Duke Cunningham

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, is it the intent to divide time equally for and against the bill?

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry. Since the chairman of this committee is opposed to his own committee's position, is it not uncommonly unfair to allow someone opposed to the bill, A, to manage the bill, and also to close? I understand the right to close at the end of the bill in favor of the committee position.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I find this uncommonly unfair. General Leave

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been a long time coming. And for those to say that this violates States rights, when they themselves have voted for hundreds of bills on this floor against States rights, I think is an oxymoron. I also believe that one can spend this any way they want if one is opposed to it. But look who is for it. A super majority in the Senate has already passed this bill, this House floor, over 300 votes, on this floor. We have policemen in D.C. that gave their lives to save Members of Congress and they are waiting outside for the passage of this bill, Mr. Speaker. They are so excited. This is the number one legislative act for law enforcement, the number one. During Memorial Day, we mourned our law enforcement agents that we lost. They had us up on the stage that support this bill as recognition. Those in opposition can spin this any way they want. Who else supports this bill? The ranking member and the chairman in the subcommittee and the committee were overridden by their own committee on the amendments. The Scott amendment, which is good, and I think it improves the bill, and it does. I wish I had thought of it. But in this body to override a chairman and a ranking minority in their own committee takes guts, and it is guts because it supports the right thing. We all say we support law enforcement. Well, they support this, even the Retired Chiefs of Police. We had a chief of police oppose this, but the Retired Chiefs of Police support this bill. If one looks at what this bill does, the training that is required, all of the access to anyone that would use this bill is in the bill. The liability itself is in this bill. And I would say that if one takes a look also at who supports these positions, they wrote this, the law enforcement agencies helped over the years write this bill. It helps them. If one looks to Law Enforcement Alliance of America, LEAA, the National Association of Police, NAPO, the National Law Enforcement Council, and FOP, all of them support this bill, Mr. Speaker. Very rarely can we come across and have a bill that is passed out of the committee over the objection of the chairman and the ranking member to make it to the floor, and that time be controlled by both the people that are opposed to this bill. Now, the chairman granted me 5 minutes. I thank the chairman for that. But I also think it is unfair for someone that is opposed to the bill be on the floor closing, because that is usually in the committee position. The committee position is to pass this bill. Even though the chairman purported the bill to pass it, he is speaking against it. He wants to close, which I do not think is fair. And who is it not fair for? It is not fair for the millions of law enforcement agents that risk their lives every day. They give their lives for us, almost as many of those have been lost in Iraq. When they arrest somebody that is not always a good guy, their families are getting killed when they retire. And they said, hey, we want protection. Give us protection against the bad guys. Because they do carry weapons. I would like to submit, Mr. Speaker, the letter from the President of the United States. And I will read, ``I am pleased to offer my support for the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act. Our Nation relies upon the men and women in law enforcement to keep the streets and neighborhoods safe. This legislation will better protect our Nation from danger by ensuring that these first responders are ready to handle an emergency, regardless of their location and duty status.'' The President is saying this helps us in homeland security. We will be struck, Mr. Speaker, by some terrorist act. I think it is inevitable. And we want the people that are highly trained that protect us every day, to have the right to speak. Mr. Speaker, I think we owe it to the very people what support this bill across the land. They are waiting outside. I am not supposed to speak about who is in the gallery, Mr. Speaker, but I was if allowed to do that, I would say that law enforcement agents are there to support this bill. And I do not know what I can do to have a position supported by the Senate super majority, a super majority of this body, a super, super majority of law enforcement agents, and someone to oppose it is just wrong. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his courtesy of the 5 minutes and extra minute, but I also would submit my disappointment that the controlling of the time was not by the subcommittee as originally set, agreed upon, and that the right to close does not fall on someone that supports this bill. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I will insert the letter that I referred to earlier in the Record. The White House, Washington, DC, June 18, 2004. Mr. Chuck Canterbury, National President, Fraternal Order of Police, Grand Lodge, Washington, DC. Dear Chuck: I am pleased to offer my support for the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act. Our Nation relies upon the men and women in law enforcement to keep the streets and neighborhoods safe. This legislation will better protect our Nation from danger by ensuring that these first responders are ready to handle an emergency regardless of their location and duty status. I am particularly pleased that the Senate sponsors named this provision after our mutual friend, Steven Young. I know how hard you and Steve worked for passage of this bill, and I look forward to honoring his memory by signing it. Sincerely, George W. Bush.

