Harold Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, it is with some pain and some chagrin as a friend of this administration, as a Democrat that I rise to say and really to echo the comments of some of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, namely, my leader in the House and my leader in the Senate. For the President by his own admission has lied. He has lied about a situation that many in America have said perhaps justified---- Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. FORD. Well, I say this to my friend and my leader and my party. I would urge the President to come clean at this point. For he has admitted that he has lied. He has disappointed us in his party and disappointed many in this Nation. For it is difficult for those of us in this party and those of us in this House to continue to give the President the benefit of the doubt. Mr. President, please come clean.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably detained and missed the following rollcall votes: Rollcall No. 417--H.R. 678, Thomas Alva Edison Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act; Rollcall No. 418--H.R. 1560, Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act; and Rollcall No. 419--H. Res. 459, Commemorating 50 Years of Relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall Nos. 417, 418, and 419.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to search their conscience and to support a campaign finance bill that will truly restore some confidence to our political system. I worked with both the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson) who have earned the respect and admiration and praise that we have showered upon them today, but I will reluctantly not support the bill in order to advance the Shays-Meehan effort. I do this because I refuse to be a party to those who are sponsoring and leading an effort to use the freshman bill to kill reform. I urge a ``present'' vote on the freshman bill not because it represents artificial reform as some on both sides of the aisle have argued but because it has now become a tool for those in this body who want to kill reform once and for all. I say to my freshman colleagues, let us not forget how we arrived at this moment. For authorship does not translate into ownership or leadership, it merely represents a component. For we helped this body, we helped Democrats, our leadership and their leadership arrive at this moment and we should take credit, if not all, certainly partial credit for that effort. For we helped inject the energy and a new product into this debate. For that we ought to be proud. It is because we want, as others have so eloquently stated, to restore integrity and confidence to the policymaking process, because we want to see money limited in terms of its pervasive influence in this process that we worked so diligently. For Shays-Meehan includes everything we saw in the freshman bill and more. For the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen), for the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), for the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), for the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher), for the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson), who all who worked on this bill, you ought to stand tall and stand proud, for American history is about to be made and we in the freshman class will help usher it in. I thank the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) for his leadership. I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson) for his leadership. I urge my colleagues to vote ``present'' on the freshman bill.

Mr. FORD

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

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Hutchinson-Barr- Bryant amendment and rise in strong support of including the Conyers amendment, the Conyers perfecting amendment. I would say that I bring a bit of personal experience to this as well. I am saddened to have heard what happened to my new friend and my father's friend over the years, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade).

Mr. FORD. As a matter of fact, my father was indicted some several years back by one of the prosecutors working with counsel Starr, Hickman Ewing. After 5 years of investigating, several years, one trial, a second trial, abuse by the Justice Department, simply trampling the rights of an individual, another Member of Congress, I cannot tell you the pain that it exacted on my family and my father personally. Fortunately and blessedly, we were able to survive. But plentiful and often times it seemed exhaustless resources of the Federal Government, for prosecutors not to be reined in, not to have to comply with some sense of ethical conduct, Mr. Chairman, I submit to you it is un- American. I submit to my friends on the other side, no matter how noble their wanting to strike this provision might be, we have American rights, we have American liberties. And whether or not they choose to agree with the person's politics, whether it is on President Clinton's part with Ken Starr, whether it is a Republican that disagrees with a Republican or a Democrat with a Republican, it is unfair to trample people's lives.

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, all of the legal arguments have been stated quite coherently and cogently by members of the Committee on the Judiciary and even have been challenged by Members on the other side of the aisle. I would side with those who support the McDade-Murtha provision and certainly even side with the ranking member on the Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), in his efforts to perfect the provision. I would say in addition to all that has been said, and not to be redundant, not to repeat what has been said by those who spoke so eloquently, including my dear friends the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski), that we are also faced with a public relations challenge as well. One of the reasons that so many around this Nation distrust and mistrust politicians, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) spoke about the district in which the jurors were pooled from in the trial of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade), where 70 percent of those in that area thought that we were all crooks or thought that politicians were crooks, when you look at a Justice Department that is allowed to really run amuck, to trample the rights of individuals, to trample the civil liberties of individuals all in the quest for a conviction, all in the quest for fulfilling an agenda that they may have personally set and that they personally believe that this person or group of persons might be guilty of a crime, which sometimes might be the case, all we are asking for, Mr. Chairman, and I say to my friends who are sponsoring this amendment and those who I have a personal relationship with who are sponsoring the striking of this provision, is that our prosecutors have to behave and have to follow a certain set of ethical standards. There is nothing unusual, nothing bizarre, nothing un-American, about what is being asked, for all that we are asking for prosecutors, Federal and State, around this Nation to do is follow a set of standards, the highest set of standards. My dear friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), a former prosecutor and a dear freshman colleague, I think stated it perhaps best. There is no greater power in this democracy than the power that our prosecutors in this great America have; for they deserve it but they should also be checked and it also should be tempered. For the individual cases and examples, we have heard the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) and my father and others here in this body. But let us protect every American, not just those in this House of Representatives. And certainly this provision allows us to do that.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) for yielding this time to me. Madam Speaker, I rise today serving on both of the committees, and I thank my leadership for these assignments as a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. I serve on this oversight investigations committee and have had a firsthand view at how we have conducted ourselves as committee members and, more importantly, how the chairman of this subcommittee has conducted this committee. This Congress has spent more than 20 or close to $20 million on 50 investigations, 50 different investigations. Ken Starr Dan Burton, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Goodling); all of them have something in common, for they go after their political enemies. For, as we rise today, those on this side of the aisle, and I would hope that we would be joined by some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, asking simply for fairness, asking simply for us to follow the rules in which this Congress, and as a first-term Member I am not privy nor do I have practical experience in all the rules of this Body, but I do know my history: Madam Speaker, the extraordinary power our colleagues seek to grant this committee, we set precedent by giving it to the committee of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton). The gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) spoke so eloquently about the abuses on that committee. I would urge and caution my very dear friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) to pay close attention to how that committee conducted itself, to pay close attention to all the abuses and failures of that committee. We can get to the bottom of this Teamsters' investigation by simply following the rules. I concur with my dear friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) and all of my colleagues on this side of the aisle and hopefully some on their side of the aisle who firmly believe that we can, indeed, do our job, and I might add that we have spent $2 million, and I would ask that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) ask the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) to provide us with the correct and accurate accounting of what we have spent. Then perhaps we can move from that point, I say to my colleagues, and make some valid and accurate decisions about where we go.

