Jennifer Dunn

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Allison Beckwith for her winning entry in the National Business Plan Competition. Ms. Beckwith, who hails from Redmond, Washington, is one of five young women whose business plan was selected by women business owners to receive this distinguished award. She will be recognized at the Women's Economic Summit during the Young Entrepreneur Awards luncheon on Thursday, October 15. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud of Ms. Beckwith and her achievement. In her business plan, Ms. Beckwith envisions an online ``catazine'' (catalog and magazine combined) venture through which teenagers can buy merchandise and read articles written by other teenagers. This entrepreneurial spirit is one of the reasons why women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and are a powerful and growing economic force in the global marketplace. I also applaud Independent Means, Inc., sponsor of the National Business Plan Competition, for giving young teenage women the opportunity to turn their dreams of starting a business into reality. By engaging girls in entrepreneurship with female role models and placing an emphasis on the importance of economic self-sufficiency, Independent Means helps thousands of young girls become independent women. When girls are given the tools and information they need to make informed decisions, they will act responsibly. I believe that we must continue to invest in teaching and inspiring young women in America-- for they are our future. On behalf of the Eighth Congressional District in Washington State, I again congratulate Ms. Beckwith for her outstanding accomplishment and wish her much success in her future pursuits.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for mothers and dads all over this country who are doing everything they can to keep their children safe and innocent but may not be aware of the pedophiles who break into our homes by cruising the Internet. In this age of ever-expanding technology and personal computers in so many homes, pedophiles are increasingly using the anonymity of the Internet to pose as minors and befriend children who are unknowingly lured into dangerous situations. With both Megan's Law and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act, we told sexual offenders you can run, but you can't hide. These laws have given neighborhoods a greater sense of security by informing them when a sexual predator might be living in their midst. But what about cyber-predators? They may live anywhere; in our neighborhood, in another state, across the country, and yet they still have access to our children. These predators think that they can hide behind the faceless, voiceless world of the Internet. Make no mistake, they are wrong. That is why the McCollum-Dunn bill is so critical to families across America. This legislation helps law enforcement crack down on pedophiles who no longer offer candy to unsuspecting children on the playground, but now offer companionship to children through an Internet chat room. This bill tells sexual predators that the information superhighway is not a detour for deviant behavior. We will not stop until we enable every mother and father to feel secure that their children are safe from violence, at school, at home and in the neighborhood. McCollum-Dunn will ensure that cyber-predators become real live prisoners by providing law enforcement with the tools it needs to bring to justice those who would prey on our children. By allowing the immediate commencement of Federal investigations in kidnapping cases, the FBI can begin investigating a missing person's report without waiting for 24 hours. When an abducted child is not found in the first 24 hours, it becomes far more difficult to find that child at all. By clarifying this rule, this bill offers parents greater peace of mind that their child will be found quickly and that he will not be frustrated by the inaction of law enforcement. Additionally, McCollum-Dunn metes out harsher penalties for sexual predators. By doubling maximum prison sentences and tightening child pornography statutes, this bill cracks down on criminals who would use legal loopholes to escape punishment. Mr. Speaker, I believe this is the most important legislation to protect children and give parents peace of mind of any law since Megan's Law, which stemmed from Washington State after the tragic death of my friend, Diane Ballasiotes. As a mother and as a legislator, I understand what the protections in this legislation mean to parents all over the country, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chairman, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), and I thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) for his great work on a resolution that we believe will help save the lives of women all over this country. I want to thank particularly, though, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for enabling this resolution to come very quickly to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bass resolution because of the impact it will have on the quality of life of America's women. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is imperative that we seize this opportunity to encourage women to take an active role in combating a disease that takes the lives of thousands of women every single year. While we have seen tremendous progress in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, there is still a great deal more work to be done. This year, approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed, and almost 44,000 women will die from this disease. That is why it is vital now, more than ever, for us to continue educating women about mammograms and about biopsies. By emphasizing the importance of mammograms and biopsies, the Bass resolution builds on the continuing efforts of those who work so very hard to promote the importance of early detection and early diagnosis in the fight against this devastating disease. Mr. Speaker, one of my dear friends was diagnosed with breast cancer over a decade ago. She is living a healthy, productive life today because she conquered her illness, but her cancer was not detected