Jim DeMint

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This was true when our founding fathers decided to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to secure freedom and democracy in our country. It is also true of our work in Congress, where even the most difficult tasks must begin with a single step. Today we are here to take the first-step on an issue crucial to the American people and to me--fundamental tax reform. My friend Rob Portman and I are introducing legislation creating a national commission on fundamental tax reform and simplification. The Portman/ DeMint bill establishes a commission to study tax reform. and report to Congress with findings and recommendations, so we can go forward. A similar commission was passed as part of my friend Steve Largent's bill which would sunset the Federal Tax Code and allow Congress to debate a replacement. I am still hopeful the Senate will do the right thing and take up that bill. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is an issue that, if we hope to make serious progress, we must have a serious study. A serious and comprehensive report to Congress and the President will allow us to move forward on this issue with some foundation. The Tax Code has become so intrusive, it invades the daily decisions of families and businesses. I know this from my own experience in starting and running a small business, as well as from raising a family. As Americans, I know we can do better. There is no question that fundamental tax reform is desperately needed. The Federal Tax Code is 7 million words long, a patchwork maze of complexity and confusion. It is intrusive, invasive, and overly complex--as my constituents continually remind me. The majority of Americans now turn to tax professionals to prepare their tax forms. This is hard to believe, but it is true. Many have no choice--they simply do not understand all the tricks and traps. Unfortunately, many of these same tax professionals are calling for tax reform and simplification as well. I have spoken with accountants and tax professionals from my district who have told me of their struggles and uncertainty. This is not just my district. In 1998, Money Magazine asked 46 tax professionals to calculate a hypothetical family's tax responsibilities. Not one got the correct answer, and no two even got the same answer. When tax professionals do not understand the Federal Tax Code, what about American families? There are exemptions you may never know you qualified for, and deductions you forgot to take. There are different rates, and different dates by which you need to file different forms to qualify for those rates. There are ways in which money must be moved through a complex series of traps to avoid paying maximum taxes, and there are mine fields of forms you may never have known existed, which you needed to file last week to avoid the fine you just received. And there are people who make their living mapping out the maze and guiding others through this code. I do not fault these people--it is a good living, and they are only dealing with something that we in Congress created. But is this the best we can do? Is this in keeping with a government of the people, by the people, for the people? The Internal Revenue Service, which is generally made up of honorable men and women, has been given the task of managing this monster. It takes 136,000 people to administer our federal tax laws. The FBI employs less than 30,000--and they combat terrorism. Since 1986, there have been over 5400 modifications to the Tax Code-- and it is still not fixed. We must return fairness and simplicity to our federal tax policy. I recognize this will not be an easy task, I know that some are comfortable with the way things are, but I believe it is the right thing to do. I believe we are most secure when we are most free, and the complexity and confusion of the federal tax code hinders our freedom. I am convinced that we can do better. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When I came to Congress, I came with a dream of increasing freedom for people. In this, I continue to dream of a world in which Americans live under a tax code that is simple and fair, a code that makes sense. To get there, it takes courage. To get there, we must take the first step. I invite my colleagues to cosponsor the Portman/DeMint tax reform commission bill and help us move forward on this issue in a responsible way. We can get a handle on this issue, and get a foothold to move forward with fundamental tax reform. This is what the American people have entrusted us to do, and I ask for your help in securing the future for our country.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Illegal Pornography Prosecution Act introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Largent), my friend. I want to commend the gentleman for introducing this important piece of legislation, because it addresses a growing and serious problem in our communities today, the proliferation of illegal hard-core pornography. Mr. Speaker, pornographic, obscene material is illegal. It has no protection from the first amendment, nor does it deserve it. Hard-core pornography appeals to the darkest side of humanity, and it debases the value and dignity of human life. Yet under the current administration, and this is the reason we need to specify, we have allowed obscenity to thrive in the streets of America. In fact, trading of this horrid material has grown exponentially in the last few years because of the new medium of the Internet. Let me repeat, pornography is illegal; yet it is thriving in America today. Mr. Speaker, this must change. H.R. 4710 authorizes $5 million in funding for the child exploitation and obscenity section of the Department of Justice. It is unconscionable that, while the current administration pays lip service to the concerns of millions of parents and families, their actions show a total disregard for common decency. The lack of prosecution has been so noticeable that in the last few years that the adult entertainment industry has acknowledged that it has had years of benevolent neglect from the Justice Department. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. The children and families of America deserve better. My own hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, has recently waded through the disturbing discovery of patrons viewing pornography in the public library and inviting and even forcing children to view the disgusting material as well. After documenting the widespread and serious nature of the problem, the library board has taken strong and proper measures to curtail the abuses and to protect children in our community. But this illegal material should not even be available to the public in the first place. Pornography is illegal, and it should be treated as such; and those who trade in this illicit material should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Justice Department already has the authority to prosecute on-line and off-line obscenity. It has had the general, if not specific, resources to do it. It has heard congressional concern on this issue for years, and it has done nothing. In fact, there has been a precipitous decline in the prosecution of cases. With H.R. 4710, the administration can no longer use the excuse that it does not have enough money. Congress with this bill is declaring that continued lack of action is unacceptable. We demand that the administration protect our children and our communities. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 4710, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this important bill.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment, which would undermine the values in human rights in other countries. Our current law is designed to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to undermine the values of foreign families by subsidizing organizations which work to undermine pro-life laws that are already in place. This proposed amendment would change this good law. As legislators, we have the tremendous responsibility of being in charge of other people's money. The dollars we spend do not belong to us. They are the result of hard work of people throughout this land. How we spend these dollars is a decision which is entrusted to us with the effects reaching all around the globe. Mr. Chairman, Americans value human life, and how we spend our dollars reflects these values. We work to end violence and bring peace throughout the world and promote women's health. Yet, without the foreign family value protections that are in our current law, we would be asking the United States taxpayer to subsidize organizations from the international abortion industry. Organizations who actively lobby to overturn laws that protect the unborn in other countries do not deserve the subsidies of the United States taxpayers. We support life and health, not death and destruction. Laws which recognize the sanctity of human life and restrict abortions are currently in place in approximately 100 countries throughout the world. If this amendment passes, laws that protect unborn children in countries like the Philippines, Nepal, Ghana could be in jeopardy because organizations which promote abortion abroad and lobby to change pro-life laws will be receiving funding from United States taxpayers. Mr. Chairman, abortion is already a hotly debated topic at home. There is certainly no agreement here. But with no agreement here at home, how can we use taxpayer dollars to try to change laws about abortion in other lands. This makes no sense. This is not about poor people doing family planning. This is about giving taxpayer dollars to men and women in suits and skirts who are lobbying to change laws that reflect the values of other countries. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and support our current law, which honors the values of foreign families and their governments.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, on July 10, 2000 I was unavoidably detained and was not present for six rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes No. 373, No. 374, No. 375, No. 376, No. 377, and No. 378.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana. As a Member of Congress, I like to dream about the future of our country and imagine an educated America, a healthy America, a prosperous America, and a secure America. I think of children in this great Nation and the bright future that they represent. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, for many throughout this world their tomorrow is not as bright. They do not have their health, education, and security. In fact, they live in utter misery under the cruel control of their oppressors. They are women and children who are sold, coerced, or otherwise find themselves being exploited by sex traffickers. This is the life of approximately 2 million people worldwide. Many women find themselves victims of sexual trafficking by being drugged and kidnapped and lured with false promises of jobs far away. They are beaten and raped until they consent to prostitute themselves to customers. Is this voluntary prostitution? Prostitution is an exploitation of women and a violation of their dignity and basic human rights. To my great dismay, while the Clinton administration may pay lip service to this same idea, their actions do not show it. Despite the horrors of the sex trafficking industry throughout the world, this administration has promoted the position that voluntary prostitution is okay and sex traffickers, who are somehow able to obtain the consent of their victims, should be immune from prosecution. This is unconscionable and unacceptable. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment because I do not believe the State Department ought to be able to use the taxpayers' dollars to send representatives of the United States to the U.N. conference where they take the stance that voluntary prostitution is okay and a legitimate form of labor. Mr. Chairman, prostitution in any form or under any circumstances is an intolerable exploitation of women. Point of Order