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

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3000.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, on the dates of July 16-24, 1998, I missed the following votes due to personal business: On July 16, 1998 Rollcall No. 288, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Ms. DeLauro (D-CT), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 289, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Hefner (D-NC), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 290, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Ms. Lowey (D-NY), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 291, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Sanders (I-VT), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 292, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Smith (R-NJ), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 293, H.R. 4104, Treasury, Postal Service, Executive Office and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, Passage, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 294, H.R. 3731, Steve Schiff Auditorium Designation, Passage, I would have voted ``aye.'' On July 17, 1998 Rollcall No. 295, H.R. 4194, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Stokes (D-OH), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 296, H.R. 4194, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Lazio (R-NY), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 297, H.R. 3874, Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Amendments of 1998, Passage, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 298, H. Con. Res. 208, Expressing the Sense of Congress Regarding Access to Affordable Housing and Expansion of Homeownership Opportunities, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 299, H. Res. 392, Relating to the Importance of Japanese-American Relations, I would have voted ``aye.'' On July 20, 1998 Rollcall No. 300, H. Con. Res. 301, Affirming the U.S. Commitment to Taiwan, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 301, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. Wicker (R-MS) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 302, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. Stearns (R-FL) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 303, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. Pickering (R-MS) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 304, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. DeLay (R-TX) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 305, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. McInnes (R-CO) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 306, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. Paxon (R-NY) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 307, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Mr. Hefley (R-CO) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 308, H.R. 2183, Campaign Finance Reform, amendment by Ms. Northup (R-KY) to Shays Substitute, I would have voted ``nay.'' On July 21, 1998 Rollcall No. 309, Motion to Adjourn, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 310, H. Res. 504, Providing for Consideration of H.R. 4193--Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, Ordering the Previous Question, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 311, H. Res. 504, Providing for Consideration of H.R. 4193--Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, Agreeing to the Resolution, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 312, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Ms. Johnson (R-CT), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 313, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Skaggs (D-CO), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 314, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Sanders (VT), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 315, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. McGovern (D-MA), I would have voted ``aye.'' On July 22, 1998 Rollcall No. 317, H.J. Res. 121, To Disapprove Most-Favored-Nation Treatment to China, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 318, H.R. 1689, Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 319, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Parker (R-MS), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 320, H.R. 4193, Interior FY99 Appropriations Act, amendment by Mr. Miller (D-CA), I would have voted ``aye.'' On July 23, 1998 Rollcall No. 321, H.R. 1122, Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, Motion to Discharge the Committee, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 322, H.R. 3616, National Defense Authorization for FY99, Motion to Instruct Conferees, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 323, H.R. 3616, National Defense Authorization for FY99, Closing Portions of the Conference, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 325, H.R. 1122, Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, Passage, Objections of the President Notwithstanding, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 326, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. DeFazio (D-OR), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 327, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. McDermott (D-WA), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 328, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. Hinchey (D-NY), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 329, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. Miller (D-CA), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 330, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. Pappas (R-NY), I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 331, H.R. 4193, Interior Appropriations for FY99, Passage, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 332, H.R. 4194, VA-HUD Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. Obey (D-WI), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 334, H.R. 4194, VA-HUD Appropriations for FY99, amendment by Mr. Waxman (D-CA), I would have voted ``aye.'' On July 24, 1998 Rollcall No. 335, H.Res. 509, Providing for Consideration of H.R. 4250, the Patient Protection Act, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 336, H.R. 4250, the Patient Protection Act, Substitute amendment by