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

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 513) to exempt certain contracts entered into by the government of the District of Columbia from review by the Council of the District of Columbia.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to compensate Lloyd Gamble, a veteran who served our country with honor but was used as a guinea pig by our military. In 1944, Lloyd Gamble enlisted in the U.S. Army and subsequently transferred to the U.S. Air Force, and to Lloyd Gamble the military was his life. In 1958, his promising, successful career was cut short when the Army used an experimental secret drug testing program administered by them to study the effects of LSD on humans. They denied this program ever existed until an aggressive congressional investigation proved otherwise in 1975. Lloyd Gamble, used as a guinea pig by our military without his knowledge or permission, salvaged his marriage but his career was cut short. This legislation I hope can be acted on quickly by this body so that we can give him the compensation that he deserves. We have the opportunity to uphold the pledge which we heard just moments ago, with liberty and justice for all. Let us give Lloyd Gamble the justice he deserves. I ask my colleagues to support and help pass this legislation and move it to the other body quickly for expeditious review.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mr. Shays]. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Davis] that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 479.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 497) to repeal the Federal charter of Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., and for other purposes.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 497 repeals the Federal charter of the Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plan of the National Capital Area. GHMSI, as it is known, is the only insurance company to have a Federal charter. It was granted in 1939. Under the charter, provision is made for its repeal by Congress. The GHMSI Federal charter has become an anachronism and an impediment to competition. This bill seeks to level the playing field. When granted in 1939, the District of Columbia Code did not have provisions to regulate such an entity. It has had such regulatory provisions now for a number of years. As recently as 1992 and 1993, Congress amended the charter to specify that GHMSI be domiciled in the District and governed by local laws and regulations. At the present time, GHMSI is subject to the District's Nonprofit Corporation Act and is under the jurisdiction of the Superintendent of Insurance. By waiving the congressional review period for D.C. Act 11-505, as provided for in this bill, the new entity, upon acceptance of its articles of incorporation, will continue to be governed by local laws without a gap or a delay in enforcement. The bill authorizes GHMSI to file articles of incorporation under the District's Nonprofit Corporation Act. The new entity would continue to be governed under its existing certificate of authority and licenses and will continue to be bound by applicable laws and regulations. Local regulation would continue to be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Insurance of the District of Columbia. H.R. 497 is necessary because of the significant changes which have occurred in health care delivery systems nationwide and in the Washington metropolitan area. These changes are the result of market- based reforms stimulated by the growth of managed care. Health care plans must now compete to survive. Successful plans must be keyed to consumers, markets, and products. All other Blue Cross plans in the country are State-chartered corporations operated under State regulatory oversight. GHMSI alone needs congressional approval to change its corporate structure. These arguments are not theoretical. On January 14, 1997, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of the National Capital Area and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland signed a letter of intent to combine by forming a nonprofit holding company, with both plans as subsidiaries. This is subject to review by the insurance commissioners for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, but without this bill Congress would also have to vote its approval. To require congressional approval of such an action puts GHMSI at a competitive disadvantage. This bill is essential in order for GHMSI to fully compete in the marketplace and for the ability of subscribers in the region to obtain and maintain quality and affordable health care benefits. Mr. Speaker, I want to make very clear that GHMSI will be the very same corporation after the repeal of the Federal charter as it was before the repeal of the Federal charter. This is merely a change in identity, form, or place of organization for the group health of GHMSI of the type recognized as a reorganization under section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill. Questions and Answers Regarding H.R. 497, To Repeal the Federal Charter of Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. Q. What does this bill do? A: It repeals the Federal Charter of Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. This is the entity that holds a license from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to do business as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the National Capital Area. Q: Why repeal the federal charter? A: To help regional consumers by giving the District Blues the same flexibility that all other health insurance companies in the country have. The charter has become an anachronism and an impediment to competition. GHMSI is the only health insurance company to hold a federal charter. This bill creates a more level playing field. Q: When was the federal charter granted? A: It dates back to 1939, when there was no local home rule in the District of Columbia and no local laws governing nonprofit health insurance companies. There is now a Superintendent of Insurance in the