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, last week, I was detained in my district and missed rollcall votes No. 258-269. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea`` on all but rollcall vote No. 267. On rollcall vote No. 267, I would have voted ``nay''.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Republican freshmen class, I would like to express our most sincere congratulations to a Congressman who now enjoys a new and prestigious title, ``Dad.'' On June 12, at 2:55 a.m., our friend and colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey), delightfully spoke three life-changing words, ``It's a girl.'' Full of energy, Bridget Kathleen Toomey entered the world with a healthy weight of 9 pounds, 7 ounces. With great pleasure, we now call the gentleman from Pennsylvania a father, but also warn him that when Bridget reaches her teenage years, it may be more difficult to hold the line on spending at home than it is in Congress. Congratulations to both the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey) and his wonderful wife, Kris, in this time of joy. May God bless their new family.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Citizen Legislators Caucus and on behalf of many of my colleagues in the Caucus, I am proud to introduce today the Citizen Legislature Empowerment through Access to Resources bill, or, more simply, the CLEAR Act of 2000. The Citizen Legislators Caucus was established to enhance the effectiveness of term-limited Members of Congress through a positive and constructive agenda. One of the priorities of our Members is working with other Members of Congress to advance legislation that encourages citizen representation and citizen involvement in Government. Citizen legislators are the lifeblood of a representative democracy. I am honored to serve with so many honorable men and women in this body who have put aside successful careers in other areas of life to come here for a short time to represent their districts and serve their country. Doctors, lawyers, farmers, teachers, small businessmen, people from all walks of life come here for a time to help secure the future of our country and then return home to move on to other areas of service. I believe such an attitude of service and representation is in keeping with the best examples of our Founding Fathers, as embodied most profoundly in the life of George Washington. President Washington held his positions of leadership in our country, including the presidency, as something with which he was entrusted for a limited time, not for a lifetime. Our country is a democracy, and a well-informed citizenry is the most important asset of any democracy. Over the past few years, we have worked to put in place a number of important reforms that have changed the way Congress works, giving greater information, access, and control to the people. We have cut committee sizes, we have imposed term limits on committee chairman, and made common sense decisions, such as Congress abiding by the same laws as the rest of the country must live under. As we move into the 21st century, the Internet provides an incredible opportunity for Congress to continue our reform agenda. We must open the door to Congress for the citizens to see more of what we do and why we do it. The CLEAR Act allows for the posting of reports and issue briefs prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress on Member and committee Web sites. The American people, students, teachers, small businessmen, farmers should be able to get this information and facts on which we as Congress base our decisions. As we work to secure the future of our country, it is important to provide the people with the greatest information possible about their Government. This is a common sense next step in reforming our Government and returning decisions and freedom to the people. This in no way changes the primary purpose of the Congressional Research Service, which is to serve Congress; but it gives an additional window to the citizens to understand the workings of their Government and see some of the resources we have available. There is an entire library of resources we could be making available to citizens, information we have at our fingertips and often mail out to our constituents on a regular basis; and yet these resources cannot now be made available to American citizens in the same timely and complete manner on the Web. This legislation that I am introducing today moves such sharing of information by Members to the public into the next century. I am pleased that many of my colleagues are taking advantage of the Internet with their committees and often Web pages to provide citizens with hearing transcripts and testimonies and copies of the Congressional Record. As we move into the 21st century, I believe reports prepared by the Congressional Research Service should be included, as well. We live in an a democracy, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; and we must give a clear view of what is going on in the Government to the people. That is why we are introducing the CLEAR Act today. I look forward to working with the Congressional Research Service, the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas), and the Committee on House Administration and other interested Members of Congress to make what we do a lot clearer to our voters and continue to reform our Congress as we move into the new millennium.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by my friend, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo). This is a very simple amendment with a very important purpose, to increase access to Government spending information for Members of the House and the Senate and, especially, to the voting public. This is a step in the right direction because it brings reform to our Government. It increases accountability, not by creating a new Government program, but by empowering the people with information. The information required by this amendment answers the questions many of us and many citizens ask when we see un-budgeted spending, questions such as: When did Congress approve this program? How much money was originally approved? How does this compare with current spending levels? This amendment is important because an informed electorate is crucial to the future of our democracy and informed Members of Congress will also make better decisions. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense amendment.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, today I missed rollcall Vote No. 178 and rollcall Vote No. 179 due to my son's graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the motion to recommit with instructions and voted ``no'' on final passage of H.R. 701.