Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Stokes- Boehlert amendment, which strikes provisions in the bill that restrict or eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing guidelines that are authorized under existing environmental laws, like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. This bill limits the EPA's ability to enforce important provisions of the Clean Water Act. It inhibits the EPA's ability to address critical stormwater runoff and raw sewage overflow problems. It halts the agency's advantage to control industrial pollution. In Connecticut, this bill would allow raw sewage to continue to pour into local waters from outdated or inadequate sewage treatment and collection systems. Stormwater controls would be eliminated for many urban areas. The result would be widespread degradation of water quality, which would threaten our State's commercial and shellfish industry. This bill is an environmental travesty. It is a special interest and a polluter's dream. As a result, there will be less environmental protection and increased risk to public health in communities all across this great Nation of ours. Support the Stokes-Boehlert amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today Americans everywhere will turn their attention to our Nation's Capitol and pay long-overdue tribute to the those who fought and lost their lives in Korea. The monument being dedicated today in Washington is a proud symbol of our gratitude for the efforts of the American men and women who proudly served our country in Korea. I cannot help but feel the emotion as I talk to Korean war vets from Connecticut who have come to the Capitol for this solemn occasion. They are here today to honor their friends and comrades who gave their lives for their country. Freedom, democracy, and opportunity--these are the foundations of our society. These ideals are what set America apart, but too often, we take them for granted. We must never forget that our freedom was achieved, and has been maintained, at a cost. Countless American men and women have put their lives on the line to uphold and defend these guiding principles. This national monument recognizing men and women who so bravely served our country in Korea, is long overdue. While the soldiers who fought in World War II and in Vietnam have rightfully been recognized with national memorials, the Korean veterans have not. Today, our Korean vets are finally getting the national recognition that they too deserve. I salute our Korean war veterans for the contributions that they have made to this great country of ours. This memorial marks a milestone as we begin to pay the debt of honor owed those Americans who lost their lives in Korea.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support today for the Kennedy-Frank- Stokes amendment which restores vital funding for HUD low-income housing assistance programs for the elderly and disabled. The amendment will protect seniors from an unfair and unaffordable rent increase. The rent hikes included in this extreme bill could cost seniors in my district hundreds of more dollars per year. I don't know about everybody's districts, but I know that's a lot of money for seniors in my district. In my district, the residents of Bella Vista Apartments in New Haven, CT, know all too well about rent increases. Last year, Bella Vista tenants were asked to pay an additional $35 per month in rent, and now, just last week, they were slapped with another rent increase of $45 per month. Mr. Chairman, they simply cannot afford another rent increase. The tenants of Bella Vista are like seniors all over this country. They live on fixed incomes and struggle to make ends meet. They are often faced with difficult financial choices--they must choose between paying for vital medical services, like prescription drugs, or paying for the heating bill in the winter. They do their best, but sometimes they need our help. Rent assistance is one way to help. This country has a proud tradition of assisting our seniors in their retirement. This Government has made a deal with our seniors. We say to them: If you work hard all your life and contribute, then we will help you when you can work no longer. Seniors have kept up their end of the bargain. They worked, they saved, and even fought wars to preserve our freedom. But, now Republicans in this Congress want to walk away from the deal. They want to walk away from Medicare; walk away from Social Security; walk away from rent assistance. It's a disgrace. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Kennedy-Frank-Stokes amendment, and restore decent, and affordable housing to our seniors.