District and a local Nonprofit Corporation Act. Q: How are other Blue Cross plans in the country treated? A: All others are state chartered corporations operating under state regulatory oversight. GHMSI alone needs congressional approval to change its corporate structure. Q: Does Blue Cross support this bill? A: Yes. In fact, they requested it. Q: Does the bill effect any other health insurance company in the country? A: No. The bill, if enacted, would become part of the District of Columbia Code. Q: Does the bill have any impact on federal employees? A: No. Q: Is the bill supported by District local officials? A: Yes. It is supported by locally elected officials and by the control board. Q: Does the bill change anything for Blue Cross subscribers? A: Not at all. Q: Does the bill have any direct effect on the federal budget? A: No. The Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation have so stated in writing. Q: Has this bill been introduced before? A: No. But it was included in the Omnibus Continuing Resolution passed by the House last year. Q: Is there any known opposition to this bill at the present time? A: No. Co-sponsors include members of the regional delegation from both sides of the aisle. Q: Does the bill have any impact on for-profit health insurance companies? A: No. Q: How does this bill compare to the laws governing nonprofit health insurance companies in the bordering states of Maryland and Virginia? A: It establishes comparability. The bill authorizes GHMSI to file articles of incorporation under the District's Nonprofit Corporation Act. The new entity would continue to be governed under its existing certificates of authority and licenses. It would continue to be bound by applicable laws and regulations. Local regulation would continue to be by the Superintendent of Insurance of the District of Columbia upon certification of the articles of incorporation. Q: Is this bill strictly theoretical? A: No. On January 14, 1997 Blue Cross/Blue Shield of the National Capital Area and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland signed a Letter of Intent to combine by forming a holding company, with both plans as subsidiaries. This is subject to review by the insurance commissioners for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Without this bill Congress would also have to vote its approval. To require congressional approval of such an action puts the Blues at a competitive disadvantage. Successful plans, reflecting market-based reforms, must compete to survive by being keyed to consumers. Q: What about the waiver provision in the bill for D.C. Act 11-505? A: This is necessary in order to insure that there will be no delay and no gap in enforcement of local laws to the new nonprofit Blue Cross company authorized by this bill. D.C. Act 11-505 is the new Hospital and Medical Services Corporation Act enacted by the District government. It passed unanimously and was approved by the control board. Q: Is there any known opposition to D.C. Act 11-505? A: No. It was transmitted to Congress by the District Government on February 4, 1997. Q: What happens if the congressional review period for D.C. Act 11-505 is not waived? A: Then the enactment could not pass into the District Code until after H.R. 479 passes, hence creating a likely delay in enforcement. Thus, this section of the bill was included out of an abundance of caution. Q: Why was D.C. Act 11-505 deemed necessary? A: Because otherwise there would be no local laws governing GHMSI or its successor corporation in the District of Columbia. GHMSI is now operating under a consent order with the District of Columbia Insurance Administration. The original federal charter expressly exempts GHMSI from District Government regulation, though this was amended by Congress in 1992 to permit such regulation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 479, the bill just passed.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 1997 Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Valor Award winners. On Tuesday, February 13, 1997, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce presented the annual valor awards at the McLean Hilton. The valor awards honor public service officers 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, the Life Saving Award. The Valor Awards is a project of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. This is the 19th year that these awards have been presented. The Gold Medal of Valor is awarded in recognition of acts involving extreme personal risk far beyond the call of duty. The Gold Medal of Valor Award winner for 1997 is: Technician George Lewis. The Silver Medal of Valor is awarded in recognition of acts involving great personal risk. The Silver Medal of Valor Award winners for 1997 are: Officer Chris Hayo, Officer Troy Payne, Master Technical Michael Huffman, and Technician Beverley Carroll. 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 1997 are: Officer Michael Bishop, Officer Robert Greissinger, Sgt. Francis Stecco, Officer Dennis Vorbau, Officer Kenneth Campo, Officer Michael Twomey, Officer Mark Dale, Officer Steven Carroll, Officer Kevin Murphy, Detective John Kuch, Detective Richard Reeder, Detective Thomas Soltow, Detective Ronquillo Dean, Detective Warren McGee, Detective Jack Kirk, and Technician Michael Weldon. 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 1997 are: Officer Donald Cooke, Officer Jason Reichel, Officer Shawn Bennett, Capt. Donald Simpson, 2d Lt. Dennnis O'Neill, Officer George Lopez, Officer John Absalon, Officer Wade Jordan, Officer James Nida, Officer David Bane, 2d Lt. Margaret DeBoard, and Recruit Gary Beaver. 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 1997 are: Deputy Charles Brown, Corporal Vernon Thompson, Deputy Scottie Dotson, Officer Steven Faett, 2d Lt. Robert Hersey, Officer Christopher Thomas, Supervisor John Kirby, PSCA III Susan Farria, Capt. Michael Ward, Technician John Chabal, and Lt. Jerome Williams. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in commending these fine citizens who are truly deserving of the title ``hero.''

