Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today's New York Times reports that 1995 was a very good year for the heads of corporations. According to the report, their median salary and cash bonuses rose to more than $2 million. That is $2 million a year in compensation. Since 1990, corporate salaries have been rising at a fast clip of 9 percent per year, while wages and salaries of the Nation's workers are dead in the water, going nowhere. Hard-working families in America are scrambling to figure out how to find the money to pay their bills. Yesterday we had an opportunity to do something for those families, and instead, this House turned its back. At a time when corporate CEO's average $2 million a year, when Members of this Congress earn over $130,000 a year, House Republicans yesterday killed an attempt to raise the minimum wage by 90 cents, just 90 cents. It is shameful. This Monday is the anniversary of the last increase in the minimum wage, which is now at a 40-year low. America needs a raise. Let us reward work and increase the minimum wage.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule because it denies a long-overdue opportunity to raise the minimum wage. Yesterday the Committee on Rules rejected my request to offer an amendment to increase the minimum wage. They have left in the cold families who are working hard and playing by the rules and who are being left behind. Think about it, the minimum wage today is $4.25 an hour. That means the approximate annual salary for a full-time minimum wage worker is $8,500, barely half the official poverty line for a family of four and below what people make on welfare. They would deny a 90-cent-an-hour increase. Imagine 90 cents. This, from people who make over $130,000 a year. Members of Congress earned more during the Government shutdown than a full-time minimum wage worker earns in a single year. America needs a raise. Reject this rule. Help hard-working families by putting more money in their paychecks.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the hardworking families in my district, families who struggle to pay their bills, work hard, and they play by the rules. They live in fear of losing their health insurance if they change jobs. They cannot get health care coverage because of a preexisting condition. These families are a pink slip away from disaster. I went to visit the Tomaso Construction Co. in my district. I met with workers there, and a worker said to me that he was frightened to death that he may lose his job. He has a child with a terminal illness. He stays up nights worrying that he will lose his job and will not be able to have the health insurance he needs for his child. Today Congress has the chance to prove that we are here to help working families. The bipartisan Kennedy-Kassebaum-Roukema bill expands access to health insurance. It increases portability, it limits a health insurance company's ability to deny coverage because of preexisting medical conditions. Rather than helping these hardworking families, the Republican leadership has hijacked the bill to make a payoff to their special interest cronies. The bill provides a big windfall to the Golden Rule Insurance Company by including a provision for medical savings accounts. The Wall Street Journal said today that Golden Rule was the third biggest corporate giver to the Republican party in the last election. The Washington Times, not a liberal newspaper, says, ``Riders imperil health reform.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this special interest payoff and support the Democratic substitute. It will provide real health care security to the hardworking families of this country.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we have a real opportunity tonight to do something for the working families in this country. The American public is clamoring for health care relief. It is one of the fundamental concerns of the people of this country. People in this Nation are frightened that they will lose their jobs, that they will lose their health care, that they will be denied health insurance because of a preexisting condition that they may have or that their children may have. Mr. Speaker, the Kassebaum-Kennedy-Roukema bill takes a first step toward addressing these problems. It is a good bill, it is a bipartisan bill. It addresses the needs of the American people. Do not load up the bill with politically contentious issues that are designed to kill this bill, this opportunity for health care reform. It is wrong. It is not what the people of this Nation have sent us here to do. It is not what our jobs are about. Mr. Speaker, the authors of this bill have asked for a clean bill, not to be loaded up. Mrs. Kassebaum earlier today said, ``I think there are some who, by design, would like to see problems.'' The Washington Times today says that ``Riders Imperil Health Care Reforms,'' and it says that ``House and Senate Republicans said they planned to add a series of controversial provisions to a popular health insurance reform bill, clouding chances for quick passage.'' The gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Bliley] himself has said that, ``If you load up the wagon, it is heavier to pull.'' Do not sacrifice health care reform. Do not sacrifice the American public for special interests tonight. It is wrong to do that. We have a golden opportunity to do something, not for the Golden Rule Insurance Co., but for the American people, for the working families of this country who deserve to have relief from the perils of a disastrous illness. Vote against this bill, vote for the Democratic substitute.