Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. David Kruger, an outstanding citizen of Alexandria, Virginia, who, for over half a century, has served his community and humanity. His downtown Alexandria optometry office is a local landmark patronized by a wide clientele. In fact, Dr. Kruger was among the first healthcare professionals to open his office to clients of every economic or social status and ethnicity. He is universally recognized as a leader for nearly every community cause and is honored by a caricature in an Alexandria restaurant as a leading citizen. Active in a variety of civic causes in Alexandria, he is especially noted for his support of and leadership roles in such community groups as the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, United Givers Fund, Kiwanis (as President in 1960), and the Salvation Army. Similarly, he has served many other community groups with distinction. Among them are the Alexandria Board of Health as Secretary, the Alexandria Hospital, the Community Welfare Council, Tuberculosis Association, Boys Club, and Family Services. As a man who embraces all religious traditions, he was one of the founders of a group called Men of all Faiths, which for many years has held well-attended lunchtime meetings where civic leaders shared fellowship and heard presentations by pastors, rabbis, and other religious leaders in Alexandria. In his own religious tradition, Dr. Kruger served as Vice President of Temple Beth El in Alexandria for nine years and was active in the Conference of Christians and Jews. Caring for children and students is a hallmark of Dr. Kruger's life. Working through the RiteCare Program of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A., Dr. Kruger has led the development of a network of six clinics in Virginia. These facilities evaluated or treated 1,246 children in the last period, 1999-2000, of official record. Without his leadership of this program, these children would almost certainly have gone untreated. Most recently, Dr. Kruger spearheaded the PACES Mobil clinic, a satellite service of the Scottish Rite clinic at Radford University. He has also been instrumental in establishing scholarships to train Speech Language Pathologists and related clinical professionals at James Madison University in Harrisonburg and Old Dominion University in Norfolk. A large majority of the graduates of these programs remain in Virginia and provide clinical services to children throughout the state. Community service is also a strong aspect of David Kruger's membership in the Grand Lodge of Virginia, A.F. & A.M., where he has been a member of Norfolk Lodge No. 1 for over 50 years and of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Alexandria, since 1946. In 1991, the Grand Lodge of Virginia awarded Dr. Kruger one of its highest honors, the John Blair Medal for Distinguished Service. The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., USA also honored David Kruger for his many services to community, state, and nation. He was invested a Knight Commander Court of Honour in 1953 and Inspector General Honorary 1963. After serving as President of the Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia in 1975, Dr. Kruger became the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in Virginia in 1985 (13,343 members in 2002). In 1989, he became Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council, 33[deg], S.J., USA (369,474 members in 2002 in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico). In this influential role, he has been central in guiding the development of 161 clinics, centers, and programs throughout the United States. During each year of the two-year period ending December 31, 2000, a total of 57,413 children with language and learning differences received evaluation or therapy. Left untreated, these children would have been permanently handicapped. Dr. Kruger's service has even gone beyond the United States to Canada where he is an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of Canada and the Supreme Council of the International Order of DeMolay, a Masonic group for young men. At age 80 as he concludes, due to statutory limitation, his service in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, other awards and honors still accumulate to recognize David Kruger's continuing role in bettering the lives of many thousands of children and fellow citizens. David Kruger will never retire from these roles. Given his long record and deep sense of civic, religious, and philanthropic involvement, every American, Mr. Chairman, will continue to be enriched by the life and service of this notable Virginian and American.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 25th Anniversary of Burke Centre, Virginia on Saturday, September 14th, 2002. Burke Centre is located in the core of the 11th congressional district of Virginia. This planned, residential community began its development in 1976 and has grown into a thriving community with over 5,800 residences in its five neighborhoods: the Commons, the Landings, the Oaks, the Ponds, and the Woods. These neighborhoods are impressive examples of a successful organized community, with each of the five represented by one trustee, and featuring a pool and community center. The gem of Burke Centre is the Conservancy, consisting of 1,700 acres, including 350 acres of pristine open space area ideal for a wide range of active and passive recreational activities. Ponds, tennis courts, playing fields, swimming pools, and other amenities are maintained for the enjoyment of residents. This planned neighborhood took into consideration the community needs of its residents during its development. An efficient and effective committee system ensures residents' voices are still heard today. Burke Centre has established itself as a community committed to conservancy with its abundance of nature parks and outdoor activities. The Election Board is responsible for maintaining this mission and overseeing the annual Conservancy Board and Cluster Committee elections. In commemoration of its 25th anniversary, Burke Centre's Fall Festival, planned and organized dually by volunteers and staff, will be the community's chance to celebrate this landmark anniversary. Antique vendors, entertainment, games and arts and crafts will pay tribute to Burke Centre's beginnings. Mr. Speaker, in closing, with all that Burke Centre has created and offered its residents since its development 25 years ago, we have great reason to celebrate today. Accordingly, I extend my warmest congratulations to a community that has been dedicated to providing the best possible residential and community environment to its citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 25th Anniversary of Burke Centre, Virginia. Burke Centre is located in the core of the 11th congressional district of Virginia. This planned residential community began its development in 1976 and has grown into a thriving community with over 5,800 residences in its five neighborhoods: the Commons, the Landings, the Oaks, the Ponds, and the Woods. These neighborhoods are impressive examples of a successful organized community, with each of the five represented by one trustee, and featuring a pool and community center. The gem of Burke Centre is the Conservancy, consisting of 1,700 acres, including 350 acres of pristine open space area ideal for a wide range of active and passive recreational activities. Ponds, tennis courts, playing fields, swimming pools, and other amenities are maintained for the enjoyment of residents. This planned neighborhood took into consideration the community needs of its residents during its development. An efficient and effective committee system ensures residents' voices are still heard today. Burke Centre has established itself as a community committed to conservancy with its abundance of nature parks and outdoor activities. The Election Board is responsible for maintaining this mission and overseeing the annual Conservancy Board and Cluster Committee elections. In commemoration of its 25th anniversary, Burke Centre's Fall Festival, planned and organized dually by volunteers and staff, will be the community's chance to celebrate this landmark anniversary. Antique vendors, entertainment, games and arts and crafts will pay tribute to Burke Centre's beginnings. Mr. Speaker, in closing, with all that Burke Centre has created and offered its residents since its development 25 years ago, we have great reason to celebrate today. Accordingly, I extend my warmest congratulations to a community that has been dedicated to providing the best possible residential and community environment to its citizens.