early. Back then, only 10 years ago, women had mammograms less frequently, and she discovered the lump in her breast after it had been developing for almost 2 years. She is a breast cancer survivor because of her own mental strength and her determination and the quality care that she received from her doctors. She was very fortunate, and for that I am thankful. But Mr. Speaker, other women may not be so fortunate. Early detection and diagnosis through mammography and biopsy remain our best weapons against breast cancer. The Bass resolution stresses the value of regular self-examinations and mammograms in detecting breast abnormalities, and the necessity of breast biopsies in diagnosing if the abnormality is cancerous or noncancerous. Through our efforts to raise awareness about mammograms and the other biopsy options that are available, women will have the tools to make well-informed decisions when it comes to breast care. Congress continues to improve the quality of life for American women. As a result of the good work of the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Bliley), we are now able to ensure that women have access to the highest quality medical equipment to detect breast cancer at the earliest possible moment, and women now will be able to receive their mammogram results in a clear and comprehensible form. Congress is also continuing to invest in research that saves lives. We are working to double the funding for the National Institutes of Health over the next 8 years, because their research has produced major advances in the treatment of cancer and disease that affect the lives of women in America. The Bass resolution complements these efforts to ensure that mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives will not be limited by breast cancer, but will be free to pursue their hopes and dreams, living healthy and productive lives. I ask my colleagues to support this vitally important resolution.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 487, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this legislation which will preserve the institutional integrity of the federal court system. This bill will clarify the 1922 anti-nepotism law, which prohibits the employment in any court of individuals who are related within the degree of first cousin. Currently, there is disagreement about whether this anti-nepotism law applies simply to employees or to the judges themselves. I believe that the law must apply to both employees and the judges if courts are to remain unbiased. It is the duty of Congress to ensure that the credibility of our judicial branch is not compromised. This is why I am supporting the Judicial Anti-Nepotism Act. This legislation clarifies the intent of the original 1922 law to preclude the appointment of a judge to a court if that person is related with the degree of first cousin to any judge to that same court. If the law were not to apply to the familial relationship of judges close family members would be able to serve concurrently on the same court, causing litigants to whose confidence in system clearly designed to be objective and impartial. We simply cannot afford to let this happen. We must assure that federal judges are independent from any outside influence in order the their decisions to be completely just and based only on the laws and facts of the cases. When going to trial over serious, life changing issues, a litigant must be assured of the right to be treated fairly. When a judge sits in the position to over-turn the decision of another judge who is a close relative sitting on a panel of judges, the litigant clearly is going to question the impartiality and fairness of the final court decision. Preventing close family members from serving on the same court is a small price to pay to avoid the appearance of a loss of credibility of our court system. This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate yesterday. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill and help uphold the just character and composition of one of our most revered institutions. I want to thank Chairman Coble for allowing the expeditious consideration of this measure and urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, the American economy is moving quickly from one dominated by large corporations to one whose growth is fueled by emerging entrepreneurial high-growth companies. Entrepreneurial companies are today's leaders in job creation, technological innovation, and international competitiveness. America's future economic well-being lies in the hands of today's emerging companies and the central organizing principle for our nation's economic policy should be entrepreneurship. Over the course of many years, a complex fabric of public policies have created the environment in which entrepreneurial firms compete. Due to the fact that the public policy needs of this community have not been articulated in a united fashion or widely understood by policy makers, however, the basic ``building blocks'' used to enhance economic growth have not been properly constructed. I rise today to begin to lay the foundation for this policy and ensure that the engine that drives this economy has access to the fuel it needs to thrive: capital. Entrepreneurs are synonymous with jobs. Between 1980 and 1990, U.S. private sector employment grew by 19 million jobs, but employment in the Fortune 500 firms dropped by three million jobs. In other words, job creation outside of the Fortune 500 companies rose by 22 million. By creating an environment for entrepreneurship to thrive, we also ensure that ``spin off'' companies develop to foster even greater job creation and technological development. Nowhere is this more clearly demonstrated than in the biotechnology and computer industries that have grown up in my home state of Washington. The bill I am introducing today will ensure that these new capital- intensive small businesses will have the money they need to create innovative technologies and create jobs. By raising the Section 1202 definition of small business from $50 million to $300 million and raising the capital gains exclusion from 50% to 75%, we can create a climate in which individual investors are rewarded for their risky investment and entrepreneurs have the tools they need to succeed. Capital gains taxes are one of the nation's primary obstacles to job creation and technological innovation. anything to reduce the effective or actual rate on capital gains taxes will help put more money in the hands of our nation's most enterprising citizens and lift the standard of living for everyone. In addition, this proposal is completely consistent with Speaker Gingrich's effort, of which I am a supporter, to reduce the broad-based capital gains rate to 15%. Over the course of the next two years, I expect a healthy debate over tax policy. It is my hope that this bill will put the primary focus of this debate where it ought to be: removing incentives to economic freedom and entrepreneurship. I urge my colleagues to support this effort.