Dave Camp

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Gutknecht amendment which saves taxpayers $211 million. Mr. Chairman, each child born last year will owe approximately $187,000 in debt because of Congress' excessive spending. The national debt already exceeds $5 trillion. The amendment currently before us requires the Federal Government to share in the burden of deficit reduction. For too long, the Federal Government turned to the pockets of taxpayers to fund excessive and wasteful spending. Now, the Federal Government must look to itself. Deficit reduction begins at home and the Congress must reign in wasteful Government spending. Over my 5 years in Congress, I have not spent $565,000 of my office funds. We have also demonstrated our commitment to deficit reduction by reducing Federal spending by $43 billion last year. We continue our efforts this year by doing more with less. We continue to review each and every Federal program for its efficiency and effectiveness and explore alternatives to get the most out of each tax dollar. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding and I want to commend my colleague from Indiana for working on this matter for a number of years, and I appreciate my colleague from Michigan's support on this as well. I think this is a positive amendment and I would urge my colleagues to vote for it. This would allow Members to return unspent office funds to the Treasury. It would allow them to use those funds returned for specifically deficit reduction and I urge the passage of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, the 104th Congress has led a historic effort to reduce the deficit and incorporate fiscal responsibility into Federal spending. Today, we again have the opportunity to lead by example. This amendment would allow Members to return unspent office funds to the U.S. Treasury for the specific purpose of deficit reduction. It would reaffirm our commitment to eliminating the Federal debt. It is important that fiscal responsibility start at home. Since being elected to Congress in 1991, I have not spent over $565,000 of my office funds. Like most Americans, I have spent wisely and made do with what I had. Naysayers claim that money can't be returned to the U.S. Treasury. Many Members, however, save taxpayer money by spending less. These Members should be recognized for their efforts and taxpayers should be rewarded by allowing them to use unspent funds to reduce the deficit. We should not abandon this effort because it requires some changes. This Congress has changed many things, and if need be, we can change to allow Members to contribute savings to deficit reduction. By adopting this amendment we reaffirm our commitment to deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, today, Congress is faced with an important question: How should the United States utilize its economic power and trade relations to influence other nations' policies. The question before us today is whether to extend most-favored-nation trading status to China or to withhold most-favored-nation status in hopes that China will change its ways. Opponents of MFN claim the United States should not place human rights second to economic benefit. Advocates of MFN claim that continued exposure to Western traditions and ideals will help promote democracy. First, let's get the facts. Most-favored-nation treatment is far from most favored. In fact, only seven nations do not receive MFN. By extending MFN to China, we merely provide the same trading status enjoyed by nearly every other U.S. trading partner. The United States continues to enter into, and negotiate, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, such as NAFTA and GATT, which provide signatory nations with preferential trade treatment. By extending MFN, the United States does not give up the right to impose sanctions on a nation or pursue other trade penalties. The United States would still have at its disposal a variety of options to punish rogue nations. China's human rights record is poor. It has historically suppressed freedom of speech and expression and pursued policies of abortion and extermination. Today, they continue to implement policies that we as Americans loathe. But extending MFN is not an expression of approval of these policies, it is merely a vote to continue trade relations in hopes of strengthening ties between our nations so that we may improve China's human rights record. The economic power of the United States should be used as a light to expose China's violations. By turning our back on China, however, we turn off the light of exposure and allow China to continue its violations free of examination. U.S. companies continue to export and invest in China. The Chrysler Corp. which has manufacturing plants in China, pays their employees nearly five times the average worker's wage, provides employees with housing, day care for their children, and training in Western management practices. By exposing Chinese citizens to Western ways, we provide the education and enlightenment for them to help change China's ways from within. We must use the powerful tool of public scrutiny to highlight China's transgressions and utilize our existing relationships to educate the Chinese people. Only through a policy of engagement, not isolation, can we help highlight China's human rights violations, educate its citizens about human rights and correct the egregious government policies.