Duke Cunningham

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) said this bill cost $250 billion and that no Democrat ever proposed such a thing or to that amount. First of all, by definition, I understand why no Democrat called for $250 billion because they do not call for tax cuts or relief. They call for tax increases. No Democrat ever calls for tax decreases but tax increases, and by definition, the Democrats call cost giving working men and women their own money. It does not belong to the Congress. It does not belong to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost). It does not belong to the Democrats. It belongs to the people. It is not cost. It is a fact that they do not have to send it here in the first place. So, by definition. Secondly, in 1993, when the Democrats controlled the White House, the House and the Senate, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) claimed that they were going to have tax relief for the middle class, and they had control of the House, the Senate and the White House, and what did they do? They increased the tax on the middle class. They increased the tax on Social Security. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) said, oh, look at the Social Security and Medicare trust fund; In that bill, they took every dime out of the Social Security and Medicare trust fund and used it for spending. They increased the Social Security tax. They increased taxes for Americans and increased spending forever. They also took every dime out of the Social Security trust fund, increased gas taxes and had deficits forever. So, no, no Democrat ever proposed $250 billion worth of tax relief. They only asked for tax increases. I would tell the gentleman, stimulus packages, why are big businesses laying off people today? Look across this country at the number of jobs, not just from September 11, but across the country because businesses are failing, and they need that stimulus package to go. The Democrats call it tax break for the rich. The socialistic jargon that goes on here and the class warfare on tax breaks for the rich go over and over and over again on this side. Quit talking about Karl Marx and talk about stimulus package.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in supporting H. Con. Res. 273, legislation reaffirming the special relationship between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have shared a special relationship of mutual benefit for more than 100 years. At a time when both our nations are facing unprecedented security threats from terrorism, we must strengthen those bonds and work together to meet these new challenges. This resolution expresses the deepest gratitude to the Government and people of the Philippines for their sympathy and support since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. It also conveys our sympathy to the families of Filipino victims of terrorism. H. Con. Res. 273 also affirms the commitment of the United States to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, signed on August 30 1951. It is important that we reaffirm our support for that agreement as we work to root out terrorism around the globe, including the operations in the Philippines. This will require our continued recognition of the economic and military needs of the Philippines, and a continued commitment to assist in addressing those needs. Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Philippines has been among the most steadfast friends of the United States during a time of grief and turmoil, offering heartfelt sympathy and support. When the United States launched its war of self-defense in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo immediately announced her Government's unwavering support for the operation, calling it ``the start of a just offensive.'' The Government of the Philippines has made all of its military installations available to the United States Armed Forces for transit, refueling, resupply, and staging operations. This assistance provided by the Philippines has proved highly valuable in the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan as acknowledged by the Commander-in-Chief of United States Forces in the Pacific. Time and again, the Filipino people have stood with us against enemies of freedom. Not only were they critical allies in World War II, but they provided nearly 400,000 brave and patriotic men for the U.S. military campaign. Filipino Scouts were called into active duty of the United States military, and they defended democracy with honor and courage. They answered the call of duty, fighting side by side with U.S. troops in our hour of need. Many Filipino citizens have since joined the ranks of our military, and served with honor. As we recognize the contributions of the Filipino government today, we must also recall the critical contributions that its people have made to our nation throughout its history. And one way we can do that is by providing Filipino veterans of World War II the benefits available to the U.S. veterans of that conflict. Last year, we made the first major stride in that direction, by providing Filipino veterans who fought with the U.S. disability benefits and access to health care. But we have a long way to go to ensure full benefit equity for these veterans. Time is running out. One of my top priorities since coming to Congress has been to provide Filipino veterans the benefits they are due for their sacrifice, and I will continue that fight until the job is done. This resolution, which enjoys the overwhelming, bipartisan support of the House, urges continued U.S. assistance for the economic and military needs of the Philippines. I fully endorse that. But I believe that we would be sending a very mixed message if we were to provide that assistance while continuing to ignore the real health care needs of Filipino veterans who served with U.S. forces. History has shown that we pay a heavy price when we enlist the support of allies when we need them, but ignore their needs and challenges in the aftermath. I call on my colleagues to pass this resolution and to expedite passage of legislation authorizing full veterans' benefit equity for Filipino veterans of World War II.