Mac Collins

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what the gentleman has said and what he brings before the House here tonight about the embargo and how the Russians are holding up the shipment of poultry products from Georgia. We all in Georgia have poultry plants within our districts, and I do have a letter I would like to submit to the Record, a letter that the delegation has sent to the President asking him to involve with the President of Russia on his visit later this week to talk about this very important issue because not only will it have an effect on the poultry business, but it will have an effect on trade between our two countries and could be negative, but it could also be turned into a positive position. At this point, I will insert the letters into the Record. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 17, 2002. President George W. Bush, The White House, Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC. Dear President Bush: We, the members of the Georgia Congressional delegation, appreciate your Administration's active engagement to restore U.S. poultry exports to Russia to normal, pre-embargo trade levels. Since there remain a number of hurdles in achieving this goal, we are writing to request your continued personal involvement so that this issue can be resolved as timely as possible. With poultry contributing one-fourth of total U.S. exports to Russia, the severe trade disruption has exacerbated the trade imbalance Russia has with the United States. The disruption of poultry exports to Russia has caused U.S. chicken companies to experience a cost of over $25 million per week in terms of lost sales opportunities overseas and depressed domestic prices for chicken. Further, the price impact has rippled to competing meats, such as pork and beef, because the chicken leg quarters originally destined for Russia are now competing with other meats in U.S. supermarkets. Corn and soybean farmers are beginning to feel the economic impact too, as chicken companies start to adjust their production plans in the wake of the depressed Russian market for U.S. poultry. Georgia is the Nation's leading poultry state so the economic damage is being felt more severely than in many other states. Also, with much of Georgia's exports being shipped to Russia, the problem is compounded. Of particular concern is Russia's demand that a new U.S./ Russian veterinary agreement be negotiated and agreed-upon by June 29, 2002. Such a demand will be very difficult to meet for a number of reasons. On April 30, 2002, Russia proposed a new, revised veterinary agreement to replace the 1996 agreement. This version contains many unworkable provisions, such as prohibition against the feeding of genetically modified grains and oilseeds, banning of many FDA-approved antibiotics, and other so-called sanitary requirements that do not improve food safety but are, in fact, potential non- tariff trade barriers for U.S. poultry. We are very concerned that Russia has not accepted the idea that international trade is a two-way path. Russia has a more than two to one favorable trade balance with the United States. Sincerely, Jack Kingston, Johnny Isakson, John Linder, Charlie Norwood, Cynthia McKinney, John Lewis, Saxby Chambliss, Mac Collins, Bob Barr, Nathan Deal, Sanford Bishop, Members of Congress.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize and commend Guy Sims of Muscogee County. Mr. Sims has spent the last 36 years working to strengthen and build the minds of young people in the Greater Columbus, Georgia region. In 1966, Mr. Sims began a teaching career at Wood Elementary School. In the twenty years between 1971 and 1991, he served as principal of Rose Hill, Fox, and Carver Elementary schools. For the past five years he has served with distinction as Superintendent of the Muscogee County School District. During his time working with young people, he has demonstrated his dedication to education by serving as President of the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals, served on the Georgia Department of Education committees for State Standards Evaluation, Performance Based Education, Personnel Development, and Teacher of the Year Selection. In his spare time, Mr. Sims has been a faithful community servant working with the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, the Leadership Morality Institute, the United Way, Columbus Communities in Schools, the Columbus Literate Community, the Georgia Early Leaming Initiative, the Rotary Club, Advisory Partnership Groups, and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Sims has been instrumental in establishing the Reading Recovery Program, a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, construction of new libraries, Georgia's Choice, raising teacher salaries, magnate and alternative schools, and an improved District Technology Plan. Mr. Sims has exemplified the behavior of a dedicated teacher and administrator during a time when not enough recognition is given to those who educate children. He has stayed the course when so many are leaving our schools for better paying jobs in the private sector. So, on the occasion of his retirement, I would like to thank Mr. Sims for his service to countless young people. In fact, if you were to gather together all of the young people whose lives have been touched by this man, you could not fit them all in the Capitol. Mr. Sims, I wish you a happy retirement and thank you for your service to your nation and to the children and community of Muscogee County.