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today we have a golden opportunity to pass health care reform which, in fact, will be a first step to improving the lives of hard-working Americans. People that I hear from every day in my community say to me they are scared to death that, if they change their jobs, they will lose their health care or, if they or their children have had an illness which they have managed to survive, that in fact insurance companies will deny them insurance because of a preexisting condition. The piece of legislation that we talk about today, a bipartisan piece of legislation, can help begin to change that fact in the lives of working families today. What is stopping this event? The Republican leadership has decided to load this up with special goodies for their special interests. Mr. Speaker, let me just quote the Washington Times. Do not take my word for it. The Washington Times, not a liberal newspaper, says that riders imperil health reforms. That is what this is about. My Republican colleague of the Committee on Commerce, Mr. Bliley, the chairman, said yesterday, and I quote, ``The more you load the wagon, the heavier it is to move.'' Do not let them pass this bill with these riders. It will end health care for working families in this country.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority will find any excuse to hurt hard-working middle-class families in this country. Today the Republican majority would deny and block a vote to increase the minimum wage. Mothers and fathers are working harder, longer hours, two and three jobs, and have seen their wages not rise but decrease. They scramble to pay their bills, to make ends meet at the end of every week. More than two- thirds of minimum wage workers are 20 years and older, they are not teenagers. The approximate annual average salary of a minimum wage worker is $8,500 a year. It is below the poverty level. It is below the welfare level. Imagine, this Republican majority says no to a 90 cents increase an hour for working families in this country, 90 cents, when they make over $130,000 a year. That is not justice. It is wrong to happen to working families in this country. Shame. Stop the excuses. Let us vote on a minimum wage in this House and let us past minimum wage for working families in this country. Parliamentary Inquiries

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, on Monday I visited schools and met with parents in my district. I visited a DARE program in Stratford, CT, where a police officer works with fifth graders to keep kids off drugs. I attended an awards ceremony where young people were recognized for their work to keep their peers off drugs and alcohol. That evening, I organized a parents summit where about 100 parents gathered to discuss the challenges that they face trying to raise good kids today. Let me share the comments of one parent. She said: ``I feel like a boxer who is down and the count is 8. My head is down and I am dripping blood from every part of my body. The schools need to help teach the basics,'' she said. That is not what House Republicans are proposing. They want to cut basic math skills, basic reading skills. The families that I met with do not believe that this Congress is on their side. This week we will have an opportunity to prove that we really want to help working families. Once again, I urge Speaker Gingrich and the Republican leadership to reverse course, stand with our parents and our kids, and vote to fund education. Let us put our children first.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing the National Infrastructure Development Act, which I first introduced at the end of the 103rd Congress. This bill will create more than 250,000 jobs, and help mend our Nation's crumbling infrastructure. I am pleased to be joined by Democratic Leaders Dick Gephardt, Vic Fazio, and David Bonior, who have lead countless job creation efforts in this country. During this time of debate over the role of our Federal Government, I am proud to bring a bill to the floor which shows that Government can work for America. At a time when jobs are disappearing and when we face intense international competition from abroad we badly need to create new jobs and make the investments in our roads, bridges, airports, and sewers to make our Nation more competitive. I want to remind Americans that since the election of President Clinton, the economy has continued to grow. Nearly 8 million jobs were created since his election; the unemployment rate has fallen from 7.3 percent to 5.5 percent; and, the Federal deficit has been cut in half-- reducing interest rates and increasing purchasing power. Yet, despite this good economic news, there are too many regions of the country where job growth remains slow, wages are stagnant, and people are hurting financially. Although the unemployment rate continues to decline in my home State of Connecticut, the continued threat of job loss is damaging the economic security of many families. The Federal Government must help identify new markets, and expand job opportunities for these hardworking Americans. The National