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to introduce today legislation in support of the agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security within the U.S. Department of State. Despite performing traditional law enforcement activities and being placed in high-risk security situations on behalf of the United States at home and abroad, Diplomatic Security [DS] agents of the State Department are currently treated differently than all other Federal law enforcement agents in regard to their retirement annuity calculations. The security functions that DS agents carry out every day include protecting U.S. personnel and the security of vital U.S. information and installations both domestically and internationally. Their duties are critical to the viability of overseas operations of the United States and to the protection of thousands of U.S. citizens around the world. Agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security are charged with the security of American diplomatic personnel overseas. These agents also protect Members of Congress and their staffs while on official business overseas. We have seen time and time again the threats that DS agents face protecting America's interests. In the last few years alone, Diplomatic Security agents have been placed in harm's way while on duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi, Liberia, and Haiti. These dedicated security agents deserve to be fairly compensated. In order to rectify this inequity I have introduced this bill that will classify DS agents as equivalent in status to Federal law enforcement personnel for the purpose of retirement annuity calculations. This measure will change the amount of Federal employee deductions and matching contributions of DS agents for retirement purposes. My bill will simply bring DS agents into accord with other Federal law enforcement agents whose retirement annuities are calculated at a rate of 7\1/2\ percent payroll deduction, the current rate for all other Federal employees is 7 percent; the rate for Members of Congress is 8 percent. Under the bill, future agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security would be eligible to receive the law enforcement retirement annuity calculation 6 months after the date of enactment of the legislation. Current DS agents would be required to make an election based on the calculation of the individual's annuity which is attributable to service preceding the effective date of the legislation. Consequently, current DS agents electing to be covered under the new annuity rate would have to make a special monetary contribution or have an actuarial reduction to compensate for the shortfall in employee contribution levels for service prior to the date of enactment. U.S. AID Inspector General investigators and Capitol Police officers have both received this designation through congressional action in recent years. In recognition of the physical strain and mental stress caused by the performance of life-threatening work, designated Federal law enforcement personnel may retire with bull benefits after 20 years, while paying slightly more out of each paycheck for these increased benefits. While DS agents may currently retire at age 50 with 20 years of service, their annuity calculation is based on the smaller level of contribution. My bill helps correct a basic matter of fairness. Diplomatic Security agents perform the functions of law enforcement officers, and they should receive the benefits associated with those responsibilities.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the work and dedication of the members of the Distributive Education Clubs of America [DECA] Chapter at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA. Along with the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium and the Coalition on Organ and Tissue Donation, the Robinson DECA Chapter has launched an educational campaign aimed at each high school across the Nation in an effort to promote organ and tissue donation among young people. Promoting their national theme ``Youth United, For A Second Chance At Life,'' the Robinson DECA Chapter was one of three groups organizing a rally of nearly 300 high school students, Members and Congress including myself and Senator Byron Dorgan, organ and tissue recipients, and donor family members for an organ and tissue donation rally at the U.S. Capitol last month. The turnout and mood of the crowd was inspiring, and their presence represented the first giant step towards creating awareness among America's youth about the importance of becoming organ and tissue donors. Currently, they are nearly 50,000 people on a national register awaiting organ and tissue transplants. Unfortunately, not every person in need of an organ or tissue is able to receive what they must have to survive; one American dies every three hours because of a shortage of donor organs. More than 50 people can be helped by a single donor but each year, 12,000 to 15,000 people die who are medically suitable to be organ and tissue donors. For these crucial reasons, we must focus our local and national efforts on educating young people and their families about the serious need to decide now--rather than wait until it is too late--on whether or not they will commit to becoming an organ and tissue donor. While there are many private sector organizations which promote public awareness of the need for organ donation, I am truly proud of the students of Robinson's DECA Chapter and their unprecedented effort to ignite the compassion and understanding of their peers. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding the members of Robsinson's DECA Chapter for their enthusiasm and diligent work in helping each other understand the necessity of deciding to become an organ donor and for aiding their fellow Americans who desperately need all of us to become organ and tissue donors.