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, on May 21, 2002 one of Georgia's treasures will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Created as a place ``prettier than anything since the Garden of Eden,'' Cason and Virginia Callaway envisioned a verdant preserve of some of the most beautiful flora and fauna in our nation. Today, Callaway Gardens is all of that and so much more. Featuring the world's largest man-made inland, white-sand beach, a world-class resort, world's largest azalea garden, acclaimed golf, birds of prey program, and a collection of plumleaf azaleas, a plant which the Callaway's rescued from the verge of extinction, Callaway Gardens has been a place of relaxation and beauty for generations of Americans. Keats once wrote, ``A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.'' That is the most appropriate description I have ever heard for Callaway Gardens. As the family of Cason and Virginia Callaway celebrate the 50th anniversary of their parents' dream, I congratualte them for continuing to make that dream a reality. A friend of farmers, environmentalists, and those who appreciate beauty, the Callaways have crafted a marvel of modern day horticulture and botany in the midst of rural Georgia. I am pleased to represent the people who work at and lead Callaway Gardens, and I am pleased that such a thing of beauty is located in the Third District of the great State of Georgia.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, on May 21, 2002 one of Georgia's treasures will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Created as a place ``prettier than anything since the Garden of Eden,'' Cason and Virginia Callaway envisioned a verdant preserve of some of the most beautiful flora and fauna in our Nation. Today, Callaway Gardens is all of that and so much more. Featuring the world's largest man-made inland, white-sand beach, a world-class resort, the world's largest azalea garden, acclaimed golf, birds of prey program, and a collection of plumleaf azaleas, a plant which the Callaway's rescued from the verge of extinction, Callaway Gardens has been a place of relaxation and beauty for generations of Americans. Keats once wrote, A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. That is the most appropriate description I have ever heard for Callaway Gardens. As the family of Cason and Virginia Callaway celebrate the 50th anniversary of their parents' dream, I congratulate them for continuing to make that dream a reality. A friend of farmers, environmentalists, and those who appreciate beauty, the Callaways have crafted a marvel of modern day horticulture and botany in the midst of rural Georgia. I am pleased to represent the people who work at and lead Callaway Gardens, and I am pleased that such a thing of beauty is located in the Third District of the great State of Georgia.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. This budget is a cash-flow management plan for fiscal year 2003 and for 4 years beyond. It is a cash-flow plan that is, in many ways, similar to the cash-flow plans that individuals must manage for themselves, those which families plan while sitting around the kitchen table and small businesses establish when determining how many employees they will hire or how many equipment purchases they will make in the coming year. In fact, there are over 1 million families today, due to the tragic events of last September, who are planning their finances to weather the emergency situation they are facing in their lives: loss of a job, slowing business revenues, and so forth. Many of these families will borrow or have borrowed from their savings or retirement, life insurance or home equity to ride out the storm. Mr. Chairman, it is from the cash flow of the taxpayer all across the country that the Federal Government receives its income. When individual family and business budgets are healthy and strong enough to make the necessary and often the discretionary purchases, when they are thriving enough that they are adding jobs to the workforce and expanding business opportunities, the Federal Government's budget is the strongest. Today, we have a deficit cash flow. It is from the lack of consumer confidence caused by the lack of job confidence. Mr. Chairman, we must examine what has eroded consumer and job confidence. The 7 o'clock news reports tally the market and the unemployment numbers. In February of 2000, the NASDAQ began to plunge from almost a high of 4,700 points; ``dot coms'' were folding at a rapid pace. In February, the Dow Jones began to fluctuate and plunged in November of 2000. Unemployment numbers began to rise in November of 2000. With such numbers, is it no wonder that job confidence and consumer confidence were eroded? This decline in confidence, coupled with the significant and unexpected expenditures of the last months, are the major reasons we find ourselves working to establish a responsible budget plan. How has this administration and Congress addressed this decline in confidence? The Congress passed the 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act for American workers, extended taxpayer cash flow, where our cash flow comes from, by $74 billion in 2001, by over $60 billion in 2002, and by over $90 billion in 2003, plus the stimulus package of $43 billion that we just passed. In 3 years, Mr. Chairman, the Congress will leave over $300 billion in cash flow to the taxpayers. So, let us look at what has happened when we have had major tax relief over the last few decades. In the 1960s, revenues increased; 1961, $92 billion in revenue for the Federal Government; in 1970, it doubled, $196 billion; in the 1980s, 1981, we had revenues of $599 billion. In 10 years, it increased to over $1 trillion. Mr. Chairman, the same will happen with the tax relief package that we passed yesterday. This budget is evidence that the Congress trusts the people at home, the people we live with, the people we work beside, the people who are our neighbors running the small and large businesses that are the engine of our economy. And as a reminder, my colleagues, they supply the money we spend here each year. I trust them and I want them to have more money to spend, to invest, and to use as they see fit. That is why I support this responsible budget, and I urge others to.