Harold Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Madam Chairman, let me first say to my colleagues on the left and the right who seem so deeply concerned about the constitutional ramifications of a campaign finance package, I would remind them that next week when we return from our Memorial Day recess that one of our colleagues the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook) will bring a piece of legislation to the floor that seeks to rewrite the First Amendment in certainly more egregious ways than perhaps this campaign finance legislation will. But I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, what is it that we are afraid of when it relates to campaign finance reform? What is it that we are afraid of when we talk about taking less money? What is it that we are afraid of when we talk about less money in this entire political system? This is the same body that had the courage to say to welfare recipients throughout this Nation, and I voted with them, we are going to place a 2-year time limit on them. We are going to limit the amount of funds. This is the same Congress that said to those in the Dakotas, when the floods ravaged those areas, we are going to make them wait for disaster aid relief. What is it about campaign finance reform that irks and irritates so many in this Congress? I would hope that we can find the courage to reach down deep inside to find the courage that is needed to not only reform these laws and restore the integrity to this system but to do what is right for the future of this Nation and the next generation of Congresspeople that will occupy our seats.

Mr. FORD. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues this morning have raised very serious issues regarding the transfer of technology to China as well as Chinese donations. I would simply say the President as well as this administration is welcoming an investigation into whether or not any of these donations were improper and whether or not the transfer of this technology was improper. But I would say to my colleagues who were so indignant and filled with horror this morning that as we prepare to debate campaign finance, I hope that they bring the same degree of passion and the same degree of integrity and certainly, the same degree of energy to that discussion. We have an opportunity to ban soft money which, in many ways, would help us correct many of the ills and the pariahs that affect this great system, this great democracy of ours. Twenty States in this Nation have already done so. If Shays-Meehan comes to the floor, I would hope that my dear friend the majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), despite what Roll Call and all of the other newspapers in town have said, that he, in fact, will refrain. I hope that the leadership on the Republican side as well as those on the Democratic side will stand firm for reform, will stand firm against the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) and those in the Republican leadership who seem adamantly opposed to campaign finance.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ernest C. Withers, Sr. as an activist who occupies a significant place in the annals of the Civil Rights Movement and the history of Memphis, Tennessee. As a native Memphian, Mr. Withers is respected throughout the community for his contributions toward the establishment and advancement of equality. As a veteran of World War II, he returned to Memphis to become one of the nine African-American men chosen as the first black police officers for the city in 1948. After several years, he left this job to embark full time in a profession that he felt could more effectively bolster social change in Memphis and the nation. Mr. Ernest Withers is best known for his profession and remarkable career as one of the nation's premier photo journalists. As a photographer, he photographed and chronicled the history-making people and events of the Civil Rights Movement of the Sixties and focused the attention of the nation on this momentous era of human history. The powerful images that he captured have been widely showcased in national publications including Life, Newsweek, and Time. The dynamic individuals of the time that he visually captured included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Bayard Rustin, Rosa Parks, and Whitney Young. Subsequent to the movement, Mr. Withers remained prolific, capturing memorable events and people including President Richard Nixon, Jackie Robinson, Elvis Presley and B. B. King on film. In conjunction with his son, the late State Representative Teddy Withers, Mr. Ernest Withers made several trips to Africa in efforts to further establish Memphis as an international hub for trade. His work as a social documentalist has been recognized and featured by many museums and institutions including the Massachusetts College of Art, the Atlanta High Museum of Art, Vanderbilt University, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Now in his seventies, Mr. Ernest Withers remains active, working out of his own studio in Memphis where he continues to captivate us with his innovative style and visual perspectives. For his contributions and commitment to community, Mr. Speaker, I would ask you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join with me in honoring this dynamic participant in and recorder of history, Mr. Ernest C. Withers, Sr.