Martin Frost

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Frank].

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the disagreement between one group of Republicans and the other can be resolved as quickly as possible so that we can know what rule we are debating. Mr. Speaker, the rule before us gives Members of the House the opportunity to make a choice on how best to balance the Federal budget in the next 5 years. In addition to the text of the budget resolution reported by the Committee on the Budget, the rule makes in order five substitutes which address different budgeting priorities. Each substitute offers an alternative to the agreement negotiated between the Republican leadership and the President. I would like to point out, however, that the rule does not, as I just mentioned, does not make in order a substitute which the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Minge], brought to the committee on behalf of the coalition. During our consideration of this resolution in the Committee on Rules last night, I offered an amendment to the rule which would have allowed the coalition substitute to be considered today. That amendment was defeated on a straight party-line vote. While the rule does give the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Minge] 20 minutes of debate time in order to explain the coalition's position, it is indeed unfortunate that the Republican majority did not make his substitute in order last night. As I said, Mr. Speaker, the rule does make five substitutes in order. The first, which will be offered by the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] is an alternative budget offered by the Congressional Black Caucus. This substitute provides for no tax cuts until after the year 2002, and meanwhile, provides increased funding for domestic discretionary programs as well as fewer cuts in Medicaid or Medicare. The second substitute offered by the gentleman from California takes the opposite tack of the Waters substitute. This proposal reduces nondefense discretionary spending by an additional $109 billion over the 5 years and uses those freed-up funds for additional tax cuts. The third alternative will be offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Brown]. The Brown substitute increases nondefense discretionary outlays and makes no provision for tax cuts until after the year 2002. The focus of the Brown substitute is on investment spending for economic growth in such areas as research and development, transportation, and education and training. The fourth alternative, which will be offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy], cuts less from Medicare and spends more on domestic discretionary programs than does the Committee on the Budget recommendation. The Kennedy substitute provides $100 billion more for health, education, transportation, research and development, economic development programs, than does the budget agreement. The Kennedy substitute provides $60 billion in tax cuts over the 5 years compared with the $85 billion recommended in the committee resolution. The fifth and final alternative, to be offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster], increases spending on transportation programs by $12 billion over the amount provided in the budget agreement. These increases are offset by across-the-board reductions in discretionary spending, both defense and nondefense, as well as by a reduction in the tax cuts provided in the committee resolution. As Members can see, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House have offered distinct alternatives to the budget agreement. Each provides a different means of achieving the goal of a balanced budget by the year 2002. But all Members should take careful note of how this rule is structured. If any of these alternatives is adopted, then the House will have finally spoken and no other alternative will be voted on, nor will the committee resolution be voted on. In other words, if, for instance, the Brown substitute receives a majority vote, then the House will never vote on either the Kennedy or Shuster substitute or the committee bill. I urge my colleagues to listen very carefully to the debate over the course of the next few hours. The decisions we make here today will affect every man, woman, and child in this great country of ours. The votes we cast today are, however, only the first step toward implementing a plan to balance the budget. The really hard votes are yet to come. Mr. Speaker, even if we pass a plan tonight or sometime early tomorrow, all we have done is establish a framework. No Member is obligated to support legislation implementing this plan if he or she ultimately considers it unfair or ill-conceived. Members will need to examine the reconciliation package that emerges from the committees of the House later this summer very carefully to ensure that their provisions do not unfairly affect one segment of our population in order to provide gain or benefit to a few. Mr. Speaker, no matter what decision the House reaches today, let us be sure that in the coming weeks and months that the decisions we make in implementing a balanced budget plan are fair and equitable and benefit all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. FROST. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, I would point out, again, as the gentleman knows, that the Members on my side of the aisle moved in the Committee on Rules last night that the Minge amendment be made in order and that that was rejected on a straight party line vote. It would be helpful, Mr. Speaker, for us to have some degree of notice as to what the rule really is. This really handicaps debate, not knowing what we are debating. So I would urge the disagreement on the Republican side, between one group of Republicans and the other group of Republicans, to be resolved as quickly as possible, so that we may know what rule we are dealing with.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar].

