Tom Davis

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, today our Nation spends about $140 billion each year to comply with environmental regulations. That total will climb past $200 billion by the year 2000. Now these regulations are vital, but these costs mean that less money is available for other important needs like reducing crime, creating jobs, improving our education system, and, as we saw in committee in some cases, even allowing more money to go for medical science research that could be available with the cost-benefit analysis before we move ahead. Inefficient investments in regulatory programs reduces our ability as a nation to create new opportunities for Americans. I have been hearing arguments from the other side of the aisle that they want regulatory reform but not this reform. But my question is, ``If you want reform, where have you been the last 40 years?'' Mr. Chairman, what did they accomplish? Zip, zero, except add law after law, regulation after regulation, layer after layer of $50 solutions to $5 problems. Opponents of this bill also argue that this will open the floodgates to litigation. I ask, ``What do you think we have now?'' At least for the first time we will get good science, and we will get some cost- benefit analysis before these costs are imposed on small businesses, local governments and consumers. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1022 should make the regulatory process more efficient and more productive instead of squandering time and resources treating relatively minor risks. This bill establishes criteria for identifying and treating the more serious risks facing the environment, public health and safety. When emergency rule-making authority is needed, this bill allows agencies to continue to use their emergency rulemaking authority.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to some students at Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. These students represented the Eleventh Congressional District in the We The People Competition on February 14, 1995 in Richmond, Virginia. These students ranked in third place in the statewide competition with a score of 897, studying for months to become experts on the Bill of Rights. This is significant when I remind members that Fairfax County was the home of George Mason, the author of the Bill of Rights. By all accounts, these fine students have demonstrated expertise on those rights. The We The People program is the most extensive education program in the country developed to teach young people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the principles and values they embody. The course of instruction, using the specially designed With Liberty and Justice for All text, is followed by a test designed to measure the students' constitutional literacy. High school classes may then elect whether to enter a series of competitions at the congressional district, State, and national levels. Administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education by an Act of Congress, the program is currently being implemented in every Congressional District in the country, the four Trust Territories, and the District of Columbia. When combined with the noncompetitive elementary and middle school levels, more than 20 million students have participated in the program over the past 7 years. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge these fine students at this time: Pretty Bhatt, Alicia Bridges, Lucy Brown, Paul Cavazos, Maya Crumbaugh, Anita Grover, Brian Johnson, Brooke Kemp, Margarita Koushinova, Christy McMillian, Kevin McPherson, Moghees Nezam, Jonathan Park, Iana Phillips, Jake Spatz, Thanh Tran, Beth Ulan, Patrick Varney, Alex Will, Laurie Wright, and Rabiah Yusef. Mr. Speaker, I know that all of my colleagues join me in commending these fine students for becoming experts on the Bill of Rights and for joining in the battle of ideas with their peers on all levels of competition.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. It looks then as just that it would be guidance, and the rule would essentially stay the same; I thank the gentleman.

Mr. DAVIS. OK. My understanding during the committee debate is the Department of Labor would--the final rules are basically identical to what the interim rules are. There is a little bit of additional guidance, but that the rules are essentially the same.

Mr. DAVIS. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I just want to get a couple of clarifications. As I understand it, if these final rules are not applicable, the current rules would remain in effect during the moratorium period; correct?

