Saxby Chambliss

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I understand this may be subject to a point of order, but my farmers are doing their best to comply with the law to bring legal workers in, and the gentleman and I have had a number of discussions over the last 5 years about making some changes under the H-2A law, to make it a little easier to get those workers in, but what we are seeing is in that Legal Services Corporation is taking those workers that are brought in legally, they are actually bypassing thousands and thousands of workers at farms that are here illegally to get the farm where workers are here legally.

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is to require the Legal Services Corporation to pay the attorneys fees in any case in which it is filed by the Legal Services Corporation against a farmer under the Migrant Worker Protection Act, and which case is lost by the Legal Services Corporation. In other words, they do not prevail in this lawsuit. We have had a problem in my State of Georgia over the last number of years in securing agriculture workers to plant our crops, help U.S. till the crops and harvest the crops and, as a result, our farmers have been forced from time to time to use workers that are not legally within the United States. We have been working on trying to modify the current H-2A program, which is a farmer worker program, that allows farmers to come into the United States on a legal basis so that we can reduce paperwork, make this program less expensive on our farmers and make it more workable. In the meantime, what we have seen happen is that our farmers who have made a decision to hire legal workers under the current H-2A program as opposed to working illegal migrant workers who are not in the United States under legal conditions have run into a problem, and that problem is this: The Legal Services Corporation in my State and any number of other States around the country where farmers have made a decision to bring legal workers into the country to work under the H-2A program have run into a stonewall with the Legal Services Corporation in that they are filing lawsuits against farmers who have workers here legally for technical violations of the H-2A act, not substantive violations, but purely technical violations. Let me talk about our farmers a minute. My farmers are hard-working people. They are good business people, but they have encountered a problem here that is purely a legal situation that they are not used to having to address. They are doing everything they can. They are securing advisers. They are securing attorneys to advise them, as well as independent contractors to advise them on the technical compliance with H-2A, but the problem is, that the Legal Services Corporation has a hoard of lawyers who are doing nothing but going after people who are violating the H-2A law from a technical perspective. Mr. Chairman, now, I do not want to deny any employee the full benefit of all rights that are guaranteed to them under the Agricultural Workers Protection Act, but we have got an excellent plaintiff's bar in my State. There are excellent plaintiff bars all over the country, very capable and determined to ensure that workers have the benefit of all of the rights guaranteed to them. They are the ones that ought to be prosecuting any case against an individual from a pure plaintiff's case perspective, but that is not what is happening. Legal Services Corporation is going out, and I question the ethics of this, they are soliciting cases from workers who are coming into this country under the H-2A program in a legal manner, bringing them into the Department of Labor, grilling them on whether their employer is technically in compliance with every single aspect of the H-2A law which is a very demanding law. It is a very expensive law, it requires housing. It requires a higher wage rate than what most of the farmers are used to paying, any number of other technical violations. What is happening is that Legal Services Corporation is taking the role away from plaintiff's lawyers who are capable of looking after the rights of these workers, and our farmers are having to go to the extent of defending cases, not just in the State of Georgia. There are three cases pending right now against vegetable growers in my State, in the part of the State where I live, two of the cases are filed out of State. My employers, my farmers are having to go to Texas to defend one lawsuit where the workers came in. They went back to Mexico, Legal Services went into Mexico and brought them back into the United States for the sole purpose of filing this case against Georgia growers in the State of Texas and the other case is going on in the State of Florida. My farmers have expended in excess of $200,000 and reasonable attorneys fees for the purpose of defending these lawsuits which really they have no substance to them. They are purely for technical violations. There is no individual here under the H-2A law that has been harmed in any way, and there is no allegation of such in these lawsuits. What we are simply trying to say is, look, if Legal Services Corporation is going to go after these folks from a plaintiff's perspective and they lose the case, they ought to have to foot the bill for the attorneys fees and the particular Legal Services office shall be deducted from their budget.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to honor Dr. John O'Shaughnessey. The Medical Association of Georgia has given Dr. O'Shaughnessey the 2000 Physician's Award for Community Service. This award is presented only to physicians who rise above the expectations of their medical duties and are intensely involved with community activities. Dr. O'Shaughnessey fits this description precisely as he has donated an immense amount of time and energy to the Macon community. Dr. O'Shaughnessey has been a dedicated member of the Macon area for many years. In addition to practicing medicine for more than thirty years, he has played an active role in several civic organizations. The Department of Family and Children's Services, the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Macon Civic Club and the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce are a few of the organizations to which he devotes his time. The Macon community and myself are very proud of Dr. O'Shaughnessey's service and achievement.