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

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Medicare, and it is an event that is worth celebrating. Thirty years ago we made a commitment to the Nation's seniors when we said to them, ``Never again will you go without health care. Never again will you be forced to squander your life's savings to pay a doctor's bill.'' But now Medicare is in danger, real danger. The Republican budget, which cuts $270 billion from Medicare, would end Medicare as we know it today. Thirty years ago, 93 percent of the Republicans in this body opposed the creation of Medicare, and now Republicans are closing in on a 30-year goal to end what they never wanted in the first place. In 1965 we made a deal with seniors. We said, ``You pay into this trust fund all of your working life and when you are unable to work any longer, we will use that money to pay for your health care costs.'' Seniors have kept up their end of the bargain but now Republicans want to back down on our end. Medicare is the real Contract With America and Republicans should not break it.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Medicare. On this date in 1965, President Johnson, with former President Truman by his side, signed into law a historic piece of legislation that would dramatically improve the lives of America's seniors and their families. Look how far America's seniors have come in the latter part of this century. In 1955, only 46 percent of our Nation's elderly had health insurance coverage. By 1994, 97 percent of our seniors were covered. Medicare has made the difference. In 1965, one in three senior citizens lived in poverty, many having squandered their life savings on costly medical care. Today, only 1 in 10 senior citizens live in poverty. Medicare has made the difference. For the last 30 years, Medicare has made a difference for millions. It is one Government program that has worked so well that people don't even think of it as a Government program at all. In fact, last year, when Democrats tried to pass health care reform, seniors called and wrote to say: ``We don't care what you do, just don't get government involved with Medicare.'' Yes, Social Security and Medicare are Government programs. They are Government programs that work. Social Security and Medicare are the twin pillars of Democratic reform--one from the New Deal and the other from the Great Society. For decades these two programs have worked in tandem to ensure that our seniors are secure in their retirement. That's what this debate is all about: security. Making sure that our seniors are secure. But, Republican plans to privatize the Medicare system will remove the security we promised our seniors 30 years ago. Just ask your self: will higher medical bills make seniors more secure? Will lower levels of benefits make seniors more secure? Will losing their choice of doctor make seniors more secure? Will seniors be more secure when their copayments go from $46 to more than $100? Will seniors be more secure when they are asked to pay $1,000 more? The answer to all these questions is ``no.'' But, GOP opposition to the Medicare program should come as no surprise. Just look at the record. Thirty years ago, 93 percent of Republicans in this body voted against Medicare and instead supported a plan to privatize the system. Today, Republicans are closing in on a 30-year goal--to end the program they never wanted in the first place. In 1995, Republicans say they are cutting Medicare in order to save Medicare. They would like America to believe that they are simply pruning the Medicare plant so that it may grow healthy again. But, in reality, they are pulling Medicare out by its roots and using it as fertilizer for their favorite crop: tax cuts for the wealthy. This plan uses $270 billion of cuts to finance a $245 billion tax cut for the wealthy. Now, I believe that the solvency of the Medicare trust fund needs to be dealt with, but it needs to be dealt with in the context of health care reform. Medicare is growing at the rate it is, because it needs to keep pace with rising medical costs. The way to get a handle on rising medical costs is to reform our entire health care system, not to punish seniors by ``slowing the rate of growth'' of Medicare. Slowing the rate of growth is popular Washington-speak these days. Slowing the rate of growth means that the Government would only cover seniors' health care costs up to a certain amount. After that, seniors would be left to make up the difference out of their own pockets. Higher costs and lower level of services that's what slowing the rate of growth of Medicare would mean for America's seniors. Thirty years ago, the U.S. Government made a pact with America's seniors. We said: ``If you pay into this trust fund all of your working life, we will take care of you, when you can work no longer.'' Seniors have kept up their end of the bargain, but now Republicans in Congress want to walk away from the deal. Medicare is the real contract with America. Congress has no right to break that sacred pact.