Lane Evans

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), for bringing this legislation to the floor today. I believe all Members of this body can fully support the Veterans Benefits Act of 2000, H.R. 4850. Among other provisions, this act provides a cost-of-living adjustment to service-connected disabled veterans and DIC beneficiaries. As a result, these important benefits will be increased to keep pace with the cost of living. The bill also recognizes the sacrifices made by two special groups of veterans, those who serve in the Guard and Reserve and suffer a heart attack or stroke while on inactive duty for training. These conditions will now be recognized as service connected. Madam Speaker, I also particularly want to commend and thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) for his effective leadership on this important provision. I am pleased that this bill incorporates the provisions of H.R. 3998 which I introduced to provide special monthly compensation to veterans who are service connected for a radical mastectomy. This is a good bill. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), a member of the committee.

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

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

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, last fall I introduced H.R. 3193, the Duty to Assist Act. This measure provided a statutory requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans filing a claim for benefits administered by the VA. This legislation became necessary as a result of the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for veterans benefits in Morton v. West. Nearly 200 Members of the House have cosponsored this legislation. Following a hearing on H.R. 3193 and subsequent meetings, including representatives of the VA and veterans service organizations, H.R. 4864 was introduced. It incorporates the basic principles of H.R. 3193. This measure will eliminate the onerous well-grounded claim requirement that reinstates the VA's traditional duty to assist claimants, as did H.R. 3193. This legislation is needed to correct erroneous interpretations of the law. Judicial review was intended to continue VA's strong continuing obligation to assist all veterans with the development of their claims, but the exact opposite has occurred. I strongly believe in judicial review; however, courts can and do make erroneous decisions. When those decisions affect the fundamental rights of veterans, it is this Congress' responsibility to correct the problem. H.R. 4864 will do this. Under this measure, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to obtain all evidence in control of the VA and other departments and agencies necessary to establish eligibility for benefits before deciding the claim. Likewise, veterans will be responsible for providing such evidence in their control. Veterans seeking to establish their entitlement to benefits they have earned as a result of their service to our country deserve to have their claims decided fairly and fully, based on all relevant and available evidence. Passage of H.R. 4864 will help to assure that their claims are properly considered and decided. I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), chairman of the committee. He has done great work on all of these bills today. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Benefits; the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee, for their important work in this measure. We have moved it timely, Mr. Chairman, because of your leadership; and I look forward to working with the gentleman on this issue. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, H.R. 4864. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).

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

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the measure now before this House names the outpatient clinic in Rome, New York, after Donald J. Mitchell, a former Member of this House. This is a well-deserved tribute for a truly outstanding American. A naval aviator during World War II and a veteran of the Korean War, Don Mitchell served the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983 as a Representative from the City of New York. Prior to being elected to Congress, he served his fellow citizens as a town councilman, a mayor, and as a member of the state assembly as well. This measure honoring former Congressman Mitchell is strongly supported by the members of the New York Congressional delegation. It likewise deserves the support of each Member of this body. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 351. This resolution recognizes Heroes Plaza in the City of Pueblo, Colorado, as honoring the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. During September of this year, the City of Pueblo will be host to a reunion of the living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. In conjunction with this gathering, it is indeed fitting and appropriate to recognize Heroes Plaza in Pueblo as honoring the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I want to thank all Members who have worked on this resolution. The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis) is a leader in this effort, and sometime I will have to get down to Pueblo and see the program with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis); and I salute him again for his work on this issue. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the impending retirement of Charles F. Lee. After a distinguished career of public service to our nation, Chuck will retire from Federal service this week. Chuck personifies the best of our Federal public servants. Personal qualities that include unquestioned integrity, diligence and tenacity, thoughtfulness and thoroughness, a willingness to confront difficult and complex issues and a determination to establish both the facts and the truth together with a thoroughly professional demeanor describe Chuck Lee. Chuck currently serves as the Democratic Counsel of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Chuck's contributions are indeed noteworthy, but they are just the capstone of a remarkable career. Chuck's service to the nation includes undertaking a wide range of demanding responsibilities. Highlights of his career include serving as the Assistant Director for Veterans' Benefits Programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs; counsel to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee; Executive Assistant to former Assistant Secretary of Labor Preston Taylor; and, a senior staff member of the Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance. As a veteran who served in Vietnam, Chuck's public service career has been dedicated to assisting his fellow veterans. Chuck joined the Democratic staff of the House Veterans Affairs Committee early last year and has made significant contributions to the work of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in a broad range of policy areas. We will miss his shrewd judgment, his thorough preparation and his sense of humor. Thank you, Chuck, for your high ideals and your dedication to America's veterans. We wish you only the best in all of your future endeavors.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks, the Republican leadership in Congress has been scrambling to score political points by pushing a flawed prescription drug bill. But to millions of America's seniors, this is not a political game, but a matter of life and death. The Republican prescription drug plan is barely a plan at all. It is a sham that favors insurance companies over older Americans and profits over quality care. It fails to provide affordable prescription coverage for all seniors and limits the choices of essential medications and pharmacies. The so-called plan doesn't even lay out a defined benefits package. Private insurers will be able to establish restrictive formularies and exclude coverage of drugs that they deem too expensive. The Republicans are offering a benefits package that offers no benefits at all. If we pass this plan, our seniors would be left no better off than they are today. Let's give our seniors the health care they need and deserve. Please support the motion to recommit.

