Tom Davis

Mr. DAVIS

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

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I think it is consistent with the points.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, one of my concerns is in dealing with the coalitions that put this together, including State governments and local governments together, and this of course cuts right through that coalition and breaks it up. There is a huge problem with States mandating on localities, and a number of States in fact have moved to rectify this over the last years, the State of Florida being one, where by referendum the citizens there have stopped the unfunded mandate flow to local governments. The commission is going to be able to look at this under this legislation, come back and report to Congress, and at that point, I think we will have a basis on which to operate. I think although the purpose is good here, this is probably premature at this point, and for that reason I think it should be defeated.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Let me thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fattah] for offering this. Mr. Chairman, we accept this amendment. This amendment will allow the Commission that is overseeing to make a report to the Congress within 1 year, to come back and look not only at the effect of Federal mandates on State and local governments but also be able to look at the mandates that States can put on local governments and local governments put on individuals. That would be part of their overall report, as they come back to us. This will allow that Commission the opportunity to address those issues, which I think is very important. Mandates that are crippling localities today do not all emanate from the Federal Government. A lot of this is trickled down from the States to local governments as well. This amendment really will allow the Commission to report and give us a data base where we can proceed accordingly.

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

Mr. DAVIS. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I just heard a statement that when one State dumps pollution into another State, the polluting State would not have to clean up unless Congress gave them a billion dollars. That is not accurate, is it, under this legislation?

Mr. DAVIS. It could happen.

Mr. DAVIS. That could happen now, could it not?

Mr. DAVIS. Even without this act.