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, on the dates of March 25-27, 1998, I missed votes due to official travel with the President's delegation to Africa. On March 25, 1998, Rollcall No. 68, H.R. 2589, Copyright Term Extension Act--Licensing Fee Exemption, by Mr. McCollum, R-Fl, amendment to Sensenbrenner amendment, I would have voted aye. On March 25, 1998, Rollcall No. 69, H.R. 2589, Copyright Term Extension Act--Licensing Fee Exemption, by Mr. Sensenbrenner, R-WI, amendment, I would have voted nay. On March 25, 1998, Rollcall No. 70, H.R. 2578, Visa Waiver Pilot Program--Refusal Rate, by Mr. Pombo, R-CA, amendment, I would have voted aye. On March 25, 1998, Rollcall No. 71, H.R. 2578, Visa Waiver Pilot Program--Passage, I would have voted aye. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 72, H.R. 3310, Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments--Waiver Policies, by Mr. Kucinich, D-Ohio, amendment, i would have voted aye. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 73, H.R. 3310, Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments--Waiver Policies, by Mr. McIntosh, R-Indiana, amendment, I would have voted nay. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 74, H.R. 3310, Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments--Passage, I would have voted nay. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 75, H.Res. 385, waiving points of order against conference report on H.R. 1757 (State Department Authorization)--Agreeing to the Resolution, I would have voted nay. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 76, H. Res. 393, providing for the consideration of H.R. 3246 (Fairness for Small Business and Employees Act)--Agreeing to the Resolution, I would have voted nay. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 77, H.R. 3246, Fairness for Small Business and Employees Act--Job Applicant Protection, by Mr. Goodling, R-Penn, amendment, I would have voted aye. On March 26, 1998, Rollcall No. 78, H.R. 3246, Fairness for Small Business and Employees Act--Passage, I would have voted nay. On March 27, 1998, Rollcall No. 79, H.R. 2515, Forest Recovery and Protection Act--Roads, by Mr. Boehlert, R-NY, amendment, I would have voted aye. On March 27, 1998, Rollcall No. 80, H.R. 2515, Forest Recovery and Protection Act--Passage, I would have voted nay.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the winners of the 37th annual Humanitarian Awards. These men and women have fought hard to ensure improved lives for others. They have each shown a tremendous dedication to reducing bigotry and injustice in the Memphis community. This year's award winners are: Rabbi Harry Danziger of Temple Israel; Retired Criminal Court Judge H.T. Lockard; Bishop J. Terry Steib of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis; and Dr. Jane Walters, state education commissioner. These awards, as presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews (Memphis Region), recognize the leaders in our community who have gone beyond their call to ensure a better, more equitable future for all of us. Rabbi Danziger is a lifetime board member of NCCI as well as a member of the boards of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association and the Memphis Jewish Federation. Danziger is a long time leader in Memphis' Jewish Community. Judge Lockhardt served for 19 years on the bench before retiring in 1994. As an attorney, he was involved in numerous cases that helped end the bitter segregation in education, and in public facilities. Judge Lockhardt will always be remembered as the first African-American elected to old Shelby County (TN) Court. In addition to his important work with the Catholic Diocese in Memphis, Bishop Steib is a board member of the National Civil Rights Museum and the African-American Bishops' Committee. Bishop Steib, through his service to these organizations, has worked tirelessly to bring together people from all backgrounds, classes and races. Another deserving winner of the NCIC Humanitarian Award is Dr. Jane Walters. As an educator, Dr. Walters has devoted her career to improving the lives of others. She has touched the lives of countless young Tennesseans, first as teacher, as Principal of Craigmont High School in Memphis and now as Governor Sundquist's Commissioner of Education in the State of Tennessee. Under her leadership as Principal of Craigmont, the school was designated by the Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. Today, as Commissioner of Education, Tennessee is well ahead of the nation in connecting all of the state's schools to the Internet. The Horatio Alger Association named her National Educator of the Year in 1991. We are all grateful to Dr. Walters for her contributions in the field of education. These men and women can not be praised enough for their contributions. With a tremendous amount of hard work and foresight, these individuals are determined to eliminate bias, bigotry and racism in our community. Honoring these heros is a perfect way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NCCJ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 37th annual Humanitarian Award Winners.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of the bill, H.R. 2495.