Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Members of Congress injured in the 1954 shooting in the United States House of Representatives Chamber. On March 1, 1954, four Puerto Rican nationals entered the House gallery on the southwest corner of the Chamber. As then-Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., concluded tallying the ``aye'' votes on a Mexican immigrant labor program, Puerto Rican nationalists stood up and began waving a Puerto Rican flag and firing at the floor. The terrorists eventually shot approximately 30 rounds before being apprehended. As we face a new day of terrorist activity, it is important to remember and honor those who suffered as a result of this assault on the United States Congress. Representative Alvin M. Bentley, who was most severely injured in the attack, represented communities in Michigan that I represent now, such as his hometown of Owosso. I would like to take this opportunity to honor him, as well as the other injured representatives: George H. Fallon of Maryland, Ben F. Jensen of Iowa, Kenneth A. Roberts of Alabama, and Clifford Davis of Tennessee. These five men were proud to serve their country and nearly paid for it with their lives. The simple passing of time should not diminish their memory nor the lesson we learn from that attack. Now more than ever, we must always remember that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. I am, therefore, honored today to recognize those who have suffered and continue to fight terrorism on behalf of the United States Congress.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the St. Francis High School Varsity Football Team, who recently won the 2003-04 Michigan Division 7 state title. In their heart-stopping championship game played at the Pontiac Silverdome, located in Detroit, Michigan, the St. Francis Gladiators defeated Hudson 28-14. Led by Head Coach Josh Sellers and assistant coaches Jim Carroll, Pat Cleland, Joe Forlenza, Steve Curtis, Greg Sherwin, Craig Bauer, Scott Doriot, and Mark DeSantis, the 2003-04 Gladiators include seniors Garrett Petterson (Captain, 2), Travis Sivek (Captain, 3), Tyler Schell (5), Sean Currie (6), Kevin Curtis (Captain, 10), Nathan Dunham (20), Brett Milliman (30), Ryan Asam (32), Jacob Preston (Captain, 51), Ken Underwood (61), John Bailey (62), Devin Tremp (65), Caleb Richardson (71), and Mike Freundl (86). The dedication that these players put forth throughout the entire season is one of which the entire district can be proud. Their victory not only brought the team together in great spirit, but their family, friends and community as well. Once again, on behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I would like to congratulate the coaches and members of the St. Francis High School Varsity Football Team on their achievement. I wish them the best in their future season.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1. In the last five days, I've heard a lot about what this bill doesn't do. Let me be frank: life is not about what we don't do; it's about what we accomplish. And, if I had a friend in need who asked me for $100 and all I had was $20, I wouldn't give him nothing. But that's what some here are prepared to do--turn away a friend in need. For years we have agreed that our seniors needed a prescription drug benefit in Medicare; but unfortunately we have yet to provide them with any relief. This Medicare bill offers a prescription drug benefit through competing private health insurance plans--marking the first time private sector plans and consumer choice would be the principal vehicle for delivering Medicare benefits. It also includes common sense reforms like preventive care and health savings accounts. This is the first step in the direction of true reform. It's a step in the right direction and it is time we take it.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1152, the United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act. This bill appropriately recognizes the value of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) for its national leadership in reducing the threat of fires and educating Americans about fire prevention methods. I want to thank Research Subcommittee Chairman Nick Smith and Science Chairman Boehlert for their leadership on this issue and their support for the inclusion of a bill I introduced, H.R. 545, the Firefighting Research and Coordination Act. I appreciate Senator McCain's leadership on this bill and for his hard work getting it passed last night in the Senate. The Firefighting Research and Coordination Act helps address current policy questions on how the federal government can most effectively provide firefighters with the training and equipment necessary to protect lives. The bill gives appropriate weight to top fire service needs: the development of voluntary consensus standards for firefighting equipment and technology; establishing nationwide and State mutual aid systems for dealing with national emergencies; and authorizing the National Fire Academy to train firefighters to respond to acts of terrorism and other national emergencies. This legislation enjoys wide bipartisan support and the endorsement of many national fire groups including the Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fire Protection Association, and the International Association of Firefighters and Fire Chiefs, among others. With the tools this bill provides, I am confident the USFA will continue to be recognized as the preeminent authority in fire education and fire prevention. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Saginaw Valley State University in celebration of its 40th Anniversary. Founded in 1963, Saginaw Valley State University has quickly become one of the fastest-growing universities in Michigan. The university's humble beginnings as a community college in the late 1950s have encouraged the rapid growth and expansion of the university as demonstrated by their recent additions. From holding early classes in the basement of Delta College, to its current situation on a 782-acre campus, Saginaw Valley State University has become an unrivaled success story in mid-Michigan. I am honored today to recognize Saginaw Valley State University for its many accomplishments, and to thank the many staff, faculty, students, and families who have endeavored to support Saginaw Valley State University.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. There are a lot of important provisions in this legislation. I would like to address my remarks particularly to the airline pension relief provisions and why airlines face a pension funding crisis. At the end of 1999, the airline industry's defined benefit pension plans on average were funded at 102 percent. At the end of 2002, that average level of funding fell to 54 percent, and the decline is a result of three factors. For the first time since World War II, the equity markets declined for 3 consecutive years. Market interest rates, which are used to define pension liabilities, are at 40-year lows. This pension funding crisis occurred at a time when the airline industry was in its worst financial situation due to the global recession, September 11, SARS, the Iraq war, and increased security costs. There are also problems with current funding rules with regard to airlines. There is mandatory contribution provisions which tightened the funding rules in two inflexible ways which mandated the use of the 30-year Treasury rate, which this legislation addresses, and secondly, dramatically shortened the amortization period. That legislation was tightened in many ways in 1994. During the last 3 years, the mandatory contribution funding requirements have been stress-tested by sustained economic downturns; and so between the enactment in 1987 and the beginning of the 3-year market collapse, the stock market had declined previously only in 1 year and then only by about 3 percent. So in the face of this recent economic downturn and the simultaneous collapse of asset values, this mandatory contribution has proved to be onerous and inflexible, particularly to a highly cyclical industry like the airline industry. This legislation affects zero tax dollars. It would temporarily defer contributions required by the mandatory contribution law for just a period of 2 years. Forcing airlines to contribute billions of dollars more over and above their regular pension contributions at this time would be disastrous. This gives us time to develop long-term solutions in this area. This is why unions and management came together to save pension plans for workers. If we do not address this issue, airlines will go bankrupt, as U.S. Airways has, and terminate their plans. Please support this legislation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6. We have pushed for and promised a new national energy policy for a decade, and it is time we deliver on that promise; a promise that tells our families they won't be left out in the cold due to skyrocketing home-heating bills, a promise that tells the American worker that an unstable and unaffordable energy supply won't force employers to reduce benefits or eliminate jobs, and a promise that tells our children that they will be able to live and grow in a clean, healthy environment. It is on that last point, encouraging the development of environmentally friendly energy, that I rise today. Transportation accounts for more than 75 percent of total oil consumption in the United States. Accelerating the use of fuel-efficient technologies and cleaner burning fuels by the auto industry will have a profound impact on safeguarding our health and our environment. The high costs of new technologies, however, have stalled progress in the past. And, as California's experiment with electric engines quotas proved, top-down, government-driven reforms do not work. We cannot expect results if the expectations and demands of consumers are not met. This energy bill puts consumers in the driver's seat for developing technology, and will create a sustainable effort to improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. By providing tax credits directly to consumers, this bill will help offset the thousands of dollars added to the ticket price of a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle. Without these incentives, up to $3,400 for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle and up to $8,000 for a fuel cell vehicle, we will not change the status quo. The energy bill compromise is not only fair and balanced; it is a major step forward for our country. By providing a more stable, affordable supply of energy, it will protect and create hundreds of thousands of jobs, save families money, and reduce pollution.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3289. It has been 6 months since American forces toppled Saddam Hussein's regime, but there are still traces in Iraq of what one author referred to as a ``psychopathic crime family'', a family that terrorized its own people and stood as a daily threat to the region and the world. I supported President Bush's request because it is vital to our own national security; it is an exit strategy; and it will help establish a safe and secure Iraq and prevent the region from becoming an incubator for would-be terrorists. This funding is an investment in our lasting security, and comparatively it is a fraction of what we spent in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It will go where it is needed most: getting our troops the supplies they need and rebuilding the critical infrastructure depleted by 3 decades of a dictatorial regime. Our troops have