously enforced. Fair trade is imperative to support free trade. What is not fair is the export of the Asian and Russian crisis to our shores. Currently Japanese and Russian and other foreign steel companies are unable to sell their excess capacity at home. These foreign steel producers are dumping their products on the U.S. market by selling at prices less than their cost and below those in their home markets. As a result, this growing steel import crisis is causing injury to our domestic steel companies and the industry. It is threatening the jobs of people in the First Congressional District of Arkansas and across America. As a result, the steel imports in May 1998 increased 28.5 percent from their level of the previous year. Through June 1998 the imports from Japan were up 113.7 percent, while imports from Korea rose 89.5 percent. Mr. Speaker, we need to protect American workers and American industry by stopping the illegal dumping of steel from other countries. Now is the time to act. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to correct this problem, and I assure my colleagues that I will do everything I can to help. We can win, but we must fight.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. The 1st Congressional District of Arkansas knows firsthand the terrible tragedies that can occur in our schools. The school resource officer is a common-sense approach to give our schools the tools they need to get the job done. I compliment the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney) for bringing this bill to the House, and I urge support of this bill and passage.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Mississippi for this time and congratulate him and my colleague from Arkansas and many others who have made this evening possible. I rise today in support of H.R. 2560 and also to pay tribute to nine people who showed America what it means to be courageous. This legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to nine people who 40 years ago stepped into a school and changed history forever. We all remember the day when the nine young people faced an angry mob of segregationists to voluntarily integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These young people became symbols to all of us of what it means to be courageous, honorable and exceptionally brave. This legislation honors Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford and Jefferson Thomas for making our country a better place to live. Although they probably did not know it at the time, those people who were only children in 1957 taught all Americans a valuable lesson: Stand up for what you believe in. Be courageous and proud. Those nine people deserve the Congressional Gold Medals for what they did. That is why every Member should support this legislation.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask to be heard at the appropriate time on the question of whether this resolution constitutes a question of privilege.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule IX, I hereby give notice of my intention to offer a resolution which raises a question of the privileges of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: A resolution in accordance with House Rule IX, clause 1, expressing the sense of the House that its integrity has been impugned because the anti-dumping provisions of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1930, (Subtitle B of Title VII) have not been expeditiously enforced; Whereas the current financial crisis in Asia, Russia, and other regions have involved massive depreciation in the currencies of several key steel-producing and steel-consuming countries, along with the collapse in the domestic demand for steel in these countries; Whereas the crisis has generated and will continue to generate surges in United States imports of steel, both from the countries whose currencies have depreciated in the crisis and from steel-producing countries that are no longer able to export steel to the countries in economic crisis; Whereas United States imports of finished steel mill products from Asian steel-producing countries, the People's Republic of China, Japan, Korea, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, have increased by 79 percent in the first 5 months of 1998, compared to the same period in 1997; Whereas year-to-date imports of steel from Russia now exceed the record levels of 1997, and steel imports from Russia and Ukraine now approach 2.5 million net tons; Whereas foreign government trade restrictions and private restraints of trade distort international trade and investment patterns and result in burdens on United States commerce, including the absorption of a disproportionate share of diverted steel trade; Whereas the European Union, for example, despite also being a major economy, in 1997 imported only one-tenth as much finished steel products from Asian steel-producing countries as the United States did and has restricted imports of steel from the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia; Whereas the United States is simultaneously facing a substantial increase in steel imports from countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia, caused in part by the closure of Asian markets; Whereas there is well-recognized need for the enforcement of United States trade laws to provide an effective response to such situations: Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives that the House of Representatives calls upon the President to: (1) take all necessary measures to respond to the surge of steel imports resulting from the final crisis in Asia, Russia, and other regions, and for other purposes; (2) pursue enhanced enforcement of the United States trade laws with respect to the surge of steel imports into the United States, using all remedies available under those laws including offsetting duties, quantitative restraints, and other authorized remedial measures as appropriate; (3) pursue with all tools as its disposal a more equitable sharing of the burden of accepting imports of finished steel products from Asia and the countries from within the Commonwealth of States; (4) establish a task force within the executive branch with responsibility for closely monitoring United States steel imports of steel; and (5) report to the Congress by no later than January 5, 1999, with a comprehensive plan for responding to this import surge, including the ways of limiting its deleterious effects on employment, prices, and investment in the United States steel industry.