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the University of Memphis Tigers ladies basketball team. The Lady Tigers, under the leadership of Joye Lee-McNelis, captured their Conference USA regular season title by putting together a 14-2 conference record. Last week, the Lady Tigers traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the Conference USA post-season tournament and won three consecutive games to capture that title as well. The Tigers put on quite a show, winning the final game in dramatic fashion over the host team in a game that was televised nationally by ESPN. The Men Tigers also had a great deal of success this year as they concluded the conference season 12-4 and also captured their division title. The women will be making their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The men's title was their third regular season championship in the last four years. After starting the season with a 4-4 mark, the Lady Tigers put together a long winning streak to become one of the nation's toughest teams the exciting play of LaTonya Johnson and Tamika Whitmore, combined with the terrific coaching of Lee-McNelis, have been the formula for success for these Tigers. As the popularity of women's basketball begins to soar, the commitment to success that this team has shown has helped to win over Memphis basketball fans. This was evident during the championship game as hundreds of fans roared in support of the Tigers after making the journey from Memphis to Louisville. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the accomplishments of the University of Memphis Tigers. We thank them for bringing championships to the city of Memphis and wish them the best of luck in postseason competition.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay] for yielding me this time. It is so interesting to hear my colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle quote African American parents and their desire to have vouchers. I think that it suggests a few things. I would hope that the Republican Party and my leaders on the other side of the aisle would listen to African American families more often as they debate health care and debate education and debate ways to balance our budget in humane and compassionate ways. But if we want to talk about African-American kids, I think it is somewhat unfortunate, because this is, indeed, an American issue. America's single greatest threat in tomorrow's marketplace is an uneducated work force. I would caution the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs] and all of his colleagues as they travel down that treacherous path. I have been to a school in my district this last few days, Mr. Speaker, called Mitchell High School, where all of my aunts and uncles graduated from. They are the recipient of a corporate grant from the Pfizer Corp., which allows them to engage in an environmental study program at the school. All of the kids in the class came into the school yesterday, although school was out, to allow parents and teachers to engage in parent-teacher conferences. The kids all said the reason that they enjoy this class, Mr. Speaker, is because it is interesting, it is challenging, it is stimulating. No one talked about vouchers, no one talked about public schools, no one talked about choice. If we are so concerned in this body about children and African American children, Latino children and inner-city children, let us listen to what the young people are saying. They want to be challenged and stimulated in the classroom. There is no guarantee that vouchers will do it or charter schools will do it, although I am a supporter of charter schools. But one thing is for certain. The plan that the gentleman has put forward will only impact a minute, finite number of kids in our school system and say they are helped. What do we do with the remaining 52.3 million kids in our school system, Mr. Speaker? Mayor Daley in Chicago has shown us that the public school model can, indeed, work. Chicago is faced with every conceivable ill in the public system, yet Mayor Daley has tackled it, embraced it and moved forward. I would say to my friends on the other side, defeat this bill, do what is right for kids. Let us challenge, stimulate them and empower them.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, given the rather fractious debate we have had this evening with regard to how we educate our kids in this Nation, I think we would all do well to return to a basic principle, a principle best articulated by Thomas Jefferson when he wrote that every child must be encouraged to get as much education as she has the ability to take. We want this not only for her sake, but for the Nation's sake. Mr. Chairman, Jefferson did not use the words, ``a few,'' or ``several,'' or even ``many.'' He used the word ``every,'' every child, Mr. Chairman. Charter schools, and I must applaud the leadership of the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer] and his hard work in certainly reaching across the aisle to attract bipartisan support. Charter schools provide these opportunities. They are public schools, Mr. Chairman, schools accountable to public authorities but with the kind of local level autonomy that spurs innovation and excellence. Charter schools are part of a common sense solution to some of the problems facing and confronting parents and teachers and communities in America. They are not a panacea for all that