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the compromise amendment, which increases funding for Coastal Zone Management programs. Coastal Zone Management is critical and vital to both the environment and the economy of shoreline States such as my home State of Connecticut. Thanks to this program we have restored over 1,500 acres of the State's critical tidal wetlands, and 10 miles of new public access has been added along the shores of the Long Island Sound. From 1991 to 1993 the number of beach closings along Long Island Sound in Connecticut was reduced from 292 to 174. Still, much remains to be done. More than 25 percent of Long Island Sound's beaches are chronically closed due to pathogen contamination. Coastal Zone Management State grants are not a Federal give away. Federal funds are met with a dollar for dollar state match. These are exactly the kind of government partnerships that we should be encouraging. They are economically and environmentally sound. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for the amendment and for protecting America's coastal resources.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the Republican plan to cut Medicare for our seniors in order to pay for a tax cut for the privileged few. The GOP plan is to end Medicare as we know it, a proposal that will devastate American seniors. Do not take my word for it. Just look at what the conservative newspaper, the Washington Times, reported recently. According to the article, the GOP's ultimate goal is to privatize Medicare. Privatizing Medicare will mean that seniors will pay more in premiums and deductibles and will lose their choice of doctors. The Washington Times reports that recipients who now pay $46.10 per month for Medicare Part B would pay more than $110 per month. And in the year 2002, this plan will cost seniors more than $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenditures. They will be forced to give up their doctors. It is ironic, Mr. Speaker, that Republican attempts to dismantle Medicare coincide with the program's 30th anniversary. When Medicare was originally proposed in 1965, 93 percent of Republicans supported a privatized health plan that relied on seniors paying the premiums. Today, 30 years later, we see history repeating itself, Republicans looking to dismantle a program that they never wanted in the first place, and that is Medicare. My message to the American people is a simple one: Do not be fooled when the Republicans talk about slowing the growth of Medicare. It is a sham and a scam. The reality is that their plan will result in very real cuts to benefits and very real increases in costs for seniors who are on Medicare. Do not be fooled when the Republicans say that these cuts are being made to fix Medicare or to reduce the budget deficit. The reality is that Medicare is being cut to pay for a $245 billion tax cut for large corporations and the privileged few.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Mollohan amendment to restore funding for the COPS community policing and prevention programs. The amendment provides $1.8 billion in community policing grants so that States and local governments can hire more police officers. It also restores $233 million for much-needed crime prevention programs. The Mollohan amendment would make sure that community policing and prevention programs are funded, instead of leaving these vital initiatives to chance under the local law enforcement block grants. Despite what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say, these block grants do not guarantee that even one new police officer would be on the beat or that children and families would benefit from needed crime prevention initiatives. Streets are becoming safer because we are putting more police officers on the beat and are improving programs that give young people a positive alternative to the streets. In 1990, my hometown of New Haven, CT, had the unfortunate distinction of having the highest crime rate of any city in Connecticut. Then police and community leaders came together and implemented a community policing program. Three years later, New Haven has a much prouder distinction--crime was reduced by 7 percent in the first year of the program and by 10 percent in the second year. In fact, New Haven's community policing program has become a model for the Nation. We need to keep the pledge made in the 1994 crime bill to put 100,000 new police officers on the streets by the year 2000. In my district, 32 new police officers are already on the job in 10 municipalities. And the results are in. According to the F.B.I.'s Uniform Crime Reports for the first 3 months of 1995, aggravated assault is down by 40 percent, robbery is down by 21 percent, and murder is down by 5 percent. I urge my colleagues to support our police and communities by keeping our commitment to the COPS and prevention programs in the 1994 crime bills. These programs are making our streets and our people safer. Take a stand in support of our cities, our police, our families, and our youth: support the Mollohan amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to welcome here this morning the Reverend Bill Hobbs, my constituent, to the House of Representatives, to the people's House. Reverend Hobbs indeed serves the people. He is from Hamden, CT, where he presides over the community's largest Protestant congregation at the Spring Glen Church. Since arriving in 1984, Reverend Hobbs has led his congregation in countless community service efforts. Among their many projects are the food and fuel bank programs. These are critical efforts. The Spring Glen Church has willingly accepted the responsibility of feeding its community's hungry. This, along with helping to provide heat to low- income households during the cold Connecticut winters, is a testament to the congregation's commitment to those in need. The church is a valuable community resource. It has opened its doors to several civic and community organizations in need of its support. The congregation generously provides to these groups whatever it can. Reverend Hobbs and his congregation help to bridge a critical gap to those who do not qualify for State and Federal aid, and yet still require assistance. I salute the generous efforts of Reverend Hobbs and Hamden's Spring Glen Church for their selfless service to the community. I thank them for their continuing commitment to these ongoing efforts. It is our distinct pleasure to have the Reverend Hobbs with us today, and we thank you, Reverend Hobbs, for joining with us today and for your blessing.