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks, the Republican leadership in Congress has been scrambling to score political points by pushing a flawed prescription drug bill. But to millions of America's seniors, this is not a political game, but a matter of life or death. The Republican prescription drug plan is barely a plan at all. It is a sham that favors insurance companies over older Americans and profits over quality care. It fails to provide affordable prescription coverage for all seniors and limits the choices of essential medications and pharmacies. The so-called plan doesn't even lay out a defined benefits package. Private insurers will be able to establish restrictive formularies and exclude coverage of drugs that they deem too expensive. The Republicans are offering a benefits package that offers no benefits at all. If we pass this plan, our seniors would be left no better off then they are today. Let's give our seniors the health care they need and deserve. Please support the motion to recommit.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, this week the House passed an amendment to the VA-HUD appropriations bill that enables the Department of Justice to pursue its pending litigation against the tobacco industry. This lawsuit seeks to recover billions of dollars spent by the VA and other Federal agencies to treat tobacco-related illnesses. A rider in this appropriations bill which would block the Justice Department from accepting these funds is a mirror image of the VA-HUD rider. The amendment I join with the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and my other colleagues in supporting today simply allows the wheels of justice to move forward. Mr. Chairman, there is something terribly wrong with the leadership of this body. During the last Congress, despite overwhelming evidence that tobacco-related illnesses are linked to nicotine addiction developed during the military service, the Republican leadership of the House effectively denied veterans the opportunity to seek legitimate compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Instead, this House passed a sense of Congress Resolution that the Attorney General and I quoted ``should take all steps necessary to recover from tobacco companies amounts corresponding to the costs which have been incurred by the VA for treatment of tobacco-related illness of veterans.'' Mr. Chairman, it seems our leadership would seek to walk away from this commitment strangling even the hope of a fair settlement from the big tobacco companies for the VA medical care system. Passing this appropriation with the proposed rider will prevent Justice from using funds in pursuit of this lawsuit would be nothing less than shameful. If this House is not totally beholden to the tobacco industry, it would adopt this amendment. It will enable legal proceedings to go forward, and it will allow the outcome of lawsuits to be properly determined in court, not here on the floor of the House. Earlier this week, an open letter was distributed to Members of Congress by four major veterans service organizations, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Veterans have made it clear that they support tobacco litigation that could allow a fair settlement to support VA's treatment of thousands of veterans' tobacco-related illnesses. That is why the veterans organizations who coauthor the independent budget have strongly endorsed our amendment. Let us keep our promise to America's veterans and let this lawsuit move forward on its own merit. In the name of justice, please support the Waxman-Evans amendment.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards) for his amendment. He is a great advocate for veterans as his amendment again demonstrates. The Edwards amendment increases funding next year for veterans' medical care, by $500 million and funding for the VA medical research by $35 million. These increases are needed if veterans are to receive access to timely and high-quality medical care and services, and the research program of VA is to be adequately funded. Too many veterans are being forced to wait too long to receive the medical care they need and deserve. Today some veterans are waiting as long as 6 months for an appointment with a primary care provider. The waiting list for an appointment with the specialist can actually be longer. The Edwards amendment provides resources to improve the quality and timely delivery of medical care to our Nation's veterans. VA is recognized worldwide as a leader in medical research. The Edwards amendment will increase funds for the VA medical research program next year by $65 million. Under the current level of funding for VA medical research, only a small portion of worthwhile projects are provided needed funding. The Edwards increase in research funding is a sound investment to enable VA researchers to make breakthrough discoveries which will benefit veterans and the general population. Again, I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards) for offering his amendment, it is a sign of his leadership on these issues. I urge my colleagues to vote for the Edwards amendment.