ails our school system, for they will not solve our $112 billion infrastructure problem, the technology gap, or the resolve, the standards issue, but they do represent a very important step toward improvement. At the same time, Mr. Chairman, we cannot allow our zeal for change to overtake our common sense. Charter schools and vouchers ought not to be part of the same conversation. Public choice encouraged by charters is one thing; vouchers, Mr. Chairman, are entirely another. I recognize that some of my colleagues, particularly those on the other side of the aisle, however well intentioned, have been operating under the misapprehension that competition from small-scale vouchers will actually force public schools to improve. But unless every one of our Nation's nearly 50 million public school students is given a voucher, it hardly seems likely that public schools will be forced to improve. In addition, Mr. Chairman, it seems a much more practical way, charter schools, to improve education for the majority of our Nation's students. That is exactly what charter schools do, which is why I support H.R. 2616 but did not support H.R. 2746, and I am proud to say neither did this House. Again, let Mr. Jefferson's words be our guide. Let us oppose measures that do not educate the majority of our kids, taking out a few. Let us support the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer] and the gentleman from California's [Mr. Riggs] charter schools amendment.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I express my sympathies and prayers to the Capps family and the constituents of the 22d District of California. Mr. Speaker, John Kennedy once said, I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit. We will not have to wait for the dust to settle on the work of this great giant, Walter Capps, to understand and to remember the contribution he made to lifting the human spirit of this great body of Congress. He brought a sense of spirituality to this body and was a model of integrity and generosity, indeed, a decorated soldier for humanity. The 15th verse of the 116th Psalm, Mr. Speaker, reads that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Oh, what a sight Walter Capps must be.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Nussle] for yielding time to me, and certainly my chairman, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel]. I rise hopefully not to the chagrin of the gentleman from Iowa, but in support of the Rangel substitute. Mr. Speaker, this proposal addresses one of the most basic and perhaps pressing needs facing this Nation today, the lack of adequate facilities within which to educate our future policymakers and firefighters and doctors and lawyers in this Nation. Mr. Speaker, we should not allow our children to wait any longer. When I hear my friends on the other side of the aisle assert passionately the need to create reasonable opportunities for young people to learn, I am forced to agree. But common sense tells us that this cannot happen if they do not have decent school buildings and infrastructure in which to learn. The Rangel substitute is not a radical measure. This proposal seeks simply to lighten the burden on those who would utilize bond financing for teacher training, for curriculum development and infrastructure improvements. Mr. Speaker, this body not long ago passed the Juvenile Justice Act, which makes it easier to arrest 13-year-olds and send them to adult prisons. As one of this body's youngest Members, I would urge my colleagues to support this substitute, allow those young people an opportunity and do what is best for America's future. Again, I thank the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Nussle] and thank my chairman.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 515 and 516, I was unavoidably detained. On rollcall 515 I would have voted: ``no''; On rollcall 516 I would have voted: ``yes''.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf], the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation of the Committee on Appropriations, for a colloquy regarding the Memphis International Airport. Mr. Speaker, the Senate report accompanying S. 1048, the Senate version of the fiscal year 1998 Transportation appropriations bill, included a recommendation that the FAA issue a letter of intent to the Memphis International Airport for reconstruction and extension of runway 18C/36C, a project vitally important to my region's capacity to remain a force in tomorrow's competitive marketplace. However, my understanding is that this recommendation was not included in the conference report, based on erroneous information that may have been conveyed to staff by the Department of Transportation. Is that the gentleman's understanding?

