Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, the economic stimulus package signed into law by President Bush on March 9, 2002 offers school teachers a $250 deduction for qualified ``out of pocket'' educational expenses such as books and other supplies. These important provisions will provide almost half a billion dollars worth of tax relief to teachers all across America. However these provisions are only effective in tax years 2002 and 2003. It is now estimated that the average teacher spends $521 out of their own pocket each year on classroom materials--materials such as pens, pencils and books. First year teachers spend even more. Moreover, in addition to spending substantial money on classroom supplies, many teachers spend even more money out of their own pocket on professional development. The bottom line is that these out-of-pocket costs place lasting financial burdens on our teachers and this is one reason our teachers are leaving the profession. Congressmen John Tanner, Mark Foley and I have introduced the Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2002. This important legislation will build on current law in three ways: increase the above-the-line deduction for educators from $250 allowed under current law to $500, allow educators to include professional development costs within that $500 deduction and make these provisions permanent. This legislation has bi-partisan cosponsors and support from the education community. I urge the House to support this measure.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Enterprise Integration Act. This bill authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology to promote best practice standards and facilitate understanding between industry and government. Approximately 90 percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are small and medium-sized businesses. Quick and easy access to information in the supply chain is critical for small businesses to be competitive. Suppliers without the capability to collect and exchange data electronically run the risk of being replaced by other suppliers who can. The last decade has seen a dramatic shift in the way information and data are exchanged. This is due to the emergence of the Internet and the movement toward electronically integrated supply chains. Enterprise integration permits a group of manufacturers and suppliers to operate as a single virtual company, without time delays and data loss or corruption. Manufacturers must be flexible, efficient, and responsive to changes in customer preference. NIST will work with industry and small business to improve the way they share product and standard information. With over 20 years of experience in data integration, NIST has the experience to accelerate efforts to develop industry standards and integration techniques that are necessary to increase efficiency and lower costs. Connecting enterprise together will streamline the manufacturing process, break down communication barriers, improve knowledge sharing, and connect information systems. In my home State of Michigan, small businesses are vital to the State economy. Over 45 percent of Michigan small businesses are in the manufacturing sector and enterprise integration is extremely important to ensure that the manufacturing industry in Michigan and around the Nation remain strong. The investment in enterprise integration is essential for U.S. industry to remain competitive with overseas companies, many of which are already heavily investing in electronic standards development. I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia) for developing this important legislation and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) of the Committee on Science for bring this to the floor. I appreciate their hard work on behalf of the small business community, and I urge Members to join me in supporting the Enterprise Integration Act.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today we have the opportunity to help seniors improve their quality of life by providing a prescription drug benefit in Medicare. On a daily basis it is reported that the cost of cutting- edge, life-saving medicines have skyrocketed, forcing those on fixed incomes to make difficult choices. One constituent in my district had drug costs of over $15,000 a year for him and his wife, and their Social Security check was $21,000 a year, and there are countless other heartbreaking stories just like that one. These seniors have worked hard all their lives to provide for their families, but now they can barely make ends meet. We can all agree if Medicare were created today it would contain a prescription drug component. In Michigan alone, this bill would benefit over 1.2 million seniors. This proposal provides affordable coverage for every senior without gimmicks, without sunsets, without pie-in-the- sky proposals that cost over $1 trillion. Regrettably, some have sought to politicize this issue and hold other seniors and the disabled hostage to a cruel game of brinksmanship. We must strengthen and modernize Medicare. Vote for this bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I support the Retirement Savings Security Act, which has been introduced by my colleagues on the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman). The pension measures contained in the original Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act include many long- sought provisions for our Nation's public sector employees and their State and local government-sponsored retirement plans. Twenty-eight national associations, representing State and local governments, government officials, and public employee unions have sent letters supporting the public pension provisions in this act. They all urged us to retain and enact these much-needed provisions. It is rare to see groups like the National Governors Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the United States Conference of Mayors, the American Federation of Teachers, the National League of Cities all virtually agreeing together on any policy, and they agree on this. They came to support these public pension provisions that will help the nearly 16 million public sector employees. The public pension provisions in this bill are really modest in cost and would apply to middle-income workers. In the bill is the enhancement of pension portability. Public employees are given greater opportunities to purchase credit for time served, such as time in the military or maternity leave, and they are also allowed to roll over their retirement assets between and among various types of account plans and jobs. These portability provisions assist employees in building their retirement savings, especially those who have worked in various public and nonprofit institutions. The act also provided assistance to governmental deferred compensation plans, and many State and local government entities sponsors these arrangements to allow participants to defer some portion of their salary to strengthen their individual retirement savings. However, the administration of these plans and the ability of public employees to take advantage of them was often hampered by complex rules and lower contribution limits and other options that were in place prior to the passage of this act. But I think greater clarity and flexibility, which will now be provided under this bill, will help. Mr. Speaker, the bill also addressed Federal limits that had an adverse effect on the administration of these plans, improvement of benefits and the ability of individuals to effectively contribute to their retirements savings. So for individuals who have been unable to take advantage throughout their career, the catch-up provisions will really provide an opportunity to help catch up with past contributions. These provisions will enhance the ability for people to save for their retirement. I urge support of this bipartisan, comprehensive approach.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint).

