Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 1553. This amendment was crafted in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment; the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson), and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood). It contains carefully thought out language which will ensure that we maintain a proper balance between the protection of life and property while promoting a private sector weather forecasting industry. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science, for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, as the subcommittee Chair and author of this legislation, I am proud to speak in support of H.R. 1553. H.R. 1553 authorizes funding for the National Weather Service's atmospheric research, NOAA's environmental satellite data information service. I am pleased to say that the Committee on Science reported this bill by voice vote. It was a tremendous display of how much can be accomplished when we work together in a bipartisan fashion. Before I go on, I would like to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), for his hard work and leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I would also like to thank the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and my good friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), for his leadership on his side of the aisle. While we do not always see eye to eye, I would think it is safe to say we do agree on the importance of passing H.R. 1553. The National Weather Service plays an important part in protecting the public. The recent violent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas demonstrated how important advanced warning can be. Lives were tragically lost. I am afraid that the toll would have been much, much higher if there had not been advance warning given by the National Weather Service. This is just one of many examples of the important, sometimes lifesaving, services provided in the funding of this bill. The bill funds NOAA's satellite programs at a level consistent with the administration's request. Satellites play a critical role in weather forecasting, as well as providing important environmental data. NOAA plans an ambitious launch schedule over the next decade or so which will not only improve coverage but will also improve satellite data acquisition capabilities. H.R. 1553 also authorizes funding for NOAA's Office of Atmospheric Research. It is important that we have a clear understanding of how the atmosphere works so that we can better understand the weather and determine if global climate change is in fact occurring. H.R. 1553 continues the committee's tradition of strong support for atmospheric sciences. Just a quick aside: I woke up this past Saturday morning to read a front page story detailing a crucial court decision overturning EPA's thoughts on P/M and ozone standards. The Court's decision noted that the agency had far exceeded its legal authority and based the regulation on science that was proven to be potentially unsound. The reason I bring this matter up today in the context of H.R. 1553 is that I have always been a strong proponent of moving the EPA science mission to a nonregulatory governmental body. In my mind, NOAA would be a natural choice. In the light of the court decision, I plan to hold a hearing on the subject of P/M and ozone regulations. This will build on the bipartisan series of three hearings held by the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment last year. I would like to conclude by saying H.R. 1553 will protect public safety, maintain state-of-the-art scientific research and facilities without busting the budget or raiding the Social Security Trust Fund. This is good legislation. I encourage all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important bill.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I demand a separate vote on the so-called Costello amendment.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I would like to state my opposition to this amendment, and I would encourage my colleagues to vote against it. I extend my full support for the sensible NASA Authorization Act before us today and I would like to commend the hard work and leadership of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher). With their guidance and support, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), the ranking member of the Committee on Science, and my good friend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), a member of the Subcommittee on Space, I believe we have a sound bill that will advance scientific research, promote commercial and privatized space efforts, and ensure the United States' role as a preeminent player in the international space community. I would like to especially commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) for maintaining strict oversight throughout the International Space Station program and rightly criticizing the participation by the Russian Space Agency for some of the inefficiencies that certainly they have been involved in. I am satisfied that this bill has been stripped of pet projects that would take away resources for critical scientific research and development. By increasing the total level of funding above the President's request, while at the same time ensuring that NASA continues to streamline and modernize their operations, I am confident that this bill will allow NASA to focus funding on advanced space research and activities. I believe this bill addresses NASA's critical priorities, such as space science, life and microgravity sciences, advanced space transportation technology, space shuttle safety and performance upgrades and numerous education programs. By opposing this amendment we are continuing the scientific integrity of this important legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support the NASA Authorization Act and to oppose efforts which would burden NASA by adding unnecessary and wasteful projects to this bill.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. CALVERT. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973 was well-intentioned legislation. But the Fish and Wildlife Service, especially in California, is working outside of the ESA and undermining the original intent. The Galena Interchange is a freeway construction project in my district that is being held hostage by the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly. The Galena Interchange is not an expansive new highway program. We are not talking about building a new six-lane highway. It is a simple project connecting Interstate 15 to Galena Street, and it has received $20 million in Federal, State and local funds last year to correct the commuters' nightmare. After plans have been designed and the funds allocated, Fish and Wildlife claims that the county needs to establish a preserve for the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and wants as many as 200 acres of the Inland Empire's priciest industrial lands for habitat mitigation. Two hundred acres could cost as much as $32 million, 32 million for a $20 million project. On top of all this, not one fly has been found in this area. Apparently the Branch Chief of the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office heard the buzz of the fly but did not see it and now wants $32 million. We need common sense reform. Support this legislation.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the 3,417 men and women who have placed their lives on the line for their country, have taken risks above and beyond the call of duty and, because of their extraordinary bravery and action during crisis, have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Yesterday I introduced the National Medal of Honor Memorial Act. This bill designates the memorial being built at the Riverside National Cemetery as a national memorial. Since this will be the only publicly accessible memorial honoring all 3,417 recipients of the Medal of Honor at a single location, I think it is only fitting to identify it as a national memorial. Riverside National Cemetery is the ideal location for this memorial. There are two Medal of Honor recipients buried there; 102 recipients are originally from the State of California. At its capacity, the cemetery will inter approximately 1,400,000 persons, making it the largest national cemetery in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the strong support from my colleagues. Seventy of my colleagues have decided to be original cosponsors of this; 100 percent of the California delegation, and the chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I look forward to its passage.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, today my colleague, Mr. Brown of California, and I would like to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication to the community and to the overall well-being of the city of Riverside, CA, is unparalleled. Riverside was indeed fortunate to have such a dynamic and dedicated community leader who willingly and unselfishly gave of his time and talents to make his community a better place in which to live and work. The individual we are speaking of is Mr. Art Pick, who we were fortunate to have been able to call our friend. He died yesterday at the age of 68. Born Joseph Arthur Pickleheimer, Jr., Art moved to Riverside from Kentucky in 1955. A fixture in the community, Art was a man who never shied away from community involvement. Art led the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce for 26 years, first as executive vice president, then as executive director and chief executive officer. He truly believed that Riverside was the best place in the world, and worked tirelessly to get that message across to others. In his position, he reached out to the Hispanic and African-American Chambers of Commerce to ensure that the area's diverse business community worked together. Art knew education was key to job creation in his community. A graduate of the University of California at Riverside, he was an enthusiastic member and officer of the Alumni Association. Besides being an unabashed booster for his alma mater, Art also recognized the role that the private and community colleges in Riverside played in preparing the workforce for a recovering local economy. He was also active in many community organizations, including serving as a Riverside City Councilman; serving as a La Sierra University trustee; founding member of the Inland Area Urban League; and, serving as a trustee for the Riverside Community College District. He was also a lifelong supporter of the Sherman Indian School. His good deeds and work in the community would fill pages and pages were we to try and list them all. Art's forthright honesty and outspokenness rubbed more than a few politicians and journalists the wrong way. But we always remembered that his goal, first and foremost, was what was good for his city. And those of us on the receiving end of Art's comments were always better for the experience because Art was so often right; and, if he wasn't right, well at least he had made us think long and hard about the subject at hand. Our deepest condolences go to his wife, Galina Mokshina; his daughter, Maria; and his brother, David. Art was a true patriot and an outstanding American who will be deeply missed by everyone in the community. We can best honor him by trying to meet the same high standard he set as a patriot, citizen, and friend.