Jimmy Duncan

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the decision to give black berets to all Army troops rather than just to rangers who earned them was a bad decision. Far worse was the decision to order these berets from a Chinese firm rather than an American firm which could have done them for far less costs. This was apparently done so the berets could be delivered by the Army's birthday in June. It would really have made no difference at all to have them given out on some later historic day and have saved millions for our taxpayers. This decision shows once again that bureaucrats can rationalize and justify almost anything and will almost never admit a mistake. Mr. Speaker, I say bureaucrat because, by this decision, General Shinseki has acted more like an arrogant bureaucrat than a soldier. Also, by giving this work to Chinese rather than American workers, especially in a slow economy and especially when Americans could have done it at millions less in cost, was both unwise and harmful to this Nation and its workers. We seem at times, Mr. Speaker, to be giving our own country away.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a bill that will create incentives to reduce the price of prescription drugs for American consumers. As I travel around the Second Congressional District of Tennessee, I speak with many people. One concern I hear over and over again is the high cost of medications. Many seniors, in particular, often face a choice between things like medicine, food and heat. However, this problem is not isolated only to the elderly. All Americans face these steep prices. For example, single mothers and poor working families also have to buy medications. As a father, I cannot imagine anything worse than not being able to afford medicine for a sick child. As has been discussed many times, there are a lot of complex reasons that prices are so high, and it goes far beyond greedy manufacturers as some have suggested. I believe the primary culprit is a bloated federal bureaucracy that adds years and literally tens of millions of dollars to the development cost of new drugs. Some new drugs can cost more than a billion dollars to bring to market. In exchange, these drugs have a profound impact on the health of Americans and hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Fundamentally, we need to find ways to reduce these development costs. The second great inequity is that many countries have draconian cost controls. While these formularies may be sufficient to pay the price to physically produce a pill or medicine, they rarely take into account the phenomenal expenses that went into the development of the drug. These development costs are then shifted to a much smaller consumer base of consumers who end up paying outrageously high prices. If manufacturers and researchers were ever completely stripped of the ability to recover these costs, the flow of new drugs would slow dramatically, if not end completely. Nevertheless, it is wrong that Americans are so often asked to pay the price for drugs that benefit all mankind. It is particularly frustrating to consumers when they see our neighbors to the North and South paying much lower prices for exactly the same drug. I believe that this situation needs to be examined and addressed. In the meantime, my proposal would extend a new tax incentive to domestic manufacturers who could demonstrate that they are offering drugs to American consumers at the same average price the drugs are offered to citizens in Canada and Mexico. Hopefully this tax provision will strongly encourage drug makers to reduce their prices for average American consumers. American ingenuity is fueling the greatest health revolution in the history of mankind. We need to do everything possible to fulfill the promise of this research and alleviate suffering for everyone. However, American consumers deserve fair access to the products of our Nation's research engine, and I hope my legislation will encourage manufacturers to find innovative ways to reduce domestic prices or more equitably spread development costs among a larger base of consumers abroad. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and improve healthcare for all American consumers.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and the rule which brings it to the floor, and I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time. The average person, as many people have noted today, pays almost 40 percent of his or her income in Federal, State, and local taxes; as well as sales taxes, property, income, gas, excise, and all of the different taxes; Social Security and so forth. The GAO tells us that 80 percent of Americans pay higher Social Security taxes than anything else today. Then, of course as many people have noted, families pay out another 10 percent in regulatory costs, which are things that government forces or requires businesses to do that are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. One Member of the other body said recently that today one spouse works to support the family while the other spouse has to work to support the government. Former President Clinton said in Buffalo that we cannot give the people a tax cut because they would not spend it in the right way. Well, many of us believe that people know better how to spend their own money than bureaucrats in Washington know how to spend it for them. The President's plan, as has been noted, takes only about 30 percent of the projected surplus, as has been projected by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office over the next 10 years, to give back to the people. Only about 30 percent. This is a balanced plan, with some going to those who will spend it immediately and some going to people who will invest it. So the benefits will be both short term and long term. Over 6 million lower-income people will be removed from the tax rolls entirely under this bill. This is a moderate plan, a reasonable plan, and a responsible plan. It deserves our support, Mr. Speaker. Everyone is better off. More jobs are created. Prices are lower when more money is left in the private sector where it is spent more economically and more efficiently than does government. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the terrible tragedy of the school shootings 2 days ago in California should be, and I believe is, of great concern to all Americans. There are many reasons why these horrible crimes are being committed in several places by teenage boys, but I want to mention two major concerns I have. I was a criminal court judge in Tennessee for 7\1/2\ years before coming to Congress trying felony criminal cases. I was told the first day that I was judge that 98 percent of the defendants in felony criminal cases came from broken homes. I know that millions of wonderful people have come from broken homes, but almost all would say that family breakups made their childhoods much more difficult. I know, too, that divorce is now a tragedy that has touched almost every family, and I know that many times it cannot be avoided. But I do not know of anyone who hoped beforehand that their marriage would end in divorce. During my years as a judge, I went through approximately 10,000 cases, because 97 percent or 98 percent of the defendants pled guilty and apply for probation or other considerations. I would get 10-page or 12-page reports that went into the backgrounds and life histories of the defendants before me. I would read over and over and over again things like defendant's father left when defendant was 2 and never returned, or defendant's father left to get a pack of cigarettes and never came back. Unfortunately, millions of fathers have left their families, not realizing, I suppose, the great harm they are doing to their children. Of course, many times it is the woman who wants the divorce, but this special order today is as much as anything a plea for families to try to stay together, if at all possible, at least until their children mature. One of the greatest blessings you can give to any child, especially a small child, is a two-parent home. I could not help but notice that the boy who did the school shootings in California came from a broken home and had recently been moved from one side of the country to the other. The Federal Government bears a big part of the responsibility for all of these broken homes. Studies show that most marriages break up in arguments over finances, over money. For most of our history, government took a very low percentage of family income. In 1950, government took only about 8 percent to 10 percent. Today Federal, State and local taxes take almost 40 percent of the average family's income. Government regulatory costs that are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices take another 10 percent. One Member of the other body said that today one spouse works to support the family while the other spouse has to work to support government. Also, the giant Federal welfare state, which even former President Clinton described as a colossal failure, has helped contribute to the broken home situation. But if government at all levels would take less money from families, of course, it would not end divorce, but it would certainly mean that thousands of families that now split up would stay together. Also, for families that have already broken up, I hope other family members will do all they can to fill the void in time and attention. One article I saw about the boy who did the California shootings described him as a typical latchkey child. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago or 3 years ago, after another one of these tragic school shootings, I remember listening to the CBS national news and hearing the national head of the YMCA say that children in this country today are being neglected like never before. I hope this is not true. But the YMCA has not released some statistics reporting that nearly 8 million children are left alone after school between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00, which just happens to coincide with the peak hours for juvenile crime. The families need more money, so there will not be as many broken homes. We need to lower taxes at every level so that we can strengthen families, but children need a lot more than money. What they need most is love and time and attention. My second concern is the movement towards bigger schools. I saw an article in the Christian Science Monitor a couple of years ago which said the largest school in New York City had 3,500 students. Then they broke it up into five separate schools, and their drug and discipline problem went way down. Mr. Speaker, there are some exceptions, but in most places class sizes have been brought down to smaller or at least manageable size. However, going to bigger, more centralized schools meant that many young people felt like anonymous numbers or could not make a sports team or be a leader in some other school activity. Also some very large high schools seem to have been breeding grounds for strange or even dangerous behavior. Augusta Kappner, our former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, wrote recently in USA Today that good things happen when large schools are remade into smaller ones. She said incidents of violence are reduced; students' performance, attendance and graduation rates improve; disadvantaged students significantly outperform those in large schools on standardized tests; students of all social classes and races are treated more equitably; teachers, students and the local community prefer them. Mr. Speaker, students are better off going to smaller schools even in older buildings than they are in these big, giant schools where they just feel like anonymous numbers.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the National Cheerleading Championship was held here in the Nation's Capital. I am pleased that the National Championship Award in the small school varsity division went to the Greenback High School Cheerleaders, from Greenback, Tennessee. Team members, Traci Russell, Amanda McKeehan, Rebekah Raines, Kristi Evans, Sylvia Martin, Staci Kizer, Lynette Krohnfeldt, Melissa Spring, Chelsey Edmondson and Kallee Brooks are to be congratulated on winning the award for their outstanding performance. Mr. Speaker, I know that I join all Americans in wishing these young ladies best wishes on a job well done. I have included a copy of a story written in the Maryville Daily Times describing their winning the National Title that I would like to call to the attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record. Cheerleaders on Cloud Nine After Winning National Title (By Stefan Cooper) They sat cross legged on the floor, cool, calm and collected as they waited for the word. Finally, the public address announcer in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton stepped to the microphone. ``And the national champion in the small school varsity division is . . . Greenback High School, Greenback, Tennessee.'' ``They just went straight up in the air,'' Pam Tipton, one of two sponsors for the Greenback High School cheerleaders, said. Since claiming the All-American Cheer and Dance national championship Saturday in the nation's capitol. Traci Russell, Amanda McKeehan, Rebekah Raines, Kristi Evans, Sylvia Martin, Staci Kizer, Lynette Krohnfeldt, Melissa Spring, Chelsey Edmondson and Kallee Brooks have yet to come down. A large turnout--complete with WKXT Channel 8 in tow--met the team's plane at McGhee Tyson Airport late Saturday. WATE Channel 6 showed up at the school Monday morning. Two area newspapers scheduled back-to-back interviews with the new champs Tuesday after school. ``The girls haven't had time to shave their legs, and I haven't had time to get my laundry done,'' Tipton said. ``The reaction from the community, the TV stations coming, it's been mind-blowing.'' Not to worry. The team has come up with a catch phrase to deal with their newfound celebrity, Raines said: ``Act casual.'' The national title comes on the heels of a win in dance at a Universal Cheerleaders Association camp at the University of Tennessee last summer. Prior to both, Tipton said, the team looked out of sync. ``The week before we went to camp, I said, `This not going to come together,' '' she said. ``Put them in front of a crowd and it was, `Whoa!' '' `` `Where did these girls come from?' '' Regardless of the endeavor, it takes a lot of work to make a champion. ``A lot of people don't think cheerleaders The team practiced its students for competition 2\1/2\ hours a day when not cheering at Greenback sporting events. Maryville College junior Nicole Johnson, an employee at Maryville's Gymnastics Counts, choreographed the squad's dance routine. Johnson's friend Adriel McCord supplied the dance mix. ``The shake-your-booty part was their favorite,'' Johnson said. They stuck every stunt (in Washington). Their tumbling was good. ``They surpassed every expectation.'' Fearless once on stage It wasn't as easy as it seemed, Martin said. Prior to taking the stage each day of the two-day competition, everyone was a nervous wreck. ``Once the music starts,'' she said, ``you just think about the routine.'' There, McKee said, the squad was flawless. ``They hit everything,'' she said. ``It was perfect. That's the best I've ever seen them.'' Much of the reason for the impact the championship has generated is due to the size of Greenback. The school has an enrollment of 600 students, kindergarten through 12th grade. Only 220 of those students are freshmen or above. At the championships, where the largest squad had 28 members, the size of the Greenback contingent was quick to catch the eye. ``Everywhere the other squads went, they took three or four elevators,'' McKee said. ``We could all cram into one.'' Chemistry spells success Key to the squad's success is its chemistry. Tipton said. ``Most of them have cheered from grade school up,'' she said. ``They're really good friends, and they just click.'' And when Russell, McKeehan, Raines & Co. took the stage in front of a panel of six judges for the finals Saturday, it carried them through. ``They weren't nervous,'' Tipton said. ``I was scared to death.'' ``We thought they had a chance to do it, but to actually have it happen is amazing. ``It's like something you see on TV, but you never think you'll be a part of it.'' Topping it all off, once the trophy was claimed, Brooks, Raines and Edmondson were named to the championships' All- Star team and will represent AACD at the 2002 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Tour of the U.S. Capitol It wasn't all work and no play during their five-day stay in Washington, Russell said. U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. gave the team a tour of the Capitol building. U.S. Sen. Bill Frist arranged a visit to the White House. ``We did basket tosses over the gate,'' Martin joked. The most memorable part of their visit, though? ``The subway,'' Russell said. ``Definitely.'' Kidding aside, they have a lot of people to thank, all 10 members said. Without Johnson's choreography, it never would have happened, they said. ``We love you, Rudy,'' Russell said. McKee, Tipton, classmates, and the town of Greenback, all said, have been tremendous. ``We're honored,'' Raines said. ``We just wanted to make Greenback proud.''

