Jo Ann Emerson

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I just want to respond a little bit about the issue of whether or not this is, in fact, the warmest June ever on record. According to Dr. John Christy of the Earth System Science Laboratory at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, who raised questions after hearing reports by the Associated Press and the National Public Radio last month, Dr. Christy researched the local records just, for example, at the Alabama State University climatology office and found that there were 6 years, 1914, 1921, 1936, 1943, 1952 and 1953, with warmer Junes than 1998, all of which were in many previous decades prior to this. He also went on to tell us that the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama, admitted that its State data only went back to the year 1958. So consequently, it is real hard to understand how the National Weather Service could possibly be speculating that this would be, in fact, the hottest June when its measures did not go back prior to that.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment proposed by Representative Furse to cut funding for the federal timber sales program. This amendment attempts to force the Forest Service into a ``zero-cut'' policy, which would be disastrous for many rural communities as well as the health of our national forests. The federal timber sales program is a critical component of the Forest Service's active management of our national forests. Lacking reasonable harvesting of timber and scientific management practices, our forests become vulnerable to a host of health threats. In fact, Missouri's State Forester and the President of the National Association of State Foresters, Marvin Brown, recently wrote in a letter to Agriculture Chairman Bob Smith that, ``Timber sales are being used to accomplish many goals, including reducing vulnerability to wildlife, eliminating pests, and improving fish and wildlife habitat.'' The essential point here is that timber sales are consistent with achieving our environmental goals for our forests. It is also important to note that logging activities in our national forests are not at all excessive, as some members of the extremist environmental community would have us believe. The fact of the matter is that there will be 18 Billion Board Feet of NEW growth in our national forests this year, while the Forest Service proposes to harvest less than \1/4\ of that, approximately 4 Billion Board Feet. Finally, I urge the House to consider the damaging economic consequences of this amendment. The timber industry in the state of Missouri accounts for approximately 20,000 jobs and $3 billion dollars in economic activity. These are family-owned businesses, hard-working folks. Their work is an important part of our local economies in Southern Missouri and a key element in the wise management of our National Forests. If the Furse amendment were to pass, the lives and livelihoods of good people would be disregarded in favor of an extremist agenda. I urge a strong NO vote on this amendment.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to introduce the Military Retiree Health Care Relief Act. This legislation will provide a refundable tax credit to all military retirees and their spouses for Medicare Part B monthly premiums, and it will waive the ten percent penalty for late enrollment in Medicare. As we head into this Fourth of July recess, let us not forget why we are blessed with freedom and democracy in this country. The sacrifices made by those who served in the military are something that must never be overlooked. Promises were made to those who served in the Uniformed Services. They were told that their health care would be taken care of for life if they served a minimum of 20 years of active federal service. Well, those military retirees served their time and expected the government to hold up its end of the bargain. They are now realizing that these were nothing more than empty promises. Those who served in the military did not let their country down in its time of need and we should not let military retirees down in theirs. It's time military retirees get what was promised to them and that's why I am introducing this legislation.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday on rollcall No. 264, Agriculture appropriations, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted yes.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Representative Bill Emerson. On this, the second anniversary of Bill's passing, I thought that I would share with all of you the story of ``Billy'' Emerson. I recently wrote the following as my weekly column so that I could share these very special memories with some of Bill's closest friends and most trusted advisors--the people of the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri. Graduation Day for our Congressional Pages was just a couple of weeks ago. As we said our fond farewells to those high school juniors who have worked long and hard in the House of Representatives since August 1997, it got me thinking about some of the wonderful stories Bill used to tell when he was a Page back in the 83rd Congress. As many of you know, Bill's first interest in having a career in government came as a result of his experience as a Page, and it was this knowledge and love for the Congress that