Bud Cramer

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Verna Lee Clark, Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Madison County. Ms. Clark is being honored today at a retirement reception and I wanted to express my gratitude for her 24 years of dedicated service to the senior citizens of Madison County, Alabama. Through her work with each senior at the Huntsville-Madison County Seniors Center, she has given to her community tenfold. By providing service opportunities for senior citizens, she gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. She allows them to remain connected to their community and other parts of society. By finding the right match for their individual talents and skills, she has reaffirmed countless seniors in North Alabama. For nearly a quarter of a century, she has recognized the individual assets of each person before her and matched him or her with a service need in our community. I wish to take this opportunity to thank her for her exemplary role with the Senior Center. For her hard work, loyalty and kind heart, I feel that this is an apt honor. On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I pay homage to Ms. Clark and thank her for a job well done. I know her seven children and fourteen grandchildren will relish the extra time with Ms. Clark. I congratulate Ms. Clark on her retirement and wish her a well-deserved rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Margaret Martin Cole of Madison County, AL. Margaret is a dear friend of mine and a friend of my entire community. Today she is being awarded the Madison County Democratic Women's Division's Lifetime Achievement Award. Today's recognition sheds light on the years of good deeds Margaret has accomplished. She has been a vital leader in the Madison County Democratic Women since she helped form the group in 1961. She has seen it all and has led the women in several capacities. In the past 39 years, she has promoted good citizenship by encouraging Alabamians to exercise their right to vote. She has done everything from serving as a poll worker to organizing Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign for Madison County. Presently, she serves as the Chair of the John F. Kennedy Scholarship Committee. Margaret's commitment to her community is not limited to the political arena. As founder of the Gothic Guild, she has served as their President and on their Board of Directors. She has also contributed her time and manifold talents to the Historic Huntsville Foundation, the Huntsville Press Club and Trinity United Methodist Church. I believe this is a fitting honor for one who has given so much to the betterment of our community and our nation. I commend Margaret for her lifetime of achievement and I want to express my sincere gratitude for her bold work for the Democratic party and the patriotic ideals she believes in.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Mr. Thomas Miller of the Madison County Sheriffs Department. Mr. Miller goes above and beyond the duties of a public servant. Mr. Miller works the night shift with the Sheriff's Department, but still finds time to lead a group of Tiger Scouts. Mr. Miller has dedicated himself to this group of eager young men and has taught them by example about a life of citizenship and patriotism. The Tiger Scouts respect Mr. Miller and the job he does everyday to protect them and their families, often without proper recognition or gratitude. I wish to take this opportunity to thank him for his exemplary role as a leader in our community. Children in this country need more role models like Mr. Miller. I believe that this honor is fitting for someone who has given so much of himself for this community and this nation. I want to wish Mr. Miller and his family best wishes and express to him my gratitude on behalf of the United States Congress for his selfless work with the Tiger Scouts in our community.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding academic institution in my district, Alabama A&M University on the occasion of their 125th anniversary. Since its founding by Dr. William Hooper Councill, Alabama A&M has flourished and brought accolades and honors galore back to North Alabama. On May 1, 1875, Alabama A&M opened with a state appropriation of 1000 dollars, 61 students and 2 teachers. Today it is a thriving university boasting a wide variety of degree programs ranging from the associate to the Ph.D. degree. Their commitment to academic excellence and individual student need are almost unparalleled. This is a fitting tribute for an institution that has instilled knowledge and character in so many young people for over a century. I am proud of Alabama A&M and their under-graduate and graduate school offerings. Alabama A&M is North Alabama's only source for an accredited master's degree in social work. For the past three consecutive years, they have had five students listed on the USA Today Academic Team and they are listed among the Top 50 Black Enterprise/DayStar Schools. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay homage to Alabama A&M and thank them for the countless contributions they have made to our community. I congratulate the university on their 125th anniversary and look forward to many more years of success and growth.