Mr. Dingell (D-MI), I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 337, H.R. 4250, the Patient Protection Act, On Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair, I would have voted ``nay.'' Rollcall No. 338, H.R. 4250, the Patient Protection Act, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, I would have voted ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 339, H.R. 4250, the Patient Protection Act, Passage, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the memory of international--acclaimed gospel music recording artist Minister O'landa Draper, whose recent death at the age of thirty-four has marked a tragic loss for the city of Memphis, Tennessee, the music industry, and humankind. The growth and evolution of this twentieth century psalmist has its roots in the richest tradition of Memphis music. O'landa Draper's phenomenal musical talents were recognized by his mother, Marie Draper, and others early in his childhood. In order to prepare for what he knew to be his calling in life, O'landa studies at Overton Performing Arts High under the director of his mentor, Ms. Lula Hedgemon. It was here that he first directed and led a choir, a skill which he continued to develop at the University of Memphis, directing the University's Gospel Choir. At the age of twenty-two with these experiences, O'landa set out on his own and formed a twelve member gospel choir known as ``O'landa Draper and the Associates.'' From that point, O'landa Draper's reputation as an innovative arranger, composer, and musician catapulted him into the heights of the gospel music industry. Most notably, his demonstrative, energetic method of choir direction became a signature style which changed the face of the musical genre of contemporary Gospel. ``O'landa Draper and the Associates'' played a significant role in the development of a creative revival of the gospel music industry. The heightened exposure and renewed appeal of gospel music attracted a new generation of fans. Minister Draper was a five-time Grammy nominee and a Dove, Vision, and Stellar award winner. A member of he Board of Governors for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Minister Draper performed for Presidents Carter, Bush, and Clinton, and for the 1994 Grammy Awards show. Some of the most esteemed members of the gospel and secular music industries recorded and performed with Minister Draper because of his dynamism, excellence and creativity. With only six albums to their credit, ``O'landa Draper and the Associates'' has already set an international standard for gospel music choirs. O'landa's is a message of love, that defined the invigorating life of this ordained Church of God in Christ minister. His efforts to reach out to the distressed communities of this nation were evidenced by his support for AIDS victims and teenage mothers. His humanitarianism shown brightly with his established scholarship fund and financial support of homeless shelters. His love of God illuminated the lives of many as he shared the beautiful precepts of faith and hope through the wondrous gift of song. His voice has now joined the heavenly choir to sing before the throne of our God forever, in that place where trouble shall cease and joy shall have no end. For his life and magnanimous contributions to the community, Mr. Speaker, I would ask you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join with me in honoring the memory of this champion of God's crusade Minister O'landa Draper.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, Each of the last two years, Mr. Speaker, I have witnessed over 5,000 young people in my district stand in line for the chance to apply for a summer job. And unfortunately, each year, at least 3,000 of these young people have been turned away because of a lack of resources--despite $2.8 million of federal funding per/year and local government and private sector support. So instead of waking-up each morning for eight weeks out of the summer and being exposed to the rigors, habits, and rewards of work, thousands of young people in my district--mostly 15, 16, and 17 years olds--have had little more to do than hang-out on the streets looking for ways to keep themselves entertained and occupied. So I rise today, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the thousands of young people in my district and countless others across America, to express my deep concern and frustration over the decision last week by the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee to report-out a bill that will, among other things, eliminate $871 million in federal funding for summer youth employment programs. How, I ask, do my colleagues on the other side of the aisle expect our young people to develop an appreciation of the value and importance of education and work, if all they see is Congress appropriating money to build more prison cells, but not to air condition schools or provide summer jobs? Mr. Speaker, when, and if, anyone has an answer to my question, I, along with the thousands of young people in my district, would love to hear it.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 24, 1998, I was present on the House floor during rollcall vote No. 264--final passage of H.R. 4104, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1999. To my knowledge, I voted on final passage of H.R. 4104. Apparently, my vote was not recorded. Had my vote been recorded, it would have been ``aye.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 16, 1998, I was unavoidably detained on official business and missed the following rollcall votes: No. 232 and No. 233. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 232 and ``aye'' on rollcall No. 233. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 17, 1998, I was unavoidably detained at the White House and missed rollcall vote No. 234. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 234.