Mr. FORD. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership, and certainly his willingness to address this problem, and for his clarification that indeed Memphis International Airport should receive the same consideration for a letter of intent as the six other airports listed in the statement of managers on H.R. 2169.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take the opportunity to recognize FedEx Corp. for its $1 million donation to the National Digital Library Program at the Library of Congress. As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Library of Congress is the world's largest library, with a collection of more than 111 million items, which until recently was only available to those who could visit its hallowed halls. Thanks to recent advancements in technology, however, that has all begun to change. Over the last 7 years the Library has been able to begin digitizing a wide array of its archives, ranging from Civil War photographs and panoramic maps to Thomas Edison's early films and Walt Whitman's writings. Moreover, since 1994, when the National Digital Library Program was launched, these and other invaluable historical documents have been available via the World Wide Web to millions of people across the globe, including elementary and secondary students right here in America. And thanks to FedEx's generous gift last week, even more of this priceless information will become widely accessible in the next century. It goes without saying that the residents of Memphis and the mid- South region are extremely fortunate to have a corporate partner in their community that is lead by an innovative and visionary chairman, Fred Smith, who recognizes the nexus between technology and education. Mr. Speaker, FedEx understands that if this Nation is to compete and win in tomorrow's marketplace--driven and dominated by digitalization, deregulation, diversity, and globalization--then we must develop a workforce that is more highly skilled and computer literate than ever before. By donating resources to ensure that every young person with access to a computer can be exposed to the world of ideas, FedEx is helping to fulfill its role as a partner with its community and the Federal Government. The challenge now is for Congress to step up to the plate and muster the political will and resources to partner with States and the private sector to rebuild and computerize every schoolhouse in America, so our young people can lead this Nation from what has been to what can be in the new millennium.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, the recently concluded 1997 regular session of the 100th Tennessee General Assembly took a very historic and symbolic action. On April 2, 1997, both the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 32, ``to post- ratify Amendment 15 to the Constitution of the United States of America guaranteeing the right of citizens to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude''. On April 8, 1997, the Governor of Tennessee officially signed House Joint Resolution 32. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Constitution's 15th amendment is a fundamental legacy from the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. While the 13th amendment abolished slavery in 1865, and the 14th amendment defined citizenship by 1868, it was not until the 15th amendment came along in 1870 that the right to cast a vote was extended to African-American males uniformly in all regions of the Nation. Of course, the 19th amendment, ratified in 1920, further extended ballot access to females of all ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Speaker, up until just this year, Tennessee was the only State-- which had been in the Union both well before the 15th amendment was proposed and long after it had gained ratification in 1870--to have never gone on record, albeit symbolically, in support of this vital section of our Nation's highest legal document. As a matter of fact, a resolution specifically denouncing the 15th amendment was adopted by the 36th Tennessee General Assembly in 1870 and that resolution of rejection had remained Tennessee's only official pronouncement on the matter for the ensuing 127 years. But this embarrassing chapter of history was duly remedied when House Joint Resolution 32 was presented last spring in the Tennessee House of Representatives by the Honorable Tommie F. Brown of Chattanooga, who was joined by the other 15 members of the legislative black caucus as cosigners. Subsequently, all remaining members of both chambers of the general assembly added their names to House Joint Resolution 32 as cosigners. To appropriately document this notable correction of history, I respectfully ask that the full text of House Joint Resolution 32 be inserted in the Congressional Record immediately following my remarks. After that, I request that an article appearing in the April 21, 1997, issue of Jet magazine, reporting on Tennessee's action, likewise be placed in the Record. And, finally, to recognize the person who discovered and confirmed this historical omission, and who labored to bring it to the attention of my State's 16 African-American lawmakers, I would like to have entered in the Record the full text of a proclamation executed in the city of Nashville on April 28, 1997, and cosigned by the Speaker of the Tennessee House and by all members of the Tennessee legislative black caucus, which pays tribute to Mr. Gregory D. Watson of Texas, a constitutional scholar of some renown. The material follow: State of Tennessee House Joint Resolution No. 32 By Representatives Brown, Brooks, Bowers, Langster, Armstrong, Towns, Ulysses Jones, Pruitt, Miller, Larry Turner, Cooper, Lois DeBerry, John DeBerry, Arriola, Beavers, Bird, Bittle, Bone, Boner, Boyer, Buck, Burchett, Caldwell, Chumney, Clabough, Ralph Cole, Ronnie Cole, Cross, Curtiss, Davidson, Davis, Dunn, Eckles, Farguson, Fitzhugh, Ford, Fowlkes, Fraley, Garrett, Givens, Godsey, Goins, Gunnels, Haley, Halteman