Jim Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tonight is an evening for us to give thanks for the remarkable life of Walter Capps. It is also an opportunity for us to express appreciation to Walter's constituents in Santa Barbara and the communities he represented, to thank them for sending Walter to Congress to serve with us. It is further an opportunity to reflect on the unique attributes of Walter Capps. Walter stood out in a body of very, very strong-willed people as being an extremely strong-willed person himself. How else can you explain the fact that Walter succeeded in getting elected to Congress while spending a few months in a hospital bed with very serious injuries? Yet what made Walter stand out was the fact that while he was a very strong-willed person, he was also a very selfless person. I was struck on the several times that I talked with Walter by the fact that there was absolutely no sense of ego in this man, simply a determination to do his job. Walter invested himself in learning the issues. Walter invested himself in trying to understand how to make this a better place within which to do the people's business. This is because Walter, above all, believed in the power of knowledge. He believed in the power of ideas, and his weapon here on the floor of the House of Representatives was his knowledge of the issues and his ability to use his intellect to convince others on the merits of issues. One of the other things I will always remember about Walter Capps is his remarkable peace of mind. Amid the sound and fury that often characterizes this body, Walter had a certain calm about him which most of us can only envy. That calmness in Walter Capps can clearly be attributed to a very rich and deep spiritual life, which he shared with many through his writings and his teachings in Santa Barbara, and also a quite remarkable sense of self-knowledge. Walter Capps knew who he was. Walter Capps knew what he believed. Walter Capps understood quite clearly what gifts he had been endowed with, and he knew how to use them. He came here to simply get the job done. Above all, Walter was a teacher, and we were just beginning to learn from Walter in so many ways. So in the short time we had to get to know Walter, we have learned a lot. To Walter, and to Lois, and to the Capps family and to the constituents that sent him here, we thank you for the chance of having had the opportunity to serve with him.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this morning is an opportunity to give thanks for the remarkable life of Walter Capps, and an opportunity for us to reflect on some of the amazing characteristics of a very unique man. One of the things I will always remember about Walter is just how incredibly strong-willed he was in a body of very strong-willed people. How else can you explain a man who, at not a terribly young age, invested the time and energy he did in two campaigns, including one while he was seriously injured, in the hospital. Yet one of the unique things about Walter was, while he was so strong-willed, he was so incredibly selfless. Walter invested his will in a search for the truth. The other thing I will remember about Walter is his quiet strength. In a place where there is a lot of noise and hyperbole, Walter lived as an example of the power of knowledge, a belief in the power of conviction, in the power of belief. That is the way he went about conducting his business. He did so in a way that set a very powerful example for all of us. The other thing I will remember about Walter is his incredible peace, his incredible stillness, to me a reflection of a very rich spiritual life and a tremendous sense of self-knowledge. I think some of us were even a little envious. Walter knew who he was, he knew what he believed, and he simply came here to do it. Walter's untimely passing is our loss. Above all, Walter was a great teacher. We were just starting to learn from Walter. But in the short time that he has been with us we have learned a lot, and certainly the influence he has had on all of us, as lawmakers, as husbands, as fathers, as citizens, will last for a very long time.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to express my opposition to the Education Savings Act for Public Private Schools principally for two reasons. First, balancing our Federal budget should be our highest priority. We should not pass any bills, whether they increase spending or cut taxes, without considering their impact on our need to balance the budget. This bill costs approximately $5 billion during the next 5 years of its implementation and its cost thereafter is unclear and potentially much, much higher. There is no decrease in spending called for by the bill to offset its cost. As a result, it will hamper, perhaps significantly, our efforts to balance the budget. Second, while we should support the efforts of parents to educate their children as best as possible and to fully participate in that process, we should not give preference to private schools over public schools. Because this bill appears to do so, I also oppose it for that reason. Finally, I want to point out that the child tax credit and education IRA created in the recent Taxpayers Relief Act and the Balanced Budget Act respectively, both of which I supported, are far superior to this bill in providing parent financial support for the education of their children. Furthermore, the cost of each of these bills is paid for within the context of moving us much closer to balancing the federal budget. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against the Education Savings Act for Public and Private Schools.