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring an accomplished young man from Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Elliot Robson. As a student at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Elliot has excelled in all of his subjects, but he has developed exceptional competence in history. This week, Mr. Robson is participating in the National History Day Competition at University of Maryland at College Park where he is competing with approximately 78 of his peers for the Senior Individual Exhibit Award. This national competition is the culmination of a rigorous set of contests at the local and state level where middle, junior, and high school students conduct primary research, write papers, and prepare media presentations on significant historical events. National History Day is the product of a year-long educational program aimed at fostering achievement and intellectual growth among students from all backgrounds and regions of the nation. This year, the National History Day theme is ``Migrations in History: People, Ideas, Culture.'' Mr. Robson chose to study Jewish immigration, a topic about which he gained knowledge during his education at Beth Sholom Religious School. Mr. Robson is to be commended for his success. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring an individual who through his efforts in this competition has demonstrated exceptional educational achievement. I urge Mr. Robson to continue to build upon this strong educational base and to continue to provide a model for other students around the country. Please join me in commending Mr. Robson and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. To my dear friend, the chairman of the Ways and Means, I would remind him, as he talks about special interests, that it was yesterday in the United States Senate where our majority leader in the Senate and others rejected a tobacco bill that was sponsored by Mr. McCain and which many Democrats and Republicans had worked so tirelessly on. It was special interests, namely cigarette makers, that caused us to reject that bill and might cause us to retard public health efforts on behalf of children in this Nation. But I rise in opposition to this conference report. I would agree with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that reform is needed sorely in our public school system, in our education system in America. But if we listen to educators and we listen to parents and we listen to students, they talk tirelessly about the need to have more teachers in schools, about reducing class sizes. I come from a district where the average class size is 35 pupils per teacher. I come from a district where, in the final 2 weeks of school, 3 dozen schools had to close early because they had no air- conditioning. The only reason they stayed open for half the day was to still qualify for funding, Mr. Speaker, for state funding for their school system for the following year. Without a doubt, all we are talking about as Democrats will not solve all the problems. But, clearly, savings accounts will not do it alone. Thomas Jefferson said that any Nation which expects to be free and ignorant at the same time, expects what never was and never will be. Let us work together, Democrats and Republicans, and do what is right for our kids, do what is right for parents, do what is right for America.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives pay tribute to Colonel Gregory G. Bean. Since 1995, Colonel Bean has served with distinction as the District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District in Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District. As a result of his outstanding leadership, technical competence and commitment to excellence, the Memphis District has effectively and efficiently executed its flood control, navigation and environmental missions. During his tenure, Colonel Bean managed a number of projects that will have lasting benefits for the people of Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District and the nation. These projects include the Nonconnah Creek Flood Control project, the Wolf River environmental restoration and flood control study, and flood control and navigation maintenance on the Mississippi River, the Wolf River Harbor and the McKellar Lake Harbor. In addition to his accomplishments as an engineer, Colonel Bean also possesses considerable management-employee relations skills. After assuming his post, he worked hard to cultivate a relationship of mutual trust and respect among the employees and management of the Memphis District. As a result, Local 259 of the National Federation of Federal Employees nominated Colonel Bean for a Society of Federal Labor Relations Professionals award for having the most improved labor/ management relationship. In May, Colonel Bean was selected from a large number of nominees for the award. Although Colonel Bean will be missed by all who had the privilege to work or be associated with him, I am confident that his legacy will continue. In July, Colonel Bean will assume the post of Deputy Director of the Maneuver Support Battle Lab in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring an individual who has throughout his career demonstrated through deed, courage and strong leadership that he is a professional soldier and an outstanding engineer.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, today, I will introduce a sense of the Congress resolution in the House calling on the President to use the imposing power of his office to make the issue of school violence a top priority in the United States. In the last year alone, at least a dozen students and teachers have been killed, and many more wounded, by young people who have come to school with guns rather than books. And until recently, few if any Americans, ever could have imagined or expected that such shootings would become common place. The incidents in the last year demonstrate that school violence is not an isolated problem--confined only to poor schools or forgotten neighborhoods. In fact these communities have struggled with this problem for years. It is a problem that is plaguing urban, rural and suburban communities alike. It is an American problem. Nor is this a manufactured crisis as some have claimed. According to the National School Safety Center, the number of persons who have died in school violence incidents has increased 30% over last year. As a public policy maker, I wish that new laws and regulations alone could bring an end to these tragedies. Rather the solution, like the problem runs much deeper. My resolution simply calls upon the President to use his bully pulpit to bring together those who can make a difference on this issue. First, it urges the President to initiate a series of town meetings with school superintendents, principals, students and parents to