J. Gresham Barrett

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 1779, the Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2003. We live in a different world than we did 3 years ago. We now know our borders are not secure, the oceans no longer protect us from the rest of the world. Enemies in the past needed great armies, great industrial capacities and so many other things to endanger America. Now terrorists are organized to penetrate open societies and turn the power of modern technologies against us. To defeat this, we must and will use every tool available to us: better homeland defense, law enforcement, intelligence and vigorous efforts to cut off terrorist financing and military power. There is no doubt that our National Guardsmen and Reservists have been an integral part of our military power since September 11. The members and their families have sacrificed so much over the past 2 years. That is why I am proud to have worked very closely with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez) to come up with a way to ease the financial burdens placed on our Guardsmen and Reservists families while they serve their country. H.R. 1779 will allow military Reservists and National Guardsmen to make penalty-free withdrawals, listen to me now, penalty-free withdrawals, from their IRAs if they have been called for an extended duty time of more than 179 days. Reservists and Guardsmen will then be able to repay these withdrawals, penalty free, penalty free, within 2 years after the end of their duty. It is my hope that this legislation will give some relief to the families who sacrifice day to day. You have seen them, and I have seen them. They are in everybody's district. We want to help them to ensure our national security so we can defend our freedom. H.R. 1779 is just one way our Nation can thank them for what they do, each and every one of them every day. My thoughts and prayers remain with those who stand in harm's way, and may God bless each and every one of them.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank President Bush for recognizing the need to address our outdated immigration laws and policies, as well as to urge Congress to make this issue a top priority. First, let me start by making it clear that I believe America should always honor its immigration tradition and legally admit a reasonable number of new immigrants every year. But the tragic events of September 11 awakened most Americans to the fact that our immigration system is not only seriously flawed; it also poses a danger to our national security. The SAFER Act would strengthen our borders with increased screening and tracking of aliens, enhanced enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, expedited removal proceedings, and reduced excessive immigration. I also support H.R. 775, the bill of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), which would end the visa lottery system. Our Nation is out of control. Immigration policies expose us to an increased risk of another terrorist attack, something I cannot sit back and allow to happen. It is time for Congress to act now to protect America's interests.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I unfortunately missed recorded votes on the House floor on Monday March 29, 2004. I ask that the Record reflect that had I not been unavoidably detained, I would have voted `` yes'' on rollcall vote No., 94--Motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2584; and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 95--Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 3723.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, several of my colleagues today have just discussed the policies that would be put in place to support economic growth, and they are working. But in addition to getting and keeping the economy going, we must control spending. It does matter. If we are going to say that deficits matter, my colleagues better believe spending matters. All spending must be paid for either through taxes or through borrowing, and both are burdens on the economy. For that simple reason alone, controlling spending in and of itself is a policy for sustaining stronger economic growth. The budget calls for several measures to help Congress help itself control spending, including holding the line on our own congressional budgets, as well as other nondefense, nonhomeland security spending. No new mandatory or entitlement programs. No nonwar emergency supplementals without spending offsets. We have also called for savings initiatives through the reduction of waste, fraud and abuse in several mandatory programs. None of these are going to be easy. A lot of us here and certainly many in the Senate have gotten pretty comfortable signing off on huge spending increases and free-flowing new spending. But success at keeping taxes and spending down will mean a stronger economy and better standards of living for our Nation. If we do not control spending, the result will be higher borrowing and higher taxes. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has agreed that we need to control spending and not raise taxes, especially if we want to ensure that we do not harm our economy and our standard of living. Here is a direct quote from Mr. Greenspan: ``Tax rate increases of sufficient dimension to deal with our looming fiscal problems arguably pose significant risks to economic growth and the revenue base. The exact magnitude of such risks are very difficult to estimate, but they are of enough concern, in my judgment, to warrant aiming to close the fiscal gap primarily, if not wholly, from outlay restraint.'' The simple translation of what he said, Mr. Chairman, is that we need to restrain spending because the economy would be hurt by higher taxes. Our budget resolution does exactly that. It restrains spending and keeps taxes from increasing. That is not only good for our economy, it is good for our Nation.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the President for clearly identifying America's priorities in his fiscal year 2005 budget. There is no doubt that we are in a time of war and I am pleased President Bush's budget sent a clear signal that our Nation's defense and homeland security must remain the top priority of the Federal Government. However, I believe we can and must do more. That is why last week I introduced an updated version of legislation that I introduced last year, the Common Sense Spending Act. This legislation will continue to fund nondefense, nonhomeland security and hold discretionary spending at fiscal year 2004 levels for the next year, then increase at the rate of inflation over the next 4 years. It is all common sense. The spending act will slow the growth of mandatory spending by 1 percent, holding Social Security harmless, and reauthorizes PAYGO requiring offsets for direct spending. It also tightens the definition of emergency spending. Again, it is all common sense. Mr. Speaker, if Members are serious about getting control of Federal spending, then I ask them to join me in support of the Common Sense Spending Act. It is time to limit our spending to reflect the priorities we have set.