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chloe Coney, a constituent of mine from Tampa, FL, who has been selected as one of eight national award winners for the Ameritech Awards of Excellence in Crime Prevention. This recognition is a fitting tribute to her tireless efforts over the past decade in developing a comprehensive and collaborative plan to revitalize low-income areas of east Tampa. I applaud the National Crime Prevention Council and Ameritech for honoring Ms. Coney's dedication. Ms. Coney grew up in Tampa's North Boulevard Public Housing Project and her personal experiences in this economically disadvantaged area have given her great insight into the needs and opportunities of citizens living in east Tampa. She began her career of service as a parole officer and counselor where she implemented conflict resolution strategies in the Citizen's Dispute Settlement Programs for the Thirteenth Judicial Court. Currently, Ms. Coney is the executive director of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa [CDCT]. This community-based nonprofit organization plans, promotes, and assists the redevelopment of the east Tampa area through a wide range of programs including community building, youth leadership, family stabilization, and economic development. Her efforts should serve as a model for comprehensive and collaborative approaches to community-based crime prevention initiatives. Ms. Coney recognized early on that creating a safe and secure environment in east Tampa requires a multifaceted approach focusing not only on community policing but also on strengthening families, developing youth leadership, and creating economic opportunity. One of Ms. Coney's successful programs is the CDCT's Men II Boys Mentoring Program which pairs 100 at-risk African-American youth, ages 11-14, with responsible adult men. These adults are willing to share their experiences and serve as role models, nurturing the healthy development of these youth into men. Ms. Coney has also created constructive programs such as the Inner-City Boys Choir, a medical apprenticeship program, a substance abuse prevention program entitled Striving To Achieve Rewarding Tomorrows [START], and Saturday Academy which improves the academic and social skills of at-risk seventh graders. These programs can be successful only if strong family support exists to back them up. Ms. Coney recognizes this and established an annual Parent Enhancement Conference to educate parents on ways to better support their children's development. In addition, she offers workshops twice a month for parents and launched the East Tampa School-Community Partnership which is a network of social service agencies, school representatives, and parents. Finally, recognizing that these efforts to build up our youth must be coupled with opportunities for the future, Ms. Coney has dedicated much of the CDCT's efforts toward economic development. This year, the Nehemiah Project has focused on ``community building brick by brick,'' with the goal of stimulating commercial development and transforming abandoned buildings. These efforts represent a commitment to matching increased educational opportunities with increased job opportunities. This short tribute cannot begin to describe Ms. Coney's outstanding efforts in redeveloping and revitalizing east Tampa and providing a safer community for citizens of all ages. Her impact on individuals, families, and communities is immeasurable. Therefore, I would ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Coney for her hard work and dedication in developing strategies for successful crime prevention and to thank all those individuals like her throughout America who have dedicated their lives to service in their communities.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. DAVIS of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, there is no issue that we need to debate on the floor of this House that is more important than improving our schools and understanding our fundamental obligations to stimulate positive reform in our communities and our neighborhoods and in our schools, particularly those reforms that best empower principals and teachers and parents and ultimately students. As we have talked about this morning, charter schools is an excellent example of that. Thirty States have adopted charter school legislation authorizing the creation of charter schools, including my home State, Florida. In Florida, the law that I helped write struck the balance between assuring a quality education and the protection and safety and well-being of our students while encouraging innovation. There are five charter schools that have been created so far under that law in the State of Florida, and there are 31 others that are scheduled to open right now. I think it is significant to point out that of the five schools that have opened, the class size is a lot smaller than the class size we see around the State in our public schools, averaging about 17 students per class. The students come from very diverse backgrounds. More than half of them have special education needs. What charter schools prove is that there is no greater advocate for our kids at risk than the parents and the teachers that know them, that see them on a daily basis, and principals. These are the people that are creating charter schools. These are the people we are empowering by the adoption of the Riggs- Roemer amendment. I would like to further add that in an informal survey the parents of the children that are attending the charter schools so far in Florida have said that far more than half of them are doing much better in the charter school setting than they were doing in the traditional school setting. We have had a great start with charter schools, not just in Florida but around the country. I think the House has taken a positive step today by the agreement which I am certain we will follow through on conference to stimulate more positive reform at home with charter schools.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, we will not take up an issue on the floor of this House more important than the one we are debating today--improving the education of our children. I am asking my colleagues to join me today in investing in one of the most promising reforms happening in our country: charter schools. Charter schools are often created by parents, teachers, and communities advocating for the students they care about. These schools often serve as an alternative for at-risk, or special needs children who, for whatever reason, do not perform their best in the traditional public school setting. We need to have the courage to join these parents and keep these exciting reforms alive. Thirty states, including my home State of Florida, have already passed legislation permitting the establishment of charter schools. In the Florida law, which I helped write, we struck the balance of protecting students and assuring a sufficient level of quality while allowing innovative teaching. Charter schools have been blossoming all over the State. Thirty-one new charter schools are starting this year in Florida joining the 5 that opened last year. From Escambia County in Florida's Panhandle to Liberty City in Miami, parents all over Florida are finding out the benefits of charter schools. Barbara Bowland says Escambia Charter School saved her son from failure. William Allen Reed was in danger of being expelled from high school. After 5 months in charter school, Bowland says Reed was making straight A's and has a brighter future ahead of him. In my hometown of Tampa, Oscar Wilson decided to put his two children