Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, today I, too, proudly rise to celebrate Greek Independence Day and the strong ties that bind the nations of Greece and the United States. It was 180 years ago when the people of Greece began a journey that would mark the symbolic rebirth of democracy in the land where those principles to human dignity were first espoused. The word ``democracy'' stems from two Greek words: ``demos,'' meaning ``of the people'' and ``kratos,'' meaning ``power'' and ``strength.'' On this anniversary, it is the power and strength of the Greek people and their courage and commitment to the principles of human government and self-determination that we celebrate. Revolutions embody a sense of heroism, bringing forth the greatness of the human spirit in the struggle against oppression. It was Thomas Jefferson who said that, and I quote, ``one man with courage is a majority.'' Quoting Jefferson on the anniversary of Greek independence is particularly appropriate. Jefferson and the rest of the Founding Fathers looked back to the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers for inspiration as they sought to craft a strong democratic state. And in 1821, it was the Founding Fathers of our Nation to whom the Greeks looked for inspiration as they began their journey toward freedom. Encouraged by the American revolution, the Greeks began their rebellion after 4 centuries of Turkish oppression, facing what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Like the United States, Greek faced the prospect of having to defeat an empire to obtain liberty. Many lives were sacrificed at the alter of freedom. In the face of impending defeat, the Greek people showed great courage and rallied around the battle cry, ``Eleftheria I Thanatos,'' liberty or death. Similar words, ``Give me liberty or give me death,'' spoken in America only 5 decades before by Patrick Henry, embodied the Greek patriots' unmitigated desire to be free. News of the Greek revolution met with widespread feelings of compassion in the United States. The Founding Fathers eagerly expressed sentiments of support for the fledgling uprising. Several American Presidents, including James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, conveyed their support for the revolution through their annual messages to Congress. William Harrison, our ninth President, expressed his belief in freedom for Greece saying, ``We must send our free will offering. 'The Star-spangled Banner,''' he went on to say, ``must wave in the Aegean, a messenger for eternity and friendship to Greece.'' Various Members of Congress also showed a keen interest in the Greek struggle for autonomy. Henry Clay, who in 1825 became Secretary of State, was a champion of Greece's fight for independence. Among the most vocal was Daniel Webster from Massachusetts, who frequently roused the sympathetic interests of his colleagues and other Americans in the Greek revolution. It should not surprise us that the Founding Fathers would express such keen support for Greek independence, for they themselves had been inspired by the ancient Greeks and their own struggle for freedom. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks, we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves, the American colonists, out of gothic darkness.'' Our two nations share a brotherhood bonded by the common blood of democracy, birthed by Lady Liberty, and committed to the ideal that each individual deserves the right of self-determination. We all know that the price of liberty can be very high. History is replete with the names of the millions who have sacrificed for it. Socrates, Plato, Pericles, and many other great scholars throughout history warned that we maintain democracy only at great cost. The freedom we enjoy today is due to a large degree to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past in Greece, in America, and all over the world. Madam Speaker, on this 180th birthday of Greek independence, when we celebrate the restoration of democracy to the land of its conception, we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the strength of man's will. The goals and values that the people of Greece share with the people of the United States reaffirm our common democratic heritage. This occasion also serves to remind us that we must never take for granted the right to determine our own fate. Remembering the sacrifice of the brave Greeks who gave their lives for liberty helps us all realize, Madam Speaker, how important it is to be an active participant in our own democracy, and that is why we honor those who secured independence for Greece so many years ago. Madam Speaker, today I proudly rise to celebrate Greek Independence Day and the strong ties that bind the nation of Greece and the United States. One hundred and eighty years ago, the people of Greece began a journey that would mark the symbolic rebirth of democracy in the land where those principles to human dignity were first espoused. The word democracy stems from two Greek words; demos, meaning of the people, and kratos, meaning power and strength. On this anniversary, it is the power and strength of the Greek people and their courage and commitment to the principles of human government and self-determination that we celebrate. Revolutions are often violent affairs. They come about when a