Martin Frost

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the ranking member of the Committee on the Budget. (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I ask the time remaining on each side?

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley).

Mr. FROST. That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I ask the time remaining on our side.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy). (Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman). (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to vote against the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment to the rule that will make in order an open rule for H.R. 472 and will increase general debate to 2 hours. The rule that is currently before us severely limits amendments as well as the time that they may be considered. The time restrictions in this rule will not provide Members with enough time to thoroughly debate this most important issue. Vote ``no'' on the previous question so we can amend this rule and make it completely open without limiting debate on important amendments. Make sure no Member of this House is shut out of the debate. Mr. Speaker, I wish to insert for the Record at this point a list of local governments, local officials and organizations opposed to H.R. 472, and the text of the amendment and extraneous materials related to this debate. Local Governments Opposed to H.R. 472 State of Hawaii, State of South Carolina, State of North Carolina, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, City of Detroit, Michigan, City of San Francisco, California, City of New York, New York, Miami-Dade County, Florida, City of Houston, Texas, City of Los Angeles, California, Cook County, Illinois, City of Denver, Colorado, City of Hialeah Gardens, Florida, City of West Hollywood, California, City of San Antonio, Texas, City of Austin, Texas, City of Hartford, Connecticut, City of San Juan, Texas, City of Jersey City, New Jersey, City of Laredo, Texas, City of Cudahy, California, and City of San Fernando, California. Local Officials Opposed to H.R. 472 County Commissioner Katy Sorenson (FL), County Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler (FL), State Senator Gwen Margolis (FL), State Senator Miguel del Valle (IL), State Representative Rebecca Rios (AZ), Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz (IL), County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Los Angeles (CA), Council Member John Castillo, Houston (TX), Othello City Councilman Samuel Garza (WA), County Commissioner Javier Gonzales, Santa Fe (NM), Councilman John Bueno, Pontiac (MI), Council Member Bobby Duran, Taos (NM), Councilwoman Debra Guerrero, San Antonio (TX), State Assemblyman Peter Rivera (NY), State Representative Sally Ann Gonzales (AZ), and Councilmember Martin Samaniego (AZ). Organizations Opposed to H.R. 472 United States Conference of Mayors, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, National Asian and Pacific Legal Foundation, National Congress of American Indians, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, NALEO, National Education Association, NEA, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, Consortium of Social Science Associations, Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and American Association of University Women, AAUW. United Automobile Workers, UAW, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, LCCR, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, AFT, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, MALDEF, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, National Council of Negro Women, Black Leadership Forum, Blacks in Government, National Urban League, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez). (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, appearances can be deceiving. At first blush H.R. 472, the Local Census Quality Check Act, appears to be a bill that will ensure a more accurate census count by enhancing local government participation in the 2000 census. But, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 472 is really a Trojan horse because it will, in fact, do nothing to enhance or ensure a more accurate count of Americans next year. Let me tell our colleagues what it will do, Mr. Speaker. H.R. 472 will impose an operational field plan on the Census Bureau that will actually, according to the Director of the Census, decrease accuracy levels in the count. H.R. 472 will extend an already lengthy process by requiring a post census local review program very similar to the one conducted after the 1990 census. H.R. 472 would extend the period of the head count by nine weeks, which would effectively prevent the Census Bureau from scientifically determining how many people had been missed in the head count. If H.R. 472 were to be enacted, it would ensure that the Census Bureau would not have enough time to correct errors in the census to ensure that each and every American has been counted. Mr. Speaker, such an outcome is totally unacceptable. H.R. 472 is unacceptable to Democrats because its real purpose is to prevent the Census Bureau from using the modern statistical methods that experts agree are the only way of conducting a census that does not miss millions of Americans, particularly children, minorities and the urban and rural poor. This is not a new fight, Mr. Speaker, but it is one that sets out quite clearly the differences between the Republican majority in Congress and the Democratic party. It is our unified and solid position that every single American counts and every single American should be counted. It is as simple as that, Mr. Speaker. Yet my Republican colleagues have erected roadblocks, gone to court and drafted legislative impediments all designed to keep the Census Bureau from conducting the most accurate and complete census as possible. The Republican National Committee and other Republican leaders fear that counting every American will damage their hold on political power, but let me close by offering my friends on the other side of the aisle some advice: In the face of opposition from the experts, from a unified Democratic party and from local governments and civil rights groups around the country poorly disguised attempts to influence the outcome of the census do not reflect well on the Republican party. As I have said many times, ensuring that all Americans are counted in the census is not and should not be a partisan issue. I sincerely hope that my Republican colleagues will put away their partisan fears and join us in working to ensure that the 2000 Census counts every single American. Mr. Speaker, I obviously oppose the bill, but I also oppose this rule. The Republican majority has seen fit to only make in order the amendment to be offered by the subcommittee ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), and then to only allow 1 hour of debate on this serious and substantive alternative to the Republican bill. Given the magnitude of the issue, Mr. Speaker, this is a wholly inadequate rule. Therefore, it is my intention to oppose the previous question in order that the House might have the opportunity to consider an open rule with 2 hours of general debate. The time restrictions imposed by this rule do not give Members enough time to thoroughly debate this most important issue. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would point out to the previous speaker what happened at the Supreme Court level. There have been several misstatements on the other side. I assume those misstatements were not intentional. What the Supreme Court did was to decide that a statistical adjustment could not be used for apportionment among the States. The Supreme Court specifically said that adjusted figures should be used for redistricting within States and for the allocation of Federal funds. I have read the Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court only spoke to the apportionment among the States, and that was a matter of construction of statutory law. They did not decide that on a constitutional basis. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and give honor to a Texas legend: Coach Robert ``Bob'' Hughes whose name is synonymous with the game of basketball. Coach Hughes has a winning reputation that stretches far beyond the great State of Texas and the mark he continues to make on the sporting culture of this great country is without argument an indelible one. This remarkable man's career spans almost four decades. He began his career at the proud and the historic I.M. Terrell school. After the unfortunate closing of I.M. Terrell, Coach Hughes carried on his winning tradition at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School where he continues coaching today and is an exemplar of integrity and sportsmanship. Among his many outstanding accomplishments: 19 district championships, 3 State championships, Coach of the Year 22 times. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated, and seen on the CNN. He also has more wins than any other high school coach in America at 1,120 and counting. People in Fort Worth often associate Bob Hughes with his young Wildcat teams, but it needs to be noted that this man has been directly responsible for producing many of the fine business and community leaders who contribute so much to our city and country every day. Congratulations Coach Hughes on the well-deserved honor you are receiving from Dunbar High. This is yet another momentous occasion in a life filled with them.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 119) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice in commemoration of the remarkable career of Mo Udall. During my first term in Congress, the great respect that we all had for Mo was demonstrated in an incident that took place in the Rules Committee. We had under consideration the rule on the Alaska National Land Act, the landmark legislation which preserved thousands of acres of pristine wilderness in the state of Alaska. There were two competing versions of the bill: one that was reported from the Interior Committee and one that was authored by Mo. Mo's bill was defeated in his own committee and the reported bill was supported by interests who sought to drill for oil in the Alaska wilderness, a position Mo vigorously opposed. Mo acknowledged his defeat in committee but still sought the right to offer his bill as a substitute on the floor. There was a fierce battle over the rule. Everyone knew that Mo had the votes in the House to pass his substitute. Mo's bill was favored by the environmental community and they lobbied furiously to allow the Udall substitute to be considered in the House. However, the opponents of Mo's bill were lobbying just as hard to deny him the chance to present his substitute once the Alaska Lands bill came to the floor. The Rules Committee was closely divided on the question of whether or not to specifically make Mo's substitute in order. I was the most junior Member of the committee and would thus vote last on the roll call. When the vote got to me, the vote was tied: everyone in the room assumed that since I was from Texas, an oil producing state, that I would side with the oil industry and against Mo. However, I held Mo Udall in such high regard as a person and as a legislator, that I voted with him to allow him to offer his substitute on the floor. He was, after all, the Chairman of the Interior Committee and a champion of protecting the wilderness, and there was little doubt in my mind, in spite of my home-state loyalties, that he should be given that opportunity. Ultimately, the rule passed and when Mo's substitute was voted on, it passed by a vote of 268 to 157. The bill itself, as amended with the Udall substitute, was ultimately passed by an overwhelming vote of 360 to 65. I can honestly say that had it been any other Member of Congress who had asked to have this far-reaching version of the Alaska Lands bill made in order that, as a freshman, I probably would not have gone against an important industry in my home state. However, there was no way in good conscience that I could have denied Mo his day in court and his vote on the floor of the House. He was that good a man; that good a legislator. Mo had the moral authority to command fair treatment. And that, Mr. Speaker, is what made him a great legislator. I am honored to have known him and more honored still to have served with him in this House. His legacy will live on for many generations of Americans both in the crown jewels of our national park system in Alaska and here in the House of Representatives.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today in praise of a remarkable group of student athletes, the Lady Tigers of Mansfield High School. This past weekend, the Lady Tigers won Mansfield's first-ever state championship in any sport by beating Corpus Christi Carroll to become Texas state champions in girls basketball. Mr. Speaker, I just returned this morning from my district and I can tell you that the girls of Mansfield High have spread Tiger-fever throughout North Texas. Mansfield is a town with just one high school and the local school district is the largest employer, so it is expected that the Lady Tigers would be the talk of Mansfield. But communities throughout North Texas have rallied behind the Lady Tigers, and the media in Dallas and Fort Worth have been filled with stories of the Mansfield girls toppling opponents from bigger schools. In fact, on their route to the state finals, the Lady Tigers defeated the team previously ranked number one in the entire country. Congratulations to Mansfield Superintendent Vernon Newsom, Lady Tiger coach Samantha Morrow, and most of all to the mighty Mansfield Lady Tiger student athletes. Your hard work and dedication throughout this season have been an inspiration to everyone in North Texas. You have our gratitude for an inspiring and exciting season. Hopefully this will be the first of many trips to Austin for the Mansfield Lady Tigers.