Sherry Boehlert

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I wish to identify with the remarks of my colleague who just spoke, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and I wish to address the House in two capacities: one, as a friend of the veterans, as a veteran myself; and, two, in relationship to the amendment previously discussed by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley). The fact of the matter is I know of no better friends for the veterans of America than the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh). They both have very important roles to play, the gentleman from New Jersey as chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from New York, who is where the rubber meets the road, on the Committee on Appropriations. We can do all the authorizing in the world, but it does not mean much unless you follow up with appropriations. The gentleman from New York, to his credit, time after time has been there for the veterans, time after time has put more money in the budget to address very real problems that must be solved if we are to fulfill our commitments to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States military. I am very much aware of the delays in solving the claims processing crisis. Indeed it is a crisis. On several occasions I have spoken to the gentleman from New York about this. Others have, too. We have always received the same answer: ``We will be there when we are needed. Don't just judge us by our words. Judge us by our deeds.'' This budget includes $128 million, an 11 percent increase, for the Veterans Administration to address the claims processing problem. That deserves our praise and support. Now, we can always do more, but the fact of the matter is we are doing more than what is adequate to address a very real, legitimate problem. But to suggest that we take from another very sensitive area, and this is where I put on my second hat, as chairman of the Committee on Science, to suggest that we take money away from the National Science Foundation, which even Ronald Reagan, in my early years on the Hill, wanted to double funding for over a 5-year period, because he was wise then and we are wise now; and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) is evidencing the wisdom of the Congress in providing additional funds for the National Science Foundation. I do not need to remind my colleagues that we have been through a decade of unprecedented growth, quarter after quarter, year after year, growth in our economy. It is a little bit soft right now, a little bit shaky. People are concerned. I would suggest to my colleagues in the House that the way to continue to move forward, to make sure this economy keeps percolating is, one, to do what we have already done, cut taxes to get money back into the pockets of the American taxpayer, and so that they can help keep this economy humming, but secondly to invest in appropriate science, to invest in the basic research that is so essential for the continued prosperity in America. We did not get where we have been these past 10 years, quarter after quarter year after year of growth because we just wished for better things to happen. We got there because we invested in science, and science has rewarded us with unprecedented developments. The whole Internet economy, the whole telecommunications industry growth, these are things that are products of science. So I would suggest that to acquire $25 million more for something that is already being addressed in a very substantial way, $128 million more in the Walsh bill, but to get that additional $25 million by taking $92 million and, boy, talk about fuzzy math, it is tough to understand and explain in this short time how that comes about, but to take $92 million away from the National Science Foundation is just not the thing to do. We can do what we should do in a responsible way, continuing to provide more funding for the National Science Foundation and do what the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) is proposing, more funding, $128 million more to solve a very real problem, that is, the backlog in the claims processing for the men and women who have served our Nation so nobly. I want to thank the gentleman from New York for his leadership. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for what he is continuing to do, to make certain everyone clearly understands that our veterans are uppermost in our minds. We have an obligation. We have a commitment. We are going to meet it.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support for the Stupak- Boehlert amendment to increase funding for the USDA's Nutrition Program for the Elderly by $10 million. This vital program helps provide over 3 million senior citizens with nutritionally sound meals in their homes through the meal-on-wheels programs, or in senior centers, churches, and in my district a few fire halls through the congregate meals program. I would venture a guess that almost every single Member of this House has visited a congregate meal site or volunteered to ride along with a meal-on-wheels program. I want to remind everyone that these programs are important to our communities and that the need is quite real. Participants in this program are disproportionately poor. 33% of congregate meal participants and 50% of home delivered meal participants have incomes below the poverty level. A majority of meal- on-wheels participants live alone and have twice as many physical impairments as the average elderly person. The Nutrition Program not only feeds seniors in need but also allows those seniors to remain connected to their communities. Congregate meal sites give participating seniors the opportunity to socialize with members of the community. And Meals-on-Wheels volunteers deliver meals to frail, sick, home bound seniors most whom do not leave their homes even once a week. Let me take just a moment to share with you the comments of some of the congregate meal program participants from the Town of New Harford Senior Center located in my home town. Juanita, age 76, says: ``Meals are important. I come every day.'' Margaret, age 78, says: ``The meals are very nutritional. I like food! It helps me feel good and want to be active.'' Helen, age 91, says: ``I enjoy coming here for the meals and the company. There is always something new that I hear and learn. The food, I enjoy immensely.'' Carlton, age 88, says: ``It is a chance to get out and enjoy the company of seniors that makes my day!'' In order to fund this needed increase for senior meals, the Stupak- Boehlert amendment offsets $10 million for the Agriculture Building and Facilities account. I do not doubt the need for these funds. But the number of seniors needing nutrition services continues to grow and we must make a larger commitment to ensure that Nutrition Program for the Elderly is properly funded. The Stupak-Boehlert amendment is endorsed by the Meals on Wheels Association of America, the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, the TREA Senior Citizen League, the National Council on the Aging, and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. This amendment represents a small investment in a program that helps to fight the malnutrition and isolation far too many needy senior citizens face. I urge my colleagues to vote for the Stupak-Boehlert amendment. Vote to support our nation's seniors.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I will spare my colleagues all the arguments against the language in the bill and in support of the Olver- Gilchrest language. But in the spirit of the subcommittee chairman, who has acknowledged his willingness to accept that, I want to applaud that action, because I think for years now the language this amendment would strike has been used to hound Federal agencies that try to address climate change. It was used to harass agencies who sent government officials to international climate change meetings, and it has been used in attempts to thwart voluntary agreements, voluntary agreements, with industries that offered to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, both President Bushes, 41 and 43, acknowledged that climate change is a serious problem. In fact, President George Herbert Walker Bush even signed an international agreement to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, and that treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate. Despite its misgivings about the Kyoto Protocol, this administration too has acknowledged the seriousness of climate change. As many know, after receiving last month the report he requested from the National Academy of Sciences, a report that underscored yet again the scientific consensus that exists on climate change, President Bush pledged that the U.S. will take a leadership role to address it. I, for one, want to help him do that. I want the U.S. to take the lead on dealing with climate change responsibility, and the obstructionist language in this bill does not help do that. So I want to commend the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) and I want to commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) for their steadfast support of reasonableness as we shape public policy, and I want to extend to the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), my appreciation for his cooperation. Mr. Chairman, I rise today, in support of the Olver-Gilchrest amendment, but frankly, I'm disappointed that we have to have this debate at all. I am disappointed that the language that we are attempting to strike has been included in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill in the first place, because today the scientific consensus on global climate change is stronger than ever. Mr. Chairman, the opponents of this amendment will tell you that the language included in this bill--the language the amendment would strike--simply prevents the Administration from implementing the international agreement, known as the Kyoto Protocol, to reduce greenhouse gases and curb global climate change. The opponents say that the Administration should not implement the Kyoto Protocol because it is fatally flawed and unrealistic. They say the Administration shouldn't implement the Protocol because it would exempt developing countries from requirements to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They