explore solutions to the problem. Second, I am asking the President to call upon States and local communities to improve communication between law enforcement officials and students, parents, and teachers by establishing violence prevention hotlines to inform law enforcement officials when threats of violence are made at schools. A phone call from one student who heard Kip Kinkel's threats may have saved lives. The same is true for every other fatal shooting that has occurred over the past year. If a school violence hotline saves one life, then these hotlines will be worth the time, effort and expense. Currently the resolution has 6 original cosponsors. I am also pleased that the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the largest union in the AFL-CIO has endorsed this resolution and I look forward to working with other national school advocacy organizations on this issue. The President has eloquently expressed his sympathy and concern over the recent shootings in Springfield, Oregon, and I believe his leadership on this issue would serve to galvanize communities to establish this and other effective violence prevention programs in our nation's schools.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, the FCC is on the verge of halting the collection of money for a new program to help wire schools and libraries to the internet thru the e-rate provisions of the universal service fund. Let me begin with a few facts: 1. The Universal Service Fund is older than Social Security. Yes Mr. Speaker it is older than our most venerated entitlement program. 2. The 1996 Telecommunications Act extended the generations old Universal Service program to include schools and libraries. This is a matter of law. 3. Long distance phone rates are at their lowest point ever. 4. Access charge reductions to phone companies--part of the ``deal'' that resulted in the 1996 Telecom Act--have totalled 2.4 billion over the last 11 months--well above the $2 billion estimated demand for discounts in the Schools and Libraries Corporation. 5. The Schools & Libraries Corporations has 14 employees, smaller than the vast majority of Congressional staffs. Now: through all the myths, propaganda, and nonsense that is being spread about the E-rate and Schools and Libraries Corporation--myths these facts are meant to dispel, one central fact is being neglected: Connecting schools and libraries to the Internet will benefit our children. It will benefit the children of my district and children across this nation. That is why were are here: period. I began with that simple proposition. Mr. Speaker, because we are getting bogged down in a debate that is becoming increasingly virulent, malicious, and frankly, political. We are not debating the educational interests of our children, we are cowtowing to the selfish objectives of vocal interest groups. But Mr. Speaker if politics is to stop at the schoolhouse door, then we ought to consider the needs of our students, the future taxpayers of America. Mr. Speaker: Only 27% of classrooms currently have an internet connnection--in lower income areas, only 13%. With this level of connectivity how can we expect our nation to meet our current and future labor force needs: The Commerce Department reports that 200,000 to 400,000 jobs requiring computer software skills are currently going unfilled because of a worker shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently predicted a 70% growth in computer and technology-related jobs by 2005. From 1996 to 2005, more than 1.3 million new computer scientists, engineers, and systems analysts will be needed in the U.S. to fill vacant jobs. On average, this amounts to a need of more than 136,000 workers every year. Just recently the Education & Workforce committee heard compelling testimony about this very subject. There is tremendous concern in communities across America that our schools may not have the tools needed to prepare students to work in an information intensive economy. Still, the economy grows by leaps and bounds in large part because of the role of information technology on productivity. In Tennessee, information technology has had a dramatic impact in the workplace: from transportation to medical services, information technology has created exciting new jobs opportunities for citizens across the state. Over 400,000 Tennesseans are employed in high-tech industries. The average wage for a high-tech worker in my state is estimated to be over $36,000 per year. High tech exports from the state total over 2.1 billion dollars per year. The growing importance of information technology to Tennessee and to the nation means that our students need the tools to compete and win in the 21st century. In school districts around the state educators are working hard to provide students with the educational resources that they need. The passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act and the establishing of the Schools and Libraries Corporation provided a means from the Memphis city schools district to accelerate the implementation of the district wide Networking Solution. When Networking Solutions was presented to the Memphis Board of Education the presentation culminated several years of research and planning to develop a network solution that would allow the District Technology Plan, Realizing Vision 2000 Through Technology to become a reality. The plan would create a fast, reliable, and manageable environment that provides for an integrated solution for voice, data, and video. The scope of the Networking Solution project includes several major components: school workstation cabling and writing, school infrastructure, the district wide fiber networking service fees, the Administration Building server, and the Teaching and Learning Academy server. Developed in concert with IBM, the district has implemented a network pilot project that gives the Memphis students and teachers a wide range of opportunities, such as: providing students with access virtual instructional libraries; the ability to transit and receive live, 2-way TV quality video, audio for Distance Learning, Video Conferencing, Video Broadcast, E-mail and Intranet Capability. Memphis City Schools staff have worked closely with the Council of Great City Schools, the State Department of Education, and IBM to complete applications for the e-rate discounts in order to implement the Networking Solution district wide. The first application was filed by the state on behalf of Memphis City Schools and other Tennessee districts as part of a statewide consortium. Now under the e-rate plan, the average discount percentage for Memphis is 80%. 