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I have stated in the well before that the two committees which are the best to serve on is the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations, and when I served on the Authorization Committee with the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) and those guys, but also the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) know that yes, we need funds. We need them desperately, not just for our forces, but we need them for homeland defense also. My point is, why are we here in this position? Why are we here today asking for more and more money? Eight years of the Clinton administration and 124 deployments has nearly devastated our military. The cruise missiles, we do not have JDAM kits for precision-guided weapons today. We have 37 ships tied up that we cannot repair with deferred maintenance. Mr. Speaker, 124 deployments. Look at Haiti. Most people have seen Blackhawk Down. We got our rear-ends kicked out of there and we lost 19 rangers in the process. We got our rear-ends kicked out of Somalia, 5 times in Iraq, bombing an aspirin factory in the Sudan. All of these different deployments put us over $200 billion in debt for defense. And guess what? At the same time we deployed in defense, our national security forces, our CIA, our FBI, they also have not been able to modernize. Those accounts are deficits. Those accounts are low. Now, we find ourselves not only in a war in Afghanistan, but here in the home front. We cannot make up $200 billion plus like this. Now we are asking to go $5 billion above the $20 billion, and then another $20 billion. That is no small change. And to do that, yes, we have a bill coming up before long that is called Medicare. We have a bill coming up called Social Security and the Social Security Trust Fund. We are going to want money there. But we cannot keep deficit spending on all of these; and yes, there are priorities. The condition we are in right now of having to build ourselves out of this hole is going to take a while. We cannot spend all this money; we cannot spend $20 billion, in 3 months. We will spend it as we need it, and with the supplemental coming down the line. If we try to do it now, we have all this money; and a lot of it is going to go where the gentleman and I do not want it to go.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I think that is exactly what I said. But the reason we got here is because 124 deployments in the last years of the Clinton administration have nearly destroyed our military, and we cannot bail ourselves out of it.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, both sides had problems with the election. I think the number one thing that upset me was the dispatchment of hundreds of lawyers trying to disenfranchise our military from voting based on technicalities. I am also glad that this bill allows our military to vote on bases, because many of those young men and women cannot get off base for transportation. I want to thank both Members for this. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) for during the anthrax scare on the Committee on House Administration, for his team working diligently with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) in correcting that.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I volunteered to stay on this committee because I think, of all the areas in which Congress can improve, it is in Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capital. We have made great strides, and Mr. Speaker, the chairmen have made great strides. But for the first time since I have been on the committee, I am not going to vote for this bill with some good things in it. Mr. Speaker, I speak, I think, from authority. I was chairman on authorization for the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and forwarded the legislation to President Clinton on IDEA, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. For 5 years I worked to take money out of lawyers' hands and pockets and shift it to children. We were able to save over $10 million a year, and instead of going to lawyers, it went to hire special education teachers. It set forth new programs for special education. It worked. In one setting, the chairman totally wiped out 5 years of everything that I have worked for. Am I upset? Yes, especially since it was staff- driven. Who is supposed to control this Chamber, the staff or the Members? Mr. Speaker, I want to say one lawyer in D.C. earned $1.4 million suing the city of D.C. over special education; a firm, $5 million. Those are just two individuals. I want to say I have spent my life working for children and getting the money down. I have been through no less than 20 hearings on this particular issue, from when I was in the subcommittee on authorization, since I listened to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) who ran hearings this year, to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), to the rest of it. I cannot tell the Members my contempt on the outcome of this issue. I am not going to speak for the full 5 minutes, since there are a lot of people trying to catch planes. But I state again my opposition to this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference report on the floor today. This will be the first District of Columbia Appropriations Act I will vote against since I came to serve on the Committee. I want to be clear, it is an honor to serve on the Appropriations Committee and especially the District of Columbia Subcommittee, where I am currently the longest active serving member. In addition, I commend Chairman Knollenberg for his leadership on this committee. In his first year as a Cardinal he has proven up to the difficult task of shaping an appropriations bill. For the last few years, I have resided here in the District and have seen first hand the problems that citizens here face in dealing with their own city government. I am pleased to have had the honor to work on this committee during what is truly the ``rebirth'' of the District's financial condition. When I came to the committee, the District was in financial ruin. Congress left no choice but to create the D.C. Control Board to oversee the city's budget to help bring order to the budget of the District of Columbia. I am pleased that the budget before us today was the sole responsibility of the elected officials of the District. Working together Congress and city officials have created a good budget that balances the needs of the people of the District with the financial constraints facing all governmental bodies. This $5.3 billion conference agreement provides new money for education and public safety--including public and charter schools, college tuition aid, a new court charged to protect abused children, emergency preparedness and ex-offender supervision. It includes a provision that is critical to public safety in the District, $500,000 for the repair of the D.C. Fireboat, the John Glenn. This historic fireboat has served this city well for many years but is in need of repair. In total, this bill will help the people of the District in many ways.