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr., to Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the spiritual community at large in northern Alabama. His list of credentials fills many a page. Dr. Bradford has been a moral mentor for Church Street Presbyterian for 36 years. For almost four decades Dr. Bradford has imparted his wisdom from the pulpit. The community refers to Dr. Bradford as ``everybody's pastor'' which reflects his selfless service to our entire city. I believe this is a fitting tribute for one who has given so much of himself for the betterment of others. Aside from his pastoral duties, Dr. Bradford has served as chairman of the board of directors of the Harris Home for six years in addition to numerous other board positions. Bradford's vocal talents have been enjoyed by our community as he has been a narrator for Huntsville museums and the orchestra. He has graciously shared his musical talents also as Chairman of the Department of Music Education at Alabama A&M University and as a music professor at Oakwood College. I want to offer my best wishes to Dr. Bradford, his wife Mrs. Nell Lane Bradford, their children Dr. Henry Lane Bradford and Andrea Bradford and their grandson, Henry Lane. He has inspired so many to seek truth and to use their talents to serve the community. I congratulate Dr. Bradford on his retirement and wish him a well- deserved rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Mrs. Dorothy (Dot) Miree to the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Every year about this time. Mrs. Miree has made an appearance here in Washington with the annual Chamber trip. This year will be her last trip as she is retiring shortly. Over her twelve year career with the Chamber, she has led hundreds of Chamber members to Washington, D.C. and Montgomery for annual trips. She has also planned and organized the Chamber's Washington and Alabama updates, Armed Forces Celebrations, annual outings and more than 100 other events. All of these have been very professionally administered with a careful eye for detail and a very personalized touch. We have a very open and warm working relationship with Mrs. Miree. Working together to bridge the connection between the Tennessee Valley and the federal government, we have taken giant steps towards generating more economic development in North Alabama. As a resident of Huntsville since 1952 and a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Miree cares about her community and it shows. I want to offer my best wishes and congratulations to Mrs. Miree and her family: her husband Reggie, her three children, Lucia, Marian and Trey and her three grandchildren, Jessica, Brandon and Alexandra. For her dedication, hard work and loyalty, I feel that this is an appropriate honor. Over her twelve year career, she has become a role model for her work ethic and competence. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay homage to Mrs. Miree and thank her for a job well done. I wish her a well-deserved rest and I wish the Chamber the best of luck in coping without her.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I have worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for my entire service in Congress. I have always found the integrity of the Corps beyond question. I have great confidence in the Corps, including an outstanding group of people who work in the Huntsville, Alabama, Division office of the Corps. Serious charges have been laid on the military leadership of the Corps by some in the press recently. These claims about the soundness of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River Navigation Study must be fully evaluated and whatever steps these evaluations indicate to be appropriate must be taken. Until that time, however, I find it unacceptable and unfair to our armed forces to challenge the professional appointees who have given their entire professional career to serve this country. All of these officers have come highly recommended by their peers. Many of us have worked with them earlier in our careers. The Upper Mississippi and Illinois River Navigation Study has not been completed and is yet to be distributed for state and agency review. To criticize the unknown outcome of the study before the public review has even started may inhibit reasoned development of final recommendations for water improvement by the Secretary of the Army and unfairly color Congress' deliberations on those recommendations. There are certainly many potential alternatives and points of view that have to be considered; there is not just one. There are many uncertainties and unknowns that we will encounter as we plan and prepare for the future, but there is one certainty: the importance to the national welfare of navigation as an essential element of a sound transportation infrastructure. Through the Corps Civil Works program, the Federal Government has created the world's most advanced water resources infrastructure contributing to our unprecedented standard of living. The program is essentially a capital investment and management program that returns significant economic, environmental, and other benefits to the nation. Though relatively small in the context of total Federal expenditures, investments in, and sound management of the Corps water resources projects have beneficial effects that touch almost every facet of modern American society--navigation projects that provide the Nation with its lowest-cost mode of transportation for bulk commodities; flood control projects that protect the lives, homes and businesses of thousands of Americans; and recreation facilities that enable millions of visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of our country's waters. I say that these kinds of decisions are extremely complex and controversial and are best left to the American people, acting through the Congress, to make. The