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, we see on an almost daily basis here in the Congress that government's demand or appetite for money can never be satisfied. I believe if we gave a department or agency twice what they were asking for, they might be happy for a short time but they would soon be back crying about a shortfall in funding. However, the message we need desperately to get out is that everyone is better off the more money that can be left in the private sector. More jobs are created and prices are lower the more money that is left in the private sector. The most economical, most efficient way to spend money, the biggest bang for the buck so to speak, is to leave more money in private hands. This is because even though there is waste and inefficiency in the private sector, it pales in comparison to the waste and inefficiency within government, especially the Federal Government. This has been proven all over the world throughout history. The countries with the best economies and the greatest progress have always been and continue to be the Nations with the lowest percentage of their total national income going to the government. The opposite is also true. The countries with populations closest to starvation or the lowest standard of living have always been countries where the government has taken most of the money, such as Cuba, several African nations, the former Soviet Union and others. Also, big government produces a very small, elite class at the top and a huge starvation or under class. Probably the thing big government is best at is wiping out the middle class and creating huge differences between the rich and the poor. A small government such as in the U.S. prior to the mid-1960s produces a huge middle class. This is just part of why it is so important to pass President Bush's tax cut. The people are paying in a huge tax surplus. They not only deserve some of it back, but everyone will be better off and our economy will be stronger in the long run if we can get more money back into the private sector. I realize that some big corporations are mad at the President now because his plan has no corporate tax breaks but is going entirely for individuals. However, the average person today is spending almost 40 percent of his or her income in taxes of all types, Federal, State and local; gas taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, income taxes, excise taxes, Social Security taxes. The GAO reports that 80 percent of the people now pay more in Social Security taxes than in income taxes. Also, most estimates are that people pay another 10 percent in regulatory costs, things that government makes businesses do that are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. This means that even here in the United States almost half of the average family's income is going to support government or pay the costs of things ordered by the government. This is not only enough, it is too much, and this is why President Bush and millions of others feel that it is time we started giving some of this tax surplus back to the people who paid it. Mr. Speaker, also just like government's appetite for money can never be satisfied, one can never satisfy government's appetite for land. One of the most important things we need to do to ensure future prosperity is to stop government at all levels from taking over more private property. The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman has said, ``You cannot have a free society without private property.'' Over the years when government has taken private property, it has most often taken it from lower- and middle-income people and small farmers. Today, Federal, State, and local governments and quasi-governmental units and agencies now own about half the land in this Nation. The most disturbing thing is the rapid rate as which this taking has increased in the last 40 years. Environmentalists who have supported most of this taking should realize that the worst polluters in the world have been the socialist nations, because their economies do not generate enough income to do good things for the environment, and that private property is almost always better cared for than public property, and at much lower cost. There is a very dangerous plan, Mr. Speaker, being pushed by some liberal elitists and wealthy environmental extremists called the Wildlands Project. This project envisions taking 50 percent of the land now in private hands into wilderness. If people do not think their property would ever be taken, they should just look around at all the land around them that government has already taken. We do not need more industrial parks, for example, where land is taken from small farmers or lower- or middle-income people and then given later to big multinational corporations, or land is taken from poor people and used for some project that enhances its value and then sold for big prices to rich people later on. We had a policy of no net loss of wetlands. What we need now is a policy of no net loss of private property, requiring government to sell off some of its land to private owners for every new acre they take from lower- and middle-income people. Private property, Mr. Speaker, is a very important part, a basic part of the freedom we have always treasured so highly in this Nation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday next.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Monday, March 5, 2001, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2001, for morning hour debates.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced legislation that would require organizers of presidential libraries to disclose the identity of donors and the amounts they give. I introduced this legislation in the 106th Congress as well because I felt the public should be made aware of possible conflicts of interest that sitting presidents can have while raising funds for their libraries. Mr. Speaker, we do not know who these donors are or what interests they may have on any pending policy decisions that are to be made. I think that our government needs to operate in the open--not behind closed doors. Recent news reports surrounding the pardon of billionaire fugitive Marc Rich have brought to light additional justification for this legislation. The Washington Post recently reported that Denise Rich, the former wife of financier Marc Rich, lobbied President Clinton to pardon her former husband by donating $450,000 to Clinton's presidential library fund starting in 1998. The Post also reported that, ``Clinton foundation attorney David Kendall said he would fight a subpoena for the library donor list.'' Mr. Speaker, I cannot think of one good reason why the organizers of any future presidential libraries would not be willing to release this information to the public. Even Richard Cohen, the very liberal columnist for the Washington Post said, ``But surely it would be anything from interesting to illustrative to just plain damning to see what names are on that list and for what amounts.'' Our citizens have the right to know the details of these fundraising activities. The bill I have introduced will ensure this happens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, education is to be one of the new administration's top priorities, and I commend them for this. I would like to express two major concerns I have in regard to education that I hope the President and Secretary Paige will take into consideration. First, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) and I started a Smaller Schools Initiative within the Department of Education. We were fortunate enough to secure $45 million in funding for this program last year and $125 million this year. This money is supposed to be for grants and assistance to school systems to help keep small schools open and/or reduce the size of some very large schools. At a smaller school, a young person has a better chance to make a sports team, serve on the student council, lead a club, be a cheerleader or excel or stand out in some other way. Also a student at a smaller school can get more individual attention, and not just feel like a number in some education factory. Actually, very large high schools sometimes breed Columbine-type situations, because while 99.9 percent of students can handle big schools, a few always feel like they have to resort to strange or even dangerous behavior to get noticed. Three or four years ago I read an article in the Christian Science Monitor saying that New York City's largest high school had 3,500 students, and then it was broken down into five separate schools and their drug and discipline problems went way down. Augusta Kappner, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education wrote recently in USA Today that ``good things happen'' when large schools are remade into smaller ones. She said, ``Incidents of violence are reduced; students' performance, attendance and graduation rates improve; disadvantaged students significantly outperform those in large schools on standardized tests; students of all social classes and races are treated more equitably; teachers, students and the local community prefer them.'' Students are better off going to smaller schools even in older buildings, as long as they are clean and well lighted, than they are to very large centralized high schools even in brand-new buildings. We have done a good job reducing class sizes in most places, but too often we are making a very bad mistake in making students go to very large schools. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, the so-called teacher ``shortage'' is a special interest shortage aided by the government. We would have no shortage at all if we simply could give local school boards the flexibility to hire well-qualified teachers, even if they had never taken an education course. It makes no sense whatsoever to say that a Ph.D. chemist, for example, with many years experience in the field cannot be hired over a 22-year-old with a bachelor's degree simply because of a few education courses. I realize that there are special interests which want to limit or restrict the pool of eligible applicants for teaching positions, but this is harmful to our children; and it will become even more harmful in the next few years if we allow this to continue. Local school boards, or preferably even principals at schools, should be allowed to hire the best-qualified teachers, even if they never took an education course. Many people are well qualified through advanced education and/ or experience to teach, but the government, because of special interest pressure groups, will not allow them to be hired. A few years ago, two small colleges in my district almost went under. Fortunately, neither one did. But it is ridiculous to say, for instance, that a Ph.D. political scientist or English professor with 20 or 25 years' teaching experience at the college level cannot teach in high school or even elementary school if their college went under just because they had not taken an education course. Local school boards should be allowed to consider an education degree as a real plus if everything else is basically equal. But they should not be forced to hire a less-qualified teacher simply because one spent more time studying and/or working in the subject they are to teach rather than taking a few education courses. If local school officials were allowed to hire the most qualified person, even if they did not have an education degree, this artificial, government and special interest-induced teacher shortage could be wiped out very quickly; and most importantly, our children would get a better education. We should immediately give local school boards the authority to give alternative certification to people who are well qualified through education and/or experience in the field, even if they never took an education course. The next time anyone says something about a teacher shortage, we should just say, remove the artificial, unjustified, harmful restrictions in the State law and this problem will be solved very quickly.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, the Orlando Sentinel published a headline yesterday saying ``Anger Over Courthouse Won't Die.'' The anger concerns a proposed $60,000,000 Federal courthouse in Orlando that the judges are unhappy with. I have been told by an expert that to build what the judges want could potentially double the cost and send several million dollars in architect's fees down the drain. At $60 million, the building will already cost $195 a square foot. The cost is already too high. If costs explode because of spoiled judges, it will be far too expensive to build if we have any consideration at all for the poor taxpayers who are footing the bill. Too many times we have allowed Federal judges to demand Taj Mahal- type courthouses because the money is not coming out of their pockets. Too often they have a taxpayers-be-damned attitude. The Commissioner for Public Buildings said, ``The problem here is we have some judges who think they should be architects.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on which I served for 10 years will not let this project become another wasteful Federal boondoggle.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a bill that will improve veterans healthcare. I speak with veterans in the Second District of Tennessee on a regular basis, and I have heard time and time again of their frustration with scheduling an appointment at a Veterans Administration Clinic. Many times, people have to wait weeks and months just to see a doctor. Mr. Speaker, this is not fair, and it is not right. Those who have laid their lives on the line for America deserve the utmost respect and assistance. They should not have to wait weeks and even months to be treated for a health problem. When our Nation's veterans signed up to serve in the military, they were promised that they would be taken care of when they retired. We have a responsibility to live up to that promise, and to provide veterans with good healthcare. Under this legislation, if a veteran tried to get a doctor's appointment at a Veterans' Clinic and had to wait longer than six months, the VA would be required to provide healthcare outside of the VA Clinics. I am sure all veterans would agree that something needs to be done to improve their access to healthcare at Veterans' Clinics, and I am hopeful that this bill will be a step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and improve healthcare for the loyal and committed veterans of our Nation.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, if people wonder why their utility bills have gone up so much lately, they need look no further than the environmental groups. Environmentalists protest and stop or delay and thus drive up the costs every time a company tries to produce more natural gas, coal, oil or lumber. As a recent column by Thomas Sowell pointed out, these groups have stopped California from building any new power plants for over a decade. Many lower-income and senior citizens are now having to choose between eating or paying their utility bills. Most of the, quote, credit for this belongs to environmental extremists. If our leaders do not soon realize how left-wing most environmentalists have become, it will soon wreck our economy.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a bill that would expand eligibility for the Social Security burial benefit. As you may be aware, prior to 1981, any individual could receive the burial benefit lump sum of $255 in order to pay funeral expenses. Today, the surviving spouse receives a burial benefit only if the deceased spouse is insured by Social Security. However, I do not think it is particularly fair to deny this benefit to the spouse of the deceased. It is this person who is most likely to be responsible for the funeral expenses if there is no estate to handle this financial matter. Obviously, these expenses can be very costly. I was not in Congress at the time, but this change was made when Congress was attempting to make as many cost cuts in the Social Security system as possible because of projected financial problems. In retrospect, the fund has generated healthy surpluses. This legislation would correct this problem so that any surviving spouse, as long as one of the spouses is insured through Social Security, would be eligible to receive the burial benefit. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and improve the Social Security death benefit for those who deserve it most.