Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

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

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5309, which names a post office after ``Ronald W. Reagan'', was introduced on September 26, 2000, by Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL). Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States. He served as President from January, 1981 to January, 1989. At 73, he was the oldest man ever elected president. He was well known as ``Dutch'', ``The Gipper'', and the ``The Great Communicator.'' An actor by profession, President Reagan served as Governor of California from 1966 to 1974. During his presidency, his economic policies came to be known as ``Reaganomics''. In November of 1994, former President Reagan announced that he was afflicted with Alzheimer's. Although a number of facilities have been named after the former president--schools, streets, highways, and even the Washington Airport, a crowning achievement was when President Clinton dedicated the Ronald Reagan Building here in Washington, DC, in 1998. That building houses an international trade center, international cultural activities, the Agency for International Development, and many others. Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. 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.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to express my strong support for the conference report. This bill is important to the citizens of the State of Florida and it contains provisions that would improve quality of life and contribute to the cleanup of Lake Apopka, Florida's second largest but most polluted lake. For months I have worked with Senator Bob Graham and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), along with Members of the local community, such as Commissioner Bob Freeman of Orlando and Friends of Lake Apopka seeking to get Federal help in tackling this problem of Lake Apopka. Before the Second World War, Lake Apopka was a nationally known bass fishing and vacation spot. This 31,000 acre water body supported over two dozen fish camps as well as numerous hotels, restaurants and other businesses. This authorization is a well-deserved effort that includes Lake Apopka in a priority demonstration program under Clean Lakes administration by the EPA. Regarding alternate water, I would like to congratulate also the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Thurman) and the conferees for their determination in getting a new grant program within EPA for alternate water sources. I was proud to cosponsor this bill when it was introduced in the House, and I am very delighted it is included in this conference report. We must address the critical water resource needs of our expanding communities, especially in my home State, which so happens to be the fourth largest State and growing rapidly. Mr. Speaker, the Water Infrastructure Network released a comprehensive report at the Conference of Mayors' press conference recently here at the Capitol on the crisis facing the Nation's waste water and drinking water systems. The report concluded that there is an ``increasing gap between the Nation's water infrastructure needs and the Federal Government's financial commitment to safe and clean water.'' This bill is a good start, and I want to commend the parties involved.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank very much the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for bringing this bill to the floor. The Everglades project is very important to the State of Florida and, in fact, to the entire country. But I do have a concern, and I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for working with me on my concerns. This is the largest project in the history of the United States, and it is important that this project is one of inclusion and that there is minority and female participation, not only in contracting, but in employment and in training. So I am very concerned that we have a policy statement, the same kind of policy statement that we had when we did the transportation TEA21. Florida does not have a great history of inclusion and, in fact, with our Governor Jeb Bush and his one Florida plan, we have gotten rid of affirmative action, so there will not be opportunities to participate in this project with taxpayers' dollars unless the policy is stated from the Federal Government status. This is very important. This is taxpayers' money. This project is over 20 years, and we must have a public policy statement in this bill as to how these taxpayers' dollars are going to be used.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate of a Historically Black College, I am more than happy to be a part of the National Historical Black College and University week here in Washington. Today, over half of all African American professionals are HBCU graduates, as is 42% of the Congressional Black Caucus. Historically Black Colleges and Universities were created back in 1837 to provide African Americans access to higher education. Because of the terrible history of racism in many parts of our country, the goal of these schools, although straight forward, has not been easy: to educate young black Americans and empower them to play a role in the affairs of our country. Since African Americans have been denied educational opportunities until very recently, these schools have really been the only avenue open to blacks to further themselves through education. Today, a majority of African American college students graduate from HBCU's. 28% receive their bachelor's degrees from these schools, and 15% obtain their Master's degrees from these schools. Since their creation, HBCU's have graduated more than 70% of the degrees granted to African Americans. In my state of