Harwell, Hargett, Hargrove, Hasell, Head, Hicks, Hood, Huskey, Jackson, Sherry Jones, Kent, Kernell, Kerr, Kisber, Lewis, Maddox, McAfee, McDaniel, McDonald, McKee, McMillan, Mumpower, Newton, Odom, Patton, Phelan, Phillips, Pinion, Pleasant, Rhinehart, Ridgeway, Rinks, Ritchie, Roach, Robinson, Sands, Sargent, Scroggs, Sharp, Stamps, Stulce, Tidwell, Tindell, Brenda Turner, Walker, Walley, West, Westmoreland, White, Whitson, Williams, Windle, Winningham, Wood and Mr. Speaker Haifeh; and Senators Atchley, Burks, Carter, Cohen, Cooper, Crowe, Crutchfield, Davis, Dixon, Elsea, Ford, Fowler, Gilbert, Graves, Harper, Haun, Haynes, Henry, Herron, Jordan, Koella, Kurita, Kyle, Leatherwood, McNally, Miller, Person, Ramsey, Rochelle, Springer, Williams, Womack and Mr. Speaker Wilder. A Resolution to post-ratify Amendment 15 to the Constitution of the United States of America guaranteeing the right of citizens to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Whereas, on February 26, 1869, the Fortieth Congress of the united States of America, at its third session, by a two- thirds (2/3) majority of both Houses, submitted to the legislatures of the several states for ratification a proposal to amend the Constitution of the United States of America in the following words, to wit: ``amendment 15 ``Section 1. The right of citizens of the united States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. ``Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''; and Whereas, by proclamation of Federal Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, dated March 30, 1870 (16 Stat. 1131-2), this proposed amendment to the United States Constitution was officially declared to have been duly ratified by the legislatures of the constitutionally-required margin of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the several states, there being at the time 37 states in the Union; and Whereas, after Amendment 15 had made its way into our Nation's highest law in early 1870, the legislatures of five other states which had been in the Union prior to its adoption--but which, like Tennessee, had not approved the amendment--post-ratified it, many years after 1870, as follows: Delaware in 1901 (Senate Joint Resolution No. 13); Oregon in 1959 (Senate Joint Resolution No. 7); California in 1962 (Senate Joint Resolution No. 9); Maryland in 1973 (Senate Joint Resolution No. 56); Kentucky in 1976 (House [Joint] Resolution No. 75); and Whereas, for the past 21 years, Tennessee has stood alone as the only State in the Union, both well before Amendment 15 was proposed and long after it was adopted, whose legislature has never placed its own unique imprimatur upon these fundamental two sentences of the United States Constitution; now, therefore, Be it Resolved by the house of Representatives of the one Hundredth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the Senate concurring, That Amendment 15 to the United States Constitution, quoted above, is hereby post-ratified by the Tennessee General Assembly. Be it further Resolved, That House Joint Resolution No. 98 (Act ``Number LXXX'') of the Thirty-Sixth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, in which Amendment 15 was rejected by the Tennessee House of Representatives and by the Tennessee Senate, be hereby revoked, repealed, and utterly rescinded. Be it further Resolved, That a properly inscribed copy of this Resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of State of Tennessee to the Archivist of the United States, Washington, D.C., in compliance with Pub. L. 98-497. Be it further Resolved, That properly inscribed copies of this Resolution be individually transmitted by the Secretary of State of Tennessee to each of the following persons in Washington, D.C. with the respectful request that this Resolution be published in the Congressional Record: the Vice-President of the United States, as presiding officer of the United States Senate; the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate; the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; and the Parliamentarian of the United States House of Representatives. Adopted: April 2, 1997. Jimmy Naifeh, Speaker, House of Representatives. John S. Wilder, Speaker of the Senate. Approved this 8th day of April 1997. Don Sundquist, Governor.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi] for yielding me the time, and certainly to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay] and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey], and even to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter]. I rise today to express strong opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Hoekstra], my colleague and friend. I think this amendment and the debate over national testing really go to the heart of a very serious question: ``What role should the Federal Government play in educating our Nation's children?'' It is mind-boggling in many ways to listen to my friend, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Collins], talk about a power grab in education when the Federal Government spends less than 7 percent of moneys we spend on educating elementary and secondary students in this Nation. I would say to my friend, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Collins], and those on the other side of the aisle, that this is a national security issue. When we look at schools here in this District of Columbia and throughout America that are crumbling, without air-conditioning, without proper wiring to bring technology into the classroom, these are our future workers, our future State lawmakers. Since it is clear that you all have an affinity for the State and State lawmakers, these are the future State lawmakers that you choose to devolve power to. These are the future scientists and astronauts and pastors and business people. We have an obligation here at the Federal level to reach out to teachers and to parents and to communities to ensure that they educate our young people. Oppose this amendment. And I appeal to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Hoekstra] to withdraw his amendment.