Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Yes, I yield to the gentleman from New Mexico.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 5. I am proud that today we are moving forward in eliminating the Social Security earnings limit. Today, one of the biggest problems facing our country is not lack of jobs but lack of workers. This is in direct contrast to the 1930s, when the earnings limit was enacted and imposed a tax on working seniors. H.R. 5 is important to seniors in the State of Michigan, where nearly 653,000 adults age 65 and older depend on Social Security to make up half their total income. At least one in 11 seniors in my State are still working. These seniors have earned their Social Security benefits through a lifetime of contributions, and the government does not have the right to impose a 33 percent tax on them. The earnings limit is unfair and discriminates against working seniors. No retiree should be penalized for choosing to work. Our proposal would eliminate this tax penalty on earnings and would allow seniors to collect their full Social Security benefits if they choose to work. After all, it is their money. I am pleased that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are supporting this legislation. It is time to stop penalizing our seniors with such an unjust tax, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a group of noble veterans. There is no more honorable cause or purpose than serving one's nation. As history illustrates, our nation has enjoyed unwavering support as millions of men and women have answered the call for duty. It is their sacrifice that has helped build and protect our great nation. For many, service does not end at discharge. For them serving means honoring those Veterans who pass on. The Honor Guard at VFW Post 671 in DeWitt, Michigan, is composed of 35 selfless veterans who are quick to heed the call for their services when one of their compatriots passes on. Since the group was formed in 1986, these men have performed some 720 military funerals. Whether it rains or snows, these veterans--who average 69 years of age--answer the call to duty. Appreciation for our military and for the many sacrifices of those who serve does not always get the attention it so richly deserves. Post 671's Honor Guard ensures that proper recognition will be accorded those who so bravely defended our freedom on the occasion of their final internment. Just as the brave men and women being remembered put their country before themselves, the Honor Guard places the needs of the area's veterans and their families ahead of their own. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the proud citizens of DeWitt and surrounding communities in saluting these great patriots. I thank the Edwin J. Leyanna V.F.W. Post 671 Honor Guard for their dedication to the fallen heroes of this great nation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Midland Cogeneration Venture, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Located in Midland, Michigan, the Midland Cogeneration Venture was established in 1987 and operates a natural gas-fired combined-cycle Cogeneration facility. For ten years, the facility has served the community and helped build a better Midland. The facility commenced commercial operation in 1990 with a capacity of about 1,370 megawatts of electricity and approximately 1.5 million pounds of processed steam per hour. The Midland Cogeneration Venture continues to sell electricity under long-term contracts for more than 1,300 megawatts of electrical capacity. Electricity and energy generating permeate every part of our daily lives. The Midland Cogeneration Venture utilized natural gas to produce electricity and process steam and is the largest facility of its kind in the United States. It represents a unique partnership and is responsible for meeting the community's needs. Through this partnership, local companies have helped build a solid foundation which not only provides power to the community and jobs, but which also helps make Midland a better place to live. Mr. Speaker, for ten years the city of Midland and the surrounding areas have benefitted from the Midland Cogeneration Venture. Moreover, under Mr. James Kevra's guidance, the facility has enjoyed tremendous success. I look forward to another successful decade in the years to come. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join me in congratulating the Midland Cogeneration Venture and its employees on its successful operation over the last ten years.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, just 30 years ago, the Great Lakes had been all but pronounced dead. Lake Erie was filled with garbage, and rotting fish regularly washed up on the beach. The Cuyahoga River, which flows into Lake Erie, was so polluted that in 1969 it caught fire. Lake trout in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron were all but wiped out. The Federal Government even banned the consumption of walleye because of the high levels of toxic mercury. Today, however, we can say that through dedication and hard work, the Great Lakes are one of environmentalism's most dramatic success stories. Lake Michigan's fish population has recovered with steelhead, salmon, and brown trout. Lake trout and lower Huron and Superior are recovering rapidly as well. We have our Great Lakes back, but now we are facing a new threat. Water scarcity is becoming a worldwide problem. Over 166 million people in 18 countries are suffering from water shortages. Almost 270 million more in 11 additional countries