stakes are so high and the potential impacts so great because national security, national competitiveness in the global market place, national health and welfare, and economic well- being of the Midwest grain producers, just to mention a few considerations are at stake. And I, as a member of this body, stand ready to review all of the alternatives and to make the difficult decisions that are necessary to serve our great nation and the needs of my constituents. There are many outstanding public servants, military and civilian, involved in this and other Corps studies. I support the Corps' process and urge my colleagues to join me in expressing confidence that the Corps, working together with all of the interest groups, as it has so often in the past for great national benefit, will produce recommendations from the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Navigation Study that will stand the test of time.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dr. Frances P. Moss to the music community throughout the state of Alabama. It is a privilege for me to be able to pay tribute to Dr. Moss on the occasion of her retirement from Calhoun Community College. Dr. Moss has dedicated thirty-four years of outstanding services to Calhoun Community College's music program. Her greatest asset to the College is her ability to reach out to students and instill them with confidence, skill and knowledge. Her teaching comes from the heart and her love of music is infectious. She has devoted herself to her students, directing the internationally known Chorale and Madrigal Singers. Her legacy to the state is a composition she arranged, ``Alabama Has it All''. She modernized the music curriculum at Calhoun developing ``college by cassette'', correspondence and intra-term courses. Dr. Moss is a native of Oxford, Alabama, and she attended Jacksonville State University before receiving her masters and doctorate degree from the University of Alabama and Florida State University. She is a member and active leader of many professional and civic organizations including the Alabama Vocal Association, Alabama Music Educators Association and the Decatur Music Club. She serves as the Minister of Music and Discipleship for her church, Austinville United Methodist Church, a role she has lovingly performed for the past ten years. I want to offer my best wishes and congratulations to Dr. Moss and those who love her in this well-deserved rest. On behalf of the people of Alabama's Fifth Congressional District, I thank her for her extraordinary service to our community and our state.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Ms. Beverly G. Lemons to the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments. In her distinguished career with TARCOG, she has repeatedly proven her capabilities having been promoted from secretary to bookkeeper to fiscal agent and personnel officer. In this role she has had fiscal responsibility over various grants and contracts. In her most recent duties, she has performed the crucial tasks of budgeting, payroll, contract management and report preparation for funding agencies. For her vision, hard work and loyalty, I feel that this is an apt honor. Over her 27 year career, she has become a role model for her work ethic and dedication. Her titles include Economic Development Finance Professional and Certified Public Personnel Administrator. Now as she retires, I wish to thank Ms. Lemons for her extraordinary work for my community and this nation. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay homage to Ms. Lemons and thank her for a job well done. I congratulate Ms. Lemons on her retirement and wish her a well-deserved rest. I wish TARCOG the best of luck in coping without her.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a long- standing citizen of my district, Mrs. Ivo Sparkman, widow of U.S. Senator John Sparkman. Mrs. Sparkman passed away last week, 2 weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. During their 62 year marriage, Senator and Mrs. Sparkman made their way from Albertville, Alabama all the way to Washington, D.C. and then settled in downtown Huntsville. In later years, Mrs. Sparkman discovered a real artistic talent, painting, and she produced several colorful paintings for family and friends. She also possessed a true love for nature enjoying gardening and bird-watching. As the wife of a longtime U.S. Senator, Mrs. Sparkman exhibited a keen interest in politics and hosted many dignitaries at her home through the years. The Sparkman's time in Washington proved very beneficial to my district as Huntsville's space program began to thrive under their leadership. Alabama and the nation displayed their affection for Mrs. Sparkman at her October 6th birthday party. Former U.S. Senator Howell Heflin attended the party, held on ``Ivo Sparkman Day'' as proclaimed by Mayor Loretta Spencer and Governor Don Siegelman. Letters poured in from all over including special notes from Lady Bird Johnson and Annie and John Glenn. I believe this is a fitting tribute for one who has dedicated many years to serving the nation and Alabama. I send my condolences to the Sparkman family. On behalf of the people of Alabama's 5th Congressional District, I join them in celebrating the extraordinary life and honoring the memory of a wonderful lady, Mrs. Ivo Sparkman.