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3604, the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments, and will vote for passage of the bill. Under our current Safe Drinking Water Act, communities do not have adequate resources, both financial and technical, to comply with Federal water standards. This legislation will provide $7.6 billion for grants and loans to local water authorities for compliance, activities, training of new operators, and development of solutions to water pollution. These measures will help our communities provide clean, safe drinking water to their residents. The legislation also includes a community right-to-know provision, requiring water systems to mail every consumer an annual report concerning the levels of regulated contaminants in their water. Consumers need to know that their water is clean and pure. Parents need to know that the water they give their children is safe to drink. These reports will put more information into the hands of consumers and parents, and allow them to better monitor the resources in their communities. This bill ends the one-size-fits-all safe drinking water policies that our current law dictates. It returns the decisionmaking power to the State and local water authorities, who know best the needs of their community water system. Communities will be better able to monitor the purity of their water than bureaucrats in Washington, DC. Rural water system officials in mid-Michigan have contacted me in support of this bill, because they realize that less Federal control means more local control, and ultimately cleaner water for Michigan's communities. This legislation is the product of over 2 years of negotiations between Congress, State, and local officials, and representatives of virtually every public water system in the country. The Commerce Committee deserves credit for fashioning a bipartisan bill that reforms a Safe Drinking Water Act that is broken. This legislation will go far toward insuring safe drinking water and efficient allocation of Federal, State, and local resources. I urge my colleagues to vote for this important piece of environmental legislation.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor Mr. James J. ``Jim'' Weathers. Jim answered his Nation's call to arms, served his community, and most importantly raised a family. He provided a sterling example of what we hope to accomplish and strive to be. Jim served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war. Following his naval service, he participated in the Naval Reserve. As a member of New Lothrop Post 6579 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, he served as 9th VFW District Commander and captain of the VFW State Honor Guard and was instrumental in serving the needs of veterans. He was also employed by General Motors' Buick Motor Division for 32 years, 8 years as a driver. Jim was born in Owosso, MI, on January 19, 1944, the son of Jerome and Gladys Weathers. He was a 1964 graduate of New Lothrop High School and resided in New Lothrop most of his life. He married Glenda Walworth on November 4, 1967, and raised a family. Jim was a member of the West Flint Church of the Nazarene. He was also a member of the New Lothrop-Hazelton Township Fire Department and the Tri-County and Shiawassee Bike Club. Jim was very active with the New Lothrop Athletic Department. Jim's extraordinary life was cut short during a recent biking trip. His family and accomplishments stand as a testimony to his commitment to service, dedication to country, and love of family. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join me in paying tribute to Jim Weathers for his service to his country, his community, and his family. The people of mid-Michigan will miss him dearly.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to give tribute to an outstanding individual on his being nominated grand marshall for the Fourth of July celebration in Rosebush, MI. Born in Rosebush in 1931, Terry has dedicated his life to serving the people of mid-Michigan and the country. Terry served in the U.S. Army and later became a charter member and commander of the Rosebush American Legion Post. He spent 38 years working for Dow Chemical, retiring in 1988. In addition, he served for 26 years on the village council presently as its chairman, and he is the treasurer of the Mount Pleasant School Board. But Terry's dedication to his neighbors continues beyond public service. He was the 1970 recipient of the Carlton F. Seaman award for being the outstanding service officer of the 10th district. Terry has also coached Colt League baseball and has been a fundraiser for Little League. It is work such as Terry's that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join my colleagues and I in honoring the work of Mr. Terry Lynch and the legacy of service and commitment he has left for us all.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to give tribute to an outstanding individual on her being nominated grand marshall for the Fourth of July celebration in Rosebush, MI. Donna Burch was 1 of 15 children born to a farming family in Rosebush, MI. Both her and her future husband, Terry, attended Mt. Pleasant High School and shortly after graduation, in 1955, they were married. Today they are the proud parents of eight children, and Donna is best known as the home cooking inspiration of the White Wagon Restaurant and Motel. Donna is more than just a proud mother and successful restaurateur, she is also a humanitarian and public servant. She is always ready to help organize fundraisers for good causes or to provide food and comfort for a family in need. To know Donna Lynch is a wonderful experience. Being quick with a hug, this busy, hard-working woman is a pure pleasure to be with. Easy to laugh and enjoy a good joke; yet tough enough to get the job done. It is work such as Donna's, both for her family and for the community, that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join my colleagues and me in honoring the work of Mrs. Donna Lynch and the legacy of service and commitment she has left for us all.