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I do not plan on taking the full 5 minutes. But we have just gotten through with the defense bill and the Select Committee on Intelligence has just passed its conference report, and our Nation is at war, and above the regular amount the President has seen fit to give a $40 billion supplemental to try not only to help people in New York, people at the Pentagon, but this Nation heal itself. Post-September 11 has seen over 700,000 jobs lost, and yet we still have 99 percent of the American people that have their jobs, but if someone is one of those of that 1 percent that has lost their job, it is critical to them. Many of the people in my own district that has happened to. We tried to protect those jobs, and I think that we need to do more. We also need to help people temporarily. But even more important than that, Mr. Speaker, we need to stimulate the growth of the new and the old jobs through different measures, economic measures. Seventy-five percent of the jobs created are created by small business in this country, and I believe that tax relief for businesses will act as a stimulus that will enable those businesses to hire more people, to hire back some of those 700,000 that have lost their jobs. We all know that a company does not just fire people because it wants to; it is because they are working with a margin. And when they start losing money, either because they are overtaxed or because of the system or something like September 11 happens, they are forced to let people go. I have people in the hotel industry that only have about a 25 percent occupancy right now. That is devastating to those industries, and this has happened across the board. So the things we can do to stimulate the economy is, one, tax relief for those businesses. That is important in an economic stimulus package, as well as direct pay to some of those folks that need the help immediately. Secondly, there has been a lot of debate on trade in this House, and I think very positively, both those for and opposed. But I believe whether you are a union worker or come from the private sector, our workers in this country are second to none. Given fair trade and given an equal chance, they can compete with any nation. Some people debate and look at the trade deference. Well, ask anybody, they would rather be from a country that has higher pay, that has higher quality, that has higher technology than a country that has low pay, low technology, but yet is able to flood the markets. It just stands to reason. It is common sense. Trade is also important to my State, California. The number one commodity in California is agriculture. Those that say they are friendly to agriculture should have no second thought on the vote that is coming to us tomorrow or the next day on the trade bill sent down by the President. The bill tomorrow will improve existing and future trade agreements. Not necessarily new trade agreements, but it will enable the President to shore up problems that many of my colleagues on the other side have brought forward, and I think in some cases rightfully so. Mr. Carville, who used to work for President Clinton, once said, ``It's the economy, stupid.'' If we can give tax relief to businesses and stimulate jobs, if we can pass trade agreements that will help benefit our workers and shore up existing problems, I think that will help. My constituents want three kinds of security: they want personal security; they want to be safe in their schools and on their streets; they want to be able to open up a piece of mail that does not have anthrax in it; they want economic security, to know they are not going to lose their job; and they want national security. For those things, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support both the economic package, the stimulus package that was passed out of this House, and to support the trade agreement that will be brought forward this week.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, the Subcommittee on Defense and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is the absolute best committee, I think, to serve on in this House. When we go to our meetings, we do not know the difference between Republican or Democrat when it comes to defense issues. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the ranking member; the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks); the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter); the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), all work for the security of this Nation. One reason it is difficult to oppose the Obey amendment is that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) in many cases is 100 percent on target. How many Members took time during the break to visit sites that were vulnerable? The gentleman from Wisconsin went to those sites and saw those vulnerabilities. He talked to the organizations regarding where they were deficient, and they are; and I agree with that. Members of the committee also agree with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). Most Members did not. I did not; I was in the hospital. But many people did not take time away from their families like the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) did, but he was concerned about national security. Mr. Chairman, I would say along with the amendment of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), not exaggerating, there are a million vulnerable areas, over a million. That is why terrorism is so tough to handle. There is no way that we can prepare and do the studies and things that we need to fight against those threats. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) has done a good job at identifying some of those threats, and I believe with all my heart that the President is going to come up and help fund some of these; but we are still not going to have enough. I would say to the Members that many of us warned that there would come a day when we would have defense needs and we would not have the resources to meet those needs. Mr. Chairman, 126 deployments under the previous administration has put defense $250 billion in the hole. We have not been able to modernize. The intelligence agencies in which this amendment asks for, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, they had to deploy every time that the military did and stretch their limits. Retention is only 25 percent in each of those services. They have not been able to modernize. We do not have enough JDAMs, which is a guided bomb, to complete our mission in Afghanistan. We are short those weapons systems. The Su-27, an older airplane that Russia is exporting to many nations, our pilots die in our F-14s, F-16s, F-18s, 95 percent of the time, both in the intercept and in the dogfight, because we do not have the money to modernize those services and that equipment. The intelligence agency is the same way. We feel a little bit like Billy Mitchell, warning that there would come a day when we needed funding. And did we ever figure that we would be fighting a war on our own turf and then trying to fund the military and this at the same time? I know my colleagues would agree, there is only so much money. Yes, education is important. Social Security trust funds are important. National security is important. We are only 3 months into this war. It is going to be a long time, and we cannot just keep putting more and more money into it, even though I think we need it and many of the things that the gentleman from Wisconsin talks about are needed. That is why I reluctantly oppose the gentleman from Wisconsin's amendment. But he is a good friend.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to think seriously. Generally, we say, ``Let Hyde be your guide.'' The United Nations votes against the United States at least 90 percent of the time, even though we pay the lion's share of funding for the United Nations. On many of the key votes, we are vetoed out of the process. I do not think any of us wants our men and women that we ask to go in harm's way in our military, or our intelligence agencies and their members, to be tried in a kangaroo court without the proper jurisdiction. I rise in strong support of the Hyde amendment. I think it is a good amendment and it is good for our men and women both in the service and in our intelligence agencies.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy with my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas). The reason is the U.S. must continue to exempt canned tuna or they will destroy domestic processing and the entire fishing industry not only in California but Samoa, Puerto Rico, and other places. I have been working with my good friend, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), and others on this position. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) has committed if we can bring him the facts that in the conference report he will take into consideration and allow our amendment that will at least stop the loss of jobs. And we estimate right now just in San Diego over 10,000 jobs will be lost if they are able to dump this tuna. Do we have the gentleman's commitment to take a look at the facts and work this in conference, because the Senate supports our position?

