Howard Coble

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. It is probably the most unsung rate in the military. The Coast Guard has long been known as the armed service that gets more done for less. I do not mean this as an indictment against our sister services, by any means, but the orphan syndrome as has been pointed out. And this is a good time to mention the Deepwater Project because the Coast Guard needs additional appropriated moneys to address the antiquated equipment, the cutters, the helicopters, the aircraft that are in dire need of replacement.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, not unlike the gentleman from Wisconsin, I also appeared at the Supreme Court on 9/11 to address the judicial conference. Just as I approached the podium, the Chief Justice handed me a note which read: ``The Pentagon has been bombed.'' I thought perhaps they did not know about the World Trade Center because they had been in session the entire morning, and I said, ``No, Chief, it's the World Trade Center.'' He said, ``No, Howard, it's the Pentagon here.'' My staff, Mr. Speaker, admonishes me to this day for not having retained that piece of paper. It would have been a nice personal memento. Each time I saw the Chief after that, he or I mentioned that exchange between us. Not unlike the gentleman from Wisconsin, I did not know the Chief that intimately, but I am very high on him. I think he was an outstanding Chief Justice. Each time I saw him, he or I mentioned that exchange between us on 9/11. If I could describe him very briefly, I would say a man blessed with supreme intellect; a warm, cordial demeanor; an outstanding Chief Justice; an outstanding jurist; an outstanding citizen; an outstanding gentleman. He will indeed be missed. I join with my colleagues in extending our sincere condolences to the family of this great man.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel). Mr. Speaker, weeks ago I said that CAFTA was neither as good nor as bad as its respective proponents contend. At that time I also said whether I vote for or against CAFTA, I will inevitably disappoint many of my constituents. It is that controversial, Mr. Speaker, in my district. I told President Bush that my late mom was a textile worker. She sewed pockets in overalls. And when textile workers, specifically female workers, plead with me to vote against CAFTA, I said to the President, it is my mama talking to me, and I cannot turn a deaf ear to those pleas. Now these workers, Mr. Speaker, may know virtually nothing about CAFTA, but their perception is that it is bad for them, it threatens their jobs. Now, many Members tonight who normally support trade agreements will for some reason, perhaps valid or otherwise, vote no tonight, and that is likely unfortunate because it goes away from their normal voting pattern. And I am confident that there is much good as well as much bad inevitably. I have talked to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw) about it. Some people are going to be hurt, some people are going to benefit, not unlike other trade agreements that have come before us on this floor in years previous. I usually vote against trade agreements. Tonight will be no exception, and I will do so. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for having yielded me time.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 308 was introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) and cosponsored by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp). This resolution recognizes August 13, 2005, as National Marina Day. This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions that marinas provide to so many of our local waterfront communities. There are over 12,000 marinas, Mr. Speaker, in the United States, and these facilities serve as a place where people who share a passion for the water can come together to enjoy our Nation's oceans, lakes and rivers. Marinas also serve as stewards of the environment and actively seek to protect the waterways that surround them. Many Members of this body represent districts in which recreational boating plays an important role in the lives of many of our constituents, and marinas provide an easy access point for citizens who wish to enjoy our Nation's coasts and waterways. This resolution highlights the importance of marinas and their role in promoting recreational boating and in connecting people to the water. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COBLE. I thank the gentleman from California.

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

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 308) supporting the goals of National Marina Day and urging marinas continue providing environmentally friendly gateways to boating.

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

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to modify the amendment with the modification at the desk.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. COBLE. I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I will just say that I look forward to working with the chairman of the full committee and the ranking member, as well as the ranking member of the subcommittee to resolve any other issues that may remain in conference.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment to reduce crime and terrorism at America's seaports. This amendment is long overdue and reflects the hard work and dedication of my colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) to an issue of critical importance to our Nation's safety. I want to thank all of them for their effort to this end. The amendment that we are offering today will protect our seaports by controlling access to seaports on sensitive areas, providing additional authority to the Coast Guard to investigate vessels, prohibiting use of dangerous weapons or explosives on a passenger vessel, protecting Coast Guard navigational aides on waterways, prohibiting transportation of dangerous materials by potential terrorists, prohibiting destruction or interference with vessels or maritime facilities, increasing penalties for illegal foreign shipments on vessels, increasing penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements, increasing criminal penalties for stowaways on vessels, and, finally, increasing penalties for bribery of port security authorities and officials. These measures are much-needed and long overdue. Again, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes), and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns).