80% Mr. Speaker!! That figure alone indicates the degree of need that prevails in my district. That need is not only characterized by a technology deficit, but by a basic infrastructure deficit that borders on the criminal. Just before the Memorial Day recess, two dozen public schools in my district were forced onto a half day schedule. Why? Because 24 schools in my district Mr. Speaker are without air conditioning! Mr. Speaker we in Congress would never dream of conducting our business in anything other than first class comfort. We wouldn't dream of giving our staffs less than the most cutting edge technology to conduct ``the people's business''. Yet we ask American children to learn in thrive in sweltering, crumbling school buildings. We pay no end of lip service to our commitment to the education of our children but we can't find one dome in a trillion dollar federal budget for school construction and infrastructure improvements!! And now, to add insult to injury, we are having a serious conversation in the United States Congress--in the people's house-- about depriving our children of yet another educational opportunity. How long Mr. Speaker, before we act like adults in this body and behave in responsible fashion toward our children. Mr. Speaker, I am the youngest member of Congress and perhaps a bit impatient. But I sincerely hope I don't have to spend my time in this body convincing my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to act like adults. If we allow the positive benefits of the e-rate, schools and libraries corporation to be nullified because of malicious, malevolent, mean-spirited, selfish politics, then shame on the phone companies, shame on this house, and pity the American people. Our performance on the Transportation bill before the recess bears witness to our enthusiasm for public works and believe me Mr. Speaker I have nothing against good roads. However, while we are happy to pave over every available acre in order to improve our transportation system we remain unwilling to invest in our public schools--from the internet to air conditioners. This Congress cares more about pavement than it does about people. The fact that we are forced to come to the floor on a Friday afternoon, when we should be at home at public school graduations, is clear evidence of that. Mr. Speaker, it is high time we get our priorities in line or we will continue to see declining test scores and inadequate academic achievement. Providing our students access to the tools of the 21st century should not be the subject of controversy--it should be the subject of enthusiastic engagement. So I encourage all my colleagues--ask yourselves this simple question: What is best for the children of your district. Will the e-rate get us there--in your hearts you known that this is true, now let's have the courage to act on that belief.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, Senator Domenici has called it a mockery, and Senator Stevens has asked us where will we get the $45 billion in discretionary cuts. My Republican colleagues, many in the Committee on the Budget, have all said these cuts are not desirable or attainable. I say to my friends in Memphis, in Cummings and Winchester and Goodland, and at Idlewilde Elementary who are graduating today, I apologize for not being there, but I assure the Members my Republican colleagues who raised this budget resolution issue last night, at 11:30 last night, is the reason I am not home. With schools crumbling around our Nation, our Republican colleagues and, I might add, even some of my Democratic colleagues are to blame as well, but we have to point the finger where the finger ought to be pointed. Republican friends of mine in the Congress, despite the fact that a Democratic President balanced the budget, lowered interest rates, lowered inflation, and lowered unemployment, instead of working together to save Social Security, to preserve those initiatives, which many of my colleagues, I look at the gentleman from California (Mr. Duke Cunningham), who serves so ably, he will move on from this Congress one day and benefit from Medicaid and Social Security. Let us preserve that first. I say to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) who said that we spend too much here in Washington on education, 95 percent of the funding and policy decisions in education in America are made at the local level. Let us do more at the Federal level to rebuild our schools, hire teachers, develop after-school programs, and prepare the next generation of Americans.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I call my colleagues attention to almost 1,800 students from Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District who want us to act immediately on a comprehensive tobacco bill. Young people have been and continue to be the targets of deceptive marketing tactics of cigarette companies and in light of the industry's most recent lobbying effort, I believe it is critical that the voices of those who are most affected by their practices be heard. It is my hope that these signatures will send a message to those who are captive to the powerful tobacco lobby that our children will no longer be manipulated into taking up the deadly habit of smoking. I ask that the attached letter to the Speaker and the names of the signers of the attached petitions be entered into the Record. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, June 4, 1998. Hon. Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: Today I am submitting to the Congressional Record the names of almost 1,800 public and private school students from Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District urging you to act immediately to bring comprehensive tobacco legislation to the floor for a vote. Since the 1950's, tobacco companies have repeatedly lied in sworn congressional testimony and public statements about the harm caused by their products and whether they intentionally marketed cigarettes to children. Most recently, the industry released more than 40,000 previously secret documents showing that nicotine is addictive. The current public health impact of tobacco on our young people is devastating. Over 4 million high school seniors are addicted to tobacco. In Tennessee, 39% of 9th--12th graders smoke cigarettes and 27% of high school boys use smokeless tobacco. 