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor an exceptional citizen from Georgia's 8th Congressional District, Debbie Snellgrove of Warner Robins, recipient of the 2000 Liberty Bell Award. Each year, the Houston County Bar presents the Liberty Bell Award to one non-lawyer who makes a significant contribution to the legal profession. As a long time court employee, Debbie is highly deserving of this award. Debbie has been working as a state court administrator in Warner Robins for four years. Her previous professional experience includes serving as secretary to Judge Buster McConnell and secretary to Steve Pace in the Houston County District Attorney's office. As a loyal member of her community, Debbie has been involved with the Houston County domestic violence program, the victims assistance program, and the American Heart Association. In addition, Debbie took time out of her busy schedule to assist my office with arrangements for my Town Hall Meeting in Warner Robins this past April. I am pleased to say that this town hall meeting was a success, but would not have been without Debbie's assistance. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Debbie Snellgrove for her dedicated and service to Houston County and to the legal system of Warner Robins. She is an extraordinary citizen, and I am proud to serve as her Representative in the People's house.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor Wesley Rhodes of Pineview, GA. Wesley, a student at Fullington Academy, was named a National Award Winner in Science. This special award recognizes fewer than ten percent of all American high school students. Wesley was recommended for the award by teachers and school staff for his outstanding academic performance in science, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, and dependability. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Wesley for his achievements in science and for his exemplary leadership at Fullington Academy. He is an exceptional student and has made the people of my district and myself proud.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to honor Angelica Milton of Folkston, GA. Anglica was named a National Award Winner for honor roll. This prestigious award is offered to fewer than 10% of American high school students. Angelica was selected by her teachers and school staff members for her excellent academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, and dependability. Angelica is an exceptional young lady, who exemplifies the qualities of a true leader, and I am proud to recognize her as an outstanding citizen of my district.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 2000, I was unable to be present and to cast votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 234, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 235, ``yea'' on rollcall 236, and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 237.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to honor the 25th Anniversary of the outstanding Okefenokee Heritage Center. It is an honor for the community to be gifted with this great facility for teaching and learning. The Okefenokee Heritage Center has been an institution serving South Georgia for 25 great years. When the building was finished 1975, it added a world of learning for all ages in the community. This is why I pay tribute to the silver anniversary of this vital facility for Waycross and Ware County. I praise the tireless efforts that the people of Waycross have contributed for this great museum. I hope for continued success in the future and I thank them for their dedication and hard work. I believe that the following editorial from the Waycross Journal Herald clearly depicts how important this Heritage Center is. I sincerely appreciate the hard work and support of people like Catherine Larkens, Current Director of the Center, Sonya Craven, President of the Board, to all the Board Members, Ware County Commissioner Chairman Roger Strickland, Mayor John Fluker, Dr. William Clark, III and Gus Karle. Most importantly, I want to recognize Mrs. Sue Clark. As a result of her determination and perseverance, today we celebrate 25 years of the Okefenokee Heritage Center and its significant contributions to our county. [From the Waycross Journal-Herald, June 1, 2000] Okefenokee Heritage Center Observes 25th Friends and supporters of the Okefenokee Heritage Center gathered yesterday at the center's Augusta Avenue site to commemorate 25 years of service to this community. It was a memorable, sun-splashed afternoon of short speeches and renewed acquaintances. Mrs. Sue Clark, wife of well-known Waycross eye surgeon Dr. S. William Clark Jr., is credited with being the primary community figure who conceptualized, promoted and implemented the idea of building a heritage-themed museum in Waycross. It was her perseverance and organizational drive, together with the resources of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and several other key players, which helped to make today's heritage center a reality. In his prepared remarks, former Rice Yard Superintendent A.A. ``Gus'' Karle commented Wednesday that he located the center's ``Okefenokee Chief'' steam engine at a South Carolina rock quarry and told Mrs. Clark about his find. He said she contacted the quarry's owners that same day and within days had marched into the Seaboard Coast Line's corporate offices at Jacksonville and arranged to have the locomotive transported to Waycross. ``I got a call from Seaboard CEO Prime Osborne. He mentioned this locomotive and said Sue Clark had just left his office,'' said Karle. Together with Seaboard's Henry Pigge, plans were soon put into motion to transport the 1912 vintage locomotive from South Carolina to Waycross in December 1973. The locomotive is the