people, who have too long suffered under the yoke of oppression and been denied the very basic tenets of human dignity, rise up in the name of self- determination. The concepts of self-determination and revolution were first espoused by the ancient Greek philosophers. Men such as Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, and Euripides developed the then-unique notion that men could, if left to their own devices, lead themselves rather than be subject to the will of a sovereign. It was Aristotle who said: ``We make war that we may live in peace.'' On March 25, 1821, Archbishop Germanos of Patras embodied the spirit of those words when he raised the flag of freedom and was the first to declare Greece free. Revolutions also embody a sense of heroism, bringing forth the greatness of the human spirit in the struggle against oppression. It was Thomas Jefferson who said that, ``One man with courage is a majority.'' Quoting Jefferson on the anniversary of Greek independence is particularly appropriate. Jefferson, and the rest of the Founding Fathers, looked back to the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers for inspiration as they sought to craft a strong democratic state. And in 1821, it was the Founding Fathers of our nation to whom the Greeks looked for inspiration as they began their journey toward freedom. The history of Greek Independence, like that of the American Revolution, is filled with many stories of courage and heroism. There are many parallels between the American and Greek Revolutions. I would like to take the opportunity to recount some of these tales with you now. Encouraged by the American Revolution, the Greeks began their rebellion after four centuries of Turkish oppression, facing what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Both nations faced the prospect of having to defeat an empire to obtain liberty. And if Samuel Adams, the American revolutionary leader who lighted the first spark of rebellion by leading the Boston Tea Party, had a Greek counterpart, that man would be Alexander Ypsilantis. Ypsilantis was a Greek who was born in Istanbul, and whose family was later exiled to Russia. Ypsilantis served in the Russian army, and it was there, during his military service, that he became involved with a secret society called the ``Philike Hetairia'' which translated means ``friendly society.'' The ``friendly society'' was made up of merchants and other Greek leaders, but the intent of the society was to seek freedom for Greece and her people. The group planned a secret uprising for 1821 to be led by Ypsilantis. He and 4,500 volunteers assembled near the Russian border to launch an insurrection against the Turks. The Turkish army massacred the ill- prepared Greek volunteers, and Ypsilantis was caught and placed in prison, where he subsequently died. However, the first bells of liberty had been rung, and Greek independence would not be stopped. When news of Greeks uprisings spread, the Turks killed Greek clergymen, clerics, and laity in a frightening display of force. In a vicious act of vengeance, the Turks invaded the island of Chios and slaughtered 25,000 of the local residents. The invaders enslaved half the island's population of 100,000. Althought many lives were sacrificed at the altar of freedom, the Greek people rallied around the battle cry ``Eleftheria I Thanatos''-- liberty or death. Those same words, spoken in America only five decades before by Patrick Henry, who said: ``Give me liberty or give me death,'' embodied the Greek patriots' unmitigated desire to be free. Another heroic Greek whom many believe was the most important figure in the revolution was Theodoros Kolokotronis. Kolokotronis was the leader of the Klephts, a group of rebellious and resilient Greeks who refused to submit to Turkish subjugation. Kolokotronis used military strategy he learned while in the service of the English Army to organize a force of over 7,000 men. The Klephts swooped down on the Turks from their mountain strongholds, battering their oppressors into submission. One battle in particular, where Kolokotronis led his vastly outnumbered forces against the Turks, stands out. The Turks had invaded the Peloponnese with 30,000 men. Kolokotronis led his force, which was outnumbered by a ratio of 4 to 1, against the Turkish army. A fierce battle ensued and many lives were lost, but after a few weeks, the Turks were forced to retreat. Kolokotronis is a revered Greek leader, because he embodied the hopes and dreams of the common man, while displaying extraordinary courage and moral fiber in the face of overwhelming odds. Athanasios Diakos was another legendary hero, a priest, a patriot, and a soldier. He led 500 of his men in a noble stand against 8,000 Ottoman soldiers. Diakos' men were wiped out and he fell into the enemy's hands, where he was severely tortured before his death. He is the image of a Greek who gave all for love of faith and homeland. While individual acts of bravery and leadership are often noted, the Greek Revolution was remarkable for the bravery and fortitude displayed by the typical Greek citizen. This heroic ideal of sacrifice and service is best demonstrated through the story of the Suliotes, villagers who took refuge from Turkish authorities in the mountains of Epiros. The fiercely patriotic Suliotes bravely fought the Turks in several battles. News