Michael Castle

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my strong support for the Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act. Americans should know that this is the second piece of legislation the House has passed to protect them from future ``Enrons.'' Earlier this month, the House passed legislation to enhance pension protections and give employees more tools to diversify their retirement plans. This legislation is designed to enhance the independence of the accounting industry to make sure the stock markets and investors have a more accurate picture of a corporation's financial conditions so they can make wise and informed decisions on where to invest their money. In particular, the bill creates a new Public Regulatory Organization, PRO, to oversee the activities of accountant. The PRO would be subject to direct SEC authority. A majority of the PRO board members will be independent of the accounting industry to assure that the PRO itself is not ``captured'' by the very industry it is regulating. One of the other Enron-related problems this bill addresses is the failure to disclose the types of off-balance-sheet partnerships that Enron used to distort its financial condition. This bill requires prompt disclosure of these partnerships. This bill also reigns in corporate management sales of company stock. Among the most disturbing actions Enron executives took was to sell their company stock at the same time there was a blackout period on the employees 401(k) retirement plan. They were preserving their own assets at the same time their employees were losing their retirements as the Enron ship continued to sink. From now on, whenever employee stock trades are prohibited, corporate management stock trades will also be prohibited. Finally, while some have urged Congress to take further steps, I want to caution people that freezing additional reforms in legislation based upon our current understanding of the causes of these problems can lead to its own set of problems. In passing Gramm-Leach-Bliley a few years ago, Congress finally fixed some of the mistakes that were made in attempting to address the causes of the Great Depression. Critics should also note that this legislation calls on the SEC and other regulators to explore additional reforms. Congress will maintain active oversight of the SEC as they continue to develop sound ideas to prevent future Enrons. Mr. Chairman, again, I want to express my strong support for this bill and urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join the 49 bipartisan members of the House Financial Services Committee who reported this bill favorably to the House floor. This is a responsible step toward preventing future Enrons that does not punish the innocent.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a leader in the Delaware firefighting community--the Chief of Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company in Newark, Delaware, Stephen E. Kavanagh. Chief Kavanagh is a courageous and dedicated leader whose personal mission is to protect and save the lives of Delawareans. On behalf of myself and the citizens of the First State, I would like to honor Chief Kavanagh and congratulate him for being selected by the Congressional Fire Service Institute to appear in their annual ``Protecting America'' painting. Stephen Kavanagh joined the Wilmington Manor Fire Company in 1970, establishing for himself a fine track record in advancing the quality of fire and emergency services throughout Delaware. In 1979, Steve moved to the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark, Delaware and it is here that he really made his name. Having held a number of officer positions in the Company, Steve Kavanagh was elected Chief in 1999. Aetna Hose, Hook and Fire Company is one of the busiest fire companies in the State and leading this company is both a challenging and rewarding task for Chief Kavanagh. Chief Kavanagh has protected the residents of Newark, Delaware through good times and bad times. Throughout the tragic events of September 11th, he was a pillar of strength and a protector of safety in the community. He calmed the fears of Delawareans and stood resolute to help his state and his country in any way he could. In addition to the time he spends as Chief of the Company, Steve is also a skilled craftsman who works on custom aircrafts for Dassault Falcon Jet at the New Castle County Airport. His family is of the upmost priority to him and he and his wife Theresa have two children and three grandchildren. Chief Kavanagh makes daily sacrifices to serve others in our community and his selflessness and commitment to service will have a permanent place in Delaware's fire service history. The example Chief Kavanagh has set for firefighters throughout Delaware is one we hope all future firefighters will strive to emulate. His dedication to the protection of life is truly commendable. It is for all these reasons that he is being honored in the painting ``Protecting America.'' As Delaware's Congressman, I would like to personally thank him for a difficult job well done.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce several duty reduction and suspension bills for colorants used in ink-jet printers, in addition to materials used in the production of environmentally sensitive herbicides and insecticides that improve the quality of our lives. These duty suspension bills lower the cost of producing these products thereby lowering the cost to consumers and helping U.S. industries compete in the global marketplace. When American companies make the active ingredients for these colorants and chemicals, there is a proper role for duties to exist. However, when the active ingredients are only made by foreign companies, we needlessly increase product costs for American consumers by imposing duties on their importation. By introducing these bills, I am triggering a careful review of these proposals by the House Ways and Means Committee and the International Trade Commission to make sure there are no domestic producers of these active ingredients so no U.S. jobs will be negatively affected. In fact, these duty suspensions will make U.S. products more competitive, thus creating jobs in the U.S. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to highlight the beneficial uses of the final products these chemicals will produce. NMSDA is used to produce a herbicide for broadleaf weed control in corn. This environmentally sound herbicide is within the margins of safety to mammalian, avian, and aquatic organisms. R118118 Salt is used to produce a postemergence soybean herbicide. Postemergence herbicides have the advantage of low application rates. The herbicide is only needed if weeds emerge around the sugar beets. Many other herbicides must be applied ahead of time to prevent weeds from developing regardless of whether they would have emerged naturally, needlessly introducing toxins into the environment. Thiamethoxam Technical is used in production of a neonicotinoid insecticide that targets ``sucking and chewing pests,'' that are harder to target, without causing harm to the crops. Prodiamine Technical is used in production of an environmentally sound herbicide used in vegetation management control. Finally, Flauzinam 500 F formulated product is used to control plant diseases on peanuts and potatoes. It has an environmentally sound profile that is particularly well suited for resistance management programs. The ink-jet printer colorants are beneficial to the American consumer. These colorants are specially formulated for enhanced quality, specially designed characteristics include improved wet- fastness on plain paper, improved opearability, higher chroma than the current industry standard and high humid-fastness to reduce bleed and hue change. These colorants are widely used in the small and home office settings, as well as in photorealistic printing. It is essential we give the America consumers both choice and quality. Duty suspension bills often pass with universal bipartisan support because they are common sense for consumers, for the environment, and for enhancing the competitiveness of our domestic industries. I urge support for these proposals after the appropriate committees and agencies have thoroughly vetted these measures.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a son and his father who exemplify what is best about the United States of America. Matthew Flocco who died on September 11, 2001 in service to his country at the Pentagon, and his father, Michael Flocco, who has set an example for all Americans who love their family and their country. On the reconstruction site at the Pentagon, Michael Flocco wears a hard hat displaying stickers that read ``Pentagon Renovation Program'' and ``Proud to be a Union sheet metal worker.'' Known to his fellow sheet-metal workers as a gregarious character, Michael is part of a one thousand person team of faithful Americans working to reconstruct the Pentagon in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. But the events that led Michael to assignment at the Pentagon set him apart from the workers around him. In fact, for Michael Flocco, installing duct-work for the heating and air conditioning systems in the Pentagon is not just work, it is part of a healing process and a wonderful tribute to his son Matthew. Michael and Sheila Flocco raised Matthew, their only child, in Newark, Delaware. Matthew, a quiet and reflective young man, was liked and respected by all who knew him. Matthew joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school in 1998. Fully committed to serving his country, Matthew rose to the top of his Navy class in meteorology and was quickly spotted by an admiral who gave him an important assignment at the Pentagon. As an Aerographer's Mate Second Class, Matthew performed important duties at the National Ice Center for the Departments of Defense and Transportation. He used his expertise as a weather analyst to safeguard ships traveling in ice- covered waters. But in a tragic twist of fate, this young American's bright future was cut short on September 11th, 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Matthew was only 21 years old. When the news of their only son's death reached Sheila and Michael Flocco, they were devastated. But Michael, a third generation sheet metal worker, knew exactly what he had to do. Working on the construction of the new courthouse in Wilmington, Michael approached his superiors and requested a transfer to the Pentagon rebuilding project. In January 2002, Michael pulled his 24-foot recreational vehicle into a Maryland R.V. park. Now, the man who lost his son less than ten months ago rises at 4:00 a.m. every day, throws on his brown jacket with ``Floc,'' his nickname, scrawled in permanent marker on the back, and heads to work with one thing in mind. Michael Flocco is determined to, as he says, ``fill that hole in the wall and fill that hole in my heart.'' Michael plans to continue working on the rebuilding project through September 11th, 2002, a date that marks the one year anniversary of his son's death, as well as a formal reopening ceremony of the Pentagon. Michael Flocco's response to his son's death is an inspiration to every American. Today we are here to pay tribute to a son and his father; We are here to recognize an outstanding example of dedication to the United States of America; We are here to honor the best character of Americans-- refusal to be defeated in the face of tremendous adversity. We are here today to dedicate this field, which forever will be a symbol of Matthew's love for baseball and love for America.