Tammy Baldwin

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment to prohibit the District of Columbia from using any funds, Federal or local, for needle exchange programs. The positive effects of needle exchange are proven. In communities all across the country, needle exchange programs have been established and are contributing to reductions in HIV transmission among drug users. But as important, these programs are beginning to have another positive impact. They are bringing drug users to treatment for their drug abuse. In my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, outreach workers go out into the community and out on to the streets and provide drug users with risk-reduction education and referrals to drug counseling, treatment, and other medical services. For many of these illegal drug users, the needle exchange programs represent an opportunity for an interaction with an outreach worker who is tough, yet who cares. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, this interaction is all that is needed to bring a desperate person to the point of recognizing that they need help.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to renewing normal trade relations with China. I do believe that the United States needs to engage with China in an ongoing dialogue about joint economic concerns, but our dialogue cannot be limited to a discussion of trade. America's agenda needs to be broadly based, reflecting our democratic values, like free speech, freedom of religion, the right to privacy, and the right to organize. Trade is only a part of our relationship with China. This is my first time participating in this annual ritual of NTR renewal. I call it a ritual because each year we walk through the same steps in which many of us criticize China's political and social repression. Then the majority decides we must continue NTR as our best hope for creating change in China. It certainly seems to make sense except for one thing. It has not been working. Since 1980 when we began this NTR renewal ritual, we have seen some reforms. However, no similar progress is being made on human rights, labor standard, and democratic reform. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.J. Res. 57.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the $792 billion tax cut being considered in the House today. This legislation spends the entire projected budget surplus, leaving nothing to reduce the national debt or extend the solvency of Social Security and Medicare. For the first time in forty years, the federal government will achieve a budget surplus without relying on the surplus from the earmarked Social Security taxes. This achievement results from difficult budget decisions that have been made over the past decade. Today we are experiencing greater productivity, low inflation, low unemployment and broad based growth in real wages because we have focused on reducing deficits, paying down our debt, lowering interest rates and investing in our people. This legislation seeks to undermine the fiscal discipline that has created our current economy. Today's tax-cut legislation uses projected budget surpluses which may not materialize and could force further cuts in domestic discretionary spending. It is appalling that in this era of economic prosperity, instead of a congressional debate about needed long term investments to strengthen our domestic security, we are focusing on financing a tax give-away through budget cuts in programs that educate children, feed the hungry, provide health care and child care, and keep our drinking water safe. As a nation, we cannot continue to tolerate the fact that in America, 43 million people have no health insurance. Sharing our nation's strength and good fortune through investments that work is far wiser and will pay for greater dividends than spiraling tax breaks for the most affluent Americans.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice in support of the Community Reinvestment Act. Since 1977 this act has been instrumental in countering discrimination in lending practices. As we consider H.R. 10 this week, we should strengthen this successful program. The CRA requires that financial institutions give back to the communities in which they reside. In the 22 years of its existence loans to African Americans have increased 72 percent, loans to Hispanic families have increased by 45 percent. These impressive statistics along with CRA's track record of assisting low income families participate in the American dream of home ownership and entrepreneurship should be enough evidence to protect and expand it in the House banking bill. Neighborhoods that only two decades ago were in decline are now showing signs of new life. Mr. Speaker, the CRA encourages fair business practices, reinvigorates communities and creates jobs, all things this Congress should support.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, this bill would make the tragic situation of teen pregnancy even worse. I believe that adolescents should be encouraged to seek their parent's advice when facing difficult circumstances. And when young people do go to their parents in trying times, most often their parents offer love, support, direction and compassion. Most young women do turn to their parents even when faced with something as emotional and private as pregnancy. Even with States without parental consent laws, the majority of all pregnant teenagers do tell their parents. Unfortunately, though, there are times when a pregnant teenager cannot go to her parents. This is precisely the time when they most need the involvement of a trusted adult. But under this bill, if an adult tries to assist a young woman by traveling with her across State lines, that adult becomes a criminal. It does not matter if the adult is her sister, brother, grandmother, minister, rabbi, they would still be criminals in the eyes of Federal prosecutors. In my home State of Wisconsin, we take into account