Eric Cantor

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker).

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas).

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his tremendous leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor. In addition, I would like to commend President Bush for providing courageous leadership during this time of national crisis. As America continues to wage a world war against terrorism, the time has come to weigh the dangers of confrontation against the risks of inaction. A year ago on September 11, the United States, our people, and our institutions were attacked. That day the war began. I respond to those of my colleagues posing the question: Where is the imminent threat? Why must we confront Iraq now? I ask simply: How many more innocent Americans must die in order for the threat to be imminent? We face an enemy that will stop at nothing to kill Americans, including taking their own lives. This enemy could not survive without the state sponsorship it receives from Saddam Hussein, an oppressive dictator who is a sworn enemy of the United States. In order to win the war on terror, we must effect a regime change in Baghdad. As we consider the resolution before us, we must consider two fundamental questions: Does Saddam Hussein have the desire to harm the United States of America? And does Saddam Hussein have the ability to carry out that objective? In answering the first question, we must be mindful that he has aligned his regime with the world's most unsavory characters who continue to seek the destruction of freedom and democracy around the world. He has openly praised the attacks of September 11, attempted to assassinate a former U.S. President, and directly ordered acts of terror against innocent civilians. Our national security requires us to conclude that he aims to threaten the lives of American citizens. Saddam Hussein is an oppressive tyrant who, with each passing day, increases his ability to terrorize the world with the most destructive weapons known to man. He currently has chemical and biological weapons and is actively pursuing a nuclear capability. The accumulation of these weapons is transforming Saddam Hussein from a regional threat into a global menace. Whether we act to prevent him from acquiring such weapons, or act to prevent him from using them once he has them, action is required. Although the United States is a peace-loving Nation, there will never be peace and security so long as Saddam Hussein is in power. Effecting a regime change and liberating the people of Iraq is the official policy of the United States Government. President Bush has demonstrated a willingness to pursue peace, yet he must also have the authority to present Saddam Hussein with the absolute certainty that the full force of the United States military is ready to act. This resolution gives the President this necessary authority, and I wholeheartedly urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California (Mr. Cox) for yielding me this time, and I congratulate him and the gentleman from Texas and others who bring this very important bill forward. Ours is the oldest written Constitution in the world. The Founding Fathers with great wisdom crafted a government of enduring stability, with the flexibility to survive the shocks and strains of 226 years. It would have been impossible for them to foresee the events of last September with passenger jets full of fuel smashing into skyscrapers. It was simply impossible in their day for so much to be destroyed by so few so quickly. And so the prospect of a large number of seats in the House of Representatives becoming simultaneously vacant was probably not one they entertained. And yet in their wisdom the Founders provided us with all we need to confront such a possibility. Article 1, section 4 of the Constitution gives the States the power to govern the times, place, and manner of holding elections for the House. This recognizes the appropriateness of the people deciding through their State governments how best to choose the representatives in this House. However, the Constitution also allows Congress at any time by law to make or alter such regulations except as to the place of choosing Senators. This recognizes the right of Congress to ensure that the States live up to their responsibility to ensure that their citizens are represented in the Federal Government. This resolution is in perfect keeping with the Constitution and the Founders' intent. It preserves the rights of the States to determine their own interests in determining procedures for electing representatives. It also reminds the States that this House will continue to take an interest in ensuring that these procedures are sufficient to ensure the survival of this body and the welfare of our Republic in the event of a major attack on the Capitol.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor CDR Earl Bennett III for his service in the U.S. Naval Reserve. CDR Bennett will have completed 19 years of cryptologic service with the Air Force Security Service and the Naval Reserve Security Group as of September 30, 2002, as well as seven years in language assignments. CDR Bennett is an outstanding U.S. Naval Officer who has served his country with distinction for over 25 years. His professionalism, commitment to sailors under his charge, and dedication to duty are truly deserving of special recognition. He is a highly dedicated man who has faithfully contributed to his community, the U.S. Naval Reserve, and the United States of America. On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my warmest wishes of ``Fair Winds and Following Seas'' to CDR Bennett and congratulate him for a job extremely well done. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring CDR Earl Bennett III.