Infrastructure Development Act meets the needs of America by providing the financing mechanism needed to construct roads, bridges, sewers, schools, and airports. My bill works by leveraging a limited public investment in infrastructure to attract private capital investors. In particular, this legislation targets the pension community and other institutional investors. Together, these investors represent $4.5 trillion in investment potential. Investments in infrastructure create good, high paying jobs, and enable businesses to perform at full capacity. With a small Federal investment, the National Infrastructure Development Act will improve our nation's infrastructure and create 250,000 jobs. A public investment in infrastructure will succeed in spurring private sector investments. As evidence, we are already seeing private sector investors beginning to finance major infrastructure projects, such as toll roads. Further, a number of American pension plans are looking overseas to countries like China, where infrastructure investment is common. The United States must make private sector infrastructure investments even more attractive in this country. My bill will make domestic infrastructure investments more attractive by investing in and insuring infrastructure projects through a government sponsored corporation. The National Infrastructure Corporation--or NIC--would be funded by an annual $1 billion government investment over a 3-year period. Construction or repair of schools, toll roads, airports, bridges, sewage treatment facilities, and clean- water projects are potential NIC investments. Municipalities and states could borrow from the NIC, or be insured by the NIC for infrastructure projects. These projects would be sound investments for pension funds. In return, these investments would strengthen the U.S. economy, and improve our Nation's infrastructure. Over time, the NIC itself would be a solid investment for pension funds. The goal of this legislation is for private investors to eventually buy the Corporation from the Federal Government, repaying the taxpayer's original investment. In addition, my bill would enable cities or states to offer bonds to pension funds for infrastructure construction. These bonds, called Public Benefit Bonds, would be attractive investments for pension funds because the bonds enable them to pass on tax benefits to their pensions. To be clear, the National Infrastructure Development Act is not intended to replace the traditional means of funding infrastructure projects. Federal and State assistance will still be needed to fund highways and mass transit projects, sewers, and other infrastructure projects. My bill in only intended to meet the projected $30 billion annual shortfall of funds that are available for infrastructure projects. The NIC will supplement, not supplant, traditional methods of financing domestic infrastructure development. Investments through the NIC will enable states to make better use of Federal funds they currently receive for these projects by using a small Federal investment to leverage large private investments. More infrastructure will be funded as a result of this legislation. The National Infrastructure Development Act builds on President Clinton's goals for improving this Nation's infrastructure. The administration has enabled 32 States to construct 70 projects using a variety of innovative financing techniques. In addition, the Department of Transportation is completing a competition for 11 States to be able to establish State infrastructure banks that have a function similar to the National Infrastructure Corporation. Fifteen States entered this competition, and another 5 States wrote to express interest in entering future competitions. This Congress has already given its approval of these efforts. The fact that so many States are looking for innovative financing methods should send a clear signal to this Congress that we must do more to meet these national infrastructure needs. The National Infrastructure Development achieves this objective. This is a good government bill that benefits every American. American workers benefit through good jobs. Under traditional government transportation and infrastructure investment programs, every billion dollars invested creates 35,000 to 50,000 new jobs. Under my bill, every dollar in Federal investment will result in $10 of actual construction. So each billion dollars in Federal investment will create 240,000 to 450,000 new jobs. American businesses benefit from reliable infrastructure. Businesses depend on airports, roads, wastewater treatment facilities, and clean water projects. Stronger infrastructure will aid economic expansion. American taxpayers benefit from better modes of transportation for fewer tax dollars, and better environmental quality. Pension investors benefit because they can look for investment opportunities in the United States instead of overseas. Every Member of Congress knows that Federal resources are scarce. The National Infrastructure Development Act will fill a major funding gap with a short term, limited investment and rebuild our Nation's infrastructure. Private investors need to have the opportunity to invest in America, and the Federal Government can work in partnership with the private sector. This partnership will help us rebuild our country's aging infrastructure, create great jobs, and promote good investments. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to closely examine this bill. Now is the time for us to move this important piece of legislation.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce and celebrate the introduction of the Women's Health Equity Act of 1996. Included in the omnibus legislation are two bills that I have authored, the HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer Research Resolution, which I will introduce today, and the Equitable Health Care for Neurobiological Disorders Act of 1996. Both measures will enhance the length and quality of life for women in this country, and should be enacted by this Congress. First, I am proud to introduce the HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer Research Resolution. This vital legislation will speed the detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer, and will, in fact, help to save women's lives. Early detection is the most effective method of stopping this killer of women. I know. I am a survivor of ovarian cancer, and early detection saved my life. My measure expresses the sense of Congress that the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases should conduct collaborative basic and clinical research on the human papilloma virus [HPV] diagnosis and prevention as an indicator for cervical cancer. Approximately 16,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, and about 4,800 women die from this disease annually. However, if cervical cancer is detected while in its earliest in situ state, the likelihood of survival is almost 100 percent. HPV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer. Of the more than 70 types of HPV that have been identified, two types, types 16 and 18 in particular, have a strong linkage to cervical cancer. With further study of the natural history of HPV and its association to the development of cervical cancer, HPV testing may prove to be an effective tool to aid the early diagnosis of this deadly disease. Therefore, it is appropriate to recommend basic and clinical research to determine how to utilize this data in the screening of women in clinics and hospitals across the country. My legislation will bridge the gap between new scientific discoveries about the linkage of HPV with cervical cancer and practical application of that knowledge by physicians and qualified health specialists in local communities. The legislation has received the endorsement of the American Social Health Association. In addition, I am proud to include my bill in the Women's Health Equity Act of 1996. In addition, I have introduced H.R. 1797, the Equitable Health Care for Neurobiological Disorders Act, into the Women's Health Equity Act of 1996. This legislation requires nondiscriminatory treatment of neurobiological disorders in employer health benefit plans. Under my bill, insurance coverage must be provided in a manner that is consistent with coverage for other major illnesses. Neurobiological disorders, include affective disorders like major depression, anxiety disorders, autism, schizophrenia, and Tourette's syndrome. Currently, in short, individuals with neurobiological disorders receive much less insurance coverage than illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. This in equality contributes to the myth that such disorders are not physical illnesses and somehow they are the fault of the patient. For the individuals and the families affected by these disorders, the ordeal of coping with the disease is often compounded by severe financial burdens. My legislation recognizes the physical basis for many mental disorders, and requires their equal health coverage. Just as the Kennedy-Kassebaum-Roukema health insurance reform bill addresses the need to ensure access to health care for Americans who change jobs, my bill ensures access to health care for Americans who suffer from mental disorders. Both job portability and comprehensive coverage are key access issues in the health reform discussion. Without comprehensive coverage or health insurance portability, millions of Americans will be forced to seek treatment in expensive health care settings, like emergency rooms, or drain other social service institutions. Mental disorders severely impact the health and the quality of life for millions of women throughout the Nation. Clearly, the equitable insurance coverage for mental disorders is an issue for all of us in society, as it is a women's health concern, as well. Treatments for mental illnesses like depression exist and have a very high rate of success; therefore, it is essential that women suffering from neurobiological disorders have access to the care that they need. Madam Speaker, I am proud to announce the introduction of these two bills. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and enact the omnibus bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephanie Wenderoth, a teen from my district whose bravery and quick thinking saved three children from a fire that virtually destroyed their home last month. Stephanie was babysitting for Hailey, Kendall, and Miller Carroll when a fire broke out in the living room of the Carroll's home in Madison, CT. Stephanie sent Hailey and Kendall running to the home of a neighbor, then dropped to her knees and crawled through thick smoke to find 3-year-old Miller. She found him after crawling through a thick cloud of smoke, then ran with him out of the house. Stephanie and Miller emerged from the fire covered with soot, but safe. Mr. Speaker, the dictionary defines courage as: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficultly. Stephanie Wenderoth has demonstrated exceptional courage that serves as an inspiration to citizens of all ages. As an asthmatic, crawling through the smoke was difficult, but Stephanie did not hesitate to take the risk and through her courage saved the lives of three children. In this day and age when genuine heroes are all too rare in our society, Stephanie dismisses attention to her feat by calling it ``just part of my job as a babysitter.'' Such modesty is yet another admirable trait of this extraordinary young woman. As her Representative in the U.S. House, I rise today to honor Stephanie Wenderoth as a true hometown hero.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this political payoff to the gun lobby. At a time when hard-working families across America are struggling against the tougher odds, this Congress should be focusing on their interests and not on special interests. Since Newt Gringrich took over this Congress, he has been paying off political IOU's. They allowed the pollution lobbyists to rewrite our Nation's environmental laws, then they rammed through their Medicare cuts to pay off their political contributors, and now they want to put assault weapons back on the streets of this Nation because the gun lobby is calling in its chits. My constituents and my police officers in Connecticut say to me in no uncertain terms, assault weapons do not belong in the hands of drug dealers and street thugs. Say ``no'' to the gun lobby, say ``no'' to the special interests, and say ``no'' to this political payoff. Support the ban on assault weapons.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard tonight in kicking-off this series of special orders recognizing women from around the Nation for their accomplishments in public service. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and myself organized this series of special orders this evening with the Women's Caucus in celebration of Women's History Month. Due to the overwhelming participation in this event, I will keep my remarks brief. I thank all of my colleagues who will be speaking this evening in recognition of the tremendous accomplishments and contributions of women in public service. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce the names of two extraordinary women from the third Congressional District of Connecticut who have been selected for acknowledgement during Women's History Month 1996. These women were selected by a committee I organized, comprised of over 20 women leaders in my district. The committee included members of the business community, civic organizations, cultural, and religious groups. The Women of the Year for Women's History Month 1996 are Mrs. Anne Calabresi and State Senator Toni Harp. Anne Calabresi is a cornerstone of community life in New Haven. She has been active in the organization of major city initiatives and events like the World of Difference Project. Sponsored by the Anti- Defamation League, the World of Difference Project has been working to end discrimination and forge community understanding in New Haven for the past 4 years. Anne works with the Special Olympics, which brought thousands of athletes and spectators to New Haven last year and also serves as the chairwomen of the Leadership Education and Athletics in Partnership [LEAP] program. Presently, she is serving as the vice- president of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas which will be held in New Haven this June. This festival attracts the best of international, national, regional, and local performers and artists. In addition to the educational and cultural benefits, the festival spurs tourism and economic development in New Haven. Whatever the endeavor, Anne's peers applaud her enormous energy, enthusiasm and love for the city of New Haven. She is indefatigable and is a source of information for all. I am also proud to recognize State Senator Toni Harp tonight. State Senator Harp is a strong community leader and eloquent advocate for the needs of New Haven residents at our State Capitol. She is the ranking member on the Connecticut State Legislature's Public Health Committee. Toni is praised by her peers for her ability to balance out her professional duties at Hill Health Center in New Haven, her legislative duties in Hartford and her love and devotion for her family. On the State and Federal level, she has been a strong advocate for women, seniors and children, and working families. She is described as an excellent listener and someone who is not afraid to stand up and be heard on issues including affirmative action, child welfare and the advancement of women. Toni presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation and as the treasure of the Legislative Black and Puerto Rico Caucus. I thank Anne Calabresi and State Senator Harp for their tireless efforts and countless contributions to our community. I am proud to acknowledge them during Women's History Month. Both women are true rolemodels for young women and girls. At this time, I am happy to yield the remainder of my time to the coordinator of this series of Special orders, Congresswoman Roybal- Allard.