the fact that young people sometimes cannot turn to a parent and must turn to another trusted adult in trying times. In Wisconsin, young women may obtain consent from grandparents, adult siblings or another trusted adult. Crossing State lines to obtain an abortion is not uncommon. Women usually seek the medical facility that is closest to their home, but due to a lack of facilities in many areas, the closest facility may be across a nearby State border. Eighty-six percent of all counties in the United States do not have any health care facility at all that provides abortion services. Congress has not made it illegal to cross State lines to buy guns, to gamble or to participate in any other legal activity. Why should we make an exception here? What if the teenager has been subject to physical or sexual abuse by one of her parents? What if the pregnancy is the result of incest? There is no exception in this bill for minors who have experienced physical or sexual abuse in their own homes, nor is there an exception for a young woman who might be subject to grave physical abuse if she were to confide in her parent or parents. Mr. Speaker, we want all children to confide in their parents, we want a society with strong families, but let us not forget those children in our society who are victims of incest or child physical abuse. Let us encourage those children, too, to reach out to an adult rather than deal with a crisis pregnancy without anyone to talk to.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his comments. I look forward to working with him to address the transit needs of Dane County.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota for yielding and for his hard work on this piece of legislation. Mr. Chairman, I have a concern about this legislation in regard to an authorization for a critical transit project in Dane County, Wisconsin, which is in my district. I would like to engage the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Ground Transportation, in a colloquy. Mr. Chairman, Dane County and the City of Madison are currently examining future transportation needs, including various mass transit options. Traffic congestion and the need for additional parking will need to be addressed as the population of the region continues to grow into the next century. Dane County, which contains Madison, is working hard to promote concentrated development along existing and potential transit corridors. In addition, I would like to note the strong potential of new mass transit options since Madison Metro consistently ranks as one of the finest in the Nation with excellent service and ridership that ranks higher than most similar cities. Unfortunately, Dane County was not ready for new start projects authorization when TEA-21 was enacted last year. Their planning for future transit needs has now reached a point where an authorization for a new start project would be appropriated. I understand that such an authorization would be most appropriately included on a bill from the committee of jurisdiction, the House Subcommittee on Ground Transportation. I would like to obtain the assurance of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that an authorization for the Dane County project would be considered in the subcommittee's next appropriate vehicle.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Juneteenth Independence Day. June 19, 1865, is the date that news of freedom reached slaves in Texas; two and one-half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery. This holiday is now celebrated throughout our country as a time of joy, remembrance, and reflection. It is my hope that all citizens recognize this important day and that we celebrate together for our communities, our nation, and our children. Among the plans for celebrating this day in Wisconsin's Second Congressional District, the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation's 1999 Juneteenth Celebration Executive Committee has organized a special event with beautiful cultural exhibits, colorful dancing, delicious food, exciting entertainment and music! I want to commend the organizers of this and other important celebrations going on in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Former U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan captured the aspirations of many who recognize the important symbolism of this day. She said, ``What the people want is simple. They want an America as good as its promise.'' How true her words are. Locally and nationally, the struggle for equality continues, but this holiday offers hopefulness for a better future.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to pay tribute to the graduating class of Edgewood College, whose 71st commencement was Sunday May 16, 1999. Founded in 1927 by the Sinsinawa Dominicans as a junior college for women, Edgewood College is today an outstanding co- ed, liberal arts school located in the Second Congressional District offering both graduate and undergraduate programs. It sits on a beautiful campus shaded by gnarled oak trees on the shore of Lake Wingra. Committed to excellence in teaching and learning, Edgewood College seeks to develop intellect, spirit, imagination and heart. Its graduates acquire an enduring commitment to service, all from an educational community that seeks truth, compassion, justice and partnership. My own life has been enriched by classes at Edgewood, where one of its special features is its accommodation of working adults. Americans are increasingly learning the benefits of life-long education, and Edgewood has long been a leader in this field. I would also note that Edgewood College will confer two honorary degrees, to Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin Senator and one of our nation's greatest environmentalists; and to Sr. Angelo Collins, OP, the internationally recognized science education expert. I invite my colleagues to join with me in saluting the Edgewood College Class of 1999.