of their victories spread throughout the region and encouraged other villages to revolt. The Turkish Army acted swiftly and with overwhelming force to quell the Suliote uprising. The Suliote women were alone as their husbands battled the Turks at the front. When they learned that Turkish troops were fast approaching their village, they began to dance the ``Syrtos,'' a patriotic Greek dance. One by one, rather than face torture or enslavement at the hands of the Turks, they committed suicide by throwing themselves and their children off Mount Zalongo. They chose to die rather than surrender their freedom. The sacrifice of the Suliotes was repeated in the Arkadi Monastery of Crete. Hundreds of non-combatants, mainly the families of the Cretan freedom fighters, had taken refuge in the Monastery to escape Turkish reprisals. The Turkish army was informed that the Monastery was used by the Cretan freedom fighters as an arsenal for their war material, and they set out to seize it. As the Turkish troops were closing in, the priest gathered all the refugees in the cellar around him. With their consent, he set fire to the gunpowder kegs stored there, killing all but a few. The ruins of the Arkadi Monastery, like the ruins of our Alamo, still stand as a monument to liberty. News of the Greek revolution met with widespread feelings of compassion in the United States. The Founding Fathers, eagerly expressed sentiments of support for the fledgling uprising. Several American Presidents, including James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, conveyed their support for the revolution through their annual messages to Congress. William Harrison, our ninth president, expressed his belief in freedom for Greece, saying: ``We must send our free will offering. `The Star-spangled Banner' must wave in the Aegean . . . a messenger of fraternity and friendship to Greece.'' Various Members of Congress also showed a keen interest in the Greeks' struggle for autonomy. Henry Clay, who in 1825 became Secretary of State, was a champion of Greece's fight for independence. Among the most vocal was Daniel Webster from Massachusetts, who frequently roused the sympathetic interest of his colleagues and other Americans in the Greek revolution. It should not surprise us that the Founding Fathers would express such keen support for Greek independence, for they themselves had been inspired by the ancient Greeks in their own struggle for freedom. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks . . . we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves . . . American colonists, out of gothic darkness.'' Our two nations share a brotherhood bonded by the common blood of democracy, birthed by Lady Liberty, and committed to the ideal that each individual deserves the right to self- determination. We all know that the price of liberty can be very high--history is replete with the names of the millions who have sacrificed for it. Socrates, Plato, Pericles, and many other great scholars throughout history warned that we maintain democracy only at great cost. The freedom we enjoy today is due to a large degree to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past--in Greece, in America, and all over the world. Madam Speaker, on this 180th birthday of Greek Independence, when we celebrate the restoration of democracy to the land of its conception, we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the strength of man's will. The goals and values that the people of Greece share with the people of the United States reaffirms our common democratic heritage. This occasion also serves to remind us that we must never take for granted the right to determine our own fate. As Aristotle stated: ``If liberty and equality, as is thought by some are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.'' Remembering the sacrifice of the brave Greeks who gave their lives for liberty helps us all realize how important it is to be an active participant in our own democracy. That is why we honor those who secured independence for Greece so many years ago.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 47 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 624 and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 624) to amend the Public Health Service Act to promote organ donation, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Madam Speaker, just one parliamentary note. The committee filed its report on H.R. 624 last night. That report contained, as required under the House rules, a cost estimate for the bill from the Congressional Budget Office. However, H.R. 624, as introduced, contained a drafting error. An amendment to the basic legislation today took care of that. As a result, CBO provided its cost estimates on the amendment, on the bill, as amended, to H.R. 624 that we are considering today. I hope that this clears up any confusion. In closing, Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge people who have really worked on this not only for this particular piece of legislation but even in the prior years, the staffs from the committee, Marc Wheat, Brent DelMonte; John Ford, who is here; Katie Porter from the minority; Erin Ockunzzi, a member of my personal staff; my chief of staff Todd Tuten. We are all very grateful to those good people for the hard work that they have placed on this legislation.