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for support of this bill and this issue. We are both on the Committee on Ways and Means, and I know he has been working on this for some time, clearly with the special-needs adoption area; and this is a bipartisan effort. I would just finally urge support of this bill and say that all provisions in the tax bill in 2001 were sunset, and this is one area where I think that there is general agreement that should become permanent, and it was all sunset because of the Senate rules which would have required 60 votes otherwise. So, on that, I urge support of the bill.

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

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4800, a bill I introduced to make permanent the adoption tax credit of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001. While the enactment of the Tax Relief Act was a monumental step forward for the families who wish to adopt and the children they will take home, the bill only completed half the job. The adoption provision of that bill limits the tax credit to 10 years. This temporary extension of the tax credit will cause uncertainty in adoption planning in years to come. By eliminating the 10-year limitation, we will make adoptions easier for all families for generations to come. Currently there are more than half a million children in foster care, of which only 27,000 are adopted each year. This bill is vital for the protection and well-being of foster care children, a majority of whom are in protective custody due to neglect and abuse. We need to provide these children and future foster children where there is no hope of family reunification a permanent home and a safe environment in which to bond and grow with loving parents. With H.R. 4800 we will permanently put the health and safety of children first and give our Nation's foster children a fighting chance. Many do not realize just how costly adoption can be. After paying legal fees, doctor bills and travel expenses, a family can easily incur expenses of up to $20,000 or even more. We owe it to the thousands of waiting children to make adoption an option for all working families. By repealing the 10-year sunset enacted last year, Congress will make one of the most important events in a foster child's life and the life of his or her new family financially attainable. If H.R. 4800 is not enacted, then beginning in 2011 the adoption tax credit will be cut overnight from a maximum of $10,000 to $5,000. Families who adopt special needs children will no longer receive a flat $10,000 credit. Instead they will be limited to a maximum of $6,000. The credit will no longer be permanent. It will have to be extended each year, causing uncertainty for families. Families claiming the credit may be pushed into the alternative minimum tax. The income caps will fall from $150,000 in annual income to $75,000 so that fewer families will be eligible for the credit. We cannot allow this credit to lapse. Over half a million children are counting on us to finish the job we started over a year ago. Temporary is not an option for adoption and should not be for this tax credit either. I urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4800) to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs.