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. As the original sponsor of H.R. 2511, the Adoption Awareness Act, along with the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Bliley), a champion of adoption issues, I am pleased to endorse the Infant Adoption Awareness Act included in the child health bill. While this language is not as broad as the original legislation, it does reflect significant efforts to advance the purpose of the Adoption Awareness Act. This language was drafted with input from a wide variety of organizations, including those in the adoption and public health communities. Women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve to hear about their options from a well-trained counselor who can provide accurate, up-to- date information on adoption. This Act provides professional development for pregnancy counselors in adoption counseling. The training will enable pregnancy counselors to feel confident in their knowledge of the adoption process, relevant State and local laws, and the legal, medical, and financial resources which can be provided to women with unplanned pregnancies. Furthermore, there are true experts in the field of adoption counseling who are extremely familiar with the adoption process from the viewpoint of the birth mother placing a child for adoption. These individuals should be the trainers for the pregnancy counselors receiving the training. I am pleased to support the Infant Adoption Awareness Act as a step in the right direction to bring complete and accurate adoption information to women facing unplanned pregnancies. I hope that this step significantly advances our Nation in the direction of eliminating a perceived anti-adoption bias in pregnancy counseling in providing lasting answers to difficult circumstances. I truly believe that in our great Nation, while there may be unwanted pregnancies, there are no unwanted children.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, imagine an educated America where all children get a world-class education and the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Can we imagine a great school in every community for every child, or the best and brightest teaching our children? How about graduating 95 percent of high school seniors and enabling every willing child to receive a higher education. That is our dream for education, and that is why we believe so strongly in charter schools. Charter schools are springing up throughout the Nation as innovative minds create new ways to offer students a quality education that meets their individual needs. Why do charter schools work? Because they are public schools which receive public support, but they are free from the red tape and the bureaucracy which hinders the success of so many of our schools in the public education system. Charter schools allow folks who care about their community to bring their ideas together and to create new ways of educating our children. At present, there are over 1,700 charter schools around the Nation, and 10 of these are in my home State of South Carolina. It is my dream and goal to help charter schools flourish in South Carolina, to revitalize our education system. Today, I rise to praise an excellent charter school in my district which opened its doors last fall, the Greenville Technical Charter High School. This charter high school does an outstanding job of integrating solid academics with a project-based learning curriculum which allows students to experience hands-on learning. Greenville Tech Charter School has over 50 percent of parents participating in various committees and support groups. Schools that are accountable to parents produce a better education product for their students. The business community has rallied around this new school; and the students from this school have, in turn, returned tremendous contributions to the Greenville community by logging over 1,500 hours of community service. The Greenville Tech Charter High School addresses the needs of a diverse student body. There are currently 100 9th and 100 10th graders enrolled in this school. Twenty-five percent are classified as special education students and 32 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. I am proud to say that Greenville Tech Charter High School is creatively tackling the challenges of providing students of many backgrounds the opportunity to receive a superior academically challenging education. This strong education will launch these students into higher education or to success in the working world. Is that not what we all want, educated children who excel in an ever-changing world? We may have different ideas how to get there, but let us not dispute the fact that charter schools are helping lead the way in making America an educated and prosperous Nation.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, this has been helpful, because it seems that we all agree that Americans deserve a fair and simple Tax Code that takes only the amount of their money that is needed to run a limited and efficient government. We all seem to agree also that our current Tax Code does not meet this test, because it not only takes too much of our money, it controls a large part of our lives. Not only does it take over 5 billion hours of our time every year and billions of dollars of our money, it controls many of the decisions in our personal lives about our savings, about our investment, about our retirement. Even how we die is decided by the Tax Code. In our businesses, when we decide whether to hire workers or contract that work out, or to buy or lease something, or to merge or to grow a business, just about everything we do in this country in some way is related to trying to manipulate a Tax Code that is so complex that even the experts cannot understand it. The only question today, the only question is, do we have the courage to set a deadline to change it; do we have the courage to give the American people a commitment, rather than 5 more years of talk? We have proven we will not do it without a deadline. It is not irresponsible to set a deadline, it is irresponsible to continue to give the American people talk without a deadline.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day when we have to come to the floor of the House and acknowledge that the number of babies abandoned in public places is growing. While some 30,000 babies each year are born in hospitals and then abandoned by their mothers, there are many, many more born in public places and then abandoned. These nameless children born around this country are never given a chance at life and a loving home. It is a sad commentary on our society that we do not hold life as more precious, more dear than to leave little children alone to face the world. Some miraculously live. Many die. Not only do we need better reporting of the number of baby abandonments which take place throughout the Nation's alleys, trash cans and bathrooms; but we need to do something about the root of the problem. These women who leave their babies in different places feel they have no place to go, that there is no future for them or their child, that they cannot care for their child. Mr. Speaker, as has already been referenced, I