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep appreciation for the invaluable service Mr. Evans Richardson III has provided to me and the constituents of the 11th District of Virginia over the past 11 months. An executive manager with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO, Evans brought a unique and thoughtful perspective to my office in working on legislative and constituent matters as a 1996 Brookings Congressional Fellow. Almost immediately after he joined my personal staff, he took on a great deal of responsibility, focusing on several key issues such as transportation, environment, affirmative action, and banking. Evans performed his duties with admirable dedication and enthusiasm. Evans lives in St. Louis, MO, with his wife, Betty and their son Evans IV. He is a graduate of Washington University, and has worked for McDonnell Douglas for 12 years. Taking an active role in one's community is a responsibility we all share, but which few of us fulfill. Evans actively works for the betterment of his community by serving on the board of directors of several community organizations, including the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, and the Marygrove Catholic Home for Children. It has been an honor and a privilege to have Evans Richardson on my staff. I have not only looked to him for legislative counsel, but I trust him as a valued confidante. His candid advice and opinion is always appreciated. I know that my staff and I will dearly miss him. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in thanking Evans for his service to the 104th Congress and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the provision in the final Conference Agreement to the FY 1997 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Bill, which encourages the Department to pay particular attention to pediatric patients as it explores telemedicine initiatives that would provide cost-effective, accessible, and high quality services for DoD beneficiaries. The Department of Defense in the past decade, has experienced many of the same challenges confronting the Nation's private health care system--increasing costs, uneven access to health care services, and disparate benefit and cost-sharing packages for similarly-situated categories of beneficiaries. As DoD responds to these challenges, there is a particular need to ensure that the transition to managed care for pediatric patients within the Military Health Services System is handled with a high level of professionalism and care. The requirements of a reformed health care delivery system and the emergence of new medical and information technologies have radically changed the manner in which health care is provided and delivered to pediatric patients. Therefore, it is critically important for the Department to develop a partnership with a pediatric hospital which has the proven expertise and track record in the diagnosis and treatment of sick children. Children's National Medical Center (CNMC), located in the Nation's capital, offers significant benefits to DoD and to countless citizens in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. CNMC has had a longstanding relationship with the Department of Defense through collaboration with DoD facilities, and through the provision of patient care services to a large number of military dependents and the children of DoD civilian employees. CNMC currently has affiliation agreements with Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Through these relationships, CNMC serves as a major regional source of training for military physicians, nurses, technologists, therapists, and other allied health professionals. In recent years, CNMC has worked closely with DoD to develop pediatric quality assurance criteria for emergency medical care services to acutely ill and injured children who are military dependents referred by area military medical treatment facilities. This pilot study involved the development and application of screening criteria designed to assess the process and outcome of pediatric emergency care for head trauma, seizures and respiratory distress due to upper airway construction. The criteria was applied to a sample of six military treatment facilities in the United States. The findings from the study revealed specific aspects of pediatric emergency medical care which would benefit from clinical and/or administrative educational programs. Given the specific expertise which Children's National Medical Center brings to pediatric health care, its longstanding successful relationship with DoD, the National Institutes of Health, and other Federal agencies in health policy and research matters, CNMC is eminently qualified to work with DoD in establishing a state-of-the-art telemedicine network to ensure that pediatric military dependents have access to the most advanced standards of American health care. Telepediatrics demonstration of this nature will provide DoD with otherwise inaccessible state-of-the-art pediatric medical advice and services to providers and their patients. It will also provide the broadest range of pediatric specialty services allowing for the phased integration of target specialties (trauma, radiology, psychiatry), it will develop broad or segmented demonstration of the utility of various telemedicine technologies in the field of pediatric medicine across the range of primary, chronic, and acute care services, and it will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine technologies in enhancing the quality of services and access to pediatric populations in urban, suburban, rural, and regionally dispersed, as well as transitional communities. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the effort by the Department of Defense to explore telemedicine initiatives which will bring new insights and services to the care of pediatric patients.