Michael Doyle

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere admiration and great fondness for Representative Joe McDade. It is clear from the number of Members who have gathered here this evening to pay tribute to Joe that he will not just be missed by one party or the delegation of one State, but by a vast and diverse group of people. As a Member who personally strives to put progress above partisanship, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and, more importantly, to learn from, Joe McDade as well as Jack Murtha, both of whom have an outstanding reputation in this regard. The list of accomplishments that have been amassed since Joe was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962 is both long and impressive. Equally impressive is the list of accomplishments that Joe has helped other Members to achieve. Joe, I cannot thank you enough for the concern that you have shown for the interests of the 18th congressional district. Locks and dams 2, 3 and 4 on the Monongahela River, DOE initiatives and the Pittsburgh supercomputer, just to name a few. Without question, Joe, your presence will not be easily replaced. I will miss you both personally and professionally, and I wish you and your family, your wife, Sara and your children, Joseph, Aileen, Deborah, Mark and Jared, all the best. Joe, take care and God bless.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. DOYLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to urge my colleagues to vote once again, just like last year, to reject the anti-ATP amendments offered by my colleagues from New Hampshire and California, Mr. Bass and Mr. Royce. It is my understanding that the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) is likely to offer a similar amendment later on in this bill that would cut everything but closeout funding for the ATP program. Instead, I would urge my colleagues to recognize the Advanced Technology Program for all the work it does ensuring America's competitiveness and bringing together the many separate research efforts constantly being undertaken by American industry, universities and the Federal Government. Right now in this country, Mr. Chairman, we are fortunate enough to be part of perhaps the most vibrant, robust economy in the world. In this atmosphere I can understand why some of my colleagues would want to make sure that we are not unnecessarily diverting Federal resources toward anything resembling corporate welfare. But the fact of the matter is, although American companies are visibly in the forefront of developing software and computer technologies and a number of other high-tech innovations, amazingly, U.S. manufacturers actually trail their international competitors in developing these technologies. This lag in the application of technology is something we can address through a partnership of industry with the government, and this is something we can do for relatively small sums. I urge my colleagues, when they look at how strong the American economy is, let us continue to look for ways to make it stronger. Economists agree that the application and adaptation of technology is a key part of our economic growth. The ATP program is one of the few tools available to us in the Congress that can make a difference in this area. While we debate this important issue our competitors are already convinced of the wisdom of assisting technology application and adaptation. Japan and the European Union are each spending billions a year on their counterparts to the ATP. Mr. Chairman, none of us here would advocate unilateral disarmament in the face of military threat to the United States, but ATP is an investment in our economic engine. It is an investment in our economic security. I urge my colleagues to continue to support the ATP program as a relatively modest Federal investment reaping impressive rewards. This program rightly supports both small business and the commanding heights of American industry. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan program initiated under the Bush administration and continuing with the support of both Democrats and Republicans, and urge a vote against Mr. Bass' amendment.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3980, the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act. Incorporated as part of H.R. 3980, is legislation I introduced, H.R. 2775, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania as the H. John Heinz, III Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As the Chairman of the Senate VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee, the late Senator Heinz made a top priority of ensuring that the federal government maintained its commitment to our nation's veterans. In keeping with this legacy, I am confident Senator Heinz would be honored to have his name associated with legislation that reinforces our commitment to those who served in the Persian Gulf War. In the area of southwestern Pennsylvania where both Senator Heinz and I were born and raised, young men and women have served in our nation's armed forces at a greater rate than almost anywhere in our country. Because of this, the VA has been a major part of life in our communities for generations, and the benefits and services provided by the VA have improved the lives of countless families in our area. As the son of a fully disabled World War II veteran, I can personally attest to this fact. Without question, the Aspinwall facility was constructed as a direct result of Senator Heinz' recognition of the critical need for increased VA health care services in Pittsburgh. Thus, it is fitting and appropriate that the Aspinwall facility be renamed to acknowledge his dedication to all those who have benefited from the hospital's medical care. I can assure all members of the House that renaming the Aspinwall VA facility is no small tribute. The tragic death of Senator Heinz in 1991 was, and continues to be, a heartfelt loss for not only the veterans of Pennsylvania, but for all of its residents. The gratitude that Pennsylvanians have for Senator Heinz is evident in the overwhelming support my bill has received from members of the Pennsylvania delegation and veterans organizations from across the Commonwealth. I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 2775 as part of the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Stump and Ranking Member Evans for their support of my efforts to rename the Aspinwall VA facility in honor of the life and achievements of Senator John Heinz. I urge support for H.R. 3980.