Mr CUNNINGHAM

Mr CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly urge Members to vote ``yes'' on my bill, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 (H.R. 218) to allow qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in any jurisdiction. The bill has broad bipartisan support with 296 cosponsors. The benefits of the legislation are twofold--officer safety and improved public safety. Many jurisdictions do not allow off-duty officers to carry concealed weapons. Due to the unique responsibilities and dangers that come with law enforcement, off-duty officers are at a greater risk than most Americans. It is not uncommon for off-duty officers to run into people they have arrested or helped to incarcerate. There have been documented instances where felons have sought retribution against officers who helped to put them in jail or prison. It is only right that the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday when they go to work be afforded the right to protect their families and themselves while they are off duty. These concerns apply not only to off-duty officers, but to retired officers as well. A criminal who is seeking retribution does not care that the officer who put them away is retired. It is a disservice to those men and women who risked their lives to perform a public service to be deprived of the right to defend themselves and their families simply because they retired. Legal issues are also posed when neighboring jurisdictions have different regulations for carrying concealed weapons. An off-duty officer is faced with a problem when he is traveling state to state or even city to city. In a circumstance where his/her home jurisdiction requires off-duty officers to carry, but he is traveling to a jurisdiction where the law prohibits carrying concealed weapons, the officer is forced to choose which law to break. Does he leave his gun at home and break the law in his home jurisdiction, or take it with him and break the law when he enters the next jurisdiction? Aside from the issues of self-defense and jurisdictional conflicts, H.R. 218 provides additional officers to prevent crime, without the cost. There are countless stories of retired and off-duty officers who have prevented crime and protected everyday citizens because they were allowed to carry concealed weapons. In this time of heightened security, it seems only logical that additional means to prevent crime and even terrorism be implemented. Off-duty and retired law enforcement officers have the training to recognize suspicious activity and prevent crime. When qualified off-duty and retired police officers are allowed to carry, more law enforcement officers are put on the street at zero cost to taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a minute to read some stories from around the United States where off-duty officers have prevented crimes, in part, because they were allowed to carry their firearm. The first story is from my hometown of San Diego. Officer Finds Work on Her Day Off (By Joe Hughes) Hillcrest.--For San Diego police Officer Sandra Oplinger, it was anything but an off day. Olinger ended up capturing a suspected bank robber at gunpoint on her day off yesterday. She happened to be in the area of Home Savings Of America on Fifth Avenue near Washington Street about 12:30 p.m. when she saw a man running from the bank, a trail of red smoke coming from an exploded red dye packet that had been inserted into a wad of the loot. With her gun drawn, she tracked down and caught the man. Citizens helped by gathering up loose bank cash. The incident began when a man entered the bank and asked a teller if he could open an account. The teller gave him a blank form and he left. He returned 10 minutes later, approached the same teller and declared it was a robbery, showing a weapon and a demand note he had written on the same form the teller had given him. He then grabbed some money and ran out the door. The dye pack exploded outside, leaving a trail of smoke that attracted Oplinger's attention and led to the suspect's arrest. The names of the man and a possible accomplice in a nearby car were not immediately released. A gun was recovered. Deputy Apparent Target of Robbery, Carjacking Gunfire was exchanged on Milwaukee's north side Wednesday during an attempted robbery and carjacking. An off-duty Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputy was the victim of an attempted robbery and carjacking Wednesday afternoon as he was leaving the Advance Auto Parts store near Teutonia and Hampton Avenues, WISN 12 News reported Ben Tracy said. The deputy, who had a gun exchanged fire with one of the suspects. No one was injured or hit by gunfire, Tracy reported. Milwaukee Police and Milwaukee County Sheriff's deputies were on the scene. They were examining a car they believe belongs to the suspects. They were searching for two suspects. Off-duty Officer Shoots Attacker An off-duty Houston police officer shot a man in southwest Houston early Sunday. The officer, whose identity was not released, was working in the parking lot of a reception hall in the 9500 block of Wilcrest. About 3 a.m., he repeatedly asked two men who were talking to two women to leave the parking lot and go inside the building, officials said. The men refused to leave and confronted the officer. The confrontation escalated to an assault, according to the Houston Police Department, with one of the men knocking off the officer's eyeglasses. The officer, whose vision was impaired after being hit, said he saw a man approaching him with his arms near his pockets, police said. They said the officer asked him to stop, when he didn't, the officer drew his weapon and fired. Daryl D. Gorman, 30, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital with gunshot wounds to the hip and left side investigators said. He was listed in fair condition Sunday. The officer, a 16-year veteran of the Fondren division, received facial injuries. No charges had been filed Sunday. Off-duty Police Officer, Suspected Robber Shoot Each Other South Gate, CA. (AP).--An off-duty police officer exchanged gunfire with a would-be robber early Saturday morning. Both men were wounded but were expected to survive, police said. Fabian Mejia, a three-year veteran of the Calexico Police Department, was using a corner pay phone shortly after midnight when a 19-year-old gunman demanded money from him, said Lt. Darren Sullivan of the South Gate Police Department. After the men shot each other, the suspect got in a car and left as Mejia called 911. Police arrested the gunman and an 18-year-old woman with him after they arrived at a nearby hospital, Sullivan said. Their names were not immediately released. Mejia was in stable condition at a hospital while the suspected robber was in serious but stable condition, said Sullivan. Mejia was in South Gate, just southwest of Los Angeles, to visit his parents, Sullivan said. Officer Shoots at Yard-Statue Thieves (By Peggy O'Hare) An off-duty Houston police officer followed two men who stole concrete statues from his front yard Tuesday and fired at the driver when he pointed a gun at him, authorities said. Officer J.H. Lynn said two men forced their way through his front yard's locked gate at 12:45 p.m., took two statues from the lawn and drove off. The officer followed the thieves to get their license plate number. When they reached the 1000 block of West 25th, they turned around and drove toward Lynn, with the driver pointing a handgun at the officer. Lynn fired his duty weapon one time at the driver, but the pair drove through a ditch and sped away. Tulsa Policeman Shoots Intruder (By Mick Hinton) Tulsa.--A month after joining the Tulsa police force, Mark Sole shot the hand of an intruder early Monday in the front yard of the officer's home. The intruder and an accomplice are suspected of breaking into Sole's garage. Sole and his wife were awakened about 6 a.m. by noises coming from their garage. Sgt. Wayne Allen said. The officer found two men in his garage. Allen said one man ran, but Sole held the other at gunpoint in his front yard. ``He ordered the suspect to take his hands out of his pocket, and the suspect had a dark metallic object,'' Allen said. The officer apparently thought it was a weapon and shot the man in the hand, Allen said. Police arrested John Warren Kays, 29, of Tulsa and took him to Tulsa Regional Medical Center, where he was being treated, Allen said. Cop Saves Teens From Pit Bulls (By Bradley Cole) East Chicago.