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to participate in this historic debate on the tragic situation in the Balkan region. We find ourselves in a disturbing conflict, and I believe the public is concerned about our long term strategy. The President and the Secretary of Defense have recently begun a call to duty of more than 33,000 reservists and National Guardsmen. Each one of us here represents men and women that could be called to fight in the Balkans. I am confident that these men and women will represent our country well. This conflict in the Balkans has been generally viewed by my constituents as a mostly international issue taking place in areas that are unknown and unfamiliar to many of us. However, the recent call up of reservists and National Guardsmen has hit my district square in the heart, since it could involve the potential deployment of the National Guard and Air Force Reserve components stationed at March Air Reserve Base. I am very proud of the efforts by our military personnel. Although this is the longest and largest such campaign in which no American lives have been lost, chances are this may not continue. The credit for this extraordinary accomplishment should be placed on the shoulders of our American and allied troops. These brave men and women deserve our praise. Let me take this opportunity to extend enormous gratitude from myself and everyone living within the 43rd District of California for the job and effort of our troops. As proud as I am of our troops, I am concerned that the President has not done enough to involve Congress in the decision-making process throughout the Balkans crisis. Still today, Congress has not been advised on the exit strategy once hostilities have ceased. Yet, at the same time, this President is asking Congress for additional funds for this campaign. Mr. Speaker, I hope the President will begin to involve Congress. I have every confidence that our men and women will do their jobs. I do not have confidence that they will have the material support that they deserve over the long haul. That is why we desperately need to pass a large defense supplemental bill to make up for previous years of inadequate defense requests from this administration. I have voted today to reserve the decision to start any ground war to Congress, where it belongs. I have also voted against the extremes of media withdrawal and declaring war. Authorizing the air war merely recognizes reality--a reality which Congress must monitor daily so that the will and interests of the American people are reflected in our foreign policy.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 472, the Local Census Quality Check Act. My hometown of Corona, California, has been voluntarily working with the Census Bureau to review and compare maps provided by the Census Bureau to ensure accuracy in the 2000 Census count. Growth in Riverside County, California, has soared in the last decade. From 1991 to 1998 the city of Corona added 36,000 new residents, more than any other community in California's inland empire. An accurate Census count is absolutely vital. During this review, the city found that additions are not always incorporated in a timely manner by the Census Bureau. Local governments are the best source to verify where residential addresses are located within their boundaries. Therefore, it is critical that cities have the opportunity to review the final addresses. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 472 is a sound piece of legislation which restores and improves upon a program begun by the Census Bureau. As we work toward enumeration of the 2000 Census, we will continue the implementation of improved methods and ensure all persons are counted.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the Endangered Species Act was originally enacted in 1973 with overwhelming support in the House by a vote of 355 to 4 and in the Senate 92 to 0. The original intent: to conserve and protect American species of plant and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, with species taken off the list when their numbers have recovered. However, during ESA's 25 years, over 1,154 animals and plants have been listed as endangered or threatened yet only 27 species have been removed from the list. ESA has protected important species, including our Nation's most prized symbol--the bald eagle which is one of the few actually removed from the list. Today, it appears as though the Fish and Wildlife Service, especially within California, is working outside of the ESA and essentially undermining its original intent. Fish and Wildlife in California has overstepped their bounds. As the Congressman for western Riverside County in southern California, ESA enforcement is an important issue for me and my constituents because southern California is home to one-third of all listed endangered species. I have received a large number of complaints about the overzealous enforcement of ESA from landowners, farmers, former Fish and Wildlife employees, and community leaders. Complaints have increased dramatically in the last year compared to what I was hearing when I was first elected 6 years ago. A lot of my colleagues have been asking me about Fish and Wildlife's questionable enforcement of the ESA in southern California and in my district. I am here to share some clear examples of Fish and Wildlife's outrageous conduct in their enforcement of the ESA. Riverside County led the charge in working with the Federal Government to comply with the ESA, and had the original Stephen's kangaroo rat plan which ultimately took 8 years to get approval and cost over $42 million. Later on, Riverside County formed the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Advisory Committee in order to ensure a strong working relationship with conservation agencies and Fish and Wildlife. Yet, it seems to be a cardinal rule in dealing with the Fish and Wildlife Service that ``No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.'' Riverside County, the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency, several cities, and Fish and Wildlife all signed a planning agreement which laid out a conservation plan for the entire western half of Riverside County. Under that agreement, Fish and Wildlife would be required to provide the benefits and the ultimate cost of the plan within 6 months of signing the agreement. Now, 2 years later, Fish and Wildlife is refusing to provide this information to the planning agency which they had contractually agreed to do. This was a bad faith effort on the part of Fish and Wildlife. Specifically, there are two recent cases where Fish and Wildlife has shown how destructive they can be in southern California. The first