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to all those who served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II and to draw greater attention to Maritime Day. The 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, which I have the privilege to represent, has a long and proud tradition of military service to our nation, and contains one of the highest concentrations of veterans in America. In this region of western Pennsylvania, there once was also the greatest concentration of steel mills and coke ovens in the world. As these industries provided the tools and materials necessary to defeat our enemies during World War II, so did our communities send their sons and daughters to fight in our defense. While service to our country is commemorated throughout my district, the town of Elizabeth does a particularly outstanding job in recognizing the merits of military service. I am including with my statement an article that appeared in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette which details this year's service. Elizabeth, Pennsylvania is typical of the river mill towns that populate the Mon Valley. The residents of Elizabeth hold their ethnic values close in face of the demands of our modern society. Perhaps it is this steadfast attention to, and respect for, the traditions and accomplishments of those who came before them that accounts for their ever expanding reverence of our nation's veterans. Every year on Memorial Day, people from near and far travel to Elizabeth for the Veterans' Parade. It is always a distinct honor to participate in these ceremonies which are coordinated by local Veterans' of Foreign Wars chapters. A few years ago, Elizabeth began recognizing Maritime Day. The celebration occurs on May 22 and honors the contributions the men and women of the maritime industry made to our nation. In fact, the service held in Elizabeth, which is sponsored by the American Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, is the only one to occur throughout Allegheny County. It is a great honor to have a member of the American Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, Mark Gleason, sit on my Veterans' Advisory Committee. Maritime Day is a holiday of great significance to the residents of my district for a number of reasons. During World War II, the Pittsburgh area was one of the most heavily recruited areas of the country by the Merchant Marines. Those who answered the call for service from eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and the Pittsburgh area all departed for training camp through the Pittsburgh recruiting center. From steel communities and rural regions alike, young men went to sea as crew members of merchant ships. Sadly to say, many of these young men never returned home. Between December of 1941 and December of 1946 over 830 ships were sunk killing 7,000 seamen and wounding 11,000 others. Without question, the actions of these sailors contributed to the outcome of World War II. In a 1943 address to Congress, President Roosevelt reviewed the results of the war activities from the previous year. In this message President Roosevelt said: Any review of the year 1942 must emphasize the magnitude and diversity of the military activities which this nation has become engaged. As I speak to you, approximately one and a half million of our soldiers, sailors, marines, and fliers are in service outside our continental limits, all through the world. Our merchant seamen are carrying supplies to them and to our allies over every sea lane. Clearly, President Roosevelt did not differentiate between the actions of the different branches of the service. He later went on to express that Merchant Marines should not be discriminated against when it came to benefits. Unfortunately, this equality never came to fruition. For years, Merchant Seamen have been working to have their service properly recognized by the United States. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1126, the Merchant Marine Fairness Act, I am hopeful that this goal of equality will soon be reached. I am pleased to report there is significant bipartisan support for this bill. Currently, there are 307 members of Congress who have lent their support to this measure. Together, we will not allow the events of 50 years to be forgotten. I want to share with you some words that were spoken at the Elizabeth Maritime Day services in 1995: Men from this area served in the Revolutionary War and helped a young country become a new nation. They served in France and added names to the Crosses where poppies now grow row upon row in Flanders Field. Our men served our country well in all the services in the war fifty years ago and gave us folk heroes such as Commando Kelly. But thousands of other men also heard the call of the sea and served their country in the Merchant Marines. Their service helped win the war and save the world. These valleys are more quiet and if we listen in the evening, we can sometimes hear the voices of those who went to sea and did not return. We answer their call to us when they say, ``Tell us shipmates, who tolls the bell for us?'' We do, here today in Elizabeth. We do. Mr. Speaker, we handle many issues of great import within the halls of Congress and the recognition of, and equity for, the Merchant Marines of World War II should be one of them. [From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette] WW II's UNSUNG HEROES (By Dave Budinger) When troop ships came home at the close of World War II, disgorging thousands of GI's onto docks and quays of America's seaports, they were met with fireboat whistles, cheering crowds, bands and victory parades. When scruffy, lightly armed cargo ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine would steam into harbor at war's end, they were greeted by indifferent work tugs and nudged up against empty piers. No whistles, no cheers, no ``Johnny Comes Marching Home'' for their war-weary crews. And it's sort of been that way ever since, say the almost- ancient mariners who today spice retirement by gathering at restaurants to swap war stories and take potshots at a government that still regards them as second-class. Their thoughts are particularly poignant during Memorial Day week when flags fly and the country takes special note of its war heroes. ``Our destiny seems to be to let people know we weren't a bunch of draft dodgers,'' said Henry Huminski of Carrick, a retired ship's master and member of the 90-member McKeesport- based Mon Valley Chapter of the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans. Memorial Day observances honor the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who gave their lives for their country. Homage has been slight, however, for the merchant mariners who died by the thousands in the South Pacific and on the infamous North Atlantic convoy routes that fed U.S. industrial might into the war against Germany. After the war, GI veterans had the VFW and American Legion. They got the GI Bill, bonuses, insurance, help with housing, access to veterans hospitals and many other benefits. The 200,000 returning