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I have known few people who represent the terms ``service to others'' and ``good citizenship,'' better than Mr. Giles H. Miller, Jr. Mr. Miller was born in Lynchburg, VA, July 26, 1903. He was admitted to VMI in August 1920, graduating in June 1924. He received many honors while in attendance there. In more recent years, Mr. Miller has been president of its board of visitors, formed the Miller Basketball Scholarship Program, received its Keydet Board Spirit Award, served as trustee of the VMI Foundation, became an honorary coach, was chairman of the VMI Flying Squadron, and received VMI's Distinguished Service Award. He is presently the senior living alumnus of VMI. Mr. Miller became a resident of Culpeper, VA in 1930, and has selflessly served that community for over 70 years. He became president of the Culpeper National Bank, as well as it chairman of the board, was elected to the Culpeper Town Council and subsequently received its 20 Year Town Council Award. He assisted in the organization of the Culpeper Host Lions' Club as its first president, represented Culpeper as director of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Coop, served two terms as president of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, served on Culpeper's 250th Anniversary Committee, and with the assistance of others, obtained a new weight room at Culpeper County High School, resulting in what is now called the Giles H. Miller, Jr. Training Center, and was honored at ``Miller's Day'' at Broman Field, Culpeper County High School, for his service. Mr. Miller was a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the chairman of the first board of the Culpeper Memorial Hospital, now Culpeper Regional Hospital, and has acted as chairman of its fund drive. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Miller was instrumental in bringing the Federal Reserve to Culpeper, as well as the Culpeper Memorial Hospital. Today, at the entrance of the Emergency Room of the Hospital, hangs a large bronze plaque, depicting Mr. Miller's likeness, which reads ``Giles H. Miller, Jr., Ambulatory Service Center, In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership and Support of Culpeper Memorial Hospital.'' Mr. Miller has received numerous awards, including, but certainly not limited to, Outstanding Citizen of the Year in Culpeper, was honored by resolution of the Virginia General Assembly for his service to VMI, Culpeper and the Commonwealth of Virginia, was presented a certificate as a member of the Culpeper School Board Selection Committee, received the Culpeper Colonel Award from the Board of Supervisors, was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from Keep Virginia Beautiful, having served as its president, and received the Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Speaker, these few paragraphs do not begin to relate the accomplishments of this outstanding gentleman, known affectionately as Mr. VMI and Mr. Culpeper. He has been a friend to so many, has supported numerous causes and inspired others his entire life. On the occasion of his 99th birthday, I hope you will join me in recognizing Mr. Miller's positive influence and many contributions to the community of Culpeper, the Seventh District of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to a great American, and a great leader. Susan Hirschman is an unsung hero here in these hallowed halls of Congress. Susan has dedicated her life to common sense conservative principles upon which America was founded. Like other great leaders, Susan is a principled and determined advocate, seemingly never missing an opportunity to advance her cause. I met Susan shortly before being sworn into office, and since then, I have benefited often from her wise counsel on a myriad of topics. Anyone spending just a short time here in Washington knows what an important role staff plays in facilitating the work of this House. As Chief of Staff to the Majority Whip, Susan takes her responsibilities seriously. She has ensured an effective Whip operation, and I know she will be sorely missed by leadership. Susan also took a keen interest in the success of the Freshman class. Frankly, I believe her guidance and input has contributed greatly to the development of countless members of our class. And we too will feel the loss of her departure. I know that Susan Hirschman and her husband David are one of a kind-- a dynamic duo made for success. They are natural born leaders, and I am proud to call them friends. I wish Susan and David the best of luck as Susan prepares to enter the next chapter of her career. God bless.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 4903 that would authorize the U.S. Mint to redesign the nickel for 3 years to recognize the Lewis and Clark expedition and to ensure Monticello, the Virginia estate of Thomas Jefferson, has its place on the reverse side of the nickel after 2005. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the bill would authorize and establish a Citizen's Coin Design Advisory Committee that would report directly to the Secretary of the Treasury. The purpose of this committee would be to advise the Secretary on the design or redesign of coins and metals providing a broad range of input from professional and citizen representatives. Mr. Speaker, I introduced this legislation after representatives from the Mint came to my office and informed me that the imagine of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello would be removed from the reverse side of the nickel and would be replaced by the image of a Native American and an eagle facing westward to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Treasury Department has the authority to change the nickel once every 25 years. It was the intent that this new design be presented as the replacement for Monticello. I learned further that this new design was chosen internally at the U.S. Mint with no input from Congress or the American people. Even more striking, I was shocked to learn that the Mint planned to announce this redesign in just 10 days from our meeting. As a proud Virginian and American, I was concerned about the Mint's plan because Jefferson's beloved Monticello represented so much to the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia and, for that matter, to all Americans. I also feared that the new design and the process by which it was conceived was reminiscent of the failed Sacagawea one-dollar coin experience. Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson or as he called it, his ``essay in architecture,'' and is recognized as an international treasure. Monticello, ``little mountain'' in Italian, is the only home in America on the World Heritage List of Sites that must be protected at all costs. It is there that Jefferson assumed his place in history, shaping, debating, and producing his prolific writings on the topics of liberty, democracy, and equality for all. In America after September 11 we all know that these are the very principals that are under attack by the radical terrorists and their global organizations. H.R. 4903 authorizes the U.S. Mint to implement an interim design change on the reverse side of the nickel for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005 in order to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 2006, Monticello will once again resume its place on the 5-cent piece. Additionally, so that the American people will not experience another Sacagawea debacle, my bill provides a mechanism to ensure public input to this or any redesign of our coinage. The bill creates a nine-member coin design advisory committee which will make recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury as to the appropriate designs for the Lewis and Clark series. It will review all designs or redesigns of circulating and commemorative coins and of Congressional Gold Medal ideas that the Mint is assigned with. This committee will be made up of a coin collector, an internationally recognized coin museum curator, an expert in American history, and either a sculptor or a medallic artist, all appointed by the President, as well as four persons named by the leadership of the House and the Senate. This committee will be able to provide the Secretary of the Treasury with a broad range of expertise and input to ensure that any redesign or circulating coinage as well as the design for commemorative coins or Congressional Gold Medals be artistically appropriate and consistent with broad American themes and values. Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a positive step forward, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4903 today.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 393. I would like to thank my colleague from New York, Mr. Crowley for introducing this resolution and for his leadership. This legislation calls for the governments of Europe to protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish communities and cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents. The resolution urges them to act quickly to respond to the escalating violence against Jews in Europe. In the past 18 months, there has been a significant rise in anti- Semitic attacks on Jewish people and Jewish institutions in Europe. Not since the end of World War II have we seen so much anti-Semitic violence throughout Europe. Many European leaders continue to shrug off the violence as an episode in the Mideast conflict and not a reflection of a serious problem closer to home. In the wake of this wave of anti-Semitic violence, the Anti- Defamation League (ADL) surveyed 2,500 people from 5 European countries and the results were shocking. The survey found that nearly a third of Europeans harbor some traditional anti-Jewish views, while 62% believe the recent violence against Jews is the result of anti-Israel sentiment. The survey goes on to find that 30% of Europeans believe that Jews have too much power in the business world and nearly 1 in 4 say Jews don't care about anyone but their own kind. In no European country is there a greater concern than in France. It has been reported that French Jews fear for their safety if they walk down the street in Paris wearing yarmulkes. In April, the Maccabi Jewish soccer team was practicing in Paris and was attacked by French youths with baseball bats. One Jewish youth was severely beaten. According to the ADL survey, only 14 percent of French respondents say they are ``very concerned'' about recent violence against Jews. Additionally, more than a third of French respondents say they are ``fairly unconcerned'' or ``not at all concerned'' by the increasing amount of anti-Semitic violence. The festering intolerance has manifested itself through attacks on synagogues and other Jewish institutions. The seeming failure to properly speak out against these attacks brings into question the commitment of some to stamp out this wave of anti-Semitism. We in the United States must take a firm stand on this issue today. Neglecting the problem of anti-Semitism is unacceptable. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution and send a message to Europe and the rest of the world that the United States will not sit by silently as anti- Semitism rears its head on the streets of Europe.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and honor seven outstanding fourth-graders from Rural Point Elementary School's Odyssey of the Mind team on the occasion of winning the World Finals Competition in Boulder, Colorado on May 25, 2002. These students from Hanover County, Virginia participated in the Odyssey of the Mind program, which promotes problem-solving and team- building skills for students from elementary through high school. The Rural Point team won county and state honors before competing in the World Finals in Boulder, Colorado against 48 other teams. In the World Finals, they performed a skit entitled ``The Ostrich Factor.'' The students creatively designed a farm skit starring Leafy Romaine, Headlock Holmes (Cauliflower), Big Cheese, carrot, potato, broccoli, and corn to answer the unsettling question of why apples are disappearing from the farm trees. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the seven students on the team, Ben Davis, Tyler Burnette, James Thompson, Ted Westrick, Jonathan Bennett, Jimmy Thorne and Douglas Tibbett and their head coach, Annie Tibbett. Their creativity and team spirit have earned them this impressive honor and will undoubtedly serve them well in the future.