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, September 11th will always remain a day of great grief and sadness, courage and hope. The sight of the destruction and evil filled us with disbelief, sadness, helplessness and anger. That day and every day since we have also been blessed to see the best of America. Throughout the last 12 months, we have seen the greatest of our national character in countless acts of sacrifice, courage and love. Police, firefighters and port authority officers rushed into the building with more concern for finding victims than for their own safety. Two office workers, finding a disabled stranger, carried her down 68 floors to safety. Rescuers worked past exhaustion to save lives after the collapse. The men and women of our Armed Forces, Federal Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community are now prosecuting the war on terrorism abroad. The men and women on Flight 93, having spoken with loved ones on their cell phones and being told of the unfolding events, stormed the hijackers and took the plane down, saving thousands of lives on the ground. These acts showed the world what we have long known--that our fellow Americans are courageous, compassionate and brave. That the true strength of our Nation is in the souls of each of us, and that is something our enemies can never take from us and never defeat. Our Nation still grieves through our national tragedy and personal loss. To the children and parents and spouses and families and friends of the lost, we offer our deepest sympathy, our tears, our support and our love. None of us will ever forget the events of September 11th, but we will continue our lives together, arm-in-arm, with a collective strength that can carry us all. Not only is our military winning the war on the ground, we are also winning the war in the hearts and minds of individuals across the world. The world is beginning to see exactly who America is and who are enemies are. Never has the difference been so clear. They wish to kill and destroy, we seek to assist and build. They work for division, we seek unity. They pray for and plot our failure, we hope and work for a better life for all. In one year's time, we have comforted those who lost loved ones, we have completed our clean-up at Ground Zero, rebuilt the Pentagon, rallied the civilized world against terrorism, renewed our friendship with our Muslim friends and Arab partners, destroyed terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, rid the world of thousands of terrorists, put others on the run who will soon understand there are no limits to American justice, and freed a people from an oppressive regime, restoring hope and opportunity. We're working with the new Afghan government to lay the foundation for long-term stability and to reverse the conditions that allowed terrorist regimes to take root in the first place. This Congress has taken necessary actions to strengthen our homeland, assist the family and friends who lost loved ones, and worked to stem the economic downturn that resulted. There has been much good that has come out of that tragic day that shook us to our core, but strengthen our resolve and determination to rid the world of evil. And we still have much work to do. We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it to ensure that freedom endures. We are now engaged in a struggle that we cannot and will not lose. We have come to a unique moment in history, and America must take its rightful place, leading the charge for the right of men and the responsibility of government. Throughout our storied history, America has reaffirmed its commitment to freedom. Today, we find ourselves at the dawn of a new birth of freedom, not only for our Nation, but indeed for all of mankind. We have been given this enormous task, and we will undertake it as only America knows how--head on--and we will succeed. We will capture this opportunity for all of mankind and all time. We will continue to lead this Nation and world that we love, confident that the same God that watched over George Washington as he led our revolutionary army, over our founding fathers as they established our system of government, over Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and over our Armed Forces as they stormed the beaches at Normandy, is still watching over us today as we go forth to make the world safe for freedom and democracy. America was targeted by our enemies because we are the beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. That light still shines brightly today. Peace and freedom will prevail. Hatred and evil are ephemeral, but love and goodness have no end. The greatest people in the history of mankind have been called to defend a great nation and the greatest of ideas, and we will continue to succeed. As we pause to mark the first anniversary of one of the worst days in our Nation's history, we not only remember and pray for the loved and the lost, we also renew our commitment to honoring their memory by pursuing peace and justice, by upholding freedom and democracy, and by defending all that is good and just in the world.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 183, commending the United States Philharmonic Society for their commitment to promote musical excellence throughout the educational system, and to encourage people of all ages to commit to the joy and expression of musical performance. I believe that Americans should be encouraged to participate in music and art programs. Arts education programs, and specifically music education programs, have a positive impact on the lives of our children. Music education is a valuable lesson that serves to enrich our Society. The United States Congressional Philharmonic Society plays an important role in accomplishing these goals. The United States Congressional Philharmonic Society has created its own unique mission, which promotes patriotism, freedom, democracy, and the understanding of American culture through sponsorship, management, and education. It has gained support through the international language of music in concerts and performances in the United States and throughout the world. Under the organization of Maestro Martin Piecuch, the Congressional Philharmonic has quickly established itself as a voice of freedom and democracy through the art of music. As the Music Director and Conductor of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, he has played a great role in the world of music for the citizens of Northern Virginia. He has served as resident conductor, orchestra manager, and chorus manager at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts, and has held the position of Music Conductor and Director for the Alexandria Choral Society. Maestro Piecuch can be credited with planting the seed when he directed the Broadway musical 1776 at DAR Constitution Hall in March of 1995, in which 12 Members of Congress played roles as Founding Fathers of our great Nation. With this the U.S. Congressional Choral Society was founded, and in May of 1998 the Congressional Choral Society debuted at St. Joseph's Church right here on Capitol Hill. From this successful base came the idea for the creation of the U.S. Congressional Orchestra, which, together with the Choral Society, operates under the organization of the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic Society. Today, the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic, composed of Members, executives, and staffers on Capitol Hill, acts as an artistic voice for Congress. Created to honor the U.S. Congress, its Members, and constituents, the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic performs concerts all year round to salute our Nation's States, to salute American heritage, our great American statesmen, and appropriate cultural programs at various holiday periods throughout the year. In addition to these commitments, it has developed many projects of its own to promote its premier causes, that include a concert series to promote democracy and peace throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society is a living example of how our country's principles of freedom and liberty can be showcased for the entire world through music. I urge all Members to join me in supporting and commending the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me put a couple of things to rest. First of all, we are simply taking the base text of the bill as it is currently drafted as this House has approved, and we are extending the information that could be obtained by the Secretary of Homeland Security and are allowing in his discretion to share information that would not otherwise be attainable by the government, to share this information with other Federal agencies if it will help protect our critical infrastructure so that we can obtain the information that will keep our security systems, our cybersystems in the Department of Defense or in the FBI or the CIA, and the information that we receive through Homeland Security will protect those systems. We can share that information. This is a very narrowly tailored amendment. This amendment, in fact, is more narrowly tailored than an exemption that was passed by this House and signed by the President on the Y2K Readiness Act. So we have done our best to make sure the Freedom of Information Act is protected. This does not apply to lobbyists. I do not know why the language was taken out by the other committee. I certainly accepted antilobbying language at the committee level where we were before, but perhaps they took it out because such language is redundant. The language here is very clear that only information that would otherwise not be attainable by government would now be able to be shared to protect our critical infrastructure and that it has to pertain to critical infrastructure information. If it pertains to anything else, it does not fit the exemption and it would be as it currently is, available under the current statute. Now, this legislation has nothing to do with campaign contributions, and I think those kinds of statements belong in the political waste basket. I think we are people of good will here who are doing our best to make sure that in developing a Department of Homeland Security we are getting the best information available to combat terrorism. We have to remember that in the caves of al Qaeda we found government documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act that lay in terrorists' hands that they were using to destroy us. And just as the Romans built a system