--An East Chicago police officer shot and killed two pit bulls Tuesday as he came to the rescue of two local teens who faced serious injury. Police Officer John Mucha was asleep Tuesday afternoon after working a midnight shift when the piercing scream of a 16-year-old boy woke him up. Mucha ran to the window and saw two pit bulls attacking a young man in the 5000 block of Tod Avenue. Before he could react, Mucha watched as the boy, with the pit bulls chasing him, jumped a fence to safety. Then he heard a second scream. As Mucha turned to the window again, he saw the pit bulls pin a 14-year-old girl to the sidewalk and begin mauling her. East Chicago Sgt. Joe De La Cruz said Mucha, in his underwear and T-shirt, grabbed his gun and ran barefoot into the street. As Mucha approached the girl, the two pit bulls turned their attention toward him, De La Cruz said. ``Officer Mucha then positioned himself between the girl and the pit bulls,'' De La Cruz said. ``The dogs made a pass at him, then attacked. He shot at the dogs, wounding them both, before they ran off.'' De La Cruz said Mucha took after the first dog, which he managed to corner. He said the dog tried to attack Mucha again, he shot it and killed it. Within seconds, Mucha ran after and spotted the second dog on a nearby porch. Once again, as Mucha approached the dog, it tried to attack and was shot to death. Police said the boy wasn't seriously injured, but the girl was taken to St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, where she was treated and released. De La Cruz said the dogs' owner, Anna Gonzalez, 24, of 5013 Tod Ave., received numerous tickets from East Chicago dog warden Steve Ruiz before the incident. He said she also received numerous tickets afterward and has prompted the city to once again crack down on pit bulls. ``We passed an ordinance 10 years ago that anyone who owns a pit bull must have $1 million in insurance,'' De La Cruz said. ``All pit bulls must be registered at City Hall. They must be on a leash and muzzled when they're walked.'' De La Cruz said pit bulls are becoming a problem again, and the city plans to step up its efforts to ensure that pit bull owners are complying with the law. Mucha will receive an official commendation from East Chicago Police Chief Frank Alcala for his bravery, De La Cruz said. H.R. 218 is strongly supported by the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Troopers Coalition, the National Association of Police Organizations, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, and many others. In most cases, H.R. 218 is their #1 legislative priority. These groups have worked tirelessly for over 10 years to see the passage of this legislation. I want to thank them for all their hard work and diligence in seeing H.R. 218 come to the Floor. I also want to thank the 296 members who cosponsored H.R. 218 this year. Their support has been crucial in getting a vote on this bill this year. During this time of heightened security, it makes sense to put more qualified officers in a position to prevent crime. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' today on this crucial piece of legislation. I thank Members and so will their cops.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I thank the chairman for yielding time. I am just an old man today. Mr. Chairman, I would like to invoke two names: Jack Murtha and Ike Skelton. If you watched the defense bill go through here, both in authorization and appropriations, those gentlemen do not care who is President or who has the majority. They fight tooth, hook and nail for the military, for intelligence, and this Nation. I always felt that this committee that I serve on did the same thing, until, as it has been mentioned, last year, unfortunately in election year politics, the Democrat leadership has forced, I think, or at least led some of the more thoughtful members to be partisan. That is the saddest thing. In the rule, I talked about the gentlewoman from California. During Ronald Reagan's burial, I had tears in my eyes. I could not hold them back. She reached over and took my hand to console me, patted my hand and said, ``Duke, isn't it good to be friends?'' I would tell the gentlewoman from California, we are good friends and the members on the committee I hunt and fish with, a lot of them. Some of the ladies I do not. What is so disappointing, and I tell my friends on the other side, we could do this just like Ike Skelton and Jack Murtha and after sitting in the committee for several hours and watching the intentional partisanship, intent just to hurt the President, even though you know there were a couple of those amendments that I wanted to vote for, but there was no way I was going to vote for them after that and that is sad. I think that we can do better in this committee. We will have dinner together. We will hunt, we will fish, and we will cry together; but I just think it is sad at this. Porter Goss is the finest chairman in defense that I have ever seen in 14 years. His experience at CIA and on this committee, sometimes during the committee I get upset, but the gentleman from Florida is levelheaded, sits there and meets with the ranking member and tries to work through these bills in a very bipartisan way. I think we do ourselves a disservice today in some cases. I ask Members to vote for this bill.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, being his last time at bat on this particular committee, I want the American public to know how my two colleagues have worked together, not just in his tenure but even when the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) was there as well. I would not say this about too many people on the other side of the aisle, but it does not matter who is in the majority if the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) was the chairman of it. I do not necessarily want that, but he has been a friend. And people say, well, you have friendships but you disagree. We have a friendship and we do not disagree on that many issues. I am very proud to know him. I want the public to know what he has done has saved the military. Just as an example, the F-22 of putting people on notice of the fraud, the waste, and abuse, DOD has fraud, waste, and abuse like anything else. But between the two of them, they have really worked to make sure we get the best bang for the dollar.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I reside in the State of California. We are a bunch of pigs when it comes to money. California and New York City, a bunch of pigs when it comes to money. Why? Well, let me give you a couple of examples. California, San Diego, where I live, population, one in eight Americans lives in the State of California. We have a nuclear facility just outside San Diego. We have got one of the most expansive borders to cover. We have aircraft carriers in the port along with nuclear ships in San Diego. We have a multitude of military bases. We have one of the largest biotech facilities in which we use radioactive materials, even though it is not very strong, but we have got to bury it. It could be used for a dirty bomb, and I personally feel the biggest threat we have is New York City and Boston before November. Al Qaeda tends to do what they have been successful at, and when Spain capitulated I think that put all of us at more of a risk. Mr. Chairman, sometimes some of the delegation in New York have been so liberal, so willing to cut defense, so willing to cut intelligence, so willing to bash a President that provided billions of dollars in a rebuilding of New York. The same President that is going to kill or capture the very people that they are fighting to get extra money for before they kill them and their children. I think that is wrong. Part of me wants to take every dime away that we have given to New York, but that would be wrong and I will not do that. I will not even try to do that because it would be wrong because my colleagues have got millions of people there that depend on it. But my colleagues know that recently we had an Ohio shopping center that was going to be bombed. We had a facility in Los Angeles. Would it be the San Francisco Golden Gate that was threatened? The reason I got up to speak is that there is not enough money in the whole world. The advantage of a terrorist is that they can pick an infinite number of targets, whether it is in St. Louis, whether it is in the snake pit in Oklahoma during a ball game or whatever. The balance that we should do is what the committee has chosen to do and look to provide local police and first responders the best that they can do, to react regardless of where the terrorists do hit us. My biggest threat and biggest fear, can my colleagues imagine what smallpox would do in two cities? In 2 weeks we would lose millions of people, and can we respond to that? That is why I think that this important and balanced bill needs to point out not gobs of money for one. I think New York should get a little, probably more than other people because it is a threat. I think Boston, with the upcoming Democratic Convention, should be protected, but I think it should be balanced out around because no one knows what those threats are. If I was al Qaeda, I would guarantee my colleagues I would find a target that we are not protecting. There is no way we can protect them all, and I think the best thing we can do is provide a little more for those areas that are threatened, not a lot like some of us are asking for, but to spread it out so with much as we can we can protect those sites because I guarantee my colleagues, it may be just a shopping senter in Oshkosh or somewhere else.