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor an outstanding individual on his retirement from 30 years of outstanding service to the community of Morley, MI. Mr. Paul Heidemann has served the students of Morley Stanwood High School as a teacher, music instructor, administrator, confidant, and friend to the many people whose lives he touched. During his career, he has taught elementary and secondary instrumental music and directed the junior high and high school bands. He has organized the Flag Corps and helped with public address equipment for shows and presentations. He has organized the band boosters. Each year he oversees graduation ceremonies. Paul has also been an unofficial computer consultant for the school, lending his expertise since the first Commodore 64 made its appearance in the classroom back in the mideighties. Paul's volunteer help in ushering Morley Stanwood community schools into the computer age has been tremendous. He has done so much behind the scenes, always willing to help each staff member with computer problems, even visiting their homes to help with home personal computing. His musicianship is outstanding. Paul was named best musician in the first Big Rapids Pioneer People's Choice Awards. He plays in the West Central concert band and Ferris chamber orchestra and is organist at the United Church in Big Rapids. He has served as secretary of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association for the past 4 years. It is work such as Paul's that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join my colleagues and I in honoring the work of Mr. Paul Heidemann and the legacy of service and commitment he has left for us all.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor an outstanding individual on his retirement from 27 years of outstanding service to the community of Morley, MI. Mr. Robert Bulow has served the students of Morley Stanwood High School for over 25 years as a teacher, athletic instructor, administrator, confidant, and friend to the many people whose lives he touched. In addition to his service to the people of Michigan, Bob served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years, including a year of service in Vietnam. During his career, he taught shop and drafting classes for 17\1/2\ years and spent the last 10 years teaching American Government and history. He was a class sponsor for 3 years. Bob served as president of the Morley Stanwood Education Association for 16 years and helped negotiate teacher contracts for 22 years. Bob's accomplishments in high school coaching are quite extensive. He coached the golf team for 12 years and the tennis team for 11 years. He coached junior varsity girls basketball for 12 years and his 1987-88 team had a perfect record of 20 wins and no losses. He coached the boys ninth grade basketball team for 7 years, and the boys eighth grade and boys varsity basketball teams 1 year each. Bob also coached junior varsity softball for six seasons and varsity softball for eight seasons. His softball team won their district tournament in 1993. Combined, that means Bob was at the helm of a school sports team for 50 seasons. Bob is a member of the Michigan Sports Sages, an elite club of people who have been active in school sports their entire careers. It is work such as Bob's that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join my colleagues and I in honoring the work of Mr. Robert Bulow and the legacy of service and commitment he has left for us all.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor an outstanding individual on his retirement from 28 years of outstanding service to the community of Morley, MI. Mr. Fred Jaeger has served the students for over 25 years as a teacher, athletic instructor, director, confidant, and friend to the many people whose lives he touched. During his career, he taught both math and science in both the high school and junior high school. He was a class sponsor for 9 years. He directed class plays for 3 years, timed football games for 18 years, announced at basketball games for 8 years, and performed in 13 country music shows. Fred has enjoyed quite a coaching career. He coached grade school boys basketball for 6 years, junior high school boys basketball 3 years, junior high school girls basketball 8 years, and assisted boys track 5 years. Then Fred found his niche with the girls track team. In 18 years of coaching girls track, Fred's teams won seven league championships and four regional championships. Twice his girls finished third in the State in class C. In dual meet competition his teams won 118 meets, while losing only 31. He was twice named Coach of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association. In 1990, he began the Cross Country Program at Morley Stanwood and in 6 years, his girls have won two league championships. He was named regional Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1994. It is work such as Fred Jaeger's that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join my colleagues and I in honoring the work of Mr. Jaeger and the legacy of service and commitment he has left for us all.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, a cornerstone of our Nation is education. A small investment in education can reap tremendous rewards. The United States is the world's greatest Nation, and we owe this success in large part to the commitment we have made to learning. Today the Congress affirms its commitment to education. The bill before us today continues favorable tax treatment when employers pay for employee education. Employers benefit from this education tax assistance through access to a better educated and more productive work force. Employees benefit from this provision by enhancing their education and expanding their opportunities. By promoting education, we ensure the United States maintains the most educated and productive work force in the world. As an original cosponsor of this proposal, I am pleased it was included in the bill. It preserves our tradition of excellence and affirms our commitment to education and to lifelong learning. I urge my colleagues to support America's students and vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Young amendment to strike title III. Congress, in a long line of case law, provides Native American tribes with sovereign control of their affairs, and that includes the care and protection of their children. It is the tribes themselves who can best determine when children are native American and when the protections of the Indian Child Welfare Act apply. Tragic adoption cases are far more common in non-Indian settings, but the solution is not to reverse a long line of precedent. Keep Indian families together, support the Young amendment to strike.