are considered water stressed. Experts predict that by 2025, one-fourth of the world will suffer from lack of water. Given the pressures of population increase and dropping water tables, present-day water usage cannot be sustained. Some are trying to change fresh water from a resource to a commodity. Given these disturbing statistics, it is not surprising that there are now proposals to withdraw bulk quantities of water from the Great Lakes Basin. After all, the Great Lakes compromise one-fifth of the earth's fresh water resources, but we still do not know the effects that bulk water exports would have on the Great Lakes system. In an effort to examine the environmental, economic, and social impact of bulk water removals from the Great Lakes, the United States and Canadian governments asked the International Joint Commission to report on this matter. Last week, the IJC released its final report. The IJC reported that removals of water from the Great Lakes basin could reduce the resilience of the system and its capacity to cope with future and unpredictable stresses. Despite its vastness, over 6 quadrillion gallons of water, the system is also extremely vulnerable to disruption. Any hydrological changes to the water system, even small changes, could have devastating ecological consequences. Due to these environmental concerns, the IJC recommended a moratorium on such exports should be imposed for 2 years, to give the Great Lakes governors time to collect further data and assess the environmental impact of such removals. Most importantly, the IJC recommended that decisions regarding bulk exports should remain in the hands of those that are closest to this great resource, the State governments of the Great Lakes Region. I grew up in Michigan and I know firsthand how important these lakes are to the States around them. They are not just a water resource. They are a way of life; from shipping to hydro power to tourism and recreation. Our Great Lakes communities rely on these water resources to support vital sectors of their economy. That is why I have introduced legislation, H.R. 2973, to not only protect our Great Lakes but also to ensure that those with the most vested interest in their future, the people who live in the Great Lakes States, are the ones who make the decisions about how they are managed. For the past 15 years, the governors of the Great Lakes States, in consultation with the Canadian premiers, have effectively managed the basin. What we need to do now, and what my legislation will do, is impose a moratorium on bulk exports to give the governors the time that they need to effectively evaluate how and if any bulk exports from the Great Lakes basin should proceed. We do not want to transfer management of the Great Lakes from the governors to the Federal Government. That is not the direction we should take. Lake levels are at an all-time low. The Washington Post recently reported that Lake Superior is at 9 inches below its long-term average. Michigan and Huron were 18 inches below average. Erie was 9 inches below and Ontario was 5 inches low. Now is the time to act on this matter. Prudent management of our natural resources means looking ahead and planning for the future. As we begin this century, we must be responsible stewards of our environment, to ensure that our children are not denied the resources that we did are able to enjoy. Mr. Speaker, I urge members of the Great Lakes States and all Members of Congress to join me in following the IJC's report and enacting H.R. 2973.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. William Ellis, a decorated soldier from World War II. I would like to acknowledge his selfless acts as a young Sergeant leading his infantrymen through Germany. His Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and many other awards demonstrate his bravery and patriotism. I am proud to stand and honor this glorious citizen of the United States and would like to call his admirable actions to the attention of my colleagues in the House of Representatives. I have attached for the Record one of Mr. Ellis' first-hand experiences, which he shared with me. He has titled it, ``A Soldiers Story.'' The winter of 1944-1945 in Germany was bitter cold. I was a young infantry sergeant, a 19 year old squad leader in an infantry division that had been advancing and fighting in the mountains for sometime. During a lull in the fighting we came across a valley with a cluster of old stone cottages inhabited by farmers. All the young men had gone to war leaving the old folks to fend as best they could. This was a chance to catch a few hours of much needed sleep indoors. After posting perimeter guards nightfall was first approaching and we sat about to find places to stay for awhile. The house I picked out was much like the others, its stone steps worn down in the middle from many generations that had come and gone. An old German couple lived there and seemed pleasant enough. After sharing what few rations I had with them I went over and sat down in front of the fireplace soaking up some welcomed heat. There was not much light, just an oil lamp and the fireplace. The old man came and sat beside me. I took out my pipe which I always carried along with a package of tobacco that my folks had sent from back home. As I filled my pipe I noticed this old man looking at me intensely with a hungering expression in his eyes. In my faltering German I asked him, ``du haben sie pipe ja?'' Whereupon he got up with an alacrity which belied his age and brought down a pipe from atop the mantel and I passed the package of tobacco to him. He put only a small amount in his pipe, ``Nix nix,'' I said and filled his pipe to the brim. There we sat, a young American soldier and an old German farmer, smoking our pipes in silence each with our own thoughts. The silence was broken only once when the old man looked over at me and said, ``pipe goot, ja?'' I replied, ``ja, pipe goot.'' As I got up to go ``sack out'' for a few hours I gave the old man the package of tobacco. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he said ``danko, danko.'' I am now about the same age as was the old man and have thought about the incident a number of times in the intervening years. Each time I have come to the same conclusion, it was a most satisfying conversation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, Camp Rotary is a testament to Marv's talents. The 1,100-acre youth camp boasts more than 20 buildings, including a nature lodge with one-way glass for viewing animals, a newly renovated dining hall, adequate staff cabins, a chapel, and handicap accessible showers. Marv designed character-building courses, like the two 10-station low runs, a 45-foot elevated path, and a 40- foot rappelling tower. On February 19th, Marv Valentine will receive the Kentucky Colonels Award, a high honor reserved by the state for ambassadors of good will and fellowship. It is truly well-deserved. Another honor that I might offer Marv, is the knowledge that he will forever be in the hearts and minds of thousands of boys, who will carry his guidance and wisdom like a badge of honor throughout their lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleague Congressman Jim Barcia joins me in wishing him much happiness in his retirement with his wonderful wife Justine, who has worked side by side with Marv at Camp Rotary for so many years, and with his son and three granddaughters. I am sure that, even in retirement, Marv's selfless community service and civic commitment will continue unabated, as will his shining example of moral integrity and honor.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6. I am proud today that we are able to step forward and fix a glaring inequity in our Tax Code. Twenty-five million American couples pay more in taxes simply because they walk to the altar and say, I do. At an average of $1,400 a couple, the marriage penalty makes it much tougher for families, for millions of families, to make their car payments or save that little bit extra for college down the road. In my district in Michigan alone, there are 106,000 people paying higher taxes just because they are married. I was pleased to see the President agree with us and call for marriage penalty relief this year. His plan is a good start, but it is really not enough. I think it is better to hit the marriage penalty head on instead of the President's approach, which picks and chooses which families get relief and which families do not. The President's proposal would not mean a dime for a working couple earning $30,000 each, who scrimped and saved to buy their home last year. Why would they not benefit from the President's plan? Because they itemize their taxes and fill out longer forms. That just does not make any sense at all. Our proposal on the other hand helps everyone who faces a marriage penalty, whether they happen to own their home or not, whether they itemize or not. If they pay the penalty, our legislation will help them. I believe that American families are overtaxed. American families today pay twice the taxes they did just in 1985, and over 38 percent of the typical family's income goes to taxes. The $3 trillion surplus over the next 10 years that we see really means that taxpayers have made a substantial overpayment. Let us make a start at returning some of that overpayment and fixing one of the strangest and most inequitable features of our Tax Code. I urge a yes vote on H.R. 6.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Cecilia School, which has nobly served the community in Clare, Michigan, for 50 wonderful years. During its 50 year history this school has endured many challenges, but through the love of the surrounding community it has survived, growing from a one-room church in the 1900's to a magnificent building where not only the youth of Clare but also much of the Catholic community are educated. It is clear that St. Cecilia's has been a strong pillar of the community and its services have reached above the dreams and ideals of its founders. It has given back to Clare citizens starting with the very first week it opened in 1950. Teachers and staff have continued excellent service throughout the years, providing an active learning environment that has produced successful, well-rounded students who have continually scored in the highest percentiles on standardized tests. I commend the St. Cecilia School for its 50 years of excellent service. The teachers, staff and parents have shown students how to integrate academics with Christian values, and have paved the way for successful citizens and an enlightened town, leaving behind a highly respected reputation embedded in each member of the community. I wish them the very best as they embark on their second half- century.