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Taking back my time, that is the initial point that I made. Twelve years ago, and I went, we had the money and we had a limited forest. Take a look at all of California when you have 3 decades of brush that is built up, when you have the number of trees that have been eaten by the beetles. You have not got enough money in the world to meet that need, and we were stopped from doing that when it was manageable. I have limited time. If I have time, I will yield.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Taking back my time, it has been this body, and mostly the other side of the aisle, that has objected to us putting in new roads, that have objected to us clearing brush because of the endangered species, that have objected to us doing these things that I think are conservative, reasonable approaches. As far as good science, take a look at the farmers and the ranchers and the folks that want to protect their land. They are the best stewards of the lands that we have. The science that I see most of the time coming from the other side is agenda-oriented, private science funded by environmental groups that have an agenda, and I think that is wrong.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I am happy to yield to my friend, the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I have minimum time.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I love to hunt. I have hunted in Oregon, I have hunted in Washington State, I have trout fished up there, gotten some beautiful fish, and I want to protect those streams and forests. But let me tell where I think things have gone astray. In our district in San Diego we lost 3,000 homes this last fire season and 22 firefighters were killed. I look back, and the gentleman says that we want the money to clear the forests. Well, 12 years ago, many of us fought to have the bark beetles cleaned up. I was up in the area of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks). I was in Oregon and Washington and Northern California, because I was hunting deer. The beetles had eaten a lot of the wood and created a hazard, and they were going to destroy the forests. We wanted to cut those, because the bark beetles were not there where the dead wood is. They were in just a little bit further, and that is what we wanted to cut; but many of the folks, the environmental groups, said, no, you cannot do that; you want to log indiscriminately No, we did not. We wanted to stop the bark beetles, a reasonable conservative approach; but we were stopped doing that. Pine Valley, the whole town burnt down. You know how many homes and lives we lost up there because the bark beetles had cut through most all of the timber? And when you have a Santa Ana in California, which is the wind coming from the desert in at 40 to 50 knots and you have that kind of kindling of dead trees, you cannot stop it. It burnt Pine Valley down. Twelve years ago we fought to be able to clear brush, because it was so thick. We had nine farmers, ranchers, that asked to cut, to disk around their property because of the fire season. They were told no, they could not because of the endangered species, a bird called gnat catcher. Three of the farmers went anyway, and they got fined, but the other six that did not, guess what? All six of their ranches burnt down. That is not conservative; it is dumb. And we are trying to offer a conservative approach. Firemen came to us and said, can we cut access roads into our forest? Oh, no new roads from the environmental groups; no new roads in our forest. They not only wanted access so they could get to the fire; they wanted to get out safely. We lost 22 firemen. Now, whose fault is that because they did not have access? Now, some of that is not true, because they could not come down the backside of a mountain fast enough, and they were not close to a road, and they could not put a road in there, to be fair; but we are asking for conservative real things, to be able to thin the brush. Up in my area, if you have a place out in the woods, you are able to clear an area around that that will keep your house from burning down.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Tax Incentives to Encourage Recycling (TIER) Act, legislation to address the problem of electronic waste in this country. Electronic waste is a growing problem. Computer capability doubles every 18 months. This means that individual consumers and businesses must replace their computer equipment more often now than ever. In 2000, I introduced legislation that has since become law to refurbish old computers for libraries and classrooms. However, often times the donated equipment is too outdated to be refurbished and must be thrown away. This equipment has small amounts of mercury and lead and increasing quantities of it end up in our landfills. To address this growing problem, some states, including my home state of California, have introduced laws mandating user fees. These hidden taxes only serve to further widen the digital divide. By increasing the cost, more people will be unable to afford computers for their homes. This is unacceptable. As elected representatives, we should be working to increase access to computers and the internet, not putting them further out of reach for many Americans. My legislation, the TIER Act, addresses the problem of e-waste by giving tax credits to computer manufactures that implement recycling programs. The primary expense in computer recycling is the transport of the equipment from a home or business to the recycling center. This legislation will provide the incentive to facilitate the transport of the old equipment to a recycling center. I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Cantor, for cosponsoring this important legislation. By providing incentives for recycling, we can keep the costs of computers reasonable and protect our environment.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and mourn the passing of one of the greatest Presidents in American history--Ronald Wilson Reagan. This leader was a man of clear vision, principle and conviction, a great communicator, and an individual who had perhaps one of the greatest influences on my life. An eternal optimist with a can-do spirit, President Reagan once said in my hometown of San Diego: ``You know, the United States was never meant to be a second-best nation. We set our sights on the stars, and we're going for the gold.'' He also believed that this forward-looking superpower Nation could transform the global picture. He came to the job armed with one underlying philosophy: Freedom. Freedom for the economy, for individuals, our Nation, and people around the globe. Ronald Reagan brought our economy back to life. It was his policies that ultimately put Congress on a course to the fiscal discipline that spurred a balanced budget and economic growth. President Reagan followed through on his pledge to restore our military, and he brought back the pride associated with serving this Nation. Despite the rhetoric and good intentions of those on the other side of the political spectrum, it was Ronald Reagan who actually initiated the disarmament of whole classes of nuclear weapons. Perhaps his greatest legacy will be that of bringing an end to the cold war. Staring down repressive governments and challenging them to a new way of life, he brought freedom to millions of people around the globe. Using old Navy terms to describe his first term, President Reagan once said, ``We've taken control of the ship of state and changed direction. And what are we going to do now? Well the way I see it, it's all ahead full, no turning back.'' For his imprint on history, for his legacy which will be felt for generations to come, this Nation owes President Reagan a debt of gratitude. I am pleased that one of the President's many legacies is the Navy's newest nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan. That ship recently set sail from Norfolk for its rightful home in San Diego. Throughout his political career, President Reagan always concluded his campaign in San Diego. He called it his ``lucky City.'' It is only fitting that our shining city on the hill, San Diego, will be called home to the USS Reagan. This ship is perhaps the most fitting tribute to Ronald Reagan's legacy of strength and security, to the imprint he had on our past and the promise that we hold for the future. We anxiously await the arrival of the Reagan, and welcoming it to the lucky city. The way I see it, it's all ahead full, no turning back.