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4823, the Holocaust Restoration Tax Fairness Act. Mr. Speaker, in recent years settlement agreements worth millions of dollars have been reached to compensate Holocaust survivors. Many of these survivors who live in the United States receive small payments from these restoration agreements. Currently, Holocaust victims are exempt from paying income tax on the restoration payments they receive. But a provision in the tax code sunsets this exemption on January 1, 2011. This heroic group of Holocaust survivors is an aging population and current estimates show that there will only be 88,000 living Holocaust survivors by the year 2011. If we fail to pass this legislation, many of the victims who suffered directly at the hands of the Nazis will be forced to share up to one-third of their restoration payments with the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Speaker, let us pass this legislation and allow the survivors of the Holocaust to fully keep what was and is rightfully theirs.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor National Police Week. Police officers provide for the public safety, and their contributions to our communities truly epitomize public service. This week we are proud to recognize those who put themselves in danger day in and day out for our protection. The terrorist attacks of September 11th highlighted the importance of law enforcement officers in every day life. These tragic events demonstrated how vulnerable we are and how indispensable police are in maintaining order in emergency situations. The law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty that day impress us with their sense of duty and dedication to public safety. As we honor fallen officers, we need to remember that all law enforcement officials put their lives on the line everyday. Too often we take for granted our community police and the sacrifices they make for our safety. This week we should show our appreciation to these officers and their families and especially to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. As we observe National Police Week, we pledge that we will never forget the selfless dedication of these men and women on behalf of our communities. Their bravery, dedication and commitment to public service are qualities of which every American can be proud. Today, I join the residents of the 7th District of Virginia in honoring and remembering these brave men and women and say thank you to America's police officers. I am proud to stand today to honor these real American heroes.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first of all thank the majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for their leadership in bringing forth this resolution. As the men and women in uniform continue to fight our war against the terrorists in Afghanistan and continue to face resistance by al Qaeda forces, I think it is very important that we reflect upon the words of our President which he delivered on September 20. He said that any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. I commend the President for these bold words and would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that our success in fighting this war depends upon America's preserving the precise definition of America's struggle. We cannot allow for exceptions or conditions. We cannot permit safe havens from which terrorists can operate with impunity. And we cannot shrink from our responsibility to support free nations under siege, especially Israel. That is why we are here today, Mr. Speaker. The underlying resolution that we are here today to debate speaks very clearly of the failure by Mr. Arafat and his Palestinian Authority leadership to abide by the terms of the Oslo accords, to embrace nonviolence and to renounce terrorism once and for all. Mr. Arafat has been unequivocal in his embrace of terrorism. The resolution points to the recent uncovering of evidence pointing to the direct financial support by Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian Authority to engage in the killing of innocent men, women, and children. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we speak up and speak up with a clear voice in this House; that we support Israel in its fight against the terrorists; and that there is no such thing as one terrorist being another's freedom fighter. The intentional killing of innocent men, women, or children will not be tolerated by this country.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Loyalty Day with the Fourth District Department of Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars. Loyalty Day, May first of each year, was designated by Congress in 1958 as a day on which Americans could pointedly counteract Communists who were using the day for annual hate demonstrations against our nation. The idea of staging patriotic demonstrations to offset the Communist rallies began in 1930, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were instrumental in establishing the designation of Loyalty Day. I am honored that such an exceptional organization resides in the seventh district of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, please join the Fourth District Department of Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars and me in celebrating Loyalty Day.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman from California's (Mr. Sherman) amendment, and with all due respect, I beg to differ. We are not talking about insurance here. What we are talking about is a totally unprecedented and, in my opinion, unjustified expansion of government's reach into the financing and structuring of accounting firms. Let us address the first issue that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) made here, that this particular amendment would really contribute to the instability of any public company that was required to have audited financial statements. Just imagine if the auditing firm dipped below the required level of reserve while that firm was in the middle of an audit. That public company who is required to have the audited financial statements would be left in the lurch. There would be no other option in that firm than to go out and seek another accounting firm to restart the audit or pick up where the one that is now disqualified left off, thus adding to the cost of having audited financial statements. In addition, I think it would take away from the quality of the audit itself. Mr. Chairman, I would also say that in any other instance where the government requires a certain capital, minimum capital requirement, for instance the banking industry, there is some type of quasi-guarantee relationship that the government has and in some sense is the insurer of the industry. In