Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

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

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the champion for all veterans in our country.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, S. Con. Res. 145 expresses the sense of Congress on the propriety and need for expeditious construction of the National World War II Memorial at the Rainbow Pool on the National Mall on the Nation's capitol. In short, this gives the congressional approval to construct this memorial to the brave men and women who served and gave their lives during World War II at the Rainbow Pool location in the Mall and will, I hope, put this issue to rest. Madam Speaker, there are two indisputable facts dealing with this memorial. One is the fact that no one can possibly think that memorial does not deserve to be in a place of the utmost prominence in the Mall. World War II was the most important event in this century and over 1 million Americans were either killed or wounded. The other fact is that all approvals from various commissions have been granted to proceed with the construction of this memorial at this site. However, it is apparent that construction is still mired down, now with misguided lawsuits by a few people who apparently do not believe that this event and the 16 million brave men and women who proudly wore the American uniform deserve recognition. Enough is enough, Madam Speaker. The process of constructing this memorial has gone on far and long enough, and it is high time we got down to the business and build this deserved memorial which means so much to so many people. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 145. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 145) expressing the sense of Congress on the propriety and need for expeditious construction of the National World War II Memorial at the Rainbow Pool on the National Mall in the Nation's Capitol.

Mr. CALVERT

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

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have introduced H.R. 4187, along with the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono), the gentleman from California (Mr. Packard), the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary Miller), the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca). Madam Speaker, this legislation will assist in establishing the Western Archeology and Paleontology Center in the vicinity of Diamond Valley Lake in Southern California. This center will preserve, protect and make available the extraordinary discoveries that were uncovered during the construction of Diamond Valley Lake to all citizens of the United States. The University of California, Riverside, has been instrumental in developing this center; and I look forward to their continued leadership in the establishment and operation of the center. House report language calls for the Secretary of Interior to work with UCR, metropolitan water districts, and local shareholders in this effort. During the past 10 years, the construction of Diamond Valley Lake outside of Hemet, California, has been the largest private earth-moving construction project in the United States. The reservoir is now the largest man-made lake in Southern California. It covers 4,500 acres, is 4\1/2\ miles long, 2 miles wide, and 250 feet deep. The cost of this was $2.1 million for construction, was totally borne by the residents of Southern California. The reservoir will provide a desperately needed emergency supply of water for the City of Los Angeles and the surrounding area. During the construction and excavation of this massive project, extraordinary paleontology and archeology discoveries were uncovered. Unearthed were 365 prehistoric sites, pictographs, stone tools, bone tools and arrowheads. Also discovered were a preserved mastodon skeleton, a mammoth skeleton, a 7-foot tusk and bones from the extinct animals previously unknown to have resided in the area, including the giant long-horned bison and an enormous North American Lion. The construction of Diamond Valley Lake unearthed the largest known accumulation of late Ice Age fossils known in California. The scientific importance of this collection may now rival California's other famed site, the La Brea Tar Pits. The State of California is an active participant in this endeavor, having already contributed $6 million to the Western Center. Another $10.5 million has been included in this year's State budget for construction and maintenance of the center. As for the Federal Government's role in this endeavor, first, 12,000 acres of land totaling about $40 million, have been bought and set aside by the Metropolitan Water District to comply with the Endangered Species Act, a Federal requirement. Moreover, there is legislative precedent for Federal assistance to States for preservation. The National Historic Preservation Act set the stage for Federal, State and local partnerships. This act provides that the Federal government shall contribute to the preservation of non- federally owned prehistoric and historic resources and give maximum encouragement to organizations and individuals undertaking preservation by private means. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Defense, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Agriculture have uncovered prehistoric and historic artifacts and are being forced to store these artifacts and records in storage units, offices, basements or in substandard museums, which is unacceptable. I am pleased that we can use this unique opportunity to work together in a partnership with local, State and Federal interests to protect and preserve these assets for all Americans. I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Utah (Chairman Hansen) for their work on this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4187) to assist in the establishment of an interpretive center and museum in the vicinity of the Diamond Valley Lake in southern California to ensure the protection and interpretation of the paleontology discoveries made at the lake and to develop a trail system for the lake for use by pedestrians and nonmotorized vehicles.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), who represents the great city of Richmond, Virginia, the chairman of the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5225, introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, revises the boundaries of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. These revisions are based on the findings of the Civil War Sites Advisory Committee and the National Park Service. The bill also encourages cooperative management, protection and interpretation of the resources associated with the Civil War and the Civil War battles in and around the city of Richmond, Virginia. The boundary revision would establish the Richmond National Battlefield Park to include approximately 7,300 acres. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within the boundaries of the new park, but only from willing sellers. This bill also specifies that, to the extent practicable, the Secretary will purchase permanent conservation easements in lieu of outright land acquisitions. H.R. 5225 also directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a suitable monument or memorial to honor the 14 Medal of Honor recipients from the United States Colored Troops who fought in the Battle of New Market Heights. Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5225 with an amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5225) to revise the boundaries of the Richmond National Battlefield Park based on the findings of the Civil War Sites Advisory Committee and the National Park Service and to encourage cooperative management, protection, and interpretation of the resources associated with the Civil War and the Civil War battles in and around the city of Richmond Virginia, as amended.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to say that it is altogether fitting and proper that this legislation today is offered by the gentleman from Richmond, Virginia (Mr. Bliley), and this is certainly worthwhile and I urge its unanimous passage. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to present legislation that has been carefully crafted through the tireless work and effort of many individuals. This bill, H.R. 4281, the ICCVAM Authorization Act, enjoys support from an overwhelming coalition of companies and groups that span the political spectrum. We have animal rights groups, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, industry associations and the current administration among the bill's supporters. We even have Republican and Democrats that agree on this bill. Many people have worked and worked to ensure that this bill would receive a consensus agreement, and I am proud to say, that we have a document here that has achieved this goal. This legislation is a testament to what can be done when different groups come together for an important cause. This legislation reaches an important outcome; reducing the number of needless animal deaths and so much more. This legislation will save the American taxpayers money by ensuring a streamlined approach to the approval of toxicological test methods. It will save chemical and pharmaceutical companies millions of dollars by eliminating duplicative, time-consuming and costly test method validation at several government agencies. Everyone wins with this bill. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by thanking the Chairman of the Commerce Committee, Mr. Bliley, the Ranking Member Mr. Dingell, Health Subcommittee Chair Mr. Bilirakis and of course Mr. Lantos who have worked with me from the beginning to ensure this bill's passage. I encourage all of my colleagues to join in this effort and overwhelmingly pass H.R. 4281.