33% of young people who begin smoking while in high school will die early from a smoking related illness. As you know, the Senate is currently debating a tough and comprehensive tobacco bill, but the House hasn't held one hearing nor have you committed to bringing a bill to the full House for consideration during the 105th Congress. Our lack of action on this matter will only result in more young people becoming addicted to smoking and more smoking related illnesses in the years to come. I urge you to heed the calls from the many young people in Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District and throughout the nation to move a tough tobacco bill this year. Sincerely, Harold Ford, Jr., Member of Congress. Corry Middle School.--LaToya House, LaShanna House, Nicole Gillespie, Gwendolyn Gordon, Shanta Morris, Kyla Goliday, Angel Jackson, Serenity Washington, Monique Wilkinson, TaJuana Bratcher, Shemeka Hall, Ebony Farris, Jeremy Boyd, Richarg Payne, Liz Edwards, Michelle Taylor, Tiffany S. Young, Tiffany Harwell, Jeremy Hunt, Melvin Robinson, Krystal N. Finnie, Kevin Washington, Selena D. Coulta, Sheeria Franklin, Erica Freeman, Catarica Rodgers, Brandi Terrell, Morris Doyle, Nakia Dowdy, Kenesha Payne, Ebony Stone, Latoya Henderson, Shannon Martin, Shawn Bragg, Marquita Palmoo, Willie Simmons, Nick Anderson, Patria Bryant, Tabetha Brown, Tina Hines, Allen S. Franklin, Rapheal Poole, Cammie Thomas, Clinton Smith, Dernita Mobley, Carlos Richardson, Crystal Watson, James Boone, Cherenthia Franklin, Tikeya Morris, Toya Bond, Shekia Mouing, Carter Eugene, James Boone, Carlos Richardson, Crystal Watson, Cherenthia Franklin, LaDonna Boyd, Morris Reed, Devin Williams, Jerome Jackson, Chris Demble, Mariario Blair, Darrell Williams, Kenneth Reid, Daniel Jefferson, Cheryl Smith, Audra Carr, David Williams, Bryant Hall, Omari Benyoun, Gloyd Humphrey, Tamika Roberts, Joshua Coleman, Alisa Wesley, and Autowe Jullair. Humes Junior High School.--Patrice Matthews, Nicole Hall, Charistye Deverry, Tashieka Armour, Shirley M. Mabern, Patrice Mitchell, LaTrevon S. Ealy, Ashley N. Davis, Oneika Fowler, India Butler, Shun `Quita Martin, Ida Hunley, Shirley Renee Porter, Sharieka Williams, Joanethia Diggs, Benjamin Miles, Tarsha Nelson, Tiffany McGee, Rhonda Shelton, Kendra Meshan, Candance McKinley, Kristy Moore, Shantel Phipps, Kristy Owens, Regina Minor, Kimberly Moore, Lisa Parker, Sharee Murphey, Latoya Kelley, Shakisha Brooks, Aisha Vaughn, Doll Anderson, Nateisha Campbell, Harley Anderson, James Anderson, Chiquita Harvey, Erica Matthews, Lakesha Love, April Brown, Tracy Jones, Shayla Mennis, Casell Macklin, Montual Johnson, Derrick Hollon, Dewayne Mosley, John Hall, Thomas Moore, Jurrett Coward, Kedrick Mitchell, Marcus Jones, Cindy Mckinnie, Billy Toby, Justin J. Tucker, Alicia McKinley, Natasha McClafsky, Marcus Jones, Derrick Hollon, Carvell Lovett, Maurice Joy, Laura Jones, Timothy Coley, Billy Hubbard, Apryl Lampkin, Angel Mitchell, Tinn Legrone, Stacy Jones, Rachel Light, Torin Isaac, Jamison Jones, Tamika J., Alexandria H., Kristin Bell, LaKeshia Bowens, Alicia Beloch, Sherita Franklin, Kamisha Cobbins, Kaia Burnett, Lawrence Bridgewater, LaToya Greer, Khristina Mason, Terrell M. Moore, George Riley, Michael Edwards, Courtney Phillips, Warren Morris, Kristy Moore, Kimberly Moore, Josie Draine, Latisha Williams, Shameka Williams, Kamishilia Mathis, Kristy Owens, Lisa Parker, Stacy McCoy, Crystal Parks, Dumanic Hester, Shantel Phipps, Christal Malone, Regina Minor Emmett Jones, Kendra McShan, Colette M. Mickels, Tarsha Nelson, Crystal Brown, DeAndra Henderson, Latrice Freeman, Trista Brown, Gregory Johnson, Sandra T. Cox, Latoya Harris, Felicia Blackman, Toya Doss, Dewayne Carter, Charles Malone, Chasity Jones, Cedric Arnold, Stacy Jones, Alexander Ayers, LaTonya Laury, Marcus Bibbs, Steven Henderson, Daryl Gibson, Lisa Lang, Ashley Morris, Chezarea Myrio, Krystle Foster, Jaren L. Burks, Shenia Gathing, Deirdre Ford, Kimberly Hendree, Tiffany Cleveland, Vernon Jones, Tameka Holyfield, Steven Crawford, Rodrecus Jackson, Tekio Allen, Darron Cox, Debra Heill, Monroe Lewis, Jonathan Cohran, Darrell Macklin, Albert Hooper, Marco Lewis, Willie Macklin, Nathan Jordan, Shaunn Burks, Christopher Blakeley, Jamison Jones, Torin Isaac, and Tiffany Johnson. Chicksaw Junior High School.--Byron Clark, Curtis Mayes, Talisha Hobbs, Tamika Clayton, Coreame Wade, Shaneise Young, Tiffany Maten, Michael McClelland, LaTonya Beard, Tammy Walton, Terry Jones, John Wilson, Damien Stafford, Christine Williams, Vanita Young, Amber Earl, LaDeidra Neville, Stephanie Campbell, Vernita McKinney, Jerome J. Marion, Jr., Christina Hill, Tri'Rese Taylor, Christopher Garner, Daniel Houston, Marqueta McJemore, Shakita Williams, Claudia Afflins, Laquita Wilkins, Herbert Brooks, AnLisa Quinn, Amber Heath, Angela Brooks, Eric Clark, Gemayel Andre Jones, Kesha Surndle, Shaquita Williams, Alicia Causey, Tonya Spight, Yakesha Starks, Derrick Betts, Jennifer Crenshaw, Tiffany Hilliard, Deidre Bess, Stacey Moore, Jineane Banks, Sherry Jackson, Reninea White, Steuelle Reed, LaShaun Johnson, Lasheena Coll, Erick Hayes, Tristan Patton, Assiius Rirley, Davis Garner, Tamarcus Young, Brandon Cole, Antonio Brown, Ashley Moton, and Chasity Jones. Hamilton High School.--Kehli Bynum, Sharonda Walker, Ca'Tron Robinson, Thais K. Polk, Jeremy Watkins, Mario Albright, RaDonna Hobbs, April Potter, Candace Posey, Lakesha Omill, Oynesha Bolden, Tekesha Johnson, Sherry Heggett, Sherita Fleming, Courtney Williams, Quincey E. Martin, Jaida McKay, Kehin Mays, Tamara Britt, Shawn Partee, Marquis Shaw, Tomy Thomas, Tamika Foster, Lonnetta Wright, Frank Jones, Bryan Franklin, Shaumall Chears, Eva Mitchell, Sandra Calvin, Beltina Watkins, Lattie Jenkins, Thomas Alexander, Terrence D. Sims, Teena M. Ayers, Tita Doggett, Christine Clark, Tanesha Bates, Ericka Strong, Darrell M. Parrett, Renondia S. Patterson, Tenika R. Rose, Robert Humphrey, Angela Green, Monique Galloway, Candis Echols, Patrick Gillespie, Bruce Eason, Darrick Elliott, Beverly Deje, Tamara Edmundson, Yolanda Bruce, Sonya Johnson, Marcus Miller, Diandria B. Wash, Donald Hines, Kimberly B. Carpenter, and Ashley Williams. Hutchison School.