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise as a cosponsor of the Fathers Count Act of 1999, and I want to thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Chairman Johnson) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the ranking member, for their hard work and their good effort in this area. Since we passed welfare reform in 1996, we have made remarkable progress in getting families off the welfare rolls and improving their lives, but we still have a lot of work to do. This legislation represents an important step in welfare reform. Many studies have suggested that unmarried, poor fathers have higher unemployment and incarceration rates than other fathers. These problems make it difficult for them to marry and form two-parent families and to play a positive role in the rearing of their children. Because the father fails to play a prominent family role, a vicious cycle ensues. Their children repeat the cycle of school failure, delinquency, crime, unemployment, and nonmarital births. These are not the only disturbing facts about single parent homes. Our committee has heard testimony that children with absent fathers are five times more likely to live in poverty, more likely to bring weapons and drugs into the classroom, twice as likely to commit crime, twice as likely to drop out of school, twice as likely to be abused, more likely to commit suicide, more than twice as likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, and more likely to become pregnant as teenagers. The Fathers Count Act of 1999 is designed to prevent the unfortunate cycle of children being reared in fatherless families by supporting projects that help fathers meet their responsibilities as husbands, parents, and providers. I think a particularly good highlight of this bill is the charitable choice provisions which really allow faith-based organizations to compete for contracts whenever a State chooses to use private sector services or providers for delivering welfare services to the poor. The charitable choice provision represents a historic shift in the way social services are delivered, away from big government programs to small, effective community faith-based providers. This provision allows the Secretary of HHS to choose a faith-based provider, and does not require the Secretary to do so. The reasons this is so important is the goals of faith-based organizations are not just to provide services, but to change lives. Many of the fathers that the Fathers Count legislation is intended to reach need much more than services. They need what only faith-based organizations can deliver, and that is a belief that change is possible. This bill is aimed at promoting marriage among parents. It will also work to help poor and low-income fathers establish positive relationships with their children and their children's mothers. I urge a yes vote on this important legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, due to the occasion of the birth of my third child, I was unable to record my votes on the following bills, amendments and journal votes that were considered here in the House of Representatives the week of October 18, 1999. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 520, 521, 524, 526, 527, 528, 529, and 532. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall votes 511, 518, 519, 522, 523, 525, 530, and 531.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 576, a bill introduced by the gentleman from Texas. The gentleman's legislation would amend the U.S. Flag Code to add the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday to the list of days on which the flag should especially be displayed. As chairman of the Corrections Advisory Group, it was my pleasure to work with Congressman Bentsen and the minority ranking member, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and the test of the members of the committee to expedite consideration of this Corrections Day bill. This bill was favorably reviewed by the Corrections Advisory Group and is fully supported by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The advisory group was able to work with the Speaker and the committees of jurisdiction to bring this bill to the floor today. The Corrections Calendar was formed to provide a special forum to address unnecessary, outdated, and obsolete laws. Bills considered on our Corrections Calendar are first considered by the Corrections Day Advisory Group, which meets periodically to consider various legislative proposals designed to improve the federal government's efficiency and effectiveness. The standing committee of jurisdiction must then act and report the bill before it can be placed on the Corrections Calendar. Only after the committees of jurisdiction have acted and the Speaker has consulted with the minority leader, can the legislation be placed on the Corrections Calendar. Mr. Speaker, this bill is clearly a ``corrections bill.'' Every other Federal holiday is listed in the Flag Code, and when Congress approved Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983, it was not added to the Flag Code through an unintended oversight. Similar legislation passed the House last year, but because it was passed on the last day of session, did not become law. This year, the Senate has also passed similar legislation, and it is high time to pass this bill and see it become law. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward, bipartisan bill that corrects a glaring error in our Flag Code, and pays due respect to our Nation's greatest civil rights leader. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 576.