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of programs funded through the Older Americans Act including congregate meals, home delivered meals and supportive services. These programs are of vital importance to the First Congressional District of Arkansas. In the ten county area of North Central Arkansas over 100 persons are on the Home Delivered Meal waiting list due to a lack of federal funding. Furthermore, because of a lack of funds, two County Aging Programs consisting of 15 Senior Centers now operate only four days per week. The Older Americans Act has not received substantial increases in almost a decade--local Senior Centers now have to do fund-raising to provide at least 30 percent of their budgets. Local communities, particularly those in rural areas, can only generate a small portion of the funding needed. With the expected rise in the older population, the demand for services is expected to double over the next 15 years. An increase in federal funding is urgently needed. I urge my colleagues to support an 8 percent increase to support the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act contained in H.R. 4344.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding me this time. I rise in support of America's farmers. I think it is time for us not to try to find someone to blame this crisis on that our farmers are facing. It is clearly from natural disasters, global oversupply, diminished overseas demand, and low prices, and the last time I checked, droughts are caused by lack of rainfall and floods are caused by too much rainfall. Now is the time for us to take appropriate action. We should not have delayed the passage of this bill even one day. The partisan fights over unrelated issues should not be allowed to impede the much-needed assistance that this bill will provide for thousands of farmers, not only in the First Congressional District of Arkansas but across this country. Mr. Speaker, we must recognize this as a true emergency when our agriculture base is in danger of collapsing. Since this bill will deliver funding and serve as an investment in our future security for this country and our prosperity, it is essential that it be delivered without delay. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an issue of importance to everyone across this country, especially our seniors. Let me start by telling you about an 81-year-old woman. Her name is Mary Carson, who lives in my District in Jonesboro. She is presently taking 10 prescription drugs to treat blood blots, blood pressure, nervousness, and arthritis. Although Medicaid covers the cost of some of her prescription drugs, Ms. Carson still spends $80 to $200 monthly on her medications--up to almost half of her monthly income. Ms. Carson's only source of income is her $416 Social Security check. Because of the high costs. Ms. Carson has had to skip or cut back on medications. She is only taking half of her prescribed blood thinner, and has had to skip her arthritis medicine because she was not able to fill the prescription. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, Ms. Carson's problem is a common one for seniors across my District and across the country. Because of the high cost of prescription drugs, seniors often have to take half of what the doctor has told them to. Because of the high cost of prescription drugs, seniors often have to choose between taking their medicine and paying for food or their electricity. And because of the high cost of prescription drugs, our seniors are dying because they are too proud to ask their children to help them buy their medication. Studies that have been done for several Members of Congress, including myself, over the last several months have shown, the prices seniors and other consumers are charged are on the average 106 percent more than what pharmaceutical companies charge their favored customers such as HMOs, insurance companies and the Federal Government. This just doesn't seem fair to me when you think about the fact that according to Industry ratings of Fortune 500 companies--pharmaceutical companies are the most profitable businesses in existence. They made $24.5 billion in profits last year. Pharmaceutical companies had a 17.2 percent return on revenues. Telecommunication companies, 8.1 percent; computers and office equipment manufacturers, 7.3 percent; food and drug stores made a whopping 1.7 percent. One might think the success of pharmaceutical companies would be of tremendous benefit to American consumers. The reward: This year consumers have faced the highest two, monthly increases in prescription drug prices on record. Earlier this week, I chaired the first meeting of the Prescription Drug Task Force because of the increasing importance of the issue. Also, last week I introduced legislation with Congressman Tom Allen that would allow senior citizens who are Medicare beneficiaries to purchase prescription drugs at the low prices available to Federal agencies under the Federal Supply Schedule. For the remainder of this session of Congress and continuing into the 106th Congress, the task force will work to bring attention to issues involving the costs and availability of prescription drugs. The task force will serve the purpose of complementing our legislation and is open to finding new policy recommendations. It will be an advocate for consumers and ensuring competition within the industry. All Members of Congress should stop and think about the blatant unfairness seniors face every day when they go to purchase their prescription drugs--medication they need to stay well and to stay alive. This is not an issue that will just go away. We should stand up for our seniors who are getting ripped off by pharmaceutical companies and ensure that they are not charged more than they should be for their medication.