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, ninety years ago, in Savannah, Georgia, Juliette Gordon Low formed an organization for girls. The original Girl Scout troop consisted of 18 girls from the Savannah community. Today, the Girl Scout organization has grown to include more than 3.7 million current members, and more than 50 million girls and women have at one time or another been members of the Girl Scouts of America. The Girl Scouts of America was recognized by this body in 1950 by a Congressional Charter. Today, they are part of a global family that serves more than 140 nations and has more than 10 million members. While we all are familiar with Girl Scout Cookies, what many people are not aware of is the diverse make-up of Girl Scout Troops in this nation and around the world. Currently in the United States there are more than 233,000 troops meeting in homes, churches, schools and community centers. Nearly one million adults volunteer serve as leaders to teach girls self-confidence and skills, and to encourage them to think creatively and to act with integrity. In addition to conventional troops, Girl Scouts meet in detention centers, and group homes. They meet, in homeless shelters, and in migrant farm camps, and some meet via the Internet. The goal is to allow as many girls as possible to develop their full potential; relate positively with others; develop values that provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and to contribute to society. In a day and age of less-than-positive role models, it is vital that our young people have the opportunity to grow and be influenced by positive mentors, and to learn skills that will help them to be productive and conscientious members of society. The Girl Scouts have established a research institute, work to address violence prevention, and are encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, math, and technology. I am proud the Girl Scouts began in my home state. I am proud one of my granddaughters is a Girl Scout. I am proud of the contributions this fine group has made to the nation and to the world. Congratulations to the Girl Scouts of America on their 90th birthday. I wish them many more years of service in the fulfillment of their mission to nurture girls and help them build character and skills for success.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, is it proper procedure for me to state that, in my opinion, the statement I made was factual?

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the other body, my statement was then factual to me and to this body. I thank the Chair.

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, as I was stating, people who are unemployed are more interested in a job even though they know when they do need some subsidy, such jobs are created again or opened back up. Last year before the Committee on the Budget, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve was asked a question about interest rates: Do you think you've raised interest rates too quick and too high? His answer was: No. What we were trying to do was slow down the capital investments of corporations. He succeeded because now he states what we need are capital investments of corporations, of business, and we are not talking about just large corporations. We are talking about all corporations. We see that interest rates have been lowered to a record level in many years, but it is not working. Low interest rates are good for borrowers if someone wants to borrow or if someone wants that cheap money. I tell my colleagues who it is not good for. It is not good for those who have invested in the money market, and I guarantee my colleagues, those people will remember in November what their interest bearing is on their CD and their money market accounts. So I would advise my colleagues to not drag this thing out again. How does stimulus relate to the market and the economy? I have been in transportation for over 39 years. Everything at some point moves by truck. Inventories are lower, they are not being replenished because they have been moved out, and people are turning those inventories to cash. I have seen the ups and downs of the economy. I have also heard a lot about tax credits for creating a job. In 39 years I never hired a person because of a tax credit, but I bought a lot of equipment because of tax deference. There is nothing in this bill that exempts a corporation from tax. It defers a tax so that it encourages them to invest, and it does away with the punishment clause that causes a company to prepay tax even in a year when they have a bad year. That is the alternative minimum tax, and that is how it works. This will work. I will give my colleagues an example of a small business. Had this bill reached the President's desk in December or in October, there is a small business, I talked to the owner in Georgia, who was prepared to buy and invest a quarter of a million dollars before January 1, 2002, in equipment and plans to buy and purchase over the next 3 years $1 million a year because he has seen the ups and downs of the economy and how tax relief, tax deference has worked for the marketplace and has encouraged people in the marketplace to spend money which creates jobs. If my colleagues really want to do something for the unemployed, they will also support this stimulus package. If my colleagues want to send a message to the other body, they will support this and have a larger number of yes votes.