Mr. DAVIS. I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. Mr. Chairman, I listened to this debate, and it is kind of deja vu all over again, as the great philosopher Yogi Berra once said, going back to the unfunded mandates legislation; we are trying to exempt this bill to death. There are two major exemptions in this bill that apply to the issues that have been raised. On the airworthiness rules issued, if you take a look on page 3 of the committee report, it makes it very, very clear that within the Office of Management and Budget, all they need do is look at the routine administrative functions of the agencies which apply to these airworthiness rules, those apply, are exempted from this. Those are not in any way taken away by this action; those would continue. Those are not the kind of major rules that this act contemplates putting in the moratorium. In terms of the other issues, the language stated by the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh], very eloquently, on the chart in front makes it clear that during the period of this moratorium there is imminent threat to health or safety, and that has been defined as the existence of a condition or circumstance or practice reasonably expected to cause death, serious illness, or severe injury to humans or substantial endangerment to private property during the moratorium. If this administration finds that that applies at that point, the administrative items would move forward, the regulations would move forward. If you have no confidence in this administration to make those kinds of calls, then perhaps you should vote for this amendment. But I think there is ample leeway in this legislation to allow for that.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Save the Greenback Act, a bill designed to preserve the status of the American 1 dollar bill, also known as the American Greenback, which has been a staple of our currency since 1862, and since 1869 has carried the likeness of the Founder of our Nation, George Washington. The Kingston Trio's song that said ``And I don't give a damn about a green back dollar,'' has maintained a timelessness and elegance for future generations. However, the plans to discontinue printing the 1 dollar bill and to phase it out of existence, will incite a great number of people into giving a damn about a greenback dollar, because their pockets will be weighted down with heavy change instead of having a few bills tucked into their billfolds. During that entire period, we have never heard the American people express their disagreement, or their displeasure with the 1 dollar bill. In fact, as many of you are aware, the mere mention of any redesign of our currency inevitably triggers an onslaught of calls from constituents. In past Congresses there have been misguided efforts by special interests to replace the 1 dollar bill with a coin. The proponents of this coin make three bold claims; that is will be easier to handle, it will be popular with the American people and that it will save money. Let me address each of these claims in turn: Imagine if you will, replacing ten 1 dollar bills in your wallet with ten coins in your pocket. After several days, one might suspect a conspiracy by clothing manufacturers in drafting the dollar coin proposal, as everyone's pockets begin to wear out. As to the coin's popularity with the American people: There have been three national polls on this issue in the last year. In every poll, the American people overwhelmingly rejected any attempt to do away with the dollar bill and have expressed their displeasure for replacing it with a coin. The most recent poll was conducted in January, under the auspices of the House Budget Committee. Only 18 percent of those questioned preferred a dollar coin. Earlier polls have indicated a very real concern by the American people that if the dollar coin becomes law, the price of items purchased from vending machines, such as food, laundry and diet coke will rise. They also expect to see increases in the costs of other items such as parking meters and pay telephone calls. Mr. Speaker, the legislation designed to eliminate the dollar bill will an excuse by the special interests to raise prices on everyday items--a future sales tax, to be levied on all Americans but falling the hardest on those who can least afford it. None of us really want to see a repeat of the Susan B. Anthony drama in which the dollar coin was overwhelmingly rejected by the public. It did not save a nickel when it was minted, although proponents said at the time that a substantial savings would be realized. At this moment, there are over 300 million Susan B. Anthony coins sitting idle in the U.S. Mint. Will we have to make room a few years down the road for the new dollar coin because we did not heed the hard lessons of the past? It is not enough to blame the failure of the Susan B. Anthony on its design alone. The people rejected it as part of the currency system. They had a choice, and they voted against it. It is important to note that the proposed dollar coin legislation will not allow the American people a choice, but will mandate on them a coin that they do not want. Further, the dollar coin will not generate sufficient savings to justify such a major disruption in the lives and habits of the American people. Given the serious economic challenges facing this Congress, I believe that there are more urgent problems before us than forcing a change from the 1 dollar bill to a coin. The costs of changing to a 1 dollar coin would be significant to many in the private sector including but not limited to the small town banks which would have to retool their coin counting, wrapping and sorting equipment--costs which would inevitably be passed on to their customers. The facts is, the 1 dollar bill has remained in existence for so long because people didn't want to carry bulky coins. They still don't. Mr. Speaker, many of us were elected to this body by a public tired of being dictated to by their Government, having unwanted legislation forced on them, and tired of laws enacted for the sole benefit of special interests. We would do well to remember that we are here to advance the interests of the American people and not put needless obstacles in their path.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, let me tell the gentleman what we found in Fairfax County, when we held hearings on this at the Fairfax Government Center. First of all, to go back to the issue of retroactivity that the gentleman talked about, we have over 50 billion dollars' worth of costs, if all of these regulations were to be promulgated, that would go down, many of these on small businesses and individuals across this country. We heard the testimony of Mr. Bill McGillicuddy, a small businessman with AutoCare, Inc., talking about some pending rules and regulations before the EPA under the Clean Air Act and how this, Mr. Ron Harrel, a Mobil Oil dealer in Fairfax, Dennis Dwyer of Potomac Mills Exxon in Virginia. These individuals would be put out of business, if certain regulations now pending before EPA were put into compliance. Their option here is to come as a group and sue. They may not have the money individually, but a group of service station operators together could get together. These are not wealthy individuals. They are not big corporations. But they need this remedy of judicial review to be able to correct what I consider to be some very, very gross overreaching by the Federal bureaucracy. That is really the issue in this case. And to make this a class-warfare issue, that this applies only to wealthy individuals and corporations is, I think, misleading and really gets us off the point.