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding citizen of East Tennessee, Mrs. Bobbie Householder. She has recently been given the 2001 Pride of Tennessee Award, an award presented annually to a person with a history of dedication to the community of Blount County. Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better person this could be awarded to than Bobbie Householder. She worked for the Blount County Chamber of Commerce for 33 years, but her service to the people in her community did not end there. Since her retirement, Bobbie has served as President of the Friends of the Library. In addition, she is also a member of the Keep Blount Beautiful Board and a member of the Blount County Bicentennial Committee, just to name a few. I commend Mrs. Householder for her dedication and tireless work for the community in Blount County. This Country would be a better place if there were more people like Bobbie Householder. Mr. Speaker, I have included a copy of a story that ran in the Daily Times that honors Mrs. Householder and would like to call it to the attention of my fellow colleagues and other readers of the Record. [From The Daily Times, Dec. 5, 2000] Bobbie Householder's Work as Volunteer is Unequaled in Blount No one individual's life is as entwined in the history of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce as that of Barbara Ann ``Bobbie'' Householder and few, if any, have been as involved in the community. As most of you know, Bobbie is the recipient of the 2001 Pride of Tennessee Award presented annually by Blount County Executive Bill Crisp to someone who has a history of community involvement and always has been willing to work for a better place for all of us to live and work. Bobbie and husband Glen, married for 53 years, have three offspring. Glenda Eastridge is a teacher at Lanier Elementary; Alan, the outdoors man, works at Southern Safari in Asheville, N.C., has hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Mountain to Sea Trail from Newfound Gap to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, as well as across England; and Gary, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who lives in Louisville, KY. They have four grandchildren, Cindy and Brain Householder in Louisville and Jeff and Amy Eastridge in Alcoa. A native of Knoxville, Bobbie moved to Blount County in 1952, For many years the chamber staff consisted of the executive director, bookkeeper, and Bobbie who was the jack of all trade, doing office responsibilities plus coordinating chamber projects. For 25 years she was responsible for the United Way campaigns, just part of her responsibilities. In the end the ``umbrella'' administrative office included the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Blount County Industrial Board, Chamber Foundation, and the Smoky Mountain Visitors Bureau. She served as vice president of all except the industrial board. Bobbie worked with five executives, Bob Lamb, Wilson Borden, Ken Faulkner, Jim Caldwell and then almost 18 years with Bill Dunavant. During that time she worked with 34 chamber presidents from J.P. Huddleson in 1961 through the first part of the term of Brad Sayles in 1994. When she began work, the office was in Maryville Municipal Building, then it moved to come out on a Thursday. Then, on Sunday, I read an article about ``how the officers involved had been affected by this,'' McConnell said. ``I called the sheriff Sunday afternoon and told him about our idea. He jumped on it. He said he never wanted to cover another case like the one in Townsend.'' Sheriff James L. Berrong took the ``safe place'' idea to Attorney General Mike Flynn. A week later, more than a dozen people sat down to talk about changing the idea into reality. Those at the meeting included: State Sen. Bill Clabough; Representative-elect Doug Overbey; Blount County Health Department director and former pediatrician Dr. Ken Marmon; June Love of the Blount County Department of Children's Services; Lynnelle Hammett and Barbara Collins of Child and Family Services; Adina Chumley, public information officer for the sheriff's department and the adoptive mother of two; Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols; Smid of Hope Resource Center; Flynn, the father of a son and daughter; Berrong, the father of a son and daughter; McConnell and Yount. Saving Babies, mothers Nichols agree to write the first draft of the proposed legislation using laws from other states as examples. Clabough has agreed to introduce a Secret Safe Place law for Tennessee when the legislature convenes in January. ``I can't imagine a valid reason it would not pass,'' McConnell said. The group discussed the pros and cons of making it possible for a mother to surrender her baby without being identified and without fear of being prosecuted. McConnell and Yount shared the facts and figures they gathered last spring with additional information they collected in the fall. Alabama was apparently the first to start working on legislation making a ``Secret Safe Place for Newborns'' possible. The idea was sparked there by a reporter ``Jody Brooks'' after she covered two cases of babies abandoned and later found dead. Texas was the first state to actually pass legislation to protect mothers who surrender their babies from prosecution and provide them with a way to remain anonymous. The law was passed there after 13 dead babies were discovered in just McConnell and Yount have also spoken with Terry Little, director of the emergency room at Springhill Memorial Hospital in Mobile, Ala., where Little accepted the first baby surrendered after the legislation passed. Little told the Maryville women since the law provides surrender at hospitals, even the cleaning staff has been trained in how to handle those situations. Yount said Blount Memorial Hospital has been contacted and will be represented in future meetings about the program. McConnell said they also discussed how to help frightened young girls unable to get to a hospital without asking someone to drive them. A private hot line is proposed which would allow someone to call and report the location where a baby would be left, allowing an officer to pick up the newborn. Yount said babies being surrendered must be unharmed and released within 72 hours of birth. However, she said there is a period in which the mother may change her mind and reclaim her child. The mother is also asked to provide a family medical history since many diseases are hereditary, but she is not required to do so. Infant needs important She said babies in Mobile go immediately to adoptive parents to allow them to bond with someone as soon as possible. Marmon said bonding is important to every child's well- being and must be considered carefully as the Tennessee law is being written. Flynn said it might be possible to have couples seeking adoption qualified as foster parents so the baby could be placed with them immediately while the necessary paperwork is done to legally end the parental rights of the birth mother and father. McConnell said in some states, those in the adoption community have expressed concern over the possibility of ``unstable adoptions'' of abandoned babies. ``I don't see it affecting traditional adoptions,'' McConnell said. ``Which is worse'' an adoption that might not work out or a dead baby? Our concern is the rights of each child.'' Some were concerned the law might relieve young women of responsibility for their actions, but McConnell and Yount said they believe caring for a baby by giving it up for adoption is a responsible option already available. Others were concerned the new law might cause an epidemic of newborns being surrendered. However, there have only been five surrendered newborns in Alabama since the law took effect in 1996. More importantly, there have been no babies found abandoned and dead in Alabama or Texas since the laws were passed in the two states. ``This is a tiny target group the law will affect,'' McConnell said. ``Most pregnancies are found out by someone. It's those few who manage to keep it a secret throughout the pregnancy who may abandon the baby when it's born. ``Babies shouldn't be hidden in sheds or dumpsters or under a bed, somewhere they will die.'' Mothers are anonymous Yount stresses the importance of allowing the mother surrendering a baby to remain anonymous. ``This is a major