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong and enthusiastic support of the VA-HUD and independent agencies' conference report. I will echo some of the comments that have been made already particularly by my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), a few minutes ago. As the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) knows and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) knows, I represent the Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Center back in Alabama. That first mark that we endured was quite a hit on NASA. I appreciate the gentleman from New York's work; I appreciate the gentleman from West Virginia's work to make sure that we restored that cut. We would do it, and we, in fact, did do it; but, as has been said, this does not just happen. It is because of the determination of the chairman, the determination of the ranking member that issues like this can be brought back to the table and kept alive. So I thank them very much on behalf of the NASA employees that I represent, as well as the staff of the subcommittee as well. I am a new member of this subcommittee. They have made the experience of working on this subcommittee very, very pleasurable. This is a good bill, a bill that the Members should vote for. The conference report is a fair conference report. Our investment in veterans' health care issues, the emergency funds to FEMA, especially in light of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Floyd, the significant reinvestment in HUD, the re-commitment to NASA as well. All of those are reasons why this conference report should pass, and I thank my ranking member, and I thank the chairman for being so patient with some of us that were in an awkward position as we negotiated through this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Conference Report. In this bill we have been able to provide a substantial investment in Veteran's Health Care, provide emergency funds to FEMA to address the devastation brought on by Hurricane Floyd, and significantly invest in HUD and NASA. So this is a good bill, negotiated in a bipartisan fashion. Mr. Speaker, I want to just take a few minutes to express my appreciation for all of the hard work that Chairman Walsh and Ranking Member Mollohan have put into this bill in order to get us to this point. I also want to express my appreciation for all of the hard work of the staff over the last few weeks. Now, Mr. Speaker, I am a new Member to this subcommittee. And it was just my luck that the very year that I was able to finally come over to the subcommittee--NASA, which has Marshall Space Flight Center in my district, took a $1.4 billion dollar hit in the House subcommittee mark. Our continued investment in NASA today will inevitably pay off down the line in terms of real and tangible benefits. I am also pleased that we were able to reach agreement on some of the more sticky issues dealing with HUD's funding. Under the conference agreement, we were able to provide funding for an additional 60,000 section 8 vouchers, increase the funding to public housing operating assistance, and provide additional funds for HUD's homeless assistance and prevention programs. In addition, the compromise reached on the Community Builders program demonstrates what invaluable resources these public servants have been to HUD's management reform process and to communities across the country. I know that negotiations around these issues were tense, so I'm glad we were able to come to a suitable compromise. Mr. Speaker, this is a good conference report we are considering today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill so that it can be sent to the President and signed into law.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an institution in my district that has contributed substantially to the cultural, intellectual and religious enrichment of North Alabama, Temple B'nai Sholom. On November 12, the Congregation B'nai Sholom will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its historic synagogue with a special Shabbat (Sabbath) service. Thirty-two families came together in 1876 in Huntsville to form the Congregation and mobilized, dedicating their synagogue in 1899. I am proud to relay that Temple B'nai Sholom is the oldest synagogue in Alabama in continuous use. The Temple is also the only congregation affiliated with the Reform Movement in North Alabama and South Central Tennessee. B'nai Sholom (``Sons of Peace''), the chosen name of the Temple, communicates the congregation's commitment to harmony and reconciliation. Temple B'nai Sholom has given to their community in countless ways. As members of the Interfaith Mission Service, the Temple contributes to the cause of religious tolerance in North Alabama. The Sisterhood of Temple B'nai Sholom should be commended for their efforts to raise money for breast cancer awareness and health initiatives through their design and sale of the L'Chaim pins. The Sisterhood designed the L'Chaim pin to symbolize Jewish support for breast cancer victims and survivors. For a century, the Temple B'nai Sholom's commitment to the reform tradition has bolstered the religious community of North Alabama. Their established presence in downtown Huntsville is a testament to their perseverance and good will. I congratulate the Temple B'nai Sholom, and wish the Congregation a special centennial commemoration.