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

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, that the House is today considering H.R. 624, the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2001. I want to thank my committee colleagues, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Barrett) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the subcommittee ranking member, for their help in drafting this bill. The full Committee on Energy and Commerce approved H.R. 624 on February 28 by unanimous vote, which reflects the bipartisanship nature of this initiative. I also want to thank Secretary Tommy Thompson for making organ donation a top priority for his first 100 days in office. He has recognized the serious nature of this growing problem and intends to act quickly to increase organ donation efforts across the country. In fact, I received a letter from Secretary Thompson indicating his support for H.R. 624 and his intent to work with Congress to increase organ donation in the future. Mr. Speaker, during the latter part of the last Congress, we had the legislation going through the body which would have done what we are doing in this legislation but also had established allocation procedures. It was very controversial; and as a result of that, the legislation was not able to move. What we have done in this legislation in a bipartisan basis was to pull out all of the noncontroversial very, very significant areas of that legislation and put them into this and left out completely the allocation procedures, which were controversial. I think that is very important that all of the Members realize that this is a different piece of legislation with no controversial areas at all. Continuing, Mr. Speaker, nationwide we do not have enough organs for patients who need a transplant. During the 1990s, the number of patients waiting for organ transplants rose more than five times as fast as the number of transplant operations. In 1999, more than 20,000 transplants were performed, but the transplant waiting list exceeded 70,000 patients. As a result, more than 50,000 patients did not receive the transplants they needed. With modern technology and the success of organ transplants, many of these deaths are preventable. Unfortunately, despite the generosity and self-sacrifice of thousands of donors who have given an organ to a patient in need, the supply of organs continues to fall short of the need. In my own State of Florida, the transplant waiting lists continue to grow and patients continue to wait. What is most unfortunate, however, is the number of people who have died while on one of these transplant waiting lists. In 1999, in the State of Florida alone, 65 patients died while waiting for a liver transplant, 35 patients died while waiting for a heart transplant, 17 patients died while waiting for a lung transplant, and 91 patients died while waiting for a kidney transplant. So we must act to these preventable deaths by increasing the supply of organs and discussing the gift of life, as the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Thurman) said, with friends and family. H.R. 624 recognizes the contributions made by living individuals who have donated organs to save lives. It also acknowledges the advances in medical technology that have made transplantation a viable treatment option for an increasing number of patients. Significantly, H.R. 624 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out programs to educate the public with respect to organ donation. This bill also authorizes grants to cover the costs of travel and subsistence expenses for individuals who make living donations of their organs. I am confident that these measures will provide the necessary incentives for Americans considering organ donation and increase the supply of organs. I urge all my colleagues to join me today in supporting passage of H.R. 624, the Organ Donation Improvement Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 31, a resolution regarding the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow and blood donation and supporting National Donor Day. I want to commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Thurman), for her work on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 31 recognizes the critical need for increased organ donation and acknowledges the success of past National Donor Days. The resolution expresses congressional support for the goals and ideas of National Donor Day, and it encourages all Americans to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow and blood donation. I am pleased that the Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson, has recognized the serious nature of this growing problem and stated that improving organ donation is a priority for his first 100 days in office. Secretary Thompson has indicated that he will focus on ways to significantly increase organ donation in our country. Mr. Speaker, we know that measures such as the resolution before us will help the Secretary in his efforts. In addition, we can all participate in efforts to promote organ donation in our own communities. By working together to increase organ donation, we can help save thousands of lives. I urge all Members to join me in supporting passage of H. Con. Res. 31. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the help of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), my ranking member, in this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 31) expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation and supporting National Donor Day.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 31.