say the Administration shouldn't implement the Kyoto Protocol. Period. Well guess who agrees with them entirely? The Administration. So if this Administration isn't even remotely thinking about implementing the Kyoto Protocol, what is the language this amendment would strike really about? It is not about the Kyoto Protocol. It is not about fears the Administration will sneakily conduct ``back-door'' implementation. It is really about preventing any serious progress at all on the serious environmental problem of global climate change. The truth is that this amendment is really about who is for dealing with climate change responsibly, and who is not. For years now, the language this amendment would strike has been used to hound federal agencies that tried to address climate change. It was used to harass agencies who sent government officials to international climate change meetings. And it has been used in attempts to thwart voluntary agreements--voluntary agreements--with industries that offered to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, both Presidents Bush have acknowledged that climate change is a serious problem. In fact, George H.W. Bush even signed an international agreement to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases--and that treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate. Despite its misgivings about the Kyoto Protocol, this Administration, too, has acknowledged the seriousness of climate change. As many of you know, after receiving last month the report he requested from the National Academy of Sciences--a report that underscored yet again the scientific consensus that exists on climate change--President Bush pledged that the U.S. will take a leadership role to address it. I, for one, want to help him do that. I want the U.S. to take the lead on dealing with climate change responsibly. And the obstructionist language in this bill does not help do that. It is time this House took the issue of climate change seriously, as our President has said he does. I urge my colleagues to support the Olver-Gilchrest amendment. Let's strike this troublesome language from the bill, and put the tired old bogeyman of Kyoto behind us.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Madam Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) for the outstanding leadership he has provided, and so many others, in support of this legislation. I, too, support the legislation. While the bill provides some long- needed relief for small businesses and communities caught up in the Superfund liability net, it also signals a missed opportunity to enact more comprehensive reform. For those of us familiar with the world of Superfund, H.R. 1831 specifically provides a de micromis exemption for those who are contributors of truly tiny amounts of waste. It also exempts those who contributed nonhazardous garbage, translate that, municipal solid waste. Finally, it encourages faster and fairer settlements through ``ability to pay'' procedures. Make no mistake, though, this is not comprehensive reform. I continue to believe that the best approach is a more comprehensive one, an approach that addresses broader inequities in the liability scheme; that accelerates brownfields revisitization; that puts an end to joint and several liability; that embraces the concept of fair-share allocation, rejecting the just plain goofy concept of deep pockets. If you are more successful, you have to pay more, regardless of what you contributed to the problem; that just does not make sense. We have to come to grips with the reality of the need to reauthorize Superfund taxes to ensure the principal of the fund, as well as the polluter pays principal. Do not get nervous. We are talking about \12/100\ of a percent on profits in excess of $2 million when figured under the alternative minimum tax scheme. That sounds like so much mumbo jumbo. But for a short period of time if we do not reauthorize the lapsed corporate environmental income tax, which I am convinced all America would embrace, then we do not have a Superfund fund to pay the bills. We have to do it. That was the basis of the bill H.R. 1300 that moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on a 69 to 2 vote in the last Congress. It continues to be the right approach, and that is why I have reintroduced it as H.R. 324 this year. Madam Speaker, however, I am a realist. Given the complications of moving a more comprehensive bill, I support moving forward today with this targeted compromise, and I congratulate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gillmor) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) for bringing it forward as long as we continue to work on other important components of the Superfund issue. Let me point out, we know the impediment to reauthorizing the lapsed corporate environmental income tax, the \12/100\ of a percent tax, it is the oil industry. Last time I checked, they were doing pretty well. One company, in the first quarter of this year, made $5 billion in profits; and you know what this \12/100\ of a percent tax would cost the entire industry, not the one company, but the entire industry, $33 million. The oil industry should be embarrassed, some members of the industry, some are responsible, I am not painting with a broad brush, to tell us they are opposed to reauthorizing it. That just does not make sense. We have to deal with brownfields legislation. That is something else that is very important. Over 450,000 brownfields from coast to coast, mainly in our urban centers, laying idle because people are afraid to touch them because of some future liability. Those are where the jobs are needed in our center cities. If you want to deal with urban sprawl, deal with it in a responsible way, pass brownfields legislation. So I hope this is only chapter 1 in a rather dramatic story that this Congress is writing dealing with Superfund in a comprehensive, sweeping way. Madam Speaker, this is good public policy for America. This is a start. Madam Speaker, I am proud to identify with chapter 1, but I want to see more chapters.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, today, under the leadership of my able colleague Nick Smith, Congress is commemorating fifty years worth of accomplishment by one of the gems of our nation--the National Science Foundation. For fifty years, the National Science Foundation has represented an investment in our nation's future, through the Foundation's funding for world class research across the gamut of scientific disciplines. This work in fundamental science has provided the building blocks for many of the technologies that we depend upon today--for example, biotechnology, the Internet, and aerospace materials. We depend on this type of research to find its way into our commercial products, medical systems and treatments, and even defense technologies. We also leverage this research for its training of our future scientific and technology leaders--in universities, industry, and government. Over the past 50 years, NSF's reach has extended beyond the lab and into the classroom and even the home. The NSF supports projects at museums, science centers, and planetaria that reach about 50 million people. The figure doubles to 100 million for the audiences of radio, television, and film programs on science. And in our nation's schools, NSF has been leading the way in improving the math and science education of students of all ages. In many innovative programs, they have used their unique position to bring our nation's leading scientific researchers and their discoveries into the classroom, to bring the excitement of science and learning to our children. I am pleased that the President has acknowledged their excellent work in education by naming the National Science Foundation as the lead agency for the Math and Science Partnership element of his education initiative, No Child Left Behind. Through my work on the Science Committee, and in discussions with scientists, corporate technology leaders, and even my constituents back home, I have become very familiar with the NSF. I have come to have great respect for the work that the NSF, its leadership and staff, and the thousands of scientists and educators who are funded by the agency have done. Their innovative spirit and record of success is extraordinary. I join with my colleagues in applauding the National Science Foundation for fifty years of excellent service to their Nation, and wish them well on the next fifty. I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting this resolution, as well in our efforts to support the NSF in future endeavors. We must continue to support the National Science Foundation with more than words. In recent years, Congress has given the NSF large increases in its budget for both research and educational activities, enabling it to expand on the excellent work it does in scientific discovery, public outreach, and math and science education. As we enter our annual Appropriations process, I will work--along with many of my concerned colleagues--to ensure that Congressional support for significant increases to NSF's budget continues, so that we live up to the words of praise in this resolution. I hope my colleagues who join us in supporting this resolution on the National Science Foundation's past successes will also join in our efforts to support the NSF in its future endeavors.