succeeded on every front. They have secured the air, the land and the surrounding water. They have served our Nation well, and once again stand as liberating heroes to an entire people. Yet, with the cost of the wars in Iraq and against terrorism continuing to rise, many are now wondering: should we send additional support? Are we really safer today than yesterday? Is the price tag worth it? The answer on all fronts is ``yes.'' If you have doubts, just think for a moment about the cost of inaction, the cost of turning back now. Chief weapons inspector Dr. David Kay recently delivered an update to Congress and stated that Iraq had a secret network of biological laboratories, live botulinum toxin, and an advanced program for prohibited long-range missiles. This is just what we have found at the halfway point of his investigation. The positive difference for the United States is clear. No longer does the Iraqi government harbor, support or sponsor known terrorists. The country that once housed individuals like Palestine Liberation Front leader Abu Abbas, whose organization committed the 1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro, is now charting a new course--a course less threatening to the safety and stability of the world. While the coalition has accomplished much in the last 6 months, we are still building upon that foundation. We must not falter in our response; we must not rest until our families are safe and secure. This funding is critical to our success in the war against terrorism and preserving our freedom here at home.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to First Lieutenant Thomas A. Forsberg for his faithful service of 26 years to the Michigan State Police Department. Thomas began his career in 1977 with the Michigan State Police Department after graduating from the 90th Recruit School. Throughout his career, First Lieutenant Forsberg served in uniform positions at the Bridgeport, Detroit, Flint, and Bay City posts, the Criminal Investigation Division--BAYANET Unit in Saginaw, and the Fire Marshal Division at the Third District Headquarters in Saginaw. He achieved the ranks of Trooper, Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, Detective Lieutenant, and First Lieutenant. Today, First Lieutenant Forsberg retires as the commanding officer of the Uniform Services Division at the Bridgeport Post. He is greatly appreciated by his co-workers and community, and he will be dearly missed. I am honored today to recognize First Lieutenant Thomas A. Forsberg for his auspicious dedication to serving the State of Michigan.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Detective Lieutenant Galvann R. Smith for his faithful service of 25 years to the Michigan Department of State Police. Galvann began his career in 1978 with the Michigan Department of State Police as a Trooper at the Michigan State Police Bridgeport Post. In 1989 he was reassigned to the Michigan State Police Bridgeport Laboratory Latent Print Unit. In 1998 he was promoted to Detective Lieutenant, where he served as the supervisor of the Latent Print Unit. Galvann has been honored with several awards, including the Michigan State Police Award for Professional Excellence, Michigan Sate Police Unit Citation for Professional Excellence, Exchange Club of Saginaw's Officer of the Year 1998 and 2003, and numerous letters of appreciation from police agencies, prosecutors and civilian groups. Galvann Smith will be greatly missed by his co-workers, and greatly appreciated by the citizens of Michigan. I am honored today to recognize Detective Lieutenant Galvann R. Smith for his auspicious dedication to serving the State of Michigan.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 408, a bill to provide for the expansion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located in Empire, Michigan, and along the coast of Michigan. I introduced this bill in January with my colleague the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak). This legislation represents a culmination of years of debate on the issue of whether or how to include certain acreage into the Park Service system. H.R. 408 would authorize the National Park Service to purchase approximately 104 acres of property now owned by a private resort community and include it within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In the mid-eighties, The Homestead, a resort community located in Glen Arbor, Michigan, purchased property that included frontage on the Crystal River. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service described the property as ``globally rare.'' Since the purchase of the Crystal River property, the owners of The Homestead have sought to build a golf course and over 30 single-family homes. The resort's desire to build on the pristine acreage caused concern among a number of community residents and local environmental groups who opposed development of the property. To resolve the dispute, The Homestead and the Park Service began discussions to exchange the environmentally sensitive riverfront property for acreage already included in the Lakeshore. Residents and area environmental organizations rejected the idea of an exchange. Opponents argued that it would unfairly give land from one private landowner to another. In the 1970s, the Federal Government condemned private land and included it in the Lakeshore, one of the first cases where the Federal Government condemned property that was already inhabited. At the time, the Federal Government told the private property owners that their land would be protected for the public to enjoy. The idea of trading that land to be developed into a golf course and homes was not a policy local residents and environmental groups could endorse. After much negotiation and compromise, a solution has been reached that aims to benefit all stakeholders and is supported by all stakeholders. The agreement is embodied in H.R. 408. The bill stipulates that the purchase of this land be made on a ``willing seller'' basis. This stipulation was included intentionally to provide assurances to The Homestead that their property will not be taken or withheld from them for any reason without their express consent. The bill also prohibits the Park Service from acquiring the property by an exchange. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the House Committee on Resources, particularly the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo); the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich); and members of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), for their outstanding support. I urge my colleagues to adopt this noncontroversial but important measure.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the gentleman's comments and again thank all of the Members for this bipartisan effort here. I also want to note that the majority leader did have an impact on this bill and required that there be penalties on the Health and Human Services Agency if they do not submit timely and complete adoption and foster care data. This will help us track exactly where children are, how long they are spending in foster care, and what their needs are. This is an important provision, and I wanted to highlight that for the Members as well.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3182) to reauthorize the adoption incentive payments program under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3182, the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003, which was introduced with bipartisan support. This legislation reauthorizes the Adoption Incentive Program, which was created as part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act in 1997. Since 1997 until 2002, we have seen adoptions increase by 64 percent. Special-needs adoptions during that same period have increased by 63 percent. We are here today to reauthorize a successful program, while making key improvements to that program. Adoption is about parents and families opening their homes and hearts to children who need a family. Growing up with a loving family is essential to every child, not only emotionally but also intellectually. Just last week we held the Angels in Adoption dinner put on by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which recognizes adoptive families throughout the country; and hundreds of parents were there. I spent the night honoring a couple from my district, Coleman, Michigan, Charlie and Gerry Brown, who began with six biological children, began to expand their family when they opened their home to a young foster girl in 1990. Today they have 14 adoptives, and they are in the process of adopting two more boys, making them the proud parents of 22 children. I think the Browns exemplify everything good about adoption, but we need more families who will bring children into their homes. Approximately 126,000 children currently are awaiting adoption, half of whom are 9 years of age or older, and these are children who have the least chance of being adopted and the greatest chance of spending the rest of their childhood in foster care, which is unacceptable by anyone's standards. The Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 enhances the current incentive program for adoption, which rewards States that increase the number of children adopted by creating a new incentive for States that increase the adoptions of children age 9 and older as well. I thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), for working on this important measure in such a bipartisan effort which allows this bill to come to the floor. I thank the staff of the Subcommittee on Human Resources for their hard work. There is nothing more special than seeing a parent, a mom or dad, bringing a new son or daughter into their family through adoption. This bill achieves this important goal, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Taiwan in its aspiration to become a member of the United Nations (UN). Taiwan has all the qualifications: a sound political system, a much-admired economy, and a genuine desire to maintain peace and prosperity in East Asia and the world. Being the world's 17th largest economy, Taiwan will most certainly be able to carry out all United Nations Charter obligations. Taiwan's economic model is especially valuable for developing nations. Taiwan has always been willing to share this experience with the world by contributing to multilateral aid programs. Taiwan's efforts to help other countries would be much more effective if they could be coordinated with international efforts sponsored by the UN and its specialized agencies. Perhaps one of the best reasons for supporting Taiwan's membership in the United Nations is that Taiwan is willing and anxious to be a full contributing member of the United Nations. Also, with membership in the United Nations, Taiwan will be able to incorporate itself into the international system of human rights protection, abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. It is heartening to know Taiwan's commitment to human rights is very serious by establishing a National Human Rights Commission in accordance with the principles outlined by the UN. Taiwan has been denied a voice in the United Nations for too long. I urge my colleagues to support Taiwan, our friend and ally, on their latest bid to return to the United Nations.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3182, the bill just passed.