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 28 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Stated against:

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock) and commend him for this resolution. I know that it is not a happy duty for him. Madam Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 47, a resolution honoring the 21 members of the National Guard who were killed in the crash of the National Guard aircraft on March 3, 2001. Like all Americans, of course, I am saddened by the news of this very tragic plane crash. The Army C-23 Sherpa and its flight crew of three soldiers belonged to Detachment 1, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation in Lakeland, Florida. The 18 Air Guard members belonged to the 203rd Red Horse Flight Engineering Unit and were returning to Virginia from Florida after spending 2 weeks of annual training at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach. One of the aircraft's pilots, Eric Larson, was from my congressional district. On Monday, this past Monday, I spoke with Eric's wife Jennifer to express my deepest sympathies to her and Eric's family, but I also want to send my heartfelt condolences to all of the families killed in this tragic plane crash. Wearing a uniform of one's nation, as already has been said today, is never easy, and this loss reminds us all of the tremendous sacrifices made by our men and women in our Armed Forces. The loss also reminds us that freedom does not come without a price. Too often we take for granted the many liberties we enjoy in America. We must never forget that they have all been earned through the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many members of our Armed Forces. Again, Madam Speaker, I want to send my deepest sympathy to the families of those killed; and I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 47.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. SCORE is a prototypical model for a nonprofit, non- governmental association that melds American expertise and entrepreneurial spirit with a uniquely American tradition of service and esprit de corps. SCORE utilizes the talents of current and retired American business executives, a talent pool that many consider to be among the finest business minds in the world, to provide volunteer business consulting service to the small business community. SCORE provides these services free of charge thanks to the efforts of its tireless volunteers. Founded in 1964, there are currently 389 locally based chapters of the organization that provide business counseling at the community level. SCORE currently has over 11,000 volunteers and since its inception, has helped nearly four million business people throughout the nation with free advice. SCORE success stories run the gamut of the business world and include technology oriented companies, retail establishments, restaurants, and service providers, just to name a few. President Bush has repeatedly pointed out that community based organizations such as SCORE can provide an invaluable service to the nation without relying on government bureaucracy and expenditures of taxpayer dollars. I salute the volunteers of the Service Corps of Retired Executives and hope that they serve as a model for a new generation of Americans dedicated to excellence with a commitment to service.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to recognize the service and accomplishment of one of our colleagues, Congressman Charles Canady. As the representative for the people of the 12th district of Florida, Charles Canady has made significant contributions to the legislative debate on a number of important issues facing both the state of Florida, as well as the nation as a whole. The people of Florida, and his colleagues in the House, will miss his presence and leadership. As a result of his service and diligent efforts, Congressman Canady has been able to achieve significant legislative accomplishments. He introduced and worked to secure passage of the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the first significant reform of lobbying regulations in over a generation. To accomplish this difficult goal, Charles took a bipartisan approach and reached across party lines to pass this important legislation without amendments that would have diluted the bill's effectiveness. Congressman Canady has also been an active proponent for the freedom of religious expression. To that end, he introduced the Religious Liberty Protection Act, which protects against government encroachment on free religious expression in public places, and that bill was subsequently passed by the House of Representatives. More recently, I had the pleasure to work with Charles and the other members of the Florida Delegation on one of the most significant pieces of environmental legislation this nation has ever passed, the Everglades Restoration bill. As a member of the Florida Delegation, Congressman Canady can take pride in knowing that his work will contribute to the economic, environmental, and cultural vitality of the state, saving this precious national treasure for generations to come. We will all miss the contributions and camaraderie Charles has shared with us. This will be an exciting time in the lives of the Canady family, as they await the birth of their second child. As a friend and fellow Floridian, I wish Charles, his wife Jennifer, his daughter Julie Grace, and the newest addition to the Canady family, the best as they embark upon a new chapter in their lives. I look forward to working with Charles in other capacities in the future as he continues his service to the people of Florida.