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that will protect our Great Lakes and ensure an effective strategy for conserving our water resources. One hundred and sixty-six million people in 18 countries are suffering from water scarcity. Almost 270 million more in 11 additional countries are considered water stressed. By 2025, one fourth of the world will suffer from lack of water. These are a few of the reasons that experts are hypothesizing that water will soon change from a resource to a commodity. Given these disturbing statistics, it's becoming very clear that we need to develop a better strategy for water management. One problem that is facing environmentalists, scientists and policy makers is the lack of sufficient and reliable information on water availability and quality. Efforts to balance supply and demand, and plans for a sustainable future, are severely hampered by this lack of information. That is why this legislation is so necessary. The Great Lakes comprise \1/5\ of the Earth's fresh water resources. Over the past few years, there have been numerous proposals to withdraw bulk quantities of water from the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes hold over 6 quadrillion gallons of water. However, before we begin mass exports of bulk water from this giant resource, we must be very clear on how this will impact the Great Lakes region. We cannot allow commercial exploitation of such a precious resource. Last year, the House passed a Resolution calling on the President and the other Body to work to prevent the sale or diversion of Great Lakes water in mass quantities. That resolution was an important first step. The legislation that I'm introducing today takes the necessary second step. This bill will impose a two year moratorium on exports of bulk fresh water. The moratorium will give the governors of the Great Lakes, who for the past fifteen years have effectively managed the Basin, the opportunity to effectively evaluate how and if bulk exports from the Great Lakes Basin should proceed. Prudent management of our natural resources means looking ahead and planning for the future. As we enter a new millennium, we need to be responsible stewards of our environment, to ensure that our children are not denied the resources that we today are able to enjoy. Our water resources must be carefully conserved, and this legislation will allow the Great Lakes governors to develop an effective strategy to ensure our water supply and ecosystem are protected. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to join with my friend and colleague, the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee Benjamin Gilman, in introducing the Intercountry Adoption Act of 1999, legislation to implement the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. His leadership on this important issue is a testament to his concern for the safety and well-being of children looking forward to permanent and loving adoptive families. More and more, American couples are looking abroad as they seek to expand their families through adoption. The United States adopts more children than any other country. We're the land of opportunity, in so many ways, and intercountry adoption is yet another example of that fact. As the world's leader in adopting children of other countries, we have a responsibility to ensure that intercountry adoption take place in a way that guarantees the children's safety and fully protects the rights of both the adoptive parents and the birth parents. For that reason, the United States in 1994 signed the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention, which establishes basic international procedures for concluding safe intercountry adoptions. We've heard too many stories about the small minority of unscrupulous agencies and individuals who have brided parents or foreign officials, deceived prospective adoptive parents about the costs of an adoption or actually who the child is that they are adopting, and even stories about the selling of children. Though such horror stories are a small minority, we need to ensure that international standards are in place so only competent and law-abiding agencies and individuals are involved in intercountry adoptions. The Intercountry Adoption Act, which we are introducing today, implements the Hague Convention. The bill's first main provision would establish the State Department as a ``Central Authority,'' to monitor intercountry adoptions and provide assistance to adoptive parents in dealing with officials in other countries. Secondly, the bill calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to designate one or more private, non-profit organizations to serve as accrediting bodies which would then accredit U.S. adoption service providers in accordance with strict standards of ethics, competence, and financial soundness. These accredited agencies could then facilitate intercountry adoptions in other countries under the Hague Treaty. Mr. Speaker, we can be proud of our success domestically, in increasing adoptions here in the U.S. and decreasing the time many of our children spend in foster care. Our 1997 legislation, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, has led to enormous increases in domestic adoptions. The Intercountry Adoption Act takes the next step, to ensure that international adoptions are safe, and that they are in the best interests of the child, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents. I look forward to working with Chairman Gilman and other Members of Congress interested in international adoption, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lutke family of Marion, Michigan, whose farm was recently designated a Centennial Farm by Secretary of State Candice Miller and the Michigan Historical Commission. This honor is bestowed on farms that have remained in the same family for 100 years or more. The Lutke farm was established in 1873. Today Harvey and Ruth Lutke harvest 280 acres of hay and corn. The Centennial Farm designation recognizes the rich agricultural heritage of our great state. It pays tribute to the generations of families who have fed the world and passed on their legacy of hard work and determination to their children. The Lutke family's success is a source of pride to Missaukee County, to Michigan, and our nation. I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor them today in the U.S. House of Representatives and I wish them many more generations of bounty.