Mr. DAVIS. I would just note once again, it is the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the small businesses that are endorsing this legislation and moving forward. And I understand the gentleman's concern. I will oppose the amendment.

Mr. DAVIS. Reclaiming my time, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Hayes].

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I am always puzzled when I hear remarks about only wealthy individuals and big corporations would be able to sue under this act. I have perused the language of the act and find no such language that excludes small businesses, individuals, or anyone else who feels aggrieved by a large Federal bureaucracy from suing. Perhaps the gentleman from Pennsylvania can show me the language he is referring to.

Mr. DAVIS. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fairfax County School Superintendent Robert ``Bud'' Spillane. Bud Spillane was selected as Superintendent of the Year on February 10, 1995. The announcement was made in New Orleans, LA, at the American Association of School Administrators' National Conference. Spillane was one of four finalists in the national competition, which was sponsored by the ServiceMaster Co. of Downers Grove, IL. Spillane was originally selected as a finalist among this year's State superintendents of the year, each of whom represents one of the States or U.S. schools overseas. AASA will award a $10,000 scholarship in Spillane's name to a student attending the high school from which he graduated, which is Windham High School in Willimantic, CT. Spillane also received a gold medallion and a $2,000 savings bond. For the past 10 years, Spillane has served as superintendent of the Nation's 10th largest school system, which has approximately 140,000 students in 224 schools and centers, located in a 399-square-mile area. With recent demographic trends in Fairfax County that include an increasing minority student population, more students from lower income families, student achievement in Fairfax County public schools has improved. The percentage of minority students taking SAT's and advanced placement courses has substantially increased, as have minority students' and overall students' test scores. The school system's overall dropout rate has declined to 1.9 percent. Fairfax County public schools' magnet school for science and technology has had more National Merit Scholarship semifinalists than any other school in the country every year for the past 5 years. The percentage of special education students employed after graduation is 87 percent, compared to 46 percent nationally. Spillane continually implements programs that improve the achievement of all students, encouraging creative and instructional approaches, and strengthens the core academic program of the average student. In a time of rapidly changing demographics and financial recession, Spillane has continued to focus on sending increasingly well-prepared students to higher education and to the work force. A native of Lowell, MA, Spillane holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and a master's and doctoral degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. He has attended the Advanced Administrative Institute at Harvard University. Spillane began his teaching career in Connecticut and served as both elementary and a secondary school principal in districts there. From 1965 to 1966, he was a school superintendent successively in three communities of increasing size: Glassboro, NJ; Roosevelt, Long Island, NY; and New Rochelle, NY. In 1978, the New York Board of Regents appointed Spillane as deputy State commissioner of education for elementary, secondary, and continuing education. From 1981 to 1985, he held the post of superintendent of schools in Boston. He took the post of superintendent of Fairfax County public schools in July 1985. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in recognizing and congratulating Dr. Spillane for his remarkable achievements.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, It gives me great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to some very special people in Virginia's 11th District. These are individuals who put the good of their community above their own needs. These people will be receiving awards from the Springfield Inter-Service Club Council ISCC on February 15, 1995. The Inter-Service Club Council of Springfield, Virginia was established in 1986 to coordinate the good works of the numerous service clubs and civic organizations in the community. Today there are more than 60 clubs, groups, organizations and agencies from Springfield, Franconia, Annandale, Burke, Lorton, and Fairfax Station affiliated with the Inter-Service Club Council. Since 1987 the ISCC of Springfield has honored individuals for their exceptional service to the community. On Wednesday, February 15, 1995, eight outstanding citizens of ``Greater Springfield'' will be awarded honors for their distinguished service. Receiving certificates for their distinguished service to the community are: Karen and Bill Brown, Rotarian Bill Brown and his wife Karen have dedicated themselves to helping children of the community in need at Christmas. Their efforts, in memory of their daughter Kristi who died in a tragic automobile accident, bring joy and giving to disadvantaged children of the community. The Breakfast Rotary, the Springfield K- Mart, and Student Volunteers from West Springfield