Lois Capps

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to this bill. As a nurse, I have long advocated for Federal support of medical research. Over the past few years, we have substantially increased funding at NIH. This investment pays great dividends. Most importantly, it helps ease the suffering of millions. My daughter Lisa is currently in a fight with cancer. She knows and I know the importance of the work of NIH, work that is in process right now. The bill before us supposedly provides $17 billion for NIH, an increase of 15 percent over last year. But in a slick accounting gimmick to make it look like they are balancing the budget, House leaders are holding back nearly half of the money until the closing days of this year. This will push $2 billion onto next year's books and allow them to claim they are saving Social Security. I am amazed and appalled at such irresponsibility. It is no wonder this is being rushed through without adequate debate. This gimmick will actually have the effect of cutting NIH funding. Scientists today will have to slow their work while they wait for funding, seriously hampering saving research, research my daughter and so many others are waiting for, their lives on hold. I urge my colleagues to vote down this rule and to fully fund the NIH starting today.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring to the attention of my colleagues an extraordinary woman, who was honored by family and friends on October 22nd as she celebrated her 90th birthday in Santa Barbara, California. Eulah Laucks has become a good friend and mentor to me, and I want to mention just a few of her many accomplishments. Eulah was born on October 23, 1909 in Goldhill, Nevada. After completing high school, she worked for six years at a Tuberculosis Sanitorium to pay for her own college education. Her hard work paid off and in 1933 she began her studies in journalism at the University of Washington. Eulah had a very successful college career and in 1936, during her last year in school, she traveled to Italy to study. Eulah soon became fascinated with the people and the turbulent changes in government that were taking place in Europe. In 1942, Eulah married Irving Laucks, whom she met while working in the public relations department of the chemical analysis lab he owned in Seattle. In 1964 the Laucks moved to Santa Barbara. Irving soon began work as a consultant for the Santa Barbara Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. When Irving left the Center, Eulah continued this important work, where she served on the board in 1966 with my husband, Walter Capps. Eulah's passion for knowledge and commitment to learning did not end in college or with her work at UCSB. In 1979 at the age of 70, she earned a Ph.D. in Family Studies. Her research culminated in a book, ``The Meaning of Children in Contemporary America,'' which she published shortly after receiving her degree. In 1996, Eulah completed another book about her childhood memories in Nevada mining country. Mr. Speaker, as impressive as any complete accounting of Eulah's life would be, it would not do justice to the long lasting and immeasurable contributions she has made in Santa Barbara. I find myself to be exceptionally fortunate to be a friend of Eulah Laucks. She is an incredibly progressive, strong willed, and independent person. Eulah was also very close to my husband, Walter Capps. I know that they often encouraged and supported one another in their faith and commitment to others. He valued her insight and wisdom immensely. Eulah Laucks will continue to commit much of her energy to the values and ideals that she loves--the well-being of children, education for all, world peace, and protecting our environment. I am truly honored to represent Eulah Laucks in Washington and to incorporate her ideals in my work as a citizen representative.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time, and I rise in opposition to H.R. 2260, the Pain Relief Promotion Act. This is a cynical title for a bill that is not about pain relief but about overturning State-assisted suicide laws. H.R. 2260 explicitly preempts State laws that govern the practice of medicine, even if the residents of those States have spoken on the issue. Understandably, this bill is opposed by the California Medical Association and other State medical associations. I strongly oppose physician-assisted suicide, but assisted suicide and pain management are very distinct things, and this bill blurs that distinction. Title I of this bill raises the prospect of the Drug Enforcement Agency, nonmedical people, second-guessing a physician or a health care professional's intent in prescribing large doses of controlled substances for patients who have very severe pain. The threat of investigation could scare health care professionals away from providing quality care to people who are living in desperate situations, living with uncontrolled pain. There are medical standards in place now, approved by the Joint Commissions Standards Committee. This bill is opposed by the American Nurses Association. Nurses are the health care professionals who are most often at the side of patients helping them to deal with their pain and to continue to live their lives. Nurses are ethically bound to oppose this legislation because it creates barriers to appropriate and compassionate patient care. By making effective pain and symptom relief more difficult to obtain, H.R. 2260 is likely to increase suicide as desperate patients seek relief from unbearable pain. In providing needed pain management, let us remember that we are not assisting patients to die, but helping them to live. I oppose H.R. 2260 and urge support of the Johnson-Rothman-Maloney-Hooley substitute.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth ``Biz'' Steinberg, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Commission of San Luis Obispo Inc. in my district in California. Last Friday, October 22, Biz received the Excellence in Leadership Award from the California Association of Nonprofits in Oakland, California. She was chosen from a field of 37 leaders. I am obviously not alone in being terribly proud of Biz Steinberg. In the congratulatory letter sent to her in honor of this award, the CAN executive director said: ``The selection committee was overwhelmed by your consistent display of excellence and commitment both to your organization and the community. The work you are doing in San Luis Obispo is heroic and truly an inspiration to the nonprofit sector.'' Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Biz is a hero to many of us. Her unflagging grace and tireless effort on behalf of the community she serves with daily passion inspires all who know her. For the past 15 years, Biz has headed the EOC in San Luis Obispo County. When Congress founded the EOC in 1965 during the War against Poverty, I am sure that Biz's is the kind of leadership that members of Congress envisioned: one of determination and cooperation and courage.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Peace Week. The award-winning Peace Week program has brought together three communities I am so proud to represent: Guadalupe, Orcutt, and Santa Maria. During the week, residents of these communities united to show their commitment to creating and building a more peaceful society. The success of this innovative week is due in no small part to the great contributions made by Sister Janet Corcoran at the Marion Medical Center in Santa Maria. Sister Janet started this program 3 years ago when she noticed such an increase in the number of victims of violence admitted to Marion's Emergency Room. Sister Janet saw the need for leaders throughout the community to get involved. With their leadership, Peace Week has developed into an effective series of workshops and activities to promote non-violence strategies. It is fitting that Peace Week corresponds with our own Voices Against Violence Teen Conference here in the Capitol, which includes a young student from Santa Maria. Both are excellent examples of programs aimed at preventing violence. Peace Week illustrates well how communities can come together and make real change. I am so proud that this is taking place in my district.