made him such a valuable part of the institution. I'd like to share with you the ``Billy'' Emerson story--the story of how Bill became a Page in the first place. Bill's Grandpa, W.G. ``Bill'' Reinemer, was for many years a local elected official in Jefferson County, Bill's home county, and lived with Bill and his mother after Bill's Grandmother died. Grandpa Reinemer was a tremendous influence in Bill's life, and Bill tagged alongside him to every political rally and event Grandpa attended. In 1952, the year General Eisenhower was running for President, Bill decided that he had to help elect ``Ike'' as President and did everything from manning telephones to stuffing envelopes to making speeches for him. At the same time, Grandpa promised Bill that if Ike won the presidency that he, Bill, could go to Washington for the General's Inauguration. You can imagine how that gave Bill even more incentive to do everything possible to ensure that Ike won the election! During the campaign, Bill happened to be reading a Boys' State publication, which had a story about being a Page In Congress. This gave Bill another idea. Perhaps if he could become a Page, then he could go to Washington to help Ike run the country. So, Bill wrote letters to every Member of the House of Representatives and Senate, asking if he could be their Page. Many rejections came primarily because Bill wasn't from the same state as these Members, except for one. And the one partially positive letter he did receive came from Congressman Tom Curtis of St. Louis. Congressman Curtis told Bill that if Ike won the election and if the Republicans took control of Congress, then it might be possible that Curtis could appoint Bill as his Page. While there was an awful lot of ``ifs'' and ``mights'' in the letter, Bill was not discouraged and was hopeful that he might get the appointment. However, once the election was over and Ike won, Bill still hadn't heard form Curtis. And it came time for him to go to Washington, as Grandpa had promised, for the Inauguration. His mom and Grandpa put him on the train to Washington (by himself), where he would be staying with family friends who lived in Alexandria, Virginia. He had his ticket for the Inaugural ceremony, and was so excited to be going to Washington to ``help'' Ike get inaugurated. Once there, he decided to go up to Congressman Curtis' office in the Cannon Building to see if any decisions had been made about his appointment as a Page. When Bill arrived in Curtis' office he introduced himself to the receptionist, Marilyn, who promply replied, ``You're Billy Emerson from Hillsboro, Missouri?'' And he replied that he was. Marilyn said that Congressman Curtis had been looking all over for him and had tried reaching him at home in Hillsboro, but of course, he wasn't there. She then took him to see Curtis in his office, and there were several other prominent Republicans in the office too. Congressman Curtis greeted Bill, and then introduced him to the others. He said, ``Folks, I'd like you to meet Bill Emerson from Hillsboro, Missouri, He's my new page.'' And this was the very first time Bill learned that he had indeed been appointed Curtis' Page and would be able to realize his dream of ``helping'' Ike run the government. Bill didn't have a chance to go home to Hillsboro before starting work as a Page. His mom cried and cried, and had to send all his clothes to him, because he began working immediately. The highlight of his career as a Page was the very first time president Eisenhower addressed the Congress at his State of the Union speech. Bill was standing along the middle aisle where the President enters the House Chamber and as the President passed him, Bill put out his hand to shake the President's, and said, ``Hi, Mr. President.'' The President patted Bill on the head and said, ``Son, I sure need your help up here,'' You can only imagine how Bill felt--all he had wanted to do was come to Washington to help the President and then the President actually asked him for his help. He didn't wash his hand for a week. I've always loved the Billy Emerson story, and have told it hundreds of times over the past 23 years. I think it captures the essence of the man Bill was. A man dedicated to his country and the principles upon which our Founding Fathers formed a government of, for and by the people. A man inspired by history who wanted to preserve our system of government for generations to come. And a man who wanted to inspire young people to get involved, to understand that you can do and be anything in life as long as you're willing to work for it. It doesn't matter where you come from, the color of your skin, or how little money your family has. The only thing that matters is you, and whether you're willing to make a commitment to do everything possible to realize your dream. Monday, June 22, marks the second anniversary of Bill's death. But Bill lives on in all of our hearts, and a day doesn't go by when we haven't reminisced about one of his many stories and life lessons. I feel blessed to walk down the same corridors he did, and feel blessed to have spent 21 years as his wife. He was an inspiration to so many, but perhaps most of all to those of us he called family. God Bless you, Bill. We sure miss you.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. I thank the gentleman for clarifying this matter.