mariners got nothing--not even a free drink at the veterans clubs. ``We felt the deep division, compared to how the GIs were treated,'' Huminski said. Left out of Memorial Day, the merchant sailors adopted little-known Maritime Day as their day of remembrance. Proclaimed by Congress in 1933, Maritime Day was set aside to commemorate the first transoceanic crossing by an American steam-powered vessel. President Franklin Roosevelt, in one of his final proclamations, called upon the country to recognize the Merchant Marine war effort on Maritime Day, May 22, 1945. Since then, May 22 has become a traditional day to honor sailors from all the maritime services who were lost at sea. As it has for several years, the Mon Valley Chapter organized a memorial service held Friday at Riverfront Park in Elizabeth. It wasn't until 1988 that Congress granted veteran status and GI Bill rights to World War II mariners. ``Too late for a lot of guys,'' Huminski huffed. And even that measure fell short, the mariners say. Veteran status was applied to those who served in the Merchant Marine between Dec. 7, 1941, and Aug. 15, 1945. But veterans say civilian sailors were killed even in the waning weeks of the war, and want the cutoff point extended to Dec. 31, 1946. Still, it was a step toward recognition as a bona fide arm of military service that the Merchant Marine seeks. The reason for the Merchant Marine's unsettled status is that it was not quite military, but not entirely civilian. A merchant mariner in wartime was a hybrid. Although recruited by the U.S. War Shipping Administration and trained by the Coast Guard at government-funded installations, they sailed on privately owned ships under contract to the government, and were paid by the ships' owners. They were in most respects civilians, except for the fact they bled and died just like the people who wore the uniforms. Under attack, they would often struggle side-by-side with Naval Armed Guard crews that manned the light armament aboard most of the merchant vessels. Mariners passed ammunition and sometimes took over gunposts when a Navy man fell. When the war ended in 1945, 733 American cargo ships had been sunk in the European and Pacific theaters. More than 6,000 civilian sailors perished, including 57 from Western Pennsylvania. Another 11,000 were wounded and 604 were prisoners of war. Early in the war, German U-boats sank two of every 12 ships that left U.S. ports. One convoy on a run from New York to England was hit by a U-boat wolfpack off Greenland and lost 22 of its 63 ships. Only a fog that blew in saved the rest of the convoy. Huminski, 79, who sailed all the North Atlantic convoy routes including the treacherous Murmansk Run to Russia, was one of the lucky ones. ``I was never torpedoed. A lot of my friends were, but none of my ships were hit,'' he said. Early in the war, German U-boats were ravaging the East Coast, sinking large numbers of unprotected vessels within sight of land. When his ship would set out from New York, ``there was oil everywhere. You could see the flares on the horizon from ships burning at night,'' Huminski said. ``In the first four months, we lost more shipping tonnage than we lost at Pearl Harbor.'' The average seaman was unaware of the heavy losses at sea. ``Everything was censored; complete secrecy. We didn't know what was going on, that so many ships were being sunk.'' Huminski, a Depression era product and oldest son of a German-Polish family of 13 brothers and sisters, was in most respects typical of Pittsburgh recruits who signed up with the Merchant Marine. He wanted to flee a crowded Hill District home and a stultifying job at Mesta Machine. He tried the Army but was rejected because of a jaw problem. ``They called it malocclusion. I had a bad bite. I don't think they paid much attention to that kind of thing later in the war.'' The day after Pearl Harbor, he signed on with the Merchant Marine. He left home Christmas Eve bound for the U.S. Maritime Training Center at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. Except for one trip to Lake Erie when he was a youngster, Huminski had never seen a body of water larger than the three rivers. But he was excited about sailoring. ``We were all so gung-ho back then. We were young. We didn't know what was ahead.'' Unlike most of his Western Pennsylvania companions, Huminski stayed at sea after the war. He made the Merchant Marine a career, sailing 44 different ships, visiting 124 seaports and rising to ship's master, or captain, before retiring in 1981. The ships he crewed hauled ``everything from ammo to horses and cows,'' and he served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He estimates he spent 23\1/2\ years of his 40-year career on water. More typical of Pittsburgh area Merchant Marine veterans is Henry Kazmierski of Clairton, who returned home after the war, married a local lass and raised a family while working at USSteel's Clairton Works. Retiring in 1981 after 42 years in the mill, he's a regular at the monthly luncheon gatherings of the Mon Valley Chapter at the Old Country Inn Buffet in the Southland Shopping Center. Not as lucky as Huminski in the North Atlantic, he can describe vividly the day his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea off the coast of Norway on the Murmansk Run. It was a bitterly cold January day in 1944 aboard one of the new Liberty ships, the SS Penelope Barker. Kazmierski was standing his watch in the wheelhouse about 8:15 p.m. One of the 20 ships in the convoy had already been sunk, and the convoy had been under air attack during the day. Penelope's crew of 46 was on edge. Still, there was no warning when two torpedoes slammed into the side of the ship. ``I heard something hit, and I grabbed the wheelpost to stay up. The ship heeled to starboard.'' He struggled out of the wheelhouse to the port side. ``There was a tangled mess of lifeboats. I knew that wasn't going to work. I went to starboard. The water was coming up fast. I jumped over the side.'' He gauged his jump to land close to a lifeboat already in the water. ``I went under. The water was icy cold. . . . I knew I couldn't last long.'' His lifejacket popped him up just yards from the boat, and his shipmates quickly hauled him in. The Penelope sank in less than 10 minutes. Had it been carrying ammunition instead of general cargo, it would have blown apart with the torpedoes' impact. As it was, 10 men went down with the ship. Despite the close call, he was eager to get back to sea after 30 days ``survivor's leave'' at home. ``I never really saw anybody afraid out there. You get used to it.'' said Kazmierski, 78 who survived 11 crossings on the Murmansk Run. ``We'd just tell [the new guys] to `Stand on your tiptoes and wait for somebody to pick you up' if you got sunk. You had to have some humor out there.''