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, today is a significant day. It marks the beginning of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the greatest news in this battle is the number of mothers, daughters, sisters, wives and friends who survive breast cancer, we must continue to promote the importance of early detection and early diagnosis, which continue to remain our best weapons against this devastating disease. This year alone approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed; more than 43,000 women will die. That is why the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass), who has shown so much concern about this problem, and I are introducing a resolution today that underscores the importance of mammograms and biopsies in the fight against breast cancer. The Bass resolution helps raise awareness that early detection through screening mammograms and breast biopsies are vitally important. As all women know, mammograms detect lumps and biopsies confirm whether these lumps are cancerous or noncancerous. Our resolution encourages women to take an active role in fighting this deadly disease through regular self-examinations, annual mammograms, and breast biopsies when a lump is detected. When it is detected early, women can conquer breast cancer. I ask my colleagues to support this vitally important resolution.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in support of this motion, and to remind my colleagues that not only will this bill reauthorize the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, it will also strengthen the process already in place where communities will be notified when a violent sexual predator is released. Action on sexual predators was prompted years ago in my home state of Washington by the grisly crimes of repeat sexual offender Earl Shriner. Shriner had a 24-year history of violent sexual assaults on young people and confirmed all the studies of high rates of recidivism. He was repeatedly jailed and released--committing the same crimes for which he was first incarcerated over and over again. After a series of other crimes committed by repeat sexual offenders like Earl Shriner, the Washington State legislature met in a 1990 special session and passed the Sexually Violent Predators Act. The Senior Senator from Washington then brought our state model back to D.C. to implement on the federal level. I worked in the House to include the model in the 1994 Crime bill. The sad incident in New Jersey with Megan Kanka was unfortunately an additional factor, and the impetus for including sexually violent predator language in the 1994 Crime bill. With the Senior Senator's help, Mr. Zimmer and I were able to convince conferees on the 1994 crime bill to include community notification, registration, and tracking of sexually violent predators in the bill. Since the 1994 crime law, and the subsequent enactment of Megan's Law, almost all states have developed tracking programs that require convicted sexual predators to register with local law enforcement agencies upon release and allow officials to notify local communities of their presence. Empowering families, women, and children with the knowledge that a potential threat is present in their community enables them to take the necessary precautions to ensure that there are not second, third or fourth victims. Communities must know when a sexual predator has moved in next door or down the street. Now, Mr. Speaker, it is time that we take this good law one step further before we are shocked once again to hear of a needless death or crime committed by a violent sexual offender. Included in this bill is an amendment I offered with my colleagues, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Deal, and Mr. Cunningham. This amendment requires each state to create a method by which it will notify parents when a juvenile sex offender is enrolled in their child's elementary or secondary school. This is a simple refinement of the work we have done in the past, in order for the law to accomplish what Congress intended: ensuring the safety and well-being of our children as they attend school. Some of our colleagues may wonder why notification under Megan's Law is not enough. Oftentimes our schools include students from a variety of nearby communities. Community notification, therefore, will not reach some of the parents of these children. Without this knowledge, parents would not be able to take the necessary precautions to protect their children from being victims of a possible reoffense. Parents deserve the peace of mind of knowing that their children will be safe from sexual predators as they attend school. Mr. Speaker, this provision complements Megan's Law and empowers parents whose children attend schools outside their communities, as well as those whose children go to neighborhood schools. We simply cannot let what happened to Megan Kanka happen again. Not in any community and, especially, not on a playground during recess. I urge my colleagues to show their support for children and families and vote to send this bill to conference.