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am an East Arkansas rice farmer, and I remember a story an old fellow in my community told me when I first started farming. He said there was a man who came through during the Depression and he had a truckload of rocks. If a farmer would buy one of these rocks from him and put it where the irrigation water ran into their rice field, he claimed it would make them a lot better crop. He said, ``You know, he sold some of those rocks.'' I said, ``How did it do? Did it make the crop better?'' He said, ``It was pretty hard to tell.'' Mr. Speaker, that is what these fellows are trying to do, is to sell the American people a load of rocks. I think it is a bad idea. Mr. Speaker, we are all for tax cuts, but not if we have to rob the Social Security trust fund and our children's future to do it. It is a bad idea, and the American people need to recognize this load of rocks for what it is.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a tax cut but not to raid the Social Security Trust Fund. My esteemed colleague from the 17th District of Texas (Mr. Stenholm) yesterday introduced a rule before the Committee on Rules that would provide for a tax cut but not to rob the Social Security Trust Fund, and that is what we should do. This rule waives the budget rules that got us to the balanced budget; it throws it out the window. It says what we have been doing is the wrong thing to do. This is how we get to a $5 trillion debt. We owe the American people more than this. We owe them more than to rob Peter to pay Paul. Yesterday in the Committee on Rules the point was made that was quite outstanding that said we have got to spend this money before someone else does. I cannot think of a more ridiculous idea or a less responsible idea than this. These folks have a heart as big as a washtub, as they say where I come from. We are going to rob Social Security on one hand and leave our constituents in poverty at age 65, but we are going to give them a small tax cut before we do that. Let me urge my colleagues to vote against this rule and vote for responsible fiscal management.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proponent of expanded trade opportunities for Americans. I support renewal of traditional trading authority for the President, and I will vote today in favor of H.R. 2621. My vote today should not be an indication that I agree with the process that led us to vote at this time. In fact, I strongly disagree with the timing of this vote. I disagree with those Members who claim that we are voting on fast track today solely because fast track is a good idea. If the majority party wanted to pass fast track we could have voted on it last November; or January, February, March, or any other date before now. Likewise, we could vote on this next spring when we all return. The timing of this vote will jeopardize this much needed legislation from eventually passage. I have worked for a long time and very hard for passage of fast track. I have colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are committed to expanding international trade, and they too have worked tirelessly for fast track. But today, some of these champions of trade are compelled to vote ``no'' on this crucial bill--not because it is a bad bill, but because of its terrible timing. People are playing politics with the global economy, and I find that shameful. At this precarious time we should be more prudent. The timing of this vote sends a signal to the world's economies that the United States is not ready to engage them in the marketplace. The timing of this vote sends them a message that we are preparing to move to a protectionist stance and that we are willing to stifle global economic growth. I am prepared to vote ``yes'' on this critical legislation because I am so strongly committed to expanding trade opportunities for Americans. I only wish that the leaders of the majority party were prepared to show an equal commitment to this principle--and less of a willingness to play politics with our future.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute also to a remarkable Member of the House, Congressman Vic Fazio of California. Vic has announced his retirement after 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. When he leaves this body at the end of the year, we will miss his leadership and his friendship tremendously. I salute one of my party's leaders as the Chair of the Democratic Caucus who has led our party with outstanding leadership and integrity. He has also served as a great leader on the Democratic Health Care Task Force, bringing the caucus together around a terrific bill. Personally, I came here 2 years ago and Vic has provided me with reliable and friendly mentorship and guidance on how the House of Representatives works and how it should work. He has always been a good listener, someone who always has time for junior Members such as myself, and has been there when a lot of us needed some good advice. Congressman Fazio's insight into the issues and problems we address in this House have made him a valuable and trusted Member of this body. Our leadership, the House, and most of all the Third District of California have greatly benefited from his service. Mr. Speaker, I believe I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that the departure of Vic Fazio will leave a void in this institution. As he approaches retirement, I want to thank Vic for the guidance and leadership and congratulate him for his extraordinary career. I wish him excellent health and happiness in his retirement.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, over 500,000 retired Arkansans depend on their Social Security monthly check as a necessary source to supplement their retirement income. In fact, the First Congressional District of Arkansas has the largest number of seniors for whom Social Security is their only source of income. Right now, millions of working Americans are paying into the Social Security system and are counting on it for when they retire. This year, some have suggested that we have a budget surplus. That just simply is not so. Of course, there is an enormous temptation to use the so-called surplus or the Social Security Trust Fund to cut taxes. I am all for tax cuts, but not on the backs of our children and grandchildren, not on the backs of our retirees who depend on Social Security as their only source of income. Mr. Speaker, it must be there when we need it. Congress must save Social Security and not rob the Social Security Trust Fund.