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. Our servicewomen and the wives and daughters of our servicemen stationed abroad do not expect special treatment, but they are entitled to receive the same rights guaranteed all Americans under Roe v. Wade. This bill penalizes women who have volunteered to serve their country by unduly interfering with their constitutionally protected right to choose. The Sanchez-Morella amendment assures that servicewomen and the wives and daughters of our servicemen do not become second-class citizens or subject to a two-tiered health care system. This amendment provides access for our servicewomen to medical care, to legal medical care. Individuals who volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces already give up many freedoms and they risk their lives defending our country. In exchange, we offer our military personnel a full array of health care services; that is, except in the case of comprehensive reproductive health care. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the amendment.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World War I veteran Martin L. Vinger, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. Vinger has been recognized by the French government in solemn tribute to his World War I service. He valiantly served on French soil to aid in the liberation of France, and for his service he has been awarded The National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest military honor that can be bestowed upon non-French soldiers. With an extraordinary sense of dedication and commitment, Mr. Vinger enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 11, 1918 at the age of sixteen. He then departed for France in July of that year. He returned to the United States in February, 1919 and was discharged the following month. At the time of his award, Mr. Vinger stated from his own wartime experiences that we Americans today must remember to keep our democracy alive, ``because if we lose it, it will be a long time getting it back.'' One can only imagine what a different world we might be living in today had not Mr. Vinger and other brave young men and women served on the many fronts of the ``war to end all wars.'' It is with sincere gratitude and the utmost respect that I rise today to ask that the Congress of the United States join with me in recognizing the selfless service of Mr. Martin L. Vinger.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly salute a truly outstanding nurse from my district, Mrs. Patricia Haugh, who recently was presented with a Wisconsin Outstanding Nurses of the Year Award. The Award is sponsored by the Wisconsin League for Nursing and Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin. Mrs. Haugh, who was nominated by her coworkers at Reedsburg Area Medical Center, works in the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit. During her 27 years of service, she kept the focus of work on the needs of patients and has been an example to her friends and coworkers. She compassionately spends hours with patients and families explaining their loved one's medical condition and helping them understand what treatments are being offered. Mrs. Haugh's commitment to quality care is a quintessential example of the kind of selfless dedication that millions of American nurses demonstrate every day. We should all be fortunate to have health care professionals of her caliber working in our hospital and medical centers. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mrs. Patricia Haugh. This week is National Nurses' Week, and we should all pause to celebrate Mrs. Haugh and all America's nurses; the heroes of the best health care system in the world.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay solemn tribute to a longtime civil rights advocate, Betty Franklin-Hammonds, of Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Franklin-Hammonds has been known in the Madison community for her long-time advocacy on behalf of human equality and mutual understanding. She has ranked among the region's noted civil rights leaders, and has been widely recognized as effective, tenacious, low-key, and out front in nearly every civil rights campaign of the past 20 years. It is with great sadness that I note her passing on April 28, 1999. Betty Franklin-Hammonds' commitment to organizations such as the NAACP and the Urban League was critical in ensuring equal rights for all of our citizens. Her unshakeable belief in equality of education for all was likely the force behind her strong leadership of the Madison Committee on the Achievement of Black Students, leadership which positively affected the educational possibilities for countless African American children in Madison. For nearly a decade, Betty Franklin-Hammonds served as the publisher of the Madison Times, today one of the most widely-read publications in Dane County. In her weekly column, Betty Franklin-Hammonds remained an outspoken advocate, sometimes voicing the concerns of thousands of others, other times advising, educating, or comforting. Her unselfish contributions to the community brought numerous awards and recognition and she graciously accepted it all in stride, never slowing for even a minute from the enduring struggle for human equality and understanding. In the past few years, she has been recognized for her leadership at the helm of the Madison Urban League, and in 1993, Betty received the City of Madison's prestigious Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Earlier this year, she received the City of Madison Martin Luther King Heritage Award, and this month was due to receive the YWCA's Women of Distinction Award. In recognition of the lifelong leadership provided by Ms. Betty Franklin-Hammonds, I ask the Congress today to recognize the life of this great Civil Rights leader. She will be greatly missed by many, but her legacy lives on, as together we strive to achieve the goals of equality, education, and understanding that were so central to her life's work.