Mrs. EMERSON. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, the Clinton administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request included $25 million for a new, unauthorized program, the Challenge 21 Riverine Ecosystem Restoration and Flood Mitigation program. Knowing that this program has not been authorized by Congress and that the gentleman's committee has not appropriated any funds for the program, am I correct in understanding that any Federal spending on the Challenge 21 program would constitute an illegal use of Federal funds?

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 78, the Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill and would like to thank the author, Congressman Istook, and Judiciary Chairman Hyde for their hard work on this critically important issue. President Reagan once remarked, ``The First Amendment of the Constitution was not written to protect the people of this country from religious values; it was written to protect religious values from government tyranny.'' President Reagan recognized that the Founding Fathers did not intend for the First Amendment to limit or prohibit all religious expression in public life, which has been the unfortunate interpretation of liberal courts and high-minded bureaucrats. The courts and bureaucracies have systematically eroded our First Amendment right, which is why the legislation before us today is so necessary. One of the most glaring injustices resulting from liberal court rulings is the restriction of voluntary school prayer. It is a disgrace that the law actually discourages children from religious expression. I have authored a Constitutional Amendment, H.J. Res. 12, to reaffirm the right to voluntary school prayer, and H.J. Res. 78 would also achieve this important goal. I urge a strong yes vote on the Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Klink), in cosponsoring the American Economy Protection Act, which will block the use of any Federal funds to implement the so-called Kyoto Treaty on Global Climate Change unless the Senate ratifies the agreement. I say ``so-called'' because there is absolutely no scientific consensus that global warming has occurred, and yet the administration continues to push its implementation of this treaty through the back door. As policymakers, we have an obligation to know first that a problem exists before we try to fix it. I have to ask why we would agree to a treaty when our international competitors, like Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India, and Communist China would be free to continue doing business as usual? Are they any less responsible for the Earth's climate than the United States? I do not think so. Let us not let the administration regulate our economy down the tubes. I ask my colleagues to join the three of us in cosponsoring this legislation and giving the American people a voice in whether or not this flawed treaty should go forward.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute in memory of Clayton Hunter Huey. Clayton was born on December 27, 1989 to Lisa and Chuck Huey. According to Lisa, Clayton was a ``bouncy, very active baby boy with beautiful brown eyes and a heart of gold.'' Early on in Clayton's life, his parents noticed that he acted differently than did his two brothers. At about three years of age, Clayton was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and at the age of four, was put on antidepressant medication. However, over the next two years of changing medications, treatments and numerous therapy sessions, Lisa came to understand that Clayton was Manic/Depressive. Despite Clayton's personal challenges, he was a very cheerful and loving child who worked very hard to express himself positively during his down-swings. Even when Clayton was at his very lowest, he was always more concerned about how it affected others in his life than how it affected him personally. Clayton often said to his mother, ``Mom, it's my job to keep everyone happy.'' In recognition of his selfless struggle with his mental challenges, on May 2, 1996, Clayton was chosen by the Missouri Statewide Parent Advisory Network (MO-SPAN) and the Missouri Department of Mental Health as ``Missouri Child of the Year.'' Exactly one year later to the day, Clayton's life came to an end. As eloquently stated by Clayton's mother, ``he lived out his reign as Child of the Year and then, as if to say my job is done, he walked out of our lives.'' As Clayton's mother shared his life story, it became clear that Clayton was a wonderful and very brave young boy who was certainly wise beyond his years. She shared Clayton's story with the hope that it would help erase the stigma our society often associates with mental illness. I am now sharing Clayton's story for the record with the hope of furthering the Huey family's efforts to honor Clayton's memory. By doing so, I hope we can accomplish three things. First, to let other families know that they are not alone in their daily struggle to care for mentally challenged children. Second, to make it known that there are family support groups such as MO-SPAN, which offer tremendous support services. And finally, to provide some comfort and understanding to others during this difficult time. This Saturday, May 2, 1998, the Huey's and MO-SPAN will be sponsoring a benefit walkathon in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in memory of Clayton. All funds raised in this walkathon will go to the Clayton Hunter Huey Memorial Fund. The fund will provide scholarships for parents of Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) children so that they can obtain training on how to handle the stress related to caring for SED children and on how to advocate on behalf of their SED children. Mr. Speaker, Clayton is very fortunate to have had such a caring and attentive family, and I want to commend the Huey's--parents Lisa and Chuck, and brothers Trae and Burton--for having the strength and courage to reach out to other families. On this day, my thoughts are with Clayton and his family, as well as with all the other families in Missouri and across the nation who are and have been faced with similar circumstances.