Tom Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. DAVIS of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 858) to amend title 11, District of Columbia Code, to extend coverage under the whistleblower protection provisions of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to personnel of the courts of the District of Columbia.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a neighborhood organization that is making a difference in the quality of life in Northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Mason District Police Department has recognized the participants of the Camelot Neighborhood Watch as one of the most effective crime reduction units in the county. This appreciation celebrates the success of a program which has helped the general crime rate decline steadily since its inception twenty years ago. The Neighborhood Watch participants throughout Fairfax County are dedicated individuals who selflessly offer their time to improve their community. Camelot has the largest number of active volunteers of any neighborhood watch program in Northern Virginia. As a former County Supervisor from the Mason District, I can attest to the dedication of those involved in the Neighborhood Watch. All of those in Camelot share a tremendous sense of pride in the accomplishments of their Neighborhood Watch. The individuals who volunteer in this program coordinate with the police so they may keep abreast of criminal activity in or around their community. The time and energy they give in walking their neighborhoods, tracking suspicious activities, people, and cars enable the Fairfax County Police to deter would-be criminals. It is financially and logistically impossible to put a police officer on every street corner, but the Camelot Neighborhood Watch does the next best thing, by recruiting and training neighbors to be the eyes and ears of our police professionals. The savings to taxpayers through the years has been tens of millions of dollars, and the savings in crime deterred has also been measurable. The Neighborhood Watch program in Camelot proudly shows its strength and its numbers to the point where they have been recognized as the Best Neighborhood Watch in Virginia by the Virginia Crime Prevention Association. The participants in this program have proven that getting involved in your community does make a difference. Those who take the time to cast a watchful eye on their surroundings ensure that they have a safer and more friendly place to live. They have even exported their skills in crime prevention, to Watch programs in Harpers Ferry and Shephards Town West Virginia; and as far away as Gettysburg Battlefield Park in Pennsylvania. The members and coordinators of the Camelot Neighborhood Watch work are one of the most diverse communities in the Washington area. They often bridge culture and language gaps to come together and build safer neighborhoods. The Camelot Neighborhood Watch has lead to a better understanding of different cultures and backgrounds as people recognize that they share similar community values. One of the greatest assets of the Camelot Neighborhood Watch program is the bonds it has built between individuals and neighborhoods. Neighborhood Watch brings neighbors together. In that spirit, I am proud to recognize Mr. Paul Cevey, the founder of the Camelot Neighborhood Watch program twenty years ago; and Mr. Dave Shonerd, who has helped mold the program in the great success it is today, and built it into a national model. I know my colleagues will join me in saluting the Camelot Neighborhood Watch organization and the success it has achieved. The Camelot Neighborhood Watch participants have certainly earned a Day of Appreciation. Their work has made the Fairfax County one of the safest communities in our nation.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 858.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an individual who has dedicated the past 25 years of his career and life to serving the people of Fairfax County, VA. On Friday, February 26, 1999, Mr. Walter D. Webdale will retire as Director of the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The Department of Housing and Community Development was established in 1974, and Mr. Webdale has been the Director since its inception. Under his leadership of the last 25 years the HCD has won nationwide recognition as one of the preeminent policy leaders and innovators in the fields of affordable housing and community development. The Agency has been the recipient of more than 40 major awards and special recognitions for project design and development, community development, property management, and affordable housing finance. But more important than the national accolades are the tangible improvements he was able to provide to the people of Fairfax County. During Mr. Webdale's 25 years of service, the HCD built or acquired more than 800 units of public housing. Additionally, 1,500 more units were developed under the Fairfax County Rental Program, an initiative of Mr. Webdale's, which preserved existing affordable housing and made it available to seniors and moderate income households not able to find housing through Federal housing projects. One of Mr. Webdale's most lasting contributions to Fairfax County, and the Nation, will be the mixed income/mixed financing program which combines the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits with Public Housing development funds, and has become the model which is being replicated across the Nation. Because of this innovative program, coupled with the Agency's financing expertise, the HCD secured the designation as an FHA Risk-Sharing Agency in Virginia. The Fairfax County Housing and Community Development Agency was the only local housing authority in Virginia to qualify for this designation. While Mr. Webdale dedicated much of the Agency's resources to developing low-income housing, the HCD also implemented a strong series of programs to support and encourage first-time home buyers. All told over the past 25 years more than $26 million was invested in needed home improvements to almost 1,700 qualified homeowners under the Home Improvement Loan Program. Complimenting the improvement funds, two separate home ownership programs were created which have subsequently provided more than 1,000 first-time home buyers with home ownership opportunities. Mr. Speaker, I have merely hinted at the contribution Walter Webdale has made to Fairfax County. He is recognized nationwide as one of the leading Housing and Community Development professionals in the country. A number of the initiatives he developed in Fairfax County have been adopted by other Housing Authorities across the Nation. Mr. Walter D. Webdale has dedicated the best years of his life in the service of others, and has done it with a determination and professionalism well beyond the norm. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Fairfax County, VA, I wish to sincerely thank Mr. Webdale for all he has done and wish him well as he enjoys a long-overdue vacation.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise and bring to the attention of my colleagues some very special Public Safety personnel in Fairfax City in the Eleventh Congressional District of Virginia. Every year the Fairfax Central Chamber of Commerce honors police officers, fire fighters, and dispatchers who have shown the highest level of dedication to their noble duties. These individuals who are role models to others in their profession will be honored this afternoon at the 1998 Public Safety Awards Luncheon. The 1998 awards recipients are: Career Firefighter of the Year: Technician John C. Henderson: Technician Henderson is being recognized with this prestigious award for his continued exemplary commitment to the accomplishment of Department goals and objectives. Technician Henderson's performance is characterized by unselfishness, teamwork, commitment to the improvement of City services, and support of the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department (FVFD). Most notable among Technician Henderson's performance indicators for 1998 is his involvement with training new members of the Department. Technician Henderson spent many hours working with new employees and new members of the FVFD to ensure that they possessed the skills necessary to perform essential tasks in a safe and effective manner. Volunteer Fire Fighter/Paramedic of the Year: Fire Fighter Tara Duffy: Fire Fighter Duffy is recognized for this award due to her involvement and attributes in a number of areas; including training, physical fitness, emergency scene conduct, attitude, and riding time. During the Fall 1998, when the Department was acclimating four new employees and working to certify them for minimum staffing roles, Fire Fighter Duffy used a week of vacation time to assist with this essential activity. Additionally, she spent many hours assisting several new volunteer members of the Department with gaining their Fire Fighter I and II certification. Fire Fighter Duffy also sacrificed her regular compensation and free time to be part of the Department contingence that was deployed to Ormond Beach, Florida this past summer to assist with fighting wildland fires. Police Officer of the Year: PFC Carl R. Pardiny: During 1998, K-9 Officer, PFC Pardiny was recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding performance of duty and initiatives in developing a more coordinated K-9 unit. An example of his outstanding performance involving a very difficult K-9 case occurred on March 9, 1998. This case was particularly difficult due to the rainy weather conditions, which affects the tracking ability, and the location of the suspect's hideaway. In order to have a more coordinated and effective K-9 unit, he drafted a canine operating procedure and developed a record system for documentation of all formal and informal canine training. Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Betty I. Powers: During 1998, Dispatcher Powers was commended more than once for her high level of professionalism and expertise while working in the Communication's Section. In particular, this recommendation was based on her professional handling of three serious felony incidents, two of which occurred almost simultaneously. Throughout all of these incidents, Dispatch Powers was working alone and unassisted. I am deeply impressed by the caliber of services that these fine public servants provide with admirable distinction. It takes a special calling and extraordinary commitment to choose public service as your life's work. I congratulate each award winner for their momentous recognition and extend my gratitude to you for your selfless dedication to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Fairfax City.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act, bipartisan legislation that is critical to our Nation's readiness for the Year 2000 Millennium Bug and critical to the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. I, along with my distinguished colleagues, Congressman Moran from Virginia, Congressmen Dreier, Cox, and Dooley from California, and Congressman Cramer from Alabama, have crafted a bipartisan bill critical to ensuring that precious resources are used to fix the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem and thus will protect Americans and our economy for the new millennium. As all of us have learned in the past few years, the Year 2000 computer problem is a result of a decision made in the 1960s by computer programmers to design software that recognized only the last two digits rather than the full four digits of dates in order to conserve precious computer memory. When the clock turns from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000, some computers will interpret ``00'' to mean that the date is 1900 rather than 2000. With dates being critical to almost every layer of our economy and across vast numbers of industries, systems that are noncompliant will disrupt the free flow of information that forms the underpinnings of our Nation's economy. These are indeed unique circumstances that require Congress to tackle the obstacles that are currently discouraging businesses from addressing the Y2K problem and ultimately harming consumers. At the outset, the Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act will continue the efforts which we initiated with the Administration in the 105th Congress through the passage of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act that furnished the first steps toward facilitating Year 2K remediation and testing. The Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act has 2 main objectives. The first is to implement a reform framework designed to encourage a fair, fast and predictable mechanism for both plaintiffs and defendants for resolving Y2K disputes, such that litigation will become the avenue of last resort rather than the first option for settling disputes. While it is estimated that American businesses have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into making the transition to the Year 2000, the simple reality is that some problems will go unresolved because of a fear of litigation. A basic premise of the bill is that contracts between suppliers and users will be fully enforceable in a court of law. All economic losses suffered by an individual or business as a result of a Year 2000 failure, provided that their duty to mitigate damages was fulfilled, will be compensable. Claims brought by individuals or businesses based on personal injury are outside the scope of this legislation. Further, the Act creates a prefiling notification period intended to encourage potential plaintiffs and defendants to work together to reach a solution before they reach the courtroom. The prefiling notification period requires potential plaintiffs to give written notice identifying their Y2K concerns and provide potential defendants with an opportunity to fix the Y2K problem outside of the courtroom. After receipt of this notice, the potential defendant would have 30 days to respond to the plaintiff, stating what actions will be taken to fix the problem. At that point, the potential defendant has 60 days to remedy the problem. If the defendant fails to take responsibility for the failure at the end of the 30-day period, the potential plaintiff can file a Year 2000 action immediately. If the injured party is not satisfied once the 60 days have passed, he or she still retains the right to file a lawsuit. There are also provisions encouraging alternative dispute resolution. As a result, we expect that there will be more attention given to Y2K remediation and an elimination of many Y2K lawsuits. Also included are provisions that apply a proportionate liability standard to damages caused by multiple actors, some of whom may not necessarily be parties to a Year 2000 action. A defendant found to be only 5 percent liable in causing a Year 2000 problem would only be responsible for 5 percent of the damages, not 100 percent liable. We also fulfill our first objective by minimizing the opportunities for those who would exploit the unknown value of potential Y2K failures and pursue litigation as a first resort rather than permit the parties to resolve problems. This bill contains provisions that will make sure that businesses are confident that they can spend their dollars fixing the Y2K problem rather than reserving those dollars for costly lawsuits that will increase costs for consumers, push small innovative businesses into extinction, and endanger and in some instances eliminate many American jobs. The bill grants original jurisdiction to Federal district courts for any Year 2000 class action where certain diversity requirements are met. Punitive damages in a Year 2000 action are capped at $250,000 or 3 times the amount of actual damages, whichever is greater. For businesses with fewer than 25 employees, including state and local government units, or individuals whose net worth is no greater than $500,000, punitive damages are capped at the lesser of $250,000 or 3 times the amount of actual damages. Attorney's fees are also capped at $1,000 per hour and detailed attorney disclosure requirements are included to ensure that clients are kept informed of the progress and expense of their cases. Our second principle objective is to provide assistance to small businesses and their employees by allowing them to access up to $50,000 under the Small Business Administration 7(A) Loan Guaranty Program for Y2K repair and testing expenses. For the many small companies that want to ensure their Y2K readiness but simply lack the financial resources to undertake remediation, the Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act will give them access to necessary funding. It will also give small businesses limited regulatory relief if they fail to comply with federal regulations as a result of a Y2K, so long as the businesses noncompliance was not done in bad faith. Since 1996, there have been over 50 bipartisan hearings in the Congress examining a wide-ranging array of issues that are directly related to the Y2K challenge that is facing our global economy. We have listened to consumers and to industry. And what we have consistently heard is that small and large businesses are eager to solve the Y2K problem. Yet many are not doing so, primarily because of the fear of liability and lawsuits. The potential for excessive litigation and the negative impact on targeted industries are already diverting precious resources that could otherwise be used to help fix the Y2K problem. The Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act aims to eliminate those fears and hasten the repair of Y2K problems while we still have time to resolve them. For this reason, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as well as with the Administration to achieve passage of this legislation. I hope that all of my colleagues will join us in cosponsoring this critical measure.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for recognizing me on this. Let me just note this ought to take care of a number of concerns that were raised in the preliminary debate on this when we talked about the crashed ValuJet and so on, but language in this amendment when it talks about threats and harms and so on in section 2(b) really makes sure that those kind of paperwork violations are taken care of. Am I correct in that assumption?