Florida, we are blessed with four HBCU's, two of which are located in my district. In Tallahassee, we have Florida's largest Black College, my alma mater, Florida A&M, which has nearly 10,000 students. In South Florida, we have Florida Memorial College, and my district, Florida's third, is lucky to have both Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, and Bethune Cookman College, which was founded by a determined young black woman, Mary Mcleod Bethune, in 1904 in Daytona. Among the many exciting things happening in Florida's black colleges is the acquisition of a law school at Florida A&M, which is set to open in 2003. The opening of the school will officially mark the return of the FAMU College of Law since its closing in 1968. I remember when I was a student at Florida A&M, when the FAMU College of Law, which had provided the only avenue in the state of Florida for African Americans to undertake a career in the influential field of law, was stolen from us and merged with the law school at Florida State. This was a time when African Americans were not allowed to study at Florida state schools at the graduate level, consequently, African Americans were excluded from the field. Not surprisingly today, although that law has been repealed, there are very few African American attorneys in Florida. With the reinstallation of FAMU's law school, minority students will once again have greater access to be represented in the legal profession. In closing, I am, and always will be, a strong supporter of HBCU's, and will continue to work hard to allow these schools to continue on with their valuable mission, the educational advancement of young African Americans.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4844 is long overdue. Railroad labor, widows and widowers will gain enhanced benefits as a result of this self-financing legislation. I am particularly thrilled that the 4.3 cents/gallon tax repeal is not a part of this legislation. This provision would have essentially eroded support for the measure and would have thrown the numbers into disarray. H.R. 4844 allows railroad retirement assets to be invested in private securities, reduces the payroll tax on railroads, and reduces vesting from ten to five years for both Tier I and Tier II benefits. The bill also increases survivor benefits to widows and widowers of rail workers and Mr. Speaker, this is what legislation on behalf of the people is about. I urge strong support for H.R. 4844.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote No. 424 on the Rangel amendment. Had I been here, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Sanford

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, the international AIDS conference is happening right now in South Africa with countries around the world coming together to address the issue of AIDS. I ask my colleagues, what is the position of the United States on this issue? We are ready to fight off the boogeyman with a $60 billion defense system. But the real boogeyman is AIDS, and we are standing by while it wipes out millions of people in Africa. And, folks, we are not excluded. AIDS in Africa is a direct threat to our country, especially in today's interconnected world. It is no coincidence that recent reports show that just as AIDS cases in Africa are on the rise, AIDS in the United States is on the increase again. In fact, experts are predicting that 40,000 new infections will occur this year. The boogeyman is here, folks; and we are going to be in serious trouble if we do not stop him. Debt relief is something that is desperately needed by the world's poorest countries. There are countries that have been forced to make major cuts in health and educational spending in order to pay their debt. I do not understand how we can debate $20 million for debt relief, and yet in the weeks to come my colleagues will come to this floor to support $60 billion on a cartoon defense plan. Even though our heads may be in the sand, the boogeyman is already here. It is wiping out communities in this country, too. Debt relief is something that is desperately needed by the world's poorest countries. These are countries that have been forced to make drastic cuts in health and education spending in order to make payments on their debts. I don't understand how we can debate $200 million for debt relief, and yet in the weeks to come my colleagues will be on this floor supporting $60 billion on a cartoon defense plan. Even though our heads seem to be in the sand, the boogeyman is already here. It's wiping out communities in this country too. The only way we can stop him is through stopping the AIDS virus, and one of the best ways to do that is through debt relief. I rise in opposition to this bill because it fails to address some of the most critical issues in the world--debt relief and the international AIDS crisis that is wiping out the continent of Africa. In Zambia, Niger, Nicaragua, Honduras and Uganda, government spending on debt service payments is greater than government spending on health and education combined! 4.2 million South Africans are currently infected with HIV. If these countries were granted debt relief, they would be better equipped to pay for health services for AIDS, which is ravaging the continent. Almost half of all 15 year olds in the African countries worst affected by AIDS will eventually die. AIDS has wiped out households, destroyed families emotionally and economically, severely damaged entire economies, and in some countries, has killed so many teachers that it is beginning to affect basic education. Life expectancy in southern Africa is expected to drop to 30. This disease has created 8 million ``AIDS orphans,'' who face increased risk of malnutrition and will have very little opportunity to get an education. Was debt relief really ever given serious consideration in this Congress? No. Even though it was stated on the floor during this same debate in 1998 that ``AIDS had the potential for undermining all development efforts to date,'' many here in Washington still believe that assisting Africa is not in the interests of the United States. We do not live in a vacuum. AIDS in Africa is a direct threat to our country, especially in today's interconnected world. I urge my colleagues to support the Pelosi amendment and treat the situation in Africa for what it is, a crisis.