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the brownfields redevelopment initiative and the Frelinghuysen-Stokes-DeGette amendment which seeks to eliminate the bill's restrictions on the use of EPA funds for brownfields cleanups. The bill prohibits brownfields funds from being used by localities to set up a revolving loan fund program. In addition, the bill also prohibits brownfields funds from being used for research, technical assistance, education and community outreach. As a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, I have seen our region go through many changes. When I was growing up, we were a thriving industrial center. There were plenty of good jobs to be had. These jobs weren't glamorous, but they paid well and families in the region knew there was always going to be an opportunity for their children to earn a good living in the area. About the time I went to college in the early and mid-70's, the economic dynamics began to change. The global competitiveness of U.S. heavy industry began to fade. Our domestic economic focus began to shift from manufacturing to the service industry. This meant hard times for older industrial areas in Pittsburgh. As a result, many of these industrial sites like Homestead, McKeesport, and Dusquene lie abandoned or under used. I am proud of the brownfields initiative, as it provides much-needed economic stimulus without erecting a massive government program. Instead the program encourages public-private partnerships that can work efficiently to revitalize our economy. We need to make sure that the federal government is working with these private partnerships, not against it. In my state, there are several programs that are designed to foster private-public partnerships and help turn brownfields into viable properties. For example the Industrial Sites Reuse Program and Infrastructure Development Program are both financing programs that are targeted to brownfields sites, in which Pennsylvania has their fair share. In fact, many local volunteers, service organizations and non-profit groups in conjunction with community leaders in Pennsylvania have begun to volunteer their time and have started cleaning up these sites. In addition, local governments are working with private companies in offering them incentives, like tax credits, in order for them to move into these reclaimed brownfields. In Pennsylvania, these programs are gaining momentum and that is why it is crucial that we continue to fund this viable program. We have one of the most important economic development tools in the brownfields program. The program authorizes money to be used for outreach, clean up, technical assistance and research that will stimulate and return these sites for industrial use. Once these sites are cleaned up, new businesses looking to relocate in our region will find it much more feasible and attractive. As some of my colleagues will recall, in the early version of H.R. 2014, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, there was no language dealing with brownfields redevelopment nor expanding the number of Empowerment Zones. So I decided to lead a bipartisan effort to rally for this language to be inserted in the final version of H.R. 2014. Thanks to our hard work the brownfields funding and the Empowerment Zone program were expanded and now more communities can take advantage of these two programs. A vote against the Frelinghuysen-Stokes-DeGette Amendment will discourage these partnerships and send our communities the wrong message. A vote for this Amendment will ensure our communities that the federal government is committed to reclaiming and utilizing our abandoned industrial sites. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Frelinghuysen-Stokes-DeGette Amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for Dingell- Ganske. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to vote for real patient protection legislation, in the form of the Dingell-Ganske Patients' Bill of Rights. The Dingell-Ganske bill is a bipartisan effort to put healthcare decisions back into the hands of doctors and nurses, not insurance companies. It would guarantee emergency care and access to specialists, and retain for doctors the right to speak freely with patients about their medical treatment. Contrary to the claims of the insurance industry, these important patient protections can be guaranteed without radically increasing costs. We need to continue to get the news out about the recent Congressional Budget Office study, showing that the average policyholder will pay only an additional two dollars a month for these protections. The Republican leadership bill would leave treatment decisions in the hands of the insurance companies and would not guarantee the right to see a specialist. This is not real reform at all. I'm sorry to say that the Republican leadership bill still bears the faint aroma of something drafted by industry lobbyists behind closed doors. Even after last-minute changes last night, the Republican bill would still work to actually tear down existing patient protections. In my home state of Pennsylvania, and around the country, existing state patient protection laws would be preempted by this Republican leadership bill. For example, H.R. 4250, the Republican leadership bill, would override Pennsylvania's medical records confidentiality law. There would be nothing to stop your health plan from sharing your medical information with other organizations, such as your employer. Should an employer have unfettered access, or any access at all, to every employee's health information? I don't think so. On this and a number of other issues, H.R. 4250 is more than just a sop to the issue of HMO reform, it's a bad bill, and we must vote to reject it. Today, we have a choice between real reform, or a watered-down, half- hearted motion designed simply to provide political cover to the Republican party. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights. Thank you, and I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise against the Fox-Skaggs amendment. The committee's recommendation for energy conservation is over $630 million. This is an increase of 14 percent above the 1996 level. By comparison, the other Department of Energy programs in the bill, fossil energy research, Strategic Petroleum Reserve operations and the Naval Petroleum Reserve operations have been decreased by 34 percent since 1996. The General Accounting Office has been monitoring the use of funds in the Energy Conservation Program and reports that there is more than $265 million in funding appropriated in prior years for energy conservation programs that is yet to be spent by DOE. That is on top of the $630 million recommended by the committee for fiscal year 1999. I know there are those who say that fossil energy research is bad, but energy conservation and energy efficiency research is good. Let me remind my colleagues that traditional fossil fuels will continue to account for the vast majority of our energy needs for the foreseeable future. Improved technology for extracting and using fossil fuels will do more to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions than most of the programs funded under the energy conservation account. The advanced turbine system program has great potential for improving efficiency and lowering emissions. The portion of this program that has traditionally been funded in the energy conservation account receives great support; however, the portion traditionally funded in the fossil energy account does not. That just does not make sense. Again, we have that old false argument: fossil is bad, conservation is good. The fossil energy research program, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve operation and the Naval Petroleum Reserve operation have all tightened their belts. They are focused; they have streamlined their operations and substantially reduced their appropriations requirements over the past 3 years. On the other hand, the energy conservationists have displayed an attitude that ``we want to continue to do everything we have done in the past, and any new programs that require more funding.'' That attitude is unacceptable. Mr. Chairman, the committee has done the responsible job of providing funding for energy conservation programs. The proposed offsets to increase energy conservation funding are totally unacceptable, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and defeat this amendment.