issue,'' McConnell said. She explained there is a fine line parents try to walk, to pressure their children to live up to their expectations as far as behavior but let them know they can come to a parent if they make a even a serious mistake. She said young girls who She helped establish and coordinated Homecoming '86 for Blount County, including a parade and an all-day celebration in Greenbelt Park, coordinated the dedication of the Fort Craig spring monument, as well as the Adopt A School program, Leadership Blount, and Keep Blount Beautiful. Bobbie was responsible for staffing the Smoky Mountain Visitors Bureau visitors center, advertising in national magazines, represented the organization at travel shows and worked with area tourism groups, kept the visitors centers supplied with brochures, and coordinated the Weekend in the Smokies which was sponsored by the chamber. She was responsible for the Dogwood Arts Festival from its organization in 1979 through its first festival in 1980, an event sponsored by the Blount Chamber Foundation. She was responsible for starting Dogwood Drives in 1983 and others that followed with the exception of the East Maryville, added since she retired, and the Teacher Mini-grant program. The last five years or so her title was Vice President of Community Development for the Chamber and she worked with all programs involving many community activities as well as other organizations. While working, Bobbie spent many extra hours on the job because of her devotion to the community. And since retirement she has continued to be active. She has served as President of the Friends of the Library, a member of the Keep Blount Beautiful Board, member of the Blount County Bicentennial Committee and was responsible for a parade for an all-day celebration. She is currently serving as treasurer of Blount County Education Foundation and prior to that served two years as secretary for the Foundation. For four years she has served as chair of Day of Caring for United Way and presently serves as Communications Coordinator for the Holston Conference United Methodist Women. She is a member of Broadway Methodist Church. She is serving as co-chairman of the Blount County Millennium Committee with activities coordinated with community organizations with a different focus on each month. Members of the committee designed an official Blount County flag which is available for sale in the county executive's office. The Adopt A School sponsors have purchased a flag for their school. This flag is really visible at the Blount County Justice Center. Along with Bryan Cable, she leads a hike in the Smokies for the Dogwood Arts Festival. Previous winners include 2000-- Tutt S. Bradford, 1999--Carmian ``Connie'' Davis, 1998-- Stanley B. ``Skeeter'' Shields, 1997--Judson B. Murphy, 1996--Garland DeLozier, 1995--Stone Carr, 1994--Dean Stone, and 1993--Elsie Burrell. The Volunteer State didn't get its nickname by accident. Its volunteers accomplish much of the work needed in communities across the state. Certainly none has done more than Bobbie who continued her volunteer efforts throughout major illness and surgery from which she has recovered. Our hats are off to Bobbie and her outstanding example of volunteer work in Blount County, building a better community! Our voice. On Pride of Tennessee.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on December 1st of this year, the Alcoa High School Tornadoes football team finished their season with a perfect 15- 0 record, and won the Class 2A state championship with a 27-20 victory over Union City High School at this year's championship game in Murfreesboro, TN. This fairytale season came to a close as the Tornadoes stopped a Union City touchdown attempt, in the final seconds, at the goal line to win the championship. This is the school's fifth championship football season, and they have 17 starters returning for the 2001-2002 season next fall. When I spoke at the celebration event at the Alcoa High School football field this past Saturday, I told the story of former Baltimore Orioles' third baseman Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Famer. Robinson once said that there were only a few in the Hall of Fame who got there mostly on superior athletic ability. Robinson said that the other 600 or so got there because of drive, determination, discipline, and desire. These players possess the same qualities, both individually and collectively as a team. Released this week, The Associated Press Class 2A All-State football team included 7 members from the Alcoa Tornadoes. ``It was a pleasant surprise to have that many kids on the team,'' Alcoa Head Coach Scott Meadows said, ``but I think every one of them deserves it.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in congratulating Head Coach Scott Meadows and the Alcoa High School Tornadoes for their glorious victory. I also submit into the Congressional Record the following news articles printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel. The team's leadership, strength, and determination should be recognized by all, and their sportsmanship and dedication are at a level that should be followed by every high school team in this Country. [From the News-Sentinel, Dec. 10, 2000] Alcoa Honors Its 15-0 State Football Champions (By Stan DeLozier) ALCOA.--Alcoa High School principal Kevin Smith said he didn't want to put anybody on the spot, but it would be no surprise if he is helping celebrate another state championship a year from now. His optimism is not without reason. ``We have 17 starters back,'' coach Scott Meadows said, ``nine on offense and eight on defense.'' Several hundred Tornadoes' fans turned out Saturday afternoon to celebrate the school's fifth football championship season, completed Dec. 1 in MurfreesBoro with a 27-20 squeaker over Union City. Alcoa finished the season with a 15-0 record. The team featured seven All-Staters. Four of them--Michael George, Ben Love, Gregory Martin and David Hill--return next fall. Aside from the championship game, which ended with a goal- line stand with 13 seconds to play, only Loudon among Class 2A opponents played the Tornadoes tough. Alcoa won 21-14 during the regular season and again 26-2 in the playoffs. However, the Redskins are moving up to Class 3A next season. Heritage a 5A school, lost to Alcoa 17-13. During the celebration at Alcoa's Goddard Field, George (the Tornadoes' quarterback) and linebacker Daniel Pierce were presented state championship game balls. Although George connected on 13-of-23 passes for 245 yards, Union City running back Mario McElrath was chosen most valuable offensive player in the championship game. Alcoa athletic director Rob Daugherty was cheered when he said, ``I think we ought to demand a recount.'' Pierce teamed with Hill in stuffing McElrath inches from the goal on Union City's last offensive play. U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, who was among the dignitaries attending the celebration, said the team's success reminded him of a story told by former Baltimore Orioles' third baseman Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Famer. Robinson mentioned there were a few in the Hall of Fame who got there mostly on superior athletic ability. ``Robinson said the other 600 or so got there because of their drive, willingness to work and dedication,'' Duncan said. ``This team has the same qualities.'' [The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Dec. 9, 2000] Alcoa Dominates 2A All-State A state championship was the goal all along for the Alcoa High School football team. The by-product this week is respect. The Tornadoes, ranked No. 2 most of the season, placed seven players on The Associated Press Class 2A All-State football team released this week. Alcoa completed its 2000 season with a 15-0 record and a state title with last week's 27-20 victory against previously unbeaten Union City. The 2A team is like a who's who of Alcoa and area players. ``The players went out every week talking about getting respect,'' Alcoa coach Scott Meadows said. ``I think with seven first-team All-State players, they can say they've earned it.'' ``It was a pleasant surprise to have that many kids on the team, but I think every one of them deserves it.'' The Tornadoes are represented by Michael George (quarterback), Ben Love (offensive lineman), James Rainer (all-purpose), Gregory Martin (defensive lineman), Tremayne Garner (linebacker), Jonathan Meschendorf (defensive back) and David Hill (punter). Union City placed four players on the squad, led by Mr. Football winner Mario McElrath. Austin-East defensive tackle Stephen Booker also earned All-State honors. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound junior was the Roadrunners' primary run-stopping force in the middle. David Roncska of Loudon, the Mr. Football winner at linebacker, was the other area All-State selection. In Division II, Bryan White of Webb and Nick Wilson of Catholic earned All-State. White led the Spartans in tackles and won the Division II--Small Mr. Football Lineman award. Wilson led Knoxville in receiving with 71 catches for 1,399 yards and 10 TDs. In Class 1A, Sunbright placed three players on the team after running through the regular season unbeaten. Quarterback Drew Morgan made it as an all-purpose athlete. Averil Chaney made it as an offensive lineman and Wes Jones as a linebacker. Steven Sears of Midway also made it as a linebacker.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on December 2nd of this year, the Maryville High School Red Rebel football team became the 1999-2000 Class 4A state champions after defeating East High School of Memphis, 33-14, at this year's championship game in Murfreesboro, TN. This is a remarkable accomplishment for this team, as they started this year's season with a record of 0-4. Against all odds, the team pulled it together with unparalleled strength and determination and came back to win their 2nd state championship in 3 years. Their last championship came in 1998. The spirit of this team reminds me of the story of former Baltimore Orioles' third baseman Brooks Robinson, a Hall of Famer. Robinson once said that there were only a few in the Hall of Fame who got there mostly on superior athletic ability. Robinson said that the other 600 or so got here because of drive, determination, discipline, and desire. This team possesses the same qualities. In an address to a jubilant crowd at a homecoming celebration at Maryville High School, George Quarles, Head Coach of the Maryville Red Rebels football team said, ``To our team, I want to say thank you for not giving up. It would have been so easy to quit after going 0-4, but you didn't. The biggest lesson is not to give up. I am proud to be your coach.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask the readers of the Congressional Record and my fellow colleague to join me in congratulating Head Coach George Quarles and the Maryville High School Red Rebel football team for their glorious victory. I also include the following news article printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel. The team's leadership, strength, and determination should be recognized by all, and their sportsmanship and dedication are at a level that should be followed by every high school team in this Country. [From the Knoxville News Sentinel, December 10, 2000] Maryville Players Lauded for ``Team Effort'' (By Ken Garland) The Maryville High School football players never gave up, their coach said. They hung in there and went for the gold. And they got it. A gold football trophy declaring them to be the Class 4A state football champions came their way after last weekend's state championship in Murfreesboro. The Red Rebels defeated East High School of Memphis, 33-14, in the championship round Saturday night, Dec. 2. They came home with that championship trophy, their second in three years, to the adoration of their fans in the community and at the school. Those fans came together Thursday morning in the MHS gymnasium for a celebration. Meanwhile, across the county, fans of Alcoa High School were gearing up for a celebration honoring their football team. The tornadoes won the Class 2A state championship and were honored at a reception at Alcoa High School Saturday. Read more about that reception in the sports section of today's News-Sentinel. Maryville Head Coach George Quarles said the state win came as a surprise to him. ``Nobody was more shocked to be here than me,'' he told students and guests at the celebration. After losing the first four games of the season, Quarles figured the team had no chance in the world of making even the playoffs. But, he said, the team proved him wrong. The state championship gives the seniors on the team an impressive history, said Athletic Director Jerry Thompson. The seniors have ``played on a (state) runner-up team and on two state championship teams,'' he said. The Red Rebels won their other state championship game in 1998. They have won several other state championship games in years past. Shortly after that 1998 game, the team lost its head coach to another school. School officials named Quarles, who had been offensive coordinator for six years, as the new head coach. At the ceremonies, Quarles thanked school officials who ``took a chance on an untried head coach'' and promoted him. Over and over, the officials who spoke, and some who didn't, kept attributing the state championship to the team's ``never-say-die attitude.'' ``What a remarkable turnaround,'' Thompson said. ``Never in the history of Tennessee football has this happened.'' Maryville Mayor Steve West, who presented the team with a proclamation naming Thursday as Maryville High School Day, said it was a ``team effort.'' ``It's a team effort that makes you go to the championships,'' he said, ``Maryville High has always been known for team effort.'' ``You all did a fabulous job.'' Quarles, who also was named Class 4A coach of the year, told the team members he was proud of them. ``To our team, I want to say thank you for not giving up,'' he said. ``It would have been so easy to quit after going 0- 4, but you didn't. The biggest lesson is not to give up.'' ``I'm proud to be your coach.''

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 and include extraneous remarks on H.R. 5111.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will be very brief. This bill would declare that the boundaries of the airport in Lawrence County, Alabama, are the boundaries set forth in the airport layout plan of March 8, 1999. The effect of this bill is to remove Federal use restrictions on about 200 acres and let Lawrence County use the land to meet local needs. Originally, this property was part of a military air base. It was transferred to Alabama at the end of World War II. Alabama's aeronautics commission ran the airport until 1980 when it sold it to TVA. The TVA, the Tennessee Valley Authority, sold it to Lawrence County in 1985. Lawrence County applied for and received an Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA in the late 1980s. At that time it submitted an airport layout plan showing the boundaries of the airport as containing about 600 acres. On March 8, 1999, the airport revised its airport layout plan. The revised plan showed the airport as containing only 414 acres. The FAA believes the 1980s airport layout plan, with 600 acres, controls. That is when the airport received its AIP grant from the FAA and promised to use its land only for airport purposes. Generally, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure vigorously defends the need to preserve airport land. Last year, the Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on this subject. And AIR 21 contains several procedural protections to help preserve our Nation's airports. However, in this case the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt) has made a strong case for the need for this change. He has shown that the airport really only requires 414 acres to handle the aviation needs of the community. Also, it is my understanding that the FAA now supports reducing the size of the airport to 414 acres, but it does not feel it can do so without this legislation. Moreover, the FAA had previously given the airport a release from the deed restrictions on this land. Therefore, for all these reasons, I support this bill and urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5111) to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to treat certain property boundaries as the boundaries of the Lawrence County Airport Courtland, Alabama, and for other purposes.