case is the Delhi-sands flower-loving fly. A handful of flies were discovered at the proposed site for the San Bernardino County hospital. Fish and Wildlife ordered the county to move the building 300 feet, at a cost of $3.5 million. That's about $10,000 a foot. The Galena Interchange, a freeway construction project in my district is being held hostage by this fly. The Galena Interchange is not an expansive new highway program--we are not talking about building the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a simple project connecting Interstate 15 to Galena Street and it received $20 million in Federal, State, and local funds last year for a desperately needed project. After the plans were designed and the funds allocated, Fish and Wildlife now claims the county needs to establish a preserve for the Delhi-sands flower-loving fly. Fish and Wildlife wants as many as 200 acres of the Inland Empire's priciest industrial land for habitat mitigation. Two hundred acres could cost as much as $32 million; $32 million for a $20 million project. On top of all of this, not one fly has been found in this area. Apparently, the Branch Chief of the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office heard the buzz of the fly, but did not see it, and now wants $32 million. In testimony before the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, this person said--and I quote--``. . . if you hear a car down the street that's your favorite model, you kind know the engine sound and you know that it's the car that you like--so you know for someone that studies this sort of species you get a feel for the noise.'' This is ludicrous. Fish and Wildlife is using Dr. Seuss methods from ``Horton Hears a Who'' to make policy for millions of citizens. At the very least, we should amend the ESA to require than an endangered species must actually be seen, not just heard. The other case involves the Quino checkerspot butterfly. Once again, after poorly handling several listings, Fish and Wildlife has precipitated another crisis in southern California. Recently the Service published a ``survey protoco'' for the Quino checkerspot butterfly, which requires landowners to survey their property for the Quino before beginning any development. They did so less than a month before the beginning of the butterfly's very short flying season. However, Fish and Wildlife went a step further and issued a survey protocol that prohibited development of all land until at least early June 2000. The other day, in a seeming reversal of this earlier position, Fish and Wildlife is allowing surveys to be done this year. But, the Service still reserved the right to invalidate any survey due to the shortened flying season. This is like the IRS giving you your tax bill and noting that they have the right to charge you more later-- which is something they have actually done and why Congress passed IRS reform legislation. Fish and Wildlife should take notice. So, the Service is allowing landowners to spend thousands of dollars to conduct a survey that they may or may not consider valid next year. The current Fish and Wildlife problem has become so large, expensive, and harmful to our community that it cannot be overlooked any longer. In 1995, ESA costs exceeded $325 million of Federal money. However, the cost to local and State governments was billions and billions of dollars. Taxpayer funding has increased 800 percent since 1989. This is a call to common sense. Fish and Wildlife's district offices at the very least have the responsibility to balance the rights of species with the rights of landowners and taxpaying citizens of the United States. Local bureaucrats are undermining of Americans' desire to save truly endangered species by engaging in arbitrary and unreliable rulemaking. Our citizens and our endangered species deserve better. While we build a consensus in the Congress on how to update the Endangered Species Act, we should, at the very least, expect two things: (1) Fish and Wildlife must keep its commitments; and, (2) Fish and Wildlife should use its discretion, under the law, not as a weapon against landowners, but as a tool to help communities comply with the law.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I support of H.R. 4 and would like to discuss one of the most important issues currently facing our nation. Many rogue states have already proven their ability to attack the United States via long-range missile capability or nuclear-weapons program and others are known to be close to obtaining this capability. The United States cannot fully prevent other nations from obtaining missile technology, allowing them the capability to launch missiles that may reach our borders. During their recent dispute with Taiwan, China threatened to bomb Los Angeles; North Korea recently launched a three-stage rocket over Japan; and a published CIA report determined that they will soon have the technology to reach the west coast of the United States. Knowing that the Chinese have the capability to attack my district in California, and that the North Koreans are not far behind, compounded by the fact that we have nothing to protect us from attack, strikes fear into the hearts of my constituents and me. For the Clinton Administration to have delayed making a National Missile Defense System a top priority is a tragic mistake. To rely on the ABM Treaty, an archaic, outdated agreement with a country that does not even exist any longer, shows that our nation's security needs are a low priority for this Administration. Our federal government is responsible for the general defense of our nation. The post-Cold War world is littered with dangerous, rogue nations that either possess or are pushing toward development of nuclear weapons. North Korea and China have already illustrated the capability to threaten the U.S., but they will not be the last. If we have one Saddam or bin Laden with nuclear missile capability, they could kill millions of American citizens under our current defense security posture. Right now, Mr. Chairman, we can insure that this nightmare never becomes reality. I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this important bill and make it a priority to deploy a national missile defense system. It is my personal belief that such a system should play to our technological strengths and should include a sea-based element. Sea-based anti-missile systems would provide flexibility to protect our forces around the world as well as the 50 states. Further, we must have the courage to modify, or even scrap, the ABM Treaty when it is in our supreme national interest to do so. Mr. Chairman, defense is never provocative and weakness is never wise. We must pursue a national missile defense immediately.