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, we rise to honor and mourn Ronald Reagan. But first I would like to thank Mrs. Nancy Reagan. The wisest of men knows it takes a good woman to make a good man, and what a good wingman she has been, both in sickness and in health. This Nation also owes Nancy Reagan a debt of gratitude; both of them good and decent people. Ronald Reagan was one of the most respected and effective Presidents in American history. Mr. Speaker, the Irish have a toast, and it goes like this. It is to those who support Ronald Reagan, and everybody lifts their glass; to those who may support Ronald Reagan, and everybody lifts their glass; and to those that will never support President Ronald Reagan, may God strike them in their shins so we shall know them by their limping. But there are not many of those, Mr. Speaker. President Reagan said, you know, the United States was never meant to be the second best Nation. We set our sights high for the stars, and we are going for the gold. He said that back in the 1980s. He came to the job with one underlying goal, and that was freedom. Freedom for you, Mr. Speaker, and people all over the world, much to the same challenges that we have today; the freedom in Bosnia, in Kosovo, in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and with the United Nations signing a resolution today following in suit much as Ronald Reagan guided us through troublesome times when he was President. Ronald Reagan restored the economy of a double-digital inflation, interest rates the same thing. He gave this Nation tax relief, much as President Kennedy and President Bush. He increased the coffers by three times the amount. Unfortunately, it was Congress that spent a lot of that money. He followed his pledge to restore our military. Ronald Reagan believed in peace through strength, and I think it showed through. He eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons. He is responsible for bringing down the Berlin Wall, ended the Cold War, and challenged governments to have a new way of life to bring freedom to their people, also a task that we face today in this body and in this Nation. For his imprint on history, for his legacy which will be felt for generations to come, this Nation owes President Reagan and Nancy Reagan a debt of gratitude. The President's many legacies. Navy's newest nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, will reside in San Diego. That aircraft carrier will travel all over the world, much as Ronald Reagan did, and serves as a symbol of the respect and elegance of his family. Throughout his political career, President Reagan always concluded his campaign in San Diego. He called it his lucky city. We feel fortunate that he considered San Diego so. It is only fitting that this great new shining city on the hill, San Diego, will be called the home of the USS Ronald Reagan, our latest and newest nuclear aircraft carrier. Mr. Speaker, we bid Ronald Reagan adieu and thank the Reagan family for what they have given to this Nation. God bless you, Nancy Reagan, and your family and the President.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound is a college preparation program aimed at helping high school students who are from low-income families and students who are from families where neither parent graduated from college. Upward Bound is designed to increase the rate at which these students enroll and graduate from college. This U.S. Department of Education program enables students, who wouldn't normally have the opportunity or information, to attend a post-secondary school due to their life circumstances. Testimonials from students involved with the California State University of San Marcos Upward Bound program express the impact this program has had on their lives through tutoring, friendships, and college trips. These testimonials highlight the lives that this program has touched and the opportunities this program has given to students. Upward Bound provides tutoring for its students in literature, composition, math, and science. Tutoring provides a way for Upward Bound to be involved in these students' lives and ensure their success. Fermin Soto, an Upward Bound participant, from San Marcos High School states, ``If Upward Bound was taken away from us our grades would go down, because we need the tutors. They help us so much and push us study and do homework.'' Another participant, Adrian Blount, feels, ``Upward Bound is a program with tremendous opportunity. It supplies tutors for those who need extra help and they motivate you to do your best.'' The tutoring Upward Bound provides has given many students the motivation to reach their potential in high school to enable them to continue their education. Megan Day from Escondido High School believes, ``Upward Bound is a group that motivates you to go to college. They have tutors to help you after school two times a week. Upward Bound helps let me have time after school to do homework or help study for tests and quizzes.'' This time set aside for students to concentrate on their schoolwork is very valuable to them and their future, as well. Mia Bryson from Camino High School feels the tutoring has been imperative for her success, ``The tutors at Upward Bound have helped me out a lot. Everyone is so motivated it helps when you're around people with the same goals as you.'' Many of these students feel that without tutoring college would not be an option for them because they would not have the study skills or knowledge to excel in college. Recia Comfort from Rancho Buena Vista High School feels the tutoring has given her a brighter future, ``Since Upward Bound holds tutoring twice a week, it provides us with needed skills. So if the Upward Bound program was no longer available I wouldn't feel like college would be in my future.'' Megan Moore acknowledges the importance of the study skills she learned from tutoring, ``Upward Bound has helped me by being forced to go to tutoring because without that I would not have the study skills I do now.'' One tutor also believes, ``Through tutoring that is provided, students are able to strengthen their knowledge, hence alleviating the weight of new information offered in college.'' Tutoring helps keep the students focused on their goals and teaches them self-discipline, when it comes to challenging schoolwork or difficult decisions in life. Raven Rogers is thankful for the discipline Upward Bound has taught her, ``Upward Bound has made me dedicate myself more to my schoolwork, I guess that's why I feel thankful for being accepted in the program. It has really shown me how to deal with stuff in life. So in my opinion I feel that in the long run it will really help me.'' Raquel from El Camino High School says, ``My favorite part of the Upward Bound program is the tutoring. The tutors help me with all my work when it can be challenging.'' The tutors provide support for the students on a personal level as well as educational level. Jose Aguilla from El Camino High School states, ``I'm so successful now because of the program and if it no longer existed then I would not know who to get help from. The staff and tutors are great and they show that they care for us and it makes me feel good.'' The support the tutors provide for the students increases their confidence in their schoolwork and their goals in life. Another beneficial aspect for students involved in Upward Bound is its Summer Residential Program, which gives students a chance to visit colleges. This experience provides the students with valuable information about college life and what they should expect in the future. If Upward Bound did not give their students the chance to visit colleges most of the students wouldn't have the chance to visit colleges or know the options available to them for college. Belen Aduino from Oceanside High School appreciates this sneak preview of college life, ``I like the classes they give us during summer, it's like we are there at the university and taking real classes. I like to experience how it is like to go to college at least during summer. During summer Component I learned many things such as how real