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Madam Chairman, I want to offer my strong support for the Mink- Woolsey-Sanchez-Morella amendment to restore gender equity provisions in H.R. 2. We must restore funding for the Women's Educational Equity Act. This landmark legislation was established in 1974 to help school districts and educators provide equal opportunities for girls and young women in our schools. This equity act represents the commitment of our Federal Government to ensuring that the future choices and successes of girls are determined not by their gender, but by their own interests, their aspirations, their abilities. Without the support that this amendment makes possible, in fact, young women are held back because of their gender. Now, girls have come a long way, but we still have work to do. Today, only 17 percent of the students who take computer science advanced placement tests are girls. This figure alone is enough to tell us that gender equity programs are still needed. Additionally, H.R. 2 does not continue funding for dropout prevention programs that target pregnant and parenting teens. I spent 20 years working as a school nurse in the Santa Barbara School District where I was the director of the Pace Center, a program for teen parents called the Parent and Child Enrichment Program. This program encourages teenage mothers to stay in school, helping them to take responsibility for their lives, and to gain access to child care and other support services. It is essential that this Congress work hard to reduce teen pregnancy so that our teens do not become parents before the time is right. But, if teens do become pregnant, we must work to keep them in school, helping them to keep their lives on track, and teaching them to be nurturing parents. I have seen firsthand the struggles that teenage parents face, and I know how important these dropout prevention programs are. Madam Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to support these gender equity and dropout prevention programs. I am honored to have three students from my district here in the Capitol today, and they are accompanied by the program development director for Girls, Incorporated. These constituents of mine know firsthand and they know full well the importance of these gender equity programs. Madam Chairman, we here in Congress, we must do our part to keep our promise to the students of this Nation to ensure that everyone receives equal educational opportunities.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) for organizing this special order. Earlier today, I had the honor of addressing 180 very special people, the chaperons who have accompanied students from around this country in today's historic Voices Against Violence Conference. Clearly these professionals care about kids. Many of them work in schools or community centers, dealing with our young people and with youth-related issues every day. This week, they are serving as effective listeners, allowing students to express their views about the violence which has permeated their lives and surrounds them. I am proud that Raquel Lopez from Santa Barbara is escorting three students from the 22nd district of California. Raquel has spent her career working with youth in her community as a counselor to teen mothers, as an advocate for a local youth center and as a leadership development director for Girls, Incorporated. Raquel does great work in our community, on the line every day, and is a wonderful presence at this conference. Today's meeting away from the students for a few hours, chaperons were able to state their own views on why there is so much violence surrounding our students. I wanted to share some of their insightful comments on reducing youthful violence. Maria Brenes from Oakland, California, says, ``I strongly recommend that a national youth leadership initiative be implemented to provide positive alternatives as a larger violence prevention; to empower our youth.'' Marcia Kaplan from New Jersey says, ``We need some form of parenting education in the school system so that we can provide parents with tools that they need to deal with our kids,'' with their children, ``today, and the issues that they face.'' Lucy Santini Smith from Michigan has stated, ``We must listen and determine together what programs should be funded, like after school programs and mentoring programs, demonstrate to them that Congress does listen, cares deeply and initiates real programs.'' Finally, Benton Billings, a teacher from Lansing, Michigan, said, ``If we really want to get at the heart of our Nation's school violence problems, the kids must be involved in the dialogue. They really know what is going on and what solutions would work best.'' Mr. Billings, I could not agree with you more. In our efforts to understand and curtail violence among our youth, we sometimes forget to consult our kids. That is a mistake. It is time for us to learn from them. And just by being here, these committed individuals are allowing this to happen. I salute all of the adults who make this Voices Against Violence Conference possible. They really created the event so that the students could attend by coming along with them. As important as our work here in Washington is, we know that the real work in reducing youth violence will come from within our communities themselves. Our chaperones are going to help make that happen. We have a responsibility here in Congress. We need to set our own priorities straight, with our children and with our young people in mind, as a number one priority, so that the appropriate resources will be available for them in our communities and through the dedicated community heroes who work with them each and every day.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the nation lost one of its foremost religious and spiritual leaders, Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg. Rabbi Weinberg served for over thirty years at Washington Hebrew Congregation. Throughout his exceptional career, Rabbi Weinberg distinguished himself not only for his Jewish scholarship and the pastoral care he devoted to his congregation, but as a champion in the fights for civil rights, racial understanding, and religious tolerance. Rabbi Weinberg was a gracious, warm and compassionate man. He possessed both a softspoken demeanor and a fiery determination to correct the injustices of our society. Above all else, he was devoted to his family. I wish to extend my most sincere condolences to his wife Marcia, his children Rachel, Johathan, Josh, their spouses, and his grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I submit for our colleagues an article about Rabbi Weinberg that was published in the Washington Post. This article reports on Rabbi Weinberg's final Rosh Hashanah sermon, delivered last month with the help of his children. Using Tolstoy's famous journal entry, ``Still Alive,'' Rabbi Weinberg said: ``Dear congregants, children and grandchildren, It is Rosh Hashanah. . .and we are still here. Still alive--to stand for causes that are just. Still alive--to stand in solidarity with others. Still alive--to bear witness to the majesty of the human soul. Still alive! Still alive!'' Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg is still alive. He may no longer be physically among us, but his spirit and legacy live on. [From the Washington Post, Oct. 17, 1999] Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Dies at 62 (By Caryle Murphy) Joseph P. Weinberg, 62, senior rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation, who had been active in interracial and civil rights efforts since the 1960s, died at his Potomac home Friday night after battling brain cancer for more than a year. Rabbi Weinberg, who was known for his concern for social issues, had served for 31 years at Washington Hebrew, the city's oldest Jewish congregation and the largest Reform congregation in the Washington area. For many of its thousands of members as well as many others in the community at large, he was the human symbol of the congregation. His death came a little more than a month after the rabbi delivered an emotional farewell sermon on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. With the help of his three children, who each read portions of the sermon, Weinberg told a packed sanctuary he had just learned that he must ``battle anew with my pesky invader'' but wanted ``to have Rosh Hashanah as usual.'' He said the holiday was a reminder of ``God's great gift to us . . . the precious gift of time,'' which is ``ours to fill wisely, joyfully, completely.'' The ailing rabbi told his congregants to rejoice that ``we are still here. Still alive, to stand for causes that are just . . . to bear witness to the majesty of the human soul. Still alive!'' The Sept. 11 sermon was the first time many in the congregation realized ``what was really happening as far as his health was concerned,'' recalled Kenneth Marks, president of the Northwest Washington congregation. ``The mood was quite emotional. ``Joe Weinberg and the congregation were one and the same, basically,'' Marks added. ``What can you say when you lose someone who meant so much? This is the most compassionate man you ever met in your life. He always wanted to do good, and he always had time for you.'' Weinberg's brain cancer was diagnosed in March 1998, and he underwent surgery twice, his wife, Marcia Weinberg, said yesterday. On Friday evening, the family had gathered for the traditional Shabbat prayers, and Weinberg, his wife recalled, ``left us while the candles were still burning.'' Since his arrival in Washington in 1968--a time when the city was wracked by racial riots and anti-war protests-- Weinberg played a leading role in efforts to improve racial relations and fight poverty. He helped organize Ya'chad, a Jewish organization promoting affordable city housing, and Carrie Simon House, a transitional home for unmarried mothers in Northwest Washington, which is supported by Washington Hebrew. Weinberg also was a moving force behind his congregation's annual service held jointly with local African American churches to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Jewish Sabbath right before King's national holiday. Marcia Weinberg, 61, said her husband had been deeply affected by his experiences when he marched with King in the historic civil rights march in Selma, AL, in 1965. Then a young rabbi, Weinberg was arrested twice. ``It was an important moment for him as a human being and as a rabbi,'' she said. ``Joseph was very motivated by social action.'' Weinberg was born in Chicago in 1937. His mother, Helen Joy Weinberg, was an artist, and his father, Alfred, a businessman. In 1938, as the Nazi menace was threatening European Jewry, Alfred Weinberg returned to his native Germany to bring his parents and several other family members to the United States. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1958, Joseph Weinberg immediately entered seminary at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. After his ordination in 1963, he served as assistant rabbi at a San Francisco congregation before coming to Washington. Weinberg, who also was a fervent supporter of Israel and campaigned for years to help Soviet Jews emigrate, became senior rabbi at Washington Hebrew in 1986. He was only the fifth rabbi to hold that position since the Reform congregation was founded in 1952. The original congregants held services in their homes until they purchased a building site in the 800 block of Eighth Street NW. in Chinatown. There, they built their first synagogue, which they sold 58 years later. Today, the former temple, which still has the Star of David in its stained- glass windows, is home to Greater New Hope Baptist Church. Washington Hebrew, with a membership of more than 3,000 families, is now located on Macomb Street NW. Funeral services for Weinberg will be held at the congregation tomorrow at 1 p.m. In addition to his wife, Weinberg is survived by a sister, Judith Adler, 66 of Seattle; a daughter, Rachel Weinberg of Arlington; two sons, Jonathan Weinberg of Potomac and Josh Weinberg of Bethesda; and four grandchildren.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening in great anticipation of next week's Voices Against Violence Teen Conference. The conference is a unique opportunity for Congress to listen to our Nation's youth. In our efforts to understand our young people and to curtail the violence which surrounds them all too often, we sometimes forget to consult the teenagers themselves. This is a mistake. It is time for us to learn from them. When applications for this conference were distributed in my district, I thought there would be some interest, but I was simply overwhelmed by the response. It was tough deciding on the three teenagers to send to Washington, so I decided to form a Youth Advisory Council in my district. This council made up of all the applicants will advise the three delegates on their trip to the conference. Our first Advisory Council meeting was held this past Monday. Students came from across my district, from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara. Some drove for 2 hours to have their opinions and feelings heard. The discussions were riveting and moving. It was fascinating to hear their views on the causes of youth and violence from young people themselves. Family was the focus. More than anything, these students see a strong home environment as the key to happier, better adjusted children and reduced violence. Young people need to rely on their parents. They need to be able to communicate with their family members. They also cited peer and academic pressures, violence in the media, socioeconomic circumstances and discrimination as root causes of youth violence. Drugs and alcohol are also seen as contributing factors. Gun safety issues and gang pressures are certainly a part of their lives. We discussed a range of solutions from metal detectors to school counseling to hot lines to recreational programs. Students raised the idea of having closed campuses on their high schools, limiting the ability of students to leave the building throughout the day. I was astounded to hear that some of the students do not think that closed campuses are realistic because they are too crowded. One described his high school which houses 3100 students although it was built for 1800. I had not really thought of the school construction efforts here in Congress as being linked to school violence, but these students showed me that that link is very much a reality. In more emotional moments we heard from a brave young woman who talked about her personal and triumphant battle with drugs, a habit which had been spurred on by the drug use and addiction of her parents. Another young woman recounted the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend on school