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today it is my pleasure to honor a distinguished citizen from my district, Chief of Police Joseph Rowley. After 36 years of exemplary service, Chief Rowley retired on July 14 from the Orange Police Department. Chief Rowley had dedicated his life to serving his country and his community. After serving honorably in the U.S. Air Force, he joined the Orange Police Department as an officer in 1959. Time after time, he distinguished himself with his hard work and commitment to enhancing public safety. During his years of service to the Orange Police Department, he received three letters of commendation and one letter of recognition for his performance in various criminal cases. One of the most notable awards was a letter of commendation for his leadership of the investigation and conviction of two murderers. His ability to lead earned him numerous promotions, culminating in his being named chief of police in 1990. As chief, he has served with distinction for the past 5 years. Indeed, Chief Rowley is well known to Orange residents for his outstanding courage and dedication to crime fighting. His efforts have truly made the town of Orange a better and safer place to live. I know his wife, Jacqueline, and his three children take great pride in Chief Rowley's exemplary record. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute the leadership and selfless service displayed by Chief Rowley during his 36 years with the Orange Police Department. I join his friends and colleagues, who are honoring him on this evening of July 20 at the Racebrook Country Club, in wishing him a long and happy retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, a recent Washington Times story confirmed what seniors have feared about Republican plans to cut Medicare. The conservative newspaper reported that the Republican leadership's ultimate goal is to privatize Medicare. Today, the GOP is ready to dismantle Medicare today, to finance their tax cut to the wealthy. But what about tomorrow? [[Page H 7082]] The Gingrich plan to privatize Medicare will mean that seniors will pay more in premiums and deductibles and will lose their choice of doctors. Under the Gingrich plan, recipients who now pay $46.10 per month for Medicare part B would pay more than $110 per month. Thirty years ago when Medicare was established, 93 percent of Republicans opposed the plan. Now, the Gingrich Republicans are walking in lockstep once again and are out to achieve a 30-year goal, dismantling what they never wanted in the first place--Medicare.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, the Washington Times confirmed what seniors have feared about Republican plans to cut Medicare. The conservative newspaper reported that the Republican leadership's ultimate goal is to privatize Medicare. Now, Republicans claim that their plan to privatize Medicare will offer seniors more choices in the private health care market. But, unfortunately seniors know that the only choices that privatization offers them is to pay and pay and pay. The privatization of Medicare will mean that seniors will pay more in premiums and deductibles. Recipients who now pay $46.10 per month for Medicare part B would pay more than $110 per month, under the GOP plan. Thirty years ago when Medicare was established, 95 percent of Republicans opposed the plan. Now, Republicans are out to achieve a 30- year goal, dismantling what they never wanted in the first place-- Medicare.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, what my colleague who just finished talking failed to realize is that none of the increases that they are talking about have anything to do with increased enrollment, whether it is students or increased enrollment of seniors in Medicare or any increase in any inflation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this Republican plan to cut Medicare to pay for a tax cut for the wealthy. Make no mistake about it, that is what this budget resolution is all about. It is not about reducing the budget deficit. It is not about fixing Medicare. It is about cutting Medicare by $270 billion in order to pay for tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans. No matter how you disguise it, this budget resolution is a frontal assault on America's 37 million senior citizens--people like Julius and Dottie Ruskin in my district in West Haven, CT. Julius and Dottie live on Social Security and his company pension for a total income of about $14,000 a year. Julius' medical bills this year have already totaled more than $10,000, and Medicare pays for 80 percent of these costs. Julius and Dottie simply cannot afford to pay $3,400 more out-of-pocket for their health care over the next 7 years, but that is what the Republican cuts to Medicare will mean for the average senior. They will pay more, but they will get fewer benefits and restrictions on their choice of their own doctor. The Republicans may be keeping their promises to the rich and powerful. But they are breaking our Nation's historic promise to the health and welfare of senior citizens like Julius and Dottie Ruskin.