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate the young scholars of Lake Forest High School in Felton, Delaware who will represent my home state of Delaware in the We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution program. They are part of a group of 1200 students from across the country who will come to Washington, D.C. from May fourth to the sixth to compete in the national finals of this program. These young scholars worked diligently and persistently to reach the national finals and through this program will gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy. The names of the honored students are: Corinne Bartley, Codi Canasa, Jeffery Chambers, Nicole Cosey, Heather Crouse, Lena Ewing, Michael Field, Danielle Galyean, Davis Gannon, Rebecca Grevis, Darron Johnson, Katie Kindig, Andrea Lewis, Michelle Makdad, Kathryn McClister, Jennifer Petrucci, Jason Schulties, Warren Thomas Smith, Ann Marie Strope, Leah West, Ashley Wilson and Holly Wilson. I would also like to extend my congratulations to their teachers, Mrs. Amy Reed-Moore and Ms. Betty Wyatt-Dix, who deserve much of the credit for the success of the team. The We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution program is the most extensive educational program in the country developed specifically to educate young students about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The three-day final competition they will participate in consists of hearings modeled after those in the United States Congress. The students made oral presentations before a panel of adult judges and testify as constitutional experts before a ``congressional committee.'' A panel of adult judges represent various regions of the country and a variety of appropriate professional fields served on the congressional committees. These judges follow up the testimonies with a series of questions designed to test the students' depth of understanding and their ability to apply constitutional knowledge to given situations. The We the People program is administered by the Center for Civic Education, and has provided curricular materials at upper elementary, middle and high school levels for more than 26.5 million students nationwide. This program has promoted civic competence and responsibility among young students as well as awareness for contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The team from Lake Forest High School conducted much research in preparation for the national competition here in Washington, D.C. I congratulate them for their fine work that enabled them to come so far in this competition and to visit our nation's capital.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to recognize the 23rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 and to reiterate the United States' strong friendship with Taiwan. This important legislation was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on April 10, 1979 and gives Congress a statutory role in defining United States foreign policy toward Taiwan. We have the duty and the responsibility to see that peace, security and stability prevail in the Western Pacific region. Despite tensions with the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan has prospered economically and politically. A member of the World Trade Organization, Taiwan is one of the richest countries in Asia. Politically, Taiwan is an evolving democracy, and at this moment every major public office on the island is democratically elected. On the 23rd anniversary of the TRA, we must affirm that the United States will continue to support Taiwan according to the wording and spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the United States to ``make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.'' It is essential that the United States continues to move forward and engage China, and it will be equally important that the Bush Administration continues to make a commitment to our ally in Taiwan.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Delaware Bibliophiles on the occasion of their twenty-fifth anniversary this month. The Delaware Bibliophiles are an organization of book collectors and one of twenty-six officially recognized book collecting societies in the United States. These members, however, collect more than books. They continue to build upon the strong humanities and arts foundations in Delaware and enrich our community. The Delaware Bibliophiles have published five books with a sixth in the works and recently offered each public library in the State their choice of two books to add to their collections as a gift. In addition to this generosity, the club also participates in numerous exhibits that further enhance the history of the written word, the beauty of design, and the art of book collecting. The Delaware Bibliophiles are members of the prestigious Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies and currently have over 100 members from eleven states. Certainly, the Delaware Bibliophiles have reached the goal of any bibliophile organization--to foster literary study and promote the arts pertaining to the production of books. I commend them for this fine accomplishment on the occasion of their silver anniversary.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce several duty suspension bills for materials used in the production of environmentally sensitive herbicides and insecticides that improve the quality of our lives. These duty suspension bills lower the cost of producing these products thereby lowering the cost to consumers and helping U.S. industries compete in the global marketplace. When American companies make the active ingredients for these chemicals, there is a proper role for duties to exist. However, when the active ingredients are only made by foreign companies, we needlessly increase product costs for American consumers by imposing duties on their importation. By introducing these bills, I am triggering a careful review of these proposals by the House Ways and Means Committee and the International Trade Commission to make sure there are no domestic producers of these active ingredients so no U.S. jobs will be negatively affected. In fact, these duty suspensions will make U.S. products more competitive, thus creating jobs in the U.S. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to highlight the beneficial uses of the final products these chemicals will produce. Triflusulfuron Methyl formulated product is used in the production of a postemergence herbicide for sugar beets. Postemergence herbicides have the advantage of low application rates. The herbicide is only needed if weeds emerge around the sugar beets. Many other herbicides must be applied ahead of time to prevent weeds from developing regardless of whether they would have emerged naturally, needlessly introducing toxins into the environment. Benzyl Carbazate is a general fruit and vegetable insecticide. It has the unique ability to kill certain pests while leaving beneficial insects unharmed. Furthermore, Benzyl Carbazate is well within the margins of safety to mammalian, avian, and aquatic organisms. Esfenvalerate Technical is used in the production of pyrethroid insecticide. This environmentally sound product has significant use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs offering broad-spectrum insect control across a wide range of crops. Finally, the single active ingredient, (S)-methyl 7-chloro-2, 5-dihydro-2- [[(methoxycarbonyl) [4(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] amino]--carbonyl] indeno [1,2-e] [1,3,4] oxadiazine-4a-(3H)carboxylate and application adjuvants, produces a proprietary insecticide for use on cotton, vegetables and fruit. The formulated products demonstrate good efficacy on target insect pests while preserving beneficial insects and mites, and offer a very favorable environmental profile. Duty suspension bills often pass with universal bipartisan support because they are common sense for consumers, for the environment, and for enhancing the competitiveness of our domestic industries. I urge support for these proposals after the appropriate committees and agencies have thoroughly vetted these measures.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I report the death of Molly Porter, 34, of Smyrna, Delaware. Molly passed away on March 1, 2002, in the prime of her life. For the past five years, Molly has been a valued employee of the Delaware Public Archives in Dover, Delaware. Molly's work ensured that the history of Delaware was preserved and available for all Delawareans, and she helped many more people, firsthand, in their desire to learn more about their family, their state and their country. Her service to the citizens of Delaware and this country was a model for public service. She worked to help others and, in so doing, contributed to the quality of life in Delaware. She will not be forgotten. The state of Delaware has lost a true public servant, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a leader in the African-American community and Delaware at large for her 100th birthday on March 30, 2002--Mrs. Lola Gibbs, a life-long teacher, leader and role model. Lola Gibbs is an outstanding, dedicated and caring Delawarean with an abundance of accomplishments that speak so highly of what she has done in the first 100 years of her life. On behalf of myself, and the citizens of the First State, I would like to honor this outstanding individual and extend to her our congratulations on the first 100 years, and continued success for the rest of her life. Today, I recognize Lola Gibbs for her contributions to the State of Delaware and its citizens through 47 years of teaching, 55 years as a 4-H club leader and 100 years as a role model. Family, friends and all Delawareans can now take a moment to truly appreciate the world of difference Lola Gibbs has brought to both the African-American community, and all of Delaware. Lola Gibbs began teaching in 1922, began her first 4-H club several years later and began her second 4-H club in the early 1940's. Mrs. Gibbs was appointed President of the Kent County Teachers Association in 1969 before taking on volunteer work in The Eastern Star, AARP The Woman's Auxiliary of the Smyrna Home for the Chronically Ill, and Star Hill Church. Lola Gibbs has spent all of her life helping the community and all of Delaware. Mrs. Gibbs graduated from State College in 1922 before attending West Chester Normal. Mrs. Gibbs was then appointed to teach at Reeves Crossing School where she initiated a program that taught children music and allowed them to hold concerts in order to raise extra money for books. After her tenure at Reeves Crossing, Mrs. Gibbs moved back to her hometown school, Woodside. On June 9th, 1931 Mrs. Gibbs, ne Bowers, married Edward Gibbs. Mr. Speaker, in the past, with the help of her husband, and today with the help of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Lola Gibbs and her family proudly and unselfishly contribute every day to the lives of Delawareans. Mrs. Lola Gibbs' contributions cannot be commended enough. As she reaches 100 years of life, we can be sure that her contributions will not end. Her commitment to educating children and making life better for all Delawareans has earned her a permanent place in Delaware's history.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I, too, rise in strong support of Shays-Meehan. This has been going on for 3 or 4 years. We hear statements being made such as this bill was drafted at 10 or 11 at night, or there should have been committee hearings and whatever. It has been going on for a long time. We hear about all the substitutes and whatever, but the truth of the matter is that what we have before us is what has been worked out by a lot of people who have worked on this bill. We cannot revert to the underlying bill here. If we did, it would go to conference and the bill would be dead. Instead, we have to face what we are doing, and basically in this legislation we are doing things that I think need to happen. We are not doing other things which should not happen. We are not banning voter guides. I disagree entirely with the argument that you can use soft money to pay off hard money debts. That is another section entirely of the Code, and I hope everybody will take the time to read that carefully. And the support for that comes from the Democratic side, I might add. There is no limit to free speech here. I have heard that. There is no limit whatsoever to free speech. In fact, there are no real changes in what we are limiting here. We are just focusing on the methodology by which money is paid for campaigns, not what is stated, not free speech. That is just an absolutely wrong statement with respect to that. This bill basically plays no tricks. What you see is what you get. It is taking soft money, the large contributions which have come in from corporations, labor unions, wealthy individuals, into the parties, and then are spent to their benefit out altogether and is providing for a good financial package and good elections. We should all support the Shays-Meehan substitute.