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, in rural Southern Missouri, a small group of individuals banded together and decided that there needed to be an organization for young girls in Missouri's Bootheel. Today, I rise to pay tribute to the more than 146,000 girls and young women who heard the call and who have been a part of the Girl Scouts in this most Southern area of the State. Thanks to the hard work and tireless dedication of the Cotton Boll Area Girl Scout Council, today the hard work of the past 50 years is a bright and shining reality for Southern Missouri's young women. Officially chartered in 1948, the Council serves girls from kindergarten through high school in a nine-county region including: Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Stoddard, Butler, Ripley and Carter Counties. In fact, two of my staff members are veterans of the Cotton Boll Area Girl Scouts. The direct involvement of the Girl Scouts is reflected in the daily lives of individuals from throughout Southern Missouri. The young women who have been involved in the program exemplify the qualities of truth, loyalty, helpfulness, courtesy, purity, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, and thriftiness that the National Girl Scouts of America were founded upon. Those qualities, which were found in the first Girl Scout, are ever present today. The standards of excellence and commitment have inspired young girls for the last five decades to aspire to highest ideals of character, patriotism and conduct that are attainable. I am confident that the standards and ideals of the Girl Scouts of America will continue to be the standard which future generations will strive to achieve. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask all of my colleagues to join me and the entire Cotton Boll Area Girl Scout Council on Sunday, April 26, as they celebrate their Golden Anniversary. One thing is certain, while some things may have changed throughout the years, the heart of the Girl Scouting program has remained the same. And as one of my local Girl Scouts once said, ``Our past is what connects us to the future--a bright and golden future for today and tomorrow's girls.'' That is so true. Happy 50th Anniversary!

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an organization that is making a contribution to American democracy nationwide--The National Write Your Congressman program (NWYC). The NWYC organization reminds me a great deal of the work that I did as a grassroots coordinator before coming to Congress to serve the people of Southern Missouri. The program encourages participation at the very level our nation's desires and dreams were founded upon--the grassroots level that encourages personal involvement. I believe that this wonderful organization is to be commended for the efforts it undertakes to educate others about the necessity and value of letting lawmakers like you and I know what the American people are thinking and saying about the policies that we debate when we are in Washington. Without a doubt, the program provides an open line of communication between citizens and elected officials--an essential element in the process of keeping voters engaged in important public policy discussions. Mr. Speaker, before I conclude today, I would like to call to mind one of my favorite movies--``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.'' Whenever I am walking over to the Capitol from my office and I see the Capitol Dome, I often feel like Jefferson Smith the first time he saw the Capitol--awed and truly amazed by the tremendous spirit of community and passion that our forefathers had about serving our country. I believe that National Write Your Congressman has helped keep that spirit of community participation and energy alive, and I am grateful for their hard work and the dedication they show to keeping everyone at home apprised of the work being done here each and every day.