Marion Berry

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support for legislation introduced today by Representative Dingell, myself, Representative Roukema and others. Our bill, the Children's Health Insurance Provides Security or ``CHIPS'' Act, will help America's children get the preventive health care they need to become healthy adults. Over 10 million children in this country--a country where over 1 million children a year are being born into poverty--are currently without health insurance. If parents can't afford to purchase health insurance, and cannot afford to pay health bills, those bills do not go away. No, Mr. Speaker, we all pay for the uninsured. Arkansas recognizes that uninsured children need to receive coverage. Recently, our State enacted a law that is very similar to the legislation we introduced today. In Arkansas, children in families up to 200 percent of the Federal poverty level will have affordable, accessible health insurance. Arkansas has proved that we can solve the problem of uninsured children in a fiscally responsible manner, as part of a balanced budget. Arkansas is required by State constitution to balance its budget each year, and yet it has set aside $11 billion to provide health insurance by expanding its Medicaid program. The legislation we introduced today is an investment in America's future. It is preventive medicine. Think about it--we can provide health insurance for children for only $700 a year. That's equal to the cost of just one day in the hospital for a child. Or, we can ignore this opportunity to invest in prevention and end up spending hundreds or thousands of dollars down the road when a child is hospitalized. I am proud to be part of this effort today, and I believe that this measure should be an integral part of balanced budgets offered by both Democrats and Republicans this year. This legislation has bipartisan, bicameral support and I urge my colleagues to include its provisions in our Nation's budget.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional woman, Bessie McBride, who will be celebrating her retirement on Saturday, May 3, 1997. Mrs. McBride is being recognized for her dedication and commitment to the Jonesboro Public School District. Forty years of educating and inspiring the children of Arkansas is a great accomplishment and I commend her for her service. Mrs. McBride was a graduate of Arkansas State University and has been honored with numerous awards throughout her career. She has received the Arkansas Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award, the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America Award, the Outstanding Leaders in Elementary and Secondary Education Award and in 1996 was chosen the Jonesboro Public School District's Outstanding Teacher of the Year. I stand here today on behalf of friends, family, past students, fellow teachers, and Mrs. McBride's community, to say a heartfelt thank you for a job well done.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of working men and women, but not an advocate of intrusive Government regulations. When possible, I work toward finding a cooperative solution rather than a regulatory one. It was on this basis that I voted against the so-called comp time bill, H.R. 1. Although I support the concept of comptime, as I learned more and more about the ways this bill would meddle in the daily operation of businesses and would add another layer of bureaucracy in the workplace, the less I liked it. At first, the President's proposal was an option I considered, because I wanted to be sure that workers could feel confident in their ability to receive overtime pay. But as I said, this employee protection came with a price--more Government involvement in people's lives. More contentious labor relations is not conducive to productivity. Sometimes Government leaders need to have some faith in people to work out solutions for themselves. We cannot be expected to, nor should we, mandate every aspect of life. When it came down to making a decision, it was suddenly clear. This bill was bound to be a mess down the road. The National Labor Relations Board does not need any more work, and this bill was going to give it to them. So I cast my vote against H.R. 1, and I hope that both employers and employees will see that I did it because I thought it was not in their best interests. I am hopeful that as this bill moves through the legislative process, it will be changed to strike a more sensible balance between the needs of employees and employers--without creating an unnecessary regulatory burden.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. I rise today in honor of Black History Month. In the early 1990's a gentleman by the name of Dr. Carter G. Woodson helped to establish a time to recognize those men and women who have made significant contributions in America. It was his hope that this would stir the conscience of this Nation and encourage the celebration of our diversity which has always been a strength and not a weakness. The reason why I come to the floor is to tell you of the importance of African-American history and the unique role of the black struggle in this country. From generation to generation, we have countless individuals who have risen above prejudice and injustice to make a change in our country. To produce a group of outstanding leaders such as Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, Barbara Jordan, and Martin Luther King, Jr., during a time when the odds were so overwhelmingly against them, shows the true determination of a people that succeeded against all odds to reach a dream. I speak today, because a younger generation must be told of this rich cultural heritage. There are two men who have roots in my congressional district who come to mind as I give tribute. These gentlemen, one who blazed a trail, and another whom I believe represents the future, are both role models in this tradition. The late Elder Famous Smith of West Memphis was a good friend who pastored the 15th Street Church of God in Christ for over 40 years. He held the position of district superintendent of his religious denomination as well as being appointed to the Mid-South Community College board of trustees by then Gov. Bill Clinton. This strong community activist labored tirelessly before his death to help everyone, especially the younger generation which he considered the ``apple of his eye.'' Another man I am compelled to tell you about is our incoming Secretary of Transportation, Mr. Rodney Slater. He lifted himself from the poverty stricken area of the delta to become the first African- American Cabinet member from the State of Arkansas. Because of his far- reaching contributions in the field of public service he is positioned to become a fixture in American history. The challenge that I leave you with today is two-fold. We must commit ourselves to the learning of this great heritage and instill in our younger generation a sense of pride and hope for the future. Knowledge truly is power and we must use it for the benefit of all Americans.