Mr. DAVIS. All we are doing here is accounting and that the individuals, and we would know what the costs are.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to honor a man who has given so much for his community, Dr. James Glover Sites. Dr. Sites was born in Gladstone, VA, attended Appomattox High School, American University, and earned an M.D. from the George Washington University in 1947. He has been a practicing physician in many Washington area hospitals including Gallinger Hospital, D.C. General, and the George Washington University Hospital. He has authored and coauthored over 38 papers covering gynecology and obstetrics, been instructor, assistant professor, and later as chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Fairfax Hospital. While chairman, he oversaw the growth of their OB-GYN department: from 3,000 deliveries in 1977 to over 9,000 deliveries in 1994. His vision took the department into the development of subspecialities such as perinatology, endocrinology, infertility, and gynecological- oncology. Perhaps his greatest contributions, however, was presiding over the construction and opening of the Women's and Children's Center at Fairfax Hospital, combining total care for women, infants, and small children. This combined facility is one of the premier facilities of its type, in the country. On Sunday, January 20, 1995, many of Dr. Sites' friends and colleagues are joining with him to celebrate his many accomplishments and honor him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. James Glover Sites for his many contributions to the families of northern Virginia, and for future beneficiaries of his handiwork.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. I thank the chairman for yielding this time to me. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to stand on the floor of the House today to support passage of H.R. 5. As one of four chief sponsors of this legislation, I have had the privilege of working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to craft a bill that will finally require Congress to put a price tag on Federal programs that mandate State, local, and private sector action. I may be a new Member of this body, but I am no stranger to the problem of unfunded mandates. For the past 15 years I have served on the front lines in the struggle against unfunded Federal mandates. As chairman of the county board of supervisors in Fairfax for 3 years and as a member of that board for 12 years, I have witnessed the hardship caused when local taxpayers must pay for the cost of Federal requirements before being allowed to allocate money to hire police officers and teachers and other needed programs. Last year I testified before Congress on this issue in my capacity as cochairman of the National Association of Counties' unfunded mandates task force. This bill is unanimously and strongly endorsed by not only NAC but also groups like the National Governors' Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Council of City Legislatures, Council of State Governments, National League of Cities, and even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And the list goes on and on. These organizations recognize that the heart and soul of government is local government and that local tax dollars must be used to fund local priorities, not having priorities set from Washington, DC. This bill is both forward-looking and preventive in nature. This legislation does not touch any existing mandate and does not reduce any existing health or safety standard. Further, this is not a debate about the pros or cons of any specific Federal mandate. Instead, this bill forces Congress to ask the following questions before voting for unfunded mandates: Who pays; what are the benefits relative to cost; what is the impact on local priorities; does local government have the appropriate flexibility to carry out mandates in the most appropriate fashion? Congress has passed 72 unfunded mandates in the last 9 years as compared to only 19 between 1970 and 1986. In my county we compiled the costs of 10 of these and found that they cost $30 million annually. The unfairness of the increasing number of Federal mandates is that State and local governments are left with no flexibility, they must either raise local taxes or cut local services like emergency medical care, fire fighting, education, and the like. This legislation can be summarized by three words: priorities, honesty, and accountability. H.R. 5 discourages the Federal Government from forcing its priorities onto local governments without allocating the necessary Federal funds. Next, this bill forces Congress to be honest with the American people about the programs and regulations that it creates. Taxpayers deserve to know the price of a program or regulation before they are forced to buy into it. For the first time this forces Congress to honestly determine the cost of mandates before imposing them on local taxpayers. Finally, H.R. 5 is about accountability, making Members of Congress stand up and cast a recorded vote on all substantial mandates with full knowledge of their costs. This bill allows Congress to continue to enact legislation with mandates, but the financial consequences of the mandates will be premeditated and deliberate. I ask support of the passage of this important and long overdue legislation.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise and bring the attention of my colleagues to some very special and important people in my district, the 11th District of Virginia. These are the people who put the good of their community, Dale City above their own needs, not only performing their jobs, going above and beyond the call of duty, becoming role models to others in their professions and to other volunteers. They will be honored on Saturday January 21, 1995 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 the following award recipients. Middle School Teacher of the Year--Ms. Cheryl ``Tonie'' Lorson. Ms. Lorson has been an educator at the Mills E. Godwin Middle School for over 10 years. Her dedication and love of her work is reflected in the children of the community. High School Teacher of the Year--Ms. Emily O'Connor. Ms. O'Connor is a teacher who is currently head of the work and family studies department at Garfield Senior High School. She is one who gives generously of her time and demonstrates the highest levels of professionalism and competence. Elementary School Teacher of the Year--Mrs. Kathy Letsky is a devoted teacher at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. She is also the head of McAuliffe 2000, the early childhood demonstration school grant that McAuliffe Elementary School received in 1992. This grant has let the school be a demonstration school site. Her devotion has made the program a success. The Young Citizen of the Year--Ms. Krista Weathers Mann. This young lady has done many things in a very short time. She has been a Girl Scout for the past 12 years, involved in the Adopt-a-Grandparent Program, is a musician, dancer, and Thespian. Despite all of these activities she has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. Police Officer of the Year--Officer M.H. Hustwayte. Officer Hustwayte was selected to serve in the Residential Police Officer Program in February 1994. Since that time the [[Page E140]] crime rate in that community has fallen due to his bridge building in the community. Nurse of the Year--Ms. Joanne Grant. Although she moved to the area 4\1/2\ years ago she has been involved in many community programs for the betterment of the community. The Community Service