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in support of victims without a voice, victims like Carol Lyons' grandson Landon. On January 7, 18-year-old Ashley Lyons and her unborn son, Landon, were murdered. When Ashley's mother Carol testified before the Kentucky Legislature's Senate Judiciary Committee on January 15 of this year she said, Noboby can tell me that there were not two victims. I placed Landon in his mother's arms, wrapped in a baby blanket that I had sewn for him, just before I kissed my daughter goodbye for the last time and closed the casket. H.R. 1997, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act would provide that an individual who injures or kills an unborn child, like Landon, during the commission of one of nearly seventy specified federal crimes against the mother would be guilty of a separate offense against the unborn child. This is the right thing to do. There are too many families suffering like the Lyons' family, knowing that those responsible for the murder of their unborn child or grandchild will never be punished for the crime they committed. We must not allow Landon, and countless other unborn children's deaths to have occurred in vain. Today, we have the opportunity to protect the rights of the most innocent life, that of an unborn child. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in strong support of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1997.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to a telephone call concerning an issue critical to my district with the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy, I unfortunately missed one recorded vote on the House floor earlier today. I ask that the Record reflect that had I not been unavoidably detained, I would have voted ``no'' on Rollcall vote No. 11 (Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on S. 1920). personal explanation

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as cosponsor of H.R. 1078.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for yielding me the time, and I am excited and proud to be here today, growing up in the shadow of Clemson University. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 266, which honors and congratulates the Clemson University men's golf team for winning the 2003 NCAA National Championship. First, I would like to thank the entire South Carolina delegation for cosponsoring this resolution and the chairman of the subcommittee of the Committee on Education and the Workforce for their diligent work in bringing this resolution to the floor. Mr. Speaker, Clemson University was founded in 1889 as a small agricultural school, but over the past 100 years the Tiger community has grown to over 16,000 students, studying not only agriculture but also engineering, economics, genetics, and architecture. Over the years, Clemson's high standards have been set outside the classroom as well as in athletic venues throughout the campus. The Tigers men's soccer team won two national championships in 1984 and 1987. The football team won a national championship in 1981; and most recently, the men's golf team won the 2003 national championship. The list of accomplishments achieved by the 2003 golf team is much like their tee shots, Mr. Speaker, long and intimidating. The 2003 Tiger golf team was the first team in NCAA history to win its conference title, NCAA regional title, and the national championship in the same year. The Tigers began the season as the top-ranked team in the country and finished the year ranked number one after defeating an excellent Oklahoma Cowboy State squad by two strokes, despite playing on the home course of OSU. Mr. Speaker, the Clemson Tiger golf team finished the year with an impressive record of 128-8 and three; and as my friend, my colleague from New Jersey, said, 93 percent of the time they went out, they won. That was against the top 25 opponents, the best in Clemson history. An equally astonishing fact, and one I am extremely proud of, Mr. Speaker, is that the team is comprised entirely of South Carolinians. The Tiger golf team has brought honor and pride to the university, the Third Congressional District, and the entire State. Throughout their outstanding play during the 2003 season, the team demonstrated to all of us that with dedication and hard work comes great reward. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to each player: D.J. Trahan, Ben Duncan, Matt Hendrix, Greg Jones, Michael Sims, Jack Ferguson, Brian Duncan, Martin Catalioto, and Nick Biershenk, as well as Coach Larry Penley, who was awarded the Dave Williams Award as the National Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches of America. Mr. Speaker, I want to again extend my sincerest congratulations to the entire Clemson family on this great day commemorating the first national championship for the Clemson University Men's golf team, and I hope there will be many more days like this in the future.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to a meeting with President Bush at the White House, I unfortunately missed three recorded votes on the House floor earlier today. I ask that the Record reflect that had I not been unavoidably detained at this meeting, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 312 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 858); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 313 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 2474); and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 314 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.J. Res. 49).