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank and I take the gentleman's words from California (Mr. Thomas) as a friend and I take his word as gospel. But I will say if the problem cannot be worked out, my friends from American Samoa, from Puerto Rico and from California, we will be forced in the conference report to vote against the rule, to vote against the conference report; and then I will support the motion to recommit in the conference report.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a brief moment of our time today to give my hearty thanks to the people at Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Woodbine is a 307 bed healthcare center, located near Old Town Alexandria, providing long and short-term healthcare and a full range of rehabilitation therapies. It is at Woodbine where I found myself after my recent knee replacement surgery. The people of Woodbine cared for me as if I was a member of the family. I could not have asked for better care while I was there. I want to thank Dianne Defusco, the Director of Admissions, and all the people who took their time to care for me and look after me while I was there. My family and I are all grateful for their hard work and commitment.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a brief moment of our time today to give my hearty thanks to the U.S. Capitol Police and all the other people who work with us and protect us day in and day out. Since the tragic events of September 11th, the U.S. Capitol has been the center of threats both physical and biological. Our Capitol Police have seen their overtime and workloads grow two and three times what they were before the tragedy. We depend now more then ever on their hard work and commitment to our safety. But this pace is overwhelming and could, in time, seriously damage moral. As a former fighter pilot, I am well aware of the impact the increased operations tempo during the 1990's had on the U.S. military. Repeatedly, our nation's military men and women were asked to serve longer and longer tours away from their families. This continued pressure led to record retirements and gaps in manpower that we are still working to replace today. Our Capitol Police are now facing similar demands. While we work to give them the tools and resources they need, we should take a moment to give them our thanks for their commitment to protecting the people who visit and work on Capitol Hill. However, it isn't just the Capitol Police who are looking out for us. All over Capitol Hill there are people working for us everyday. From our personal office staff to committee staffs, from the janitors, mailroom clerks, and parking security staff. All over Capitol Hill there are people who come to work everyday and face the threat of just working in the Capitol, but they face it bravely and stand defiantly to keep us running. I am reminded just how committed the people are each morning as I drive to work. As long as I have been here Tommy Maggio, a parking security officer in the Rayburn garage, always greets me with the same smile and commitment to duty. He had done this job for 29 years regardless of the circumstances or threats facing Congress and America. All the people like Tommy keep Congress up and running. These hard working Americans will keep us moving forward through tragedy.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Ms. Jennifer Richards of Vista, CA, for recently completing back-to-back voyages as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Science Foundation Teacher at Sea (NOAA/NSF Teacher at Sea). The NOAA/NSF Teacher at Sea program places a school teacher on a NOAA research vessel to participate in the scientific research being conducted on board and to record their experience. Jennifer is a High School Earth Science Teacher at Guajome Park Academy, Vista, California, who recently participated in the first leg of the EPIC Research Cruise on the NOAA vessel, the Ronald H. Brown. She departed from San Diego, California on September 5, 2001, and sailed to the Galapagos Islands completing her cruise on October 6, 2001. She then stayed in the Galapagos Islands conducting research until October 11, 2001. Throughout her cruise Jennifer provided lessons concerning her cruise varying in topics from longitude and latitude to signal flags. Jennifer also kept daily logs describing her trip to her students back home in Vista. The Teacher at Sea program receives an average of 165 applications for 35 voyages, which is approximately the same ratio of competitive grants that are funded by NOAA and NSF. Jennifer was selected from a competitive pool of approximately 35 elementary and secondary education teachers who were interested in this particular voyage. To qualify, Jennifer was required to complete an application which includes 2 professional recommendations and questions regarding the applicant's ability to use this voyage as a teaching tool to benefit her students and colleagues. As a former teacher, I understand how tough it is to engage children as active participants in their lessons. Jennifer's proven creative ability to communicate science and research to her students was the reason that she was selected for this research voyage. I applaud Jennifer Richards for dedication to her students and her efforts to improve science education.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize that seven blue ribbon schools in my 51st Congressional District of California are being honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2001. In alphabetical order, these schools are: Chaparral Elementary School, Poway, CA. The principal is Holly Brommer, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Del Mar Hills School, Del Mar, CA. The principal is Gary Wilson, and the superintendent of the Del Mar Union School District is Thomas Bishop. Los Penasquitos School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Jeffrey King, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School, Carlsbad, CA. The principal is Emily Andrade, and the superintendent of the Encinitas Union School District is Doug DeVore. Park Village Elementary School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Kathy Cleveland, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. Solana Highlands School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Brian McBride, and the superintendent of the Solana Beach School District is Ellie Topolovac. Westwood Elementary School, San Diego, CA. The principal is Suzanne Roy, and the superintendent of the Poway Unified School District is Donald Phillips. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program evaluates schools based upon their effectiveness in meeting local, state and national educational goals. In 2001, 264 elementary schools are being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, including the seven above in California's 51st Congressional District, and 43 in the State of California. Blue Ribbon status is awarded to schools that have strong leadership, clear vision and mission, excellent teaching and curriculum, policies and practices that keep the schools safe for learning, expanded involvement of families, evidence that the school helps all students achieve high standards, and a commitment to share best practices with other schools. I am immensely proud of the men and women whose outstanding and tireless work in the interest of better education has now been recognized through the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. This is particularly close to my heart, because, as a former teacher and coach, and as a father, one of my passions is improving education so that every American can have a fighting chance to achieve the American dream. And while these seven schools in my district have now been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, the real winners are all of the children, parents, teachers and citizens who have all been challenged through this recognition to successfully improve education in all of their local communities.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Florida. Those assets, to know where the enemy is, is very, very important. In January 1972, we were told that there were no SAM sites over the hourglass just south of Hanoi. We did not have the reconnaissance assets that we needed. We went in to strike that target by the hourglass. We lost six airplanes because we did not have that knowledge. The Predator and Global Hawk gives us that knowledge.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I came on this committee thinking I was going to show them something. They have taught me. It is a bipartisan committee. It works very, very well; and I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Goss) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi). I should have known better, one can always learn something from a good woman. On this particular committee, there is so much information out there that a Member can always learn a lot. I also want to thank the staff. Many of the staff were former members from our intelligence community. Twenty-four hours a day they will sit and brief Members on any area in the classified area, and I recommend that Members do that more. I would also like to talk about the defense budget. It is about $200 billion in the deficit primarily because of the 124 deployments that our services were asked to go on during the last administration. If one transposes that over to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, they had to deploy 124 times along with the military. That funding deficit caused them the inability to modernize the systems and equipment that all of us say that they need to do their job. When I hear some Members, especially from the other body, criticize our intelligence agencies, remember that they did not have the assets. They were denied modernization. Personally, I think they are doing a good job. I would like to speak to the chairman of the committee. I understand that block 5, long-lead funding for Global Hawk, was eliminated in this, but the chairman has full commitment to support the Global Hawk and Predator programs. Is that correct?

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I want to speak to this issue. I do not have a dog in this fight on dairy farmers, but it is about the rightness. It is about the rightness to allow a vote in the People's House. The chairman of Judiciary is against dairy compacts. It is ridiculous. That is why they want it referred there, because it will never see the light of day in Judiciary. He will kill it and stop this body from having a fair vote on the issue. The same issue happened with H.R. 218. We had 372 votes in this House on both sides of the aisle and the chairman is opposed to that and he killed it. He fired one of his staffers because they brought it up. And even yesterday in a mark, let me be careful in my words, members of his own committee were strongly told not to offer the amendment. That is wrong, Mr. Chairman. For one person, one chairman, to have that power to stop the people's will, either on H.R. 218 or this dairy compact, is wrong. I will sign, which I oppose most of the time, a discharge petition to bring it up just to bring a vote to this floor.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend my constituent from Poway, California: Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres, for his achievements on and off the field. Mr. Speaker at the end of this season, Tony Gwynn will end his storied career in San Diego. I want to congratulate him for his hard work and commitment. Mr. Speaker on August 6, 1999, Tony Gwynn hit the 3,000th base hit of his career. As many baseball fans know, this was not an easy accomplishment. In the history of Major League Baseball, only 22 other ball-players hit 3,000 or more base hits. This achievement places Tony Gwynn in the pantheon of baseball legends including: Roberto Clemente, Lou Brock, and Hank Aaron. In 20 seasons, all with the San Diego Padres, Tony Gwynn has been the master of putting the ball into play. In the Padres 1998 National League Championship season, Tony had almost as many home runs as strikeouts, and struck out looking only three times. His hands are lightning-quick and he's able to wait until the last millisecond before connecting with the ball wherever it is pitched. He goes after the first good pitch he sees and almost always hits it, so he rarely walks. And Tony is renowned for his ability to hit balls through the left side of the infield. Tony has batted over .300 in 19 of those seasons and in the strike- shortened season of 1994, batted an amazing .394. His career batting average is an astounding .338. Futhermore, off the baseball diamond, Tony has been a tremendous asset to the San Diego community. Tony, along with his wife Alicia, have given their time and effort in philanthropic causes. They don't like to talk about community efforts, but the Gwynns are involved in more than two dozen organizations--San Diego Police Athletic Leagues, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Padres Scholars, the Casa de Amparao, Neighborhood House, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA to name a few--that benefit from his time, attention and money. In 1998, Tony led all Padres players in community