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 436 and the rule, the Government Waste, Fraud and Error Reduction Act. Since 1995, Congress has worked diligently to send Federal money back to the States and communities, but Congress also has the responsibility to ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely. We have trimmed the size of the Federal Government, reined in excessive spending and eradicated redundant programs. We have a balanced budget for the first time in 30 years and a budget surplus of $70 billion in 1998, with the prediction that it will be almost $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years. The next logical step is to combat fraud, abuse and errors that cost taxpayers their hard-earned money. The Federal Government has more than $50 billion in delinquent non-tax debts and gives up collecting on about $10 billion each year. This is government waste at its worst, and for taxpayers this is certainly an outrage. H.R. 436 is responsible legislation. It collects delinquent debts owed to the government and ensures that benefits do not go to those who are ineligible. It places special emphasis on the worst delinquent debtors, those who owe taxpayers over $1 million. This is common sense legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it and support the rule. I would like to thank my friend from Long Beach, California, (Mr. Horn) for bringing this legislation to the floor. His commitment to helping our taxpayers and improving the functions of government is to be commended.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Chairman, I am something unique around here. I actually am a small business person and have run small businesses in the past. I think I have a pretty good understanding of what happens in America. I am kind of shocked to find out that we are going to have to increase the amount of paperwork that small businesses are obligated to do in order to save America as we know it. I did not know that the minority in the administration are predisposed to the idea that all businessmen are criminals, or that we want to destroy the environment or contaminate America's food supply. I always thought the small businessmen in this country were honest, hardworking men; we try to do the best thing, we get up every morning, we make the payroll, we work hard. We do the things that are necessary to keep this country on track. Fifty-three percent of the private workforce in this country are represented by the small business people, or are hired by small business people, not just large companies. I would agree with the gentleman that 1,500 employees is a pretty good-sized company, but I did not have that many employees. I had less than 100. I would define that as a small business. It is tough out there. It is tough to meet all the requirements that are put upon us every single day. So not only am I here to support this gentleman in his legislation, but enthusiastically support it. It amounted to over 7 billion man-hours a year to complete paperwork in 1998, a cost of $229 billion annually to businesses. It accounts for one-third of regulatory costs in America. What is wrong with trying to have more efficient operations of the United States government? Do we want more government? Do we want more paperwork? Do we want more bureaucracy? I do not think so. This is an opportunity for us to do a small, little bit to cut back on the costs and the burdensome regulations that are placed on businesses every day. I do not understand why the minority is opposed to this. I guess I do. I guess they want more paperwork and more regulatory costs. But I certainly cannot support that. I am happy to be here to support the gentleman on this good piece of legislation.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of impeachment. Mr. Speaker, today I will join a majority of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and vote in favor of impeaching the 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton. I did not reach this decision lightly. After reviewing the documents and articles of impeachment put forth by the House Committee on the Judiciary, I reached the unhappy but necessary conclusion that there is enough evidence to warrant forwarding these articles to the Senate. I do so with the best interests of California's 43rd congressional district, and all Americans, foremost in my mind. We have heard from the other side of the aisle the constant plea for censure as an alternative to the vote today. I do not believe, however, that censure is an option for the House. The Framers of the Constitution did not provide for censure as an alternative to impeachment, therefore it would be irresponsible and unconstitutional to bring such a motion to the full House for consideration. The House has never censured a President before, and it would be a horrible precedent to set. It is the responsibility of the United States Senate to decide President Clinton's guilt or innocence and punishment. The President has twice taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. He also took an oath before a Federal grand jury to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And then he broke both of these oaths. The President is the nation's chief law enforcement officer and is subject to the same rules and laws as every American. Without a clear and strong rule of law, the United States would be nothing more than a banana republic. Simply put, the evidence is clear that William Jefferson Clinton committed perjury and obstruction of justice while serving as the President. In the best interest of our nation, the rule of law should be upheld and this President should be impeached, and face trial in the Senate.