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, as my colleagues know, I think what we do not want to do is get our small businesses in a ``gotcha'' situation where they fail to file one of the reams of technical filings and paperwork that we so often require in laws and amendments. And if my friend would bear with me, Steve Lampges is the owner of Maysville Grain and Fertilizer in Maysville, Oklahoma, employs 13 people. As part of his business, Steve sells chemicals used for fertilizer. Three years ago Steve decided to switch from selling chemicals in 2\1/2\ gallon containers to a more environmentally friendly system of selling from bulk storage. His reward for switching to bulk storage of chemicals was a new set of environmental rules and regulations which he acknowledged and complied with. In fact, Steve built a container storage building that was praised by Oklahoma State officials as a model for other agri suppliers. In Steve's second year of providing fertilizer chemicals from bulk storage he failed to submit the pesticide production report required by the Federal EPA and was fined the maximum allowable penalty of $5,500. He submitted the 2-page form to EPA, but they continued to insist on the fine, and even when the government admitted it was in the public's interest to settle this action, the settlement offered by EPA was $3,300. Steve recently put up his hands, admitted he can no longer fight with an EPA that seems determined to put him out of business, and he paid the settlement. But he cites this multi-year battle with EPA as the straw that has broken his company's back, and is unsure of the business's future. This is the kind of horror story we hear from companies doing environmentally friendly things, getting caught in reams of paperwork and having a Federal bureaucracy that will not bend and work with them to help them comply where the public is not endangered in any way, shape or form, and they are not harmed at all. But the ``gotcha'' mentality that we sometimes find in Federal regulators is putting small businesses like this around the country out of work, and I think this amendment protects the public, but at the same time I think puts the proper emphasis on allowing our small businesses to grow and prosper as we pass reams of more rules and regulations which we force them to comply with. Would the gentleman agree with that?

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, it just seems to me that the health, the safety, the environment does not need to be jeopardized with this amendment. We can in fact protect that. We can give our regulatory agencies the ultimate judgment. But when we get into these technical violations, when a company is late filing some paperwork or a new form comes in that maybe they did not get it when they inquired, or their country attorney went and inquired and did not know about, that instead of saying, ``We got you, you owe us, we're going to put you out of business and we're going to make you pay,'' that we can work with these small companies, help them nurture and grow, help employ people, help tax bases in these small communities across the country and suburban areas as well. And it is a question, I think as the gentleman noted, do we trust the businesses to do the right thing, or do we think to come after them as if they are somehow crooks to begin with? The vast majority of small businesses are trying to do the right thing by their employees, by their customers and by the Federal rules and regulations, and I think this is a good sound amendment that gets to the crux of a lot of the opposition of this bill, and I congratulate the gentleman and hope that the House will support it.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 1999 Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award Winners. On Thursday, February 11, 1999, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce will present the Annual Valor Awards at the McLean Hilton. The Valor Awards honor public service officials who have demonstrated extreme self-sacrifice, personal bravery, and ingenuity in the performance of their duty. There are five categories: The Gold Medal of Valor, The Silver Medal of Valor, The Bronze Medal of Valor, The Certificate of Valor, and The Life Saving Award. The Valor Award is a project of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. This is the twenty-first year that these awards have been presented. The Silver Medal of Valor is awarded in recognition of acts involving great personal risk. The Silver Medal of Valor Award Winner for 1999 is: Lieutenant Sandra K. Caplo. The Bronze Medal of Valor is awarded in recognition of acts involving unusual risk beyond that which should be expected while performing the usual responsibilities of the member. The Bronze Medal of Valor Award Winners for 1999 are: Police Officer First Class Timothy C. Benedict, Police Officer First Class Troy W. Fulk, Police Officer First Class Michael E. Ukele, Second Lieutenant Tony C. Young and Lieutenant Michael I. Runnels. The Certificate of Valor is awarded for acts that involve personal risk and/or demonstration of judgment, zeal, or ingenuity not normally involved in the performance of duties. The Certificate of Valor Award Winners for 1999 are: Sergeant John A. Absalon, Police Officer First Class Scott D. Argiro, Police Officer First Class James J. Banachoski, Jr., Police Officer First Class Scott C. Bates, Police Officer First Class Westley Bevan, Assistant Shift Supervisor Sally A. Fitzpatrick, Police Officer First Class Thomas M. Holland, Police Officer First Class Stephen Keeney, Master Police Officer (retired) James M. Kenna, Police Officer First Class Stephen M. Shelby, Police Officer First Class James H. Urie, Jr., Deputy Sheriff Samuel S. Gonsalyes, Firefighter Charles J. Epps, Firefighter Ronald S. Hollister, Technician William S. Keller, Technician Michael D. Macario, Technician David W. Walker, Master Technician Claire O. Ducker, Jr. and Deputy Chief John J. Brown, Jr. The Lifesaving Award is awarded for acts taken in life-threatening situations where an individual's life is in jeopardy, either medically or physically. The Lifesaving Award winners for 1999 are: Police Officer First Class Timothy C. Benedict, Public Safety Communicator II Dana E. Branten, Public Safety Communicator II Roland F. Bolton, Public Safety Communicator II L. Jean Cahill, Police Officer First Class Robert A. Dalstrom, Auxiliary Police Officer Gary Gaal, Police Officer First Class John M. Harris, Public Safety Communicator III John L. Krivjansky, Sergeant Gunma S. Lee, Public Safety Communicator II Christopher S. Lehn (2 Lifesaving awards), Police Officer First Class Charles K. Owens, Sergeant Walter F. Smallwood III, Police Officer Deborah J. Stout, Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Cox, Deputy Sheriff Corporal Brian M. Johnston, Deputy Sheriff Private First Class Kathleen A. Miller, Deputy Sheriff Ronald E. Phillips, Master Deputy Sheriff James K. Pope, Master Deputy Sheriff Swight E. Shobe, Deputy Sheriff Eric S. Yi, Firefighter Walter A. Deihl and Lieutenant Wayne P. Wentzel. Mr. Speaker, I would like to send my sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to these distinguished public servants who are truly deserving of the title ``hero.''