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. I appreciate my colleague from New Jersey yielding me. I, too, have enjoyed working with him on a number of issues, particularly health care, and also on this particular issue of Social Security. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a program that everyone in America has a vested interest in, and, of course, that is the Social Security system. But I want to make it perfectly clear: I favor cutting taxes, but I do not favor robbing my children and my grandchildren's future to do it. Right now millions of working Americans are paying into the Social Security system and are counting on it for when they retire. No one should have to worry that one day Social Security will not be there for them. That is an obligation that our government undertook a long time ago, and we should honor this obligation. I think that is one thing that troubles me a great deal, is the apparent willingness of the majority party here now to disregard the obligations that we have committed ourselves and our government to in the past. I think it is also noteworthy here that when Social Security was enacted, not one Republican voted for it. In many ways, the Social Security trust fund operates much like a personal bank account. If an individual deposits more than he or she spends, the surplus is reflected as a positive balance in that account. Just as a positive balance sheet for a personal account represents an obligation by the bank to the individual holding the account, a positive balance in the Social Security trust fund represents an obligation of the United States Treasury to that fund. In other words, you put that money in the trust fund as you are working, and, when you need it, when you retire, it is owed to you. While current retirees have nothing to worry about because Social Security will be there for them, when they need it, the Social Security system will face undeniable problems in the future. The problems need to be addressed now--that is, unless some of the people in this Congress would fulfill a lifelong dream, and that would be to do away with Social Security, and heaven forbid that that would be allowed to happen. I am a farmer. I have been interested or associated with agriculture all of my life. Farming is a very volatile business; you have good years and bad years. When you have good years, you pay off your debt, you invest in the necessary infrastructure to be successful, and then you put some back for the future. I think that is what we need to do with the government's so-called surplus, and certainly what we need to do with the Social Security trust fund. This year, the Social Security trust fund will collect $100 billion more in payroll taxes and interest than it pays out to the beneficiaries. However, by 2010, when 76 million baby-boomers begin to retire, the Social Security system's cash flow surplus will begin to decline. By the year 2032, the payroll taxes will only generate approximately 75 percent of the revenues needed to pay for the benefits of those current retirees. In other words, the trust fund will not have the money to pay out to all those who have retired. The problems with the Social Security program are due to demographics, which include the baby-boom generation, declining birth rates and increasing life expectancies. As a whole, we are creating an older society. The number of people 65 and older is predicted to rise by 75 percent by the year 2025, whereas the number of workers whose payroll taxes finance the Social Security benefits of retirees is projected to grow only by 15 percent. Social Security is financed by payroll and self-employment taxes on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning that today's workers are paying for the benefits of today's retirees. The revenue from Social Security payroll taxes is deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The programs, benefits and administrative expenses are paid out of the Treasury. If Social Security's income exceeds the amount it pays out, as it does currently, then the surplus is credited to the trust fund in the form of U.S. securities. Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor many times over the last few weeks to talk about Social Security because I am concerned for my children and my grandchildren. Some in Congress have suggested recently that we raid the Social Security trust fund to pay for tax cuts. Some have said that we can pay for these tax cuts because this year we have a budget surplus. I, like everyone, am for tax cuts, as I have already said, but not on the backs of our children and grandchildren. This surplus simply does not exist. This surplus is the Social Security trust fund. The Concord Coalition agrees with me. They say over the next 5 years the Congressional Budget Office projects a cumulative budget deficit of $137 billion without dipping into the Social Security trust fund. Obviously, $137 billion in deficit cannot be used to offset $80 billion in tax cuts or anything else. From this year, through the end of 2008, the Congressional Budget Office predicts a cumulative surplus of $1.6 trillion. Over the same period, the surplus in the Social Security system is also projected to be $1.6 trillion. In other words, all of the projected budget surplus over the next 11 years is attributable to the Social Security trust fund, which should be off-budget. By dipping into this so-called surplus, we are dipping into our children's and grandchildren's future. We are taking the money that would have been paid to them by the trust fund and we are saying we will fix it later, we will pay it back, we will do the right thing, maybe. We don't care about the future. We care about how it looks today and how it is going to look on November 3rd. Is this how we should treat the people of this country? I do not think so. I cannot return to Arkansas and look the thousands of retired Arkansans in the first Congressional District in the eye and say, ``I am sorry, I just wasn't thinking about what would happen down the line. I was thinking of today.'' As I have said, we should cut taxes, but we should not rob the Social Security trust fund to do it. There are millions