Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jerry A. Stanphill, the recipient of the 2002 GEICO Public Service Award for Physical Rehabilitation. The GEICO Public Service Awards were established 23 years ago to honor active and retired federal employees for their selfless and generous contributions in the fields of substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation, and traffic safety and accident prevention. Mr. Stanphill was chosen as the absolute best from an outstanding field of federal employees nominated in the field of Physical Rehabilitation. Jerry Stanphill is a physical security specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), where he provides leadership and guidance to the DLA field activities on law enforcement and security issues. One of his many duties is to conduct antiterrorism vulnerability assessments for many DLA activities in order to safeguard DLA personnel, equipment and facilities. In the post 9/11 world, there is no more vital responsibility. Not only has Mr. Stanphill achieved many career accomplishments, he has also dedicated much of his time and energy to the Special Olympics. He has served as a volunteer coach, program coordinator, referee, and chaperone with the Special Olympics in communities all over America. Fortunately, Northern Virginia is now the recipient of this man's service. Over the past 11 years he has helped coach over 400 Special Olympic athletes with the emphasis on their motto: ``Let me win, but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt.'' Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Stanphill on his 2002 GEICO Public Service Award. Northern Virginia is proud to have such a distinguished citizen in the community. Mr. Speaker, I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding this remarkable citizen.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I think adopting this amendment would be a huge mistake for this House; so I rise in strong opposition to this amendment which proposes cutting vitally needed assistance to Colombia and the Andean region. Quite simply, now is not the time to turn our backs on the progress we are making against narcoterrorism in Colombia. General James Hill, the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, said recently that the so-called narcoterrorists operating in Colombia and throughout Latin America fuel and fund worldwide terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Our counternarcotics and counterterror initiatives in Colombia are finally beginning to bear fruit. For example, last month John Walters, the director of the Office of National Drug Policy, announced promising new estimates of coca eradication in Colombia, and these numbers do not account for the intensified spraying that has occurred since President Uribe took office in 2002. It would be foolish for us to send this message to the Colombian Government now and for us to derail this program just as it is beginning to succeed. The administration has requested the allocation of supplemental funding to support the Uribe administration's commitment to stamp out terrorists, reduce the level of narcotics trafficking, and eventually eliminate his nation's supply of drugs. President Uribe's aggressive approach to counternarcotics and antiterrorist programs has seen significant results in a very short period of time. Our 2003 funding was developed prior to President Uribe's taking office, and it is not sufficient to appropriately and effectively fund the current pace of our counternarcotics operations. Supplemental funding would provide Colombia with several essential tools and resources, including intelligence equipment to detect threats against U.S. and Colombian officials and increase capabilities to enhance existing eradication efforts. After a recent visit with President Uribe in Bogota, I can tell the Members that the Colombian Government's commitment is strong. President Uribe's administration is working to enhance state presence in vast areas of the country that have lacked it for decades. They have the popular support of a vast majority of Colombians to beef up and spray eradication efforts, impose new taxes, to strengthen their police and military, and reform their beleaguered criminal justice system. Of course, significant hurdles remain. The FARC, ELN, and AUC continue to hold sway over large portions of the countryside where there is little, if any, state presence. The narcotics terrorists have also shown no respect for human rights and do not value human rights. They have murdered and kidnapped innocent men and women and children including American citizens. As we prepare to reaffirm our commitment to the demand side of the war on drugs by reauthorizing drug policy legislation in this Congress, it is imperative that we continue to closely monitor both progress and setbacks on the supply side in Colombia. With military intervention in Iraq under way and concerns about homeland security here at an all-time high, it is important we do not overlook the battle against narcoterrorism going on in Colombia. It is part and parcel of our international antiterrorist efforts. The killing and kidnapping of Americans and the murderous bombing of a Colombia club frequented by families are the acts of a desperate band of outlaws. Mr. Chairman, the Uribe administration has made more progress in 7 months than we have seen in many years. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, every year, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an important role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several citizens of Prince William County the highest honor bestowed upon county public safety officials--The Merit Valor Award. The Merit Award recognizes public service officials for acts involving personal risk. The award may also be presented to those who demonstrate judgment, zeal, or ingenuity above what is non-nally expected in the performance of duty. It is with great honor that I enter into the record the names of the 2003 Merit Award recipients. Prince William County Police Department: Police Officer Second Class R.A. Arce; Police Officer Second Class R.W. Minnick; Police Officer Second Class B.K. Oxendine; Sr. First Sergeant J.B. Wheeler; Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue: Technician II Michelle Butler; Technician I Scott Calder; Technician II Stephen Horvath; Technician I Landon Timbers, Jr.; Virginia State Police: Trooper Darrel D. Estess; Senior Trooper Mark C. Wilkinson; USMC: Corporal Amber V. Kephart; Prince William County Office of the Sheriff: Deputy Sheriff Heath Stearns; OWL Volunteer Fire Department: EMT Robert W. Warner. The service they provide to the community is tremendous and is deserving of such acclaim. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. The events of September 11th, served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us every day. Their constant efforts on behalf of Prince William County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our neighborhoods; and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill on behalf of myself as chairman of the Committee on Government Reform and Representative Frank Wolf. This legislation will clarify the intent of Congress regarding the enforcement of the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act is a critical component of the system of laws designed to maintain the public's confidence in the professionalism of our nation's civil servants. The Act proscribes the types of political activity covered civil servants may engage in. The Act is intended to protect civil servants from political coercion by politically appointed supervisors. It is also intended to assure the impartial administration of Federal laws. Since 1993 the general posture of the Hatch Act has been permissive, allowing civil servants wide latitude to be involved in non-partisan political activities in their communities. Federal employees are restricted from using their official authority to interfere in an election, and from soliciting or receiving political campaign contributions as well as several other activities relating to the use of their public authority for partisan effect. Covered employees also may not run for elective office in most partisan elections. The Act states that the penalty for violating the Act is a 30-day suspension without pay or, for egregious violations, termination from the civil service. The Hatch Act is investigated and prosecuted by the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC). This office is primarily charged with protecting civil servants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing activities. The OSC also investigates and prosecutes, when appropriate, violations of the Hatch Act. Unfortunately, recent activities of the OSC have raised questions about the Office's interpretation of their prerogatives under the Hatch Act. Specifically, the OSC is attempting to prosecute an individual who is no longer an employee of the Federal government for an alleged Hatch Act violation. This action is clearly outside of the authority Congress granted under the 1993 Amendments to the Hatch Act since the only penalties are suspension or termination. The bill accomplishes two goals. First, it clarifies that a Federal employee who voluntarily separates from the civil service may not be penalized under the provisions of the Hatch Act. The bill also states that if that person rejoins the federal service the OSC may reopen that investigation should they so choose. Second, this bill strikes two regulations promulgated by the OSC as routine use exceptions to the Privacy Act. These two exceptions allow the OSC to release private information for almost any reason as long as the records are used to defend the Office of the Special Counsel. The Privacy Act describes a routine use under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552a (7) as ``the use of such record for a purpose which is compatible with the purpose with which it is collected.'' Since the OSC does not collect and develop its investigation files for the purpose of defending its reputation, these regulations are clearly inappropriate. 54,000 federal employees live in my district. These women and men provide much of the talent and energy that makes the local community work. In 1993, Congress amended the Hatch Act to create a very simple standard for behavior with very limited proscriptions for political behavior. The hope was to create an environment where these citizens would feel free to fully express themselves in the non-partisan political arena. The zealous prosecution by the OSC is beginning to erode this framework of limited proscriptions. At a time when fewer and fewer people bother to participate in local government the Congress should re-affirm its commitment to local communities and to its own employees by reinforcing the limited, permissive character of the Hatch Act.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, every year, the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an important role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several citizens of Prince William County the highest honor bestowed upon county public safety officials--The Lifesaving Valor Award. The Lifesaving Award is awarded to public safety officials in recognition of acts taken in a life-threatening situation in which an individual's life is in risk, either medically or physically. It is with great honor that I enter into the record the names of the 2003 Lifesaving Award recipients. OWL Volunteer Fire Department: Lt. James Dart; Prince William County Police Department: MPO W.A. Lawrence; MPO G.W. Motley; MPO K.A. Muehlauser; Arlington County Sheriff's Department: Deputy J. O'Keefe; USMC: Sergeant Daniel P. O'Mahoney. The service they provide to the community is tremendous and is deserving of such acclaim. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us every day. Their constant efforts on behalf of Prince William County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our neighborhoods; and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, every year, the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an important role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several citizens of Prince William County the highest honor bestowed upon county public safety officials--The Bronze Medal Valor Award. The Bronze Medal is awarded to emergency service officers who demonstrate extraordinary judgment, ingenuity, or performance of their duties during an emergency. This may also include the saving of a life threatened by physical or medical reasons. It is with great honor that I recognize Police Officer Second Class H. Booth III of the Prince William County Police Department, Firefighter Christine Connally of the OWL Volunteer Fire Department, and Firefighter Lawrence Kearnes of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department as the recipients of the 2003 Bronze Medal Valor Award. The service they provide to the community is tremendous and is deserving of such acclaim. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us every day. Their constant efforts on behalf of Prince William County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law, and order throughout our neighborhoods; and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, every year, the Prince William County Chamber recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an important role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several citizens of Prince William County the highest honor bestowed upon county public safety officials--The Gold Medal Valor Award. The Gold Medal is the highest award for bravery and heroism. It is awarded to emergency service officers who have knowingly placed themselves in peril of death or extreme harm while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. It is with great honor that I recognize Firefighter Carrie Wilson of the Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire Department as a recipient of the Gold Medal Valor Award. Firefighter Wilson helped to avert possible deaths and injuries at an apartment fire by acting quickly and professionally. A prime example of her bravery was when she came to the aid of an engine officer after a balcony railing collapsed, despite the burning debris pouring onto the crew. Firefighter Wilson also took part in the Red Cross Emergency Response Team, assisting the twenty-four displaced families find accommodations. The Chamber has made an excellent decision in awarding Carrie Wilson this prestigious honor. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this extraordinary citizen. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve Prince William County. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us every day. Their constant efforts on behalf of Prince William County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law and order throughout our neighborhoods, and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today we mourn the passing of a great American. For decades, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was a central figure in the nation's political and intellectual life. He was a committed, determined, and diligent leader who represented the citizens of New York in the U.S. Senate for four terms. We came to know him as a uniquely independent thinker and great friend to both political parties. Those of us from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will always note the critical role Senator Moynihan played in revitalizing Pennsylvania Avenue, the grand route between the Capitol and the White House that was in disrepair when he first arrived here during the Kennedy Administration. He recognized the benefits in revitalizing the avenue and invested his skills to make this vision come alive. The Pennsylvania Avenue effort was one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the nation. Throughout his Senate career he was an authoritative collaborator in shaping this historic project. The revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue attracted projects to the city that might not have come otherwise. Subsequently, this project was used as a model for other redevelopment projects in the city, such as the MCI Center and the Washington Convention Center. Not only has the District benefited, but so has the entire country. Thousands of visitors can come each year to visit the Nation's Capital and be proud to stand on ``America's Main Street'' as it was intended to be. Daniel Patrick Moynihan's fingerprints will forever be on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Speaker, today I want to express my gratitude for Senator Moynihan's pioneering work and salute him as a scholar, leader, and gentleman. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal buildings, including buildings owned or leased by the U.S. Postal Service, I rise in support of the Acevedo-Vila amendment. My Committee did not have the opportunity to examine this proposal before its consideration here on the floor as an amendment to the Child Abduction Prevention Act. Nevertheless, since the underlying intent of this legislation is to not only return abducted children to their parents, which we do through the national AMBER Alert network, but to keep them from being abducted in the first place, I believe establishing procedures to locate missing children in public buildings is a positive step. This time of year, we all see the large numbers of children that come to our nation's capital to visit the Smithsonian Museums, the monuments, or to see the cherry blossoms. It makes sense for our public facilities to have an established system to help keep these children from either wandering away on their own or being taken away by a kidnapper. Every parent knows the heart-stopping panic that ensues when a child suddenly is nowhere to be found. Having a ``Code Adam alert'' system in place gives parents the peace of mind of knowing their children can be returned to them quickly and safely. I urge my colleagues to give it their support.