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the original Boren Amendment was intended to serve as a ceiling for State reimbursement decisions, but over many years of judicial interpretation, it became a tool to create an ever- increasing floor. Mr. Speaker, I would urge all to vote against this motion, and I thank the gentleman for his courtesy.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for allowing us the opportunity. Mr. Speaker, this motion actually reverses a policy set in legislation enacted only 3 years ago, at the bipartisan request of our Nation's governors. Provisions to repeal the Boren Amendment were included in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. That measure was approved by the House with the support of 193 Republicans and 153 Democrats, and it was signed into law by President Clinton. I would also refer to remarks made by the President of the National Governors Association on August 8 of last year in St. Louis, Missouri, when he said, we have waived or eliminated scores of laws and regulations on Medicaid, including one we all wanted to get rid of, the so-called Boren Amendment. As I intended to explain earlier, the proposal, Mr. Speaker, is unnecessary. The Medicaid statute already includes provisions which address the gentleman's concern. Under title 19, States are specifically required to provide adequate reimbursement. Section 1902(a)30(A) requires States plans to, and I quote, ``provide such methods and procedures relating to the utilization of and the payment for care and services available under the plan as may be necessary to safeguard against unnecessary utilization of such care and services, and to ensure that payments are consistent with efficiency, economy and quality of care, and are sufficient to enlist enough providers so that care and services are available under the plan, at least to the extent that such care and services are available to the general population in the geographic area.'' Mr. Speaker, this has been true in regulation for years, Mr. Speaker, but it was also codified in statute by the 1989 omnibus budget reconciliation act. Imposing additional mandates on the States would not accomplish any justifiable public policy purpose. The other interpretation of the gentleman's motion to instruct is that in the spirit of Halloween, he is attempting to breathe life into the now-dead Boren Amendment. History has shown us that the use of such general terms as ``adequate reimbursement'' and ``suppliers furnishing items and services'' will lead to litigation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Florida asked for 5 minutes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) for yielding me this time. Obviously, I support S. 1880, the Minority Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000. This proposal encompasses H.R. 3250, which is the Health Care Finance Act of 2000 which was reported from the Committee on Commerce. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) and so many others were so very much responsible for that. The bill addresses disparities in biomedical and behavioral research and health professional education for minority medically underserved Americans. There is ample evidence, Mr. Speaker, that some populations suffer disproportionately from certain diseases. For example, African Americans have a 70 percent higher rate of diabetes than whites. Hispanics suffer a rate that is nearly double the rate for whites. Vietnamese women suffer from cervical cancer five times the rate of white women. Mr. Speaker, we need to know why this is the case, and I hope this legislation will help. The proposal will create a new National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH which will be charged with coordinating biomedical and behavioral health disparities research. The bill strengthens research into health care quality and access by funding studies at the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. And, finally, the bill provides additional funds for loan repayment programs in the Health Resources and Services Administration for health professional training and education programs focusing in the causes and potential solutions to health disparities among Americans. S. 1880 includes some important changes to H.R. 3250 that improve the underlying bill. These changes reflect bipartisan efforts to address concerns expressed by Members of Congress and the administration. Chief among these is the recognition of health disparities in medically underserved populations as well as in racial and ethnic minorities. Additional changes were made to the bill to address concerns raised by the Department of Justice and some Members with potential constitutional problems with the bill as introduced. These are all positive changes that ensure Americans who suffer from disease and death disproportionately to the population at large benefit from the research and education provisions in this legislation. This is an important piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us in a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules, concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2498) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the placement of automatic external defibrillators in Federal buildings in order to improve survival rates of individuals who experience cardiac arrest in such buildings, and to establish protections from civil liability arising from the emergency use of the devices.