this particular case, there is no relationship by the government to the auditing firm. In the case of the banks, the government is there to provide some type of confidence to the depositors that their personal funds will be insured to a certain extent. Here there is no such relationship and, in fact, auditing firms are precluded from maintaining any deposits from individuals or from clients. Think about the effect that this amendment would have on small accounting firms. Many firms with reduced access to capital and costly insurance will be now precluded from seeking or acquiring business elsewhere. When we are talking about a firm having to have 50 percent of the annual audit fee in reserve, that is a tremendous financial and capital hurdle for most American businesses, not just to mention auditing firms. Such a requirement to have that type of reserve will certainly add to the cost of the financial audit, ultimately adding to the cost and taking away the benefit to the investors in that company. Mr. Chairman, I would say this amendment goes in the wrong direction and I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the manager's amendment and the underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, the aim of this legislation is to ensure a continued faith in our capital markets, and to allow America's families and the investing public to continue to benefit from the free flow of accurate information. This bill, the manager's amendment, provides a surgical strike approach to address the issues arising out of the Enron bankruptcy without hampering our markets' ability to thrive and the benefit they provide to America's families. We have heard discussion today on the floor, Mr. Chairman, about the issues that arose under the Enron bankruptcy: the issue about the blackout period, the fact that we ought not have employees blacked out while executives have the ability to sell company stock. That is addressed. We also have addressed in the bill the disclosure of off-balance- sheet transactions, that they all must be disclosed. The other side speaks about the fact that certain specified nonaudit services are not prohibited under this legislation, but I would bring to the body's attention that there were 10 nonaudit services that the SEC proposed restrictions on. Of these ten, seven were prohibited by the SEC's final independent rules, and two, two of them, the financial systems work and internal auditing ability, are prohibited under the chairman's bill. The one remaining nonaudit service was expert services, which the SEC decided in its final rule should not be prohibited. Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, the other side is largely proposing redundant legislation that is already in place under existing rules, except for one. There is one major problem with the proposal coming from the other side. By adopting word for word the SEC's proposed rules, the other side would codify prohibitory and definitional language that the SEC, through notice and comment rule-making, has already determined to be unacceptable. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the manager's amendment and the underlying bill.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Georgia for his leadership on this issue and certainly my colleague from Florida for his steadfast leadership and for the incredible wealth of knowledge of my colleague from New Jersey. I thank him as well. It really is an honor for me to be here and to address this body on such an occasion. We stand here to congratulate and join in celebration with the people of Israel on the 54th anniversary of the creation of the Jewish State of Israel. It is particularly apt that we are here as this country of ours, the United States, is picking itself up, putting things back in order, from the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11 that killed thousands of innocent Americans. On that day we realize that we shared a common enemy with the people of Israel, an enemy that is as despicable as any we have seen in our land, one that is after our way of life, our freedom of choice, and our faith in our creator. Mr. Speaker, the State of Israel grew out of the ashes of the Holocaust, a time in which the Jewish people suffered under an evil and a systematic wickedness that killed 6 million innocent people. To this day, Mr. Speaker, the people of Israel continue to endure the wrath and hatred of so many of its neighbors, as has been pointed out by my colleagues this evening. The people of Israel continue to endure on a daily basis what the people of our country endured on September 11. The atrocities, the death, the carnage that they must face on a daily basis brings us here this evening in solidarity. This great country, the United States of America, was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As the legacy of those great 18th century Virginians who put forth those principles, we stand here tonight united in saluting our brethren in the State of Israel, those individuals who never cease to assert their right to a life of dignity, freedom and honest toil in their national homeland.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James Ukrop for his dedication to professional pharmaceutical services. The Virginia Pharmacists Association Research and Education Foundation will present Mr. Ukrop with the Rx for Excellence Award, in recognition of his leadership and commitment to pharmaceutical services. The award honors Mr. Ukrop's promotion of public welfare through the development of professional pharmaceutical services in the pharmacies located in Ukrop's grocery stores. Since the opening of the first Ukrop's pharmacy in 1989, Mr. Ukrop has provided leadership and innovation in creating first class pharmacies that provide customers with extra services, care, convenience, and value. Fifteen of the 21 Ukrop's pharmacies have fully operating wellness centers that offer nontraditional pharmaceutical services. These services include blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose testing, cholesterol screening and immunizations. These operations provide a convenience and much-needed service to Ukrop's customers. Mr. Ukrop's vision and commitment to others has been a driving force behind the advancement of the pharmacy profession. His leadership in the development of the profession is invaluable and something for which we are all extremely grateful. I am honored that such a remarkable citizen resides in the seventh district of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring James Ukrop for his dedication to the people of Virginia and to the profession of pharmacy.