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Stand for Healthy Children Day that will be held on June 1. All across the Nation groups will be holding community health fairs focusing on the needs of our children. Ensuring that our children are healthy should be a top priority in this country and an issue that requires attention at all levels. The Children's Defense Fund, in cooperation with communities all over the Nation will be working with local officials to educate parents and renew their commitment to improving the quality of our children's lives. Prevention and education is the key to giving children the healthy start they need. In step with this important nationwide movement I am proud to participate in the Stand for Healthy Children for the 24th district at the Resource Center in Fort Worth, TX. This family picnic, sponsored by the National Stand for Children and the Community Health Foundation, will focus on teaching kids and parents about preventative health and safety. Free children's health screenings will be offered, and officers from the Fort Worth Police Department will be making identification cards for children. In addition, kids from all over Forth Worth will be able to participate in fun-filled activities, like art contests, story- telling, and other events. Bringing families together to talk about their children's health care is essential. By holding these health fairs, we can address concerns and work effectively to improve the quality of life for our children.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the national board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, on the occasion of their quarterly board meeting in Arlington/Fort Worth, TX. The meeting is being held from May 14 through May 17, 1997. The national board meetings of the NAACP have traditionally been held on the east coast throughout the history of the organization. Bringing this meeting to Arlington/Fort Worth, TX, signals a new era in which the national board of the NAACP can have a presence throughout the United States. Additionally, the location of this quarterly meeting is not only convenient for board members and other interested parties from Texas and the southwestern region, but is also expected to boost the economy in our area and save individual board members and the NAACP organization tens of thousands of dollars in travel and lodging expenses. I especially want to congratulate the Arlington and Fort Worth NAACP branches on their hard work and persistence in attracting this meeting to Tarrant County, TX, and for their diligent preparations to make the board members' stay a productive, exciting and comfortable one. The Nation's oldest civil rights organization continues to evolve and adapt to the challenges it faces in working toward equal justice and opportunities for all Americans, and especially African-Americans who have struggled as a race of people for more than 200 years to enjoy basic civil liberties. Mr. Speaker, I would again like to congratulate and welcome the national board of directors of the NAACP to Arlington/Fort Worth, Texas.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the cosmetology department students and faculty at Duncanville High School for winning first place in the national American Set-a-Good-Example competition. And I also congratulate Duncanville High School for their selection as this year's Learning Improvement Award winner. Duncanville High School is only the second school in the past two decades to win both these national awards in the same year. As a result, Duncanville High School will receive $7,500 in grant funds for these honors. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to commend the Concerned Businessmen's Association of America for sponsoring this competition and also Dr. Phyllis Mack of Savannah, GA, for funding these grants. With the program now in its 11th year, it is an excellent tool to recognize outstanding achievements in our public schools, and to reward that success with funding to help further enhance education. Mr. Speaker, I know that the young people of Duncanville High School worked hard to earn this recognition and by their participation have shown they can indeed take actions to better their own lives, their communities, and thereby improve the world we all share. Once again I would like to send my heartiest congratulations to Principal Mike Chrietzberg and all the teachers, parents and students who share in these incredible achievements.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Milam Elementary School, its principal, teachers, parents, and also the incredible students who have all today earned national acclaim through the Title I Recognition Program. The Title I Recognition Program honors 99 title I schools which have achieved success based on six very important criteria. Those criteria were: First, providing opportunity for all children to meet advanced level of performance; second, professional development; third, positive coordination with other programs; fourth, developing a curriculum and instruction methods to support a high standard of achievement; fifth, partnership among schools, parents, and communities; and sixth, 3 years of successful achievement data. The honored schools were selected through a vigorous, competitive process coordinated and managed by the various State Education Agencies. The award was presented today, May 6, at the International Reading Association Conference in Atlanta, GA. Title I provides funds to schools to assist them in helping at-risk children achieve a high academic standard in school. Nearly 70 percent of all children participating in title I receive reading instruction and over 40 percent receive instruction in mathematics. Mr. Speaker, I would once again like to congratulate Vickie Overton, the Milam Elementary School principal, and everyone associated with the school's title I program. They have made Milam Elementary School a symbol of what the title I program can achieve.