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1776, an omnibus commemorative coin act that has been negotiated with the Senate. This bill contains seven surcharged commemorative coin programs and the promise of a new circulating program. For the first time, the taxpayer and the Mint will be insulated from any failure of these programs to sell their authorized mintage amounts. That is because the protections from our earlier reform legislation H.R. 2614, have been signed into law earlier this week. The beneficiaries of the respective coins are as follows--for 1997: the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, 100,000 $5 gold coins authorized, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 500,000 silver dollars authorized, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, 100,000 $5 gold coins authorized and 200,000 silver dollars authorized. In 1999, Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to be commemorated, with 500,000 silver $1 coins authorized. In addition, we are moving toward the first circulating commemorative coin program since the bicentennial quarter. Providing a Treasury feasibility study is positive, the program will honor the 50 States of the United States of America by producing a series of circulating quarter dollar coins that commemorate each State in the order that they entered the Union. The bill also provides coins for the three programs that observed House Banking Committee rules and proceeded through the difficult process of obtaining two thirds co-sponsorship, through hearings, mark- up and passage through this House in regular order. They are: The Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial for 1998, 500,000 silver dollars, the Dolley Madison coin for the benefit of Montpelier in 1999, 500,000 silver dollars, and the George Washington coin to benefit Mount Vernon also in 1999, 100,000 gold $5 pieces. This bill protects the taxpayer from the abuses common to many earlier coin programs and still benefits these most worthy causes. I urge its immediate adoption.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1776) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of black Revolutionary War patriots and the 275th anniversary of the first black Revolutionary War patriot, Crispus Attucks, with Senate amendments thereto, and concur in the Senate amendments.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to the Second Baptist Church, of Fall Church, VA, and to their esteemed pastor, James E. Browne. The Second Baptist Church is celebrating its 122d anniversary and their 20th anniversary of guidance under Reverend Browne. The Second Baptist Church started as a two-room log cabin by Elder Hiram Reed and Pastor Robert Johnson in 1870, and flourished over the past century into a beautiful church complete with a bell tower and artistic windows. This church has played an important role in the community and for its congregation by providing a number of activities and services. They presently have an active church ministry; dedicated deacons and deaconesses; an excellent music department; a children's choir--Rosebuds; a youth choir--Choraliers; a contemporary choir-- Golden Echoes; a chancel choir--Senior; a men's chorus; a gospel choir; the W.E. Costner Memorial Bell Choir; a productive education division; a dynamic youth department; and a bible study class. The Second Baptist Church has been blessed for 20 years with Reverend Browne's religious teachings. In addition to his work at the Second Baptist Church, he served as moderator of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association for 5 years. Reverend Browne is supported by his lovely wife, Mrs. Hazel Browne, a deaconess, a member of the senior choir and the president of the Missionary Society. Also by his side is his daughter, Mrs. Lillian Fernanders, organist for the church. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in saluting the Second Baptist Church, Reverend Browne, and its congregation as they celebrate their rich heritage on their very special anniversary. We wish them best for continued success in the future.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Benjamin F. Holeman, who has regrettably passed away on September 23, 1996. A long- time resident of Falls Church, VA, Mr. Holeman has left behind a great legacy in our community as a person of high moral standards, discipline, and generosity. He was an outstanding citizen and a distinguished newsman. Frank Holeman started his news career in 1941, working for the Daily News of Raleigh, NC. Within a year, he rose through the ranks and was promoted to the Washington Bureau. For the next 20 years, he spent his career covering the White House, Congress, defense, labor, courts, science, foreign affairs, and politics. From 1948 to 1964, Mr. Holeman also covered the national conventions, and traveled several times with Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy. In 1956, he was voted president of the National Press Club. During World War II, Mr. Holeman was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement and discharged as a technical sergeant with the 214th C.I.C. Detachment, Headquarters XIV Corps. In March 1968, Mr. Holeman retired from the Daily News, and became the director of public affairs for the Railway Progress Institute. A year later he accepted a position as director of the Tire Industry Safety Council for the Rubber Manufacturers Association where he became an expert in the field. Mr. Holeman then retired in 1987 and spent the last few years working as a consultant to the National Press Foundation. Known among his colleagues as The Colonel for his Southern manners, Mr. Holeman, at 6 feet 7 inches tall with a deep voice and ever-present bow tie and cigar, will be greatly missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. I know my colleagues will join me in honoring this great man, and offer our deepest sympathy to his wife Larie Lazzari Holeman, and his four children. They can be proud that their father exemplified everything that is good about journalism, and he left a lasting legacy to his community.