and a network that took them to all corners of the Earth, it was the same barbarians that used those roads to come in to destroy Rome. What we want to do is as we build this infrastructure, we want to protect it from those barbarians, in this case, the terrorists. Since the infrastructure is 90 percent owned by the private sector, we are soliciting comments, we are soliciting the experience from the private sector to share with the government in a way that will not be used to the private sector's detriment, so that the private sector's competitors, so that terrorists, so that lawyers cannot come in and get this information that would otherwise be attainable and use it against them. And without that protection, what we are finding out is companies, innovators, small innovators are reluctant to share that information with the government because it could bankrupt those companies. This is narrowly crafted. The Senate agrees, at least, on the Federal portion of this. I concur with the previous speaker, it does not apply to State and local on the Senate side. We do because critical infrastructure also applies to State and local. I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon). (Mr. CANNON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, let me first of all say I think the problem with this amendment is it goes in the wrong direction. We are all strong supporters of FOIA legislation. I served in local government for 15 years, and the Freedom of Information Act applies to local government. Strangely enough, Congress is exempt from any of these exemptions. This is a very narrowly tailored FOIA exemption that will allow companies out there that have innovative ideas in terms of how to protect our critical infrastructure, it will allow them to disclose it to the government without fear of it being discovered by competitors or terrorists. We have to remind ourselves that we discovered when we went into the caves in Afghanistan that al Qaeda groups had copies of GAO reports and other government information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. While we work to protect our Nation's assets in this war against terrorism, we also need to make sure we are not arming terrorists. The previous speaker spoke about how they worked on this in the early 1970s. I would submit the world has changed. There was a challenge from the other side saying there were no instances where information was not shared. Just last year it was discovered that the widely used implementations of the simple network management protocol, a fundamental element of the Internet, contained vulnerabilities that could expose the Internet's infrastructure to attack. Many companies were reluctant to give the government information about these vulnerabilities, which were not yet mentioned in the general press, for fear that the vulnerability information would be forced to be disclosed once it was in the government's hands and this could create substantial risk to their customers and to the Internet and the U.S. economy. I might also add the Department of Energy for years has asked that electric utility industries provide it with a list of critical facilities. They have consistently refused because they do not want to create a target list that could be released under the Freedom of Information Act. I suspect there are many, many others. We need to remember that the critical infrastructure of the United States is largely owned and operated by the private sector, 90 percent operated by the private sector. Understanding the vulnerabilities, experiencing the vulnerabilities, finding, if you will, antidotes to these vulnerabilities, is something that the private sector has much more experience in than the public sector. We need that information at the Federal level if we are to protect our critical infrastructure. This very narrowly tailored amendment, I might add, went through the Senate committee on a bipartisan unanimous vote. There were no concerns over there, because it is narrowly tailored. This is essential if we are going to get companies to be able to volunteer to the government solutions that can help us protect our critical infrastructure. There is precedent for this. I heard arguments that this is unprecedented. If you take a look at the successful Y2K Act, Information Readiness Disclosure Act, it provided a limited FOIA exemption and civil litigation protection for shared information. We narrowly tailor these so we do not take away what FOIA offers the general public, very important protections. But if we do not allow it in these narrow instances, I am afraid we are not going to have the tools to fight terrorism. This legislation, I think, helps the private sector, including the ISOs, to move forward without fear from the government. It is essential. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my time be equally divided between myself and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, let me just add, this is not the end of the legislation. This bill goes to conference. The House vote on this is important in terms of the message it says to conferees, and I think to dispel it is not appropriate. I also commend my colleague for her work and her courage in standing up to leadership on this particular issue, as she has done so many times during her career. Like her, I have a number of Federal employees and union members in my Congressional district, and I believe strongly that the traditional Federal workforce protections need to be applied and extended to Federal employees as they are transitioned into the new Department of Homeland Security. But I differ with her on this amendment for this reason: The underlying legislation gives the employees the traditional rights they would enjoy in being able to transfer from one agency to this new agency. The amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) gives them additional rights that they currently do not enjoy under Federal law, and it gives them additional rights at a time when we are at war with global terrorists, where the President has come to us saying this is the organization he needs to be able to win the war on global terrorism, and we are taking away the President's flexibility to deploy people that he enjoys in the Department of Defense, in the FBI, in the CIA and every other Federal agency. So they are treated under this the same way as they are in those other agencies that help us fight wars, and if this amendment passes, it basically creates a two-tier system and a lot of potential for inequities. For example, at a time of crisis, the President would not be able to treat Department of Justice, CIA, in the same manner as he treats employees at the Department of Homeland Security. That does not make any sense. Mr. Chairman, section 7103(b) of title IV represents a finely crafted balance between the rights of employees and the duty of the President to act in exceptional times, in exceptional times. Rarely used, in exceptional times with exceptional action. We are at war now, and certainly these are exceptional times. In my view, we should enact the legislation and give our Commmander- in-Chief the tools he needs to enact the war on terrorism.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. First of all, just to correct a couple of things I keep hearing from the other side about a government contractor not being able to be sued if something goes wrong, nothing could be further from the truth. We do change traditional tort law in that punitive damages are capped and that we have comparative negligence and these kind of items. The reason we do this, of course, in the amendment is to try to hold down the liability and get contractors to be able to share some of their innovations with the government. Also, on the Argenbright debarment issue, debarment is traditionally done by professionals in the procurement offices in Federal agencies, not by the Congress. Whether it extends or not, I am certain that that will be extended at that level. I rise today in strong support of this language and the technical innovations language that is included in the gentleman from Texas' (Mr. Armey) en bloc amendment. This title is going to strengthen information security management for the Federal Government, and this is critical in the war against terrorism because if we are vulnerable anywhere it is in our critical infrastructures. This language goes a long way towards strengthening that, which seems to me would be a prime target for terrorists. Poor information security management has persisted in both the public and private sectors long before information technology became ubiquitous engine driving governmental, business and even home activities. As our reliance on technology and our desire for interconnectivity have grown over the past decade, intensifying with the advent of the Internet, our vulnerabilities to attack on Federal information systems has grown exponentially. The high degree of dependence between information systems, both internally and externally, exposes the Federal Government's computer networks to benign and destructive disruptions. Therefore, the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002, which I introduced with the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) is included in this manager's amendment. This requires the agencies utilize information security best practices that could help ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of Federal information services and doing a lot of other things as well. I also want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the Committee on Science chairman