Bob Etheridge

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Absolutely. We absolutely have to have these if we are going to tutor youngsters who are behind and need to catch up. Mr. Speaker, $1.2 billion below the level authorized. Teacher quality programs, the very thing we have to do if we are going to improve education in America. We have to improve opportunity for the staff that are teaching our children. What did we do? What does the President propose? Mr. Speaker, $3.1 billion, down 5.2 percent from the previous level. I will just go through the percentages. It is just shameful. Educational technology. At a time when we are really trying to put more technology in the schools because we are in a technological world, and so many schools need the resources, 9.6 percent cut from the previous level. More children out there, more needs, and we are cutting. Impact Aid, we just talked about, 14.2 percent. Vocational education, 26 percent proposed cut; 26 percent. Mr. Speaker, it reminds me of a story I heard once when I was little. The guy said he was not going to kill his pig, he would just do a little bit at a time, and somebody saw a pig running around the yard with three legs, and he said, I am just eating a little bit at a time. That is what we are doing to education. We are not going to kill it all at once; we are just going to kill it a little bit at a time, until it is so crippled it cannot work. It is absurd. We need people to work on equipment and machinery. I was at a school last week; a superintendent came up to me just last night talking about Impact Aid. He said, if we cut it, our schools are going to be in deep trouble. This was in Cumberland County. One of the teachers talked about vocational education. This is where they turn money into technology for computer labs. I was in a computer lab working with children. Funding for the improvement of education, down 91.2 percent. I do not know why they did not go ahead and get it all. I mean it just makes no sense. It was a good program, but what they want to do is just enough out there to make people mad. Perkins loans, 61 percent proposed cut. I could go on. I think folks who are watching get the message. It is one thing to say I am for education; it is one thing to say I want to help. It is another thing to not follow through and give the resources. I have talked to more teachers and school folks in the last few weeks. They really and truly believe, whether it is true or not, that they are set on a course to fail, because we are giving them all the ingredients to make the cake and nothing to go in it, but we are expecting them to come out with a fine baked product. I would remind all of my colleagues, education is a lifelong process, and we cannot start and stop it. We have to keep it going. Teachers understand it; students realize it. It takes resources to get the job done. I recognize that at the Federal level we only put in about 7 to 9 percent, depending on where we are. Some counties it is more, because a lot of it is specific to need. Not all of this is specific to need, because No Child Left Behind is need-based and categorical. But without it, we are really saying, we really did not mean it. We really did not mean it. That was a great plan, we got a lot of good press on it, we have had our press clippings, we have been around the country, and now we are going to move on to something else. That is not education. That is not about building the future of America, and this administration knows better. I am going to be on the floor in the well of this House every day, every week; and we are going to keep reminding them. We have to do the funding because if we do not, we will not have a future. We cannot keep running deficits because huge deficits have consequences; and the consequences are, we run up the debt, we have huge interest payments, and it squeezes out domestic programs, and children pay a heavy price, and we rob our future so a few people can look good now.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution expressing condolences to the families of the crew of the space shuttle Columbia. The loss of space shuttle Columbia is felt deeply across the nation and the globe, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the astronauts. These shuttle missions have become so routine that many take them for granted, but these astronauts are truly pioneering American heroes, pushing the envelope in the pursuit of science. America and my constituents in North Carolina continue to support NASA and its mission to explore the universe to expand human knowledge about God's creation. As a member of the House Science committee overseeing NASA I am confident that we will get to the bottom of this tragedy and that Americans will continue to reach for the stars.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the sad state of agriculture in my home State of North Carolina. And, indeed, farmers across the Nation took a big hit in their wallets thanks to Mother Nature last year. As Congress prepares to receive the President's State of the Union address, we must pay special attention to those folks who are hurting down on the farm. At one time last summer, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, nearly one-third of the United States experienced moderate to extreme drought conditions. The prolonged period of dry weather severely aggravated North Carolina's long-term drought problems. Consequently, my State experienced the worst drought we have seen in 100 years. This drought impacted every region of North Carolina and nearly every community where commodities are grown. Many farmers had to watch crops wither on the vine and die despite their best efforts. And when rain finally came, it came too late to save what was already lost and impaired their ability to harvest what little they had. In North Carolina, farmers have experienced $400 million in crop losses. While crop insurance has paid out $90 million in indemnities, which helped, it comes at a cost of $63 million in premiums. So crop insurance has not been a viable solution to losses of this magnitude. The Secretary of Agriculture designated nearly the entire State of North Carolina as a disaster area, making low-interest loans available to our farmers. USDA also provided for emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program lands, something our livestock producers appreciated. While this assistance is welcome, it does not come even close to meeting the losses that our farmers have suffered. In addition, many farmers cannot afford to increase their debt burden with new loans. Farmers need more help than just new credit and comforting words; they need direct disaster payments, and they need them now so they can start a new crop year. For several months we have been pushing for more agriculture disaster relief, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers representing States that were affected by the drought last summer. We were extremely hopeful last year when the United States Senate voted in favor of a disaster package as part of the 2003 interior appropriations bill. Their plan would provide almost $6 billion in assistance for our farmers. In fact, I cosponsored a bill here in the House introduced by the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin) which matched the Senate's disaster bill. Unfortunately, the administration opposed these agriculture disaster plans. Instead, the President demanded that any disaster assistance be paid for by cutting the farm bill that we passed last year. Mr. Speaker, Congress has a proud bipartisan tradition of coming to the aid of States when they have been struck by natural calamities. When tragedy strikes, we do not let States fend for themselves; we instead respond as one Nation. Whether it is an earthquake in California, wildfires in the Rockies, floods in the Midwest, or hurricanes in Florida, Congress worries more about how best to help these people who have suffered and less about how we pay for it at the moment. The drought which affected my State and much of the West and East Coast deserves the same level of treatment by Congress as these other disasters. In fact, historically, drought is one of the most costly natural disasters that have struck any region of this country. I call upon this House to show this administration that we understand what is really going on in the farm country and that we are prepared to come to their assistance in their time of need. As my colleagues know, the Senate included in the 2003 omnibus appropriations bill $3.1 billion for disaster assistance. Consequently, at the administration's insistence, the Senate was forced to cut education, veterans benefits, and a number of FBI agents. Now, I do not understand this. The President is proposing deficit funding for his massive $674 billion tax plan, which will do nothing to help the economy and middle-class Americans. However, when we ask for his support for emergency spending for just 1 percent, $6 billion, to help farmers who suffered from an act of God and who could lose their entire livelihood, the President says no. I urge the conference committee to reject these cuts, continue our bipartisan tradition and fully fund agriculture disaster relief as we have done in the past. The Nation's farmers are waiting and watching. Let us not disappoint them.