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Today life in America is changing for the better. More hardworking men, women, and retired seniors are sharing in new prosperity. Because we have kept spending down, we have balanced the budget for the first time in a generation, and we have given Americans the first tax relief in 16 years. Interest rates are down, and families are taking home more of what they earn. But even with a good economy, we still wonder how we are going to continue to meet the changing needs of Americans. That is why House Republicans are advancing a tax plan that focuses on building a brighter, more secure future for women and their families by ensuring that the social security trust funds are there, and by returning taxpayer dollars to Americans we can ensure a better quality of life for those struggling to make ends meet. Specifically, we have committed to setting aside $1.4 trillion of a projected budget surplus to protect and strengthen social security. Nothing is more important to women in retirement than ensuring that they have income security, and with that, peace of mind. We will keep that commitment. With the remainder of the surplus, we are holding true to our promise to cut taxes every year that Republicans control Congress. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1998 makes important strides in providing the financial relief that women and families need to stay strong. It will ensure that there is no longer a financial disincentive for marriage. By doubling the standard deduction for married couples, a woman who files jointly with her husband no longer will feel an additional pinch from the government that the current marriage penalty costs. Forty eight million Americans will benefit from this relief, Mr. Speaker, over 1 million alone in my home State of Washington. In addition, a woman small business owner will no longer worry about being a financial burden on her sons and daughters when she passes on. The death tax relief provided in this bill will allow her children to keep that small business that has helped them plan and live the American dream. With women creating small businesses at twice the rate of men these days, health insurance costs are extremely important, and a great burden. Providing 100 percent deductibility of health insurance costs for women who are self-employed gives them the help they need to protect their family from illness and injury, something about which all mothers worry. Americans have always believed that if we work hard and take responsibility for ourselves and help others where we can, we will reap the benefits of our efforts and fulfill our own American dream. It makes sense. It is the American dream. It is in this bill. I urge its support.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the soon-to-be chairman of the Committee on Rules for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and of H.R. 2621. The world is a much different place today than it was when this House last considered fast track negotiating authority over six years ago. Capitalism has spread to every corner of the earth and once-undeveloped countries have flourished under the economic freedoms this system provides to us. Nevertheless, a global economic downturn that began over 15 months ago is severely impacting many of these countries and is harming our ability to export goods. In Washington State alone, our combined exports to Southeast Asia are down 35 percent over last year. Consumer spending will help drive these economies out of recession, so we must make sure that our products are available to them. Our failure to negotiate trade agreements with other countries will only assure that agreements are made that exclude the United States. Since 1992, in Latin America and Asia alone, our competitors have negotiated 20 free trade agreements that exclude the United States. Chile, for example, has a trade deal with every major economy in this hemisphere except us, giving each of our competitors an 11 percent tariff advantage, costing our citizens extra taxes on imported goods and costing our American workers jobs. The world is not waiting for the United States. If we do not renew trade negotiating authority, we are closing the door on American workers and on American consumers. Clearly the ability to freely trade goods and services between nations is essential to achieving a long- term economic objective of the United States. Self-interest alone would dictate that we pass this bill. As the world's lone remaining superpower, however, we must not act solely out of self-interest. These are turbulent times in many blossoming democracies, and many are crying out for the one thing the United States can provide better than anybody, and that is leadership. We must not shrink from this challenge. For the sake of American workers and American consumers and the defense of free trade and economic freedom, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill and support this rule.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Workforce Improvement and Protection Act. America's cutting-edge companies depend on the annual admission of a small number of highly-skilled workers under the H-1B visa program in order to maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. The H-1B visa program is a timely--and often the only--means for U.S. companies to employ foreign-born professionals on a temporary basis. These workers supplement the domestic labor force where no American worker is available who can perform the job. In recent years, the high-tech, engineering, pharmaceutical, and other industries that use H-1B workers have enjoyed extraordinary growth. Demand for H-1B workers has increased to a point where the annual cap of H-1B visas was reached in May this year and is expected to be reached even earlier in coming years. This means that indispensable people, who likely have been educated and trained in the United States, will have to return home and work for our foreign competitors instead of staying in the U.S. to advance American companies and generate jobs for American workers. In my home State of Washington, companies like Boeing and Microsoft, and the hundreds of other high-tech firms just starting up, understand the importance of H-1B visas. I recently received a letter from a constituent detailing her concerns. She employs less than 10 H-1B workers in a company of over 230 employees. These workers are in key leadership roles, where people with international experience and perspective, along with technical expertise, are required. The success of these visa holders enables this company to hire many more American workers. Without the H-1B visa program, this firm would be negatively impacted, to the point where the company could move out of my district, possibly to a foreign country, moving 230 jobs and the ensuing economic benefit out of the United States. Mr. Speaker, high-tech companies aren't the only ones utilizing the talents of H-1B workers. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, also in Washington State, is an excellent example of the specialized abilities of these workers. For example, Dr. Rainier Storb, a German national, joined the bone marrow research team working at the Center. Dr. Storb brought unique knowledge to this team, which subsequently developed the use of bone marrow transplantation. This research resulted in the clinical treatment of a host of blood and immune system diseases. Lymphomas and anemias, which were terminal just 20 years ago, are now successfully treated in 80 percent of cases. This work led to the award of a Nobel Prize in Medicine. Dr. Storb's example is simply one of a number where the contribution of a foreign born scientist led to significant scientific and health care progress, the creation of jobs and economic opportunity, and training to countless other scientists from the U.S. While our Nation's economic health is strong today, I believe that we must ensure access to the best talent the world has to offer in order to keep this momentum. Temporarily expanding H-1B admissions will help insure that the United States remains the world leader in the development of new technologies.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1991 and H.R. 4236.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 1-year anniversary of the Taxpayer Relief Act, an historic piece of legislation that consisted of the first significant tax cut since the Reagan tax cuts of the early 1980s. Let us face it, the Taxpayer Relief Act would never have passed had it not been for a Republican Congress. Let us remember that the idea we could balance the budget and pass tax relief was ridiculed by our worthy opponents on the other side right here in this body almost daily not too long ago. Let us also remember that welfare reform would never have happened had it not been for the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. The IRS reform bill passed this summer. Not a chance if the Republicans had not held the majority. And last summer's Medicare reform legislation, which postponed bankruptcy from 2001 and 2010, it took a Republican Congress to push for Medicare reform in the face of the most constant, shameless demagoguery about good-faith efforts to reform Medicare. Mr. Speaker, elections do matter. Balanced budgets, tax cuts, welfare reform, IRS reform, and Medicare reform. That is the reality of the Republican Congress.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my support to my colleague from Oregon, Mr. DeFazio, for his hard work in deterring juveniles from recklessly and carelessly handling guns. In Washington State alone in the 1996-1997 school year, we had 150 incidents of kids bringing handguns, rifles, or shotguns onto school property. Not only is it a crime under Washington State law, but under Federal Law it is illegal to have a firearm on school grounds. Yet these juveniles are still bringing guns to school and endangering the lives of other students. For this reason, I am introducing a bill this week with Mr. DeFazio to address the problem of guns in school. Rather than mandating new state laws or creating more programs that simply do not work, it is our intention to establish an incentive program for states to create a 24 hour cooling off period for students caught with guns. These kids need to be faced with the responsibility they bear in picking up a gun and possessing it illegally. We cannot allow another Jonesboro Arkansas, or Springfield Oregon incident. I thank Mr. DeFazio for bringing to the attention of the House and I look forward to sponsoring this legislation with him. I also thank Chairman Rogers for his willingness to work with us as we try to create new ways to discourage violent crime.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, it is my deep honor and privilege to rise today on behalf of the people I represent in the Eighth Congressional District of Washington State and myself and my family, and really on behalf of the Nation, to offer our deep gratitude for the heroism of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson. On Friday afternoon Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson embodied all that it means to be an American hero. They were ordinary people who went to extraordinary lengths to protect and defend freedom not just for Members of the large congressional family, but also for all Americans. These two brave officers literally laid down their lives so that others could live, and for that dedication of courage we are eternally grateful. Every day in the people's House we are surrounded by the protection of the United States Capitol Police. In serving our country, the men and women of the police force touch all of us who visit and work in the Capitol. They become our friends, they become our colleagues, and of course they are our protectors. J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson epitomize this dedication of service and commitment to all that we value as good in this world. Mr. Speaker, I considered J.J. a friend, as did countless Members and staff. My office is very near where he stands, and we had shared a few words the night before he died as we Members left the Capitol very close to midnight, and we talked about how the next day would be a little easier, and we did not know that that would be his very last night. Nor did I know that the next afternoon, the first shot that I heard from behind my closed door was the shot that took J.J.'s life. No words we utter here today can help the Chestnut and Gibson families begin to heal the wounds they suffer from, but I do want to say to each family that as they grieve and seek support from God above, a Nation mourns their loss, the congressional family grieves with them and we will never forget them.