and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the Committee on Energy and Commerce chairman, for working on this language. In addition to this, we have technical innovation language in this legislation that will allow the most up-to-date innovations in technology to come forward quickly and be processed by the homeland security agency where they can start looking as they set their requirements and find out what are the latest innovations that we have in technology in this country that we can use to help fight terrorism. In February, we held a hearing on this, the challenges facing us, and one theme that was expressed unanimously by industry was the need for an organized, cohesive and comprehensive process within the government so we could evaluate private sector solutions to homeland security problems. We have a lot of contractors with great ideas running around, but there is no place to really take them at this point. This manager's amendment now has a central clearinghouse for these. They are part of the solution. With the creation of the homeland security in the bill before us today the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) has included language in this legislation that closes the loop and provides a vehicle to get these solutions into the government and to the front lines in the war against terrorism as soon as possible. I urge adoption of the manager's amendment. In ordinary times, primarily because of recent acquisition reforms, the current acquisition system will enable the new Department of Homeland Security to buy what it needs with reasonable efficiency. While we all hope that it will never be needed, we also know that in an emergency the new Department may have to quickly and efficiently acquire the high tech and sophisticated products and services needed for its critical mission. The carefully limited authorities contained in the Homeland Security Act on the floor today are based on the Davis/ Turner amendment, which was accepted and incorporated into the Government Reform Committee's version of the Homeland Security bill. The bi-partisan provisions would permit the Department to quickly acquire the emergency goods and services it needs while maintaining safeguards against wasteful spending. The amendment builds on contracting authorities currently in place, in fact, the procedures appear in Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation--and provides for an extension of these authorities only upon a determination of the Secretary of Homeland Security or one of his Senatorially confirmed officials that the terror fighting mission of the new Department would be seriously impaired without their use. The new authorities would sunset at the end of fiscal year 2007. The GAO would be required to report to the Committee on Government Reform assessing the extend to which the authorities contributed to the mission of the Department, the extent to which the prices paid reflect best value, and the effectiveness of the safeguards put in place to monitor the use of the new authorities. The current government-wide procurement laws will govern the Department's ``normal'' purchases. Specifically, the provisions would raise the current micro-purchase threshold from $2,500 to $5,000. It would raise the current $100,000 threshold to $175,000, and permit the application of the current streamlined commercial acquisition procedures and statutory waivers to non-commercial goods and services and increase the current $5,000,000 ceiling on the use of streamlined commercial procedures to $7,500,000 for these goods and services. How could these new authorities be used? Well, for example, the increase in the micro-purchase threshold could be used in the event of a terror attack, to permit a Department of Homeland Security official at the scene to rent several floors of a nearby hotel to house rescue workers by simply presenting his Government credit card. The increase in the simplified acquisition threshold would permit a Department official to quickly enter into a $175,000 contract for specialized medical services for rescue workers responding to a terror attack. The application of streamlined commercial acquisition procedures would permit the Department to conduct a limited competition among high technology firms for a specialized advisory and assistance services contract valued at $7,500,000 to fight a cyber-attack. Mr. Chairman, I also rise in strong support of Title XI information security language and the technical innovations language included in Chairman Armey's en bloc amendment. This Title will strengthen the information security management infrastructure of the Federal Government. The events of September 11th and the ensuing war on terrorism have raised an unprecedented awareness of the vulnerabilities we face. This has naturally focused more attention on security issues, particularly with respect to information security. From my work in the Government Reform Committee, it is clear that the state of federal information security suffers from a lack of coordinated, uniform management. Federal information systems continue to be woefully unprotected from both malevolent attacks and benign interruptions. Poor information security management has persisted in both the public and private sectors long before IT became the ubiquitous engine driving governmental, business, and even home activities. As our reliance on technology and our desire for interconnectivity have grown over the past decade, intensifying with the advent of the Internet, our vulnerability to attacks on Federal information systems has grown exponentially. The high degree of interdependence between information systems, both internally and externally, exposes the Federal government's computer networks to benign and destructive disruptions. Therefore, I introduced the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) with Congressman Stephen Horn, Chairman of the Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee. FISMA is the basis for Title XI in the Homeland Security bill we are considering today. FISMA will require that agencies utilize information security best practices that will ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of Federal information systems. It builds on the foundation laid by the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA), which requires every Federal agency to develop and implement security policies that include risk assessment, risk-based policies, security awareness training, and periodic reviews. Our Subcommittees held joint legislative hearings on FISMA, and I worked closely with Chairman Horn, industry, and agencies to develop a bill that is satisfactory to all parties. FISMA will achieve several objectives vital to Federal information security. Specifically, it will: 1. Remove GISRA's sunset clause and permanently require a Federal agency-wide risk-based approach to information security management with annual independent evaluations of agency information security practices; 2. Require that all agencies implement a risk-based management approach to developing and implementing information security measures for all information and information systems; 3. Streamline and make technical corrections to GISRA to clarify and simplify its requirements; 4. Strengthen the role of NIST in the standards-setting process; and 5. Require OMB to implement minimum and mandatory standards for Federal information and information systems, and to consult with the Department of Homeland Security regarding the promulgation of these standards. At a time when uncertainty threatens confidence in our nation's preparedness, the Federal government must make information security a priority. We demand that in our networked era, where technology is the driver, every Federal information system must be managed in a way that minimizes both the risk that a breach or disruption will occur and the harm that would result should such a disruption take place. Title XI is vitally important to accomplishing our objective. Chairman Armey understands this and has shown tremendous leadership by this including this critical language in his en bloc amendment. I would like to take a moment to thank Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert and Energy and Commerce Chairman Billy Tauzin for working with the Committee on Government Reform to reach a substantive agreement on Title XI. And I would also like to thank Congresswoman Connie Morella, Congressman Lamar Smith, and Congressman Adam Smith for their strong support and invaluable efforts to promote Title XI. Also, the En Bloc amendment includes language that I developed to allow for reaching out to new technology companies that may not being doing business with the government. We all know that the Federal, State and local governments will spend billions and billions of dollars to fight the war against terror. Contentious floor debates aside, we all support these efforts. But to me, the question isn't simply how much we spend, but how well we spend it. Since the tragic events of 9/11 the Government, in general, and the Office of Homeland Security, in particular has been overwhelmed by a flood of industry proposals offering various solutions to our homeland security challenges. Because of a lack of staffing expertise, many of these proposals have been sitting unevaluated, perhaps denying the government breakthrough technology. In February, I held a hearing in my Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy on homeland security challenges facing the government. One theme that was expressed unanimously by industry was the need for an organized, cohesive, comprehensive