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored and pleased to serve as Congressional Co-Chair for National Bible Week, November 24-December 1, 2002. National Bible Week has been an annual observance in this country since 1941. When the nation turned to the Holy Bible for strength, comfort, and guidance. On September 11, 2001, when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center Towers in New York and attacked the Pentagon, another ``day of infamy'' took place in our nation's history. President Bush immediately called Americans to prayer, saying, ``Our purpose as a nation is firm, yet our wounds as a people are recent and unhealed and lead us to pray. . . . We ask almighty God to watch over our nation.'' I strongly believe that one contribution every American can make in these troubling times is to pray for our nation, its leaders, and its people. National Bible Week is celebrated every year from Sunday to Sunday during the week of Thanksgiving. It is a time of prayer, a time to confirm our values and a time to strengthen national resolve. As we gather at our dinner tables in remembrance, let us be thankful to be living in a country where our Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. I commend the National Bible Association for its leadership in promoting this worthy endeavor.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, North Carolina has lost a fine statesman and a great American whose shadow stretched far beyond Tarboro, Representative L.H. Fountain. His death at the age of 89 has saddened all of us in the North Carolina delegation and our state has lost one of its greatest sons. I wish that I could be with you all today as you gather to honor the life and work of this great North Carolinian, but I know that Ted Daniel, Representative Fountain's chief of staff and good friend will deliver well my words and condolences. I first met L.H. Fountain when I was a young Hamett County Commissioner. But before ever setting eyes on him I knew well his reputation as a dedicated advocate of North Carolina's citizens and a leader in Congress. Up in Washington there was an ongoing debate about how federal funds would be sent to counties, leaving us in Hamett County grappling with our budget. L.H.'s subcommittee in Government Operations was handling that issue, and I quickly became one of the many North Carolinians who sought his counsel and assistance. As he did for his other constituents, he gave me sound advice and guided Hamett County toward a path for the future. We, and all of North Carolina's citizens, were blessed to have such a representative even though we were not in his Congressional District. Hard work and dedication brought L.H. Fountain from the small town of Leggett to the United States House of Representatives. A graduate of Edgecombe county schools and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was truly a product of North Carolina. He was part of the greatest generation, who bravely went to war to defend the cause of freedom and protect the world from tyranny during World War II. In the darkest nights the world has ever seen, American soldiers like L.H. were a beacon of light and hope, restoring justice and establishing our nation as a world leader. L.H. rose through the military ranks quickly, entering the U.S. Army as a private and completing his service in 1946 as a major. After the war, he returned to North Carolina and dedicated his life to public service. He served two terms in the State Senate and the people of the Second Congressional District rewarded him with a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. For 30 years, he held that seat and represented the people of North Carolina in Washington. Those 15 consecutive terms are a testament to his character, his reputation and his commitment. I can tell you, as can my good friend Tim Valentine, that it is no easy feat to hold a seat for so many years. The people of his District knew well that day in and day out he was in their corner, advancing the issues that touched them and their families. Throughout his years in Congress, he fought for the causes of eastern North Carolina's farmers and especially for tobacco farmers. We could use him in Congress today as we work to make sure farmers have an opportunity to make a living in the land. L.H. was an undying advocate for consumers, and he was most proud of his efforts to establish watchdogs within federal agencies to keep the bureaucrats focused on their ultimate bosses, the citizens of this country. His lasting legacy in the federal government is this system of inspectors general, who ferret out waste and corruption. Together they have saved the taxpayers billions of dollars and will unquestionably save hundreds of billions of dollars in the years ahead. Throughout his years in Congress, L.H. never forgot his roots nor his commitment to God and family. He was a true Southern gentleman in the grandest tradition. His colleagues and all who met him knew him as mild-mannered and polite, smiling at those who opposed him. L.H. Fountain was a complete person. Not only was he a model public servant, but he was a father who lived out the ideals of family values. He and his wife Christine raised a beautiful daughter in Nancy and were blessed with two fine grandchildren. On top of that, he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and a past trustee of the National Presbyterian Church in Washington. One story in particular highlights the very essence of L.H. Fountain. From the time he was three years old, L.H. had a perfect record of Sunday School attendance. Although as a congressman he was saddled with responsibilities and engagements, he was determined not to break that record. One Sunday he found himself aboard an Air Force plane as part of a congressional delegation headed for a meeting in Europe, unable to make it to any Sunday School. Undeterred, he quickly organized his colleagues into his very own class. He recruited Sen. Strom Thurmond to give the opening prayer, he taught the lesson, and Sen. Barry Goldwater gave the closing prayer. Although his career in Congress ended in 1983, L.H.'s work on behalf of the people of North Carolina did not. When I first ran for Congress, I again sought his counsel and guidance. And once again, he sent me along the right path. After the election, he was gracious and generous enough to show me the ropes in Washington and to school me in the lessons of the Second Congressional District. Although we did not necessarily agree on each and every issue, he reached out his hand in friendship. L.H. Fountain is one of the greatest public servants my state has ever produced. But, he was great not because he had the benefits of political connections, and wealth, or because he served for over 30 years in this body. He was a remarkable human being because he made the most of his God given gifts, and he desired to make a difference in the lives of every North Carolinian.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American, my good friend Don F. Andrews, who passed away last week at the young age of fifty-six. Don Andrews was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina on December 20, 1945 and grew up in Faison. He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces and served ten years in uniform. He completed a remarkable four campaigns in Vietnam where he earned two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with valor, three Purple Hearts, two Air Medals with valor and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross. He met and married Frances Kennedy from Lee County while he was running the Special Forces School at Fort Bragg. During a tour in Bangkok, Thailand, Frances'father, Haskell Kennedy, passed away, and Don changed his plans to make a career of the military to return home to be near his wife's mother, Evelyn Wade Kennedy. After leaving the Army, armed with the discipline and the drive the military had taught him, he started a grocery business, for which his father had taught him. Don grew the business to 32 stores in two states and employed approximately 1800 people. He later sold his chain to a Fortune 500 company. Don's life was filled with many accomplishments. He volunteered for the Faison Volunteer Fire Department. He had been a member of the Faison Jaycees. He was named Lee County Small Business Person of the Year in 1988. He was a former member of the NC State University Agricultural Advisory Board. He had testified before the United States Congress on small business affairs. He was past president of the N.C. Food Dealers Association. He was named Grocer of the Year in 1990. He was a former director of the Whiteville Chamber of Commerce. He was a director of the Broadway Lions Club. He was commander of the Broadway American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the board of directors for RBC Centura. He was a member of the N.C. Veterans Memorial Pavilion. And he was a member of Broadway Presbyterian Church. He was a savvy businessman. His latest endeavors included several developments in the Broadway area and a vigorously run campaign for Lee County Commissioner. Among his greatest accomplishments was his family. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Frances K. Andrews and mother-in-law, Evelyn W. ``Grandma'' Kennedy. He had two grown children. One son, Donald F. Andrews, Jr and wife Lori of Broadway, NC; one daughter, Lisa A. Radford and husband Brian of Faison, NC. And he was a doting grandfather of three: Cherish, Christopher and Dylan. He also leaves behind one brother, James E. Andrews and wife Joyce of Faison, NC and one sister, Mary R. Garafola of Hammonds, LA. Mr. Speaker, The Second Congressional District of North Carolina, which I have the honor of serving in this House, has lost one of its leading citizens. And I have lost a dear friend.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the resolution to authorize the use of force and deal with Saddam Hussein once and for all. No one can dispute that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a thug. His brutal dictatorship has enslaved the Iraqi people in a state of terror for many, many years. His outlaw regime has long been characterized by vicious political repression and a denial of basic human rights. He has unleashed the horrors of chemical and biological weapons against innocent men, women and children in his own country. Saddam Hussein's international crimes are well known. On two separate occasions he has invaded neighboring countries to launch wars of conquest against nations that presented him no threat. He has attacked civilian population centers in our allied countries of Israel and Saudi Arabia. He has threatened the security of the Middle East region and peace in the world. And his military routinely fires upon American and allied aircraft patrolling the Iraqi skies to enforce the United Nations Security Council's resolutions which he agreed to abide by at the conclusion of 1991 Persian Gulf War. Make no mistake, Saddam Hussein is an international outlaw who must be confronted once and for all. He must be thoroughly disarmed so that he no longer poses a threat to world peace. Frankly, we should have taken care of this festering problem when we had the chance, but the first Bush administration walked away and let this murdering thug ravage his country and consolidate his iron grip on power. The Clinton administration contained Saddam Hussein for 8 years, but Iraq's progress in obtaining weapons of mass destruction renders ``containment'' a policy no longer sufficient to the task. I support President Bush's policy of confronting Saddam Hussein, but we must not wage war without making every effort to achieve our goal without further bloodshed. We must not take a go-it-alone approach. Rather, we should assemble an international coalition among the family of nations of the world to present a united front in the struggle against this evil dictator. International cooperation must not be considered a luxury to be obtained if convenient. Rather, we must recognize a great lesson of the 20th century, that international cooperation is essential to American security and prosperity. We must also not lose sight of our ongoing worldwide military campaign to eradicate the threat of al-Qaeda terrorist network. The wounds of 9/ 11 still ache. America has unfinished business with Osama bin Laden and his fanatical followers. Bin Laden may be dead or he may be alive, but let there be no doubt that his loyalists still lurk in the shadows ready to strike America in our unguarded moments. We must have no relent in our pursuit of our terrorists, and we must not mishandle the present Iraqi situation in a manner that breeds suicidal maniacs begging for the chance to kill Americans. Rather, we must engage moderate Arab republics and leaders of the Islamic faith to demonstrate that our cause is just, our intentions are noble, and our friendship is genuine and enduring. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my Democratic colleagues who have stood on principle to address the important shortcomings of the White House's original resolution. Now is not the time for partisan politics, and I am pleased that we have arrived at language that a broader cross- section of this House can support, while leaving individuals Members free to vote their conscience. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran of the United States Army, my thoughts and prayers are with our brave men and women in uniform and the families who love them. Our military is the finest fighting force ever assembled in world history. They are well trained, highly motivated and superbly trained. Should force be necessary, their mission may well be a very difficult one, but I have no doubt our warriors will rise to the occasion and win the day. Finally, Congress must get back to addressing the critical issues facing our families every day. Congress must act to improve education, reduce health care costs, protect Social Security, and get our economy back on track. We must balance the budget and pay down the national debt for long-term economic growth. We must lower health care costs. We must fund education so that every American willing to work hard can have the most of his God-given abilities. In conclusion, I will vote for this use of force resolution; and at the end of the day, the leadership of this country must speak with one voice. As President Kennedy said in his inaugural address: ``Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.'' Saddam Hussein is the world's leading threat to human liberty. I support this resolution as a last resort to eliminate this threat.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to consider authorization of the use of force to deal with Saddam Hussein, Congress also must address critical issues facing our families. Congress must act to improve education, reduce health care costs and protect Social Security and get our economy back on track. Mr. Speaker, the people of my home State of North Carolina are worried. America's families have seen the bottom fall out of Wall Street. As the stock market plunges, we watch billions of dollars evaporate from families' retirement savings. Health care costs continue to spiral out of control. They have risen five times the rate of inflation, and our families are falling farther behind, no matter how hard they struggle to keep up. Education is more important today than ever, but our schools continue to suffer as Congress withholds needed funding. Mr. Speaker, this Congress must act to get the American economy back on track. We must balance the budget and pay down the national debt for long-term economic growth. We must protect Social Security from privatization schemes that would cut back and raise taxes. We must lower health care costs. And we must fund education so that every American willing to work hard can make the best of their God-given ability.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of one of our Nation's Fallen Firefighters and one of my District's hometown heroes, Mr. James Henry Haigler. Mr. Haigler worked for ten years as a Driver with the Sanford Fire Department. He was one of the Sanford community's unique group of hometown heroes; the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who keep our streets safe, protect our families and possessions from fire, and are the first to respond to an emergency. Our hometown heroes put their lives on the line for each of us every day. On January 19, 2001, the Sanford Fire Department lost one of its own heroes. James suffered heart failure just two hours after completing a 24-hour shift, leaving behind his wife Renee and his son Dustin. His loss was felt deeply in the department and in the community. As a firefighter, James displayed selfless devotion everyday on our streets and in our communities. ``Big Jim'' as he was affectionately known was dedicated and professional, and when we called on him, he was ready to lay down his life for us. On October 6, 2002, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will honor James and many other firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice. Every year at the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, survivors join together to celebrate how these brave men and women lived and what they represented in their communities. Members of the Sanford Fire Department who served as pallbearers for Mr. Haigler and a department escort will accompany Mrs. Haigler and Dustin to the ceremony. In addition, Congress, with my support, passed into law a resolution calling for all flags to be lowered to half-staff on the day of the National Firefighters Memorial Service. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial reminds us that our country is filled with hometown heroes, who embody the American spirit. The Haigler family, the Sanford community and the family of firefighters can be proud of the sacrifice that James Haigler made. The citizens of North Carolina and I will make sure that the memory of this hero does not soon fade.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your courtesies and I also today rise to join my colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt). I thank him for his Special Order and for my colleagues who have joined him. I am proud of the work of my colleagues who have worked together on a bipartisan basis to balance the budget for the first time in a generation. One of the first votes that I had the privilege of casting when I came in 1996 was to start the process of balancing the budget. That Balanced Budget Act finally stopped the flow of red ink that was piling up trillions of dollars in national debt. In fact, when we balanced the budget, we not only did it for one year, but we have put the Nation on course to generate huge budget surpluses for years to come. Those surpluses presented us with a golden opportunity to begin to pay off the national debt, shore up Social Security, strengthen Medicare with the benefit for prescription medicine for our seniors, and invest in the education of our children and our Nation's long-term economic growth. As a former chief of my State schools in the State of North Carolina, I was hopeful Congress would make wise investments in needed reforms like school construction, teacher training, class size reduction, early childhood education, reading initiatives, science and math instruction, aid for college and other important priorities for America. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in this Congress did not decide to do that. They have put together a budget-busting tax scheme, blew the surplus, and has hamstrung our ability to meet those urgent priorities. Because of this scheme, Republican leadership is now severely underfunding the education budget. Despite their rhetoric in support of education and countless photo opportunities posing with children, the leadership's handling of this matter is to say one thing and do another. In each of the past 5 years, Congress has provided growth in the education budget of roughly 13 percent average and 15.9 percent last year. That was commendable at a time when student population was growing rapidly. Those healthy investments will come to a screeching halt under the Republican budget. The budget also slashes funding for President Bush's education bill, the No Child Left Behind Act. For example, instead of the $5.65 trillion increase in title I funding for poor children in the No Child Left Behind Act, the budget cuts 82 percent of that proposal. Despite the growth of our immigrant population, the Republican budget cuts 10 percent per child for funding to teach children to be proficient in English. Some may think that is not important. Having been a superintendent, I can tell Members that if we do not help those children, all children suffer. The Republican budget freezes funding for education for homeless children. When you account for inflation, the budget will mean 8,000 fewer homeless children receive this help next year. They are all Americans, and they deserve our help. We should not turn our back to fully fund special education and forestall completion of that long-time goal by at least 4 years, but this budget does that. And the Republican budget freezes funding for after-school centers, which will eliminate 50,000 children from participating in after-school programs. And I can tell Members that having been a school chief, that is critical, because so many children go home alone and stay by themselves. Despite the looming teaching shortages across the country, the budget shortchanges teacher training and denies this aid to 92,000 potential teachers who would be eligible under the No Child Left Behind Act. The budget cuts more than 95 percent of the school library initiatives of the No Child Left Behind Act. And the budget guts school reform grants of 24 percent, or $75 million, and the list goes on. But let me talk about my home State of North Carolina. More than $92 million from title I grants to school districts will be cut, $1.5 million from language acquisition grants, $332 million from special education, $10.2 million for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, $462,000 for education for homeless children, $9.5 million for teacher training, and $1.7 million for comprehensive school reform. Mr. Speaker, the list goes on and on. The bottom line is that this Republican budget is wrong for education. It is wrong for our children, and it is wrong for America. I join my fellow Democrats and urge the Republican leadership to restore these educational cuts.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, as National Firefighter Memorial Weekend approaches, I rise to pay tribute to our Nation's fallen firefighters; and I am pleased that a number of my colleagues have joined me in legislation on this and may come later in the evening to speak in favor of this bipartisan legislation that we have introduced on behalf of our fallen firefighters. Last year, America tragically lost 442 firefighters. Each gave their lives protecting our communities from fire and other emergencies. This weekend, on October 5 and 6, we will join together as a Nation to mourn their passing and honor their sacrifices. So it is fitting that we come to this floor today to honor the memory of our fallen firefighters and say thank you to those brave folks who have served our community so well. Mr. Speaker, firefighters truly embody the value and spirit that makes America what it is today, a great Nation. Firefighters are diverse, they represent every race and creed and culture in America, yet they are bound by a common commitment to service. Firefighters are dedicated; and when we call them, they risk their lives for each of us. They are the people our children look up to. When we ask a child the timeless question, What do you want to be when you grow up?, nowadays, more often than not, those children will say, I want to be a firefighter. Our firefighters are truly our hometown heroes. However, all too often these heroes must give their lives in the line of duty. For the families of these brave souls, Congress created the Public Safety Officers Benefit Act. Since its inception 25 years ago, this important benefit has provided surviving families with financial assistance during their desperate time of need. However, a glitch in the law prevents some families from receiving the assistance that Congress had intended. If a firefighter or public safety officer has a heart attack or stroke, then they are more likely not to get the benefit. The truth is it accounts for almost half of all firefighter fatalities, yet the families of these fallen firefighters are rarely eligible for these benefits. For example, imagine that a house or business catches on fire, a company of firefighters tragically lose two of their members fighting this fire. One loses their life as a result of a piece of debris hitting him within the building, and the other dies of a heart attack in the parking lot when they walk out of the building. Under current law, the family of the firefighter who suffered a fatal blow to the head received the benefit, while the firefighter who walked out in the parking lot and had a heart attack, their family gets nothing. It is wrong that these families are denied this benefit when the loved one sacrifices their life while serving our community. A constituent of mine, Mike Williams of Bunnlevel, who works in the Office of the State Fire Marshal, alerted me to this glitch in the law after Ms. Deborah Brooks, the widow of Thomas Brooks, a firefighter from Lumberton, was denied benefits because of this technicality. Mr. Brooks, a master firefighter, tragically died of a heart attack after running several calls on the evening shift. As part of his duties with the State Fire Marshal's office, Mike helps families fill out public safety officer