grounds. She spoke with the deceased young man's mother sitting close by her side. These are stories that we in Congress must hear and keep with us as we sort out our legislative options. Madam Speaker, it is time for us to start listening to the students. Their insight can help us to understand the roots of today's violence and what we can do to help them stop it. I am so pleased that I will be able to welcome Cheyrl Villapania from El Puente High School in Santa Barbara, Stacie Pollock from Righetti High School in Santa Maria, and Brandon Tuman from Arroyo Grande High School in San Luis Obispo County. They are going to travel across the country next week to attend our conference, and I also commend their chaperone, Raquel Lopez, from Girls Incorporated in Santa Barbara. These capable young people will be the eyes and ears of our Youth Advisory Council here in Washington D.C. They will bring the concerns of the young people from the 22nd District of California to the conference and then report back to our youth and to our community on what they have accomplished. I am proud of them for taking the initiative, for making their voices heard on issues that are important to them, important to us all. As important as our work here is in the capital, we know that the real work of reducing violence that surrounds our young people is going to come from within the communities themselves. Voices Against Violence conference is an excellent step in the right direction. I commend the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) and his staff for their leadership in organizing this conference. I look forward to welcoming to the capital next week students from the central coast of California and from around the country.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring to the attention of my colleagues an extraordinary company in my district--Raytheon Systems Company. Since 1956, when Raytheon Systems Company located in Santa Barbara, the impact of the Company's vision and commitment to our community has been known. The employees of Raytheon for the last four decades have been consistently working to make Santa Barbara a better place by their involvement in their children's PTAs, scout troops, and churches. Raytheon has also been very involved with local youth through their sponsorship of career fairs, mentoring and shadow programs. Raytheon and its employees are most recognized for their support of local public education by the donation of countless computers and copiers through the Adopt-a-School program and the Computers for Families Project. Their contributions to schools and to our children have been recognized by the Santa Barbara Industry Education Council and many other organizations committed to education. Equally important has been the personal involvement of the top management of Raytheon in United Way annual campaigns. Over the last 23 years, hundreds of Raytheon executives and employees have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to United Way fundraising, allocations review and Day of Caring activities. The Company and employees have also contributed millions of dollars to the Health and Human Services network in South Santa Barbara County that provides a helping hand up to more than 60,000 local residents annually. Mr. Speaker, I was honored to join the United Way in recognizing Raytheon Systems Company. The Company and its employees have made immeasurable contributions to the City of Santa Barbara. I believe that the spirit of generosity and leadership shown by Raytheon Systems Company is an example for the Nation.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring to the attention of my colleagues two extraordinary people, who on October 9th were honored by their community with the distinguished United Way Community Excellence Award. Wallace T. Drew has had an impressive career as a managing director for Revlon, Inc., head of Coty Inc. and Vice President of the local Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Drew has also been a driving force in countless community service organizations in Santa Barbara. He has served on the boards of the United Nations Association of the USA, United Boys & Girls Clubs, the Santa Barbara Symphony, Lobero Theatre Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Arts Council. He was also founder and Chairman of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Senior Warden at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church. In addition, Mr. Drew has served on every committee within the Santa Barbara County United Way organization, including Vice-Chair of ``Burn the Mortgage in 90'' Campaign, founding member of the Endowment Committee and Leadership Circle Committee, and Board Treasurer and President. Board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, now retired, Dr. Ursula Henderson Drew was in private practice in Santa Barbara since 1977. She married Wallace T. Drew in 1993. She has served on the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and on the Advisory Committee for the Garvin Theatre. She has also served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Film Festival and the Ensemble Theatre. As Chairwoman of the Department of Psychiatry at Cottage Hospital, she also served on the Committee for the Homeless and the Physician's Well-Being Committee. She currently serves on the Board of the Santa Barbara Mental Health Association. Her latest leadership role has been Co-Chair of a $1.5 million campaign to reopen Health House and retain Sarah House. Mr. Speaker, I was honored to join the United Way in recognizing Wallace and Ursula Drew for their generosity to the City of Santa Barbara. I am inspired by the Drews' service and commitment to their fellow citizens. The lifetime achievements of Wallace and Ursula Henderson Drew will continue in perpetuity.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, Congress may be struggling to fight against violence affecting our young people, but our communities are doing something about it. Today in San Luis Obispo, California, and around this Nation, the American Medical Association Alliance is kicking off its save schools program. SAVE, which stands for Stop America's Violence Everywhere, began in 1995. This year the AMA alliance will focus its efforts directly on our schools. In my district, the San Luis Obispo Medical Society Alliance will team up with the local high school students and a local homeless shelter. Dedicated teenagers will mentor younger children in need and help them learn to resolve their conflicts peacefully. Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud that the national president of the AMA Alliance, Ann Hansen, lives in my district. I join Ann in offering this rallying cry in the fight against school violence. Save today.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Boehner amendment. This substitute will not protect patients. This bill does not provide for independent and timely appeals when patients are harmed by HMO decisions. This amendment leaves in place what is wrong with the current system. HMO bureaucrats, not doctors, will determine what treatment is medically necessary. In comparison, the bipartisan Norwood-Dingell bill provides a core set of meaningful protections for patients. Finally, the Boehner amendment will not allow patients to sue their HMOs for negligent care. The consensus bill includes a strong independent review panel procedure. And as a last resort, patients must have the ability to sue HMOs for harmful medical decisions. No other industry has such special legal protections. The HMO industry should not have them either. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Boehner amendment.