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Let me say, Mr. Speaker, this is a new era in the District of Columbia; and it is my strong belief that the time has come to shift substantial authority from the Control Board back to the city's elected mayor and give the elected mayor the greater flexibility he has sought over top personnel. This bill gives Mayor Williams the tools he needs to do the job. H.R. 433 does not alter the time period or the conditions for the Control Board to function in an active phase. The bill takes nothing away from the Control Board's ability to intervene if necessary during a control period which still exists, but it does give the mayor direct control over the reporting and the hiring authority of some of his top personnel. If we want democracy to succeed, we need to allow the elected leadership in the cities to start making decisions, standing behind those decisions, without being second-guessed every step of the way. My thanks also to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for being the original cosponsor in the legislation, along with the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), and of course to my friend the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), who I am requesting be added as sponsors today. The Congressional Budget Office has certified this bill would not affect the Federal budget. I would urge passage of H.R. 433. (Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 433) to restore the management and personnel authority of the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of outstanding citizens from Dale City in Prince William County of the Eleventh Congressional District of Virginia. These remarkable individuals have been selected by the Dale City Civic Association in recognition of their many achievements and their dedication to serving their community. These award-winners are people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. They are members of the Dale City community who gave of their time in order to serve others and encourage others to be leaders. These citizens will be recognized on January 31, 1999, by the Dale City Civic Association, one of the largest, most active and accomplished Citizens Associations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I would like to offer my congratulations to these award recipients. The Dale City Civic Association was created over thirty years ago. Since that time, it has grown into a strong organization that has encouraged its members to volunteer their time and efforts to make their neighborhood a better place to live and work. The Association has an outstanding record of service to the community. Their work includes awarding a number of scholarships to college-bound students from Dale City, as well as monitoring development in the region and serving as a sounding board for citizens and businesses. Citizen of the Year: David H. Dell, Sr. Mr. Dell, a twenty-two year resident of Dale City, has made a career of giving back to the community. In addition to being a Life Member of the Dale City Civic Association, Mr. Dell is also a long-time member of the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department and volunteer driver for hospital personnel, doctors, nurses and staff to get them to and from work during inclement weather. Not only does Mr. David Dell, Sr. see to the safety needs of Dale City, he is also dedicated to fostering the City's cultural well- being as Staging Director for the Dale City 4th of July Parade for the past three years. Mr. Dell has demonstrated exceptional community spirit over the past twenty-two years and is certainly deserving of the honor bestowed upon him by the Dale City Civic Association. Young Citizen of the Year: Rachel J. Bryant. Miss Bryant is an extraordinary young citizen who has already become a strong role model to her peers. Rachel is currently a senior at Gar-Field High School. At Gar-Field, Rachel is a member and facilitator in the Gifted Education Enrichment Seminar Program for the past four years. Additionally, Miss Bryant is Vice President of her class, a member of the National Honor Society and has attended Virginia's Governor's School for Mathematics, Science and Technology where she was awarded the Macy's Scholar Award for Minorities in Medicine. Rachel is Gar-Field High School's shining star and demonstrates that our next generation is caring, selfless and dedicated. Community Service Award: Dorothy Holley. Mrs. Holley is a volunteer who works with the elderly, local service organizations, and the less- fortunate. She spends much of her volunteer time arranging for food donations to be made to the PW Homeless Shelter, Senior Center and the PERTC Thermal Shelter. Throughout the community she is described as always willing and able to lend a hand in her community. The Kathy Feeney Nurse of the Year: Eileen J. Yetter, RN. Mrs. Yetter has served the Dale City community at Potomac Hospital for the past eight years and is now one of the senior staff members in the Emergency Department. She is clearly dedicated to administering excellent quality care to her patients. In particular, Mrs. Yetter has helped design the state of the art Emergency Care Center at Potomac Hospital. Some of her design innovations have been duplicated in other emergency rooms across the nation. She also has worked to make the senior communities in Dale City more aware of their specific health risks, and how to react if they recognize them. The patients and community at Potomac Hospital have truly benefited from her work. Police Officers of the Year: Officer Ruben D. Castilla and James C. Virgil. Officers Castilla and Virgil have been instrumental in making Dale City's streets more inviting and safe for community residents. Specifically, Officers Castilla and Virgil were commended by their department for the thorough investigation of the vandalism cases which led to the closure of twenty-one cases and the clearance of an unreported attempted armed robbery. These two officers are also credited with removing two area juveniles who had been harassing residents. Their efforts have provided protection to the residents of Dale City, so they can sleep peacefully at night. Deputy Sheriff of the Year: Sergeant William O'Connell, Jr. Sergeant O'Connell is an individual who cares deeply about the people he serves. As a member of the Sheriff's Department and resident of Dale City for eleven years, Sergeant O'Connell is credited with developing an innovative Mentoring Program for middle school students in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, bringing together a variety of criminal justice agencies. Sergeant O'Connell also serves as the Sheriff's office representative to the Northern Virginia chapter of the Virginia D.A.R.E. Association. Sergeant O'Connell has proven his dedication to making Prince William County safer for all residents. Firefighter of the Year: Todd Zavash. As a Battalion Captain with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department he has been instrumental in the personal and professional growth of over eighty firefighters whom he has supervised in two Battalions. His leadership has allowed the residents of Dale City to know that firefighting personnel are ready to respond to all calls for assistance. Captain Zavash is recognized by his peers as an individual who is always willing to lend a helping hand or a sympathetic ear. Emergency Medical Technician of the Year: John Dooley. Mr. Dooley has served as a volunteer EMT with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department for the past eight years, and is currently the lead paramedic on Battalion 1. Mr. Dooley being awarded this honor is the culmination of years of dedicated service to the people of Dale City. Mr. Dooley is highly respected for his professionalism and dedication as a senior staff member by his peers and the community. He is truly a remarkable person who has provided excellent medical care to those who call in need. Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Miss Bella Raphael. Miss Raphael is a Second Grade teacher at Kerrydale Elementary School. In addition to her regular teaching duties, Miss Raphael volunteers in support of a number of school activities. She is well-known for her work with the Special Needs Committee which is a community outreach program to assist families during special holidays and emergency situations. As part of her work with this group she spends the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays preparing and delivering baskets of toys and food for families in need. Miss Raphael is also active in the Prince William Alliance of Black School Educators, which is an organization that promotes academic achievements for minority students in Prince William County Schools through a scholarship fund. Through her many varied activities Miss Raphael has certainly made a positive mark in Dale City's educational system. Middle School Teacher of the Year: Suzanne Johnson. Mrs. Johnson is a seventh grade teacher of language arts at Stuart M. Beville Middle School. At Beville, she is involved in many extra-curricular activities, and was a charter faculty member of the school in 1990. Mrs. Johnson is known among the students and faculty alike as ``An energetic and resourceful teacher'', always willing to offer that extra help to a student in need. She brings tremendous caring and dedication to her work, and inspires her students to excel. High School Teacher of the Year: Jeannine Turner. Mrs. Turner has been an AP English teacher at C.D. Hylton Senior High School for the past thirty-three years. She has encouraged her students to excel in their studies using innovative teaching technics and dedicating as much of her own time as necessary. Her work in this area has enabled the students at Hylton to achieve higher academic levels then ever before. Additionally, she volunteers her time to the alternative education program and works with at-risk students through the night school and summer school programs. Mrs. Turner is an individual who is able to unlock each student's desire and motivation to learn and gives completely of herself. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating these outstanding citizens for their tireless efforts to make Dale City, Virginia a better place to live. Through the untiring and selfless efforts to citizens like these, many others across the country are inspired to do likewise. Not only Dale City, but America is enriched by their accomplishments and dedication.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Shiva K. Pant for his more than two decades of service to Fairfax County, Virginia commuters. Mr. Pant has faithfully served in the Fairfax County Government for the past twenty-five years and will be retiring in January of 1999. Even though the citizens of Fairfax County will be losing Mr. Pant's services with the Department of Transportation, he will still be working to clear our congested roads as the Government Relations Officer for Virginia with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The Washington Metropolitan Area has excessive traffic needs to say the least, and Shiva Pant has been preparing to tackle them since he began his education. While still in India, Shiva Pant earned a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India in 1968. After relocating to the United States he immediately began work, and ultimately completed in 1969, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with specialization in Transportation, at West Virginia University. After mastering the academic theories of transportation and traffic control, Shiva Pant began his career with the State of Virginia as a Transportation Planner for the Virginia Department of Highways, the precursor to VDOT, starting in 1970. During his tenure in Richmond Mr. Pant established himself as a leader in the field of transportation through his service as project manager for the first Congressionally mandated statewide transit needs study. In 1974, Shiva Pant relocated to Fairfax County to become Transportation Planning Branch Chief for the Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning. After recognizing the enormous scope of Fairfax County's future transportation needs, Mr. Pant lead the successful drive to establish an autonomous office of transportation for Fairfax County. Three years after transferring to Fairfax County, Shiva Pant, in 1977, became the first Director of the Fairfax County, Office of Transportation. A post he has faithfully held to this day. As Director of the Office of Transportation, which now employs 60 staff full-time, Mr. Pant is head of the agency responsible for conducting and coordinating all aspects of highway and transit planning, implementation, operations and financing for all projects. Over the preceding two decades Mr. Pant was personally responsible for a number of key projects including the 35-mile Fairfax County Parkway, the Route 28 Transportation Tax District, he also designed a number of bond initiatives and lead the start-up of the County's own bus system which now operates over 120 buses. Through out his career Shiva K. Pant has been an innovator and leader in the field of transportation for the State of Virginia and the County of Fairfax. After 28 years of service to the State and County, we will truly miss Mr. Pant's council and leadership. As much as we hate to lose his years of experience and personal expertise, I know he will be enormous value to both Virginia and WMATA in his new capacity as Government Relations Officer for Virginia.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an organization that has helped fuel the economy of Northern Virginia for the past forty years. On January 20, 1999 the Herndon Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 40th anniversary serving the needs and interests of the businesses of Herndon, VA. The Herndon Chamber of Commerce was founded by Town Attorney Marshall A. Martin, and was officially incorporated on January 20, 1959 with three members. As they approach their 40th anniversary, the Chamber will have been presided over by twenty-four presidents and its membership has grown to over 650 businesses. Being the instrument of Herndon's commercial interests the Chamber is irrevocably linked to the Town and people they serve. In its early years, the Herndon Chamber was essential in raising money for the first Christmas decorations for downtown and led the fight to keep the W&OD Railroad in operation. Since its humble beginnings the Chamber has been quintessential in spearheading the combined fund-raising efforts for the new golf course and Community Center, helped found the Herndon Historical Society, and led the effort to preserve the Depot, a treasured Herndon landmark. Over the last decade the Chamber has taken even greater steps to strengthen its relationship with the Herndon community. Most notably, the Chamber has formed a business partnership with Herndon High, developed a nationally recognized, award-winning recycling program at the High School with SAGA, and stages an annual Ethics Seminar for the junior class and the Herndon Middle School. The Chamber has recently lent its support to Vecinos Unidos--a group dedicated to tutoring Hispanic children in and around Herndon. They also host a Friday Night Live! Series that provides the community with an opportunity to come together and socialize during the summer, while highlighting the downtown area. The Chamber's resume of economic development initiatives is extensive. They include a joint project with the Town of Herndon to produce both print