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, in 2 short weeks the world will turn its eyes to New Haven, CT, where the 1995 Special Olympics World Games will be held. The games will showcase the talent and spirit of mentally retarded athletes from around the world. The 1995 games will be the world's largest sporting event this year. Seven thousand athletes from 140 countries, 1,500 coaches, and 500,000 spectators are expected to attend. These figures represent significant growth for the Special Olympics since the first games were held in 1969. The 1995 games have been made possible through the hard work and dedication of countless individuals, municipalities, private organizations, and businesses. There has been tremendous enthusiasm and support generated from all levels throughout the region. Today I would like to specifically recognize the contributions of the games' volunteers and sponsors, who have given so much to this worthy cause. Forty-five thousand volunteers, the largest volunteer force ever assembled in the Northeast, are taking part in the games. I salute the residents of south central Connecticut and the entire State, for their commitment and spirit. These volunteers have been working fast and furiously to ensure that the athletes enjoy nine wonderful days of competition, friendship, and learning. All of the volunteers have participated in training sessions about how to work well with people with mental retardation and to address the vast cultural differences of the many visitors. The games are fortunate to enjoy the support of many corporate sponsors. Among the major private contributors are McDonald's Corp., Coca-Cola Co., Eastman Kodak Co., IBM Corp., Adidas, General Motors Corp.'s GMC Truck, and M&M Mars. These corporations have generously provided much of the financial support that is vital to ensuring that the games are a success. Last week the President, who is honorary chair of the Games, announced that he will attend the opening ceremony in New Haven on July 1. His participation in this event is a tribute to the volunteers and the sponsors who through their hard work and dedication have assured that the Special Olympics will be well-received both nationally and internationally. I ask my colleagues to join me today and salute the contributions of the thousands of volunteers and sponsors who, through their generosity, have made the games the success I know they will be. Their efforts will make the 1995 games a world class sporting event for these very special athletes to enjoy.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, tonight the Republicans will release the details of their budget, setting the stage for national debate on budget priorities. The top priority of their budget is a $245 billion tax cut to the wealthy, better known as the crown jewel. Yet the Republican leadership will tell the American people that this plan is fiscally responsible. Fiscally responsible? Where is the responsibility to working families? Is it responsible for Republicans to cut $11 billion from student loans for the middle class to help to pay for a tax break to the wealthy? Fiscally responsible? Where is the responsibility to our seniors? Is it responsible for Republicans to steal $270 billion from Medicare to finance a tax giveaway to their wealthiest friends? Seniors have every reason to be scared. Democrats support a balanced budget, but we will not support a plan that is antifamily and antielderly. We will not support a plan that asks the middle class working families to sacrifice not to balance the budget, but to pay for a tax cut for the privileged few.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it seems only yesterday when the Republicans rode into town promising reform, but those days are long gone. Instead of reform, the new Republican majority has curried favor with the special interests, gagged debate, and yesterday denied Members of this body the right to vote. Why did Republicans close a vote while two Democratic Members were waiting to cast their ballots? Because they had a fundraiser to go to. Yes, the buses were idling outside waiting to squire them to the ``Salute to Newt'' fundraiser, featuring GOP poster boy Rupert Murdoch. The article in the Post today says ``the GOP went to great lengths.'' Indeed, they went to great lengths to make sure that their Members got to the Big Apple on time. Last November, the American people were promised that Government would be returned to them. But yesterday hundreds of thousands of American people were shut out of the people's House when their Representatives were denied the right to vote on their behalf. What we are seeing in this body is an arrogance of power, one of the most egregious abuses of power in our Nation's history.