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Dorothy N. Frank, who is retiring after nine years of dedicated service as president of Kirtland Community College in Roscommon, MI. Dr. Frank began her distinguished career at Kirtland Community College in 1990 after serving as vice president for instructional services at Victor Valley Community College in California. Her impressive credentials include a master's and a bachelor's degree in biology, and a Ph.D. in educational policy studies from Vanderbilt University. While at Kirtland, Dr. Frank was instrumental in the creation of community programs that helped enrich the lives of children of all ages. These programs included cultural events, a volunteer center, a summer camp for fourth grade MEAP passers, technical training for high school students, and a summer creative writing institute. Her dedication to community colleges and her own community is evident in her work. In addition to her Kirtland duties, Dr. Frank was president of the Michigan Community College Association for the 1996- 1997 academic year. She also serves on several local boards and committees. I would like to commend Dr. Frank for her service to her students and congratulate her on her retirement on September 30, 1999. Dr. Frank's contribution to education and the community makes her an outstanding role model and a respected professional in her field. On behalf of the residents of the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored to recognize Dr. Frank and her professional accomplishments. I wish her good fortune for the future.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, along with several of my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, Ms. Thurman, Mr. Nussle, Mr. Matsui, Mr. McInnis, and Mr. John Lewis, I am introducing a bill today to repeal the Special Occupational Tax (SOT) on the sale of alcoholic beverages. We are introducing this bill to alleviate a problem that many of our constituents have raised with us. I know that many of our colleagues have also heard from convenience store owners, innkeepers, restaurant owners, vintners, wholesalers and other small business owners complaining about the burden of the Special Occupational Tax on the sale of alcoholic products. The SOT is an annual tax imposed on all businesses that manufacture, distribute or sell alcohol products. Whether it's a seasonal restaurant, an Elks Lodge, convenience or grocery store, or even a campground or florist that delivers wine with flowers--no one is spared from the tax. However, it is especially burdensome for small retain stores. Over 90 percent of all SOT revenue comes from retailers. In addition, small producers--especially wineries--have a difficult time meeting the obligations of this tax. A recent General Accounting Office study, which conceded that the alcohol industry is a heavily taxed and regulated industry already, illustrated the problems caused by this tax, particularly on small business owners. This tax is an unnecessary burden and should be eliminated. I urge all of my colleagues to join me as cosponsors on this bill to repeal this unfair tax on small businesses.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives and my constituents in the 4th Congressional District to the distinguished career of a man I am proud to represent in Congress, Mr. Marv Valentine of Clare, Michigan. Mr. Valentine is retiring after having dedicated 30 years of his life to Camp Rotary in Clare, and serving on the Lake Huron Council, Boy Scouts of America. Through dedication, perseverance, and selflessness, Mr. Valentine and his wife, Justine, have built Camp Rotary into one of the finest scouting establishments in the Nation. Scouting troops from the Midwest, and those from as far away as West Virginia, have experienced the wonder of Michigan's natural beauty at Camp Rotary. Located on 1,100 acres off Old Highway 27 in Clare, the camp is nestled in a woods of whispering white pines, next to a sparkling lake where deer and wild turkeys roam. Besides serving as a home for scouts, Camp Rotary has also hosted football and band camps. Years ago, Mr. Valentine initiated an outdoor educational program for public and private schools. Over three decades, more than 60,000 young people have learned new skills and made lifelong friends at Camp Rotary under Mr. Valentine's guiding hand and watchful eye. On behalf of the campers and my constituents, I would like to thank him for his dedication to shaping so many lives and giving these young people priceless memories of their carefree days as a child at camp.