process within the Government to evaluate private-sector solutions to homeland security problems. Now we have part of the solution, with the creation of the new Department of Homeland Security in the bill on the floor today. Chairman Armey at my request included language in a new Section 309 which is based on H.R. 4629, legislation I introduced in May. This language will close the loop and provide a vehicle to get these solutions into government and to the front lines in the war against terror. Chairman Armey's Manager's amendment included a new section 309 in the Homeland Security Act to the establishment within the Department a program to meet the current challenge faced by the Federal government, as well as by state and local entities, in leveraging private sector innovation in the fight against terror. The amendment would establish a focused effort by: Creating a centralized Federal clearinghouse in the new Department for information relating to terror-fighting technologies for dissemination to Federal, State, local and private sector entities and to issue announcements to industry seeking unique and innovative anti- terror solutions. Establishing a technical assistance team to assist in screening proposals for terror-fighting technology to assess their feasibility, scientific and technical merit and cost. Providing for the new Department to offer guidance, recommendations and technical assistance to Federal, State, local and private efforts to evaluate and use anti-terror technologies and provide information relating to Federal funding, regulation, or acquisition regarding these technologies. Since September 11, we have all been struggling to understand what changes will occur in our daily lives, in our economy, and within the Government. We now will establish a new Department of Homeland Security to focus and coordinate the war against terror. The new section 309 in this landmark legislation will give the new Department the framework it needs to examine and act on the best innovations the private sector has to offer. I would also like to offer my thanks to the staff of the Science and Energy and Commerce Committees who collaborated with my staff in crafting this consensus amendment. And finally, Mr. Chairman, I would also like to thank the Chairman for including my bipartisan legislation that I developed with Congressman Jim Moran that will promote voluntary information sharing about our nation's critical infrastructure assets. As many of you know, over ninety percent of our nation's critical infrastructure as owned and operated. In Presidential Decision Directive 63 issued by the previous Administration, concerns about the Freedom of Information Act, antitrust, and liability were identified as primary barriers to facilitating information sharing with the private sector. The critical infrastructure of the United States is largely owned and operated by the private sector. Critical infrastructures are those systems that are essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government. Traditionally, these sectors operated largely independently of one another and coordinated with government to protect themselves against threats posed by traditional warfare. Today, these sectors must learn how to protect themselves against unconventional threats such as terrorist attacks, and cyber intrusions. We must, as a nation, prepare both our public and private sectors to protect ourselves against such efforts. As we discovered when we went to the caves in Afghanistan, the Al Qaeda groups had copies of GAO reports and other government information obtained through FOIA. While we work to protect our nation's assets in this war against terrorism, we also need to ensure that we are not arming terrorists. Today, the private sector has established many information sharing organizations (ISOs) for the different sectors of our nation's critical infrastructure. Information regarding potential physical or cyber vulnerabilities is now shared within some industries but it is not shared with the government and it is not shared across industries. The private sector stands ready to expand this model but have also expressed concerns about voluntarily sharing information with the government and the unintended consequences they could face for acting in good faith. Specifically, there has been concern that industry could potentially face antitrust violations for sharing information with other industry partners, have their shared information be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, or face potential liability concerns for information shared in good faith. My language included in H.R. 5005 will address all three of these concerns. Additionally, consumers and operators will have the confidence they need to know that information will be handled accurately, confidentially, and reliably. The Critical Infrastructure Information Act procedures are closely modeled after the successful Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act by providing a limited FOIA exemption, civil litigation protection for shared information, and a new process for resolving potential antitrust concerns for information shared among private sector companies for the purpose of correcting, avoiding, communicating or disclosing information about a critical infrastructure threat or vulnerability. This legislation will enable the private sector, including ISOs, to move forward without fear from government so that government and industry may enjoy a mutually cooperative partnership. This will also allow us to get a timely and accurate assessment of the vulnerabilities of each sector to physical and cyber attacks and allow for the formulation of proposals to eliminate these vulnerabilities without increasing government regulation, or expanding unfunded federal mandates on the private sector. I am disappointed that the final language contained in the bill is different than the Government Reform Committee mark that passed the Committee 30 to 1. My FOIA language passed the Committee by voice vote. However, the language included in the Manager's Amendment only extends the protections to the Department of Homeland Security. My original language gave the Secretary the authority to designate other covered federal agencies to receive and share the information. While the Department would have remained the central repository for this information, it allowed other Departments and agencies involved in fighting the war on terrorism to also receive this voluntarily provided information. I will be offering an amendment later today that will make a technical correction to H.R. 5005 and allow the Secretary to again designate covered federal agencies. The amendment that I am offering today is supported by every critical infrastructure sector. It is also supported by the Business Roundtable, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Information Technology Association of America, the Financial Services Roundtale, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Edison Electric Institute, and the American Chemical Council. Industry wants to fulfill its' responsibility to the American people, we need to give them the necessary tools to do so.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, the concept of contractor indemnification, which is core to the term, is not a new plan. It has been around since the 1950s under Public Law 85-804. And so Members understand, less than $100 million has been paid out over the course of 45 years because the discretion that the agencies have in exercising that, and also because under this, it would also be subject to OMB approval. In order to get protection under either the Turner plan or the Armey plan, the contractor has to acquire insurance to fully protect to the extent the risk is not covered by insurance. And if supplier technology engages in willful misconduct or displays a lack of good faith, neither plan saves it. The solutions proposed differ, but I think each represents a viable solution to the dilemma faced by the Nation. Our committee liked the indemnification plan because it was written into current law. The Armey plan, though, has been the policy of the House as we have moved legislation forward. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) for working with us on this language in the committee. I appreciate what the gentleman has done on this.