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman for the terrific job he has done on this bill. It is not about pork, it is not about politics, but it is about saving lives. Since I come from a rural area that does not have a four-lane highway all the way across it, I am particularly pleased that we will be able to make significant improvements in our infrastructure. I am also very pleased that the bill includes a significant increase in funding for the Highway Bridge Program and does promote the innovative seismic retrofit technologies such as carbon fiber composites for bridges located in regions like mine, which lie along the New Madrid Fault, and which potentially faces catastrophic infrastructure damage due to earthquakes. I am also pleased that this bill includes a provision that expresses the sense of Congress that offsets to the spending in the bill should not be derived through any change in Veterans Administration programs or benefits. Just as this bill reaffirms our commitment to the American public to use their gas tax dollars to ensure safe highways, roads and bridges, we also must reaffirm our commitment to our Nation's veterans. Now, while I believe this bill is a tremendous step forward, I do want to say I am extremely dismayed that the ethanol tax incentive is not extended in the bill, Mr. Chairman. This incentive is a vital boost to farm income, decreases our dependence on foreign oil, provides consumers with a cleaner burning fuel and creates good jobs. Ethanol is a proven industry that benefits our local farmers in southeast Missouri and others around the country. It provides clear advantages to the broader American public, and the tax incentives should be extended. I strongly urge that during the conference negotiations on H.R. 2400, the House adopt the Senate language which authorizes the ethanol tax incentive through the year 2007. With that said, I fully support this legislation, and commend the chairman for the terrific job he has done.

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I really want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for this amendment because I am from a very rural district that has 26 counties, 3 of which are among the highest welfare counties in the State of Missouri, and after numerous meetings with my welfare recipients the biggest stumbling block they have to getting a job is, like the gentleman says, transportation, and they might have to drive an hour and a half, 2 hours to get to a job and they have no means of transportation because we do not have the funds in Missouri, particularly in my district, to beef up our very minimal transportation systems. And certainly they are not presently in use for this particular purpose. So I just want to ask my colleagues to really think about this because if we truly want our welfare recipients to lead productive, independent lives, then we really need to also put our money where our mouths are and help make a real job a reality for these folks. So I will happily support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2515, the Forest Recovery and Protection Act. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this bill, a bipartisan measure that reflects sound and scientific management of our national forests. Furthermore, I would like to make note of the tremendous efforts of the author of this bill, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee Bob Smith. Chairman Smith has conducted extensive hearings to review the health of our forests and has reached out to those holding different viewpoints. His steady, informed leadership on this critical issue is to be commended. H.R. 2515 recognizes that the long term well-being of our forests depends on active, not passive, care and protection. As the Agriculture Committee hard from scientists and professional foresters in recent hearings, active management measures are vital to sustaining the health of a forest. Without these measures, forests become vulnerable to insect infestation, disease, and fires, and in fact this has already occurred in many of our forests across the country. H.R. 2515 will provide the Forest Service with the necessary tools and scientific input to manage our national forests in the most responsible way. A key point that I would like to make is that this bill helps us achieve all of the environmental, economic, and recreational goals that we have for our forest lands. By looking out for our forests, we are looking out for the sportsmen, the local timber businesses, the wildlife, and everyone else who benefits from this wonderful natural resource. H.R. 2515 represents a commitment to keeping our national forests healthy and strong for the long term. I urge a firm yes vote on H.R. 2515.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing in the world that can possibly console a family when they learn that their newborn child has been victimized by a preventable birth defect. Sometimes there is nothing in our universe of knowledge that can explain to proud new parents why their child has been born with a debilitating condition that he or she will carry for the rest of their life. Still worse, because birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality, that debilitating condition will often lead to tragic death. We can and must take prudent actions to respond to this public health tragedy, which is why this bill before us today, the Birth Defects Prevention Act, is of such importance. As a mother, I can tell my colleagues that Bill and I were blessed with happy and healthy children. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank the good Lord and say many prayers for that wonderful blessing. But some people are not so fortunate. In fact, the district that I represent in southern Missouri is home to the highest rate of birth defects in the State. Scientists cannot yet tell us what causes all birth defects, but we know from the brilliance of modern science that many birth defects can be prevented. The March of Dimes, which is leading America's battle against this national tragedy, informs us that if American women consumed just 400 milligrams of the B vitamin folic acid each day, 50 to 75 percent of all cases of spina bifida and anencephaly would be prevented. The discovery that the use of this simple, widely available vitamin is proven in the prevention of neural tube defects is one of most exciting medical findings of the last part of this century. According to Dr. Godfrey Oakley, director of the Centers for Disease Control's Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, ``Not since the rubella vaccine became available 30 years ago have we had a comparable opportunity for primary prevention of such common and serious birth defects.'' Mr. Speaker, I am especially excited about the outreach efforts called for under this bill. I know from my own experience that expectant mothers need all of the information they can get about what it takes to raise a healthy child. The strategy called for under this bill to track regional incidences of birth defects also will help public health officials identify opportunities to prevent future occurrences of birth defects. In closing, I want to thank the gentlemen from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and (Mr. Bonilla) for taking an early lead here in the House by sponsoring the Birth Defects Prevention Act. I also want to extend my great appreciation to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for their efforts to pass this bill, as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown). Certainly, not the least, my State's senior Senator, Kit Bond, who is sitting with me here in the House Chamber right now, seized the initiative by writing this bill and guiding it through the other body by a firm unanimous vote. He has been a true leader in this endeavor to help promote the public health by taking common-sense steps to prevent birth defects. Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting the Birth Defects Prevention Act. With Mother's Day fast approaching, I can think of few better responsive actions we can take to help promote the health of America's children.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Forage Improvement Act. I want to thank the gentleman from Oregon [Mr. Smith] for his strong leadership and his good commonsense effort to fix our Nation's grazing laws. Mr. Chairman, this bill is good for our public lands and for those who depend on public lands for their livelihood. By reinforcing and clarifying the partnership between ranchers and Government, and by emphasizing better science as part of the process, the bill promotes sound grazing practices. The fact is that America's farmers and ranchers are our best conservationists, and they are committed to working with the Government and other citizens in caring for the land. This legislation is important to the future of family ranching operations. All of agriculture, including the ranching community, faces great market and weather uncertainties from year to year. Our Government should not add to this natural volatility by forcing confusing and conflicting grazing rules on our ranchers. H.R. 2493 provides the stability in Federal policy that is long overdue. I urge a yes vote to support responsible public lands policies.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support House Resolution 139, the dollars to the classroom resolution. I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Pitts], the sponsor; the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling] and the Committee on Education and the Workforce for their continual hard work to ensure that real reform occurs in our Nation's education system. Mr. Speaker, this resolution would simply set a goal that at least 90 percent of Federal elementary and secondary education dollars reach the classroom. It is currently estimated that only 65 percent of all Federal funds actually reach our Nation's classrooms. This town is notorious for talking about reforming this education system, but this dismal statistic proves that nothing has been accomplished. The dollars to the classroom resolution is a great way to send a message to the administration that we in Congress are prepared to invoke real reform at the Department of Education. Our goal should be an education system where every child can outscore, outperform and outcompete the students of every other Nation in the world. It is time to put our children before bureaucrats. The decision of how our education money is spent needs to be made by local teachers, local administrators and parents, not the Federal Government. It is time that we invest more wisely, and we must spend our education dollars where they can achieve the most, right in the classroom. This resolution would mean as much as $1,800 would be added to each classroom budget. At Houston Middle School in southern Missouri, where I taught a class last week, $1,800 is the difference between having computers and much newer books and other much needed learning resources in that classroom. They desperately need it. It is finally time for Congress to take a stand and do what is right for our Nation's children. I urge my colleagues to support the dollars to the classroom resolution.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 423, 424, and 425, I was unable to vote because I was called home to attend to a sick daughter. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on each vote.