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont. The gentleman from Vermont is attempting to increase funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program to reimburse localities for their lost tax revenue because of national parks, military installations and other Federal lands within their borders. This is an important issue, and the gentleman from Vermont and his colleagues raise some important arguments. I know that in my State of Pennsylvania there are some worthy local governments that are hoping to see a needed increase in their Payment in Lieu of Taxes. But I cannot support this amendment because of what is being cut in order to pay for this. The fossil energy program at the Department of Energy is very important for the work it does to support cost-shared research and development to make the energy resources we use the cleanest and cheapest they can be. This program is not very well known, except maybe here in the House around July of every year when it seems to be the most convenient and popular offset for a number of other important programs that deserve funding. But the fossil energy research at the Department of Energy is fulfilling the vital function of protecting our energy security, increasing efficiency, and making our energy use cleaner. Domestically, the simple fact is that U.S. resources, like oil, coal and natural gas, are the main sources we rely on. The Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration reports that 85 percent of our energy currently comes from fossil fuels. This figure will go up, not down, in the coming years. By 2015, 88 percent of the energy we consume will come from fossil fuels. Our national appetite for energy continues to grow and it is expected that by the year 2015 our energy needs will grow by almost 20 percent. Internationally, in the new post-Cold War world, I think we all know what a wide range of uncertainties that the U.S. faces that have the potential to disrupt our energy imports. Fossil energy research helps make us make the most of our domestic energy resources as well as stretch to the maximum the fuels we do import. Here at home, fossil energy is the biggest thing we have going, so we ought to make the most of it. Renewable fuel research, solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, and a lot of other options make a lot of sense too, and I think we should do more work in those areas. But oil, natural gas and coal are what our domestic energy distribution is currently based on, and that fact is not going to change overnight no matter what advancements we make in using other energy sources. The emerging renewables, solar, wind and geothermal, currently supply less than 1 percent of the energy needs in the United States. I have nothing against these alternative energy sources, and I think they can help diversify our Nation's energy mix, but under any realistic scenario they will only supply a small fraction of our energy needs for the next decades. On the other hand, our Nation is going to rely more and more on natural gas in the future. It is a clean burning fuel, and it can solve many of our energy and environmental problems. But where are we going to get this gas and how much are we going to pay for it? We still need technological advancements to economically produce the trillions of cubic feet of natural gas located in difficult-to-access geological settings within our borders, and that is the work that fossil fuel research is doing. There is also coal, our most abundant energy resource. I am sure most Americans do not realize that coal supplies 55 percent of our electricity. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations are making coal power generation and pollution control more expensive. Innovative, low-cost approaches to environmental controls are needed. The efficiency of power generation also needs to be improved to make sure we get every bit of available energy out of the coal we burn. There is simply no way we can give up the use of our vast domestic coal deposits and yet still keep energy prices affordable and keep our economy competitive. That is also something that the fossil fuel research program is working on. Finally, the amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont cuts $50 million from the fossil energy research to pay for only a $20 million increase in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program. The remaining $30 million would go to deficit reduction. I would like to say that I think we all know there has been a lot of good work on this issue of cutting the deficit, and there is definitely a lot more work to do, but the way this amendment is structured, I am concerned that this may simply be a gratuitous swipe at this year's easy target, fossil energy research, depositing the $30 million in change for deficit reduction. Fossil energy research offers tangible benefits to the American economy and does not deserve to be viewed in this light. Fossil energy research does not deserve this $50 million cut. Mr. Chairman, I urge defeat of this amendment.

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. (Mr. DOYLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act Conference Report (H.R. 2676). Continuously, I hear from my constituents who ask this Congress to address ways to simplify filing, and improve IRS customer assistance and service. I have long advocated that the IRS should be overhauled to better serve taxpayers and run more like a business. I believe that the Conference Report we are voting on today effectively addresses these concerns. This landmark legislation establishes an independent review board which will oversee IRS administration, management and execution of IRS laws, which should help the agency run more effectively. Six of the nine members of this review board will come from the private sector with expertise in customer service, federal tax laws and organizational development. The remaining three members would be the Secretary of the Treasury, the IRS Commissioner and a representative from the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). Their goal will be to recommend options which will improve overall effectiveness in customer service. I also want to highlight several provisions of the Conference Report which are aimed at protecting taxpayers rights. This bipartisan Conference Report now places the burden of proof on the IRS rather than the taxpayer in tax disputes that come before a U.S. Tax Court judge. This agreement also requires the IRS to make available to taxpayers clarifications, definitions and explanations on a variety of matters. Also falsification or destruction of documents, or violating the civil rights of a taxpayer will now result in the dismissal of the individual responsible, and will permit taxpayers to sue the government if any of these charges can be proven. Often, I hear from my constituents that filing federal taxes is too complex, and as a former small business owner I agree that filing federal taxes is unnecessarily confusing and time consuming. The Conference Report addresses this concern by calling on the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an electronic commerce advisory group policy that promotes paper-less filing. Under the Conference Report, the advisory group will study ways to increase taxpayer use of electronic filing and work on a plan to meet the goal of 80 percent electronic filing by 2007. I am especially pleased that this tax simplification provision was included in H.R. 2676. This bill, which requires the IRS to be more accountable to all taxpayers, is a step in the right direction. Let us move forward on the widespread agreements that exist to substantially reform the IRS. That is why I urge my colleagues to vote for passage of this Conference Report today.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, due to the death of a family member, I was unavoidably absent on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 24, 1998, and as a result, missed rollcall votes 260 through 264. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on rollcall 260, yes on rollcall 261, yes on rollcall 262, yes on rollcall 263, and yes on rollcall 264.