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and thank my colleague from Arizona for introducing it. The problem of child abuse and neglect is one of the great social ills of our society and must be a major focus of our nation. The statistics are staggering. More than three children die each day as a result of abuse in the home, with 85% of the victims under the age of six. Approximately three million child abuse reports are made each year, and it is estimated that the actual incidence of abuse and neglect is estimated to be three times that of the number reported to authorities. We all know that the federal government is limited in our ability to combat this problem. It takes the individuals on the front lines in child protective services, law enforcement, and the volunteer community to break the cycle of abuse and neglect, ensuring that the most fragile and innocent among us are protected. We are fortunate that such individuals and organizations exist among us. In my home county of Fairfax, we are fortunate to have the Childhelp USA Children's Center of Virginia working to combat abuse. Last week, they entered into an agreement with the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board, Office of the Commonwealth Attorney, Inova Fairfax Hospital for children, and Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect to better integrate our efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect in Fairfax County. I commend this partnership for their commitment and for their efforts. We can never appropriately thank or recognize the individuals and organizations that make up this network for the services, compassion, and hope that they provide to children all across our great nation. We can, however, ensure that we work with them and help to provide the necessary resources to ensure that all children have the ability to hope, dream, and achieve their full potential. Together we can break the cycle of abuse that threatens the future of so many of our nation's children.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to James W. Laughlin--one of our Federal Government's finest public servants and a long time resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This March he will retire from an exceptionally distinguished career of service to his country. He has served our Nation as a career civil servant for over 42 years. He has been an exceptional leader and has played a key role in ensuring effective financial management for the Department of Defense. It gives me pride to have the opportunity to honor him today for his tremendous accomplishments. Mr. Laughlin began his career with the Navy in the financial management field working for various field activities. He progressed to a supervisory budget analyst in the Office of the Navy Comptroller where he was responsible for the Navy's operation and maintenance and civilian manpower programs. In 1974 he transitioned to the Office of the Department of Defense Comptroller. Mr. Laughlin first served in the Department of Defense Comptroller office as a budget analyst in the Research and Development Directorate, responsible for reviewing the Navy and Air Force multi-billion dollar aircraft programs. He then moved to the Military Personnel Directorate where he was responsible for reviewing the Navy and Marine Corps military personnel appropriations. Since 1982, Mr. Laughlin has been the senior budget analyst for Military Personnel appropriation matters--a portfolio that totals over $93 billion this year. Mr. Laughlin is an acknowledged expert on Military Personnel funding issues both inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, particularly in the areas of concurrent receipt, military wage credits, and retired pay issues. Senior leaders, both in the Congress and the Department of Defense, have benefited from his experience, outstanding leadership and distinguished performance. His efforts have enabled our nation's leaders to make the most effective use of defense resources to ensure America's military strength. On behalf of my colleagues, I thank him for his service to our country and wish him well on his retirement.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my unequivocal support of our men and women in uniform currently participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I would also like to thank my colleague Chairman Hunter for bringing this important and timely resolution to the floor. As we speak, our armed forces are beginning the second day of their quest to end the reign of one of the most diabolical tyrants the world has ever known. As they advance on their objective, the professionalism and abilities of our troops are obvious. These brave men and women--so far from home--bear upon their shoulders the task of keeping the world safe so that the rest of us can enjoy the comforts of freedom. While no one doubts that ultimate success will be theirs, the dangers our troops face are all too real. Not long ago we received the sad news that a helicopter crash has claimed the lives of 12 U.S. Marines and 4 British soldiers. It is unlikely these casualties will be the last, but we are comforted in the knowledge that the sacrifices they have made will help make the world a safer place. Saddam Hussien had ample opportunity to join the peace-loving nations of the world, but he refused at every turn. Thus, if falls to our troops to finally put an end to his murderous regime. Earlier today they crossed the line of departure, and are now closing with those enemy forces that chose to put up resistance. But more important than the fear they bring to the allies of Saddam is the hope they bring to the Iraqi people, who soon will see their great and ancient civilization flourish once again. As for Saddam, he will experience for a second time that there is no great friend, no worse enemy than a member of the U.S. military.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I thank the chairman for that clarification.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, let me start by commending the gentleman from Iowa. It is always a tough duty to try to carry a budget through the House. I have a couple of questions. Can the chairman of the Committee on the Budget confirm that the reconciliation instructions clarify how the Committee on Government Reform will be credited with savings resulting from legislation that it submits to the Committee on the Budget?