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution and in support of our troops overseas. We as a Nation and a Congress must focus now on the servicemen and women who are risking their lives and standing bravely in the days of adversity to ensure safety for all Americans. Iraq will continue to be a threat to the United States and the rest of the world as long as Saddam Hussein is in power and has the ability to manufacture weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein has been given too many chances to comply with United Nations inspections. We cannot continue to play this dangerous game of cat and mouse. I support the use of force in this region to ensure the safety of America and global interests. In what should be a season of peace, my thoughts and prayers are with our servicemen and women and their families as they help make the world a safer place. God bless them.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, throughout this country of ours there are a few individuals who, because they contribute so generously of their time and talents to help others, are recognized as pillars of their community. I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Dr. Norman Mellor, whose dedication to the community is unparalleled. And on a personal note, I have special affinity for Dr. Mellor because he is a long-time friend of my family's and is the doctor who delivered me at Corona Hospital 45 years ago. Since 1929, when he was 13 years old, Dr. Mellor has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, first as a scout and then as a leader. He earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1933, and went on to earn some of the highest honors a Boy Scout can receive. Dr. Mellor's awards include the National Council's Gold Medal Hornaday Award for helping co-found the Idyllwild Arts Academy; the Silver Beaver Award for scout leadership; and the National Council's Distinguished Eagle Award in medicine for 25 years of being an Eagle Scout and excellence in his field. In recognition of his accomplishments and lifelong dedication to scouting, the Inland Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America recently named a campsite at Camp Emerson Boy Scout camp after Dr. Mellor. He still teaches a summer course at the camp on birds and mammals, a passion he developed during his days as a scout at Camp Emerson. No person is more deserving of recognition than Dr. Mellor. He has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others around him and is a truly exceptional individual. On behalf of the 43rd congressional district, I want to commend Dr. Mellor for his outstanding accomplishments and thank him for his contribution to the betterment of our community.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Riverside, California, which was recently awarded the distinguished honor of being named an All-America City. The All-America City designation, first awarded 49 years ago, is designed to recognize cities across our nation that have exemplary programs and initiatives that combat problems within their own communities. Thirty cities competed to be named one of ten All-America cities by the National Civic League. As a result of the President's Summit for America's Future, organizers of the All-America City program have asked cities to include at least one community youth program as part of their application. The Mayor of Riverside, Ron Loveridge, credited three of the city's programs as being the key to the victory: the Passport to College Program, which is an innovative business, education, community, and family partnership that will make the dream of a college education possible for every Inland Empire graduate in 2004, the Youth Action Plan under which the city coordinates services for the region's youth; and the University/Eastside Community Collaborative after-school program that has enabled the city to keep at-risk youth away from the lure of gang activity. Growing up in a neighboring city, I have seen Riverside face the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the Inland Empire's significant population growth. Today, Riverside thrives with a population exceeding several hundred thousand residents and a diverse economic base. Representing the people of Riverside is truly a privilege. On behalf of all of the residents of the 43rd congressional district, I congratulate Riverside on being named an All-America City and wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make Members aware of an important event taking place in my district during the end of next year. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society will host a convention on November 3-7, 1999 in Riverside, California. The convention will consist of two parts. The first will be an actual gathering of Medal of Honor recipients, their spouses, and other interested participants. The second will be a dedication of a memorial at Riverside National Cemetery, the second largest national cemetery next to Arlington, for all Medal of Honor recipients past and present. Of the 3,417 Medals of Honor which have been presented since 1863, only 162 recipients are still with us. During the course of the convention, the members of the Society will hold a memorial service at Riverside National Cemetery. Attendees will commemorate and remember those who have died since the last convention. Shortly thereafter, dedication ceremonies for the newly-built Medal of Honor Memorial will take place. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the hard work of those planning the convention, as well as those who are organizing the construction and dedication of the memorial site. They are at this moment trying to raise the necessary funding through private donations. Even for worthwhile projects such as the convention and memorial dedication, which all freedom loving Americans support, both organizing committees have decided to forego taxpayer funds. By this, I am truly impressed. I am honored and proud to have the Riverside National Cemetery located in my district. Those who are interred come from every State of the Union. The Riverside National Cemetery is the most active cemetery in the system, averaging more than 29 burials per day. This rate will increase with the passage of time. When the cemetery is fully utilized, there will be approximately 1,400,000 honored dead interred at Riverside National Cemetery. It may soon dwarf Arlington National Cemetery and virtually every other cemetery in the national system. Riverside National Cemetery, at present, is the final resting place for two Medal of Honor recipients--Staff Sgt. Ysmael Villegas, United States Army, awarded posthumously for actions in the Philippines, and Commander John Henry Balch, United States Navy, awarded for actions in France. Among the many other veterans buried at RNC is one of the last Buffalo Soldiers, Woody Strode. Mr. Strode was an African-American actor who performed in several western movies. In my state of California, 102 individuals have been awarded the Medal of Honor. One was Lt. John Finn, USN (ret.) the most senior living recipient. He was decorated for his action of December 7, 1941. Just as noteworthy, he was already nearing retirement at that time. Another was Brigadier General John Doolittle who was decorated for his actions in leading what everyone believed would be a one-way trip in the raid on Tokyo barely six months after Pearl Harbor. Finally, there was Private First Class Sadao Munemori, United States Army. He was decorated posthumously for his actions as a member of the most decorated unit in World War II, the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. With their cry of ``Go For Broke,'' this unit was composed entirely of Nisei, or second generation Americans of Japanese ancestry. They helped turn the tide against Germany in World War II. Mr. Speaker, the Medal of Honor memorial will contain all 3,417 names. At present, there is no publicly accessible place in which all of the nation's Medal of Honor recipients are honored at one location. This will truly be a one-of-a-kind memorial. For each Medal of Honor recipient, an Italian Cypress tree will be placed throughout Riverside National Cemetery. Within the immediate vicinity of the monument, 300 of these trees will be planted. These trees live in excess of 100 years, reach heights of over 100 feet, grow well in southern California, and require minimal maintenance. The monument itself will include a walled area which will surround a pool and a miniature waterfall. An area has already been identified for the location of the memorial. It will not, in any way, interfere with the burial capabilities of the cemetery. It will be located in an easily accessible area for guests and visitors to the cemetery. Across time, it will draw this country's citizens to this national shrine to heroism and patriotism. In closing, I wish to quote the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society because I believe it best reflects what this convention and memorial is all about . . . ``To serve our country in peace as we did in war . . . To inspire and stimulate our youth to become worthy citizens of our country . . . To foster and perpetuate Americanism.'' I look forward to the Congressional Medal of Honor convention and to the dedication of the memorial. This is something that has long been overdue. We must honor those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our great country.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, there is a difference between fact and opinion. I think any objective observer would look at the facts and agree with this conclusion: We have a part-time President and a full- time fund-raiser. Just consider the facts: Yesterday the President's New York City fund-raiser was his 100th of the year, yesterday, the 100th fund-raiser of the year. Meanwhile he has had only two cabinet meetings. For those of us who have not had higher math, who were raised on whole math, rain forest math or other liberal nonsense, that works out to approximately one cabinet meeting for every 50 fund-raisers. Of course, we are not sure exactly how much important business was discussed at those two cabinet meetings aside from denials, retractions and half apologies. This Congress has put aside $1.4 trillion for Social Security, passed a balanced budget, IRS reform and tax cuts, making it perhaps the most successful Congress in a generation. Meanwhile the part-time President allows Saddam Hussein to thumb his nose at us, North Korea to threaten its neighbors and a national missile defense system to remain on the shelf.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio), the subcommittee chairman, for his hard work on this bill. As cochairman of the House Manufactured Housing Caucus, I can assure you of his dedication to improving our Nation's housing supply and giving all Americans the chance to own a home. Mr. Speaker, two of our Nation's largest social problems are the need for greater access to affordable homes and the need to move people away from the dependency on subsidized housing. Manufactured housing, the fastest growing segment of the housing industry, helps solve these problems. The affordability of these homes allows senior citizens, young families and single parents to realize the American dream of homeownership. Congress must help people reach this goal by considering the positive impact of manufactured homes when making housing policy. By improving the quality, safety and affordability of these homes, the American Homeownership Act does just this. A yes vote on this bill is a yes vote for seniors, single parents, and young home buyers who want a place to call their own. It is a vote for the American dream. I urge a yes vote.

Mr. CALVERT. I yield to the gentleman from New York.