Jimmy Duncan

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me this time. I understand that we are trying to use some time while we wait for the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and I will say that I have had the privilege a few years ago of attending the soap box derby in Knoxville; and I have seen firsthand the excitement and the interest and, really, the educational value that is given to many young people around the country through this nationwide program. I have been asked to give this statement on behalf of the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the chairman of the full committee, and myself. So I will say on behalf of Chairman Young and really speaking, I think, for the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I rise today to offer my full support for House Concurrent Resolution 53, which authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 62nd Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to be held on June 21, 2003. This event, which is open to the public and free of charge, gives young people from around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area an opportunity to not only showcase their talents of building a vehicle that will perform at high levels, but also the opportunity to realize the rewards of a job well done. Participants will compete in three open divisions based on their experience in building their vehicles. This event is currently one of the oldest of its kind in the country, having taken place for over 60 years. The winners of these events will go on to represent the Washington area at the national competition to be held in Akron, Ohio, later in the summer. I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for introducing this resolution and all of my colleagues who have spoken previously and for their continued support for this very worthwhile program. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this worthy legislation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 866) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to enhance the security of wastewater treatment works.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Coach Doug Dickey upon his upcoming retirement as the Men's Athletics Director at the University of Tennessee, UT. Throughout his impressive career, Coach Dickey has set an example of leadership and service not only to the University of Tennessee, but also to the entire State of Tennessee and Volunteer fans around the Country. Although Coach Dickey will soon be retiring, the legacy of excellence he has so well established will continue to inspire the University and its athletic programs for years to come. I am proud to call Doug a personal friend, and I join the entire UT community in wishing him the very best in his future endeavors. Doug has been Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee for the past 17 years, but his support of collegiate athletics includes time spent as quarterback for the University of Florida's football team, an assistant coach, head coach, as well as, administrator. During his tenure as the Men's Athletic Director for the University of Tennessee, Doug has raised the standard of excellence for all UT athletics. During the past several years alone he has seen the school earn the National Championship in football, go to the College World Series in baseball, reach the NCAA finals in tennis, become the NCAA champions in track and field to name only a few. In addition to the remarkable leadership he has brought to UT athletics, Doug has been recognized nationally for his abilities by being asked to serve on numerous collegiate athletics boards and committees. More lasting than titles and athletic accomplishments, however, Doug has provided consistent and exceptional leadership for his coaches and players. This Nation is a better place today because of the work he has done for the University of Tennessee and, more importantly, the inspiration and guidance he has given to so many young people who are still doing good and great things for this Country. Each Member of this body has a favorite collegiate athletics program, but I believe we can all agree that it is the caliber of individuals like Coach Dickey that makes these programs the success they are. To Doug I say congratulations on your retirement, and on behalf of UT fans everywhere I say thank you.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on March 22nd, 2003, Tennessee lost one of its finest soldiers. Colonel Russell Austin Newman (ret.) was a man who spent his life dedicated to serving and protecting Tennessee and its citizens. Colonel Newman was born in Knoxville, TN on December 9th, 1929. He grew up there and attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in May of 1953. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army from ROTC. His military education included the Infantry Officers Basic Course, the Armor Officers Advanced Course and the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College, C&GSC. Colonel Newman, during his career, served in numerous command and staff positions while on active duty and in the National Guard. He served as the first Regimental Commander, designated as the First Colonel of the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment, ACR, in Knoxville when it was initially organized in the Tennessee National Guard in 1977. This unit became one of only two heavy armored cavalry regiments in the Nation. It is today an enhanced brigade of the Army National Guard of the United States, a very prestigious designation that keeps it a state-of-the-art unit. Colonel Newman served as an instructor for the Tennessee Military Academy's Officer Candidate School, the Army National Guard Professional Education Center, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College. His military awards include: the Legion of Merit, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Many East Tennesseans served under Colonel Newman's command. As a former Guardsman, I served as his Judge Advocate General. I appreciated both his leadership and friendship. After retiring from the military in June of 1985, with nearly 32 years of military service, Colonel Newman joined the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, TEMA. In March of 1986, when TEMA was organized into regions along the lines of the State's three Grand Divisions, Colonel Newman was named the first director of the East Region and retired from that post in March of 1999. Colonel Newman was well known throughout East Tennessee in both roles and through public service. He was the first of only seven officers to command the 278th ACR and his later emergency management work included developing plans for local governments that still bear his stamp. Colonel Newman did not limit his work to East Tennessee; one of his first acts after becoming East Region director was to go to