and CD versions of The Herndon Advantage as a business relocation marketing tool. In recognition of the telecommunications revolution being led by Northern Virginia, the Herndon Chamber recently participated in the World Congress on Information Technology as an affiliate sponsor. The Chamber was one of the very first in the country to establish and maintain a comprehensive and interactive home page and the second Chamber of Commerce in the State of Virginia to offer a free home page to its members. From a legislative perspective, the Herndon Chamber has taken an aggressive leadership role to find and present transportation solutions to both the Virginia General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. It has also been supportive of BPOL and zoning ordinance amendments for the growing force of home-based businesses. Ultimately, and most importantly, the Herndon Chamber of Commerce provides its members with a wide variety of networking opportunities all designed to promote and further the commercial interests of the Town of Herndon. For their four-decades long commitment to the businesses and community of Herndon, VA, it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the work of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce on the eve of their 40th anniversary.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a statement. It will be available on my web page for constituents and the press as well. Inspired by Providence, our Nation's Founders foresaw today's awesome circumstances. They provided a fail-safe mechanism in the Constitution to peacefully resolve the crisis created by a President's reckless and illegal actions. As a Member of Congress I feel deeply the weight of history and the need to provide additional guidance to future generations. After painstakingly reviewing the testimony and the documentary evidence, after giving the President every reasonable benefit short of suspending common sense itself, I have decided that I will vote for impeachment. As excruciating as this has been, there is no escaping the conclusion that President Clinton ``willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury'' and ``in sworn testimony to written questions asked as part of a Federal civil rights action brought against him, willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony'', as stated in the impeachment articles. The Declaration of Independence, which Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg informed us was the Nation's birth, calls upon us to have a ``decent respect'' for the ``opinions of mankind'', which we today call public opinion. A ``decent respect'', not slavish pandering, not abdication of our Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution, and not relinquishment of our solemn obligation to filter opinion through our own value systems. I have that decent respect, and am grateful to all those who have taken the trouble to communicate their views to me and my office. As difficult a task as it is, we must take this issue outside the realm of current public opinion. What we are struggling to insure is that we have an objective standard of public conduct for public officials. We would descend into chaos if we had one standard of conduct when the economy is good and another when the economy is not good--one standard for a popular president, another for an unpopular one. The Constitution of the United States provides in Article 1 that ``The House of Representatives shall have the sole Power of Impeachment'', that ``The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all impeachments'', and that ``Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.'' As is now well known, the Constitutional standard for judges and the president alike is treason, bribery, and other ``High Crimes and Misdemeanors.'' It is a matter of great concern to me that the process appears to be breaking down along partisan lines. This is not healthy, and I believe that the Framers would not want it so. But that does not diminish one iota my own responsibility to stand and be counted. I reject categorically the argument that there are different standards for impeachment where the President is concerned. We can not be guided by situational ethics that can destroy one constitutional officer and absolve another from the consequences of destructive conduct. Over the past decades at least 2 federal judges have been impeached for perjury unconnected to their judicial duties. The constitutional standards for impeachment are not lower for the President and we must not allow them to become lower for the President. My reading of the case law does not support the conclusion that we have a double standard for federal judges who are appointed, and another for the President, who carries an election mandate with him. My vote will reflect my conclusion that the President committed perjury before a federal grand jury, and that this is an impeachable offense. The President's statements were perjurious, not just misleading. I have read and re-read the President's testimony before the grand jury and in the Paula Jones civil rights case. There is no blinking at the fact that the President lied under oath. Ironically, this conclusion is supported by many of the President's defenders who have argued in effect that a full admission cannot be made for fear of legal exposure. Moreover, many of the President's supporters concede the President perjured himself, but argue that such perjury didn't rise to the standard of impeachment. Moreover, the President was appropriately admonished by Senator Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that whatever false statements were made in the Paula Jones case would be forgiven, if he merely told the truth in his Grand Jury appearance. Despite this ``second chance'', the President failed to do so. I have given the most serious consideration to the suggestion that censure is a more appropriate punishment for the president and a better outcome for the nation. It is in my nature to find common ground where compromise is possible. The Constitution simply does not permit the House to take a convenient way out, nor should we. Under the Separation of Powers mandate we are forbidden to impose sanctions on the President short of impeachment. Also, strictly from a common sense standpoint, a resolution of censure would carry all the legal weight of a congressional designation of ``National Sweet Potato Week''. And historically, the House has never passed a censure resolution against a President. With no sanction, as censure resolution is a toothless tiger. What about a sanction the President agrees to? At this stage in the process the House can not permit the President to be in effect his own judge, and to set the terms of his own punishment and the amount of his own fine. That would be the very height of cynicism. By voting for impeachment the matter will be moved to the Senate for what I hope will be an expeditious resolution, and one that will be fair to the Nation and the Chief Executive. This is a vote for the children and for the future. Somewhere in America today is a young person just becoming interested in government who will one day be President of the United States. This vote is for that future President as much as for the current occupant of the White House. This vote reaches across the generations, across the barriers of time and place to let that future president know that there are consequences for illegal conduct and parameters of illegal activities. We are setting that example as we light the constitutional torch for a new generation. I would also note that the President's private conduct is not the issue. Private conduct between consenting adults is in no way the business of congressional impeachment action. It is his public conduct that is at issue. This vote is a signal to our armed forces, whose Commander-in-Chief the President is, that we the peoples representatives are holding the President himself to the same standard of conduct that we expect from them. This vote is a signal to civilians, that we representatives will uphold their rights as we hold the President to the high standard the country expects from all its free citizens. As this solemn vote approaches, it is important for the world to realize that the underlying stability of our free Nation is stronger than ever. I am confident that history will view our actions as consistent with the high ideals so many generations have struggled to achieve.