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the action of the Republican leadership reminds me of a quote from Marie Antoinette, ``Let them eat cake.'' The American people are crying out to us to improve health care, education, housing, and Medicare; but this Republican Leadership keeps giving them what I call reverse Robin Hood, robbing from the working people and the poor people to give tax breaks to their friends. As we debate the Marriage Penalty Act today, programs that serve millions of Americans are being ignored. The Older Americans Act, which provide meals, transportation, and service to our most vulnerable seniors, have yet to be reauthorized. The Ryan White Care Act, which provides counseling and medical treatments to those poorest children suffering with AIDS, has yet to be reauthorized. The Patients' Bill of Rights, which would finally give the American public some control over their health care, died in conference. Tonight, thousands of American war heroes will go to bed on the streets, millions of American children will go to bed hungry, and millions of Americans will go to bed wondering how much longer their bodies can fight against AIDS, cancer, diabetes, lupus, and hundreds of other curable diseases. As I speak, delegates to the International AIDS Conference are deciding how to deal with the 4.2 million South Africans infected with HIV while this Congress sticks its head in the sand. Unfortunately for those people, today on this House floor we are once again debating a tax bill that helps only a few and ignore the real problems we are facing as a Nation. I can only hope that my colleagues do not suffer the same fate as Marie Antoinette. Maybe I hope they do. Support fair marriage tax relief. Vote yes on the substitute, and let us get back to working for the people that sent us here to do it.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for going to the International AIDS Conference representing the United States. At this crucial time in this country, the world is looking at what we are doing here in the United States, and they are wondering, what is our position on AIDS and HIV. I would like to have a colloquy for a moment with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters). I know that other countries are providing treatment, they are providing drugs. Why are we, the most powerful country in the world, who stand on the Bible and believe and talk all the time about to whom God has given much, much is expected, and we have some obligation as leaders in the world, where are we on this crucial issue of AIDS and HIV?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record the information fact sheet about AIDS in Africa. AIDS in Africa--FACT SHEET Today there are 34 million people living with HIV and AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. Africans make up about 10% of the world's population but nearly 70% of the worldwide total of infected people. An estimated 18 million Africans have lost their lives to

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the committee for accepting the amendment pertaining to the American Heritage River Initiative. I want to add my support because it is very important initiative. It is an initiative that put decision making in the hands of local officials. It is an initiative that requires no new funding and no new mandate. This is the kind of partnership that we should encourage, not discourage. The St. Johns River is an American Heritage River because of the grassroots efforts of Republican and Democratic mayors, city council people, and other people throughout the river community. From Jacksonville to Orlando, there is overwhelming support for this designation. This initiative is a great example of how government should work. We should encourage our Federal agencies to work together and target the kinds of resources available to these river communities. Florida's St. Johns River runs through the middle of Jacksonville and spans 325 miles of the third district. Republican Mayors John Delaney of Jacksonville and Glenda Hood of Orlando supported this designation and have formed advisory committees to set priorities for the river. Later today I plan to submit a newspaper article to the Record that ran in the Daytona Beach News-Journal last week. In this article, the reporter talks about how the local officials in Volusia County want the politicians in Washington to stop interfering with their plans. ``This is a real grassroots, community-driven program that is working to bring awareness to the designated rivers,'' said Pat Northey, Volusia Council member and chair of the river task force for Orange, Seminole, and Volusia County. She says that the river has already benefited from this designation by giving a small grant to mark the historical elements. This is just one of the many benefits. In Jacksonville, the community has come together behind a plan called the Preservation Project, which would help preserve the sensitive ecosystem in north Florida. In a letter from Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, he says ``This program has enabled cities and counties in the St. Johns River Basin to identify priority projects and align the projects with existing Federal funding