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, the fact of the matter is that the antiterrorism bill passed last week in this body allows Hamas to raise funds in the United States of America, to raise their funds to go out and to kill innocent men and women and children. We had one Member, a colleague from the Republican side of the aisle, say that it was he or she who trusted Hamas more than they trust their own government. Let me tell my colleagues, how can any Member trust a despicable organization, a bloodthirsty and terrorist organization? The pain and the misery that Hamas has caused may be abstract for some of my colleagues, but it is not for me, and it is not for my constituents. Last year my constituent Joan Davenney of Woodbridge, CT, was in Israel. She was a teacher at the Ezra Academy on a fellowship in Israel studying ways to improve curriculum at her school, a decent, wonderful young woman. Let me say that she was on one of those buses. She was killed by the terrorist organization Hamas. A sad day indeed when Republicans can defend Hamas on this floor.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today what we are seeing and what we are listening to is another consequence of the incompetence of those who run this House. The resolution that we debate will grant Speaker Gingrich extraordinary powers to bypass the regular process of this body and to bring bills immediately to the floor. What does this mean? No time to read the bills, no time to understand what is being voted on, no time for committees to air the process. It is a subterfuge, a way in which you want to hide what you truly want to do. We have precedent here: The Medicare debate, its Medicare debate, one hearing on dismantling the Medicare Program, which serves 99 percent of the seniors in this Nation. However, we were able to expose what our Republican colleagues wanted to do about Medicare, and now they have backed off of that issue. This is a subterfuge tactic to hide what they want to do. The incompetent management has consequences in the lives of working families. Medicare is an example. As we lurch now from one short-term spending bill to another, citizens, businesses, have no idea what the Federal Government is about. My State of Connecticut, the educators are contemplating cutting reading, writing, mathematics programs, for our kids, the programs that talk about making our schools safe for our kids, providing the opportunity for high school students through school to work to be able to move into a profession. College loans will be cut. They do not know in my State of Connecticut what the Federal Government wants to do in funding for education. They are unable to plan for the school year. I say to my colleague from Colorado that your friend Al's children are in serious jeopardy. Let us not give Newt Gingrich any more powers. Let us do the people's business, pass a budget that reflects the values and priorities of this Nation.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday President Clinton submitted his new budget to Congress and I urge my Republican colleagues to examine it closely for two reasons. First, President Clinton has blazed a trail to a balanced budget. Ronald Reagan never submitted a balanced budget. George Bush never submitted a balanced budget. But yesterday Bill Clinton did. Second, and just as important, he has provided a plan that balances the budget while protecting our priorities like education. The President protects basic reading, writing, and math skills. He protects college loans, safe and drug free schools and a program to help youngsters who do not want to go to a four-year liberal arts college to make the transition from school to work. My Republican colleagues say the education cuts they are insisting on are necessary to balance the budget. Yesterday President Clinton proved that we can balance the budget without robbing our children of the skills and the training they need to compete in the 21st century.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, 27 House Republicans joined Democrats and endorsed the Senate's plan to add $2.6 billion back into education. Many of us have been urging Speaker Gingrich to follow the Senate's lead and restore these funds. We welcome the support from our 27 Republican colleagues. Their letter said that education must be one of our Nation's top priorities and the Senate has taken responsible action to protect our children's future. I agree and I can tell you that in my State of Connecticut, these cuts would be disastrous. Educators in Connecticut are staring down the barrel of a gun because they face a March 30 deadline for notifying teachers of layoffs if Federal funds are not available. Mr. Speaker, at a time when Americans are anxious about their economic future, we should be increasing our investment in education. This crisis is entirely preventable. Let's pass a full-year budget that gives our citizens the tools they need to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority can find additional money if they were not so anxious to provide tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. $17 billion in a windfall to the richest corporations in this country, and would have them pay no tax at all. Come on, that is the shame of this, these cuts to education. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the mind-boggling incompetence of the Republican majority in running this House. Six months into the fiscal year, twice shutting down the Government, threatening to do so for a third time, they have brought to the House floor the 10th stop-gap spending bill, this one for only 1 week. The failure of the Republican leadership to get their act together, to tend to the people's business, has a real impact on my district and virtually every community in America. I met recently with parents, teachers, and school officials in my district who told me that the proposed $8.6 billion in a cut to Connecticut's basic training skills, reading, writing, arithmetic, not bureaucracy, to reading and math skills. It is going to affect 9,200 kids in my State, the loss of the dollars for safe and drug-free schools, the DARE Program that works. These are not the priorities of the State of Connecticut or America. These are not the values that we hold dear in this country. Public education has been the great equalizer in this Nation for all kids despite what their economic circumstances have been. Republicans in the other body have got the message. They voted 86 to 14 to restore education funds. I hope the vote in this House will wake up the people here and say to the Republican revolutionaries, support education, pass long-term legislation that puts the education needs of America's kids first.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, when my Republican colleagues took over this institution 15 months ago, they promised to run the House like a business with the best management practices. However, their stewardship looks more like a Arnold Schwarzenegger screenplay. The victims are everywhere. Because of the incompetence of this House majority, we are operating under a temporary spending plan, and today they want us to vote again on a 1-week extension of this spending plan. It will be the 10th temporary funding bill this year, no way to run a business or the House of Representatives. Who suffers from this stop-and-go budgeting? Our kids, our children. Local school districts need to start planning now for the new school year, and they do not know what to expect from Washington. They do know that Republicans are slashing over $3 billion from education. My Republican colleagues are leaving children and parents in the dark, and that is wrong. Let us honor our commitment to education and our kids, and give them the tools that they need to succeed in the 21st century.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, our police officers and the public are facing a deadly new threat on the streets of my home State of Connecticut and across the Nation: Laser sighting devices aimed at our law enforcement and law abiding citizens. These laser sights mounted on the barrel of a gun emit a tiny red beam of light the shooter uses to line up a target, thereby, if you will, creating a supergun. In the hands of a criminal, these high-technology weapons turn ordinary street thugs into sharpshooters. My amendment directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to increase penalties for individuals convicted of crimes involving laser sighting devices. The amendment will deter the use of laser sight technology in street crime and require the Sentencing Commission to collect data on laser sighting devices and criminal activity throughout the Nation. Let me stress, this bill does not ban laser sight technology nor does it ban guns equipped with laser sights. This is not about gun control. I crafted this legislation with the help of local law enforcement in Connecticut, with their input. This legislation has one endorsement from the National Fraternal Order of Police, the International Brotherhood of Police and others. Let me read directly from the letter of support that I received from the National Fraternal Order of Police regarding the amendment: The police and citizens of this Nation already suffer far too much from tragedies precipitated by firearms crime. This problem is exacerbated by criminals using laser sights to make their criminal activity even more deadly. I urge my colleagues to protect the public and our men and women in blue who put their lives on the line every day and vote in favor of this vital amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on May 10, 1996, Mr. Robert Leeney will celebrate his 80th birthday. He is being honored by the board of Albertus Magnus College on March 14, 1996. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to salute this incredible individual, who has contributed so much to the city of New Haven. Bob retired in 1981 as editor of the New Haven Register after a 50- year career with the paper including 11 years as executive editor and 9 years as editor. He had been awarded the New England Associated Press News Editor Yankee Quill Award for excellence in writing. His long tenure at the paper is distinguished by extensive community involvement. Bob grew up in the Fair Haven area and remained devoted to the improvement of the New Haven area throughout his career. In September 1994, Bob was awarded the New Haven Colony Historical Society Seal of the City Award. The seal is awarded to those whose ideas or activities contributed to the quality of life, prosperity, or improvement of the New Haven region. He has also received the Trinity Council Knights of Columbus Community Service Award and the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, which is their highest