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman for that. And as my colleague from Florida stated earlier, there have been a series of opportunities for Mr. Arafat to rise to the occasion and to demonstrate his commitment to peace. But instead, we face now calls from all corners of the world for the United States to engage in the process, to somehow produce a peace. In my mind, that means to pressure Israel. But the United States and the Bush administration has been engaged in the process. It has been engaged in the process by standing up for the principled position laid out by the President that there is good and there is evil, there are terrorists and there are those law-abiding citizens. And this country will not tolerate, negotiate, or support terrorist activity. And how can we, when we see Yasser Arafat and his counterparts in Israel going in, targeting women and children, innocent individuals for death? Going into family occasions like bar mitzvahs and weddings and an individual strapping explosives to themselves, blowing themselves up and killing these family members at such sacred times in their lives? And we also see the sponsorship of the Palestinian Authority and other Arab regimes sponsoring and giving money to the so-called martyrs' families, providing an incentive for young men, and now we see women, to blow themselves up and in the process kill tens, if not more, of innocent Israelis at a time. And now we see that Israel has gained the momentum, has demonstrated that it has the resolve, both the spiritual resolve and the material resources to do what it must do, just as the United States has demonstrated that we will do what we must do in light of the al Qaeda attacks on 9-11 against the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. Israel is manning a counteraction to the terrorist attacks that has been inflicted upon its innocent citizens, and it must be allowed to root out the terrorists, because that is the only way that we will achieve peace is to get rid of the terrorists. Mr. Speaker, I would posit that the equation is very clear. We ought not be insisting or pressuring Israel when it is doing what we do, and, that is, defending its innocent citizens. We must instead demand that the Arab leaders of this world step up to the plate, renounce terrorism, and contribute what they must toward the peace in the Middle East. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker: First, we must have the cessation of terror, and then talk. First, the recognition, both in deed and in word, of Israel's right to exist, then diplomacy.

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Florida for yielding and I appreciate his willingness to share time in this debate and for his work on behalf of the U.S.-Israel relationship and also would like to recognize my colleague from Georgia and his leadership on this issue as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a very solemn occasion. Today is Yom Hashoah, the Day of Remembrance. This is the day that we recognize and remember those 6-million-plus individuals, innocent men, women and children who lost their lives in the unspeakable horror of the Holocaust, an evil associated with that era the likes of which the world had never seen. But, Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight once again, this evil has reared its ugly head. On 9-11, as my colleague from New York just indicated, this evil and the individuals behind the terrorist attack stopped at nothing to kill innocent men, women and children on the streets of New York, in the World Trade Center, and here in the Washington area at the Pentagon. Mr. Speaker, it is that same evil, that same hatred that is perpetrating the violence and committing the terrorist attacks in Israel throughout that tiny country. I applaud President Bush and his administration for drawing the appropriate moral structure and guidelines that we must follow as this country now engages in the fight for our freedom abroad. As we know, President Bush has outlined this as a case of good against evil. Very simply, it is time for the nations of the world to choose, to choose whether they are with us and the civilized world or whether they are with the terrorists. Just last week, President Bush addressed the Nation from the White House and said yes, it is time for the nations of the Middle East to make that choice as well. I applaud President Bush in his statements that the situation that Yasser Arafat finds himself in and the situation the Palestinian people are in are due to his own making. He has failed to do everything he can. He has failed to renounce terror as a tool to achieve his political gains. I think that the President ought to be applauded for making that bold step in the face of very harsh criticism that he is experiencing from all corners of the world.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Chairman, I would just say that this bill is not about true campaign finance reform. What the amendment of the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) tries to do is it tries to stop the censorship of free speech having to do with civil rights and protecting and being a proponent of protecting the rights of minorities. Without this amendment, and contrary to what has been said before, there are elevated cases of increased scrutiny on certain classes of speech, on certain attributes of individuals in this country. What we are trying to do by this amendment is to ensure that free speech having to do with the protection of civil rights will be protected.