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

Mr. COBLE. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

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

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. A ``Dear Colleague'' went out today, and I will share it with my colleagues. It says: ``The Coble amendment attacks tribal sovereignty. The Coble amendment reverses two statutes of Federal Indian policy. Oppose the Coble amendment.'' Well, oftentimes in this body, Mr. Chairman, we engage in semantical wars, and I disagree with the choice of these words; but in any event, we have resolved the differences. Mr. Chairman, I urge the support of the modified amendment before us to strengthen the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act, commonly known as CCTA. Why should this provision be included in the PATRIOT Act, one may ask? Criminal organizations, including terrorist groups, are using contraband cigarettes to fund their organizations. The scam is relatively easy and extremely lucrative. The criminals purchase cigarettes in a State with a low excise tax and then transport them to a high-tax State to sell. Many times they even counterfeit the tax stamps to ensure that the cigarettes appear legitimate. Criminals can make as much as $30 per carton for relatively little effort and risk. A scheme that was uncovered illustrates the magnitude of this problem. In 2003, a group of Hezbollah operatives were convicted of buying cigarettes in my home State of North Carolina and selling them in Michigan. They were using the proceeds of their operation to fund the activities of Hezbollah. Law enforcement authorities across the Nation believe these types of smuggling operations are a fast-growing problem. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would enhance the provisions of the CCTA to enable law enforcement to prosecute more of these schemes. First, the amendment would lower the threshold requirements for a violation of the CCTA from 60,000 to 10,000 cigarettes. It would apply the CCTA to smokeless tobacco as well, and impose reporting requirements on those engaging in delivery sales of more than 10,000 cigarettes, or 500 cans of packages of smokeless tobacco within a period of 1 month. Finally, it would authorize State and local governments and certain persons holding Federal tobacco permits to bring causes of action against violators of the CCTA. We must do everything we can to choke off this source of funding for criminal organizations which, in turn, subsidize terrorist organizations; and I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, about 9 or 10 months ago, a constituent of mine approached me back home and he said, Howard, we have got to get rid of this PATRIOT Act. I said, give me one example of how the PATRIOT Act has adversely affected you. He said, well, I cannot do that. I said, give me an example of how the PATRIOT Act has adversely affected anyone known to you. He said, well, I cannot do it. I said, you are not helping me. I am afraid, Mr. Speaker, that this is how the PATRIOT Act has been portrayed: Accusations of compromising our freedoms, but virtually no hard facts or evidence to support these accusations. And at the conclusion of our conversation, my constituent said to me, well, I guess maybe I have heard wrong information. I said, well, if you cannot come forward with anything other than just rank hearsay that is unsupported, I am going to have to embrace your conclusion. The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security hosted nine public hearings. The full House Committee on the Judiciary, furthermore, hosted three public hearings. Now, this is one dozen public hearings, Mr. Speaker, where the PATRIOT Act was the beneficiary or the target of an exhaustive, deliberate examination, in detail. Are we thoroughly and completely safe today? No. Are we safer today than we were prior to 9/11? Unquestionably. One of those reasons, Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, is the presence of the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act has indeed broadened the parameters through which and under which law enforcement and public safety officers are allowed to work. Compromising freedoms? No evidence of it. The hearings indicated no abuse on the part of the Federal Government, the U.S. Government, to protect us. I have the fear that one of these days these evil people driven by fanaticism will attack us again, but they have not since 9/11; and I think for that we should all be very thankful, and I think for that we should attribute some of that to the presence of the PATRIOT Act. I urge the passage of this rule, Mr. Speaker. Again I thank the gentleman from Georgia for having yielded time to me.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I will reiterate what has been previously said this date about the PATRIOT Act, and I do so for emphasis. The first point I want to emphasize is the assurance that the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee did not give the PATRIOT Act a mere wink and a nod. We, in fact, hosted 12 public hearings; three before the full committee, nine before our subcommittee. It was exhaustive, it was deliberate, it was thorough. So this matter was not accelerated and rushed through by any means, as some people seem to believe. I mentioned during the rule debate earlier, Mr. Chairman, about a constituent of mine who complained about the PATRIOT Act but he had no specifics. He said he had heard it was bad, but he could give me no specifics where in any way civil liberties had been compromised or abused. There has been some talk about sunsetting provisions of the act; 216 and 206 will, in fact, be sunsetted. But in these two instances, Mr. Chairman, there was no evidence of abuse or any violation at all, but these two were sunsetted because, among the other sections in the act, these two seemed to attract most of the controversy. So these are the two that stood out controversially but, I reiterate, still no evidence of abuse. I think we in the Committee on the Judiciary have done a thorough job of exhausting and deliberating a very, very important act, and I believe that one reason why we have not been attacked subsequently from 9/11 is because of the presence of the PATRIOT Act. We expanded the provisions under which law enforcement and public safety officers must operate and must stay within, and as a result we are better for it.