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lockheed Martin Fort Worth Management Association and to honor the members of the National Management Association who, during the week of June 2 to 7, 1997, will honor Texas managers and promote our American Competitive Enterprise System during the 14th annual Management Week in Texas. Management Week in Texas is designed to recognize the profession of management and to appreciate the contribution and dedication the thousands of managers, in Texas, offer in support of the American free- enterprise system. Public recognition of management as a profession through Management Week in Texas helps to inspire young people to choose management as a career and encourages those with management responsibility to take pride in their work. Management Week in Texas is a part of the national Management Week in America which has been held since 1978. Both the local and national management weeks are sponsored by members of the National Management Association, which is committed to upholding and promoting the ideals of solid, effective management in diverse areas of society. I congratulate the Lockheed Martin Fort Worth Management Association for their work in honoring Management Week in Texas, and their commitment to continually improving management and business productivity throughout our State and Nation.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this open rule and I rise in support of H.R. 1271, the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization. Madam Speaker, the Committee on Science is to be commended for sending this legislation to the full House for its consideration. This bill, along with the others the House will consider today, are examples of what can happen when a committee sits down to do its work and includes all of its members, majority as well as minority, in its deliberations. Reauthorization of the research and engineering activities of the Federal Aviation Administration is an important matter to all Americans and especially to the flying public. This legislation enhances the activities of the FAA in four important areas: Capacity and air traffic management, weather, environment and energy, and innovation and cooperative research. The Science Committee has recommended funding priorities for the FAA in the next 2 fiscal years, and the open rule recommended by the Committee on Rules will allow the House to fully debate these priorities and the appropriate levels of funding. Madam Speaker, this legislation reflects what the real work of the Congress is all about: Taking care of the Nation's business. H.R. 1271 is not a bill which will grab headlines or make bold political statements. Instead, it is legislation which reviews and renews the activities of the Federal Government, upon which the people of this country depend to ensure their safety. The committee system has been used to its best advantage because of the cooperative spirit demonstrated by the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner], the chairman, and by the gentleman from California [Mr. Brown], his ranking member. I commend them as well as the other members of the Committee on Science.

Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1031. The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mrs. Morella]. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to again rise in support of our annual special order in recognition of Greek Independence Day. Today, as we pay tribute to the movement for Greek independence that began 176 years ago, I would like to espouse the importance of this island nation to the lives of all Americans. Greece has been called the birthplace of democracy, having contributed much to the structure of our society and to the establishment of this very institution. While today we may take it for granted, the concept of majority rule with full respect for the rights of the minority was first developed in ancient Greece. This notion is deeply embedded in our own Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Today, as we struggle with problems and crises that were unimaginable two thousand years ago, we are guided by the philosophies of ancient Greece. Of course, the influence of Greece continues to this day. Here in the United States and throughout the world, Greek-Americans continue to make significant contributions to all aspects of our culture. So, in recognition of all of the achievements and contributions the Greek people have made to this country and toward the betterment of the human race, I salute Greece in their celebration of independence and freedom. In particular, we in America are gratified by Greece's role as a close American ally, and by the contribution that the Greek-American community makes to this country--and we only have to look around this chamber to see our members of Greek heritage with whom I know we are all proud to serve. We also appreciate the role that Greece plays as a stable anchor in the heart of the turbulent Balkans as anarchy wracks its neighbor to the north, Albania. Mr. Speaker, we look to Greece to continue to play the strong and responsible role it has played in assuring that the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean remain a region of peace and stability. I trust that our government will also continue to support a free, prosperous, and strong Greece. I urge all our members to join in wishing the people and government of Greece our best wishes and heartfelt hopes for a bright future.