benefits, and he had received many of these benefit rejection letters from cardiac cases from the U.S. Department of Justice. The rejection letter in Thomas Brooks' case was one too many, and Mike wrote to me and asked that we investigate the situation. We found out that it would take legislation to do it. As a result, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), who are cochairmen of the Firefighters Caucus, and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) along with many others, have introduced H.R. 5334, the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act. H.R. 5334 will correct this technicality in the law that has penalized so many of our firefighting families. This bipartisan legislation will provide this benefit to the families of public safety officers who have died after a heart attack or a stroke while on duty, or within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5334 is the kind of bipartisan legislation that we should be working on in this House. As of this afternoon we have 50 cosponsors, and more cosponsors on the way. I urge Members to cosponsor H.R. 5334, and I ask the House leadership to put this bill to a vote before this Congress adjourns. Our firefighters put their lives on the line where strength, heart and desire are sometimes the only thing that ensures that a piece of property or a house that is burning down can be saved. Our hometown heroes deserve our support. Let us let them know that we appreciate their bravery and heroism.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for yielding and thank him for this special evening for a very special lady that all of us appreciate. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to join my colleagues in honoring the passing of a great Member of the U.S. House, Congresswoman Patsy Mink, and offer my condolences to her family and to the members of her staff and her many friends. As others have noted, Representative Mink was a trail blazer whose career in Congress spanned 4 decades and whose service has left our country a far better place. I want to focus my remarks very briefly on the work that Patsy and I had an opportunity to do just on education; it was a passion of hers and certainly is one of mine. Prior to my service in this body, I served as the State superintendent of schools in my home State of North Carolina; and when I came here in 1996, I was appointed as co-chair along with Patsy and a number of others to the Democratic Caucus Task Force. I wanted to thank Patsy tonight for looking after the children of North Carolina as I did many times. She was a long-time champion of the efforts to help our public schools, and she fought when others were not willing to fight. And as task force co-chairs, Patsy and I worked side by side with our other colleagues here in Washington on some very positive progressive policies to strengthen public education in this country. We may have seemed something like an odd couple. Me, a tall lanky Southerner and Patsy a little short lady from Hawaii, but she was tough as a leather knot, as we say in North Carolina, and a good Hawaiian lawyer and we made a good team along with others. Together with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens) and a number of others, we repeatedly fought back the efforts to cut education, against private school vouchers and other anti-education items. We pushed our message so successfully and Patsy was out there hammering so hard, that the other party's Presidential candidate borrowed our message and used it to talk about improving quality public education in this country. Patsy would be proud of that tonight, as she is. Indeed, she made a difference. The list of her accomplishments have been listed already. And I thank Patsy for title IX and my daughter thanks her. All the daughters of America thank her. She made a difference in this country, in the title I children that would not have had a chance, the poor children, and all the others. I could not go through the list. Others have gone through them. I will not read them. But most importantly, Patsy Mink was a leader whose country will forever owe her a great debt of gratitude, and there is a bright star burning in heaven tonight.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, it's hard to believe that it's been almost a full year since that awful day. On September 11, 2001, all the world saw the very face of evil. And on that day and every day since, we have felt the heartbeat of America. For me, the most enduring image of 9/11 was the sight of the Pentagon on fire after the terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into our nation's military headquarters. A thick black smoky cloud oozed from the Pentagon and hung over the banks of the Potomac River. I will never forget seeing with my own eyes that proud building engulfed in flames. Then the whole world watched TV in stunned disbelief as the twin towers of the World Trade Center came crumbling down in a fiery wreck of twisted steel. On that day, America was changed forever. But, the test in life is not whether or not you ever get knocked down. The true test is whether you have the courage, pride and determination to get back up again. Every day since September 11, the people of this country have gotten back up. We Americans from all walks of life have pulled together like never before. We have stood united to tell our enemies that the spirit of America will never be broken. We will not rest until we have eliminated Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. In the year since 9/11, we have come to treasure the service and sacrifice of ordinary Americans and extraordinarily heroic. The selfless devotion of the firefighters, police, EMS and other public servants in New York City and the Pentagon have given us new appreciation for our hometown heroes whose everyday service does so much to strengthen our communities. The dedicated professionalism of our men and women in uniform renew our pride in our country and make us thankful for our many, many blessings. And the incredible story of the passengers of the hijacked plane who fought back and prevented the tragic events of that day from being even worse inspires us all to take charge and give back to our country. September 11 taught us anew the immeasurable strength of the uniquely American ideal of ``We, the people.'' As we memorialize the lives lost one year ago, let us also celebrate the renewed spirit of America that has been reinvigorated by the service and sacrifice of so many ordinary citizens and inspirational heroes.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's public safety officers. Each community in America is blessed to have its own unique group of hometown heroes; the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others who keep our streets safe, protect our families and possessions from fire, and are the first to respond to an emergency. They are dedicated and prepared, and when we call on them, they risk their lives for us. Last year, Congress improved the Public Safety Officers Benefit, which provides a one-time financial benefit to the families of public safety officers who die because of an injury sustained in the line of duty. However, despite our efforts there are families who are prevented from receiving these benefits because of a technicality in the law. Heart attack and cardiac related deaths account for almost half of all firefighter fatalities (between 45-50 firefighter deaths per year), yet the families of these fallen firefighters are rarely eligible to receive this benefit. Fighting fires is dangerous, exhausting, and stressful work. A firefighter's chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke greatly increases when he or she puts on heavy equipment and rushes into a building to fight a fire. The families of these hometown heroes should receive this benefit when their loved ones die of a heart attack or other cardiac related death while they are on duty selflessly protecting us from harm. Today, along with several of my colleagues, I am introducing a bill to correct this unfortunate loophole in the Public Safety Officers Benefit. The Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act will allow the families of public safety officers who have died from a heart attack or stroke while on duty, or within 24-hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation, to receive this benefit. Our hometown heroes put their lives on the line for each of us everyday. This legislation shows them our support and appreciation for their extraordinary bravery and heroism. I invite every Member to join us in this effort by cosponsoring this important legislation.