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the cybersecurity information security language included in the Chairman's en bloc amendment. The events of September 11 and ensuing war on terrorism have raised an unprecedented awareness of the vulnerabilities we face. This has naturally focused more attention on security issues, particularly with respect to information security. From my work on the Committee on Government Reform, it is clear that the state of Federal information security suffers from a lack of coordinated, uniform management. Federal information systems continue to be woefully unprotected from both malignant and benign interruptions. Title XI in the manager's amendment incorporates the major provisions of the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002, FISMA, which will strengthen the information security management infrastructure within the Federal Government. FISMA will achieve several objectives vital to Federal information security. Specifically, it will remove GISRA's sunset clause and permanently require a Federal agency-wide risk-based approach to information security management with annual independent evaluations on agency information security practices. Second, it will require that all agencies implement a risk-based management approach to developing and implementing information security measures for all information and information systems. Third, it will streamline and make technical corrections to GISRA to clarify and simplify its requirements. Fourth, it strengthens the role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the standard-setting process; and, finally, it requires OMB to implement minimum and mandatory standards for Federal information and information systems, and to consult with the Department of Homeland Security regarding the promulgation of these standards. The critical infrastructure information provisions included in H.R. 5005 will promote voluntary information-sharing among our Nation's critical infrastructure and assets. The provisions are supported by every critical infrastructure sector. Critical infrastructures are those systems that are essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government. Traditionally these sectors operated in the private sector, largely independently of one another, and coordinated with government to protect themselves against threats posed by traditional warfare. Today the public and private sectors must learn how to protect themselves against unconventional threats, such as terrorist attacks and cyberintrusions. In Presidential Decision Directive 63, issued by the previous administration, concerns about the Freedom of Information Act, antitrust, and liability were identified as primary barriers to facilitating information-sharing with the private sector. The provisions in the amendment address these concerns by providing a limited FOIA exemption, civil litigation protection for sharing information, and a new process for resolving potential antitrust concerns for information shared among private sector companies for the purpose of correcting, avoiding, communicating, or disclosing information about a critical infrastructure threat or vulnerability. These provisions will enable the private sector, including information-sharing organizations, to move forward without fear from government reprisals, and allow us to have a timely and accurate assessment of the vulnerabilities of each sector to physical and cyberattacks and allow for the formulation of proposals to eliminate these vulnerabilities without increasing government regulation, or expanding unfunded Federal mandates on the private sector, and I urge its adoption. We all know that the Federal, State and local governments will spend billions and billions of dollars to fight the war against terror. Contentious floor debates aside, we all support these efforts. But to me, the question isn't simply how much we spend, but how well we spend it. Since the tragic events of 9/11 the Government, in general, and the Office of Homeland Security, in particular has been overwhelmed by a flood of industry proposals offering various solutions to our homeland security challenges. Because of a lack of staffing expertise, many of these proposals have been sitting unevaluated, perhaps denying the Government breakthrough technology. In February, I held a hearing in my Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy on homeland security challenges facing the Government. One theme that was expressed unanimously by industry was the need for an organized, cohesive, comprehensive process within the Government to evaluate private-sector solutions to homeland security problems. Now we have part of the solution, with the creation of the new Department of Homeland Security in the bill on the floor today. Chairman Armey at my request included language in a new section 309 which his based on H.R. 4629, legislation I introduced in May. This language will close the loop and provide a vehicle to get these solutions into government and to the front lines in the war against terror. Chairman Armey's Managers' amendment included a new section 309 in the Homeland Security Act to the establish within the Department a program to meet the current challenge faced by the Federal Government, as well as by State and local entities, in leveraging private sector innovation in the fight against terror. The amendment would establish a focused effort by: Creating a centralized Federal clearinghouse in the new Department for information relating to terror-fighting technologies for dissemination to Federal, State, local and private sector entities and to issue announcements to industry seeking unique and innovative anti- terror solutions; Establishing a technical assistance team to assist in screening proposals for terror-fighting technology to assess their feasibility, scientific and technical merit and cost; and Providing for the new Department to offer guidance, recommendation and technical assistance to Federal, State, local and private efforts to evaluate and use anti-terror technologies and provide information relating to Federal funding, regulation, or acquisition regarding these technologies. Since September 11, we have all been struggling to understand what changes will occur in our daily lives, in our economy, and within the Government. We now will establish a new Department of Homeland Security to focus and coordinate the war against terror. The new section 309 in this landmark legislation will give the new Department the framework it needs to examine and act on the best innovations the private sector has to offer. I would also like to offer my thanks to the staff of the Science and Energy and Commerce Committees who collaborated with my staff in crafting this consensus amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in favor of the amendment. The question has always been do we take a matter in- house or outsource it. The overriding goal of procurement policy should always be, how did we get the best value for the American taxpayer, period; how do we pay the least cost for the best service. Sometimes this can best be done in-house with trained Federal workers who have done something over a long period of time. Sometimes it can be done more efficiently by taking it out to the private sector. Sometimes it can be done because the private sector has a certain expertise and experience level we just cannot get through the Federal employees. Now, the previous administration had numerous initiatives whereby they would eliminate Federal jobs, and they defined their success by how few Federal employees they had. This was a mistake. What we should have been asking was how much money do we save the American taxpayer, not how many employees we have, how much we are outsourcing and the like. In some cases the jobs eliminated did not save anything because these jobs were off-budget. They were fee paid for, and they were not costing the taxpayers or the general fund a nickel. In some cases we found out we eliminated Federal jobs, but it ended up costing us more money by going outside. But it was driven by quotas, it was driven by numbers, and I submit that is the wrong approach; and that is the problem with the current legislation, which is why I support the Moran amendment because the current legislation looks at arbitrary percentages and says when it comes to outsourcing and competing things in-house, we are going to look at certain percentages in certain agencies, and we are going to define it by this rather than where do we think we can get the best value for the American taxpayer, not how much money will it save. There is precious little evidence that the elimination of Federal employees by itself saved money during the previous administration. In some cases, as I noted before, these were fee-based employees, and whatever happened was not going to cost the taxpayers or fee payers a penny, but it was arbitrary. Competitive sourcing is a good thing; but arbitrary quotas, numerical targets, are a bad thing. I would say to this body that the Moran amendment eliminates the arbitrary numbers. This will still allow discretion within Federal agencies to go and compete things. We should encourage them to do that where it makes sense and where we can bring savings to the American taxpayers. Our goal should not be to preserve jobs at the Federal level, nor should it be to get a certain percentage to get outsourced. Our number one priority that should drive procurement policy, how do we get the best value to the American taxpayer, this amendment furthers that goal. That is why I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 13 conferring honorary U.S. citizenship on Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier. Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, also known as the Marquis de Lafayette, risked his life and financial security for the freedom of Americans. By an Act of Congress, the Marquis de Lafayette was voted to the rank of Major General, and during the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, demonstrating bravery that forever endeared him to American soldiers. General Lafayette then provided his devotion to our country further by securing the help of France in the United States' colonists' fight against Great Britain, a turning point in the war of independence. For his unmatched dedication, General Lafayette was the first foreign dignitary to address Congress, an honor accorded to him upon his return to the United States in 1824. A portrait of our honored friend hangs in front of us today in the House Chamber--the only portrait of a non- American citizen in the Capitol. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Honorable Senator from Virginia's effort to confer honorary citizenship on a great friend of America, General Lafayette.