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment by our colleague from California, because it simply allows the wheels of justice to move forward. Mr. Chairman, there is something terribly wrong with the leadership of this body. During the last Congress, despite overwhelming facts to the contrary, the leadership effectively denied veterans the opportunity to seek legitimate compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for tobacco-related illnesses and disease, as well as tobacco addiction, during their service in the Armed Forces. That day, I believe, was one of the least noble moments in the history of this body. Now, adding insult to injury, the leadership of the House seeks to deny the funds needed for our Federal Government to continue to seek, in court, the recovery of costs the Federal Government has incurred treating tobacco-related illnesses. It is a sad day indeed when the leadership of this House seeks to shield the tobacco industry from legitimate legal action brought by the Federal Government. We must not forget these facts: funds spent by the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care used to treat tobacco illnesses and disease have been estimated to be between $1 billion and $4 billion a year. As many as 75 percent of our World War II veterans began smoking as young adults during their military service. Cigarettes have been distributed free of charge to members of the Armed Forces as part of their so-called ``C-rations,'' and the labeling requirements warning of the dangers of nicotine and tobacco did not become mandatory for products distributed through the military system until 1970, 5 years after this labeling was required for the civilian market. Tobacco products were sold by the military at substantially discounted rates. As late as 1996, commissary tobacco prices were up to 76 percent less than commercial retail prices. Those who support the tobacco industry will make the argument that using VA funds to finance this lawsuit will mean less money for medical care. The truth is, these dollars would be added to the administration's request after negotiations between the VA and the administration have concluded. As an additional safeguard, our amendment would be directed at using only funds that would otherwise be used for nonmedical purposes; specifically, for the administration and legal expenses incurred in pursuing this lawsuit. It is misleading to say that these funds will be designated for health care. Earlier today, four major veterans organizations spoke in support of this amendment. Veterans who will benefit from the successful outcome of this litigation will not be fooled. They want this litigation. In the name of justice, support the Waxman-Evans-Hansen-Meehan-Stabenow amendment.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, choose a major cause in the Galesburg area and you would find Linda DeWitt. She fought for union causes, women's issues and a host of community oriented programs and projects. Linda DeWitt was a long time union activist and worker at Protexall in Galesburg, Illinois. She was the President of her local union, UNITE Local 920 for more than 20 years. She was also the chairwoman of the board of the Chicago and Central States Joint Board of UNITE and the President of the Galesburg Trades and Labor Council. Linda died on May 15th. When Linda wasn't at work at Protexall hemming or pressing pants--a job she did for 28 years--Linda was doing union work. If she wasn't involved in matters relating her union UNITE, you could find her at the Galesburg Labor Temple tending to matters there. Or perhaps tending to matters involving the Midwest Employees Credit Union, which she chaired. Linda ran the Labor Assembly in Galesburg and that meant running the bingo to keep the place going. She ran the bingo and did the cooking. She was the chair of the Bingo Board for 18 years. Linda put everything into making sure that the bingo was fun. She was creative in coming up with new ideas, games and prizes to make bingo more than just a game. Many people believe Linda lived at the union hall. Linda was proud that Galesburg had one of the oldest Labor Day Parades in the country. She was the principal organizer of that parade for many years. According to her co-workers, Linda had the ability to fit 36 hours worth of accomplishments into a 24-hour day. Linda was always gracious and kind-hearted--always thinking of others and trying to help them before herself. During her battle with a brain tumor, the Peoria Journal Star did a feature about Linda's struggle. The article depicted Linda's attitude and her religious faith. Incredibly Linda characterized her illness as a win-win situation. But Linda was always a person who could find light in dark situations. One of her fellow union members of UNITE Local 920 said she will always remember Linda telling her to ``just keep smiling''. That says it all about Linda DeWitt. Linda was quoted as saying that she's tried to live her life ``where people can say I've done good.'' There can be no question about all the good that Linda DeWitt has been a part of throughout her entire life. She was always dedicated to her family and her work and she did so much for her union and the community. Her passing is a tremendous loss for West Central Illinois, the community of Galesburg, her union and her family.