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5203, the latest in a long series of Republican bills to provide vouchers for private schools at the expense of our public schools. Specifically, this bill would make permanent the so-called Coverdell ESA tax breaks in last year's disastrous tax bill. As the former Superintendent of my state's public schools, I have been proud to lead many successful efforts here in the U.S. House to defeat private school vouchers. I am particularly proud that in my freshman term in this office, I took to the floor to defeat then- Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich on his private school voucher bill. I can assure my colleagues that I will be here to lead the charge against private school vouchers as long as the people of North Carolina continue to send me to Congress to serve them. Vouchers are a bad idea because they drain needed public resources away from our public schools, where more than 90 percent of the children in this country are educated, in favor of private schools that have no accountability to the American taxpayers. Rather than siphoning funds from the public schools, we need to invest more in initiatives like school construction, teacher training, class size reduction, tutoring and in other proven methods to raise academic achievement. Rather than make permanent the enormous tax bill that has blown the surplus and ruined the economy, we should pass legislation to get Americans working again. Let me state that there are some provisions of this bill that I do support. For example, I strongly support tax relief for employer- provided education and training benefits. I also strongly support expanded tax deductibility of college student loan interest. Both these meritorious provisions do not change the fact that this is a fundamentally flawed bill. This bill is bad education policy. This bill is bad tax policy. This bill is bad budget policy. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting it down.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5005, a bill that establishes the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Since September 11th, the United States has made protecting the American homeland from terrorism and fighting terrorism abroad our top priority. I support the reform and reorganization of the departments and agencies with responsibilities for homeland defense, as well as a thorough review of events and factors that led to the tragic events of September 11. Such reform and reorganization, coupled with a comprehensive threat assessment and strategy to address threats to the American homeland, are the best way to improve the safety and security of the American people. I call on the Secretary to operate the new Department in an open and fiscally responsible manner. Through this legislation we have given the Department Secretary the requisite statutory and budget authority to effectively and efficiently protect America from terrorism. Make no mistake: this bill is far from perfect. The House Republican leadership in too many instances misused H.R. 5005 to score political points instead of legislating responsibly. I am hopeful the conference with the Senate will overcome these deficiencies and Congress can pass a final Homeland Security bill that produces real security for the American homeland. As we protect and defend our country, we must also protect and defend the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, our civil liberties, and the protection of civil service employees. Futhermore, the development and operation of the Department of Homeland Security must involve a bottom- up process, with the input and recommendations of local first responders and local officials from America's cities, small towns and rural communities. They are our first line of defense against terrorism, and also the first to answer a call in case of attack. The security of our country, our people and our freedoms are paramount. The new Department of Homeland Security will allow us to devote time, people and resources in a coordinated and effective manner to deter any more tragedies like September 11.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this corporate reform bill to crack down on crooked business executives. This Congress must take action to rein in these crooks and restore confidence in American corporations. Mr. Speaker, we must all remember that this bill regulates public corporations, not privately-held companies. By accepting money from private citizens, these corporations bear a special responsibility to their investors and need to be held accountable. The American financial system has been the envy of the world because of its long history of integrity. Both individuals and corporate money managers around the world have long believed that they could invest in American stocks with confidence. They believed that the information they received from public companies was timely and accurate. Lately that trust has been sorely tested, and the plunging stock market is a clear indicator of investor fears. H.R. 3763, the Accounting Industry Reform Bill, will help restore investor confidence in America's financial markets by instituting a series of reforms that will increase corporate responsibility standards, improve regulatory oversight and toughen criminal penalties. With this legislation Congress sends a clear message to the American people that we will not tolerate skirting securities laws in order to obscure or cover-up financial mismanagement and mask corporate greed. This bill will enact common-sense reforms for publicly traded companies to keep investors safe and restore faith in our economic institutions. The American people put their trust and their money into the stock market as a savings vehicle for their children's education, their retirements and their financial stability. We owe it to them to make sure everyone, not just corporate insiders and rich investors, has access to the same accurate, clear and timely information on which to base their financial decisions. I urge America's business leaders to work with Congress and regulatory authorities to successfully implement these new reforms, punish corporate criminals and restore confidence in our financial markets.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) for yielding me time. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and others who have been on the Committee on Science, who have helped so much with this piece of legislation. As the gentleman said earlier, the Committee on Science has a tradition of bipartisanship and this bill is another indication of that bipartisanship at work. Mr. Chairman, as the 2002 hurricane season begins to heat up, I am pleased that we were able to get H.R. 2486, a bill to improve the forecasting of inland flooding and develop an inland flooding index on the floor of the House, and hopefully we can get it through quickly to the Senate and on to the President. I know it seems a bit strange, and if the folks back home happen to be watching this morning, to be talking about flooding when my State and many other States across this country are facing some extreme drought conditions, some of the worst we have seen certainly in our State in almost 100 years. But much of my district desperately needs rain today, and right now they would like to have a little rain to bring some of the plants to life and replenish our falling water supplies. However, we in North Carolina know all too well how devastating tropical storms and hurricanes can be. As you have already heard, just 3 years ago in 1999, Hurricane Floyd killed 48 of our citizens. Almost all of them lived hundreds of miles from the coast, and died not from storm surge as we have heard, not from hurricane wind forces, but from flooding caused by the torrential rains associated with the tropical storms. And as we have already heard this morning, the one thing they did not have was time because this storm hit at night. People lost their lives, they lost their property, and many people lost everything they had because they did not have the one thing that would have made all the difference in the world, which was time. Last year Tropical Storm Allison, as we have heard others talking about already, demonstrated all too effectively the power of these floods, killing more than 50 people in several States, starting in Texas and moving up the eastern coast; and more recently torrential rains have caused major flooding in Texas all over again, killing 12 people. These and other storms clearly indicate that current methods of predicting whether storm rains will produce heavy flooding are insufficient and that flood warnings are tragically inadequate. Last year, the House Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards of the Committee on Science heard testimony as to the need of improving the inland flooding forecasting and developing a better warning system that raises public awareness on the