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Does this language ensure that the Committee on Government Reform will receive full credit for any savings it reports that are consistent with its reconciliation instructions?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. And can the chairman also confirm that it is possible to meet the savings targets within the budget resolution without making any changes to Federal retirement annuities paid to participants in the Civil Service Retirement System, FERS, the Federal Employees Retirement System, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Can the gentleman confirm that the Committee on Government Reform may write legislation that also achieves significant savings in discretionary programs?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly condemn the arrest of Dr. Nguyen Dan Que by the Vietnamese Communist government on March 17th, 2003. I am outraged to hear that these Communist officials detained Dr. Que at a local security station in Saigon, while they had their secret police break into his house to seize his cellular phones, laptop computer, and collection of written essays. As you may know, Dr. Que is the most vocal and ardent advocate in Viet Nam for freedom, democracy and human rights for almost the past 30 years. When Saigon fell into Communist hands in 1975, Dr. Que refused to leave Viet Nam, and later turned down a government offer to resettle in the United States. Dr. Que could have continued a successful medical practice in America, but he consciously chose to remain in Viet Nam to speak out and defend the human dignity and rights of all Vietnamese people. Because of his unrelenting efforts in the pursuit for freedom and human rights for Viet Nam, the Vietnamese government imprisoned Dr. Que in 1978. He remained in detention, often under inhumane conditions, for 10 years, pending formal charges and a trial. During this time, he was tortured, beaten, and placed into solitary confinement where his hands and feet were chained together. Due to the continuous intervention of the Congressional Dialogue on Viet Nam and international human rights groups, Dr. Que was finally released in 1988 after 10 years in prison. On May 11, 1990, Dr. Que founded the Non-Violent Movement for Human Rights. He issued a manifesto appealing to all individuals and organizations inside Viet Nam and throughout the world for support of his moderate, non-violent struggle to establish human rights for all Vietnamese people. He demanded that the Vietnamese government invest in the welfare of its people, and reduce the size of its military. His manifesto also stipulated that the Communist government of Viet Nam cease its aggressive actions towards neighboring countries, and to bring about lasting peace for the region in Southeast Asia. Dr. Que was arrested again in June 1990, and forcibly returned to prison without trial. His family received information that he was tortured and had received emergency medical care several times due to these beatings. Finally Dr. Que was released from prison in September 1998, but remained under house arrest with constant government surveillance and restrictions on any use of communication, such as phone calls and letters. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Que's arrest by the Vietnamese government comes at a time when the world is preoccupied with the impending conflict in Iraq. I believe they made this decision on the basis that we, the international community, would not likely express strong condemnation towards their actions--but they are wrong. I urge my colleagues to join me now to collectively voice our strong opposition to the arrest of Dr. Que by the Vietnamese Communist government and demand his release immediately.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. I would also like to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner and the Judiciary Committee for their persistent efforts to make the reforms in H.R. 975 the law of the land. In the late 1990's, personal bankruptcy filings were rising at a precipitous rate. With a record 1.4 million filings in 1998, up 500 percent from 1980, it had become evident that bankruptcy had lost the social stigma it once held. Rather than an action of last resort, it had evolved into a convenient vehicle to discharge debts through irresponsible financial practices. Abuse of the bankruptcy system has a negative impact, not only on banks and financial institutions, but on our economy as a whole. In 1998 alone, bankruptcies were estimated to cost the United States approximately $40 billion. I understand and appreciate that there are valid reasons for individuals to file for bankruptcy protections. However, those who take advantage of the system lower the amount of available credit every citizen and raise the cost of credit, goods, and services to all consumers. Bankruptcy should not be a mere convenience or financial planning tool, but should be a safety net for those who genuinely need it. The rationale behind this legislation is that those with the ability to pay their debts should do so. I believe Chairman Sensenbrenner has done a good job of ensuring adequate protections remain for those in financial straights due to illness, divorce, or other legitimate reasons. At the same time, H.R. 975 will provide financial education to those who need it, help prevent corporate criminals from hiding their assets, protect those who rely on alimony and child support for survival, and take a significant step toward preventing the abuse of our Nation's bankruptcy laws. It is time to finally reform our bankruptcy laws. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 975.