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) who has called this measure ``a series of missed opportunities.'' I completely agree. These opportunities have been squandered because the priority of the Republican leadership has been to provide huge tax cuts to the wealthiest of all Americans. Dollars earmarked to tax cuts are not available to fund programs important to most Americans. Among those opportunities squandered are $25 million less for medical research conducted by the VA. This is some of the best research in the whole United States going after Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. This money would be cut by $25 million. There is $80 million less funding for the construction of State homes to provide for the growing need of long-term care for our Nation's disabled, infirm, and aging veterans; $3 million less to maintain our national cemeteries; and $62 million less for other important construction projects. My Republican colleagues will say that they were constrained to provide this needed funding. Do not be misled. Squandered opportunities and available shortfalls in funding for basic programs are the consequences of the priority of the Republican leadership of this House.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, we should reject this appropriations bill which turns its back on our children and our veterans. It demonstrates a lack of commitment to our Nation's veterans which we should not stand for, but maybe even more troubling is the degree to which this grossly underfunds Federal education programs. The Republican bill is a giant step backward for American education. It eliminates funding for two programs that are critical for giving students the tools they need to flourish: the class size reduction initiative and the Elementary School Counselors Demonstration Act. Over the next 10 years, we will need 2.2 million new teachers nationwide to keep pace with enrollment. The Republicans want to play politics with children and slash the Democratic initiative to hire 100,000 additional teachers. This will jeopardize more than 1,000 teachers already hired in my home State of Illinois; it will leave kids packed in overcrowded classrooms. The elimination of the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration program will deny counseling services to more than 100,000 elementary students. These essential services help troubled students overcome problems, promoting the mental health of our students and the safety of our schools. In April, I was joined by over 80 Members in calling for the funding of the school counselor program at $100 million in fiscal year 2001. In addition, the bipartisan Working Group on Youth Violence recommended that we fund school counselor programs to help reduce school violence. Despite the support and to the detriment of the school safety and our children's well-being, no funding was provided for this initiative. Mr. Speaker, at this time I will include the Working Group's report and the letter to the appropriators for the Record. Bipartisan Working Group on Youth Violence--Final Report--November 17, 1999 Members of the Bi-Partisan Working Group on Youth Violence: Republicans: Jennifer Dunn, Chair, Zach Wamp, Vice-Chair, Heather Wilson, Jim Greenwood, Mark Souder, Sue Kelly, Marge Roukema, Judy Biggert, Buck McKeon, Bob Barr, Tom Tancredo, and Rob Portman. Democrats: Martin Frost, Co-Chair, Robert Menendez, Vice- Chair, Bud Cramer, William Delahunt, Sander Levin, Bobby Scott, Bart Stupak, Bob Etheridge, Ruben Hinojosa, Patsy Mink, Tim Roemer, and Sheila Jackson-Lee. V. schools. Findings C. Often one adult can make a difference by taking an interest in a child and nurturing him or her. This might be a teacher, an administrator, a counselor, or others. Students with behavior disorders account for a majority of problems encountered in schools today. Additional resource staff in our schools, such as counselors, school psychologists, and social workers are needed, not only to help identify these troubled youth, but to work on development skill building. (Emphasis added.) There is no real infrastructure of support for our kids when it comes to mental health services in our schools and no national models for how best to structure school community mental health programs. Currently, there are only 90,000 school counselors for approximately 41.4 million students in our public schools--roughly 1 counselor for every 513 students. In California, there is only one counselor for more than 1,000 students. That is simply not enough. As Mr. Porter stated during this presentation, current school counselors are unable to address students' mental health needs since they are responsible for such large numbers of students. Instead, their role is relegated to administrative, scheduling, and career counseling Additional resource staff is needed to address specifically the personal, family, peer level, emotional, and developmental needs of students. By focusing on these mental health needs, these staff members will pick up early warning signs of troubled youth and improve student interaction and school safety. The resource staff can also provide consultation with teachers and parents about student learning, behavior and emotional problems. They can develop and implement prevention programs, deal with substance abuse, set up peer mediation, and enhance problem-solving skills in schools. In short, resource staff can provide important support services to students, parents, and teachers. There are a number of different ways to enhance the availability of emotional support and mental health services in schools. Schools can partner with community-based mental health organizations or enhance staff training by providing more opportunities at school for the development of informal adult-child mentoring relationships. We expect that there are