appearances and joined seven-time American League batting champion Rod Carew for a historic youth batting clinic in Culiacin, Mexico, in March 1998. In addition, Tony was named the Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner. He was also the 1995 Branch Rickey Award winner, and 1998 Padres Nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award. These days children often pay to get professional athletes' autograph, picture, or signed memorabilia. Tony Gwynn has no part of this. Tony stays late at events to sign autographs; he's nice to young people; he's nice to everybody. I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring this tremendous individual for his multitude of accomplishments. I want to submit for the Record a copy of a resolution that I introduced last Congress, and urge all my Colleagues to support this resolution today. H. Res. 284 Whereas on August 6, 1999, Anthony (`Tony') Gwynn, of the San Diego Padres major league baseball organization, hit his 3,000th career base hit; Whereas the last person in the National League to have 3,000 career base hits was Lou Brock, on August 13, 1979; Whereas in the history of major league baseball, only 22 other players have 3,000 or more base hits in their careers, including such greats as Roberto Clemente, Rod Carew, and Hank Aaron; Whereas Tony Gwynn is considered to be one of the greatest major league hitters of the modern era, and was proclaimed the `Greatest Hitter Since Ted Williams' by Sports Illustrated; Whereas Tony Gwynn has won eight batting titles, tied for the National League record only with Honus Wagner, and topped only by the American League legend Ty Cobb; Whereas throughout his career Tony Gwynn has consistently conducted himself with dignity, modesty, and selflessness that has been an inspiration to all Americans; Whereas Tony Gwynn has also distinguished himself off the baseball diamond as an active and valued member of the San Diego community; Whereas Tony Gwynn, along with his wife Alicia, continue their award-winning philanthropic efforts, and are extremely active in supporting the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation, the Casa de Amparo, Police Athletic League, New Haven Home, Neighborhood House, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, the Epilepsy Society of San Diego, and many more organizations; Whereas in 1998, Tony Gwynn led all Padres players in community appearances and joined seven-time American League batting champion Rod Carew for a historic youth batting clinic in Culiacan, Mexico, in March 1998; and Whereas Tony Gwynn was named the Individual of the Year at the 1998 Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner, was the 1995 Branch Rickey Award winner, as well as the 1998 Padres nominee for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates and commends Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres for his amazing accomplishments on and off the baseball field, and thanks him for many years of unsurpassed baseball excitement. Mr. HUNTER, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the outstanding achievements of baseball great, Tony Gwynn, and give my full support to H. Res. 198, introduced by my San Diego colleague, Susan Davis. Throughout his 20 year career as a professional baseball player with the San Diego Padres, Tony Gwynn has been a role model both on and off the field. October 7th will mark the end of Tony Gwynn's professional baseball career as a player; a career played entirely in San Diego. Only 16 players in baseball history have played at least 20 seasons and spent their entire career with one team. Throughout his remarkable career, the future Hall of Famer compiled a lifetime batting average of .338, gained over 3,000 hits (17th most in major league history), won 8 batting championships, 5 Gold Gloves, and is a 15-time National League All-Star. He currently leads all active players in career batting average, hits, and strikeout to walk ratio. He has struck out only 425 times in 9,186 career at bats; averaging only one strike out every 23.8 plate appearances. Not all of Tony Gwynn's accomplishments have been on the field. His ties to the San Diego community are just as strong as his numbers in the field. It is well known that Tony and his wife, Alicia, are great contributors to humanitarian efforts and devote themselves to community service. While they are widely recognized for helping build and furnish a YMCA in San Diego, what is not as well known are the other philanthropic efforts in which the Gwynns participated. They have helped pay funeral costs for those who could not afford them, obtained Christmas presents for needy families, and bought blocks of Padre tickets for children to sit near him in the right field seats. Tony and his wife have a son, Anthony II and a daughter, Anisha Nicole. Anthony is a freshman baseball player at San Diego State University, which is his father's alma mater. Now Anthony will have the ability to play once again with his first coach. Tony recently accepted the head coaching position for next year's San Diego State baseball team, continuing his efforts to give back to the community and the sport he loved so much. Mr. Speaker, Tony Gywnn is deservedly one of the most respected and admired professional athletes in the world. His dedication to his profession, family, and community provides a role model we all can look up to. We will miss number 19 in the Padre line-up, but thank him for all the great moments he has given to the San Diego community and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chairman, 8 years ago I was put on the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, and I am still on the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, because I volunteered to stay there. This was during the time of Marion Berry, and I thought what better place can we make some changes. I set out in three specific areas. One, the education system. You recognize, the fire department had to take over control. The roofs, the schools did not open because the roofs were unsafe and the schools were unsafe. We got in a new school board, we reorganized, we took some of the board members off who were totally unqualified, and the new board has done a good job with charter schools, et cetera. The one area that I am disappointed in this bill is that for two of those terms I was enabled to take the trial lawyers, liberal trial lawyers that were ripping off the system within the special education program, and they had charter organizations that would literally take millions of dollars out of the special education program. We stopped that. We capped the trial lawyers' fees and put in valuable programs for special education and children, but yet no child was left without representation. I hope that the Senate takes that up. I think they are, and hopefully that will be changed in the Senate, like it was last year. Another area was the waterfront. The U.S.S. John Glenn, an ice cutter, when we lost an airliner on the 14th Street Bridge the only ship that could get to that was the U.S.S. John Glenn, an ice cutter, fire boat, to rescue those people. The chairman