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) for yielding me the time, and I do rise in support of the Shays- Meehan legislation. I rise in support of this because I have watched elections in this country for a long time now, and I have seen the evolution from individuals running for office with knowledge as to who their contributors were to advertisements which are being run by outside groups without any acknowledgment as to exactly who they are. There might be names on the ad, but that was the extent of it. Who contributed to it, exactly what it is they represent, all these nebulous figures out there, we cannot do anything about; and I think frankly we have to do it, and the best way to do it is to ban soft money. I wish we were banning soft money entirely. We know we are not at the State level, but we are at the Federal level; and I think it is a step in the right direction and something we should do. I think that the hard money, so that we know who gave it, it is limited as to how much it is, is the way to go as far as future elections are concerned. I would also point out, and I have heard this question a lot, that this legislation does not ban voter guides in terms of how people voted and what the story may be with respect to that; and it also does not limit free speech. It only speaks to the source of money that pays for the speech. For all these reasons, I would encourage everyone to support the Shays-Meehan legislation.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 330) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the benefits of mentoring.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 330.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 330, the legislation recognizing the importance of mentoring. The resolution, introduced by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), reminds us all of the important role that caring adults play in the lives of our Nation's youth; and I thank the gentleman for his work in Congress as well as his work with his own mentoring organization, TeamMates of Nebraska, on this important issue. Today's teens cope with major physical changes, emotional ups and downs, peer pressures, and a changing identity; but they are also confronted by a more complex and impersonal society where drugs and alcohol are easily available and tragedies such as AIDS and violence strike too close to home. In this time of growth and uncertainty, our children need positive role models or mentors in their lives. Simply, a mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provide young people with support, counsel, and friendship. Most importantly, mentors are people who care. And for many people, that makes all the difference. According to recent research, children with mentors are 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 52 percent less likely to skip school, and 33 percent less likely to get into fights. In addition, children of mentors reported greater confidence in their performance at school and better relationships with their families. Despite these positive outcomes, too many children who need a mentor do not have one. In my State of Delaware alone, an estimated 10,000 young people could benefit from a positive, supportive relationship with an adult; but only 7,000 are currently served. Nationally, more than 16 million children need a mentor, but current programs reach only 750,000. It is, therefore, appropriate that this January, the inaugural National Mentoring Month, we encourage caring adults to reach out to the children and youth in their communities. In Delaware, everyone from the Governor and the Delaware Mentoring Council to local businesses will be working hard to recruit 1,000 new mentors. It is my hope that other States will rise to the challenge to connect each of our Nation's children with caring adults. As part of that effort, I want to recognize the many businesses, churches, and community groups that partner with our schools to provide mentors to children in need as well as the informal mentoring relationships that exist between teachers, coaches, and neighbors. I also want to recognize those who lend their expertise or contribute financially to mentoring organizations. Their support is as important as volunteering to become a mentor. The events of September 11, as tragic as they were, taught us about charity, heroism, and our own capacity to care about others. As we pause to recall the teacher, neighbor, or coach who made a positive impression on our lives, I hope we will return the favor by becoming a mentor to a child in need. Together we can guide our Nation's youth into adulthood, helping them reach their fullest potential. I cannot imagine a greater gift. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his resolution, and I urge an ``aye'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), the distinguished sponsor of the resolution. I think the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) said it wonderfully well. The gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) came obviously to Congress with a very distinguished background, recognized by most people in this country for what he had done in his own form of mentoring, which was coaching; but he had a strong bent for mentoring which we heard about early and often since he has been here. He has become the conscience of the House of Representatives with respect to the subject of mentoring. He is clearly one of, if not the national leader on the whole subject of mentoring in this country. We are delighted that he was able to get here. He did have some transportation problems and has just made it.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller).