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I join with my colleagues on this side of the aisle and rise in support of H.R. 1875, the Interstate Class Action Jurisdiction Act of 1999. I will repeat some of the things that have already been said today. I bring to this debate maybe a unique perspective. I am a lawyer and I am from Alabama. My State has been the butt of many class action jokes. We have seen the proliferation of class actions, frivolous actions, in our State courts. We have all heard about drive-by certifications, in which classes were certified on the same day that classes were filed, sometimes even before the defendants were notified about the lawsuits. People have heard about the judge who certified I think in a 2-year period of time more class actions than all of the Federal judiciary combined. Some say if Alabama has a problem, Alabama ought to settle that problem or deal with that problem. We in fact have. The Alabama Supreme Court, the Alabama legislature, they have taken actions to end same-day certifications. We have now made clear that we follow Federal rule XXIII. It is a good step, but that does not end the problem. These interstate class action lawsuits do not belong in State and county courts in the first place. I do not want a judge in New York determining the rights of citizens in Alabama, and I do not think judges in Alabama should do the same thing for people who live in New York. There is an important constitutional issue at stake here. I think interstate class actions are meant for the Federal diversity jurisdiction. The Framers of the Constitution intended for large interstate lawsuits to be heard in Federal court. Members have heard a lot today about what the bill does do. I want to close with what it does not do. This is not a broad tort reform bill. It does not preempt any State laws or change the laws under which a claim will be heard. It does not prevent any claim from being heard, or close the courthouse doors. This in fact makes sense, and we should pass H.R. 1875, the Interstate Class Action Jurisdiction Act of 1999.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an intellectual treasure of my district, Dr. Benjamin Graves of Huntsville, AL. Dr. Graves has excelled in all facets of academia. As a student, he cultivated a love of learning through his time at the University of Mississippi, Harvard University, University of Chicago and Louisiana State University. His 50-year career in industry and education includes professorships at Louisiana State University, University of Virginia, University of Mississippi, Pennsylvania State University, University of Alabama at Huntsville and University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He served as president of Millsaps College from 1964-1969 and the University of Alabama at Huntsville from 1969-1978. His distinguished reputation as an academian is supported by the presentation of approximately 300 of Dr. Graves' papers to various audiences over 15 states in the course of the last 20 years. In honor of Dr. Graves' extraordinary service to the Huntsville community, he will be awarded the 1999 James Record Humanitarian Award by the Arthritis Foundation on September 21st. The description of the award ``given to a citizen devoted to promotion of human welfare as well as the advancement of social and cultural reform'' illustrates the essence of this man. Dr. Graves served his country in the U.S. Navy first on active duty from 1942-46 and then in the reserve from 1946-1955. On active duty during World War II, he served as a supply officer aboard three naval ships in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. I believe this Congressional Record tribute is fitting for one who has given so much for both the defense of his nation and for the betterment of countless students across the Southeast. His love of learning is infectious. Dr. Graves carried his intimate and unparalleled knowledge of higher education to other countries when he was selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to be a part of a study team to China and Taiwan. In addition to his exceptional professional contributions to our area, Dr. Graves has given of himself, establishing scholarships at both Millsaps and UAH and serving in his church, First United Methodist of Huntsville as a lecturer and administrative board member. Throughout his life, Dr. Graves has set a great example of how one person can make a huge difference in his community. I want to congratulate him on his well-deserved honor as the 1999 James Record Humanitarian Award and I want to commend him for his tireless efforts for the students of North Alabama.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, on October 6th of this year, a wonderful couple, Mr. and Mrs. Felton Kilpatrick will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. In 1929, Mrs. Clara McClellan Kilpatrick and Mr. Felton Kilpatrick exchanged wedding vows to spend a lifetime together. Now 70 years later, they shine as pillars of matrimony. The Kilpatricks are a loving man and woman who have come together to share their lives, raise a family and prove that family values and selfless commitment still have a place in a world whose fleeting values can be confusing and fastpaced. Many generations of the Kilpatrick family look up to the remarkable couple as role models on how to live and love successfully. This tribute is a fitting honor for the Kilpatricks who have shown us that commitments can be honored through seven decades of the trials and tribulations of life. I commend Mr. and Mrs. Felton Kilpatrick on their happy and strong marriage and I wish them a joyous and special celebration on October 6th with their friends and family.