High School assist in this project. The Central Springfield Little League, the Central Springfield All Star Team are recognized for their remarkable advance to the Little League World Series in 1994. Their exceptional abilities, their team spirit, and their high degree of sportsmanship was an inspiration to all and a credit to the community. Jerry Corbin, as the president of the Springfield Plaza Merchants Association, Jerry has been instrumental in the organization of the Springfield Days Weekend and the annual Halloween Parade for Children. Jerry's leadership and ability serves as an inspiration to a corps of volunteers and has been instrumental in attracting thousands of participants to these fine community activities. An active member of the Central Springfield Area Revitalization Committee [C-SPARC] and the Springfield-Franconia Midday Lions, Jerry is always helping people with his guidance, resources and funds; however he gives the credit to others. The Springfield-Franconia Host Lions Club, for 40 years, our Host Lions have been raising money for charity, supporting sight and hearing programs, supporting the youth programs of Hayfield and Lee High Schools, and supported ECHO and Kolnonia. Honored as people of the year for 1994 are: Kari Colburn, local business leader, and member of the Springfield Rotary Club, Kari has been instrumental in leading the efforts of the Rotary Club in service to the Fairfax County Women's Shelter for abused women and their children. Captain Frederick E. Ellis, Fairfax County Police Department. In addition to the stellar leadership that Captain Ellis has provided as the chief of the Franconia Station FCPD, he has served our community as a volunteer leader in Boy Scout Troop 1343. In 1994 he served as the chairman of the Scouting for Food Drive conducted by the George Washington District, National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Under his leadership the Scouts collected more than 70 tons of food for the less fortunate citizens of the Washington area. Through his leadership our streets are safe, our homes secure, we enjoy an atmosphere of fair play and citizen's rights, and our hungry are fed. Beth Smith, a member of the Friends of Pohick Regional Library, Beth has been personally responsible for coordinating and performing all landscape maintenance for the Pohick Regional Library since the summer of 1993. Stepping in as a volunteer, in the face of the severe cutbacks in county funding, Beth recruited a corps of volunteer labor, attracted the efforts of five Eagle Scout candidates, and inspired an entire community. The results of Beth's effort have brought prominence to the Burke-Springfield area by proclaiming to the world that our citizens care about their public facilities and are willing to maintain them, without using public funds. John Sustar, a Knight of Columbus, John has served many years as an outstanding volunteer in Boy Scouts, youth sports, and in his church. A community leader, John has organized joint contracting for driveway and roofing repairs, and led the effort to install natural gas lines in this neighborhood. He is a former Grand Knight and is the editor of the monthly newsletter. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating these fine citizens on their outstanding work. It is citizens like these, scattered across America, that provide this country with our margin for excellence, in providing services to those in need, keeping our communities clean and beautiful and restoring the American dream to our young people. The Springfield Inter Service Club Council and its member organizations deserve our thanks and efforts.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, today we will continue to consider the most critical element in the contract's anticrime bill regarding block grants. The choice before us is a simple one. Who are the most effective crime fighters? The Washington politicians or our local police officers? Some House Democrats believe they are the best crime fighters. That is why in last year's alleged crime bill, they mandated that billions of dollars go to social welfare programs under the guise of prevention. House Republicans have a different view. We believe that local police officials know their own communities better than we do and they know how to fight crime better in these communities and in the most effective manner. That is why we have designed a block grant proposal that gives these police officers the best chance to fight crime. Our friends on the other side of the aisle will claim that our proposal will mean fewer cops on the beat. Nothing could be further from the truth. I believe that our program will probably mean more funds go for more police officers on the front lines fighting crime. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of our local police forces by voting for the crime bill on the floor today.