West Tennessee and help write the regional earthquake response plan. Colonel Newman was a past president of the National Guard Association of Tennessee and served numerous public service organizations in East Tennessee, including tenure as Chairman and member on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, President of the Knoxville-Knox County Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad, Vice Chairman of the Knox County Emergency Management LEPC, President of the North Side Optimist Club, Chairman of the Knox Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and a counselor for the John Tarleton Home for Children. Colonel Newman was the only son of Russell A. and Georgia Newman. His loving daughter, Ann Rita Ditmore, son, Sergeant Charles Newman, only grandson, Hunter Ditmore, son-in-law, Floyd Ditmore, sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Howard Bozeman, and brother-in-law, J. W. Morton, all of Knoxville, Tennessee, mourn the passing of this great commander, soldier, leader, father, grandfather, father-in law, brother and brother-in-law. A celebration of life and reception was held at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory on Tuesday, March 25, 2003, prior to inurement at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, I did say some good things about Pat Summitt; and I do want to say that I am really very, very proud of my Lady Vols, because coming in second in the entire Nation is really a great, great accomplishment. I wish we were number one, but number two is not bad at all, and I am very, very proud of my hometown Lady Vols.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) for yielding me this time. I will not take the full 5 minutes, but I do rise in the spirit of good sportsmanship that we see exhibited in our wonderful system of collegiate athletics on almost a daily basis to offer credit where credit is due and congratulate the great women's basketball team at the University of Connecticut on their victory over my own hometown Lady Vols. I have had the privilege on two occasions of being Pat Summit's honorary assistant coach, and my collegiate coaching record is two and zero, I am proud to say, because Coach Summit has been certainly one of the most outstanding coaches in the history of basketball, having led her teams to six national championships. But certainly our number one rival in women's basketball has been the great teams and program that Coach Geno Auriemma has established and built at the University of Connecticut. And those University of Connecticut women certainly showed in every way that not only were they talented athletes but they were wonderful young women as well and outstanding examples for young people all over this Nation. Unfortunately, I do wish that I was on the other side of this resolution and that I was offering it, and that my friend the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) was up congratulating me. I do now, unfortunately, owe him some Tennessee country ham and some honey, that I will bring following the recess. Mr. Speaker, I will simply end by saying once again, congratulations to a really outstanding team and also by saying, wait until next year.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the inspirational accomplishments and remarkable example set by Darrell Bowles, II. Darrell, who was born in Knoxville, TN and raised in nearby Blaine, was recently named a Tennessee recipient of the ``Yes I Can!'' award, given by the Tennessee Federation Council for Exceptional Children. This award recognizes outstanding achievement by students receiving special education services. I might add that Darrell was among the top five nominees at the National level. Born weighing only 1 pound, 7 ounces at 26 weeks, Darrell suffered blindness shortly after birth. Despite this challenge, Darrell has continually proven that with steadfast determination each of us can achieve excellence in what we set out to do. Now in the ninth grade at the Tennessee School of the Blind and Educational Resource Center for the Visually Impaired, Darrell excels in technology and computer studies. He has become an expert in specialized technology and is an advocate for the continued advancement of new software and hardware that further enables visually impaired individuals to excel in both the academic and business community. Beyond his technological capabilities, however, Darrell's spirit of optimism and determination should be an example to each of us. In a recent news report, Darrell is quoted as saying that his inspiration to give his very best comes from God. He is quoted as saying, ``I didn't ask for this, but I am following His will for me.'' When speaking to people who have become discouraged or frustrated he said he likes to tell them that, ``When God opens a door, its there. Go in before it closes.'' Regardless of where we are in life or what challenges we face, I believe the advice of Darrell Bowles should apply to each of us. I also want to commend the loving family members and dedicated teachers who have supported Darrell's efforts. I am sorry to say that Darrell's mother has passed away, but the love she shared with him continues to be a driving force in his life. I am proud to be Darrell's Congressman and on behalf of this body, I want to thank Darrell for the example he continues to set for so many, and to wish him the greatest success in the future.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a tribute to one of Knoxville, Tennessee's finest citizens. Many in this body and around the Country will not recognize his name, but when Mr. Robert Coulter ``Dink'' Eldridge, Sr. passed away at the age of 85 on February 21, 2003 this Nation lost a great American. Many Knoxvillians join me in mourning his death. Dink Eldridge graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1940. During his final years at the University, he managed the Volunteer Football team as they went undefeated in regular season play and participated in the Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. More than victory marked his time with the Volunteers however. Those who knew him at this time also remember his dedicated leadership and desire to see every athlete reach his fullest potential. In addition to his time managing the Volunteers, Dink managed the East Army All Star football team at Yale University with the great General R.R. Neyland. In 1942 Dink Eldridge was called to serve his Nation in the United States Army where he served with distinction as a second lieutenant in the Tank Corps. Here again, Dink proved his willingness to serve his fellow man and was awarded both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star medal for his efforts. After a brief period away from the military, Dink was called on again, this time in the Korean War. During his professional career, Dink demonstrated a deeply held commitment