sources. Because of this designation, local governments along the river have worked cooperatively toward the goal of restoring the river and improving their communities.'' Mayor Delaney said that, with restricted language, the City of Jacksonville may be limited from obtaining these funds on a competitive basis because Federal agencies would be reluctant to fund any project, regardless of the merit, that could be associated with the Heritage River designation. He goes on to say that the effect of these riders would punish areas like north Florida for trying to improve the river and surrounding communities. Mr. Chairman, this amendment was supported by all of the local mayors, city council members, and I am very happy that this committee uses common sense in supporting this amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I speak from Florida, and let me just say to my colleague from Florida (Mr. Stearns), we are being hurt most by this, not one program left in your county in Marion County. This Republican bill is a slap in the face to every senior citizen struggling to pay for a needed medicine. The leadership of this House does not support this bill, they never have. They do not support Medicaid. In fact, in 1995, they said they hoped it would wither on the vine. A zebra cannot change its stripes, Mr. Speaker, and the American people are not buying this sham. American seniors deserve a program that works. This is a life- threatening situation. This is a hollow bill, vote no.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk that I am going to withdraw, but I hope that the ranking member and the committee will work with me to get it in conference. I have had several Members call me concerning my amendment because they think it is so appropriate at this time. I would like to take a moment to discuss this amendment. Mr. Chairman, independent truckers in my home State of Florida have experienced difficulty earning an honest living as a result of the escalating gas prices. The average independent truckers earn roughly $35,000 a year. With the cost of the fuel skyrocketing, these independent truckers spend approximately $15,000 a year on fuel. As a result, they are faced with making incredibly tough decisions that impact their ability to take care of their families. Almost half of their income goes to gas. As recently as last week, a constituent called my office to tell me that his truck will be repossessed soon. It is sitting in the front of his house idle because he simply cannot afford the cost of the fuel. At one point his wife, who was a homemaker, had to leave their children and take a second job just so her husband could afford to purchase fuel. This amendment is an attempt to emphasize the importance and urgency of the problem. In addition to giving the President the authority to tap into the petroleum reserve, we should be aggressively engaging in research that allows us to use cost-efficient alternative energy. The intent is to decrease our dependency on foreign oil so in the future Americans will not be subject to the ups and downs of the crude oil market. As the administration pointed out, with mounting evidence of global climate change and concerns over oil prices, the DOE's renewable energy budget is $11 million below the current appropriation, and $106 million, or 23 percent, below the President's request. This shortsightedness undercuts our Nation's efforts to implement a 21st century energy policy. I understand that the point of order is important, but we have a responsibility in Congress to do our part to make sure that our energy policy is pro-American, and making sure that we are not dependent upon foreign oil. I thank the gentleman very much for giving me the opportunity to discuss this issue. I am hoping that on this amendment, we can work as we go to conference and it can be included.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. Let the record show that this is one of President Clinton's first and most successful initiatives. Police chiefs, sheriffs, and criminal justice experts across the country join me today in my strong support of the COPS program. This program provides grants to local police departments to increase the number of officers patrolling our neighborhood streets. It has directly contributed to reducing the Nation's crime rate to a 26-year low. The COPS program is a prime example of a successful partnership between the Federal Government and police forces at the local level. For example, in Florida's third district, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department has received a total of $13 million in COPS grants which has led to more officers on the beat and less crime. It is no coincidence that there has been a decrease in crime across the State of Florida. At the same time there has been an increase in the number of local police officers. This is now the eighth consecutive year that the crime rate has dropped and the COPS program has served police departments by providing them with the necessary funds, technical assistance and support the local departments need to keep our Nation's communities safe. COPS has put more police in our Nation's schools at a time when school violence has escalated. It is clear where the priorities of the majority party lie. Instead of focusing on enforcement and crime prevention, the funding in this bill goes toward expanding juvenile detention centers. Instead of increasing funding for drug rehabilitation programs, they are appropriating money to lock up more of our Nation's citizens by funding items like State prison grants and expanded correctional facilities by more than nine times the amount requested by the President. Again, I urge my colleagues to support the COPS grants and to vote no on overall passage of this unjust bill. Someone seems to have missed the important point. More prevention, not more prisons, should be the message that Congress sends to our Nation, especially to our children. The secret is to fight crime before it happens and not afterwards. One way to do this is with community policing.