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Mount Lebanon High School Blue Devils who won the 1998 Pennsylvania AAA Varsity Baseball Championship. Last Thursday, June 11, they defeated Coatesville High School by the score of 9-6 at Riverside Stadium in Harrisburg. Mount Lebanon, which is located in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, came back from a four-run deficit after four innings to win the first baseball championship in school history. The Blue Devils, who were 21-4 overall with a conference record of 13-1, defeated a tough Coatesville team who posted a season record of 22-4 to clinch the PIAA state title. This victory exemplifies the quality high school athletic programs in Pennsylvania's 18th District. Blue Devils' coach Ed McCloskey, elementary school health and physical education teacher, recently retired. The gold medals presented to his team were a timely retirement present. Once again, I would like to congratulate the players, the coaching staff, the supportive student body and families, and also the Mount Lebanon Community. I take pride in the accomplishments of the team and appreciate the opportunity to brag amongst my colleagues on Capitol Hill. Keep up the good work and I hope to hear of many future successes.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, due to the illness of a member of my immediate family, I was unavoidably absent on Thursday, May 7, 1998, and as a result, missed rollcall votes 130 through 137. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on rollcall 130, yes on rollcall 131, yes on rollcall 132, no on rollcall 133, no on rollcall 134, yes on rollcall 135, yes on rollcall 136, and no on rollcall 137.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend congratulations to Kennywood Amusement Park on their centennial anniversary. This traditional amusement park is located within my congressional district in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania along the Monongahela River, where it has remained in operation for one hundred years. Originating as a small trolley park in 1898, Kennywood has survived through times of struggle and success to become a fine amusement park. Andrew Mellon's Monongahela Street Railway Company established this trolley park in 1898. The turn of the century brought competition from several amusement retreats in the Pittsburgh area. The Pittsburgh Railway Company designated its lease to A.S. McSwigan and Frederick W. Henninger. Today, third and fourth generations of these individuals continue to manage the park. Over the years, as numerous roller coasters and rides were added, the park grew in size and popularity. Many of the older rides, including wooden roller coasters from the 1910's and 1920's are still in operation today, and are becoming endangered species in the amusement park industry. In 1987, Kennywood received national attention when it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Kennywood survived through adversity and several hardships. They endured the burden of the Great Depression, financial difficulties during World War II, and competition from million dollar theme parks in the 1960's and 1970's. Despite significant changes in history and cultures, Kennywood remains a traditional amusement park. After one hundred years in the amusement business, Kennywood continues to prosper. One of the fundamental reasons for its survival is the goal it sets forth. Kennywood applies modern technology to new rides while maintaining the atmosphere of amusement parks of the past. Having lived in western Pennsylvania all my life, I have personally enjoyed visiting Kennywood many times as a child and have enjoyed sharing the joy of Kennywood with my wife and children also. I want to congratulate Kennywood on their one-hundredth anniversary and commend the management for preserving a place that means so much to many people.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kara Pivarski from Springdale High School. Kara is the top winner in the 1998 18th Congressional District High School Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery. Kara's outstanding artwork reflects all the signs of an artist of considerable talent. ``Hey, you in white'', an oil composition, not only captures the nuances of light and shadow, but the complex nature of human expression. Her attention to detail has the effect of transporting you to the time and place of the painting's subjects. I always look forward to viewing the artwork created by our local student artists, and I am pleased that Kara's artwork will be displayed in a national exhibition along with students from across the country. Kara, you can be extremely proud of your accomplishment. Congratulations! Best wishes for future success.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Chairman, roads, bridges, transit, and trails all play an important part in meeting the challenge of continuing to use transportation to benefit the economy, environment, and quality of life in all of our communities. Today's passage of H.R. 2400, the Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act (BESTEA), means that the critical infrastructure needs of the people in the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania will be addressed in a comprehensive manner. The success of BESTEA is its preservation of the most progressive components of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). BESTEA continues to recognize and pay attention to, creating and maintaining transportation systems which reflect both environmental concerns and the needs of residents. BESTEA is a balanced bill which meets the needs of road repair, bridge rehabilitation, transit access, safety research, and pollution reduction. Pennsylvania's overall network of 116,000 miles of highways and streets is the largest of any eastern state with 44% of the state's 22,327 bridges in disrepair. The support provided by BESTEA not only stimulates economic activity, but meets important safety concerns. BESTEA also provides critical assistance in improving other aspects of transportation that enhance the aesthetic of our local landscapes and improve the quality of our air. I am pleased that CMAQ and Recreational Trail Program funds were included in BESTEA. It is important to note that BESTEA provides this critical assistance to cities, towns, and neighborhoods across our country in a fiscally responsible manner. As a strong balanced budget advocate, I am supportive of the requirement that any spending increases in BESTEA must be off-set. As a cosponsor of the Truth in Budgeting Act in both the 104th and 105th Congress, I am pleased that BESTEA addresses a tax fairness issue by moving the Highway Trust Fund ``off-budget'' beginning in FY 1999. Currently, with this fund ``on-budget'' the surpluses are used to mask a portion of our true budget deficit and prevents the funds from being used in the manner they were intended. Without the critical support that BESTEA provides, countless communities in the 18th Congressional District would have to stave off undesirable consequences of poor infrastructure, rather than plan for future development and growth. By improving our communities' mobility we can directly benefit the quality of life and economic competitiveness of our country. I am pleased to support H.R. 2400.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an organization in my district that's doing amazing work for veterans in Western Pennsylvania, Sharing and Caring, Inc. Sharing and Caring is an all volunteer organization dedicated to helping our nation's most important heroes, our veterans. Each year, Sharing and Caring organizes a cruise on Pittsburgh's rivers for hospitalized veterans. The event gives these veterans an opportunity to spend a day outside the hospital, but it's also an opportunity for our entire community to honor the service of our veterans by sponsoring, or ``adopting'', a veteran for the boat ride. In 1985, the first year of this event, Sharing and Caring's river boat cruise benefitted over 500 veterans. Today, that number has doubled, allowing more than 1,000 veterans to take part in the day's events. This effort to give veterans a ``holiday'' outside of their normal hospital environments deserves acknowledgment and commendation. The people who started this event, however, deserve just as much praise. As a hospital volunteer, Bernard Pack, who himself is a veteran of World War II and Korea, was dismayed by the sight of so many veterans spending their days watching television inside hospital wards. His desire to bring something special to the lives of his comrades propelled him and fellow volunteers Robert Riethmiller and David Gool to organize the first river boat cruise. Out of this event, Sharing and Caring, Inc. was formed, and the organization has gone on to help numerous hospitalized veterans. I want to extend my personal thanks and best wishes to Bernie, Robert and David for the