in Eastside Multicultural Community School because the school will give Andrea and Dustin a broader education from different historical perspectives. Another school opening in Tampa will be started by Metropolitan Ministries which is expected to enroll about 60 kids from kindergarten through the sixth grade. This school will serve children of families living at the nonprofit organization's homeless shelter. These are just a few of the charter schools giving our children new educational opportunities. We're learning more and more about this reform movement every day and the benefits students are experiencing. In the five schools that opened last year, the average class size was smaller than most public schools--17 students in each class. That alone thrilled the parents who enrolled their children in charter schools. The schools also attracted students from diverse backgrounds and more than half had special needs. An informal survey of parents showed that nearly half the students at these schools who were doing poorly in traditional public schools are now performing at above average levels. I believe one of the main reasons for the success is that these schools are unshackled from the rigid rules and maxims that govern our public school system. Instead, teachers are encouraged to use innovative and creative educational programs to reach these children. Even though charter schools are one of the fastest growing and most promising education reform efforts in the country today, the current level of funding doesn't even come close to matching the growth. Currently more than 400 charter schools are open across the country, up from only 250 last year. The Riggs-Roemer amendment increases the funding for charter schools from $75 to $100 million for fiscal year 1998. The increase will come from a program slated for a 130-percent increase--$35 million more than President Clinton asked for. I urge my colleagues to review the facts here. Smaller class sizes, innovative teaching techniques, success from students who never before performed well in school. Do not turn your backs on this opportunity to improve our children's education. Join me in supporting the Riggs- Roemer amendment. I commend my friends, Mr. Roemer and Mr. Riggs for their commitment to our children's future by offering this amendment. This funding will ensure the quality and success of charter schools.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this well- intentioned but ill-advised amendment. My State, Florida, like Texas and many coastal States, faces challenges in controlling our border, but the answer lies in strengthening the Border Patrol to solve this problem. As the sponsor of the amendment has alluded to, if we have 6,800 Border Patrol officers not taking care of the problem, let us increase the number of Border Patrol officers. There has been no evidence offered to suggest that these people, these men and women, are not qualified to do their jobs. The answer does not lie in diverting up to 10,000 additional military troops to handle this function, and as the sponsor of the amendment has mentioned, the amendment would have the effect of authorizing the Department of Defense to use these additional personnel in an emergency situation. If this is such a problem, these additional personnel should not be there just for emergencies, they should be there all the time. We should be strengthening the number of Border Patrol agents down there, not trying to have additional people down there who have not been trained to do the job and only using them in emergency situations. The Department of Defense has estimated that the diversion of up to 10,000 troops could cost as much as $650 million. Let us use a more cost-effective approach. Let us beef up the Border Patrol.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2014, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. This bill, combined with the Balanced Budget Act which we passed yesterday, is a major step toward fulfilling our promise to the American people to put our Nation's fiscal house in order while providing modest tax relief targeted toward the middle class. First, let me make clear that this bill is a vast improvement to the version of the bill the House passed last month. This conference agreement ensures that these tax cuts are targeted to hard-working middle-class Americans and will not explode in the outyears. My opposition to the original bill was based partially on the fact that the child credit would have been denied to millions of Americans who earn under $30,000. These Americans are struggling to make ends meet and deserve tax relief just like everyone else. Fortunately, after the insistence of both the Democratic Caucus and the President, the conference agreement provides these Americans with a child tax credit. Furthermore, I was extremely concerned that the original version would have exploded the deficit in the outyears, unraveling all of our hard work in balancing the budget. While I continue to have concerns over the lack of enforcement included in this package, I believe the bill we have before us today is more fiscally responsible and, if we are vigilant in our efforts to ensure that current estimates translate into reality, will not only balance the budget in the near term, but maintain that balance for years to come. Undoubtedly, the crowning achievement of this tax package is the unprecedented commitment it makes to education. We all recognize that in order to compete for high-wage jobs in this era of increased global competition, our students need more than just a high school diploma. This bill takes a solid step toward reaching the President's goal of making the first 2 years of college more accessible. This bill includes nearly $40 billion of tax credits for hard-working middle-income Americans to help offset the tremendous costs of higher education. The bill establishes the HOPE scholarship for the first 2 years of college providing a 100-percent credit for the first $1,000 of costs for tuition, fees, and books and an additional 50 percent for the next $1,000. The bill also provides a tax credit worth 20 percent of $5,000 in tuition expenses for the third and fourth years of college. These credits will expand access to higher education for millions of Americans and provide relief for American families struggling to equip their children with the education necessary to compete in today's economy. In addition to these tax credits for college, this bill recognizes that learning is a lifelong endeavor and with the continuing changes in the job market, many Americans are going back to school to enhance their chances for achievement. This bill extends section 127 of the Tax Code, allowing workers to exclude from their taxable income up to $5,250 of employer-provided educational assistance. These tax provisions, combined with the increase for Pell grants and the protection of funding for Head Start we passed yesterday, represent a massive reallocation of our limited resources to education, an investment that will pay dividends for everyone in our country. Clearly, this bill, together with the Balanced Budget Act, proves that we can both balance the budget and invest in our future. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this package of tax cuts because it represents a reasonable compromise on many issues and provides relief to millions of hard-working Americans. Including targeted estate tax relief, an expanded exclusion on the sale of a home, reinstatement of the home office deduction, and an overall capital gains tax cut, this package embodies the principles of basic fairness and will help continue the economic growth which is essential to balancing the budget.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight two portions of this conference report that lead me to support it today. The first is getting us to a balanced budget. The amount of interest that we are paying annually right now on the Federal deficit more than exceeds the total amount of income tax payments paid by every individual west of the Mississippi. We need to get the budget balanced and then attack the deficit. This spending plan is accompanied by tax cuts that are paid for while we will still balance the budget. The White House succeeded in keeping those tax cuts affordable. That is terribly important. Second, this budget agreement constitutes a massive reallocation of our resources into education. To encourage more of our high school seniors, more community college students, more university students to be the best they can be in school and to succeed in obtaining well- paying jobs for themselves and their families. Most importantly it will send another strong message to adults throughout our country to engage in a lifetime of learning, to go back to school supported by their employers or supporting themselves, to further their jobs skills, to broaden their job skills, to sharpen their job skills to prepare for the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2015, the Balanced Budget Act, which will balance the budget within 5 years while at the same time protecting our Nation's commitment to our seniors, investing in health care coverage for children, expanding educational opportunities for students, and restoring fairness for thousands of legal immigrants. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Budget Committee I want to first commend my ranking member, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt] for his hard work and dedication throughout these long negotiations. Without his leadership and his commitment to working with both the administration and the Republican negotiators, this agreement would not have been possible. Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude for all that he has done over the past 6 months. H.R. 2015, the spending portion of the reconciliation package, is truly a historic bill--historic not only for what it does, but also for what it represents. This bill demonstrates a commitment by both parties to the principle that we should not be spending beyond our means; that we must not saddle our children and grandchildren with debt; and that we should balance the budget while protecting our Nation's spending priorities. Furthermore, this bill is an example of what bipartisan cooperation can accomplish. If we set aside the rhetoric and work together toward a common goal, we can find areas of agreement and compromises on those areas of disagreement. The result is truly a win for the American people. I hope the spirit of cooperation, embodied in this Balanced Budget Act, will continue when we return from our August recess and as we sit down to tackle other critical issues such as campaign finance reform. Specifically, H.R. 2015 includes much needed entitlement reforms which would balance the budget in the near term and lay the groundwork for long-term reforms as the baby-boomers approach retirement. The majority of the savings in this package are designed to preserve and strengthen the Medicare Program by extending the solvency of the trust fund for at least 10 years. The bill will expand choices for Medicare beneficiaries and protect low-income beneficiaries from premium increases. The Balanced Budget Act also invests $4 billion in preventive benefits to fight breast cancer, diabetes, and colon cancer through annual tests and screenings. Additionally, the bill implements tough new antifraud provisions, many of which are identical to those I introduced earlier this year in the Medicare Anti-Fraud Act, H.R. 1761. With recent revelations over the amount of fraud and abuse in the current system, I believe these initiatives, such as requiring certain providers to post a surety bond, are essential to restoring the integrity of the program. Furthermore, with respect to Medicare, this bill will establish a bipartisan commission to make recommendations on a comprehensive approach to preserve Medicare as the baby-boomers approach retirement. Clearly, we must take steps to address the pending demographic changes in the program and I hope Congress will approach the recommendations of the commission, due in March 1999, with the same bipartisan cooperation that has prevailed throughout these budget negotiations. In addition to protecting Medicare for our Nation's seniors, this agreement will expand health coverage to as many as 5 million of our Nation's uninsured children. This unprecedented investment in children's health care, the largest expansion of coverage since the enactment of Medicaid in 1965, will give States flexibility in determining how best to accomplish this important goal while guaranteeing that these moneys will be spent solely for this purpose. On many issues, this conference agreement represents a great improvement over the House-passed version, which I supported but with numerous reservations. For example, I believe this final agreement offers adequate protections to workfare participants, guaranteeing that they will be treated fairly as workers. This conference agreement also restores protections for both disability and health benefits to 350,000 legal immigrants who would be denied these benefits as result of the welfare reform law of last year. All of these provisions ensure that as we move forward with our plan to balance the