specifically, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) and the ranking member, supported putting the new engine that was needed, so for airlines and the waterfront, that will provide a lot of safety for that particular area. One of the areas that I am also not that happy with on the waterfront, when I first started, this city would only give 1-year leases. No one is going to invest in a waterfront to make it like a San Diego waterfront. The City Council at that time was taking money under the table to support leases. We changed that. But one of the areas now is when the city assigned an 8(a) to do some work down on the waterfront. The original bid was $1.6 million. They said well, let us do it with an 8(a), a small business. I said okay. But now that same 8(a), that has never done this kind of work, where it would be done by professionals at $1.6 million, it is now $2.6 million, and they are giving the Corps of Engineers $300,000 and the 8(a) $200,000, which will be taken off the top. That is $1.5 million that I think is squandered in this particular bill. I am going to ask within the conference that we get support from both sides to account for that $1.5 million that is not going to the waterfront, because of, in my opinion, mismanagement. I support the bill. What better place, two Irishmen, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) and myself, have become very, very close friends when he was ranking member, and I thank the ranking minority member as well.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the citizens of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (CNMI) for their support of the United States Armed Forces. In particular, I want to thank the members of the House of Representatives of the CNMI and their Speaker, Ben Fitial. Recently, that body passed a resolution, authored by Speaker Fitial, calling for the U.S. Navy's continued use of Farallon de Medinilla Island for essential training exercises. Of all the targets in the Western Pacific available to forward deployed U.S. units, only Farallon de Medinilla offers the target fidelity, access and maneuver space required to maintain the Navy's war-fighting capabilities. Rear Admiral Tom S. Fellin of the U.S. Navy has said that ``Farallonde Medinilla . . . plays a special and unique role in national defense. Its location provides access frequency that supports established training requirements. In addition, the air and sea space in the Farallon provides sufficient room for the many different attack profiles necessary to replicate training opportunities in the CNMI.'' The men and women in our military need places like Farallon de Medinilla in order to keep our forces the most effective in the world. Shutting them down will cost lives. But Puerto Rico's highly publicized and successful effort to end Navy training on its Vieques Island has inspired activists elsewhere to press for an end to military training in their backyard. Small groups of military extremists are now agitating for removal of U.S. military operations at Farallon de Medinilla Island and in Okinawa. Not only am I concerned about the implications of those efforts for our military readiness, but I am concerned that if successful, these efforts will ultimately encourage domestic pressure for removal of military operations which in any way inconvenience nearby residents. At this time of national crisis, we simply cannot afford to lose our most critical military training sites. Unlike the situation in Puerto Rico, though, the overwhelming majority of residents and indeed the leaders of CNMI have not jumped on the political bandwagon to force the U.S. out. They are standing up to those fringe elements, because they recognize that freedom isn't free, and that with the benefits of being part of the U.S. territories come some responsibilities. The tragic terrorist events in New York and Washington, D.C., show us once again, that we cannot just turn our military on like a light switch. To ensure peace, our military must always be prepared for the horrible reality of war. They must always maintain the people, the equipment and most important, the training to ensure that they prevail when a challenge arises. We thank Speaker Fitial for taking the initiative in confirming the commitment of the CNMI people to our fighting forces and all the citizens of the United States. As we enter the battle against terrorism around the world, it is heartening to have the CNMI people standing by our side. They have been there in times of peace, and they will be with us in the new war against terrorism.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Chairman, the defense bill has been neglected for a long period of time, not necessarily by appropriations or even authorization, but by the utilization of our Armed Forces without replenishing those forces. It has prevented modernization in many areas. I also serve on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and if we think about the depreciation of our personnel, of our equipment and every rock we turn over, whether it is parts, whether it is training, whether it is ship repair, there is a deficiency. I would like for everyone to think also, because authorization goes to appropriations and under the appropriations cycle we fund the intelligence committees; but every time we had one of those 124 deployments, our intelligence agencies were forced to withdraw from their budget as well and not modernize both in the HUMINT, ELINT and areas in which they need to protect us from terrorism as well as national security from other sources. I laud the gentlemen on both sides. One of my favorite Members here in Congress is the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), a direct descendant of Daniel Boone; and he believes in defense, as does the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the chairman, on our side of the aisle. It is important now that the Nation realize just how far deficient that our Armed Forces are and our intelligence service; and if we are going to do an adequate job of protecting this country, then this must be just a start.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my strong, unconditional support for the congressional authorization that will enable our Nation to act swiftly and firmly against those responsible for unleashing the deadliest attack on our Nation in its history. The terrorists' heinous acts took thousands of innocent lives and caused unprecedented physical destruction. But they have not succeeded in tearing us down or leaving us weak. Out of sorrow has come a soaring of the American spirit; out of destruction has come a restoration of community and political unity; and yes, out of anger, has come a steely determination to hunt down these terrorists and all their enablers, and to ensure that they pay a heavy price for these acts. We did not seek conflict; terrorists have declared war upon the United States. But we will respond forcefully when our freedoms are threatened and our way of life is under attack. We must take action against our enemies, on our own terms, at a time of our choosing, with moral clarity and unity of purpose. We must deter future aggressors. This resolution will