a number of models that may vary in effectiveness at different schools and age levels. The federal government should initially support the development of research-based models for school mental health programs that could then be built upon. Furthermore, schools and communities should incorporate programs that encourage parents to become involved in their child's educaiton. Improving parenting skills through federally-funded programs like WAC, TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, public health clinics, teen parenting, child welfare, juvenile delinquency and homeless programs may be an effective way to reduce juvenile violence in the long term. Finally, teacher quality has been shown to have a profound impact on the success of a child. Because teachers are on the front line, there is a great need to help them understand how to identify and intervene in the life of a troubled child. Studies indicate that by the school year 2008-2009, we will need an additional two million teachers in our schools. We can ensure that we have quality teachers in the future by creating incentives for educators to continue teaching and by encouraging people to begin teaching after careers in other professions through such programs which help mid-career professionals become teachers. Recommendations: Congress should provide grants to States and local educational agencies to recruit, train, and hire school-based resource staff, such as school counselors, school psychologists, and social workers. (Emphasis added.) Congress should authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to work with schools and the mental health community in developing models that enhance the availability of mental health services in schools. (Emphasis added.) Congress should encourage local educational agencies to implement professional development activities designed to assist teachers in identifying and assisting at-risk youths. (Emphasis added.) Congress should authorize the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education to develop a public awareness campaign aimed toward parental involvement in schools.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the members of the Illinois PTA, and celebrate the 100th, anniversary of this extraordinary organization. Tuesday, May 30, 2000, will mark 100 years of partnership between the dedicated parents and teachers from across the great state of Illinois. The Illinois PTA is invested in improving the quality of education and opening the doors of opportunity for all students. From our largest cities to our smallest towns, the PTA is working to ensure that each student has the resources needed to succeed and is provided with a safe, healthy environment in which to flourish. We must make a commitment to helping the members of the Illinois PTA and parents, teachers, and students from across the country, by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs. We know that the greatest investment we can make in our youth is to provide them with a quality education. In this time of economic prosperity, we can afford to make a long overdue investment in public education. I hope you will join me in the effort to bring quality teachers, smaller class sizes, greater accountability, and modern schools to American communities. The time is now. I commend the tireless efforts of the members of the Illinois PTA and express my deepest gratitude for their noble work. I wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, many of our colleagues have received a copy of the report, Made in China. This report outlines why corporations like Wal- Mart and Nike have become identified with child labor, forced labor, and hazardous working conditions. These are not the values we want to bring to other countries. By granting PNTR, we give up any hope of influencing China's policy on workers and human rights. We are inviting U.S. companies to leave the U.S. to produce goods in a country which does not support the minimum wage, basic safety regulations, or the right of association. Mr. Speaker, let us export our values, not our jobs. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson), a tireless and effective advocate for our veterans.

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join with many of my colleagues today to honor and give thanks to America's minority veterans, the soldiers and sailors and men and women of our armed forces and, of course, my fellow Marines. More of the world is free today than ever before, thanks in no small part for their valor and sacrifice half a century ago. We sometimes do not remember that World War II was before the armed forces were desegregated and that process really took us solidly to Vietnam. So there were many years in which the men and women of the armed forces did not serve together on an integrated basis and did not get really the breaks perhaps that the majority of Americans have received throughout the time of this desegregation. As I said, more of the world is free now because of their efforts. It is altogether fitting and appropriate that this valor and sacrifice of a half a century ago be commemorated on May 25, 2000. I particularly commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), for her leadership on this issue. I thank her for the well-deserved recognition which the Day of Honor 2000 will provide America's minority veterans with the respect that they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.