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate one of Connecticut's most outstanding citizens, Sister Anne Virginie, whose wealth of good works has earned her the Easter Seal Goodwill Rehabilitation Center's Laurel Award. Growing up in Waterbury, CT, Margaret Mary Grimes joined the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth and has ever since embodied the loving service characteristic of her order. Devoting her life to the Sisters of Charity and their mission, Sister Anne has brought many skills acquired during her undergraduate study of business at the College of Saint Elizabeth and her graduate study in hospital Administration at Saint Louis University. The Sisters of Charity have made good use of Sister Anne's tremendous talents and her tireless commitment to serving others. She tended to the sick as an administrator of two hospitals in New Jersey and then strengthened her order by serving as provincial superior of the Northern Province of the Sisters of Charity. We in Connecticut are eternally grateful that upon her return to her home State, Sister Anne has continued to help those in need. We constantly benefit from her efforts to model for others the values she upholds as a servant to the Church of Christ. In New Haven, Sister Anne has continued her mission of healing and comforting the sick for over two decades at Saint Raphael's Hospital. First as associate administrator, then as president of the hospital, and finally as president and chief executive officer of the Saint Raphael Healthcare System, Sister Anne has provided Connecticut residents with the highest quality health care. It has been my personal pleasure to work with her to extend health care to those in the Greater New Haven area. Her inner strength has been a true inspiration. Sister Anne's commitment to enhancing the community by helping others extends well beyond Saint Raphael's and includes efforts on behalf of causes as diverse and worthwhile as the Mercy Center and the Shubert Opera Board. Her many contributions, especially her outstanding work to further the Easter Seal Goodwill Rehabilitation Center's mission, have earned her the Laurel Distinguished Service Award. Sister Anne knows that many people with special challenges, not just those who are able to pay, need the rehabilitation center's help to become more independent. As chairperson of the Easter Seals Telethon over the last 2 years, Sister Anne has been the key to the fundraising operation, raising over $285,000 to make sure that the rehabilitation center will be able to help all those in need. I congratulate Sister Anne on this well-deserved honor and express my sincere gratitude for all of her good works.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 23, 1995, the town of Stratford will pay tribute to Dorothy Irene Brown in honor of her retirement. After 48 years of exemplary service to the residents of Stratford, Dorothy Brown will be retiring from the position of town purchasing agent. Dorothy Brown began her career with the town of Stratford in 1947. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to provide the highest standard of service to the town's citizens. Indeed, her dedication and attention to detail have become legendary. Among her many achievements are the implementation of numerous cost-saving measures that have greatly benefited the town of Stratford and its residents. Dorothy is an extremely conscientious and dedicated employee and will be sorely missed by her colleagues. Dorothy has also served with distinction as president of the Stratford Supervisors Union, and chairwoman of the Stratford employees pension fund. Her strong and insightful leadership skills have earned her enormous respect among her colleagues. For almost half a century she has been the epitome of a public servant. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute Dorothy Brown for a lifetime of service to her community. It is people like Dorothy who make local government work for its citizens, by addressing their needs on a personal level. The contributions of these exemplary public servants should not be overlooked. Their hard work and commitment are the cornerstone of strong and effective local government. Individuals such as Dorothy Brown deserve our strong support and admiration. I extend my warmest congratulations to Dorothy on this well-deserved tribute, and commend her for 48 years of distinguished work. I wish her many years of good health and happiness in her retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, we continue to have ample opportunity in this body to close down the influence of the special interests, including one that we had yesterday. But the Republican leadership refused, and this is not the first time. They refused over and over again to allow an amendment to come up to ban gifts to Members of this Congress. Yesterday they refused to allow the Baldacci amendment to come up that would close down the ability of the special interests to have undue influence on Members of Congress. Members of this body do not need gifts. They do not need airline tickets to exotic places; frequent-flyer miles. We are very, very well compensated and our job here is to do the business of the people. The Republican leadership's rhetoric is just that, rhetoric, about closing down corporate special interests. Let us close the special interests down. Let us have a gift ban amendment on this floor.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the American public strongly favors banning gifts from lobbyists to Members of Congress, yet, again and again, the Republican leadership has turned back Democratic efforts to pass gift ban legislation. Yesterday, yet another Democratic gift ban amendment ran up against yet another Republican stonewall. The Baldacci amendment to the legislative appropriations bill we will consider today would have prohibited legislative funds from going to any Member or employee who has accepted a gift from a paid lobbyist, a lobbying firm, or an agent of a foreign principal. Yet, the Republican leadership will not even allow this amendment to come to the floor for a vote. Perks and privileges demean this institution and everyone who serves here. We are here to do the people's business and we are well compensated for that. We do not need paid vacations, frequent flier miles, or free meals to sweeten the deal. It is high time Republicans live up to their rhetoric on reform and join Democrats to clean up Congress and ban gifts from lobbyists.