of people who depend on their monthly Social Security check as a necessary source to supplement their retirement income. Thousands of retired seniors in my district and across the country rely on Social Security as their only source of income. The Social Security System is the most successful government program ever created. All of the Members of this body should stop to think about how important the program is to each one of us, to our children and our grandchildren. We need to save the so-called surplus to be sure that the Social Security System is solvent. Members of Congress have a responsibility to not only worry about today, but to worry about tomorrow. We must ensure that Social Security will continue to provide the benefits promised to those who have paid into the system. We must save Social Security. Our children and grandchildren deserve to know that Social Security will be there for them when they need it, and we must not rob the Social Security trust fund.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of American farmers. It is undeniable that there is an emergency facing the farming communities across the country. Natural disasters, global oversupply, diminished overseas demand, and low prices have combined to create this emergency. I am a strong supporter of maintaining a balanced budget, but emergency designation for this additional spending is fully justified. It is a true emergency when our agriculture base is in danger of collapsing. This funding is an investment in our future prosperity and it is essential that it be delivered quickly. This funding will not be a permanent solution, nor perhaps will it be nearly enough to adequately address the growing crisis. We must do much more to provide farmers and farming communities a safety net that works. Now, however, we have the opportunity to take immediate steps to address an immediate emergency. I urge my colleagues to support this instruction and to support America's farmers.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the most successful government program ever created: the Social Security system. Over 500,000 retired Arkansans and 160 million retired Americans depend on their Social Security system monthly check as a necessary source to supplement their retirement income. Many retired seniors in my district and across the country rely on the Social Security system as their only source of income. Right now, millions of working Americans, including our children and grandchildren, are paying into the Social Security system and are counting on it for when they retire. Although no one in the next few years has to worry about whether they will receive their monthly check, the Social Security system will face undeniable problems in the future which need to be addressed now. These problems are due to demographics which include the baby boom generation, declining birth rates, and increasing life expectancies. The number of people 65 and older is predicted to rise by 75 percent by the year 2025. The number of workers whose payroll taxes finance the Social Security system benefits of retirees is projected to grow by only 15 percent. This year the Social Security system will collect $100 billion more in payroll taxes and interest than it pays out to the Social Security beneficiaries. By the year 2010, when 76 million baby boomers begin to retire, the Social Security systems cash flow surplus will begin to decline. Because Social Security is financed by payroll and self-employment taxes on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning that today's workers are paying for the benefits of today's retirees, by the year 2032 there will not be enough people paying into the system to pay for those who should receive the Social Security payments. At that point, payroll taxes will only generate approximately 75 percent of the revenues needed to pay for the benefits of those current retirees. Before we reach this critical point, Congress must be willing to carefully examine the issues surrounding the Social Security system and take corrective action. Until such action is taken, nothing should be removed from the Social Security Trust Fund. This year some have suggested that we have a budget surplus. That just simply is not so. Excluding the Social Security Trust Fund, there is a $137 billion deficit in the next 5 years. We will not have a surplus for another 10 years, and then it is only $31 billion, and that is assuming a good economy. Of course there is an enormous temptation to spend this so-called surplus. We should cut taxes. But we should resist the temptation to rob the Social Security Trust Fund. We must not rob our children's future. While Social Security is sound today, we in Congress have a responsibility to worry about tomorrow. We must ensure that Social Security will continue to provide the benefits promised to those who have paid into the system. No one should have to worry that one day Social Security will not be there for them. Our children and our grandchildren deserve to know that Social Security will be there when they need it. We must save Social Security first.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), and, of course, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hamilton), for the attention that they have given to this important issue. This issue first came to my attention when a child, Machael Al Omary, living with her mother in Jonesboro, Arkansas was illegally kidnapped by her noncustodial father and taken to Saudi Arabia where her mother has no legal right to recourse. Since that time, I have learned that there are thousands of children who have been illegally taken to another country. If the country is not a signatory to the Hague Agreement, the parents are left totally helpless. In many cases when the country is a signatory, justice is often difficult to obtain and comes at a very high price. Our legal system makes decisions involving the custody of children based on what is in the best interests of the children. Once such arrangements are made, no one should ever be rewarded for the illegal abduction of a child from our country by being able to keep the child and thumb their noses at our authority. This resolution sends a strong message of this country's support for the rights of our children.