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4903, the Keep Monticello on the Nickel Act. for nearly 65 years, the image of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello has graced our Nation's nickel. This legislation, introduced by my friend and colleague from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Cantor, is a win-win. It ensures that Monticello has a permanent home on the five-cent piece, and also recognizes the need for a fair and open process to evaluate other commemorative coinage efforts, such as the one honoring the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Mr. Speaker, as you know, Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, the third president of the United States and the founder of the University of Virginia. He voiced the aspirations of a new America as no other individual of his era. From his home in Monticello, Jefferson served his country for over five decades. Monticello is more than a classic piece of architecture; its significance even supercedes the fact that it is the only house in the United States on the United Nation's prestigious World Heritage List of sites. It is more: a symbol of Jefferson's age of optimism, of all that was and is great about America. It is, quite simply, Jefferson's autobiographical masterpiece. Mr. Cantor's legislation strikes a reasonable balance. It provides for nickel redesigns in 2003 and 2004 to commemorate both the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, returning Monticello to the reverse side of the coin in 2005. The legislation also establishes a Congressionally-appointed advisory board, whose responsibility it will be to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any proposed changes to U.S. coins. I join my fellow Members of the Virginia Delegation in urging all Members to support H.R. 4903, to allow for a three-year recognition of one of Jefferson's greatest accomplishments, the Louisiana Purchase, before returning to the foundation of all of his successes, Monticello.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, over the last several weeks, the US Mens's Soccer Team has exceeded worldwide expectations by earning a quarterfinal match-up with Germany resulting from a first- round win over Portugal, a tie against host team South Korea, and a second-round win over Mexico. With its 2-0 victory over Mexico on June 17th, the 2002 Team tied the men's national team marks for the most wins at a World Cup and most goals scored in a World Cup. The only other US team to equal this level of success was the 1930 team that reached the semifinals at the inaugural FIFA (``FEEFA'') World Cup in Uruguay. This year's win also marked the first time the US won a single- elimination game in World Cup History, and was the US's first World Cup shutout since its historic 1-0 upset of England at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Much of the team's success can be credited to head coach Bruce Arena, a resident of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia. Throughout his distinguished career, Arena has led teams to numerous championships at the collegiate and professional levels, and now should be commended for his success on the international stage. With 18 seasons as the head coach at the University of Virginia and three more in Major League Soccer with the DC United, Arena spent 21 seasons at the highest level of club soccer in the United States. During his 18-year career as head coach of the University of Virginia Men's Soccer Team, Arena led his team to 5 NCAA Division One championships, and went on to lead the Under-23 National Team for 44 games through the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. To commend their success and wish them good luck, President Bush called Coach Arena and the Team in Korea at 11 am last Monday, June 17, informing the Team of the American public's excitement over their success. Coach Arena, in response, informed the President that the Team would give a performance that all Americans would be proud of. Mr. Speaker, our men's soccer team did just that. Enthusiasm over the team's strong finish has been evident in communities across America, with standing room only crowds at early morning games packing restaurants and other locales on game days. The team's rise mirrors the sports' growth over the past several decades, and I'm proud that the leader of this pack resides in my congressional district. They've made us very proud.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor Mayor John Mason of Fairfax, Virginia for his strong showing of public service, citizenship, and dedication to Virginia's 11th Congressional District. John has been a valuable civil servant for over 15 years. First elected as a Fairfax City Councilman in 1986, John's dedication to public service and administration led him to his first successful mayoral election four years later. John served as mayor for the City of Fairfax for 12 years. During his administration transportation was persistently a top priority for John. He champions the adoption of a long-range transportation plan for the Washington metropolitan area. Among his recent accomplishments, John was successful in enhancing emergency transportation units after September 11, 2001. John, a renowned city leader, is recognized for revitalizing the City of Fairfax's economy and rejuvenating its residential and public areas. The City of Fairfax currently receives more Federal per capita spending than any other city in the United States. This advantage has greatly improved the welfare of the area. Since 1992, John decreased the City of Fairfax's office vacancy rate by nineteen percent. He has also sustained the city's niche as a desirable middle class community. Since 1990, the city welcomed a twelve percent increase in new homes. John's work with the City of Fairfax's historic sites is also something to be commended. He rehabilitated the Old Town Hall, as well as the Ratcliffe-Allison House. Furthermore, believing that the future of the City of Fairfax relies on the preservation of its history, John commissioned a historic resources position to oversee his rehabilitation efforts. During the past decade in office, John successfully addressed issues of public safety and environmental concern. City of Fairfax residents have not witnessed a single homicide since 1996, and other major crimes have decreased more than four percent. Improvements in the areas of conservation and the environment involved increased recycling rates and employing pilot environment-friendly, bio-engineering techniques. John contributes beyond the responsibilities of his leadership position. While mayor, he served as chairman of the National Capital Regional Transportation Planning Board and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. In his professional career, John has been a vice president of the Science Applications International Corporation, and director of its Transportation Policy and Analysis Center. Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest gratitude to Mayor John Mason for his admirable contributions to the City of Fairfax. He has distinguished himself through his lifelong devotion to public and community service, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in applauding his achievements.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Clifton, Virginia. Clifton, located in southwest Fairfax County, Virginia, is a premier residential area, boasting approximately 6.7 square miles of pristine land. Still, the arrangement of the town welcomes close-knit, friendly- centered interaction. The cohesive community of Clifton rallies to celebrate festivals, such as the ever-popular ``Clifton Days,'' held annually in October. Today, the town of Clifton celebrates another annual tradition, the anniversary of their town charter. During the 1700's, Clifton was home to various Native American groups, who used the area as their hunting grounds. Resulting from the Civil War, and with the laying of Virginia railroads, Clifton began evolving into an industrious town. In 1869, the first post office was established and the town became increasingly attractive for businesses. Thirty years later, on March 10, 1902, the Virginia General Assembly recognized the contribution of the Clifton Station community by bestowing the area with a town charter. The incorporation of the town of Clifton led to many notable undertakings. In 1871, Clifton welcomed Fairfax County's first black Baptist Church, and is home to a host of other Fairfax ``firsts'' as well. For example, in 1905 Clifton became the county's first municipality with electricity, and home to its first high school in 1909. The town of Clifton prides itself on having been home to several famous residents, such as Susan Riviere Hetzel, an original founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and Oscar Woody, the Postal Clerk of the White Star cruise-liner Titanic. Seeing its greatest growth between 1890 and 1920, Clifton has maintained its renowned late 19th-century architecture, even as Clifton Station was removed in 1958. In 1984, Clifton was declared a National Historic District by the U.S. Department of Interior. The town's Victorian homes and historic town park complement the spirit of its residents. In few other towns is the historic, collective charm of the area as prevalent as it is in Clifton. Thus, Clifton is often recognized as a ``hidden treasure''. I am proud the town of Clifton is located in Virginia's 11th district, as Clifton represents the finest our area and our nation have to offer. Mr. Speaker, in closing, with all the historical grandeur Clifton boasts, we have great reason to celebrate today. Accordingly, I extend my warmest congratulations on its 100th Anniversary. Clifton most certainly has distinguished itself through its historical and social presence, and I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding 100 years of excellence.