showpiece among the Heritage Center's exhibits. It's a wonderful example of early 20th century technology spared from the salvager's torch and preserved for future generations by Sue Clark's vision. The locomotive's steam whistle was operating Wednesday, harkening back to a day when the telegraph key was the fastest means of communication and belching, noisy steam locomotives rolled into Waycross from all directions, disgorging passengers and welcoming new ones on those ``magic carpets made of steel.'' It was America's ``Age of Innocence,'' a time before the horrors of World War II and national ascendency to superpower status. It was a time when this newspaper was located at the corner of Plant Avenue and Isabella Street (now Jack Williams Park), enabling the late Editor & Publisher Jack Williams Sr. to gaze out his office window at locomotive engineers and their passengers as they rounded the crossing enroute to the Waycross Rail Depot. His son, the late Jack Williams Jr., said the building's glass windows would actually shake in their frames as these steel behemoths passed outside. The old building is gone now, but a scaled-down reproduction rests beside the railroad track at the Heritage Center for future generations to enjoy. What a wonderful facility our Heritage Center has truly become. The entire community owes a debt of gratitude to Sue Clark for her hard work and vision. Her ancestor, the late Dr. Daniel Lott (one of four founders of Waycross in 1871) would be justly proud of what she has accomplished.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, the folks that I represent in Georgia's 8th, Congressional District are hard-working. The majority of these people own small family businesses and family farms. They get up each day, go to their jobs, work hard for their families, and pay their taxes like responsible Americans. The federal government asks them to do all of this, but at the end of the line, after a lifetime of hard work and paying taxes, Uncle Sam reaches in and takes over half of their life's accumulation. This is simply wrong. Mr. Speaker, the death tax is immoral, un-American, and this House must bury it. The death tax is an unfair burden that taxes farmers and small business owners twice. The farmers in Georgia's 8th District work tirelessly to feed and clothe America. They do this while battling severe weather, droughts, floods, and low prices. Times are tough in rural America right now, the burdens are high, and the death tax is just a slap in the face to our farmers, who produce the safest, highest quality food and fiber in the world. The death tax affects one-third of small business owners, who are forced to sell outright or liquidate a part of their firms to pay estate taxes. When mom-and pop shops must close because of an outdated, unfair tax code, this Congress must take the lead and make a change. The death tax is contrary to the freedom and free-market principles on which this nation was founded. Do we support the IRS or do we support the American family? We must help Georgia families continue their livelihood and pass their legacy and success on to their children and grandchildren, not burden them with taxes that kill a lifetime of hard-work. Let's bury the death tax here, today. I urge my colleagues to vote to end the estate tax.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I want to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) who has already stated that we went through this battle last year. We answered the questions that the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) has raised here with respect to the F-22. But I also want to point out the fact that, in the last two military conflicts that the United States of America has engaged in, we have proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that, when air superiority and air dominance is maintained by the United States, that the loss of life of our brave young men and women who serve in our military forces is minimized and, to a certain extent, is even eliminated altogether. As we move into the 21st century, we must have the F-22, a full complement of the F-22, in order to continue to maintain air superiority and air dominance. This plane is going to be tested. If we slow down production of it, we are going to increase the cost of this airplane. That is the wrong move to make. Not just from a budgetary perspective, but also from the perspective of trying to ensure that we eliminate or significantly decrease the possible loss of life of our young men and women who are called into combat to protect freedom and integrity of this country around the world.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, ten percent of the citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran are members of religious minority groups. According to the State Department and internationally recognized human rights organizations, religious minorities in Iran--including Sunni Muslims, Baha'is, Christians, and Jews--have all been the victims of human rights abuses simply because of their religious beliefs. More than half the Jews in Iran have been forced to flee that country since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 because of religious persecution. Five Jews have been executed by the Iranian government in the past five years without having been tried. There has been an increase in anti-Semitic propaganda in the government-controlled Iranian press. I want to express my concern today about the thirteen Jews who Iran accused of spying for the United States and Israel and who were arrested on the eve of Passover in 1999. These men are currently being held in an Iranian jail, and although their trial has already begun, they have still not been charged. Further, contrary to Iranian law, these prisoners have been denied the right to choose their own legal counsel, and ten of the defendants have been imprisoned for over a year without any legal representation. Both Israel and the United States have denied that these men were spying on their behalf. But, this case is indicative of the continued concern I have regarding Iran. From the continuing development of long range missiles capable of striking our friends and allies in the Middle East, to the lack of basic human rights and freedom for the Iranian people, to support for terrorists who target Americans, Iran persists in engaging in a pattern of unacceptable behavior that should cause all of us great apprehension. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing alarm about Iran. It is my hope that the thirteen Jews currently being held on these trumped up espionage charges will be accorded their basic legal rights and that Iran will release all prisoners held on the basis of their religious beliefs.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. In 1996, we crafted a new farm bill wherein we told the American farmer that the Federal Government is going to change the way that we participate in farming operations. At the same time we did that, we said we are going to do some other things. We are going to provide the farmer with tax relief. We are going to provide the farmer with regulatory relief. We are going to provide the farmer with crop insurance reform, and we are going to provide the farmer with better trade agreements so that farmers can, in fact, sell their products for a decent return on the open market. Well, unfortunately, it has taken us a while to get there, but yesterday, with the vote that we had on the China trade agreement, we are now opening markets in China to the American farmer and it will be a tremendous benefit for farmers all across America. Today, we are taking another giant step in the right direction. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) is right in a couple of areas when he says we are not doing everything from a legislative standpoint to make farming easier and make farming more prosperous, because we cannot do that, but these are steps in the right direction. What we are doing today with crop insurance reform is really significant, and every American farmer knows and understands that. This has been a team effort. It has been a team effort between leadership and the Committee on Budget as well as the Committee on Agriculture, and our two captains, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) have done a great job of leading the team down the field. I commend them for the work they have done on this with respect to crop insurance reform. The other part of this bill in providing up-front money to our farmers for this year is extremely important also, because we know that 2000 is going to be a tough year for farmers all across America. I do not know how much money it is going to take to make sure that they can survive this year, but this is going to be another meaningful step in the right direction, because it is going to be money in the hands of the producer. That is critically important. It is critically important now, as we are facing droughts, as we are facing lowest commodity prices that we have ever seen. So again, this bill provides a double hit for the American farmer with respect to crop insurance reform, as well as with respect to money in the hands of producers to help improve the year 2000. I commend the chairman and the ranking member for their great leadership.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, the decision on whether or not we should grant normal trade status to China is always a difficult one. In 1995 and 1996, I supported renewing trade with China because there were indications that the Chinese were moving in the right direction toward a more open free society. However, abiding concerns about human rights, religious persecution, proliferation of advanced missile technology, and saber rattling toward Taiwan and China's other neighbors led me to vote against granting normal trade status to China during the last three years. This year, however, the debate over granting normal trade relations with China is different. We face a momentous decision about the future of jobs in the United States and specifically greater employment prospects for men and women living in Georgia's Eighth Congressional district. The administration negotiated a one way agreement with China that mandates significant reductions in tariffs as a part of China's entry into the World Trade Organization as well as includes import safeguards for sensitive industries like textiles. In 1998, Georgia exported over $338 million worth of goods and services to China. China has an estimated $750 billion in infrastructure needs over the next ten years. Companies and industries located here in middle and south Georgia are well positioned to take advantage of this auspicious opportunity. Thousands of Georgia's workers at companies such as Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in Macon, Rayonier in Baxley, Barnesville, and Lumber City, Hudson Pecan Company in Ocilla, International Paper in Folkston, BP Amoco in Hazlehurst and Nashville, Blue Bird Body Corporation in Fort Valley, and CSX Corporation in Waycross all support increased trade with China. I continue to be concerned with a number of issues related to China. But today we must decide whether or not we will close the door to expanded markets for products made in Georgia, alienate the most populous nation in the world, and lose a genuine opportunity to build a dialogue with China and spread American values of freedom, democracy, and market economics consequently improving the lives of 1.6 billion people. We should condemn China's brutal repression against its citizens and continue to vigilantly monitor human rights abuses. We will ensure that our military and intelligence capabilities are strong and robust enough to meet the challenges of any Chinese aggression. We must pry open the Chinese market and tear down pernicious trade barriers that block American goods and services and restrain prosperity. We cannot change Chinese civilization overnight. But turning our back on China now and limiting our opportunities for improving our relationship with the Chinese is not the answer either. Rejecting trade with China only frustrates efforts by American businesses to expand their worldwide