have a bill pending before the House of Representatives, H.R. 2511, the Adoption Awareness Act, which would help these women learn of the loving alternatives of adoption. Adoption is a wonderful option because it brings a positive end to what could be difficult circumstances. The birth mother can place her child in a loving family. The child receives a warm and welcome home. An adoptive couple gets to wear one of the greatest titles in America, parent. If these women only knew that for every abandoned baby there is a couple eagerly awaiting to give that child a home, maybe they would choose adoption. If these women only knew that they could get help in defraying the cost of medical care, maybe they would choose to give birth in a medical facility and make an adoption plan. If these women only knew that there may be unwanted pregnancies but there are no unwanted children, they might have made a different decision. I commend my colleague from Connecticut for introducing H. Res. 465 because it is important for us to have a better grasp on how many babies are being abandoned all over this country so we can attempt to provide support and hope for these women in need.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting. I do not remember, when the Clinton- Gore administration has talked about their new budget, there is very seldom any publicity about the taxes and fees that are incorporated in this budget to pay for it. That is why I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), for introducing this bill, to show that not only do we bring it up and do not vote for it, but that very few in this House are willing to vote for the taxes and fees that have been proposed on the American people to pay for more giveaways from this administration. Mr. Speaker, instead of raising the taxes and fees, we need to look at the terrible waste in the government. I will just give one example from the Employment and Training Administration, that receives $9 billion a year, more than three-fourths of the total discretionary Labor Department funds. But when asked by the Committee on Education and the Workforce for an accounting of these grants and contracts, the agency said the information was not available in single volume or in detail. In addition, they said it was too complicated to report every year. Mr. Speaker, this is $9 billion in taxpayer money that is not accounted for. There are people in jail who have not been able to account for a lot less money than that. We need to bring these taxes and fees to the public view, and we will see who votes on them and supports this part of the President's plan.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) very much for managing this bill on the floor. Madam Speaker, today the House will consider a bill which is very important to my hometown and to the people of Greenville, South Carolina. H.R. 2952 renames the Orchard Park Station of the Greenville Post Office in honor of the late Postmaster Keith D. Oglesby. The tragic and unexpected death of Mr. Oglesby last summer shocked and saddened the community of Greenville. As we have grieved his loss, we have also struggled to find a way to appropriately honor Mr. Oglesby in his contribution to the post office and to the community of Greenville. Renaming a postal facility in his honor is one way to pay tribute to this outstanding citizen and beloved boss. The dedication of Keith Oglesby to his job and to serving others has aided those in the Greenville community, as well as the State of South Carolina and the Nation as a whole. Among many other community service activities, Mr. Oglesby hosted the First Day of Issue ceremonies for the Organ & Tissue Donation Stamp. He filled Christmas stockings for the Salvation Army. He coordinated the postal blood drive. He participated in the March of Dimes Walk America and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Mr. Oglesby also supported the work of the Greenville Family Partnership, which I am on their board, and he supported our efforts to keep kids safe and drug free. He was honored by the Greenville Family Partnership as the volunteer of the year in 1997. As a supervisor, as has already been mentioned, he always told his workers to do the right thing. This motto permeated his actions and expectations to local postal customers, employees of the post office, and to higher management of the United States Postal Service. We recognize his service to our community. He was also honored, as has been mentioned already today, with two Benjamin Awards, the Postal Service's top public relations honor given to recognize community outreach accomplishments. In the word of a Greenville postal employee, renaming the facility in honor of Keith D. Oglesby is important, because, and I quote, ``Keith Oglesby, a man respected and admired by his peers, his employees and many, many postal customers, would always be remembered in a community which he proudly lived, worked and served.'' Madam Speaker, we are a success in this life when the people who know us the best love us the most. We received this morning a number of pages of quotes and comments from folks who had worked for Mr. Oglesby and knew him and I will submit them for the Record at this time. The following quotes testify to the character of Keith D. Oglesby, who we seek to honor today by passing H.R. 2952, designating the Keith D. Oglesby Station.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my friends in this chamber that freedom in America is created not by government, but by individuals who take responsibility upon themselves and share in the responsibilities of community. When citizens take this responsibility, local people keep dollars, decisions and freedom in their hands. It is my honor several times each year to present the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award to members of the 4th District of South Carolina. This non-partisan award goes to individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses that go above and beyond the call of duty to advance the spirit and ideals of freedom and volunteerism in service to the communities of South Carolina. It is my pleasure today to honor one such group, the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Greer, SC that has embodied these ideals. The Church is headed by Reverend Steve Watson. Under his guidance, the church sponsors summer youth programs, a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, and after-school programs that provide tutoring and mentoring to area children. New