to excellence. Following his early days as a lineman for Bell Systems, Dink steadily rose in his career. While his supervisory work for Bell took him to cities across the State, Dink was eventually able to return to Knoxville where he served as District Engineer until his retirement in 1971. Like many leaders, Dink was unable to remain retired for long. In 1986, he was named president of the Concord Telephone Exchange. Dink provided steady leadership to this organization during a period of tremendous growth and remained president until his second retirement in 1993. With this said, Dink is possibly best known to the people of East Tennessee for his dedicated work in the community. His generosity of time touched countless lives. Through his work on the executive board of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America and as President of the Bearden Little League Baseball league alone, Dink passed his love of Country and community onto a generation of young people. In everything Dink did, he strove for excellence in himself and sought to inspire the same in those around him. I am proud to have known Dink for many years, but I am even more proud to have called Dink Eldridge a personal friend. To his wife Anna Yvonne I say thank-you for being such a supportive and loving part of his life and to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I simply say continue carrying the banner of service your father and grandfather held so high.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, our trade deficit reached an astounding figure of over $400 billion last year. This means we are still losing millions of jobs to other countries. Now in today's Washington Post, there are headlines saying ``White Collar Work a Booming U.S. Export'' and ``More White Collar Work being Shipped Overseas.'' According to this story, one study says by 2015, 3 million white collar jobs and $140 billion in wages will have shifted from the U.S. to other nations. Another headline in today's Post says ``U.S. Manufacturers Cut Back in March.'' The disciples of high tech told us not to worry about losing factory jobs, but now we are losing these economy jobs to China, India, and elsewhere. Is it any wonder that college graduates cannot find good jobs and are going to graduate school while working as waiters and waitresses? We need to start putting U.S. workers first and end trade agreements and government regulations that force more jobs to other countries. If we do not, Mr. Speaker, the standard of living for most Americans is going to go down, down, down.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, in these challenging economic times it is important to recognize individuals and companies that invest in our future. Last month, I helped celebrate just such an investment in my district--the state-of-the-art office and production facility for the Knoxville News Sentinel, East Tennessee's largest newspaper. This paper has been based in downtown Knoxville since its first issue in 1886. It now educates and informs more than 400,000 people every week and supports a wide variety of local civic, charitable and education organizations. The News Sentinel has taken its community involvement a giant step further by building its $50 million headquarters in a formerly underserved part of Knoxville's city center and by bringing on-line one of the most sophisticated printing presses in the United States. The paper's parent company, E.W. Scripps, also bases its highly successful cable networks and Internet services in Knoxville. East Tennessee is one of the best places in our Nation to do business. I applaud the News-Sentinel and E.W. Scripps for having the foresight to invest in this dynamic community.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that today, Chairman Don Young and I are introducing the ``Water Quality Financing Act of 2003.'' As many members know, the American Society of Civil Engineers recently graded the condition of the infrastructure throughout the country. Wastewater infrastructure received a ``D.'' Nearly half of sewer pipes in American cities are over 50 years old. Some are over 100 years old. Treatment plants built in the 1970's need to be upgraded. New mandates to manage municipal stormwater runoff have gone into effect. And water quality must be improved. As a nation, we are not investing enough in our wastewater treatment infrastructure to ensure that we will continue to keep our waters clean. Unless we act, we could lose the significant gains in water quality that have been achieved over the last 30 years. There are multiple reasons for our current situation. The Federal government has redirected local resources by imposing unfunded mandates on our communities. Some State and local governments have chosen other local priorities before maintaining wastewater infrastructure because it was ``out of sight, out of mind.'' But, instead of assigning blame, we need to work together to solve these problems. We must breathe life into partnerships using the resources of Federal, State and local governments, the private sector and local ratepayers. No one sector will be able to carry this responsibility alone. We also must meet the challenge of finding more efficient and less expensive ways to address our wastewater treatment needs. According to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the gap between current spending and needed investment could be over $200 billion over the next 20 years. The actual amount of needed future investment depends heavily on the actions of Federal, State and local governments. If we can achieve a greater environmental return on our investment with alternative treatment systems and can increase efficiencies through partnerships, regionalization, and improved operation and maintenance, we can cut the gap between current spending and needed investment in hall This means we need to both increase investment and take action to reduce costs. The ``Water Quality Financing Act of 2003'' addresses these issues by: (1) Authorizing $20 billion over five years in Federal assistance through State Revolving Loan Funds; (2) Encouraging innovative and alternative approaches to solving water quality problems and financing infrastructure improvements; (3) Encouraging appropriate management of infrastructure assets, including planning for the payment of the costs of repair and replacement; and (4) Increasing support for small and disadvantaged communities through funding, technical assistance, and increased subsidies. There are a variety of competing policies that continue to be discussed as we update this program. In crafting this bill we have looked at the national goal of improving water quality, the current demands on the Federal budget, and the responsibilities of local communities to provide municipal services and maintain their local wastewater systems. We have worked closely with