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4857) to reduce waste, fraud, and error in Government programs by making improvements with respect to Federal management and debt collection practices, Federal payment systems, Federal benefit programs, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan piece of legislation that passed the House on the suspension calendar last week. The version before us now has been modified to reflect the views of the relevant Senate committees of jurisdiction as well as those of the administration. The bill is necessary as uncollected debt owed the Federal Government continues to be a major problem. According to the Department of Treasury, delinquent nontax debts owed to the Federal Government totaled $51 billion at the end of Fiscal Year 1997. Of this amount, $47.2 billion was delinquent for more than 180 days. This bill will prove improve the efficiency and economy of Federal debt collection practices. It builds on other debt collection initiatives and provides the Federal Government with important debt collection tools. The bill requires agencies to report to Congress on uncollected delinquent non-tax debts over $1 million. The bill also authorizes agencies to sell non-tax loans and bar delinquent debtors from obtaining a Federal permit or license, Federal contract, or other award or renewal of a Federal benefit. H.R. 4857 contains these important provisions and many others designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the debt collection.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of one of Virginia's first Civil Right's success stories, Mr. John Wilmer Porter. John Porter, a native of Dumfries, Virginia, because a beacon of progressive and enlightened through for Virginia during a time we now acknowledge as one of our darkest hours. In 1963, when most of the state was bearing the brunt of a storm of national outrage over its refusal to desegregate public schools, John Porter became the first African-American in Virginia to become an elected official since the era of post-Civil War Reconstruction. The people of Dumfries recognized an innate leadership quality in Mr. Porter that transcended any racial stereo type and in the fall of 1963, elected him to the position of Town Councilman. John Porter began his life in Dumfries, Virginia in 1905 as one of fourteen children born to the late John and Laura Reid Porter. The family's history is irrevocably linked to Virginia and more specifically to Dumfries: The Porter family John was born into are all direct descendants of Betsy Bates. Betsy Bates, a slave born in Virginia sometime between 1795 and 1805, had gained her freedom by 1830 and her lineage and become so celebrated in Prince William County that the town settled by her heirs was named Batestown in her honor. I believe it is from this foundation of strength and honor that John Wilmer Porter was made. Beyond his meritorious service to the people of Dumfries, Mr. Porter was and is a dedicated husband, father and now grandfather. In 1942 John married the late Mary Porter. Mary Porter became John's companion and confidante, but also distinguished herself through public service and her ability to transcend racial barriers as an educator. A native of Farmsville, Virginia, Mary Glaze Porter began her career as a teacher in an all-black school just before World War II. A few months after her husband John's election, Mary Porter was selected to be one of four African-American teachers to participate in a pilot desegregation program in the Prince William County public school system. John and Mary Porter are both true pioneers from the Civil Rights movement and dedicated public servants who have willingly given enormously of themselves (in one instance John personally co-signed for the loan to build the Dumfries Town Hall). John Wilmer Porter retired from public service in 1980, leaving behind a legacy that the people of Dumfries can reflect upon with pride. He was always regarded by supporters and detractors alike as a man of ``common sense'' and ``superior wisdom'', two traits he has instilled in his two daughters, Hazel Porter Sykes and Gwendolyn Porter Washington, and his granddaughter, Shannon Washington and three grandsons, Chad Sykes, Kevin Lewis and Troy Washington. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Eleventh Congressional District, I would like to thank John Porter for his years of dedicated service and willingness to become the role-model of equality for Virginia. Indeed, he is an American of whom our entire nation can be proud.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, as a Virginian and the former chairman of Fairfax County, where Mount Vernon is located, I am very pleased to be able to speak in support of S. Con. Res. 83, Remembering the life of George Washington and his contributions to the Nation. I am proud to rise in support of this resolution honoring the Father of our country as we near the historic bicentennial of his death. The death of George Washington on December 14, 1799 was met with a period of national mourning that was unprecedented, even by modern standards. Many Americans believed that the very existence and security of our country would be jeopardized without his leadership and presence. However, in this day and age, many do not know how to respond to the question--who is George Washington? The answer to this question may seem apparent, but many of our fellow Americans no longer seem to know the answer. While he may continue to be the most recognized national figure thanks to his image appearing on the dollar bill and due to his name being used by many towns, cities, counties and even a State, evidence suggests that too few Americans truly understand what he stood for or that our country owes its very existence to his leadership, dedication, hard work, and personal sacrifice. Washington's service to the Nation goes far beyond his remarkable leadership during the Revolutionary War and his precedent-setting terms as our first president. Washington was also considered the ``first farmer'' of America, a conservationist, and environmentalist ahead of his time. He helped to found the Nation's capital, he supported education with both political influence and personal donations, and he sent a very important message to the world when he freed his slaves in his will. Washington was not just a great man--he was a good man, who always strived to do what was best for his Nation. As we approach the new millennium, it is imperative that we as Americans not lose sight of the monumental contributions made by George Washington to our Nation. In a eulogy delivered several days after his death, Henry ``Light-Horse Harry'' Lee said that George Washington was ``A citizen, first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.''