Jerusalem Baptist Church is a shining city on a hill, choosing to work through their love and talents rather than forcing government to support them. The entire congregation has answered the call to help those in need, showing the tremendous impact a group of people can have in changing the lives of thousands. It is an honor to serve constituents of such high character and dedication to the service of others. I offer my sincere thanks and best wishes for their continued success in bringing freedom home to the citizens of the Upstate and South Carolina. I am honored to present the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Greer, SC with the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my friends in this chamber that freedom in America is created not by government, but by individuals who take responsibility upon themselves and share in the responsibilities of community. When citizens take this responsibility, local people keep dollars, decisions and freedom in their hands. it is my honor several times each year to present the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award to members of the 4th District of South Carolina. This non-partisan award goes to individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses that go above an beyond the call of duty to advance the spirit and ideals of freedom and volunteerism in service to the communities of South Carolina. It is my pleasure today to honor one such group, the Hidden Treasure Christian School in Taylors, SC that has embodied these ideals. This school has cared for hundreds of special needs children from all across the nation. They are recognized as a model school in ministering to the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual growth of special needs children. They have experienced such a demand for enrollment, they are expanding into a new educational facility to reach out to more children in the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the tremendous gift they have given to our community's children, the gift of renewed opportunity for success. It is an honor to serve constituents of such high character and dedication to the service of others. I offer my sincere thanks and best wishes for their continued success in bringing freedom and prosperity home to all the citizens of the Upstate and South Carolina. I am honored to award the Hidden Treasure Christian School with the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my friends in this chamber that freedom in America is created not by government, but by individuals who take responsibility upon themselves and share in the responsibilities of community. When citizens take this responsibility, local people keep dollars, decisions and freedom in their hands. It is my honor several times each year to present the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award to members of the 4th District of South Carolina. This non-partisan award goes to individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses that go above and beyond the call of duty to advance the spirit and ideals of freedom and volunteerism in service to the communities of South Carolina. It is my pleasure today to honor one such group, the Upstate Urban League in Greenville, SC that has embodied these ideals. The Urban League's Pre-College Enrollment/Talent Search program has taken the initiative in making sure every Upstate child achieves his or her full potential. They have done this by providing SAT workshops, college visitation tours, and financial aid workshops for disadvantaged students, all without relying on government funding. In 1998 alone, they helped one hundred and thirty-three students raise their SAT scores by as much as two hundred and eighty points. I commend them for their work that helps students reach their dreams of going to college and succeeding in the next century. The Upstate Urban League proves when we come together and give a helping hand, we can overcome any challenge and secure the future for our children. I offer my sincere thanks and best wishes for their continued success in bringing freedom home to the citizens of the Upstate and South Carolina. I am proud to present the Upstate Urban League, Greenville, SC with the Congressional Spirit of Freedom Award.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably detained from missing votes on Tuesday of this week. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 8, 9, and 10.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, due to the untimely passing of one of my district staff members, I was detained from rollcall votes both yesterday and today. Had I been present today, I would have voted ``yea'' on passage of H.R. 764, the Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act (rollcall vote 4), ``yea'' on passage of H.R. 1838, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act (rollcall vote 5), of which I am a cosponsor, and ``no'' on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2990 (rollcall vote 6). In addition, had I been present yesterday, I would have voted ``yea'' on both rollcall vote 2 and rollcall vote 3.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of every person on welfare who wants to get his or her hands on the ladder of opportunity, and that is why I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I also rise to congratulate over 2 million welfare recipients in this country who, under the Republican welfare reform program, have had restored to them not only a job but dignity in their life; and I implore those on the other side of the aisle to keep our focus on this welfare-to-work program for the people that are truly on welfare. There are many job training programs, but there is only one welfare- to-work. We worked out a good compromise in committee that would allow us to use up to 30 percent of the funds for those not on welfare but below the poverty line, and this is a good start. But if we take our total focus off of welfare recipients, the ones that are still on it are going to be the ones that are hardest to get jobs and we need more than ever the welfare-to-work program focused on these people today. So I again encourage everyone on the other side to remember, let us do not create another job training program. There are a lot of those. But in my district, the folks in the chamber and in businesses and in community organizations are working together with the Department of Social Services to focus welfare funds as well as private sector funds to get people back to work. And I just hope that we will not destroy this program by opening it up and just leaving it to anyone who chooses to use it in a different way.