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, reverse Robin Hood; robbing from the poor and working people to give tax breaks to the rich. Mr. Chairman, once again the Republican leadership is attempting to cut housing programs that assist our Nation's poorest at the time our country is going through the greatest economic expansion in our national history. It seems to me that we should be doing everything we can to help our citizens move from homelessness to home ownership, and public housing is critical in that transition. The funding cuts proposed for our Nation's most needy community is simply a disgrace. Among the critical programs that will suffer budget cuts are public housing, drug elimination grants, and CDBG programs. In addition, Brownfields redevelopment, an area of particular concern to me since there is a Superfund site in my area, is being cut by 20 percent of the current level. Additional cuts made to the Community Development Block Grant Program are an embarrassment. This program is extremely important, one that assists communities to create economic opportunity for residents of poor neighborhoods. It is one of the most flexible of all Federal grant programs and allows States to work with partnerships, with local housing authorities, to develop community and economic development projects. These block grants can be used to rehab housing, provide job training, finance community projects and assist local entrepreneurs to start a new business or shelter the homeless or abused spouses. Every time I hold a town hall meeting in my district, the issue of housing always comes up. Public housing, elderly housing, those participants cannot be ignored. I feel it is my responsibility as an elected official to stand up for my constituents and defend their needs. I believe it is the job of Congress to represent those who have little resources, and particularly no voice, not those who can afford the best attorneys and find loopholes in the Tax Code to circumvent their taxes. This budget is drawn up to benefit the wealthy. Just last week the majority party passed a bill giving estate tax breaks to the wealthiest families with large assets. While the majority party is giving tax cuts to wealthy Americans, even in good economic times the poor continue to suffer, mainly because of unjust funding priorities, such as the one proposed in this bill. While the President's budget, and I want to commend him, would increase vital infrastructure investments in families and communities, the Republican version of this bill, if passed, would have a devastating impact on these same communities nationwide. In my district, Florida's third, the effects of these cuts will prove disastrous and could reach the millions of dollars. These families will be devastated, those that rely on public housing. The number of families with worst case housing needs, defined as paying more than 50 percent of income on rental, remains at an all time high. Furthermore, families in the traditional welfare-to-work have special needs for assistance, as housing is typically the greatest financial burden. Yet this bill strips all funds from welfare to work. Let me repeat that: This bill strips all funds from welfare-to-work. The slight increase in the VA-HUD bill provided for Section 8 funding does not go far enough, since virtually all of the housing programs designed to help the neediest are being cut. In closing, Mr. Chairman, I like the scripture, ``To whom God has given much, much is expected.'' The people are expecting us to do our job and represent all of the people, not just the wealthy; the elderly, the old people, the people in need, and I am hoping that there will be some leadership from the other side on what is right for the people.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment robs Peter to pay Paul, and will gut the Ready to Learn program that serves as an educational tool for millions of school age children. The sole PBS station in my home city of Jacksonville provides quality educational, cultural, and information programming services that directly affect the quality of life of my constituents. They have been doing a tremendous job of providing top notch outreach and pro-children programming with the limited Ready to Learn funds they receive. They are partnering with the local public library and children's commission to provide outreach and training to underserved communities, and have been recognized by the county school systems Teen Parent Program for providing outstanding service to young mothers. All of this with a meager $12,000. It's unbelievable to me that we can stand here on the House floor and talk about tax cuts while we strip funds from our PBS stations. I agree that we need more funding for special education programs, but not at the expense of a program that serves millions of young children. I ask my colleagues to do the right thing. Oppose this amendment and save these valuable funds.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, do not be fooled by the spinmasters on the right. They are solving a problem that does not even exist, while the poorest in America who do not enjoy our great prosperity continue to be ignored by the leadership of this House. We need real priorities: the Older Americans Act, which provides meals and other services to our seniors. Priorities: the Ryan White Care Act, which provides health care and medication for children suffering from AIDS remains to be reauthorized. Priorities: the Patient's Bill of Rights, which is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans, still sits in conference. The multimillionaires can take care of themselves. Let us pass legislation that really helps the working families, not helping the rich get richer under the House leadership.