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today to pay tribute to the Annandale Atoms, a high school football team in the eleventh district of Virginia. The team won its second consecutive State football championship in the AAA division, the most competitive in the State. This is the first time in the school's history and one of the only times in State history that this has happened. The Atoms entered the season with a 12-game winning streak and extended that streak to 26, by winning all 14 games this year. Over the years Annandale High School has fielded many teams, and has won 2 previous State championships. Annandale also continues to produce outstanding graduates with 80 percent going on to college or post secondary education. The players on this championship team also have additional honors in addition to being State football champions. The honors are as follows: Patriot District: All District Offense--First Team: Ryan Brooks, TE; Mike Herlands, OT; Maurice Daniels, OG; Jasmin Glenn, RB; and Derrick Crittenden, WR, K. All District Offense--Second Team: Britton Clarke, OG; Tom Venetsanos, C; Glovannin Santa Ana, RB. All District Defense--First Team: Sean Mignona, DB; Britton Clarke, DL; Maurice Daniels, LB; Corey Peterson, LB; Donovan Yarbough, DE. Patriot District Offensive Player of the Year: Jasmin Glenn. Patriot District Defensive Player of the Year: Maurice Daniels. Northern Region: All Region Defense--First Team: Ryan Brooks, Maurice Daniels, Jasmin Glenn. All Region Defense--First Team: Derrick Crittenden, Maurice Daniels, Donovan Yarbough. All Region Defense--Second Team: Britton Clarke, Sean Mignona, Corey Peterson. All State--First Team: Maurice Daniels, Donovan Yarbough, Jasmin Glenn, and Derrick Crittenden. All State--Second Team: Ryan Brooks, Derrick Crittenden. All-Washington Metropolitan Team--First Team: Maurice Daniels, Derrick Crittendon, Donovan Yarbough. NBC Channel 4 George Michael's ``Golden Eleven'' Team: Maurice Daniels, Derrick Crittendon, Sean Mignona. Gatorade's Circle of Champions Virginia High School Football Player of the Year: Maurice Daniels. Mr. Speaker, the team as a whole has honors that I would also like to mention as well: No. 1 ranking in Virginia. No. 1 ranking in Washington Post. No. 5 ranking in ESPN. No. 12 ranking U.S.A. Today. Twenty-six consecutive game winning streak. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues join me in congratulating Annandale High School, their coach Richard Adams, their assistant coaches Bob Birmingham, Jamie Carayiannis, Billy Edwards, Marshall Jefferson, Konrad Molter, Bill Curran, Scott Sadowski, Chuck Hoskins, Steve Quesenberry, Bill Maglisceau, Mark Lenert, Rick Baucom, and Dave Kish, their principle Donald Clause, and their remarkable achievement.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing legislation to reduce the official mail allowance of Members of Congress by one-third. I am joined in this request by 21 cosponsors. It has long been my opinion that the ability of Members of Congress to blanket their constituency with unsolicited mass mailings gives them a distinct advantage over challengers in congressional elections. The citizens of the Eleventh District of Virginia have made it clear to me that Congress needs to reform and return itself to its intended purpose as an instrument of the people. It is my hope that this legislation will play a key role in these reforms. In the past, the official mail allowance was determined by multiplying the number of addresses in a Member's congressional district by the first class postal rate. The current formula allows each Member three times the total number of addresses in their congressional district. The Committee on House Oversight has been responsible for regulating this appropriation; however, preliminary figures have shown that Members altogether overspent this allowance by approximately $2 million last year. It is clear that we need to take stronger action in order to control this appropriation. Tomorrow, the Committee on House Oversight will enact regulations that will consider cutting the statutory appropriation. My legislation will couple this regulation by reducing the number of addresses in the formula determining a Member's official mail allowance, resulting in a real money difference of approximately $55,000 per Member each year. I hope my colleagues and the Committee on House Oversight will support our efforts in the fight for this overdue change.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. I am still uncomfortable with either House being able to overturn the President, but I understand the thrust of this.

Mr. DAVIS. I understand that, but to get the principle once again, that was money that in point of fact both Houses would not have passed initially. It would not have passed muster. Under this, if it passed muster in only one House, it would survive a veto; is that correct?

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I have a question. I, too, am uncomfortable about the two-thirds in both Houses having to override. That is a tremendous transfer of power from the legislative to the executive branch. But as I read the gentleman's amendment, in this particular case it appears that either House could kill the veto; is that correct?

Mr. DAVIS. So in effect if one House approves the rescission but the other House does not, in effect one House can kill the rescission?

Mr. DAVIS. Let me state my concern to the gentleman and see if he can help and tell us what happens when you pork up some of these bills. I will take the grant to Lamar University last year in the crime bill, which I think Americans looked at and asked, ``Why is that there?'' with the other kinds of programs that were in the bill. It did not seem to fit.

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

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, if I may continue and if the gentleman will yield, in that case, that was an appropriation that standing by itself probably could not have survived.