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 the subject of H.R. 4800, the bill just considered.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, the 1996 welfare law, which many of us here helped write, really brought us unparalleled success by almost any measure. If we look at the fact that more parents are working, child poverty has declined sharply, dependence has declined dramatically, there is a 60 percent decrease in the case loads of welfare recipients. This bill today builds on that success and improves this legislation. Let me just talk a little bit about State flexibility because we have received a letter, both the chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Education and the Workforce from the American Public Human Services Association, which is a bipartisan group of welfare directors around the United States complimenting us on the flexibility in this bill for things like improving and continuing the whole idea of a TANF block grant contingency fund; removing the restrictions on unobligated TANF funds; excluding child care and transportation from the definition of assistance; creating State rainy day funds for unobligated funds under this bill; continuing the transfer of 30 percent to the child care development block grant; restoring full transfer to the social services block grant; and maintaining the TANF block grant free from set-asides. These are somewhat technical provisions, but the State welfare directors from around the country have come together and complimented this committee for putting in these provisions which will bring much more flexibility to this bill. They say, ``These provisions will dramatically increase State and local flexibility in the administration of the TANF program.'' Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. This will continue to build on the successes we have had. I urge support for it.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor The Sanford Meridian High School Class of 2002, which, ``adopted'' Pentagon survivor Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Birdwell. I applaud the 93 students whose compassion and initiative stirred them to action following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Their decision to ``adopt'' a Pentagon survivor is highly commendable. After months of hard work and dedication, the students raised over $14,000 for Pentagon survivor Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Birdwell, who will use the money for a college scholarship fund for his son Matthew. Through the students' acts of kindness and compassion, the members of the Meridian High School Class of 2002 have proven to be true role models for their community. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, I am proud to congratulate the Meridian High School Class of 2002 for their admirable efforts.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the McBain High School Varsity Basketball Team, who recently won the 2002 Michigan Class C state title. In their heart-stopping championship game played at the Breslin Center, located in Lansing, Michigan, the McBain Ramblers defeated Kalamazoo Christian 57-48. Led by Head Coach Bruce Koopman and assistant coaches Jerry Boven and Justin Eubank, members of the 2002 Ramblers include: Kevin Boven (3), Andy Bronkema (5), Gavin Reinink (10), Trent Mulder (12), Peter DeKam (20), Blake Wiltzer (22), Andy Gilde (24), Kyle Eisenga (25), Travis Nederhood (30), Luke Bronkema (34), Ryan Westdorp (40) and Dan Bazuin (32). 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 McBain High School Varsity Basketball Team on their achievement. I wish them the best in their future seasons.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay much deserved tribute to former Congressman Philip Edward Ruppe, who ably represented the people of northern Michigan, in Congress, for over a decade. This bill, introduced by Representative Bart Stupak, designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 Calumet Street in Lake Linden, Michigan, as the ``Philip E. Ruppe Post Office Building.'' I am pleased to report to my colleagues that the entire Michigan House delegation has signed on as original cosponsors of the measure. Congressman Ruppe, whose family has lived in northern Michigan since the late 19th Century, was born in Laurium, Michigan on September 29, 1926. He is not only an active civic leader but also a businessman, actively involved in the community, and a veteran, who served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. In 1966, Congressman Ruppe was elected by the people of northern Michigan to serve in the 90th Congress. He served his constituents faithfully until January 3, 1979. As a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, as well as the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, Congressman Ruppe was able to devote much of his focus to the specific needs of northern Michigan. Congressman Ruppe demonstrated his devotion to his constituents by becoming the first Congressman from the district to operate district offices. Congressman Ruppe has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country. He is an example of everything that is good and decent in public service and this institution. Naming the post office in Lake Linden, Michigan is just one way we can pay tribute to this fine man and I urge support for the bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay much deserved tribute to former Congressman Philip Edward Ruppe, who ably represented the people of northern Michigan in Congress for over a decade. This bill, introduced by Representative Bart Stupak, designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 Calumet Street in Lake Linden, Michigan, as the ``Philip E. Ruppe Post Office Building.'' I am pleased to report to my colleagues that the entire Michigan House delegation has signed on as original cosponsors of the measure. Congressman Ruppe, whose family has lived in northern Michigan since the late 19th Century, was born in Laurium, Michigan on September 29, 1926. He is not only an active civic leader but also a businessman, actively involved in the community, and a veteran, who served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. In 1966, Congressman Ruppe was elected by the people of northern Michigan to serve in the 90th Congress. He served his constituents faithfully until January 3, 1979. As a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee as well as the Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, Congressman Ruppe was able to devote much of his focus to the specific needs of northern