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a man who devoted much of his life helping and improving the lives of others through his devotion to Michigan's agricultural heritage. Harry A. Foster passed away recently in his home in Okemos, MI on March 11, 1996. Harry was born and raised on his family's farm in southwestern Michigan where he excelled in 4-H and Future Farmers of America [FFA] projects. At a young age, he earned his American Farmer Degree while active in the FFA and served as State President of the Michigan Farm Bureau of Young People. He was also an alumnus of Michigan State University's Agricultural Technology Program and earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics. After graduation, Harry served as a 4-H extension agent in Livingston County. In 1961, he became the initial employee of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association [MACMA] where he provided 27 years of outstanding service. After serving MACMA, he became Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus and Michigan Plum Advisory Boards where his contributions were numerous. Mr. Foster's long and distinguished professional career is a testament to his dedication and to his genuine concern for agriculture and farmers in Michigan and around the country. Harry's community involvement extended beyond his professional career. He was an active member of the Okemos Community Church and served as president of the Okemos Board of Education. Due to his outstanding advocacy and his enduring compassion, he courageously envisioned and founded the Dyslexia Resource Center. Harry took great pride in the relationships he developed in the Nation's Capitol on behalf of the producers and their marketing interests he represented so fervently. Many of the actions of this genuine farmer's friend have benefitted producers and their attendant industries across the United States. Mr. Speaker, I know you will join me in celebrating the many accomplishments and achievements of Harry Foster and in honoring his memory.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise today to congratulate Comdr. Richard Leroy Lehner of Sumner, MI, on his retirement as Michigan's State Commander of Foreign Wars. Mr. Lehner has a long and distinguished career with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, first joining with the Mark Daniels V.F.W. Post #1735 in 1986. After years of hard work, and endless dedication, Richard was proudly elected as State commander on June 18, 1995. His motto while State commander was ``One Step Ahead'' which clearly represents not only his personal commitment, but also the immense role he played in the progress and development of the V.F.W. Under Mr. Lehner's leadership were 86,479 members in the State of Michigan with 431 posts, 14 districts, and 10 county councils. Mr. Speaker, Richard Lehner's active participation in the V.F.W. and community has earned him the respect and admiration of friends, family, and fellow community leaders. Richard's love of and dedication to this country and the American veterans is clear. He has consistently gone beyond what was expected or required to achieve excellence. His reputation as an honest, dedicated, hard-working public servant will serve as an example for many years to come. I know you will join me in recognizing his achievements and wishing him a satisfying retirement.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize an outstanding teacher, writer, and scholar as he retires from Central Michigan University. On May 2, 1996, Dr. Loren Bensley will celebrate his retirement after 33 years of service to his students, the community, and the health profession. Dr. Bensley is recognized as a State, national, and international scholar in the field of health education, with 60 publications and more than 100 presentations to his credit. As president of the American School Health Association, he received 32 awards from various professional organizations for his leadership and contributions. Under his leadership, the Eta Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Health Science Honorary, won the National Chapter of the Year award 10 times. Such outstanding accomplishments are a testament to his academic brilliance and exceptional leadership capability. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Loren Bensley's love for and dedication to education is clear. He has consistently gone beyond what was expected or required to achieve excellence not only in teaching, but writing and leadership. His reputation as a kind, inspiring, and hard-working scholar will serve as an example to all who know him for many years to come. I know you will join me in recognizing his achievements and wishing him a satisfying retirement.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the tax limitation amendment. Americans today work almost 3 hours out of every 8-hour day just to pay their taxes. That is unacceptable. Our taxes are heavy burdens. They are hurting families and causing us to lose jobs. It has been far too easy to raise taxes, far too easy. Just recently, in 1993, we saw the tax burden increase by almost $250 billion by just a single vote. It should not be that easy to place additional financial burdens on the backs of America's working families. The tax limitation amendment would require a two-thirds majority vote to increase taxes. That means any future tax hike would be supported by a large majority in Congress, not just a single vote. I know, while I have not been in Congress as long as some of those on the other side who have come to the well in opposition to this amendment, I have been here long enough to know that we need change. My friends on the other side had it their way for 40 years. We can point fingers wherever we want, but let us look at the facts. This country is $5 trillion in debt. A child born last year owes $187,000 just in interest on the debt. How can we expect any American to realize the American dream under those circumstances? Will this solve all of our problems? Probably not. But it is another tool to reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government, a Federal Government that has grown too large. Let us make the decision. Let American working families keep more of what they earn. Vote for the tax limitation amendment.