budget we are guaranteeing an element of basic fairness for all Americans. Finally, amid all of the celebrations over what this bill will do, I would raise one word of caution. Just last week, this House rejected an attempt to include tough budget enforcement provisions which I supported that would ensure that we meet our deficit targets and reach the goal of balancing the budget by the year 2002. If we are not willing to enact such enforcement provisions, then we must be even more diligent in future years to ensure that the projections in this bill translate into reality. Only when the budget is certifiably balanced will we truly be able to celebrate. Mr. Speaker, I again commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their hard work throughout this process and urge all of my colleagues to support this historic legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 75, which expresses the Sense of the Congress that States should work aggressively to ensure that violent offenders serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentences. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I commend the gentleman from Michigan, [Mr. Barcia], for this hard work and leadership on this issue and ask all my colleagues to support this important resolution. Although the most recent statistics on violent crime indicate that we are beginning to make progress in our fight for safer neighborhoods, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure public safety and recognize the achievements of States such as Florida which have taken strong steps to attack the problem of repeat violent offenders. Only with continued cooperation between Federal, State, and local officials can we hope to maintain the downward trend in violent crime rates. This resolution commends Florida and 24 other States which have taken steps to ensure that violent felons serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentences. Nationwide, violent offenders serve an average of only 48 percent of the sentences they receive--a statistic which is unacceptable and greatly erodes Americans' confidence in our justice system. House Concurrent Resolution 75 applauds those States which have taken proactive steps to prevent the problem of repeat violent offenders and encourages other States to follow their lead in enacting strict sentencing guidelines. While guidelines alone will not solve our Nation's crime problem, they have proven an effective tool in ensuring that violent felons remain off our streets. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of those States listed in this legislation, including my home State of Florida, and urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution which recommits this Congress to the fight for safer communities.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 2003, the Budget Enforcement Act. This legislation represents a commitment by this Congress not only to pass a plan to balance the budget, but to follow up with tough enforcement to ensure that this goal is met. During the past 5 years, the budget deficit has been reduced dramatically from an all-time high of over $290 billion in 1992, to a level estimated to be well under $50 billion this year. Among the reasons we have been able to bring the deficit down are the statutory budget enforcement provisions covering discretionary spending which were put in place in 1990 and extended in the budget agreement of 1993. This bill builds on the success of those statutory enforcement provisions and for the first time applies similar restraints, with clearly defined safeguards, to mandatory spending and revenues. For too long, Congress and the President have promised the American people a balanced budget with the result being continued deficits and an escalating national debt. Even after passage of the historic bipartisan agreement earlier this year and strong commitments by both sides of the aisle to this important goal, the American people do not sufficiently believe that the budget will actually be balanced. This skepticism is the result of broken promises of the past and the stark reality that no matter how carefully crafted the plan there are no guarantees of a balanced budget unless strong enforcement language is included. This bill represents a commitment to the American people that we, in Congress, will follow up our rhetoric with tough actions. Opponents of the bill have argued that the enforceable caps will cause automatic cuts in Social Security and other important entitlement programs. These caps, however, will be adjusted for inflation, economic downturns, and growths in the eligible populations. Therefore, Social Security will not be put at risk. Furthermore, the enforcement provisions simply say that if we are spending much more than we intended on any particular program, then Congress and the President will have to make changes to bring that spending in line with previous estimates. There is also the option of Congress to agree to raising the caps if no agreement can be reached on the necessary changes. Only as a last resort would automatic cuts in any programs be triggered. Unfortunately, history has proven that without an unappealing hammer such as sequestration, Congress will always favor inaction over action. Furthermore, this legislation for the first time attempts to put some controls on the revenue side of the budget. I believe the greatest threats to maintaining balance over the course of this budget agreement are some of the proposed tax cuts, many of which could explode in the outyears. This enforcement mechanism, although not as tough as I would like, at least prevents a bad situation from getting worse by delaying the phasein of any of the tax provisions if our established deficit targets are not met. H.R. 2003 is far from perfect and my support for it today does not mean that I am in agreement with all the provisions included in the bill. It is truly unfortunate that improvements to the bill were not made in order by the Rules Committee or that the committees of jurisdiction, including the Budget Committee on which I serve, did not consider the bill. Specifically, there remain valid questions over the timeline established for action, the impact on automatic economic stabilizers, and the effectiveness in controlling exploding tax cuts. But I do not believe that we should make the perfect the enemy of the good. This bill is a strong step in the right direction and I believe these and other questions undoubtedly will be addressed as the bill moves forward. Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and commit to backing up the balanced budget agreement with a strong enforcement mechanism, guaranteeing that the budget will, in fact, be balanced no later than 2002.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1818, the Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act. This bill will give States the flexibility and resources they need to best address the problem of juvenile crime. Earlier this year, we passed a bill intended to strengthen the penalties for those juveniles who have committed crimes. I supported that legislation because I believe the rising rate of serious crimes committed by juveniles warrants tougher penalties and strengthened prosecution and some States, such as Florida, have already demonstrated success in expediting the prosecution of juvenile criminals. That bill, however, only addressed those juveniles who have already committed crimes. This bill aims to prevent youth from entering the justice system in the first place. H.R. 1818 recognizes that the solutions to the problem of juvenile crime are best designed at the State and local level. The role of the Federal Government should be to provide communities with the information, flexibility, and resources they need to craft comprehensive prevention plans which include education, mentoring, work, boot camps, or other programs which would best address particular community's needs. In my conversations at home with police officers and not for profits, I hear over and over again that the Federal Government shouldn't micromanage this issue, we should work in concert with State and local governments, providing them the resources and flexibility they need to continue their efforts. This bill will do exactly that and as a cosponsor, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1818.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the brave men and women of the National Guard were honored at the world premier of Charles Gabriele's ``National Guardian's March'' presented in Venice, FL, on May 19, 1997 at a concert of the Venice Concert Band directed by Bill Millner. The National Guard in recent years served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Opal. During the concert, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven Solomon, Commander of 83d Troop Command, presented the Venice Concert Band and Professor Gabriele each with a framed certificate of appreciation ``for exceptional service to the Army National Guard.'' Gabriele is noted worldwide for his classical compositions and patriotic marches, such as ``Korea Veterans March,'' which was performed by the U.S. Army Band for the dedication of the Korea War Memorial in Washington, DC. Also during the program Sarasota County Commission Chairman Robert Anderson presented the Venice Concert Band and Dr. Gabriele with commendations; and city of Venice Vice Mayor David Farley, Councilmen Earl Midlam, Burt Brown and Virginia Warren presented them with commendations and a flag of the city of Venice. Members of the band who performed in the historic premier of the ``National Guardian's March'' were: Renee Arata, Marilyn Bay, Jan Bonds, Henry Busche, Russell Byron, Fred Capitelli, Harokl Chase, Rogers Cumming, Carmelo Cuscina, Vicki Elmore, Mary Ann Farrell, Jay Fish, Judson, Vincent Gigliotti, Harry Gilmore, Les Gowan, Ed Gremp, Charles Heidorn, Willie Jacus, Bob Kaltenbaugh, David Leath, Carl Linden, Mary Lipton, Julie Mahler, Robert McMullen, Les McRea, Alex Meldrum, Bill Meyer, Rex Morse, Shirley Morse, Mary Mullen, George Olisar, Stanley Ovaitt, Fred Ploch, Marilyn Sexton, Jane Sibole, Larry Shields, Ken Sotherlund, Bob Spangle, Missy Thornley, Connie Timm, Michael Torino, Basil Wanshula, Agnes Warfield, Roger Wolfe and Don Yasso. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding this well-deserved tribute to the National Guard.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the brave men and women of the National Guard were honored at the world premier of Charles Gabriele's ``National Guardian's March'' presented in Venice, FL, on May 19, 1997, at a concert of the Venice Concert Band directed by Bill Millner. The National Guard in recent years served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Opal. During the concert, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven Solomon, Commander of the 83d Troop Command, presented the Venice Concert Band and Professor Gabriele each with a framed Certificate of Appreciation ``for exceptional service to the National Guard.'' Gabriele is noted worldwide for his classical compositions and patriotic marches, such as ``Korea Veterans March,'' which was performed by the U.S. Army Band for the dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC. Also during the program, Sarasota County Commission Chairman Robert Anderson presented the Venice Concert Band and Dr. Gabriele with commendations; and city of Venice Vice Mayor David Farley, Councilmen Earl Midlam, Burt Brown, and Virginia Warren presented them with commendations and a flag of the city of Venice. Members of the band who performed in the historic premier of the ``National Guardian's March'' were: Renee Arata, Marilyn Bay, Jan Bonds, Henry Busche, Russell Byron, Fred Capitelli, Harokl Chase, Rogers Cumming, Carmelo Cuscina, Vicki Elmore, Mary Ann Farrell, Jay Fish, Judson, Vincent Gigliotti, Harry Gilmore, Les Gowan, Ed Gremp, Charles Heidorn, Willie Jacus, Bob Kaltenbaugh, David Leath, Carl Linden, Mary Lipton, Julie Mahler, Robert McMullen, Les McRea, Alex Meldrum, Bill Meyer, Rex Morse, Shirley Morse, Mary Mullen, George Olisar, Stanley Ovaitt, Fred Ploch, Marilyn Sexton, Jane Sibole, Larry Shields, Ken Sotherlund, Bob Spangle, Missy Thornley, Connie Timm, Michael Torino, Basil Wanshula, Agnes Warfield, Roger Wolfe, and Don Yasso. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding this well-deserved tribute to the National Guard.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I support the Skaggs amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Skaggs amendment which provides a much needed increase in funding for energy conservation programs. Included in the amendment is an additional $600,000 for the windows and glazing program. This program provides funding for a promising new technology with enormous energy savings potential for the commercial windows market. It is my expectation that this funding increase will be used to further the development of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition [PECVD] techniques for electrochromic technologies. This technology provides a flexible means of controlling the amount of light and heat that passes through a glass or plastic surface. Such a capability would provide Americans, and indeed much of the world, with a premier energy saving opportunity in building construction. The Department of Energy has estimated that placing this technology on all commercial buildings in the United States would produce savings equivalent to the amount of oil that travels through the Alaska pipeline each year. In recognition of the importance of this technology, my home State of Florida has provided $1.2 million in State funds to the University of South Florida which is utilizing a license associated with technology developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. I believe the additional funds for the windows and glazing program will be available to assist with this excellent example of a public-private partnership. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Congressman Skaggs for his hard work on this amendment and Chairman Regula for his willingness to accept it. I believe it is a common sense amendment which will enhance our nation's important energy conservation programs and allow the United States to remain at the forefront of major new conservation technologies.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in qualified support of the budget resolution. As a member of the Committee on the Budget, I have worked hard with the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt] and others to try to conform the budget resolution to the budget agreement, and to strike the balance between protecting our Nation's priorities and securing a reasonable approach toward a balanced budget. The budget agreement in fact did do that. Unfortunately, the agreement just barely does that now. It still continues to balance the budget, and I will vote for it today for that reason, because it also protects our most important priorities. We are dangerously close to unraveling this agreement because of many extraneous matters that have been inserted in it, including some of which were specifically agreed not to be pursued as part of the budget agreement. Let me share with the Members two of the more egregious examples. One is the alterations to the Federal Labor Standards Act that have been discussed, that have the effect of reducing people who are moving from welfare into work to second-class citizens in terms of some of the protections we otherwise afford to employees. The second provision, which was specifically agreed not to be included in the budget agreement, was to treat legal immigrants differently with respect to eligibility for disability benefits. These are two provisions that must be fixed in the conference committee in order for this budget agreement, in order for the Budget Reconciliation Act, to pass. I will vote for it today, but let us not repeat the same mistakes we made on flood relief. Let us not load up what otherwise could be a good bill with unrelated matters that will have the effect of forcing a veto and taking us off track. Mr. Speaker, I rise in qualified support of H.R. 2015, the entitlement reform portion of the budget reconciliation package. I strongly supported the budget agreement and the resolution we passed last month. I believe that agreement represented a fair compromise and a good first step in restoring fiscal sanity to our Federal budget process. Now, a little over a month later, with the details of the plan filled in, there are serious questions whether certain provisions in the bill before us today violate both the spirit and the letter of the agreement. Last Friday, I voted for this bill, in committee, with the clear understanding that a manager's amendment would be offered to fix many of the most egregious shortcomings in the bill. Some of them, such as the protection of low-income Medicare beneficiaries, the expansion of children's health coverage, and the minimum wage security for participants in workfare, have been modified. Unfortunately, critical differences have not yet been resolved on a range of issues including the restoration of benefits for legal immigrants--which was explicitly included in the agreement--and the application of all Fair Labor Standards Act protections to workfare participants. I am concerned that we are again set to play politics and brinkmanship on an issue of vital importance to the American people. Last month, Congress loaded up the disaster supplemental appropriations bill with extraneous provisions the President was certain to veto. After weeks of delays, causing serious problems for the flood victims, we finally stopped the wars of rhetoric and posturing, and sent an appropriate bill to the President. Now I am concerned that a similar mistake will be made on the balanced budget agreement--trying to push the President into a corner by adding extraneous items which have no place in a deficit reduction package. For example, medical malpractice reform is a serious issue which warrants serious consideration outside of this reconciliation bill but which only jeopardizes the chances that this package will ultimately be enacted into law. Ultimately, I believe these issues will be addressed in the conference committee, the next step for this bill, and I will support the package today as a recommitment to the goals of the bipartisan budget agreement and in an effort to move this process forward to conference. My hope is that by the end of the conference, we will all be able to enthusiastically support the reconciliation bill representing both the letter and the spirit of the historic bipartisan agreement.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong opposition to the motion of disapproval, and in support of continuing our normal trade status with China. Opponents of most-favored-nation status say we must send a statement to China, a message. In some respects I agree with that. China must know as a nation we will be vigilant in our efforts to fight human rights abuses, and we will watch closely the transition of power with respect to Hong Kong, that we will not tolerate acts of aggression toward their neighbors, and most importantly, we will continue to work to open their market to exporters. But the real question today is whether MFN is the proper vehicle to send this message, and whether revoking MFN advances our interests on these issues. The answer to both these questions is no. MFN is not a referendum on China's policies. It is not a sense-of-the-Congress resolution that we have serious differences with China. It is not just a symbolic vote, allowing us to send a message to the Chinese that we are unhappy with their leadership. It is a real vote with real implications, both at home and abroad. If we are concerned about Hong Kong, we must not undermine their economic stability at a point when that leverage is vital to protecting their freedoms. If we are concerned about religious persecution in China, let us listen to the missionaries who fear serious repercussions if we revoke MFN. If we are concerned about market access to our exports, we should not set off a trade war which could raise tariffs up to 70 percent and effectively cut off our economic relationship, estimated to cost consumers nearly $30 billion. Indeed, if we want China to act in accordance with established international principles, let us not isolate them from commercial, cultural, and religious exchanges. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against the motion for disapproval, and to support continued MFN status for China.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Eunice Kindred, a rising senior at Tampa Preparatory School, on her first-place finish in the Congressional Art Competition for high school students of the 11th Congressional District. Her painting will be hung in the Capitol here in Washington, DC. For many students, this honor might be his or her first recognition of talent, but for Eunice, this is one addition to a long list of accomplishments within as well as outside the realm of art. Eunice has excelled at art throughout her life, showing a unique talent for expression through canvas since age 5. She has received countless awards for her artistic abilities, at the local and national levels. Her artwork has been displayed in various exhibitions in the Tampa area; the list continues. Recently, Eunice has entered the world of business, starting her own design company. Undoubtedly she will enhance and fulfill her entrepreneurial skills to the level of her artistic skills. Aside from these talents Eunice has the distinction of being one of the top young bowlers in the United States today. Eunice bowled a 299 game in 1992, consistently places highly in tournaments, and was recognized in 1994 as being in the top 5 percent of all young bowlers in the United States and Canada, an honor for which she received a letter of recognition from the President of the United States. Eunice's extraordinary abilities also extend into musicianship. She is an accomplished violinist, having held the first violin chair of the Tamp Bay Youth Orchestra. What is impressive about this young lady is the fact that despite her extensive extracurricular activities, Eunice maintains an excellent academic record; her induction into numerous honor societies is reflective of this record. Eunice is truly an exceptional person. Her abilities run the gamut, ranging from aesthetics to athletics. Young people all across America such as Eunice embody the American spirit and will help lead the way into the 21st century. I, along with the rest of the 11th District of Florida, congratulate Eunice on her fine accomplishment.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in support of the Bereuter amendment. This perfecting amendment seeks to add a level of balance and accuracy to the Kennedy amendment which will improve upon its content. It places the House of Representatives on record of being against violence and abusive human rights by all parties to the conflict in East Timor, and for that reason I urge adoption of the amendment to the amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I believe that like the rest of the country we do some of our best work when we come together and try to look very carefully at what we have in common and how we can work together towards the common goal, and such is the strength of the budget resolution today that has as its primary emphasis balancing the Federal budget. This in my mind is the glue that has put this agreement together and the glue that will hold this agreement together, including between Democrats and Republicans. Let us not forget that the amount of interest that we are paying annually on the Federal debt more than exceeds the annual amount of income tax paid by every individual living west of the Mississippi in the United States, an average of about $3,000 a taxpayer. This is a compelling debt we cannot allow our children and grandchildren to inherit. What further gives this budget resolution integrity is it strikes the appropriate balance between preserving our priorities, Medicare, Medicaid and, in particular, education while balancing the budget. This is a major distinction between the budget of the Congress passed last year that the President thankfully vetoed that would have devastated States like Florida, where I come from, in terms of the impact of a very sudden and massive reduction in Medicaid. The proper balance has been struck here. And with respect to the tax cuts let me say this: I think one of the best tax cuts that we can provide to the public is to reduce the incredible deficit that this country faces, to minimize its huge interest payment, to enjoy the favorable impact that would tend to have on interest rates, and, as we begin this process and as we debate these tax cuts, let us be open and honest with the American public as to how much these tax cuts are going to cost, where the money is going to come from to pay for it, and to make absolutely certain that the tax cuts that we do enact here are paid for and do not in any way undermine what should be our principal goal, which should be to balance our Federal debt.

Mr. DAVIS of Florida

Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the American people sent us here to get the job done, not to play games. As a freshman member of the Committee on the Budget, I am eager to get to work on a plan that will balance the budget, but here it is the second week of March and we have yet to really begin an open and honest discussion as to Federal spending and the priorities that we must face as a Congress. There are legitimate differences over the merits of a tax cut and how to best achieve savings in Medicare and Medicaid spending, but we must start to work through these difficulties and begin debating the issues. Unfortunately, today the House is debating a resolution which serves no useful purpose. At best this resolution is a waste of time; at worst it is a diversion from our work in the Committee on the Budget, which should be meeting right now. We have a legal obligation to submit a budget resolution by April 15. We have an obligation to our constituents to work toward a plan which will balance the budget. The time for action is now. The responsibility is ours as a Congress. We should commit ourselves to reconciling our differing visions of how to balance the budget and get to work on an honest and open debate on the issues before us.