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment, which falls short, far short, on important patient protections. If a patient has been denied a screen test or a treatment which results in a serious health care problem, the HMO must be held accountable. This amendment contains a $100 threshold for patients to be eligible even for external review. Mammograms cost $95. A routine EKG is $50. A PSA for prostate cancer is $25. As a nurse, I am very concerned that a person who is denied a simple, inexpensive, lifesaving test would never be eligible for that review. The Coburn-Shadegg substitute will diminish fundamental constitutional rights of patients to seek redress in the courts when they have suffered serious physical harm or even been killed. This provision will save HMOs a few dollars and cents, but it defies common sense. Mr. Chairman, patients must no longer take a back seat to profits. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and to support the Norwood- Dingell bill.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in very strong support of the Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999. I commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) for his heroic leadership in this issue. The passion of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for health care was inherited from his father, John Dingell, Sr., who introduced the first bill in Congress to make health care available to all Americans, and I am sure that he would be very proud of his son today. At last we can enact real managed care reform and improve patient care across this country. The Norwood-Dingell bill was not written by special interest groups. It is the result of listening to what I call the other voices, those of patients and providers who have been left out of this dialogue. As a nurse, I am also speaking on behalf of over 2 million nurses who have known for a long time that HMO reform is necessary, and I am proud that the American Nurses Association has offered a strong endorsement of this legislation, and I enter their letter as part of the Record: American Nurses Association, Washington, DC, September 29, 1999. Hon. Lois Capps, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Capps: As the House prepares for floor consideration of patient protection legislation, I am writing to express the American Nurses Association's strong support for the Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999, HR 2723. The American Nurses Association is pleased to endorse this bill and is encouraged by the cooperation and compromises made to achieve real progress on managed care reform. This legislation constitutes an important step in assuring that strong, comprehensive, and enforceable protections will be in place for all insured Americans. ANA believes that every individual should have access to health care services along the full continuum of care and be an empowered partner in making health care decisions. Given the nursing profession's preeminent role in patient advocacy, ANA is particularly heartened by the steps proposed to protect registered nurses and other health care professionals from retaliation when they advocate for their patients' health and safety. As the nation's foremost patient advocates, registered nurses need to be able to speak up about inappropriate or inadequate care that would harm their patients. Nurses at the bedside know exactly what happens when care is denied, comes too late or is so inadequate that it leads to inexcusable suffering, which is why the strong whistleblower protection language in this bill is critical to patient protection legislation. ANA also believes that accountability for quality, cost- effective health care must be shared among health plans, health systems, providers, and consumers. The provisions of HR 2723 that assure a truly independent appeals system and legal accountability for health plans are reasonable and necessary if we are to have reform that is comprehensive and enforceable for all participants in the health care system. This important bipartisan compromise also includes an important requirement that health plans allow patients to have access to a full range of health care providers, with no discrimination against some providers solely on the basis of type of licensure. ANA also strongly supports the provision assuring that women have direct access to providers of obstetric and gynecological services. The American Nurses Association, which represents registered nurses throughout the nation who practice in every health care setting, urges support for HR 2723, the Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act of 1999, the only patient protection bill to be considered by the House that will bring about genuine reform in our health care system. Sincerely, Beverly L. Malone, President. This bill contains common sense provisions so important in the lives of ordinary Americans. It allows patients to choose their doctor and hospital and to see needed specialists. It leaves the determination of medical necessity with doctors, not insurance clerks. It guarantees emergency room care and ensures access to clinical trials. It allows patients recourse when they have not received proper care. This bill also includes whistle-blower protections which prevent nurses and other health care professionals from being fired if they report dangerous abuses. Mr. Chairman, in my travels around the central coast of California it is heartbreaking to listen to so many families whose HMO horror stories have ruined their lives. In this, the greatest Nation of the earth, the time has come to put patients before profits. Let us pass this bipartisan bill. Stop the abuses of managed care.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference report. American spending on our foreign policy priorities represents a tiny percentage of our national budget. It is clear, however, that modest investment in key foreign policy initiatives saves us major expenses when regional problems explode into national security crisis. Unfortunately, the bill before us today is vastly underfunded. This measure will only weaken the world leadership of the United States. I want to take a moment to discuss what I believe is the most glaring omission in this legislation, the lack of any funding to implement the Middle East peace plan signed at Wye. The 1998 Wye Accord was a triumph in U.S. diplomacy. This agreement--which carefully balanced Israeli security considerations with Palestinian economic and territorial gains--put a long-stalled peace process back on track. And the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, which the parties signed just one month ago, has already led to the implementation of key components of the Wye accord. A successful Middle East peace process is in the security and economic interests of the United States. Now is clearly not the time for us to renege on the pledges we made at Wye. The $1.2 billion Wye package would provide critical security assistance to Israel, desperately needed economic aid to the Palestinians, and important economic and social funding for Jordan. Peace in the Middle East has been a paramount U.S. foreign policy goal for decades. This long-impossible dream is finally becoming a reality. Sadly, the funding bill on the floor today fails to address this exciting opportunity. I must oppose the bill and I hope that new legislation will be brought forward which enables the United States to continue its leadership role in world affairs.