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 50th anniversary of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Falls Church, Virginia. Located in the heart of Virginia's 11th Congressional District, St. Paul's goal of centering their faith in Christ was established at the time of their founding. Assembling at George Mason High School in 1953, a small group of men and women gathered together to formally give up their status as a mission of Arlington's Our Savior Lutheran Church and organized their own self-supporting congregation. Today, St. Paul's has grown from a suburban congregation on the outskirts of Washington, DC, to a large urban congregation. Reflective of the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the Falls Church community, the congregation stresses warmth and acceptance for all people. Through their numerous Sunday school and adult classes, St. Paul's emphasizes the strengthening of their faith through education, prayer, and service. From its humble beginnings, the church has been successful in serving the community and strengthening their faith through God. As well as offering education on their faith, St. Paul's also sponsors many fellowship groups and social events. By offering opportunities for members of the church to come together through potluck dinners, Bible study groups, and special holiday events, St. Paul's furthers its dedication to faith in God. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I extend my warmest congratulations to St. Paul's Lutheran Church on this special occasion. With their commitment to faith and service to their community, the staff and members of St. Paul's are truly role models for us all. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding the church's 50 years of excellence.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act. I would also like to thank Chairman Tauzin for his excellent work on this vital subject. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that we have to take this action today. I am a firm believer that everyone should have their day in court if they feel they have been wronged. However, inherent in this right is the assumption, if not the obligation, that this course of action will be used judiciously. However, that is not what has occurred. Medical malpractice litigation has become an industry in and of itself, with trial lawyers seeking out sympathetic courtrooms and juries where frivolous claims will be given undue credence. The courts should be forums to redress wrongs, not lotteries. We are now reaping the results of this litigious behavior, and the main result is that patients no longer have access to the healthcare they always assumed would be there. Doctors are leaving the communities they have served for decades. Try to get pre-natal care in Las Vegas. Try to see a neurosurgeon in Mississippi. They aren't there anymore. We have seen the doctors in West Virginia and New Jersey actually go on strike to protest the absurd rise in malpractice premiums due to frivolous lawsuits. I have spoken to doctors in my district that simply cannot afford their malpractice premiums anymore, and they are looking to us for help. We can have it one way or the other--we can continue on the current path, where every visit to the doctor is seen as a potential windfall, or we can take these necessary actions to return an element of sanity to the malpractice equation. I support H.R. 5 because I believe it will ultimately allow many doctors to continue practicing medicine, and thus ensure our constituents continue to have access to the care they need. This legislation does not let anybody off the hook--bad doctors will still be held accountable for their actions and patients injured through negligence will still have fair recourse. It simply prevents the trial bar from completely ruining our health care system. I urge my colleagues to give H.R. 5 their support. Mr. BACHUS, Mr. Speaker, under Alabama law, punitive damages are the only damages available in wrongful death actions. Therefore, under H.R. 5, absence action by the Alabama Legislature, the maximum recovery for wrongful death (of, say, a 30-year-old father of three) resulting from medical malpractice would be limited to (no more than) $250,000. In good faith, I could not support such a result.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Each year, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, recognizes public safety officials who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These individuals are honored with the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several Valor Awards that a public safety officer can be given: The Lifesaving Award, a Certificate of Valor, or a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 25th Annual Awards Ceremony, 88 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that I enter into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2003 Valor Award in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Captain John Hart, Shift Supervisor Roy B. Shrout III, Asst. Shift Supervisor Tammy Read, Psc.III Judith Lassiter, Psc.III Susan Farria, Psc.III Alicia Dale, Lieutenant Joseph Palau, Firefighter Juan C. Ayala, Technician Gregory W. Hunter, Technician David H. Gilmore, Technician Bryan J. Nix, and Technician James H. Williams; Certificate of Valor: Senior Building Inspector Michael A. Andreano, and Firefighter James M. Furman; Silver Medal of Valor: Lieutenant Wayne B. Stottlemyer, and Technician Ronald S. Pifer; Bronze Medal of Valor: Master Technician John C. Mayers. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us everyday. Their constant efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law and order throughout our neighborhoods, and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this group of extraordinary citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Several members of the Fairfax County Police Department were honored at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's 25th Annual Valor Awards. Each year, the Chamber recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an intricate role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several members of the Fairfax County Police Department the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several Valor Awards that a public safety officer can be given, Lifesaving Award, a Certificate of Valor, or a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 25th Annual Awards Ceremony, 88 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that I enter into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2003 Valor Award in the Fairfax County Police Department. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Public Service Communicator III Lorraine Fells-Danzer, Lieutenant Amy Lubas, Police Officer First Class Michael Grinnan, Police Officer First Class Jason Riechel, Police Officer First Class Andrew Pytko, Lieutenant Erin Schaible, Police Officer First Class Richard Theal; Certificate of Valor: Police Officer First Class Dale Clark, Police Officer First Class John Hartle, Officer Lee Redenbo, Master Police Officer John Flinn, Master Police Officer Peter Masood, Police Officer Steve Mihelarakis, Sergeant Robin Davis, Officer Michael Comer, Second Lieutenant Thomas Vaclavicek, Master Police Officer John Brocco, Lieutenant Mark Rogers, Second Lieutenant John Naylor, Police Officer First Class Peter Kwak, Police Officer First Class Charles Wolfert, Police Officer First Class Mike Kazlk, Officer Angela Griffiths, Officer Kyle Kunstel, Officer Daniel Lauta, PSCA III Scott Pierpoint, PSCA I Maile Jones; Silver Medal of Valor: Lieutenant Timothy Hoover, Second Lieutenant Christopher Cochran, Sergeant Brian Hall, Master Police Officer Michael Twomey, Police Officer First Class Ron Estrella, Sergeant Kevin Andariese, Police Officer First Class Richard Mattison, Police Officer First Class Donald Kline, Police Officer First Class Mark Dale, Police Officer First Class Edward Warren, Police Officer First Class Chad Mahoney, Police Officer First Class Steven Carroll, Police Officer First Class Donnacha Fay, Police Officer First Class Tom Hulse IV, Officer Melissa Jones, Officer Jonathan Bobel, Master Police Officer John Bracco, Police Officer First Class Bradford Avery; Bronze Medal of Valor: Officer Joseph Wallace, Police Officer First Class Katherin Luppino, Police Officer First Class Kin Vanderveld, Sergeant James Cox, Lieutenant Tor Bennett, Police Officer First Class Michael Gibbons, Police Officer First Class Holly Hinkle. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve the Fairfax County Police Department. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emercency service workers make for us everyday. Their constant efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law and order throughout our neighborhoods, and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this group of extraordinary citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Several members of the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff were honored at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's 25th Annual Valor Awards. Each year, the Chamber recognizes individuals who have courageously demonstrated selfless dedication to public safety. These outstanding men and women have played an intricate role in building a better community. This hard work and determination has earned several members of the Office of the Sheriff the highest honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety officials--The Valor Award. There are several Valor Awards that a public safety officer can be given: Lifesaving Award, a Certificate of Valor, or a Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal of Valor. During the 25th Annual Awards Ceremony, 88 men and women from the Office of the Sheriff, Fire and Rescue Department, and Police Department received one of the aforementioned honors for their bravery and heroism. It is with great honor that I enter into the Record the names of the recipients of the 2003 Valor Award in the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Deputy Charles Taggart; Certificate of Valor: Private First Class Michael Hammond, Private First Class Leslie Sheehan, Deputy Randall Naeve, Master Deputy Sheriff Amy Gaisor, Private First Class Sharon Fogle, Sergeant Kevin Timothy, and Deputy Charles Taggart. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this group of extraordinary citizens. In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who serve the Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff. The events of September 11th served as a reminder of the sacrifices our emergency service workers make for us everyday. Their constant efforts on behalf of Fairfax County citizens are paramount to preserving security, law and order throughout our neighborhoods, and their individual and collective acts of heroism deserve our highest praise.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Frank Meeks, who has recently been named the Chamber Citizen of the Year by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Meeks earned a degree in political science and English from the University of Southern Mississippi, with the goal of attending law school. In order to help defray the cost of continuing his education, he became a delivery boy for Domino's Pizza in 1979. Within a short amount of time, Mr. Meeks became manager of the store, and decided to stay with Domino's. In December 1980, Mr. Meeks took 2 years off from Domino's Pizza and served as a congressional aide for Senator Trent Lott, then a Member of the House of Representatives. Mr. Meeks continued to earn extra money by assisting Domino's Pizza in opening up new stores in the Virginia area. After 2 years with Mr. Lott, Mr. Meeks decided to return to Domino's and was awarded the franchise for Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Mr. Meeks opened his first store in July 1983 in Alexandria, Virginia. Today, Frank Meeks oversees the operation of fifty-nine Domino's Pizza stores in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Mr. Meek's franchise, Domino's Pizza Team Washington, continues to be one of the top franchises in Domino's Pizza, Inc. Under Mr. Meek's leadership, Team Washington has been active in supporting area schools. Team Washington has generously contributed to the post prom and after graduation parties in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition, Team Washington has also contributed to the Washington's Children's National Medical Center, Food and Friends, Mount Vernon High School, and numerous other organizations. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Frank Meeks. I call upon my colleagues to join me in honoring him for all of his success and dedication to his work and the community.