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. The more I hear, the better I understand that talk is cheap. I want to remind those who say that the Senate, the other body, is going to accept this as dead on arrival. I also want to remind Members of this: the majority Members of the other body support a stimulus package. It is the supermajority leader who does not and want to have an issue for the fall rather than a solution today. People who are unemployed are not so much interested in a UI check. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I could not understand all you said.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I have always heard that money talks and B.S. walks. Well, Mr. Speaker, there is enough money in this bill to talk, but there is a lot of rhetoric here tonight that should walk. Yes, there is a difference of opinion as to how this health care and this unemployment should be handled, but the truth of the matter is, it is being handled. If there are questions by constituents of how and who they get in touch with when it comes to their health care, I am pretty sure they have the number in the third district of Georgia of Congressman Mac Collins's office and they will call and we will be glad to help them. There is a lot of rhetoric here about this is for the rich corporations. The rich corporations are only a name. It is the people who work for those businesses that actually make up those businesses. But there are a lot of small businesses in this country that need help. I am going to tell my colleagues about one in particular. Two young men operating a trucking company in Jackson, Georgia, doing fairly well for themselves, deep in debt, a lot of expenses, a lot of overhead. They are working people. Their business is off because of what has happened recently in this economy. It is down some 25 to 30 percent. This particular bill, based on the tax provisions that will encourage people to invest capital, either into buildings or into equipment, will help those two young men, because someone will order some material and they will get to deliver it; one of their drivers will have another load to haul. That is how we stimulate an economy. Piece by piece, worker by worker. Encouraging investment. We are taking away something in this bill too that is in the tax codes that punishes people for making investments. We are reducing the burden of the alternative minimum tax. It is a punishment for people to invest, small or large. But it is not the entity; it is the people. People that we are trying to get back into the marketplace, back into the job place, and that is the best thing we can do for anyone who is out of work who works for an employer or who has their own health insurance. Get their job back. Put them back into the workplace. That is what will happen with this bill here. This is the last train leaving the station, folks. Do not fail, do not fail those working people at home. Small business, or if we want to call it the big fat cat corporations, it is whoever we want to call it, but it is the workers, the people that work for those entities. They need help

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, as I have traveled throughout the Third District of Georgia, touring textile plants, talking to small business people in towns where textile plants have closed, I have repeatedly heard from those people that they are tired of trade agreements that have exported more jobs in their area than it has exported products. They are tired of agreements that have exported plants, seeing those plants relocated offshore, outside of the United States, all because of weak trade agreements. In many ways, we have been our own worst enemy when it comes to the textile areas because we have repeatedly said no, no, no. But this time we took a different direction, because I have at this point to commend the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas), the President, the USTR Representative and Secretary Don Evans of Commerce, because as we went to them and expressed our concerns and our problems, they listened. Not only did they listen, Mr. Speaker, but they reacted to those problems. Many of the things that you heard the chairman repeat and talk about earlier are provisions that strengthen this bill, provisions in this bill that will strengthen not only the bill, but strengthen future trade agreements, so that we do promote the exporting of goods. This President needs the authority to be able to negotiate, to be at the table to sell our products. And that is what it is all about, products that are manufactured and produced and services that are rendered by people of this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, support the President on this. He has a good track record in the few months that he has been in office. He has already addressed the dumping of steel in this country that hurts steelworkers, the dumping of softwood from Canada that hurt many mill workers across this country. In Doha he resisted the pressure from those who wanted to accelerate the phaseout of quotas and tariffs on textiles. He has a good record. He is our leader. He can be the leader and promoter of goods from this country in the international trade market. I urge support and passage of this Trade Promotion Authority. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Trade Promotion Authority to allow the President to sell American goods and services. That's right, Mr. Speaker. The President is and should be the number one salesperson for American goods and services. He must be a leader in International trade, promoting America the same way he is leading in the international fight against terrorism. American workers need a salesperson. Now, I say to you, Mr. Speaker and to the leadership in the Congress, the American worker has grown tired and weary of trade agreements which export American jobs rather than American goods and services. The American worker is tired of deep pocket CEO's of major corporations sending their Washington lobbyists to urge the passage of trade agreements and then within a short time announcing a plant closing in the U.S., only to relocate to Mexico or some other country. The American worker deserves trade agreements which promote the products they produce or services they deliver. To assist and ensure the President promotes the American worker, this bill contains legislative language and report language requiring the President, when negotiating with other nations to do the following: First, it requires reciprocating trade agreements. In exchange for allowing the selling of international products in our nation, it requires the same consideration for American goods. Second, it requires the President to negotiate on rules of origin for U.S. content in products to be assembled elsewhere and sold back in the U.S. Third, it requires the President to discuss and monitor the difference in value of currency in the negotiating country when compared to the strong U.S. Dollar. Mr. Speaker, parameters, such as these are instructions to the President that American workers want to be engaged in the International marketplace. But such engagement must be fair to all, not free to some at the expense of American jobs. Mr. Speaker, I have full confidence the President will follow these and other instructions set forth by Congress. He has already shown tremendous support for American jobs by calling the hand of those nations which have dumped steel in the United States at the expense of the steel worker. He has called Canada's hand for exporting subsidized soft wood lumber to the U.S. by proving they were engaged in dumping excess lumber at the expense of the American worker. He placed a tariff on lumber from Canada rather than negotiating a new agreement at the expense of the American worker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, American workers standing on the assembly line need to and want to trade in an international market. But they want to be able to sell their products, not just buy from other countries. This bill will give the President the authority to negotiate and provide instructions on how to approach those negotiations. I urge passage of Trade Promotion Authority so we can assist American workers with their jobs, sell their goods and services, and keep our economy strong.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, on September 11th, 2001 our nation suffered a cataclysmic attack of unprecedented proportion. More than 6,000 Americans lost their lives in less than 1 hour's time. In the two months following that tragic day, our citizens have struggled for ways to accept and deal with such a horrific loss. We have held candlelight vigils, all night prayer groups, talked of memorials and rebuilding. We have launched a major military campaign to seek justice for those victims. But one young man, whose name is known to many of this body and many of the American people, has found a way to genuinely memorialize those victims and that day in song. Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia in 1958. Since that time he has grown into one of the nation's most loved Country Music stars. Some have called him the conscience of Nashville for his actions and the type of music he makes. On November 7th at the Country Music Awards, Alan sang a song he wrote, which more than any other that I have heard, expressed the wide range of emotions experienced on September 11, 2001. I would like to read those lyrics to you now. Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) (By Alan Jackson) Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day Were you in the yard with your wife and children Or working on some stage in L.A. Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke Rising against that blue sky Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones And pray for the ones who don't know Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble And sob for the ones left below Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue And the heroes who died just doin' what they do Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer And look at yourself and what really matters I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day Teaching a class full of innocent children Or driving down some cold interstate Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor In a crowded room did you feel alone Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her Did you dust off that bible at home Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened And you close your eyes and not go to sleep Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages Or speak to some stranger on the street Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow Go out and buy you a gun Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin' And turn on ``I Love Lucy'' reruns Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers Stand in line and give your own blood Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family Thank God you had somebody to love I would like to take this opportunity to commend and congratulate my former constituent, a great American who has used his gifts as a songwriter and performer to lift the American spirit in this great pursuit for justice. Alan Jackson has crafted a thoughtful memorial to the victims of September 11th and serves as an example of how all Americans can help heal our nation from the wounds we suffered on that tragic day. Thank you Alan, for helping us to remember those we lost and for helping to keep their memory alive.