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), chairman of the committee, for helping us bring this bill as rapidly as possible to the floor; and certainly it has been a pleasure working with him these last 8 years. I wish him well in his retirement. I also want to say that this bill has been carefully crafted through the tireless work and effort of many individuals. This bill, H.R. 4281, the ICCVAM Authorization Act, enjoys support from an overwhelming coalition of companies and groups that span the political spectrum. We have animal groups, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, industry associations, and the current administration among the bill's supporters. We have Republicans, Democrats that agree on the bill. Many people have worked and worked to ensure that this bill would receive a consensus agreement, and I am proud to say that we have a document here that has achieved that goal. This legislation is a testament to what can be done when different groups come together for an important cause. This legislation reaches an important outcome, reducing the number of needless animal deaths and so much more. The legislation will save the American taxpayers money by ensuring a streamline approach to approval of toxicological test methods. It will save chemical and pharmaceutical companies thousands of dollars by eliminating duplicative, time-consuming and costly test method validation at several government agencies. Everyone wins with this bill. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by thanking the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, once again; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member; the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the chair of the Subcommittee on Health; and of course the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), who has also worked with me very hard from the beginning to make sure this bill becomes a reality today. I encourage all of my colleagues to join in this effort and overwhelmingly pass H.R. 4281.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) for his assistance, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 4965, a bill to extend the time period to file a complaint arising from the incident at the Hunts Point Terminal Market. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Condit) for introducing this legislation. I also would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture for holding a hearing on the Hunts Point matter on July 27. I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) for his assistance in bringing this bill to the floor. On October 27, 1999, eight USDA produce inspectors and individuals from 13 wholesale firms were arrested at the Hunts Point Terminal Market and charged with bribery. These arrests were the result of a 3- year investigation by the USDA's Office of Inspector General. All total, Federal prosecutors were able to obtain convictions for nine USDA inspectors involved in this illegal activity, in addition to the charges filed against 14 wholesale firms. The AMS inspectors were charged with accepting cash bribes in exchange for reducing the grade of the produce they inspected, which then allowed the wholesale company to purchase produce more cheaply at the expense of the farmer. The Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act, PACA, enacted in 1930, governs the fair trade of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. PACA guidelines provide a mechanism to resolve commercial disputes that arise in the produce trade. PACA also establishes a code of business practices and enables USDA to penalize violations of these practices. Mr. Speaker, all who believe they suffered from the financial damages as a result of the fraudulent inspection at the Hunts Point Market may seek to recover these damages by filing a PACA complaint. However, PACA guidelines require all claims be filed within 9 months of the incident. In this case, any party seeking damages from the Hunts Point incident would have had to file a claim by July 27, 2000. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the earliest any producer received a copy of the fraudulent inspection certificates was March 21 and some did not receive theirs until June 23. These certificates, along with other records, are necessary to establish the amount of damages. As my colleagues can see, many did not have adequate time to assemble the required documentation to file a claim by the deadline. H.R. 4965 extends the deadline for filing the PACA claim resulting from the Hunts Point incident to January 1, 2001. This will provide farmers and others with a claim to gather the information they need to present a claim for compensation resulting from illegal inspection activities. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4965) to amend the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, to extend the time period during which persons may file a complaint alleging the preparation of false inspection certificates at Hunts Point Terminal Market, Bronx, New York.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer H.R. 5110 that would designate the United States courthouse located in Riverside, California, as the ``George E. Brown, Jr. United States Courthouse.'' I was happy to sponsor this bill along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Jerry Lewis), the gentleman from California (Mr. Packard), the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono), the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary Miller), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca). I could not have brought this bill forward as quickly as we have without the help of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster), and I certainly appreciate his help and consideration in this matter and certainly the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member, for working to help our former colleague, Mr. George Brown, in his memory today. I met George Brown with my father when I was 12 years old. From the start and throughout his career in Congress, George was really known as one of the last honest liberals, always voting his convictions and conscious. In the House of Representatives, George served 18 terms as an unselfish public servant. He was the longest serving Member of the House or Senate in the history of California. I should know, he was my member of Congress when I was in high school. Although George and I have may have disagreed on some things, on differing political philosophies and governing philosophy, my respects and admiration, as I know everyone here, ran deep. George was someone that really had strong convictions and was very certain to let us know what those convictions were. On many occasions he would do exactly that. We worked very closely together on issues that affected our area, the Inland Empire of California, which now is populated by over 3 million people; and George did that very ably. So renaming this courthouse in my district, once in George's district by the way, he represented it for many years as he represented many years in the State of California as his district was moved around California, is more than deserving. It is a small recognition for his leadership and his lifetime quest for social justice in our society. It will ensure that George will be remembered in the community that he loved and he worked for for so long. So I know his widow, Marta, I am sure will be watching today and is grateful that this recognition is taking place. I am certainly grateful to my colleagues. And I know that my colleagues throughout the House today will stand with me in honor and remember George's work for the Inland Empire of California and the whole Nation.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise as the author of H.R. 3218, the Social Security Number Confidentiality Act of 1999. First, though, I would like to thank the leadership for bringing the problem of personal privacy into the national arena, especially the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means, who presently has a more comprehensive bill before the House, for his long-time advocacy of personal information privacy. H.R. 3218 is only a small step toward protecting all Americans from identity theft, and I look forward to working with the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Shaw) next year. H.R. 3218 stops the Federal Government from making identity theft any easier for con artists. How? My bill prohibits the appearance of Social Security account numbers on or through unopened mailings of checks or other drafts issued by the Treasury Department. This problem was brought to my attention by senior citizens in my district who revealed that their Social Security numbers appeared in the windowed part of their Social Security checks, making them easy targets to scam artists. Just remember the credit card scam that victimized military officers whose names, addresses, and Social Security numbers were printed in the Congressional Record. Congress has since halted this practice. Is it not time that we take steps to ensure the safety and privacy for our senior citizens? Just last month, the Treasury Department confirmed that Social Security numbers would no longer be visible through the windows of benefits checks, such as Social Security checks. However, the need for this legislation still exists. Any future administration could, for the sake of time or efficiency, return to the practice of using Social Security numbers for positive identification. The banking industry's concern over efficiency has been addressed in my bill by leaving Social Security numbers on the benefit checks, just not in a place where it can be seen in a windowed envelope. H.R. 3218 ensures that seniors are never again put at risk of having their Social Security numbers displayed in plain view where they are available for criminals and fraud. It will protect the privacy and confidentiality of our Social Security numbers. Again, I would like to thank the leadership and the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Shaw) for bringing this bill to the floor for consideration.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4187; S. Con. Res. 145; S. 406; H.R. 4404, as amended; H.R. 1695; H.R. 2570; S. 1705; S. 2917; H.R. 5041; H.R. 4521, as amended; H.R. 5308, as amended; H.R. 4646, as amended; H.R. 3926; H.R. 4312; S. 2102; S. 1936, as amended; S. 1296; H.R. 5398; and H. Res. 630.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) for whatever comments he may have.