sales and create jobs here at home. We must continue to be concerned about human rights and labor issues in China. We will now have a forum like we have never had to dialogue on these issues. For the agricultural community, the benefits of trade with China are enormous. Chinese tariffs on pecans will be reduced 35 percent, tobacco 40 percent, and textiles 13.7 percent. For the manufacturing community, the job security and job creation potential are great. Tariffs on wood products will be slashed 64 percent, agriculture equipment 50 percent, and aluminum 33 percent. In fact, most every agricultural and manufacturing group or company in the state of Georgia supports expanding trade relations with China. Granting China normal trade relations will be beneficial to our district and the state. But more importantly, building better friendships with the Chinese people, teaching them about the value of open, democratic, and free societies, and bringing China into the legal, cultural, and economic community of nations will create a better world for the next generation.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a great American and Georgian, Joseph Sherrill Stafford, who died Tuesday, May 9, 2000. Mr. Stafford was an inspiration to all of us. As a leader and public servant, he believed strongly in doing what's right, and always gave 100 percent of himself to the people of Houston County, placing his faith in the Lord, his family, and his country. He will be greatly missed by the people of Georgia and his accomplishments will be long remembered. Mr. Stafford was a graduate of Perry High School and married the former Ann Hallman of Bibb County, Georgia, in 1961. He served in the Army, from 1954-1956, and retired from Robins Air Force Base in 1989 after 30 years. He began his political career more than four decades ago as the mayor of Centerville, Georgia. Mr. Stafford was the first full-time chairman of the Houston County Commission, beginning in 1991, served as Chairman of the 21st Century Partnership, the community support group for Robins Air Force Base, taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Centerville, and just recently was named president of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I had the distinct pleasure of working very closely with Mr. Stafford on many projects. During his long and enduring career, Mr. Stafford always remembered the ones he represented in a smooth, soothing and effective manner. Mr. Stafford was proud of the new courthouse and jail under construction near Perry, Georgia and will long be remembered in my mind, and the people of Georgia as an honest, hard working, servant of his constituents and his country. I will miss Sherrill Stafford as a public servant, but I will miss him even more as a good friend.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a distinguished gentleman from Georgia's 8th District who is visiting Washington this week as one of six outstanding National Guard officers in the country, Dr. Spencer Price. Dr. Price has been awarded the prestigious General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award for his dedication to both the medical and military community. Dr. Price is a respected internal medicine specialist at The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon and is also a member of the Georgia Army National Guard. In addition, Dr. Price serves as a surgeon for the Georgia Guard's 121st Infantry Battalion. Dr. Price has made a career of serving people and saving lives, and we all know this world needs more people who are willing to put selfishness aside and dedicate themselves to serving their community and their country. As a Member of Congress from Georgia and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been fortunate to know Dr. Price and have had several opportunities to speak with him about issues facing both the Georgia Guard and America's military. His insight is always respected. Mr. Speaker, Georgia is rich in military heritage and we have always been home to incredible leaders and public servants. Dr. Spencer Price is one of those people. He is an outstanding American, and it is an honor to know him.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the Moakley amendment and support the provisions of the Defense Authorization bill to transition the School of Americas to the Defense Institute for Hemispheric Security Cooperation. Military-to-military exchanges are an integral component of American foreign policy and provide valuable education and training to both military and civilian leaders alike. These exchanges increase cooperation, help professionalize militaries and teach them the role of military in democratic, civilian societies. While the School of the Americas has played a vital role in our foreign policy over the last several decades, it is time that we modernize and update the approach of the school for the 21st century. The House Committee on Armed Services has taken a bold step in replacing the School of the Americas. This bill would provide professional education and training to military, law enforcement and civilian leaders in Latin America. Our bill requires that each student get a minimum of 8 hours instruction in human rights, the rule of law, due process, and civilian control of the military. Finally, our bill creates an independent board of visitors with broad mandates to oversee the activities and curriculum of the institute. The board may include Members of Congress, as well as representatives from human rights and religious organizations. These changes are important steps toward improving our military education and training programs and enriching relations between the United States of America and our Latin America neighbors. The U.S. military has been and remains a strong force for positive change in Latin America, transmitting our Nation's military values there. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Moakley amendment that would strike these important initiatives and withdraw the United States from constructive engagement in Latin America.