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to a bad rule for a questionable bill and a truly terrible substitute. Mr. Speaker, this joint resolution is a slap in the face of our Nation's neighbor to the south, and the substitute, which was brought to the Committee on Rules, is a slap in the face of the President of the United States. It is unrealistic to expect that the Government of a sovereign nation would be willing to cooperate with the United States if Congress passes legislation such as this. It is ludicrous to think that the President would sign anything which directly condemns him, as does the substitute made in order here. The fact that this resolution has been brought to the floor in this manner, without opportunity to amend it with a more reasonable approach to a problem that everyone agrees is of critical national importance, demonstrates that the majority in this House is not interested in narcotics control. Rather, the majority is demonstrating its first priority is to bash the President and his administration, and then to bash the Government of one of our Nation's closest neighbors. Mr. Speaker, no would can deny that drugs are the scourge of our society. Mr. Speaker, no one can deny that the influx of drugs from Mexico is a serious problem that affects every level of our society. While the Mexican Government and President Zedillo have taken important steps toward implementing a meaningful drug control program, many, many serious deficiencies exist, and evidence of corruption is alarming. None of us can deny that more must be done, much more. The Government of Mexico has not done everything to fully cooperate with our law enforcement agencies, and, despite 52 requests for drug-related extraditions, has not extradited a single Mexican national. This is serious business. But how can we expect another sovereign nation to work with us, to cooperate in our efforts to stem the tide of the influx of this poison into our country, when we move ahead with legislation like House Joint Resolution 58? We need to step back, Mr. Speaker, and examine the implications of this legislation carefully and rationally. The lives of American children depend upon our actions. Yesterday the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff], a Member of the other party, came to the Committee on Rules and made a compelling case for a sense of the Congress resolution which he proposed as a substitute to the committee bill and the substitute offered by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert]. The Schiff substitute recognizes the direct threat that drugs represent to the United States and that the Government of Mexico has failed to undertake measures which would significantly curb the drug trade and corruption in that country. The language is strong and right on target. But the Schiff resolution calls on our Government to continue to work with the Mexican Government to dismantle drug cartels and arrest and prosecute their leaders, to achieve compliance with our extradition requests, to increase interdiction, to step up efforts to enhance law enforcement efforts on both sides of the border, and, finally, to identify and eliminate corruption at every level of the Government of Mexico. The Schiff resolution would have, had this House been permitted to consider it, sent a strong message to the Government of Mexico but would not have sent along with it a direct slap in the face. I offered an amendment to the rule to include the Schiff resolution in the amendments to be considered today, but my amendment was defeated on a straight party-line vote, with all the Republican Members voting against the substitute offered by their own fellow Republican [Mr. Schiff]. Mr. Speaker, the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations told the Committee on Rules yesterday afternoon that the current situation with Mexico and the certification process mandated by section 490 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shows that the law does not work. The President was faced with an extremely difficult choice when he was presented with the choice of certifying or decertifying Mexico. There is little disagreement that this law does not allow the President adequate flexibility to deal both with the drug problem and with the totality of U.S. national interests. The law should be changed. But in the meantime, there is little reason to believe that the Republican majority should use this outdated law as an opportunity to specifically condemn the President of the United States by bringing forward a substitute resolution which contains language which specifically states that the administration's policies of the past 4 years amount to, ``the failed antidrug policy.'' So, Mr. Speaker, I intend to oppose ordering the previous question on this resolution in order to try to amend the rule to allow the House to consider the sense of Congress resolution proposed by the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff]. His proposal is reasonable and sends a strong message and encourages greater cooperation between the United States and Mexico. If we are serious about stemming the flow of narcotics into our country, reason and not insults should prevail. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Reyes].