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, the House will soon act on managed-care reform. In this debate we must protect the whistle-blowing rights for nurses and health professionals. Patients depend on nurses to ensure they receive proper care. Nurses who see the health of their patients endangered should feel 100 percent confident that they can voice their concerns without retaliation from their employers. I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years. I understand firsthand how difficult it is to come forward and report abuses, situations which compromise the quality of care. No one should feel that their job is in jeopardy because they speak on behalf of the safety of their patients. Let us show our support for nurses and healthcare professionals. Support the whistle-blower language in the bipartisan Norwood-Dingell managed-care bill.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to instruct of my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), as she has described it. I value the views of my colleagues who are speaking today of protecting our fundamental rights. America's children also have rights. They have the right to be safe from gun violence. As a school nurse, I feel so strongly that we must keep guns out of our schools and away from our children. These feelings are not unique to Congress. Just last week, the Mayor of Santa Barbara came to Washington, D.C., along with mayors and police chiefs from around this country. Speaking for thousands of people in my hometown, our mayor called for passage of common-sense gun safety legislation. Mr. Speaker, Americans around the country are shocked by the shootings that are plaguing this Nation, and they are stunned by the inaction and delay of this Congress. With this vote we must take a stand against gun violence and we must do it today.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the service and pay tribute to Stephen Joseph Masto. Stephen died in late August while helping to battle a wildfire in Los Padres National Forest in my district. At the young age of 28, Stephen had already devoted his career to public safety. He spent his career fighting fires all over Southern California and the central coast. We can never repay Stephen or his family for his dedication, hard work, and ultimate sacrifice. Rather, we must honor him by being especially mindful of the brave men and women firefighters he has left behind. These individuals have committed themselves to protecting the lives and safety of their neighbors in times of need. Like Stephen, they are true heroes in every sense of the word. I know that I speak for my entire community when I extend my most heartfelt condolences to Stephen's families and loved ones who will miss him so terribly. We honor him when we honor the people he has left behind.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in strong support of the National Marine Sanctuaries Enhancement Act of 1999. I commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) and the ranking member, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), for their efforts to move this important legislation through committee and on to the floor so expeditiously. The National Marine Sanctuary Program is vital to protect and manage our Nation's outstanding marine areas. It protects over 18,000 square miles of our Nation's most unique marine resources. The National Marine Sanctuary Program is the equivalent of our national parks. It identifies, designates, and protects these areas of the marine environment deserving special protection and recognition. It is an extremely popular and strategic program and currently supports 12 designated sanctuaries, covering areas on both coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, and American Samoa. I am proud to have one of these sanctuaries in my district in California, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. As the only program designed to manage these important and ecologically sensitive areas, the sanctuaries protect our marine heritage for generations to come. They also help sustain critical resources and vibrant economies for our coastal communities which impacts the country as a whole. Last year marked the International Year of the Ocean, which brought increased attention to the National Marine Sanctuary Program. The legislation we are considering today builds upon this momentum and is the underlying commitment toward our oceans. The Marine Sanctuary Program has also spurred a number of innovative programs. One such program that I am particularly excited about was announced by the vice president earlier this month. It is a program to train and employ commercial fishing folk in research efforts at our Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. After all, it is the fishermen and women who are the experts on the resources of the waters on which they rely for their livelihood and on which we rely for our enjoyment and our food. It is programs like this that make our National Marine Sanctuary Program so vital. In addition to passing this bill today, we must also ensure appropriate funding for the Marine Sanctuary Program. I urge my colleagues to join me in this vital effort. Full funding of our sanctuaries is imperative to fulfill its important mandate. I urge all colleagues to come together in fully supporting our National Marine Sanctuary Program. A commitment to our oceans is a commitment to the quality of life for all Americans.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I congratulate the authors of all the bills before us today. There are some good provisions in the various substitutes being offered, but that is what those bills are, a substitute for the real thing, a substitute for real reform. Every major reform organization in this country agrees that the Shays-Meehan bill is the one bill which can restore integrity to our campaign finance system. It is the only proposal that deals with the two biggest problems in our federal elections, soft money and sham issue ads. It is unfortunate that here we are again discussing the merits of Shays-Meehan versus other proposals. A year ago we debated many of these same proposals, and we passed Shays-Meehan by a vote of 252 to 179. The House has already decided that Shays-Meehan is the bill we want to send to the Senate. None of these substitutes deal with the problem of sham issue ads, which allow powerful interest groups to pour unlimited, unregulated dollars, often from unknown sources, into our campaigns. These ads clearly advocate the election or defeat of a particular candidate but are not subject to present campaign finance regulations. Last year, as was mentioned, I endured four grueling elections and watched as wave after wave of attack ads flooded my district under the guise of informing voters. These ads distorted both my record and the record of my opponent. The Shays-Meehan bill effectively ends the misuse of issue advertising. It does so by requiring all ads which clearly urge the support or defeat of a candidate in a Federal election to be treated like what they are, political ads. Let us restore the public's trust in our political system. We need to pass the Shays-Meehan bill and send it to the Senate today.