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives my colleagues, Mr. Moran of Virginia and Mr. Wolf of Virginia, and I great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to Phil and Marge Odeen, who are outstanding members of the Northern Virginia community. The Odeens are this year's recipients of the Northern Virginia Community Foundation Founders Award. The award is presented annually to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary civic and humanitarian responsibility and have contributed to improving the quality of life in Northern Virginia through leadership in one or more of the following areas: The Arts, Education, Health, Youth and Community improvement. The Odeens have given generously of their time and resources and have made a positive impact on Northern Virginia. Since moving to the area in 1960, the Odeens have actively engaged in Philanthropy and civic activities. They have made Northern Virginia their home and contributed to the quality of life for their neighbors and colleagues and have encouraged the spirit of volunteering by actively supporting programs that make a difference in the community. Originally from South Dakota, the Odeens have brought to Northern Virginia that indomitable small town spirit so prevalent in tight knit communities. They have demonstrated what a difference one or two people can make and have brought energy and leadership to the programs they have supported. Through their personal efforts the at risk children and their families of Northern Virginia have received services that have increased their odds of living successful and productive lives. Phil and Marge Odeen have been effective in both their individual and joint endeavors. Until December 1997, Phil served as CEO of BDM; when BDM was acquired by TRW, Inc., he became Executive Vice President and General Manager of the new Systems & Information Technology Group (which includes the former BDM). He served as chairman of the National Defense Panel which examined national security needs and challenges for the future. He is a leader in addressing national defense issues affecting both the contracting community and the military and has also been active in the World Affairs Council and other international organizations. Marge Odeen created the innovative Potomac Parties for the Women's Center and helped build strong corporate support for the organization. She has chaired and spearheaded many successful functions and initiatives for organizations including the Northern Virginia Community College, and has always done them with a special style and spirit. She believes passionately in ``giving something back'' to the community, and Northern Virginia has benefited as a result. Their combined efforts on behalf of Childhelp have had a significant impact on the lives of many severely abused children. In addition to mobilizing BDM employees for several work projects (including the Odeen Cottage named in their honor) at this unique residential treatment center, they have been generous both with personal gifts and by encouraging other individuals and corporations to support this worthy cause. The results have been immediate and major. We wish to formally recognize the Odeens' contributions to the Northern Virginia community and to the world. They are an inspiration to all of us.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, a very distinguished leader in the Northern Virginia and surrounding area, Reverend Doctor Leroy Oscar Payton passed away on September 28, 1998. Reverend Payton, born September 29, 1931, was the eldest of nine children born to the late Reverend Leroy Payton and Mrs. Sarah Mack Payton. A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, he had been active in the ministry since the age of 17. He was ordained in 1950 and served as an assistant to the pastor at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia. Reverend Payton held academic degrees from what was then the District of Columbia Teachers College, now known as the University of the District of Columbia, the Washington Bible College, and George Washington University. In 1960, he became the pastor of First Baptist Church in Sycoline, Virginia, where he served the community and congregation for seven years. In 1967 he was called to the Chantilly Baptist Church, Chantilly, Virginia, where he faithfully served thirty years as pastor. Under the leadership of Reverend Payton, Chantilly Baptist Church, which is place of worship to a number of my constituents, has grown from a small rural congregation to a present day modern suburban church with many ministries. Reverend Payton was retired from George Washington University as the Director of Environmental Services. My introduction to Reverend Payton was through his work at the Northern Virginia Baptist Association (NVBA). The NVBA is an association of more than one hundred and twenty-five primarily African American churches, many of which are in my district in the counties of Fairfax and Prince Williams, located in the Northern Virginia region of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Reverend Payton had been a leader in this Association of churches for more than forty years, culminating his tenure as the fourteenth Moderator of this dynamic one hundred and twenty-one-year-old organization. It was during his stewardship of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association that I came to know and respect Reverend Payton. He preached the message of, ``Love: the Binding Tie and the Healing Balm,'' during his years as Moderator, 1993-1997. Not only did Reverend Payton preach the word of his belief from which he drew his strength, he was also actively involved in his community. An unassuming gentle man, he believed it to be his duty as a citizen in this great country to concern himself with the immediate community as well as the broader community. He had been recognized on many occasions and had been the recipient of numerous awards because of the warmth of his leadership, spiritual guidance, and dedication to do the Lord's will. Closer to home, Reverend Payton was also a dedicated family man. He leaves to carry on his good memory, his loving wife, Margaret, their children--Leroy, Joan, Ravoyne, and Dana; his mother, Mrs. Sarah Mack Payton; five brothers, three sisters and many other relatives and friends. Reverend Payton was the epitome of what makes this nation great--he loved his community enough to care to make a difference in everyday life, he loved his family, and he loved the Lord. He did not look for any accolades. He saw what needed to be done in the community and did it without seeking recognition. Northern Virginia is without Reverend Doctor Leroy Oscar Payton today, but the memories of his strong leadership, moral courage, integrity, and devotion to God will live on in our hearts and be an example to follow.