destructiveness of inland flooding so people can protect themselves, their property and their families. Ever since Floyd hit my State with such devastating power, I have been working with experts in storm predictions to help develop an effective piece of legislation to respond, and H.R. 2486 is the result of that effort with my colleagues here in the House. This bill authorizes a small sum in the terms of the dollars we produce, only $5.75 million over 5 years to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with additional resources to enhance the science of flood prediction and, more importantly, develop an improved, effective flood warning index that really will save lives and warn people. NOAA's forecast for this year calls for the potential of nine to 13 tropical storms in the Atlantic, including six to eight hurricanes with two to three of them to be classified as major hurricanes, Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. William Gray, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Colorado State University and a leading hurricane expert, predicts a 75 percent chance of a Category 3 or higher hurricane striking land in the United States this year. In an average year, that chance is only 52 percent, so you can see this year we stand a chance of really getting hit. Let me repeat that. Experts say there is a 75 percent chance the United States could experience another Floyd, another Fran, another Andrew, or another devastating storm hitting the U.S. coast. When you consider that more than 50 percent of America's population lives in coastal areas around this country, that makes it a frightening prediction. That is why, along with 23 of my colleagues, I have sponsored H.R. 2486, because as our Nation enters what appears to be a period of increasing storm activity, we need to better understand the damages these storms can cause and better inform our citizens of the danger that these storms pose. I am pleased that this measure has won the bipartisan support of so many of my colleagues on the Committee on Science, including the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and others. I want to thank the gentlemen, as well as the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barcia), for their help on the subcommittee, for their assistance in moving this legislation forward. I want to express my appreciation to the staff of the full Committee on Science and the subcommittee on both the majority and the minority side, in particular Mike Quear, Eric Webster, Bob Palmer, Mark Harkins, and Dave Goldston and others who have worked to get this bill to the floor. I also want to acknowledge the help of the staff of NOAA and the National Weather Service, and cite the work of Dr. Leonard Pietrafesa, a professor at North Carolina State University, who helped in the crafting of this legislation. Mr. Chairman, at this very moment a storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico that may or may not develop into a tropical storm. Time is of the essence. I encourage my colleagues to pass this with haste, get it to the Senate so the President can sign this legislation as quickly as possible.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Just briefly, Mr. Speaker, let me thank both my colleagues, because Clarence Lightner was an exceptional man; and my colleague was right when he said that if you ran for public office, as he and I did, and others, we are here to attest to the fact that you sought Clarence Lightner's counsel. You really wanted his support; but you sought his counsel first, as we well know. He was honest, he was blunt, but he did it in such a nice way. Let me share what Webster's Dictionary defines as a Renaissance man, because I really think Clarence Lightner is one. It says, a Renaissance man is one who has wide interests; is an expert in several areas. And certainly Clarence Lightner fully met these descriptions. He earned that designation again and again, and he showed in many ways that he really did value liberty, equality, and human kindness; and he exhibited it every day.

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? Mr. PRICE OF North Carolina. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. I yield to the gentleman from Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Mr. Watt), who knew Clarence well.

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), to call attention to my colleagues to the passing of a most distinguished North Carolinian, really one of the most prominent North Carolinians as it relates to the civil rights and a pioneer in that area. Clarence E. Lightner, 80 years of age, died on July 8 of heart failure. He was the first and only African American to serve as mayor of our capital city in Raleigh. In a quiet and yet determined way he brokered the hundreds of compromises that moved Raleigh from a small segregated southern city to the growing metropolitan city that it is today. We have truly lost a giant in North Carolina. As the son of an achiever, Clarence Lightner proved to be an achiever himself from the beginning. He graduated from a segregated school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he went on to what is now North Carolina Central, to get a degree. And Clarence was an outstanding quarterback; most of us who knew him, he never talked about athletics, but he was an outstanding quarterback in his day on the football team. After that he served in World War II, went on to get a degree in mortuary service in Philadelphia, and then returned to Raleigh, opened a business, his family business, and started to get involved in politics. He was one of the leaders in that area. As I said, he was quiet spoken, always well dressed, of a courtly manner, and keenly intelligent. Clarence was a man for his time. He understood what needed to be done. He was a man of good will who attracted other people of good will in that very trying time that we found ourselves in. He spoke softly and listened well. The issues of the day called for vision, hard work, determination, negotiation and compromise; and he proved to be great at all those. He followed his father in the Lightner funeral home business and he ran it successfully. He then became a Raleigh city councilman in those trying days. He saw his business grow and followed his footsteps and became a city council member in 1967. He served in that post for 6 years, during which time Raleigh moved forward with equality for all of its citizens in a fair and, what many thought were, a justifiable way. But Clarence Lightner said it was time to move forward to the next level, and so Clarence Lightner was elected mayor in 1972, having put together a coalition of suburban precincts with African American precincts to capture city hall, being the first African American and the only African American to serve as mayor of the city of Raleigh. His election as mayor really became national news immediately. His election was a precursor to what would happen across the South in later years. As the son of an achiever, Clarence Lightner proved to be an achiever from the beginning. He graduated from a segregated Raleigh High School, then from what is now North Carolina Central University, where he was an outstanding quarterback. After service in World War II, he completed a course at Echols College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia and returned to Raleigh to take over the family funeral business. He immediately became involved in the political questions of the day in a period that marked the Civil Rights Movement in the segregated South. Quiet spoken, always well dressed, courtly, keenly intelligent, Lightner was the quintessential man for the times in which he found himself. He was a man of good will who attracted other people of good will in that most trying of times. He spoke softly and listened well. The issues of the day called for vision, hard work, determination, negotiation and compromise. Lightner proved to be adept at all. Lightner, whose father established Lightner Funeral Home, had run unsuccessfully for the Raleigh City Commission in 1919 in the tightly segregated city. Calvin Lightner then saw his businesses suffer because of a white backlash. Clarence Lightner, following in the footsteps of his father, ran successfully for the Raleigh City Council in 1967. He served in that post for 6 years, during which Raleigh moved toward equality for all its citizens. It is fair, perhaps, to say that Lightner was the ``go to'' person on any question that involved racial equality during that period. The Raleigh of today is testimony that his decisions were good ones. Lightner was elected mayor of Raleigh in 1972, having put together a coalition of suburban precincts with African-American precincts to capture a City Hall that had been run previously by bankers, merchants, and