Mr. CAPPS

Mr. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the service and pay tribute to Santa Barbara City Firefighter, Stephen Joseph Masto who died in late August while helping battle a wildlife in Los Padres National Forest. At the young age of 28, Stephen had already devoted his career to public safety. Before serving in the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, he served as an apprentice firefighter in the Brea fire Department in Orange County, as a reserve officer at fire departments in Upland in San Bernardino County, and Los Alamitos in Los Angeles County, and as a volunteer disaster worker in Long Beach, CA. Clearly, Stephen was committed to serving the common good. In remembering Stephen, we can never repay him for his dedication, hard work, or ultimate sacrifice. Rather, we must honor him by being especially mindful of the brave men and women firefighters he left behind to carry on the selfless work of protecting the lives and safety of their neighbors in times of need. Like Stephen, these are true heroes in every sense of the word. I know that I speak for the entire community when I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones who will miss Stephen terribly. We only hope that their warm memories of this heroic man will sustain them in this moment of grief.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of common sense tax relief for American families and small businesses. I also rise in support of saving Medicare and Social Security, two programs critical to today's seniors and future generations. Unfortunately, the tax conference report before us today is fiscally irresponsible. It would threaten our ability to ensure the long term solvency of Medicare and Social Security. It would also restrict our ability to pay down national debt and to make needed investments in national defense, education and environmental protection. By using virtually the entire projected surplus for permanent tax cuts, this bill would leave no money for modernizing Medicare or reforming Social Security. This is simply unconscionable. Medicare is desperately in need of modernization--specifically, the lack of prescription drug coverage is a gaping hole in this critical safety net for seniors that must be fixed. And while Social Security is fiscally sound for the near future, the coming retirement of the baby boom generation will strain the system beyond its limit. We owe it to future generations to act now to reform these programs while there is still plenty of time to do so. I strongly support tax relief for middle income families, which this bill unfortunately fails to provide. For example, the across-the-board tax cut in the measure will cost almost $300 billion, but would give someone on the Central Coast making $30,000, a tax cut of only 37 cents per day! That's not even enough to buy a copy of my local newspaper. The tax plan I voted for earlier this year would have fixed the marriage penalty and ensured middle class families can take full advantage of the various per-child, education and child care tax credits. It would also have increased the per-child tax credit by $250 for families with children under age five. The bill I supported would have helped families by providing $25 billion in school construction bonds to modernize our overcrowded public schools and make employer-provided assistance tax free for undergraduate and graduate education. This measure would institute a $1,000 long term care credit and make health insurance fully deductible for the self-employed beginning next year. And it would make permanent the R&D tax credit, so critical to ensuring future economic growth on the Central Coast, as well as credits to help move people from welfare to work. I have also supported cutting the estate tax for our small business owners and family farmers like those on the Central Coast of California who are imperiled by the death of the head of the family. We must increase the exemption for businesses like these above the current $1.3 million. The high value of Central Coast land, for example, can make even a modest sized farm or ranch impossible to pass down without being subject to high estate taxes that can force the sale of the property. By increasing this exemption, we would keep family farms and businesses in the family and off the auction block. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my profound disappointment in the partisan handling of this tax bill. I believe there is general agreement among the vast majority of Members that we can and should provide tax relief this year. But the House leadership has pursued a partisan course designed to make political points and not to pass meaningful legislation. How sad it was that Democratic members were literally locked out of the conference committee that wrote this legislation. The leadership knows this bill will not become law. By seriously sitting down and negotiating a common sense tax bill we could easily pass legislation this year and give families and businesses the tax relief they deserve. I hope that we can put the partisanship aside and work together on formulating real tax reform this year. Our constituents deserve nothing less.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with grave concern for our nation's veterans. For the past few years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has struggled to maintain health care services for veterans under essentially flat-lined budgets. According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, we need to increase the budget for VA medical care by $3 billion in order to simply maintain current levels of medical care for veterans. The FY2000 VA-HUD Appropriations bill improves upon the President's budget for veterans' health care with an increase of $1.7 billion--the largest increase since the 1980's. It also provides a $10 million increase for Veterans Medical and Prosthetic Research and an additional $30 million for the Veterans Benefits Administration to expedite claims processing. This bill also doubles the President's request for Veterans State Extended Care Facilities from $40 million to $80 million. Mr. Speaker, I applaud these efforts, but we need to do more--much more. I am very disappointed that the amendment offered by Mr. Edwards of Texas--which would have made an additional $730 million available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for better health care services for our veterans--was not made in order. In a related issue, I want to call to the House's attention a recent Washington Post article which linked a high incidence of the fatal neurological disease, ALS, to service in the Persian Gulf War. The VA and Department of Defense have identified 28 cases of ALS--also known as Lou Gehrig's disease--among veterans of Desert Storm. Although it is still unclear whether or not there is a direct link between service in the Persian Gulf and cases of ALS, there is an unusually high number of victims in this relatively small group of veterans. As the author of the ALS Treatment and Assistance Act, I am very concerned that we make every effort to help veterans who suffer from this tragic disease. I am pleased to have introduced the ALS Treatment and Assistance Act. This bipartisan bill would help those tragically afflicted with ALS by making Medicare coverage more accessible to them and by covering drugs to treat ALS symptoms. Mr. Speaker, veterans