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman, the ranking member, and their staffs for all the hard work that they put into crafting this bill under what were very difficult circumstances. As a new member of the subcommittee, I appreciated the collegial and bipartisan manner in which the chairman managed the committee. However, I think we all recognize that the initial allocations given to our subcommittee were wholly unrealistic. Because of this unreasonable allocation, the subcommittee has had to make deep cuts in several programs that if signed into law, would prove devastating. In particular, the bill we are debating today cuts NASA funding by $1 billion, thereby endangering our nation's research and technological edge. It cuts vital HUD programs by $1.6 billion below last year's levels. In addition, the bill does not include any of the administration's request for new housing and economic development assistance such as APIC (America's Private Investment Companies) that could substantially improve the quality of life in many of our communities. For these and other reasons, Mr. Chairman, I must reluctantly oppose final passage of this bill. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the efforts by the subcommittee to address some of these funding shortfalls by raising our initial allocation during the full committee markup of the bill. I am especially pleased that the full committee increased funding to NASA by $400 million. However, much more needs to be done. While the increase of $400 million to NASA is an improvement to the previous $1.4 billion cut, the total funding for NASA remains intolerably low. In addition, given the fact that this increase comes at the expense of the AmeriCorps program, it is a certainty that the President will veto the bill. Mr. Chairman, it's sad that little more than one month after the 30th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, we are debating such massive cuts to NASA. Neil Armstrong's first step may have been one giant leap for mankind, but the step that we are about to take would be one giant leap backwards for America. NASA technology has been an engine for economic growth in America--creating jobs, building entirely new industries, and improving our standard of living. This Nation's previous investment in NASA yielded a research and technology capability without peer. NASA's research helps solve society's most difficult problems. Through the ground-breaking research of our NASA scientists, we have improved the health of an aging public, helped our military ensure our national security, and protected our environment without damaging our industries. Mr. Chairman, let's talk about the harmful effects of the bill as it relates to NASAO Dan Goldin, the NASA Administrator, says these reductions will decimate key elements of the Nation's space program. Mr. Goldin said that these cuts would force the closure of one of three NASA Centers, resulting in significant layoffs. These cuts will be felt by the families of the men and women who will lose their jobs as a result of this bill. This kind of budget might even reduce the flight safety of future shuttle missions, and the loss of morale will cause NASA to lose some of its most talented people. Mr. Chairman, NASA has come too far and worked too hard for us to allow this to happen. Since 1994, NASA has made more budgetary sacrifices than almost any other Federal agency. At the same time, NASA has increased its productivity and efficiency; delivering on Dan Goldin's promise of ``faster, stronger, cheaper.'' These proposed cuts are not the way that Congress should reward the success of the American patriots at NASA who work everyday in the Nation's interest. America looks to us to build on the progress that has been made, not to destroy the very foundation upon which it rests. NASA is an American treasure-- unique in the history of the world--and we must fight to sustain it for our future. In a period of unprecedented prosperity, we should be looking for ways to deepen our investments in scientific research, bringing new and substantial economic development to many of our nation's struggling communities, as well as providing adequate resources for our nation's veterans who have so patriotically served our country. Instead, this bill moves our nation in exactly the wrong direction by making deep cuts in many vital programs. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I regrettably must oppose the bill that is before us today and urge my colleagues to do the same. I look forward to working with the chairman and the ranking member to improve this bill as this process moves forward.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the words of those NASA supporters here today; and I rise, too, in opposition to the Roemer amendment, which he is offering for the second time this year. I have been here since the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) came here when we came into Congress together, and I have gone through this drill with him since 1992. And here we are again. I would say some good things about him, but the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) has already said those good things about him. The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) and I are occasionally on the same side of the same issue but never never over this issue of NASA. I want to say to the chairman of the subcommittee, I am new to the subcommittee, as of course the chairman knows, and I have gone to the subcommittee because I looked forward to working with the chairman, looked forward to working with my ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) here. I appreciate both their words today here in support of NASA. Of course, I am troubled by the overall NASA mark in this bill and hope that this is just the beginning of what we will have to go through and that we will eventually correct funding for NASA in general. Because I think, in general, a $1 billion cut is an unacceptable cut.