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise today to say to American families who are worried about their health care coverage, we understand your fears and your anxieties, and help is on the way. H.R. 4250, the Republican plan to make health care more accessible and strengthen patient protection, is a sensible approach to the problems facing Americans, especially working women. Mr. Speaker, 80 percent of all the health care decisions in this country today are made by women. As a result, women view health care as a consumer issue, not a political issue. That is why the Republican plan addresses the need to expand access to health care for those who cannot afford it, or are uninsured by their employers. H.R. 4250 makes some important reforms that will allow small businesses, an area of our economy increasingly dominated by women, to ban together to purchase health care coverage. One of the biggest obstacles to health coverage for small business women and their employees is cost. By allowing these small businesses to join together and pool their resources, they will be able to purchase health care at the same discounted rates enjoyed now by big business. In addition, our Patient Protection Act will give our Nation's women direct access to their OB-GYN. These physicians are extremely important to the lives of every woman and they should not be considered specialists. We should demand that the essential care that they give be accessible without having to jump through bureaucratic hoops. The Republican plan will also help our Nation's mothers get easier access to pediatricians for the care of their children. Once again, the care given to our Nation's youth is critical to fostering a healthy childhood and it must be available without delay. Whether it be expanding access to health care for America's small business women or ensuring that mothers and children have the care that they deserve when they need it, the Republican health care plan is right for our Nation's families. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4250 and help give families the peace of mind they so richly deserve.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Patient Protection Act, the Republican plan to provide greater accessibility, affordability, and accountability in our Nation's health care system. This plan will make a real difference in the lives of America's working women for a lot of reasons. Small businesses in this country are increasingly dominated by women who are looking to make their mark in a growing economy. Unfortunately, right now the cost of health care makes it very tough for them to purchase health care for themselves and their families. That is why the Republican plan makes the cost of health care for small businesses 100 percent deductible, and it allows small businesses to band together to purchase health care at the same discounted rates that are currently enjoyed by big business. These sensible reforms, combined with our plans giving a woman's right to choose an OB/GYN as her prime caregiver, are essential to improving access to health care for the many women in this country who are helping to drive this Nation's economy. They stand in stark contrast to the Democrat bill which does nothing to make health care more affordable or accessible to American women. I urge my colleagues to support the Patient Protection Act when it comes to the floor tomorrow.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Congress sent bipartisan IRS reform legislation to President Clinton's desk for his signature. The bill will protect honest, productive Americans by leveling the playing field between taxpayers and the IRS. Everybody has a horror story about the IRS and about one of their audits, so we took action. By shifting the burden of proof from the taxpayer to the IRS, taxpayers now will be innocent until proven guilty under the new law, just as any American is innocent in a U.S. court of law. For the first time, Congress extended confidentiality protections to taxpayers that covers the advice they receive from their tax preparers. This change should provide some taxpayer peace of mind by protecting them from IRS fishing expeditions at taxpayer expense. The IRS reform bill is an important example of how Republicans in Congress are working very thoughtfully and very steadily to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution and in support of normal trade relations with China. The open exchange of goods and services has been a critical component of fostering understanding between nations for centuries and has helped bring about regional economic and diplomatic stability. As Reverend Pat Robertson stated so eloquently in a piece in the Wall Street Journal last month,''Leaving a billion people in spiritual darkness punishes not the Chinese but the Chinese people. The only way to pursue morality is to engage China fully and openly as a friend.'' And the best policy, Mr. Speaker, continues to be engagement. The same can be said about Congress' obligation to protect our national security. Will cutting off trade with China help us maintain adequate intelligence and diplomatic ties with a growing superpower? The answer, of course, is no. While presidential summits occur only once in a great while, the day- to-day act of engaging in commerce continues unabated. It is the majesty of free trade that brings together businessmen and women in a ritual that has solidified relationships and fostered goodwill among the people of nations, not just their governments. Make no mistake about it, denying normal trade relation status to China will drive U.S. tariffs into the 50-percent range and destroy our trading relationship. It is the equivalent of a declaration of economic war. Is this the signal we want to send to the Chinese people? United States Government indicators already suggest that the Asian economic crises is beginning to affect the domestic production of goods in the United States. As a result, this debate takes on added significance. China's resolve in holding firm in their commitment not to devalue their currency has helped to keep that region from slipping even further into an economic abyss. Any sudden and drastic shift in trade policy will only cause further harm to our economy and cause greater instability in a region already struggling with economic and nuclear proliferation problems. Free trade brings both economic and diplomatic benefits. Now, more than ever, we must continue our normal trade relations with China. I urge my colleagues to reject the Solomon resolution. By doing so, we will allow American businessmen and women, religious leaders, and human rights advocates the ability to share their products, their philosophies, and their ideas with this rapidly-changing country. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record documents endorsing this vote against this resolution by the United States Chamber of Commerce. The Voice of Business--Preserve Normal Trading Status With China (By Thomas J. Donohue) Washington.--The President's recent trip to China highlighted an important annual debate in Washington: Should Congress renew China's Most Favored Nation trading status with the United States? Some believe that Congress ought to restrict trade with China pending further human rights reforms and democratic changes in that country. But others recognize that cutting off trade will backfire--it could actually work to the detriment of those well-meaning goals, while hurting American businesses, workers, and consumers. To begin with. Most Favored Nation (or ``MFN'') trading status is not special in any way--it's a term for the normal trading relationships that the United States has with the rest of the world. Just six nations are without MFN status-- North Korea, Cuba, Serbia/Montenegro, Laos, Vietnam, and Afghanistan--and they face either extremely high tariffs or embargoes on their goods. By granting MFN status, we are not doing any country a favor--we are simply treating that country as a normal trading partner. And not doing so with China would be an enormous economic and strategic mistake. China is a vitally important trading partner of ours. In 1977, two-way trade was $400 million. By 1997, this figure had exploded to more than $75 billion--and it's still growing. US-China trade supports over 200,000 export-related American jobs, as well as tens of thousands of jobs in US retail, financial services, consumer goods and transportation companies--not to mention American companies that rely on imported Chinese components to make their finished goods. Restricting trade with China would hurt a range of American companies--from large, globally competitive corporations, to tens of thousands of small enterprises. Ironically, destroying the opportunities of thousands of American entrepreneurs is being touted as a moral and just policy. Indeed, some believe that refusing to grant MFN status is the best way to express distaste with China's domestic policies. This is wrong, too. Trade allows us the best opportunity to set the example and create the necessary relationships to effect change in China. Foreign companies there set the tone for democracy by reducing area poverty, helping to increase the standard of living, and teaching the values and behaviors necessary for open trade and democracy. Trade helps to strengthen China's growing civil sector, creating independent pockets of wealth that allow people to reduce their dependence on the state. And by engaging China on the economic front, it has gradually become more open and tolerant. In fact, missionaries working in China have asked Congress to continue to grant China MFN trading status--they believe that it is having a positive effect. Commercial engagement naturally won't solve all the problems of the world--but it sure goes a long way. Finally, refusing MFN status in order to forward one political goal--expressing disapproval of China's human rights record--would make achieving other political goals much harder. As a nuclear power with the largest population in the world. China is crucial to the stability of the Asian region. China is also taking steps to become a part of the world economic community. And China's cautious and helpful reaction to the Asian financial crisis has helped contain the problem. As the door to China has opened wider, ideas of freedom are flooding in. It is in the U.S.'s enlightened self-interest to trade and work with China--creating an economic and national security ally in an area of the world that demands it.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise to enter into a colloquy with the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Interior. Mr. Chairman, I would like to take a moment to congratulate the gentleman for all of his very successful work during his chairmanship to prioritize funding for the National Park Service, especially for the crown jewels of the service, our national parks. Under the gentleman's leadership, the National Park System has continued to see increased funding that has helped to mitigate terrible backlogs in operations and maintenance in all of the National Park Service units. As the gentleman knows, my congressional district is home to one of our oldest national parks, Mt. Rainier. In fact, Mt. Rainier will turn 100 years old in March of 1999 and has been the recipient of much- needed funds to take care of severe maintenance backlog and construction needs. Unfortunately, it is far too difficult for the average park enthusiast to find out how much money his or her favorite park needs in any given year. Separating the funding of the national parks into its own category would make it much easier for the public to track the annual funding levels. On January 7, 1997, I introduced the Crown Jewel National Parks Act to accomplish this common sense reform. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior of the Committee on Appropriations, however, the gentleman has the authority to require that the administration create a separate category for all project funding requests for our 54 national parks. If I am correct, Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request that the gentleman instruct the administration to make this change beginning in the next fiscal year. This change will give the public the ability to more clearly see how their hard-earned dollars are being spent.