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I want to salute the leadership of the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs] and certainly my dear friend, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer], and those on the Committee on Appropriations for having the vision and certainly the innovative spirit to recognize the importance and the invaluable work that charter schools are, the invaluable impact, really, that charter schools are having in communities around this Nation. I certainly thank the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] and the leadership on the other side for readily accepting this amendment. But I would say to all of my colleagues, particularly those on the other side of the aisle, that the exuberance and certainly the feeling of victory and triumph that saturates both sides right now, I would hope that we would also pay some close attention to some of the other challenges that many of the school districts in this Nation are facing. I speak from the Ninth District in Tennessee, Mr. Chairman, where many of our students even today are being let out at noon because they have no air conditioning in their schools. At 7 a.m., classrooms where they are trying to teach algebra and basic English and basic science, the temperature is stifling, 96, 97, and 98 degrees. These are our future leaders, our future public policy leaders, our future pastors, our future policemen and firemen. We owe them what we give really to other issues in our budget, whether it is the B-2 or other expensive items that all of us deem necessary. I would hope that we would recognize that as we talk about moving this country into a new millennium, as we talk about taking this Nation from what has been to what can be, that we will invest in those areas which will allow our institutions and our systems to educate our future leaders. Again, I salute the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer] and the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs] for their leadership, and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] and the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston].

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I certainly want to thank again the distinguished ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey], the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter], and even the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], and all of those who worked on this amendment, and my dear friend, the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs]. Mr. Chairman, I would say I rise in support of the agreement that has been reached. The whole school reform effort, as we have heard from Members attesting today, has had a profound and, in many ways, enormous positive impact on districts throughout this Nation. I speak with personal point from the Ninth District in Tennessee, at Charjean Elementary, principaled by Ms. King, and certainly Manor Lake by Mr. Woladin, and Mr. Harrison at Dunn Elementary. They have experienced tremendous success using the Success for All model, resulting in improved reading scores and math scores, and even parental involvement from parents throughout the community. One of the great things about the whole school reform initiative, Mr. Chairman, and I say this to my dear colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs], is that it empowers teachers and certainly school administrators and parents, and it incorporates high standards, and at the same time that it provides us all autonomy, it also calls for more accountability. So I applaud the agreement that has been reached, and would certainly say we are well on our way to preparing a new generation of workers, a new generation of scientists and astronauts, and those who will help lead this great Nation into the next millennium. Again, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey]), the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs], and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter], for their leadership on this issue and other educational matters.