time, energy and effort they put into creating Caring and Sharing. And I also want to thank all the volunteers that keep the organization going. Your efforts to help our veterans is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of an outstanding young adult from the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lindsay Leach, a Congressional Award medal recipient. Lindsay's commitment to self-development and community involvement serves as an inspiration to people of all ages, and illustrates the accomplishments that come with hard work and determination. Without motivation, however, hard work and determination are destined to remain unfulfilled ideals. Lindsay's motivation breathed life into numerable commendable acts. Not only did Lindsay involve herself in volunteer work, but invested time in broadening her physical and artistic skills. While much of what is directed towards young people is prescriptive in nature, it is important to note that these acts were of Lindsay's own design and were completed with her own resolve. Upon review of Lindsay's achievements, one is particularly struck by the considerable amount of time that was devoted to obtaining this award. Hundreds of hours over the course of months were invested. Clearly, Lindsay recognizes the immense value of giving one's time to others. It is my hope that your actions foreshadow a life distinguished by the pursuit of new challenges. Congratulations Lindsay! Best wishes to you for continued success.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity today to join with my distinguished colleagues to speak about H.R. 1231, the Post Office Relocation Act. In particular, I want to express my appreciation to Representative Blumenauer for organizing this forum and to recognize his efforts in fashioning thoughtful legislation that directly responds to the postal needs and concerns of constituents in every community in our country. Regardless of where one may reside, the services that the U.S. Post Office provides are deeply rooted in the essence of community and by extension connote a sense of identity. Thus, rural and urban residents understandably react unfavorably when their mail delivery or local post office is altered in some way. A community's reaction is unduly compounded when they have a sense that their concerns and needs were not considered as part of the decision-making process. In just the last year, I have been approached by several communities in the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania that are faced with some type of difficulty regarding postal services. While the circumstances of these cases are quite different, the level of frustration they have experienced with respect to their ability to interject individual thoughts and opinions has been the same. The residents of Whitaker, Pennsylvania--in my district--have had to deal with having the operating hours of their local post office reduced to 10AM to 2PM. I don't care where you live, four hours of service is utterly inadequate. In a community nearby to Whitaker, the small, close-knit community of Jefferson Boro is currently being served by four different post offices. Can you imagine four different post offices delivering mail to one community of just over 3,000 households? In yet another part of my district, Rural Ridge has been trying to reach consensus with the U.S. Postal Service on what type of delivery best meets the needs of their community. While the particulars of these cases are disparate, they all point to the need for greater participation on the part of affected individuals and communities in the decisions arrived at by the U.S. Postal Service. The Post Office Relocation Act is responsive to this need and lays out a reasonable structure through which substantive discourse will occur and collaborative decisions will be reached. At the risk of being repetitive, I will not outline every provision of the bill. I do however, want to briefly highlight some parts that I think embody the common sense approach taken by Representative Blumenauer's legislation. As a starting point, H.R. 1231 would require the U.S. Postal Service to give residents a 60 day notice before the renovation, relocation, closing, or consolidation of their post office. This notice can either be hand delivered or delivered by mail. In addition, a notice of such action must be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the zip codes served. The Post Office Relocation Act does not stop with this good beginning, but also incorporates an allowance for any person affected to offer an alternative proposal and the requirement for hearings to be conducted. Finally, this bill revises the factors that are considered to include the sentiment of the community, whether postal officials negotiated with persons served, and the adequacy of the existing post office. The Post Office Relocation Act will most assuredly add to the great amount of respect that we all hold for the U.S. Postal Service. I am hopeful that this discussion will lead to more members adding their support to this bill which currently has 49 cosponsors. I also want to offer my strongest encouragement to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Postal Service to examine this most necessary bill as soon as possible. Again, I want to recognize Representative Blumenauer for introducing H.R. 1231, the Post Office Relocation Act. I appreciate having this chance to express my support for the bill.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to put a face and a name to the spirit that embodies one of the strengths of our country: community involvement. Community involvement that stems from a life of dedication and determination. It is a distinct privilege to extend my congratulations to Joe Piccone, Unico Honoree of the Year. For many, Joe represents the optimum response to the question ``What could be?''. A child from Civitella, Joe created success in the United States in part due to the strength provided by his culture and customs, and his actions have served to improve the environment and the lives of others. It is fitting that such an outstanding organization recognize the example Joe Piccone sets for commitment to excellence. Sharing Joe's Italian heritage, I am extremely proud to call the honoree a friend and greatly appreciate having this opportunity to express my sincere respect for him. Businessman, husband and father, or friend; Joe brings an enthusiasm that underscores the importance of engaging yourself in life even with regard to the most ordinary, everyday occurrences. Joe's life illustrates the profound effects that result from love and perseverance. Joe, I salute your most recent accomplishment and offer my best wishes to you and your family for continued success.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, we honor our veterans not only by recognizing what they have done for this country, but also by remembering what they sacrificed to achieve that goal. For many families in Southwestern Pennsylvania, like mine, who have family members that served during wartime, we are reminded every day about these sacrifices. Late last year, a resident of my district, Liz Mowry of Munhall, Pennsylvania, gave a very special gift to the Pittsburgh community. Her contribution will not only help to honor our veterans, but it will also help our entire nation understand and remember the supreme sacrifices they made during wartime in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. This gift was many personal possessions owned by her father during his service in World War I, which Ms. Mowry donated to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Pittsburgh, the Commonwealth's, and the nation's second largest veterans' museum. These items are significant for many reasons. One of the most impressive features is the excellent condition of the items, given their age. In fact, the centerpiece of the collection is a military uniform, now over 80 years old, in museum-quality shape. Other items Ms. Mowry is giving to the Memorial are WWI photos and a copy of the diary her father kept during his service. These items are also historically significant because of their owner. Sergeant William Edward ``Doc'' Handschuh, Ms. Mowry's father, was a member of Company 3, the lst Air Service Mechanical Regiment. His work included servicing planes flown by WWI flying ace Edward Rickenbacher, who some consider to be one of the best, and most famous, pilots in history. However, the most important thing Sergeant Handschuh left his family was not his service memorabilia, but the pride he felt for his service, and his country. While these lessons cannot be hung in a museum, they live in the minds and hearts of Sergeant Handschuh's family. Liz Mowry and her family have kept her father's wartime memories as a reminder of his service. Now, these rare pieces of American history can teach us all more about the young Americans that fought in the early years of this century to protect this nation's future. I add my sincere gratitude to that of the entire Pittsburgh community for the gift Ms. Mowry has bestowed on the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial. Our community has a long history of honoring military service, and her donation will continue that tradition, giving all Memorial visitor's the opportunity to learn more about the veterans of WWI.