Michigan. Congressman Ruppe demonstrated his devotion to his constituents by becoming the first Congressman from the district to operate district offices. Congressman Ruppe has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country. He is an example of everything that is good and decent in public service and this institution. Naming the post office in Lake Linden, Michigan is just one way we can pay tribute to this fine man and I urge support for the bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time; and I also want to commend him on his efforts on not only this bill, but years' long efforts on making sure that retirement security is a reality for all Americans. This legislation really does address in the right kind of way the problems that we have seen so much in the press lately. Employee rights and protections are enhanced. We do not have burdensome regulations to affect investment and keep people from investing. We will see pension benefit statements; we will see investment education notices. The bill will give employees more control over the investment of their accounts once they own them, or become vested in that money. They will have three investment options to choose from, and that will be required under this bill. There will be an advanced notification to workers if there is a blackout period so that employees have the same opportunity to make changes as anyone else does that is involved in that plan before the restrictions come into effect. Investor education and access to retirement planning and professional investment advice are improved under this legislation. This bill will reduce the cost of regulatory burdens for employers who voluntarily sponsor these plans. This clarifies current law treatment by making stock options not subject to payroll tax, and it is a good bill, and I urge its passage.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Act of 2002. This session, legislation has been introduced on numerous important long term care issues ranging from criminal background checks for nursing home staff to additional funding for the Medicaid program that provides the lion's share of financing for long term care. A variety of other financing and regulatory proposals have been introduced or are being discussed. This gives us an important opportunity to discuss a broad range of options intended to improve the quality of care provided to residents in long term care facilities. Today, I am introducing legislation that would improve the quality of care in our nations nursing homes where thousands of our most frail and elderly seniors live. It is my hope that these provisions perhaps combined with other valuable proposals can be enacted into law. My legislation will provide incentives for the best facilities to improve and give facilities experiencing quality of care issues additional opportunities provide better care for residents. I believe the changes will also focus regulatory efforts on improving outcomes, fostering innovation and ensuring that the federal and state oversight system is more fair and accurate, to the benefit of residents and providers alike. This legislation would: Alleviate the shortage of well-trained staff. The legislation would restore the ability of more facilities to train nurses aides in order to help hundreds of facilities in Michigan as well as many others across the nation respond more effectively to the shortage of long term care workers and to the needs of their residents. Unfortunately, current law prevents nursing facilities from training nurses aides on site for a full two years after the original problem that led to the prohibition on training is remedied. This penalty is highly counterproductive. It does not serve the interests of residents and hinders rather than enhances the provision of quality care. Flexibility and Innovation. The legislation would allow for an eight state survey and certification waiver demonstration program so states can adopt innovative regulatory process for nursing homes that focus on improving resident outcomes. Sates should work together with consumers, providers, labor representatives and other involved parties to craft innovative systems that can improve the quality of care. For example in the state of Washington there is broad support among all key stakeholders for such a waiver, and I believe other states would come forward with valuable waiver applications if such a process were available. In addition, states would be given some narrow additional discretion to work within the current enforcement process to avoid any unintended consequences of current law which could harm resident quality of life. Establish incentives and additional opportunities for technical assistance to help all facilities improve the quality of care. The legislation would establish a range of incentives to encourage nursing homes that are providing the best possible care to exceed their already high standards, while facilitating the provision of technical assistance and advice on best practices to facilities that need to improve care for residents. Such measures will help both good facilities to implement even more effective care practices and assist those that face challenges in their efforts to provide excellent services. Current law provides many penalties to deter and punish those who provide low quality care but strangely absent are incentives for the overwhelming majority of responsible nursing facilities to improve the quality of care. Insure fair and accurate survey results. Residents, families and health care providers are best served if all disputes concerning surveys of long term care facilities can be resolved quickly and cost- effectively through an independent review process. In fact, in my home state of Michigan providers and regulators are able to resolve many disputes through an independent dispute resolution process. Unfortunately, in many states the process is not independent enough of the state regulatory agency to provide for fair and impartial review. Our independent process in Michigan, as well as the independent systems in several other states can offer many lessons for the nation. Michigan also believes additional steps are needed to insure that all citations, even those that do not result in the immediate imposition of a penalty, can be subject to an appeal. Basic fairness and the principles of due process require us to allow nursing facilities to appeal all publicly reported deficiencies. Ensure proper medical care. The legislation would prevent government inspectors from overturning the orders of patient's own physicians. Inspectors are charged with evaluating