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to submit a poem entitled ``Kitty Hawk Revisited'' into the Record. This poem was written by Ms. Marion Brimm Rewey of Verona, Wisconsin, and I believe she captures the adventurous spirit of the Wright brothers first flight with her words. Kitty Hawk Revisited (By Marion Brimm Rewey) I wish I had seen them, the quiet men who built bicycles and odd machines, pushing and dragging their da Vinci dream over sea grass and sand. It might have been a good day to change the world, full of cumulus clouds, strings of pelicans flying ragged formations, a sandpiper or two and curlew calls . . . and the wind of December purling off the Atlantic, plucked wires and struts, hummed such music as had not been heard since sirens lured Ulysses to forbidden shores. So, while running seas rearranged the sand and every man stood with feet planted firmly on solid ground, here, under untried skies, on Kill Devil Hill, a hand-made skeleton, like a prehistoric bird, teetered on the ledge of the last frontier. In the broken silence of birds, wind, tide, Orville belly- flopped on the waiting wing. Then came a universe splitting roar-propellers spun, sand exploded and ballooned, chains rattled and slapped through metal guides, the engine's pitch climbed to a scream. The plane shuddered, rocked like a cradle, lumbered over the dunes, rose, hung between ocean and space, floundered, twisted sideways, steadied, caught the wind and flew! to touch the moon.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of this crisis, my central concern has been the human rights situation in Kosovo. I believe that we cannot simply look the other way during this disaster. I believe that our policy must be directed toward saving as many Kosovars as possible from death, rape, torture or other atrocities. To that end, on March 24th, I issued a statement supporting NATO's targeted air strikes against military targets. I supported targeted air strikes in order to diminish President Slobodan Milosevic's ability to wage war on more than a million of his own citizens. I believed it to be the best of many bad options available to NATO after rejection of the peace plan by Milosevic and more than a year of failed diplomatic efforts. Since the air strikes began, we have seen the focus of our bombing shift from strictly military infrastructure targets to include the civilian infrastructure. My support for the air strikes waned when this shift began occurring, because our military actions were no longer connected to my central goal of addressing the human rights crisis. In fact, I believe that bombing the Yugoslavian civilian infrastructure will worsen rather than improve the humanitarian situation. I believe that Congress and the President must share in the responsibility of deciding whether or not to introduce U.S. troops into hostilities. The War Powers Resolution is unambiguous on that issue. The U.S. House of Representatives has not yet taken such a vote. I believe that we should. Votes on war and peace are the most serious votes that a member of Congress ever has to cast. In the end, votes of this magnitude must be guided by conscience, not politics or party loyalty. For that reason I am today casting votes in favor of H.R. 1569, prohibiting the use of funds to deploy ground troops without Congressional authorization; in favor of H. Con. Res. 82, invoking the war powers resolution and withdrawing our troops in the absence of Congressional authorization for their continuing presence; against H.J. Res. 44, declaring war on Yugoslavia; and against S. Con. Res. 21, authorizing continued military air operations against Yugoslavia. What most concerns me about today's votes is that we are not addressing our most important goals. I would like to be voting on a resolution devoting as much time, energy, money and human resources to assisting the refugees as we are to prosecuting this military action. While we fight allegedly on their behalf, refugees remain in unsafe and squalid conditions. There is much more we could be doing to assist those whose lives we are fighting for. I would also like to be voting on a resolution that says unequivocally to our troops--especially those who are being held prisoner--I support and honor you in your work, regardless of whether my vote is in the majority or minority today. In the final analysis, our mission must be a moral one to relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced families and to seek lasting peace in the region.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Chairman, Medicare and Social Security have improved the lives of millions of elderly and disabled Americans. Together they provide a vital safety net which millions of Americans rely on. However, while Medicare is projected to run short of funds in just 9 years, and Social Security will run short of funds by 2032, the Republican budget resolution does nothing to extend the life of Medicare or Social Security. The Democratic budget alternative that will be offered later today will extend the life of Medicare through 2020 in addition to extending the life of Social Security to 2050. Only after this commitment is fulfilled would we propose to spend money on high priority areas like health, education and the environment. I believe firmly that I would not be standing before my colleagues today if it were not for Medicare. Social Security and Medicare together enabled my grandmother to live independently until she was 90 years old. As her primary caregiver for the last several years, I know the role Social Security and Medicare play in making ends meet, in protecting her from making sure that a medical crisis would not lead to financial ruin. Medicare and Social Security are not just commitments we made to our seniors, they are commitments we made to families. And it is just as important to young people that we have Medicare and Social Security as it is to our seniors, because it keeps our families and our communities strong. We have an historic opportunity to make good on this commitment. The budget decisions we make today will have enormous consequences for decades. The Republican budget resolution squanders this opportunity before us; the opportunity to reduce public debt while protecting the existence of Social Security and Medicare.