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, the contributions made by Therese Rocco to our local communities and our Nation serve as a testament to the lasting impact that can be achieved by a single individual. It is with extreme pleasure that I congratulate Therese on being named Mom's House Courageous Woman of 1997. Therese's accomplishments are as extensive as they are impressive. Her efforts have won praise from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, several mayors of Pittsburgh, the International Association of the Chiefs of Police, Allegheny County Commissioners, the Pennsylvania State Service Commission, and Newsweek magazine, to name a few. Therese has been rightly recognized not only for her skill and dedication, but for her foresight regarding emerging needs in the criminal justice system. Clearly, Therese is a woman of great courage who has demonstrated the vision and spirit that is necessary to raise awareness and bring about real change. A female pioneer in police enforcement and public administration, Therese brought to light the need for community policing and greater representation of women officers, as well as the plight of underprivileged and abused children. That these issues are still of concern today illustrates that Therese was way ahead of the curve when she began examining them over 30 years ago. Without question, Therese is an excellent choice for this award, as her life has the power to inspire young women who may have doubts about the validity of their own worth and aspirations. I, along with my distinguished colleagues form western Pennsylvania, salute your most recent award, Mom's House Courageous Woman of 1997. Please accept our most sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for a provision in H.R. 2158, the fiscal year 1998 VA-HUD funding bill that would significantly improve the health care provided to the veterans of Western Pennsylvania. Language included in this measure would allow the University Drive VA Medical Center (VAMC), located in Pittsburgh, PA, to go ahead with plans to renovate a number of the hospital's patient rooms and support facilities. The improvements are planned for the main building of the University Drive facility, which has not been significantly changed since it was built in 1954. The renovations will bring the medical center up to VA minimum standards for life safety, patient privacy and handicapped accessibility. Additionally, these changes are required to more adequately meet the needs of the increasing number of female veterans who are being treated at the medical center. This project would improve the overall quality of health care provided at the University Drive VAMC, a facility that plays an important role in VA health care, not only in the Pittsburgh area where I live, but across the entire Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 (VISN 4) region. In addition to serving as the primary medical facility for many of the veterans in my district, the University Drive facility serves as a major medical-surgical tertiary care center for the entire western Pennsylvania VA health care network. The facility also operates a number of specialty services, such as liver transplantation, that benefit veterans across an even wider geographic area. Even though the University Drive VAMC holds significant responsibilities within the VA health care system, current conditions at the facility are making it increasingly difficult for hospital staff to continue to provide high quality medical care. This past Spring, I revisited the facility and toured the main building where the renovations are planned. The conditions that I found, which would be alleviated under the renovation plans funded by this bill, would not be tolerated for a single day in a private hospital environment, let alone the years that such conditions have been present at University Drive. The University Drive facility has patient rooms with such limited space that a patient must be removed from the room when another patient is brought in on an emergency room gurney to share that room. In other patient wards, as many as 16 veterans share quarters, with limited space and only hanging cloth screens between them. Congregate bath facilities create additional dilemmas for patients and hospital staff, especially with the number of female veterans being treated at the facility increasing. These and other problems associated with the aging building not only inconvenience patients, but also put unnecessary obstacles in the path of hospital employees and their efforts to provide quality medical care to these veterans. Such conditions are certainly not consistent with how we should be honoring and caring for our nation's veterans. The VA health care system is a very important part of the Pittsburgh community. Our area has one of the largest populations of veterans in the Nation. Thus, VA benefits and services, including health care, have played a large part in the lives of many of our residents. One of the things I am proudest of about the people of western Pennsylvania is that they understand the gifts our Nation's veterans have given to them. They realize that it is because of the sacrifices our veterans have made on battlefields around the globe that our Nation has been able to prosper, and this prosperity has allowed us to enjoy, among other things, a medical system that is one of the best in the world. I am pleased that H.R. 2158 would finally allow the veterans of western Pennsylvania to share a piece of that medical prosperity, a benefit that they helped secure for the rest of the Nation, and one that is long overdue to the veterans of western Pennsylvania.

Mr. DOYLE

Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about legislation I have introduced that would provide permanent residency to a young family from the former Czechoslovakia: Jozef Richard Madar, Etela Madar, and their son, Jozef Thomas Madar. Several years prior to Slovakia's independence from the Czech Republic, the Madars sought refuge from religious persecution in the United States. Since arriving in our country over 6 years ago, Jozef and Etela have followed the rules and have conducted their lives in a most exemplary manner. Both Jozef and Etela have been gainfully employed the entire time they have been in the United States. In addition, neither Jozef or Etela has a criminal record and they have not accepted any public assistance or welfare. The Madar family, which has grown to include another son, Kevin, has been active in and embraced by both their community and church. In short, the Madar family is an embodiment of the strengths that built our great immigrant country. Religious liberty, the freedom to proclaim a religious identity and practice it without fear, should be an inalienable right for people everywhere. In the former Czechoslovakia, Communist rule had a detrimental effect on all aspects of the Madar's life. Acts of harassment and persecution resulting from their Catholic faith and anticommunist views led the Madars to our country. Discrimination not only affected the Madar's ability to practice their faith, but also their employment opportunities. While Slovakia has made some progress in the area of human rights, the Madars believe that this change has not been sufficient enough to ensure the level of safety and freedom that they have found in the United States. My legislation would allow the Madar family permanent residency which in turn would allow them to continue to contribute to the quality of life in western Pennsylvania and their community. I am honored that I have the privilege to represent people of such fortitude and look forward to working with my colleagues to help the Madars in their quest to call the United States their lifelong home.