members on both sides of the aisle and the various stakeholders to advance the goal of improving the infrastructure in the most cost effective manner. We have received favorable feedback from diverse parties. The Water Quality Financing Act of 2003 embraces innovative solutions for these competing interests and I urge members to support this legislation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, sometimes we lose sight of what is really important in life. That is why I want to congratulate a former Tennessee State Senator, Danny Wallace, for the balance he is achieving in his life. He has successfully operated the Halls Cinema in Knox County for the past 20 years. Small businesses are the backbone of our entire economy, and yet a very high percentage fail within the first five years. Mr. Wallace has succeeded in an industry where it is very difficult for an independent operator to survive. More importantly, he is putting his family first, foregoing opportunities in politics to spend more time with those who are most important to him. I want to congratulate Danny Wallace on the 20th anniversary of the Halls Cinema and urge all my colleagues and other readers of the Record to read the fine article about him, his family, and business that was published in the Halls Shopper newspaper. [From the Halls Shopper News, Mar. 31, 2003] 20 Years for Halls Cinema Seven (By Sandra Clark) Sometimes life gets in the way of politics. Danny Wallace, a state senator at age 33, was a fund-raiser for Phil Bredesen in last year's election. You might have expected him to land a job in Nashville--perhaps even become a commissioner like his dad, J.D., in the Blanton Administration. But Danny works the ticket booth at Halls Cinema Seven and goes to ballgames with his 12-year-old son,

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will simply close by saying that my mother spent all of her life from her birth to the end of her college years, in Iowa. I still have relatives in the great State of Iowa. Thus, it has been an honor for me to help bring this resolution to the floor, along with the chief sponsor, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), and to recognize a very important part of this great Nation. I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all remaining time on this legislation on our side be controlled by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is a real honor and privilege for me to bring this particular legislation to the floor at this time because Floyd Spence was a close, personal friend of mine and one of the greatest Members this body has ever seen. I had the privilege of traveling several different places with Congressman Spence and working with him on many different pieces of legislation. H.R. 917, introduced by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), a great and honorable replacement for Congressman Spence, designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1830 South Lake Drive in Lexington, South Carolina, as the Floyd Spence Post Office Building. The entire House delegation from the State of South Carolina has signed on as cosponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Floyd Spence served for 16 terms in this House and was unquestionably one of its most influential and devoted Members. Congressman Spence was first elected to this body in 1970 and was re-elected 15 times by the citizens of South Carolina's 2nd District before sadly passing away on August 16, 2001. His diligence for his constituents, the people of South Carolina, indeed all of America, was legendary. As a Member of this House, Congressman Spence chaired the Committee on Armed Services for 6 years. Chairing the Committee on Armed Services was one of the most appropriate congressional positions Congressman Spence could have held because for much of his adult life he served in the United States Naval Reserves. After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1952, where he had a great athletic career, he initially was commissioned as an ensign and later served as the group commander of all naval reserve units in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. In 1988, Congressman Spence retired from the naval reserves as a captain. During his career in the House, he made no mistake about his priority to protect all Americans by being one of the strongest advocates for a strong national defense. Furthermore, many have looked back and credited Congressman Spence for his presence in recognizing the threat that terrorism posed against our country, despite the fact that he passed away less than one month before September 11, 2001. This House will always miss the contributions of Congressman Floyd Spence, as well as the wonderful person with a great sense of humor and great kindness and compassion that he had for all people. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I urge all Members to support the adoption of H.R. 917. I thank my colleague from South Carolina for introducing this important measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 917) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1830 South Lake Drive in Lexington, South Carolina, as the ``Floyd Spence Post Office Building''.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 825 was introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), our distinguished colleague and my great friend and one of our most outstanding Members of this body. This bill redesignates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7401 West 100th Place in Bridgeview, Illinois, as the Michael J. Healy Post Office Building. The entire delegation from the State of Illinois has signed on as cosponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, the story of Michael Healy is a heartbreaking one. On June 21, 1981, Michael Healy was a 26-year-old postal police officer who worked at a downtown Chicago post office building. During an attempted robbery of the facility that day, Officer Healy was shot and killed by one of three assailants, becoming the first officer of the Postal Inspection Service ever to be murdered in the line of duty. The Postal Service has had to deal with a variety of tragedies over the years, most recently the anthrax mailings of fall, 2001, and last year's pipe bombings in mailboxes across the Midwest. This legislation would appropriately rename one of the U.S. Postal Service's Buildings after one of its very own heroes, Officer Michael J. Healy, who died fighting criminals who attacked our Nation's postal system. Therefore, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 825. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for introducing this important measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 825) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 7401 West 100th place in Bridgeview, Illinois, as the ``Michael J. Healy Post Office Building''.