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson), a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, who had so much to do with H.R. 1 last year.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in final closing, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) and also thank obviously the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), but also all the other speakers who spoke here today. All these individuals spoke of incidents from their own lives or incidents in their lives and incidents they knew about in which young people were helped by mentoring. I think any reasoning person who has seen mentoring in action knows what a valuable substitute it can be sometimes for what is missing in somebody's life to help them. For that reason, I would hope we would all unanimously embrace this legislation before us.

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

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today as a member of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus to honor and pay tribute to a leader in the firefighting community--Clifton Armstead outgoing Chief of the Wilmington Fire Department. Clifton Armstead is an outstanding, dedicated and caring Delawarean with an abundance of accomplishments in this field. On behalf of myself and the citizens of the First State, I would like to honor this outstanding individual and extend to him our congratulations on his 36 years in the fire department. Today, I recognize Clifton Armstead for his long and distinguished career in the Wilmington Fire Department. On January 4th 2002 Mr. Armstead will officially retire from a post that he has held since 2000, but from a fire department that he has been part of for over three decades. He has provided service in a manner that has brought distinction not only to himself but to the entire Wilmington Fire Department. Family, friends and fellow firefighters can now take a moment to truly appreciate the world of difference Clifton Armstead has brought to the firefighting community. He has served for many years as a member of Engine, Ladder and Rescue Companies as well as the Training Unit. Mr. Armstead was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983 and appointed Deputy Chief of Operations in 1993 where he served for seven years before being appointed Chief of Fire in January of 2000. Clifton E. Armstead has spent all of his life helping the community of Wilmington and all of Delaware. Mr. Armstead graduated with the Class of 1962 from Wilmington High School. He also attended Delaware Technical and Community College, the National Fire Academy and the Delaware State Fire School. Of particular interest are the many supervisory and management classes that have helped him to become such a successful and important leader to the City of Wilmington. Mr. Speaker, with his wife Dawn at his side, and his daughter Jaye, the Armstead family proudly and unselfishly contributes every day to the quality of life at home in their community and our entire state. Mr. Clifton E. Armestead's contributions cannot be commended enough. As he retires from the Wilmington Fire Department we can be sure that his contributions will not end. His commitment to fighting fires and saving lives has earned him a permanent place in Delaware's fire service history.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I also rise in strong support of H.R. 3525, which does, indeed, improve our visa system and better secure our borders; and I want to thank the chairman and the House leadership for bringing this legislation up to date to improve our systems for border security and monitoring foreign visitors to the United States. This legislation, the Enhanced Border Security Act of Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001, is a sensible bill and a positive and urgently needed step toward securing our borders and protecting Americans from potential terrorist attacks. It has been widely reported that the ringleaders and other terrorists involved in attacks on September 11 used expired or false visas to enter our Nation to plan and conduct their terrible deeds. These facts are the most damaging evidence of the ongoing problem that millions of foreign visitors overstay their visas and we need a much better system for enforcing the terms by which they enter and leave our country. An estimated 40 percent of the 5 million to 8 million illegal immigrants living in the United States last year were listed as overstays by the INS, although the agency admits that 1991 is the last year for which it could estimate the number of visa violators with any accuracy. It is imperative that we make immediate changes in our ability to document and track foreign visitors to the United States to thwart future potential terrorist acts. This will require improved documentation and computerized systems for tracking the millions of foreign visitors who come to our Nation each year on a temporary basis with tourist, student, or temporary work visas. In 1998 the INS reported that 1 million foreign people came to the United States on a temporary basis. A fresh look at the visa processing program is immediately needed. Six years ago, Congress directed the INS to gather the arrival and departure data of most foreign visitors to make sure they do not remain in the United States after the expiration of their authorized stays. A recent review by the Department of Justice Inspector General found INS officials mismanaged $31 million aimed at automating that system. Earlier this fall, I introduced legislation, the Visa Integrity and Security Act, or VISA Act, to strengthen our immigration system and to improve the ability of the INS to track all temporary visa holders. A number of the key provisions of that legislation were included in the important antiterrorism PATRIOT Act passed earlier this fall. However, there is much work to be done; and H.R. 3525 takes much needed steps forward, such as implementing tamper-resistant visas using biometric identifiers