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

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the House originally passed H.R. 1444 by a voice vote on November 9, 1999. The bill authorized the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to plan, design, and construct fish screens, fish passage devices, and related features to mitigate impacts on fisheries related to irrigation system water diversions by local government entities in the Pacific Ocean drainage of the States of Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho. On April 13, 2000, the Senate amended H.R. 1444 by substituting H.R. 1444 with the text of S. 1723 and passed the bill by unanimous consent. The substance of S. 1723 is virtually identical to H.R. 1444. However, there are some technical changes which are being made today to clarify that fishery restoration is a priority. In the Northwest, valuable salmon populations travel through various river basins as juvenile and adult fish. It has been demonstrated that fish screens and passages are an effective way to protect migrating fish from the deadly effects of water diversion projects. H.R. 1444 will encourage the construction of these fish-saving devices. I compliment the authors, especially our colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), for their leadership in this matter. This is a sound conservation bill, and I urge Members to vote aye. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT

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

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5398, legislation which will allow the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to sell, lease, or otherwise transfer its interest in any real property which is not held in trust by the United States. This bill is necessary because Federal law limits a tribe's authority to sell land which it owns, even though that land is not held in trust. I urge support for this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5398) to provide that land which is owned by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana but which is not held in trust by the United States for the Tribe may be leased or transferred by the Tribe without further approval by the United States.