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to introduce the Department of Environmental Protection Act, important legislation that redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency as an executive department in the executive branch. Like many of my colleagues, I believe the time has come to elevate EPA to cabinet-level status. This is not a new idea, but it continues to be a good idea. Rep. Jim Florio and I introduced legislation in the 101st Congress (1988) to elevate the agency. I introduced a similar bill again in the 103rd Congress. Several of my colleagues also introduced EPA elevation bills and, in 1993, there was significant debate surrounding Senate-passed and House Committee-passed bills. The problem wasn't so much the concept behind the bill, but the ``baggage'' attached to the bill. It became a magnet for controversial provisions and pet projects. And so, today I'm introducing a baggage-free EPA elevation bill. I believe the bill steers clear of controversial issues that could side- track the broader effort. It also combines features from previous legislative efforts, particularly those of the former Chairman and Ranking Member of the Government Operations Committee, Representative John Conyers and former Representative Bill Clinger. The Department of Environmental Protection Act should help start the discussion in the 107th Congress. There is at least one bill introduced in the Senate. The subject also came up during Administrator Whitman's confirmation hearings. But there needs to be much more discussion and, most importantly, action. It may be an ``old'' idea but it's still a good idea. EPA's mission is too critical for the agency not to be an official part of the cabinet. The idea was good under a Republican President in the late 1980's, a Democratic President in the 1990's, and now a Republican President at the start of the 21st Century. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the effort.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H.R. 6, the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001. This bill will not only do away with the unfair tax burden on married couples, but it will also double the per-child tax credit from $500 to $1,000. For the 25 million married couples saddled with the marriage penalty, for low and middle income parents, and for their children, this relief will not come a minute too soon. No one should be penalized for being married. No family should be penalized for having a stay at home parent. Yet without this critical legislation we would miss an opportunity to do right by the people who sacrifice everyday to not only make a home for their family but also to pay their share of taxes. Following up on our passage of H.R. 3, this bill is another big step in the right direction. Relief from the marriage penalty, a greater child tax credit and lowered marginal tax rates, will mean real help for real families. When fully phased in, a married couple with 2 children earning $35,000 filing jointly will save over $1,800 dollars a year. That's real money to invest in their children's education, pay the bills, and save for the future. This bill is pro-marriage, pro-child, and pro-family. Not just young married couples and families, but older ones, too. The numbers don't lie. H.R. 6 would give 6 million seniors marriage tax penalty relief in 2002 and increase to 9 million seniors in 2010. I urge my colleagues to vote for the Marriage Penalty and Family Tax Relief Act of 2001. Vote to support our nation's families.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, last night I had the honor to participate in the celebration of the 100th birthday of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As I noted in my remarks at the event, NIST was one of the very first and one of the most important actions Congress took at the beginning of the 20th Century. NIST was established to help bring rationality to the profusion of standards that were plaguing this country at the turn of the last century. As to its future, it could be anything from looking at the molecular structure of ceramics or the security of our computers or guidance to a small manufacturer on how to update operations. We are indebted to NIST for what it has done in the past as I am sure we will be for what It provides us in the future. Mr. Speaker, I doubt that very many people are aware of NIST, its history and its importance to the nation. Since I touched on many of these points in my address last night, I insert the full text of my remarks for the information of my colleagues at this point in the Record. Statement on NIST Anniversary, March 6, 2001 It's a delight and a privilege to join with you this evening to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. And I have to say that the timing of this event is auspicious for me, in particular. It's great to be assuming the chairmanship of the House Science Committee as NIST is celebrating its centenary because the existence of NIST is concrete proof that Congress can get some things right when it comes to science and technology policy. Establishing NIST was one the very first and one of the most important actions Congress took at the dawn of the 20th Century--a century that was to see technology and standardization change our world as never before. And we are still reaping the rewards of that foresight as we begin the 21st Century. I have to note, though, that while NIST is richly deserving of tonight's gala; the festivities are a little out of character for NIST, which from the start has gone about its business in an unassuming, even inconspicuous way. Even the law that created the laboratory didn't have a name--it was known by the rather plain and workaday designation, ``the Act of March 3, 1901''--a date that has lived in neither infamy nor fame, a date that no schoolchild has been forced to memorize. Given NIST's ``nose-to-the-grindstone'' work ethic, its stream of consistent productivity without fanfare, its focus on the essential but largely invisible foundations of modern technology, one might think that a good title for a history of NIST's first century would be ``One Hundred Years of Solitude.'' But how extraordinarily misleading that would be--because the actual secret of NIST's success has been its ``partnerships''--partnerships with the private sector, partnerships with other federal agencies and laboratories, partnerships with state and local governments. NIST is well known to the people who keep our economy healthy, and it's NIST's ability to work with just about anybody that has kept it fresh, vital and valuable--as fundamental a key to American prosperity as it was the day it was created. NIST is a worthy and needed partner because its mission is problem-solving. NIST was established to help bring rationality to the profusion of standards that were afflicting the United States at the turn of the last century--a profusion that could have tragic consequences when, for example, major fires could not be extinguished because of varying standards for hoses and hydrants. And that problem-solving ethos has been maintained to this very day-- whether NIST is probing abstruse questions about the molecular structure of ceramics, or helping to ensure the security of our computers, or providing guidance to a small manufacturer on how to update his operations through the Manufacturing Extension Program. And we also still draw on NIST's expertise to solve problems that are endemic to the economy as a whole--with the Advanced Technology Program, for example, which has helped a wide variety of companies pass through the so-called ``valley of death'' that can prevent good research ideas from becoming good processes or products. But tonight's focus is not on the past--although NIST's record accomplishment provides plenty of cause for celebration. We're really here to make a downpayment on the future by showing all the current and former directors and staff at NIST how grateful we are for their dedication, their imagination and their insight. Working steadily and fruitfully outside the limelight, they have enabled our nation's reputation for technological progress to shine. Now it's hard to know what the technology of tomorrow will look like. History is littered with embarrassingly misguided predictions--a few of them even uttered in hearings before the House Science Committee. But I think it's safe to say that, whatever the technology of the future is, NIST will have played a role in its creation, enhancement or propagation. So I want again to thank everyone who has made NIST a success and to pledge to all of you that I will do my best to ensure that NIST continues to set the standard for what a federal lab should be.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to support H. Con. Res. 27, a resolution honoring the National Institute of Standards and Technology and its valuable employees for 100 years of service to our country. A century ago, our predecessors here in Congress recognized the importance of creating an institution with a mission to work closely with private industry to help further our nation's technological progress and strengthen its economic performance. So strongly did our colleagues feel about the important role in our economy that this new entity could play, the Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures that recommended its creation at that time wrote: No more essential aid could be given to manufacturing, commerce, the makers of scientific apparatus, the scientific work of the government, of schools, colleges, and universities than by the establishment of the institution proposed in this bill. And thus the National Bureau of Standards, which we now know as the National Institute for Standards and Technology, was created. And over the past 100 years, Mr. Speaker, NIST and its employees have not let us down. Literally, it is all but impossible to name a major innovation that has improved our quality of life with which NIST has not had some involvement. NIST's federal laboratories have partnered with industry to initiate innovations for safer and more fuel efficient automobiles, biomedical breakthroughs like breast cancer diagnostics, refrigerant and air conditioning standards, analysis of DNA, and calibrations for wireless telecommunications systems, among numerous others. Activities as far reaching as trading on the New York Stock Exchange and space navigation rely on NIST for their work in the area of high- accuracy timekeeping. In fact, with the newly enhanced NIST-built atomic clock that will neither gain nor lose a second in 20 million years, the Institute receives millions of requests for accurate time via the Internet each and every day. NIST has also proven to be a valuable resource to our nation's small businesses--the backbone of our economy. NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, or MEP, provides small manufacturers with a network of over 400 centers nationwide that they can rely on for the advice and expertise they need to succeed in the ever-changing business world. NIST is a well-run agency that has supported our nation's economic growth by working to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards integral to our ability to compete in today's global marketplace. As the Chairman of the House Science Committee, I want to acknowledge the efforts of my colleagues, Mrs. Morella and Mr. Barcia, the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Technology Subcommittee last Congress. I appreciate their commitment over the past few years to ensuring that NIST's laboratory functions have received the budget prioritization they deserve. NIST labs continue to be the cornerstone of our federal science and technology efforts. With construction underway on NIST's much needed Advanced Measurement Laboratory located at its Gaithersburg campus, we can also be assured that the Institute's lab system will continue to shine well into the next century. This new state-of-the-art laboratory will allow NIST's world class scientists to make precision measurements under stable conditions with tight control of vibration, temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and electrical power. I want to thank Congresswoman Morella and Congressman Udall for introducing this resolution today. But most of all I want to thank NIST and its employees for their 100 years of service to our nation. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 27.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I had the honor to present my maiden speech as Chairman of the House Science Committee to the Universities Research Association on January 31, 2001. In my remarks, I outlined my goals and initial priorities for the 107th Congress. As I said in the speech: I want to ensure that we have a healthy, sustainable and productive R&D establishment--one that educates students, increases human knowledge, strengthens U.S. competitiveness and contributes to the well-being of the nation and the world. With those goals in mind, I intend to concentrate initially on three priorities--science and math education, energy policy and the environment--three areas in which the resources and expertise of the scientific enterprise must be brought to bear on issues of national significance. Mr. Speaker, for the information of my colleagues, I submit herewith the full text of my remarks into the Congressional Record.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. 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. 524.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the senior member of the committee.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 524) to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers and other such businesses to successfully integrate and utilize electronic commerce technologies and business practices, and to authorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assess critical enterprise integration standards and implementation activities for major manufacturing industries and to develop a plan for enterprise integration for each major manufacturing industry.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns).

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. During a busy day, most Americans probably do not stop to think about the impact small manufacturing has on all of our lives. In fact, most Americans would be surprised to learn that it is all but impossible to get through a day without using and benefiting from the many products created by our Nation's small manufacturers. Everything from the alarm clock ringing in the morning, to the clothes we wear, to the communications equipment C-SPAN uses to broadcast these House proceedings live can be attributed in part to small manufacturing. It is not surprising, then, that small manufacturers contribute so greatly to our Nation's economic growth and prosperity. Small manufacturers employ over 12 million Americans, translating to nearly 1 in 10 workers nationwide. It is estimated that a manufacturing sale of $1 results in an increase of total output in the economy of $2.30. As they seek to remain a driving force in our Nation's economy, one of the greatest challenges facing small manufacturers in the coming decade will be the need to implement successful e-commerce business strategies allowing them to better compete in the burgeoning information age. It is estimated that sales in electronic commerce alone will reach nearly $3.2 trillion by the year 2003. Small manufacturers who successfully embrace new technology and all its benefits will be able to capitalize on the growing trend in online sales and have the potential to increase both their productivity and revenues. Beyond online sales, e-commerce can help small manufacturers develop new products and markets while at the same time allowing them to interact more quickly and efficiently with their suppliers and customers. I am pleased to join the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 524, the Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act. H.R. 524 will allow the director of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, which we all know as NIST, to establish an advisory panel comprised of both government and private sector representatives that will provide Congress with a comprehensive report detailing the challenges facing small manufacturers in integrating and utilizing electronic commerce technologies. The report will also require a 3-year blueprint for NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, or MEP, in the area of electronic commerce. MEP, with over 400 centers in all 50 States, has been a valuable technology transfer resource for many small manufacturers nationwide. By establishing a 3-year plan, we will have a better idea of how NIST MEP can be most useful in helping small manufacturers overcome the barriers they face in the electronic world. Finally, H.R. 524 establishes a limited e-commerce pilot program administered through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration, aimed at assisting small manufacturers to integrate e-commerce business strategies. Last Congress, the House passed legislation mirroring H.R. 524 by voice vote. Unfortunately, Congress adjourned before the Senate could act on the measure. I am hopeful we will be able to get the bill signed into law this year. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Electronic Commerce Enhancement Act of 2001. Let me close my formal remarks by commending my colleague, good friend, and partner, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia), for his tenaciousness, for his innovativeness and for the hard work that has produced this product. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, enclosed, please find a copy of the Rules of the Committee on Science of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Committee on Science adopted these rules by voice vote on February 14, 2001. We are submitting these rules to the Congressional Record for publication in compliance with rule XI, clause 2(a)(2). Committee on Science Rules for the 107th Congress rule 1. general provisions General Statement (a) The Rules of the House of Representatives, as applicable, shall govern the Committee and its Subcommittees, except that a motion to recess from day to day and a motion to dispense with the first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies are available, are nondatable privileged motions in the Committee and its Subcommittees and shall be decided without debate. The rules of the Committee, as applicable, shall be the rules of its Subcommittees. The rules of germaneness shall be enforced by the Chairman [XI 1(a)] Membership (b) A majority of majority Members of the Committee shall determine an appropriate ratio of majority to minority Members of each Subcommittee and shall authorize the Chairman to negotiate that ratio with the minority party; Provided, however, that party representation on each Subcommittee (including any ex-officio Members) shall be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the Full Committee. Provided, further, that recommendations of conferees to the Speaker shall provide a ratio of majority party Members to minority party Members which shall be no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the Full Committee. Power to Sit and Act; Subpoena Power (c)(1) Notwithstanding subparagraph (2), a subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Committee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities to require the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents as deemed necessary, only when authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority of the Committee being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed only by the Chairman, or by any member designated by the Chairman. [XI 2(m)] (2) The Chairman of the Full Committee, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee, may authorize and issue such subpoenas as described in paragraph (1), during any period in which the House has adjourned for a period longer than 3 days. [XI 2(m)(3)(A)(i)] (3) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return other than a meeting or a hearing of the Committee. Sensitive or Confidential Information Received Pursuant to Subpoena (d) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or Subcommittee, certain information received by the Committee or Subcommittee pursuant to a subpoena not made part of the record at an open hearing shall be deemed to have been received in Executive Session when the Chairman of the Full Committee, in his judgment and after consultation with Ranking Minority Member, deems that in view of all the circumstances, such as the sensitivity of the information or the confidential nature of the information, such action is appropriate. National Security Information (e) All national security information bearing a classification of secret or higher which has been received by the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be deemed to have been received in Executive Session and shall be given appropriate safekeeping. The Chairman of the Full Committee may establish such regulations and procedures as in his judgment are necessary to safeguard classified information under the control of the Committee. Such procedures shall, however, ensure access to this information by any Member of the Committee, or any other Member of the House of Representatives who has requested the opportunity to review such material. Oversight (f) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the Committee shall meet in open session, with a quorum present, to adopt its oversight plans for