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for House Resolution 325, permitting the use of the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to commemorate the Days of Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. The use of the capitol rotunda for this occasion is a testament to the lessons taught by the death and suffering of the victims of the Holocaust. I am proud to stand here as a Member of the United States Congress as we recognize these important lessons. In light of recent events on September 11, now more than ever it is important to remember this dark chapter of human history. It serves to remind us of what can happen when the fundamental tenets of democracy are discarded by dictatorial regimes and individuals are allowed to focus on killing innocent men, women, and children. While we in the United States, the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, enjoy a great deal of freedom, we must not take these freedoms for granted. We must not forget that genocide and human rights abuses continue to occur around the world. We must not remain silent when such atrocities occur, and we must dedicate ourselves to continue to educate people around the globe about the horrors of the Holocaust. We must be forever mindful of the danger of such intolerance and ensure that it never happens again. Community-based Holocaust museums are appearing all around the country. This is a reflection of the increasing awareness of the lessons taught by the Holocaust. I am proud to be a founding trustee of the Virginia Holocaust Museum and applaud the efforts of those who join us nationwide to ensure a rightful place for Holocaust education and remembrance. Only when every person understands the magnitude of the death, destruction, and utter horrors of the Holocaust, can we feel that we have begun to do everything to prevent its recurrence. Therefore, Madam Speaker, as we remember the horrors of this dark chapter in human history and remain dedicated to increasing awareness of the lessons taught by the Holocaust, I am pleased to be here in support of this resolution, permitting the use of the capitol rotunda on this most solemn occasion.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to speak today in favor of legislation I have introduced to rename a post office building in Richmond, Virginia, after my predecessor, Representative Tom Bliley. Tom Bliley served in this body for 20 years before he retired at the end of the 106th Congress. He served with distinction as a valued member of the Republican Conference and as chairman of the prestigious House Committee on Commerce for 6 years. He was also a man who knew how to keep priorities in life. To those who know Tom Bliley, they know his faith, family, Georgetown basketball, and tennis are important to him. After graduating from Georgetown University, he entered the Navy as an officer and would join the family funeral home business after his naval service. Tom ran for Richmond City Council in 1968 and won. Two years later, in 1970, he won a 2-year term as mayor of Richmond, a 2- year term that lasted for 7 years. After 1977, he left the mayor's office and returned to private life. In 1980, Tom Bliley was elected to Congress on the same day as Ronald Reagan. He secured his seat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and immediately began working to return power to the people through competition and elimination of bureaucratic waste and regulation. His biggest local accomplishment was securing Federal funding of the Richmond floodwall. He worked with Members of both sides of the aisle to achieve this important funding for the City of Richmond. The floodwall helped revitalize the downtown economy and is a lasting legacy to Tom Bliley's ability to work with various Members with different political philosophies to accomplish a goal for the good of the people. Tom Bliley worked hard to advance many initiatives and was elevated to the chairmanship of the prestigious House Committee on Commerce in 1994. It was during this time he achieved his greatest accomplishments. He was able to find common ground with his colleagues to enact telecommunications reform, safe drinking water and food safety legislation, FDA reform, securities tort reform, and the Graham-Leach- Bliley financial services modernization act. However, his biggest accomplishment in Congress was the Telecommunications Act of 1996, because it is the interstate highway act of the digital age. As the author of this act, he spearheaded the historic legislation bringing greater choice, lower price, and new innovative technologies to consumers. It will go down in history as one of the most important bills of the 20th century. As an adoptive father, Tom cofounded the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and sponsored over 1 dozen different adoption bills. Most notably, he secured passage into law of the Adoption Awareness Act and was the author of the Hope for Children Act. He was the author of the Hope for Children Act to increase the adoption tax credits to $10,000. Tom truly stood up for children without voices, and his leadership on adoption issues is missed by a grateful Nation. Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not recognize another individual who Tom would say is most important, and that is his dear wife Mary Virginia, who now enjoys Tom even more as he is home that much more often, and without her sacrifice over these many, many years and decades, Tom could not have been the leader he was for the Richmond area as well as the Nation. Madam Speaker, at this time I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. It is an honor to speak today in favor of legislation I have introduced to rename a post office building after my predecessor, Representative Tom Bliley. Tom Bliley served in this body for twenty years before he retired at the end of the 106th Congress. He served with distinction as a valued member of the Republican caucus and as Chairman of the prestigious House Commerce Committee for six years. He was also a man who knew to keep priorities in life. To those who know Tom Bliley, you know his faith, family, Georgetown basketball, and tennis are important to him. After graduating from Georgetown University, he entered the navy as an officer and learned history doesn't offer many crystal lessons for those who serve our nation's affairs but there were a few. The strongest lesson he learned and the one most valuable in our roles as House Members is that weakness on the part of those who cherish freedom inevitably brings a threat to that freedom. After his service in the Navy, he joined the family funeral