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize Mr. George Gazmararian of Alma College, as he celebrates his retirement as emeriti professor of business administration. During his 30-year career at Alma College, Mr. Gazmararian has touched many lives. He has served as an extraordinary leadership figure to numerous students who are striving to learn and grow at Alma College. He has instilled in them courage and self-confidence as they entered into the professional world. He has prepared his students for extraordinary community leadership and involvement by promoting the essential attributes of integrity, ambition, and initiative. Mr. Gazmararian has set the standards for conscientious attention to student needs, teaching the practical application of business principles and encouraging lifelong learning for his mentorees. Through his strong commitment to educating and promoting excellence in others, he has served as an example to fellow professors and community leaders. He established longstanding relationships with his students, enabling him to serve as a motivator, counselor, and educator. Professor Gazmararian is a great instructor and strong advocate of education. I know you will join me in recognizing him for all that he has done as he celebrates his retirement from the staff of Alma College.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the amendment. One thing we cannot forget in the debate over dairy is that American dairy farmers are ready and willing to fight for a bigger share of international markets. This bill gives them the immediate tools to do that. This compromise immediately removes butter and nonfat dry milk from price supports. Removing these supports will free dairy farmers to take advantage of growing overseas markets. Currently, butter and nonfat dry milk markets are strong and growing, and our dairy farmers are ready to compete. I have heard from farmers in Michigan and they are ready to go. However, retaining domestic price supports, as the Solomon amendment does, would allow foreign competitors to undercut American dairy farmers in international markets. The 5-year phaseout of these price supports in the Solomon amendment would only hold them back. I urge opposition to the Solomon amendment.

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the amendment. My State ranks fourth in the Nation in sugar beet acreage so you might think that I rise to support my State's 2,900 sugar farmers that run small family farms averaging 115 acres or in support of the 23,000 jobs in Michigan that rely on sugar. I do, but I also rise to support consumers in Michigan and America. Every day millions of Americans take advantage of sugar so cheap, restaurants give it away for free. In Tokyo, consumers pay over $1 a pound for sugar. By contrast, we pay only 39 cents a pound. American consumers pay the second lowest price in the world for sugar as a percentage of disposable income. The sugar reforms in this bill provide stable prices for consumers and freer markets. We lower the price support safety net and allow greater sugar imports than allowed by GATT. This means lower prices. We continue to operate the program at no cost to the taxpayer, and it contributes $288 million to deficit reduction. Vote no on the amendment. Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli].

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, today the Congress is presented with a historic opportunity to end welfare as we know it. The welfare system we have come to know is one that has failed. It has failed those dependent upon it. And it has failed the American people who believed it would end poverty. Nothing could be crueler or more heartless than the current system. Our current welfare system imposes excessive bureaucratic regulations and guidelines on States. There are more than 340 different Federal welfare programs. In my State of Michigan, caseworkers spend 80 percent of their time complying with Federal regulations. The other 20 percent of their time is spent on personal contact with recipients. It is personal contact that often makes the difference between an individual's success and failure. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act would allow caseworkers more time to work directly with recipients instead of pushing paper. We eliminate unnecessary and duplicative programs. We block grant to the States in key areas including AFDC, child protection and child care $4 billion more than current levels for greater flexibility and effective targeting of critical welfare resources. We empower people to take responsibility for their lives so that success stories of individuals and families lifting themselves from poverty will become the norm instead of the exception. Under our bill, Federal, State, and local officials will work in concert to move welfare recipients from a life of poverty and government dependence to a life of success and self-reliance. It also includes the State maintenance of effort requirement supported by Democrats and the administration that requires States to maintain spending on welfare programs. In a bipartisan effort, we also strengthen paternity establishment and force dead-beat parents to pay child support. Most importantly, as my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the President will agree, our bill not only encourages work, it requires it. Support the conference report, end welfare as we know it.