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I think the challenge here today is to listen and not to mischaracterize. We are talking about tax relief after we have set aside $2 trillion of our budget surplus for Social Security and Medicare. Locked it away. And by doing so, we begin to pay down our national debt. Today, the question is should we return what is left to the taxpayer or should it stay here and be spent on big government? This bill is tax relief for the American family. Close to 90 percent of the tax relief in this bill goes to families. The average American family pays double in taxes today what they paid in 1985, and that is just too much. Let me give my colleagues a few examples of how this bill helps families. This bill cuts taxes for every taxpayer. It provides tax relief from the marriage penalty, so couples do not have to pay higher taxes just because they are married. And we kill the death tax. We also increase the adoption credit for parents with special needs children. We give an extra personal exemption to families caring for an elderly relative in their home. And people can provide more for their retirements in this legislation by saving more in their IRAs and paying less in investment taxes. This legislation will help American families. Vote for the Tax Refund and Relief Act.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to point out that we are here talking about this measure only after we have a balanced budget. We have passed legislation to set aside the surplus to save Social Security and Medicare. We have locked that Social Security surplus away in a lockbox, and we are talking about part of what is left. I think it is important to point out that the average American family, and I repeat, the average American family today pays double in taxes what it paid only in 1985. Today's tax burden is the highest ever in peacetime history. I think the key question is, should your hard-earned tax dollars stay here in Washington to be spent on new Federal programs? Or should they be returned to you, the taxpayer, who sent them here in the first place? I think the answer is pretty clear that you, the taxpayer, deserves the money. We have over $1 trillion in non-Social Security surplus, and I think we absolutely must return the taxpayers' money to the people who sent it here. Our bill means that the average Michigan factory worker and his family will save $1,000 in income taxes. Our across-the-board rate reduction will save the seniors who live in my district over $500 in income taxes, and, if that senior has a mutual fund, will cut her investment tax rate so that more of her savings can stay with her, not the government. Mr. Speaker, I believe tax relief is needed. There is no doubt about that. We have balanced the budget, we have set aside money for Social Security which pays down the debt, and I think now is the time for the American people to reap the rewards of their hard work. I urge that we vote against the motion to instruct.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dean and Sharon Travis of Gratiot County, Michigan, who will be honored at a special ceremony in Midland on July 24 when they will be presented with a Centennial Farm marker by Consumers Energy. At this celebration, the Travis family and other farm families will have the opportunity to share their stories. The Travis family will relay with appropriate pride how their farm, located in Pine River Township, was purchased by their great-great-grandfather in 1857 and has remained in their family ever since. The festivities are being held in conjunction with a special Smithsonian Institution exhibit, ``Barn Again: Celebrating an American Icon.'' This exhibit celebrates America's rich agricultural heritage, telling the story of farmers and their varying needs throughout our history. The barn represents growth and prosperity of Americans, and it is important to recognize the agricultural community's contribution to our nation. This year the exhibit tours Michigan for the first time; residents of Alabama, Illinois, Oregon, Utah, Ohio, Missouri, West Virginia and Georgia have already been privileged to see it. It is with great pleasure that I recognize the Travis family today. Their success has been a source of pride to Gratiot County, and their barn and Centennial Farm designation symbolize the hard work and determination that is characteristic of mid-Michigan's farm families. I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor them today in the U.S. House of Representatives and I wish them many more generations of bounty.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lt. Col. Rodolfo Diaz-Pons, who is retiring after 22 years of military service and 4 years at Central Michigan University as a professor and chair of the military science department. I would like to commend Lt. Col. Diaz-Pons for his service to his country and congratulate him on his retirement on August 31. Since beginning his career in 1977 after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York, he has served several leadership positions in the United States and in Germany. While at Fort Carson, CO, Lt. Col. Diaz-Pons held positions as commander of an ``A Team'' and served as group plans officer in the 10th Special Forces Group Airborne. Following his completion of the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he served as rifle and headquarters company commander in the 4th Battalion 8th Infantry. During his time in Germany, he served as the battalion operations officer to the 1st Battalion 39th Infantry. Lt. Col. Diaz-Pons entered into service because he wanted to develop his leadership abilities. He has achieved this goal. As he begins his retirement, he continues to advance his leadership skills and volunteer in his community. He will serve as full-time pastor of Riverbend Baptist Church in St. Louis, MI, where he was previously serving as volunteer pastor. On behalf of the residents of the 4th Congressional District of Michigan, I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Diaz-Pons today and wish him the best as he begins his new journey. His school, community and nation are grateful to him.