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to praise the men and women of NASA, and to applaud the vision and leadership of NASA Administrator Dan Golden. The landing of the Pathfinder explorer on Mars and the subsequent exploration by the Sojourner rover, named after that great American hero, Sojourner Truth, demonstrates that the United States is the global leader in science, technology, and space exploration. It is especially fitting, Mr. Speaker, that the United States is making one of its most substantial achievements in space at the same time that President Clinton is expanding NATO, our most successful military alliance in contemporary history. In 1960, at the height of the cold war, President Kennedy challenged the Nation to send a man to the Moon by the end of the decade. Spurred by strategic competition with the Soviet Union, we met that challenge. Today, however, Mr. Speaker, the cold war is over, but the challenge to inspire our people in the national interest still exists today. If we expect to build on the successes of the Pathfinder mission and to make NATO a success well into the 21st century, we must recommit ourselves to educating our people, educating our young people, and educating those who are going off to college. A national commitment to education will enable us to produce the scientists, engineers, astronauts, and diplomats that will ensure our national security and make future space exploration a reality.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, there seems to be an unsettling frustration and even a palpable consternation on the other side of the House. My Republican colleagues do not seem to be able to accept the fact that we Democrats support tax relief, and tax relief for all working Americans. I think it is a historic moment here in this House when people on both sides of the aisle can come to that consensus. The problem or the issue or the dilemma, Mr. Speaker, is that Democrats seek to provide tax relief to all working Americans. I would agree that wealthy Americans deserve a tax cut. But do they deserve the bulk of the tax cut and the tax relief? The American people resoundingly reject that, I say to my Republican colleagues. We are living in a time where 80 percent of all jobs in the next century will require some form of computer literacy. Seventy-five percent of all jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. I would appeal to my Republican colleagues that at this historic moment, as a new Member of Congress, let us forge a new beginning as we move into this next century. Let us find common ground for all working Americans. One would think that they would have learned from the disaster aid relief bill that they were wrong. One would think they would learn from the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight with the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton] that they were wrong. Do the right thing for the American people, provide tax relief for working Americans. Let Democrats come together and work on behalf of American families.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, today as we debate this tax relief package I think what we clearly see is Democrats and Republicans both want tax relief, but the issue boils down to those who work, play by the rules here in America and believe in the American dream, that they too deserve a tax break. They too have the right and should have the privilege to know that their children will go to schools with roofs over their heads, with air-conditioning in their schools, and will have the opportunity to go to college if indeed they work hard and play by the rules. Mr. Chairman, I salute the hard work that the President, the Republicans, and the Democrats put forth on this bill, but I say to my colleagues as a new Member, we have heard the debate about middle class and rich Americans and poor Americans, but let us give a tax break to those who get up and go to work every day. Let us not put a value on work. Who are we to decide what workers and what Americans will get a tax break because we do not feel they earn enough or contribute enough to the American economy? I say to my friends in this Chamber, Democrats and Republicans alike, do it for the next generation. Give tax relief to those American who get up every day, work hard and play by the rules.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose this resolution. The debate today comes down to two simple questions: Will we choose to isolate China, or will we remain actively engaged with China through trade and economic cooperation? The 20th century will be recorded as the American century Mr. Speaker, because as a nation, we led the world in trade, in human rights and in international cooperation. If we expect to lay claim to the 21st century, as we did the 20th, we must engage China--a nation which will emerge as one of the most powerful in the world. There is no doubt that China has serious human rights problems that must be addressed. But there are more effective means to address these concerns without hurting American jobs, such as, implementing targeted sanctions and enforcing existing international trade laws. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, maintaining normal trade relations, which is all MFN does, provides America with a meaningful forum to influence important human rights issues. Tomorrow's marketplace will be shaped by the forces of technology and globalization. Studies tell us that in the 21st century, 90 percent of today's kindergarten students will be working in jobs that do not exist today. Many of these jobs will be export driven, and many of these exports will go to China. If America disengages from China, our ability to compete in that global marketplace will be undermined. I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.