that Congress for submission to the Committee on House Oversight and the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, in accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of Rule X of the House of Representatives. (g) The Chairman of the Full Committee, or of any Subcommittee, shall not undertake any investigation in the name of the Committee without formal approval by the Chairman of the Full Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee. Order of Business (h) The order of business and procedure of the Committee and the subjects of inquiries or investigations will be decided by the Chairman, subject always to an appeal to the Committee. Suspended Proceedings (i) During the consideration of any measure or matter, the Chairman of the Full Committee, or of any Subcommittee, or any Member acting as such, shall suspend further proceedings after a question has been put to the Committee at any time when there is a vote by electronic device occurring in the House of Representatives. Other Procedures (j) The Chairman of the Full Committee, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the Committee. Use of Hearing Rooms (k) In consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, the Chairman of the full Committee shall establish guidelines for use of Committee hearing rooms. rule 2. committee meetings [and procedures] Quorum [XI 2(h)] (a)(1) One-third of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for all purposes except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Rule. (2) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum in order to: (A) report or table any legislation, measure, or matter; (B) close Committee meetings or hearings pursuant to Rules 2(c) and 2(d); and, (C) authorize the issuance of subpoenas pursuant to Rule 1(c). (3) Two Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving evidence, which, unless waived by the Chairman of the Full Committee after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee, shall include at least one Member from each of the majority and minority parties. Time and Place (b)(1) Unless dispensed with by the Chairman, the meetings of the Committee shall be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month the House is in session at 10:00 a.m. and at such other times and in such places as the Chairman may designate. [XI 2(b)] (2) The Chairman of the Committee may convene as necessary additional meetings of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt. The Committee shall meet for such purpose under that call of the Chairman. [XI 2(c)] (3) The Chairman shall make public announcement of the date, time, place and subject matter of any of its hearings, and to the extent practicable, a list of witnesses at least one week before the commencement of the hearing. If the Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of business, the Chairman shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any announcement made under this Rule shall be promptly published in the Daily Digest, and promptly made available by electronic form including the Committee website. [XI 2(g)(3)] Open Meetings [XI 2(g)] (c) Each meeting for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, of the Committee shall be open to the public, including to radio, television, and still photography coverage, except when the Committee, in open session and with a majority present, determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be in executive session because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House. Persons other than Members of the Committee and such non-Committee Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, congressional staff, or departmental representatives as the Committee may authorize, may not be present at a business or markup session that is held in executive session. This Rule does not apply to open Committee hearings which are provided for by Rule 2(d). (d)(1) Each hearing conducted by the Committee shall be open to the public including radio, television, and still photography coverage except when the Committee, in open session and with a majority present, determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of that hearing on that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of testimony, evidence, or other matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would violate a law or rule of the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding the requirements of the preceding sentence, and Rule 2(q) a majority of those present, there being in attendance the requisite number required under the rules of the Committee to be present for the purpose of taking testimony: (A) may vote to close the hearing for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony or evidence to be received would endanger the national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information or would violate Rule XI 2(k)(5) of the Rules of the House of Representatives; or (B) may vote to close the hearing, as provided in Rule XI 2(k)(5) of the Rules of the House of Representatives. No Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may be excluded from non-participatory attendance at any hearing of any Committee or Subcommittee, unless the House of Representatives shall by majority vote authorize a particular Committee or Subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a particular subject of investigation, to close its hearings to Members, Delegate and the Resident Commissioner by the same procedures designated in this Rule for closing hearings to the public: Provided, however, that the Committee or Subcommittee may by the same procedure vote to close one subsequent day of the hearing. Audio and Visual Coverage [XI, clause 4] (e)(A) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, these proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio, and still photography, except as provided in Rule XI 4(f)(2) of the House of Representatives. The Chairman shall not be able to limit the number of television, or still cameras to fewer than two representatives from each medium (except for legitimate space or safety considerations in which case pool coverage shall be authorized). (B)(1) Radio and television tapes, television film, and internet recordings of any Committee hearings or meetings that are open to the public may not be used, or made available for use, as partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the candidacy of any person for elective public office. (2) It is, further, the intent of this rule that the general conduct of each meeting or hearing covered under authority of this rule by audio or visual means, and the personal behavior of the Committee Members and staff, other government officials and personnel, witnesses, television, radio, and press media personnel, and the general public at the meeting or hearing, shall be in strict conformity with and observance of the acceptable standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum traditionally observed by the House in its operations, and may not be such as to: (i) distort the object and purposes of the meeting or hearing or the activities of Committee Members in connection with that meeting or hearing or in connection with the general work of the Committee or of the House; or (ii) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the Committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner or bring the House, the Committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner into disrepute. (3) The coverage of Committee meetings and hearings by audio and visual means shall be permitted and conducted only in strict conformity with the purposes, provisions, and requirements of this rule. (f) The following shall apply to coverage of Committee meetings or hearings by audio or visual means: (1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or meeting is to be presented to the public as live coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and presented without commercial sponsorship. (2) The allocation among the television media of the positions or the number of television cameras permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chairman in a hearing or meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries. (3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving evidence or testimony and any member of the Committee or the visibility of that witness and that member to each other. (4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed positions but may not be placed in positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or meeting by the other media. (5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the television and radio media may not be installed in, or removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the Committee is in session. (6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), floodlights, spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns may not be used in providing any method of coverage of the hearing or meeting. (B) The television media may install additional lighting in a hearing or meeting room, without cost to the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting level in a hearing or meeting room to the lowest level necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of television coverage. (7) In the allocation of the number of still photographers permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chairman in a hearing or meeting room, preference shall be given to photographers from Associated Press Photos and United Press International Newspictures. If requests are made by more of the media than will be permitted by a Committee or Subcommittee Chairman for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers. (8) Photographers may not position themselves between the witness table and the members of the Committee at any time during the course of a hearing or meeting. (9) Photographers may not place themselves in positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by the other media. (10) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries. (11) Personnel providing coverage by still photography shall be currently accredited to the Press Photographers' Gallery. (12) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media and by still photography shall conduct themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive manner. Special Meetings (g) Rule XI 2(c) of the Rules of the House of Representatives is hereby incorporated by reference (Special Meetings). Vice Chairman to Preside in Absence of Chairman (h) Meetings and hearings of the Committee shall be called to order and presided over by the Chairman or, in the Chairman's absence, by the member designated by the Chairman as the Vice Chairman of the Committee, or by the ranking majority member of the Committee present as Acting Chairman. [XI 2(d)] Opening Statements; 5-Minute Rule (i) Insofar as is practicable, the Chairman, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall limit the total time of opening statements by Members to no more than 10 minutes, the time to be divided equally between the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member. The time any one Member any address the Committee on any bill, motion or other matter under consideration by the Committee or the time allowed for the questioning of a witness at hearings before the Committee will be limited to five minutes, and then only when the Member has been recognized by the Chairman, except that this time limit may be waived by the Chairman or acting. [XI 2(j)] (j) Notwithstanding Rule 2(i), upon a motion the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may designate an equal number of members from each party to question a witness for a period not to exceed one hour in the aggregate or, upon a motion, may designate staff from each party to question a witness for equal specific periods that do not exceed on hour in the aggregate. [XI 2(j)] Proxies (k) No Member may authorize a vote by proxy with respect to any measure or matter before the Committee. [XI 2(f)] Witnesses (l)(1) Insofar as is practicable, each witness who is to appear before the Committee shall file no later than twenty- four (24) hours in advance of his or her appearance, a written statement of the proposed testimony and curriculum vitae. Each witness shall limit his or her presentation to a 5-minute summary, provided that additional time may be granted by the Chairman when appropriate. [XI 2(g)(4)] (2) To the greatest extent practicable, each witness appearing in a non-governmental capacity shall include with the written statement of proposed testimony a disclosure of the amount and source (by agency and program) of any Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract thereof) which is relevant to the subject of his or her testimony and was received during the current fiscal year or either of the 2 preceding fiscal years by the witness or by an entity represented by the witness. (XI 2(g)(4)] (m) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the Committee on any measure or matter, the minority Members of the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by a majority of them before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to the measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon. [XI 2(j)(1)] Hearing Procedures (n) Rule XI 2(k) of the Rules of the House of Representatives is hereby incorporated by reference. Bill and Subject Matter Consideration (o) Bills and other substantive matters may be taken up for consideration only when called by the Chairman of the Committee or by a majority vote of a quorum of the Committee, except those matters which are the subject of special-call meetings outlined in Rule 2(g). [XI 2(c)] Private Bills (p) No private bill will be reported by the Committee if there are two or more dissenting votes. Private bills so rejected by the Committee will not be reconsidered during the same Congress unless new evidence sufficient to justify a new hearing has been presented to the Committee. Consideration of Measure or Matter (q)(1) It shall not be in order for the Committee to consider any new or original measure of matter unless written notice of the date, place and subject matter of consideration and to the maximum extent practicable, a written copy of the measure or matter to be considered, and to the maximum extent practicable the original text for purposes of markup of the measure to be considered have been available to each Member of the Committee for at least 48 hours in advance of consideration, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to the measure or matter to be considered, shall be submitted in writing to the Clerk of the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the measure or matter. [XIII 4(a)] (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this rule, consideration of any legislative measure or matter by the Committee shall be in order by vote of two-thirds of the Members present, provided that a majority of the Committee is present. Requests for Written Motions (r) Any legislative or non-procedural motion made at a regular or special meeting of the Committee and which is entertained by the Chairman shall be presented in writing upon the demand of any Member present and a copy made available to each Member present. Requests for Record Votes at Full Committee (s) A record vote of the Members may be had at the request of three or more Members or in the apparent absence of a quorum, by any one Member. Report Language on Use of Federal Resources (t) No legislative report filed by the Committee on any measure or matter reported by the Committee shall contain language which has the effect of specifying the use of federal resources more explicitly (inclusively or exclusively) than that specified in the measure or matter as ordered reported, unless such language has been approved by the Committee during a meeting or otherwise in writing by a majority of the Members. Committee Records (u)(1) The Committee shall keep a complete record of all Committee action which shall include a record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is demanded. The result of each record vote shall be made available by the Committee for inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of the Committee. Information so available for public inspection shall include a description of the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition and the name of each Member voting for and each Member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of those Members present but not voting. [XI 2(e)] (2) The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules of the House of Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of the Rule, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a determination on the written requires of my Member of the Committee. [XI 2(e)(3)] (3) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its publications available in electronic form, including the Committee website. [XI 2(e)(4)] (4)(A) Except as provided for in subdivision (B), all Committee hearings records, data, charts, and files shall be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the member serving as its Chairman. Such records shall be the property of the House, and each Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner, shall have access thereto. (B) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other than members of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, may not have access to the records of the Committee respecting the conduct of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House without the specific prior permission of the Committee. Publication of Committee Hearings and Markups (v) The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the Committee which are decided to be printed shall be published in verbatim form, with the material requested for the record inserted at that place requested, or at the end of the record, as appropriate. Individuals, including Members of Congress, whose comments are to be published as part of a Committee document shall given the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by those Members, staff or witnesses to correct any errors other than errors in transcription, shall be appended to the record, and the appropriate place where the change is requested will be footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chairman of hearings conducted jointly with another congressional Committee, a memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which incorporates an agreement for the publication of the verbatim transcript. Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and published in the same manner as hearings before the Committee and shall be included as part of the legislative report unless waived by the Chairman. rule 3. subcommittees Structure and Jurisdiction (a) The Committee shall have the following standing Subcommittees with the jurisdiction indicated. (1) Subcommittee on Energy Legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy research, development, and demonstration and projects therefor, and commercial application of energy technology including: Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration programs; Department of Energy laboratories; Department of Energy science activities; Energy supply activities; Nuclear, solar and renewable energy, and other advanced energy technologies; Uranium supply and enrichment, and Department of Energy waste management and environment, safety, and health activities as appropriate; Fossil energy research and development; Clean coal technology; Energy conservation research and development; Energy aspects of climate change; and energy standards. (2) Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards Legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to competitiveness, technology, and environmental research, development, and demonstration including: Technical standards and standardization of measurement; The National Institute of Standards and Technology; The National Technical Information Service; Competitiveness, including small business competitiveness; Tax antitrust, regulatory and other legal and governmental policies as they related to technological development and commercialization; Technology transfer; Patent and intellectual property policy; International technology trade; Research, development, and demonstration activities of the Department of Transportation; Surface and water transportation research, development, and demonstration programs; Environmental Protection Agency research and development programs; Biotechnology policy; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including