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to point out that we are here talking about tax reduction only after we have balanced the budget, have a surplus and passed legislation to save the Social Security surplus. We have locked the Social Security surplus away in a lockbox and we are now talking about what is left. It is also important to point out that the average American family today pays double in taxes what it did back in 1985. Today's tax burden is the highest ever in peacetime history. The key question is, should your hard-earned tax dollars stay here in Washington to be spent on new Federal programs? Or should they be returned to you, the taxpayer, who sent them here in the first place? The answer is clear. You deserve the money. At a time when we have nearly $1 trillion in non-Social Security surplus, we absolutely must return the taxpayers' money to the people who sent it here. Why should married couples pay more just because they are married? Our bill provides 42 million taxpayers with relief from the marriage penalty. Our bill means that Michigan's farmers and family-owned businesses will not be forced to sell the farm or business just to pay the death tax, and we allow our farmers and other small businesses to take a 100 percent deduction on health insurance costs which are one of the toughest expenses for the self-employed. Our bill means that a Michigan factory worker and his family will save $1,000 in income taxes. Our across-the-board tax reduction will save the seniors who live in my district over $500 on income taxes, and, if that same senior has a mutual fund, will cut her investment tax rate so more of her savings can stay with her, not the government. Mr. Speaker, tax relief is needed. There is no doubt about that. We have balanced the budget and set aside the money for Social Security which pays down the debt. Now is the time for the American people to keep the rewards of their hard work. I urge the adoption of this landmark tax relief legislation. I want to honor the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means who has worked so hard to bring it forward.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Linneaus C. Dorman of Midland, Michigan, who recently received the 1999 Percy L. Julian Award, the highest award presented by the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Dr. Dorman earned this award for his pure and applied research in engineering and science. I would like to congratulate Dr. Dorman and draw attention of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives and my constituents in the 4th Congressional District to Dr. Dorman's distinguished career. Dr. Dorman's fascination with science began in his childhood, with a friend and a chemistry set. Since then he has made remarkable contributions to his field. He earned his bachelor of science in chemistry from Bradley University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Indiana University in 1961. After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Dorman went to Midland to work for The Dow Chemical Company, where he worked in research and development with a primary focus on the chemistry of carbon compounds, found in living things. His work in agricultural chemical synthesis, automated protein synthesis, ceramics, and polymers have earned him high praise from his peers. Today he continues to be involved with science and shares his love of it with young people in the community, while remaining a member of the National Organization for the Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Dr. Dorman's contribution to science and the community make him an outstanding role model and a respected professional in his field. I am honored today to recognize Dr. Dorman, his professional accomplishments, and his willingness to share his knowledge.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an honorable and noble public servant from Grayling, Mich., Police Chief Peter W. Stephan. After 41 years of dedicated service, Chief Stephan is retiring. A Grayling native, he began his distinguished career in 1958 as a patrolman for the city. After 14 years, he was promoted to police chief in 1972, marking the beginning of his 27-year tenure. During his remarkable career, Chief Stephan has held numerous positions of honor including: serving as a member and past president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, serving as member and president of the Northern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, member of the Environmental Crimes Committee, and a member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee. Chief Stephan was also instrumental in creating the Crawford County Drug Lab and the Michigan State Police Crime Lab in Grayling. The achievements and duration of Chief Stephan's career speak for themselves. He is a dedicated community leader, committed to serving and protecting the people of Grayling, ensuring that his city is not just safe, but serves as a model for other communities in Michigan. Chief Stephan is a shining example of excellence of whom Grayling residents can be proud. His career is a point of pride for the people of Grayling, who can look to him as an example of a public servant with dignity, pride and exemplary service. Mr. Speaker, please join me, his family, friends and colleagues in congratulating him.