Mr. CRAMER. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I appreciate that attitude and the attitude of the staff, as well. I know that this is a very difficult position for the chairman to be in, especially as our bill proceeds through this process late in the game. It has been very tough for us to come up with a passable bill. But I thank the gentleman for those remarks. To the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) as well, we have been through this battle over the Space Station, over efforts to fund NASA at an appropriate level that would allow science and the Space Station to do the things that we know they can do, and I appreciate his work here today, as well. I would say to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) that he is wrong again. It is about time that he directs his attention to issues other than killing the Space Station. Let us look for other ways that we can work together other than having to come to the floor like this and go through what I now consider a very unnecessary drill here. As my colleague knows, the prime contractor is 84 percent through with building the Space Station. I think it has already been said in this debate, if not in this debate, in the debate earlier this year, that by the end of this year half a million pounds will be in space. It is too late for us to turn our back on the Space Station program. We are fooling ourselves to think that if we end the Space Station we will help all of NASA. That is simply not true. If we pull the heart out of NASA through killing the Space Station program, then we will be pulling the heart out of the science program.

Mr. CRAMER. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, because I do not have that much time to spare, I, of course, disagree with my colleague from Indiana. This is the wrong time to pull a further rug out from under NASA; and my colleagues are fooling themselves if they think by killing the Space Station they are helping other parts of this very difficult appropriations bill. We have got our work cut out for us. I might agree with my colleagues that funding should be restored to other programs within this bill, but killing the Space Station is certainly not the way to do it and this is certainly not the time to do it. I hope the Members coming back here after this long and enjoyable August break are not fooled by this annual battle that my colleague takes us through. Oppose the Roemer amendment.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Col. Walter J. Cunningham of Huntsville, Alabama, on the occasion of his retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Col. Cunningham has dedicated thirty years of outstanding service to the U.S. Army and this Nation. In his thirty year career, he has held every position available to an engineer office, excelling at each assignment. The numerous awards, distinctions and decorations he has garnered mark his career as among the finest of our Nation's leaders and patriots. Among his impressive range of accomplishments are the positions of platoon leader in Alaska, project engineer for construction of Ramon Air Base in Israel and Battalion Operations Officer in Louisiana. Recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives is a fitting tribute to one who has provided so much time, so much labor and so much strong leadership towards the defense of our nation. Col. Cunningham is praised by his colleagues for his innovative and effective management saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in military construction projects with the Department of Defense. I congratulate Col. Cunningham and his wife Phyllis on his richly deserved retirement and I wish him the best in his future years. As an army veteran, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize his tremendous service and accomplishments as well as thank him for his extraordinary contributions to Alabama and the defense of the United States.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mrs. Marilyn Morring of Huntsville, Alabama, for her many years of outstanding service to our community. In the Huntsville community, Mrs. Morring is an emblem of education. She has lovingly devoted 25 years of her life to the service of imparting wisdom and a love of learning to the children of our community. In her many years of teaching both in public and private schools, Mrs. Morring taught every subject from sixth to twelfth grade, produced musicals for the school and initiated an organized a bus tour to Washington, D.C. In her modest and selfless manner, Mrs. Morring has touched the lives of so many families in my district. To me, she symbolizes the model educator, dedicated, intelligent, caring and leading by example. Her reflections on her long career in education exemplify the simple joy she finds in children, teaching and life; ``. . . by teaching others I learned about my own self, my community, and about other people. I made life-long friends and have watched with great satisfaction the lives and achievements of the young people I taught.'' This is a fitting honor for one who has instilled in several generations of Huntsville citizens a respect and understanding for history and government. In 1982, her school honored her by establishing the Marilyn J. Morring History and Alabama Government Award. Mrs. Mooring's volunteer work has been essential in building the quality of life the people of Huntsville enjoy today. Described as the ``glue'' that holds it all together, Mrs. Morring has given of herself in countless capacities including the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Huntsville Public Library, Burritt Museum, the Leukemia Society and the Arts Council. In 1996, she won the prestigious Virginia Hammill Sims award. Her nominators said it best, ``For over 46 years she has been a part of the beginning, growth and development of the cultural `best' in this city, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make her home town a better place in which to live.'' I want to offer my best wishes to Mrs. Morring and her family. She has indeed inspired me and countless other students old and new to seek knowledge and to use that knowledge to serve others.