home business where he eventually assumed the role of President. During that time, he gained important business experience that shaped his attitude towards problems facing small business owners. One day, some community leaders in Richmond came to him and asked him to run for city council. Tom replied he didn't see how he could devote the time to it so they called on his father, who headed the business. They said to him, ``This community has been good to you. You can give something back by letting Tom run for city council.'' His father agreed. Tom ran. It changed the course of his life, for he was in public service for nearly 3 decades upon retiring in January of this year. Two years later, in 1970, he won a two-year term as Mayor of Richmond--a two year term that lasted for seven years. The seventies were some of the most racially divisive years in our nation's history and Richmond was no exception. During his tenure as mayor, Richmonders were able to pull together and survive these troubled times. Richmond survived because people worked together to find a common good. His tenure as mayor taught him a lot--lessons that were invaluable to him in the years that followed: understanding that the other fellow has a point of view, understanding that compromise without forsaking your principles is a good thing, and understanding that one can always seek a common ground if you keep your eye on the greater good. After 1977, he left the mayor's office and returned to private life. In surprising news to many people in 1980, the incumbent Congressman from Richmond announced his retirement and Tom Bliley won the primary and was elected to Congress on the same day as Ronald Reagan. He secured a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and immediately began working to return power to the people through competition and elimination of bureaucratic waste and regulation. At the same time, he never forgot where he came from and would dutifully mind the business of his constituents. His biggest local accomplishment was securing federal funding of the Richmond flood wall. He worked with Members of both sides of the aisle to achieve this important funding for the city of Richmond. The flood wall helped revitalize the downtown economy and is a lasting legacy to Tom Bliley's ability to work with variouis members with different political philosophies to accomplish a goal for the good of the people. Tom Bliley worked hard to advance many initiatives and he would go on to say that Republicans caught lightening in the bottle when they swept control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years in 1994. This historic election elevated Tom Bliley to the Chairmanship of the prestigious House Commerce Committee. It was during this time he achieved his greatest accomplishments. He was able to find common ground with his colleagues to enact telecommunications reform, safe drinking water and food safety legislation, FDA reform, securities tort reform, reform of the securities laws, Internet tax moratorium legislation, International Satellite privatlization, Electronic Signatures legislation, Satellite Home Viewer Act, and the Gramm-Leach- Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act. However, his biggest accomplishment in Congress was the Telecommunications Act of 1996 because it is the Interstate Highway Act of the Digital Age. As the author of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, he spearheaded historic legislation knocking down regulatory barriers to competition in the telecommunications industry--bringing greater choice, lower prices and new innovative technologies to consumers. It will go down in history as one of the most important bills of the 20th century. It is the vehicle that fueled the technology revolution that is changing the way we live and work in the new century. It is not just about copper wires and telephone companies. It is about e-mail, wireless phones, satellite television, and lower local phone bills. As a result of the Telecommunications Act, consumers now have a choice in their local phone company. Thanks to increased telephone competition, there are new local phone operators in all 50 states. Consumers have access to new, innovative technologies. Companies are now offering a bundled package of voice, video, and high-speed Internet access. Consumers can now purchase a variety of wireless phones at affordable prices. The Virginia gentlemen served with distinction but I would be remiss not to talk about his wonderful wife, Mary Virginia, his two children, and four grandchildren. He reserved Sunday for family time and always turned down interviews on Sunday because that is when he took his wife to Mass. His commitment to setting aside time on the weekends for his family gave him peace and solitude away from the nation's business in Washington, D.C. As an adoptive father, Tom co-founded the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and sponsored over one dozen different adoption bills. Most notably, he secured passage into law the Adoption Awareness Act and was the author of the Hope for Children Act to increase the adoption tax credit to $10,000. I am very pleased to say that my friend, Jim DeMint, reintroduced the Hope for Children Act this year and it was signed into law by President Bush. Tom truly stood up for children without voices and his leadership on adoption issues is missed by a grateful nation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Ashland Lions Club. The club began serving Hanover County, Virginia on February 26, 1952. The Ashland Lions Club's 50 years of community service is a remarkable accomplishment. Many dedicated members have volunteered their time over the past 50 years to serve the citizens of Hanover County. The Lions Club's generosity is invaluable and something for which we are all extremely grateful. I am honored that such an exceptional organization resides in the seventh district of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Ashland Lions Club for its 50 years of service.

Mr. CANTOR

Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, due to complications with my voting card I was recorded as not voting in rollcall No. 3 on January 23, 2002. I ask that the Record reflect that I would have voted ``yea'' in this vote.