provide the President with the full authority to do just that, and we should join in unanimous support of it. This resolution is not just authorization for a near-term strike against the perpetrators of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. It is a declaration of war against all terrorists now threatening our Nation, and those who support them. While Congress will continue to consult with the Administration as we progress with this campaign, and play our rightful role if necessary to expand our operations, make no mistake that we will support the President in his quest to eliminate these threats to our society. I have fought in a conflict that many in this Nation actively opposed, and know how devastating domestic opposition can be to the conduct of war. That should never happen again. Now more than ever, when we are asking our troops to defend our own soil from further attack, we must have solidarity and the commitment of the American people that we will not only provide critical moral support to our President and our troops, but that we will follow through with the financial resources they need to do the job. This campaign demands that we relook our federal spending priorities, and our military needs. We must provide our troops with the current generation assets they need to do their job, and jump start maintenance of equipment that has been ignored for so long. But we must also modernize our forces to ensure their superiority in the 21st century. Perhaps we will revise our focus, reshape our priorities for evolving forms of warfare. But we will not ignore the military's needs, and our national security will be restored as the top national priority. We will make assets available to protect our homeland, and we will ensure our troops are equipped to do their job and prevail in their mission-- now and well into the future. As President Bush has said, this battle will take time and resolve. But with the continued support of all Americans, we will win, no matter how long it takes. I urge all my colleagues to join in unanimous support of this Nation, our President and our military in this war by voting for this resolution authorizing use of force against the perpetrators of terrorism worldwide.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 will long stand as one of the darkest days in U.S. history. But in the aftermath of those heinous attacks on our nation, the world has seen us in what may well be our finest hours. With each passing hour after of the attacks on our nation's most enduring symbols, we learned about Americans reaching out to help their neighbors. All across the land, people were lining up to donate blood, giving their time at hospitals to treat victims and offering an untold amount of assets to the common cause of the disaster recovery. And we now know that the earliest heroes of this unprecedented tragedy even sacrificed their lives to spare far more Americans and their government from further horror. We thank all those who have risen to the challenge, and the many more sure to come to our aid in this time of crisis. You all exemplify what is best about our country and why we endure in good times and bad. Diverse and independent as we Americans are, we have never lost our underlying national unity. Our freedoms allow us to question other's views, and to publicly criticize our government. We are able to challenge the underlying principles of every public policy, and we are proud to do so for all Americans and the world to view. Some perceive those differences of opinion as a sign of weakness to be exploited, but they are what weave together the broad tapestry that is America and allows it to thrive as a superpower. Indeed, we are a people of many heritages, customs, religions and political viewpoints. It is not surprising that we have often found ourselves disagreeing on social policies, programs and personal value issues. But no one should mistake that for a lack of the most important traditional ``family value'' of all--that as Americans. No matter what our religious beliefs, we can join together for a moment of silence. We can still pray together for friends, neighbors, our community and our country. No matter where we stand on any raging debate of the day, we are still able to start each ballgame standing together to sing the national anthem. Despite our political differences, all members in the House of Representatives and students across America start each day together saying the Pledge of Allegiance. And even when we disagree with our government, citizens still fly the American flag with pride. And yes, we can even reach fever pitch debating the federal budget and our economic future. But in the end we work together trying to develop a plan that will best protect our future. And we have seen just that in recent weeks. The ties that bind us may be flexible, but they are stronger than ever. It should be clear today that we will always join together when our national security is threatened, and we will do what is necessary to protect our interests. Unfortunately, some individuals are more committed to extremism in the name of religion rather than freedom. They will go to any lengths to achieve their goals and show their commitment to the cause. Undercutting adversaries--whether real or perceived--is more important than abiding by the laws of their religion. They are threatened by the United States, and our willingness to defend other freedom-loving people under seige. But they are not able to take us on in the open, in the naked light of world opinion, because they know they are destined to lose that battle. And they don't have the capability or he human resources to confront us military. So they strike out in the kind of cowardly acts of violence we saw yesterday--seeking desperate revenge on those who challenge them and hoping to undermine our will. It should be clear to everyone following this tragedy that the terrorists have not succeeded in their suicide mission. In fact, world opinion has totally turned against them. Those who supported this deadly mission and any future would-be terrorists need to understand one thing: their attempts to undermine us has only strengthened our resolve to protect our interests. And protect them we will. Our nation is grieving its losses, and I share in offering my sympathy to the many families and neighbors who have lost loved ones to this senseless crime against humanity. We are grateful for the many individuals who have come to the aid of their fellow citizens, and are humbled by the acts large and small. But as we respond to this tragedy, we will not ignore the need to protect our security interests. We will stand one hundred percent behind our government in its efforts to respond. Rest assured, we will dedicate no less effort or resources to tracking down the perpetrators of these deadly attacks than we have to the humanitarian cause. We will exact a price for those who acted against our country and all who enabled them--wherever they may be. We will not relent until we are satisfied that all have been accounted for and brought to justice, and that the world understands that the cost of threatening our freedoms is too high.