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, I thank both gentlemen for their wonderful remarks. Mr. Speaker, some might ask why, with all the important issues, problems, and challenges that this Congress faces, why consider and vote on a resolution about a man who played baseball 80 years ago and who has been dead almost 50 years? Why is he important to me today and why should he deserve the attention of the American people today? I am speaking of Joseph Jefferson Jackson, Shoeless Joe to those who are familiar with baseball. He is important because he is here today in spirit asking for justice. America has learned the hard lesson that when injustice can prevail upon one of us, it is a threat to all of us. So our consideration today is not only about injustice against one man, it is about protecting justice for everyone. And while we believe that our efforts today will be good for baseball, America's favorite pastime, we are equally convinced that our efforts will protect the American Dream, the dream that even the poorest American, with hard work, can end up at the top of the world. Shoeless Joe worked his way from being a poor, illiterate mill worker, which is where he started, to becoming one of the best baseball players of all time. No one who has lived that American dream and achieved so much should be stripped of his honor and his dignity and his livelihood without due process, even without a hearing. When this can happen to one of us, it can happen to any one of us. Mr. Speaker, I introduced House Resolution 269, along with the entire South Carolina delegation, earlier this summer. This resolution simply states that Shoeless Joe Jackson should be appropriately honored for his outstanding baseball accomplishments. This resolution has gathered broad support from both political parties. It is fitting that even in the tension of these last days in Congress that we pause and find common ground in paying tribute to a hero of our great national pastime. While there are important issues to consider and to complete before we finish Congress' session, it is worthy of this body to take a few minutes to stand up for fairness and to right an old wrong by honoring a baseball legend. As most baseball fans know, Shoeless Joe Jackson was one of the greatest baseball players ever to play the game. The people of my district are very familiar with Shoeless Joe, since he grew up playing baseball in the mill leagues in Greenville, and he spent the last part of his life in that city as well. While he could not read or write early, and he only learned to sign his name later in life, as has already been pointed out, Shoeless Joe was very smart, in addition to being a great baseball player. Throughout his life he never tired of teaching kids to play the game he loved. There is even a baseball park named after him in Greenville where kids play his game today. There is also a revitalization effort in a poor neighborhood in my town named in his memory to improve everyone's life there. And if anyone would like to see some of his memorabilia, we have some pictures and other information in my office. Those unfamiliar with Shoeless Joe have heard some of the facts, but let me recount some of his amazing accomplishments. Of his hitting, Babe Ruth once said, ``I decided to pick out one of the greatest hitters to watch and to study, and Jackson was good enough for me.'' Joe Jackson batted 408 his rookie year, a feat which has never been equaled. He has the third highest batting average of all time, behind only Ty Cobb and Roger Hornsby's 689. Over a 10-year period, he never hit below 300. His fielding skills in the outfield were legendary, and his glove was named ``the place where triples go to die.'' Unfortunately, while these are Hall of Fame numbers, Shoeless Joe is not in the baseball Hall of Fame. His bat is there. His uniform is there. His shoes are there. But he is not. This is because, in 1920, ``Shoeless'' Joe was banned from playing baseball for life by the Commissioner for allegations that he took part in the infamous ``Black Sox'' scandal, allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series. In that Series, a group of New York gamblers bribed a number of players on the Chicago White Sox to throw the Series to Cincinnati. When the news came out in 1920, the new Commissioner of Baseball, Commissioner Landis, acted swiftly. In a summary judgment, without an investigation, the Commissioner banned 8 players on the White Sox from ever playing Major League baseball again. ``Shoeless'' Joe was included in the ban. While he insisted on his innocence all the way to his death bed, ``Shoeless'' Joe served out his sentence with dignity and honor and without rancor. Recently, a number of baseball heroes, including Ted Williams, Bob Feller, and Tommy LaSorda have taken up the cause of restoring the honor of ``Shoeless'' Joe. This is a cause that has long been championed in ``Shoeless'' Joe's hometown of Greenville. I had a chance this morning to talk with Ted Williams myself. What a thrill. He said he will continue to fight for ``Shoeless'' Joe until his last day, and he thanked all of us in Congress who are going to bat for Joe today. I am not going to debate whether or not the Commissioner's verdict was the right thing to do. He made his decision and never reviewed it, despite the fact that Jackson was acquitted of participating in the fix twice, once in 1920 by a friendly Chicago jury, and once in 1924 by an impartial jury in Milwaukee. In fact, the jurors in Milwaukee were asked in a special interrogatory whether ``Shoeless'' Joe had conspired or participated in the fix of the Series. The answer was an emphatic no. I am also not going to debate if Jackson was given money. According to the story, ``Shoeless'' Joe's roommate, Lefty Williams, left $5,000 for Jackson on his bed. Whatever the debate, four things are clear. First, ``Shoeless'' Joe tried to give the money back before the Series started but was rebuffed. Second, ``Shoeless'' Joe tried to inform the owner of the White Sox of the fix, but the owner refused to see him. Third, ``Shoeless'' Joe offered to sit out the Series but was again rebuffed. Fourth, and most notably, ``Shoeless'' Joe played to win. He led all players by hitting .375, and he had the only homerun in the Series. His fielding was flawless, throwing out several men at home plate. He set a World Series record