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 4. This amendment rightfully restores authority to Congress to regulate the treatment of our most precious national symbol--the American flag. The flag has been a symbol of our freedoms for over 200 years. Our flag has sailed around the world, it has traveled to the moon, it has flown atop the North Pole and Mt. Everest, it has withstood war both on our soil and abroad--each time representing what our nation stands for--freedom and democracy. Over the years our flag has not only inspired but has comforted our nation. This was never more evident than the days, weeks and months following September 11. It was a photo of 3 firefighters raising the flag amidst the rubble of the World Trade Center that showed not only our nation, but the world we would not fall. A few days later we watched as the flag was draped over the Pentagon--we showed the world with that one action--terrorists may have tried but they did not succeed in destroying our nation and all we hold dear. On September 11 the terrorists forced war upon our country. Since that day our military has been fighting a global war against terrorism. These brave young men and women risk their lives every day to defend the very freedoms the flag represents. I served in the United States Army, fortunately during peacetime, but as a Captain in the US Army if my country called, myself and those who I served alongside, were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend the freedoms our flag represented. It saddens me to see people in foreign countries celebrate as they burn our flag--I cannot do anything about what they do in their streets, but I can try to do something about what happens in our streets. It disgusts me when I see our own citizens desecrate the flag, the flag represents all our nation has been through and embodies all our nation stands for--to burn the flag is to burn all it stands for. I wonder how the soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq, who fight every day to protect our nation from ever seeing the horrors of another September 11, feel when they see or hear about American citizens burning the American flag--the very flag they fight under. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 4, the U.S. Flag Protection Constitutional Amendment.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I rise today and offer an amendment to H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003. My amendment would require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a survey to determine the feasibility of developing commercial nuclear energy production facilities at the Department of Energy sites. Mr. Chairman, this is identical to the language included in last year's budget, drafted by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), which passed the House by a vote of 240 to 189, laying out the clear role that the U.S. Government should take to examine the Department of Energy sites and determine which are the best suited to enter into a public-private partnership with utility companies for construction and operation of new nuclear power production facilities. I agree that we need to start now and take a bold step to help solve our growing energy crisis, and that is exactly what the administration's nuclear power 20-10 initiative is, a bold step. My amendment will only expand the options for this great initiative. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment and help solve our energy crisis. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, in prepared remarks for the Global Nuclear Energy Summit on February 14, Secretary Abraham wrote, ``We cannot ignore either the benefits nor the significant challenges posed by nuclear power. I believe that the U.S. Government has a clear role to help remove the barriers and to expand the role for nuclear power in this country.'' My amendment can only move the country forward when it comes to our energy needs, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint).

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 100, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as part of this budget, the President's job and economic growth plan is designed to strengthen the economy and allow Americans to keep more of their own money to spend, save, and invest. And I know my constituents in my district know how to spend their money better than we do in Washington. The President's plan also calls for speeding up the tax relief passed in 2001 so families get the benefits of those tax cuts today, ending the unfair double taxation on dividends, giving small businesses incentives to grow, and providing help for unemployed Americans. Let me read some statistics on the President's growth plan that has been dynamically scored. In this budget, the economy would enjoy an annual average of 837,000 new jobs from 2004 to 2013, with 997,000 and 1.03 million jobs in 2004 and 2005 respectively; an annual average of $69 billion in additional GDP from 2004 through 2013, with an increase of $84 billion in GDP in 2004 alone; an average of $120 billion in additional disposable income from 2004 through 2013. And also in 2004 through 2013, if we talk about the dividend plan alone, we are talking about 69 percent in job growth, a 72 percent increase in GDP growth, $50 billion, and a 64 percent increase in additional disposable income. Mr. Chairman, this budget is the right budget for the country and this stimulus package is the right package for growth and economic prosperity.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 332.

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2003. Since Congress passed historic welfare reform legislation in 1996 with work at the centerpiece of the initiative the results have been irrefutable. 3.6 million fewer Americans live in poverty today than in 1996 and welfare caseloads have fallen by 60 percent, since 1994. In my home State of South Carolina, 70,043 people left welfare between 1996 and 2001. 70,043 people who now know the feeling of independence, self-worth and accomplishment that comes with getting a job and supporting ones family. It pleases me even more to be able to say that 82,000 South Carolinians left poverty between 1996 and 2000. Providing job training and education, increasing funding for child care programs and providing incentives to strengthen families allows people to leave welfare programs and leave poverty behind. The results have been remarkable, but there is more to be done. We need to ensure that when a person leaves the welfare system they do not return. We live a wonderful country full of promise and opportunity for everyone, anyone can do anything in this country--it's the American dream, and in many ways a job is at the heart of that dream. The Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2003 will ensure parents will have the opportunity to tap into reliable child care so they can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are safe while they train for, find, and keep a job. It's important once an individual is able to find a job they continue to train so they have the opportunity to further their career. Another key component is a stable home life because it is so important to set the stage for a child's future. American families do not want a hand out and they don't want a system that offers a life of poverty. They want a helping hand when it's needed and more importantly, they want a chance to rebuild their lives so they can provide a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones, on their own.