Ms. DUNN. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the subcommittee chairman and congratulate him on his fine work in increasing the budget of the National Park Service.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to an amendment that will be offered during consideration of the Fiscal Year 1999 Interior Appropriations bill by the gentlewoman from Oregon, Ms. Furse. This amendment would decimate the U.S. Forest Service timber sale program by reducing the budget for forest management. Over the last few years, we have endured contentious debate on the floor of the House regarding the Forest Service's Purchaser Road Credit Program. Last year, a commitment was made by several Member of Congress on both sides of the debate to reach a compromise that would eliminate the program, while still providing funding for road maintenance. After many months of discussion, a good faith agreement was reached that removed the Purchaser Road Credit program from this year's Forest Service budget with the understanding that no further amendments would be offered on this issue. It is imperative that we allow this compromise to move forward unchanged. Too often, Members with divergent points of view have difficulty coming together to find solutions to problems pitting rural America against those advocating stricter public land use policies. Today, we have an opportunity to defend a compromise that clears this hurdle. I urge my colleagues to reject the Furse Amendment. The hard work that went into crafting this delicate compromise should not be wiped out by arbitrary cuts to important forest management activities. I thank the gentleman for yielding. (Thank you to Regula; Yates, for his years of service; Chairman Smith, Stenholm, and others for their work and leadership on this issue.) Thank you, Mr. Kennedy, for your years of service. Ms. Furse, I enjoy our time on Commerce Committee, you have my respect--but on this one you are wrong! Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Furse amendment. We have heard many arguments today on both sides of this issue about topics like the environment and the economics of the timber program. While these are certainly important issues, I am afraid that lost in this debate is the impact this amendment would have on working families and rural communities. In my district in northern Michigan, and in districts like mine across the Nation, our national forests are a vital part of our economy and livelihood. Timber is one of the largest industries in northern Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula, and is an integral part of its economic base. With three national forests in my district, thousands of working families literally rely on these forests and the timber program to put food on the table. Many people think of the timber industry as giant businesses that slash and clear cut forests simply for profit. The truth is, however, that the majority of people in the timber industry are family businesses--``mom and pop'' operations that are struggling to make ends meet and that truly care about the forests and the environment. The timber program has already been reduced by 70 percent since 1991. The Furse amendment would only serve to further hurt these family-run businesses. In addition, the Furse amendment would severely impact rural communities across this nation. By law, counties with national forest lands receive payments equaling 25 percent of federal timber revenues. These communities rely on these payments to provide funding for schools, roads, and emergency services. In FY 1997, local governments received $220 million for these important programs. Because of this, the National Association of Counties strongly opposes this amendment. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is bad for working families, bad for rural communities, and bad for schools. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Furse amendment.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of an event that dramatically changed the course of history and led to the fundamental right of a woman to elect the people who represent them in this very Chamber, the first Women's Rights Convention. This celebration gives us the opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements of women who have contributed to the development and the strength of our Nation. Because of the leadership, the tireless efforts and the perseverance of our foremothers, women today are able to soar to greater heights each and every day. While this is a time to celebrate and express our gratitude to those who came before us, it is also a time to reflect and remind ourselves that each one of us has an enormous responsibility not only to the women of tomorrow but to every single woman who helped pave the way for the rights, the freedom and the boundless opportunities we all now cherish. As we honor women leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony, let their work serve as an inspiration to women, young and old, across this great land that we can make a powerful difference when we truly believe in a cause and in ourselves.

Ms. DUNN

Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, the Preamble to the United States Constitution states that the Federal Government shall have the responsibility to provide for the common defense. Protecting our national security is, in fact, the first duty and the primary obligation of the President, our commander-in-chief. But America is vulnerable today, vulnerable to a missile attack from abroad. It is a shame that it has taken nuclear blasts in India and Pakistan to convince American leaders that the time to act is now. Many Americans are unaware of this, but if a missile were fired at an American city, the United States would be defenseless against it. This is a shocking realization when you consider that there are many nations that have the capability of reaching American soil with long-range nuclear missiles. The potential threat to every child in America demands that we take decisive action to protect ourselves from the uncertainty that exists in the world today. It is time to honor our obligation to the Constitution and to the American people by building a missile defense system. No less than the security of our Nation and the safety of our children is at stake.