with 12 hits, and he combined with Buck Weaver, the other player who was unfairly punished, for 13 hits, a record that stood for 60 years. I have no doubt of ``Shoeless'' Joe's innocence. In the end, he proved his innocence in the only way he could, with his bat and glove. For my colleagues' information, Fox News did an excellent two-part review of the case just a month ago. I have a copy of the tape if anyone would like to see it. In July, Ted Williams, Tommy LaSorda, and Bob Feller filed a petition with Commissioner Selig. That petition does not ask Major League Baseball to exonerate ``Shoeless'' Joe or even to endorse his candidacy in the Hall of Fame. To quote the petition: ``Those issues are moot as he served a very difficult sentence over a long period. The Commissioner of Baseball is merely asked to acknowledge that `Shoeless' Joe has fully paid his debt to society and to the game, that he satisfied the sentence of the first Commissioner with dignity and humility and without rancor. Because he has fulfilled his sentence, Baseball has no further call or jurisdiction over `Shoeless' Joe.'' I believe this petition provides Major League Baseball with a graceful and dignified way to finally let the issue rest and to let ``Shoeless'' Joe receive the honor he has long deserved. Today, the Mayor of Greenville, Knox White, added his support by sending to the Commissioner a petition with 10,000 names signed from my home district, all pleading with the Commissioner to give Joe his rightful due. The resolution which I have placed before the House today on behalf of the people in my district and baseball fans everywhere simply states that ``Shoeless'' Joe Jackson should be appropriately honored for his outstanding baseball accomplishments. Commissioner Selig has agreed to review the matter, and I have been following the review process carefully. I appreciate the Commissioner's willingness to review this matter, and I understand a decision is imminent. I am absolutely confident that a fair and impartial review will result in ``Shoeless'' Joe finally being allowed to receive the honor he has long deserved and which he displayed throughout his life. Mr. Speaker, on his death bed, ``Shoeless'' Joe said, ``I am about to meet the biggest umpire of them all, and he knows I'm innocent.'' Fifty years after his death and 80 years after the infamous Series, and after the most unfair judgment, it is time for Baseball to right a wrong and restore the honor of a good man. I was born in Greenville, South Carolina, the same year ``Shoeless'' Joe died just about a mile from where he died. I am glad to be a small part in this process today, and I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Armey safe and sound schools amendment. I stand here today as a father and a businessman to explain why I believe this amendment is a reasonable and necessary one to secure the future for every American child by giving them an excellent education. As a father, I want my children to go to a school in a safe, orderly learning environment. I want them to be in a school which offers academic excellence. Failure is not acceptable when it comes to the education of my children or any child in America. Unfortunately, some children in the United States are trapped in schools which are either plagued by violence or failing them academically. In too many cases, we are failing on both counts. Failure to educate Americans children, whether it is the richest of the rich or the poorest of the poor, is unacceptable. Unfortunately, too many children are trapped in low-performing schools, and too many parents are unaware of the academic failure of their neighborhood school. How do we provide these needy children with the education they deserve? How do we help them out of this trap? We begin by informing parents, teachers, local communities about the academic performance and the safety of their local school. The Armey amendment would require schools to notify parents that their child is in an academically failing or an unsafe school and provide them with the opportunity to transfer their student to a nonfailing public school or, if necessary, a private or parochial school. Some parents may make arrangements to have their child attend another school in the area. Some will want to keep their child in their neighborhood school. But they will demand change. They will want an excellent education for their child. No longer will low performance or academic failure be hidden from parents or tolerated by parents. As a father, this makes sense. As a businessman, it makes sense. Competition leads to improvement and better choices. Some students will choose to go elsewhere to receive their education services. But what about the students left behind? Do we intend to leave them in failing violent schools? Absolutely not. One of the elements in education improvement is parental involvement. Once parents know their neighborhood school has been labeled as a low-performing school, they will demand change. They will elect new school board members. They will hire a new principal. They will make sure teachers are trained. They will raise education expectations. Whatever it takes. Does this aid the low-income students that this bill is designed to help? Absolutely. It provides both the short-term and long-term solution to secure the future for every American child with an excellent education in a safe learning environment. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Armey safe and sound schools amendment.

Mr. DeMINT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. Speaker, Americans are most secure when they are most free. Because of welfare reform, the poorest Americans in every State have begun to realize the benefits of freedom because we have asked the States to find jobs for people on welfare. The States have responded. In fact, the number of people on welfare in my home State of South Carolina has fallen by 63 percent in just 3 years. Over 70,000 South Carolinians now have productive jobs and have been set free from government dependency. I believe it is time to give our States more flexibility so they can build upon these successes. It is time to trust our States with the minimum wage. Mr. Speaker, another increase in the national minimum wage will make it harder to get people off of welfare. One size does not fit all and Washington does not know what is best for every State. I urge my colleagues to support State flexibility for the minimum wage and help secure the future for Americans now on welfare.