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, yes, we are all concerned about the instability in parts of the world that we have trading partners in: Africa, the Caribbean, the Andean areas. We should be worried and concerned about them, because as trade partners, they need the wherewithal to buy our products. They need jobs to help bring stability to those areas. But as the chairman said, I am concerned about jobs in the United States, too, in one particular area, and that is in the area of textiles, which has been suffering for some years now, based in large part on some of our trading in the past. Mr. Speaker, this bill in no way is perfect. We understand that. The chairman has mentioned that. I remember back in the early part of this year I was in Thomaston, Georgia, meeting with the chamber of commerce and people representing agencies from the State and the Federal Government to talk about economic recovery, because the textile mill that had been in operation for 102 years made the announcement they were closing their doors, that they no longer could compete. As I sat and listened to those who presented all these good programs to help the people who were being displaced from their jobs, I made the comment, it is great to hear these people here with these offerings, but where were they when the patient was becoming ill? I had been conversing with the people at Thomaston Mill for several years and heard they were on their way out because they could not compete. No, this bill is not perfect. The part that bothers me is the regional content, the cloth and yarn provisions dealing with CBI in Africa, and the Andean reauthorization. But the chairman understands this. He has stated here today that he knows this bill is not perfect. He has listened to the Representatives from the textile area, the caucus on textiles. He has heard their input. He has done some things in other areas that I think show it is evident that he has listened. We have problems with transshipments, contraband, counterfeit material, claiming it is U.S. He has put provisions in the Customs reauthorization requiring additional people, paying for it, pertaining to textile transshipments. He has put report language in the ATPA on rules of origin, to instruct our ambassador to go back and look at previous agreements and how we have negotiated those, and how it has made us more competitive in certain markets, particularly textile. He is willing to increase and help in the area of the Trade Adjustment Act, so we can help with benefits for those who are displaced. We know there will be some. In the area of currency, where we have all had problems, devaluation of currency in other areas, in other countries, for the first time, in ATPA there is legislative language that instructs the ambassador to make sure we have consultation up front in the discussions reflecting that we are going to be aware and marking what they do with their currency. The report language requires that we talk and consult about reciprocating access so we can get our products into their market, not a one-way street. The chairman has shown good faith, and I think he will continue to do so. The administration has shown good faith with the trade ambassador, Bob Zoellick. I think he will continue to do so. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am going to vote ``yes'' on this bill; I want to move it forward. But I also am going to work with the chairman and the administration to see that we can perfect the areas that we all know are imperfect today. So I will be voting ``yes'' for that purpose, and I know that purpose will come through.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bill Thomas and Subcommittee Chairman Wally Herger for their effort on this important legislation, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 (H.R. 2873) H.R. 2873 reauthorizes the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program, which is the primary federal resource to prevent child abuse and neglect. This legislation takes important steps to help strengthen parental relationships and promote healthy marriages. It is for this reason that I offer my strong support for this important legislation. I support H.R. 2873 because it recognizes the importance of a loving and stable family in the life of a child. While many Americans, such as myself, have been blessed to grow up in loving families, there are too many that do not have such a family. Recognizing this fact and the need for a loving, nurturing and disciplined home in the life of a child, Truett Cathy, the founder and CEO of Chik-Fil-A restaurants, established WinShape Homes in 1987. Mr. Cathy started WinShape Homes to provide a loving, nurturing home for those children who are victims of circumstances and need a stable, secure family environment in which to grow and mature. Since 1987, WinShape Homes have served over 250 children. Currently, there are approximately 125 children in WinShape's eleven homes. These homes strive to meet all the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children, and they stress character building, manners, proper dress, and hygiene. WinShape accepts boys and girls ages 6-16 regardless of race, culture, or religion. While WinShape Homes cannot adopt the children in their care, these homes function as loving and stable families for these children. A person never graduates from WinShape, even after marriage. Simply put, a WinShape family member is a family member for life. Mr. Speaker, while I support this legislation and its goals, I am concerned about a related issue resulting from the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) and the unintended consequences it could have on some children, particularly those who have found a loving home at WinShape. Rightfully, ASFA seeks to end the ``foster care drift'' that results when children are abused or neglected by their birth parents by placing these children in loving, adoptive homes. In this regard, ASFA has enjoyed great success. Unfortunately, ASFA's provisions do not adequately address the unique situation found in the families at WinShape Homes. The problem for places like WinShape has resulted from ASFA's structure which pits family reunification against adoption. Under ASFA, states are required to hold ``permanency'' hearings no later than 12 months after placement in foster care to determine whether parental unification with the child or termination