have served this nation honorably and made countless sacrifices on our behalf. They deserve the very best support services we can provide them. As veterans make the often difficult re- adjustment to civilian life, they sometimes need a helping hand to figure out what benefits they are eligible for and where to turn for assistance. Despite the wide array of services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, many veterans assistance programs are unknown to the constituency they are intended to support. Today I introduced the Veterans Emergency Telephone Service Act. The VETS Act sets up a national veterans' hotline service which would operate 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week and provide immediate access to counseling and crisis intervention. This toll free service would also have a staff knowledgeable in VA benefits and programs who could provide immediate information on medical treatment, substance abuse rehabilitation, emergency food and shelter services, employment training and opportunities, and counseling services. This combination ``411-911'' number for veterans provides a one-stop, toll free number veterans can call at any time of day or night and receive encouragement and assistance. Current toll free information lines for veterans typically dump them into a frustrating automated system which requires repeated transfers and long waiting periods. I called the VA toll free information line myself two days ago and, after being put on hold for 26 minutes, I was told that the VA did not have a crisis hotline. Mr. Speaker, this simply isn't good enough. We can and should do better than this for our veterans. That's why I'm pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with two distinguished veterans, Lane Evans and Steve Kuykendall. This bill was inspired by Shad Meeshad, a Vietnam veteran and a close friend of my late husband Walter. Through the National Veterans Foundation in Los Angeles, California, Shad has worked tirelessly to provide support for veterans in California and around the country. Shad runs a hotline for veterans called the ``Lifeline For American Veterans,'' which provides veterans with counseling and referral services. This important program has assisted thousands of veterans around the country and has literally saved lives. I want to expand on Shad's work and make this valuable resource available to vets at any hour of the day and in every part of this country. Mr. Speaker, I hope we can improve the VA-HUD Appropriations bill and ensure that this legislation is truly worthy of the veterans who have put their lives on the line for our nation and our way of life.

Mrs. CAPPS

Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have my colleague yield time to me, particularly with his strong background in education. Being a former State superintendent, it is a pleasure to work with a professional in support of our Nation's schools. I believe so strongly that we must come together in the House of Representatives in a bipartisan way to support legislation that will truly improve the quality of education for our children, improve the schools in our local communities and across this country. The future of our children depend on this. I am so aware that we are the beneficiaries of a generation that instituted the GI Bill of Rights. Many of our parents and our community members and our relatives got the benefit of a country that came together around public schools like nothing before its time. Many of us attended wonderful school buildings. Unfortunately, these same school buildings have not been improved much since that time, and that is what we are here to discuss this evening. Mr. Speaker, I will discuss our school system as I experienced it firsthand on the central coast of California where, as my colleague has mentioned, I was privileged, really honored, to be a school nurse in Santa Barbara School System for over 20 years, and I have seen firsthand the damage that deteriorating schools can do. I have been with students as they have attended classes held in hallways, in teachers' lounges, in utility rooms and in auditoriums. I know that students, we all know that students, cannot thrive academically if they are learning in overcrowded and crumbling classrooms. I want to pay particular attention to a phenomenon that occurs in many of our growing communities where school buildings are exploding, literally exploding, and when this has happened, it did in the 1950s and 1960s and 1970s in California and across much of the population in the West and throughout the country really, and so portable classrooms were brought in. These portable classrooms were designed for temporary housing of students. Thirty years ago these same buildings with very little improvement are still in use today. It is incredible that we expect our children to learn, hot in the summer, cold and musty and mildewy throughout the year. These classrooms are what our young people are having to attend. I want to just, and then I will yield back because we have other colleagues here as well, but I want to highlight one particular school district in my central coast district. The Santa Maria Bonita School District which lies at the heart of my district is in such desperate need of funds for school construction. This district was built to house 6,700 students, and currently enrollments are at 10,500. To accommodate the growth 12 of the district's 14 schools have converted to a four-track, year-round school schedule, and 175 portables have been added. To add these buildings means cutting down on valuable playground space. They are stretched to the limit and need funding to build better facilities. This Santa Maria School District has tried twice in the past year to pass bond measures to receive State money to help build new schools. In our State a two-thirds majority is required. By a very small number these measures have failed both times. To me this is a failure to our children, and we have the opportunity here in Congress to make it easier for our local school districts to obtain the funding that they need to pass their local bond issues. We want the bond issues to be local, we want the support for schools to be local, and yet we have a role we can play here in the Federal Government. That is why I am so pleased that it is the bill of the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge), his school construction bill, that I have cosponsored and also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel's) school modernization bill. Both of these bills offer viable solutions to this serious problem, yet we had to march down and make sure and try to sign to get a discussion of this legislation on the floor. Today we are preparing students for jobs in the new economy. This is not a laughing matter, this is not a simple or a slight thing. This is a huge challenge that we have before us, to find that the framework and the setting for which this technology can be transferred to the next generation. It is about our economy, it is about the future of our country, and it is about our democracy surviving. To do this students have to have facilities that are big enough, well equipped enough and up to date in every way. Districts like the one I described, Santa Maria Bonita School District, cannot keep up with these demands, and we have to step up to the plate. We cannot turn the other way any longer.