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to join my colleagues on the House floor today, but wanted to join them in showing my support for the resolution recognizing the Day of Honor 2000 Project, which gives long overdue recognition to the millions of invisible minority World War II veterans. During the Second World War these valiant soldiers were waging a war on two fronts. They fought gallantly beside their comrades in the most trying conditions, while battling the bigotry and racism that was still prevalent in the United States military. These same minority war veterans continued their fight against racism at home by forming the grassroots of the civil rights movement. In my State of Florida, we have the oldest veterans population in the nation. Unfortunately for these veterans and veterans all across the country, the VA budget continues to be underfunded, causing them to be denied the health care and services they need and deserve. As our aging veterans population declines, we will need programs like the Day of Honor 2000 to remind us of the sacrifices minorities made to protect the freedom that we all now enjoy. I look forward to the passage of this resolution and want to wish Dr. Smith and the other leaders of the Day of Honor 2000 Project the greatest success in portraying the honor and dignity displayed by our Minority World War II veterans. Their efforts and accomplishments have been ignored for far too long and I look forward to sharing their achievements with people today and for generations to come.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, has the Chinese Government earned our trust? No. China has violated the term of four previous agreements we signed with them. Has the WTO earned our trust? No. The WTO repeatedly rules in favor of the multinational companies, and ignores the workers, their human rights and the environment. Look at the banana issue. When the WTO ruled in favor of one company, Chiquita International; they ignored all Caribbean nations whose main exports are bananas. Now thousands of farmers are without work. We cannot trust the WTO to look out for the people. We cannot trust China to look out for the people. Who can we trust? I urge my colleagues to consider their responsibility and vote ``no'' on this bill. I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4444. I absolutely do not believe that it is in our country's best interest to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China. I have listened carefully to both sides of the debate and I know that each side has valid concerns. But in the end, I think there is too much at stake for Congress to give up oversight on this issue. Taking away our ability to impose unilateral trade sanctions against a country like China is simply not acceptable. Without this option, the U.S. will lose its leverage to influence China towards improving environmental standards, as well as human rights and labor rights violations. Under the WTO rules, we would lose our ability to unilaterally punish a nation or a company for these types of violations. China has simply not been a trustworthy trading partner, and has violated the terms of all four bilateral trade agreements it has previously signed with the U.S. In addition, I am more than concerned about China's human rights record. Along with the poor treatment of the work force, the Chinese Communist party's human rights record only seems to be getting worse, not better, even in the midst of economic opening. Government restrictions on free speech and the press, as well as forced imprisonment for expressing one's political or religious beliefs, have deterred political opening. On the economic front, the U.S. balance of payments last year shows that our trade deficit with China is growing rapidly. In the end, I believe that extending PNRT will result in a net loss of jobs for Americans, not gains. Finally, I am very concerned about the discovery last year of Chinese espionage. I do not believe that a country that steals our military secrets should be granted trade benefits! When I weigh the gravity of these factors, I believe it is in our best interests to oppose Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 4444.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall nos. 180, 181, 182, and 183 I was unavoidably detained and missed these votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on all four votes.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment and I urge my colleagues to think about the double standard that we are imposing on these women. How can we expect women to serve their country if their country strips them of their rights of healthcare. Mr. Chairman, this issue is an issue of fairness. We have more than 100,000 women serving our country overseas and these women are entitled to the same freedom as all other American women. The Department of Defense supports this amendment and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Let me just make one point. I serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the same problems that the women in the military are having are the same ones that the veterans' women have. This is why we cannot have comprehensive healthcare because of the same controlling, narrow-minded, one-sided philosophy of we are going to control what happens to women, and the healthcare of women, and the veterans' women, that is the problem that the military women are having and the veteran women are having. Let me say I am hoping that women take control of what happens in this Congress.