all activities related to weather, weather services, climate, and the atmosphere, and marine fisheries, and oceanic research; Risk assessment activities; and Scientific issues related to environmental policy, including climate change. (3) Subcommittee on Research Legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy including: Office of Science and Technology Policy; All scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education; Intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs; International scientific cooperation; National Science Foundation; University research policy, including infrastructure and overhead; University research partnerships, including those with industry; Science scholarships; Issues relating to computers, communications, and information technology; Earthquake and fire research programs; Research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs; To the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and; Materials research, development, and demonstration and policy. (4) Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development including: National space policy, including access to space; Sub-orbital access and applications; National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor and government-operated laboratories; Space commercialization including the commercial space activities relating to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce; Exploration and use of outer space; International space cooperation; National Space Council; Space applications, space communications and related matters; Earth remote sensing policy; Civil aviation research, development, and demonstration; Research, development, and demonstration programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; and Space law. Referral of Legislation (b) The Chairman shall refer all legislation and other matters referred to the Committee to the Subcommittee or Subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction within two weeks, unless the Chairman deems consideration is to be by the Full Committee. Subcommittee Chairmen may make requests for referral of specific matters to their Subcommittee within the two week period if they believe Subcommittee jurisdictions so warrant. Ex-Officio Members (c) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member shall serve as ex-officio Members of all Subcommittees and shall have the right to vote and be counted as part of the quorum and ratios on all matters before the Subcommittee. Procedures (d) No Subcommittee shall meet for markup or approval when any other Subcommittee of the Committee or the Full Committee is meeting to consider any measure or matter for markup or approval. (e) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the Committee on all matters referred to it. For matters within its jurisdiction, each Subcommittee is authorized to conduct legislative, investigative, forecasting, and general oversight hearings; to conduct inquiries into the future; and to undertake budget impact studies. Subcommittee Chairmen shall set meeting dates after consultation with the Chairman and other Subcommittee Chairmen with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Committee and Subcommittee meetings or hearings wherever possible. (f) Any Member of the Committee may have the privilege of sitting with any Subcommittee during its hearings or deliberations and may participate in such hearings or deliberations, but no such Member who is not a Member of the Subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such Subcommittee, except as provided in Rule 3(c). (g) During any Subcommittee proceeding for markup or approval, a record vote may be had at the request of one or more Members of that Subcommittee.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, this comprehensive, bipartisan legislation will help save the Everglades, restore rivers and watersheds throughout the country, keep communities safe from floods and hurricanes, and repair and improve America's water transportation infrastructure, which is the lifeblood of our domestic and global economy. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, I can tell my colleagues that this legislation has been long in the making. Our subcommittee held hearings throughout the year, as well as last year, on the bill's key issues and provisions. We have, on a bipartisan basis, reviewed hundreds of project requests and scores of important and timely water policy issues. I think the committee leadership and the conferees have done a good job of balancing competing interest and treating Members and their constituents fairly. Mr. Speaker, this is landmark legislation. It is our best hope to save the Everglades and to restore the balance between the human environment and the natural system in South Florida. The world is watching, and I am proud of what this institution has produced at this critical moment. There are many players in this exciting drama. We owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, the entire Florida legislature and the bipartisan Florida congressional delegation led by the tenaciousness of our colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw). He is the prime motivator behind this legislation, and he is due a round of thanks. Through their efforts, we are able to move forward with a consensus package that gives overall approval to the 36 year, $7.8 billion plan and specifically authorizes $1.4 billion in projects to get the water right. I want to emphasize, as this legislation does itself, that the primary purpose of this landmark, unprecedented activity in the Everglades is to restore the natural system. We must continue to be reminded of that fundamental truth, and people like Bob Semple will be watching, as they should. We are going to have to monitor this project closely and continue to review the science to ensure that it accomplishes this fundamental goal. Indeed, as the project moves forward, we may need more legislative safeguards, such as requiring explicitly that 50 percent of the restoration benefits be achieved by the time that 50 percent of the funds are spent. For now, this legislation sets us on the right path. Mr. Speaker, the conference report does not include everything one would have hoped for as is to be expected with difficult compromises. For example, the Senate prevailed in deleting important provisions on environmental infrastructure for the Nation and regional environmental restoration for areas such as the Missouri River, the San Gabriel Basin in California, and the Florida Keys. Make no mistake about it, though, on balance, this conference report is a good, solid compromise that will advance ecosystem restoration and protection throughout the country. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss in not thanking all the staff of the House, Senate, and administration for their efforts to make this happen. In particular, I want to thank Sara Gray, a staff member in my office and then on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for her efforts relating to WRDA 2000. Sara, if you are taking a break now from your studying for law school exams and watching these proceedings, thanks for all you did to help the committee keep track of and review the many requests for projects and provisions. Mr. Speaker, the conference report on S. 2796 is landmark environmental legislation. It did not come about by accident. It is by design by a painstaking bipartisan process. Let me say also that the Everglades are a treasure not just for Florida, but for America; and we are preserving and enhancing that magnificent resource. Finally, let me say as we come to the end of 6 years of bipartisanship on the subcommittee what a pleasure it has been to work with my colleague, the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski), to fashion responsible legislation in a responsible way. It was a give and take, always with the best interest of America at heart. It has been a rare privilege for me to chair this subcommittee and to work with such a distinguished man as the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski). I say to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), you have been the best. And from this Member and all our colleagues, we owe a debt of gratitude to the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for his outstanding leadership. Anouncement By The Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a supporter of the conference report on S. 835, the Estuaries and Clean Water Act of 2000. As my colleagues before me have stated very eloquently, the chairman and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and others who will be addressing some specifics of this bill, it is good legislation; and it deserves to be passed. I am particularly pleased with the final package because it includes a reauthorization and an expansion of the Long Island Sound Program. I want to give particular praise to my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson). They and their colleagues have worked tenaciously on this legislation. Let me tell my colleagues, in my capacity as chairman of the subcommittee, I was summoned to the office of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio) several months ago; and thus began a partnership with the gentleman and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson). We worked literally hundreds of hours to put together this package. I want to praise Governor Rowland of Connecticut and Governor Pataki of my home State of New York. They have been real leaders. This just does not happen overnight. This required a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of people with vision. Let me say that the vision of the Lazio-Johnson team has been something very special. There is a lot more in this bill that is very good, and I will let my colleagues address that. But let me say that this is probably the last major bill of the Shuster chairmanship of the Committee on Transportation. And let me say, as someone who has been in this institution for many years as a staff member and as a Member of Congress in my own right, that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) has proven by performance that he has been the most effective chairman this Congress has seen in many, many years. He has assembled a very able, very capable, very professional team; and he has provided leadership for that team. And he has worked on a bipartisan basis. Every member of this committee, which is the largest committee in the history of the Congress, feels that they are part of the historic legislation, TEA-21, AIR-21; and we have laid the foundation for Water-21. This does not just happen by accident. We have to have a leader. And the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) has provided that leadership. We have to have a very capable staff, and he has exercised the sound judgment to assemble a team second to none. So as we look back on these 6 years, and incidentally, I think the idea of term limiting chairmen is crazy. I think the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) had it right when he said it is a dumbing down of Congress. If we have good people in positions of major responsibility, we ought to keep them there. I might add, I am going to be a big beneficiary of term limits. But that is another story for another day. But let me say in conclusion, this is a good bill. It came from a very productive committee that has had very able leadership. And I, for one, want to salute our very distinguished chairman as he brings this conference report to the floor for our consideration.