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1442, the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Enhancement Act of 1999. I am a co- sponsor of this legislation which makes permanent the General Services Administration authority to transfer federal surplus lands at no cost to state and local governments for the purpose of law enforcement and emergency response services. H.R. 1442 will have a direct and immediate impact on my Congressional District as well as a number of other districts throughout the country. Currently, thirteen sites across the nation, one of which is in my District, are utilizing a temporary authorization allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer excess federal property to local government entities for law enforcement and public safety purposes. This temporary authority, which expires December 31, 1999, allows local law enforcement, fire services, and emergency management agencies the opportunity to receive federal surplus property through a ``no- cost'' transfer. This legislation aims to make permanent this temporary authority. In my Congressional District, the Fifth District of Alabama, the City of Huntsville has applied for the transfer of a Naval Reserve Center to the City for use as a public safety training facility for our police officers, firefighters, and rescue personnel. This facility will allow Huntsville to provide excellent training to the men and women who safeguard our citizens. Currently, Huntsville's application is under review. Many projects that are currently underway or those pending applications for land transfers--like the one in my district--will be severely impacted by the quickly approaching sunset date of December 31, 1999. This legislation will permanently allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to sponsor the use of excess federal property for law enforcement, public safety, and emergency management purposes. I would like to once again express my strong support for this legislation. We in Congress can and should do everything in our power to assist law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency management personnel in their efforts to improve public safety on our streets, in our schools, and in our neighborhoods.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Chandra team at Marshall Space Flight Center for their role in the successful launch of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. When Chandra reaches its planned orbit in about three weeks, and first turns its instruments to the far reaches of space, NASA will have opened a new and exciting chapter in space exploration and space science. From this chapter, America will reap new and exciting educational, intellectual, and quality-of-life benefits that are critical to our Nation's future. Chandra is 20 times more sensitive than any previous X-ray telescope, and together with NASA's other Great Observatories already in orbit-- the Hubble Telescope for studying objects in space using visible light, and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory for detecting mysterious gamma rays--this X-ray observatory will give us the most complete picture ever of our universe. At the heart of Chandra are eight of the largest and smoothest mirrors of their kind ever created. Together, the assembled mirrors weigh more than a ton, and if the State of Colorado were polished to the same degree of smoothness that went into the manufacture of these mirrors, Pike's Peak would stand less than one inch tall. High- resolution cameras and other sensors complete the suite of hardware aboard the observatory, critical components of which have been exhaustively tested at Marshall Space Flight Center by the talented people of North Alabama. The technology and manufacturing expertise that went into constructing these instruments is no less riveting than the scientific observations that Chandra will make. Just in building, launching, and operating the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we have added much to our store of knowledge about optics, engineering and design. What science will we learn when Chandra begins to open its X-ray eyes to space? Scientists stand to make fundamental advances in our understanding of many of the most puzzling features of the universe: black holes and quasars, the identity of ``dark matter,'' and the very age of the universe itself. By looking deep into the hottest, most violent parts of the cosmos--providing us with a laboratory that could never be reproduced here on Earth--Chandra will reveal an entire new level of detail in the far reaches of space, and will take our minds where our feet may never have a chance to tread. Mr. Speaker, I share pride in Chandra's launch and the excitement of discoveries yet to come with my friends and neighbors in North Alabama, with NASA, and with my colleagues in the House.