--Catherine Folk, Grace Henderson, Sara Hester, Katie George, Rochelle Cameron, Ellen Thompson, Leslie Turley, Lindsay Caldwell, Caroline Kirkland, Lauren Schwartz, Paige Patrick, Martha Hollis, Anne Frisby, Anne Morrow, Megan Stout, Jessica Jordan, Emily Fudge, Frannie Wesberry, Micah Pioreck, Emily Cadyman, Lauren Ploch, Curry Barton, Cassie McGill, Laura Lochman, Lindsay Wallace, and Katie Siegal. Collierville Middle School.--Morgan Cox, Kristen Creasy, Natalie Rogers, Nick Ludwig, Laura Albright, Nealy Woodard, Jennifer Ekedal, Adrian Tucker, Beth Willingham, David Nelson, Susanna Williams, Emery Tubbs, Danielle Stilte, Sam White Zack McAlexander, Corey Tharker, Lauren Davis, Jermeca Lockett, Briana Worle, Jessica Willhite, Audra Butler, Katie Phillips, Jenna Crawford, Bagin Krajewski, Nicole Hulbert, Carly Chambers, Scott West, Andrew Thornbury, John Van Grouw, Tina Walker, Ashlee Farmer, Christie Rodgers, Katrina DeZella, Courtney Welson, Maliri Duborg, Kirby Schutzman, Heather Sorsby, Kara Drewry, Sheronda Williams, John Mark Braswell, Gletcher Caulk, Zack Cozart, Kevin Stewart, Sam Whitney, Reuben Booker, David Walls, Danny Waddell, Stefanie Vick, Pam Curry, Ashley Banks, Jami Billings, Sheila Fleming, Artie Fagin, Thomas Darden, Sean Coring, Eric Hays, Omari Fuben, Shane O'Connell, Lauren Morr, Talia Ruggiert, Elliott Skiles, Casy Taylor, Eric Tusets, Greg Benson, Andrea Foxx, Velma Thomson, Margaret E. Davis, Patrick Brown, Eddie Jones, Terrence Marshall, Harolyn S. Butler, Chris Mitchell, Mark Sparybep, David Fletcher, Charles Noble, Lauren Myruik, Elizabeth Mills, Heather Stegall, Will Boothe, Kimberly Ridgway, Cynthia Kallaher, Hally Burten, Michael Cameron, Jessie Seahorn, Jonathan Mahon, Dylan Royal, Rachael Martin, Anna Rowland, Brandon Kelser, Danielle DeFur, Adam Winstead, Chris Barthold, Brittany Fryona, James Johnson, Kevin Kerley, Mike Pastorius, Courtney Knop, Ruth Nall, B.J. Jernigan, William Powell, Samantha McCallum, Ryan Taylor, Julia A. Wilson, Jason Zaloudek, Taylor Buckley, Robert Corken, Brian Donovan, Jason Sanden, Scott Helihy, Ashley Fields, Erica Sanders, Justin Klein, Thaisha Collins, Olivia Davis, Natalie Spencer, Tara Goodwin, Cassie N. Qualls, Amanda Spencer, Keri Logan, Andrew Legge, Allistar Bryant, Liz Schultz, Amanda Morehart, Joshua Hoaglan, Anthony Hall, Matt Hudson, Benjie Marvell, Mark Ledbettei, Erin Dutton, Joseph Martin, Vicki Brand, Justin McTeer, David Oliver, Kimberly May, Jessica Parks, Allie DeCeault, Angela Hood, Matt Hayeslip, Jason Faulstick, Chris Lemon, Emily Phillips, Joanne Upton, Heidi McDevitt, Erin Ours, Tiffany Ford, Angie Dorsey, Matt Wadlington, Michael Slater, Ana Ayers, Maureen Pecinovsky, Britni Achermenne, Alison Barnirrell, Jeremy Beridreamy, Brittany Caggman, Josh Carlan, Kevin Hale, Larry O'Malley, Amanda Duckworth, Patrick Davis, Jessica Hall, Stefanie Hall, Matthew House, Amanda Johnston, Brad Jones, Pam Higginbotham, James Watts, Tommy Siskman, Terry Moore, Chris Britt, Joseph Ferronte, Shenna Williams, Aaron Scott, Adam Maida, Muriel Tedbette, Chris Sniper, Amanda Pirani, Paige Jennings, Jason Casey, Kevin Hogue, Gina Smith, Derick Reayan, Willie Adams, Trey Crouch, Lauren Petrovsky, Kyle Woj, Rosalyn Collins, Mary Jo Bracken, Lindsay Talarico Jaime Pidkowicz, Valerie Short, Don Selentine, Seth Estock, Eric Crocker, Davis Moore, Mark Guess, Charise Hansen, Katie Hindley, Heather Hunt, Christina Oppenhuizen, Brooke Feathers, Amber Chauncey, Katrina Russell, Queta Dillard, Adam Coats, Megan Gabohart, Cecelia Dowling, C.J. Passmne, Matt Foster, Leigh Ann Tippett, Ryan Weaver, Karen Jeffries, Sarah Mullally, Brittany Whittington, Eric Kimura, Farris McDowell, Ryan Bunting, Shannon Simpson, Jamie Runtz, J.R. Moorhead, Emily Schmitt, Trecie Williams, Andy Gardner, Laura Poole, Ashley Gaines, Patty Berry, Adam Winstead, Adam Teveante, Bria Chambers, Jamie Bryan, Austin Williams, Blake Straussen, Hope Anderson, Maggie Tucker, Hunter Eline, Dennis Manning, Kelli Parrish, Cory Garvey, Heather Duborg, James Culpepper, Melissa Brent, Yekeshia Smith, Ashanti Smoot, Kimberly Stigall, Branoon Still, April Stone, Kimathi Streit, Kim Washington, Portia Williams, Rondah Smart, Aisha Sharif, Karonda Kirkwood, Jasmine McNeill, Marsha Jones, Jason Cunningham, Warren Thomas, Dore'al L. Mills, Adam McGahee, Roddrick Cole, Elizabeth Caroul Leng, Donecia Christian, Erica Butler, Terrance Terrell Jones-Young, Kelli Jones, Laurelon Lawson, Nakita Jones, Thomas Seymanek, Melanie Hall, Bridgette Flake, Crystal Holly, Tamyra Henry, Seirra Hamilton, Macus Williams, James A. Barnett, Charla L. Hubbard, Roger Ebstrom Joshua Hordin, Kenny Franklin, Miriam Jackson, L'rae Gregory, Charlotte Austin, Andrea Isom, Pamela Higgs, Andrea Grier Shana Jackson, Troya Hall, Angela Jennings, Jessica Austin, Jeremy Alsobrook, David Armstrong, Desmond Bell, Jefferson C. Beck, Mario Bailey, Marie Arnoult-Duffy, Pier Birong, Shantia Baldwin, NaSundra Burks, Tammy Benner, DeJuan A. Alexander, Christina McKinnie, Alexis Moore, Ibin Moote, Chinita Moore, Lashika Mack, Keona Merriweather, Ramon Smith, Marquist Taylor, Andre Nash, Sakinah Northcross, Miatta White, Natasha Nummally, Anthony Shaw, Barbara Lester, Quinterece Underwood, April Watson, Jason Gardener, Duke Rodda, Marquis Robinson, Elzey Rosebud, Adaryll, Celkite, Shaundra Glass, Kamesha Hervey, Kenya Jones, Michael McCaslin, Shanae Askew, Cecil Moore, III, Marvin Aubsby, Bettina Applewhite, Candace Clear, Jameelah Muhammad, Shelby William, Doug Powell, Sam Hedman, Ajada Bernard, Nina Addison, M.L. Addison, Tachina Alger, Richard Allen, Bria Nicole Rass, Corey Anderson, Lauanda Armstrong, Iquana K. Avant, Kimberly Bandy, Nikayl Bogu, Kapeshia Bouth, Shante Bronn, Rodney Bradley, LaKita Dwan Rooks, Khris Tunstall, Terrell Crutchen, April Gilbert, Patricia Jones, Caherine Jones, James Vally, Andrea Lane, Alicia Lattimore, Derek Richardson, Bruce Thomas III, Shironda Tempton, Ebony Laird, Torica Oliver, Shantel Taylor, Katoshia Broden, Michael Brewer, Mekesha L. Bonds, Rachel

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Madam Chairman, I have the greatest respect for the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas). But what difference does it make if it is called Meehan/Shays or Shays/Meehan?

Mr. FORD. Madam Chairman, if the gentleman would further yield, vote for Shays/Meehan then.