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, the President's budget we vote on today, and I would agree with the former speaker, is insulting. It is not only a broken promise, it is a broken law. Twenty-nine days ago the President signed into law a commitment to present a plan to balance the budget in 7 years using Congressional Budget Office numbers. Instead, he has sent us a budget that continues deficit-spending and fails to balance by at least $87 billion in the year 2002. It is out of balance by $87 billion. Mr. Speaker, the President has said in speech after speech and press release after press release that he favors a balanced budget. Why does he refuse to submit one? We will negotiate a great many items in our balanced budget proposal but we cannot and will not compromise on our commitment to balance the Federal budget in 7 years with honest numbers. Vote against the President's budget and end the policy of spend now, pay later.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the Senior Citizens Right to Work Act which will raise the earnings limit for seniors. This legislation accomplishes two important tasks: First, it ends the policy of subsidizing drug and alcohol abuse with Social Security funds; and, second, and very importantly, it ends the practice of punishing seniors who want to work. Currently, seniors who want to remain a vital part of the work force will lose $1 of their Social Security contributions for every $3 they earn over $11,280. This legislation will remove the disincentive to work placed upon seniors by raising that limit. American seniors have worked hard to pay into the Social Security trust fund. This legislation not only protects their investment and honors our commitment to them, it also encourages seniors to continue their contribution to our Nation's work force.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, let's drop the rhetoric. Let's instead focus on what we are accomplishing today. We are balancing the budget for the first time in 26 years. We promised the American people a balanced budget and the Balanced Budget Act is about keeping that promise. Consider this: A balanced Federal budget means as much as 2 percent lower interest rates. Families will save over $37,000 in interest on the average home mortgage; $900 on the average car loan; and $2,167 on the average student loan. Our opponents call us cruel. But what is truly cruel is sticking every child born this year with a lifetime bill of $187,000 just to pay the interest on that monster that is our national debt. All Americans will benefit from a balanced budget. If we accomplish this task, we will provide a brighter future and a better America for our children, our seniors, employers, veterans, and every American. Mr. Speaker, we have kept our promises for America's families, for America's future.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to rise today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the West Branch Farmers Cooperative. The cooperative was recognized on October 28, 1995 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in West Branch, MI. [[Page E 2194]] In 1917, the cooperative began under the direction and inspiration of a few local farmers who desired to decrease the number of middle men between them and their markets. The farmers progressed and organized themselves to form the Ogemaw County Livestock Shippers Association in 1918. Finally, with intense determination and dedication, these men continued the cooperative by revamping its structure in 1946. Today, the cooperative serves not only farmers but retirees, hunters, and pet lovers. I want to join the people of West Branch in honoring those who fought to preserve the West Branch Farmers Cooperative's existence, services, and achievements. I also wish to thank them for their diligence and perseverance through difficulty and challenging times. I wish the cooperative the best of luck in the future, and look forward to their continued growth and success.

Mr. CAMP

Mr. CAMP. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Whitfield amendment. In the 1970's and early 1980's, my State of Michigan was hard hit by rail line abandonment in our rural areas. This was particularly hard on our grain shippers who depend on competitively priced rail service to sell their product. Fortunately, the ICC of the 1980's understood that if they could get rid of the archaic Federal mandate known as labor protection, that these light density lines could be sold to new owners instead of abandoned. Substantial pieces of rail line were saved in Michigan as a result of that policy known as the 10901 exemption process. The exemption process recognized it was better to preserve the service and save as many jobs as possible by forming a new, lower-cost operator than to lose everything to abandonment. With Conrail's announcement it is going to shed another 4,000 miles of marginal line and with restructuring taking place with the Grand Trunk Railroad, Michigan and much of the Midwest is going to be facing another round of abandonment or sales. I ask the Members to keep two facts in mind: First, the 1995 ICC favors the imposition of mandated labor protection payments. Twice in the last year they have used their discretion under the 10901 exemption process to impose labor protection, an absolute reversal of the previous ICC's protection. Second, the Whitfield amendment undercuts the current statute in a way that makes it statutorily easier to impose labor protection in 10901 cases and to litigate if labor protection is not opposed. The combination of an ICC that does not fully appreciate the value of the exemption and a new statute that offers the opportunity for new legal challenge to the exemption is a lethal combination. I believe the labor protection provisions in H.R. 2539 will preserve railroad lines, will preserve service to rural shippers and will preserve jobs. I encourage my colleague to oppose the Whitfield amendment, which would substantially weaken those provisions.