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, in May, George Lucas will release the next Star Wars sequel. I can hardly wait to see it. Apparently I am not alone, since today we'll vote on our own sequel to Star Wars. Unlike Mr. Lucas an 20th Century Fox who can be confident it will be a hit and a money maker, all we know is that our Star Wars sequel will cost a lot of money--$50 billion and counting. As for whether it will be a hit, hit-to-kill technology is nowhere near feasible. Now when 20th Century Fox makes a big, expensive movie they usually go with a proven formula for success. When they gamble, they may end up with Waterworld or Ishtar. The United States cannot afford an expensive flop. When 20th Century Fox isn't sure they have a hit, they bring in focus groups and maybe edit or reshoot some footage. It usually won't cost too much. We won't have that option. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4, a bill that would make it the policy of the United States to deploy a national missile defense system. I do not know if it should be the policy of the United States to deploy such a system. I think few of us do. Because we have not had a national debate yet. We don't know what it will cost. We don't know what the impact will be on our future nuclear arms reduction negotiations with the Russians. We don't know the impact on Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. And we don't know if it will work. We need a national debate on a national missile defense. A couple of hours today will not engage the American people in this important debate. I wish the majority had allowed a genuine floor debate ion the Allen Amendment to establish the criteria for deployment. If the House is going to establish this policy, we need to have clear deployment criteria. We should not take this step until National Missile Defense: (1) has been demonstrated to be operationally effective against the most significant threat identified at the time of such deployment (and for a reasonable period of time thereafter); (2) does not diminish the overall national security of the United States by jeopardizing other efforts to reduce threats to the United States, including negotiated reductions in Russian nuclear forces; and (3) is affordable and does not compromise the ability of the uniformed service chiefs and the commanders of the regional unified commands to meet their requirements for operational readiness, quality of life of the troops, programmed modernization of weapons systems, and the deployment of planned theater missile defenses. We are doing the American people no favor by rushing this bill through the Congress so that we can say we're addressing the perceived threat. Let's take our time, get it right, and use our constituents' tax money wisely. That will make our Star Wars the kind of blockbuster that every American will want to see.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

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

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. BALDWIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 808, introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), would extend chapter 12 of the bankruptcy code for an additional 6 months. Chapter 12 is similar to chapters 11 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 12 is the part of the Bankruptcy Code that is tailored to meet the economic realities of family farming during times of severe economic crisis. With chapter 12, Congress sought to create a chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that provided a framework for successful family farm reorganizations. At the time of its first enactment, in 1986, Congress was unable to foresee whether chapter 12 would be needed by America's family farmers indefinitely. Congress extended chapter 12 twice since then, and it is currently set to expire on April 1, 1999, and H.R. 808 would extend it for an additional 6 months. Chapter 12 is the safety net of last resort for our farmers, and we must extend it. The family farm is the backbone of our rural economy in Wisconsin and all over this Nation. Without chapter 12, if economic crisis hits a family farm, that family has no choice but to liquidate the land, equipment, crops and herd to pay off creditors, losing the farm, a supplier of food, and a way of life. With chapter 12 in place, a family's farmland and other farm-related resources cannot be seized to pay off debt. A bankruptcy judge for the Western District of Wisconsin notes that chapter 12 has been used in his district about 50 times over the past year. Obviously, chapter 12 is needed. Mr. Speaker, family farmers in Wisconsin have had a tough year. Our pork producers, like pork producers everywhere, are losing thousands of dollars every month. Soybean prices are at a 25-year low, and milk prices just dropped $6 per hundredweight in 1 month alone. This is on top of an archaic milk pricing system that unfairly disadvantage midwestern farmers. Safety nets that were in place before are now gone. Our farmers must have the assurance that if they are to reorganize their farm, to keep their farm, they can do so, and chapter 12 must be there for them. I am pleased that my amendment to extend chapter 12 for 6 months prevailed in committee, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly. However, I believe that we should permanently extend chapter 12. Individuals in this country who consider filing for bankruptcy under chapter 7 or 13 do not have to worry whether that part of the Bankruptcy Code will be in place