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Floyd Spence National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Chairman, for 7 years, America's Armed Forces has suffered the strain of doing more with less. Funding shortfalls have left a legacy of readiness problems that plague our military on a daily basis. This bill not only provides a pay raise for our troops, but we enhance health care benefits and improve the quality of life for our military men and women and their families who sacrificed daily to protect and defend America's freedom. Mr. Chairman, we must invest in technologically-advanced equipment that our soldiers, sailors and airmen will need to meet the national security challenges of the 21st century. Aircraft like JSTARS, the C- 17, C-130J and the F-22 are critical platforms that will help ensure successful military missions from Korea to Kosovo. Every day our military men and women risk their lives to provide us with peace of mind and a safe Nation. It is crucial we repay their sacrifices by providing them with the resources and supports they deserve. After all, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and this bill is critical to meeting that challenge. I urge my colleagues to support this very important bill.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule. As cochairman of the congressional Sportsman's Caucus, I am very supportive of the base text of this measure. I have testified before the Committee on Resources. I want to commend my friend, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), who I think has done a very admirable job of getting a consensus of people, both inside and outside the House, together on this very important piece of legislation that covers so many areas of the outdoors and is going to be so beneficial to so many people. The gentleman has just done a great job of this, and I commend him on that. As vice chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, honestly, though, I have some observations about the level of the mandatory spending that has been set on this bill. I have an amendment that is going to be coming up later tonight or tomorrow that will address that issue and I hope will receive broad-based support. As cochairman of the Congressional Sportsman's Caucus, I am very supportive of this bill. This bill is going to give our State fish and wildlife agencies the resources to adequately address their wildlife conservation funding problems. I am specifically talking about title III of the bill of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) which is the section that deals with wildlife conservation and restoration. Folks all around the country are going to benefit from this because it does provide a steady, dependable stream of revenue that is going to help fund both game and nongame wildlife conservation programs and, more importantly, or just as importantly, it is going to provide the States with the flexibility to tailor their programs to their particular needs. It is not going to make any difference whether one likes to hunt and fish, whether they hike or bike on trails, whether they bird watch, or whether they are concerned about the coastal regions of this country. This bill is going to provide our States with revenue and flexibility to make decisions, to tailor the needs of their States and the individuals in their States in those areas, as well as many other areas. One of the most exciting parts of this bill that I have been working on with the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) is the wildlife associated education portion of the bill. We need to ensure that our future generations are educated about wildlife, and recognize that hunting and fishing are valuable management tools. One of the great pleasures I get in life is hunting. I hunt with my son, and I hunt with my son-in-law. My grandson is 4 years old, and I hope one of these days that he is going to be able to enjoy the outdoors with me. We have to continue to educate people all across the country about the value of wildlife-associated education. I appreciate the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) incorporating some language that we asked to be incorporated that will protect wildlife education funds from being used by programs that oppose hunting and fishing. Helping replenish renewable sources with funds derived from nonrenewable resources is simply good policy. CARA accomplishes this without raising taxes by one single penny. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this rule.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. What my friend apparently does not understand about this amendment is that we are not saying we do not carry out every single provision in this bill, all we are saying is that we need to be consistent with the budget resolution and be fiscally responsible and take the time to allow the administration and Congress to work on a plan to find the funding for it. Now, this funding, the source of this funding that was intended in 1953 when these revenues were first found and generated were to go into the general treasury. They have been in the general treasury from 1953 into the 1970s, I think is when they were taken out and dedicated for other purposes. But in any event, it gets back to the point of we have got $3 billion in mandatory spending. I spoke in favor of the bill earlier today, because I think the bill is a good bill. But the funding aspect of it needs to be better planned for than what we have done within the framework that we are operating under tonight. All I am saying is that we need to take the time and be judicious and find the $3 billion to fund it rather than being inconsistent with the balanced budget resolution that we passed 4 weeks ago. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this is a bill that addresses the concerns of a number of my colleagues, along with myself, have with respect to a budget issue with this bill. CARA sets up mandatory funding mechanisms whereby $3 billion in mandatory spending is annually taken from the Outer Continental Shelf revenues to the various programs and it goes to the various programs under the bill. This means that if the requirements are met under each title of the bill that that money automatically goes to the State, the grantees, or whoever the recipients may be in the form of mandatory spending. The appropriators would play no role in controlling how a vast amount of the money is spent unless this amendment is adopted. Now, the problem with the bill is that it requires this $3 billion in mandatory spending and 4 weeks ago we adopted a budget that simply makes no provision for this $3 billion. Now, if this bill becomes law as currently structured, the amount of debt paid down or available for tax relief as assumed by the budget resolution will be reduced by this $3 billion every year, or roughly $15 billion over 5 years. Such a bill is at odds with the budget resolution that was adopted 4 weeks ago. Now, my friends, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), who are my dear friends and my hunting buddies, they have done a great job of putting this bill together and bringing in an awful lot of folks in support of this bill. I think the bill is a good bill and I think, with some addressing of concerns, we are going to make it a better bill. As they know, my amendment does not gut the bill. My amendment simply ensures that we are consistent with our budget resolution. This amendment makes sure that the integrity of the budget process is protected, because the ink is not even dry on the budget resolution and already we are trying to unravel some of the key commitments and assumptions that are laid out in the budget resolution. It is not like we are not going to be able to fund the provisions of this bill if my amendment is adopted, because all we are saying is that the appropriators will have to deal with the funding in this bill because there is no provision for it in the budget. It would go through the normal appropriation process. In our budget that we did adopt, over the next 5 years, we have approximately $1 billion in Function 300, which is the resources provision, that is available for funding programs that are included within CARA. Then starting in the year 2006, the bill moves forward just as laid out in the base text today; and that will, thus, give us time to make plans for the spending of this money. Now, I appreciate the fact that my friend the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) took the off-budget language out of the bill in his managers amendment. Now, that somewhat helped improve the situation, but it did not resolve the budget issue. Because when we take it off budget, then that means that it is subject to the budget law, which means that we are subject to pay-go rules, we are subject to sequestration rules, and that we have got to have either offsets or we are going to run into those sequestration rules. Now, as I have said, the bill addresses that problem by simply shifting the year in which the mandatory spending begins from fiscal year 2002 to year 2006. After that, then we can fit it within the budget resolution, hopefully. At least we will be able to plan for that. If my colleagues are conservation minded and want to support the bill without gutting it, this is a good amendment. If they are a fiscal conservative and care about maintaining the integrity of the budget process, this is a good amendment. I urge the adoption of the amendment.

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a very special group of young people visiting our Nation's Capital today, Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine is an organization in Georgia dedicated to children with cancer from all over the State. Julianne and I have been blessed to know this fine group over the years. I would like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, and each of my colleagues who take the time each year to visit with these special kids. It is always a treat for me to host their visit to Washington each year and visit with them in Georgia each summer. They are indeed a very special group of bright, well-rounded young people. It is truly an honor for me to be involved with a special organization like Camp Sunshine. My friends visiting this year include Russell Conover, Sarah Corbitt, Brad Doty, Anthony Grant, Jamaal Grayson, Tony Jones, Adam Kessler, Stephanie Kruse, Barbara Little, Joseph McConnell, Wesley Robbins, Job Steffins, Holli Tanner, Shanna Thomson, Joey Tripp, Michelle Winn, Matthew Winslow, Casimiro Ybarra, Jennifer Johnson, Ashley Palmer, Keenan Duron, and Camp Sunshine's Executive Director, Sally Hale. I would also like to send my best to Wesley Robbins and Barbara Little, who were unable to make the trip. We had an exciting day at the Capitol, and I look forward to many more visits in the future from Camp Sunshine.

Mr. CHAMBLISS

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I beg to disagree with the gentlewoman, who is my dear friend and who I work with very closely on the Committee on Agriculture. But as a member of the Committee on the Budget, I just want folks involved in agriculture to know and understand that we worked very hard over the last 2 years to provide money in the budget for real, meaningful crop insurance reform; that we have also provided money in this year's budget in anticipation of a bad year in agriculture for more money to go to our farmers in the form of an additional AMTA payment. The gentlewoman is probably right, we are going to cut out some of the bureaucratic function of Washington, DC with respect to agriculture, but this budget, which is the best budget our chairman has ever produced, in my opinion, in the 6 years that I have been here, is going to put more money in the pockets of farmers than any other budget we have ever passed in the 6 years that I have been here. It is at a time when our farmers are in dire straits all across the country, whether it is Georgia or Iowa or whether it is New England. This particular budget is going to go to put more money in the pockets where it is needed. Sure, it is probably going to take some money out of the bureaucracy, but we are going to put it where it is important.