Award Winner--Mr. Adolphus ``Doc'' Nelum. Mr. Nelum has been extremely active in the Dale City Lions Club as well as the Dale City Civic Association for many years. Citizen of the Year--Ms. Earnestine White. Ms. White's work as a mother, nurse, and church member has made her a very busy woman. But, her dedication to all of these tasks has made her a role model and someone deserving all of our admiration and respect. The Firefighter of the Year--Lt. Eric Wyatt. Lieutenant Wyatt has been with the Dale City Fire Department for over 5 years as an unpaid volunteer. Over the years he has gained the respect of his peers and members of the community. The Emergency Technician of the Year--Mr. Desmond Miller. Mr. Miller has been with the Dale City Fire Department since 1991. He has put in many long hours providing emergency services to the citizens of Dale City. Mr. Speaker, I also know my colleagues join in with me in congratulating these outstanding citizens for their tireless efforts to make Dale City a better place to live. The Dale City Civic Association was created nearly 30 years ago and hosts an annual service awards banquet. In addition, the association awards a number of scholarships for college bound students from Dale City and monitors development and serves as a sounding board for citizens and businesses.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Lorton Correctional Complex Closure Act.'' This legislation addresses the severe public safety and financial problems associated with the District of Columbia's operation of the prison facility at Lorton, VA. The legislation I cosponsor today with Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman James Moran, will, upon enactment, immediately halt the flow of prisoners to Lorton. The Lorton Closure Act will further require that all remaining prisoners be transferred from the Lorton facility to the control of the Federal Bureau of Prisons within 5 years of enactment. The Lorton Closure Act establishes an 11 member Closure Commission which is required to recommend and identify options for the future use of the approximately 3,000 acres of land that comprise the Lorton complex. The Closure Commission will consist of the Federal Administrator of the General Services Administration and 10 people appointed by local governments. Five Commission members will be appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, three Commission members will be appointed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, and two Commission members will be appointed by the mayor of the District of Columbia, with the advice and consent of the District of Columbia City Council. The Closure Commission will hold public hearings regarding the future use of the Lorton land, and this legislation requires the Commission to operate in a manner that maximizes local community involvement, input, and participation. In addition, the Lorton property will be subject to all applicable Fairfax County zoning regulations as soon as the Federal Government's ownership interest terminates. The Lorton Closure Act requires the Commission to submit a final implementation plan to the General Services Administrator within 17 months of enactment of this legislation. The Administrator will then forward the implementation plan to Congress within 1 month, and the plan will take effect 60 days later. In short, the entire process of formulating a plan for future use of the Lorton land will be completed within 20 months of enactment of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, the Lorton Closure Act will remedy a dangerous situation that jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of thousands of Americans living in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC region. The Lorton complex is inhabited by 7,300 inmates and is approximately 44 percent overcapacity. The physical plant is outdated and in a condition of dangerous disrepair. The District of Columbia Department of Corrections has not received a budget increase in 11 years while 3,000 more felons have been placed in that department's custody. Overcrowding and underfunding have transformed Lorton prison from a rehabilitative facility into a training ground for career criminals who quickly return to the streets to resume their criminal activity. Drug dealing and violent crime is so prevalent within the walls of Lorton that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service must take numerous agents off the streets and permanently assign them to the Lorton facility. Further, the District of Columbia government appears unable to maintain even the current annual funding level of approximately $100 million. The shortage of funds has resulted in proposals to adopt an aggressive early release program whereby criminals are set free before serving even the minimum sentence required by the courts. The Lorton Closure Act will transfer Lorton prisoners into the Federal Prison System where they will receive solid rehabilitation and where their sentences will not be reduced as a result of the District of Columbia's budget problems. This legislation will result in increased public safety and will guarantee a land use decisionmaking process that is controlled by local residents in a manner that maximizes community involvement, input, and participation. I look forward to working with Congressmen Wolf and Moran, as well as with Senators Warner and Robb, to achieve quick consideration and passage of this important legislation.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Madam Speaker, I have been in local government for 15 years where we were subject to sunshine laws, and I believe that total access for the public and the media at committee meetings will end once and for all the controversial practice of shutting the doors to meeting rooms and barring the public to facilitate backroom deals with special interests. This did happen, this is one elephant on May 6th, 1993, when the Democratic majority excluded the public while the Committee on Ways and Means considered a $270 billion tax increase. Madam Speaker, meetings to prepare tax bills should be open to the public, as should other legislation that is being drafted, and these other committee meetings should be open as well. Open meetings will discourage backroom deals and increase congressional accountability. The committee sunshine reforms are long overdue. We apply these reforms to many parts of the Executive Branch. it is time we apply them to Congress as well.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, a key ingredient of the new Republican majority's rules package is the elimination of approximately 30 subcommittees in the House of Representatives. There were 101 House subcommittees in the 103d Congress. Today, under the new Republican majority in the 104th Congress, the House will function with 30 percent fewer subcommittees. Fewer subcommittees will help to consolidate decision-making and impair the ability of special interests to dominate the agendas of committees. The end of proxy voting in subcommittees will mean that Members of Congress must show up to work and vote in person. Further, Members will be limited to serving on no more than four subcommittees and, when those subcommittees meet, the public will be invited. Mr. Speaker, the subcommittee reforms that the House will vote on today will mean fewer staff, less taxpayer money expended on duplicative and unnecessary staff and office expenses, less bureaucracy, less gridlock, less special interest power, and more accountability to the voters. These reforms are long overdue, and they deserve our support.