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor Mr. William Fitzgerald Sonntag, upon the completion of the Fairfax County Public School's special education program. On June 17, 2002, Bill Sonntag will join his friends in the Class of 2002 to take part in commencement. It will be a very proud day for the Sonntags and all families of graduating seniors. Similar ceremonies will be taking place in thousands of communities throughout the Nation this month. To be sure, each event will be a milestone marking the tangible achievements of each student's personal and academic development, while symbolizing the threshold to adulthood and quest toward one's highest potential in life. Bill is a most remarkable young man with autism and mental retardation whose gentle determined spirit has defied the limits of these disabilities which have been present since his birth in Virginia on May 29, 1980. Throughout a public school education, which began in the pre-school program at Prince William County's Ann Ludwig School in 1983, Bill has been guided, supported, and encouraged by a loving family and scores of truly dedicated teachers, classroom aides, occupational and speech therapists, school staff members, custodians, bus drivers and bus aides, School Age Child Care staff, and vocational and transition counselors. During the arc of his special education in Prince William and Fairfax County Public Schools, many genuinely kind and thoughtful teachers and mainstream students have gone out of their way to include Bill and his classmates in the social fabric of student life beyond the walls of their classroom. The simple things that some students might take for granted--recognizing each other in the hall, eating together at lunch, enjoying the camaraderie in ``PE'' class, sitting together at assemblies, going on field trips, attending a dance, listening to music, and appreciating the everyday gestures of friendship--have been as key to Bill's special education as they have been for those mainstream students who have undoubtedly learned much about their own character. The obvious enthusiasm Bill displayed each day in raising the American flag over Cooper Middle School several years ago, still offers a lasting example of pride in school and love of country for us all. In spite of many communications challenges, Bill and his special education classmates offer a unique and engaging ability to inspire people of all ages to see past the disabilities and to focus on each individual's enormous value and potential. Everywhere he travels in the course of a day, he teaches people to smile with him rather than to stare at the circumstances of his disabilities. In this respect, the most encouraging aspect of Bill's personal academic achievement can best be seen in those whom he has educated and influenced along the way. In Bill's case, commencement marks more than just the beginning of his transition to a productive and promising supported-employment opportunity secured through the coordinated efforts of the Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. It also marks the opportunity for many other Fairfax County Public School graduates to remember the lessons they learned from one of their classmates and apply them beyond the walls of the school--to seize those moments ahead in which they can continue to widen the banks of the mainstream, raise the standards of inclusion and accessibility, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest congratulations to Bill Sonntag, the 2002 class of Langley High School, the students, teachers and countless others who have helped to re-define his potential throughout the arc of his special education and their continuing opportunity to make a difference and strengthen the general welfare of our Nation, as they embark on life's great journey. I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in applauding this remarkable achievement.

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 the establishment of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church, Virginia. Since holding its first Mass on Easter Sunday, 1952, St. Anthony's has profoundly impacted its congregation, students, and the community at large. Today the miulti-ethnic parish continues to flourish while upholding a strong tradition of excellence in both the Catholic Christian ministry and community service. The accomplished past of the church has been characterized by generous contributions to local worship, education, and medical care. St. Anthony's sizeable and multifaceted endeavors have been remarkably effective. In 1954, the church established St. Anthony's School, which now enrolls 620 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth. This notable commitment to education is further reflected in the valuable resources the church has made available to its community. These range from a religious education program for public school students to a computer-training course for adults. A partnership with Fairfax County and the Hispanic Committee of Virginia in a Day Laborers' Program highlights the church's dedication to improving education. St. Anthony's has undertaken substantial initiatives in improving local health care by providing a mobile mammogram van, running Alcoholics Anonymous groups, and offering 24-session parenting classes. Additionally, the church co-sponsors quarterly health fairs with organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, whom they further assist in conducting bone-marrow screenings. The Parish also has made strides in emergency assistance. St. Anthony's has relieved many people facing hardships by helping with medical costs and utility payments. The establishment of ``Mary's House'' enabled the church to aid single homeless mothers by providing them a caring environment. Moreover, St. Anthony's offers services such as counseling, tax assistance, Thanksgiving dinner, and the collection of Christmas gifts to those in need. With all of these accomplishments, there is great reason for St. Anthony's and its community to celebrate. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest congratulations on their 50th Anniversary. The Parish most certainly has distinguished itself through its devotion to community service, and I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding 50 years of excellence.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Eugene N. Ball, upon his retirement from the Pentagon Federal Credit Union after nearly 25 years of distinguished and dedicated service. Mr. Ball was born and raised in Waterloo, IA. He served for 20 years in the United States Army in various command and staff assignments including as a Transportation Corp officer. Following his retirement from the Army's active service in 1963, Ball went to work as Chief of Finance in the Department of the Army. In 1967 he joined the Department of Defense, Per Diem Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee. Fifteen years later, in February 1982, he was detailed to the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Logistics and Material Management), with the responsibility of organizing and leading an Interagency Team to implement changes in Federal travel policies and practices, as directed by the President. Ball has been active in the Credit Union movement for over a quarter century. He was first elected to the Board of Directors of Pentagon Federal Credit Union in 1975, and subsequently served as Secretary from 1977-1978, Vice President from 1978-1982, and President since 1982. During his tenure on the Board he has been Chairman of the Marketing and Education, and Nominating Committees. In June 1984, under Ball's direction, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union formed three holding companies to provide management information, software, and insurance services. Based on his leadership at the credit union, contributions to other credit unions and credit union organizations, professional development and education, and community service, Mr. Ball was awarded the DEF 1999 Director of the Year honor by CUES. He is revered as a remarkable leader by his colleagues, and is renowned for his dedication to teamwork. Mr. Ball is also known by all of his Credit Union colleagues for his generosity. From dressing up as Santa Claus for the credit union's Christmas party to serving on the board of several prominent organizations, Mr. Ball is involved in nearly all Credit Union activities, as he is in his Northern Virginia community. He is very active in his church at all levels, serving as chairman of the board of trustees and leading Sunday school discussions. He is a member, and past President, of the Advisory Council for the Lupus Foundation of Greater Washington and has served as president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. These, along with his many other acts of selflessness, both for the Pentagon Federal Credit Union and for his community, make Ball worthy of his title amongst those who know him, ``A Role Model of Humanity.'' Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish the very best to Mr. Ball as he is recognized for service to his community and to the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. During his twenty-five years of service, he certainly has earned his recognition, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in applauding his tenure.