for all aliens entering the U.S.; creating an electronic database to provide immediate access for U.S. officials to ensure visa applicants do not pose a threat to the United States; improving the system for tracking foreign student visas; and increasing funds for INS and Customs inspectors, Border Patrol agents, and State Department officers to perform these important screening duties. Unfortunately, these dangerous times require us to better screen and track foreign visitors to the United States to ensure they are here for their stated purpose and only stay for the allotted time. Now is the time to make sure that these sound steps are implemented to improve the security of our country. We can still welcome and should welcome foreign visitors and we are a nation of immigrants; but we have the right and, indeed, the duty to know why they are in our Nation and if they are in for the right reasons, and that we set the terms for their stay. For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3525. We can take the additional steps needed to secure our borders while maintaining an open society.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, not just for his kind words of introduction but for the work that he and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) did which has been stated by practically everybody which very sincerely was extraordinary on this legislation. Thirty-five years ago, Congress made equal access to a quality public education a birthright for all Americans. Today education is the foundation for future success as an individual and a source of strength for our Nation. Yet too many Americans are unable to participate fully in the American dream. Worse, those with the greatest academic difficulties include a disproportionate share of children from low income families and racial and ethnic minority groups. For these reasons I am pleased to express my strong support for the conference report to H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act. Over the course of the year Republicans and Democrats put an end to the divisive tactics that have stymied recent reform efforts and produced a serious bipartisan agreement to improve the way we educate our children for the better. As a primary goal, this legislation strives for excellence in education by encouraging improvements in academic achievement while also securing greater assistance for those who are having the most difficulty mastering academic content and as a result, have fallen behind their peers. To that I want to discuss just three reasons, and there are many, many more why we should embrace this agreement. First, H.R. 1 fully authorizes the President's request for $975 million to ensure that every child can read by third grade. The reading programs contained in this bill will identify students at risk for reading failure and then provide intensive instruction by trained educators to bring them up to a proficient level. In this way, we will reduce the number of learning disabled students referred to special education and we will give all students the tools they need to master more advanced course work. Second, to ensure our children are learning, H.R. 1 asks States to access students in grades 3 through 8 annually in math and reading. The results of these assessments will provides parents and the public an effective, highly visible measure of how well their children are performing in school. This in turn will help parents, teachers and school officials diagnose problems and design remedies to improve student achievement. The bill also recognizes the best way to ensure achievement is to hold the system accountable at all levels, not just the individual student level. For this reason, H.R. 1 gauges each school's academic success by the progress of every student in that school, not just the average student. Finally, the new flexibility in this bill will allow State and local districts to better align Federal dollars for their own education priorities. In addition, the 2 new flexibility demonstrations, H.R. 1 allows States and locals to transfer up to 50 percent of Federal formula grants between programs. Unlike earlier flexibility provisions, this option is available to any State or school division and it is automatic. For too long we have allowed our most disadvantaged children to be promoted through our public schools without regard to actual achievement. For too long we have allowed Federal dollars to flow to failure, convincing ourselves that some children were simply beyond our reach. For the first time, H.R. 1 fulfills the promise of education and opportunity for all children, rich and poor, black and white. Finally, to those who will argue that Members should oppose or recommit this legislation because it does not include IDEA mandatory funding, I ask that you not scuttle a generally good bill. Forty-eight million public school students have waited patiently for the Congress to take notice of their plight and provide the help they so desperately need. Let us not make them wait any longer. Let us approve this bill and send it to the President this year and then beginning next year, I invite you to work with me when this committee takes a comprehensive look at the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. In that way, we will ensure that our special needs children get the financial resources and the academic support they need to realize their greatest potential. I do want to express their gratitude to the chairman, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and to the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), and to all the other colleagues on this. As everyone knows, this was a great team and a great staff effort by everybody. Those who sacrificed many weekends and summer vacations to produce a legislation. My staff in particular, Kara Haas; and the President of the United States, who was so involved in this. We thank President Bush as well. I encourage everyone to support this legislation which will help all children.