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H.R. 2442, the Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act. This bill is one that is very important to me, my constituents, and Italian-Americans across the nation. I want to thank my good friend, Rick Lazio, for introducing this bill, along with Congressman Engel. Much has been written about the internment of 100,000 Japanese- Americans during World War II, but the injustices suffered by Italian- Americans are less well known. During World War II, approximately 600,000 Italian-born immigrants in the United States were branded ``enemy aliens'' by the federal government. While thousands of Italian- Americans were fighting for our country in Europe and the Pacific, Italian-Americans who were deemed ``enemy aliens'' were losing their homes, jobs and businesses. Entire Italian-American communities on the West Coast were evacuated. Yet fifty years later, theirs is a largely untold story. H.R. 2442 will require the Department of Justice to conduct an extensive study on the treatment of Italian-Americans in the United States during World War II, and encourage educational projects to heighten public awareness, and it calls on the President to formally acknowledge this shameful episode in our nation's history. Such an acknowledgment is long overdue. It is high time that our nation recognize the enormous contributions of Italian-Americans and the discrimination and loss of basic rights that many of them faced. Doing so will not only help make amends to the specific individuals who suffered, but it will strengthen the fabric of American society which is damaged whenever one segment of the American people is cut off and subjected to discrimination. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Lazio's bill.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the amendment to S. 2796, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation will help save the Everglades, restore rivers and watersheds throughout the country, keep communities safe from floods and hurricanes, and repair and improve America's water transportation infrastructure, the lifeblood of our domestic and global economy. First let me commend the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster); the ranking Democrat, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar); and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski), the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Through their leadership, and I might say inspired leadership and cooperation, we are able to bring this broadly supported package to the House floor today. As chairman of the subcommittee, I can tell my colleagues this legislation has been long in the making. The subcommittee held hearings throughout the year, as well as last year, on this bill's key issues and provisions. We have, on a bipartisan basis, reviewed hundreds of project requests and scores of important and timely water policies. While no one is ever perfectly happy with every provision, I think the committee leadership has done a good job balancing competing interests and treating Members and their constituents fairly. Mr. Speaker, this is truly landmark legislation. It is our best hope to save the Everglades, to protect the egrets and alligators, and to restore the balance between the human environment and the natural system in south Florida. The world is watching, and I am proud of what this institution has produced at this critical moment. Senator Bob Smith and his colleagues on and off the Committee on Environment and Public Works on the other side and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw) and his colleagues in the House are to be congratulated. They have provided leadership where leadership has been needed. Through their efforts, we are able to move forward with a consensus package that gives overall approval to the 36-year, $7.8 billion plan and specifically authorizes $1.4 billion in projects to get the water right. That is very important. I want to emphasize, as the bill itself does, that the primary purpose of this landmark, unprecedented activity in the Everglades is to restore the natural system. We are going to have to monitor this project closely and continue to review the science to ensure that it accomplishes this fundamental goal. Indeed, as the project moves forward, more legislative safeguards may be necessary to ensure that the intent of this bill is met, safeguards such as requiring explicitly that 50 percent of the restoration benefits are achieved by the time that 50 percent of the funds are spent. For now, this bill sets us on the right path, sets clear goals, gives needed authority to the Department of Interior and allows for continuing scientific review. It is our best chance of reversing the havoc which was inadvertently wreaked on the Everglades without damaging the prosperity of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this bill is about more than saving the Everglades. It authorizes and directs the Army Corps of Engineers to restore and protect scores of rivers throughout the country from the Upper Susquehanna and the Ohio to the Mississippi and the Missouri and the Columbia. The bill also restores watersheds and wetlands, cleans up acid mine drainage, and remediates contaminated settlement in the Great Lakes and groundwater in California. In short, it is environmentally friendly, as it should be. This bill is also about saving lives, protecting property, and opening the gateways of commerce. New flood control and navigation projects are authorized and existing projects are modified and improved. For example, this legislation authorizes a critically important project for the Ports of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, this bill also takes the first important steps toward reforming the Corps of Engineers. Our committee, particularly my subcommittee, has looked into the various allegations leveled at the Corps over the last year. These are serious allegations with serious repercussions for the Nation's largest water resources program. This legislation takes an important step in responding to those concerns. For example, the bill authorizes an important pilot program for independent peer review of proposed projects. I strongly support this concept. The Corps needs to take this process seriously and to submit to peer review of significant controversial projects that will truly test this concept. I look forward to reviewing the results and working with my colleagues to further improve the procedures and methodologies for project development and selection. This is a good bill put together by a good bipartisan team, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski) for his great work for these past 6 years. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster). This is an effective team that produces for America.

Mr. BOEHLERT

Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, the conference report builds on the substantial work done in last year's authorization bill to institutionalize the use of competitive alternative analytical techniques by the Central Intelligence Agency. This action is intended to further guard against intelligence surprises and analytic complacency or ``group think,'' while better preparing policy-making intelligence consumers to deal with the complexities of the post-Cold War international security environment. Furthermore, the conference report provides the means to modernize the production mechanisms used by the CIA's Director of Intelligence to produce and disseminate its invaluable finished intelligence products in a more timely and secure manner. By promoting greater analytical interaction and timeliness, the conference report helps to ensure that intelligence consumers have the full range of tools necessary to make informed policy before the swiftest of events force them into a defensive crisis management posture, as too often has occurred in recent years. I would like to mention that the committee has worked through this conference report, as we did in last year's report, to address the problem of the chronic shortage of trained expert linguists available to the intelligence community to exploit what is being clandestinely corrected. Moreover, we have taken steps to promote greater interoperability between intelligence analysts of different agencies to further create synergies that will improve the quality of intelligence reporting. Finally, I am pleased to note that this conference report will help the intelligence community to standardize and automate self-evaluative tools for promoting greater interaction between those who collect intelligence and those who determine its meaning and significance. In this way, collectors will be able to determine the value of what they are acquiring, and in instances where it is not so valuable, they can adjust their collection focus accordingly. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Goss) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dixon), the ranking member, for their leadership. I urge adoption of this conference report.