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a group of tremendous student athletes from a great school that I am pleased to represent in Congress. I want to recognize the Lady Tigers of Mansfield High School, who have advanced for the first time ever to the Texas girls basketball state championship tournament in Austin. The Lady Tigers will take on Dallas Bryan Adams on Friday for the right to move onto the championship game on Saturday. The Lady Tigers have electrified everyone in the town of Mansfield and throughout North Texas in their path to the championship tournament. It seems you can't pick up a newspaper in my district without reading about how the community is rallying around the Lady Tigers. This past Saturday in the regional final, the Mansfield team used their stifling defense and solid depth to upset the number one team in Texas and the entire country, the Copperas Cove Lady Bulldogs. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mansfield coach Samantha Morrow and the courageous Mansfield student athletes for giving so much excitement to everyone in the 24th Congressional District. Through your example you've inspired younger female athletes in your community. Hopefully this will be the first of many trips to the state championship for the Mansfield Lady Tigers. Good luck Lady Tigers, we will all be rooting for you to bring home the state championship this weekend. But whatever the result, you already have our gratitude for an inspiring and exciting season.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express apprehension regarding the passage of H.R. 661. This bill, which bans the Concorde from operating in the United States, was introduced to deter the European Union (EU) from adopting a proposed regulation that would limit the use of hushkitted aircraft in Europe. American companies are worldwide suppliers of hushkits, which are fitted on older aircraft to reduce their noise level to meet worldwide noise pollution standards. The EU regulation discriminates against U.S. companies, and will cost American industry millions of dollars in losses. I strongly oppose the EU's regulation to restrict hushkitted aircraft, and support efforts to propel the EU to reassess their hushkit regulation. Last week, the EU did just that. The EU decided to postpone its decision on banning hushkitted aircraft until the end of March 1999. Originally, the EU was scheduled to pass the regulation on March 9, 1999. This delay gives U.S. negotiators a chance to make our case to the EU, and us a chance to carefully consider a reasoned and appropriate U.S. response if one proves necessary. I have some concerns that this particular proposal is neither effective nor risk free for U.S. interests.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 437, the Presidential and Executive Office Financial Accountability Act of 1999, is identical to a bill passed by the House in the 105th Congress under suspension of the rules by a roll call vote of 413 to 3. The Senate failed to act on this legislation in the last Congress, and so the House is again considering this proposal. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 437 will be considered under an open rule, but, because there was no opposition to the bill when the Committee on Rules held its hearing Tuesday, it is unlikely there will be any substantive amendments offered to it. The bill requires the President to appoint or designate a chief financial officer in the Executive Office of the President in order that financial management practices in the Office of the President might be brought into conformity with the practices in the 24 cabinet departments or major agencies that have been in place since the passage of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. Mr. Speaker, I know of no opposition to this legislation or to this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a great school that I am pleased to represent in Congress. I want to recognize the Duncanville High School Panthers of Duncanville, Texas for their state championship in Division 1 (5-A) football. The Panthers defeated Converse-Judson High School of San Antonio by a score of 24 to 21 on December 12, 1998 in the Houston Astrodome. This is Duncanville's first football championship. As anyone from Texas knows, high school football is not just a game for us--it's a way of life. On Friday nights, life comes to halt in many parts of our state when football fans pack high school stadiums to watch their local boys play. High school football teams in Texas are powerhouses not only in the state, but in the entire country. One such powerhouse was Converse- Judson, which was ranked fourth in the nation when they were upset by Duncanville. Duncanville upset two other favored teams on their route to the championship. It is a tribute to Jaguar Coach Bob Alpert and his squad of dedicated student-athletes that they never backed down in the face of adversity. I am proud to represent Duncanville High School in Congress and hope this football state championship is the first of many.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas and Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas. Both of these schools were recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report magazine as two of the top 96 high schools in the entire country. I am pleased to represent these excellent schools in Congress. Waxahachie and Ennis each met the magazine's rigorous criteria for ``outstanding'' schools. The magazine found that outstanding schools share several characteristics, including a challenging core curriculum, high expectations of the students, highly qualified teachers, effective training for new teachers, strong academic standards and expectations, strong parental involvement and support, teachers and administrators who know their students well, and high levels of student attendance. Both of these North Texas high schools represent the best in public education. Congratulations to Waxahachie High School Principal John Aune and Ennis High School Principal Linda Pirtle and the faculty, parents, and students of both schools for attaining this tremendous recognition. I hope the standard of excellence set by Waxahachie and Ennis High Schools will serve as an example to schools across Texas and across the country. These outstanding schools are proof positive that if we hold our students and educators to high standards, they will achieve academic excellence.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 50) and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.