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, two-thirds of our population lives a sedentary lifestyle with poor dietary habits that regularly include ``super-sized'' meals. Such poor habits are particularly prevalent in our Nation's rural areas, including many of the North Carolina communities that I represent. These habits are increasing among older Americans. As a result, many rural Americans suffer from heart disease, diabetes and stroke. My home State of North Carolina ranks 12th in the United States for increased aging population and, according to a national report, 41st in overall health. According to this same report, individuals aged 50+ are the least healthy. More than 20 years of research shows that inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are more significant in the effect on health than genetic factors. The good news is that even minimal activity can significantly extend life. Regular physical activity promotes physical and psychological wellbeing; increases energy levels; helps older adults become stronger and maintain independence; reduces the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer; and helps those with chronic disease manage their conditions better. To help my constituents in the 6th District of North Carolina, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, a health care system in Pinehurst, North Carolina, implemented Active for Life, a research-based program that teaches mid-life and older adults how to change their behavior and incorporate physical activity into their everyday life. This program, a part of a national effort to get older Americans moving, has measurable results. Fewer than a quarter of the participants reported being fairly active at the beginning of the program. After completing the 20-week Active for Life program, a remarkable 81 percent reported that they are active most of the days of the week. By doing so, they meet the Surgeon General's recommendation and, more importantly, they lead healthier lives. Participants report that they think differently about health and look for opportunities to be active. A man from Pinehurst was able to avoid medications when his blood pressure became under control during the program, while another woman from Southern Pines reduced her cane use when walking. The results achieved by FirstHealth and at other Active for Life sites demonstrate the effectiveness of such lifestyle programs. Participation in this type of evidence-based behavior change program is good preventive medicine, and an investment in these programs will save our health care dollars down the road. We need to get creative about getting Americans, particularly older Americans active. Incentives should be incorporated into health plans for patient and provider participation, and environmental changes should be made to develop ``walkable communities.'' As a member of the United States Congress, I strongly urge decision-makers and community leaders to identify how they can take ``action''--both behind the scenes, as they determine policy, and literally on the road as they walk for their health.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the Sixth District of North Carolina is proud to report another national championship win in men's golf. And I am proud to report the school is my alma mater. On May 12, 2005, the Guilford College men's golf team won its second NCAA Division III national championship in 4 years with a 25-stroke win over the second place Redlands at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort near Orlando, Florida. We are equally proud of Greensboro College for its third place finish. This Quaker victory margin is the seventh largest in NCAA Division III history and the largest since the 1999 tournament. First-place efforts by golfers Colin Clark and Dave Patterson helped lead the team to a 290, 2-over-par championship win. Clark and Patterson battled for the best score of the day with the two returning to the 18th hole after regulation play for a playoff. Clark finished in first place earning him the medalist title, as well as the Outback Steakhouse Arnold Palmer Award. Clark, Patterson, and junior teammate Brant Stovall also earned First Team PING All-America recognition. Outstanding coaching by Jack Jensen, who has completed his 29th season as Guilford's coach, also contributed to the team's success. Jensen has received his second Eaton Golf Pride NCAA Division III Coach of the Year Award from the Collegiate Golf Association. Jensen began coaching the Quakers in 1976 and built a powerhouse team which finished no lower than sixth at the NAIA tournament from 1985-1990. He has coached many award-winning golfers throughout his career including PGA Tour member Lee Porter. Guilford's 2005 NCAA Division III national championship team consists of golfers Colin Clark, Daniel Day, Earlie Gilley, Chris Lowman, Jeff Osberg, Dave Patterson, Joseph Poplin, Brant Stovall, Matt Tipton, Blake Wagner, Steve Walton, and Spencer Witherspoon. Each member of the team played a valuable role in the team's performance throughout the season and at the tournament. This NCAA Division III men's golf team brings honor to the golf program at Guilford College and to the Sixth District of North Carolina, We congratulate the team and Coach Jack Jensen for an outstanding season, another national championship title, and a job very well done.