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, a President of the other party, Mr. Nixon, once observed, watch what I do, not what I say. The folks on the other side are following that advice, of course. They are claiming to be bipartisan, claiming sweetness and light, and then they bring forward the Hastert amendment on which Democrats were not consulted. They brought it to the Committee on Rules, imposed on a straight party line vote, and they used the Hastert amendment to attack the President and his administration. Let me read from the Hastert amendment which they are presenting as this wonderful compromise. On page 4: United States Government strategy has been weak in responding to statutory deadlines, has been characterized by an absence of statutorily mandated measurable goals, lack of effective coordination and program accountability, and often untargeted and insufficient funding, from the smallest agencies involved in the drug war up to and including the White House Drug Policy Office. They are not talking about another country, they are talking about our President in our own country. They further say: United States Government policy has emphasized additional funding for unproven drug treatment techniques at the expense of accountable drug prevention programs that effectively teach a right-wrong distinction. And then they go on to say: For the past four years, United States Government strategy has failed to use the media to communicate a consistent, intense antidrug message to young people. The folks on the other side, in praising this compromise, I guess they are compromising between their right wing and their far right wing, the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert], neglect to tell us that what they are doing is condemning the President of the United States, condemning the activities of our own Government in trying to counteract this drug trade.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 additional minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Reyes].

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Barton]. (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica].

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. There is a serious matter here that is being discussed, of course. And we are saying that this rule is unfair. We are not suggesting that there is not a serious drug problem, that we have serious reasons to question the degree to which we have gotten cooperation, none of that is under question here. The question is what is the most reasonable policy to make sure that Mexico will in fact continue to cooperate with the United States and continue to do the things necessary to decrease the flow of drugs into our country. This is not a fair rule that the majority reported out of the committee. They rejected the amendment offered by one of their own Members, a sense of Congress amendment offered by the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff]. I include the Schiff amendment for the Record at this point: Amendment Offered as a Substitute to the Committee Amendment to H.J. Res. 58 Offered by Mr. Schiff of New Mexico In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted insert the following:

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, the committee did not give us a reasonable series of choices. What they presented was the bill out of the committee, out of the Committee on International Relations, and then their own substitute, a Republican crafted substitute in which they took great pains to criticize the President of the United States. There are Members on their own side of the aisle, on their side of the aisle who do not agree with this position. We should have had a range of choices. There should have been a sense of Congress alternative offer. That is clearly what is going to be done in the other body. That is clearly what is being presented by the Senator from my State, a member of their own party, Senator Hutchison. That is what the Senate perhaps will vote on soon. Yet they deny us the right to vote on that option in the House of Representatives. I would urge that the House vote no on this rule, send this back to the Committee on Rules so that a fair rule may be crafted on this most controversial and most delicate matter of relationships between us and our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Italy Gladiators, an amazing high school basketball team located in my district. On Saturday, March 8, in Austin, TX, the Italy Gladiators defeated Vanderbilt Industrial 71 to 63 to capture the 2-A State championship. The Italy Gladiators advanced to the State playoffs for the first time since 1968. Italy's record for the 1996-97 basketball season was an impressive 27-4, and senior guard Keith Davis led Italy in the championship game with 27 points and was named the game's most valuable player. Keith was also named to the all-tournament team, along with Kenneth Wallace and Jontae Anderson. My congratulations to the 1996-97 Italy Gladiators: Don Clingenpeel-- coach; Kyle Holley--coach's assistant; Josh Droll, Nick Clark, Dennis Copeland, Brian Weaver, Donnie Clingenpeel--managers; Jontae Anderson, Kenneth Wallace, Keith Davis, Dejuan Davis, Chris Boyd, Jordan Hugghins, Randy Johnson, Jason Uehlinger, Michael Shelby, Nick Cooper, David Weaver, Edwin Wallace, and Sam Owen.