Ben Chandler

Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in support of H.R. 3015, the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER). As my Kentucky colleagues know, prescription drug abuse is one of the paramount challenges in our effort to curb substance abuse in our State. In 1997, as Attorney General of Kentucky, I established the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force in order to examine the problem. Among the Task Force's accomplishments was the establishment of KASPER, the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting System. KASPER was designed to stop the practice of ``doctor shopping,'' where abusers and dealers of illegally obtained prescription drugs visit multiple physicians in order to obtain multiple prescriptions. The success of KASPER has been impressive. In fact the program has been so successful that the Government Accounting Office described it as one of the Nation's best prescription drug abuse monitoring systems. The result has been that it is now more difficult for people to fill multiple or fraudulent prescriptions in the Bluegrass State. However, ``Doctor Shoppers'' have circumvented KASPER by traveling to one of the seven States surrounding Kentucky. That is why without a national approach to this problem, Kentucky will not be able to truly succeed in its fight against prescription drug abuse. For this reason, I salute Representative Whitfield for recognizing the strengths of KASPER and using it as a framework for a national system. That's why I have joined him as a cosponsor of this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3015 and help communities across America to combat the abuse of prescription drugs.

Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, last March, I had the opportunity to meet with human rights groups, legal experts, media representatives, and others concerning the situation on the ground in Russia. I learned firsthand that Russia is enduring a difficult transition to what hopefully will become a modern, fully democratic nation. While there have been many positive developments in Russian society over the past decade, particularly with regard to the freedoms that average Russian citizens now enjoy, there are disturbing signs that Russia under President Vladimir Putin may be slipping back to its old authoritarian ways. My primary concern is with the rule of law. Prior to coming to Congress, I served for eight years as the Attorney General of Kentucky. I understand that there are inherent principles in any constitutional democracy, chief among them the rule of law. Recent events have called into question Russia's unequivocal commitment to a transparent judicial system, defendants' rights, and the presumption of innocence within the Russian legal system. As we speak, there is a major trial taking place in Moscow. It concerns the controversial arrest and detention of prominent Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The case of Mr. Khodorkovsky has raised concerns from legal experts, human rights groups, and the media that his trial may have more to do with his opposition to President Putin's policies rather than the crimes for which he is accused. The most disturbing element of Mr. Khodorkovsky's trial is that it may signify a reassertion of state influence over Russia's private sector economy. Such a move by the Russian government, I fear, would raise questions about the state of property rights in Russia, discourage foreign investment, and slow progress towards Russia's full integration into the global economy. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. must continue to deliver the message that adherence to the rule of law and support for political and economic freedom is essential to developing successful free-market economies and prosperity. As I mentioned earlier, Russia is truly at a crossroads in its history. I urge my colleagues to work with me to convince Russia to choose the path of transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and a commitment to the security of private investment.

Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. Mr. Chairman, communities across my home state of Kentucky are dependent upon the income from the production and sale of tobacco. While the federal tobacco program has served our farmers well for generations, the changes brought about by direct contracting with manufacturers, litigation with the tobacco industry, and reductions in the tobacco quota have made a buyout option necessary. The reality of tobacco's decline, thousands of lost jobs and billions in lost economic activity in my state alone, extends well beyond the farm to affect virtually all of my constituents and their families. The buyout provision we sent to conference last month would give tobacco farmers a chance to compete with foreign sources of less reliable, lower-quality tobacco. Plus, its payment assistance would make it easier for those farmers who wish to transition to another crop or vocation, while adding jobs and money to rural communities and families. This buyout would allow those who have borne the brunt of increasingly bleak market conditions to make a fair break from this 1930's program and continue to make a living. For six years, our growers have had one simple request: passage of a fair buyout bill that reflects the new economic reality they live in. Instead, all they're heard back is news of quota cut after devastating quota cut, with no relief in sight. This may be the last chance for the farmers in my district, and districts all over rural America. Buying out the antiquated tobacco program is a common sense solution for farm families that have, for too long, borne the brunt of bad politics and even worse economics. This buyout is absolutely critical to give these hard-working families and their communities an honest chance to survive. Time for action is quickly running out. Our growers simply cannot face another year without action.

Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Vote No. 75, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Distribution of Judgment Funds Act, I placed my card in the machine and for some reason my vote was not registered. Had my vote been recorded, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, Members of this body, I thank you very, very much for this wonderful reception. It is obviously an unusual event because I won a special election. I think that lends itself to a more singular reception. But I do appreciate the attention very much. This has been a whirlwind for me, and I can assure you that it is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to serve with everyone here. I am pleased to be a member of the Democratic Caucus. I am pleased to be a member of the Kentucky delegation. I am honored to represent my State that I think everyone here from Kentucky knows I am very proud of. I am also very pleased to have my wife Jennifer with me in the crowd and our three children, Lucie, Albert, and Branham, all of whom got to come down here since they are all under the age of 12. It is nice to have them here, too. Nearly 65 years ago, my grandfather, whom Mr. Rogers mentioned, entered this grand building much as I have today, thrust into office in the middle of a term. In October of 1939, when he came to this august place, our country stood at the brink of world war. Naziism, fascism, and tyranny threatened to destroy American security and the values that we all hold dear. Today many of our families face not those same kinds of challenges, but challenges in many ways just as difficult and just as important, a new set of challenges, and I am very honored to have the opportunity to work with every one of you to face those challenges and hopefully to surmount them. I am very much looking forward to that. I consider it a great privilege to represent not only the Commonwealth of Kentucky but the Sixth Congressional District in our Commonwealth, which includes the central part of our State, central Kentucky, which is the horse-racing capital of the world, the bluegrass region of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. And as was mentioned, it was represented by one of the most illustrious Members of this august body, Henry Clay, among many others, and it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. I want you to know that I am excited about this. I am really looking forward to being a contributing Member who brings good things to all of the people of this wonderful Nation of which we are a part. Thank you for the honor. Thank you for the privilege. Thank you for having me here today, and I am very much excited about getting to work.