the medical condition of nursing home patients and for making sure nursing facilities provide the best possible care. However some inspectors, even though they are not physicians, overturn doctor's orders. The changes could endanger a resident's health. Patients do not lose the right to the care prescribed by a personal physician simply because they have entered a nursing facility. When government inspectors substitute their judgment for that of a physician, nursing home providers must choose between the doctor's orders and government sanctions. An efficient and fair system requires that without fear of punishment, nursing home providers be allowed to follow a doctor's orders in keeping with the best interest of their residents. Optimal quality care means that patients should enter nursing homes with the assurance that the care prescribed by their physician is the care they will receive. I hope this legislation fosters a constructive debate over the best ways to improve care for residents and that involved stakeholders can come together to reach consensus on the need for changes in the current system. I am pleased that already the Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Lutheran Services in America, the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Catholic Health Association support this legislation. I appreciate the input I have received from others as well and look forward to working with other key stakeholders in long term care and interested members of Congress. As Congress considers further improvements to the Medicare program, I urge my colleagues to support this important effort.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Resolution and to commend my colleagues on the Budget Committee for their hard work and efforts to produce a strong wartime budget that meets the needs of our nation. This budget directly addresses America's security needs--fighting the war on terrorism and protecting American citizens--without neglecting our domestic priorities. I am especially proud of the way this budget addresses the needs of our nation's 25 million veterans. First of all, discretionary spending for veterans totals $26.8 billion for 2003. That is a 12 percent increase over 2002 levels. VA medical care funding is increased to $23.9 billion and another $1.145 billion is included to prevent instituting a $1500 deductible for Priority 7 veterans. In addition, this budget provides the funds necessary to correct the concurrent receipt restriction for veterans with 60 percent or higher disability ratings. Current law requires that a veteran's retired pay be reduced by the amount of disability benefits he or she receives. This is an unfair practice and I am proud to support a budget that will end this restriction. The FY03 budget has the support of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AMVETS and many others. Their support further indicates that we are on the right track to meet the critical needs of veterans. I would like to thank Chairman Nussle and the Budget Committee for putting this sound resolution together and urge all of my colleagues to support this measure and ensure adequate funding for our nation and our veterans.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time and for his leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor. I also want to thank my colleague the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Rogers) for his comments and advocacy of this resolution as well. Mr. Speaker, this resolution will bring awareness to National Child Passenger Safety Week. A recent survey, as my colleague from Michigan said, found that almost every driver believes that they have installed their child's safety seat correctly. However, almost 80 percent of the seats for children under 8 are improperly installed, and that means most parents do not even realize that they have installed the seats wrong. Obviously, the benefits from proper restraint are proven when child safety seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars, and for light trucks it reduces fatal injury by nearly 60 percent. The consequences of not restraining children are all too clear. More than half of all children under 15 years old killed in car crashes in the year 2000 were completely unrestrained. Small children ages from 2 to 5 who are placed in seat belts rather than child safety seats or booster seats are 3.5 times more likely to be significantly injured in the event of a crash. Great progress has been made in increasing the use of child safety seats and booster seats, and that progress has decreased the deaths among children and serious injury among children in car and truck crashes. But much more remains to be done. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution and remind parents, caregivers and baby-sitters alike that we know how best to protect children when they travel.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, as a member who has actively sought to advance the adoption and foster care system, I would like to pay tribute to Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers. Throughout his life, Mr. Thomas displayed incredible dedication to not only his business endeavors, but also his advocacy for the cause of adoption. In his efforts to encourage, improve, and increase public awareness of adoption and foster care programs, Mr. Thomas established both the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law. His Foundation for Adoption worked jointly with national adoption organizations, individuals, and public and private agencies to raise awareness and provide support for children awaiting adoption, while his Center for Adoption Law helped to ease and facilitate the adoption process through education, advocacy, and research. In addition to his foundations, Mr. Thomas was a constructive force in shaping corporate health policy to cover adoption expenses. Through his efforts, 75 percent of Fortune 1000 companies now offer adoption benefits to their employees. Mr. Thomas also served from 1990 until 2000 as the national spokesman for numerous White House adoption and foster care initiatives, and donated his speaking fees and profits from the sales of his books, ``Dave's Way, Well Done!'' and ``Franchising for Dummies,'' to adoption causes. As a testament to his devotion to the cause of adoption, Mr. Thomas received numerous awards, including the Angel in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and the 2001 Social Awareness Award from the U.S. Postal Service. Through his entire span of advocacy for the cause of adoption, Mr. Thomas maintained his life and success ethics of honesty, hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance. May he always be remembered as a truly powerful example for every person who works toward a cause in which he or she believes.