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the U.S. Rowing Team for its tremendous performance at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. In 21 events, the national team won 18 medals, including 10 gold. The men's four and eight boats were led to gold medal victories by coxswain Steven Segaloff, of New Haven, CT. I would especially like to congratulate Steven. He and his family have been friends of mine for many years and I have watched Steven develop from an exceptional local athlete to a world-class competitor. At an early age, Steven devoted countless hours to practicing and preparing for rowing competitions. His career as a coxswain began at the Yale boathouse on the Housatonic River in Derby, where he filled in for regular varsity coxes when they missed practice. Steven continued his career as a coxswain for Cornell University's varsity crew team. Like his father, Jim Segaloff, a veteran coxswain of 30 years who still continues to race at the New Haven Rowing Club, Steven developed a drive and passion for rowing. After graduating from Cornell with a degree in American Studies, Steven prepared for his intended legal career by working for Senator Joseph Biden as a staff assistant to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1993. But when U.S. national rowing coach Mike Spracklen asked him to cox for the national team, Steven put his legal and polticial ambitions on hold to train and compete in the World Cup Regatta in Germany. Since then, Steven has led our national crew team to numerous victories, including first place finishes at the 1994 World Rowing Championships, the 1994 Henley Royal Regatta in London, the 1994 Goodwill Games, and recently at the Pan American Games in Argentina. Now, preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Steven hopes to fulfill his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta. His hard work and sacrifice, and that of the national rowing team, have earned the team international recognition and made us proud. I would like to wish the best of luck to Steven and the entire team as they train and compete in preparation for the Olympics. Bring home the gold in 1996!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I offer this bipartisan amendment on behalf of myself, the gentlewoman from Colorado [Mrs. Schroeder], the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Harman], the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Torkildsen], and the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Ward]. Our amendment strikes language in this bill that would prohibit privately funded abortions from being performed at overseas military hospitals. Mr. Chairman, this amendment preserves the right to choose for female military personnel and dependents, and it insures that these women who serve our country in uniform are not denied safe medical care simply because they are assigned to duty in other countries. I want to emphasize several points about our amendment: First, it simply continues current policy that allows women to use their own funds. Let me repeat that: Their own funds to pay for abortions in overseas military hospitals. These patients are charged the full reimbursement rate for same-day surgery, more than the cost for abortion services at private facilities in this country, in order to insure that no Federal funding is involved. Second, no medical providers will be forced to perform abortions. This amendment preserves the conscience clause that already exists in all branches of the military. Third, this is not a new policy. Privately funded abortions were allowed at overseas military facilities from 1973 to 1988, including all but a few months of the Reagan administrations, and they have been permitted again since President Clinton's executive order of January 1993. The ban that existed from October 1988 to January 1993 was the exception. This amendment involves no special treatment or taxpayer funding. It simply assures that women who served in the armed services have access to safe medical care. I urge the support for this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I commend my colleague for the work that he has done on this issue, and I appreciate your taking the time and joining with you in this conversation, and I am sure there will be many more of them in the best interests of the working people of this country.

Ms. DeLAURO. This is not, in essence, a free ride. You have got to be able to pay for these things. The other piece is, by eliminating the alternate minimum tax, that tax which was put in under Ronald Reagan, again for the richest corporations, that says, ``You have to pay your fair share. You pay at 20 percent. You pay at 20 percent.'' With elimination of that, it is a $17 billion windfall to the richest corporations in this Nation. But it is part of a pattern, and, again, I hold out, and I hope my colleague feels this way, that on this loophole issue that we will come to some sort of a bipartisan conclusion to eliminate it, to end it, and to put our emphasis on working families, on our veterans, on our seniors who have done so much for this country, and that we do not try to balance this budget on their backs, but take a look at where else we might start this process of a balanced budget.