honor. Bob's early career in newspaper began as a theatre critic and he frequently reviewed plays at the Shubert Theatre. He was a member of the Drama Critics Outer Circle. He maintained his interest in theatre throughout his life and served on the board of Long Wharf Theatre. His service on the boards of local hospitals and colleges serves as a testament to his interest in and concern for all aspects of New Haven life. After his retirement, Bob served on the State Freedom of Information Commission. Finally, Bob continues to write for the New Haven Register with a weekly column entitled ``Editor's Note.'' It is here that he continues to contribute his ideas and thoughts on a range of issues from his boyhood memories of New Haven to recent world events. He remains one of the most prominent representatives of the New Haven Register and an important link between the city's past and present. I wish Bob a very happy 80th birthday and it is my deepest hope that we will have the benefit of his wisdom and kindness for many more years to come.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the President's National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The mission of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is to reduce teen pregnancy by promoting values and stimulating actions that are consistent with a pregnancy-free adolescence. This is a mission that everyone can support. Furthermore, the campaign establishes the goal of reducing the national teenage pregnancy rate by one-third by the year 2005. I wholeheartedly support the methods and targets set by the President's campaign. If we are to stop the cycle of children having babies in this country we must make the President's goal a reality. The success of this campaign is imperative to the healthy development of young girls and children throughout the Nation. As poverty is a strong predictor for teen pregnancy, teen pregnancy is a near certain predictor of poverty. In my home State of Connecticut, the Department of Public Health Records reported 3,757 teen births in 1993. In New Haven, the biggest city in my district, there were 354 teen births reported that year. These figures do not account for all the teen pregnancies in a given year, but they do indicate the enormity of the problem and the need for immediate action. We must instill in our children the importance of making responsible choices in life. Clearly, bringing a baby into the world without the emotional maturity and financial resources to raise a healthy child is not in the best interest of either the parents or the newborn. Discussing the value of personal responsibility and providing information to children on this issue are tools that will work to prevent teen mothers and fathers. The President's campaign expands the scope and reach of this dialogue through the media, schools, and civic activities. I am a proud supporter of the National Campaign to Reduce Teen Pregnancy. Through education and communication the campaign will be an effective tool to assist young women and young men with the dilemma of teen pregnancy.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. You just encapsulized it. I think it is so critical. When I told you I went, there were 20 youngsters around the table. They had their sheets of paper and they were counting. You had the teacher, and what they had to do was count each of the lines, whether it was 7 or 6 or 8 in a row, and then they put their number in. The teacher took one-half, the aide had the other, and individually going to each child. And when they saw the answer, if the answer was correct, they put a C on it, and if it was not, they would go back and count with the youngster so that they would get it right and understand where they had made the error. What we talk about in this body all the time, there are folks here who want to provide vouchers to families to be able to go to private schools where they get individual attention and they have all of the resources that are there. For God's sakes, we have got a resource. We have public education. We have a program that is providing this kind of individualized attention to these children. What we want to do is end it. It is to have half of that classroom or a fourth of that class there not have individual attention, and someone there who can help them with their self-esteem if they get it right, show them where they may have had an error, and let them move on and allow them to learn and progress. And it is mindless what is being done here with regard to education. I would like to yield time to my colleague from New York, Major Owens. No one has spent more time on this issue of education than the gentleman has. We are grateful to you for your commitment and vision.

Ms. DeLAURO. I just want to add one point. Your notion about when you are retrenching is that you pull out that money. If the school districts decide that it is important enough to do and they want to do it, where are they going to go for the funding? They are going to a property tax, and they are going to look at increased revenues, and most of that comes with increased taxes for people in your district and my district and districts everywhere. And then the other piece is that they cannot do that, they do not want to risk raising the taxes; so, as you said, it is gone, and the ripple effect of that going is just enormous, and you cannot even calculate it.