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this calendar year, another remarkable chapter in the history of East Tennessee will come to an end. Mr. Bill Williams, co-anchor of Channel 10 News (NBC), will soon be retiring. Mr. Williams is one of East Tennessee's most highly respected broadcast journalists. Seen every weeknight on WBIR-TV's top rated newscast, Bill is recognized for his superb handling of the daily news and for his compassion in dealing with human issues. He is best known for ``Monday's Child,'' an adoption program originated by Bill back in 1980 and broadcast weekly on Action 10 News. More than 570 of the special needs children introduced on the program have found permanent homes and loving families. Since joining the WBIR news team in 1977, Bill has been recognized frequently for his contributions to broadcast journalism. Included among his many other honors are the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews and induction into the ``Silver Circle'' by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In May of this year Bill was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Carson Newman College, and ``Child Help U-S-A'' honored Bill with that organization's annual ``Angel Award,'' in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of area children. After 23 years on the 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. desk, Bill is now easing into retirement and will be leaving in December. However, Bill plans to remain a part of WBIR for a long time, especially continuing his hosting of Monday's Child, the Children's Hospital Telethon and Mission of Hope. Mr. Speaker, I know that I join with the citizens of the City of Knoxville in congratulating Bill Williams for his service and devotion to the people of East Tennessee. I wish him well in the years to come. I ask my fellow colleagues and other readers of the Record to join me in thanking Bill Williams for his many years of service and contributions to East Tennessee. Our Nation is certainly a better place because of people like Bill Williams and his family.

Mr. DUNCAN

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, one of America's finest dining eateries, Regas Restaurant, in Knoxville, closed its doors after 81 years of service to East Tennessee. The Regas family has had a tremendous impact on the lives of just about everyone in the community. I can assure you that I am a true example of that as I met my wife, Lynn, there. Many families have made dozens of memories that will be cherished for a long time. Regas Restaurant was always the place to go for a special event, anniversary, or birthday. Frank and George Regas began the Restaurant in July of 1919 as a coffee shop named the Astor Cafe. It later became known as the Regas Brothers Cafe. The restaurant was renamed once again in 1938 as Regas Restaurant. From then until now, the family business has changed, but their attentiveness to every person that walked through their doors will always be remembered. Bill Regas, son of Frank Regas, began helping out in the restaurant in the 1950's up until Regas closed its doors in July, and he served as President and CEO of the restaurant for many years. Mr. Regas has had quite a number of accomplishments, not just locally, but nationally: He was a charter member of the Knox County Industrial Development Board; He earned the Knoxville ``Young Man of the Year'' in 1955; He was President of the National Restaurant Association from 1980 to 1981; He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 1992; and He was recognized by the International Food Manufacture Association with the Silver Platter Award for ``1992 Nation's Independent Operator of the Year.'' I want to say thank you to Mr. Bill Regas and the Regas family and bring to the attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record several articles from the Knoxville News-Sentinel praising their service to the citizens of East Tennessee. [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 23, 2000] Food, Good Friends, Memories Make Saying Goodbye to Regas A Difficult Task (By Walter Lambert) The announcement was simple and straightforward. On July 8 Regas Restaurant on Gay Street would close forever. That left me in a major dilemma. First, the logical part of my brain keeps telling me that this is just a business. It is just a place where people go to eat and visit. It is just a place. However, the emotional part of my brain tells me I am about to lose a life-long friend, and I am bereft. The Regas family has been operating a restaurant at this place for 81 years. Folks, that is more years than even I have been alive. Now I know that this does not mean that we are losing these good folks to the restaurant business in Knoxville (or around the Southeast for that matter). They will still operate the absolutely wonderful Riverside Tavern and the ever-improving Harry's (now to be known as Regas Brothers Cafe). Again, the logical side of my brain tells me that we will still have the pleasure of dining with them. My emotional side is not satisfied. Maybe I should start this at the beginning. The first ``real'' restaurant I can remember going to was the Regas. I went with my grandmother when I was 6 or 7 or 8. It still had a lunch counter then. Of course, it also had a Imagine if you will a 7-year-old boy who is still skinny but already greatly interested in food. Think of him walking through a working kitchen in a real restaurant and, even further, think of him being with his grandmother who knows the people in the kitchen by their first names. I have not forgotten those memories. Like everyone else in and around Knoxville, Regas was a special-occasion kind of place. It was also where you went on Sundays after church. It was where you went for birthday parties or new jobs or . . . I doubt I need to continue. In today's world, 81 years is a very long life for a restaurant. This is especially true for a restaurant that remains family-owned and operated. This is an institution. I ate my first broiled steak there. Before this, I thought steaks were pounded within an inch of their life and cooked with a brown gravy. I must make a small confession--and I am willing to bet that there is a whole generation of Knoxvillians who would make this same confession. I genuinely loved the veal cutlets at Regas, which they served with meat sauce. Again the logical side of my brain tells me that meat--breaded, fried and covered with meat sauce--makes no sense at all. We ate them anyway, didn't we? We also ate clam chowder that was good enough for a president's inauguration. We had flounder brought fresh from Boston (when that was still a big deal). We also ate bread. I think I first tasted a hard roll at Regas. We also ate muffins. I always thought that serving those blueberry muffins was a very bad business decision for the Regas family. What a dessert they made. I have contended in recent years that Regas was the only place left in Knoxville that knew how to cook vegetables. I have made a lunch of vegetables and good bread at Regas on many occasions. The Regas family for three generations has been there to make us feel special. My wife, Anne, and Frankie Regas Gunnels go back to high school together. We have all gotten to know Kiki Regas Liakonis, and Bill and Frank and Gus Regas, and all the rest. Now we admire the way the new generation has taken the torch. We know how much this family has meant to this community and to all of us. I know that these good people have made a rational business decision that reflects the changing way people live and eat. I know they will still be part of our lives through their other fine restaurants. I know that they will still be a major asset in this community. However, I also know that I will not go past the corner of Gay and Magnolia without thinking of times and people long gone. I will remember good times and good meals. I will remember many special times in my life. And I will be sad that this place is there no more.