college students live, the classes they study, and how their classrooms and colleges look.'' Many students would not receive much information about college without the support of Upward Bound, which would decrease the chance these students would enroll in college. Elyana Sotelo from San Marcos High School feels the information she receives about college is very valuable, ``So if the program, Upward Bound, were to be taken away from us, students, we probably won't get a lot of information about college as we are getting right now. And we won't be able to get prepared and have the possibility about going to college.'' Michelle Sevilla from San Marcos High School also feels she wouldn't know much about college without Upward Bound, ``Without the Upward Bound program I wouldn't know much about colleges, financial aid, and tests. Upward does an excellent job keeping their students informed with what's going on with universities.'' The students enjoy the opportunity to visit colleges because it gives them a chance to experience the way college life is, first-hand. For Shanea Blout of El Camino High School, her favorite part of Upward Bound is the summer program, ``I have met a lot of new people this year because of the summer residential component which has always been one of my favorite parts of Upward Bound. We have the chance to go to different colleges and experience what it is like living on our own and taking college classes.'' Another fan of the Summer Residential Program is Michaelangelo Medina, ``My favorite part about the program is when we spend time in the university during summer. The reason I like it so much is because you experience the college life in the dorms.'' Alex Pantoja from Oceanside High School also appreciates the opportunity to receive support and information about college, ``My favorite part of Upward Bound is I meet new people and visit colleges. Upward Bound has helped me out by picking out the best college.'' Many students would not know about the application process, financial aid, or scholarship options without these informational college trips. Sandra Virias attributes her knowledge about college to Upward Bound, ``It taught me to communicate with other people and to learn how to apply and information about colleges and universities. If Upward Bound was taken we wouldn't have anywhere to learn and be taught.'' River Resendiz from San Marcos High School also says, ``My favorite part of Upward Bound is that we get help from college students and also field trips that we take to go see colleges. I also like that they help you with college and scholarship applications.'' Summer college trips let the students experience a part of the ultimate goal, attending college, they are aiming to achieve. Nayeli Borja from Escondido High School uses the college trips to keep her focused on her goals, ``When we go visit universities that encourages me even more to keep my education up and maintain my grades as high as possible.'' Ashli Tiller uses the college trips to absorb as much information as possible, ``The best part of the program is the summer component. It gives me a taste of what living on a college campus may be like. This program has helped me in many ways from financial aid to seeing what university is right for me.'' This ``taste'' of college as Ashli puts it, helps the students to remain focused and motivated towards their schoolwork because they get to experience the goal they are working towards. Upward Bound does not only provide these students with educational resources, but gives them a sense of community and belonging. Juan Muro says, ``Upward Bound has become a part of my life. Upward Bound is like, my family, if I was to loose that part of my life I would not know what to do. Upward Bound gives me confidence everyday, and I am afraid to loose that.'' The community of Upward Bound encourages the students and gives the students more confidence in their academic as well as personal lives. Yadira Estrada from Oceanside High School said, ``Upward Bound taught me to value the things that I have and the opportunity of being in this program. I have developed my self-esteem and I know that I can make it as far as I would like to.'' Upward Bound helps students stay focused, when they may be experiencing problems at home or at school. Aydee Reyes from Vista High School says, ``This program I would say helps me when I have school problems, sometimes even home or family problems.'' Danil McGill from San Marcos High School also feels this sense of comfort of Aydee, he states, ``Upward Bound has helped me, because when I get sidetracked, they're the one's that call and ask what's going on, and help me figure out what I need to do to get back on track. They also encourage me and make the best out of sometimes bad situations.'' Erin Hedgecock, a tutor for Upward Bound, also notes the sense of family Upward Bound provides for its students, ``Every week the students meet for tutoring and also meet every other Saturday. On these Saturdays all of the students from different community high schools come together to learn and study. These Saturday meetings also give the students a chance to get to know one another and to have fun. This is very important for the students to know that no matter what is going on in their lives at the moment; they still have a group of people that they belong to.'' This community encourages the students to follow their dreams and set high goals because they know there is always someone there for them. Samantha Sandoval from Oceanside High School uses this support system to her full advantage, ``Upward Bound has helped me to follow my dreams and not let anything stop me from doing it. It also taught me not to be shy and always act like myself. If the program was taken away I would feel like my whole life is taken away because Upward Bound is like a big family that gets along really well.'' Jasmine Clark from Rancho Buena Vista High School also says, ``The Upward Bound program has helped me create steady goals that will help me reach my goal.'' The students rely on the people at Upward Bound to help them set and one day achieve their future goals. Upward Bound is not just a program, but it is an inspiration. It gives students the tools needed to set goals and fulfill their dreams. These honest and heartfelt testimonies from students involved with Upward Bound show the importance of this program in their lives. Without the support and information provided by Upward Bound for students many of these students would not be aware of their full potential and not view college as an option in their future. This program strengthens the futures of the individual students involved, as well, as the communities these students are from. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this program, and I thank these students for taking the time to share the importance of the program.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the City of San Diego Community and Economic Development. The City of San Diego Community and Economic Development is the winner of the Economic Development Administration's Excellence in Economic Development Award for 2004 in the category of Excellence in Urban or Suburban Economic Development. San Diego Community and Economic Development was given this honor for the program of Business Finance Section by a panel of economic development experts. The city of San Diego and the state of California should be extremely proud of this achievement. Helping businesses in San Diego grow and flourish is a major focus of the City of San Diego. The Community and Economic Development Department is dedicated to helping foster the region's economic base to improve the quality of life for its citizens and business community. Through many continuing programs and projects, the City creates opportunities for businesses to succeed. The Department is a key component in attracting, retaining and expanding businesses, creating jobs and increasing investment in San Diego. San Diego Community and Economic Development's Business Finance Team works to facilitate the flow of capital and other resources to the underserved areas of the city. Activities of the Business Development Team include issuance of industrial development bonds and direct loans. The Team also works closely with the banking community and encourages banks to develop and commit to San Diego-specific programs that provide expanded credit and banking services access for low-income communities and small and minority-owned businesses. In 2002, 83 percent of the operating expenses of the Business Finance Team came from portfolio earnings and outside grants. Beginning in 1993, the Economic Development Administration has awarded three revolving loan fund investments for economic development in the city of San Diego. These investments were, in large part, possible due to the excellent stewardship exhibited by the Community and Economic Development's Business Finance Team. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the outstanding achievement of the City of San Diego's Community and Economic Development and applaud their success in creating jobs and business growth in the San Diego region.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three special students from my district. Kyle Plum, Courtney Dunar and Olivia Litsey have been recognized for their outstanding achievement in science and are finalists in the International Science Competition, sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association. Mr. Plum, Ms. Dunbar, and Ms. Litsey have traveled to Washington, D.C. with their families to be honored at the ExploraVision awards gala next week. ExploraVision is the largest international science competition in the world with thousands of projects, and over 14,000 students participating this year. These three bright young students each will be presented with a $5,000 U.S. Savings bond for their outstanding work on their school science project entitled ``The Sleep Doctor''. ExploraVision asked students in its competition to envision technology that may exist in the next 20 years, and to describe how it would work. Kyle, Courtney, and Olivia envisioned a project called ``The Sleep Doctor''. This project creatively explores the four stages of sleep, rapid eye movement, and the sleep cycle. Using the innovative EEG Sleep Doctor technology, Kyle, Courtney, and Olivia were able to determine whether or not test subjects were having a nightmare during the rapid eye movement phase of the sleep cycle. Using the wireless EEG technology the students would be able to sense a subject's nightmare, and activate pre-programmed soothing sounds and smells to successfully restore feelings of safety and to generate a good night's sleep. Kyle, Courtney, and Olivia have been working tirelessly on this project since October of last year, and their efforts are quite evident by the outstanding final product. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding achievements of Kyle Plum, Courtney Dunar, and Olivia Litsey, and applaud the success of their educational endeavors and innovative technological ideas.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of the 24 Challenge Math Tournament in San Diego, CA and to express my appreciation to the sponsors who helped to make the tournament possible. The 24 game is played with decks of cards with each card displaying four numbers. The numbers vary in complexity from single digits to fractions, decimals and exponents. Students combine the numbers to make 24 by using basic math operations and mental calculations. The 24 Challenge involves tournament-style programs using the 24 game to spark in-class, school wide and regional mathematics competitions. Students prepare for tournament play by practicing games both in and outside the classroom for eight to twelve weeks prior to year-end regional championship competitions. In San Diego, the regional tournament is held each year during the Congressional Memorial Day recess at the San Diego Aerospace Museum. This year's tournament was held on Wednesday, May 26. I would like to recognize the winners of San Diego's 24 Challenge: (Alvin Balmeo of Las Palmas E.S., Grade 4/5 winner; Ling Yeung of Del Mar Hills E.S., Grade 6 winner; Sofie Christlieb of Standley M.S., Grade 7/8 winner; and Michael Kim of Standley M.S., Platinum Master. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding these dedicated and hardworking students. I also encourage my colleagues to host tournaments in their Congressional districts. Over the years, this exciting math program has engaged millions of students from all backgrounds. The 24 Game provides students with a common ground for developing math fluency and game play helps children develop skills such as number sense, pattern sensing, problem solving and mental math. At the same time, the 24 Challenge math tournaments encourage students to embrace the spirit of competition. I would also like to thank the sponsors of the San Diego 24 Challenge Tournament: The San Diego Chargers; NBC 7/39; WestEd; SONY; Gen-Probe; and Greater San Diego Math Council. These sponsors have recognized the need for students to build strong skills in problem solving, mental math and reasoning. The support of these sponsors is absolutely critical for helping San Diego's students to achieve by applying the skills that they learn in the classroom. I would like to offer a special ``thank you'' to Gen-Probe, a biotechnology company headquartered in my district, who sponsored the tournament for the first time this year. I would also like to thank Bob Sun and Nan Ronis for the tireless efforts to make these tournaments all across the country a success. In closing, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievement of the winners of the San Diego 24 Challenge Math Tournament, as well as the commitment of the sponsors who helped to make it possible.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to three classrooms at Alcott Elementary School in San Diego: Mrs. Dee Murphy's class in Room B-4, Ms. Natalie Crain's class in Room 9, and Ms. Cindy Weiss' class in Room 20. All of the children in these three classes sent letters of support to my District Director, Nathan Fletcher, who is a Marine Corps reservist currently deployed in Iraq. The students' letters included words of support, and reminders of San Diego for Nathan and his unit who are deployed out of Camp Pendleton. Their letters included funny jokes, anecdotes about the students' families and pets, praise for our armed forces for their efforts to keep America safe, and thanks for their work to liberate the children and people of Iraq. Mrs. Murphy's class also sent ``Flat Stanley'' to visit with Nathan in Iraq. In the book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown, Stanley is squashed flat by a falling bulletin board. One of the many advantages is that Flat Stanley can now visit his friends by traveling in an envelope. Flat Stanley has joined Nathan on patrols, and has sent pictures back to Mrs. Murphy's class from his many adventures. The students also sent books and newspapers, and some small snacks and treats. I am so proud and appreciative of the students from Alcott Elementary. Their simple act of sending a letter has lifted the spirits of Nathan's Unit. In the midst of many long monotonous days, while our troops are missing their families and loved ones at home, these letters reminded our marines from Camp Pendleton of the wonderful things that wait for them when they arrive back home. At the same time, the students are learning about events in the world. I also hope that this exchange will help the students to better understand how very fortunate they are to live in America. Many of the children in Iraq have no shoes, and poor medical care (if any). There isn't enough room for everyone to attend schools, so often the girls go to school in the morning and the boys go to school in the afternoon. Through their interaction with Nathan, the students of Alcott Elementary are catching a glimpse of the lives of a handful of Iraqi children. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the students of Alcott Elementary for their support of our troops. Their letters and gifts have helped to remind our troops that America stands firmly behind them and anxiously awaits their safe return home.