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I applaud the work of the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] and the Subcommittee on Health to save Medicare from bankruptcy. This was not an easy task and they are to be commended for developing a sound bipartisan bill for America's senior citizens. There were provisions in the bill I disagreed with, but they were not sufficient to cause me to vote against the plan to save Medicare. However, had the resident reduction program been a stand-alone bill, I would have opposed the plan. Quite frankly, I do not believe it is good policy to subsidize teaching institutions for not teaching doctors. Earlier this year, I formed a health care advisory team in my district and the most glaring problem we defined in rural southern Missouri is a shortage of primary care physicians. I can understand that there are some regions in this country where there may be a physician glut. However, in rural Missouri ours is not the problem of too many primary care physicians but too few. Mr. Chairman, the amendment I have proposed today would simply seek a guarantee that the voluntary residency reduction plan will not lead to fewer primary care physicians who are available to practice in rural areas. Mr. Chairman, it makes no sense to pay not to produce doctors. While I understand the merits of the point of order against my amendment, I would like to make it clear for the record that the intent of my amendment is to prevent the Government from paying to produce fewer doctors. As the outreach coordinator for the Rural Health Care Coalition, I do know of the longstanding commitment of the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] and the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] to ensure that rural Americans are provided the best health care opportunities available. We in the coalition are grateful for their continued support, and I look forward to working with them in the future to rectify the misguided practice of paying hospitals not to train doctors who are needed in rural America. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm].

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I include for the Record a letter of support for this amendment from the National Rural Health Association. National Rural Health Association, Washington, DC, September 8, 1997. Hon. Jo Ann Emerson, House of Representatives, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Emerson: I write to convey the National Rural Health Association's (NRHA) strong support for your proposed amendment to H.R. 2264, the Fiscal Year 1998 Labor- HHS-Education Appropriations bill. The amendment, which calls for the Secretary of HHS to certify to Congress that any plan the Department accepts from teaching institutions to voluntarily reduce the number of residents in its program will not lead to a reduction in the amount of primary care physicians who will be available to practice in underserved rural areas, is a vital step in ensuring rural Americans have access to primary care services. Residency training programs have historically never been correlated with our country's work force needs, but instead, have grown up to meet the service needs of urban and suburban-based teaching hospitals. This has led to a grossly disproportionate distribution of physicians and training of specialists. Before any type of residency reduction program is implemented nationally, the continuing shortage of primary care physicians in rural and frontier area must be addressed. Thank you for introducing this amendment and for your leadership on this issue important to the future of health care delivery in rural America. If there is anything the NRHA or I can do to secure passage of this important amendment, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Darin E. Johnson, Government Affairs Director. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Moran].

Mrs. EMERSON

Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly recognize the Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Puxico, MO. The Mingo Job Corps Center was established in 1965 as a vocational/ educational training center for disadvantaged youth. Since that time it has served hundreds of at-risk youth and its surrounding communities. The students complete their secondary educations and learn employable skills while working on needed community projects. At the Mingo Center, student volunteer services proved to be key components to such important projects as excavation work at the Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, MO, the elevation of flood-prone Highway D in Wayne County, MO, and the restoration of several untended cemeteries throughout the region. While the students are obtaining an education and helping local communities, they are also learning vocational trades that earn them jobs. Those factors are very significant and the Mingo Job Corps Center has an excellent and an improving record of graduating students with GED's and placement in jobs. It is as rewarding for me as it was for my late husband, Bill Emerson, to observe the progress of the corpsmen as they enter and eventually complete the program and become hard-working contributors to their communities. The ultimate prize, however, belongs to the dedicated young corpsmen who endeavor to build their own future through the personal commitment they each make toward completing the Job Corps experience. In closing, I also would like to express my appreciation to the staff at the Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center for their dedicated work and to the past and present corpsmen for their decision to work for a better life for themselves, their families, and their community.