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. And I also thank the chairman for pointing out that the advance payment structure gives immediate help to the unemployed. But this bill is not only a vehicle to create jobs and help the unemployed, but, unlike my friend from Michigan characterizes, this bill, it is an agent of compassion. The victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and anthrax and Oklahoma City will receive tax relief under this package from death taxes and incomes. There is that provision that would allow charitable organizations to give immediately to those families who lost loved ones in these attacks so they do not have to fill out all the cumbersome paperwork that the charities are demanding to meet their need requirement, so that the families will not be humiliated by going to charity after charity to fill out paperwork after paperwork. This bill fixes that provision. This bill helps those families and will help them get the assistance they need. Many of them lost their breadwinners. I think it is very, very important that we get this provision passed. The proposal also provides more than $9 billion in extended unemployment benefits available in any State. My State of Michigan would get an additional 12 percent in funding in unemployment, injecting more than $340 million badly needed in my home State of Michigan to those who need it. Nationally, workers who have exhausted their benefits will get an additional 13 weeks. Unemployment benefits generally last for 26 weeks, so for a total of 39 weeks of unemployment. Nationwide an estimated 3 million workers will receive these benefits averaging about $230 per week. These benefits would be 100 percent Federally funded, unlike under the regular extended benefits where States have to pick up 50 percent of the cost. The health insurance provisions provide a health insurance tax credit which covers every displaced worker, whether or not they had employer provided insurance. Many employers in Michigan have small businesses and this will be especially helpful to those employers. And for those employees who had coverage for at least a year, they must be sold a policy. There can be no preexisting condition. I have heard many Members say that there is no chance of this bill being enacted, and I would say if more Members on the other side would vote for this bill, there would be a chance for this bill being enacted. There is also an additional $4 billion in emergency block grants to be used for health care services and worker retraining. These are all funds that are much needed for our unemployed workers and for our States to help implement those programs. I urge a yes vote on this bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise with the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) on behalf of this legislation. This will bring big benefits to the residents of the Traverse City, Michigan, area. This makes a technical change in existing law to allow the Traverse City area school district to transfer a parcel of property to the local YMCA, as the gentleman mentioned, for recreational purposes. This is going to be a big benefit, as I mentioned, because this will allow the construction of a swimming pool, a gymnasium, tennis courts, soccer fields, and will be a real help to the sports teams and other residents and students, physical education classes. They are also going to begin construction on a new alternative education facility that will be used by nearly 200 students. So this new school will enable Traverse City area students to attend a school that will actually have programs tailored to their needs. The Coast Guard will be able to continue to use and practice lifesaving techniques, rescue and recovery missions in the new YMCA pool. So I am pleased to support this bill, which was introduced by my colleague which will make a positive difference in the lives of so many residents in Michigan, especially younger residents. I appreciate the gentleman's work, and support of the members of the Michigan congressional delegation. I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for their support in bringing this bill to the floor; and also I thank our leadership, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the majority leader, who allowed this bill to come on the suspension calendar. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1022, the Community Recognition Act of 2001. As chairman of the Speaker's advisory group on corrections, it was my pleasure to work with Congressman Doolittle, the members of the corrections day advisory group and the Judiciary Committee to expedite consideration of this legislation. On June 28th, Mr. Doolittle brought H.R. 1022 before the Speaker's advisory group, where it received unanimous support. In order for a bill to be placed on the Corrections Calendar it must be recommended by the advisory group and favorably reported from the committee of jurisdiction. I am proud that we are able to highlight the Community Recognition Act today by using the Corrections Calendar. This is truly a technical correction and is fitting for consideration on the Corrections Calendar. H.R. 1022 amends the U.S. Code, regarding rules of etiquette for flying the flag. Current law only grants the authority to order that the flag be flown at half mast to the President and State Governors. In the event of the death of a current or former local official, many communities want the flag to be lowered as a way to pay tribute to those who so honorably served. However, it can often prove difficult to obtain proper authority in the timely manner needed. This oversight in the U.S. Code has prevented communities across America from the right to honor their fellow citizens without having to receive the express and time consuming permission of either the President or their Governor. I urge my colleagues to join with me today to correct this burdensome requirement. The Corrections Calendar was created to fix small technical corrections, such as this. I would like to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner for moving this bill through the committee and Congressman Doolittle for introducing the legislation and for utilizing the Corrections Calendar. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward, bipartisan bill that ``corrects'' an inefficient and burdensome law. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.