longtime established neighborhoods. His election as mayor of a capital city was national news. His election was the precursor to what would happen across the South in later years. Defeated for re-election in 1975, Lightner never again ran for public office, though he was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt to the State Senate in 1977 to complete a term for developer John Winters, a close friend. He remained on the forefront of every question that had to do with Raleigh development and, in particular, with anything that would affect the south and southwest parts of the city. Lightner's contribution after his service as mayor was of major importance. He was, in a sense, the power broker with whom politicians had to deal if they wanted to be successful in Raleigh and Wake County. He served as a model for--and mentor of--other African-American young people in whom he saw promise. Former State House Speaker Dan Blue, now running for the U.S. Senate, was a protege. So was Brad Thompson, state director for U.S. Senator John Edwards. Most of Raleigh's current African-American leaders share the Lightner stamp. Clarence Lightner was a successful businessman, husband and father. He served his business profession at all levels, including as president of the National Morticians Associations. He served the Raleigh Citizens Associations, Rex Hospital, the Raleigh Human Relations Council, the NAACP, the Southern Policies Board and dozens of other organizations. He was chairman of both the Saint Augustine's College Board of Trustees and that of North Carolina State University.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4954, the fraudulent Republican Medicare bill. Prescription medicine coverage is one of the most important issues facing our nation today. Since it was created in 1965, Medicare has been the bedrock of health security for America's senior citizens. However, Medicare is incomplete without prescription medicine coverage. I support a plan that is simple, comprehensive, and without gaps in coverage. The Republican Medicare bill fails on all of these points. Today, prescription medicines are a critical component of medical treatment. Indeed, prescription medicines keep many seniors out of the hospital and at home with their families. But too many of our seniors must choose between paying for food and other necessities or the prescription medicines they need to live full, healthy lives. Seniors deserve prescription medicine coverage under Medicare. Yet, the Republicans continue to play politics with this vital issue. There are several flaws in this Republican bill. First, it is inadequate. The Republican Medicare bill would cover less than 20 percent of what seniors are projected to spend on prescription medicines over the next ten years. The bill also leaves seniors who spend between $2,000 and $3,700 on prescription medicines without coverage for part of the year forcing nearly half of all seniors to pay the full cost of their medicines. Second, the Republican bill provides no guaranteed benefit to seniors. The only thing this bill promises seniors is the ability to shop around for some type of coverage. There is no specific language in this bill that sets premiums at $35. In reality, private plans can charge whatever they want for premiums. What's more, under their plan the insurance companies that will administer this plan are allowed to vary their prices and the availability of coverage all across the country, which will shortchange the seniors who need this benefit the most. Finally, this Republican bill provides subsidies to private insurance companies instead of providing seniors with a guaranteed prescription medicine benefit. Tonight we see the Republican majority's priorities, Mr. Speaker. They put insurance companies first, not our seniors. Mr. Speaker, this is not a prescription medicine benefit plan. It's a sleight of hand proposal designed to hide the Republican Leadership's true intention to eventually privatize Medicare. It is noteworthy that the Republican majority has placed a number of provisions relating to physicians and hospitals into the bill that I strongly support. Currently, physicians are not being adequately reimbursed for taking care of Medicare patients, making it difficult to keep their doors open. The current system defies common sense, basing physician reimbursements on the state of the economy instead of the cost or need of health care. The fact is folks do not stop visiting the doctor because the economy is sluggish. I support the provisions in this bill that would correct this flawed payment system. As a Member of the Congressional Rural Health Coalition, I also support provisions in this bill to increase the reimbursement payments for our nation's hospitals, especially those facilities located in rural areas. In fact, I joined 77 of my colleagues in writing the Chairmen of the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees in support of provisions to standardize the base payments between rural and urban hospitals. Language to this effect is also included in the bill. There are other worthwhile measures in this bill, and it is a shame these provisions are included in a fundamentally flawed bill. Despite these provisions, I am unable to support H.R. 4954 because the Republican Majority's Medicare bill will not help America's seniors get access to affordable prescription medicines. I support the Democratic alternative that is easy to understand, designed to fit into our Medicare system, and provides seniors access to all of the medicines they need. It also includes all of the provider reimbursement provisions that are contained in H.R. 4954. Unfortunately, the Republican majority has denied us the opportunity to offer this alternative. America's seniors deserve a prescription medicine benefit that allows them to remain healthy in their golden years. We must strengthen Medicare with a real, guaranteed Medicare prescription medicine benefit, not a private insurance plan that leaves half of America's seniors without prescription medicine coverage. I urge my colleagues to reject this sham Republican Medicare bill, and to support the Democratic Motion to Recommit.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 459, a bill expressing the sense of the House that Newdow v. U.S. Congress was erroneously decided. Like many of my colleagues, I was disappointed and shocked that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. The Ninth Circuit ruling defies common sense and the timing of the decision couldn't be worse. Now more than ever we as Americans remember the important purpose of our Pledge of Allegiance, stand in awe of the magnificent symbolism of our flag, and take pride in the triumphant chords of our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. Every day in this Chamber, we honor our nation by reciting the Pledge. Schoolchildren across our nation should be allowed to make that same statement, thus building a foundation of patriotism and citizenship. Generations of Americans regard the Pledge of Allegiance as a solemn statement of our nation's values. We must not allow this misguided decision to change that fact. As a cosponsor of this important resolution, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 459.

Mr. ETHERIDGE

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4070, the Social Security Program Protection Act. It provides and contains important protections for those folks who need assistance managing their financial affairs. It also improves access to legal representation for disability claimants and strengthens protections against fraud. Mr. Speaker, we should also be debating the Republican leadership's plan to privatize Social Security. Social Security represents a compact with our seniors that says if they work hard all their life, they will not spend their golden years in poverty. We have no right to break that. No one has a right. I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work with anyone who is willing to do it; but privatization will not save Social Security. In fact, it jeopardizes the retirement security of our seniors and working families. Privatization of Social Security will destroy the system's financial stability, and threaten the benefits of millions of seniors, disabled Americans, and their families. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I hope this is not the last Social Security debate we have on this floor this year. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4070, and am hopeful that this will not be the last Social Security debate we have this year. I call on my colleagues to demand an open debate on the Republican privatization plans, and urge them to join me in working to protect Social Security's promise to America by opposing privatization.