of parental rights should take place. Because WinShape Homes cannot adopt children, children at WinShape Homes may face these ``termination proceedings.'' As a result, a child could potentially be removed from the loving family at WinShape and placed in an entirely new family environment. In addition, while WinShape places a priority on maintaining sibling relationships, such termination proceedings may result in breaking this family bond and separating one sibling from the others through the adoptive process. Mr. Speaker, as this important work to place children in loving, stable homes continues, I ask that the Members of this House examine these provisions regarding ``termination proceedings'' and permanent living arrangements, such as WinShape Homes, that provide a loving and stable home for so many children. In so doing, the House will only improve on the success of the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Once again, I thank both Chairman Thomas and Chairman Herger for their work to promote safe and stable families for our children. I look forward to working with them, the House Leadership and all of my colleagues in this House to ensure that more American children grow up in loving and stable families.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Objection, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I appreciate the fact that Reverend George Dillard did move to the third district of Georgia. As we can tell by his opening prayer, he is a messenger of God's word; and he is also one who believes in returning the message to God based on the things that he sees and the things that are happening in this country and asking for the need and the help of God. I welcome him here today. I think it is great that he opened the House this morning. His wife and children were here last year and as he was leaving home yesterday and he called in, his children answered and said, Where are you? He said, I am in Congressman Collins's office. They said, oh, that is Uncle Mac. Tell him we will be back to see him, and we want them to come. His family does great work in Peachtree City, Georgia. He will do great work wherever he goes because he is delivering the message of God. Thank you, George Dillard, for being here this morning. Thank you, Chaplain, for inviting him to come up and participate here this morning.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, Congress is taking important steps today to provide real short-term relief for the industry. The Air Transportation System Stabilization Act (H.R. 2926) delivers on the commitment supported by Congress and stated firmly by President George Bush in his address to the nation last night--``We will come together to promote stability and keep our airlines flying with direct assistance during this emergency.'' For several days last week the U.S. government closed down the domestic aviation industry--a decision that was vital to the interest and safety of our country in a crisis situation. Now that the industry is back online, it is equally vital to our nation that we take steps to ensure that the public continues to have access to viable, competitive aviation transportation. Today we are asking the taxpayers to provide a huge injection into the arm of the aviation industry. But the cash infusion, the tax deferral and the financial guarantees from Congress are only one part of the formula. We have also heard about a lot of talk tonight about providing additional legislation which provides a whole slew of health, unemployment benefits, in addition to those that already exist under current law. But rather than double dip from the taxpayers, the aviation industry should use the initial taxpayer assistance provided through H.R. 2926, to keep their employees on board and utilize these professionally- trained men and women. In order to survive, airlines must focus on reestablishing confidence among the American consumer. The only way you are going to get people back on planes, is to assure them that air travel is 110 percent safe. Airlines should consolidate flights and dedicate non-flying personnel to increased security inspections. Rather than laying off employees during this travel slowdown, why not utilize their professional training by putting them throughout airports to increase passenger security checks and baggage inspection. It's a fact that the elevated security status means that federal employees are already being pulled from non-aviation assignments throughout the government to meet the increased demand for security precautions in airports. At least on a temporary basis, airline employees should be utilized in the same capacity--to increase security of airports and provide the consumers with the confidence they need in order to return to the airways.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of President George W. Bush, by agreeing to grant him the authorization to use the resources of the United States to eradicate the evil forces that perpetuate terrorism, through the enactment of H.J. Res. 64. The barbaric, heinous attacks launched against the civilian and military population of this great nation on September 11, 2001 must not, and will not be tolerated, nor go unpunished. I ask the people of this great nation, and our allies around the world, to stand with President Bush and support him with their voices, their continued heroic deeds and volunteerism, and most-importantly, with their prayers. I ask the people of this Nation to pray for forgiveness for the immorality in this country that has become so widespread and which has contributed to the fragmentation of religious thought. I ask the people of this nation to thank God for the many blessings which have been so generously bestowed upon this nation. God be with those who have paid the ultimate price for liberty and freedom, and with those who will do so in the future in the effort to restore security and peace for all of us. God bless this great land, the United States of America.