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I am glad we are here where we are today, Mr. Speaker. Section 201, despite its controversy, is out of the bill now. We can accomplish some of the things that I think everybody agrees need to happen for Federal employees as we experience this downsizing over the next few years, the fact that some parts of the life insurance, health insurance payably by the Federal Government, will be continued during those downsizing times. There will be some job preference for Federal employees and future openings at the Federal level, training. These are things that need to be done. We have to be sensitive. Federal workers have undergone some very, very difficult times in the last few years, and I think this is one measure which will be some good news at a time that has otherwise sent the wrong message, if we are to try to continue to bring the best and brightest to Washington to work in the Civil Service. We still have a great Civil Service. I think this is bringing some appropriate recognition to them, and some tangible results as we go through some difficult times in the years ahead. I want to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Mica, the ranking member and my friend, the gentleman from northern Virginia, Jim Moran, the gentleman from Virginia, Frank Wolf, who helped introduce some of these soft landing provisions, the gentlewoman from Maryland, Mrs. Morella, and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Ms. Norton, and others who have worked so hard. I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois, Mrs. Collins, her for efforts in bringing this forward after yesterday's defeat under suspension. I think we are about at the time where we can move it through this body, send it to the other body, and I hope we can get a favorable result in the waning hours of this Congress. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives us great pleasure to rise and pay tribute to Mr. Charles F. Vance, who is this year's recipient of the Northern Virginia Community Foundations's [NVCF] Founders Award. Mr. Vance is being honored for his dedicated service to the Northern Virginia community. The Northern Virginia Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity which provides donors with a flexible and efficient vehicle for charitable giving to benefit the arts, community improvement, education, health, and youth programs. The Founders Award is NVCF's most prestigious award and is presented annually to an individual who has a record of outstanding community service and dedication to the improvement of Northern Virginia. This year's recipient, Mr. Charles F. Vance, is the chairman and CEO of Vance International, Inc., a firm he founded in 1984. Vance International provides the private sector a full line of security services, including executive protection, uniformed services, investigations, tactical response teams, training of security personnel, technical surveys, and consulting. Prior to entering the private security field, Mr. Vance served for 14 years as a special agent and supervisor in the U.S. Secret Service. During his tenure, Mr. Vance was assigned on a permanent basis to President Gerald R. Ford, and Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Spiro Agnew. He also protected several foreign heads of state. A firm believer that businesses are an integral part of their surrounding communities, Mr. Vance serves on the Northern Virginia roundtable and is a member of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. He is an active member of several business-to-community organizations. He also has been a major supporter of more than 50 charitable organizations, such as Youth for Tomorrow, the American Heart Association, the Close Up Foundations, Fight for Children, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, America's Smithsonian, and the KFS Memorial Golf Classic. For his exemplary business and community service, Mr. Vance has been awarded Arthur Anderson's 1995 and 1996 Fast Track Award for revenue growth and their 1996 Enterprise Award for Best Business Practices. Mr. Vance was also awarded Inc. Magazine's 1995 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He and his wife, Cynthia Steele, live in Northern Virginia. They have two daughters, Tyne and Heather, and are expecting a baby early next month. Mr. Speaker, we know our colleagues will join us in saluting the commitment that Mr. Vance has made to helping our community. He is, indeed, well-deserving of this distinguished award.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor today of introducing Rabbi Melvin J. Glazer, who has just offered the opening prayer today. Rabbi Glazer was born in Atlanta, GA, in 1947. In 1969, he was graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in philosophy and from the Jewish Theological Seminary with a BHL in modern Hebrew literature. He received an M.A. from JTS in 1972 and was ordained in 1974. In May 1995, he received a doctor of ministry from the Princeton Theological Seminary. Before assuming his duties at Olam Tikvah, he pursued his calling in Ontario, Canada; Nashville, TN; Grand Rapids, MI; and Princeton and South Orange, NJ. Wherever he has made his home, Rabbi Glazer played a vital and constructive role in the life of his community. Rabbi Glazer and his wife Donna are the proud parents of four children. The eldest, Avi, age 18, is a freshman at Brandeis University. Ilan, age 16, attends Woodson High School in Fairfax County. Shoshane and Rafi are students at the Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, where their mother is teaching today. Rabbi Glazer defines his role as a cleric and teacher as helping ``complete the work begun by God so long ago''. ``We are commanded to `get our hands dirty' in repairing this world of ours,'' he likes to say. It is entirely fitting that such a man can be with us here in this great Chamber today. I am delighted to present Rabbi Melvin J. Glazer.