because it is permanent. I believe we should do no less for our family farmers and make chapter 12 a permanent part of our laws. I believe farmers, like all of us, should be able to plan for their futures. I support H.R. 808 and hope it becomes law quickly, and I also look forward to working with the gentleman from Pennsylvania to ensure that chapter 12 gets permanently extended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, families in Wisconsin are anxious about the state of health care in this country. They are increasingly concerned that medical decisions are being made by accountants, managers and other insurance company employees instead of doctors and patients. Too often profit takes priority over patient need. Patients are losing faith that they can count on their health insurance plans to provide the care that they were promised when they enrolled and faithfully paid their premiums. I have heard from many of my constituents in Wisconsin on this issue. They do not want to see doctors spending hours filling out regulatory or administrative paperwork. They want them seeing patients. They do not want to pay for a layer of bureaucracy whose sole purpose it is to deny or reject payment for care already provided. They want their dollars paying for providing health care. We do not want decisions on how to treat a sick child to be based on profit. We want them based on sound medicine. I do not want the issue of whether my 92 year-old grandmother gets needed physical therapy at her nursing home to be based on profit. I want it based on sound medicine. We do not want the decision of which hospital accepts an emergency patient to be based on that patient's wealth. We want it based on sound medicine. We want doctors and nurses and other health professionals making those decisions based on their training and their commitment to saving lives, healing wounds, and treating illnesses. It is time for Congress and the health care industry to get their priorities straight. The Patients' Bill of Rights can head us in the right direction. For the millions of Americans who rely on health insurance to protect them and their loved ones when serious illness strikes, the Patients' Bill of Rights could be a matter of life and death. The Patients' Bill of Rights is a guarantee that medical decisions will be made by doctors and patients, not managed care accountants. All too often people who pay their premiums for years are denied care when they become seriously ill. Health plans should not be allowed to place arbitrary limits on covered services. We have all heard painful stories from our constituents who were denied care or services by managed care providers. I was deeply disturbed when I heard the account of one Wisconsin man in a hospital recovering from a serious operation. He received a telephone call in his hospital room from a representative of his HMO telling him that if he stayed in the hospital past midnight the insurance would not cover it. This gentleman had just gotten out of intensive care, and it was all he could do to reach for the telephone to take the call. How frightening an experience like that must be. This man filed a complaint with the State insurance regulator, accusing his HMO of playing doctor, but little was done. It is no wonder so many people feel anxious about their health care these days. Having a recourse when something goes wrong is vital. Unfortunately, ERISA preempts individuals in employer-sponsored plans from holding health plans legally accountable for decisions to limit care that ultimately cause harm. Health plans should not be allowed to escape responsibility for their actions when their decisions kill or injure patients. In our new managed care environment we have to do a better job of focusing on patients and not the bottom line. Six years ago we all in this country hoped for reform that would guarantee every American the health care they needed. That vision was never realized. In this time of economic prosperity, in this time of rapidly changing medicine, in this time of political opportunity it is time that we renew our commitment to health security for all. Many are still afraid to take on that task. The Patients' Bill of Rights is an important first step in protecting people who already have health insurance. No one should fear that their insurance company will abandon them when they need it the most. This reform is an important step in renewing our commitment to health care security for everyone. I urge my colleagues to support the Patients' Bill of Rights and I urge the leadership of this House to place a priority on real managed care reform that puts patients and doctors ahead of insurance company bureaucrats.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced H.R. 444, the ``Dairy Promotion Fairness Act,'' a bill that would create a little more fairness for our Nation's dairy farmers. We have all enjoyed the recent ``Got Milk?'' promotions sponsored by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Those commercials remind the public that milk is both good for you, and, frankly, good to have around when you're eating chocolate chip cookies. All American dairy farmers pay into the Dairy Promotion Program. But there are a group of people who gain from the program, but don't pay for it. Importers of Foreign dairy products. Whether it's cheese from France, or non-fat powdered milk from New Zealand, importers receive free advertisements of their products, paid for by our dairy producers. That just isn't fair to our farmers. Importers of dairy products are the only commodity importers that don't pay into a promotion program. Importers of pork, beef, and cotton are all required to support their respective promotion programs. The Dairy Promotion program should not be treated differently, and our domestic dairy products should not have to subsidize the promotion of foreign dairy products. I urge all members who believe our farmers deserve fairness to support this bill.