Mr. COLLINS

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation was attacked, an act of war that when all is told will have claimed thousands of American lives. It was a day of disbelief, shock, and horror. I offer my most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this terrorist attack on our Nation and our people. Today is a day of anger. The United States will not tolerate a direct attack on its citizens. The full force and will of our government will be dedicated to punishing the terrorists who are responsible, as well as those who harbor and protect them. We know who the most likely individual is behind these acts, because he has acted before, killing Americans viciously and mercilessly. I strongly support our President in the effort to lead us in a swift, severe act of retribution that will leave no question that America will not allow her citizens to live under the threat of terrorism. Osama bin Laden is in the business of terrorism, backed by millions of dollars of personal wealth. We already know that he is responsible for a number of terrorists attacks that include the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993 and the 1998 attack on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania which killed over 200 people. He has publicly declared war on the United States and stated that ``America will face a black fate . . . strikes will continue from everwhere, and Islamic groups will appear one after the other to fight American interests.'' It is time for this threat to be eliminated. and if we find that someone else is responsible for yesterday's attack then we should eliminate that threat as well. The debate has already begun about the shortcomings of the American intelligence--whether we should have known and been able to stop these horrific events before they occurred. It is true that America has in many ways become complacent about our security on our own shores. We have come to rely heavily on the benefits of highly technical intelligence capabilities. While these components are important in keeping our people safe worldwide, it cannot replace the benefit of investing in human skill to infiltrate the ranks of would-be terrorists. Humans infiltrated our security yesterday, not high technology. We must refocus on that lost component of our intelligence and security efforts. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Japanese Admiral was heard to say I hope we have not awakened a sleeping giant. That sleeping giant has awakened again and it will rise quickly--Americans united behind our President--to punish those who would cripple or destroy our freedom and our people.

Mr. COLLINS

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

Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today on behalf of a project to construct a new Southeastern Regional Archives in Atlanta, Georgia, for its National Archives and Records Administration. The regional archives provides a necessary service of acquiring, preserving and making available for research the permanent records of the Federal Government. Currently, all of the records in the Southeast are stored in a World War II-era warehouse that does not meet building codes and is scheduled to be condemned and torn down. My amendment would transfer $14 million of GSA's buildings operations account into the National Archives Repair and Registration Account. The Southeast Regional Archives serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Its holdings include the records of the Civil War, World War I, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Marshall Space Flight Center, the Kennedy Space Center, the Manhattan Project, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Federal courts of the Southeast region. It is simply unacceptable to continue to store these documents, these important documents, I may say, that detail our Nation's history, in a facility that is due for the wrecking ball. National Archives acknowledges that these historic Federal records are currently at risk, housed in a warehouse wholly inadequate as an archival depository. With the knowledge that this facility is inadequate for current and future requirements, National Archives began a serious search for a site for a new facility several years ago. Primary among the selection criteria was a site that would provide partnership opportunities with academic and cultural institutions. At its proposed location in Morrow, Georgia, National Archives will be sited immediately adjacent to Clayton College and State University. Sharing the site with National Archives will be the new Georgia Department of Archives and History building. This effort is the culmination of years of negotiation between officials at National Archives, Clayton college, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State of Georgia and the local business community. In recognition of the importance of this project, Congress has previously appropriated funds in FY 2000 for an environmental assessment and in FY 2001 for design of this facility. The commitment of the Georgia Department of Archives and History, Clayton College and State University, and the National Archives to this project creates a historic partnership for services to the citizens of Georgia, the Southeastern United States, and the United States as a whole. All parties are now fully engaged in the project, and it is critical that we provide the necessary Federal contribution to keep this project on track. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important amendment.