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to set forth some of the history behind, as well as describe the workings of the Private Calendar. I hope this might be of some value to the Members of this House, especially our newer colleagues.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, as baseball fans across America anxiously wait to see who will win this year's World Series, the Sixth District of North Carolina waits no longer for one of its champions to be crowned. On June 4, 2005, the Southern Alamance Patriots captured the North Carolina Class 3-A state baseball championship by defeating Northwest Cabarrus two games to one at Doak Field on the campus of North Carolina State University. This year, Southern Alamance captured its first state title since 1988 and its third in school history. With the series tied at one in the third game of the series, the Patriots scored an unprecedented eight runs in the first inning. This was an anomaly after the Patriots were held to only three hits in game two. The (Burlington) Times-News reported that the Patriots learned from their mistakes and took advice from their coach Jason Smith when he told them to not try to, ``. . . lift and hit it out. In this big park it is not going to happen.'' The players kept the ball on the ground and prevailed in what proved to be an exhilarating game. Northwest Cabarrus went into game three on a ``high'' after beating the Patriots in game two. The game winning ``high'' was soon replaced with a ``low'' after the Trojan's starting pitcher, Robbie Gurley, walked two people and gave up a single in the first inning. Gurley was pulled and replaced by Joe Hubbard. After Hubbard could not get the job done and was replaced by a third hurler, the Patriots were confident after gaining an eight-run lead in the first inning. Among those who scored in the first were Thomas Sappelt, Michael Parker, Roy Albright, Brent Haynes, Jonathan Shields, and Brad Thornburg. Northwest Cabarrus coach Joe Hubbard was quoted in the Times-News saying, ``We couldn't stop the first inning; it just snowballed on us.'' The series' Most Valuable Player Brent Haynes stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners on second and third. Haynes hit a ground ball down the first base line and accumulated a RBI as Brad Thornburg whisked across home plate. Much to the dismay of the Northwest Cabarrus fans, the game ended under the 10-run rule. After the dominating victory imposed by the Patriots, Coach Smith should be credited for much of the team's success. After coming off of a tough loss in game two, Coach Smith encouraged the players to play smart baseball instead of imitating the starlike swings of Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa. Smart baseball for this team was to hit ground balls, which proved to payoff. Coach Smith had a strong coaching staff behind him that consisted of Eddie Wood, Paul Bishop, Nathan Holcomb, and Andrew Thomas. Although the players' hard work and commitment to team excellence helped them succeed, they would be the first to tell you that the key to their success was impeccable leadership. We congratulate the players: Jimmy Robbins, Michael Pernell, Dave Sappelt, John Crawford, Jonathon Thrasher, Jonathan Shields, Michael Parker, Brad Thornburg, Jay Liddle, Reid Straughan, Richard Allred, Roy Albright, Brent Haynes, Thomas Sappelt, Gabe Shoffner, Cale Rogers, Zach Robinson, Luke Vandall, score keeper Stephanie Smith, and team manager Holden Walker. Each member of the team played a valuable role in their commendable season, which ended with a 27-5 record and a state title. This 3-A state baseball championship brings pride back to the baseball program at Southern Alamance, and we congratulate Principal Kent Byrd, Athletic Director David Vaughn, the community of the Southern Alamance Patriots and most importantly the team and coaching staff for a job well done.

Mr. COBLE

Mr. COBLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. I say to my friend from the Green Mountains, he and I have different political philosophies, and my friend from Vermont and I are light years apart; but he will recall I vote with him every now and then, but I think he is wrong on this one. The subcommittee on which I sit, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, we have conducted nine oversight hearings, Mr. Chairman; and although I am not sure the public at large is aware of this, section 215 now before us, the so-called ``library provision,'' does not even mention the word ``library.'' It covers business records. And, yes, section 215 could be used to obtain business records from a library. But we also know that from the Attorney General's oral testimony to our committee on April 6 section 215 has never been used to obtain business records from a library, nor has section 215 been used to obtain bookstore records, medical records, or gun sale records. In fact, Mr. Chairman, no evidence has been presented to this committee, or to the Department of Justice's Inspector General, of any abuse of section 215 for any use. We also know that the Department of Justice's response to questions from our committee that terrorists are indeed using our libraries; so at some point, section 215 may well be needed there, as the distinguished gentleman from Virginia just said earlier. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I want to go on record: some of my best friends are librarians, so I am in no way advocating turning the dogs loose on libraries. That is not the intent at all. I think section 215 has served us well. I do not think it has been abused.