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two leaders in the health care industry from my Congressional District who have been elected to the Board of Directors for The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). PhRMA companies are devoted to discovering and developing new medicines that will enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. In 2002 the companies invested more than $32 billion in discovering and developing new medicines, marking the 32nd straight year the industry has increased its investment in R&D. PhRMA's mission is to conduct effective advocacy for public policies that encourage discovery of important new medicines for patients by pharmaceutical biotechnology research companies. The experience and expertise of Ms. Ginger L. Graham, and Dr. William H. Rastetter will bring San Diego's unique perspective to PhRMA, the association that represents the leading research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the United States. Ms. Ginger L. Graham has an impressive resume. In 1986, she received her MBA from Harvard University, which began her career at Lilly. During Ms. Graham's time at Lilly she held management positions in finance, sales, marketing, and strategic planning. In 1993, she was appointed president and CEO of Advanced Cardiovascular Systems. Ms. Graham was then a part of the team that formed Guidant, a medical technology company. After taking Guidant public in 1994, she became the president of Guidant's Vascular Intervention Group. Ms. Graham also held the position of Group Chairman, Office of the President, at Guidant. She is currently the President, CEO, and Director of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ms. Graham is the first female ever to be appointed to the board of directors at Phrma. Dr. William H. Rastetter received his Ph.D. in 1975 from Harvard. Between 1975 and 1982, he held numerous faculty positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He directed the Biocatalysts and Chemical Sciences Groups at Genentech from 1982 to 1984. From 1988 to 1993, Dr. Rastetter held the position of chief financial officer of IDEC Pharmaceuticals. Then he became president and CEO of IDEC from 1986 to 2002. During this time Dr. Rastetter was appointed chairman of the IDEC board of directors. Dr. Rastetter is currently the executive chairman of Biogen Idec, Inc. These two highly qualified individuals have devoted their careers to improving health care by bringing new pharmaceutical products through research and development and into the marketplace. I am proud that these two companies from my Congressional District will be represented on the PhRMA Board. San Diego has attained the position as the third largest life science cluster in the world, and is also renowned for being the most highly concentrated and one of the most diverse centers for life science. As the industry in San Diego grows and develops further, these two individuals are uniquely positioned to place San Diego's fingerprint on the pharmaceutical industry. As a stalwart supporter of medical research, I am dedicated to ensuring that America's healthcare system remains the best in the world and to promoting policies that encourage increased healthcare innovation. I look forward to working with Ms. Graham and Dr. Rastetter on public policy initiatives.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, first, I want to thank the Committee Chairman and Ranking Member for allowing this amendment to be considered. I have had great bipartisan support in raising this issue, most notably my colleague from California, Ms. Harman. My amendment directs placement of a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring noncitizen service members killed in the line of duty while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The amendment designates the Secretary of the Army to coordinate and direct this effort. In addition, the amendment allows for the collection of private donations for design and construction, while restricting the use of Federal funds. It is no cost to the taxpayers and has no budgetary implications for the DoD bill. Finally, authority for accepting donations and pursuing the memorial expires 5 years after the date of enactment. Honoring our service members is a process that begins on the battlefield through ensuring that our troops have the best equipment and other essentials. It continues as we welcome them home upon returning from war, when we fly the POW-MIA flag, when we care for them and their families and, ultimately, when we lay them to rest with appropriate remembrance and tribute. Many American military heroes, past and present, were born outside of the United States. From the thousands of noncitizens who fought for our independence as a Nation, to those who fought for the Union Army during the Civil war, to the more than 36,000 noncitizen members of today's Armed Forces, these men and women have sacrificed for our country and the preservation of our precious freedom. Our country is united in its support for our service men and women who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom. As of the end of March, we have lost 24 noncitizen service members in Operation Iraqi Freedom, including a member of my district, Lance Corporal Jesus Suarez Del Solar. It is time that we appropriately recognize their bravery, valor, and patriotism. Arlington, the Nation's premier military cemetery and shrine honoring the men and women who served in the Armed Forces, is a particularly fitting place for this tribute. I encourage you to support this bipartisan effort.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, how many times have we heard tax breaks for the rich in this body? Maybe their liberal Democratic base can believe it, but the American people are not stupid. They said the marriage penalty was a tax break for the rich. There should be a reward for people that get married, not a disincentive. Yet my colleagues said, oh, it's a tax break for the rich. Tax breaks for the family and the children, that is for the rich. Most Americans have children in this community and those that do not, adopt, like myself; and it is not just a tax break for the rich. But any tax relief for a working family, to my liberal colleagues on the other side, is a tax break for the rich. The American people are not stupid, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I invite Members to look up www.dsausa.org. This is their Web page. It stands for Democrat Socialists of America, DSA. Look what their 12-point agenda is. They talk about how they work with and they laud the Progressive Caucus, 58 Members of the House in the Progressive Caucus along with the Democrat Socialists of America. Their own Web page lists 12 points. They want government control of health care; they sure tried to do that. They want government control of education; they have sure tried to do that. They want unions over small business. That is where they get their campaign money. They have sure done that. They want the highest taxes possible. That is why any tax relief is for the rich only, because they want the justification to raise yours and my taxes, any working family. And they want to cut defense by 50 percent; they have sure tried that. Mr. Speaker, a man once called Abraham Lincoln two-faced. He said, do you think if I had two faces I would use this one. My colleagues on the other side say it is only tax breaks for the rich, but they have never seen a tax increase that they do not like. Also, if you look at the 13 appropriations committees, and I serve on the Committee on Appropriations, there is not a single one except for Defense that they do not want to increase, and increase the debt. We just had a budget that limits spending. Most of my colleagues on that side of the aisle voted against it because they want to increase spending. They want to increase the debt. Yet they say, oh, don't vote for a tax break for the rich because it gives money to working families for children. Yes, Abraham Lincoln was right. There are two faces on some people.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am reminded, my colleague on the other side talked about middle income. I listened to the gentleman from Missouri that ran for President over and over and over again in the 1990s, 1991, 1992, 1993, talk about the middle class. First of all, we should never use that term. There is no such thing as a middle class in this country. There are middle income, there is low income. But they play the race card, they play the social card every chance they get. Time after time they said, oh, we want tax relief for the middle income. In 1993, when they had the White House, the House and the Senate, what did they do? They raised the highest tax on the middle income in the history of this country. They increased the tax on Social Security. They took every dime out of the Social Security trust fund. They cut the veterans' COLAs, the military COLAs. They gave us the highest gas tax possible. And they increased the tax on the middle income. When we took the majority in 1994, we reversed those and they said, oh, look, the economy. After we reversed that tax, not a single Democrat economic structure or tax passed in this House or the other body and they said, ``Well, look. Look at the fine economy we had under President Clinton.'' Not one of President Clinton's measures ever passed in this House or was signed. So if that is the case, if we reversed that and none of their policies went forward since we have had the majority, then how can they be responsible for the good economy? But, no, they will use every chance they can to say we want middle- class tax cuts, middle-class tax cuts. But when it comes time to do it, they will increase it every time because it increases their power to spend on big government.