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Sandlin motion to instruct conferees is essentially the same as the last two motions to instruct that have been defeated by the House of Representatives. This motion, like the others, asks us to accept the Senate's position of a government-run prescription delivery drug system and structure. It would provide unprecedented and unnecessary inflationary increases to providers and would undo the bicameral decisions that the conferees have already resolved. Roughly a third of the bill in question, H.R. 1, has been resolved by the Medicare conference. This motion would reopen those issues that have already been resolved in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion. This is the third Congress that has attempted to enact a prescription drug benefit in Medicare, and this motion would ensure that a prescription drug Medicare bill never reaches the President's desk; and I urge a defeat of this motion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Medicare, of course, with regard to hospitals and providers, reimburses, particularly hospitals, based on a system that on average allows them to make a profit under Medicare. We are advised in Congress by a nonpartisan group of panel experts called MEDPAC, or the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. And this bill, as passed the House, follows their recommendation and their advice to Congress, which they made unanimously, that Congress increase payments by 3 percent, which is what this legislation does. We will be spending billions and billions of dollars on Medicare. We are trying to do it in a responsible way that follows the advice of the nonpartisan experts that Congress has looked to in the past to help guide us in these matters. So again, I would say that there will be a tremendous amount in this legislation for providers, particularly in rural areas. I represent a rural area in Michigan. And just to give Iowa as an example, they will ultimately receive a 5.5 percent increase in Medicare payments above what they would have received under current law. Again, that does not include the increases that they would receive for the 51 critical access hospitals in Iowa. So there will still be, I think, a significant help to make sure that there will be access to health care in rural areas. It is a critical issue, and this legislation provides for that. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the gentleman's comments and the anecdotal nature of them, but I do know that there was a 10 o'clock meeting this morning in Dirksen 215 to brief the staff on the progress that has been made on the Medicare bill and to go over issues and to discuss matters. But this motion to instruct does not deal with the particulars of the prescription drug benefit, as has been discussed. It really only would provide for a government-run fallback in the plan. And both bills have prescription drug plans that assume some financial risk. The difference is they would ask the government to be the fallback on that, which would really then allow for very little incentive to control costs and would not really be the kind of benefit that would become available to seniors and be effective. So, again, I would urge a rejection of this motion to instruct on that basis. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is the third Congress where we have attempted to pass a prescription drug bill. The bill that is in conference now passed this House with a bipartisan vote. Finally, the other body has acted and also has passed a prescription drug bill. That is why we are in this meeting called a conference, to resolve the differences between the two. We have made tremendous bipartisan progress in that conference. One- third of the bill, approximately, has been agreed to. This is the third time this motion has been brought to try to divert time and attention away from the progress that has been made in conference. I think that if we are serious about trying to enact a prescription drug benefit this year, if we are serious about getting a bill to the President's desk, I think it would be important not to support this motion. This would literally stop all of the progress that has been made, not only in a bipartisan way between Republicans and Democrats, but also between the House and Senate. As I say, this has been the third Congress where we are very close. One-third of the bill has been decided, great progress has been made. Let us let that progress continue. Vote no on this motion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, that under the Senate approach to the Medicare prescription drug bill, one third of the beneficiaries will be in a full government run fallback plan; and if the government is at risk, the plan will have little incentive to control costs and would simply process claims. And that is why the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the Senate provisions would lead to higher prices for beneficiaries and taxpayers and result in over $8 billion in higher costs; and this would, I think, be an unacceptable giveaway. The Congressional Budget Office, CBO, also estimates fewer plans and therefore fewer choices for seniors under the Senate proposal, and that would be because the full-risk plans would be hesitant to compete against the government contractors. And let me just say that the market basket adjustment is just a part of the picture in terms of what is being done for providers in rural America; and when we add in together the market basket update, the standardized amounts, the labor share, the Medicare disproportionate- share payment, we are seeing increases over current law in rural areas; and most of those numbers do not include the increases for critical access hospitals which are an important part of health care providing in rural America. So I would still urge my colleagues to defeat this motion to instruct. We have a good process moving, and let us keep the process going forward. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.